150: Avril's purpose

So Arthur had the guards escort her to the grand hall specifically used for receiving guests in the palace.

Actually, Arthur had previously considered establishing his own multinational merchant guild to sell the spoils he obtained, but this matter, while seemingly simple, was not easy to accomplish.

Firstly, he truly lacked such talent. Cross-border business was not that easy to do; it required connections, and he was already too busy with matters within his kingdom.

Therefore, the matter of establishing a multinational merchant guild had been delayed by Arthur.

Now that Avril from the Dawn Merchant Guild had come, he could take this opportunity to move forward with the matter.

Regarding the Beastmen Kingdom issue, it couldn't be discussed clearly in a short while.

Thus, Arthur quickly concluded today's meeting, instructing everyone to carefully consider countermeasures afterward, while he himself went to the grand hall where Avril was.

The palace was still very large. A few minutes later, Arthur arrived at a lavishly decorated grand hall.

This grand hall was specifically used to receive distinguished guests, so it was exceptionally luxurious.

In a corner of the grand hall, Avril, dressed in a slightly alluring purple dress, with purple hair and skin as white as snow, sat quietly.

She seemed to be deep in thought until Arthur's footsteps startled her awake.

Arthur was still very gentlemanly. Although he was now the King, he still greeted her with a smile.

“Young Miss Avril, it’s our first meeting. May I ask the reason for your sudden visit?”

Although Avril had never met Arthur, she had inquired about his appearance.

Upon hearing Arthur's greeting and realizing the person was indeed Arthur, she quickly stood up, bowed, and saluted.

“Greetings, King Arthur!”

After saluting, Avril began to answer Arthur's question.

“Your Majesty is now the ruler of the kingdom. My Dawn Merchant Guild conducts business in Your Majesty’s territory, so naturally, I must come to pay my respects!”

Without waiting for Arthur to reply, Avril quickly took out a space ring and presented it with both hands.

“Your Majesty, this is a congratulatory gift from my Dawn Merchant Guild for Your Majesty’s ascension to the throne. I hope Your Majesty will accept it!”

“Guild Master Avril, you are too thoughtful!”

Arthur never thought he had too much money, so he was not polite and directly reached out to take the space ring.

However, he did not inspect it immediately, as that would be too impolite.

Arthur's straightforward acceptance of the gift made Avril breathe a sigh of relief. This meant that Arthur did not reject her!

On the other hand, Arthur did have something he needed Avril's help with.

But he understood that Avril, as the Guild Master of the Dawn Merchant Guild, would not make a special visit just to present a congratulatory gift.

So he was not in a hurry, for whoever spoke first would be at a disadvantage.

He acted like a man who knew nothing and was cold, saying after taking the item:

“Guild Master Avril, I have accepted the gift. If you have nothing else, I shall take my leave first.

After all, I have just taken control of the kingdom, and there are many matters that need to be dealt with!”

Upon hearing this, Avril didn't believe Arthur was unaware that she had other motives, but Arthur's demeanor clearly indicated he wanted her to be the one to ask for help.

For a moment, Avril bit her silver teeth lightly, but thinking of her father's disregard and her siblings' contempt.

She finally spoke with a sense of helplessness internally, but a smile on her face.

“Your Majesty, please wait!

Besides congratulating Your Majesty on your ascension, I actually wish to forge a partnership with the Lionheart Kingdom, that is, with Your Majesty.

Your Majesty has just ascended the throne and has already rectified the nobility and disciplined the army, which suggests you must have grand ambitions.

Building a kingdom requires wealth and resources, and these are precisely what our Dawn Merchant Guild possesses!”

Avril paused there. Arthur knew it was his turn to speak, so he asked,

“Such as?”

Upon hearing this, Avril knew Arthur didn't want to hear her make grand promises.

So she explained in detail.

“Regarding resources, many things that the Lionheart Kingdom lacks, our Dawn Merchant Guild can procure for you and sell to you at cost price!

As for money, I assure you that the guild can annually hand over thirty million gold coins to the Lionheart Kingdom free of charge!”

“thirty million gold coins, that's no small sum. Are you sure?”

“Naturally!”

“Oh, then I'd like to ask, is the decision to cooperate with the Lionheart Kingdom yours, or the guild headquarters'?”

Although the current Lionheart Kingdom was strong, it shouldn't be to the extent where the Dawn Merchant Guild would voluntarily hand over money!

So Arthur suspected that this decision was made by Avril herself, hence the question.

Arthur's question made Avril look at him deeply, then she smiled and said:

“Does it matter?”

Upon hearing this, Arthur knew it was likely Avril's personal decision.

Actually, Arthur didn't care about this amount of money. After all, his monthly transactions with Golden Knight Kai of the Dawn Merchant Guild alone brought him two million gold coins in revenue.

He was just surprised where Avril, as a branch guild master, would get thirty million gold coins to give him annually.

However, Avril clearly wouldn't answer this question, so Arthur didn't ask.

Actually, Avril's source of money was largely thanks to Arthur.

How could a woman like Avril, who wanted to climb up the ranks, not know the importance of money!

So she had been intentionally using the guild's channels to do some private work.

However, her earnings were not much before, until Arthur secretly traded batches of gold knight armor to her.

Avril did not put all those gold knight armors on the Dawn Merchant Guild's books but privately paid for and acquired a batch.

Then she resold them, and in doing so, her personal wealth rapidly increased.

This gave her the confidence to promise Arthur thirty million gold coins annually.

Of course, Avril didn't have to pay all thirty million gold coins herself.

Each year, she would allocate a few million from the Dawn Merchant Guild's accounts, claiming it was for social expenses for the King of Lionheart, and even if the higher-ups knew, they would have nothing to say.

After all, it's normal to give gifts to someone whose territory you're making money in.

However, Avril's thirty million gold coins was indeed a bit much; it was no longer a gift but a bribe.

Arthur also understood this, so he quickly replied with a smile:

“Since it's a partnership, both sides will have to contribute. What do you want me to contribute?”

Upon hearing this, Avril saw that things were out in the open and no longer concealed anything, but before that, she still asked:

“Your opinion, The Three Legends should adopt it, right?”

Hearing this, Arthur knew that Avril's target was The Three Legends, so he nodded slightly.

“My words still carry some weight!”

“That’s good!”

Then Avril's tone carried a hint of a request:

“Actually, my request isn’t high. I just want the Legends behind you to support me in the future high-level elections of the Dawn Merchant Guild!”

“Support you in the high-level elections of the Dawn Merchant Guild?

Although I can promise this on behalf of The Three Legends, they are not part of your Dawn Merchant Guild. Are you sure this will be effective?”