At a banquet for nobles organized by Viscount Miles, Ryan once again clashed with Kaan Meyers.
There was no other way; what Kaan needed touched on Ryan's interests, and he couldn't back down and hand over the power of speech that he had worked so hard to gain over the years to someone like Meyers who had come here.
This is a political struggle among the nobility, in which power is born and interests are intertwined.
Despite the continued threat of the Orcs, the nobles were already engaged in fierce infighting.
"Mr. Kaan, as I just said, the Northern Territory Merchant Guild was established to enrich the nobles of the Northlands. Meyers is not a noble here."
"And what about Marquis of Northwind?"
Kaan looked at Ryan and finally faced the Baron in front of him. He never expected that this young man would be his biggest obstacle in the Northwind Province.
However, he still occupies a greater position of power.
The Marquis of Northwind's order, or rather a suggestion, was not an order but a suggestion to vigorously develop the mineral resources of Northwind Province. The first thing to do was to help the Empire rebuild the West Coast Fleet. This is where Elector Volvo Columbus came in.
However, Marquis of Northwind then earnestly stated that the wealth from the empire's acquisition of mineral resources could not truly enrich the nobles, and that the mineral resources should be sold to the South kingdoms, which were even less likely to acquire Iron Ore.
The Mayers Family has such a route.
Ryan smiled. It's amazing, isn't it? That baby, still in swaddling clothes, had recently led the Northwind Province to victory in several wars against the Orcs, saving many nobles. And now, that baby has ordered that the people's livelihood and economy of the Northwind Province be taken into account.
Everyone who uses it says it's great.
"Is this a letter from the Marquis of Northwind?"
Ryan smiled as he looked at Kaan, whose lips twitched slightly, looking somewhat awkward.
" The Marquis is still young, but his Marquis's Mother is a wise woman. She will give reasonable advice. As the Marquis's mother, she will not harm her own child."
"I believe it."
Ryan nodded and continued:
"Then let the Iron Ore of Northwind Province grow two legs and run South to sell themselves."
Ryan took the delicate note and slowly walked to the candlelight. As the note turned to Ash, the entire banquet fell into Dead Silence silence. All the nobles stared at Ryan's actions and at Kaan's cold, almost dripping face.
Ryan had his back to the crowd, watching the flames burn onto his palms, but of course, he wasn't afraid.
Turning around, with his palm open, Ryan gently blew, Ash drifted into the air, landing on many exquisite foods.
"You seem to have a problem with that?"
Ryan looked calmly at Kaan and said that at this moment, even the servants lowered their heads in fear and stood still, staring at the floor in front of them, not daring to bring the food forward.
Count Soron looked at Ryan with his aged and wise eyes, surprised that Ryan had so quickly revealed his ambition and desires.
When the war began, the nobles were still discussing how close Meyers and Baron Ryan were.
But now...
No one can judge the two sides in this fierce confrontation.
" Baron Ryan, you'd better understand who you're up against."
Kaan stared at Ryan, whose open hostility towards him had thoroughly enraged the nobleman who had held power within Meyers for many years.
"You'd better understand whose land you're on."
The Florian Empire, or rather, this unfamiliar world to Ryan, is ultimately not a world where imperial power reigns supreme. Lords have absolute power over their territories, an absolute power that even the emperor cannot change.
This makes it seem that the emperor is not so terrible, and that the nobles, like the emperor, are Monarch and rulers in some sense.
"If Meyers wants to acquire the wealth of the Northwind Province, he'd better ask us, the nobles of the Northwind, if we're willing to give up our wealth for you."
The Mayers Family possesses a vast amount of power that Ryan cannot match, including wealth, prestige, authority, military strength, and so on. However, there is only one thing in which the Meyers cannot compare to Ryan.
That means they are not local bullies in the Northwind Province; their families are not here.
The only way the Mayers Family could influence the Northwind Province was by influencing the emperor's orders to exert control over it. However, the emperor's current policy was to avoid dealing with the Northwind Province Northwind Province. Although the province was temporarily handed over to the Mayers Family for nominal management, at least the Meyers and Ryan shared the same status: nobles.
They were not ruler and subject; their power, strength, wealth, and prestige were different. But at least in terms of status, they were the same—the only difference was between a high-ranking noble and a low-ranking noble.
And this difference is no longer important because of the distance.
The war with the Orcs is over, the Silvermoon Royal Court has been defeated, and for at least the next one or two decades, the Northwind Province will not need to worry about the threat of a full-scale war with the Orcs. Therefore, during this period, Ryan can say that he no longer needs Meyers.
As for those who ask what will happen in twenty years? That's twenty years, an incredibly long time, enough for the era of one generation of nobles to come to an end and for a new generation of nobles to rise and shine.
"Whose interests are you stealing?"
Ryan looked at Kaan, who stared intently at Ryan and said, word by word:
"I hope that when the Grand Duke's orders arrive, you will still speak in this manner, Baron."
"He really is a good-for-nothing."
Ryan sneered, his sudden laughter breaking the tense atmosphere of the banquet.
