I, the prince in distress, send money

Chapter 399 Buying a horse bone only to be shot in the foot

Chris was looking at the reports sent back from the player expeditionary force, and he was scratching his head.

His fiancée really managed to pull some tricks on him... she actually managed to turn the Miniese nobles against him and have them surrender to the expeditionary force!

After surrendering, they made some promises that made two nobles willingly become traitors!
Well, Chris's evaluation of Elena was slightly higher... Although she seemed a bit dim-witted and didn't seem to be thinking clearly, she was very skilled at using aristocratic methods.

Even so, the due compensation should not be shortchanged; otherwise, there will only be one chance to surrender.

Chris sighed, pulled two administrative template documents from his desk, and began writing the commendation.

Since they have surrendered and have personally killed soldiers of the Kingdom of Minicia, and even the blood of nobles, then... Chris thought about it carefully and decided to give them the position of Captain of the Fifth Army of the Blue Banner Army, which can be inherited.

As the name suggests, the position of Five Army Commandant was in charge of five thousand soldiers and also had a piece of land under his command that could support five thousand soldiers and their families. It was definitely a lucrative post, which Chris used to buy horses with a fortune.

As for where the land is?
Well, Chris designated this land near White Rock City, right next to the mountainous area where the Tia family is hiding. That large area belongs to both of them.

As for whether the land is fertile enough or whether there are minerals underground, Chris doesn't know. The two of them will just have to rely on luck, but they're sure they won't lose money.

After writing down the appointment, Chris put down his pen.

"Secretary."

"I'm here."

"Take these two appointment documents, issue the mission, and only allow high-prestige guards to accept it."

"clear."

Not long after, the clerk walked in silently once again.

"As scheduled, Your Highness, your meeting with King Charles's messenger of Minicia is in three minutes. Shall we proceed with the formalities?"

Chris looked away from the report, leaned back slightly, and stretched his slightly sore arms.

"When the time is up, let him in... Oh, by the way, have you completed the security procedures?"

"After the guards' inspection, no problems were found."

Three minutes passed, and the study door was pushed open, and a man dressed as a Miniserian court envoy walked in.

His clothes were made of fine materials but in understated colors, and his face showed the weariness of a long journey and a deliberate humility.

Upon entering, the envoy bowed deeply, his posture impeccable and tinged with humility.

"Your Highness, Regent of the Kingdom of Bagnia, good day. I am here on the orders of His Majesty King Charles of Minicia to bring you greetings and important proposals."

"His Majesty Charles sending an envoy at this time is surely not just for a simple greeting. Speak plainly, messenger, what is his 'proposal'?"

Chris didn't ask the messenger's name or title. Although the latter seemed to be a nobleman, in his eyes he was just a human megaphone who would deliver the message and then get lost.

The messenger took a deep breath, as if to encourage himself, and raised his head, but dared not look directly at Chris.

"Your Highness, His Majesty the King is well aware that war between our two nations is causing immense suffering and is detrimental to both countries. His Majesty, with a sincere desire for peace, hopes to... temporarily cease hostilities with Your Highness."

"armistice?"

Chris almost laughed, but after thinking about it seriously, it seemed like he really needed to stop.

The players can definitely still fight, but the Kingdom of Bagnia is really struggling to keep going. The country is small and has limited manpower. If there are a few more... no, two more major battles, the country's young and able-bodied men will be wiped out.

This is no joke.

Before the Blue Flag Army is trained and the locals in the three new territories are won over, continuing to fight will surely win in the present, but it will lead to defeat in the future.

This is the disadvantage of a small country.

“Tell me Charles’s terms and let me see. If they are acceptable, I won’t mind stopping.”

"Your Highness is wise."

The messenger hurriedly replied, his tone becoming even more humble, but the words began to reveal a sharp edge.

"His Majesty's sincerity is reflected in the Tia family."

Chris slightly raised his eyes... What did that mean?
"kindness?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

The messenger carefully observed Chris's expression, but could not discern anything.

"Miss Elena Tia's father, brothers, and other important family members are currently living safely in the capital, where His Majesty the King regards them as honored guests."

His Majesty stated that if Your Highness agrees to a temporary truce, demarcates the current line of actual control as the ceasefire line, and promises not to launch any offensive against the Kingdom of Minicia for a period of time in the future.

Then the members of the Tia family will be free and can safely return...or go wherever they want.

He paused, lowered his voice, and adopted a deliberately crafted tone, as if sharing a secret.

"Your Majesty is well aware of how much you value Miss Tia, and this is undoubtedly a great show of sincerity."

