"What does he want?" Sulia didn't think much of it. Recently, many merchants had come to her court, either seeking to join the logistics forces, proposing trade deals, or having other requests. Sulia wasn't too surprised. "If it's something important, just have him talk to Carcenberg or Griffin. I'm in the middle of an important discussion."
"Mr. Adabe specifically requested to meet with you. He said he could offer significant help, including providing a large low-interest loan. He also claims to have the connections to organize a mercenary force to assist the expeditionary army," Sylvia said, slightly conflicted. "But he insists on seeing you personally."
"A Marienburg merchant thinks he can just waltz into the court?" Morgiana said impatiently. "I don't think you need to meet him. Just tell him we don't need any of that!"
Sulia was still considering, but her father, François, spoke up. "It wouldn't hurt to meet this famous Marienburg merchant and underworld figure, Sulia. Regardless of his true intentions, he at least appears to be extending goodwill. If we treat every person offering help with such arrogance, it could damage your reputation, Ryan's reputation, and even the standing of Bretonnia as a whole."
Hearing François' words, Morgiana frowned but said nothing further. Like Ryan, the Lady of the Lake's sorceress trusted Sulia, knowing she was well-loved and trusted by both Ryan and the goddess.
In the end, the decision was Sulia's to make.
After a moment of thought, Sulia nodded. "Alright, bring him in."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Sylvia nodded and left.
A short while later, the head maid returned with a man who appeared to be in his forties. He was dressed in an exquisitely tailored noble suit with a velvet scarf, his neatly groomed brown hair and well-kept mustache giving him an air of refinement. His shoes were adorned with real gold, clicking as he walked. Adabe seemed slightly surprised to see François and Morgiana present but quickly removed his hat, offering a formal bow and greeting to Sulia, François, and Morgiana. "It's an honor to be granted an audience, Queen Sulia. On behalf of several guilds in Marienburg and the Adabe Trading Company, I extend warm greetings to you, and to Lady Morgiana and Duke François."
Servants brought in lavish gifts worth thousands of gold marks, containing luxury goods from all over the Old World.
"Welcome," Sulia said courteously. "Thank you for personally coming to Gisoreux, Mr. Adabe Hensman. What brings you here?"
"I've heard that the Eight Peaks Mountain expedition has encountered difficulties." Adabe Hensman smiled warmly, exuding sincerity. "I've known King Ryan for over a decade. We first met in Marienburg during the talent market auction. Upon hearing of the troubles facing the expedition, I felt saddened and remembered our friendship. I wish to help you."
"Oh, really?" Sulia's sea-blue eyes, hidden behind her golden bangs, glinted with amusement. "Funny, my husband has never mentioned you. While it's true he has many friends in Marienburg, you might not be one of them?"
"Uh..." Adabe was caught off guard, clearly not expecting Sulia to be so blunt. He had hoped she would at least exchange pleasantries. After all, he had come bearing gifts and offers of aid. Wasn't a bit more respect in order?
François quietly stroked his goatee, saying nothing, while Morgiana looked at Adabe with an irritated expression, clearly signaling for him to get to the point before she ordered him out.
"Regardless, I appreciate your visit, Mr. Adabe," Sulia said with a polite smile. "How exactly do you plan to help us?"
"The expedition has been ongoing for nearly a year now, Queen Sulia. I imagine the kingdom's finances must be running low?" Adabe decided to cut straight to the point. "I can offer you a substantial low-interest loan."
"Additionally, the expeditionary army must be facing fierce battles in the Badlands and the World's Edge Mountains. I'd like to help my old friend during this critical time. I have connections in Marienburg—I'm confident I can convince Blackbeard Titch and his Mannan's Blade mercenary group to organize an expeditionary force to rescue King Ryan," Adabe said passionately. "Now is the time to set aside past grievances, unite, and overcome this challenge together!"
"This is the most difficult moment. Whether we are from the Empire, Bretonnia, or Marienburg, we should stand together!" Adabe emphasized his goodwill once again, bowing deeply. "As for the loan and assistance, I can offer you the lowest interest rate on the market. We can establish a preliminary agreement now and discuss the details privately at a later time. What do you think?"
Adabe's words were flawless from a moral and ethical standpoint, leaving no room for criticism. To François, Morgiana, and Sulia, he appeared to be a benevolent merchant with the best intentions.
François stroked his beard, the light of wisdom gleaming in his eyes. He glanced at Sulia and Morgiana, then took the lead. "We appreciate your generous offer, Mr. Hensman. However, we have already made arrangements, and for now, we don't require your assistance. Nonetheless, we're grateful for your kind intentions."
"What?" Adabe was visibly taken aback, unable to believe that his sincere offer of help had been rejected.
This wasn't how things were supposed to go!
"The Lady of the Lake has delivered her divine decree. The expeditionary army is safe. They have passed through the mountain pass and are advancing toward Eight Peaks Mountain," Morgiana said icily. "We appreciate your offer, but it's no longer necessary."
"Ah, I see... I apologize for intruding. I'm truly sorry." Adabe quickly masked his shock, controlling his facial expression with expert precision. He managed to appear both joyful and relieved. "That's wonderful news! The expedition's safety is a blessing for the kingdom, humanity, and the Old World. It's the best news I've heard in a long time!"
With that, Adabe bowed once more and swiftly retreated from the court. As he left, Sulia exchanged a glance with François. A silent understanding passed between father and daughter, with François giving Sulia a knowing look. She seemed thoughtful.
Morgiana, meanwhile, rose to leave, preparing to announce the divine decree.
