224: The dispute begins

Chapter 220: The Conflict Begins

After dinner, Godwin found Catherine and Paul and thoroughly explained the current situation to them.

Things that were inconvenient to discuss at the banquet could now be fully revealed.

The first thing mentioned, naturally, was the issue of funds.

When Catherine learned that there were still surplus funds, an expression of disbelief appeared on her face.

"So, what is our most pressing problem right now?" she asked.

"Mist Town cannot be self-sufficient," Godwin replied. "Relying solely on our caravan to transport supplies cannot meet all of the town's needs.

"The Baron mentioned in his letter that he urgently needs various talents for the town's construction.

"Blacksmiths, stonemasons, farmers, laborers—almost everything is in short supply."

"What the Baron wants is a self-sustaining frontier fortress," Paul interjected. "But achieving this is quite difficult.

"Look at Lookout Fort, where we are now; even though it was built by the combined efforts of two powers.

"In the end, it still cannot do without external supplies."

"This is why that piece of land is so important," Godwin emphasized. "You two should understand the key now, right?"

Catherine and Paul nodded.

Once that disputed land belonged to Qingfeng Valley, they would be able to establish a secure trading post.

At that time, the supplies that Mist Town lacked could be continuously transported there.

That land would become an important springboard for Qingfeng Valley's interactions with the outside world.

"By the earth mother," Catherine couldn't help but exclaim, "Baron Arthur's vision is far more long-term than all of ours."

Godwin nodded in agreement, his tone excited: "The Baron is responsible for outlining the grand blueprint, and we will help him refine the details.

"A few days ago, I already sent a group of Refugees, hoping to alleviate the Baron's urgent needs.

"To be honest, I originally wanted you two to rest for a while before setting off.

"But in fact, it would be best for you to depart as soon as possible.

"I am not questioning the Baron's ability.

"It's just that, from Flora's letter, the Baron is currently entangled in countless trivial matters.

"And his talent should not be wasted on these small things."

In fact, Paul had already guessed this at the banquet.

This was also why he was eager to go to Mist Town.

He was impatient to display his talents by the Lord's side.

Mist Town was a brand new stage for him.

He believed he could give his all there.

As soon as he thought of this, an irrepressible excitement surged in his heart.

"There's another serious problem."

Saying this, Godwin took a letter from his Pregnant and handed it to Catherine.

This letter was sent by Letizia.

Only one name was written on the letter, but that name was enough to explain many issues.

"Alfred Dennehall," Catherine read aloud.

"That land should have been mine, mine!

"I had my own way of getting it from the Little Finger Merchant Guild, what does it have to do with Arthur!"

Alfred of the Falcon Family was roaring in fury in his room.

It was dawn, and he was already furious that his personal servant had woken him up abruptly.

When he learned what had happened, he became even more enraged.

He looked at the kneeling Tyne father and son.

This father and son were merchants serving the Falcon Family, responsible for acquiring the disputed land together with the Little Finger Merchant Guild.

Colton Monroe, the leader of the Shadow Thieves in the Lookout Fort area, stood beside them.

His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, quietly awaiting Alfred's command.

At a single order, he would immediately deal with these two incompetent fools.

Alfred of the Falcon Family glared fiercely at his kneeling retainers: "What did you two tell me back then?

"Didn't you assure me that this matter was a sure thing?

"Whether it was the Bull Family or the Calimshan people, you had already established connections.

"As long as the funds were in place, the land would be ours.

"But now? Tell me, what about now?"

Old Tyne was fifty-seven years old, and at this moment, he didn't even dare to breathe heavily.

His son, however, managed to remain calm and replied, "Baron, we really didn't expect that the Baron of Qingfeng Valley would also be interested in that land.

"And their actions were much faster than ours, and the price they offered was also higher.

"More importantly, the Baron of Qingfeng Valley has recently helped both families resolve a series of border troubles.

"His prestige among the Calimshan people and the Bull Family is quite high.

"Molly Alfonso and Forni Rahman are both speaking for him, and even Emile's wife is secretly assisting this Baron."

"So what? What are you trying to say?" Alfred retorted angrily. "Are you trying to tell me that your failure wasn't because of your incompetence, "but because the Baron of Qingfeng Valley is too strong?"

"No, Baron, we absolutely did not mean that," Old Tyne quickly explained. "This is all my fault, I was too overconfident, which is why I missed the best opportunity to acquire the land."

