The Demon King is unfathomable

Chapter 349 The True Demon King Never Looks Back at the Explosion
On the morning of the day after Prince Colin left, the entire Holy City was immersed in a subtle commotion of expectation and uneasiness.

Not because of Prince Colin.

It wasn’t entirely because of the Knights Templar.

It was because of a novel that suddenly became popular: "The Adventures of Baron Cosiah"

The citizens of the Holy City had never seen such an interesting "farming story", and it was mixed with the love and hatred of the nobles that they could never get to know. They were looking forward to the next chapter, but they were also afraid that this chapter would end at the most exciting part like the previous one.

When newsboys walking the streets distributed the new issue of New World, which still exuded the fragrance of ink, to every corner of the holy city, it was almost instantly snatched up by the eagerly awaited citizens.

Their fanatical look is like someone who is addicted to smoking.

Without any surprise, the sales of the New World reached a new high again. The content published in the newspaper was like a depth bomb dropped into the lake, causing a huge wave!

In the latest chapter of the story, after building a simple shelter, the protagonist, Tichi Kosia, began to fondly recall the land where his family had lived for generations in his homeland of the empire - the manor in the Bailu district, on a stormy night.

With delicate and emotional brushstrokes, he depicted details that only his family members knew: for example, the century-old oak tree on the east side of the manor that was split in half by lightning but still grew tenaciously; for example, the three huge stones on the hill of the farm that were used as boundary markers by their ancestors and arranged in a peculiar triangle.

On the surface, these words express a drifter's endless longing for his hometown. However, every follower of Baron Devol who reads these details and knows the inside story will inevitably break out in a cold sweat.

It's not just lyrical.

Between the lines of Baron Cosia's words, it was clear that he was quietly declaring to the Holy City that the Cosia family had unquestionable legal ownership of the land.

He was telling those who were eager to make a move and were watching him, and he was telling those who were afraid of Prince Colin's power and did not dare to stand against him easily.

He didn't forget.

The reckoning has just begun.

Baron Cosia ended this chapter with an impassioned awakening, and also formally announced his ambitions that he had never announced since returning to the Holy City.

"...I don't hate the captain who tricked me onto the ship. That guy is undoubtedly a fool, a slave captured by money, and a poor man without faith. It's okay to curse him in any way, but it will be Saint Sith, not me, who will judge him. When we get back to shore, I will smash the gold coin hard on his chest and tell him that we are even now."

"I don't hate the servant who encouraged me to cheer up. It's true that he took the money, but if he wasn't extremely disappointed with the Cossia family, he would never have chosen to betray them, as his ancestors had worked in the manor for generations."

“I want to tell those who still feel guilty and have good intentions that Baron Cosia does not hate them. Nothing is unforgivable except principles that cannot be compromised.”

"On the night of the storm, I made a decision—"

"Since the Supreme God did not let me die in the sea, it must be because I have a mission that I must complete. I will continue along my path and return to where I came from, to take back the honor and land that belong to me, and let the person who truly harmed me with malicious intent go to hell and stay with the devil he served."

"In a trance, I heard Him whispering in front of me—"

"'Every penny and every acre of land that the devil's minions have stolen from you, the Light will take back for you.'"

"'I promised you this.'"

The "determination for revenge" and "the gods seen by the devout in trance" all touched the hearts of the citizens of the holy city.

However, what is outrageous is that this short and weak guy has nothing below.

In addition to the novel serialized in the second edition, this issue of the New World also published an even more explosive news.

It was like a time bomb, quietly lying in the third section of the newspaper.

The Million-Dollar Dilemma: Prince Colin's Good Will and the Imperial Bank's Conservatism

The article, in a compassionate tone, "objectively" reported that the "Dantès Group" applied for a loan of one million gold coins from the Imperial Royal Bank to develop the Bailu District but was ultimately rejected.

It cleverly packaged the incident as a tragic story of a "homesick and enterprising reformer" being ruthlessly obstructed by the "old financial system with rigid rules and conservative thinking."

At the end of the article, the author also expressed "well-intentioned" concerns about the future investment prospects of Bailu District, suggesting that if even a distinguished and generous gentleman like Prince Colin cannot successfully complete financing, then how can the confidence of other investors be maintained?

"——As we all know, banks in the Holy City will only lend money to people who don't need it, but they turn a blind eye to people who really need capital turnover. Admittedly, the borrower is not His Highness Colin himself, and the Imperial Royal Bank has reasons to refuse to approve it, but everyone knows who is behind Sir Dantes, and everyone knows how optimistic His Highness Colin is about the development of the Bailu District."

