Negotiation (Part 2)

It wasn't surprising that Judra's reaction was so strong.

The document stated that Raven would provide Judra with 5,000 gold coins over two years.

The price was that once Judra became a Baron, he would not only have to return the Eagle Beak Mountain Mine and the Thousand Needle Jungle, but also cede the [Gray Mountain Mine] to Eagle Territory!

The reason Ironforge Castle, on the scale of a barony, could support a third-tier Knight like Anger, and even equip its most elite 100-man [Ironforge Legion] with chainmail, was because they had their own iron mines and their own smelting and forging factories!

The weapons, chainmail, and plate armor sold externally were the most important sources of income for Ironforge Territory.

It could be said that if they lost the Gray Mountain Mine, Ironforge Territory's income would plummet by half, or even more, resulting in annual losses of no less than a thousand gold coins!

Anyone who signed this contract would undoubtedly be the greatest sinner of the Worton Family; calling it "selling the territory for glory" wouldn't be an exaggeration.

Raven caught the document steadily, not angered. Through their brief interaction, he had completely understood Judra's personality.

Arrogant, conceited, and self-important, yet also carrying ingrained inferiority. His obsession with self-esteem and reputation was almost pathological. Though he desperately craved a noble title, he acted as if he didn't care at all.

To describe him in two words:

Twisted.

To deal with such a person, one had to help him save face.

In plain terms, Judra wanted to be a whore, and Raven would help him erect a memorial archway.

"How can this be considered sacrificing the family's interests, Mr. Judra," Raven sighed deeply with profound regret. "Baron Anger was indeed a qualified noble in his youth, but now he is old. What he did at my investiture ceremony—if I may be so bold—can be described as senile. If you hadn't acted decisively, the Worton Family would have become a laughingstock throughout the Nord Province!"

"As for your younger brother, Mr. Mark, forgive my presumption, but he is even less of a qualified heir."

Raven's tone was filled with deep sympathy. "He was pampered since childhood, indulging in wine and women. Not only did he impregnate a maid before getting engaged, but he even sent people to Shining Gold Town to purchase Angel's Tear at a high price, completely disregarding the awkward relationship between our families now."

"Is such a person truly fit to inherit the title of Ironforge Territory? Wouldn't him inheriting the title be the greatest harm to Ironforge Territory and the Worton Family?"

Raven's words struck a nerve with Judra. The anger on his face subsided considerably, and he said with a cold laugh, "I don't know where you heard these rumors, but the reliability of this information is as flimsy as the 5,000 gold coins on your document. Even if you ransacked Eagle Territory, you couldn't come up with that much money!"

"Then this information might actually be true," Raven said slowly. "Although I don't have that much money now, don't forget, I still have Angel's Tear, and I recently took back Shining Gold Town."

Judra's lips pursed slightly. He had tasted the exquisite flavor of Angel's Tear, and Mark's willingness to offend Anger to buy it further confirmed this. Angel's Tear could indeed bring endless wealth to Eagle Territory.

"...Even if everything you say is true, what can be done?" Judra sighed as if helpless. "Ultimately, it's up to my father to decide who inherits the title."

"That's why I'm here to help you," Raven said, shaking the document in his hand. "Mr. Judra, I believe you possess all the qualities of a lord. You are calm, elegant, and noble. It's just that because you haven't been treated fairly, you haven't been able to display your abilities in front of Baron Anger."

He took a step forward, his deep and magnetic voice penetrating Judra's heart like a whispered dream. "As long as you can demonstrate sufficient ability and make everyone in the territory—the enfeoffed Knights, the steward, the head maid, and the soldiers—bow to your generosity and serve you, then I believe Baron Anger will change his mind."

Judra's brow twitched violently; he understood Raven's implication.

Money, a large sum of money.

In his eyes, there was no one in the world that money couldn't buy. If there was, it meant the offer wasn't high enough.

By pouring in a large amount of gold, he could tie every important figure in the barony to his cause, making them realize who the person bringing them benefits was.

In that way, at Baron Anger's deathbed, even if he wanted to name Mark as his heir, no one would acknowledge his decision—a will is only effective if it is acknowledged by everyone; otherwise, it's just waste paper.

At this moment, Judra was indeed tempted, but he still shook his head. "Baron Raven, you are indeed a good persuader, but I still cannot agree. The Gray Mountain Mine is the foundation of Ironforge Territory; the Worton Family cannot lose it."

Most importantly, once the contract was signed, his leverage would be held by Raven, allowing him to be manipulated at will.

At least until he officially became a Baron, Judra had no possibility of resisting.

Raven knew his concerns and instead said:

"How can it be considered a loss? It's merely a lease of the Gray Mountain Mine to me for fifty years! Furthermore, the output of the Gray Mountain Mine can still be supplied to Ironforge Castle at market price afterward. While you'll have to spend money to purchase ore then, you'll also save on labor."

