Become their wicked yet gentle lord.

So what if you guessed it? So what if you didn't? Without evidence, no one will believe anything Ryūka says.

Earl Duke was a rebel, the Third Prince was a crusader, the nobles were opportunists, and Liuxia and Linhu Territory were a 'righteous army' that spontaneously launched the crusade, and also people who desperately wanted to get on the table and play the game.

Everyone has their own thoughts, and more important than the facts is which side you're on.

It seemed the conversation was back in his favor, and Hayden smiled with satisfaction. He looked at Ryuu, who was waiting for his move, and said in a relaxed tone: "You, Lin, are you busy? You, Lin, are you busy...?"

"To be honest, I can't bear to see everyone fighting each other on the prosperous Sochi Plain, especially since the noble families in the south have already signed many cooperation agreements with us: mines, forests, food resources... Once we get into war, our interests will inevitably be damaged."

Even though it was a benefit I just got for free~ Hayden looked at Ryusha and finally revealed his plan.

"So no matter who ultimately gets control of the Sochi Plain, we just want to protect our legitimate and deserved interests, just like the mineral development agreement we signed in Linhu Territory. After all, everyone making money is the bottom line."

"So, you're telling me this because you hope that if I conquer the Southern Plains, I will still abide by the contracts that the previous lords signed with you?"

Ryuu's expression darkened. If that were the case, even after he took control of the Southern Plains, he would be constantly hampered by the Merchant Guild Alliance. But if he refused, they might say they would switch sides to the Third Prince's camp.

That was probably Hayden's original plan; the information he initially wanted to sell me was likely the exact arrival date of the punitive expedition. In other words, what he wanted from me was probably something else entirely…

Ryuu's expression darkened. If that were the case, even after he took control of the Southern Plains, he would be constantly hampered by the Merchant Guild Alliance. But if he refused, they might say they would switch sides to the Third Prince's camp.

That was probably Hayden's original plan; the information he initially wanted to sell me was likely the exact arrival date of the punitive expedition. In other words, what he wanted from me was probably something else entirely…

Sure enough, Hayden said in an exaggerated tone, "Of course not!"

"It's self-evident that interests can only be guaranteed under the control of force, a truth Your Excellency surely understands. Regardless of who ultimately occupies the Sochi Plain, the contracts we signed may be nullified... That's why we poor merchants struggle to survive in this precarious situation, striving to demonstrate our value and hold onto our meager livelihoods."

Hayden adopted a sharp expression, staring intently into Ryūka's eyes as he said:

"Therefore, what we want is force! We want to arm ourselves within the constraints of imperial law, to acquire the means to confront the knights, mages, and lords! In other words..."

Ryuga looked into Hayden's ambitious eyes. He hadn't expected the other man to be so blatant and open. As he'd suspected, the merchant guild was just as dangerous as he'd imagined. Once they possessed wealth, what they naturally wanted was the power to protect it, or rather, to further plunder it! So, Hayden's purpose in coming to him was quite clear…

"Magical technology, right?"

Liu Xia spoke slowly, which made Hayden laugh with an appreciative attitude.

"You're a clever man, Your Excellency. Young, intelligent, and ambitious. To be honest, I wish I had such abilities at your age!"

"While there aren't many people who value magical technology, there are some. However, the applications of both are still not mature enough. Our Chamber of Commerce thought our achievements were the best we could hope for. But you've surprised me..."

Hayden's tone grew increasingly fervent: "Long-range magical bombers, magical guns for arming civilians... to be honest, these are not difficult to achieve technically. The most important thing is the brilliant idea, and the right and opportunity to openly develop weapons and put them into actual combat... only a lord who steps into war can do that!"

Indeed, if their merchant guilds were to openly develop weapons, it would be a threat in the eyes of the high nobles and the imperial rulers. Therefore, Hayden could only secretly unite with some minor nobles who had a need for military power, but they were afraid that their status would be replaced by these magical technologies, making implementation extremely difficult!

Compared to human talent, the most difficult things for them to obtain are various raw materials, especially magical crystals. These are strictly controlled by the Empire, and they can only obtain a portion from various lords during wars and conflicts.

"Therefore, I admire you, young Mr. Ryuka. I prefer to work with you rather than with our old clients..."

Hearing Hayden's flattery, Liu Xia couldn't help but laugh: "A regular customer? Is it His Highness the Third Prince? You were the ones who organized the Emperor's investigation team, weren't you? Or was it you who secretly helped with the matter of the Duke family's heretical bloodline?"

