The Lord: In Another World, I Have a Summoning Card !-Chapter 46: Rejection

Arthur reflected for a few moments on the consul’s words in front of him.

They weren’t just a suggestion or diplomatic small talk—they carried an implicit message that he understood clearly: the kingdom was sending a silent invitation to the conscripted nobles, urging them to increase their actual contributions instead of merely maintaining their passive, indifferent stance.

And it made sense. Most nobles who responded to the draft—Arthur included—had been assigned to defensive positions.

Not only because the kingdom, until recently, had adopted a defensive strategy, but also because the military commanders knew all too well the nature of these nobles: eager to reap benefits with the least amount of sacrifice.

To put it plainly, even those who joined the campaign out of ambition—to earn military achievements that might grant them a title promotion or additional land, particularly jsute Third younger son of noble family like Arthur himself—could not be relied upon to take initiative or risk their lives and troops, unless circumstances forced them to.

As for the currently titled nobles, like Baron Edric for example, some had arrived with specific goals in mind: expanding their influence, escaping a political deadlock, or simply polishing their image before the royal court. But few of them intended to seriously fight or take real risks.

Most were likely to settle for passive defense—or perhaps, in secret, attempt shady arrangements with certain orc leaders in hopes of avoiding direct confrontation, even at the cost of their fellow soldiers.

Of course, they’d claim it was "tactical," though in truth, it was nothing more than betrayal disguised as wisdom.

Yes, everyone desires spoils of war, but no one is willing to die for them. Wealth means nothing if you’re not alive to enjoy it.

As for the talk of "fighting for the kingdom, the homeland, and the honor of the nobility"—they’ll tell you that was their ancestors’ duty. As for them, they were born to enjoy what those ancestors left behind.

To the consul, it seemed Arthur had been affected by his words... and a subtle sense of satisfaction stirred within him.

No surprise there—the young man before him had accomplished more militarily than most of the other nobles assigned to defensive positions by army command.

In fact, in a short period following his arrival, he managed to wipe out the orc army that had besieged this fortress for many long months.

Sure, there might have been other contributing factors—perhaps luck had played a role—and perhaps his accomplishments exceeded what one would normally expect from the third son of a young viscount, barely recently conscripted. But in the end, such details didn’t matter much to the consul.

What truly mattered was that Arthur’s military achievement report was excellent—and that alone was enough.

As for investigating his background or questioning his lineage, the consul considered that a waste of time. His long experience had taught him that nobles of the same rank were not equal—not in influence, nor in circumstance.

Every family had its secrets, its problems, its history... and no one truly knew what went on behind closed doors. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

So, it wasn’t surprising that among their offspring, some might exceed expectations—while others might fall short of even the bare minimum.

What he was thinking now was this: if he could motivate Arthur to offer further contributions—greater than what he had already accomplished—then such deeds would undoubtedly be mentioned in his personal merits report submitted to the royal court.

After all, he was the king’s consul, and part of his core duties was to encourage and stimulate the nobility to serve the crown.

True, his own achievements wouldn’t be recorded on the battlefield like those of frontline commanders, and their military value might be considered lesser—but they were far safer, more sustainable, and capable of accumulating like a snowball growing over time.

And if fortune ever favored him, and he managed to support a rising star—a young noble with ambition and exceptional potential—he might just reap the ultimate reward... as if fate itself had placed a crown on his head without the need for war.

That was why the consul wanted to add a little more incentive:

"Lord Arthur, perhaps you’re unaware that a young noble from your southwestern region—by the name of Gerard Glovas—unlike you, chose to join the main army directly upon arriving at the garrison.

He has also achieved notable accomplishments and caught the duke’s attention and recommendation. In fact, he was even promoted to viscount."

With that amount of encouragement, the consul felt confident about Arthur’s next decision. For young men at Arthur’s age, nothing motivates more than comparisons to their peers who seem to be advancing.

As for the differences in background, resources, or starting points—they often don’t realize those until they’ve taken a few blows from reality, forcing them to rethink their choices... and the world around them.

The consul pondered silently:

"True, I became the royal consul because of my title and distant royal lineage—but that lineage is far removed and grants me little more than ceremonial respect.

I hold no real influence, no personal authority, unlike most landed nobles in the kingdom. The local nobles possess the majority of the resources, and if I were to get too close to them or exploit my position, I might end up stabbed in the back and beheaded.

At best, I could lose my post, and then I’d be no better off than some minor noble of little standing."

"As for waiting for the court’s recognition—hoping they grant me land or a meaningful fief—that could take decades with no clear outcome."

"But if I offer enough contributions, and my name is included in reports of commendation and encouragement, I might achieve what I want within the limits of my role. Supporting young men with ambition and ability, and helping them achieve tangible success, directly benefits me."

"And if he dies? So be it... another will rise. Opportunities don’t die—only faces do."

Arthur turned his gaze toward the consul, who was still watching him intently, then gave a faint, almost imperceptible smile, and said in a calm, composed tone:

"Your Excellency the Consul... While I am honored by the trust you’ve placed in me, and I fully recognize the importance of the coming campaign... I’m afraid that my current circumstances do not allow me to participate directly."

The consul raised a single eyebrow without offering a comment, prompting Arthur to continue speaking in a tone of gratitude laced with restraint:

"As you know, my unit is still in the process of reorganization after the recent brutal battles, and most of my men are new recruits. I don’t believe pushing us into the front lines at this moment would be a wise decision.

"Furthermore, the recent reports I submitted—which indicate the orcs are continuing to send small units toward this front—suggest a rising desire for revenge. I don’t want to leave behind a heavy burden for whoever may be assigned to our position later, only for them to face the brunt of that retaliation in our place. What I truly aim for is to make a meaningful contribution when the conditions are right."

He paused for a moment, then added in a more diplomatic tone:

"What I hope for is that we’re granted enough time to properly prepare, so we can serve the campaign with maximum effectiveness—not simply become wasted numbers in the first clash."

He was silent for a beat, then continued with a more courteous tone:

"Naturally, I will remain at my current post, monitoring movements and supporting the campaign to the best of my ability. I can allocate part of my resources to aid the forward combat units. As for my direct participation... what I truly wish for is that it comes at a time when I can guarantee real effectiveness—not just a ceremonial display or wasted numbers in the opening battle."

He looked at the man in front of him and sneered inwardly:

"The campaign... under the banner of Duke Criman? As if anyone expects me to lead my men with enthusiasm, risking my life for vague promises, with no clear commitment. Even if the kingdom offers real benefits, staying alive to obtain them is one thing, but keeping them after the war is entirely different, and depends on how much power will remain to me."

The consul was silent for a moment after hearing Arthur’s words.

Then he quickly changed his expression, without showing any discomfort.

He simply nodded calmly, as someone who was used to hearing excuses of this nature, but his voice carried a glimmer of warning that he did not conceal as he spoke:

"I understand your point of view, Lord Arthur... but remember this well—the opportunities do not knock twice. The kingdom does not grant fiefs based solely on good intentions. Of course, your previous achievements will not be forgotten, but they may lose their luster over time, especially if others rise with deeds that outweigh them. This may not only affect the timing of your fief’s grant, but also its type and size."