Facing Marinda's inquiry, Arthur, who was slumped down, responded with an extrely perfunctory attitude.
"Yes, that's right, I've discovered a huge secret again.
Want to hear it?
Bring out the right chips, and I'll tell you."
The young 'Spirit dium' said this, then closed his eyes again, appearing as though he was about to fall asleep.
"Humph, trying to trick again!"
While Marinda spoke those words, her gaze towards Arthur beca more suspicious.
This lady always felt that Arthur was hiding sothing from her.
And just at that mont, Arthur, who seed about to fall asleep, suddenly opened his eyes and stared unblinkingly at Marinda, startling the lady so much that her hand, holding a pipe, trembled.
"What, what's the matter?"
"Anna."
Arthur uttered that na.
At the sa ti, the young 'Spirit dium' was certain that this woman must be hiding sothing from him.
Was it the matter he had bamboozled her over by guessing on his own due to the 'Swordsmanship Competition'?
Or could it be about inheriting the title of Baron Kemir?
Arthur moved his ankles slightly, feeling the softness of the "Black Cat Boots," and tended toward the forr—but he didn't press further.
Being able to deceive Marinda once was already fortunate enough.
To try such a thing again would definitely lead to discovery.
Unless he had enough information.
And such information definitely couldn't be asked from Marinda.
Thus, Arthur seemingly casually changed the topic.
"Alright, this was my mistake—the fellow always acts on his own initiative."
Marinda sighed helplessly.
Of course, the lady knew which Anna Arthur was referring to.
It wasn't the 'Ms. Anna' sitting quietly on the sofa nearby.
It was her passionate admirer, Ms. Anna.
Just thinking of the latter approaching Cassandra Credos on her own made this lady's temples throb, because she knew Anna ant well.
But Anna didn't understand the dangers of the Kledos Family.
Nor did she grasp the complexity of the current situation.
With the Old Lion aging, the entire South County was in a delicate balance, and everyone could feel the prelude to a storm, but no one knew who would disrupt this delicate balance—perhaps, like the recent assassination attempt on one of the Seven Great Golden Manes, Faske, it was a test directed at the Old Lion.
Everyone was waiting for the Old Lion's response.
And in such waiting, everyone, as before, was garnering as much strength and influence as possible, and that was her reason for engaging Arthur.
The still hidden 'Kledos Family' was no different!
To be able to reappear openly and aboveboard in the sunlight, Marinda could fully imagine how much preparation and effort the 'Kledos Family' had made.
The mont Cassandra Credos appeared in Inner Bay, it definitely wasn't for schooling but most likely in preparation for seizing the opportunity to rise.
She would likely build her needed forces in Inner Bay.
Therefore, at such a ti, any interference with their plans could only lead to a dead end.
So—
"As a condition for the 'Kledos Family' to spare Anna, I can compensate you."
Stand straight when you're hit, face punishnt when you err.
Perhaps Marinda hadn't heard such sayings, but similar words were well known to her, and likewise, that was also how she acted.
And that was why Arthur liked working with her and was willing to further their collaboration.
"Griffin Spirit Potion and Griffin Gale Potion!"
Arthur blurted out his demands.
Marinda, however, responded with a cold laugh.
"Do you know what you are talking about?
If I had the Griffin Spirit Potion and the Griffin Gale Potion, I would definitely breed a true griffin for myself!
If I had the formulas for the Griffin Spirit Potion and Griffin Gale Potion, not only the Old Lion of Inner Bay but also the Dukes of Northern County and Yan Fort would reward generously. Even the nobles on the West Coast wouldn't be stingy, opening their treasuries for to choose from!
If you want the Griffin Spirit Potion and Griffin Gale Potion, you should try your luck with professional relic hunters and adventurers, not ask !
I just wanted to compensate you, not trouble myself. Change your demand!"
The lady waited impatiently for the young 'Spirit dium.'
Marinda thought Arthur did it on purpose.
With the power Arthur held, he couldn't possibly be ignorant of the special nature of the Griffin Spirit Potion and Griffin Gale Potion—the current, forr, and even the previous commanders of the Griffin Cavalry of Northern County were all griffin enthusiasts. To own a real griffin as a mount, they would trade all their possessions for the Griffin Spirit Potion and Griffin Gale Potion. If that wasn't enough? The Duke of Northern County would offer half of his wealth to support them, and if still insufficient? The remaining nobles of Northern County would be willing to donate generously.
Forming a true 'Griffin Knight Order' to revive the Empire's glory has always been the dream of the people of Northern County.
Besides, for the people of Northern County, there's nothing more romantic than having a griffin as a mount, just as the Grand Duke of the West Coast, who owns the 'Dragon Rider Corps,' dreams of having a true dragon.
And Arthur genuinely did not know about this.
Having confird another piece of information from Marinda's mouth, Arthur internally admired his partner's 'generosity' before changing his request to what he truly desired—
"Ships!
I need a lot of ships, ready to be deployed imdiately!"
If it were just the original volu, Malz stepping in would have been enough, but with the unexpected inclusion of Jimte and Kalal, that magnitude of resources would be a waste.
Although Jimte and Kalal would provide as many ships as possible, for the sake of secrecy, such ships would inevitably be few and the cycle to join the fleet exceedingly slow—the Marquess of Seberlin and the Marquess of Ainhars weren't fools. Although they agreed to the tax exemption for the sake of appearances, they would definitely keep a close watch on his ships for a considerable ti to co.
Therefore, if he wanted to grow quickly, he needed to be open and aboveboard.
And what could be more open and aboveboard than partnering with Marinda?
Nothing!
After all, they were soulmates, undying lovers!
When Marinda heard Arthur's new condition, she didn't feel relieved—although it was sothing she wanted to be involved in and was certain she could be.
Though coastal trade wasn't as profitable as overseas trade, the tax exemption was tempting enough.
However, successfully joining wouldn't be easy.
Marinda had originally planned to find an opportunity to talk properly with Arthur.
But to her surprise, Arthur took the initiative.
This...
Did not fit Arthur's style.
In Marinda's view, Arthur was never so generous—every seemingly straightforward deal he made was always laden with various probes and secrets unknown to others.
This ti was no exception.
And this ti, it was even more obvious.
After all, Arthur had already disclosed the most important thing.
Thinking of this, Marinda laughed coldly again—
"Are you trying to probe how much I know about 'that thing'?
Hmph, I will definitely not tell you!"
Hearing this, Arthur laughed.
The young 'Spirit dium' had finally gotten a rough idea about 'that thing.'"
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