Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 540 The Invisible Conditions and Special People
After that suffocating silence and Su Li's sharp retort, the serious expression on Duke Bohemond's face suddenly melted away like ice and snow. He did something that surprised everyone—he gently rested the scepter, a symbol of authority, against the side of his chair, then slowly unbuttoned the top button of his ceremonial robe and let out a long sigh.

He reached for the almost untouched glass of wine on the table, raised it to Su Li, his face revealing a slightly weary genuineness beneath his official facade, and his tone became much more casual:

"After saying so many high-sounding words, my old bones are almost stiff, and my throat is parched. Earl Su Li, now that we've finished discussing the important matters, can't we finally talk about things that are between us behind closed doors?"

He downed his drink in one gulp, then looked at Su Li with a calculating gaze characteristic of a politician:
"Leaving aside all those grand principles, just consider the price offered by Parliament—a count's title, territorial recognition, five years of taxation rights, the audit committee's one percent cut, plus the three percent of Maleburg's tax revenue flowing continuously to Surland... What an enormous fortune all of this represents?"

"Consider this for yourself. If you insist on continuing the war, let alone how many troops, money, and supplies you will consume, or how much blood you will shed, even if you advance with unstoppable momentum, how long will it take to reconquer the lands that also require resources to appease, and then reliably obtain such substantial financial revenue?"

He leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and said with certainty, "Five years? I doubt even five years will be enough. And then there's the endless war, rebellions, and the empire's hostility. Now, all of this is within reach. You... really don't want to reconsider?"

Seeing that Su Li's gaze shifted slightly but she didn't immediately refute, Bohemond knew he had hit the nail on the head. He changed the subject, his tone becoming almost imperceptibly earnest, even resorting to emotional appeal:
"Moreover, Earl Suli, to be honest, Phyllis... our Princess, she really needs this stable tax revenue from Maleburg. As you know, the province of Suland has been at war for years, and the resistance against the Greenskins of Geba has exhausted its last reserves. The treasury is already riddled with holes, and the people are suffering. In order to raise funds for the war and reconstruction, Phyllis... she's even worried to the point of..."

He paused briefly, as if searching for the right words to describe Phyllis's predicament.

Su Li finally spoke, interrupting Bohemond with a tone that was both playful and concerned: "What are you worried about? Have you gone gray? Your Grace, that's not a very good lie. Phyllis was born with silver hair, as you know."

Bohemond was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled and readily admitted, "Alright, I misspoke. But the financial difficulties have truly exhausted her. As her closest ally, and... the one she has entrusted herself to, can you really bear to watch her single-handedly manage the mess of such a large province, all alone and helpless?"

He deliberately used phrases like "lonely and helpless," which, though exaggerated, clearly indicated his intention.

Su Li remained silent for a moment, his fingers gently tracing the rim of his wine glass, before finally speaking slowly: "I am naturally aware of Phyllis's difficulties. This year, the Black Forest Territory has already provided Suland with financial support equivalent to 200,000 gold crowns. Moreover, Steward Hilde and I have already agreed that, in accordance with the territory's established rules, a fixed amount will be allocated from the fiscal revenue each year to support Suland."

He looked up at Bohemond and made a promise: "It just so happens that when Your Excellency returns to the province of Surland to report, it will be next spring. At that time, I will have Hilde prepare 500,000 gold crowns for you to take back, hoping to alleviate some of the pressure on Phyllis."

A gold crown worth 500,000! This is an absolute fortune, enough to prove Su Li's affection and support for Phyllis and Suland.

Upon hearing this, Duke Bohemond's face immediately lit up with undisguised admiration and gratitude. He spread his hands and said sincerely, "Generous! Incredibly generous! Earl Suli, on behalf of the entire province of Suland, I express my deepest gratitude for your friendship towards Princess Phyllis and your unwavering support for Suland! With this funding, His Highness the Princess's burden will surely be greatly lightened."

However, his next words caused the atmosphere, which had just eased, to freeze again.

Bohemond gently put down his wine glass, a helpless bitter smile appearing on his face, and his tone became solemn: "However, regarding returning to Sorrento to report... I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. I can't go back for the time being."

He looked at Su Li and the astonished people of the Black Forest Territory, and slowly uttered the decision that would change the border situation:
"The Imperial Electoral Council has issued a new appointment, requiring me, Bohemond von Suland, to immediately take up residence in Maleburg, assume all powers of the Electoral Council's office, and... oversee the stability of the border princely territories."

