The Lord Demon King is Unfathomable!

Chapter 1160 - 348: A True Demon King Never Looks Back at Explosions

Almost immediately after the latest issue of the New World Newspaper exposed the incident, the more widely circulated Holy City Daily swiftly conducted interviews with the parties involved and urgently reprinted an extra edition, presenting the public with another side of the story.

In the interview, Governor Hogan Nora of the Imperial Royal Bank adamantly stated that the Dantes Group had never provided any valuable collateral and that he would never lend "His Majesty the Emperor's money" to someone "trying to use empty hands to snatch a wolf."

"...Unless Prince Colin, in his own name, uses his profits on the Gana Continent as collateral, the bank will never approve this loan!" Governor Hogan declared in the report, with his magic photo accompanying the headline, vividly portraying his righteous stance.

This report immediately turned public opinion in the Holy City even more convoluted, with each side seeming to have its own justification.

The next morning, the Holy City Daily continued to report the reaction of the Dantes Group.

Mr. Edmond Dantes expressed great disappointment and indignation at Governor Hogan's calling him "someone trying to use empty hands to snatch a wolf."

He publicly declared that he was "seriously considering" moving the entire investment plan to other provinces of the Empire that might be more interested.

Even perhaps to the Empire's vassal states.

This news was like a boulder, disturbing the hearts of all the speculators who had invested heavily in the White Dew District, while also thrilling the bystanders.

What a scene—

Sir Dantes and the Imperial Royal Bank were trading barbs in the newspapers!

Apart from those watching for entertainment, there were also those looking to take advantage of the situation.

For example, the governor of another well-established private bank in the Holy City—Tower Bank—seized the moment during an interview to extend an olive branch to the Dantes Group.

With a smile, this gentleman hinted that Tower Bank was very willing to provide comprehensive financial support for plans that "would bring great prosperity to the Holy City."

However, as of the time of publication, Mr. Edmond Dantes had not made any response to this matter.

An "informed source" who wished to remain anonymous told reporters that Mr. Dantes might have already been deeply hurt by the cold business environment of the Holy City.

He might really be leaving.

And this time, Prince Colin leaving the Holy City was actually not to study any magic, but to seek more worthwhile investment opportunities in the Empire's vassal states...

...

In Baron Devor's new manor, the warm and gentle afternoon sun at three o'clock dyed the vast lawn a dazzling golden green.

This place is more than fifty kilometers away from the Holy City, and in the era when newspapers were still transported by carriage, the storm there temporarily could not reach here.

At this moment, Baron Ralph Devor and his neighbor, Baron Wilson Lud, were engaging in a sport with a long history on this expansive lawn.

It's called "croquet," which simply involves swinging a long stick to hit an egg-sized wooden ball into a shoe-wide gate.

This sport is quite popular among the nobles of the Aus Empire. It's not only a pastime but also a subtle way for the host to show off their vast land to their neighbors.

At this moment, Ralph was reveling in this triumph.

He looked at his side at the sullen-faced Baron Wilson Lud, deliberately slowing down his movements to relish the undisguised envy in Wilson's eyes.

"It seems you acted quickly this time, and acquired quite a bit of good land," Wilson said with a hint of bitterness in his tone, having just swung and missed, sending the wooden ball rolling into the distance.

If he didn't need something, he certainly wouldn't be here enduring this unpleasantness!

"It's mutual."

Ralph smiled, gracefully swung his stick, and the light wooden ball drew a perfect arc, "thud," slipping into the gate.

He straightened up satisfactorily, speaking with a victorious air.

"For the Devor family, acquiring land in the White Dew District is as easy as hitting this ball into the hole... You are well-aware of my methods."

Wilson's face grew darker.

Ever since swallowing the Cosia family's land, the White Dew District had become dominated by the Devor family, leaving him and another baron almost nonexistent.

After a moment of silence, as if finally making up his mind, he stepped forward to speak.

"Ralph, the scattered lands in the hands of the farmers, we've almost reclaimed most of it. But the real bulk, and the most valuable part, is still in the hands of the townsfolk in White Dew Town."

"The citizens of the Holy City are not to be feared; at most, they can pick up some leftovers from us. You and I both know that the competitors in this game are only you, me, and Baron Tekom. If we fight amongst ourselves, it would only dilute the profits in vain. I've already contacted Tekom... what I mean is, why don't we just define our boundaries and enjoy each our own, without reaching into each other's territory, how's that?"

After hearing this proposal for collaboration, Ralph did not immediately respond.

He squinted his eyes, looking at the lush forestland that belonged to him in the distance, a crafty smile appearing on his face.

"Wilson, my friend, you must know, opportunities always favor those who are prepared... and the same goes for land."

With the connections of Huck Alton, the branch manager in the White Dew District, he had full confidence.