Magic Industrial Age

The evening party was, of course, lively enough, but Loya didn't stay long.

With him there, everyone felt restrained.

Without him, everyone could let loose and be uninhibited.

However, Loya wasn't idle either. Since Hoover, the butler, was too busy, Loya instructed Ang to summon Alan Wells and Vincent Ackerman to the study on the second floor of the manor.

Winter in Fresh Flower Ridge wasn't actually that cold, but the fireplace in the study was still lit.

The crackling sound of the burning flames ensured the warmth of the study.

An exquisite carpet was laid on the ground, covering every corner, making it feel like walking on clouds.

Of course, Vincent Ackerman and Alan Wells, who had been summoned, didn't feel that way.

They were rather nervous!

Being summoned by the Earl on such a night made them uneasy.

Especially when the door closed, isolating them from the outside noise, it made them overthink.

However, Loya didn't intend to put on airs. With a wave of his hand, he motioned them to come closer.

In the seating area, he had them sit down and even personally served them a cup of black tea, saying, "You must have had a lot to drink just now. Have some tea to clear your heads."

They didn't dare to say much and quickly picked up the teacups, taking a gulp of hot water, almost scalding themselves.

Loya's mind wasn't on them; he seemed lost in thought. After a moment, he turned his gaze to Vincent Ackerman and then to Alan Wells.

He said, "Previously, Vincent Ackerman has already proven his loyalty to me. He defended Frost Moon Canyon for dozens of days, refusing to yield the land beneath the fortress, never retreating.

So now, I would like to ask, Knight Alan, can I trust you?"

Alan Wells was visibly stunned.

But the next second, he stood up with a whoosh and pounded his chest with his fist: "I, Alan Wells, will always be a claw of the Lion King, willing to die for you!"

"It's not that serious. I don't want anyone to die for me."

Loya said this, then waved him to sit down, saying, "You should know about the matter. Grand Duchess Afra is preparing to resolve the issue at the negotiating table, so she invited me to Oser City.

However, Fresh Flower Ridge has just experienced a major battle, and there are many things to take care of, as well as the promotion of magic-powered machinery. I can't get away.

Therefore, I need someone to take me to Oser City to fight for the interests of my Raymond family!"

Hearing this, Alan Wells' eyes widened, and he said, "The person the Earl has in mind wouldn't be me, would it?"

"That's right!"

"No, no, no!"

Alan Wells quickly waved his hand: "Earl, I am a knight, riding horses and fighting, charging and killing enemies. I won't say a word.

But to ask me to be an envoy and haggle with those old foxes, I'm really afraid I'll ruin the Earl's affairs."

"I think, I think this matter is actually..."

Alan Wells' eyes darted around, trying to find someone to recommend. He almost blurted out 'Lord Reagan,' but the words ultimately caught in his throat.

Then, then, he didn't know who to recommend.

To say that the destruction of Lion Fort was the Raymond family's most miserable loss, it wasn't simply a 40% reduction in combat power, but the loss of administrative officials, leaving only a mechanical supervisor.

As a result, he couldn't find anyone to pass the buck to!

He even looked at Vincent Ackerman next to him, but Vincent Ackerman glared back immediately.

His eyes were practically saying: If you dare say it's me, I'll beat you to death right now!

Loya didn't wait for him to struggle and said, "Don't think about it. First, listen to the reasons why I'm making you this representative."

"Earl, please speak..."

"First, you possess a portion of the Raymond family bloodline and even competed for the position of Earl. This shows that you have a certain status, connections, and are a familiar face in the Council of Elders!"

"Earl, are you sure you're praising me or pointing fingers at me?"

"Listen to me finish!"

"Yes!"

"The Council of Elders is a place where relationships are deeply intertwined.

Even if I go, I might not be able to handle it. You need someone with connections and networks to gather a group of people to stand by your side.

You haven't done this before, but you can try."

"Secondly, you are the purest of the old nobles, and your thinking is the same. When you go, you'll have something to talk about with those old nobles, and you can take the opportunity to break the ice."

Alan Wells couldn't help but interrupt again: "Earl, I'm sure you're not praising me, but criticizing me!"

"Thinking can be changed! When you see more, think more, and stand from different perspectives, you will have new ideas.

Of course, that's something for the future.

Now, keep your old thinking and just go for it."

"Is there, is there anything else?"

"Yes! The third reason is that you are straightforward enough!"

"Straightforward?"

"Yes, straightforward. Remember the first time we had a meeting in the meeting hall, I asked you what you thought of magic-powered machinery.

It was you who straightforwardly said it was wrong and that we should restore the previous system!"

"Pfft..."

