Two days ago, the seven great guilds of the Commercial Alliance held yet another round of discussions on implementing the peerage system. In principle, none of them opposed the granting of noble titles—after all, the presidents of all seven guilds, including ourselves, could be ennobled as Grand Dukes. The only question was the matter of fiefs.
The initial proposal was to divide the eight cities of the Mana Hill Plains among the seven Grand Dukes, with each of the seven cities other than
For the Commercial Alliance, its sphere of influence was vast, but the territories under its direct control were limited to the Mana Hill Plains and the Christo Hills. The final resolution was that the Mana Hill Plains and Morant City would remain untouched—the bedrock of the Alliance, essential for maintaining morale and stability. The Christo Hills, meanwhile, would be divided into over fifty parcels and granted as fiefs to nobles holding the rank of Viscount or below. As for those ennobled as Count or above, they would have to secure their own fiefs by their own means...
When
"Just like Grand Duke Rulerm of the Rulerm Duchy—who has been eager to join the Commercial Alliance ever since the fall of the old Krisen Empire—the Alliance has decided to give him a chance this time. However, the condition is that he must dissolve the duchy and place its two provinces, Ivish and Puligas, under the Alliance's direct governance. Grand Duke Rulerm would then be granted the title of Duke within the Alliance, with Ivish Province as his Grand Duchy.
Puligas Province, which borders the Mana Hill Plains, will become the fief of the president of the Forde Commerce—that is, the Forde Grand Duke—in recognition of the great contribution of the Forde Commerce's ancestor, Grand Duke Forde Morant, in establishing the Alliance alongside the other six great guilds. The honor extends to his descendants...
Of the remaining six great guilds, the Livord Commerce has turned its sights toward the small Mobia Duchy next to the Christo Hills, hoping to claim its Grand Duchy there. The Twin Dragon Commerce, Mayflower Commerce, Vicia Commerce, Kiekde Commerce, and our Peterson Commerce, on the other hand, have all set their eyes on the former Krisen Empire. Our Peterson Commerce plans to reorganize the northwestern region of the Redelis Kingdom and establish it as the Peterson Grand Duchy within the future Forde Commercial Alliance.
Yesterday, I invited Mr. Tim to discuss the matter. He is willing to assist us in persuading the other nobles of the northwest and has expressed that once the Peterson Grand Duchy is established, he will acknowledge me as his liege lord, transferring the allegiance of his Terbeli Viscounty to the Peterson Grand Duchy and thereby becoming a member of the Alliance's peerage..."
Damn. The Forde Commercial Alliance was actually overturning a century-old national policy of building the state through commerce. With its overwhelming strength and wings fully spread, it unfurled the banner of expansion and bared its sharp claws at the fragmented remnants of the former Krisen Empire. How much territory it could swallow would depend solely on the size of its appetite.
And here was Mr. Tim—someone Lorist had personally elevated into the nobility—who had read the winds and switched his allegiance to embrace the Commercial Alliance. From yesterday until now, in all that time, he hadn't even sent a single word of warning. It showed just how thorough his opportunism had been—a complete disregard for old loyalties, nothing short of a brazen act of betrayal.
In that moment, thunder rolled through Lorist's mind like a stampede of ten thousand wild horses. His hands, still cradling his teacup, had begun to tremble. This was no minor disruption—it was a world-shaking upheaval that would alter the course of Galentea's history.
The Forde Commercial Alliance's decision to implement the peerage system was like a harmless little white rabbit suddenly transforming into a ferocious tiger with its jaws wide open. Though their current target was their century-old nemesis, the former Krisen Empire, the Alliance comprised seven great guilds. And as Guild Master Peterson had said, those ennobled as Count or above would need to secure their own fiefs. What about the nearly hundred second- and third-rate guilds? Where would they choose to stake their claims?
From the day the Commercial Alliance decided to implement the peerage system, Galentea would know no peace. The Alliance was not an empire, yet its strength surpassed that of any empire—whether in wealth or population, its sphere of influence and power dwarfed even the Krisen Empire at its peak. It was a true colossus, an unrivaled giant...
Lorist suddenly thought of the ambitious
Suppressing the shock that shook him to his core, Lorist asked calmly, "Guild Master Peterson, is Grand Duke Rulerm willing to accept the Alliance's conditions? He was, after all, the ruler of a sovereign duchy..."
Guild Master Peterson laughed heartily. "The times leave him no choice but to accept. Grand Duke Rulerm and several of the duchy's great nobles never saw eye to eye—if not for our mediation, the duchy would have descended into civil war long ago. The Alliance's acceptance of his defection may strip him of the title of duchy ruler, but for him, it may well be a liberation.
