Chapter 167: Initial Plan
If Count Kais’s speech was merely a suggestion, then King Eric’s words were a final decision.
Though his final statement was only a few words, it represented the stance of the entire nobility of the Pruck Kingdom.
Decades of peace were about to end; the relationship between the two kingdoms seemed to have reached the brink of war.
"Your Majesty, I implore you to reconsider! War is not our desire, nor is it our only option!"
Heidwin’s face grew pale. He knew this matter would be difficult to resolve, but he had never expected it to be this serious, or to escalate so quickly.
"I will report Your Majesty’s stance to the Crown Prince. Please, grant us a little more time!"
Eric listened in silence, offering no reply.
Duane was puzzled. ’How did this man ever become an envoy? The phrase "make Freddy pay the price" had been brought up several times now. Is he genuinely not understanding, or just playing dumb and refusing to address it? Since the King and Count Kais are reluctant to say it, I guess it’s up to me—the one directly involved—to speak up.’
"Your Excellency!"
Duane’s voice rang out, drawing everyone’s attention.
Many were surprised, not expecting Duane to have the courage to speak up on his own initiative.
Recalling the scene from the March meeting where he had been so infuriated by Earl Orlando that he fainted, the onlookers found the current situation somewhat surreal.
"Lord Baron, please speak!" Heidwin’s tone was exceedingly respectful.
Duane said, "If your kingdom truly wishes to avoid war, then have Viscount Freddy show enough sincerity to atone for the crimes he and his men have committed. Stop wasting everyone’s time spouting nonsense!"
Heidwin snapped back to reality. He was beginning to understand why things had escalated this way.
He just couldn’t understand—what could Viscount Freddy possibly have that was worth all this fuss?
The news about the Meteorite Iron discovered in the Secret Realm on Viscount Freddy’s territory had not yet reached Heidwin and his party.
After all, the flow of information in this world wasn’t particularly fast. Besides, there was no need to inform envoys stationed in the Pruck Kingdom about such matters and risk causing unnecessary trouble.
Heidwin hesitated, then continued in a stalling tone:
"If Viscount Freddy truly did these things, the Akutas Kingdom will naturally hold him accountable. If..."
Duane cut him off. "The facts are plain to see. There are no ’ifs.’"
Realizing he could no longer evade the issue, Heidwin asked tentatively, "Then what price do you believe Viscount Freddy must pay to compensate for your losses, Baron?"
Duane raised one hand, his five fingers spread wide. "Five thousand Gold Coins and ten warships!"
"Furthermore, I heard from Garrot that the Viscount has a Secret Realm that can be developed. I want fifty percent of the profits!"
’He was just throwing out a number. Whether they’d agree to it was another story.’
Regis couldn’t take it anymore and shouted, "Why don’t you just go rob someone?"
Heidwin quickly silenced him, lest he suffer the same fate as Garrot.
The nobles of the Pruck Kingdom, however, understood the underlying implications. The term "Secret Realm" was too conspicuous to ignore, and it inevitably sparked their imaginations.
A look of satisfaction appeared in Eric’s eyes as he watched Duane. ’This kid has some serious nerve, making demands like that!’
Count Kais felt the same.
He had just been wondering how to steer the topic of compensation toward the Secret Realm, and Duane had just solved the problem for him.
"Your Majesty!"
Suppressing his fury toward Duane, Heidwin pleaded, "Baron Duane is clearly just trying to cause trouble! I beg you to put a stop to his behavior!"
Five thousand Gold Coins and ten warships was already an outrageous demand, but fifty percent of the Secret Realm’s profits? ’He must be dreaming.’
"Now, now."
A faint smile played on Eric’s lips. "Compensation is always a matter of negotiation, step by step."
He paused, then continued, "Since that’s the case, I will have Count Kais take the lead. He, along with Henry, Peter, Duane, and other nobles, will work with you to draft a list of reparations. That will make it easier for you to present it to Duke Blazing Sun."
Crown Prince Howard of the Akutas Kingdom was the Regent King, and also held the title of Duke Blazing Sun.
After saying this, King Eric rose from his throne. Entrusting the subsequent matters to Count Kais and the others, he departed the grand hall.
