Slave Prices Soared

Victor heard exactly the news he had been hoping for from Powell.

“Marquis, all the nobles involved have agreed to our terms and signed the declaration. They unanimously agreed that the Railway General Bureau would become an agency directly under Two Rivers County, and they also guaranteed that every railway passing through their territories would be managed by the bureau.”

Powell took out the declaration he had prepared and handed it to Victor.

Victor unrolled the fine parchment Powell had given him and went straight to the end. There he found the signatures and personal seals of every noble involved.

The list included not only the Golden Sunflower Family's vassals, but also the lords of Stream Territory and Black Pine Territory: twelve noble houses in all, comprising four viscounts and eight barons. Together, their lands covered nearly 8,000 square kilometers and held a population of 300,000.

With this declaration, Victor could use the railway to draw the land and people of all twelve territories together, greatly strengthening the Golden Sunflower Family.

Victor examined the scroll carefully. Once he had confirmed that all twelve signatures and seals were there, he let out a long breath. It was a relief that everything had gone smoothly. After all, what he had done—and what he had asked of them—was a great deal to demand.

Most nobles knew little about railway technology or management, but the rights the Railway General Bureau would hold along the tracks were enough to make them uneasy. Victor had not expected things to go this smoothly.

He wondered how many had agreed only because they felt pressured. He asked Powell directly, "Did anyone object?"

Powell answered without hesitation. “Marquis, rest assured. No one objected.”

"Everyone, myself included, believes this declaration will bring us closer together under your leadership. We believe