The other three froze in unison.
Princess Caroline was the first to ask in surprise, "Why? President Xu, if you can agree to invest in construction in the Rulson Kingdom and the Stantin Duchy, why can't you invest in our Drake Duchy?"
"I'm not saying it's completely out of the question. I simply feel that Mr. Anduin's proposal isn't very realistic in practical terms, or at least not at this stage," Xu Yi said.
"Why isn't it realistic?" Princess Caroline pressed.
"Because of the distance," Xu Yi said. "Her Highness the Princess, Mr. Anduin, I'm sure you understand that although the Drake Duchy borders our Lampari Kingdom, it's nearly a thousand kilometers from Bunta City. That's an extremely long distance by current standards. Given our guild's present capabilities, investing somewhere so far away is honestly not something we can feel secure about."
"Why wouldn't you feel secure?" Princess Caroline asked again. "Kuraka City, the capital of the Rulson Kingdom, is also nearly a thousand kilometers from Bunta City, isn't it? It's hardly much closer than our Drake Duchy. Why do you feel secure investing in the Rulson Kingdom but not in our Drake Duchy?"
Xu Yi smiled faintly. "Your Highness, the Rulson Kingdom and our Lampari Kingdom are close allies. Under normal circumstances, investing in the Rulson Kingdom poses no danger, so I feel quite secure."
Princess Caroline's delicate brows furrowed. "Are you saying our Drake Duchy isn't safe enough?"
"I'm not worried about your Drake Duchy. I'm worried about your good neighbor," Xu Yi said with a smile.
Understanding dawned on Princess Caroline and Anduin at the same time.
"So you're worried about the Sark Kingdom." Princess Caroline exchanged a glance with Anduin before trying to persuade Xu Yi again. "President Xu, I don't think you need to worry