My Players Are So Fierce

In the Blood Vulture Halls at dawn, Count of White Mountain sat in his luxurious chair holding a book of poetry, his characteristic mature side-parted blonde hair combed impeccably, this had already become his most distinctive feature in players’ eyes.

Some called him “Side-part Bro” on the forums, others called him “Melancholy Bro”, and some called him “Second Most Handsome Guy in Blood Vulture Halls”, but most people simply called Count of White Mountain “Goldie”.

This kind of naming had a simple and brutal beauty to it, forming a unique “Color Group NPCs” along with Maxim’s “Whitey” and Dorothy’s “Redhead”.

But even the first batch of veteran players didn’t have a deep understanding of Count of White Mountain.

On one hand, although Andrei had made a “gentlemen’s agreement” with Murphy and had been helping stabilize Transia’s political situation, his introverted and conservative style made him reluctant to be in the spotlight. Therefore, all matters involving players in the White Mountain faction’s rebuilding in Transia were handled by his loyal servant Vesta.

On the other hand, due to some political factors and Andrei’s unique identity, he had developed a habit of not liking to interact with too many people since childhood. Simply put, he was a shut-in, and an incurable one at that.

This habit of his didn’t just come from his personality, but more because he had an important principle in his life, he must not steal his sister’s spotlight.

The Northerners also had a tradition of “favoring sons over daughters.”

Especially in matters concerning royal succession, even a weak prince would have more advantages than an outstanding princess.

But Andrei had followed his sister around since childhood, and he had no intention of taking what his sister possessed and even voluntarily gave up everything.

After arriving in Transia, being far from North Wind Fort and Thorn Clan’s politics allowed Andrei to relax a bit. For instance, now when Life Is Pretty Good and Little Rich Brother requested to visit Count of White Mountain through Murphy’s connections, they quickly received permission.

Escorted by two Thorn Nightwalker handmaidens, they entered Count of White Mountain’s large room in the “diplomatic zone” of Blood Vulture Halls, and were allowed to present their proposal to this melancholy young count.

“So, you’re saying you want me to be an ‘investor’ in the casino you’re planning to open in Farm No. 3?”

Andrei had been frowning almost the entire time while listening to Life Is Pretty Good’s description.

He wasn’t stupid.

He could completely understand what these two little players wanted to do, but this happened to be Andrei’s “taboo”. He could utilize his royal family member’s influence, but using his influence to make money would undoubtedly “tarnish” his sister’s reputation.

Most importantly, the casino these two wanted to open would only serve foreigners, isn’t this just exploiting the Nord people in disguise?

He was a member of the Nord royal family, the current queen’s only brother and relative. Not only was he not helping his own country make money, but how could he help outsiders exploit his own people?

So Count Andrei put down the poetry book in his hand with a stern face. He rejected them politely but firmly:

“No, I cannot agree to such a request, not just for personal reasons. As a member of the royal family, I have a responsibility to maintain the dignity of the nation and family at all times. ṝＡɴօ₿Èṡ

I believe my ancestor Lady Shani would not allow me to do such a thing either.

Please leave, gentlemen.”

Little Rich Brother’s face immediately fell.

He knew things wouldn’t go this smoothly, but Life Is Pretty Good, who had dominated the business world for many years, quietly observed Count Andrei.

Although the other party had refused, he knew there was still room to turn this around.

But he needed to take a bit of risk.

If things went wrong, he would probably die here, though that would only be for three days.

“Please give me a little more time, my lord.”

Old Huo coughed and said seriously:

“I just explained our request to you through the business model earlier, but I haven’t analyzed from your perspective what benefits joining this business would bring you.

I know you think it’s undignified for a royal family member to participate in business targeting your own people, but you need to realize a cruel reality.

Your faction has just been rebuilt.

Without family resource support, you and your servants need to figure out how to raise money to develop your own power.

I know you’re very capable.

But I also believe this is an area you’ve never ventured into, having lived a life free from worries about food and clothing.”

“I have Vesta to help me.”

Count of White Mountain didn’t deny Old Huo’s description, saying indifferently:

“My loyal servant is an excellent property manager and businessman.”

“But perhaps you don’t know that Lord Vesta invested a large sum yesterday in the dock that the Torrent Knights are planning to build near Anderma Hills.”

Old Huo revealed a subtle smile and said:

“I know it’s a good investment. Looking ahead three to five years, it can bring you at least triple returns. However, the problem is the timing isn’t right!

The Black Plague is coming, we might not even live to see three years later. Under such circumstances, pursuing long-term benefits is undoubtedly inappropriate.

I’m not criticizing Lord Vesta’s business strategy, I’m just saying he’s not very good at getting enough funds in the short term to support White Mountain faction’s rapid development.