"But the revenue from the Gray Mountain Mine is no lower than that of Shining Gold Town," Judra said with a grim expression. "Fifty years of lease rights for just 5,000 gold coins is still too low."

Raven chuckled inwardly.

This Judra had quite a talent for erecting memorial archways!

He had only proposed a transaction, and Judra was already climbing the pole, limiting the discussion to the Gray Mountain Mine while completely ignoring the attached personal dependency.

Not only did he save face, but he also started bargaining. Truly a classic noble demeanor.

Initially, 5,000 gold coins was just the base price; Raven didn't expect to buy him over with just that. "Then, Mr. Judra, how much do you think is a fair price?"

"10,000 gold coins," Judra said without batting an eye. "I think that's a reasonable price."

"If it were fifty years ago, that would indeed be the case, but the Gray Mountain Mine has been mined for too long, and no one knows how much ore is left," Raven bargained. "How about 7,000 gold coins?"

A hint of dissatisfaction flashed in Judra's eyes.

No matter how nicely it was put, once this contract was signed, it would be the biggest weakness before his official succession as Baron. It could be said that he was betting almost his entire life on this.

Yet, Raven, this scoundrel, wouldn't even pay 10,000 gold coins, which was practically an insult.

"It's not just about the Gray Mountain Mine," Judra emphasized. "It concerns my 'reputation.' 10,000 gold coins, not a single coin less!"

Raven was almost amused to the point of laughter. Reputation? What kind of reputation could be worth 5,000 gold coins?

The whore had erected her memorial archway and truly believed she was a respectable woman?

Raven scoffed, shook his head, and said, "Mr. Judra, if you insist, I don't think Mr. Mark's 'reputation' would be worth that much, would it?"

Judra's expression tightened. "What do you mean by that?"

"It's very simple," Raven said with a cold smile. "I've just realized that instead of supporting you, it might be better to invest in Mark, who has a greater chance of inheriting the title. At least there won't be any pressure living next to a good-for-nothing!"

"I'm sorry for wasting your time, Mr. Judra!" Raven said decisively, turning to leave.

Seeing Raven blatantly threaten him, Judra's breathing suddenly became heavy. He clenched his fists, almost wanting to rush forward and beat Raven soundly!

But he couldn't, and he didn't dare to.

He was already at a disadvantage in the struggle. Once Mark received Raven's financial aid, he would have no chance of inheriting Ironforge Territory!

If Raven had threatened him like this before, he could have simply walked away. But now, his ambition had been completely ignited by Raven, and he clearly saw the vision of himself sitting on the Baron's throne.

To give up now would be truly… unbearable!

"Baron Raven!" Judra suppressed the surging humiliation in his heart and took a deep breath. "9000 gold coins!"

Raven's footsteps did not stop.

"8000 gold coins!"

Raven paused his steps and continued walking forward.

Just as his hand was about to touch the carriage door, Judra shouted, "7000! I agree!"

"Ah! How can this be!" Raven turned his head, a smile of aristocratic politeness on his face. "I was just thinking of going back to the carriage to change the number to 10,000. I didn't expect you to be so understanding."

"Since that's the case, I'm not an unreasonable person. How about 8000 gold coins, Mr. Judra?"

Judra knew that this was Raven making a concession to pacify his anger. He didn't want to accept this so-called kindness that felt like charity, but he couldn't bear to lose the 1000 gold coins. He could only nod heavily and say, "Then 8000. But this agreement must absolutely not be made public."

Raven blinked. "As long as you fulfill the contract, of course!"

Taking out the prepared ink from the carriage, they each signed their names on the agreement.

A small chest of gold coins was placed before them.

Raven said, "This is the first installment, 200 gold coins. Starting next month, on the 5th of every month, I will provide you with funds, at least 200 gold coins, with no upper limit. In short, within a year, I will give you the same amount of gold coins as stated in the contract."

"If the amount is not enough by then, I will not acknowledge the contents of this document," Judra said, his expression not looking good, as he stared blankly at the carriage that hadn't moved for a long time.

Raven didn't seem to care about his attitude. He stood up, bowed with a smile, and said, "Then I'll take my leave, Mr. Judra. I hope you have a pleasant evening."

"Wait." Judra called out to Raven, who had just turned around. "Why?"

"Why what?" Raven asked, turning back.

"Why are you spending money on me?" Judra asked in a low voice. "Don't you need to develop your own territory and improve your strength?"

Raven's eyebrows rose slightly, somewhat surprised that Judra could still maintain enough rationality at this moment. He responded in a deep voice, "Because, by the end of the year at the latest, the Nord Province will be in chaos. I hope to have a solid ally by then to share the pressure on Eagle Territory with me."

"What?" Judra looked at Raven, his smile tinged with anger. "Baron Raven, I know you don't want to tell the truth, but you don't have to fob me off with such vague words!"

