80: Lion's Mouth

Chapter 80: Asking for a High Price

Arthur woke up from the soft and comfortable bed.

He gently moved the arm of the sleeping woman in his embrace and carefully pulled out his leg, which was held by another woman.

Last night's intense battle left him feeling refreshed.

He got out of bed and put on a woman's bathrobe.

A cool morning breeze blew in from outside, and the sun was rising. A half-naked noblewoman by the window was gazing eastward, the morning light outlining her ethereal curves.

Arthur wrapped his arms around her slender waist from behind and kissed her forehead.

He didn't know her name, only remembering that he had a very pleasant time with these three women last night.

“You're up early, Baron.”

The noblewoman's voice drifted with the wind, her eyes still fixed on the distant, rising sun.

“It’s a habit.”

Arthur released his arms, but she counter-grabbed his wrist.

“Hold me again,” she requested.

Arthur did as she asked.

The noblewoman's hand caressed his face, encouraging him, “You are very gentlemanly, but you don't need to be right now, do you?”

Arthur understood, and his hands began to wander over her skin, which was as smooth as congealed fat.

The noblewoman hummed contentedly, her eyelashes trembling slightly, completely immersed in his gentle caress.

“Aren't you curious who I am?”

She suddenly opened her eyes, a playful look swirling on her flushed face.

“Does it matter?” Arthur's breath brushed against her ear.

“Yes, it doesn't matter, oh~ where did you learn these things?”

“Yes, it doesn’t matter…” The noblewoman chuckled softly, pressing his hand, “But I still have to thank you.”

“For finding that ring for my son.”

The smile on Arthur's face instantly froze.

Seeing his reaction, the noblewoman hooked his chin with her fingertip, “Let me guess, you regret spending the night with an old woman like me?”

“An old woman? For earth mother's sake.”

“If you are considered old, then those young ladies at the banquet should hide and cry.”

“Smooth talker.” The noblewoman poked Arthur’s nose, her red lips curving into an alluring arc, “But I like it. Flatter me more, little Baron.”

“I will give you benefits. Emile and Rahman II are currently arguing fiercely over the cost of the border garrison.”

“They are eager for someone to pacify Qingfeng Valley so they can cut that troublesome military expense.”

“You can ask them for more, trust me, little Baron. They will agree.”

Arthur nodded, asking worriedly, “Emile, he… about us…”

“Ah~ don’t worry, he won’t care.”

“After I bore him two sons and a daughter, our marriage came to an end.”

“He has his lover, and I have mine.”

“It’s just that, compared to men, women always get the short end of the stick.”

“Oh? Why?”

The noblewoman smiled and explained, “Men only want to get something from my body, especially my money.”

“So why not enjoy the moment before things get troublesome?”

Arthur sealed the rest of her words with a kiss.

The noblewoman struggled symbolically for a moment.

Soon, she went limp in his arms.

After a long kiss, she smiled and gently bit Arthur’s ear.

Their movements woke the other two ladies on the bed.

They exchanged a smile and immediately joined in.

Vanka skillfully ignored the scent of perfume and the red marks on her Lord's neck.

She prepared the bathwater as instructed, so her Lord could relax in time.

Arthur half-closed his eyes and sank into the warm water, opening his daily intelligence report in his mind to review it.

Regional information loaded, daily intelligence updated:

[Wow~ Golden Legend] Among the refugees in Great Al-araksin City, there is a prodigy named Paul Ehrlich Eugen. Do not actively recruit him.

[Blue Intelligence (Enhanced)] Rahman II and Rahman II are eager to compromise; you can boldly negotiate for a higher price.

[Green Intelligence (Follow-up)] Jasmine Alfonso and Forni Rahman want to invite you to officiate their wedding. Accepting and rejecting will lead to different outcomes.

[White Intelligence] The Rahman Family’s favorability towards you has increased.

[White Intelligence] The Whispering Place has many excellent seeds; you can send people to purchase them.

After reviewing all the intelligence, Arthur began to formulate corresponding plans in his mind.

After breakfast, Arthur convened the high-ranking members of the exploration party and issued his arrangements.

He planned to rest in Great Al-araksin City for three days before departing for Qingfeng Valley.

According to the map, they would need about four more days to reach the border.

After discussing with everyone, Arthur received a list of the supplies they currently needed.

These items would be entirely handled by two local families.

Additionally, Airo would set off tomorrow, heading to the border first to investigate the situation.

If things were as serious as Rahman II claimed, then they might have to change their original plan.

The afternoon meeting was held in a small conference room in the Great Summer Palace.

The attendees were few, apart from Arthur, the Bull Earl, and Emile, there were also their respective confidants.

Initially, the two families were only willing to bear the losses related to Arthur’s livestock.

After all, both the Bull Family’s noble horse ranch and the Calimshan remnants’ rural pastures could produce various livestock.

This clearly did not satisfy Arthur, so he had Godwin propose what he currently needed.

In addition to bearing all the replacement horses and livestock for the team.

The two families also had to sign a two-year low-price livestock procurement contract with Arthur.

Furthermore, both parties had to form a political alliance with Qingfeng Valley and not infringe upon each other.

In addition, the weapons, equipment, and various tools required by the exploration party also needed to be provided by the two families.

As the Baron of Qingfeng Valley, what Arthur had to do was ensure border security.

He had to try his best to prevent evil forces in his territory from encroaching upon the territories of the two families.

All of his demands were met.

It was clear that both parties were already at their wits' end regarding the border issue.

Neither the Calimshan remnants nor the Bull Family were willing to bear excessive military expenditures.

Precisely because of this, they were happy to subsidize Arthur, who was a third party, hoping he could handle the matter.

Of course, without his outstanding performance in Wolf Den City and his identity as a Saint of Mother Earth.

Arthur would only become a tool for the two families to checkmate each other.

After the meeting, there was, naturally, a dinner party.

Unlike last night, tonight, the powerful figures of Great Al-araksin City gathered together.

The protagonists of the dinner were, naturally, the two soon-to-be-married newcomers.

Now, Arthur understood why two irreconcilable families would suddenly choose to intermarry.

When a greater threat approached, former adversaries had to temporarily set aside their differences and work together to overcome the difficulties.

Arthur raised his wine glass and saw the noblewoman with her face half-veiled.

She was with her husband, offering blessings to the new couple.