The reparations plan would surely require several rounds of negotiation, and eventually, representatives from Akutas would have to come over. Eric had no need to be present for all of it.
For the rest of the afternoon, Heidwin, Regis, and Vesi felt as if they were living through a nightmare.
They had thought Duane’s demands were absurd, but they hadn’t expected the other nobles to learn from his example and make even more ruthless demands!
Someone had even made the utterly insane proposal of handing over a contingent of 1,000 Mages.
Fortunately, Count Kais was clear on the ultimate goal of the negotiation.
Only after demanding five thousand Gold Coins, three warships, forty thousand slaves, and four thousand sets of standard-issue armor, weapons, and shields did he finally get to the main point—
Pruck Kingdom would be allowed to dispatch laborers and teams to exploit the Secret Realm’s resources alongside Viscount Freddy, receiving thirty percent of everything extracted.
The agreement specifically listed rare resources such as Meteorite Iron, Tungsten Gold Ore, and Mithril.
Only then did Heidwin and his two companions finally understand why the Pruck Kingdom was making such a commotion.
It was all for these rare resources!
It sounded outrageous, but an excuse and an opportunity like this were a once-in-a-thousand-years chance.
If they succeeded, the cost of mobilizing their army to apply pressure would be negligible in comparison.
Heidwin and the others knew that it was useless to argue. It didn’t matter whether they accused Duane of lying or fabricating evidence.
At this point, the incident had very little to do with the attack on Duane anymore.
Finally, they dragged their weary bodies out of Cyan Snake Fortress.
Count Kais led Duane and the others to His Majesty the King’s study to report on the preliminary agreement that had been reached.
"We’ve reached a preliminary agreement. In two months, at the beginning of February, the Akutas Kingdom will send a special envoy, along with Viscount Freddy, through Flowing Silver Fjord to Silent Harbor."
Count Kais reported, "Duane will be responsible for escorting the prisoners to Silent Harbor. At that time, we will conduct the second round of negotiations at Sea Cliff Castle."
Eric nodded. "When the time comes, I will have Otto attend as the Royal Family’s representative."
There was no need to arrange such negotiations in the Royal Capital; holding them at the Silent Shore would be far more convenient.
Otto was His Majesty Eric’s second son, also known as the Second Prince.
Duane seemed to recall him being a handsome, blond young man.
The King spoke again. "Hunter, send word to your father. Tell him to maintain pressure on the border but be careful not to let any actual conflict break out."
"Kais, the same goes for you. It would be best if your fleet is spotted by the Starfall Islands, but again, do not make direct contact."
"Peter, contact Count Kudro and keep an eye on the Kasa Kingdom’s movements. Also, have your father arrange for a Giant Shadow Wolf Cavalry Team to pass through Fernando Province and reach the border."
King Eric thought for a moment, then added, "We also need to send word to the Kasa Kingdom’s envoy and briefly explain the situation."
The Pruck Kingdom shared a border with not only the Akutas Kingdom but also the Kasa Kingdom.
They couldn’t allow their troop movements to cause a miscalculation on Kasa’s part.
Following that, Eric screened and responded to requests from other nobles who wished to participate, then arranged for the Minister of State Affairs to handle matters concerning the merchant caravans traveling between the two kingdoms.
Listening to this series of arrangements, Duane couldn’t help but admire the King. His strategy was perfectly clear, and his arrangements were meticulous.
Finally, the King’s gaze fell upon Duane.
"Baron, your performance this time was excellent. From here, you just need to cooperate with Count Kais on the prisoner exchange and then await the outcome."
Duane breathed an inward sigh of relief. His trip to the Royal Capital had finally come to a successful conclusion.
"Your Majesty, several of Viscount Freddy’s cargo ships are still at Black Forest Island. I had intended to bring two of them here as an offering to you, but unfortunately, I don’t have a captain and was unable to sail them over."
Eric couldn’t help but laugh. "You just keep those ships. What would I do with them?"
A few cargo ships were hardly worth his notice.
"Rest assured, you will not be short-changed on the compensation from this negotiation. It is what you deserve."
Duane’s face immediately lit up. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"