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This wasn’t due to the king’s lack of generosity, but because Marshal Loren had half dwarf blood. Although the king greatly trusted the marshal’s loyalty, granting land to a mixed-blood could easily cause unnecessary ripples in the next generation.

Moreover, silver dwarves already had their own vast ancestral lands within the Kingdom of Goldflower.

Though Marshal Loren deeply resented his irresponsible dwarf father, as the grandson of the silver dwarf grand duke, he owned “hereditary lands” near Silver Citadel in the mountains that were far richer than the average human count’s domain.

Furthermore, once he marries his cousin, Princess Livrosa Silverheart, the granddaughter of the current silver dwarf high lord, he would possess eleven vast mountain peaks from Bourbon to the Anju region as his domain.

Its area was comparable to the entire Transia, which a hundred years ago, would have been the size of a duchy.

Therefore, the marshal had no need for such external possessions.

However, this marriage…

How to put it, wasn’t so easy to conclude.

Although his cousin was only three years younger, already 68 this year, given the dwarves’ long lifespan, Miss Livrosa was clearly still underage.

Marshal Loren really couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Growing up in human society, though he also received traditional dwarf education, certain human moral constraints restrained him, making him resist this match that he didn’t actually dislike.

Another reason was that although Marshal Loren had accepted his bloodline and, through his own illustrious career, had transformed from an “bastard outcast” to the pride of the silver dwarf clan, his relationship with his grandfather, the high lord of Silver Citadel, was not good.

In his youth, the marshal always felt that his mother’s ultimate tragic demise in depression was all his grandfather’s fault. It was he who had exiled his irresponsible father, leaving his poor mother to die lonely in sincere longing.

As he aged, especially after following King Louis in campaigns north and south and holding high office, the marshal gradually understood his grandfather’s difficulties back then.

He knew that many decisions of those in power were not made out of personal will.

But dwarves all had stiff-necked, stubborn tempers, it wasn’t so easy to make him truly bow his head. And just as the marshal was feeling disgruntled, this rotten mood seemed to transcend time and space, transmitted to another unfortunate soul striving upwards.

“What?”

In the office of the Blood Vulture Halls, Murphy, who was planning with Maxim on how to launch a crackdown on the numerous gnoll bandits across Transia, raised his head in astonishment, looking at the Crimson Regent who had come to report in person.

He said to the panting Miriam:

“Say that again, who wants to talk to me remotely?”

“Marshal Loren ‘Steelheart’ Frederick, commander of the Pioneer Army, commander-in-chief of the eastern front of the Goldflower Kingdom. The last time we heard news of him, he was still a general.”

Miriam was also bewildered.

But she understood the importance of this matter and said in a serious tone:

“Lieutenant Frayzer from the Pioneer Fortress just sent an urgent message to the communication frequency of my Computation Bead. He explained the matter, that Marshal Loren wants to speak with the lord of the Transia region.

It’s said to be about discussing Black Disaster defense matters, and deploying a portion of Goldflower Kingdom’s soldiers to station in southern Transia to assist in building defensive lines.”

“Is that the half-dwarf butcher who ordered the destruction of Kadman City?”

Maxim asked with strong emotion:

“Is that bastard coming specifically to provoke?”

“That was an act of war! Although I also reserve my own opinion on this matter, I must emphasize, you two, the nature of this matter is very serious. It directly concerns the lord’s authority and rule.”

Miriam pulled out a chair and sat at the map-covered table, explaining to her lord and colleague:

“Before coming, I had a detailed discussion with Professor Malcolm. The professor believes that merely being appointed ‘governor’ by the Queen of Nordtov is not enough for Lord Murphy! Given our current environment, the governor of the Transia region must also be recognized by the Goldflower Kingdom. Only then can the neutral status of the Transia region between the two countries be established.

And two governorship appointments are enough to give Lord Murphy an indisputable strong claim over the Transia region! No one else can legally challenge Lord Murphy’s right to rule over this land.

This point is quite important for the future development of our domain.

Only with sufficient reasonable ruling rights and claims can the decrees and laws you formulate later stand firm and be obeyed by residents of the other two countries. To put it more seriously, this may concern the issue of ‘national dignity’.”

Miriam said a lot, then took a sip of water from her cup before speaking to Murphy in a gentle tone:

“So our suggestion is, although the other party demolished your hometown, we still hope that you, my lord, can restrain your inner anger and emotions, and complete the remote meeting with Marshal Loren tomorrow. Their Spirit Mage will be responsible for setting up a special spirit energy communication conduit, and our Spirit Mage only needs to cooperate in casting the spell.”