"If you think so, there's nothing I can do," Raven said, uttering a casanova-like line, and turned back towards the carriage.

"Time will prove my answer."

After saying this, Raven sat back into the carriage. As Angie flicked the whip, the carriage set off on the road back to Eagle Fortress.

"How about that? I told you Judra would agree to my terms." Raven put his arm around Denise, leaning against the carriage side, a faint smile still on his lips.

Denise didn't speak but scrutinized Raven.

She found herself increasingly unable to understand this man.

He was lecherous, hypocritical, shameless, and greedy. Yet, ever since she returned to Eagle Fortress, almost everything Raven did had exceeded her expectations and yet, he always succeeded.

Especially today's conversation, which had startled her.

The entire conversation had been completely controlled by Raven. Several times she thought the negotiation would break down, but Raven's precise grasp of human psychology had firmly kept Judra trapped.

From belittling to flattery, and finally to manipulation, it was a seamless progression. Judra was like a sparrow, trapped within, thinking he was flying free, but never escaping Raven's grasp.

Such precise and seasoned maneuvering – is Raven really only twenty years old?

"How did you do it?" a question flowed from Denise's lips.

"Want to know?" Raven smiled and pointed to his cheek. "Give me a kiss, and I'll tell you."

"Or, should I kiss you?"

Saying that, he leaned in himself.

He was met by Denise's soft palm and a low complaint, "Angie is still outside."

"Oh… I see!" Raven's face revealed a meaningful smile, and he rested his head against the carriage side.

Denise rolled her eyes at him and asked in a low voice, "I still don't understand. Baron Anger is still very healthy, and Eagle Territory's finances are so tight. Why are you funding Judra at this particular time?"

"This is why you can only be a merchant, and I can become a Baron," Raven said with a smile. "You have to work hard, Denise. If you can't figure this out, how can you become the president of the Monen City Merchants Association?"

Meanwhile, Judra was still sitting slumped in a stone chair at Long Halberd Rock.

He looked at the box of gold coins in front of him, his fists clenching tighter and tighter, his breathing becoming more and more heavy. He stood up, kicked over the stone stool, and cursed aloud:

"Son of a bitch!!"

Damn Raven!

A scoundrel from a low background, just because he accidentally obtained the title of Baron, could boss him around and condescendingly dictate his life.

"What a piece of work!"

With a clang, fiery Battle Qi ignited around his feet, and he kicked the stone stool into a pile of rubble with a single stomp.

It was all Mark's fault!

If it weren't for him, why would he, a noble with a clean background, have to endure insults from someone like Raven, or breathe the same air as scum like that?!

At this moment, Judra's gaze towards the gold coins on the table was filled with hatred. He tore open his collar, swung his fist, and smashed down with all his might!

Bang!

The box flew out and landed on the ground, scattering golden coins everywhere. Some were even bent out of shape from the impact.

After venting his rage, Judra's emotions slowly calmed. He walked over and crouched on the ground, righting the box. Like a defeated rooster, he began to gather the gold coins back one by one.

To inherit the Worton Family's peerage, these gold coins were essential.

Only by becoming a Baron could he wash away today's humiliation, stand tall before Raven, and reclaim the self-respect buried deep in the dust!

The Baron's son? So what? Until he became a Baron, he wasn't a true noble.

In this world, only nobles were considered people.

The rest were livestock, beasts of burden, pigs and dogs, chickens and sheep!

Judra didn't want to be livestock.

As he gathered the coins, he muttered to himself, "It absolutely can't be Raven. Someone from a commoner background can't possibly have such far-sightedness, planning from now on to benefit himself."

"It must be Denise's idea. She must want to sponsor me, and Raven just took the opportunity to extort money in the middle. It has to be like this!"

Thinking that the gold coins before him were provided by Denise, Judra's movements suddenly sped up.

"Just you wait, Raven. When I take over the family head position, I will definitely snatch Denise away!"

After tidying up the gold coins, Judra shouted loudly, "Yaden!"

Soon, the sound of footsteps approached, and Yaden, along with over a dozen soldiers, rushed over. "Lord Judra!"

As the saying goes, a son would sell his father's land without a second thought. Since it wasn't his own money, Judra directly took ten gold coins and stuffed them into Yaden's hand. "This is for you."

Yaden said joyfully, "Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Judra!"

"Everyone, come over!" Judra called out, and the remaining soldiers gathered around.

Judra took out the gold coins one by one and put them into their hands, one for each person, no more, no less.

Amidst continuous expressions of gratitude, the soldiers looked at Judra with fervent eyes!

Judra said, "I don't care if you heard what happened here today, or what you heard. You are absolutely not allowed to speak of it. Otherwise, I will take back all your rewards. Do you understand?"

Everyone shouted in unison, "Understood!"

