Volume 2 chapter 60
After the morning spar, Charlo had breakfast with his brother. Soon after, his father Sachs summoned them to the reception hall.
On the way, Charlo learned that Rose Castle was hosting a special guest. The current Count Sword—Charlie de Lorde!
Charlo's uncle looked remarkably young, appearing to be the same age as Drake. He sat on the sofa in a crisp black suit, his sharp blond hair shining in the sunlight.
"Charlo! Drake! Long time no see!" Charlie smiled and greeted them first as they entered.
"Long time no see, Uncle!" The brothers responded with smiles.
"Come, sit down!" Sachs gestured for them to take their seats.
"Father, you called us here to..." Drake asked after sitting down, puzzled.
"To discuss your brother... Charlo's promotion!" Charlie smiled, looking at Charlo with a scrutinizing gaze. "Not bad! Your body and mana are incredibly powerful. You don't look like someone who just broke through!"
"Haha! You flatter me. It's not that exaggerated; I'm just a little stronger than an ordinary Seventh-Rank Knight!" Charlo shook his head humbly, while secretly using his Elemental Sight to examine his uncle.
Under the Elemental Sight, Charlo saw clearly that Charlie was like a vacuum cleaner, constantly drawing in the surrounding mana. The attraction force was even stronger than his father's.
In the center, Charlie's body stood like a monolith, unshakeable no matter how the mana washed over it.
It seems my uncle didn't slack off after inheriting the title. Looking at this... he's almost at the Eighth Rank! Charlo thought to himself.
"So, personal strength isn't an issue. What about territory?" Charlie asked.
"That's even less of an issue!" Charlo replied easily. "Ironwood has absorbed five Viscount territories and swallowed half of Smolder Territory. Added to the original land, the area exceeds 4,000 square kilometers!"
Charlo was actually understating it. He didn't count the lands in Balar or the islands. If he did, the size would double.
"Mm..." Charlie nodded. "Then all conditions are met! However..."
Charlie's tone shifted. "Aren't you too harsh on the original nobles? They lost to you and submitted. You shouldn't treat them like that... Charlo! I've heard condemnation against you in the East. You should be more tolerant. As a ruler, you must learn to share the profits!"
"Uncle!" Charlo dropped his smile, his face turning serious. "They are not my subjects. They never pledged loyalty to me! Therefore, I have no obligation to share benefits with them! Their lands are compensation for my losses! Not exiling them is already magnanimous! I must prioritize the interests of my true subjects before considering them—and I apologize, but my subjects have no intention of sharing with them!"
In fact, many nobles had wanted to defect to him, but he rejected them all. If he accepted them, how could he legitimately seize their lands?
"That is good!" Charlie nodded again, then added, "But watch your reputation. The nobles you defeated in the East are busy fabricating stories about your atrocities! Don't ignore it. Have your subordinates spread propaganda for you. In the noble circle, reputation is vital!"
"Yes! I will! I was just too focused on construction to deal with it earlier!" Charlo agreed.
"Mm... you are young and have plenty of time. Take it slow, no rush!" Charlie smiled with satisfaction.
"Now, let's discuss the arrangements after Charlo becomes a Count!" Finally, Sachs brought up the core topic of the meeting.
"Mm..." Charlo pondered for a moment, then spoke first. "After I become a Count, I will further strengthen cooperation with the Iron Rose and Sword families. I will increase the export quota of salt, ironwood, and wine by 50%, and grain by 30%. Additionally, I will add a Mana Stone export!"
"Mana Stones?" Charlie froze. "You took the Smolder mine?"
"Correct!" Charlo snapped his fingers. "From now on, I will export 100 kilograms of Mana Stones to each family monthly, priced at 50 Imperial Gold Coins per kilogram! How does that sound?"
"This..." Sachs stood up excitedly. "Charlo, you don't have to go that low. The market price is usually over 100 gold coins. This is too..."
"It's fine, Father!" Charlo interrupted. "Ironwood is just starting out; we don't need that many Mana Stones. Consider it a discount for family! Don't worry, I'll charge others 150!"
"That... that works too. You are thoughtful!" Sachs sat back down, looking gratified.
"Let's continue! What do you want us to do?" Charlie asked calmly. He knew Charlo wanted something in return.
"Nothing much!" Charlo said relaxedly. "I just hope you can sell me more slaves, at a cheaper price! Also, help me recruit some Magicians and Supernatural Artisans! And of course, the most important thing—help me shut the mouths of those gossipers!"