“You can’t just frame me like that, that’s a serious crime.” Hayden’s expression was incredibly amused; he naturally wouldn’t admit it. But this method was extremely similar to instigating a rebellion among the southern nobles, almost convincing Ryukyu that it was the work of the Merchant Guild Alliance.

It's not surprising that Ryuka would take on the role of a powerful nobleman and royal heir, a merchant guild working together.

"Let's talk about cooperation... the blueprints for the magic gun and magic grenade launcher, and related experimental data, in exchange for our intelligence and financial support in the upcoming war. Of course, it will be covert... on the surface, we will still maintain our cooperation with another master."

Listening to Hayden's words, Ryusha felt only a chill and danger. It seemed they operated this way whenever they cooperated with any faction, stirring up conflict and profiting from both sides.

Liu Xia couldn't help but tease, "Did you give the same answer to the Third Prince? Helping them gain the opportunity to attack Sochi, obtain their financial support, and seize the resources of subsequent territories?"

Hayden shook his head helplessly: "That prince is not someone I'm responsible for. I'm not qualified to be his confidant."

"It seems there's factional competition within your organization."

Ryusha's words made Hayden raise an eyebrow. Perhaps he had said too much, and the boy before him was remarkably perceptive. But he still sighed, finding it difficult to dislike someone with such a friendly manner of conversation.

"That's how it is in every profession. Wherever there are people, there's bound to be competition. Whether you're a monarch or a minister, it's not easy to survive."

After saying that, he resumed his conversation with Ryūka about the trade in magical technology, his tone as sincere and pure as that of a devout believer:

"How about it? If you're willing to share the fruits of our magical technology with us, I'll tell you exactly which territories will launch rebellions. Having the intelligence first will allow you to easily quell them, and I won't be breaking my promise to the other side; after all, I've already done what I promised them."

It seems that the other party's goal is the magical technology in my possession. Therefore, the exact date of the expeditionary force's arrival and the recent rebellion of my subordinates are both bargaining chips.

"Do you really think that without this intelligence, I wouldn't be able to handle the situation ahead?" Liu Xia looked at Hayden's eager eyes and realized that this was a negotiation involving an exchange of interests, so the other party probably had more cards up their sleeve than these.

"I'm more interested in your magical technology than military intelligence, such as cameras... or your research on magical weapons, right?"

Ryusha's words surprised Hayden. Was this kid so determined to win the current war? The opponent was a full 100,000-strong allied army! If the entire Sochi Plain could not be pacified before they arrived, even if all the children as tall as cartwheels in Sochi were mobilized to the city walls, it would probably not be enough to stop them!

He twitched his lips and said, "Look at what you're saying. If we had sophisticated magical weapons, why would we need to do business with you?"

"Then there's no point in discussing it, Mr. Hayden. The current state of the war in the Sochi Territory is exactly what you wanted. No matter how much bloodshed it causes, and whoever wins in the end, you always manage to take what you want and disappear behind the scenes. This makes me very uncomfortable..."

Ryuu slowly rose, her magic and battle aura radiating an invisible pressure, issuing a dismissal order to Hayden:

"What bothers me most is your belief that I cannot face the situation without your help. But I am confident that neither the Third Prince's punitive army nor your intelligence network can prevent them from crossing Sochi City! Moreover, we will have to give back the northern plains we have taken!"

Don't forget, we also have a prince behind us! If you want the magical technology I possess, you'll have to exchange it for the same kind of magical technology. It's a form of 'exchange, learning, and mutual development,' isn't it?

Hayden looked at the young man before him, momentarily wondering where his confidence came from. Given the vast disparity in troop strength, Hayden found it utterly laughable that the Thirteenth Princess's forces could secure a stable hold on the Sochi Plain.

However, Ryūka's mocking gaze seemed to tell him, 'You're just a businessman; you don't understand war, nor do you understand my trump card!'

Is it just bluffing, or does he really have the ability?

Hayden began to ponder, and after a long period of thought, he sighed softly, as if helplessly admitting defeat, and took out a few photographs.

"You certainly know how to do business, Your Excellency. Take your pick, two for two. But I have an extra condition: you must provide us with a batch of actual magical guns and magical grenade launchers, and we will provide the same in return. How about it?"

Ryuga looked at the various weapons in the photos: magical armor, longswords, staves, cameras, and communication crystal balls… most of them matched her imagination. However, Anjaberg and her magical science students simply didn't have enough manpower for further research and development…

"Unfortunately, our production capacity can't even meet our own needs. How about this?"

Ryūka watched as Hayden proposed a new plan.

That is, Linhu will provide the technology and half of the funds, and the Chamber of Commerce will contribute the other half of the funds to jointly open a new magic workshop in Linhu. Linhu will receive 60% of the magic guns produced, and the Chamber of Commerce will receive 40%.

