Extraordinary Voyage-Chapter 848 - 727: Diplomacy and Internal Affairs (Part 2)

We will sell the Anuma slaves back to Hilus at a price of sixty Golden Lions each, also setting a two-month deadline. If Philip II doesn’t pay, we will sell these fellows to the Chaotic Territory Kabral or even to Celebes Island!

Not buying? The military spirit will waver, and civilian morale will suffer, making the military families the first to disagree. Buying? That would be a huge sum of 3,600,000 Golden Lions. After losing New Hilus, where could he possibly get this money?"

The two exchanged glances and couldn’t help but laugh together.

Causing trouble makes us happy!

...

The intrigues on the Source Continent don’t delay construction work in the New Continent at all. After the vortex of turmoil shifts, this place should be able to enjoy a stable development period.

Inside the power core of the Galliot Duchy at the White Swan Castle, a small internal meeting is underway.

The main attendees are Aiven, Olivia, Anita, Marquis Duke, Nymph, and some core family retainers, along with Intelligence Officer Owl Bass.

After transforming with Aiven’s promotion to an Upper-Rank Wizard, Bass transmuted from being a human-faced bird into a human form, looking like a fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy.

Holding both the [Mind Network] and [Talent Magic: Mind Reading], he’s long been the undisputed head of the duchy’s intelligence department, gradually entering the core level of duchal power.

"Marquis, you are unbeatable as the candidate to oversee the ’Broken Star Sea Coast Zone’. Whether we smoothly get through the chaotic years at the nation’s founding depends entirely on you."

Sitting at the head, Aiven and Olivia beside him simultaneously looked at the old father-in-law (old father).

In previous meetings, they had divided the 10 million square kilometers of the Galliot Duchy into six areas, from east to west, north to south:

The easternmost "Black Sea Coast Region" includes the old territories of Buffalo, Georgia, and Far Sails Territory; the southern bank of the central Six Great Lakes, the "Upper Itasca River Valley District"; and the lower river basin of the "Lower Itasca River Valley District" extending to the southern coastline.

The "Midwestern Great Plains Region" across the main basin of the Itasca River; the sprawling 4,500 kilometers of mountain range making up the "Elbert Mountain Range"; and the westernmost "Broken Star Sea Coast Zone" roughly 4 million square kilometers of the former New Hilus Vice-Kingdom.

And they established an industrial layout dominated by eastern manufacturing, central agriculture, western animal husbandry, and mining. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Of course, the regions with high development are only the eastern and western coast regions; other parts are barren lands inhabited only by aboriginals. Even with the aid of the Tree of Rest, those areas aren’t suitable for human return in a short time.

"I... Oh well."

The marquis, who actually doesn’t have great ambitions, prefers an easy life in the comfort zone counting pennies. However, the foundation laid by his son-in-law grows increasingly larger, even though financial freedom was achieved long ago, those carefree days are gone forever.

But looking at the dazzling diamond-encrusted Platinum Crown on his daughter’s head, the old father-in-law found himself unable to refuse no matter what.

’Alas! Even though I temporarily don’t have to help with children, helping to govern a country is exhausting, when will the old man enjoy his little leisure?’

Despite being qualified to wear the symbol of power as a crown, Aiven isn’t quite used to it. So he immediately made one for Olivia, personally placing it on her head.

This is a diamond floral crown shaped like grape leaves and berries, rich in symbolism, crafted from meaningful materials.

Grapes are a signature economic crop of Long Island, adorned with numerous diamonds from Buffalo’s Glendale Diamond Mining District.

Back then, Olivia stole the massive 20-carat pink diamond "Artemis" from there, and during the Battle of Benin faced Peak Grand Knight Griffith’s assassination, releasing the first "Broken Star" of her life, which led to unstoppable momentum.

The crown’s base comes from the platinum mine in New Hilus Vice-Kingdom.

Geologists generally believe platinum wasn’t native to this land but from a distant era long ago when many life forms didn’t even exist, carried by a giant meteorite from beyond the earth.

A small portion landed in the north of the New Continent, discovered by discerning Hilus people just a few decades ago.

Platinum has been worshipped by royal families of various nations as "the only precious metal suitable for kings," known as the "king of precious metals," and adored across the Source Continent.

Nymph’s powerful witchcraft tool "Diamond Leg Bracelet" is made of the same material.

Platinum’s pure white color not only enhances the sparkle of gemstones but also truly presents their brilliance; whether dazzling diamonds or other colored gemstones, it’s a perfect match with them.

Pop!

Pleased with the old father-in-law’s consent, solving the biggest problem, Aiven lightly clapped his hands, looking at the civilian household retainers on the other side of the long table: "Hawkins, although you’re newlywed, I can’t trust anyone else to this, so please assist the marquis in Huarez."

The earliest attendant officer under Aiven, who brought his mother to the New Continent and completed life’s major matter recently. The bride is the widow of Jerome, the former speaker of Ilya, also his deputy at the "Long Island Development Bank," the beautiful Lady Edith Hobian.

Hawkins stood up respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will strive to have the ’Broken Star Sea Coast Zone’ restore its gold and silver production to pre-Spirit Tide levels in the shortest time possible."

Aiven quietly gave him a thumbs-up in his heart, he’s on the right track!

Though Hilus and the asset holders, the two biggest enemies, might be struggling to care for themselves now, he’s not about to let his guard down casually.

Hilus, although seriously wounded, is far from completely defeated, and another peak extraordinary assault isn’t entirely impossible; while the Frisia moguls might look envious of Hilus’s being drained, they still have money to hire killers.

Furthermore, a bunch of ancient gods are plotting something unknown in secret.

Even with the divine protection above of the Goddess and Saint Angel after gaining acknowledgment.

His strength now is hardly invincible below the demigods. Not to mention the divine creatures, even a Tier 4 Great Wizard from Celebes might be unbearable.

Currently, his strongest card remains the [Divine Artifact: Celestial Balance Holy Sword] that can convert wealth into power.

Therefore, our slogan now and for a long time is: "Money! Money! Money!"

No matter your myriad transformations, alas, take one from me... A throw of destiny!