The carriage, fitted with a pair of magical arrays, was both cool and steady, making it almost impossible to feel that it was moving.
Inside the carriage, Nancy wore a confident smile as she asked expectantly, "Jenny, do you think Raven will be completely stunned by me this time?"
"Of course, Miss Nancy." Jenny nodded vigorously. "You personally selected every one of these things. He's only a tiny baron—he'll be left completely dumbfounded!"
Nancy had indeed put a great deal of thought into preparing for this appearance.
The originally planned ten carriages had been expanded to twelve. All of them were made from pure white ivory wood. This high-quality and rare wood was extremely expensive, with each carriage costing 72.4 Gold Coins. Even with only a coat of varnish, it shone with a dignified and elegant luster that could outshine genuine gold!
Double-layered magical arrays had been installed beneath every carriage. One controlled the temperature, while the other eliminated vibrations. Though they were not particularly large, a complete set still cost 327.5 Gold Coins.
Even the twenty-four fine horses pulling the carriages had been carefully selected. Each possessed one-eighth monster blood, cost 62.44 Gold Coins, and stood uniformly 1.8 meters tall at the shoulder. They were all chestnut-red, with flowing manes, and when they ran, they looked like balls of blazing fire.
The total cost came to an astonishing 6,297.36 Gold Coins!
"Shining Gold Town is truly poor beyond belief." Nancy spoke with both complaint and ostentation. "Otherwise, I never would have made such a shabby appearance!"
Jenny really wanted to remind Nancy that she had been just as full of confidence the last time she charged straight into Shining Gold Town's government offices, and the result had been...
But this clearly was not the time to pour cold water on her. Going along with Nancy, she said, "You said it yourself—this place is very poor."
"Even the richest Shining Gold Town is this poor, let alone the entire Eagle Territory. Raven must never have seen such a grand display!"
"Hmm, that makes sense. You do have a little bit of cleverness in you!" Nancy nodded in satisfaction. "Just you wait, Raven. I'll make you kneel and welcome me inside!"
The carriages soon stopped. Servants immediately climbed down from the rear carriage and unfurled a red Firefly Velvet carpet two meters wide and half an inch thick. They laid it from the carriage door all the way to the castle hall.
With Jenny supporting her, Nancy stepped down from the carriage and strode inside with her chin raised, walking atop the broad, thick carpet.
From the corner of her eye, she swept over the servants of Eagle Fortress. Seeing their slack jaws and stunned, wooden expressions filled her with immense satisfaction.
Country bumpkins were country bumpkins. Every one of them looked so ignorant!
But her good mood did not last long.
Raven's face soon appeared in her field of vision. Not only was he not the least bit shocked, he looked perfectly calm.
Nancy's lips pressed tightly together.
Hmph, keep pretending!
She walked up to Raven with impeccably elegant steps, raised her chin, and extended her right hand. "Ahem."
Seeing this, Raven clicked his tongue inwardly.
This Nancy looked like a child most of the time, but once she dressed up, she really had something going for her.
Her pale-red hair was coiled into a bun at the back of her head, while two slightly curled strands hung beside her temples, lending her an air of elegance without taking away her liveliness.
She wore silver, teardrop-shaped earrings, their transparent, radiant rubies complementing her vivid temperament perfectly.
A smile curved her lips, revealing the tips of her canine teeth.
Her luxurious orange-red dress outlined her slender waist and set off her delicate collarbones, making them even more captivating.
"It's my honor to meet you, Miss Nancy." Raven offered her a polite greeting. He bent down, took her small hand encased in a white glove, and kissed it.
It was clearly nothing more than a standard social courtesy, yet Nancy felt a surge of victorious delight.
Heh heh. No matter how arrogant you are, you still have to bow before me, don't you?
"Baron Raven, your etiquette is impeccable." Nancy withdrew her hand with a radiant smile. "The journey was long, and I'm a little tired. I hope you've already prepared my accommodations."
"Er... what?" Raven seemed not to have heard clearly. "Are you planning to stay here?"
Nancy froze for a moment, her brows drawing together. "Baron Raven, what do you mean? Did you not receive my calling card?"
