Reaching an Agreement

Beck found Elfie's words strange. What did he mean by Sonanda wanting to become his friend again? Sonanda was an important vassal of Count Black and an independent noble of the viscount class. Although he was now Legion Commander, Sonanda had no reason to be so friendly to him.

"What exactly does Sonanda mean? He didn't come himself, but sent you to make peace with me. What does it mean that he didn't come himself?"

Beck was very happy to receive a bag of gold coins, at least several hundred of them, which was equivalent to his annual salary Legion Commander.

However, the long-standing resentment towards Sonanda cannot be resolved with just a few gold coins.

At this moment, Elfie said meekly, "Legion Commander Beck, you don't know, my viscount is having a very difficult time right now."

"Oh."

"Let me explain slowly. You know, Count Black is still one of the most powerful nobles in the duchy. In the country, his status is indeed quite high, second only to the Ducal House. However, the Great Oak Family has a great hidden danger."

Ever since Count Black's support for his grandson Jorah in launching Civil War to fight for the Grand Duke Mora's position failed, Count Black, as an accomplice, has been disliked by the Grand Duke.

If it weren't for Count Black's ailing body taking the initiative to lobby in Silver Maple City and gain the His Grace the Grand Duke's forgiveness, there would have been no chance to participate in this fight against the Northlands rebels and clear his name.

Even so, at the end of last year, Count Black failed to defeat the Golden Sunflower Family, one of the rebels in the Northlands, and instead suffered heavy losses.

Since Count Black led his troops back to Sunset City, he has fallen seriously ill and has been unable to handle many government affairs.

My master, a high-ranking official in the Great Oak Territory, has been trying to protect the territory, but as you know, he's good at sailing, but not so good at anything else.

As a result, he has made a mess of the territory, causing widespread resentment. My master isn't stupid; he has also noticed these problems, but noticing the problems doesn't mean he can solve them.

He wasn't the only vassal of the Great Oak Family, not to mention the branches of the Great Oak Family and other great nobles in the Eastern Region. They all got involved in these issues and created many new problems.

It is foreseeable that if Count Black were to pass away in the future, his grandson Young Master Brando, might not be able to inherit the title smoothly, and there is a possibility that the entire Great Oak Territory would erupt into bloodshed.

My husband just couldn't take it anymore. He felt like the whole Great Oak Territory was a ship about to sink, and he wanted to get off.

It just so happens that you have led a team to Suffolk County this time, and my husband really hopes to get your help to save him from the storm in Great Oak Territory in the future.

However, you are, after all, representing the Duchy Army. Some people within the Great Oak Territory still harbor resentment over the defeat in the Civil War years ago. If my master were to contact you privately, he could easily be attacked by these people.

That's why I prepared so many gifts for you, and I was arranged to act as your mediator, hoping to have an open and honest conversation with you and regain your friendship.

After listening to Elfie's words, Beck felt that they made a lot of sense. He hadn't expected that the Great Oak Family in the duchy, would have so many problems. And that old enemy who claimed to be a loyal subject of the Great Oak family actually wanted to jump ship and had even come after him. It wasn't that he couldn't accept it, but he just needed to sort out his thoughts for a while.

Seeing that Beck was still thinking, Elfie added fuel to the fire, saying, "Legion Commander Beck, my master also said that as long as you are willing to help him, he will not only reward you handsomely, but also help you carve out a piece of territory from the Great Oak Family after the war, helping the Five Point Maple family become a true viscount-level noble family."

After Elfie finished speaking, Beck's expression froze, and his breathing became more and more rapid, after all, this matter concerned his family's long-cherished wish.

However, Beck had been through a lot, so he calmed himself down and spoke again, "Sonanda is just a minor viscount. What right does he have to divide the Great Oak Family's territory? Even if Count Black is gone, he still has legal heirs."

Elfie heard what Beck said, he knew that Chubek was indeed tempted.

"You little Duchy Legion, huh? As long as you give me some benefits, I can still control you."

Elfie solemnly said, "Legion Commander Beck, please rest assured, my master is not speaking carelessly. Let me analyze it for you to see."

Although my master does not yet have complete control over the entire territory, he is still the most powerful. And Count Black's health will certainly lead to Great Oak Territory not performing well in this Civil War.

Even though Count Black had already given the Grand Duke a lot of benefits, given the Grand Duke's temperament, he would definitely hold the Great Oak Family accountable again for their poor performance this time.

In the end, it is highly likely that the fiefdom will be confiscated, but after all, the Great Oak Family's influence in the country is deeply rooted, and directly confiscating the fiefdom will definitely cause dissatisfaction among other nobles.

In that case, His Grace the Grand Duke will certainly consider other methods, the best being to get the Great Oak Family to voluntarily hand over a portion of their fiefdom.

My master, in his capacity as the de facto leader of the Great Oak Territory, will then suggest that His Grace the Grand Duke grant these lands to meritorious officials. He will surely obtain His Majesty's approval. At that time, my master will put in a good word for you, and the lands will fall into your lap!

My master doesn't want anything, he just hopes that Legion Commander Beck will put in a good word for him with the Grand Duke, so that he can successfully break free from the influence of the Great Oak Family.

Beck was captivated by the beautiful scene described by Elfie and couldn't help but immerse himself in his reverie. When he imagined winning a large new fiefdom for the Five Point Maple family in the future, he even closed his eyes and laughed.

Fortunately, Elfie interrupted him in time. Although Beck was reluctant to give up his daydream, Elfie became very cute in his eyes. With a wave of his hand, Beck patted his chest.

"Don't worry, just tell your family that I, Beck, still consider him a friend. If he helps me achieve my long-cherished wish, I will definitely put in a good word for him with the Grand Duke."

"With your words of comfort, I am relieved. I will definitely report the help you have given us to my family in detail."

"Sure, sure, how about this: you can have a simple meal at my camp before you leave."

Elfie was about to refuse, but looking at Beck's expression, she knew she couldn't.

Shortly afterward, in a room, Beck and Elfie sat together, along with several officers from the First Legion.

Beck pointed to the dishes on the table and said, "Mr. Elfie, these are all made from the gifts you brought this time. Look at our legion's uncle, he's from Silver Maple City, and he's especially good at cooking beef."

Looking at the table in front of him, Elfie knew that Beck was still not entirely at ease and wanted to continue testing Sonanda's thoughts, at least to find out whether Sonanda was truly willing to cooperate.

However, Elfie's behavior quickly exceeded Beck's expectations. Elfie had already picked up several pieces of meat and put them on his plate.

He said excitedly, "Thank you for the generosity of Legion Commander Beck. I rarely eat this kind of specially supplied beef; it is indeed very rare within the territory."

"Mmm... wow... it smells so good!"

As Elfie spoke, he stuffed his mouth full, his wild eating habits making everyone's mouths water.

Seeing Elfie's behavior, Beck was completely convinced that Sonanda genuinely wanted to reconcile with him.

He happily picked up a piece of territory steak and put it on his plate, then picked up his knife and fork and began to eat slowly. But when he took his first bite, he couldn't hold back anymore.

"This meat is so delicious. It's not tough or mushy, it's chewy but not hard, and it's full of the sweet aroma of fat."

Hearing Beck's repeated praises, the other officers of the First Legion could no longer hold back. Each of them picked up a few pieces of meat and put them on their plates, and began to eat.

For a moment, the only sound in the room was the chewing of food; everyone was immersed in the delicious meal.