"what?!"

Upon hearing this, not only Su Li, but also Hilde, Orstein and the others who had been silent all took a deep breath, their gazes instantly becoming incredibly sharp as they focused on the seemingly relaxed duke.

The Duke of Bohemond is stationed at Maleiburg!
The impact of this news is far greater than any previous rewards or bottom lines!
Because this Duke Bohemond is no ordinary imperial bureaucrat or nobleman! He is the pillar of the Surland Province, the most trusted commander under Princess Phyllis, and a... true legendary powerhouse!
Although there are many dukes in the empire who have reached the legendary level, Bohemond is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious and accomplished among them!

It was he who, not long ago, withstood the brutal green-skinned warlord Geba's frenzied attack on the province of Suland and stabilized the crumbling front!

It was also he who, this year, personally led a coalition of forces from multiple provinces of the empire in a sacred expedition to Mount Oka, a border princely territory, and achieved a glorious victory, once again forcing the forces of Chaos to retreat!

More importantly, many of the officers and knights present, even those who had followed Su Li earlier and participated in previous joint military operations, had fought under this duke and won honors and merits with him! He enjoyed extremely high prestige in the army of the border princely territory!
Such a heavyweight figure, a legendary duke with deep ties to the Hessian Territory, who is both an ally and potentially the most troublesome constraint, has now been directly assigned by the Empire to be stationed in Maleburg, right on the doorstep of the Hessian Territory!
The implications are self-evident. While throwing out sugar-coated bullets, the empire also dropped its heaviest piece.

On the one hand, Bohemond had old friendships with Suli and Hessian, and was closely related to Suland; his very existence served as a bridge and buffer for communication.
On the other hand, his powerful personal strength, high military prestige, and the imperial will he represented were like an invisible mountain, blocking the only way for the Black Forest to advance westward.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall, which had just eased, instantly became subtle and tense again.

In this suddenly tense atmosphere, Duke Bohemond remained calm. He seemed unaware of the sharp, piercing gazes of the Blacksin people. Instead, he poured himself another half-glass of wine, gently swirling the glass. The amber liquid shimmered in the firelight of the fireplace.

"Gentlemen, there's no need to be so tense, nor to overanalyze it." His tone was calm, with the tolerance of an elder looking at a spirited junior. "My presence in Maleburg may not be a bad thing for the Blacksin Territory. At least... it's much better than some completely unfamiliar, hostile Elector's envoy, isn't it?"

He smiled slightly, his gaze returning to Su Li, with a hint of guidance: "Moreover, the two bottom lines drawn by the Council of Electors, while clear, are not monolithic and without room for maneuver. The key lies in how we interpret these 'bottom lines'."

He put down his wine glass, gestured with his hands in front of him, and began to analyze the situation in detail:
“Count Su Li, think about it carefully. What truly occupies the largest proportion of the vast and fragmented border princely territories? Is it those powerful earldoms and barondoms with numerous fortresses?”

He answered his own question, shaking his head: "No, absolutely not. Those who truly occupy 70% or even 80% of this land are the numerous, fragmented knight territories that often control only one or two villages or a small valley!"

Duke Bohemond's eyes gleamed with shrewdness: "The Electors' Council's decree clearly states that 'the forced annexation of other legitimate earls' territories is not permitted,' and 'military operations must cease.' However, they did not forbid you from 'integrating' those numerous pioneering knightly territories! In fact, they did not explicitly forbid you from conquering those weaker baronies—after all, in the feudal order of the empire, it is only natural for barons to submit to more powerful earls."

He spread his hands, his tone implying that "there's much that can be done within the rules":

"You see, as long as your target isn't directly aimed at Maleburg and those few counts (like Joachim of Maleburg, or those in the Desolate Lands), then the council can hardly accuse you of 'disrupting order' regarding the vast, unclaimed, or rather, disorder-vacuum lands, as well as those weak barons and countless pioneer knights, their allegiance and integration. After all, it's normal for pioneer knights to merge with each other and seek the protection of powerful lords in border princely territories!"

He pointed out the most crucial point: "In reality, as long as you don't touch those iconic earls, especially Maleburg, the council will most likely turn a blind eye to your 'integration' efforts in the west and south. After all, maintaining the 'superficial stability' of the borders and ensuring that the legal 'bottom line' is not crossed are their core demands."