At this moment, Vincent Ackerman couldn't help but laugh. Seeing both of them look at him, he quickly lowered his head,

pretending to look at the carpet on the ground, as if counting how many strands of wool there were on it.

Alan Wells' face turned red, and he said softly, "Are you sure you're saying I'm straightforward, not that I'm stupid?"

Loya smiled: "Actually, being straightforward isn't necessarily a bad thing. It might even have a surprising effect during negotiations!"

"There's such a saying?"

"This is related to the negotiation skills I'm going to teach you later. We'll talk about that later. The thing I'm most worried about now is..."

Loya looked at him, his expression serious: "I'll ask one more time, Knight Alan Wells, can I trust your loyalty?"

Alan Wells straightened his neck and said loudly: "If I betray the Lion King, may I be condemned to the abyss forever after death!"

"That's enough!"

"Then Earl, what, what were the negotiation skills you just mentioned?"

Loya held up three fingers: "You only need to abide by three principles on this trip to Oser City."

"The first point is to be assertive! The second point is still to be assertive! And the third point is still to be assertive as hell!"

"You must tell everyone that besides the Grand Duchess and Marquis Floyd, I don't care about anyone!"

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"The Raymond family is your backing, and the Lion Knight Order can be dispatched at any time. If they don't agree, then keep fighting! Fight directly! Fight until they are convinced!"

"Of course, whether his family will still be around by then is not guaranteed!"

"As for the Raymond family's demands, it's very simple. We don't want the territory, and we don't care about it. However, the compensation must be at least doubled based on the current assessment.

If possible, three, four, or five times better!"

"We have captured so many prisoners, including dozens of noble families. You can handle it as you see fit. Be lenient with those who are easy to talk to, and squeeze those who are not to death!"

Loya added: "Of course, besides Kindell, we also want other things.

All kinds of precious magical materials, magical weapons, props, magic potions, rare treasures, all kinds of gems, magic crystals, magic cores, coral...

Even books, combat skills, and secret holy techniques can be discounted!"

At this moment, Alan Wells was dumbfounded. He stammered, "Like this, like this, is this really okay?"

"If I say it's okay, then it's okay! If anyone has any objections, let him come to me, and I'll avenge you!"

"Avenge? What does avenge mean?"

"You misheard. I'll help you beat him to death!"

Loya then looked at Vincent Ackerman and said, "You will also go on this trip, but with Knight Alan Wells as the leader. You are only responsible for his safety."

As he said this, Loya's eyes met Vincent Ackerman's, and he said firmly: "I will try my best!"

Suddenly, a voice whispered in his ear again: "Well, just make sure he doesn't get beaten to death."

Vincent Ackerman breathed a sigh of relief and nodded heavily!

Alan Wells opened his mouth: "Earl, do you think this is really okay?"

"It definitely can! Just tell me, are you taking this task or not?"

"I, I accept it!"

"This matter is very urgent. Tomorrow, prepare and leave tomorrow.

By the way, come to me before you leave. I'll write a letter for you to take to the Grand Duchess. She will cooperate with you."

"Okay, then if the Earl has nothing else, I'll leave now?"

"Go ahead, you can go play some more, have a good time!"

...

The two of them left the room together, and even though they walked a little further away, their voices could still be heard.

Alan Wells: "Do you think, do you think the Earl is tricking me? Why do I feel a chill?"

Vincent Ackerman: "How could that be? This is a test! Do you understand what a test is?"

"The Earl is, of course, a broad-minded person, but after all, we have done some not-so-good things. We have to try to win the Earl's forgiveness!"

"Look at me, Frost Moon Canyon, I faced three transcendents alone, how many times did I almost die before I gained the Earl's approval.

You, of course, have to work hard too!"

"What you said seems to make sense. Then we'll follow the Earl's orders?"

"Yes, be assertive! Do you know what it means to be assertive? Just be arrogant!

Tomorrow, I'll bring more Lion Knights. We'll kick even the dogs on the roadside.

I guarantee that those people will shrink back and dare not step forward when they see you!"

"Then, two or three times the compensation, won't we be able to ask for it as we please?"

"Alan, think about it, this battle was borne by the Earl alone. This long campaign has cost an astronomical amount of wealth!"

"The Earl has even moved things from the treasury. This time, we have to earn it all back, right?"

"Have you ever heard of any family that has to pay compensation after winning a war?"

"Isn't that a joke!"

Alan Wells suddenly woke up: "Yes, yes, you're right, we'll do just that!"

"Great Knight Commander Vincent, I find that you are really smart. Teach your brother more in the future."

"It's easy to say, easy to say! But, did you forget? Be assertive, yes, just be arrogant..."

"Let's practice, let's practice!"

"Hey, hey, not here, are you really not afraid of being beaten to death?"