Free Web NovelChapter 1104: Chapter 479: Rogue Knight Clues (2)
"What if, upon arriving in Bilibali, we discover that the Sea God Trident has already been traded to the Estalians behind the scenes?" asked Temple Knight Alfred, voicing his concern.
"We must retrieve our Duke of Boldro’s ancestral divine artifact regardless," Fidmund replied succinctly.
"It won’t be so easy to make the exchange." In response, Laine disagreed, shaking his head: "If those Estalians truly plan to operate from the shadows, then their exchange must be cautious, and given Estalia’s chaos... in any case, let’s see the circumstances when we arrive at Bilibali. Fidmund, besides these, do we have any other information?"
"No, that’s all." Fidmund shook his head.
"Hmm..." Laine picked up the intelligence report on the table.
The Bilibali Duchy is primarily composed of three forces: Duke Bilibali Silva, Estalia’s Merchant Alliance, and the previously mentioned Flame Sun Knight Order branch.
Duke Bilibali Silva commands part of the duchy’s army and navy. This duchy is located in northern Estalia, controlling part of the coast. The land is desolate with towering cliffs, so the main income relies on maritime trade. As Duke of Bilibali, Silva commands a powerful fleet to ensure security.
Additionally, Estalia’s Merchant Alliance also holds a place here. In the more liberated Southern Realm, due to being far from the threat of Chaos and Green Skin, people are more free and disordered, so merchants, like in Marinburg, have gained a certain status.
Then there’s the Flame Sun Knight Order branch from the Empire, with altogether fewer than sixty knights. However, no one dares to underestimate them because behind them stands a powerful nation.
"Carl Franz may be the leader most adept at employing diplomatic strategies." Laine pointed at the map with his finger, smiling: "It’s precisely because of him that Estalia lacks formidable military forces, as in Estalia, all troops desire to join the Empire and serve the Emperor of the Empire. In comparison to the fragmented Estalia, the powerful Great Empire is certainly more attractive to its people. The Empire’s grandeur and might are so captivating that every year, many quality populations move to the Empire to serve Emperor Carl Franz. This is the ’Imperial Stewardship’ diplomacy established by Emperor Carl, primarily targeting the Southern Realm. Every year, the Empire can obtain brave new recruits and quality population from Estalia."
"Duke Bilibali is a profit-driven tyrant who only cares about his port and neglects the Beastman Tribe rampaging in the Southern Forest. The Merchant Alliance is money-eyed; they only seek more wealth and new trade routes, and under their instigation, Estalians have repeatedly had maritime disputes and border clashes with us. These people will just obstruct our investigation!" Fidmund frowned, "Lastly, the Empire’s Flame Sun Knight Order branch is too small; I can’t think of what help they could offer us."
"You can’t think of the problem this way, Fidmund." Laine shook his head and first placed his finger on Bilibali Duchy’s port.
"Just as you said, Duke Bilibali Silva is a tyrant. This may be disastrous for his subjects, but for us, it’s a sought-after opportunity."
"Sought-after?" Fidmund was a bit puzzled.
"Everyone has their own desires. Since Duke Bilibali Silva can ignore the Beastman Tribe rampaging in the Southern Forest, as long as we pinpoint his interests, he can also ignore our investigation or even deployment of troops for border combat. Isn’t this good news for us?" Laine explained slowly.
"Yes, it truly is." Fidmund nodded in agreement.
"As for the Merchant Alliance, we don’t have to worry about them making things difficult for us. On the contrary, these merchants will treat us like honored guests." Laine continued.
"But these merchants constantly incite Estalia’s nobles to war against us, Brittania..." Fidmund seemed to perceive something implicitly.