Duke Bohemond's tone then became more earnest. He pointed at Su Li and looked around at the core members of the Black Forest Territory present: "Moreover, Earl Su Li, everyone, we must face a reality—what the Black Forest Territory lacks most now is perhaps not more territory, but time and experience!"

His voice carried a calm scrutiny: "With your unparalleled personal charisma and powerful military, you swept across the northern border in just a few years, laying a vast foundation. But how many truly trustworthy and capable elites do you have under your command? At most, no more than five thousand, right? Don't you think it's already a bit of a stretch to use these five thousand core members to control the northern provinces, which are now larger than many ducal provinces?"

He posed a pointed question: "Even if I were to open the roads now and allow you to immediately send troops westward to attack the Desolate Lands or even further, do you have enough reliable manpower to take over, govern, and assimilate those newly conquered territories? I'm afraid it would be difficult. At that time, resistance and rebellions would be constant in the occupied territories, and your main army would be bogged down in the quagmire of suppression, which would severely deplete your existing strength and might even shake the foundation of your newly established rule in the North."

Duke Bohemond concluded, his tone like that of an experienced helmsman advising a captain eager to set sail:
"Stop, Earl Su Li. Take advantage of these precious five or ten years given to you by the council to pause and reflect. Digest everything you already have, truly transform the Northern Province into an impregnable whole, establish an efficient and stable administrative system, cultivate more bureaucrats and officers, make your rule deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and allow your army to fully rest and be equipped."

"When your foundation is deep enough and your branches are lush enough, when you no longer worry about governing your vast territory, then... whether it is the Western or the Southern border, those so-called 'bottom lines' may no longer be insurmountable obstacles. Strength is always the best voice. And time is the best ally for accumulating strength."

Duke Bohemond's words were truly candid, pointing out both the loopholes in the rules and analyzing the current predicament. He did not completely deny Su Li's ambition, but rather pointed out a path for him that, under the current constraints, could allow him to continuously expand his influence and accumulate power without immediately breaking with the Empire.

Is it better to take huge risks and forcibly break through the bottom line, or to accept this "shackle" and use the rules and time to hone oneself into a stronger force?
This choice was once again placed before Su Li. But this time, the options no longer seemed so black and white, but rather full of political maneuvering and long-term strategic considerations.

Inside the banquet hall, everyone's attention was once again focused on their lord.

Just as Su Li was weighing the pros and cons, and the banquet hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, a deep and fiery voice, like lava, broke the silence.

The one who spoke was Adelbert, the Grand Master of the Flame Sun Knights. His eyes, seemingly burning with flames, stared directly at Su Li:
“Count Su Li, please believe that whatever decision you make, the radiance of the Sun Goddess will be with you, and our Flame Sun Knights will stand by your side.”

He first expressed his support for the Church's armed forces, but then his tone shifted, becoming serious, as he began to reveal the dramatic power struggle behind the Electors' Council:
"To be honest, the final decision of the Electoral Council was not without its challenges. The arguments and conflicts in Terra's council hall were far more intense than you can imagine."

Adelbert's gaze seemed to pierce through time and space, returning to the meeting that decided the fate of the North.

"Many people, especially that 'tyrant' in the north—Elector of Milanden, Graf Erich von Kazabagh, are full of hostility and disdain for you and for the rise of the Hessian Territory."

The Grand Master's voice took on a cold tinge: "He forcefully advocated in the council that the Empire should immediately assemble a massive army to crush any border forces that dare to challenge the Empire's authority with overwhelming force! He even openly declared that there was no need to trouble other provinces; his northern army, his White Wolf Knights who worshipped Yurik and were known for their bravery and ferocity, would be enough to flatten Blacksin Territory and hang your head on the gates of Maleburg!"

He paused briefly, letting his threatening words, imbued with the savage spirit of the North, echo in the air. Everyone present was familiar with the White Wolf Knights' style; they were a legion that truly believed in the supremacy of strength and solved problems with battle axes and roars.

"The atmosphere in the hall was tense at the time," Adribert continued, his tone carrying a hint of admiration for Phyllis. "It was Princess Phyllis, our silver-haired princess, who stood up without flinching and confronted that 'tyrant' head-on!"

