45: Gold Mine Sprite as a Gift

As soon as these words were spoken, Paul was taken aback.

Because in his impression, a Favored Son of Heaven like Arthur should most likely be arrogant, so why was he so humble?

Originally, he had planned to give Arthur a hard time, but now it was difficult to lash out.

After all, since the person had already apologized, deliberately making things difficult for a junior would be embarrassing to talk about!

Although it was inappropriate to make things difficult, Paul still didn't give Arthur a pleasant look, saying irritably:

"You brat, you did that kind of thing before, and now you know how to apologize? I'm telling you, it's useless.

If you can't give me a concrete explanation today, the marriage alliance between our two families won't need to continue!

And our two families will break off all relations!"

Listening to Paul's harsh words, Arthur didn't flinch, continuing to speak neither subserviently nor arrogantly:

"An explanation? I wonder what Captain Paul wants as an explanation!"

Hearing this, Paul thought Arthur was giving in, so he stated his demands:

"Naturally, you must announce to the outside world that your previous affair with that maid was fake, just a pretense.

Furthermore, that maid can no longer stay by your side, otherwise people will continue to gossip!"

Arthur had anticipated this, guessing that the Marquiss Mansion would certainly not allow his relationship with Karona to continue.

But he would not agree, so he merely shook his head calmly:

"I apologize, Captain Paul, I cannot give you that explanation. My relationship of nearly ten years with Karona will not end because of this.

I can only guarantee that I will not marry Karona before I marry Olivia!

This way, the Marquiss Mansion's reputation won't be overly affected!"

Arthur had already made a concession with this move; just the matter of not marrying Karona first would surely make Karona sad, and he would need to comfort her properly.

But Paul was not satisfied with this. In his view, Arthur separating from his maid was the bottom line, otherwise, wouldn't the Marquiss Mansion become a laughingstock?

He said unceremoniously:

"Then there's nothing left to discuss. The marriage alliance is hereby canceled!"

The situation immediately reached a deadlock, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense. Fortunately, Pulin had tactfully left when the conversation first began, otherwise, he would likely be blushing with worry right now.

But Arthur was not worried, because he knew that this matter was essentially due to the pride of the Noble.

He believed that as long as the benefits offered were sufficient, Nobles who focused on profit wouldn't care about saving face.

So he spoke again:

"Captain Paul, please calm down first. Why don't you listen to my terms?

If, after I finish speaking, you still refuse to agree to the marriage alliance between our two families, then so be it!

But I believe you will agree!"

Seeing Arthur's confident expression, Paul suppressed his impatience, feeling a surge of curiosity.

After all, Arthur's recent actions have been quite mysterious, and he wondered what terms he could offer.

"Oh, then I'm all ears!"

Seeing that Paul was patient enough to listen to him, Arthur slowly opened the box in his hand.

What met their eyes was a golden Ore and a tiny golden fellow, no bigger than a thumb, who was currently sleeping soundly with a cute expression:

"Gold Mine Sprite!"

The knowledgeable Paul immediately recognized the contents of the box and cried out in surprise.

One must know that Marquis of Roses only possessed a total of ten Sprites and one Greater Spirit.

Judging by Arthur's current posture, he was preparing to give this Sprite to the Marquiss Mansion as a gift of apology!

This gift was already considered valuable, which was why Paul was so surprised!

But Paul's expression quickly calmed down, as if saying, "This is still not enough!"

Indeed, Sprites were very precious and rare, causing Paul momentary shock.

But a single Gold Mine Sprite wasn't very useful to the Marquiss Mansion. One must know that the Marquiss Mansion's annual income was nearly six million Gold Coins.

And the annual gold Ore production of a Gold Mine Sprite was only worth one hundred thousand Gold Coins.

This item was a desirable treasure for Barons and Viscounts with annual incomes of nearly ten thousand or one hundred thousand.

But for a Marquis, it was still lacking!

Arthur naturally knew this, so he continued:

"This is merely my gift of apology to the Marquis; as for the condition for the marriage alliance, it is certainly not this!"

"Oh, then what exactly is the condition!"

Seeing Arthur give away a Sprite just for an apology, Paul's curiosity was completely piqued, and he couldn't help but ask what condition Arthur could possibly offer.

Seeing this, Arthur didn't act mysterious and stated directly:

"If the Marquis is willing to continue the marriage alliance and marry Olivia to me, after we are wed, I will give one of the Mountain Giants under my command as a betrothal gift, allowing him to serve the Marquiss Mansion indefinitely.

How is this condition!"

Perhaps feeling that Paul wouldn't believe him, Arthur added:

"A Contract can be signed with the Mountain Giant regarding this matter."

The Mountain Giant was only worth one million Gold Coins to Arthur, so he didn't feel too distressed; Olivia's dowry would likely far exceed that amount!

Moreover, he was in the wrong in this matter, which caused embarrassment to the Count and his Second Sister, so he had to ensure the marriage alliance proceeded.

And counting the things he could offer now, only the Mountain Giant was the most suitable!

On the other side, Paul, who had finally heard Arthur's condition, now had his eyes wide open!

Because he couldn't believe that Arthur was actually willing to gift a Mountain Giant to the Marquiss Mansion.

One must know that a Mountain Giant possesses the invincible strength of an Earth Knight; even if the Marquiss Mansion had three Earth Knights, they probably wouldn't be its match.

And Arthur was actually willing to give away such a Powerful Individual.

Furthermore, from another perspective, Mountain Giants, as a Giant Race, naturally have much longer lifespans than humans, reaching a thousand years upon adulthood.

The lifespan of a Mountain Giant possessing the strength of an Earth Knight even surpasses two thousand years, which is longer than the thousand-year lifespan of a Human Legend!

Such a long lifespan means it can guard the Marquiss Mansion for several millennia, guaranteeing the Marquiss Mansion's prosperity for a thousand years under normal circumstances.

Of course, the prerequisite for all this was that the Mountain Giant never left.

However, outside rumors claimed that Arthur and the two Mountain Giants only had a cooperative relationship.

This couldn't guarantee that the Mountain Giant would listen to Arthur and serve the Marquiss Mansion indefinitely.

Paul quickly realized this point, and the excitement on his face vanished, replaced by a look of suspicion:

"Baron Arthur, although I am very tempted by the condition you proposed, I am skeptical as to whether the Mountain Giant will follow your instructions.

Unless you can convince me that the Mountain Giant will obey your instructions, this condition is invalid."

Arthur hadn't expected Paul to believe him immediately anyway, so he smiled and said:

"I will naturally prove this matter to Captain Paul. If it is indeed proven feasible, will the marriage alliance continue?"