The witch thought I am a Demon God
Chapter 838 - 440 The Difference Between Belisarius and the Prestigious Noble Commercial Republic

Chapter 838: Chapter 440 The Difference Between Belisarius and the Prestigious Noble Commercial Republic

When Ivita reached the drawing room on the first floor, he could hear the crowd inside discussing how to demand debts from him.

As Ivita pushed open the door of the drawing room, all voices abruptly ceased.

"What brings all of you distinguished guests to my place?" Ivita said, "Currently, Ambrose is in the process of recovery, and all funds have already been invested in rekindling the Thousand-Year Fire, and all food supplies have been provided to the disaster-stricken populace."

"I am occupied with many affairs and unsure how I might assist you all?"

Seated in the drawing room were envoys from nearly half of the countries of the Magic Black Forest, all looking at each other in disbelief.

For a moment, they were speechless.

It wasn’t that they didn’t want to speak, but Ivita’s opening remark about having no money, no supplies, and no time had left them speechless.

However, it was still the Governor from the noble Republic who had a thicker skin. Governor Sarhu broke the silence, "Your Highness Ivita, we are deeply pained by all the chaos and civilian casualties your country has endured—may the Lord of All Things bless them from above."

"But our losses in this country have been significant too."

"Now that you have become the Grand Viscount of Ambros, I beg your mercy for this old man—a favor, please grant us approximately thirteen thousand Gold Coins as compensation from the noble Aristocratic Commercial Republic, and provide the skilled old craftsmen that the Ambros Council had previously promised us, to enhance the textile industry of our noble Aristocratic Commercial Republic."

Ivita remained silent.

Governor Sarhu, thinking Ivita was considering the matter, spoke generously, "Just provide us with the old craftsmen promised initially, and regarding the Gold Coins, eight thousand can be given first, the rest can be paid back gradually."

In the face of the bright-eyed Governor, Ivita gave a look that chilled him to the bone.

It was then that Governor Sarhu realized he was conversing with a monarch who had just conquered three independent countries.

By reasoning, his wisdom and experience were far from sufficient to dialogue with Ivita, it was only that the Aristocratic Commercial Republic had not had the time to send anyone else.

Ivita knew that the Aristocratic Commercial Republic was a small island nation in The Mediterranean that controlled a small portion of land, its most thriving industry being glassmaking, and partly controlled the spice trade.

The Aristocratic Commercial Republic had always amassed wealth disproportionate to its small territory by trading with the Far East as a middleman, exchanging large quantities of silk, spices, porcelain, and tea.

But he did not need to worry about this country.

If this had been ten years ago, he would have been concerned about offending this unseen empire of the sea trading route, fearing it might affect his restoration. But now, they were in no position to worry about others.

The rise of the Rome-Sear Empire had directly conflicted with the Aristocratic Commercial Republic and had also caused territory disputes with the Belisarius Business Republic.

Ivita knew that The Three Republics now fundamentally did not dare to confront him, let alone that these were just three Governors with limited powers.

Whereas Ambros, once feeble, had now, under his control, reversed its position.

Ivita said frankly to Governor Sarhu, "It is true that you have expended significantly in Ambros and also suffered many casualties, but there’s an issue—the government that invited you was Ambros City’s City Council."

"The City Council of Ambros had no authority to represent Ambros Country to invite you. In other words, their act of inviting you from the beginning to the end was illegal—a purely personal initiative."

"The City Council of Ambros has now been reorganized by me, so you can only seek money from the former City Council of Ambros."

"Our country is now under a new regime."

Governor Sarhu was taken aback by Ivita’s direct denial—he widened his eyes, "So you really don’t intend to pay back at all?"

"Not a single coin?"

"Not one?"

Ivita nodded seriously as he looked at him, "I have no means to pay back."

"I can even help you request money by writing a letter to the former council of Ambros, asking them to fulfill their promises to you."

The acting Governors of the other two republics (the original Governors had died in battle) also spoke up, all quite astonished.

"The City Council of Ambros has been reorganized, so where are we supposed to find them?"

"Exactly, and even if we find those people, they no longer hold any administrative power."

Ivita spread his hands, "That’s exactly it, so I am unable to help. I truly wish to assist you."

Without waiting for the Governors to speak further,

Ivita turned and addressed the generals of the three great kingdoms and other smaller duchies, "Do you also wish me to help you seek justice and retrieve the money for you?"

The generals looked at each other, unsure of how to begin.

According to Ivita’s rationale, they could only seek money, manpower, and privileges from the Compulsion Viscount—but just yesterday, Ivita reorganized the territories and fiefs of the Viscount Ambrose Alliance, reassigning titles to the Compulsion Viscount and others.

This was a blatant weakening of the land nobility, but since Ivita had also reorganized the city council, his actions were viewed as those of a new regime trying to stabilize order.

Thus, it caused no uprising.