King
Chapter 626 - 626 152 Heartless Deal_2

626: Chapter 152, Heartless Deal_2 626: Chapter 152, Heartless Deal_2 Unfortunately, Hudson, the Commander in Chief, doesn’t inspect the warehouses, but the investigators from the Alliance are going to!

Being caught by one’s own kind is fine, worst case scenario, we cover the losses and pay a little fine.

But if we’re caught by the Alliance’s investigators, it becomes a political issue.

Losing face in front of the Human Alliance, means having to face not only the retaliation of the Commander in Chief but also the retribution of both the Alliance and the Kingdom.

In case of misfortune, to be labeled as the army’s biggest worm, if the Human Alliance determinedly holds onto it, there’s also the possibility of getting hanged.

“You coordinate it!

The speed must be swift, I don’t have time to waste here!”

Said Earl Piers reluctantly.

As soon as his words fell, messenger soldiers hurriedly arrived.

“Your Excellency, the Count, an urgent order has been sent from the headquarters, ordering you to quickly attend the high-level meeting of the Logistic Department!”

Upon hearing this news, Earl Piers’s brows furrowed even tighter.

Intuition tells him that at this time, Hudson convening a logistics meeting would definitely not be anything good.

“Understood, I’ll go right away!”

“Mr.

Schneider, I’ll have to trouble you with the issue of supplies.

This Magic Crystal Card is the down payment, the rest of the money will be paid in full when the goods are delivered!”

Business in the black market is just like this.

One hand exchanges money, and the other hand exchanges goods, absolutely no credit allowed.

Although Earl Piers spoke lightly, deep down, his heart was bleeding.

Purchase prices way beyond expectation, this time it’s a total loss.

Even though the exact prices haven’t come out yet, it can be roughly estimated that to fill this pit, at least a million gold coins must be lost.

If it weren’t for multiple nobles suffering together, he would probably die from anger.

How could there be a loss in transporting logistic supplies, this is simply unprecedented.

…

“What did you say?”

“Georv, that bastard actually disappeared at this time?”

Duke Pias asked incredulously.

Even though he wished he could immediately kill Georv, that’s on the premise of understanding the whole story.

The man behind the scenes hasn’t been caught yet, and the party involved has disappeared, which makes him even more passive.

Such a big incident happened, the Rocknard Family must give an account to all the nobles in the army.

Now that the person suddenly disappeared, he can’t explain it even more.

He can’t explain clearly, there’s no mastermind out to attract hatred, then the entire responsibility would have to be borne by the Rocknard Family.

Offending so many people at once, Pias very much doubted whether his family could survive this crisis.

“Yes, Your Excellency, Duke.

After Earl Georv reported to the Alliance Council, he disappeared in Lutesya.

We mobilized all our connections in Frank Kingdom, but still haven’t found any trace of him.

It’s as if he disappeared into thin air.

Based on the investigation of Earl Georv’s recent social activities, he has been exceptionally active during these recent days and has had contacts with more than thirty forces.

The most noteworthy are: people from the Clergy, the King’s people, people from the July Club, and people from the Dalton Family.

They all have a motive to plan this matter.”

The old man answered solemnly.

In the eyes of Duke Pias, this explanation might as well be no explanation.

Four suspects were brought out at once, all with sufficient motives.

Who would know which power did it?

Even if he guessed correctly, he couldn’t do anything.

Without enough evidence in his hand, he couldn’t convince the nobles whose interests were hurt.

“Continue investigating, we must find the person behind the scenes.

This kind of enemy hiding in the dark is just too dangerous!”

…

At the logistics camp, Hudson was busy meeting with a number of mercenary representatives.

The reason they came in groups was straightforward: the prices of strategic supplies on the front line had skyrocketed, exceeding everyone’s tolerance.

Particularly for some small and medium-sized mercenary groups, or individual mercenaries who operate alone, even if they have money in hand, they may not necessarily be able to buy the strategic materials they want.

The services offered by the allied forces logistics only covers temporary meals.

The standard of meals is the bare minimum for ordinary soldiers.

For better treatment — pay from your pocket.

Undoubtedly, this is a heavy pressure on the mercenaries at the frontline.

To solve the problem, they naturally turned to Hudson, the Chief Logistics Officer of the allied forces, hoping to be included in the logistic support system.

‘I’m sorry gentlemen, the Alliance Council has not given a definitive answer on the issue of logistical support for mercenaries.

It’s completely reasonable for you all to want better treatment, but that’s beyond my authority.

Even the most basic support currently provided by the logistics department is in fact breaching the rules.

Someone has already reported this to the Alliance Council, and it’s part of the evidence accusing me of trading military supplies.

The reality of the situation is clear to you all.

I haven’t accepted a copper coin for the food provided at the logistics camp.

Even the accounting for this part is made public every day.

Whether anyone has embezzled from it, you can all see for yourselves.’

Hudson spreads his hands, his face full of helplessness.

He would like to solve the problems for the mercenaries, but reality is cruel.

Without precedents, it’s almost impossible to actually get anything done.

Even the most basic camp meal support was barely passed in the alliance meeting through Hudson’s active efforts.

Better benefits are out of the question.

Unless they choose to join a powerful faction, or make remarkable achievements on the battlefield, they won’t be able to receive treatment equal to that of the allied forces.

As for the accusation of trading military supplies, that’s purely trying to divert the hatred onto the Rocknard Family.

It was a resolution passed by the alliance meeting, and he hasn’t accepted a copper coin in return, so how could it be counted as “trading”?

‘Your Excellency the Earl, we can understand if you can’t provide comprehensive logistical support for us.

But you surely need to manage the skyrocketing prices!

Now the price of rye on the market has soared to 80 copper coins a pound; the cheap potatoes also cost as high as 35 copper coins a pound…

the price of arrows is even more outrageous at 29 silver coins a box.

To be honest with you, if this continues, we don’t need to go to war anymore.

The harvest from a battle isn’t enough to cover the cost of the strategic materials.”

Adolf spoke with a look of grievance.

As a representative of the Mercenary Guild, he must step forward at this moment to fight for the rights of the mercenaries.

Pity that the Mercenary Guild doesn’t have much say in the alliance, and can’t influence the decisions of the allied forces.

Compelled by the circumstances, they could only turn to Hudson, the Chief Logistics Officer.

‘Your Excellency holds me in high regard.

Although the trading market is set up within the camp of the Logistics Department, it doesn’t mean I have the right to interfere with the prices.

The current price increase is purely due to panic buying.

The reasons are clear to all, and it’s simply impossible for me to step in and stop it.

If you just inquire into it, you can learn about the backgrounds of these buyers and sellers.

Any interference to them won’t end well, regardless of who initiated it.

I think you had better try to associate with the influential figures within the military.

If you can gain their support, it’s negotiable for the Logistics Department to provide you with a batch of military supplies at a reasonable price, or even for free.’

Hudson decisively chose to pass the buck.

While he is very eager for the power of the mercenaries, they are a mixed bunch.

Apart from a few mercenary groups that are worth considering, the rest are desperate outlaws without any moral boundaries.

There’s no need to ruin his own grand plan for a group of uncontrollable forces.

Anyway, the camp provides free food, so they won’t be driven to a dead end.

‘Thank you for your guidance, Your Excellency.

We have other matters to attend to, and shall take our leave now!’

Maybe realizing Hudson’s indifferent attitude, Adolf decided to leave.

It’s not a complete waste of time.

If deals fail, maintain courtesy.

Unable to gain support from the Logistics Department, but at least they have figured out Hudson’s stance.