The moment he saw Viscount Penelope's expression,
Sure enough, after giving a respectful bow, Viscount Penelope said with great embarrassment, "Your Grace, Grand Duke
"You have gone to great trouble traveling back and forth, Lord Viscount Penelope. The Norton Family is grateful for your kind assistance. Regardless of whether the peace talks succeed in the future, we will never forget the efforts you have made — as our old friend — toward achieving peace between our two nations." Lorist smiled warmly and invited Viscount Penelope to take a seat, then had Genorio bring out a bottle of fruit wine for him to enjoy.
What exactly was the Commercial Alliance scheming? Lorist was genuinely puzzled. The Invincible Fleet was gone,
The Commercial Alliance was now in a position where they had enough strength to defend but not enough to attack. The southern provinces of the continent were unable to provide strong reinforcement to the front lines in a short period of time. Moreover, their only ally, Grand Duke Fusta of the Qigeda Kingdom, had seen his elite family troops — the Firebird Corps — surrender to the Norton Family's forces, essentially cutting off any possibility of the Alliance receiving reinforcements from the Qigeda Kingdom again.
Could it just be stubborn pride refusing to admit defeat? Lorist truly could not think of any reason or confidence the Commercial Alliance had for rejecting the peace talks. He had practically handed them a ladder to climb down, but these merchants not only refused to take the opportunity to step off the stage — they were up there pointing fingers at him. Were these even the same perceptive, smooth-talking merchants he knew? It seemed he hadn't dealt with them harshly enough yet. A flicker of irritation stirred in Lorist's heart as he began wondering whether he should deploy the Flying Tiger Corps and the Hunter Cavalry Corps to the front lines to slap the Alliance across the face a few more times. Ungrateful lot!
"Your Grace, there is one more matter. The six companions who traveled with me this time all caught a severe cold due to the rushed journey and were bedridden upon reaching our destination. So I had to return alone ahead of them. I have also brought their request: they hope that Your Grace, in recognition of the modest contribution they have made, might show mercy and release their families, so that they can be reunited as soon as possible and enjoy the happiness of family life together." Viscount Penelope made the request with a somewhat sheepish look.
Genorio curled his lip in disdain. That excuse could only fool children. No one in their right mind would believe that people with silver-level two or three star combat prowess would catch a cold just from a few days of hard travel. It was obvious that the Commercial Alliance had rejected the peace talks and they simply did not want to come back and continue being prisoners. Now they were trying to swindle their families out as well — wishful thinking indeed. Still, Viscount Penelope did possess the traditional noble virtue of honor and did not simply abscond once he was freed.
Lorist smiled with great understanding. "The long journey combined with your haste must have left you vulnerable to the cold. In truth, it was my own lack of consideration that caused everyone such hardship. Very well — I will make sure those families are properly cared for, and once this war is over, they can return to their loved ones."
"That works as well." Viscount Penelope understood the situation and naturally didn't expect the Norton Family to release their prisoners so easily. Having already fulfilled the promise he'd made to his companions, he wouldn't press the matter further. "Your Grace, although the Commercial Alliance has rejected the peace talks proposal, they are not opposed to establishing contact and communication with your family. Among those who returned with me this time is Count Cait, Vice President of the Peterson Commerce. I hear he previously had business dealings with your family and is also acquainted with you. He has been delegated by the Commercial Alliance to discuss certain matters with you, and is currently waiting outside for an audience..."
"Oh, Vice President Cait! Hahaha, what brings him here? Genorio, please show my old acquaintance in right away." Lorist was delighted.
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Back when I first left Morant City, President Peterson gave me a great deal of assistance. Later, when our family obtained Shilovas Island as our territory, Vice President Cait visited many times representing the Peterson Commerce to procure goods on the island, making significant contributions to our family's development of the Shilovas Island territory. I wonder, Viscount, do you happen to know what matters Vice President Cait has come to discuss with our Norton Family on behalf of the Commercial Alliance?" Lorist asked.
Viscount Penelope looked abashed. "That... I really wouldn't know. After all, this concerns matters between two enemy nations at war — they wouldn't discuss such things with a defeated general like myself. After I returned, I conveyed Your Grace's sincerity regarding the peace talks, but all they cared about was how the Invincible Fleet was defeated. Some nobles even berated me right to my face, accusing me of betraying the Commercial Alliance's trust and mandate, of sending the Invincible Fleet to its doom, and calling me a coward who feared death..."
