The Medieval Modern Man With A Gamer Mindset
Chapter 75

The Medieval-Modern Man With A Gamer Mindset 75

75. Difference of Opinion

[Fantasy Monarch], the game I used to enjoy, allowed for different styles of play depending on the player’s personality.

Just looking at the possible ways to play, it had a great degree of freedom.

Some people would model themselves on Casanova and become womanizers, having affairs with countless members of the opposite s*x. In the process, they would make countless enemies and enjoy the thrill of constantly risking their lives.

Others, on the other hand, would be content with being a minor lord and aim to raise their children well. In [Fantasy Monarch], it was possible to become a cyber-parent, watching with pride as their children grew up to be successful and took up important positions.

However, most people remained faithful to the original concept of becoming a lord who leads a family in a fantasy world. They would engage in countless schemes to increase the glory of their family or the prosperity of their domain.

And the vast majority of them would indulge in the fantasy of a great empire, repeatedly expanding their territory without thinking until they were assassinated and their empire was torn apart by a succession dispute.

In the end, they would often end up being defeated by those they had conquered, or by compromising with their vassals and becoming nothing more than a hollow empire, a house of cards.

In that respect, I was a user with a somewhat unusual play style compared to the average player.

While most users wanted to appease and persuade their vassals and be remembered as a benevolent ruler, I never appeased my vassals first. While most users tried to win their favor to avoid assassination, I prevented assassination by crushing them.

Because I realized something at one point. In [Fantasy Monarch], the important thing was not to expand your borders.

The most important thing was to squeeze the land I was given to its limits, nip any internal factions in the bud before they could cause political strife, and then raise a strong army to create unshakeable authority.

Of course, it’s true that schemes like assassination or sowing discord are important.

However, schemes were ultimately a gamble that the weaker side hoped for. offline, I was the type of user who was inclined to establish a stable and extremely durable authority.

Naturally, this meant that my schemes tended to be defensive and counter-attacking in nature.

Those who faced me would quickly realize that my schemes were stronger at supporting what the army couldn’t do than at steadily and meticulously designing an inheritance.

Also, my disposition, which was the opposite of most users, developed into an entirely different playstyle.

While most users relied on the excellent abilities of their successor, I relied on a developed territory and a powerful army raised by my predecessors. Even if I lacked ability, if I had unnecessary legitimacy, I could avoid wars.

That meant that I didn’t do things like fratricide or whatever, promising to pass the throne to a child with good ability scores.

I just steadily weeded out internal enemies, filled important positions with easy-to-manage personnel, cultivated followers who were faithful to religious principles, and bit off external enemies one by one.

In the process, I arranged my inheritance in advance so that I could deal with any unexpected sudden deaths.

If I repeated this process several times, I would inevitably come to understand this.

The best strategy is to build a foundation that won’t collapse from the start. The best way to defend against schemes is not to rely on individuals, but to establish a system that will continue.

-Of course, tribal governments that rely heavily on the charisma of individuals can’t do this.

Of course, judging from the organized invasion, it seems like a king-like existence has appeared… If it’s still in its early stages, there’s plenty of chance of victory.

This is why I envisioned a long-term war as a way to deal with the pagans who crossed the sea. There was no way that their customs, which relied solely on plunder, could overcome the administrative experience of the church, which had accumulated over many years.

“I can see that Your Majesty doesn’t understand, so I’ll explain it more clearly.”

Moreover, there were many reasons for this, even if they weren’t from playing experience in [Fantasy Monarch].

“First, the groups that have successfully settled after obtaining land have less reason to sacrifice for other groups that aren’t satisfied enough. They might help because they’re watching the leader’s mood or to keep their faith, but there will be limits. ”

I don’t think that a group of 100,000 is all the same tribe.

Even if they share the same culture and the same faith and have a sense of solidarity, there are limits. It’s natural to think, “Why should I work when I’m full and warm?”

That means that even if we can’t completely stop the invasion, we can passively change some of our opponents.

“Second, we can invade them.”

Furthermore, this battle was one that the five duchies of the Dawn Archipelago couldn’t win.

Our opponent’s main camp was so far away and out of sight that we could only be hit one-sidedly.

“The pagans have been based across the sea and have been constantly hitting us. However, if their goal is to establish a strong forward base or to migrate, they will want to build a new base on the fallen Penrad Duchy, consuming countless resources, manpower, and time.”

Until now.

“Rather than going on an expedition to an unknown place across the sea, it would be an easier, faster, and more certain way to inflict damage by wiping out their new base, which they will establish nearby. Since we are superior in terms of knowledge of siege warfare using strongholds, we can gain an advantage in this area.”

Moreover, unlike the pagans, who have never been heard to use cavalry, our knights are professionals at fighting on horseback.

We could also let them know that in addition to raiding on ships after taking over the Penrad Duchy, there was also the option of crushing them under hooves.

“Third, we can tie up the forces of Yubas, who have been eagerly watching for an opportunity to attack neighboring countries, in dealing with the pagans. Eventually, Yubas will also learn that the only way to fully reconcile with their own people is to give them their share. Since those greedy bastards won’t do that, I can clearly see a future where they will unwittingly create a conflict.”

Yubas was a bonus.

Recalling the past when those bastards screwed me over, this was actually an extremely generous and warm forgiveness. I gave those guys who had tried to kill an innocent boy because they were obsessed with heresy a chance to repent in the temple.