Alfred suddenly kicked over Young Tyne beside him, roaring, "Nonsense!

"Could this possibly be my fault? Get rid of these two useless fellows for me!"

A cruel smile appeared on Monroe's face, and he was about to summon his subordinates when Isaiah entered the room just in time.

He stopped the approaching guards and quickly walked to his young master, advising in a low voice: "Young master, please think twice.

"The Tyne father and son have brought considerable wealth to the Falcon Family over the years, and their family also has significant connections in the court. Turning against them now would truly not be a wise move."

Alfred let out a long sigh and retorted, "So this matter is just going to be dropped?

"This was originally a brilliant move."

Isaiah analyzed: "For the Little Finger Merchant Guild, this was indeed a good move;

"For Henry of the Black Swamp, it was also a profitable venture.

"But for our Falcon Family, at most, it's just icing on the cake."

Alfred gestured for him to continue explaining.

Isaiah lowered his voice again and said, "Young master, don't forget, what we truly want is the entire eastern Amn, not just that small piece of land.

"Henry of the Black Swamp persuaded the Little Finger Merchant Guild to acquire that land.

"The Guild then entrusted us with the specific matters.

"From the beginning, we were just paving the way for others.

"We didn't gain much actual profit from this matter."

"They promised to give me that land," Alfred reminded him. "I must have my own land to operate effectively.

"Don't forget our true objective."

"I have never forgotten, young master," Isaiah replied. "It is precisely because of this that you cannot kill the Tyne father and son.

"You should take this opportunity to win them over. Believe me, they will play an important role in future plans."

"Then how should this matter be handled now?" Alfred asked again.

Isaiah smiled slightly and said, "Shouldn't this matter be handled by the Little Finger Merchant Guild themselves?

"They also had representatives involved in this matter, so don't they bear any responsibility at all?"

Alfred listened, then nodded silently.

"Leave this here to me, young master," Isaiah continued. "I have already had the luggage packed, and you can depart this afternoon."

"What?" Alfred asked with a puzzled expression. "Depart? To where?"

"Back to the Falcon Family," Isaiah replied. "Our scouts have sent news that the allied forces are collapsing, and the orcs can no longer be held back.

"You must return quickly to take charge of the overall situation.

"If we rely solely on your two brothers, our plan will be difficult to execute completely."

Alfred sighed inwardly.

The Falcon Family was currently under the control of his eldest brother, Ethelbald, who was a complete old noble.

The reason he put it that way was that Alfred truly didn't want to use the word "idiot" to describe his brother.

Ethelbald had committed countless foolish acts to this day, such as marrying his father's widow and expelling all non-human races from the family.

He even orchestrated a massacre targeting non-human races.

These massacres directly led to Jessica Hughes forming a rebel army and launching a major invasion against the Falcon Family.

Although, through his efforts later, neither Jessica nor the Rage organization posed a threat anymore.

However, years of fighting against non-human races had repeatedly caused the Falcon Family to miss opportunities to annex other families.

As for his other brother, Æthelred, he could be considered a competent leader.

However, Æthelred was obsessed with war, slaughter, and valor, and rarely participated in family internal affairs.

Fortunately, the impending conflict would surely allow him to shine, and by then, his prestige would surpass that of his elder brother Ethelbald, making him the new Falcon Earl.

Therefore, this long-planned scheme by Alfred had to be executed perfectly.

"Are you sure the Little Finger Merchant Guild won't be angered by this?" Alfred asked.

The Little Finger Merchant Guild was his greatest support for annexing all the nobles in the east in the future.

Now, he didn't want to provoke these wealthy merchants over this matter.

"Young master, you should understand that behind the Little Finger Merchant Guild is the Supreme Council.

"And what the Supreme Council wants is certainly not a small disputed piece of land."

Alfred remained silent for a long time, finally relenting, "Alright, I'll leave this to you."

Henry lashed the face of the scout who brought the news with a whip.

The poor man immediately writhed and struggled on the ground in pain, letting out cries of agony.

The fourth son of the Evil Wolf Family completely ignored the scout's suffering.

He rode his horse, stopped on a high ground, overlooking the lush, rolling grasslands and hills.

Flocks of sheep, watched over by stooped shepherds, ambled in groups among the hills.

The sun had just broken free from the clouds, casting the soft morning light across the entire hillside.

On the slope of a small valley, many simple houses were nestled, forming a small village.