His voice rose slightly, carrying a sense of immediacy: "Before all the Electors, she declared with resounding conviction—if the White Wolf Knights of Middenland dared to set foot even a step into Blacksin, she, Phyllis, would send Her Majesty Verena's righteous knights with the full force of the entire Sorland province to aid Blacksin! She bluntly stated: 'At worst, we can clash right here on this border princely territory, sword to sword, to see whether the northern battleaxe is sharper or the Sorland sword is more resilient!'"

These words vividly depicted the tense situation in the council at the time, where the two major forces were almost at loggerheads. In order to support Su Li, Phyllis did not hesitate to threaten a major war that could trigger a civil war in the empire.

“And we, the Church of the Blazing Sun,” Adelbert’s gaze swept over Dean Hector, who nodded slightly in confirmation, “also clearly state our position at this moment. We declare that the forces of the Blazing Sun Knights stationed in Maleburg will stand firmly in front of any Imperial army that attempts to advance eastward to conquer the Blacksem Territory without permission!”

He acknowledged the pressure the church was under as a result: "But this did not come without a price. The empire is not monolithic, and there are differing voices within the church. The Eagle Knights of the north, Her Majesty the Sun Goddess's largest knightly order, has strongly protested our position. They believe that the overall position of the Sun Goddess Church should not be 'hijacked' by our Flame Sun Knights' local actions on the border, which has disrupted the balance and understanding between the imperial churches."

Adelbert ultimately revealed how that fragile balance was achieved, his tone tinged with complexity:
“At the critical moment when the Empire was almost plunged into civil war over the Northern Frontier, it was… His Majesty the Emperor.” He paused almost imperceptibly when he mentioned the Emperor, “His Majesty showed cowardice… well, or rather, a pragmatic approach, by stepping in to mediate and persuade the two sides, who were on the verge of drawing their swords against each other, to back down.”

"Ultimately, through mutual compromise, we arrived at the agreement you see now—acknowledging your status and vested interests, drawing clear bottom lines, and having Duke Bohemond and I come here to offer you incentives on the one hand, and on the other hand... to oversee and supervise the process."

Adelbert concluded, his gaze fixed intently on Su Li: "Count Su Li, this agreement was secured for you by Princess Phyllis at the cost of war, and by our Sun Church under internal pressure. It may come with shackles, but these shackles are also a shield protecting you temporarily from the 'tyrant's' battle axe of the north."

"Accept it, make good use of the space within the rules of the council, and seize the time to strengthen yourself. When you are strong enough, neither the tyrant of the north nor the bottom line of the council can hold you back."

The Grand Master of the Flame Sun Knights' candid statement laid bare the turbulent undercurrents within the Empire's upper echelons before Su Li, making him realize that what he had received was not merely a handout from the Council, but a precious achievement fought for him by his beloved friends far away and his allies by his side in a breathtaking political game.

Pressure and support, opportunities and challenges, have never been so clearly intertwined.

Seeing Su Li's knuckles lightly tapping the armrest, her gaze deep and undecided for a long time, Duke Bohemond smiled calmly, showing no sign of urging or impatience. He stood up gracefully, straightened the front of his formal attire, which was slightly wrinkled from sitting for so long, and spoke in a gentle and considerate tone:
"Such a crucial decision concerning the future of the entire Black Forest Territory naturally requires time for careful consideration. How can it be made hastily? I was a bit too impatient."

He raised his glass, gestured to Su Li, finished the remaining wine, and continued, "Before leaving, Princess Phyllis specifically instructed me not to rush you and to give you ample time to consider. Perhaps... you can wait until tomorrow and give us a clear answer."

As he spoke, he made a gesture as if to take his leave, a subtle "I understand" smile on his face: "In that case, we won't disturb your rest any longer. Tonight's banquet and conversation have been quite fulfilling."

As he spoke, he stood up abruptly, looked at Su Li, and a meaningful smile appeared on his face:
“Oh, right. The Queen knows this is a difficult matter and fears that we may be clumsy in expressing ourselves. Therefore, she has specially appointed a… special envoy to come with me. Perhaps, having her say some… more considerate words can help you better weigh the pros and cons.”

He bowed slightly, offering a farewell gesture: "Then, Earl Su Li, gentlemen, we shall take our leave. May the blazing sun guide your thoughts."

After saying this, he, along with Grand Master Adelbert, Dean Hector, and others, calmly left the banquet hall of the Forbidden City under the guidance of their attendants, leaving Su Li with a moment of quiet and deeper contemplation.

Special people?

(End of this chapter)