Chapter 37: Chapter 37: Negotiation
The first round of probing was over.
In Kalina’s eyes, Duane’s powerful display showed no sign of being an act. This further proved her intelligence reports to be accurate.
The Baron possessed a force capable of rivaling the Broken Wave Gang and the Holy Hand Association.
Perhaps he simply didn’t want a fight to the death, which was why he hadn’t declared war on them directly.
This much was evident from the fact that the Baron hadn’t killed Hardy.
Since none of the three parties intended to start a major conflict, all that was left was to negotiate.
Kalina gestured to her chair. "Baron, may I sit and talk this over with you?"
Duane nodded.
Only then did Kalina sit. "Baron, Black Forest Island is your Territory; everything here belongs to you. However, the Holy Hand Association and the Broken Wave Gang have made undeniable contributions to your Territory’s current state of development!"
"For one, the island initially had fewer than ten thousand residents. Over the years, it was we who drove out the Demon Beasts and secured the safety of certain areas, allowing the people to cultivate the wilderness. It is thanks to us that the island’s population now exceeds thirty thousand."
Duane’s expression flickered.
Monbodt didn’t know the island’s exact population, but Kalina did.
Thirty thousand people was indeed a significant number.
He gestured for her to continue.
Kalina brushed her long hair back from her ear, a seductive smile playing on her lips.
"My Lord, you are the master here. You could certainly banish us for Hardy’s offense, and for the Holy Hand Association occupying your land. But are we not your people as well?"
"I believe every noble’s Territory contains many Extraordinaries, merchants, and even families who are not directly subordinate to the Lord. We are no different. By banishing us, you would in fact be weakening your own strength."
Duane raised an eyebrow. ’This woman is more than just a seductress. She seems to be a decent negotiator—at least better than Kubatu.’
"And how, exactly, would that weaken my strength?" Duane was curious to hear her argument.
Kalina continued, "The habitable area on Black Forest Island is just this section in the northwest corner. Expanding outward requires armed protection. For years, the Holy Hand Association and the Broken Wave Gang have expended vast manpower and resources to fend off fierce beasts and Demon Beasts. We’ve even lost many Warriors in the process."
She met Duane’s gaze unflinchingly, then gave a deliberate blink.
"If you were to simply banish us, or even kill us, you would be hamstringing yourself when it comes to dealing with Demon Beast invasions, guarding Broken Wave City, and ensuring the safety of your people. How is that not weakening your own strength?"
She spread her hands. "Wouldn’t you agree, my Lord?"
Duane watched her with a smile. Kalina had indeed hit the nail on the head.
While the Broken Wave Gang and the Holy Hand Association were a threat to him, they could also help him fend off the threat from Demon Beasts.
The Holy Hand Association’s Broken Wave Bay and the Broken Wave Gang’s Forest Village bordered the Hot Spring Mountain Range.
They had to fend off the Demon Beasts from there, even conducting regular patrols; otherwise, the iron ore mining operations would be threatened.
Hutou Village, to the southeast, was built by the Broken Wave Gang to facilitate the logging of nearby oak trees, and it required their constant protection.
With them around, Duane wouldn’t have to worry about Demon Beasts from those two directions.
He would only need to handle the defense of Lingang Village and the area directly south of Broken Wave City.
"I admit, there’s some truth to what you’re saying," Duane responded.
Kalina’s face broke into a smile. "Then why don’t we set aside our differences and cooperate with each other?"
It was common for nobility to cooperate with powerful commoner factions.
Duane, of course, could do the same.
’But would the Holy Hand Association and the Broken Wave Gang really bow their heads so easily?’
He was highly skeptical.
However, for Duane at this current stage, cooperation meant postponing conflict, which was perfectly acceptable.
"Of course we can cooperate."
As he spoke, his tone shifted. "But it’s just as I told your partner earlier. I can entrust the oaks, the iron ore, and other resources to you for extraction, but you must hand over at least seventy percent of the revenue to me!"