Henry could see dozens of shabbily dressed men and women busily working in the village.

As far as his eyes could see, to the end of the horizon, and even beyond the horizon, the land belonged to him.

Just then, he saw a white horse galloping towards him.

The horse was beautiful and strong, its coat shining like silver, its limbs long yet full of power.

But what truly attracted Henry was not the magnificent horse, but the person riding on its back.

The white horse soon arrived close by.

The girl on horseback was petite like a flower, only slightly taller than a child.

She wore a flowing black dress, the fabric hazy like flowing water, clinging tightly to her slender body.

The wavy hem naturally draped, trailing a faint mark behind her.

Long fingerless sleeves covered her index fingers, fixed by a pair of rings at the cuffs.

Her face was shrouded in shadow, only her long black hair falling over her shoulders was visible.

She wore a silver crown on her head, and at her chest, a necklace inlaid with a black sun onyx pendant shimmered faintly.

The witch Emilia Shahu had found him a powerful ally.

The Divine Emissary of the black sun, the attendant of the Prince of Lies, the saint of the Three-Crowned Lord.

A chilling power emanated from the girl, making Henry feel inexplicably uneasy.

Although she appeared like a calm ocean, serene and beautiful.

Yet beneath that calm exterior, Henry could clearly perceive a quality similar to the ocean.

Destruction, danger, and a certain indescribable vastness and profundity. The girl turned her head, her gaze fixed directly on Henry, her eyes seeming to pierce through one's soul.

The Son of Wolf quickly turned his head away, unwilling to meet her gaze.

"You need not fear," the girl said. "I am not your enemy.

"As long as you sincerely serve the great black sun, I will assist you with all my might."

"Ingabado has failed again!" Henry said irritably. "He's a complete and utter waste!"

"I know," the girl replied indifferently.

Henry let out a cold snort, his anger emboldening him to meet the girl's gaze.

"You know? Since you knew all along, why did you still allow him to do this?"

"Because it was necessary," the girl replied. "We needed someone to cause some trouble for your brother.

"And we also needed Alfred, the Son of Falcon, to leave his land."

As she spoke, the girl reached out her hand towards the still groaning scout.

The scout's body suddenly twitched a few times, and then he stopped breathing.

"He was too noisy," the girl said dismissively.

Henry merely cast a cold glance at the corpse on the ground and said, "But this didn't cause Arthur any trouble at all.

"He has already acquired that land, and we have consequently lost an important springboard."

The girl suddenly laughed and said, "You are very clever, Henry, but you lack some long-term vision.

"I like this vengeful nature of yours.

"But if you want to succeed, you must learn to look at the bigger picture, rather than constantly dwelling on personal grudges."

"Then what is your so-called 'bigger picture'?" Henry asked.

He knew in his heart that any plan of the black sun was incredibly complex and far-reaching.

Previously, Ingabado was responsible for interpreting the will of the gods.

Now, he had a better choice.

"I think you've already seen it, haven't you?" the girl said. "You just need confirmation."

The Son of Wolf's lips curved slightly upward, a hint of eagerness flashing in his eyes: "No, I want you to say it.

"I want to know what the great black sun has arranged for me."

The girl slowly began: "What is truly important is neither Arthur, nor Qingfeng Valley, but the entire eastern Amn.

"This land originally belonged to Shanteya, but Waukeen intends to take it from her.

"Her plan is about to succeed, but the great black sun will prevent all of this.

"Because only then will this land be ruled."

Henry took over, saying, "So, we must lure Alfred to Qingfeng Valley and entangle him in a conflict with Arthur.

"This way, we can smoothly advance our own plan."

"Exactly," the girl nodded. "The true core figure of the Falcon Family is Alfred, not his two brothers.

"We only need an idiot to continue leading the Falcon Family; only then will the entire eastern Amn fall under the control of the black sun.

"And you, Son of Wolf, will rule this land as the spokesperson of the black sun."

Henry nodded with satisfaction.

The black sun had approved his plan.

Now, it was time to put the plan into action.

However, he would never let go of his brother, who was far away in Qingfeng Valley.

He would repay the humiliation that damned bastard had brought him many times over.

"Are our people all in place?" he asked the divine emissary.

The girl nodded and replied, "Of course. The deaths of your brother and Alfred will be the prelude to this conflict."

"Then I am already impatient to witness this moment," Henry said. "Gather your forces, it's time to return to Wolf Den City."