"Sorry, I don't understand," Brand answered, his face impassive.
Veronica couldn't help but smile slightly, "It's okay, I'll explain it to you. Earlier, you ntioned wanting to help the Druids ignite the torch, but I suspect you have designs on this territory?" Brand did not reply, but she continued without concern, "You should already qualify as a Pioneer Knight, so the mont the torch is ignited in your hands, you lawfully assu ownership of this land. Your plan is clever but impractical."
"In the past, no one sought the Trade Wind Ring because no one knew there was an original torch within it. That represents an expansive growth domain, nearly rivaling the reconstruction of an Erune. The temptation is too great—no noble in your country can resist it. Those people don't care about legality. You must understand, legality is just a token term. An original torch is enough to make anyone tear down the facade."
"And you?" Brand asked, watching her warily. It was a fair question; if this woman suddenly decided to harm him here, a sword could easily end him.
"?" Veronica found it amusing, "What use does the Empire have for an enclave? But if this land bordered Kruz, maybe I would be tempted."
Brand nodded. Thinking deeply, he realized his plan indeed had so loopholes. He was accustod to thinking like a gar, assuming that legally obtaining territory as recognized by the 'system' ant only having to guard against monsters and possibly other players. But here, those greedy nobles were also players. Only now did he realize he had perhaps overestimated the situation. First, he had an innate affinity for the future elder princess due to historical reasons, but he forgot that here, he and that interest group were rely strangers.
Faced with territory that could rival the entire Erune in the future, even the wise Princess would hesitate to let him govern it. After all, to Griff as he knew her now, he was rely an outsider.
Brand could gamble on the Regent Princess's trust but couldn't afford to. This wasn't just about his future.
Thus, as soon as Veronica spoke, Brand understood the thoughts of the Cruz Female War God. She hoped he would restore the old country for Lord Grey Sword Saint within this vast territory. This indeed benefitted him because their interests were now intertwined, and Grey Sword Saint would never sit idle if Erune's other nobles threatened his plan for restoration.
However, using nearly a third of the land to obtain an 'Amulet' seed an uncomfortably steep price to pay.
And what made him particularly disgruntled was that Veronica effortlessly got rid of an imperial enemy without Kruz bearing any cost, while he was the one bleeding resources. That smiling woman reaped all the benefits. Suddenly, he found this smiley-faced woman incredibly annoying, claiming herself to be a proud legion commander, yet behaving so cunningly.
"It's not that simple," Brand thought to himself, shaking his head. "It's far from enough. You know my influence is nowhere near enough compared to the nobles within Erune. How can you ensure Grey Sword Saint will be firmly bound to my ship? He could easily find a better opportunity."
"Count phisto is not that type of person."
"I'm not that type of person either, Lord Legion Commander. Do you believe that?" Brand gritted out.
Veronica chuckled, "Very shrewd, little one. Alright, I'll promise you, as the commander of the Do Blue Army, that I will covertly support you in establishing this territory. With the Empire as a backing, phisto will not overthink it."
Brand nodded, this was the result he wanted. Though he could wager that the Cruz people would provide no real help, as long as he had this verbal guarantee, even if the Princess wanted to replace him, she would have to weigh both sides' stakes carefully. As for whether this empty promise from the Cruz people would materialize, that wasn't a concern. Brand trusted Veronica's energy as a legion commander and knew that if his misfortune caused phisto's restoration plans to fail, it would do her no good either.
"But restoring a nation isn't that simple a task; rely having the land is far from enough. I don't think Count phisto just wants to be a lord, right?" Brand asked further.
"Naturally, there are so remnants of the original duchies within Kruz, and the populace of the old country still resides in their lands. I'll arrange for channels to relocate those willing," Veronica agreed with a nod.
Brand nodded as well. Developing the Barbaric is no simple task. The Guardian Land isn't built overnight and requires years of maintenance to reach its limit. The mont the torch is ignited, acquiring even a tenth of the territory is fortunate. In essence, when phisto's people arrive, they will need to help him develop the Black Forest—essentially free labor.
As for the existing population in the forest, the Druids—after the historical Wolf Calamity, the Druid population in the forest dropped by over 80%, mostly elders and children. Therefore, initially, the focus had to be on recuperation and sustaining life. Essentially, manpower would primarily depend on immigration he arranged from the outside. Thus, he couldn't fuss over such matters, acknowledging the adage, "a skilled housewife cannot cook without rice."
After confirming Veronica's offered conditions, Brand suddenly asked, "Lady Veronica, although you're doing all this for the Empire here, it's not necessarily sothing others will acknowledge; conversely, helping phisto's people flee the Empire might not be understood by others. Even though I know you have the Empire's interest at heart, to your political opponents, it's rely a pretext. Are you willing to accept that?"
Veronica cast him an unimpressed glance, "Put away those petty provocations, little one. You're too green. I'm an Imperial; everything I do for the Empire is willing. The Empire's burgeoning strength is the best repaynt to . Besides," she slyly squinted her eyes, "even if you managed to sow discord between and the Empire, what would you gain? Even if I were to change allegiance, little one, you're still not worthy of my loyalty."
She then added with mild amusent, "You're more suited to pledge allegiance to ."
"Heh heh," Brand laughed off the taunt nonchalantly, "Then, here's to a fruitful collaboration. Since the ownership of this place is settled, let's check this area separately; it'll be quicker that way. I imagine the Druids outside can't hold on for much longer."
"You do have a thick skin," Veronica couldn't help shaking her head. What was this 'since the ownership of this place is settled'? How thick-skinned must soone be to say that? However, the more confident this young man was, the more pleasing she found him. Smiling, she nodded, "Looks like you're preparing to head off sowhere on your own?"
"Naturally," Brand did not shy away, "After managing to win the fight, I must inspect my spoils of war."
He answered with the straightforwardness of a player, as if it was self-evident.
...(to be continued. If you enjoyed this work, please visit Qidian (qidian) to vote for recomndation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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