Chapter 83: Seemingly Harmless But Scheming
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“The new diplomat of the Iron Nation, Augustine, has come to pay a visit to the Lord of the City of Dawn!” The speaker was a handsome young man with long, gold hair. He was dressed in a light purple gown that looked very luxurious. But there were no symbols on his cuffs and collar.
It was obvious that even though he had dressed like an aristocrat, he did not have the status of one.
After Augustine saluted, he flashed an enchanting smile. To many people, he appeared very harmless.
His conduct was refined and courteous. He seemed very neat and tidy. He had an elegance that aristocrats rarely had, and he was radiating gracefulness.
But William knew. The harmless Augustine had actually performed much better than Goethe Nasis in version 1.0.
Not only did he have Legendary bloodline, he was also strong and was a conspirator!
Goethe Nasis, the illegitimate child of the Iron Nation, had established the Freedom Alliance. But he had only managed to show off his belief and influence in his short life.
It could be said that Goethe was like other ordinary kings who only fought for their own authority. He did not think about the impact his Freedom Alliance would have on the legendary continent.
If one looked closely,
Goethe’s setup was too small…
But Augustine, he was not only a true heir, but he had also further developed the Freedom Alliance after the collapse of the Iron Nation. He had even shone brightly in the legendary continent.
This kind of person?
How could William not value him?
“Please take a seat.” William gestured.
“Thank you.” Augustine sat on a seat located at the left side of the meeting room. He observed the paintings and statues in the room, and looked full of admiration. Flashing a smile, he said, “I have come to visit you, Lord William. Knowing a person only by their reputation cannot compare to meeting them face to face.”
“My King asked me to bring many specialties and presents. Would you like me to bring them here for you to take a look?”
William shook his head. “No need, just put them there. I heard that most of the officials and the aristocrats in the Iron Nation are old men from the Conservatives. Are people like you in the minority?”
“You know much about the Iron Nation, my Lord. In the past, it was indeed like that. But recently, our King has striven to improve development. Many Conservative aristocrats who have taken bribes and abused the law, as well as those who have dared to seize national ore resources, have been forced to step down.”
“Officials like us who have newly stepped up do not have the Status of aristocrats. It seems as if our King wants to cause a gradual revolution and bring changes to the aristocrat system.”
“Currently, our King wants to support people like you, Lord. He told me to learn more from you.” After Augustine spoke, he observed William to see if there was a change in the latter’s expression.”
He smiled and continued. “My King also told me that as a nation that is aiming for freedom and equality, the Iron Nation should have good relations with the City of Dawn. Do you have any opinions on this, Lord?”
“Establish diplomatic ties?” William laughed. He slowly got up and walked away from his throne.
“Why don’t you talk about the conditions for establishing diplomatic ties first?”
Augustine silently sighed. As expected, it would not be easy. Furthermore, he had seen many elves moving around outside the city. He knew that the strategies he had earlier thought of were turning into provocations.
But he could change his plans. He could only say in a tactful manner, “The ties will naturally bring many benefits to both sides.
“Our King knows that you lack the manpower for development. We are willing to give you 30 thousand slaves for free.
“We are also willing to open up trade routes and reduce the commercial tax by 8%.”
“We can also provide half a year’s worth of food for the 30 thousand people in the City of Dawn.”
“Go on. Don’t just talk about the benefits.Tell me your King’s requests too.” William stood at the door with his hands behind his back. He nodded without looking back.
“In addition to this, the Iron Nation is planning to build a military fortress 30 kilometers east of the City of Dawn. You don’t have to misunderstand. We want to be allies. We do not have any plans against the City of Dawn.” Augustine did not know how, but he had managed to say this.
Changes were occurring much faster than expected. Who could have expected that a small town at the border would turn into a neutral city that people could not ignore?
“Furthermore, with the movement of thousands of elves, this city will turn into a city that is easily guarded, but hard to attack…”
“Oh? Since you are not targeting the City of Dawn, then are you planning to take the Black Lava Nation by surprise and attack them when the war starts?” William said this, but his heart was like a clear mirror. The Freedom Alliance was leaving themselves an escape route.
Of course, they also had plans to absorb the City of Dawn.
Most importantly, the Iron Nation was making preparations for the war that would occur in a few months.
It could even be said that if they allowed the Iron Nation to build an impregnable military fortress here, the chance of war occurring would increase. It would also make it easier to infiltrate the Black Lava Nation. Furthermore, they could easily eliminate the City of Dawn once they had no use for it, as it would have lost their natural barrier.
But this plan to kill three birds with one stone depended on whether William gave him the chance to build a military fortress.
When Augustine heard what William said, he knew that the probability of war between the two countries was something that almost everyone knew. He picked up on this topic and continued. “We are indeed planning to do so, but the probability of war breaking out is not high. After all, the Iron Nation’s goals lie towards peace and freedom.”
“If the Black Lava Nation is going too far, when war breaks out, the Iron Nation is willing to give you treasures equivalent in value to the territory we obtain.”
“After all, we can see that you are not planning to attack the human nation.”
Augustine spoke well. But he did not keep any expectations. Lord William was continuously developing and expanding the City of Dawn. He would not believe this slander as long as he was not dumb. If he allowed them to build the military fortress, it was like a shepherd placing his sheep beside a wolf’s den.
The Freedom Alliance was not strong enough. They had only obtained control of the nation one month ago. The current domestic situation was very complex. Some aristocrats did not want to reap wheat for their “king”. The situation could not be solved easily.
If they were not careful, they would experience a decline. Thus, they had to push forward their plans for an escape route.
But with the City of Dawn’s current power, it was evident that they had rejected their escape route.
However, he never expected that William’s next sentence would fill him with endless hope!
“You can build a military fortress!”
At this moment.
William turned around. His eyes showed greed. There was conflict in his expressions, but there was a steadfastness that came from making a decision. He said in a hoa.r.s.e voice, “But I want 50 thousand slaves. I don’t want old people. Give me equal numbers of each gender. It would be best if they were professionals that have committed crimes. You can give them all to me.
“I also want 100 thousand gold coins, 1.2 million kilograms of grains, 1000 cows, 3000 sheep, as well as 10 thousand chickens, ducks, and geese respectively. If you cannot fulfill all these, then forget it!”
Augustine could not believe it. He widened his eyes.
He had been given some authority. Even if William’s requests were too much, he believed that the current City of Dawn did not have the guts to deceive the Iron Nation. The difference in their combat power was far too large. Furthermore… This was a rare opportunity!
He immediately stood up and responded. “I can promise you all that, Lord. But I hope that you will not go back on your word!”
“You agree?” William looked shocked. He seemed as if he could not believe it, but also a little relieved. There was even a tinge of regret on his face, as if he had asked for too little.
But when Augustine saw this, he smiled. So the Lord was greedy…
Then it would be easy to discuss with him.
He was not afraid that his enemy was strong.
He was only afraid that his enemy did not have any interests.
“Heh heh, he wants too many slaves. How daring.” Augustine laughed very happily.
“Heh heh. If you were not wearing any armor and did not cooperate, I would’ve thought of killing you.” William also laughed very happily in response.
Until now.
The City of Dawn had only found one spy.
It was the spy that William had tortured.
Everyone felt that they had hidden themselves well.
But they didn’t know,
With just one insight, they would be found out. Yellow or Red, as long as the insight didn’t show green, they would all be considered spies!
It was precisely because of this skill, that he was not afraid of spies. Even if many soldiers had concealed themselves among the 50 thousand slaves, and were waiting for an opportunity to act together, all he had to do was use their insight.
And all those who weren’t loyal would be killed!