Chris looked at him expressionlessly.

Paying attention? He felt nothing. Elena Tia's place in his heart had never changed... a symbol of a marriage alliance, a mere gift from Guano Island.

Secondly, haven't the players already rescued the Tia family hostages from White Rock City?

Just as Chris was about to expose the messenger's fraud, he suddenly remembered the time difference... When the messenger set off, he probably didn't know that White Rock City was under siege.

The messenger was naturally unaware that half of the Naturalia family had been saved.

Furthermore, the claim that the hostages are in the capital is clearly a fraud. Almost all the male members of the Tia family are in White Rock City; those who aren't are probably all dead.

"Oh?"

Chris's voice carried a hint of amusement, but he didn't expose it here.

"His Majesty Charles seems to understand 'sincerity'? So, the price is merely a 'temporary truce'?"

The messenger bent even lower, but his words were like poisoned needles, slowly piercing out.

“Your Highness is wise. His Majesty does have a small concern. He has heard that on the northeast coast, Marquis Dirac’s army is besieging Suvana for Your Highness, and has done a great service.”

Chris's gaze instantly became incredibly focused.

Northeast coast? Dirac?

He immediately thought of the warning Polka had brought, and the oracle of the Earth Mother.

That son of a bitch, Charles, he really is the one causing trouble.

The messenger seemed oblivious to the sudden surge of danger, or rather, he deliberately ignored it, and continued speaking in that subtly suggestive tone.

"His Majesty has learned with great concern that a hostile force has recently broken free from its shackles in the distant and filthy seas and landed on... well, on the coast near His Excellency Marquis Dirac's camp."

This force is very peculiar and very dangerous. His Majesty fears that His Excellency Marquis Dirac and his valiant troops may meet with misfortune.

He looked up, his face bearing a feigned expression of regret and concern.

"His Majesty is kind-hearted and cannot bear to see the power of fellow human beings being devoured by those inhuman filth. Therefore, His Majesty specifically asked me to tell you that he happens to know how to communicate with that power in a limited way."

The messenger's voice was lowered, almost a whisper, yet every word was clear and filled with a chilling threat.

“If Your Highness is willing to accept the terms of the ceasefire and show your sincerity for peace, then His Majesty can ‘persuade’ that force not to bother Marquis Dirac for the time being, and may even find a way to make them leave.”

"but……"

The messenger abruptly changed the subject.

"If Your Highness refuses His Majesty's good intentions and insists on continuing the war to the end, then all the hostages of the Tia family will be executed immediately and their blood will be used to sacrifice to the flag!"

At the same time, His Majesty will no longer have any scruples. He will use all his power to ensure that those 'filth' that landed receive the most precise guidance and the most complete 'support,' so that they will cling to the Dirac Legion like maggots.

His Majesty assures you that the number of 'heretics' who will land will far exceed your imagination, Marquis Dirac and his army…”

"Ah."

Chris sneered, interrupting the messenger's next words. This made the latter suddenly realize what he had just done, and cold sweat instantly covered his forehead.

The study fell into a deathly silence.

At that moment, the sound of soldiers patrolling outside the study window seemed particularly jarring.

Chris sat there quietly, his face still expressionless, as if wearing a perfect mask.

Seeing the flustered expression on Rouba's face, he found it somewhat amusing.

Charles threw out a hand of cards, trying to use bloody human lives and unknown horrors as bargaining chips to force Chris to back down.

However, among this hand, there are several "heretic" cards that were already obsolete. Can the remaining cards that haven't expired actually work for me?
Time passed in a suffocating silence. The messenger felt his heart pounding in his chest.

Finally, Chris slowly picked up the teacup beside him, his movements elegant and composed.

He gently blew on the hot teacup, took a sip, and set it down with a soft, crisp sound as the bottom of the cup hit the saucer.

He raised his eyes and looked at the taut messenger. There was no anger or panic in his gaze, only an almost cold assessment and mockery.

“Go back and tell Charles.”

Chris's voice was as calm as a deep pool.

"I know about his 'proposal,' and as for what he said... well, go back and tell Charles that if you can't get something on the battlefield, don't even think about it at the negotiating table."

Chris neither agreed nor refused; he was curious to see what the messenger's expression would be when he returned.

However, it seems that Elena may have shot herself in the foot. If she hadn't been in such a hurry, the men of her family would most likely have returned unharmed.

Thinking of this, Chris couldn't help but smile.

The messenger standing opposite Chris felt a chill run down his spine from that smile.

This young regent is far more terrifying than His Majesty Charles anticipated.

(End of this chapter)