??Chapter 133: Chapter 2: Crisis and Opportunity_2
Chapter 133: Chapter 2: Crisis and Opportunity_2
Only in front of Puber and Ilot could Kor truly relax. The sudden lordship life made Kor realize his adaptability was far less than Puber and Ilot’s. While both had already fully integrated into the life of the Caucasus, Kor still clung to the past three years of exile, that carefree existence devoid of responsibility and pressure was too morable. Kor knew it was just a phase in life, and one cannot dwell on the past forever, but as a lord, he couldn’t appear confidently composed in front of others. The question of whether this life was truly what he needed and the desire to stand out and retaliate against those who had caused him pain and humiliation were constantly at war in Kor’s heart. Only with Ilot and Puber could he completely let go and regain his peaceful and quiet disposition.
Seeing the brilliant yet sinister smile on the other’s face, Puber felt frustrated. The dignified image he had worked so hard to build crumbled because he was dragged by Ilot and Zipla into a brothel visit. Every ti, he inevitably suffered from Kor’s teasing, since on this matter, Kor seed to have lost his forr promiscuity. Even though three brothels had opened in Ugru in the past month, Puber knew that Kor, who would have been a frequent visitor in the past, hadn’t been to any of them. This led him to even doubt if Kor had beco emotionless and detached from desires during his magic cultivation.
“Enough, Boss, stop harping on that broken record. Can’t you focus on what’s important? We can’t afford a mont’s negligence right now,” Puber, dismissing Kor’s attitude, went straight to the point, “Reese probably needs to recruit so judicial assistants, and the establishnt of judicial officer positions in Mattdam is urgent and can no longer be delayed. I estimate it’s just a matter of ti for Darman and Bahomon as well; we need to decide imdiately. This month, we’ve seen a marked increase in sporadic immigrants. It’s only the middle of March, and in these ten days, over six hundred families, more than two thousand people, have migrated. I’ve arranged for them all to go to Bahomon, and considering the trend, we should expect even more to co. We must be ntally prepared for this.”
As soon as they got onto serious matters, Kor imdiately regained his composure, “Puber, in the Caucasus, we are seriously lacking officials in administration, justice, civil affairs, and finance. See if you can contact so of your classmates or alumni—even if we get just three or five—it could lighten our burdens sowhat. We can only depend on ourselves, as you’ve said. According to current trends, Our Caucasus is set to beco a hotbed for developnt. However, the land is subject to many external constraints, and with crises looming, we must be vigilant to avoid a complete disaster. We must make use of every mont to build our strength; if we give others a chance to catch their breath, we’re left with only one path: death.”
Puber’s face turned solemn as he seed to understand the implication of Kor’s words, “Boss, Ilot has already told , no matter what, both Ilot and I support you. Since the three of us have been dragged into this, there’s no possibility of backing out now. Philip, that old cur, won’t make things easy for us, so we can’t just give up easily. But Boss, it seems that Duke Tez, the Minister of Internal Affairs, holds you in high regard. I heard that Palermo is Princess Katya’s man—do you think this could be His Majesty the King’s intention?”
“Hmph, Puber, don’t pin your hopes on others. Tez, hold
in high regard? Without the arrogance of Philip and Zellin, he wouldn’t even glance my way. Philip and Zellin’s power has threatened the very survival of the kingdom, and Tez is just desperately seeking a solution, using
as a re pawn because I happen to be newly ennobled right behind Philip and Zellin. The kingdom is riddled with crises, with the Four Great Lords each acting independently, and the Central Kingdom unable to reclaim the powers that once belonged to the Royal Family. The beastn’s unrest in the North has added to the kingdom’s woes. If it weren’t for the two lords in the North fearing the kingdom’s collapse and providing aid, the kingdom’s finances might have already gone bankrupt. Even now, the kingdom can’t afford to maintain a larger army. Just look at the Knights regint and Magicians in Zellin’s territory, and you’ll see the disparity between us. The economic foundation determines the superstructure, a tiless truth. Perhaps Tez, or rather, His Majesty the Emperor, wants to change this situation, but that doesn’t seem easy,” Kor shrugged and clicked his tongue.
“As for Palermo, he is a pure opportunist rchant. Political speculation is always a lucrative business, and that’s the kind of speculation Palermo enjoys most. No one can ensure the everlasting loyalty of an opportunist rchant—benefit alone is the only allegiance, not even Princess Katya. Palermo is more pragmatic than anyone, and of course, his vision and senses are sharper than the average person’s. He won’t fail to see the kingdom’s significant support of
as a way to restrain Philip. He can first use this opportunity to make a greater profit, and placing a bet on us doesn’t cost him much. Yet, if successful, the returns would be substantial. Such a gamble, even if risky, is worth it for him,” Kor concluded with a shrug and smacking of his lips.
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