Borrowing the Kingdom Navy's Shipping Route

"Well said! Hahaha! That's my son-in-law!"

Marquis Lloyd burst out laughing, startling both Alex and Victor. Victor noticed that since his promotion, Lloyd seemed far more spirited than he had during last year's civil war.

Alex said, "Then it's settled. I'll speak with the other Northlands counts afterward. After all, this involves a count from the Northlands exchanging territories. I know quite a few people are interested in the Crimson Maple Territory!

"But you probably aren't, Victor!"

Victor certainly wasn't. He had already become a marquis and expanded his Golden Sunflower Territory in the east to over 4,000 square kilometers. He still planned to develop at least 10,000 square kilometers in the Northlands. As fine as the Crimson Maple Territory was, he had no interest in it—and no spare territory to offer in exchange.

Few other Northern Frontier nobles had enough land for the exchange, either. They couldn't very well carve up the Crimson Maple Territory. Splitting the entire river valley plain into multiple territories would be a terrible waste.

Victor soon realized that Counts Albert and Benjamin might be the only ones capable of making the exchange. Both had rendered great service during the civil war and gained substantial territory in the Central Region. They were best placed to take part.

Victor's friend Count Hawk might also have the means, but most of his territory lay along the border between Bria County and Sykes County, practically in the Northlands. Count Edmund probably wouldn't agree to that exchange either.

The three chatted a while longer, and Victor learned from Marquis Lloyd why his son Leonard hadn't come this time.

Apparently, something was happening with the East Sea Alliance. The Coalition of Nobles from Hampshire and Cornwall County had gathered at the border again. This time, though, they were nobles of