“Building workshops on your territory? That would be too much of a bargain for you…”

Building workshops on Liuxia's territory means that they will eventually be hampered, but this is also an opportunity to openly and on a large scale produce weapons in the name of the lord.

As for the 40% that the Chamber of Commerce has acquired, whether it is used to arm its own personnel or sold to various lords, it will be a huge profit!

Hayden's lips twitched as he listened to Ryūka's new proposal; this was no longer something he could decide...

Chapter 26 Please refrain from flirting when seeing someone off.

"Is that so? But I think this is already a very good offer. I was originally thinking of splitting it 30/70. If you can't accept that, then there's no point in talking. But I can assure you, Mr. Hayden, that the Sochi Plain will be mine. At that time, your Chamber of Commerce's interests on the Sochi Plain will depend on our good relationship."

Hayden's eyes twitched at Ryūka's confident words. He couldn't understand where this young man got the confidence to speak so boastfully. This was unlike any nobleman he had ever met; their arrogance stemmed from the inherent nature of their noble status, while Ryūka's attitude exuded a powerful aura from somewhere...

“Governor, you are really cruel…” Hayden rubbed his forehead. The contract that Ryūka had offered was indeed very tempting, but the initiative was firmly in Ryūka’s hands, which made Hayden complain.

"I've heard you're very kind to the common people and poor in your territory, so why are you so harsh on us? You know we can bring you huge profits! But they weren't even very willing to send troops to fight for you in the first place..."

Seeing Hayden's wistful, girlish expression, Ryuka smiled dismissively:

"Fear of death is human nature, and they have lived like this for generations. They have only enjoyed a year of good times. Believe me, Mr. Hayden, they will soon understand, and the power they provide to me will be far greater than that of your Chamber of Commerce."

Hayden was speechless; he simply couldn't understand Ryūka's logic. He considered himself a smart man, and he believed Ryūka was smart too. But Hayden felt the two were like gold coins and gold certificates—both possessing immense value, but the sources of that value were different. Gold coins, as precious metals, have inherent value, while gold certificates derive their value from strong commercial credit.

“I understand…” Hayden sighed helplessly, “This is a huge undertaking, and I need to get other people’s opinions.”

"Please go ahead."

Ryūka watched Hayden's departing figure, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. After Hayden left, Kania emerged from the bedroom inside the office and asked Ryūka:

"You really want to cooperate with them? To send out the technology for the magic gun?"

"The magic gun is just a phase and will be phased out sooner or later. Sharing the basic technology with them can also help us see how magic technology is applied and developed in firearms."

Ryuga explained to the little witch that even in his original world, there were all sorts of strange designs in the development of firearms, and the one that remained was the most practical development path that had been tested and proven over time.

The situation in this world is different. Not only are the principles of magical technology fundamentally different from those of gunpowder, but knights and mages also wield extraordinary powers on the battlefield. Simply producing weapons that one understands may not be fully applicable to the battlefields of the future.

"There's a story, right? When boatmen go out to sea to fish, they put a few of the fish's natural enemies in the fish hold so that the fish stay alive on the way back... It's the same for us. Appropriate competition will not only keep us motivated, but the magical designs that the Chamber of Commerce will collaborate on in the future will also allow us to learn or reflect."

Ryuka's explanation made Kania thoughtful, and she couldn't help but look at her clever and bold little lover with tender eyes. But just as she was about to praise Ryuka, the boy suddenly dropped his serious and profound demeanor and put on a smug expression.

But none of that is the most important thing~

"Hey?"

Kania looked at Ryusha's happy, mischievous expression and couldn't understand what else he had considered besides what he had just said about careful deliberation, or what was more important.

"It's time."

Seeing Kania's puzzled expression, Ryuka couldn't resist pinching her nose, which made the little witch look displeased, but her eyes revealed a kind of indulgence and sweetness...

“We’ve already won the moment Hayden seriously considered the pros and cons of this proposal. He needs to consult with the others in the Chamber of Commerce because they really want our magical technology; their only concerns are cost and subsequent security. But once they have time to think and discuss, they won’t take any further action against us, including helping our enemies, until they reach a conclusion.”

Ryuga smiled with satisfaction. Whether the Merchant Guild Alliance ultimately agreed or not, as long as the Alliance's actions were stabilized before the Third Prince's punitive army arrived, and they were prevented from causing any more trouble, Ryuga would be content.

"Just a bunch of rabble."

Ryusha got up, shaking off his fatigue, and planned to head straight to the front lines. The sooner the south was pacified, the higher the chances of victory.

