Episode 83
Once doubt takes root, it can spiral endlessly—such is human nature.
Richard hadn’t initially blamed the Holy Roman Empire for everything.
“I’ve always thought the one who stands to gain the most is likely the culprit. Naturally, I investigated.”
“Did you? Could you share how you went about it?”
“I discreetly asked nobles with connections in France to make inquiries. But there was nothing suspicious in Paris. Even Philip II seemed troubled, as if he hadn’t anticipated this.”
“I see.”
Marshal nodded, seemingly unsurprised, which only deepened Richard’s curiosity.
“Could it be that a French noble acted independently, without the king’s knowledge?”
“Unlikely. Besides Philip II, there’s no one in France capable of orchestrating something so intricate.”
“But we found no evidence. Shouldn’t we consider France innocent for now?”
“Your Majesty, with all due respect, if Philip II orchestrated this, uncovering it would be nearly impossible for us.”
Richard was momentarily speechless. Marshal had always held Philip II in unusually high regard, something Richard had sensed for a while.
Richard himself acknowledged Philip as a capable ruler—handsome, decent, considerate, yet firm when it came to national interests. A fair assessment, he thought.
But Marshal seemed to place Philip on an even higher pedestal, akin to the likes of Baldwin IV of Jerusalem or Saladin.
“Marshal, sometimes I think you hold the French king in higher esteem than the French nobles do.”
“Perhaps I do. And rightly so.”
“I don’t understand. Sure, he ascended the throne young and has ruled for a decade without major issues. I’ve sailed with him and know his capabilities. But I never found him as extraordinary as you seem to.”
“That’s because Philip II doesn’t want those around him to feel threatened. Look at the results. How much of the French nobility’s land has become royal domain in just ten years? The strengthening of the French crown is remarkable.”
Marshal’s words prompted Richard to compare France’s past and present. Indeed, the transformation was significant, yet no single event stood out as a turning point.
While Richard pondered, Marshal continued his calm explanation.
“By establishing autonomous cities, he made it easier to recruit infantry. He developed a bureaucracy and a corps of loyal knights, naturally curbing the nobles’ power. Initially, no one saw it as a direct challenge to the nobility.”
Philip II had punished corrupt nobles but never openly threatened them like Richard did. The development of a bureaucratic system greatly increased administrative efficiency and tax revenue, something Richard was seriously considering for his own realm.
This virtuous cycle spurred urban growth and the implementation of various projects and policies. Merchants spoke of Paris’s rapid development.
If this was all part of Philip II’s plan, he was indeed a man of remarkable skill.
“But even if you’re right, can we really accuse Philip II based on that alone?”
“Of course not. There are other reasons for suspicion. I’ll share them once they’re more concrete.”
“Understood. But remember, if this takes too long, I’ll have to act.”
In international politics, being underestimated can be disastrous. A king who can’t protect his nation’s treasures won’t earn the loyalty of his nobles. This was a matter of political prestige for Richard, and his patience was a significant concession.
Marshal, confident, nodded and left the room, leaving Richard to his thoughts.
If, by chance, this was indeed a French scheme and Marshal resolved it, what would that mean for Marshal’s influence in the kingdom?
Richard gazed at the empty space before him, hoping his concerns were unfounded.
In the lord’s office.
Having given Richard the largest room in the mansion, I had to conduct all my business here.
“Something feels off.”
“I agree,” Fatima said immediately.
The documents my father had gathered seemed unproblematic at first glance.
“Sir Alberic’s letters stopped arriving months ago.”
“The elder said that’s what happens when people rise in the world.”
“True, it might look that way to others.”
When Alberic became the Count of Dammartin, I had asked him to adhere to certain protocols, one being regular reports unless he sensed surveillance or suspicion.
Alberic was a seasoned warrior with secrets to take to the grave, highly sensitive to anyone tailing him or probing for information.
The fact that he hadn’t sent letters for months was telling.
“It suggests Alberic is under surveillance in Paris, and the timing is suspicious.”
“Should I go to Paris? I could capture whoever’s watching him and extract some useful information.”
“No. The answers would be predictable.”
If Philip II ordered Alberic’s surveillance, it wouldn’t be handled sloppily. Alberic himself was a veteran of the Crusades. Even if caught, measures would be in place to prevent information leaks.
“So, what should we do?”
“We can’t conclude Philip II is behind this just yet.”
From France’s perspective, they might suspect Alberic of leaking information to me. Even if France isn’t behind this incident, Philip II would likely exploit it to his advantage.
If Alberic were passing information to me, it could harm France. To resolve this, we need undeniable evidence.
But as I told Richard, digging into Philip II’s affairs would yield nothing. Worse, we might fall into a trap.
Philip II might have set a snare, ready to accuse us of false charges, gaining the upper hand in public opinion.
In a straightforward battle, no matter how politically savvy I am, I can’t outmaneuver Philip II. He’s one of history’s legendary figures.
However, I have a few trump cards to level the playing field. I know how formidable he is, but he has no idea what I know.
This asymmetry in information is a powerful advantage.
I set aside the report and recalled my knowledge and historical records, connecting them to the current twisted situation to determine where to probe.
“Fatima, go to… no, take someone with you. Remember that assassin you caught before? What was his name?”
Since I gained the ability to see status screens, I’ve never been more shocked than by the trait [Permanent Eunuch]. A trait that made both the world and me weep.
“I changed his name to something more common here. He’s called Jean now.”
“Alright, take Jean and discreetly head to Limoges. Investigate the viscount there.”
“Limoges?”
Limoges is a region in southwestern France, sandwiched between the County of Périgord and my lands. If Philip II orchestrated something, it likely passed through there.
To an outsider, my order might seem random, which is why Fatima looked puzzled.
“Didn’t the Viscount of Limoges attend the university opening? He didn’t seem particularly impressive.”
“Exactly. That’s why you can safely investigate.”
There was no need to take the risk of traveling to another country to dig into the affairs of Philip II. While Philip II might be a prominent figure in French history, the people he employed were not of the same caliber. No matter how much the king might insist on secrecy, the further down the chain of command you go, the more likely it is that vigilance will slip.
Instead of directly confronting Philip II to gather evidence, it would be enough to expose his collaborators. I carefully explained the plan to Fatima, who still seemed a bit bewildered.
“Approach it as if you’re certain that he’s the culprit from the start. If you find anything suspicious, make sure to document every detail and bring it to me.”
“Understood. But even if he’s the culprit, quite some time has passed. To gather proper information, we might need to search the lord’s manor. Isn’t that too risky?”
“Is that so? Then we’ll have to create the right circumstances. If we can lure the viscount and his entourage out of the manor for more than a day, you should be able to search it without worry, right?”
“If you can manage that, I’ll make sure to leave no trace behind.”
“Good. Go and get ready.”
As soon as Fatima nodded and quickly retreated, I stood up and dressed to meet Richard again. If, after all this, Philip II turned out to be innocent, my position might become precarious. But I was confident that wouldn’t be the case.
“Hmm…”
I wondered if he would be caught off guard if his scheme was uncovered, or if he had another plan in mind. With a rare sense of excitement, I considered my opponent’s next move while choosing my outfit for the meeting.