"Indeed, that’s the nature of merchants. Their status dictates that they follow the flow of benefits, adhering to basic order yet craving enough chaos." Laine further explained: "Inciting warfare isn’t their true desire for all-out war; merchants just aim to create chaos. Chaos means price fluctuations, offering merchants profit opportunities. However, as long as we pose a stance that if the Sea God Trident isn’t found, we’ll overturn the table and sever trade routes, then what do these merchants have to challenge us? Their guards? Mercenaries? Are you so unconfident in your skills and the Sea God Fleet behind us, Fidmund? Merchants won’t act to that extent. Commerce thrives with harmony; they are weaker than we imagine. When the situation indeed tenses up, they will undoubtedly step forward to assist us."
"I see! I understand now!" Fidmund gasped with relief. The Duke’s heir apparent felt reassured after hearing Laine’s series of analyses: "What about those Flame Sun Knights, then?"
"The Flame Sun Knights will be our allies. We must know how to utilize them." Laine traced his finger along the trade route from Estalia to the Empire, moving toward the Flame Sun Knight Order’s headquarters in Talabeheim: "The Empire and Brittania have had an alliance spanning centuries, combating numerous enemies together. The Flame Sun Knight Order also values Knight spirit. Furthermore, I’ve signed many alliance and cooperation agreements with the Empire, so communicating with them should be no problem."
"The Flame Sun Knights have operated the trade route between the Empire and Estalia for five hundred years. They hold strong influence and recruiting channels within Estalia, and their personnel even small fortresses are present along major roads. If I haven’t misjudged, finding the rogue knights’ whereabouts might yield more clues through these Flame Sun Knights."
At this point, it was already six o’clock in the evening, and the chefs delivered a feast made with bread, cheese, smoked meat, and fresh fish, complemented with wine from Boldro.
"Lord Laine, I truly admire your wisdom!" Fidmund, calmed by Laine’s series of analyses, poured red wine from Boldro into Laine’s wine glass: "With you alongside us, we’re sure to retrieve the Sea God Trident!"
"It’s not these people I’m worried about." Laine continued to frown: "Humans, at least, follow some rules. What truly worries me is... according to intelligence, the Beastman Tribe has recently rampaged through Estalia, destroying numerous villages."
"There will be ways to handle it, Laine. Thinking too much now won’t help." Veronica patting Laine’s hand said, "The Jialan Council has an office in Margaret, and Lady Melissa will assist us."
"I recall Speaker Margarita was born in Estalia?" Laine suddenly remembered.
"Margaret, Margarita, darling, don’t you understand yet?" Lady Veronica teased: "Listen to those names, and you know she should be Estalian."
"I’ve never cared about such matters..." Laine retorted: "Apart from that, Nord calls Laine, Brittania calls Leon, Estalia calls Leo, but all three words mean lion. Does calling someone lion mean they’re from the same country?"
"They’re all human, that’s for sure." Alfred concluded for the dinner.
"Hahaha~"
After dinner, Laine and the others returned to the cabin, Alfred bidding farewell: "Well... my friends, I’ll head down."
"Wish you a wonderful night, Afu." Laine also bid Alfred farewell, then opened his room door and collapsed on a sofa boredly. The Dark Elf brewed him red tea: "Master, enjoy the tea."
"And Lady Veronica."
"Thank you." Veronica kicked off her heels and naturally settled on the bed. The Jialan Witch mocked: "You’re really here as a father to Duke Bodric’s heir."
"Aren’t we?" Laine signaled Ollica to approach for an embrace. The Dark Elf Maid obediently slipped into Laine’s arms, shoeless.
"That nephew of yours still needs cultivation~ already over fifty years old yet immature in these matters." Veronica massaged her waist, always speaking candidly before Laine.
"Nephew... hahaha~" Laine couldn’t help but laugh at Veronica’s words. Nephew nonsense? Fidmund is over fifty, while he’s only in his thirties.
"By the way, Ollica, Veronica, have you decided who’ll sleep on the sofa tonight?" Laine cradling Ollica’s soft body, asked mischievously.
"No one will sleep on the sofa tonight, Master." The Dark Elf’s answer was enigmatic.