Such important news certainly attracted the attention of more than one newspaper.

Almost at the same time when the latest issue of the New World newspaper broke the news, the larger-circulation Holy City Daily quickly completed the interviews with the parties involved and urgently printed a special edition to present the other side of the story to the citizens who were watching the fun.

In the interview, Hogan Nora, president of the Imperial Royal Bank, said in strong terms that the Dantes Group had never provided any valuable collateral from the beginning to the end, and it was impossible for him to lend "the Emperor's money" to a "guy who was trying to get something for nothing."

"...Unless His Royal Highness Prince Colin uses his personal name and his income from the Janna continent as collateral, there is no way the bank will approve the loan!" President Hogan said in the report. The headline was accompanied by a photo of his magic tricks, which vividly portrayed his righteous words.

As soon as this report came out, public opinion in the holy city suddenly became more confusing, and each side seemed to have its own reasons.

In the early morning of the next day, the Holy City Daily reported the response of the Dantes Group.

Mr. Edmond Dantes expressed great disappointment and indignation at President Hogan's calling him "a guy who gets something for nothing."

He publicly declared that he was "seriously considering" moving the entire investment program to other provinces of the empire that might be more interested.

Even a vassal state of the empire.

This piece of news was like a huge rock, which upset the hearts of all the speculators who had invested heavily in the Bailu District, and also made the citizens who were watching the fun very excited.

Good guy——

Sir Dantès and the Imperial Bank are quarrelling in the papers!

In addition to those who are just watching the fun, there are also those who try to take advantage of the situation.

For example, the president of Spire Bank, another powerful private bank in the Holy City, took the opportunity to extend an olive branch to the Dantes Group during an interview.

The gentleman smiled and suggested that the Minaret Bank would be happy to provide full financial support for "a project that will bring great prosperity to the Holy City."

However, as of press time, Mr. Edmond Dantes has not made any response to this matter.

An "informed source" who wished to remain anonymous told reporters that Mr. Dantes might have been heartbroken by the cold business environment in the Holy City.

He might actually be leaving.

This time, His Highness Colin left the Holy City not to learn magic, but to look for more worthy investment opportunities in the vassal states of the Empire...

……

At Baron Devol's new estate, the sun at three o'clock in the afternoon was warm and gentle, dyeing the vast lawn a dazzling golden green.

This place is more than fifty kilometers away from the holy city. In the days when newspapers were still transported by horse-drawn carriages, the storms there could not reach here for the time being.

At this moment, Baron Ralph DeVore and his neighbor Baron Wilson Lude are engaging in the same historic sport on this wide lawn.

Its name is "gateball". Simply put, it is to swing a long pole hard to hit an egg-sized wooden ball into a small door as wide as a shoe.

This sport was quite popular among the nobles of the Ottoman Empire. It was not only a pastime, but also a way for the owner to show off his vast land to his neighbors without making a fuss.

At this moment, Ralph was enjoying this pride.

He looked at Baron Wilson Lude, who had a bad look on his face, and deliberately slowed down his movements, enjoying the undisguised envy in the other's eyes.

"It seems that you were quick this time and got a lot of good land." Wilson's tone was a little sour. He just swung the club off the target and the wooden ball rolled far away.

If he didn't need a favor from others, he would never come here to suffer such humiliation!
"Each each other."

Ralph smiled and swung the club gracefully. The light wooden ball drew a perfect arc and went into the door with a "bang".

He straightened up with satisfaction and spoke in a victorious tone.

"For the Devol family, taking over the land in the Bailu District is as easy as hitting this ball into the hole... You are well aware of my methods."

Wilson's face became even uglier.

Ever since the land of the Kosia family was taken over, the Bailu District has become dominated by the Devol family, and he and another baron have almost lost their presence.

He was silent for a moment, seemed to have finally made up his mind, walked forward and said.

"Ralph, we have almost recovered all the scattered lands in the hands of farmers. But the real big ones, and the most valuable ones, are still in the hands of the townspeople in Bailu Town."

"The citizens of the Holy City are nothing to be afraid of. At most, they can pick up some leftovers from us. You and I both know that the only competitors in this game are you, me, and Baron Tecom. If we fight among ourselves, it will only dilute the profits. I have already contacted Tecom... What I mean is, the three of us should just draw a boundary, eat our own food, and no one will reach out to each other's territory, how about that?"

After hearing this proposal for cooperation, Ralph did not respond immediately.

He squinted his eyes, looked at the lush woodland in the distance that belonged to him, and a smile like an old fox appeared on his face.

