Chapter 259

Chapter 46 – Negotiations Part 2

I looked at her golden eyes, not speaking for a moment.

I had only come here to eat cake. I never would have thought that Victoria’s purpose in calling me over was to tell me these things.

It has been too long… almost a year? Since coming to this world, I haven’t done anything like this.

Negotiating with people.

Since having this body, I seem to have become… how should I put it? A young girl mentality or immaturity. In short, my subconscious thinks these are “adult” matters that don’t concern me.

So at Santel Castle, I never wanted to proactively understand the operation of the central workshop, and I didn’t really care much about family affairs either. I didn’t know what my father and Lafayette were doing.

When Carlos was investigating the heretics, I was only curious and didn’t want to go with him because I found it troublesome. They probably treated me like a child? Nothing was ever told to me, so I was happy to be free, indulging in my own world every day, thinking that if anything happened, they would take care of it.

I knew this, but due to my personality, unwillingness, lack of desire, annoyance, and dislike…these childish emotions always prevented me from taking action and even limited my thinking.

I didn’t realize it until now.

Even though I was very worried about my parents’ safety, even though I saw the news in the reports a few days ago, and I couldn’t sleep well out of fear, and even considered returning to Winter City several times.

Even so, I never thought that: strong support had always been by my side.

We drank together, fought together, and even shared a bed… I just couldn’t imagine that she was a ruler of a country, a frighteningly intelligent woman. She might have a way to help Santel Castle when it’s most desperate.

I was like those naive little girls on TV, worrying endlessly when something went wrong. Clearly, I was so scared that I trembled, but I didn’t think of any solutions, feeling helpless and grieving alone, or becoming hysterical at the last moment.

Until this moment, Victoria woke me up.

I suddenly realized:原来… I already held so many chips, so many resources, enough to influence the decision-making of a country’s ruler.

Besides fighting, I had other things to do.

I don’t want to be that foolish female protagonist… male protagonist that the audience would scold.

My thoughts raced.

The next moment, my mind suddenly cleared.

“The best.”

I nodded to Victoria, quickly scanning the people around me, and then my gaze focused again on the beautiful blonde’s delicate face.

“But, I have a question.”

“Go ahead.”

“I know the situation in the royal city isn’t optimistic. The ironclad guards are all under that family’s control, with tens of thousands of troops. Victoria, where will reinforcements come from?”

“Haha!”

Before Victoria could speak, the old knight laughed loudly.

“Miss Peylo, are you ignoring my old bones? Although I’m old, the royal city garrison still has twenty thousand soldiers! They’re young and strong, and they’ve never been afraid of anyone in battle!”

Sure enough…

When I first came in, I was only focused on eating cake, and I didn’t pay attention to why Victoria brought me here or why we needed to meet these people. It wasn’t until she said she wanted to assist Santel Castle that I fully understood.

No doubt, Victoria must have talked to that old knight beforehand, which explained why there were so many silver-armored guards escorting me. Now it seems that this… family has virtually declared its stance. And Victoria will no longer be limited to the few dozen people of the Canri Sword as before.

At least she has the open support of the royal city garrison.

“It’s not just the garrison. Earl Bacchus possesses the most ferocious nomadic cavalry in Ethenbel, and Earl Capras can provide advanced city wall construction plans… everyone sitting in this room, as long as they are willing, can provide effective assistance to Santel Castle.”

As soon as Aya’s words fell, I saw some people start to whisper.

It seemed not everyone knew about today’s events…

However, the most powerful factions all kept their eyes straight ahead, with no visible change in their attitudes. Victoria must have communicated with them beforehand. As for the others who were still wavering, seeing this scene would naturally make them weigh the pros and cons in their hearts.

How many days had it been since the Teresa incident? While I was sitting here idly waiting for news, Victoria had already done so much… No wonder she hadn’t shown up.

She’s really impressive…

Since things have come to this point, then the only thing left—

“What are the conditions?”

The only thing left is my attitude. Whether I can give them what they want or meet their demands.

“The Central Workshop will provide high-quality weapons and armor at cost price to the Royal City and terminate all contracts with the Clive family.”

“Peyolo, you know my situation well. The Iron Guard has always been supported by the best equipment from the Central Workshop. They’ve recruited knights, enlisted and maintained troops without limit, all of which require huge expenses. To do this, the Clive family has been emptying the treasury year after year, leading to a shortage of funds and heavy debt in the Royal City. Their intentions are clear. Once they are ready, Ethenbel will surely become unstable, and the people may suffer.”

“Everyone here represents the new council of the Royal City. We need to address all potential risks in advance and take action before they do. However, the funds available to the Royal City are limited, and there isn’t enough budget to gather sufficient equipment. But I can’t afford to wait. If I don’t solve these issues first, I won’t be able to provide any aid to Shantel Fortress. Peyolo…”

Victoria reached out her hand and gently touched my face.

Her palm was soft, with a comforting scent, and a temperature that was pleasant.

“I hope you can help me.”

Her gentle words were unprecedentedly tender.

I felt like a cat, comfortably closing my eyes.

“…”

A moment later, I suddenly woke up.

Why is she touching my face right now? Is this woman trying to seduce me?!

But I didn’t push her hand away.

“Victoria…”

I resisted the strange urge to rub my face in her palm, thought for a moment, and continued, “These are your conditions?”

I thought she might ask for more.

I know it might not be her true intention, but as a queen, she has her responsibilities and many unavoidable matters. And the nobles sitting here…

I couldn’t read much from their expressions, but some of their eyes told me that perhaps they weren’t as straightforward as they appeared. No one knows what they’re thinking.

To navigate among these shrewd individuals, balancing everyone’s interests and getting them to unite… Victoria’s pressure must be much greater than I imagined.

I was prepared for her to demand something as harsh as providing armor and weapons for free, but Victoria didn’t. Her conditions seemed to cause no loss to Shantel Fortress.

“What, did you think I would say something else?”

Victoria looked at me, and for a moment, I felt she could see right through my thoughts.

“These are the conditions, but… the gold for the workshop will be paid off over five years.”

Hmm…

So that’s the catch. This is just taking advantage of the situation, isn’t it?

Clever woman…

But…

“I’ll send a raven to my father with a message.”

Let me tell my father first.

Victoria is trustworthy, and I’m willing to help her. If the workshop’s production conditions allow, I believe my father will agree as well, since money is the least of Shantel Fortress’ worries.

“Haha!” The old knight laughed again, “Miss Peyolo, we’ve been waiting for you to say that! Please make sure the warriors of the Royal City get the best equipment. Thank you! I’ll have to teach those reckless fellows a lesson for bullying my grandson. Humph!”

Victoria moved her hand from my cheek to my head and rubbed it.

“Thank you.”