novelraw Chapter 75: Negotiating a Deal
Chapter 75: Negotiating a Deal
After Knight Laval left, Viscount Holzwarth looked around at the other knights. "What about the rest of you?! Is anyone else impatient? Has anyone found a better object of loyalty?"
Including the Knight, all the knights knelt on one knee, their longswords planted on the ground, signifying they had absolutely no divided loyalties.
Viscount Holzwarth smiled faintly and waved his hand. "Everyone, rise! Actually, I also believe in Laval's loyalty to me. I understand his choice even more—he's getting older and can't wait any longer! He never intended to betray me; he just wanted to establish his own family while still in his prime years. I understand all of you! But I'll say it again: don't rush. Are you truly prepared? Swearing loyalty to a noble and being a noble yourself are two completely different things. Some things cannot be learned. A noble must not only have strength and wealth but also wisdom and patience. Do you really think the opportunities you see are that good? If cutting corners and opportunism could make someone a noble, then nobility wouldn't be so exalted!"
Having said that, Viscount Holzwarth pointed outside the castle towards Henwil, who stood silently waiting beside his warhorse.
"Look! That is the price of taking shortcuts! Hah! What Path of Glory! That is a path of blood and fire!"
After mocking the Phoenix family, Viscount Holzwarth turned back to his knights. "This path is extremely dangerous. I don't want you, my old brothers, to set foot on it. The waters of this Path of Glory are deep; you have no idea of the undercurrents swirling beneath the surface, how many forces are contending behind the scenes. Don't even mention your modest capabilities—even I dare not step into it carelessly. The slightest misstep means being crushed to dust! Don't be impatient. I have already made arrangements. I will carve out two knightly fiefs within my domain. Furthermore, I have done the necessary work with the Duchy. In one year, three knightly titles will be assigned to me. Take it slow; everything will come in time! I've said it before: I will absolutely not treat you poorly. What you must do is wait patiently and prepare yourselves to become nobles!"
At this point, Viscount Holzwarth signaled for the castle gates to be opened to welcome Henwil inside.
In the castle hall, Viscount Holzwarth sat in a high-backed chair in the center, looking down at Henwil, who was paying his respects below. Flanking them were knights standing in orderly rows, clad in full armor, their longswords drawn. They held the sword hilts with both hands, the tips lightly touching the edge of the central carpet. The scene was solemn and carried a sense of pressure.
Unlike his two tense and wary attendants, Henwil wore a gentle smile on his face, as if completely oblivious to this display of intimidation. In a calm tone, with clear enunciation and logical structure, he offered his greetings to Viscount Holzwarth.
After a moment, Viscount Holzwarth said, "You show promise! Would you be interested in developing your career under me in the future?"Henwil replied without arrogance or servility, "My father said that you, Viscount Holzwarth, are a noble who possesses both wisdom and martial prowess. If possible, I would certainly be willing to learn more by your side!"
Well then! This talent cannot be retained here!
Viscount Holzwarth changed the subject. "I have had no interactions with your father, and there are no connections between our two families. I will handle matters impartially. However, because of the affairs involving you and your father, I lost a good friend today. This has put me in a very bad mood. So! Young man! Be careful!"
Henwil smiled and said, "Your Lordship jests. If he could be lost, then it proves he wasn't a true good friend! And as for our families having no connections, that was only in the past. We can start from now! It is indeed regrettable that you lost an old friend today. But the best compensation is to make a new friend! Don't you agree?!"
Holzwarth scoffed mockingly, "Heh... Quite the bold tone. What? If I were to make things difficult for you today, would your Phoenix family become our enemy? Can you make that decision?"
Henwil raised his head proudly. "I certainly can make that decision! The moment I embarked on the Path of Glory, I became Arluis Phoenix, fully representing the Phoenix family!"
Ignoring the dissatisfied looks from the knights around him, Henwil continued, "Becoming friends isn't achieved by mere words; that would be despicable fraud! I believe Your Lordship would be willing to become friends with us, after all, no one wants to make things difficult for gold coins!"
"Oh? Is your Phoenix family willing to pay?"
"Of course not! Buying friendship with money insults both the friend and you, Viscount! I merely have a proposal for cooperation I'd like to discuss with Your Lordship. If you are willing to spare some of your valuable time, I suggest we speak privately!"
Viscount Holzwarth examined Henwil for a while, then nodded slightly. "Agreed."
With that, all the knights surrounding them withdrew. Henwil also gave a slight wave, signaling his two attendants to leave.
When only the two of them remained in the hall, Henwil let out a long breath and rubbed his thighs. After looking around, he walked over on his own, pulled over a chair, and sat down. Throughout this, Viscount Holzwarth remained silent, simply watching Henwil quietly.
"Your Lordship, as you know, Peace Point is now under the management of the Phoenix family. Having spent a year there, I've learned quite a bit about the situation. It currently serves as a trade route between three nations, and in the future, it will become a trade hub for these three countries. I can open a dedicated trade route for you, Viscount. At least three merchant caravans will come to source goods from you instead of going to Iris City. We can sell the Duchy's finest sugar products to the two nations of Ika and Ogiro. You would save a significant amount on costs here, and the purchase price offered by the caravans would be higher than what you'd get in Iris City!"
Viscount Holzwarth scoffed, "Heh! How does that sound like smuggling to me? Sugar products are commodities controlled by the Duchy, especially in cross-border trade!"
Henwil raised an eyebrow. "We can't put it that way! How can this be smuggling? I'm not selling sugar to the other two nations. It's merely gifts presented to merchants from those two countries, all to maintain diplomatic relations and promote peace among the three nations!"
Viscount Holzwarth looked at Henwil with a knowing, faint smile. "Then I suppose they would also reciprocate with some gifts for us!"
Henwil snapped his fingers. "Of course! It's about courtesy and reciprocity! But we don't insist on gifts in return!"
"And how do you guarantee they will definitely reciprocate?"
Henwil shrugged. "We can't guarantee it! After all, we are official representatives. But others can guarantee it... for instance, bad people! Or say, bandits who engage in plunder!"
Viscount Holzwarth did not continue on that topic. "You should know, I agreed to speak with you privately not as a courtesy to the Phoenix family, but merely to give you a chance!"
Henwil wasn't surprised at all that Holzwarth knew about his true identity; after all, this was an old-school noble family. Although they didn't lightly involve themselves in political machinations, a family maintained for two or three hundred years had deep-rooted influence; knowing some inside information wasn't difficult.
Facing Viscount Holzwarth's renewed attempt to recruit him, Henwil smiled and said, "Respected Senior! I'm not negotiating with you on behalf of the Phoenix family either! After all, the Phoenix family would not have connections with bandits, nor would they have links within the internal affairs of the other two nations!"
After a long silence, Viscount Holzwarth uttered two words: "Interesting."