Chapter 1336 - 572: Unburdening (Part 2)

Chapter 1336: Chapter 572: Unburdening (Part 2)

The room fell into silence.

Laine was speechless, and the Lake Fairy seemed to be reminiscing about something.

After a long while, someone decided to speak.

"Unload the burden." Surya finally spoke, the female knight gently indicated that she wanted to get up, and the Lake Fairy immediately supported her. The female knight softly said, "This is a burden, a heavy burden. In this era, everyone must carry their own weight, but the burden of Leonais is too heavy, truly too heavy. Baron Adheid knows that his best option is to refuse to take on the ducal position."

"But he accepted it." The Lake Fairy’s expression grew more desolate: "No mortal is an emotionless stone. Personal interests are one thing, and the interests of the duchy another. Adheid stood up, knowing he must cautiously, very cautiously, take over this heavy ducal position. This ducal title is like an extremely fragile piece of glass, and if there’s even the slightest carelessness, Leonais will shatter before he takes over."

"Therefore, he must unload as much of the burden as possible." Surya, with her belly prominent, wore a loose white silk gown, slowly approached Laine. The female knight’s face displayed a warm smile, and she said seriously, "The Old Musillon Territory is one of those heavy burdens, and at this time, someone wants this burden, so give it to them! And see what we can get in return."

Laine sighed long and nodded. Even during her pregnancy, even while staying long in the Lake Fairy Tower to nourish the fetus, Surya’s political wisdom and acumen remain outstanding. It can even be said that there are few duchesses in the entire kingdom with her level of wisdom.

Why is it said the Old Musillon Territory is a heavy burden that Adheid must cast off?

The truth, simply put, lies in three aspects Laine perceived directly.

On the economic side, given the current situation of the Leonais Duchy, no taxes can be collected from those areas now. The Old Musillon Territory not only fails to aid the troubled Leonais Duchy but also requires a lot of grain relief.

In terms of military affairs, it is the same. How many registered knights does Leonais currently have? Less than eight hundred! These knights already struggle to protect the Leonais Castle and its surrounding areas, but now how is the duchy? It’s in rebellion everywhere! Peasants have raised flags, occupying mountains as kings, and Norsca Pirates sporadically raid the coasts. But Leonais has no soldiers! No grain! If they discard the burdens of Southern Leonais now, the duchy’s knights can instead focus all efforts on the northern defense, and with Laine’s troops, military pressure can directly reduce by 60%.

As for the noble issues, there’s even less need to discuss. After the battle of Kulona, the entire Southern Leonais and the Old Musillon Territory’s former Musillon Nobles have long pledged allegiance to Laine. As the successor of Landuin, the rightful legal claimant to Duke of Musillon, and the person recovering Musillon, if they don’t pledge to Laine, to whom should they pledge?

Now, those castles have all raised Musillon’s yellow background black fleur-de-lis emblem.

What else can Adheid do?

"This is the will of the people! This is the expectation of the people!" Surya proudly said to Laine, "Laine, Adheid knows, even if keeping the Old Musillon Territory, he couldn’t collect a grain of food, a single Copper Coin, nor command a knight. What use is there in keeping it?"

This is her man; today, Laine already stands proudly at the peak of the Knight Kingdom!

"So... fifteen thousand Gold Crowns." Laine nodded, thinking for a moment, smiling bitterly, "This is doing addition and subtraction. This burden tossed over, I must catch it, he thus reduces the burden, that’s doing subtraction. I also have to compensate him, including sending troops, supporting with grain, and a large sum of cash, that’s doing addition. Adheid, he’s indeed a wise man, and I must agree because I want this land, whose fertility has been proven countless times."

"Before the Great Depression, Musillon was called the Thousand Lakes Country." The Lake Fairy smiled and said, "The most fertile part is that land, and as long as you manage it well for a few years, you will surely recover more benefits."

"Alright, have Adheid send someone over." Laine finally nodded, seriously said, "Everything must be discussed before proceeding, money isn’t so easily given!"

After all, it’s about cutting nearly half the territory from Leonais, the necessary compensation must be given, but Laine also knows that agreeing too easily would easily make him a sucker, necessary negotiations are still essential.

Laine pulled over a chair, gently picked up Surya to sit together, he wrapped his arm around his wife’s waist, smilingly said, "My lady, you needn’t worry about so many things. Your most important task recently is to take good care of yourself."

"Laine~ What are you doing! The Lady is still here!" Surya’s face immediately turned red when being held on his lap, she said reproachfully: "Don’t do this."

"Surya is now pregnant, Laine, you must be careful!" Sure enough, the Lake Fairy took the opportunity to chide Laine, the Goddess extended her fist and lightly punched Laine on the shoulder: "Don’t do bad things!"

"Hehehe~" Laine smiled bitterly on his face, gently holding Surya, letting her lean against his chest, while in his heart thinking about his influence.