Kalina was inwardly displeased. ’Why is this little brat so stubborn?’
"Baron, you’re asking for too much!"
A troubled look crossed her face. "Take the iron ore, for instance. Its extraction, transport, and the protection of the mines and miners all consume a great deal of our energy. If you take seventy percent, not only will we make no profit, we’ll actually operate at a loss."
She then added, "The Holy Hand Association and the Broken Wave Gang have invested far too much in this area. If you’re unwilling to leave us any profit at all, then please forgive me for saying so, but we will find that very difficult to accept."
She had spoken many conciliatory words, but this last sentence was a clear warning: Duane shouldn’t get too greedy. She was reminding him that the Holy Hand Association and the Broken Wave Gang were united, and together, they were not necessarily afraid of him.
The warning in her tone was so obvious that even Kaelon picked up on it.
He was about to snap back with a sharp retort, but Duane stopped him.
Duane pondered for a moment, then said with a smile, "As long as you’re willing to serve me loyally, I certainly won’t let you operate at a loss."
He paused. "Now, you can state your terms."
Kalina breathed a sigh of relief. ’It seems this Baron isn’t someone who’s completely unwilling to compromise.’
"You are most wise!"
She offered her praise. "The Holy Hand Association and the Broken Wave Gang are willing to cede Broken Wave City..."
"Oh, my apologies. To be precise, we would like you to grant Broken Wave Bay to Daniels, and to grant Lingang Village, Forest Village, and Hutou Village to the Broken Wave Gang."
’They want land.’
Duane said, "According to the laws of the Pruck Kingdom, a Baron can only enfeoff three Knights. Daniels and Bard have done nothing to earn my favor, yet you expect me to enfeoff them as Manor Knights?"
He shook his head. "Impossible."
Kalina quickly clarified, "You misunderstand, my Lord. We don’t require the title of Knight. We just need a place to call home, a place to live. After all... we’ve poured our hearts and souls into these lands over the years."
Duane didn’t refuse her outright, but he didn’t immediately agree either.
’Honestly, the proposal sounded feasible. Letting the Holy Hand Association and the Broken Wave Gang manage those areas would bring me considerable benefits, after all. However, the Broken Wave Gang is asking for a bit too much land. Lingang Village is right next to the port. Even if I were to make concessions, I would never give up that location. And if I really did give it up, Broken Wave City would be caught in a pincer attack, putting me at a strategic disadvantage.’
"Let’s set aside the issue of land for now. What about the distribution of resources like the iron ore and oak?"
He changed the subject. "Since seventy percent is too much, what percentage do you feel is appropriate?"
Kalina and Kubatu exchanged a look. The latter gave a slight nod and said:
"Baron, before I came, Lord Bard and Lord Daniels discussed this. They both agree that the distribution of profits has always been tied to relative strength."
"And to determine our relative strength, short of all-out war, we could hold a contest."
Duane’s heart tightened. ’It’s obvious. They want to test my strength.’
"A contest?"
He smiled. "How would we compete?"
Kubatu explained, "Ten matches. The winner of each match claims one-tenth of the resources. If you, my Lord Baron, win all ten, the Broken Wave Gang and the Holy Hand Association will have no complaints. We will serve you willingly, even if it means we operate at a loss!"
’Ten matches?’
Duane’s expression didn’t change, but inwardly, he tensed.
’Aside from Kaelon and Raymond, I don’t have a single Middle Level Warrior on my side. If we really fight ten matches, won’t my bluff be called?’
Kaelon and Raymond remained outwardly impassive, but inwardly they were even more nervous than Duane.
’They never expected the other side to suddenly propose a contest. Should the Lord agree, or should he refuse? If he agrees, how can we possibly handle ten matches? But if he refuses, won’t they think their Lord is a coward? They might even start to doubt his strength.’
They couldn’t help but look to their Baron, wondering what choice he would make.
