CH267 War Reparation I

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"War Reparation Proposal?" Drake raised an eyebrow.

Alex nodded. "I haven't heard any news about our reparation demands to the Kellerman Family, nor the ransom for Josiah Kellerman which, as your heir and the highest ranking commander during the war, I believe I should be privy to. I assume no final decision has been made yet, so I hope to offer some input before it is."

Drake had already learned two things from their ongoing discussion.

The first was never to dismiss Alex's proposals before hearing them in full. The second was… to not bother reading the documents themselves. They were too cumbersome and convoluted for that.

Besides as the saying went, it was always better to hear things straight from the horse's mouth.

"Alright," Drake said, leaning back comfortably into his chair. "Let's hear it."

"The key point in demanding reparations from the Kellerman Family," Alex began, "is not to chase short-term gains but long-term benefits. If we push for too much too quickly, we may push the Kellermans to desperation and they may seek protection by allying with a greater power. That would only complicate the political balance of the Imperial Northwest. Instead, we must give them just enough false hope of recovery while quietly steering them toward a slow, almost invisible decline... one they cannot reverse."

Drake's eyes sharpened with interest.

"And how do you propose we accomplish that?" he asked.

"There are a number of ways, but at the very least, we must avoid requesting money," Alex replied without hesitation. "The war itself—and its aftermath—must have drained their coffers. Their liquid funds are likely stretched thin just trying to repair the damage. If we demand gold, we will most certainly push them into desperation as they would not be able to pay, given their current liquidity situation, and defaulting is not something they can afford, nor can we allow. That desperation will only drive them into the arms of hostile factions eager to 'help' under the guise of financial support.

"Besides, we don't need coin. What we need are resources—tangible, long-lasting resources."

Alex laid a hand on the final page of his proposal. "Instead of wealth, we take what they have in seeming abundance: land and iron (metal ores).

"The Konradi Barony, their territory closest to our Fury lands, as reparations for invading us. And in addition, exclusive mining rights to every iron vein in their Northwestern County—already devastated by the Wildkin—for the next twenty years. Officially, this would be the ransom for Josiah Kellerman, while also a measure to prevent them from stockpiling iron to launch another invasion attempt."

He smiled faintly. "At least, that's what we tell them."

Alex began breaking down his reasoning for demanding these specific concessions.

"Taking the Konradi Barony serves two purposes. First, it curbs the Kellermans' ambition. Their attack on our lands likely stemmed from the temptation of advancement—their fief was only a step away from becoming large enough to elevate their Earldom into a Marquisate. By stripping them of this Barony, we push that milestone further from reach.

"It's the perfect balance: curbing their ambition without provoking them into outright rebellion. A single Barony is something they won't hesitate too long to surrender."

His expression sharpened. "This also ties into the second purpose—but I'll return to that later."

He shifted to the next point. "As for the mining rights, the purpose is not just to deny them the iron needed to wage war again. If my earlier proposals are accepted, our fief will require a greater supply of metals—something we currently lack. The Kellerman mines can provide exactly what we need.

"While passing through their Northwestern County, we also learned from the locals about rumours of untapped mines the Kellermans themselves have not exploited. If we 'discover' and exploit them during the twenty years of mining rights, they won't be in any position to object."

Drake finally interjected. "Have you considered the security of these mines and their supply routes?"

"I have," Alex answered firmly. "Most of the rumoured untapped veins lie within, or close to, the Konradi Barony. Perhaps the Kellermans deliberately avoided mining near our border, which would explain why such resources have remained untouched for so long. Either way, this is to our advantage.

"Once we seize the barony and establish our presence, securing supply convoys through the county will be far easier. And don't forget—the Kellermans' armed forces are crippled. They committed nearly every able-bodied man to their invasion, and now most are either dead or wounded. Within the next five to ten years, they won't be able to muster enough strength to resist our mining operations, not if we are determined.

"If they dare to interfere, they would only hand us the perfect justification for launching an invasion of our own—an invasion that could lead to us swallowing their entire county, not just a single Barony. They won't take that risk."

He paused for a moment before continuing.

"Once the Kellermans agree to hand over the Barony, they will almost certainly request a grace period before honouring the agreement. We will accept."

Drake's eyes narrowed. "Why would we agree to that? Giving them time only allows them to destroy critical infrastructure."

"It's a risk we'll have to accept," Alex replied steadily. "That delay is crucial for the second purpose behind demanding the Barony as reparations. Of course, to minimise damage, we can stipulate in the agreement that they are forbidden from destroying infrastructure during the handover. It won't stop them completely, but it will limit how much harm they can do. They certainly won't be as blatant about it."

He leaned forward, eyes glinting with cold calculation.

"Besides infrastructure, the most valuable thing they'll use that time for is relocating the residents.

"The Kellermans are desperate for population after the war and the Wildkin incursion. They won't allow us to inherit both the land and the people. They'll strip the Barony bare of its residents and move them deeper inland to bolster their dwindling numbers."

A faint smile tugged at Alex's lips.

"And that… is precisely what we want."

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