Agreement

Though Vitri was somewhat surprised by Victor's quick reaction, he readily admitted Victor's guess. "Yes. Through the Kingdom Navy's unremitting efforts, we finally discovered a safe sea route. From now on, the eastern and western shores of Tears of God will no longer be difficult to reach from one another. Fast ships need less than three days to cross between them. Compared with the more than ten days previously required to follow the coastal route, the efficiency of communication has greatly improved."

"So the Raine Kingdom intends to change its expansion strategy and focus primarily westward?" Victor asked.

"Not entirely. Even with the new route, projecting power across the Inland Sea will not be convenient. But with the discovery of this route, exchanges between the eastern and western shores will certainly become increasingly frequent. Since the Raine Kingdom can influence the Grand Duchy of Vera on the opposite shore, the Grand Duchy of Vera and the East Sea Alliance on the eastern shore can likewise influence the Raine Kingdom."

"Those within the kingdom believe that rather than wait, it is better to act first. Overthrowing Grand Duke Silver Maple is only one part of the operation. The kingdom needs a foothold. Whether it can truly take the Grand Duchy of Vera is not important. What matters is eliminating the potential negative effects that frequent exchanges between the eastern and western shores may have on the Raine Kingdom."

Victor understood the Raine Kingdom's reasoning. "In other words, the Raine Kingdom may not commit too much force. Even if it cannot take the Grand Duchy of Vera, it can still use this to draw the attention of the Fas Kingdom and the Chaos Lands. There may even be opportunities to make breakthroughs in those two directions."

Vitri clapped.

"Victor, you truly are perceptive. Lord Alex was right—you are indeed a suitable candidate. Let me introduce myself again. I am Vitri Yellowgrass, head of the Gorn Trading Company's branch in the Grand Duchy of Vera, and also a member of the Raine Kingdom's Nightingales."

"A spy directly under the kingdom? You're exposing yourself to me so openly. Aren't you afraid I'll report you to Grand Duke Silver Maple?"

"Victor, you jest. What can Grand Duke Silver Maple offer you? A viscount's title? Does he dare bare his fangs directly at our Raine Kingdom? More likely, he would tacitly suppress the matter, then deal with you in secret afterward. In that case, you would truly offend both sides. But what can the Raine Kingdom offer you? The Grand Duchy of Vera currently covers less than 400,000 square kilometers and has a population of over seventeen million. The Raine Kingdom will divide this place into three provinces and reserve one duke's title, three Marquis titles, and six Count's titles. As long as you render sufficient merit, you will have a chance to become a count. Even a Marquis title is not impossible. After all, the Golden Sunflower Family possesses extensive connections and abundant resources, with the support of many viscount and baron families behind it."

"Not to mention the East Sea Alliance's 600,000 square kilometers of land and population of over thirty million. It may seem beyond reach now, but if the Raine Kingdom successfully takes the Grand Duchy of Vera, it will very likely commit even greater strength to the eastern shore. The Grand Duchy of Vera's original strength would be unable to defeat the East Sea Alliance, but what if the Raine Kingdom were added? When the tide turns, what status and power could you gain?"

"Think about it. You are still young; you should have greater ambitions. What is a viscount's title worth? With the Golden Sunflower Family's strength, obtaining one would not be difficult. But could that be considered your achievement? A count's or Marquis's title is different. Once you succeed, you will leave your own name in the history of this land."

Vitri delivered these words with great emotion, patiently guiding him in a stirring tone. If Victor had not lived two lives, he might already have bowed his head and treated the Raine Kingdom's orders as sacred commandments.

But Victor was different. His ambitions were even bolder than Vitri imagined.

Victor directly interrupted him. "Lord Vitri, I agree to support the Raine Kingdom. What can I obtain? Or rather, what support can the Raine Kingdom offer me now? Don't think you can fob me off with the little bit of goods in those two cargo ships."

Vitri froze for a moment, not expecting Victor to be so straightforward, but he quickly replied, "The goods on those two ships are worth a great deal, and the weapons they brought are even more extraordinary. That is already quite generous for you. Please do not be too greedy."

"Of course, they are all good things, and enough to satisfy the appetite of our Two Rivers Territory. But you did not choose me solely for our Two Rivers Territory or the Golden Sunflower Territory, did you? What about our two cadet baron families? What about my maternal grandfather, Viscount Edelweiss? And our staunch allies who have been friendly with us for generations—families like Black Oil Pine Baron, Viscount Blue Rose, and Viscount Bitter Bamboo? I cannot drag them all into this over such a small amount of goods."

Vitri wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Then what do you mean, Victor?"

"I am willing to support the Raine Kingdom, and I am willing to negotiate. But you need to pay more."

And so, the two began bargaining. By midnight, after five hours, Victor and Vitri drafted an agreement in their capacities as the Golden Sunflower Baron and the president of the Gorn Trading Company's branch.

The contents were as follows:

First, the Gorn Trading Company was to provide 3,000 gold coins annually as an interest-free loan to the Two Rivers Territory, repayable over twenty years;

Second, the Gorn Trading Company was to provide five cargo ships of no less than 300 tons each for the Two Rivers Territory's use every year, with the lending period lasting no less than six months annually;

Third, the Gorn Trading Company was to provide the Two Rivers Territory with at least 3,000 serfs every year, of whom 1,000 would be gifted free of charge and the remaining 2,000 paid for at market price;

Fourth, the Two Rivers Territory was to provide land to the Gorn Trading Company for use as a transit point and base for the company's goods;

Fifth, the Two Rivers Territory was required to spend 1,500 gold coins annually purchasing the Gorn Trading Company's goods;

Sixth, the Gorn Trading Company was to provide channels for the Two Rivers Territory's products, with its commission not exceeding 30%;

Seventh, the Two Rivers Territory was to cooperate with the Gorn Trading Company's operations and, when necessary, dispatch no fewer than 500 regular soldiers, no more than once a year;

Eighth, any supplementary terms to the agreement would only take effect with both men's signatures.

The agreement was simple. Victor and Vitri both believed that it was not suitable at this stage to impose too many obligations on either side. Vitri had offered the greatest concessions within his authority, while Victor had also plainly stated that he could send troops to assist the Gorn Trading Company's operations. The agreement was secret, known only to the two of them. No one else could amend or terminate it.

Holding the signed agreement, Vitri said, "Victor, I've already offered you the best terms within my authority. You must remember this. If you truly prosper in the future, don't forget me."

"Rest assured, Vitri. If I succeed in the future and become a noble of count rank or above, I will certainly do everything in my power to help you become a true independent noble." After all, a count could grant baron titles. At worst, Victor could simply make Vitri a baron.

"Then, happy cooperation."

"Happy cooperation."