Two Paths

Anything related to Frederick spread through Hanma City quickly—even news that he'd caught a five-pound fish in the river.

The news that nobles from the Forest Sea region wanted to join the Duchy of Weissen soon spread throughout Hanma City, thanks to deliberate efforts to circulate it.

"How I wish they'd sworn allegiance to the royal family!"

Rudolf said bitterly, then took a swig of wine.

The region covered 16,000 square kilometers and had once been the homeland of the Rhine Alliance's predecessor. If it had sworn allegiance directly to the Rhine Alliance's royal family, it would have greatly strengthened the royal authority.

Count Ranke thought the same. So when the Forest Sea nobles' delegation first arrived in Hanma City, he met with them personally.

"Not easy," Count Ranke said, shaking his head. "Over the past three years, Weissen has invested heavily in building a road network across that land. Several major railway lines pass through it, and the agricultural products they purchase every year have made everyone money."

"The massacre in Black Pine Town last year terrified a lot of people. They're worried the fighting will reach their homes sooner or later, so they're seeking Weissen's protection."

Rudolf took a drink and muttered, "I could protect them too."

But he knew he was only saying that. When it came to money, he couldn't compete with Weissen. As for military strength, his reputation wasn't as good as Weissen's either.

Count Ranke didn't know what to say. The fact that Frederick had paid to build roads for them back then was enough to leave him speechless.

They hadn't seen you when they were poor, and now you came running over, saying you could help them. Who would believe you?

From this, one could infer that Frederick had used the same approach