Moreover, the Alliance has not treated him poorly. We have not only provided him with a ten-year, interest-free loan of five million gold Forde, but we will also send people to help him establish his own commerce guild. Furthermore, we will grant him observer status on the Alliance's Supreme Commerce Council. Once he repays the five million gold Forde loan, he will automatically gain voting rights and become the eighth guild governing the Alliance..."
Damn—now that was selling one's homeland for glory. Grand Duke Rulerm had sold his duchy at a fine price. Anyone would agree that the Alliance's terms were extraordinarily generous and full of sincerity. For Grand Duke Rulerm, becoming the eighth guild governing the Alliance was nothing short of a meteoric rise—especially for the Alliance's second- and third-rate guilds, for whom this was the dream of a lifetime.
Wait—no. This was just a trap. Lorist's momentary daze cleared in an instant. Grand Duke Rulerm was finished. The five million gold Forde interest-free loan was a beautiful trap. If he couldn't repay the debt within ten years, then under the Alliance's rules, his assets would be liquidated to cover it. In short, he would be declared bankrupt, and becoming the eighth governing guild would be nothing more than a beautiful bubble.
The Seven Giants would never let anyone else stick their hand in their bowl—otherwise, how was it that in nearly two hundred years, no upstart guild had ever risen to sit at their table? Lorist recalled a rumor he had heard back at
Thankfully, his family's lands were in the Northland and on Silovas Island, so for now, he didn't need to deal with these cunning old titans... Just as Lorist was secretly congratulating himself, what Guild Master Peterson said next nearly made him leap from his seat.
"Besides our Peterson Commerce, the Twin Dragon Commerce, Mayflower Commerce, and Vicia Commerce are also eyeing the Redelis Kingdom for their fiefs. We all know that under the assault of the Second Prince of the Andinak Kingdom—the Regent—the Redelis Kingdom won't hold out for long. To prevent the emergence of another power as formidable as the old Krisen Empire that could threaten the Alliance's own security, the Alliance has decided to intervene in this war and foil the Second Prince's ambition to reunify the old empire...
The next part concerns you, Brother Locke. The Kiekde Commerce desires to claim Silovas Island as its fief, and it has secured the Alliance's backing. With Silovas Island in its grasp, the Kiekde Commerce would control all maritime trade routes north of the Hidden Gold Bay, making it the undisputed master of the northern seas. I know Silovas Island is your family's hereditary territory, Brother Locke, but the prevailing tide left me no room to object at the time...
The Kiekde Commerce has already learned your identity and has even proposed taking forceful measures against you, pressuring you into transferring Silovas Island to them. I strongly opposed this. Even if you weren't my friend and guest, doing such a thing in Morant City would severely damage the Alliance's reputation, so the other guilds backed my position, refusing and warning the Kiekde Commerce that they are strictly prohibited from clashing with you in Morant City.
Your safety in Morant City is still guaranteed for now. However, once you attempt to leave, I suspect the Kiekde Commerce will likely make its move against you at sea. Brother Locke, I recommend you abandon that ship and leave by land—it would be far safer. The Kiekde Commerce's strength lies in maritime power; on land, they are comparatively weaker. With your abilities, slipping away would be much easier.
Forgive me, Brother Locke. As your friend, I cannot help you. This is the Alliance's resolution. As part of the arrangement, the Kiekde Commerce has assigned the sea route from the Hidden Gold Bay to the Terbeli Viscounty to our Peterson Commerce and pledged not to interfere in these waters. In exchange, I can only remain neutral between you and them, helping neither side. Telling you this news is the greatest effort I can possibly make..."
In that moment, Lorist wanted to swear aloud. This must be what they meant by disaster falling from a clear sky while you sat safely at home. The Kiekde Commerce had set its sights on his family territory of Silovas Island—almost certainly because of its critical strategic position. The world was full of clever people; what he could see and recognize, others could discern as well. Whoever held Silovas Island effectively dominated the seas north of Hidden Gold Bay. Becoming the northern maritime hegemon was no idle joke.
"Brother Locke, if you don't mind, I can help you negotiate terms with the Kiekde Commerce. You could sell Silovas Island to them just as Grand Duke Rulerm sold his duchy—I absolutely won't let you be shortchanged on the price. And I believe this is the only way to avoid war. After all, your family's original homeland is in the Northland. Selling Silovas Island at a good price would not only win you the friendship of the Kiekde Commerce, but also greatly help the development of your family's territories in the Northland." Guild Master Peterson urged.
Lorist slowly shook his head. "Thank you for your kind intentions, Guild Master. But the
Silovas Island held extraordinarily important strategic value in Lorist's plans and vision for the family's future. Losing it would be like severing the lifeline of the family's rise. On this point, Lorist would absolutely not compromise. Since the Commercial Alliance was implementing the peerage system and dragging the Norton Family into this maelstrom, then so be it—the Norton Family feared nothing more than war.