But I can!

One month!

At most one and a half months.

Your investment will see returns, and you and your servants will no longer worry about supplies and funds. Your faction will get rapid and powerful development!

By then, whatever you want to do, your servants will have enough strength and numbers to achieve your goals.”

These words didn’t change Count of White Mountain’s mind. He still refused:

“What you say makes sense, but I don’t intend to change my decision. My faction currently has no economic problems, so…”

“You want to prove your worth!”

Old Huo very impolitely interrupted Count of White Mountain’s words at this moment. He pointed straight to the core issue:

“I saw you fighting to the death with Korando in the sewers, I heard about you sending your spoils back to North Wind Fort. Without a doubt, you’re like a child eager to prove to your family that you’ve grown up.

Although it’s very rude to say this, my lord, if you want your sister to see your growth, continuously spending her money doesn’t seem like a good way to prove you’ve grown up.”

“Silence!”

“Insolent!”

The two Thorn Nightwalker handmaidens changed color in anger. Little Rich Brother couldn’t even see their movements before sharp claws were pressed against his throat, and the same happened to Old Huo.

The two Northern vampire sisters wearing theater masks had frost-like expressions, with just one word from Count of White Mountain, these two insolent fellows would die right here.

However, neither Little Rich Brother nor Old Huo showed any fear.

On one hand, this was because they weren’t afraid of death at all. Little Rich Brother even enthusiastically reached out to touch the unique assassination claws, treating everything before him as a cool “cutscene”.

On the other hand, Count Andrei seemed to have been truly angered by Old Huo, but he quickly calmed down.

“Bang”

That poetry book the Count loved most was heavily placed on the table edge. A trace of anger appeared on Andrei’s handsome face, but he took a deep breath and waved for the two handmaidens to withdraw.

He stared intently at Life Is Pretty Good and said coldly:

“Continue speaking. If you speak well, you and your companion can leave alive.”

“I don’t think we’ll die today. In fact, I think we can make a big deal today.”

Old Huo became increasingly confident.

He knew he had bet right. On the way here, he had been asking Little Rich Brother about this young count’s information, and even sent private messages to Sister Pomegranate.

The latter, because of wanting to learn the Thorn Nightwalker assassination techniques, was currently the first player to grind the Thorn Clan reputation to Revered.

She knew much more about Count of White Mountain than ordinary players, and it was from Sister Pomegranate’s gossipy descriptions that Life Is Pretty Good truly captured what Count Andrei wanted most.

For a shrewd businessman, casually given expensive gifts can never compare to carefully prepared heart’s desires – after all, there’s quite an art to gift-giving.

Facing the count’s unfriendly gaze, Life Is Pretty Good pushed away the claws at his throat and adjusted his formal attire bought from Lady Aqua’s tailor shop. He said in a low voice:

“There is no personal independence without economic independence. This is a principle that even twelve-year-olds understand in our world, but I regretfully find that you don’t seem to understand.

You contentedly enjoy the wealth your sister shares with you.

Perhaps this is because your sister is grateful for the sacrifices you made for her, but this is not a reason for you to ignore where all this wealth comes from.

As long as you’re still spending the Wolf Queen’s money, in her eyes, you’ll always be a little brother who needs her care.

Similarly, as long as you still expect material and human resource support from the Thorn Clan, in Grand Duchess Shani’s eyes, you’ll always just be a toddling child.

You personally participated in the Blood Vulture Clan’s death battle with the Wolfsbane Clan in the sewers, but I think you still haven’t understood why Lord Murphy and Lady Femis risked death rather than let Grand Duchess Tris intervene in the war.

It wasn’t just for the Blood Vulture Clan’s face!

It was also to show the Grand Duchess that they are no longer children needing elders’ care, they can already rely on themselves to soar under this dangerous night sky.

But what about you?

My lord, I want to ask you to seriously consider, if the Wolf Queen and Grand Duchess Shani’s support were cut off right now, what would be the situation of you and your faction in Transia?

I learned from Brother Loyalty that your sister specially assigned 100 palace sword guards to reward your growth… Ah, I want to ask you.

What kind of relationship would use the word ‘reward’? What kind of relationship would have this kind of elder-junior interaction?

You’ve been yearning for growth and maturity, yet you can’t break free from the satisfaction of seeking and enjoying praise from those two ladies.

You’re very contradictory, exactly like a young person who completely doesn’t understand what they want and through what means to achieve their goals.

No, please don’t misunderstand!

I have no contempt for you whatsoever. I think you’ve done very well given your position and status. At least I think if others had your background, they couldn’t possibly do better than you.

However, if you want to truly talk as equals with your sister and your elders, you still need to be more cruel to yourself.

After all.”