"Are you crazy! You haven't rested in ages! If it's just about delivering a message, I can control my familiar, or I can send Zona. You need to get some sleep."

When her clothes were tugged, Ryuka turned around and looked at the little witch with a slightly resentful look in her eyes, and gently pinched her cheek.

"Some things require decisive action."

Seeing Ryūka's stubbornness, Kania couldn't help but sigh. She pouted and said, in a completely different tone from her usual docile and coquettish manner:

"You can leave now. I'll arrange a carriage to take you on your way. You'll have to sleep in it for a while, otherwise, there's no point in talking!"

"How come you've become like an old woman?"

Seeing the little witch's worried expression, Ryuka couldn't help but pinch her butt. Her nimble fingers, even through her clothes, instantly broke Kania's tight-lipped expression, and a blush instantly spread across her face. She couldn't help but let out a sweet cry.

"You!" Kania couldn't help but raise her little fist at Ryukyu, glaring back fiercely. "You're going to war! What if you don't get enough rest and something happens to you! I won't care if you work yourself to death doing paperwork for the territory! Ugh~"

Kania, who had been defiant for only a few seconds, instantly went limp under Ryūka's teasing fingers, her body involuntarily sinking into his hand. Her perfectly balanced weight provided a comfortable pressure on the boy's palm. Nestled in the boy's arms, the little witch finally yielded to his provocative yet forceful gaze, lowering her head and muttering resentfully:

"Seriously, your passion for war almost surpasses your passion for sex..." You Lin have time for singing, but where are you, Lin Zai Zai...?

The boy eventually accepted the witch's kindness.

Inside the simple, enclosed carriage, soft cushions were laid out, beneath which lay fluffy hay. A fifty-year-old farmer, driving a carriage pulled by four mules, bowed and smiled at Ryusha.

"Don't worry, Your Excellency, Secretary, I guarantee I'll sleep soundly, not even the wheels will shake!"

"Is this kind of carriage really alright...?"

Kania looked at the cargo wagon with some concern. Due to the previous campaign, most of the horses and vehicles in Linhu Town had been requisitioned. Although some wealthy families still had their own wagons, Liuxia suggested that any wagon would do, the more ordinary it was, the less likely it would be discovered.

"It's quite comfortable."

Liuxia lightly jumped into the carriage and settled into a comfortable position on the straw-lined mat. Her easygoing attitude instantly brought a smile to the embarrassed driver's face, and even the wrinkles on his face smoothed out.

He wrapped himself in a fur coat made of dozens of different scraps of fur, climbed onto the front seat of the carriage, the whip cracking in the cold air, and with a loud shout, was about to urge the horses on.

"Wait, take this with you."

Seeing that the carriage was about to depart, Kania suddenly remembered something and quickly pulled a wallet from her bosom and handed it to Ryūka. Ryūka looked at the warm wallet in her hand and smiled, asking:

"What is this, a talisman?"

Kania rolled her eyes at him, annoyed. She was always worried about him whenever he went out, but he always had a grin on his face, which made her both angry and loving.

Unfolding the wallet, five crystal-clear vials were fixed inside; the familiar design made Ryuka smile.

After acquiring new magical equipment, the K18 potion began to be refined and synthesized. This task was assigned to magical engineering students other than Anyaberg, but the process was quite slow, and these five potions were finally refined only after Kania urged them on relentlessly.

“Melanie has already gone to Sochi to help the Duke family stabilize the situation. Each of you five high-ranking officials can take one, just in case…”

Kania's eyes widened as she felt the warmth on her lips. Her sweet, cherry-like lips were invaded by the boy's slightly dry lips, and through the thin line they parted, her warm, moist breath filled the cold air. The tired-looking boy smiled easily, wiped his mouth, and said goodbye.

"This is your reward~"

"Hmph, as if I care about it that much~"

The little witch laughed, giving the boy a charmingly disdainful look, and couldn't help but kick the carriage with her boot. A soft curse echoed across the snowy path under the setting sun.

"Get lost!"

Chapter 1 Moving Towards Tomorrow

The solid ice on the river shattered under the blows of the knight's longsword and the mage's fireballs. Amidst the flying ice shards, women and children rushed to the riverbank as if playing, picking up ice blocks of suitable size and putting them into the wooden basins and buckets they were carrying, then walking hand in hand back to the camp on the shore.

The men emerged from the thin mist of snow, dragging logs and axes, some with game slung over their shoulders, their faces beaming with the smiles of victors. Firewood, an essential winter necessity, was not so easy to obtain in the past. All property on the territory belonged to the lords, and even a single branch fallen into the mud of the forest had its price.