Chapter 70. The Division of Interests, Duke Lane’s Small Sche
William walked straight toward the main tent. Although night had already fallen, the area outside the tent was still bustling with activity. ssengers and attendants moved back and forth continuously, giving the place an air of urgent busyness.
He explained his purpose to the guards at the entrance. A mont later, he was summoned inside and lifted the curtain to enter.
Inside the tent, Kroll II was seated with three Dukes, discussing matters around a table. A map of the Northern Frontier was spread out before them as they spoke quietly.
William’s arrival interrupted their conversation. Kroll II raised his eyes and asked calmly,
“William, what is the matter?”
William glanced at the three Dukes in the tent. The words on his lips were swallowed back as he bowed respectfully.
“It is nothing. I simply ca to pay my respects to Father. Seeing that you are still busy, I just wanted to remind you not to overwork yourself.”
Kroll II burst into laughter and waved his hand.
“Good, good. Once these matters are finished, I will rest. You should also get so sleep early.”
William nodded in acknowledgnt and turned to leave.
However, as he departed, Duke Lane’s gaze continued to follow his back. Only after the curtain fell did he withdraw his eyes, a trace of contemplation flashing in them.
Kroll II noticed everything.
He naturally understood what Duke Lane was thinking.
But if William were to gain the support of two great Dukes behind him, the First Prince and the Queen would certainly not sit idly by. It was not yet the right ti.
He gave a light cough, interrupting Duke Lane’s thoughts and returning the discussion to the main topic.
“Let us continue. The division of the Northern Frontier and the distribution of those three cities are settled as discussed.”
“The slaves will no longer be distributed separately. Each of your families will receive one of the three cities. Let the younger mbers of your clans take over the administration. It will also serve as an opportunity for them to gain experience.”
He paused, then took out three Spatial Rings from beneath the table—clearly prepared in advance—and pushed them toward the three n with Dou Qi.
“As for the resource distribution within the Secret Realm, the royal family has already calculated it. The contents of these rings are the shares that belong to you.”
The three Dukes quickly stood and accepted the rings. From the mont they held them, they could tell the internal space was not small. Clearly, the royal family had not shortchanged them.
They imdiately bowed.
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace.”
Kroll II waved his hand, signaling them to sit.
His gaze swept across the three Dukes as he slowly spoke.
“As for the administration of the Northern Frontier, I intend to have Marquis Tuso from the Southern Frontier take charge.”
“Recently, he has begun to act sowhat independently in the south. Having the Tuso Family change environnts will also serve as a warning.”
“What do you think?”
The tent instantly fell into silence.
The expressions of the three Dukes shifted, and for once they chose silence.
They were all seasoned political figures. How could they fail to understand the deeper aning behind these words?
Allowing Marquis Tuso to take over the newly stabilized Northern Frontier clearly signaled an intention to elevate the Tuso Family’s rank.
Yet Marquis Tuso had not participated in the Northern Frontier war at all. Why should he suddenly be promoted to the position of Duke of the Northern Frontier?
Kroll II watched their alternating pale and flushed expressions and smiled faintly.
“Enough. No need to beat around the bush.”
“Although the war in the north has ended, a new discovery has been made in the Southern Frontier. Marquis Tuso recently reported that a small Secret Realm has been found there. He personally led the exploration team to confirm it.”
“Moving him to the north is both a warning and a reward.”
Before he even finished speaking, the three Dukes were already filled with shock.
The words “small Secret Realm” alone were enough to move any power.
Only then did they realize that His Majesty was not promoting Tuso on a whim—he had already laid out the entire plan.
During the battle of the Ice and Snow Plains, the elite forces of their three families had suffered severe losses. Their strength had already been greatly weakened.
anwhile, the Tuso Family was currently at the height of its power and now possessed the rit of discovering a Secret Realm. The matter of its promotion had beco inevitable.
Not only could they not block it—they did not even have the strength left to sche against it. Their family foundations had already been heavily drained by the Northern Frontier war.
“Your Majesty is wise.”
In the end, Duke Lane was the first to react. He bowed as he spoke, though his voice carried a trace of helplessness.
The other two Dukes quickly echoed the sentint and raised no objections.
Kroll II nodded slightly, yet there was no trace of a smile in his eyes.
The art of balance was always about allowing so to rise while others temporarily lay low.
The rise of the Tuso Family would fill the power vacuum in the Northern Frontier and also keep these old aristocratic Dukes in check.
As for the future…
He glanced toward the deep night outside the tent.
There would always co a ti when the board needed to be reshuffled again.
“The decree for Marquis Tuso’s promotion will be issued by the royal family tomorrow.”
“When you return, have the younger mbers of your clans depart quickly to take over the cities. Stability in the Northern Frontier cannot be delayed.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The three Dukes bowed and accepted the order. Each carried complicated thoughts as they exited the main tent.
Now alone, Kroll II stared at the map, his gaze falling on the Southern Frontier of the Kadiya Kingdom. His finger tapped lightly against it.
He wanted Kadiya’s Southern Frontier as well.
But it seed he would have to wait a few more years.
Suddenly rembering sothing, he called an attendant at the entrance. After giving a few brief instructions, he dismissed him.
anwhile, William had just handed over nine-tenths of the supplies from Ningshuang City to the Quartermaster’s Office. He was walking through the night toward his own tent.
Xilan maintained a steady distance behind him, like a silent shadow.
The mont they lifted the tent curtain and entered, the sound of soldiers saluting in unison ca from outside.
Imdiately afterward, a soldier stepped inside quickly and bowed.
“Your Highness, Duke Lane requests an audience.”
William frowned slightly, surprised.
Duke Lane was an old aristocrat. Why would he co looking for him at this hour?
Could sothing have happened to the Second Prince? Was he looking for a new patron?
Suppressing the doubt in his mind, William said to the soldier,
“Invite him in.”
The soldier acknowledged the order and left. A mont later, Duke Lane entered the tent wearing a dark fur cloak.
His hair and beard were already white, and the lines of age were deeply carved into his face. Yet his eyes remained sharp.
Upon entering, he bowed slightly to William. The gesture was respectful but not overly humble.
“I apologize for disturbing the Fourth Prince’s rest,” Duke Lane said directly, his tone calm.
William gestured for him to sit and took the seat opposite him.
“Duke, you visit at such a late hour. I assu there must be sothing important?”
Xilan stood quietly in the corner of the tent like a statue. Yet his eyes remained fixed on Duke Lane with vigilance.
Duke Lane’s gaze lingered briefly on Xilan.
Although the man wore simple clothing, his aura was steady and formidable. It was obvious that he was a powerful expert.
He sighed inwardly.
His Majesty had actually assigned such a person to protect the Fourth Prince. It seed the emperor valued him far more than he had imagined.
After steadying his thoughts, he was just about to speak when the voice of an attendant suddenly ca from outside the tent.
“Duke Lane, His Majesty requests your presence.”
Duke Lane froze for a mont, then gave a bitter smile.
His Majesty had seen straight through his intentions.
He quickly bowed to William before turning to follow the attendant.
Inside the tent, William looked toward Xilan, whose lips curled into a faintly disdainful smile.
anwhile, Duke Lane returned to the main tent. No one knew what was said during their conversation.
But when he ca out again, the calculating expression he had worn earlier had completely disappeared. His face had beco heavy and restrained.
He silently turned and left, his steps noticeably heavier than before.
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