"That is no problem!" Charlie said without hesitation. "Your promotion is good news for us. We won't let anyone slander you!"
"Don't worry, Charlo! If anyone dares speak ill of my son, I'll be the first to duel them!" Sachs thumped his chest.
"Then I'm relieved!" Charlo nodded and smiled.
With the support of two established families, Ironwood's position in the East was secure!
Locally, he had good relations with Count Ronald and the others. In the Capital, he had the backing of two ancient Count families. Even Grand Duke Landon couldn't trouble him without cause!
As for the defeated Smolder family, they were finished. With five Counts suppressing them, not even a Marquis would stick their neck out for a crippled house.
Of course, Charlo still hadn't decided which political path to take, but there was no rush. Ironwood was still small enough to pivot easily.
After this expansion, Ironwood wouldn't expand again for a long time. Charlo had reached his administrative limit.
Until a new batch of loyal administrators was trained, Charlo wouldn't expand! Before he fully decided on his ideology, he had to keep his official corps "pure." He would never employ the old nobility in positions of power!
Chapter 168: Shadows of the Empire
"Next, let's discuss the recent situation in the Capital!" Charlie continued.
"Influenced by the Demon Expedition, His Majesty has conscripted troops three times, but the situation on the battlefield remains poor! Recently, a proposal for a temporary withdrawal was raised by Marquis Robert! The Empire is now split into three factions!"
"One is the Withdrawal Faction, led by Prince Abner and Grand Duke Edwin of the West. One is the Reinforcement Faction, led by Grand Duke Harold of the North and Grand Duke Folk of the East! And finally, the Stalemate Faction, led by Grand Duke Brian of the South!"
"His Majesty intends to continue fighting and increase intensity! Our two families support Grand Duke Brian. The war is too brutal; many families have suffered heavy losses. Take Marquis Robert—an ancient Marquis, nearly 400 years old. His three sons all died on the battlefield. It's unknown how long it will take him to have another child, and it will likely result in a downgraded inheritance! A Marquis family with 12,000 years of history is about to break in his generation! He is frantic!"
"So, what is your view on the Demon Expedition?" Charlie asked Charlo directly.
Here it was. The real test. This question would determine the depth of their future support!
Charlo's eyes sharpened. The trade deals were secondary to these old families. What truly mattered was where Ironwood would stand politically!
When Ironwood was just a Viscount territory, they didn't care. A Viscount's influence was negligible. But a Count? A Count had the right to sit at the table.
Because Charlo was Sachs's son, Charlie had explained the situation in detail before asking. For anyone else, he would have just demanded an answer.
"Internally, I do not support sending troops..." Charlo stated his position bluntly.
"The war is too brutal. As a newly promoted small territory, Ironwood lacks the foundation and strength of established families. Rashly involving myself in a war of this magnitude will only bleed me dry! However, His Majesty's will cannot be ignored. Since Ironwood is in the East, I need the understanding of our two families. Sometimes, Ironwood must speak up for itself! But rest assured, no matter what, Ironwood will not stand with Grand Duke Landon!"
Charlo laid out Ironwood's difficulties and position clearly.
"Mm! We understand! Grand Duke Brian's reach doesn't extend there, so he can't help you much!" Sachs nodded. "With your assurance, we are relieved! regarding certain issues, we will arrange for High-Rank Magicians to build a Magic Tower for you. We can communicate via Magical Projection!"
"Mm! That's good. Saves running back and forth or waiting for Griffon Knights to deliver letters!" Charlo nodded and proposed, "Let's build it in the former Warhammer Territory. It's closer to the Notos Plains!"
"Hah! You rascal! You planned this already, didn't you?!" Charlie laughed loudly. "Even the location is picked! You really are something! Hahaha..."
"I have no choice... Ironwood lacks foundation..." Charlo scratched his head, smiling shyly. "So I can only rely on my elders to pay! Ironwood really can't afford to hire a High-Rank Magician to garrison! A Seventh-Rank Magician costs 10 Imperial Gold Coins a month!"
"No problem! Whether it's the construction cost or the hiring fee, we will cover it!" Sachs waved his hand grandly.
"Thank you, Father!" Charlo bowed obediently.
"Hah! No need to be strangers!" Sachs said dismissively. "Alright, we depart tomorrow to see His Majesty and get your promotion!"
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