The Survival Rules of NPCs

Chapter 78 What exactly does this man want?

What do you think of your fiancé, Brett?

In the study, Albert, unusually, asked his beloved daughter a private question.

"Why did Father suddenly think of asking this?" Nayuki replied calmly, looking at the geography magazine.

Albert frowned: "I was just asking for your opinion."

"Isn't it too late to care now?" Nayuki closed her book and looked at her elderly father calmly. "You didn't step in before I made the choice, and you didn't offer any guidance after I met the person. Now that we're engaged, there's no room for change. And you're asking me what I think?"

Albert's face stiffened for a moment, then he gave a wry smile: "I just..."

"You just don't want to take responsibility." Nayuki sighed. "You don't know if the person the housekeeper recommended is reliable, or if my life will get worse after I choose them. You don't know, because once you give me guidance, it might make me regret it for the rest of my life, right?"

Albert remained silent, staring blankly at his daughter's seemingly fragile face. He knew that deep down, this child, like her mother, was unwilling to bow her head.

Back then, her mother never bowed her head to ask for her help during her most difficult time, and this time, her daughter is the same; at the most crucial moment in her life, she didn't seek her advice either.

He knew that his daughter... hated him!

Like her mother, she hated herself.

"Father, I have chosen my path. Rather than becoming a plaything for a northern merchant's entire family, I would rather choose someone of a suitable age, even if it's in a place as far away as Holy Stone City. At least I'll be far from your wife, and perhaps I can live a better life. What do you think?"

Albert closed his eyes, sighed deeply, said nothing more, and slowly left the room.

Nayuki then opened the geography magazine again.

Holy Stone City, a city on the northern edge, is backed by the Blackthorn Forest. Because of the rumors that there are terrifying monsters in the forest, even the northern herdsmen dare not approach it. Its geographical location is extremely poor, and it is at least four days' journey from the nearest city. It is basically an isolated city!

Such a city is actually meaningless; it would be superfluous to be a frontline supply city. But it was built nonetheless. Geographical magazines clearly record that the place was built by order of the Duke of Os's father, who was also his great-grandfather, and a count was sent there to serve as its lord.

However, as time went by, especially after the truce in the North-South War, Holy Stone City slowly fell into disrepair. The Earl's family disappeared, and for more than 30 years, Holy Stone City was deserted and almost became a dead city.

Fifty years ago, the Luther family and a promising financial scholar named Allen from Milandil took a liking to this place, paid a price to buy the territory of the city, revitalized it, and unexpectedly discovered a mineral vein in the forest, which revitalized this remote and isolated town.

Now, Mr. Bright has the option to stay in Milan-Dill, but he still chooses to return to that city, which means... that city must have a secret.

Otherwise, why would an exceptional doctor like him go there? Everyone knows that good doctors need to be in good cities to have more powerful and wealthy people willing to pay for medical resources. What use is the best medical skill in some rural areas?

It can't be for that widow Eliza, can it?

Although she admitted that the lady was quite beautiful, Mr. Bright was definitely not the kind of person who would sacrifice his future just for beauty, and if he were, he would never have been valued by her grandfather.

Of course, Eliza, the widow, also had the possibility of seducing Bright.

Thinking of this, Nai Xue bit her lip. It seems that she should go to Holy Stone City to investigate when the academy is on holiday.

"Congratulations, Mr. Bright..."

99

In the villa's study, Eliza, dressed in a sexy nightgown, walked in, nearly causing Brett to choke on his hot coffee.

"Madam, why aren't you resting so late?" Bright stood up and gentlemanly pulled out a seat for her.

"I can't sleep because I'm going back tomorrow." Eliza smiled at Bright. "I never imagined that such a remote place as our Holy Stone City could have such a powerful person as Mr. Bright, who was able to arrange a marriage with the Igor family so soon after arriving in Milandir."

"Uh... I didn't expect that either..." Bright shrugged, speaking honestly.

"Can I ask why?" Eliza suddenly asked quietly.

Bright looked up at her: "Madam, are you asking why I'm going back?"

