Game World: I Can Share Talents

Chapter 194 - 4: To Duke Qinghui, Health and Constant Victory

It wasn’t just about rewarding the army; it was about celebrating with the people. With a grand wave of his hand, Westheid approved a week-long holiday for everyone.

Both food and drink were supplied without limit, for all to enjoy to their hearts’ content.

The Qinghui Territory was currently lacking many things: population, an army, Extraordinary Materials, and so on...

But the one thing it didn’t lack was basic supplies. Thanks to Westheid, the "diplomatic Succubus," the Qinghui Territory not only had ample reinforcements but also a steady infusion of resources.

Any problem that could be solved with money wasn’t a problem at all.

Be it the Yuanshi Territory, White Rock City, or the Ring of Clear Skies... the Qinghui Territory had a staggering number of allies. The reclamation efforts over the past year had even carved out a dedicated supply route within the Imperial.

Moreover, it was foreseeable that this supply route would not be closed until the Star Gate System collapsed.

The Purity People, who had spent so long in the workshops or on the front lines, cherished this hard-won, sweet victory. Every street and every home was submerged in an ocean of celebration.

No matter the past sacrifices and hardships, no matter the despair and pain felt when their homeland fell...

At this very moment, all of it was washed away by the joy of victory.

And in the Duke Qinghui’s residence, Westheid began the post-war tradition of rewarding merit. As a benevolent and considerate leader, Westheid never skimped on rewards for his loyal subordinates.

In this long war of reclamation, the people of the Qinghui Territory may have been limited in their abilities, but their loyalty and attitude were truly beyond reproach. Westheid rewarded everyone, regardless of their position.

His allies were a special case and needed to be rewarded privately over time, but as for the Purity People, everyone from the civil servants who assisted him down to the child laborers on the workshop assembly lines received generous rewards.

Promotions were given to those who deserved them, and money was handed out to those who earned it, ensuring that every single person was satisfied.

’If you don’t bestow favor, how can the people feel gratitude for your grace? How can they extol your achievements?’ Westheid was no stingy Lord.

Before a long table in the estate’s courtyard, Westheid gathered his distinguished subordinates and friends. Surrounded by fine wine and delicacies, the formally-attired Duke Qinghui held a faint smile as he raised his wine glass.

"It is precisely because of everyone’s steadfast support and life-risking battles that the Qinghui Territory can once again be bathed in the light of Order. It is because of you that the Purity People have not become a fallen tribe, and I... have managed to wash away some of the shame of my past."

"Come! To celebrate the reclamation of the Qinghui Territory, let us toast!"

Just then, Roy stood up and interrupted Westheid in a righteous tone.

"Wait, my Lord. It seems you have overlooked a person who has made a tremendous contribution."

’Hm? Is someone looking for credit?’

Westheid was sure he had taken care of everyone. ’Could I have missed some hidden expert?’

Roy looked at the Clan Leader, his eyes filled with fanaticism and adoration, and said:

"The only reason we are able to drink this celebratory wine together today is because of Your Majesty, who made the wise decisions and choices from the very beginning that led us to victory!"

"I believe that the victory we have achieved today is entirely thanks to Your Majesty’s earth-shattering wisdom and unparalleled martial prowess!"

The normally composed Civil Servant declared loudly:

"Everyone, let us raise our glasses to the health of the Duke Qinghui! Is that acceptable?"

Westheid had a sudden realization.

’Oh, he’s trying to get credit *for me*. Never mind, then.’

’This guy... does he want to get ahead that badly?’

Of course, he also understood that Roy wasn’t just sucking up; it was a genuine outburst. If this Civil Servant had been skilled at flattery, he wouldn’t have been driven from the court in the first place.

Inspiration immediately struck Yolanda, and she chimed in.

"Here, let me give the toast!"

The platinum-blonde girl raised her wine glass, her pretty face flushed as she declared:

"To my dear brother, may you be healthy and ever-victorious!"

Everyone immediately chimed in.

"To the Duke Qinghui, may you be healthy and ever-victorious!"

"Healthy and ever-victorious!"

"..."

With Roy and Yolanda taking the lead, the victory banquet that was supposed to be for rewarding merit completely changed its tune. It became filled with syrupy praise for Westheid. In a nutshell—

Sailing the great sea depends on the helmsman; the growth of all things depends on the sun!

Westheid played the part of a humble man while inwardly relishing the pleasure of being the center of everyone’s universe.

’Oh, this wasn’t my intention at all, not at all!’

The Duke Qinghui could pound his chest and swear this wasn’t something he had arranged; it was purely his subordinates acting spontaneously out of their complete and utter reverence for him.

After the opening festivities, the guests dispersed to mingle freely. The moment Westheid left his seat, Miss Half-Elf approached the Duke Qinghui to report something unexpected.

"Yuanxi Palace intends to come to the Qinghui Territory? Now?"

The beautiful, jade-green-haired maid folded her hands before her stomach, nodded, and said:

"Yes. After hearing the news of the Qinghui Territory’s reclamation, Yuanxi Palace stated they would come immediately. By taking the fastest Floating Battleship through a Star Gate, they should arrive within two days."

The Yuanshi Territory isn’t far from the Qinghui Territory. Excluding the Imperial Province, the two Branch of Prosperity territories were separated only by a stretch of wasteland suffering from Chaos Erosion.

Within the defensive network of the Branch of Prosperity, the Qinghui and Yuanshi Territories served as a Barrier for the Southeast Imperial region. If one considered the Chaos Domain a vast ocean, then they could, at a stretch, be called neighbors.

"Is that so? Then I’ll have to prepare a reception."

Westheid knew Luyetan considered the reclamation of the Qinghui Territory important, but he hadn’t expected her to consider it *this* important—to set off the moment she heard the news.

"She’s not coming to collect her debts, is she?"

the Duke Qinghui asked, a troubled look on his face.

In truth, the single greatest contributor to the reclamation of his homeland had to be Yuanxi Palace.

Because she had given him far, far too much.

Nearly the entire surplus wealth of the Yuanshi Territory had flowed into the Qinghui Territory. All of Westheid’s magnanimity was backed by the riches of the Yuanshi Territory.

It was no exaggeration to say that without Luyetan’s loans, the grand undertaking of reclamation would have been impossible to even begin.

"It’s possible."

Rozana smiled at his words. "Yuanxi Palace might be quite looking forward to your repayment."

"I may have made some grand promises, but the Qinghui Territory is dirt poor right now. We don’t have the ability to repay our debts."

Westheid shrugged. "Whatever. When Luyetan gets here, I’ll ask her for an extension. Or maybe I’ll take out another loan and finish rebuilding the territory first."

"Rozana, did Yuanxi Palace mention any methods of repayment to you?"

The Half-Elf Maid chuckled lightly. "She did. If you were to provide Yuanxi Palace with Star Fury Power, all debts would be forgiven. That is the simplest method."

"That... won’t be necessary. Let’s discuss other methods of repayment. The Qinghui Territory’s special products? Mercenaries? Or perhaps intelligence and knowledge?"

Westheid had no intention of selling his body. Seducing someone of his own volition and being sold into service were two entirely different concepts. It was a matter of principle.

A man is born to stand between heaven and earth; how could he resign himself to living under another’s thumb?!

The Duke Qinghui strolled through the courtyard with Rozana, discussing methods of repayment, until they stopped at the far end and glanced toward a nearby corridor.

The Red-haired Witch from the Ring of Clear Skies was standing quietly at the edge of the festivities, leaning against a corner of the corridor with her eyes closed, feigning sleep.