"But think about it — to them, the sailors and soldiers of the Invincible Fleet were nothing more than numbers on paper. But to me, they were all living, breathing human beings, comrades I had lived and fought alongside day and night. What right did anyone have to sacrifice them for nothing..."
Indeed, Viscount Penelope had clearly received quite a bit of criticism after his return. As the commander of the Invincible Fleet, he naturally had to bear responsibility for its destruction. However, upon careful reflection, the Viscount had actually given Lorist quite a surprise with his naval command during that battle. If not for the unfortunate luck of leading the charge straight into Lorist's presence, only to discover he was facing a Sword Saint and having no choice but to throw down his sword and surrender, the great naval battle at Cape Romani might well have resulted in even heavier casualties for the Norton Family's armed fleet.
Lorist felt somewhat awkward and couldn't immediately find the words to console his defeated adversary, Viscount Penelope. But at that moment, Genorio had already ushered Vice President Cait into the reception room, and Lorist quickly rose to greet him.
"Haha, Vice President Cait, my old friend! It's been so long — how have you been?"
"It truly delights me to see Your Grace again," Vice President Cait said, offering a respectful bow. "I never imagined that after just a few years, the Norton Family would become our enemy, and moreover seize the Commercial Alliance's capital, Morant City, driving our armed forces from the Mana Hill Plains. It was truly beyond our expectations — how unpredictable the world can be!"
"Heh, my friend, becoming enemies with the Commercial Alliance is not what our Norton Family desires. What I would much prefer is to reach a commercial agreement and maintain friendly trade relations with the Alliance. It's a pity that this war between you and our kingdom has been going on for three years now—a pointless war. We have no wish to dwell on who was right and who was wrong; our goal is to end this brutal bloodshed. The Commercial Alliance and the Andinark Kingdom have already shed far too much blood, and it cannot continue to flow. That is the primary reason our Norton Family returned to the battlefield. It is a shame that you rejected my goodwill and instead wish to prolong this war. My friend, can you tell me when exactly the merchants of the Commercial Alliance turned into a bunch of fanatical warmongers?"
"This..." Lorist's pointed question left Vice President Cait momentarily at a loss for a reply. However, he reacted quickly, his face flushing red with indignation as he retorted: "It was your Andinark Kingdom that first launched an attack on the territories of our Commercial Alliance! It was you who seized seven of our provinces, slaughtered our nobility, and your Norton Family even ransacked the entire territory of our Alliance's Visia Trade Association, executing every high-ranking member! You destroyed a great trade association with nearly two hundred years of history and a prestigious reputation! Grand Duke Norton, you wouldn't dare deny these crimes committed by your family's forces, would you?"
"Heh, is that so?" Lorist replied with a thin, insincere smile. "I never knew the former Krisen Empire's seven provinces had at some point become the territory of the Commercial Alliance. As the legitimate successor to the Krisen Imperial bloodline, His Majesty, King Orgsero the First, intends to reclaim all the territories of the former Empire. We, the nobles of the kingdom, are following his lead on this great quest to revive the Krisen Empire. To us, you are the invaders. All we have done is cut off the claws you extended toward us.
Enough. Trying to discuss noble heritage and honor with merchants like you is useless. Even if you wrap yourselves in the guise of nobility now, you are still merchants at heart. Your eyes see only profit. You think that whatever you grasp in your hands belongs to you? Temporary possession does not mean permanent occupation. We are teaching you a lesson with sword and spear: the lands of the North are not for merchants like you to covet. Though the Andinark Kingdom may be small and weak, it has more backbone than those nations to the south and center.
As I said earlier, I have no interest in tallying up right and wrong. While you point fingers at us, perhaps you should first look at the tails sticking out from behind your own backs. I cannot fathom what you are plotting, or what you think gives you the confidence to reject my generous offer for peace talks, even with the situation on the battlefield being so unfavorable for you. Since that is the case, then, my friend, tell me—did you come this time with some secret mission?"