"Wilson, my friend, you must know that opportunities always come to those who are prepared... The same is true for land."

With the relationship with Huck Alton, the president of the Bailu District Branch, he is very confident.

How could he be so foolish as to agree to Wilson's proposal and let the hungry wolf take even a small piece of meat from his plate, knowing that the value of the land in his hands would soon double again?
Of course he wants them all!
As long as he could get the relationship with His Highness Colin through this sure-win deal, he wouldn't even dare to think about Wilson's share!

Wilson immediately understood the arrogance and rejection in his words, and finally understood the real intention of this guy inviting him to the lawn to discuss things.

This is a complete humiliation!

His face turned from red to blue, and finally he cursed under his breath, threw the golf club in his hand to the ground, and walked towards his carriage without looking back.

"Hahahaha!" Looking at the angry back of his "good neighbor", Ralph finally couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter.

He had been holding back for a long time in order to see this expression on that guy's face, and now he finally didn't have to continue acting.

"It seems that our Mr. Wilson stepped on cow dung when he went out today and is in a bad mood. May Saint Sis bless him, haha!"

Finally, Ralph laughed enough, muttered to himself, and threw the golf club in his hand casually to the servant beside him.

However, his pride did not last long, as urgent shouts almost floated over following Wilson's back as he left in frustration.

"Master! Master!"

Ralph turned around and saw his wife Mira holding up her skirt, with a look of panic on her face, running quickly from the direction of the mansion.

Her breathing was rapid, and she was tightly holding a newspaper that had just been delivered. Judging from the cover, it seemed to be the Holy City Daily.

"What's wrong, dear? You look so flustered. That's not like you at all." Ralph frowned and took the newspaper with a hint of reproach in his tone.

However, when his eyes fell on the newspaper page and saw the report about the Imperial Royal Bank refusing to provide a loan to the "Dantès Group", the smile on his face froze instantly.

Ralph's face turned even paler, especially when he read the bank president Hogan Nora's harsh and even merciless rejection.

Saint Siss above...

He actually dared to call Sir Dantes a jackpot!
How dare a mere bank president do that!

Forcing himself to calm down, Ralph patted his wife's cold hand and comforted her.

"Don't panic, dear. This... may just be some misunderstanding between Mr. Hogan and Sir Dantes. We can't let ourselves get confused first."

He paused, trying to make his voice sound calmer, and continued cautiously.

"However, this matter is indeed suspicious. Just after His Royal Highness Prince Colin left, President Hogan dared to turn against his people... As for the land in Bailu Town, I think we should wait and see, and not rush to take all of it."

The Imperial Royal Bank is the emperor's purse. Unlike other private banks, it does not nominally have any specific noble standing behind it.

However, in an empire where the will to power determines everything, another meaning of "having no background" is "being manipulated by anyone". In other words, anyone can exert influence on this powerless bank president.

Relying on his many years of experience in the Holy City, Ralph understood the context behind the whole thing almost instantly.

no doubt--

His Highness Colin had a minor disagreement with a certain important figure in the Holy City, and that important figure did not want to completely fall out with His Highness Colin, so he used this just-right method to warn His Highness who was seeking too much attention.

but……

Who is that person?
Could it be the Castellón family?

I heard that Andre had always wanted to introduce his daughter to His Highness Colin, but Colin was ungrateful and kept declining. This time he even left the Holy City in a hurry, probably to avoid that overly enthusiastic lady.

If the Castellón family regards this as a humiliation, it is possible that they will use the power in their hands to retaliate.

however--

If this reason is valid, considering the prince's recent romantic behavior in the Holy City, there are more than just Castellón families that have reason to do this?
A fine layer of sweat climbed up Ralph's forehead. He once thought he was a vulture soaring in the sky...until he faced the real invisible hand of power.

The Senate of the Holy City was like a huge black box. Even he could only guess what was going on behind the scenes.

But no matter what, it never goes wrong to be careful.

Suspending the acquisition and waiting to see what happens is the most prudent and correct decision he can make.

If it was just the current loans, he would at most have to tighten his belt and live a hard life for a while, and then add some mortgage assets to the Bailu District Branch of the Imperial Royal Bank, so that the Devol family would not be on the verge of bankruptcy.

However, Mira's next words were like a cold hammer, hitting his heart hard.

Her face was pale, her lips trembled constantly, and she muttered to herself in an almost desperate voice.

"It's too late... honey, it's too late."

……

"Too late?! What do you mean too late?"

Ralph's voice subconsciously raised a few degrees, reached out and grabbed Mira's cold shoulders, and asked anxiously.