"It seems that what you're doing in the Northwind Province isn't something you're in charge of; someone else taught you, didn't they?"
Ryan said with a smile, then shook his head.
"I thought I was going against Meyers ' power, but it turns out I've targeted the wrong person."
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Kaan."
Kaan wasn't someone who easily lost his temper or got angry. His greatest anger wasn't from yelling or shouting, but from staring intently at Ryan with murderous intent in his eyes.
"This land has had many owners: Winter, Sauron, Landa, Ryan... Meyers is not among them, neither thirty years ago nor thirty years from now."
The banquet ended unhappily, and afterwards even Viscount Hogg did not approach Ryan, standing at a distance for a long time before finally coming over.
" Ryan, you're being a bit impulsive."
Viscount Hogg was somewhat afraid of this war without gunpowder, but this war might not necessarily be without gunpowder.
The relationships between nobles are sometimes harmonious, sometimes tense, and wars are not uncommon. For example, in the Northwind Province before, when the Orcs did not pose a threat, wars frequently broke out between the nobles.
Although they are far apart, that doesn't mean Meyers can't challenge Ryan for honor.
Don't worry.
Ryan said with a smile:
"Do you think I'm that impulsive? Just a few hours ago, I received a letter from Grand Duke Fleming."
"The Grand Duke used magic to make the words appear before me across more than a dozen provinces."
He told me something.
Ryan looked at Viscount Hogg and asked:
"Do you know how heavy a price the Twilight Province paid during the Orc War?"
Ryan pointed to the ground beneath his feet.
"How many lives have we, the Northwind Province, lost in our fight against the Silvermoon Royal Court? How much wealth has been destroyed?"
" The Twilight Province has more or less than the Great King courts. Orcs, tigers, and leopards may be replaced, but the Behemoth and Raven have never fallen out of the ranks of royalty. Their single race alone surpasses the entire power of a human kingdom."
"The Empire, single-handedly, confronts the Great King courts of the Orcs."
"It's to show off one's muscles in the human world, but the price is incredibly high."
" Northwind Province could no longer muster an army of 100,000 men. Twilight Province faced attacks from the Behemoth Royal Court and threats from the Raven. In the end, it was the Nightmare Knight Legion of the Mayers Family that repelled them."
" Grand Duke Fleming told me that after the war in Twilight Province ended, Grand Duke Mayers didn't even bother to clean up the mess before leading his Extraordinary Legion back to the Grand Duchy. No one knows how terrible the losses they suffered."
"An army crossing a border is bound to plunder, but the Nightmare Knights haven't done so. Does this Extraordinary Legion look down on the wealth of Twilight Province?"
"That place produces the largest amount of magical crops."
Viscount Hogg was also shocked, and he naturally understood what Ryan meant.
" The Nightmare Knight Legion suffered unimaginable losses, so great that even the Grand Duke was unwilling to reveal them."
But Viscount Hogg still hesitated.
"Even if the Nightmare Knights are completely wiped out, the power of the Mayers Family is still beyond your reach."
One of the empire's only Four Grand Dukes, even in death, his corpse could crush a group of minor nobles.
"You think I'm all I am?"
Ryan pointed to himself.
"I am the son of Count Clayton, the Dragon Knight, an allied noble personally chosen by Grand Duke Fleming, and the only choice favored by the light."
Ryan suddenly laughed as he spoke. He saw that Viscount Hogg's eyes were filled with shock, as if he were contemplating the consequences of the war started by the two Grand Dukes of the Empire.
"Just kidding."
" Grand Duke Fleming merely told me this so that I wouldn't have to worry about the Nightmare Knight Legion showing up at my castle one night and stealing all my Gold Coin."
"What truly makes me fearless of Kaan is not Clayton, nor Fleming, but you guys."
Ryan's meaningful words only deepened Viscount Hogg's confusion.
"I won't let you openly confront Meyers. He invited us to form a new chamber of commerce, which will probably bring me more wealth than the Northern Territory Merchant Guild."
"There's such a thing? That's interesting."
Ryan was surprised, then asked:
"You agreed?"
"No, Ryan, you are right about one thing. Meyers is not a nobleman from the Northwind Province after all. We cannot choose to believe him just because he is a Grand Duke."
Interests are multifaceted. Ryan had previously helped Viscount Hogg, so Viscount Hogg was willing to tell Ryan about it.
"But the Northern Territory Merchant Guild's revenue will definitely be affected next quarter."
In his clashes with Meyers, Ryan knew he couldn't win every time. He fell silent to think and eventually came to a conclusion.
I still don't have enough charm.
The nobles weren't exactly fiercely loyal to him, Ryan. The benefits Ryan brought could make many nobles reject Meyers, but the judgment of benefits would also lead some nobles to choose to get closer to this grand ducal family.
This is the constant back-and-forth among the nobility; even Emperor Flor could not fully control the entire empire, let alone others.
"Don't worry, we'll find a way."
"This world is not just about empires. Meyers' purpose on this land is unknown, but it's impossible for no one to be unaware of Meyers ' pursuit. Since they are aware, there are two options: to see it or not to see it."
