Backed into a Corner?

Inside the reception hall.

Amid Sanita's bold declaration, Roland, who was still reeling in shock, suddenly wore a rather strange expression.

Just moments ago, he had received a voice transmission from Olivia and learned what had happened on the sea earlier. While he found it amusing, he was also puzzled by Junot's sudden visit.

If he remembered correctly, this was the first time Junot had come to his territory since Roland arrived in the Sea of Ten Thousand Islands.

"Could it be because of..." Roland's expression shifted as a vague suspicion arose in his heart.

"Roland."

Seeing that Roland had yet to respond, Sanita called softly.

"My apologies. My mind wandered for a moment."

Roland smiled first, but his expression quickly turned serious as he asked again in an extremely solemn tone:

"Elder Sanita, do you know how much contraband that would be if we increased the current smuggling volume tenfold?"

"Of course I do."

Roland's questioning did not make Sanita panic. Instead, she appeared exceedingly confident.

Without waiting for Roland to continue, she explained directly:

"Roland, by now, the smuggling between our Hidden Valley Clan and you is known throughout the continent. The Human Alliance knows, and so does the Behemoth Royal Family."

"But why have they forced us to cede territory and compensate them with massive amounts of resources, yet turned a blind eye to the smuggling of our Hidden Valley Clan alone?"

"They understand very well that as long as this smuggling route remains open, our Hidden Valley Clan cannot decline. We will only grow stronger and stronger, until one day, everything we lost today will sooner or later be taken back."

Facing the puzzled gazes of Roland and the other two, Sanita's face suddenly twisted into a fierce expression. "Because this compensation is far from the