Miriam herself thought that Murphy must have strong feelings towards Marshal Loren, after all, Kadman City was destroyed under his orders.

But in reality, Murphy had no special feelings for this city that once did not welcome him.

As for the destruction of Kadman City, although it deserved mourning from a humanitarian perspective, and Murphy also felt saddened for those innocent victims, when it came to his attitude towards Marshal Loren, it was not just hatred, but even a bit of guilt.

After all, the Computation Beads he robbed in Smuggler’s Woods were all this marshal’s “personal property.”

Isn’t this equivalent to the victim taking the initiative to talk to the robber? Moreover, given the current importance of Computation Beads in the Crimson Citadel system, Marshal Loren was basically Murphy’s “angel investor” if you round it up.

What if as soon as this “spirit energy telephone” connects, the other party starts by asking where his beads are? How embarrassing would that be.

But thinking about Marshal Loren’s position, he probably wouldn’t bring up such face-losing matters in a formal “diplomatic occasion,” right?

Murphy’s thoughts raced. He coughed a few times and said:

“I have no problem, but regarding the conversation itself, it probably won’t be easy to get the Goldflower Kingdom to promise the existence of a governorship. The Goldflower Kingdom is not Nordtov. The reforms that country is undergoing make it like a hungry wolf, it has enough ambition and enough appetite to swallow Transia.

If it weren’t for the impending Black Disaster, I think the peace between the two sides might not even last a few years.

So, do you and your deputy have any political level suggestions for me?”

“Yes!”

Miriam took out a manuscript and handed it to Murphy, explaining:

“These are the suggestions compiled by Professor Malcolm, as well as his understanding and description of the Goldflower Kingdom at various levels. He thinks this will give you a clearer understanding of that country and its system.

As for the strategy during tomorrow’s conversation, the professor suggests that you don’t get stuck on the details.

Marshal Loren is a man with a strong military style, he might prefer straightforward confrontation, even in language.

According to the information provided by Lieutenant Frayzer, Marshal Loren has already been appointed by King Louis as the commander of the kingdom’s eastern front and Black Disaster response. Therefore, from a power level, he is fully qualified to determine whether you can be appointed as the governor of Transia, and provide political advice to King Louis.

And according to some rumors circulating in the Goldflower Kingdom, Marshal Loren is King Louis’s most trusted military member, so his attitude can basically be equated to King Louis’s attitude on this matter.”

Maxim didn’t catch the deeper meaning in Miriam’s words, but Murphy understood.

He raised his eyebrows and asked with a straight face:

“So, the advice my Crimson Regent gives me is to try my best to please that enemy country’s marshal?”

“Mm.”

Miriam nodded seriously and said:

“This is a usable strategy, and based on my learning experience in history and administrative subjects, it’s often very effective.”

“This won’t do!”

The loyal Maxim immediately vetoed:

“How can the lord please the enemy? If the people knew about this, it would definitely cause unnecessary ripples. Currently, our people harbor a deep hatred towards the Goldflower Kingdom, especially the Pioneer Army. Miriam!

When you make suggestions, you need to consider the attitudes of our own people, instead of always viewing yourself as an outsider to this land.

This is also your homeland!”

“Sigh, can’t we just not let them know?”

Miriam sighed and said:

“Although it sounds bad, concealment is also one of the essences of politics. The lord is supposed to lead the people, not be bound by their opinions. Max, you actually know that at this stage, maintaining good relations with the Goldflower Kingdom has no disadvantages for Transia, right?”

Maxim kept a straight face without speaking, but this silence itself was a clear enough answer.

“I won’t please him!”

Murphy shook his head and said:

“Let alone my true thoughts on this matter, just speaking of my other identity, as someone who has already been recognized by Her Majesty the Wolf Queen of Nordtov and granted the acting governor’s authority, if I bow down to the border marshal of the Goldflower Kingdom in such an occasion, it means the support I’ve worked so hard to gain from the northerners will also be lost.

I must complete the dialogue with Marshal Loren on an equal footing, but this is actually an opportunity!”

Murphy narrowed his eyes and said to the attentively listening Miriam:

“The Wolf Queen’s appointment document is already in hand, and the royal seal of the Winter Palace on it is the ‘weapon’ I can use. Marshal Loren and his King Louis may not care about the attitudes of Transia’s villagers, but they cannot ignore the prestige of Nordtov.

Miriam, you’re right, this is about national dignity.

But not our national dignity.

Trust me, if you now reveal this appointment document to your senior, I believe that by tomorrow, that dwarf marshal won’t be too unruly!”