"Calling card? What calling card?" Raven blinked innocently, then looked to either side. "Did any of you receive Miss Nancy's calling card?"
The servants shook their heads one after another. Even Patti did the same, though a trace of suppressed amusement still curved her lips when she lowered her head.
Nancy bit her lip and glanced at Jenny. The latter lowered her head innocently.
How could this damned bastard be so shameless?
She had even tampered with the date on the calling card. She had dusted the "1" in "12th" with a mixture of carbon powder and silver powder. It looked perfectly normal, but could be wiped away with a light swipe, making it appear that the card had been sent ten days earlier.
She had originally thought Raven would reject her on the grounds of the date. She had never expected him to simply pretend that he had not received it!
How could he be so cunning? Could he have seen through my brilliant plan?
In truth, Raven had not noticed anything. He simply had never intended to admit that he had received the calling card, so no matter what tricks Nancy played around it, they would all be a waste of effort.
"Raven, don't get smug. My calling card has already been delivered. Today, I, Miss Nancy, am staying at Eagle Fortress!" Nancy took a deep breath and raised her voice. "Jenny, help me inside. I'd like to see who dares stop the daughter of the Fox Family!"
As soon as she said this, Nancy saw Raven's expression change. The servants around them also became somewhat flustered.
In the Cairns Empire, nobles were everything. Commoners who touched a noble without permission were punished with a whipping, and even beating them to death was considered justified.
To say nothing of blocking a noble's path!
Nancy stepped toward the entrance, her heart filled with heroic confidence.
Raven, no matter what excuse you come up with, I can crush you beneath my family's power. This time, I'm still the one who wins!
This is one small step for me, but one giant step toward the Fox Family's comeback!
Smack—
A crisp sound rang out. Nancy's foot, which was just about to land inside the doorway, froze in place. Her body trembled, and she instinctively looked toward Raven, only to see him slowly parting his hands, a sly smile still hanging from the corner of his lips.
This immediately reminded Nancy of what had happened when she first met Raven. She shrank her neck slightly, but quickly puffed out her chest again.
I refuse to believe you'd dare spank me in front of everyone!
With that thought, she braced herself and took another step.
Smack—
Nancy's body swayed. If Jenny had not been supporting her, she would nearly have fallen to the ground.
"Stop smacking me!" Embarrassed and furious, Nancy glared at Raven. "Do you have no gentlemanly manners at all? I'm the daughter of the Fox Family! Letting me stay at Eagle Fortress is an honor for the Griffith Family!"
Raven said nothing. He only wore a meaningful smile as he gently rubbed his hands together, his eyes wandering between Nancy's waist and abdomen.
Nancy felt every hair on her body stand on end. Her body tensed, and she almost reached down to cover her little bottom.
No! The impression from last time was simply too deep!
Nancy just could not get past this obstacle.
But she had already made her bold declaration, and she had already reached the entrance of Eagle Fortress. If she retreated now, would that not be even more humiliating?
With no other choice, Nancy turned to Jenny with a pleading gaze.
Jenny also realized that the crucial moment had arrived and had already started working her little brain.
In this situation, if they retreated, Miss Nancy would certainly never forgive her, to say nothing of anything else!
Her eyes shifted, and a brilliant plan surfaced.
Under Nancy's gaze, Jenny rolled her eyes.
It was a signal telling Nancy to pretend to faint.
As long as Nancy fainted now, Raven would have to arrange for her to rest inside out of courtesy. Once she passed through the door, it would not be so easy for Raven to drive her out.
Nancy's first reaction was anger. I was clearly asking you for help. What do you mean by looking down on me?
But she immediately understood—Jenny was telling her to continue belittling Raven!
The first step in belittling others was praising oneself.
"Raven, do you know that I'm the daughter of the Fox Family? The Fox Family is a count's family!"
"Have you seen my carriage fleet? This procession alone cost 6,000 Gold Coins!"
"Can a tiny place like your Eagle Territory earn that much in ten years?"
Raven was a little confused by Nancy's train of thought. He asked with a snort, "Six thousand Gold Coins certainly isn't a small sum, but what does that have to do with me? Are you planning to give them to me?"
"Is money the only thing in your head? How vulgar and base!" Nancy condemned him.