Old Huo secretly glanced at Count of White Mountain’s expression and lowered his voice to say:

“Whether it’s following, getting closer, or walking together, you first need to make them acknowledge that you are their equal in personality. Would you give your respect to a willful child who knows nothing?”

The atmosphere in the reception room went quiet for a moment.

If it weren’t for the two cold-faced Nightwalker handmaidens watching their necks, Little Rich Brother would have jumped up to cheer loudly for his childhood friend’s brilliant persuasion at this moment.

Count Andrei was clearly wavering.

This wasn’t to say he was an indecisive person, but because Life Is Pretty Good’s words had stabbed into his heart like sharp knives.

Lies don’t hurt people, truth is the sharp blade!

Everything the other person said was absolutely correct.

He had just never realized where the root of the problem lay. Perhaps Vesta saw it, but as a loyal servant, he obviously couldn’t say it so directly, that would be like driving a wedge between the Count and the Wolf Queen.

If Andrei was satisfied with being an obedient good brother, then Old Huo’s words would have had no effect. However, Count of White Mountain had his own aspirations, so Old Huo’s persuasion quickly achieved 200% or even 300% effectiveness.

Andrei’s contemplation time didn’t exceed 20 seconds. He reopened his eyes to look at Old Huo and said:

“So, the first step…”

“Economic independence!”

Life Is Pretty Good said softly:

“Only when you’re unconstrained by worldly matters can you freely grow into the person you want to become, and my casino… well, I admit this project isn’t high-end enough and doesn’t match your status, but I guarantee your first bucket of gold will definitely be placed before you very soon.

And as long as this casino keeps operating, your faction will no longer have economic problems.

After this foundation is firmly established, you can start the next step, expanding your influence in your family and your country.

I’m not encouraging you to rebel against your Queen and your Grand Duchess.

But please note, no one pays attention to harmless little insects at their feet, and all attention must come from the perspective of power. When you have enough prestige, even the Wolf Queen will have to put away the contempt in her heart when talking with you, and only when you’re important enough in her heart…”

He stopped there without continuing.

But Count Andrei felt at this moment that his most arrogant ambition deeply hidden in his heart had been seen through by this strange trickster before him.

No wonder he’s a cultist who plays with people’s hearts!

Andrei snorted coldly in his heart. In the past, someone who dared to peek into his thoughts would definitely have to be killed, but now it’s different.

After his experiences in Transia, he felt perhaps he should accept some “correct” advice.

To get closer, sometimes you need to distance yourself first.

“You may leave first.”

Count of White Mountain picked up his poetry book again, pretending to flip through it while saying:

“I will give you an answer before midnight tomorrow.”

“Very well, Your Highness, good night.”

Old Huo pulled up Little Rich Brother, who still wanted to watch more drama, and turned to leave without any hesitation. Feel You Poor suddenly turned back at the door and said:

“My lord, your book is upside down!”

“Hm?”

Andrei, who was deep in thought, immediately awakened and looked down to find the poetry book was indeed upside down.

Damn!

He made a fool of himself!

“Your Highness?”

The two Thorn Nightwalker handmaidens immediately stepped forward to volunteer. They were confident they could kill these two before they escaped the diplomatic zone to prevent the noble’s “black history” from leaking out.

But Andrei just waved his hand, asking his loyal handmaidens to leave temporarily. He needed some time to carefully consider Life Is Pretty Good’s suggestions.

This time he didn’t plan to discuss this topic with his loyal servant Vesta, because he suddenly realized that Vesta, who had always been by his side, seemed to have been dispatched by his sister as well.

Although he absolutely trusted Vesta’s loyalty, Andrei wanted to start changing his image in his sister’s heart from some details.

Outside the diplomatic zone, Old Huo and Little Rich Brother, who had run all the way out, hid in a corner panting and looking scared.

Honestly, they had just kept straight faces to get through that scene.

No matter how weak Andrei might be, he was still someone who could fight with Murphy. With one word from him, the two little players would definitely have been chopped into minced meat.

A few seconds later, the two looked at each other and laughed out loud, high-fiving like when they were kids, celebrating the success of today’s business negotiation.

“That goldie is a bit strange.”

On the way back, Little Rich Brother rubbed his chin curiously and said:

“I feel like as soon as we talked about his sister, his whole person suddenly became so weird…”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

Life Is Pretty Good snorted disdainfully and said:

“He’s a siscon!

The incurable kind. What he wants isn’t to hide in his sister’s shadow and serve her kingdom. Count Andrei wants more, he wants to monopolize everything about his sister…

What a crazy soul!

He won’t allow others to get involved with the Wolf Queen. For this, he would pay everything he could pay, even borrowing from the devil without flinching.

With such a brother, that Wolf Queen’s future life probably won’t be smooth.”