Kingdombuilding: All My Inventions Are Novelty

Chapter 160: Arrogance

"And also bring some beautiful women, or else be careful with your worthless life."

The silent envoy glanced at Ardel indifferently and spoke.

Ardel turned pale with fright, hurriedly apologised multiple times, and only then slowly retreated.

Seeing Ardel’s submissive demeanour, one of the guards said. "Fern, now that we’ve come to Eldora, we should enjoy ourselves before going back. It’s said that not only is there fine wine here, but the women of Eldora are also exceptionally beautiful."

"That’s right. These southerners are scared to death when they see us, just like dogs encountering wolves." Another guard said.

The reaver envoy sneered. "Sooner or later, I will turn this place into my castle. By then, I will select all the beauties of the world, just like that dog emperor of the southern people."

"When that time comes, Fern, don’t forget about us." The guard said with a lewd grin.

The reaver envoy laughed heartily and nodded, then suddenly turned serious. "It’s a pity that Father has grown old and lost his ambition. If I were the head, why would we need to waste words with these dogs?"

"Fern speaks wisely. We, the noble people of the steppe, should be like eagles soaring in the sky, going wherever we please." One guard laughed.

Another guard, however, said. "But Fern, the Otis has always been displeased with you. You should still be careful."

The reaver envoy nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "That coward is no match for me. What concerns me is someone else."

As the three were speaking, Ardel, who had just left, turned back and said. "Honoured envoys, the wine, food, and women have all been arranged. Please, follow me."

Fern snorted, shoved Ardel aside, and strode out of the guesthouse.

Ardel staggered from the push but still maintained a fawning smile. He dared not show any disrespect to the reavers.

Moreover, the moment he entered earlier, he heard a guard address this man as a prince.

Judging from this man’s appearance, it seemed that this envoy was none other than Fern, the youngest son of the Father of the Order.

Rumour had it that Fern was a formidable warrior, feared across the Regions. During the reaver campaigns, half of the small states in the Regions had fallen to his might.

Realising this, Ardel put on an even more ingratiating expression. Perhaps in the future, even his master might have to rely on this prince.

The next morning at court, Alaric finally met with the reaver envoys who had come to Eldora.

He had already heard of their arrival the previous day, but had deliberately delayed meeting them to curb their arrogance.

However, whether out of displeasure or not, Ardel reported early in the morning that the songstresses who had served the three envoys the previous night were all dead, each in a gruesome state.

Upon hearing this, a surge of fury welled up within Alaric. Though these songstresses were mere entertainers in his eyes, they were still subjects of the Eldorian Empire. These reavers had slaughtered them as they pleased; it was a blatant slap in his face.

But upon learning that the culprit was likely Fern, Alaric forcibly suppressed his anger.

"Honoured envoys, I apologise for any shortcomings in your reception." Alaric spoke first.

The reaver state was strong, while the Eldorian Empire was weak in comparison. Unless necessary, Alaric did not wish to go to war with them.

"Thank you, Emperor. The hospitality last night was decent, though those songstresses couldn’t handle the fun and died." Fern said arrogantly.

Lancet, upon hearing this, was furious and was about to step forward, but upon seeing Alaric’s warning gaze, he reluctantly stepped back.

"Heh, the envoy is truly full of vigour." Alaric forced a smile. "May I ask the purpose of your visit to Eldora?"

Fern swept a disdainful gaze over the officials. Aside from a few showing displeasure, most of them had obsequious expressions.

His contempt for the Eldorian Empire only deepened.

"By the decree of the Father, I present this national letter to His Majesty. Firstly, we request the cession of the five cities, Dunmere, Brambleford, Ashenford and West Hallow. Secondly, an annual tribute of one million caps of silver must be added. Thirdly, an Eldorian princess must be sent to marry Fern, the Father’s most beloved son. If His Majesty agrees, the Father guarantees that for the next ten years, he will not wage war against the Eldorian Empire. Fourthly, from this day forth, the Emperor of the Eldorian Empire must address the Father as his sovereign and refer to himself as the ’filial emperor’ under the Father."

"If not, in three months, our Father will personally lead his army to seize Dunmere. By then, not only will Dunmere be utterly destroyed, but so will the surrounding cities." Fern declared, still unaware that his identity had been exposed.

As soon as these words fell, the entire court erupted into heated discussions. Lancet clenched his fists tightly, gritting his teeth in fury.

At the same time, however, many officials looked pleased, whispering among themselves and nodding subtly.

Alaric was so enraged that he nearly fainted. Land cessions, indemnities, and a forced marriage were all of this was an unprecedented humiliation to the Eldorian Empire.

As fury overwhelmed him, he suddenly lost consciousness.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" The eunuch attending Alaric panicked.

At this moment, Hughes turned to Fern and said. "Honoured envoys, please return for now. His Majesty is unwell and will respond to your demands once he recovers."

"No need. If you agree, send the princess over. If not, see you in three months at the gates of Dunmere!"

With that, Fern laughed wildly and left.

After the reaver envoys departed, rumours soon spread through the streets.

It was said that the Emperor had been so angered by the reaver envoys that he had fallen gravely ill and remained bedridden. The people of Eldora sighed deeply at this news.

What an utter disgrace.

In the Emperor’s chamber, Lady Isolde was gently holding a bowl of porridge and serving Alaric. "Your Majesty, no matter how angry you are, you must eat something."

At this moment, Alaric’s face was sallow, and his expression was filled with dejection.

If the reaver invasion had once been mere speculation, then the arrival of their envoy had now made it a clear and present danger.

"How can I eat? That day in court, the reaver envoy openly demanded that I cede Dunmere, Brambleford, Ashenford, West Hallow... That future emperors of the Eldorian Empire must call the Father their sovereign, increase the tribute by one million caps, and send a princess for marriage. In exchange, they promised not to attack for ten years. If I refuse, in three months, the Father himself will lead an army to seize Dunmere."

After a pause, Alaric continued. "But the most infuriating thing is that more than half of my court officials are now submitting petitions urging me to accept these humiliating terms!"

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

Lady Isolde sighed softly and said. "These ministers... How could they agree to such humiliating terms?"

"Exactly. Are there still any men of backbone left in the empire?" Alaric sighed. Then, as if recalling something, he asked. "Lady Isolde, I remember Simon sending a letter. What did it say?"

For the past few days, Alaric had been bedridden, leaving Hughes to handle state affairs.

Now, he suddenly remembered the letter that Simon had sent ten days ago.

"Your Majesty, your health is most important. Please don’t concern yourself with that matter." Lady Isolde said with a melancholic sigh.