"As the lord of Eagle Territory, of course I have to consider money." Raven countered as if it were only natural. "Otherwise, what am I supposed to care about? Artistic taste?"
Nancy detected the sarcasm in his words and asked unhappily, "If I give you money, can I stay inside?"
Raven thought for a moment. "That depends on how much you can give."
"Angel's Tear!" Nancy suddenly said.
"What?" Raven froze.
"I'll take 1,000 bottles of Angel's Tear." Nancy raised one tender finger. "Is that enough?"
A light of money immediately burst from Raven's eyes. He swallowed and said, "Miss Nancy, Angel's Tear isn't cheap."
"It's only 1.7 Gold Coins per bottle. It's not as though I can't afford it." Nancy sneered disdainfully.
Raven chuckled. "That was the old price. The new Angel's Tear costs 2.88 Gold Coins per bottle."
What a greedy bastard. He's actually raising the price at a time like this!
A trace of displeasure passed through Nancy's heart. She said contemptuously, "You just want money, right? Fine, I'll round it up for you. Three thousand Gold Coins."
"Jenny, get the money!"
Two servants carried a large wooden chest over and set it down in front of Raven with a thud. When the chest opened, a dazzling golden radiance shone out.
At that moment, Raven's pupils practically turned into the shape of Gold Coins.
Three thousand Gold Coins—a huge windfall!
"Miss Nancy—no, Princess Nancy, you truly are the most dazzling pearl in the world!"
This time, before Nancy could say anything, Raven completely changed his previous attitude of refusal. He decisively dropped to one knee, raised his right hand, and pressed his left hand to his chest. In an almost rhapsodic tone, he said:
"Welcome to Eagle Fortress!"
He seemed afraid that Nancy might change her mind the next moment!
Seeing this, Nancy's heart filled with delight. With Jenny supporting her, she held her head high and walked into the hall.
Hmph, I knew I'd be able to stay at Eagle Fortress!
Jenny supported her and flattered her in a whisper. "Miss Nancy, what you just did was so elegant and domineering! You used only 3,000 Gold Coins to make Baron Raven kneel immediately."
"You're truly the cleverest lady in the world. If..."
At this point, Jenny lowered her voice because she noticed Nancy's expression growing increasingly unpleasant.
"Jenny, we spent so much time preparing that grand display just to intimidate Raven, right?"
Jenny nodded. "Er, yes, and the effect..."
"Don't interrupt me." Nancy stopped walking, swallowed, and continued, "But he wasn't intimidated. Instead, he refused to let me in."
"Only after I brought out 3,000 Gold Coins did he agree to let me pass, right?"
Jenny still did not understand. "Yes... but..."
"But what?" Nancy's voice was aggrieved and stifled. "Doesn't this mean the Fox Family's reputation is worth less than 3,000 Gold Coins?!"
They had spent more than 6,000 Gold Coins creating an imposing display, yet it had been completely useless. Instead, she had paid an inflated price for 1,000 bottles of Angel's Tear before she could stay there!
At that moment, Nancy felt like the world's greatest sucker!
Just then, Raven's voice came from behind her. "Miss Nancy, would you like to take a look at Eagle Fortress's new product? I'm sure it will satisfy you just as much as Angel's Tear!"
Those words were like another stab into her already battered pride.
The joy of victory vanished without a trace, replaced by such grievance that she nearly cried.
"Jenny, let's go!" Nancy abruptly shook off Jenny's support, gathered up her dress with both hands, and strode toward the upper floor.
Raven, however, had no time to ponder Nancy's thoughts. All his attention was focused on the 3,000 Gold Coins.
After breakfast, Raven immediately convened the regular morning meeting.
Looking at Raven's smiling face, Denise teased him half-jokingly. "Tsk, Lord Baron is certainly happy today. When I came back last time, your reception wasn't nearly this courteous."
Raven laughed unconcernedly. "If you brought back 3,000 Gold Coins every time you returned, I'd carry you inside on my back, let alone kneel on one knee."
In the past, Old Gordon would probably have felt uncomfortable witnessing such a scene. Now, however, he watched everything with a cheerful smile.