Eliza nodded: "If it were before, when Mr. Bright's extraordinary medical profession was still with me, you could have an explanation for going back. But now, the Duke's butler personally came forward, exchanged your profession, and even gave you the viscount's seal. I can't think of any reason for you to go back to Holy Stone City."

She leaned forward, her large, firm breasts swaying slightly, and said with a hint of amusement, "It can't be because of me, a widow, can it?"

"Madam is too kind..." Bright clasped his hands together, leaned back slightly, and with great difficulty, looked away from the other woman's breasts. He smiled and said, "We are allies. Holy Stone City is not yet stable. I admit that I have some secrets there, but that does not conflict with your rights, Madam."

"I guessed so," Eliza said with a slight smile.

Who is Michelle? Such a successful businesswoman is still willing to help them. She doesn't think it's just because of Lord Allen's friendship, but because there is a big secret in Holy Stone City.

"I can assure you, Madam, that you will be the rightful ruler of Holy Stone City. As long as you do not get involved in the conflict between the North and Mirandil, your position will be very secure."

"Really? Then what should I do?" Eliza frowned. "That idiot Antonis is dead. Although I didn't do it, the Beth Empire might use this as an excuse to directly invade Holy Stone City."

"They won't..." Bright shook his head.

Why?

"Holy Stone City has existed for many years. It's not that the North didn't try to acquire the city back then, but the fact is that they didn't discover any secrets it held. The current ceasefire between the North and the South is the result of a decision made by both royal families. To start a war over a city whose interests are still uncertain would come at too high a price. Even the warlike Duke of the Raven wouldn't do that."

"But he was definitely testing us; otherwise, he wouldn't have sent a knight to infiltrate our territory. If we don't open the city, they'll put increasing pressure on us!"

"Then open it up..." Bright said, shrugging.

"Are you sure?" Eliza couldn't help but stand up.

"There's nothing to be uncertain about," Bright explained calmly. "The city was closed off before because we were coming to Mirandil, and we were afraid that the already unstable Holy Stone City would be thrown into chaos by them. But once we go back, things will be different. Holy Stone City is still the territory of the Rhine Empire. People from the Northern Empire cannot enter the city without a diplomatic order. Even if they send spies, they are all undocumented individuals. High-level superhuman professionals are rarely willing to act as undocumented individuals. The only people the North can send in are amateur spies."

"As long as we control the intelligence, what's wrong with letting a few spies in?"

"This..." Eliza was somewhat worried, "Won't this cause security problems in Holy Stone City?"

"There will definitely be some, but the secrets of Holy Stone City are all in that forest. They won't cause too much trouble for the security of Holy Stone City itself. The conflicts will only happen in that forest. On the contrary, the influx of more and more undocumented mercenaries will create some wealth, which is not a bad thing. I will manage these outsiders well."

"You?" Eliza was taken aback, then looked at the other person suspiciously: "Then... how many samurai do you need?"

Upon hearing this, Bright knew that the other party was still wary of him.

"unnecessary...

'

"No need?" Eliza was clearly taken aback. She had originally thought that if Bright went back, he would take at least half of the city's military strength to counterbalance her, an outsider from the North.

"The number of warriors in Holy Stone City is already sufficient. Adding more warriors will only cause financial imbalance." Bright shook his head. "My suggestion is that the children of Lord Allen and the other nobles who were killed should inherit their titles directly. The warriors should continue to be employed according to the previous standards. This way, your promise to those warriors will be fulfilled, and the newly inherited nobles will also be grateful to you."

"And what about you?" Eliza asked cautiously, "What do you plan to use your seal for?"

"I plan to take in as many refugees as possible."

"Huh?" Eliza was stunned again. Why could she never figure out what this man was doing?

"Mr. Michel has helped us find more trade routes. I plan to hire more workers to increase mineral production and try to open a school specializing in forging and alchemy to train skilled craftsmen. This will further expand Holy Stone City's mineral advantages and potentially boost its finances. What do you think?"

"This..." Eliza swallowed hard, and finally said, "This is of course... the best."

If the other party is only after money, she could even give them half of the mining profits, but is that really their goal?

What exactly does this man want?