Yan Xing knew that Count Theodore was under imnse pressure at the ti, but he had no idea just how great it was.
The Eternal Comrce Guild operated as usual, and the advance paynts for the automobiles were smoothly sent out of the city to the Eternal Domain.
Through his actions, Count Theodore fulfilled his alliance with Yan Xing, just as Yan Xing had kept his promise to him during the Nuta City riots.
The ti and place for the eting with Marquis Anderson were set, and the day was fast approaching.
On this day, it seed as if the entire city had fallen silent.
Everyone knew that this eting would determine what happened in the Wildwind Highlands for the next year—or even longer.
Escorted by his guards, Yan Xing rode his cherished horse, Shadow, into the Lord’s Mansion.
A Beak Eagle airliner happened to be taking off, flying north over the city.
Hibel was the one who received Yan Xing.
Wearing a full suit of Titanium Alloy Armor, Hibel had a stern face and looked very serious.
As she led Yan Xing to the eting place, she took advantage of a mont when they were alone. She whispered to him, "Last ti Father and I visited Bloodcrown Mountain City, I urged you to hand over the Elves, but you wouldn’t listen. Now that the Marquis has obtained alchemical weapons from Cloud Tower, your situation is very dangerous. Father has helped you as much as he can. Don’t risk your life for the Elves. Those creatures from Snowland are just like the Orcs—both are our enemies. If you give the Elves to the Marquis, you can avoid this war."
Clearly, Hibel still couldn’t see the true root of the dispute.
Yan Xing smiled at Hibel and said, "Thank you for your concern, Miss Hibel. I’ve also deeply appreciated Lord Earl’s solicitude. But... I am a man of my word. When I offer the Elves sanctuary in the Thunderous Swamp, I will ensure their safety, just as I have kept my promise to Lord Earl."
Hibel stopped and looked at Yan Xing, puzzled. "I really don’t understand why you protect the Elves. I’ve said what I had to say. And I’ve also promised the Marquis... if I lead an army to attack the Eternal Domain, I will not go easy on you."
"I am different," Yan Xing teased the fuming Hibel, "I would definitely show rcy to you. Besides, Lord Earl would absolutely not let you get involved in this conflict. You should just stay put in Nuta City."
Hibel realized that she never had the upper hand when bantering with Yan Xing. She pretended to snarl, "One day, I will teach you a harsh lesson!"
"I look forward to that day."
...
Inside the eting room of the Lord’s Mansion.
Marquis Anderson sat at one end of the long conference table, surrounded by soldiers in full armor. Judging by the insignias on their armor, so belonged to the Anderson Family, others to the Theodore Family.
Yan Xing sat at the other end of the conference table. Donna and Olaf, dressed in the distinctive military uniforms of the Eternal Domain, stood behind him.
The Eternal Domain’s Werewolf Warriors and human warriors, holding shields and blades and carrying new-model rifles, stood in two neat rows.
Count Theodore sat at the edge of the hall, projecting an attitude of non-involvent yet positioned to maintain order at any mont.
After taking his seat, Yan Xing first nodded in greeting to Count Theodore, then addressed Anderson, "Greetings, Marquis. This is our first eting. It’s quite different from what I anticipated; I thought you would reward for the assistance I provided for your victory in the recent war."
Yan Xing initiated the confrontation.
As he had said, his contributions were significant. If he hadn’t detected Lady Karol and the Elven spy, and if he hadn’t continuously supported Count Theodore in stabilizing the situation in Nuta City, Marquis Anderson would not be sitting so comfortably here.
But this level of attack couldn’t breach Anderson’s defenses.
Garbed in his marquis’s attire, Anderson exuded authority as he replied to Yan Xing, "Lord Yan Xing, everything you do has its purpose. You have reaped corresponding rewards for all your efforts, perhaps even more. I owe you nothing. On the contrary, it was you who first showed hostility towards the Wildwind Highlands Legion. You sheltered the Elven armies that attacked my troops and sold supplies to the Orcs. Miss Hibel almost died at Anjik Fort. Countless humans perished at the hands of Orcs and Elves. In aiding our enemies, you are making yourself our enemy. And not just that... You also tried to control Nuta City’s economy, exchanging imnse quantities of gold for worthless scraps of paper called Grain Tickets. What are you trying to do?"
"I simply wish to conduct business," Yan Xing replied, unfazed by Anderson’s imposing aura. "I am a rchant. In the Wildwind Highlands, I take no sides. The Swamp Tribe can befriend humans, so naturally, we can befriend Orcs and Elves. To do business and make money, one must open many avenues of trade. As for controlling Nuta City’s economy? Perhaps you should first look at the monthly taxes paid by Eternal Comrce and Trade and consider the significant contribution I’ve made to Nuta City’s economy. Furthermore, the loan for rebuilding Nuta City ca from the Eternal Grain Bank. And there has never been an instance where Eternal Grain Tickets could not be exchanged for grain. Marquis, all your accusations against are groundless. Dispel this hostility. Release my detained people and vehicles. Can’t we all just conduct business and make money happily together? Oh, and one more thing! As far as I know, the Goblin Alchemy Factory did business with you, the Orcs, and the Elves during the war. Yet, not a single copper coin of the taxes owed has ever entered the Nuta City treasury. I think you should discuss these matters with Cloud Tower first. Why should they enjoy such privileges when conducting the sa business, while I am saddled with so many unfounded accusations?"
Marquis Anderson was montarily at a loss for a response. After all, no one in this world dared to tax Cloud Tower, nor did anyone dare control to whom the Goblin Alchemy Factory sold its alchemical weapons. Playing dumb or trying to muddle the issue wouldn’t work either. Because after Cloud Tower issued the order recalling the Goblins stationed in the Eternal Domain, not a single one returned; instead, the remaining Goblins in Nuta City all fled to the Eternal Domain. Yan Xing had solid evidence for these claims. If Anderson were to argue sophistically against such facts, Yan Xing could simply throw a Goblin ledger onto the table—a resounding slap in the face.
Anderson knew that challenging Yan Xing on economic matters without Count Theodore’s support would be nothing more than pointless verbal sparring.
Therefore, he imdiately focused his entire offensive on the Elves sheltered in the Thunderous Swamp.
"Hand over all the Elves in the Thunderous Swamp!"
Then, they would all be executed by hanging to avenge the fallen human warriors.
Anderson proclaid he would hang the Elves’ bodies on poles and line the road from Storm City to Nuta City with them.
This way, if Yan Xing handed over the Elves, it would surely spark a rebellion among the Elves within the Thunderous Swamp. The Wildwind Highlands Legion could then exploit the internal instability in the Thunderous Swamp to invade and conquer it in one decisive blow. If Yan Xing refused to hand over the Elves, then the Wildwind Highlands Legion would have justification to wage war against the Eternal Domain. Seeking revenge, the soldiers would fight with fervent morale in the ensuing conflict.
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