After their previous in-depth conversation, he had already confirmed that no matter what Denise was thinking, she could not escape Lord Baron's calculations.
"With this batch of Gold Coins in hand, it's time to get many things moving." Raven patted the table and said seriously, "We'll move the venue for this product launch to Eagle Town."
Old Gordon naturally had no objections, but Denise hesitated. "Preparations in Shining Gold Town are almost complete. Would changing the venue now leave us too short on time?"
Raven shook his head lightly. "No. Haven't we already built the framework of the warehouse? We can directly convert it into a venue. There's enough time, and it'll also be more convenient to arrange."
"We'll use brand-new luxurious materials for the construction, and natural crystal and precious metals for all the furnishings. Install Magic Lamps as well!"
"Magic Lamps?!" Denise was slightly surprised. "Wouldn't that be too wasteful? A single set of Magic Lamps would eat up more than half of these 3,000 Gold Coins!"
Old Gordon rarely agreed with Denise. "That's right, Lord Baron. The money used to buy Magic Lamps could easily be invested in Eagle Town's development instead!"
"Magic Lamps will have to be bought sooner or later." Raven's gaze swept across the two of them as he explained reasonably, "Moreover, Angel's Tear and Angel's Kiss are both luxury goods. This product launch needs an extravagant environment to complement them."
"We didn't do this before because our finances weren't strong enough. Now that we have money, we have to take things to the extreme and make a name for ourselves in a single event, leaving a deep impression on everyone!"
Who consumed luxury goods?
Nobles with more money than they knew what to do with, and merchants hoping to resell them for profit.
When these people bought things, they did not seek the best—only the most expensive.
The moment they got something, it had to make others see that they possessed taste, status, and wealth!
Then what were luxury goods?
Aside from the product itself, the packaging and marketing were equally important!
Denise had spent many years navigating the world of commerce and quickly understood Raven's meaning. She nodded and said, "Hmm, that does make sense."
"Then it's settled." Raven's eyes shone brightly. "Contact the Mercenary Guild immediately and send out the invitations!"
A little over ten minutes later, Volkov rode a fine horse toward Shining Gold Town. Another hour passed, and dozens of messengers belonging to the Mercenary Guild spurred their mounts and raced away!
The roads were like the blood vessels of Nord Province, while the messengers were the blood surging through them. They changed horses without changing riders, galloping day and night without rest!
The first to receive the letter was Iron Furnace Territory, the closest region.
"Hmph, a product launch!"
Anger tossed the invitation aside, his expression dark. "Ever since taking office, he's done nothing but these despicable things that only merchants would engage in. This 'Little Bee' has truly thrown away the dignity of the nobility!"
"Father is absolutely right." Mark chimed in with a smile. "This Little Bee only knows how to make things women like. He doesn't possess the slightest bit of masculine spirit!"
That was what he said, but Mark's eyes were still involuntarily drawn toward Angel's Tear.
The taste was truly wonderful, and the new packaging was genuinely exquisite.
A trace of jealousy suddenly rose in his heart.
They were nearly the same age, yet Raven's achievements far surpassed his own. Unable to help himself, he continued belittling Raven. "That good-for-nothing doesn't attend to proper business. I bet no one will go to this so-called product launch—not even a dog!"
"Ah, that should have been the case." Anger coughed awkwardly, then let out a heavy sigh. "But that damned Little Bee somehow got lucky this time!"
"People throughout Nord Province are restless now, and no one knows what the future will look like. His so-called product launch happens to provide everyone with a platform for discussion."
"When the time comes, I'm afraid more people will attend than Donald's funeral."
At this point, he suddenly raised his voice. "Judra!"
"Ah, Fa—Lord Baron!" Judra only came back to his senses then.
He still had not fully recovered from the shock.
The family's people in Monen City had sent word that considerable unrest had already begun to appear there. This meant that Nord Province was very likely about to descend into chaos.
And Raven had confidently predicted this more than a month ago.
Time had actually proven him right!
Anger cast an unhappy glance at his eldest son and said in a low voice, "When the time comes, take Mark to the launch event. Remember, talk to more people and try to gather as much information as possible. You're dismissed!"