"No matter the outcome, I've come into their view, haven't I?"
Viscount Hogg listened in bewilderment; it seemed that this political struggle involved more than just the Northwind Province.
"What exactly do you want?"
Ryan looked at Viscount Hogg and said with a smile:
"I intend to follow the example of MacReynolds and have you all support me as the Monarch of this land, what do you say?"
"Then there would be no need for the Nightmare Knights. Your father, that Dragon Knight, would set your Frozen Earth Territory ablaze the very next day."
"That makes a lot of sense."
Ryan stretched and then asked curiously.
"Aren't you afraid of what I'm about to say at all?"
This time, it was Viscount Hogg's turn to be completely bewildered by Ryan.
Do you know where this land is?
" Northwind Province "
"There are many nobles on this land, including but not limited to the Duke of Northwind thirty years ago. They all wanted to establish a kingdom here and become its King, but without exception, they all failed."
"This also includes William, you know, my bloodline comes from the once-famous William."
"Some say it's the Curse of Northgar, that all nobles who want to establish a kingdom will perish, since there can only be one ruler of a kingdom on this land."
"If this were anywhere else, I would certainly report your ambition to the Emperor, but here, I think Imperial Capital surprised by your courage."
"Such a thing exists?"
Ryan was surprised, and then asked:
"Is there truly a curse here? Or is it the politics of the nobility that prevents the formation of a kingdom?"
Viscount Hogg thought for a long time, then shook his head and said:
"I don't know. Perhaps you could ask Count Soron. His family has been in this land for hundreds of years."
Viscount Hogg had no idea that Ryan would actually go to see Count Soron.
" The Curse of Northgar?"
Count Soron looked at Ryan with surprise.
How do you know about this?
"Every land has stories and wine that Bard dream of, and I'm curious."
Count Soron considered for a moment before answering Ryan.
"The curse is real, and so is politics."
"Oh, right, it's also somewhat related to your Frozen Earth Territory."
" The Curse of Northgar is said to have originated from a prince of the Northgar Kingdom who was framed and failed to inherit the kingdom. After his rebellion failed, he faced death and, as the true heir, cursed the entire land, declaring that any who steal it will perish."
"This is the curse, but this curse was not caused by any supernatural power, nor did the Deities pay any attention to it; it was merely the anger of a prince in despair."
"But this kind of thing is getting weirder and weirder. The Duke of Northwind thirty years ago, Count Weiss whom we personally defeated a few years ago, both wanted to become Monarch in this land."
"However, the reason this didn't cause panic is that we nobles were all involved, weren't we? We know why."
"Thirty years ago, Meyers entered the Northwind Province because the Duke of Northwind's Extraordinary Legion suffered heavy losses when fighting against the Orcs."
"A few years ago, it was because we nobles didn't want to see Count Weiss succeed, and none of us wanted him to become our King."
"This is politics, so the curse is real, and politics is real too."
"Then why does it concern me?"
Ryan asked, Count Soron recalled for a moment and said:
"Your Frozen Earth Territory must have a river, right?"
"The river? Yes, it's frozen over. Northern Lands, the river can't flow."
"That river is called the Northgar River, a very beautiful name. The prince I mentioned earlier was defeated because his army couldn't cross that river."
"And its political importance lies in the fact that the river ends at the eastern edge of the Norris Continent."
East.
A foreign word. Ryan looked at Count Soron. The Soron Family had an ancient lineage, and the nobleman in front of him was also an old nobleman who knew many secrets.
" The West Coast, the East Coast, the West Coast belongs to humanity, and it is also the most prosperous place in the empire."
"But if you go east from the Andara Kingdom, after passing through two or three noble territories, you will enter the territory of other races. They are not Orcs, but Elves, Dwarves, etc. They all live in that land. They cannot get close to the West Coast, but they have their own East Coast."
" Northgar's past prosperity was due to that river."
"After the arrival of the Northlands, the river froze over, and all the prosperity vanished."
"After the War of the Deities Across Planes ended, when the Northlands had just arrived, there were still people in this land who were afraid, saying that the ghost of that prince had returned to seek revenge, that his soul was trapped in a stone and turned into Gargoyle that ate the Sun in the sky and let cold cover the entire kingdom. But they did not know that the Northlands was not targeting them, but the whole world."
" Gargoyle?"
Ryan caught the words of Count Soron.
"Yes, it's a legend. Ignorant commoners are always willing to believe such strange and bizarre tales, which adds a lot of charm to the prince's revenge."
Count Soron looked at Ryan.
"Don't think this has anything to do with Count Pascal. Kaan's expulsion of the Gargoyle guards from the Church of Light is probably a political conflict."
Count Soron did not believe there was any connection between them.
"A soul trapped in stone will not become Gargoyle, otherwise there would be more than just Count Pascal in the world."
"But Gargoyle are certainly better at sensing the souls within stones than humans, aren't they?"
Ryan said he always suspected that Meyers had ulterior motives in this land that went beyond money.