Surrounded by a throng of people, a proud smile flickered across Judra's lips.

Raven, just you wait. You'll see then how terrifying an opponent you've cultivated with your money!

For the next few days, Judra's life was incredibly comfortable. Although he was still guarding the city gate, the soldiers on duty looked at him with respect and admiration.

To these soldiers, who was the legitimate heir didn't matter, but who made their lives better was very clear.

Of course, Judra didn't give every soldier a gold coin. With over 30,000 inhabitants in Ironforge Territory and more than a thousand ordinary private soldiers, not only could he not afford to give them all one, but even if he could, he wouldn't waste money on these common soldiers.

However, by giving out a little and improving their lives, adding more meat to their meals or an extra cup of wine, it was enough to make them deeply grateful.

The three neutral Knights, as well as the elite soldiers of the [Ironforge Legion], were the primary targets.

Of course, Judra also needed to consider his own strength improvement. If he could break through to the third tier within a few years, even Baron Anger wouldn't be so blatant in his favoritism.

On the sixth night after Judra returned to Ironforge Town, something unexpected happened.

"My lord, Knight Lauci is here to visit!" Yaden announced.

Judra's eyes lit up. "Let him in!"

Lauci was the only second-tier Knight in the entire Ironforge Territory besides Judra, and he was loyal to Mark. If he could be bought over, the scales between the two would tip significantly.

Soon, heavy footsteps sounded, and Lauci pushed the door open. "Lord Judra, please open the city gate. This is the Baron's order!"

Judra took the order but didn't examine it. Instead, his gaze fell on the woman who had entered with Lauci. "You are… Fenli?"

Fenli, Mark's personal maid, the woman whose belly he had gotten big.

Wasn't she supposed to have been secretly executed?

The woman's body trembled, and she nodded lightly.

"Lord Anger said that after all, she carries the bloodline of the Worton Family," Lauci said. "I will find a secluded place to keep her until she gives birth. Please open the city gate, my lord."

Judra felt his blood run cold in an instant, with only his heart still pounding.

Father, I bore the infamy of treachery for you, yet you didn't even consider doing anything to salvage my reputation!

But Mark, for his momentary pleasure, committed such an act that disgraced the family's reputation. Not only did you not punish him, but you also shielded him in every way possible, even extending your favor to protect his illegitimate child.

We are both your sons, must the gap be so vast?

Is your favoritism truly so blatant?

"Lord Judra?" Lauci's voice broke through his thoughts.

"Oh, sorry, I got a bit distracted." Judra offered a gentle smile. "Do you need me to prepare another carriage? Fenli is pregnant, after all."

"Thank you for your kindness, but it's not necessary." Lauci replied, surprised by Judra's attitude. "Baron Anger said carriages are easily tracked. I will escort her away on foot."

"Then there's no need to make such a fuss opening the city gates. We can use a basket to lower them down," Judra said. "Of course, to ensure safety, Knight Lauci, you should personally operate the winch."

Lauci left with Fenli. A few minutes later, two figures moved away from the city walls, disappearing into the night.

Yaden approached. "My Lord, do you need me to follow them?"

"No, Yaden is a Storm Knight. You won't catch him," Judra said. "Go back to your post…"

"My Lord, really…"

"I said go back to your post!" Judra turned, his voice rising, his nose almost bleeding from how red it was. He looked like an enraged beast!

Yaden, receiving the order with solemnity, quickly left the room.

"Father…" Judra clenched his fists, sticky blood seeping through his fingers. "Since you don't consider me your son…"

While Judra was seething with resentment over Anger's favoritism, Raven was immersed in a peaceful slumber.

With the help of the Temperature Control Array, he could sleep soundly on his soft bed wrapped in a quilt during the height of summer, no longer waking up in a sweat in the middle of the night.

"Ah—" Raven yawned as he got out of bed and walked to the window. The first thing he saw was the nearly completed workshop.

Now that it was at the roofing stage, simply having many people wasn't enough. It required the careful coordination of stonemasons and carpenters to create a stable structure, leaving no room for error. Otherwise, it was highly likely they would end up with a building that could collapse at any moment.

According to the current progress, it would be ready for use in about five days. In fact, some raw materials had already been transported to the completed warehouse, ready for use at any time.

The door opened, and Patti entered with light footsteps. "Baron."

"Get me dressed," Raven said, walking to the bronze mirror.

Patti began to carefully dress Raven, saying as she did, "My Lord, this morning, Priestess Laxus sent word asking you to visit."

Raven frowned slightly. His Elvish had indeed improved over the past few days, but it wasn't yet fluent enough to recite a hymn.

He didn't want to embarrass himself in front of Laxus, so he had been somewhat resistant to meeting her recently. "What's the reason?"

As she tied his belt, Patti replied, "She said… there's a lead regarding the Mage Potion."