"Yes, Lord Baron."
"Yes, Father!"
The two rose and took their leave together.
Just before leaving, Mark quietly slipped the bottle of Angel's Kiss into his sleeve.
At the same time, inside Snow Maple Fortress.
Butler Kent eyed the exquisite invitation on the table and asked tentatively, "Viscount, are we going?"
As though he had not heard, Viscount John brought Angel's Kiss to the tip of his nose, savoring its fresh, invigorating lavender fragrance.
"That little fellow Raven really knows how to surprise people."
Kent still did not understand. "My lord, what do you mean...?"
"Since he sent an invitation, why should I cling to old grievances?" John said leisurely. "Besides, I'll get to taste a fine wine like 'Angel's Tear'!"
As he spoke, he picked up the newly packaged Angel's Tear. His gaze fell on the gradient-colored label, and he read it aloud, his voice filled with emotion:
"All things are empty, all things are permitted..."
It was not only Viscount John who heard the profound phrase. For a time, it echoed through the noble households large and small across Nord Province.
Some were surprised, some praised it, and some sneered.
But no one could afford to disregard those words.
The samples sent with the invitations were not merely the astonishingly repackaged Angel's Tear.
Angel's Kiss had also aroused the curiosity of many people.
Although there was only a single drop, it could leave behind a rich fragrance for six or seven hours.
Most nobles received the invitations, but not every messenger was able to fulfill his duty properly.
In the night, on a mountain road, a stream of blood burst from the neck of a galloping steed. It whinnied and collapsed to the ground.
The knight atop it was just about to shout when he suddenly froze. It was as though an invisible force were sucking him dry, and his body abruptly began to wither.
A few short minutes later, the fallen warhorse rose again, carrying the messenger on its back.
Except that both the warhorse and its rider had become dried-out corpses, with only pale soul-fire burning in their eye sockets.
They had actually been transformed into undead creatures!
The Bone Knight rode to the roadside and bent down. Its withered hands held out a delicate parchment bag.
In the darkness, a figure in a black robe appeared. It extended a palm covered in age spots, took the bag, and opened it.
"Heh heh... 'All things are empty, all things are permitted?' What an extravagant and decadent slogan." The old voice was as grating as a battered bagpipe. "With the winter month approaching, the nobles of Nord Province are actually going to waste their time on such a meaningless event."
"Utterly corrupt."
Another Black Robe approached and asked respectfully, "In that case, should we take advantage of this so-called 'launch event' and strike early? If we could wipe out all those nobles in one fell swoop, we would certainly deal Nord Province a devastating blow!"
"No need. The Order's plans are nearly complete. Introducing complications now would only disrupt our arrangements."
At this, the old voice let out several laughs like swords scraping against one another. "Let these lofty nobles welcome their calamity amid their drunken revelry!"
"Let's go!"
It was hardly strange for one invitation not to arrive. This minor incident faded away without anyone paying attention.
In the blink of an eye, more than half a month passed, and the date became October 27.
With the launch event underway, Eagle Town's popularity suddenly soared.
One magnificent carriage after another stopped in the newly opened plaza. From their clothes to their bearing, the people who stepped out displayed the unique arrogance and nobility of the aristocracy in every way.
The nobles greeted one another and chatted in groups of three or five. Naturally, they formed various little circles based on region or bloodline.
Just then, the arrival of a carriage made everyone fall silent.
At first glance, the carriage looked ordinary, made only of common oak. But if one examined the crest hanging on its carriage body, its extraordinary nature became apparent.
Two vipers were entwined together, their sharp fangs bared.
It was the mark of the Slate Family!
The carriage stopped, and a young nobleman with a head of golden hair stepped out. The gathered nobles bowed and greeted him. "Mister Hyde!"
Hyde Slate.
The youngest son of the Slate Family.
This man, who had once been set up by Raven, wore an icy, unmelting arrogance on his face. He gave an almost imperceptible nod in return.
Without any servants accompanying him, he walked straight into the venue. The welcoming maid respectfully bowed. "Lord Hyde, Baron Raven has prepared a private box for you!"
"Good." Hyde nodded lightly.
"Tell Raven to come see me!"
Before you continue