King
Chapter 194 - 194 123 Locust Plague_1

194: Chapter 123, Locust Plague_1 194: Chapter 123, Locust Plague_1 The research into the formula was brimming with uncertainties, and no one knew when a result could be achieved.

Life Essence still had to be obtained somehow.

After intense contemplation, Hudson did not approach the native nobles, but instead turned to the nobles of the North, with whom his relations were not bad.

Business is all about friendships.

Despite the native nobles and the nobles of the North belonging to two different camps, it did not stop them from doing business.

After several transactions, they become familiar.

The relationships were neither too far nor too close, making them perfect for discussing these matters.

The approach from Hudson was straightforward: the market price plus thirty percent.

Whether they had a small or large amount, he was ready to buy it all, exhibiting a true aura of extravagance.

While it might seem like a high price, in actuality this premium paid accounted for relationship building.

Transaction within such a circle required not only money but also sentiments.

If it were not for the Koslow Family’s enemies in the Northland, the family knights would have gone to the Northern Border to fight, trading their battle achievements for Life Essence for future generations.

They wouldn’t be in such a dire state otherwise.

It would take a month or two to see how much Life Essence they could get.

There would always be some gain, and if they couldn’t get anything at all, no one would agree to this.

In Dardiel City, Hudson’s increasing closeness to the Northern Nobles quickly provoked Baron West.

As outsiders, unless you have a dragon’s might to overrun the local snakes, you are eventually expected to fit in.

Baron West knew this all too well.

But there was subtlety in integrating.

If the leader hadn’t made a stand yet and his followers were easing their relations with local power, what does that signify?

At first glance, it looked like an ordinary business deal, but politically sensitive Baron West soon read a different content from it — the control over his subordinates was declining!

In the past, to conduct transactions with local nobles, at least a representative should be sent his way for greetings.

But now, everyone made agreements with Hudson without notifying him, despite knowing his uneasiness.

They obviously disregarded him.

This was an eruption of the aftermath of the Katelai incident.

Failing to instill fear and establish authority had caused a significant fall in Baron West’s prestige among the northern aristocracy.

The rapid rise of Mountain Domain made the Northern aristocracy realise that if they continued to oppose it, as foreigners, they would lose big.

In this kind of juncture, everyone would gladly accept the goodwill released by Hudson.

This may seem like a pure sale and purchase, but it also depends on what is being traded.

In the continent of Aslante, anyone who could trade Life Essence was considered –– “one of us”.

Moreover, it was a trade with a price extension.

Being a middleman once could also profit them, and it was even harder to refuse.

In front of benefits, the nominal ‘boss’ holds no value.

If one person made a move, the rest would readily follow suit.

In the face of collective actions, everyone turns a blind eye.

When everyone is involved in a transaction, it is as if no one is involved.

Even upon receiving the news, Baron West, being the boss, could not delve into this issue.

If he wanted to settle the score, it would be after dealing with the ‘traitor’ Katelai first!

“Damn that Hudson, what the hell does he want?

Does he really think I’m afraid of him?

Such repeated provocations are utterly…”

Baron West couldn’t help but curse in anger.

Before he knew it, a competitor was poaching his territory again.

With the example of Baron Katelai, West had no reason to believe the Northern nobles were loyal to the group.

He originally thought that after Katelai’s betrayal of his camp, he would not be able to integrate into the native nobles, and would face collective rejection from the Northern nobles.

In reality, he was overthinking.

While Katelai indeed didn’t integrate with the native nobles, there was no resistance from the Northern aristocracy.

The reason is simple – Baron West saw Baron Katelai as a traitor, but that doesn’t mean other nobles see him the same way.

In essence, except for betraying Baron West, Katelai didn’t do anything to harm the group.

Even the debts he owed were quickly repaid after short-term turnover, leaving no excuses for Baron West to settle the score.

Lacking a reason to mobilize everyone to act together, if you wanted to take Katelai down, you would have to go in alone.

However, this guy wasn’t an easy target.

The military strength of Maple Domain accounted for nearly seventy percent of his, so fighting would certainly come with losses.

Baron West wasn’t impulsive.

Considering the power comparison, he decidedly suppressed his urge to act.

A correct military decision doesn’t equate to a correct political one.

To the Northern Noble children who worship the strongman, Baron West’s performance was undoubtedly not strong enough.

Although he held a high status, when prefixed with “bastard”, he became a common object of disdain, envy, and jealousy.

Ultimately, there were just too many ambitious people.

Everyone secretly wanted to be the boss, and no one was willing to be mere decoration.

“Master, calm down!

Anger only destroys rationality, leading to erroneous decisions.

It has no positive significance to the situation at hand.

A single trade doesn’t mean much.

Many people are waiting for you to make mistakes now.

Any decisions made out of anger will just serve to fulfill the enemy’s wishes!”

Steward Faren earnestly advised.

Perhaps it was just an illusion, but he always felt that his young master seemed to have fallen into a trap.

After staying in Dardiel City, he became prone to anger, no longer bearing the serenity in the face of calamity he possessed in Northland.