Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 801: Fabien’s Proposal

CH801 Fabien’s Proposal

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Crack! Shatter~!

A sharp crack echoed through the hall.

Everyone turned towards Viscount Dunhill, who had crushed the one of the armrests of his chair with his bare hand.

Although he maintained a calm façade, the oppressive aura radiating from him revealed his true emotions.

Seeing their commander’s simmering rage, the sycophants present were quick to speak.

“Who does this Count think he is? Does he believe a few piled rubble is enough to defend against a Beast Tide?”

“Exactly. Doesn’t he realise he’ll only make things more difficult for us if the Frontier March tries—and fails—to defend itself?”

“This is what happens when you hand a noble title to a child.”

“Even if he is young, he’s still an heir of the renowned House Skywalker. Doesn’t he know what the Berserk Beasts did to his predecessors? Shouldn’t he know his place?”

“He must be bluffing. Perhaps he simply wants to make a little money before running back to wherever he came from.”

“Let’s ignore him, Commander. Once the Berserk Beasts crush him, he’ll come crawling to our gates. Then he’ll be completely at our mercy.”

“You may be right. He probably thinks we can’t touch him because he has an Imperial Edict. In that case, we’ll simply let the Berserk Beasts do it for us. If he dies because of his own foolishness, no one can blame us.”

Listening to the conversation—the blatant disrespect shown towards an Honour Count acting under the authority of the Emperor—Fabien quickly realised that the Stronghold’s leadership was perhaps even more corrupt than he had imagined.

The seed of doubt Alex had planted within him finally took root.

Fabien found himself beginning to believe Alex’s account—and the possibility that these men, that Viscount Dunhill himself, really could have ordered the Count’s assassination before massacring the ruling families of Castin Town to cover it up.

He recalled Alex’s parting words.

Suddenly, a chill shot down his spine.

He realised he would have to choose his next words very carefully. A mere procurement officer was easily replaced and would hardly be missed—any competent merchant could fill his position.

Viscount Dunhill, who had remained silent throughout the heated discussion, stared at Fabien for a long moment before finally asking,

“What did you see in Fonterra? Do you believe they can withstand the Beast Tide?”

“The town walls are much the same as before, except they’ve cleared away the beast faeces they once used to repel the Berserk Beasts. Other than a few additional guards, who were most likely brought by Count Skywalker, I saw nothing of significance.

“The only other noticeable change was the people themselves. The townsfolk’s expressions are far brighter than before. The Count has most likely earned their trust somehow,” Fabien replied.

“I don’t know whether they have something hidden away, but based on everything we were able to observe, in my opinion, the Frontier March has no chance of repelling the Beast Tide.” He concluded.

“In other words, if we were to attack the Frontier March now…?” Viscount Dunhill’s eyes flashed coldly.

“We would take Fonterra with ease. However, I cannot guarantee that we would capture the Count. He is a noble, after all. Sir Commander, you know better than I how difficult or easy it can be to capture one.

“Since that is the case, I would advise against attacking Fonterra,” Fabien said.

“Then what do you suggest?” the Viscount asked.

Fabien nodded and took a steadying breath before speaking.

“Commander, the Imperial Family has neglected the Frontier March for decades. Yet now, the Emperor has suddenly appointed a young man as its Count. I find that suspicious,” Fabien began.

As expected, his words immediately drew the attention of everyone in the hall. The captains and Sub-commanders fell silent, while even Viscount Dunhill listened intently.

“I believe we should proceed with caution. As one of the captains mentioned earlier, there is no need to enter into open hostilities with the Count or the Frontier March and risk drawing the Emperor’s attention—or displeasure.

“Furthermore, according to the information you shared with me, the Count received an Imperial Edict naming him a Pioneer Knight. Therefore, I believe his objective is to compel us to trade with him using Berserk Stones. That would provide him with the currency needed to build up his forces for future expeditions to reclaim land.

“I believe we should accept his conditions—even if only provisionally. The next trade appointment will fall well after the coming Beast Tide. That gives us ample time to assess the situation.

“Is the Count bluffing and incapable of resisting the Beast Tide? Or will he prove why the Emperor deemed him worthy of becoming a Pioneer Knight by successfully defending the Frontier March?

“If we simply wait and observe, we will have our answer.”

Fabien’s words were so logical and well-founded that many of those present couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

“Furthermore,” he continued, “if we agree to trade under the Count’s proposed terms, we can also introduce conditions of our own.”

He raised his fingers as he listed them.

“First, we can fix the purchase price at thirty percent of the market value. This will allow us to acquire the usual ore quota without placing a burden on our coffers, while still leaving us with a very healthy profit margin when we sell the surplus.

“Second, we can include a clause that ‘encourages’ the Count or his representative to purchase food from the Stronghold—particularly the quota we normally prepare for the Frontier March. This will ensure the food does not go to waste while allowing us to recover some of the Berserk Stones we spend.

“More importantly, with this second condition, the Frontier March’s representatives will most likely purchase all of their required supplies from us. It will allow us to estimate the domain’s strength and rate of development.

“For example, the more troops the Frontier March possesses, the more food, weapons, and military supplies they will need to purchase.”

Fabien looked directly at Viscount Dunhill.

“With such a cautious approach, we will be able to overcome our opponents without lifting a finger, regardless of whether they are truly strong or not—and, more importantly, without offending the Crown.”

Fabien left the main hall a few minutes later after receiving a favourable response from Viscount Dunhill.

For the rest of the day, he believed he had prevented a violent escalation between the Stronghold and the Frontier March.

However, later that night, he witnessed something that shattered that belief.

Fabien was on his way to deliver an inventory report to Viscount Dunhill when he saw someone leaving the Viscount’s study with a sinister grin on his face.

The man was none other than the Clan Head of the Dunn Family—the very same Dunn Family of Castin Town that had fled before the massacre.

The moment Fabien saw the smile on the Dunn Clan Head’s face, he immediately knew the man had reached some sort of agreement with the Stronghold’s Commander.

An agreement that would most likely lead to conflict with the Frontier March—and the mysterious Count who had only recently become its Domain Lord.

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