"Didn't I tell you last night to wait and see?! What did you do behind my back?"

Mira's face was as pale as paper, her lips trembled constantly, and she couldn't even hold the "Holy City Daily" in her hand steadily, and it fell to the ground.

She did not answer, but took out a contract that had just been signed from her handbag with trembling fingertips. The ink seemed to still be warm.

"I, I didn't do this on your behalf... We discussed this!" Her voice was broken and filled with tears. "Just half an hour ago, before Baron Wilson came to visit... I followed the plan we had agreed on, in order to completely secure our victory in the Bailu District before him and Baron Tecom..."

Ralph snatched the contract and quickly scanned the terms on it. His pupils shrank to the size of a needle tip in an instant.

Mira's voice continued to linger in his ears like a dream, yet seemed thousands of kilometers away, leaving him on the edge of a trance.

"I... I used all our liquid funds, a total of 30,000 gold coins, as a deposit to buy the last few most important shops and houses in the commercial street in the center of the town. And... in order to raise the remaining funds, I mortgaged the land that I had previously mortgaged to the Bailu District Branch to the Spire Bank again and borrowed a short-term loan for three months..."

"Spire Bank?!"

Ralph let out a roar of disbelief.

He knew the bank, of course; it was the most greedy lender in the Holy City, renowned for its efficiency, boldness, and equally outrageous interest rates.

He was a nobleman and was not afraid of the vultures' debt collection tactics, but the problem was that she actually re-mortgaged the land that had already been mortgaged to the Imperial Royal Bank!
Ralph's face turned pale and he could no longer pretend to be calm.

In the Empire, anyone can embezzle the Emperor's money, since the Emperor can't use it for the time being. However, there is a prerequisite - it can't be too blatant.

A second mortgage would be blatant robbery.

Even if he wanted to repay the debt of the Imperial Royal Bank first, it would be impossible because according to imperial law, the Imperial Royal Bank's repayment priority was lower than that of private banks.

Even if he returned the money to the Imperial Royal Bank, Spire Bank could still take away the money he had already returned to the Imperial Royal Bank through court procedures.

The original intention of designing this law was to prevent these lawless nobles from mortgaging their land to the emperor's bank and private banks at the same time, and then only recognizing the IOUs of the former but not the latter, or simply declaring bankruptcy and letting the emperor's bank and private banks fight over their pockets.

Moreover, if the Spire Bank knew that their land had been mortgaged to the Imperial Royal Bank but the title deed was not kept at the Bailu District branch, even Hake, who approved the loan to them, would be in trouble!
Although nobles throughout the empire kept their land deeds in their own safes and would never give them to banks, this was illegal after all.

Ralph felt like he was going crazy and couldn't help but yell.

"Why...why would you go to them? Haven't we already contacted the branch manager, Hake? Why don't you go to him directly!"

"I wanted to, too, but he disagreed!" Mira cried, "He insisted on telling me that His Highness Colin might have offended an important figure, and that the project might not be approved. He also said... that he wanted me to leave the title deed with him!"

"This idiot! At this critical moment, he still wants to jump out of the car!" Ralph cursed loudly, but for a moment he didn't know who to curse.

Perhaps, if her wife had really given the deed to Huck, things might not be so bad.

At least they won't be adding another lever to an already heavy one.

"...I could only look for other banks, and they were the only ones who promised to lend money within one day, allowing us to complete the acquisition before anyone else could react..." Mira's voice was filled with endless regret and helplessness, and she continued in a crying voice, "I signed the contract and sent someone to send away the representative of Spire Bank before I received this newspaper... Who could have thought that things would suddenly turn out like this."

"Clap."

The contract, symbolizing their "glorious victory," slipped from Ralph's stiff hands and fell onto the green lawn.

He suddenly realized something.

The spire bank did not appear out of nowhere. While they were staring at Prince Colin, others were also staring at that prince.

Naturally, they noticed this smart-aleck groundhog.

Ralph staggered back two steps, feeling dizzy, and had to reach out to hold on to the servant beside him to barely stand steady.

it's over...

It's all over.

The sun was still warm at three o'clock in the afternoon. The croquet balls and golf clubs scattered on the lawn were shining in the sun, as if silently mocking his hearty laughter just now.

That laughter sounded so harsh and stupid at this moment.

Baron Ralph Devol opened his mouth, but no sound came out. His eyes went dark, his body swayed, and he fell straight back.

"master!"

Mira's scream sounded so shrill and desperate above the empty and gorgeous manor.

It was as if the sky had fallen...

(End of this chapter)