Private Dealings

Grand Duke Mora was naturally very happy to hear this.

Count Lagos hurriedly said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! With a loyal minister like Count Black to share your burdens, suppressing the rebellion will be a piece of cake."

"Alright, then let Count Black lead his army and the private armies of the nobles in the eastern Boler County to attack several rebellious territories in Boler County."

"Yes!" Baron Lovsky immediately bowed his head to accept the military order.

After Mora finished speaking, she left the hall, continuing to play with the pearl in her hand as she walked.

Seeing this, Count Lagos said to Baron Lovsky, "Baron Lovsky, His Majesty the Grand Duke is very busy, so I will personally escort you!"

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Count Lagos!"

After he finished speaking, Count Lagos led the way, and Baron Lovsky followed behind him as they left the hall.

Viscount Borey observed with a cold eye. The two were perfectly in sync. Given the Count Lagos's self-serving nature, there must be some connection between them.

However, since Grand Duke Mora has already made his decision, he has no intention of getting involved. He only needs to command the troops well, and he will naturally achieve success next spring.

Count Lagos and Baron Lovsky walked all the way to the entrance of the Maple Leaf Palace, where Baron Lovsky's carriage was already waiting.

Baron Lovsky said in a low voice, "Thank you for your help, Count. Count Black will never let his friends down. I have some eastern specialties for you in my carriage. Please come in and I will take you back to your residence."

Upon hearing this, Count Lagos beamed with joy. "Oh dear, Count Black is too kind. You've already given me quite a few Eastern specialties before, and you still want to give me more. My house is almost overflowing."

Lovsky pulled Count Lagos directly into the carriage.

After boarding the carriage, the two sat facing each other, and Lovsky took out a wooden box and placed it on the table between them.

Count Lagos had just tried to pick up the box when Baron Lovsky grabbed his hands, and Count Lagos looked at him in confusion.

"Count Excellency, you can just put it on the table. This box is quite heavy, so don't hurt your hands."

After saying this, Baron Lovsky opened the box towards Count Lagos. Count Lagos looked closely and was dazzled by a golden light.

In the center of the box was a gold nugget, its rough surface covered with honeycomb-like natural holes, and its edges were covered with fine gold dust particles. The entire gold nugget was about the size of two adult men's fists.

"This is a gold nugget from Count Black's collection. It weighs 6.5 kilograms. I heard that you, Prime Minister, are fond of minerals, so I was specially instructed to bring it to you this time."

"This is far too precious; how could I possibly take something that belongs to someone else!"

Although Count Lagos was verbally refusing, Baron Lovsky noticed that his knuckles had turned white from gripping the armrests so tightly.

"This is a token of our appreciation, please do not refuse it. Before I came, Count Black told me that since you became Prime Minister, you have worked hard and devoted yourself to the Duchy. The current peace and prosperity of the Duchy is entirely due to your efforts."

If all the nobles and officials in the Duchy follow your example, the Grand Duchy of Vera will surely be able to defeat its old rival East Sea Alliance. At that time, it is not impossible to upgrade the Duchy to a kingdom, and everyone will benefit.

Therefore, the Count insisted that I hand him over to you. Your loyalty to the Duchy is as unwavering as this nugget of gold, impervious to the test of fire and water.

"Count Black is too kind; I only did a small part."

"Therefore, Count Black believes that your appointment as Prime Minister is the will of the people!"

Count Lagos stretched out his hand, put one hand in his pocket, tilted his head up at a forty-five-degree angle, and made a compassionate face.

"Although I do not seek the position, I still consider it my duty to benefit the country. If it is the popular choice, then only by taking power can I truly benefit the country. So I can only shoulder the responsibility and completely abandon my own selfish desires."

Lovsky clapped excitedly and shed tears of emotion.

"Prime Minister Excellency, you really... I couldn't control myself... Please forgive my lapse in composure!"

The Count Lagos was even more pleased and happy with Baron Lovsky's performance. He stepped forward and grabbed Baron Lovsky's hands.

"Baron Lovsky, we get along so well, why don't you stay in Silver Maple City and help me? I can't guarantee anything else, but apart from the Finance Minister, I can help you with any other ministerial position you want."

"If you wish to lead troops, I can also secure you a Legion Deputy Commander position in one of the various directly subordinate legions. After defeating those rebels like Colt, I guarantee you will be promoted to viscount."

Baron Lovsky looked interested and earnestly spoke to Count Lagos.

"Your Prime Minister, thank you for your high regard, but I am, after all, a vassal of the Great Oak Family. I will resign upon my return to Count Black, and then I will rush to the Capital City to do my part for you and the country."

"It's settled then. I'll also write a letter to Count Black and ask him to take you from me."

But if Count Black is unwilling, don't worry, I will find another way.

As long as you report to me promptly, you're doing me a favor, and I'll remember it.

"Thank you for your high regard, Prime Minister. I, Lovsky, will serve you wholeheartedly and will gladly die for you if needed!"

"Good!"

The two held hands tightly and looked into each other's eyes. If Victor were here, he would definitely think that the two of them were very suitable to live in the capital of the Southwest Basin Province in his previous life.

Afterwards, Baron Lovsky Count Lagos home, and the two bid each other a reluctant farewell at the door.

After Baron Lovsky left, Count Lagos returned to the mansion and had a servant carry the wooden box into his study.

After waving his servants out, he opened the wooden box, stroking the gold nugget while muttering to himself.

"Count Black, you've invested so much money to send troops into battle. What are you planning to do? If there's anything good in these two territories, I'll definitely get involved."

Meanwhile, in Baron Lovsky's carriage, Lovsky was wiping his hands with a wet handkerchief.

"That old guy is disgusting. He actually wants me to betray the Count, but the Count wants me to play along with him, so I have no choice."

"This is perfect opportunity to spread some false information. Let's see if you'll still be laughing when the Count and the Northern Frontier nobles join forces next year."

Lovsky's lips twisted, and his little finger knuckle scraped back and forth on his chin, his expression like that of a treacherous minister often seen in court dramas.

At this moment, in White Earth City, Sextus County, Alex was talking with a nobleman.

"Viscount Alex, why should we retreat? You have brought two Cavalry battalions, and I have brought two Infantry Regiment. We are fully capable of defeating the remnants of the two regiments of the Fifth Legion, capturing the county Sextus City, and then controlling the entire Sextus County."

"Viscount Hawke, don't be in a hurry. Don't forget the purpose of our trip."

"Alright, I understand. We'll stop here after we take White Earth City."

Alex looked into the distance. "Victor, I've done all I can. The rest is up to you."