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𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐃𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 (2)
Johan was not surprised. He would have been more surprised if he had met a noble on good terms with the Emperor in this area.
“There are many people who have a grudge against Cardirian, and it would take a lot of help to attack Cardirian’s fiefdom. So why would the order refuse help?”
Although Johan already guessed the reason, he deliberately asked as if he didn’t know. The magistrate seemed even more satisfied with Johan’s attitude.
It’s human nature to be at a disadvantage when the party you’re conspiring with turns out to be more intelligent than you anticipated.
“Ha. The order wants to drive out the Emperor’s forces in the south, not wanting new enemies to emerge.”
The magistrate sneered.
In fact, the magistrate would have felt the same even if he represented the order’s standpoint. They didn’t want to remove an enemy only to create a new one.
Right now, the relationship between the order and the city-states was not bad, but it was uncertain if it would remain the same after the threat of the Empire disappeared.
However, the republic was eager to get its hands on the south. It was a republic striving hard to acquire strategic locations in the Catalian Peninsula and Ulcana Peninsula, and the islands of the Edene Sea. These were almost essential for stable trade.
“If what you said is true, will the order give permission?”
“Of course. Your authority is not that weak, after all.”
“Even though the order provided support and received a title in the name of the Pope, it was Johan who led the soldiers down to fight.”
There were limits to how much the order could control. It was no coincidence that the order was meticulous in choosing people.
“And our side also has connections with the order. We are continuously creating public opinion. Above all, it’s not an unreasonable request. We’re not asking for a fiefdom, just a few ports. It’s enough if you just say the word.”
Authority over the ports of a fiefdom was very valuable, especially for a republic seeking trade.
In truth, they could have given them away easily.
After all, Johan didn’t currently hold those fiefdoms. And if he came to possess the southern fiefdoms, a few ports would be a fair price to pay.
Above all. . .
‘𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥, 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘐?’
Of course, it wouldn’t be just for any reason; a suitable justification would be necessary, but it was definitely doable.
If he framed it as the republic conspiring or betraying, he could reclaim the ports.
The magistrate was under a misconception due to Johan’s good reputation, but Johan had no hesitation in such matters.
“With our help, it would be much easier for you, wouldn’t it? Of course, the order will support you, but the more help, the better.”
“You are right. If we could borrow the fleet of the republic, it would make things several times easier.”
Pleased with Johan’s response, the magistrate smiled. He opened his mouth to drive the point home.
“I heard you are the feudal lord of Dolek and Palmon. Nice towns, but their development is a bit slow due to their location, isn’t it? If you agree, we will send our engineers to build a naval base for you. Think about it. If you control the south, you can travel by ship along the Edene Sea all the way to the north.”
‘𝘖𝘩 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘳.’
Johan clicked his tongue, not because the offer was bad, but because it was too good. There was a misunderstanding about Johan, but fundamentally, the magistrate had confidence in himself.
Confidence that even if Johan built naval ports in those two towns first, he wouldn’t be able to betray them!
It was the confidence that if Johan betrayed them, they could cut off the sea to hinder him, and the confidence in their fleet roaming the Edene Sea.
‘𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭. . . 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘪𝘵. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮. . .’
Johan decided to abandon the idea of betrayal and cooperate for now. Just cooperating wasn’t a bad condition.
“If you could do that for me, I’d be grateful, but I’m worried I might not be able to keep my word. The order might not listen to me.”
“Hahaha. . .”
The magistrate laughed. And then said,
“No. They will listen to you. Plenty. Using you in that way is a very cheap trick, after all.”
🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