“Fourth, the Penrad Duchy is far away from us. If the pagans establish a base, it makes sense to drive them to the place farthest from us and where it will be difficult to interfere with contact with the mainland.”

Oh, I hope King Athelstan realizes how much I’m thinking about our Powys Duchy.

It’s something that a figure from the church would never do, but I’m only making this suggestion out of my terrible filial piety, thinking only of my father and my family. King Athelstan should forget about selling the right to appoint at this point.

It was a moment I had been waiting for.

“It’s because people who only know how to count can’t do this.”

King Athelstan, who had been listening in quiet silence, began to shake his head.

“Your Majesty. I have come up with the best policy for our duchy.”

“Narva. I became king as a knight.”

And as he stared at me, rebutting me, he uttered words I had heard long ago.

“A knight fights in place of those who have not the courage or strength to fight, and a king protects those who cannot protect themselves in place of God. This is what sets us apart. The moment we lose our faith and honor, we are nothing more than mere cutthroats and thugs.

Surely your proposal is horrifyingly cruel and logical, but…”

I could guess what was coming next.

“…as a king who must gather his people, as a knight, I cannot follow you.”

As soon as I heard these words, echoes of the past pressed simultaneously down on my forehead.

[Your Majesty, I cannot obey that order! How can you give such an order as a king!]

[Your Majesty… you must receive the love of your people. Such cruel measures will only lead to the alienation of their hearts.]

[This servant replaces it hard to understand. Why do you insist on doing something that will make you so hated?]

I stroked my throbbing forehead with my right hand and suddenly realized something.

Come to think of it, I’m not the king now, am I?

“Rest assured, Your Majesty.”

“…Narva, what are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“I know that a king cannot do what needs to be done because he must not be hated.”

I am now a bishop.

And a bishop.

“Then I, not the king, will do what needs to be done.”

-It meant that I didn’t have to worry about the opinions of those who would burn me at the stake if I were a heretic.

***

The meeting was over.

I breathed deeply at the attitude of King Athelstan, who had remained tight-lipped, and left the reception room.

Fortunately, King Athelstan was the only one who actively opposed my argument. The next king, Eadred, and the spymaster, Lord Aubert, accepted that my argument made sense.

The two of them followed me out shortly after I left and began to shower me with praise. Their intentions were obvious to anyone, but since the underlying intentions were not malicious, I was able to receive them pleasantly.

“It must be a great burden for someone in the clergy to volunteer to do this. I wonder who would dare doubt the loyalty of his subordinates.”

“Narva, I will leave the mobilization system and the selection of fortresses to you. I am shameless, but I ask for your help. However… I understand why my father is complaining so much.”

Eadred even bowed his head slightly and whispered, worried that I might be offended.

“There have been many dishonorable rumors since his accession to the throne. Because of that, he is sensitive to dishonorable acts, so please be aware of that.”

“…I completely understand.”

It seemed that the rumor that he had killed his brother and became king had become quite a trauma. I couldn’t help but nod with a trembling expression. Only then did Eadred breathe a sigh of relief and add a few more words.

“If we part ways with such a cold atmosphere, there is a chance that false rumors will spread and create an unwanted conflict. Even if you don’t like it, how about staying for a while, cheering on Tervere’s expedition, and spending time with your father to reconcile?”

I certainly understood why Eadred was so popular among his vassals.

No matter how cooperative I appear here, I will only be seen as a naive child. In the end, I had no choice but to nod slowly with an awkward smile.

“Well, it wouldn’t hurt to see some familiar faces for once.”

“My boy. When the transcription of the customary law is finished, send me one.”

“Don’t worry. Much faster than any printing press…”

“Printing?”

Oh no. I must have let a modern word slip because I was too relaxed.

I waved my hand and corrected the anachronistic expression.

“Thanks to the skilled scribe in charge, it will be out soon.”

***

In the Bishop’s office of the cathedral, the smell of old books wafted in the air.

Bishop Ganista, breathing on his glasses, was ignoring the young woman’s earnest pleas.

“Excuse me, Bishop… I have to go out for a moment to do something.”

“Ho ho ho. As I recall, Princess Norpeng, you visited us a few minutes ago.”

“Th, that was to get some water because I was thirsty.”

“Are you sure? If you go out often to drink water, you’ll only waste your time.”

Bishop Ganista had a cold personality, despite his smiling face.

He just laughed at Karina’s coquettish pleas, never giving in. Karina was the one who eventually broke down, unable to overcome his ironclad defense.

“What is this! I came here because I had nothing to do!”

“Then why did you choose to support the Diocese of Povis out of all the places?”

“Well… I heard that a child about my age had become the bishop, so I thought I could have some fun!”

16 years old. In this world, it was the age at which one was recognized as an adult.

And Karina was the same age as Narva, who had become a bishop at the age of 16 and was taking energetic measures.

“Hmm. I understand why the Norpeng royal family readily agreed. Princess, over there. You’ve made a mistake in your spelling. It should go inward, not outward.”

“Why are you staying here instead of going to your diocese!!!”

Karina, unable to bear it any longer, exploded in irritation, but Bishop Ganista only smiled.

“Looking at how you’re doing your work, I don’t think I have to worry about the handover.”

“You’re thinking too short-term, Bishop.”

“Princess, even if you say that, the letters won’t get any smaller…”

“When you retire, Bishop, you’ll probably be a layperson or an ordinary priest, but do you think that guy who will become your superior will let you go?”

“….”

That was until Karina pressed the issue that he had been desperately trying to avoid.