Soon, the Lady of the Lake's decree spread throughout the city, and the news quickly caught fire.
The Lady's decree confirmed that the expeditionary army was safe! They were advancing toward Eight Peaks Mountain!
Before long, King Ryan and King Belagar would stand at the foot of the mountain!
Duke François' reinforcements would soon set out to support the expedition!
The news spread joy throughout the city of Gisoreux. People poured into the streets, chanting the names of the Lady, King Ryan, and Queen Sulia. The streets became alive with celebration.
Meanwhile, inside a luxurious suite at the Kingfisher Inn, Marienburg's underworld leader, Adabe Hensman, sat with a dark expression on his face, listening to the cheers outside. His carefully laid plans had all collapsed!
The expeditionary army was safe. He hadn't managed to gain favor with Queen Sulia, nor had he secured the loan deal.
His entire trip to Gisoreux had been a waste! Not only that, but his and the other merchants' plan to short-sell the Eight Peaks Mountain bonds was now doomed. They had invested tens of thousands of gold marks, and several thousand were now likely lost!
Adabe's face was stormy. Seeing his father's expression, his eldest son, Alphonse Hensman, who had never seen his father look so angry, cautiously approached him. "Father, what should we do now? Are we just going to let this go?"
"Damn it!" Adabe clenched his fists, barely containing his rage. He motioned for his son to come closer. "Prepare to pack up! We're leaving for Marienburg immediately!"
"Leaving so soon?!" Alphonse exclaimed. "But what about all our arrangements? What about the goods? And the gifts we brought? Father, this is too—"
"Forget them!" Adabe glared at his twenty-something son, who shared many of his vices, particularly his penchant for indulging in noblewomen. Father and son had even shared a few escapades. Thanks to Adabe's wealth and power, Alphonse had grown arrogant and reckless.
Sighing, Adabe motioned for Alphonse to sit down. "Alphonse, my son, I've been running Marienburg's underworld for over twenty years. You've been with me for a decade, yet you still don't understand the basics? Even a stubborn dwarf would have learned something by now!"
Alphonse quickly sat down, indicating he was listening.
"For over twenty years, I've controlled Marienburg's underworld. My influence reaches into every shadowy corner of the city. Do you know how many people want me dead, how many want to take my place?" Adabe's face darkened as he lectured his son. "How do you think I've survived this long?"
"Father..." Alphonse lowered his head.
"Let me teach you a few principles. In our position, on the edge of light and shadow, always think of three things: danger, retreat, and change. Recognize danger, and avoid it. This is thinking of danger. Withdraw to
safety when the time is right, hiding where no one can see. This is thinking of retreat. Once you've withdrawn, rethink your strategy, figure out where you went wrong, and plan your next move. This is thinking of change," Adabe explained. "I've fooled them for now, making them believe I truly wanted to help. But since the plan failed, staying here any longer risks exposing our true intentions. That would be a death sentence."
"You think everyone is as foolish as the drunks on Marienburg's streets, or the thugs who announce their plans with violence? That's real stupidity. If I were that dumb, I'd have been dead decades ago, and you wouldn't even exist!" Adabe growled at Alphonse. "Don't let the drunken rabble in taverns fill your head with their nonsense, or you'll end up dead before me!"
"Damn it! It's all because of this bad timing!" Alphonse cursed, slamming his thigh in frustration. "If only things had gone our way, we would have succeeded!"
"Now, we have no choice but to return home, buy as many bonds as possible, and try to minimize our losses," Adabe said cautiously. "Remember, Alphonse: patience, caution, and persistence are the keys to achieving our goals. We mustn't let anyone discover our true intentions or find a reason to come after us!"
"I understand, Father." Alphonse immediately stood up. "I'll start packing at once!"
"This war has only just begun!"
… [The War Has Only Just Begun Divider Line] …
As the Lady of the Lake's decree spread, the news that the expeditionary army was safe caused a massive stir throughout the Old World. No one dared question the Lady's divine word, and as a result, the bonds for the Eight Peaks Mountain expedition resumed trading. The first three issues of bonds had nearly sold out, and Bretonnia quickly announced the issuance of a fourth round of bonds, worth 150,000 gold marks (crowns).
Meanwhile, the first series of bonds began to be redeemed, allowing bondholders to exchange them for money at various locations. Though there had been several runs on the banks in Marienburg, the Bretonnian royal family had ensured a stable and orderly redemption process, stabilizing the market. Many citizens who had panicked and sold their bonds for a loss were left in tears, having suffered significant financial setbacks.
The merchant princes of Marienburg, who had invested heavily in shorting the bonds, suffered substantial losses. The Jutten Trading Company, the Lucen Trading Guild, and even Adabe himself lost tens of thousands of gold marks. Though the losses weren't enough to ruin them, the merchants bitterly cursed the expedition, convinced it was doomed. However, they had no choice but to quietly accept their losses and bide their time, waiting for another opportunity to strike.
Most of the merchant princes weren't ready to give up. The announcement of more Bretonnian bonds and reinforcements gave them a sense of the expedition's struggles and the army's vulnerability. They knew all they could do now was wait.
Thus, as November arrived, the Eight Peaks Mountain expedition, having finished its rest, reappeared like a bolt from the blue at the Creek Outpost, directly across from Titan's Gate. Under the leadership of Ryan and Belagar, the army swiftly overran the outpost, annihilating the greenskin garrison. They now stood poised, across the open plains, issuing a challenge to Skarsnik at Titan's Gate.
With this bold move, the expeditionary army declared that the war to reclaim Eight Peaks Mountain had only just begun!
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