"...would be at a grave disadvantage if they went to war with the Kiekde Commerce..."
In Guild Master Peterson's view, Lorist was merely talking tough out of youthful bravado. Compared to the formidable maritime power of the Kiekde Commerce, Lorist didn't even possess a single large ocean-going merchant vessel—it was like an infant challenging a giant to a duel. The outcome went without saying. Needless resistance would only bring devastating losses and casualties to the Norton Family.
What Peterson himself failed to realize was that his emphasis on the Kiekde Commerce's maritime strength was precisely what strengthened Lorist's resolve. He had glimpsed a ray of hope: if he defeated the Kiekde Commerce, the Norton Family would instantly become the new masters of the sea. Perhaps dealing with a single commerce guild at sea would be simpler than fighting four commerce guilds on land...
"Guild Master, when does the Alliance plan to implement this peerage system?" Lorist asked.
"After winter. It will be announced on March eighteenth of the new year—the one hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Forde Commercial Alliance. At that time, Grand Duke Rulerm's admission to the Alliance and his enfeoffment will also be announced. Additionally, over a hundred individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Alliance will be granted noble titles and fiefs." Guild Master Peterson replied.
"Guild Master, the dozen-odd duchies and kingdoms surrounding the Alliance have always been its potential allies and sphere of influence. For over a century, they provided tremendous support in the Alliance's resistance against the old Krisen Empire and were instrumental in its ultimate victory.
Now, with the Alliance implementing the peerage system—besides your great guilds targeting the Redelis Kingdom, the presidents of those second- and third-rate guilds will also be ennobled as Marquises and Counts. What about their fiefs? If the Alliance allows them to seize territory at will, won't that cause anxiety and conflict among those surrounding duchies and kingdoms?" Lorist pressed further.
Guild Master Peterson nodded. "Galentea has practiced the feudal peerage system for over a thousand years. It has taken deep root—securing a hereditary fief for one's family and descendants is virtually the dream of every ambitious person. Though the Alliance stands apart in Galentea, when doing business and dealing with the nobles of those duchies and kingdoms, there has always been an intangible sense of inferiority. That is the original motivation behind the Alliance's decision to implement the peerage system.
The greatest conundrum facing the Alliance was the matter of fiefs. Without territory, even becoming a noble was merely an empty title. In fact, two years ago, someone proposed annexing the weaker surrounding nations to lay the groundwork for the peerage system. But the Supreme Commerce Council deemed the optics too damaging—it could easily destroy the Alliance's image and make it the greatest public enemy after the old Krisen Empire—so the proposal was abandoned.
This time, the Supreme Commerce Council's resolution channels all those seeking fiefs toward the Redelis Kingdom and the Andinak Kingdom. First, these two kingdoms offer no shortage of land for fiefs. Second, it decisively buries any possibility of the old Krisen Empire's reunification, freeing the Alliance from all northern concerns. Third, it reassures the surrounding duchies and kingdoms about the Alliance's implementation of the peerage system, allaying their fears about the Alliance's expansion.
Therefore, from the Antario Plains to the entirety of the Redelis Kingdom, all will become lands for the Alliance's enfeoffment. This is also the rationale behind the Alliance's support for the Kiekde Commerce to claim your Silovas Island as the Kiekde Grand Duchy. By both reason and sentiment, the Alliance will never allow Silovas Island—which could threaten the coastal regions of the Antario Plains—to remain outside its jurisdiction..."
Guild Master Peterson concluded with earnest sincerity: "Brother Locke, though it's only the end of November now and more than three months remain before the Alliance announces the peerage system, in truth, all the guilds and individuals who have been driving this initiative have been conducting extensive preparation in the months surrounding the resolution. In just a few days, Grand Duke Rulerm will sign the agreement, accepting the Alliance's conditions and relinquishing the title of duchy.
The Livord Commerce also hopes to follow the Rulerm Duchy's example and bring the Mobia Duchy under the Alliance's control. The remaining guilds—the Twin Dragon, Vicia, and Mayflower—are all strengthening the Redelis Kingdom's military forces, whether openly or covertly. Once they and the Second Prince's three hundred thousand troops have bled each other dry, it will be time for the Alliance's guilds to sweep in, claim the spoils of victory, and receive their fiefs.
I believe that when one's strength is inferior to the opponent's, enduring a moment's indignation and avoiding harm to one's family is the wise choice. Brother Locke, please reconsider my proposal. Don't rush into a decision to wage war. Naval battles are not land battles—the Kiekde Commerce has a significant advantage and vast experience in this domain. Even the recent cancellation of your custom ship orders was part of the Kiekde Commerce's strategy to suppress you..."
Lorist answered solemnly: "Very well, Guild Master. I will give your proposal serious consideration."
...(To be continued.)