“That’s right!”

Maxim immediately became excited.

He pounded his fist and said:

“Master Murphy can completely use others’ strength against them, just like finding a subtle balance in a sword duel, using the Wolf Queen’s royal authority to suppress that damned marshal.”

“And the Goldflower Kingdom needs us too!”

Miriam’s eyes were shining as she pondered and said:

“Just as the northerners of the Nordtov Kingdom need us to stand on the front line of the Black Disaster to die in place of their soldiers, the nobles of the Goldflower Kingdom won’t be willing to send their own children to the dangerous front lines.

So, if the most optimistic situation occurs, that marshal might even take the initiative to rope us in and appease us!

Ah, who could have imagined that the terrifying Black Disaster could become Transia’s protective amulet in this difficult moment?”

“Tch, you young people, if you had read more of the Portia Federation’s chronicles, you wouldn’t have only just realized this principle at this moment.”

Tris’s voice sounded from the doorway.

Having just finished slacking off and happily drinking a bottle of high-quality ice fire wine, the Blood Vulture Grand Duchess was now leaning quite indecorously against the door of Murphy’s office as she came out for a digestive stroll.

She played with her mischievous hair tips while saying:

“From the moment the first city of the Portia Federation was established, using the threat of the Black Disaster and gnolls to seize benefits from the Nord, Silan, and Ket has been the foundation of this country!

Murphy said one thing very well in his previous report to the Wolf Queen: war itself is the most profitable business. And in the past few hundred years, the human nobles of the Portia Federation have carried this point to the extreme.

Every Black Disaster would cause heavy losses to the Portia Federation, but after each Black Disaster, this country’s strength would experience an explosive growth! They say live off the mountain if near a mountain, live off the water if near water. If you want to live comfortably in this hellhole called Transia, you need to learn to use the threat of those ferocious gnolls.

They are indeed formidable enemies, but this doesn’t prevent the Portia Federation from using them as a means of making money.

The unique geographical location here is our biggest trump card when asking other forces for various aids.”

The Blood Vulture Grand Duchess revealed a slightly disdainful but generally satisfied smile, walked up and patted Miriam’s little head, saying gently:

“Murphy’s high regard for you is justified. You have realized the survival principle of the rulers of this land by yourself, but this is just the beginning, Miriam. As the Crimson Regent, you still have a lot to learn and explore in this aspect.”

Miriam had a very good impression of Lady Tris.

She had always believed that if all vampires were like Lady Tris, then perhaps humans and vampires could coexist peacefully.

But until today, she realized for the first time the cunning and erudite soul hidden beneath Lady Tris’s wastrel appearance.

She realized that this ancient being who had lived in Transia for 400 years had personally witnessed the establishment, rise, and destruction of the Portia Federation.

Her life experience itself was an invaluable treasure for administrators.

Miriam seemed to have truly understood why her lord, Murphy, was so young yet so cunning and scheming. It was probably because Lady Tris taught him well?

“May I invite you to be my political advisor, Lady Tris?”

Miriam stood up and said seriously:

“Both I and this land need your wisdom very much, my lady.”

“Huh? You want to give me another job? Are you trying to work me to death?”

Tris rolled her eyes and said:

“No thanks! Just dealing with some family affairs is already driving me crazy, and this job isn’t even difficult. You just need to learn how to flip-flop. When the northerners go crazy, bring in Silan forces, when Silan tries to flip the table, lean towards the northerners.

It’s a pity that the Isa Kingdom has already been annexed by Silan, otherwise that cunning island nation isolated overseas that has always been playing the ‘continental balance’ strategy would become your most loyal ally.

Your predecessors were dancing on three eggs, but by your turn, there are only two eggs left. This is enough to test your political wisdom and keen sense.

You do need helpers and advisors, but not me.”

The Blood Vulture Grand Duchess glanced at little Murphy, who was maintaining his handsome smile and gazing at her affectionately, then pursed her lips and said to Miriam:

“Little Murphy has already said that vampires won’t be the rulers of this land in the future. We are just one of the living beings nurtured by this land. So go find your own kind, gain wisdom, experience, and lessons from them.

Can you leave for now?

I need to talk to Murphy about something.”

Miriam’s eyes immediately turned gossipy. She exchanged a glance with Maxim, and they obediently retreated from the office. After they left, Tris moved her shoulders and swayed her slender neck, saying to Murphy:

“Femis is coming back. She just sent a message and brought back instructions from Lord Payne.”

“I’m not interested in another woman right now.”

“Be serious! Those two little ones are eavesdropping outside the door… Hmm, now they’ve run away.”