The Lord Demon King is Unfathomable!

Chapter 1476 425: Pieces Advancing on the Board (Part 3)

As his words fell, the surrounding immediately echoed in agreement. It was not mere flattery, but genuine approval.

"That's right!"

"We are willing to sacrifice everything for the Campbell Duchy, but our money doesn't just fall from the sky. Why should we do these things for our neighbors?"

"We are already handing over almost half of our income. How much more do you want to take?"

"Mr. Andes..."

Erin looked at Andes in surprise, about to say something, but was stopped by his look that said, "Please, Your Highness, be patient."

He paused for a moment, then shifted the focus of his words and continued.

"I think the issue isn't with the imbalance between obligations and power, but with the unequal distribution of benefits."

"What do you mean by that?" Theresa frowned slightly, unhappy he interrupted the Princess's speech.

She had no good impression of this shrewd fellow.

Every Campbell person knew that the sheep of the duchy turned into "man-eating" beasts, at least half because of him. His eyes see no honor, only money.

Of course, she did not deny that the duchy's prosperity and Duke Edward's steady rule did owe something to the Andes Family.

The funds for Her Highness the Princess to build the New Industrial Zone, and the auction that gathered the entire duchy's attention, were all realized with the help of the Andes Family.

"Simple."

Facing the knight's sharp gaze, Andes continued calmly, "The farmers in the Twilight Province received salvation, the duchy's farmers got land, but what did the hardworking citizens who paid money get? Besides a heavy tax bill and a hollow glory, I can't think of anything else."

Theresa was furious upon hearing this and put her hand on the sword hilt.

"Shut up! You insolent fool! Who do you think you are to question the glory of the Campbell Duchy!"

The Parliament Hall fell silent, everyone was as quiet as a cicada in winter.

Obviously, the members present did not expect Andes to have such audacity, to question the priceless glory before the duchy's knights!

Of course, it was beyond their imagination.

Because they did not realize they themselves were merely the slightly fatter sheep in the pen.

Mr. Andes was too, once.

But since Duke Edward came to power, the prosperity of this duchy became inseparable from him. He and his family had become the de facto new nobles, no longer needing to bow to the traditional nobles.

They had clearly become a force, an actual force.

Moreover, at this moment, he wasn't speaking for himself, but for the esteemed Duke.

"I am not, esteemed knight, I am just discussing a more realistic issue with you. If you want your people to willingly follow Your Highness, you must let them see the benefits of doing so."

Andes calmly responded to the conservative knight, then looked unyieldingly at the Princess swaying between conservatism and radicalism.

Erin did not lose her temper, but instead stopped Theresa who was about to speak, staring at him with mature and wise eyes.

"I understand your loyalty, Mr. Andes, so please tell me, do you have a better suggestion?"

"Certainly."

Andes nodded slightly, a pleasant smile appearing on his face, proposing an idea completely unexpected to everyone.

"My suggestion is that this time, funds should not be collected in the name of taxes, but rather the Royal Family should 'borrow money' from Parliament, the citizens of Thunder City, and indeed, the entire duchy. Of course, like citizens, the Royal Family must pay interest on these loans. I think in this way, there shouldn't be anyone opposing supporting our neighbors."

As his words fell, the entire conference hall was in an uproar.

Besides Theresa staring at Andes in shock, after a brief bewilderment, all the other members' expressions gradually turned to excitement.

"The Royal Family borrowing from its subjects?"

"Paying interest?"

"This! This is unheard of!"

"However, compared to taxation, this might be a better approach. At least, once tax is paid it's gone, but the loaned money can be recouped."

"Hiss… I need to think about it."

The whispers gradually turned into noisy discussions; the entire Parliament Hall was bustling like a marketplace.

"Truly crazy..." Because she could not find words to describe this insane idea, Theresa could only murmur.

She was a knight, wielding the sword for the Royal Family was her and her family's innate duty, and the Royal Family's obligation was to protect its subjects.

Now, the Royal Family started doing business with its subjects, so what does her sword signify?

If one day the Royal Family decided to default, and not repay this money, would she have to ride forth and beat those... er, creditors?

Of course, such a thing is unlikely to happen to the Campbell Family.

However, the disorder of obligations and power still left her momentarily perplexed about her own identity.

Listening to the boisterous discussion, Erin widened her eyes at Andes, her face full of astonishment.

Then her eyes turned sharp, and she spoke in a serious tone.

"Are you serious, Mr. Andes?"

"Your Highness, I am indeed serious, and this is the best solution I can think of."