"You..." Vice President Cait wanted to argue with Lorist until someone won or lost, but Lorist's piercing gaze felt like a bucket of icy water being dumped on him, suddenly clearing his head. Years ago, as the Vice President of the Peterson Trade Association—one of the Seven Titans of the Commercial Alliance—he had once led a delegation to the Xilowas Island to consult the Norton Family on training methods for trade association forces. He had even signed several commercial procurement agreements with the Norton Family. Back then, though outwardly respectful to Lorist, he hadn't truly taken him seriously. After all, Lorist was just a lord from the Northland; even with the title of Grand Duke, it was nothing remarkable compared to the strength of the Peterson Trade Association.
But the Lorist of now held another identity: the Andinark Kingdom's National Sword Saint. Vice President Cait might not bow to a noble title—he himself was a Count, granted peerage by the Commercial Alliance—but he had to show his respect for Lorist's strength as a Sword Saint. If he truly angered Lorist, never mind how warmly Lorist called him "my friend," dealing with him would be effortless. Moreover, he could be certain that not a single person in the Commercial Alliance would be willing to stand up for him; his death would be for nothing.
Vice President Cait took a step backward, his expression solemn. He placed his left hand over his chest in a half-bow to Lorist. "The Envoy of the Commercial Alliance, Count Cait Weisserna, pays his respects to the Grand Duke of the Northland, His Grace the Blood Sword Saint Norton. I have come under orders to deliver the Commercial Alliance's formal response to the Grand Duke's proposal for peace talks, and also to discuss certain related matters with His Grace."
"Grand Duke Norton, the Commercial Alliance appreciates and supports the peace talks proposed by Your Grace. However, we refuse to enter into negotiations until your invading forces have completely withdrawn from the territories of the Commercial Alliance. Only after you return the seven occupied provinces and acknowledge the war crimes committed against the Commercial Alliance will we agree to peace talks. For over a century, the Commercial Alliance has gradually grown and strengthened through its wars of resistance against Krisen Imperial aggression, ultimately defeating powerful invaders. This time, we are confident that justice will prevail once more. Regardless of how unfavorable the situation becomes, the steadfast people of the Commercial Alliance will persevere until final victory! Long live the Commercial Alliance! The Commercial Alliance will be victorious!"
Lorist, Genorio, and Viscount Penelope stared, dumbfounded, at the passionately impassioned Vice President Cait. Are you here to declare war or to respond to a peace proposal? Is this any way to give an answer? In that moment, Lorist genuinely wondered if he was dealing with a lunatic. Just what gave the Commercial Alliance such confidence that they would ultimately be victorious?
"How dare you! Guards!" Genorio was furious. This bastard Count Cait was being incredibly rude, shouting battle cries right in front of Lorist — the man was clearly out of his mind. In that moment, Genorio wanted nothing more than to have the lunatic dragged out and taught a lesson.
"Your Grace the Grand Duke, I am an envoy! What I just delivered is the Commercial Alliance's official response!" Vice President Cait straightened his chest, his face wearing a heroic expression, as though walking to his execution with composure.
"Oh, is that all? Nothing else?" Lorist studied Vice President Cait with mild interest and waved his hand to dismiss the two guards who had appeared at the doorway. He had already realized that Vice President Cait's response was being recited, not composed on the spot. Hmm, no point arguing with a parrot — he genuinely had no idea how the Commercial Alliance had come up with this reply.
"Uh... Your Grace, are you not going to punish me?" Vice President Cait asked, puzzled.
"Punish you? What's the point?" Lorist waved his hand magnanimously. "After all, you are merchants, so naturally you don't understand noble etiquette. A response as absurd and laughable as this is entirely understandable. I forgive your offense. In the end, it amounts to the same thing — you're unwilling to accept defeat and insist on resisting to the bitter end. That's fine, we don't mind. Ultimately, you will come to understand that what brings victory is not justice, but strength.
As nobles, we treat even an envoy who is nothing more than a dim-witted peasant with courtesy and respect, so you needn't worry that this reply of yours has caused any offense. Now then, please continue — besides your response to the peace talks, what else did the Commercial Alliance wish to discuss with me?"
"Well, it's like this." Vice President Cait's face flushed red with embarrassment. "Although we are technically at war, in truth we are currently in a state of ceasefire. The major merchant guilds of the Commercial Alliance have entrusted me to inquire whether Your Grace would be willing to return those captives in Morant City who surrendered to you. The guilds are prepared to pay an appropriate ransom for these prisoners, as a token of gratitude for Your Grace's magnanimity and benevolence."
...