Kayra’s face lit up, but seeing Javier still calm and serious, she held her expression in check.
"But hear this and treat my words carefully, Lady Kayra. I will send help to aid your region, not just to support your troops and deter the invaders, but to help rebuild your economy and perhaps more in the future. But not without conditions."
Kayra fell silent.
Of course there’s no such thing as free help.
I know. And as a region that’s suffering, I have no choice but to accept this young man’s proposal.
I don’t have a choice. I really don’t have a choice.
I hope their demands... I hope the conditions he sets are sothing we can et, sothing that won’t burden my people further.
"First, regarding trade." Javier lifted a report Alf handed him. "According to this, the stretch of land your husband ceded to Garka is now under Garka’s control. Which i can do nothing to help you reclaim it for now. That ans the only viable trade route left is by sea."
Javier took another report handed by Alf and read it.
"But your region lacks a functional port. Armand rchant ships cannot dock, which creates a significant logistical problem. We can build one since we have the resources and expertise. However, the construction will be financed by Armand as a loan, which your region will repay over ti."
He looked up. "Second, we propose establishing an exclusive trade hub in Tybalt, a shared port where both Armand and Tybalt rchants operate under protected terms. It will serve as a gateway for goods moving between our lands. We’ll also establish a rchant guild branch there to oversee fair trade."
Javier looked up at Kayra, who remained silent.
"Hmm? You don’t need to worry about your troops holding the line for now. Since my Knights are already en route by air."
"Ehhh?" Kayra was surprised.
"You’re aware of Armand’s technological presence. A few of my Knights displaying the Armand emblem in the skies above the battlefield should give Garka and Turka pause. Enough to make them reconsider advancing. They won’t engage without my permission, and they won’t land without formal authorization. For now, their presence alone should stall the enemy’s march."
He leaned forward slightly. "But without an official docunt, a formal request for aid signed by you and your husband, Tybalt, I cannot deploy them fully. They will observe, they will deter... but they will not intervene unless attacked."
"So you needn’t worry about the front lines for now. The presence of my Knights alone should make those two greedy bastards think twice about advancing. Now, I will outline the remaining conditions, and I require your full attention."
Javier slowly lifted his wine glass, took a sip, and set it down. Liana refilled it gracefully.
Kayra’s eyes widened.
They have an elf... working as a maid? And not just any elf, one of such beauty?
"Now, Lady Kayra."
"Y...yes?" She snapped from her thoughts.
"I see your coffee remains untouched. Is it not to your liking?"
"A...ah... umm..."
Javier turned slightly. "Liana?"
"Yes, Prince Javier?"
"Please bring her hot chocolate instead."
"As you command, Prince Javier."
Javier shivered at the way she said Prince Javier.
Ugh... I prefer when she calls ’young master.’ It feels more comfortable. But with others present, she won’t use that. Or maybe she’s still annoyed about Iria and Iziya earlier.
He exhaled and looked down at another docunt, read it, and stamped it with his approval seal.
"Now, Lady Kayra. I trust you are listening."
"Y...yes, Your Highness."
"Once we receive the formal request for aid signed by you and Tybalt, we will present a contract outlining the terms of assistance." He tapped the table lightly. "We will send advisors and several of my staff to train your officers, or whatever you call them, in economic managent, irrigation, waterway construction, and other areas to strengthen your regional economy."
"We can discuss further details once we receive your formal request, matters such as constructing a naval base, improving your fishing ports, and expanding mariti capacity."
Kayra nodded slowly.
"Depending on what Tybalt decides, we are also willing to share certain foundational knowledge, basic shipbuilding techniques, crop rotation thods, irrigation designs, the sa improvents our other allies have adopted. Not our proprietary magic-tech, but practical advancents that can strengthen your region’s self-sufficiency."
Javier’s expression turned more serious.
"However, under no circumstances will Armand supply or share knowledge of our exclusive magic-tech weaponry. No mana rifles, no mana cannons, no enchanted artillery. That technology remains solely within Armand."
He leaned forward slightly. "What we can provide are conventional magic weapons and armor, along with counterasures against the weapons Turka and Garka are using, improvised versions designed to neutralize their advantages. This would allow Tybalt to defend itself effectively. But these items will not be given freely; they will be supplied on a contractual basis, to be paid for through trade or future repaynt arrangents."
"Additionally," Javier added, his tone firm, "any personnel we send, advisors, trainers, engineers, will operate under Armand oversight. Their safety is non-negotiable, and any attempt to detain, threaten, or undermine their mission will result in imdiate withdrawal of all support."
Javier’s aura sharpened, his gaze hardening. Kayra felt the air grow heavy, her breath catching in her throat, her body went stiff, pinned by the weight of his presence.
"Unlike my father, I have no rcy for those who accept our help only to betray it. If anyone tries to stab us in the back, I will not forget, and I will not forgive. This aid will expose Armand to scrutiny. Other nations will watch, waiting for us to fail or overreach, and I will not allow my nation to be made a fool of. Do not even think of turning against us, because if you do, there will be no rcy from . My father may forgive his enemies, but I will not."
He leaned back slightly, the pressure easing just enough for her to breathe again, but his eyes remained cold.
"I’ll help because it’s my father’s policy and Armand’s way to aid those in need, regardless of race or nation. But any attempt to betray our trust will result in consequences you do not want to know, and an experience you will never forget."
( End Of Chapter )
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