I Level Up Dragons with My Evolution System-Chapter 100: Meeting of Nobles (2)

’Huh? ’The Lord’? What Lord?’ Harry carefully scanned the faces of everyone present, trying to figure them out...

They all nodded!

’Am I the only one who doesn’t know which Lord they’re talking about?’ He felt a headache coming on.

Not only was he surrounded by successful people, but now a man nicknamed "Lord"—a title bestowed by General Jake himself and accepted by the other successful men—would be arriving soon. He felt like crying.

He wasn’t qualified to be here! He didn’t understand what they had seen in him... but he fought back the urge and looked ahead with a professional smile.

"We want to discuss the issue of land sales, don’t we? And also the situation unfolding in the silver market," said Larry Presley.

"That is correct, Young Lord Larry," Baron London spoke. "First, I know these two markets very well, but the Iron Baron understands the land market better than I do, so I will proceed to explain the silver issue and leave the other to him."

The Iron Baron nodded to him.

Then Baron London began to speak.

"The silver market has been slightly affected recently by what happened in Silver City, to the south. Everyone should have heard about it." After Baron London saw that everyone nodded, he continued.

"Many miners have decided to go on strike because of the lack of protection provided by the armed forces; but that is affecting us more than it is affecting the armed forces."

"So we need new miners to replace them—we only need 500 in total. Since the miners from Silver City have decided to do this, we’ll have our silver mines replace theirs in the domestic market."

His words sounded nice, but to Harry they were a load of nonsense.

’Replace the Southern Miners Guild with just 500 miners? They have over 17 mines—at least 100 miners per mine!’ It was utter nonsense in his mind.

"Baron London, I’m familiar with the situation in that region, but I’m also aware of our own situation." Larry Presley spoke up. "We don’t have as many men as Count Hazzard. Even if we can match the number of mines available, how are we going to find 500 miners?"

’Good question.’ Harry nodded, pleased. Larry was a smart guy.

"I understand your concerns, but they aren’t a major problem," London said, glancing at the man who had remained silent the entire time. "I introduced him to you earlier. He’s the leader of a mercenary organization that controls border towns. Recently, due to the massacres in those areas, they have over a thousand men available for hire. If we buy them..."

"Buy them?" Without meaning to, those words slipped out of Harry’s mouth, interrupting Baron London. By the time he tried to correct himself, it was too late.

Everyone noticed the annoyed tone in his voice as he repeated those words.

’Shit, what the hell is wrong with me?! I’m such an idiot!’ He scolded himself inwardly and wanted to apologize.

"I understand your concerns." But Baron London understood. "Buying slaves is prohibited in the kingdom."

Harry was grateful that he reminded him...

"We don’t intend to buy them outright. We’re just renting them, since they’re sitting around doing nothing, occupying posts in border towns. Besides, I think we all have contacts at the Castle of Justice. It wouldn’t be hard to convince them to work for us for a while, while we recruit real miners."

’This guy is crazy.’ Harry couldn’t believe it.

He wasn’t just talking about buying slaves—he was also talking about bribing judges!

The Kingdom of Línnava wasn’t known for being particularly fair, but the rules against nobles of royal blood are clear and strictly enforced. Not because the royal family wants it that way, but because the Castle of Justice and the Armed Forces hold too much power and refuse to let those of royal blood run wild.

That’s why situations like this wouldn’t go unnoticed if they were discovered. Being destroyed might be the least of their worries.

But Harry quickly understood why he was suggesting it. They were barons; they had no connection whatsoever to the royal family. They had attained that status through their own merit, like the Iron Baron, a prominent military figure of his time, or Baron London, who had purchased his title.

There wouldn’t be much punishment for them.

But for the Presleys or the Smiths... things were different.

’And who is this guy? A mercenary leader who controls the borders? I’m almost certain the borders are currently militarized...’ This was suspicious.

Larry Presley frowned, but he understood Baron London’s intentions.

"If the plan is that risky, we need to talk about the potential benefits," he said.

’Is he serious?’ Harry was in shock.

"Take a look. This is just a part of it." Baron London pulled out a scroll and handed it to them.

Larry and Harry opened it to see what was inside...

’Impossible.’ Harry didn’t hesitate to label it as such. He wasn’t an idiot. He trembled inside as he read it.

He expected a similar reaction from Larry... but didn’t find it.

Larry smiled. "That sounds interesting."

’Really? Wasn’t this guy one of the smartest in the region? Didn’t they compare him to Miss Ashford? Or am I the idiot?’ In disbelief, Harry looked at the Iron Baron...

’I must be the fool.’ He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself, though he said nothing for the moment.

"To continue with this matter, I must let the Iron Baron address the other important issue."

The Iron Baron nodded and finally decided to speak.

"All of us have lands in our names that do not belong to us. They belong to Count Ashford. They were entrusted to us for safekeeping through a contract. Is that correct?" he said suddenly.

Everyone nodded.

"We have decided to create an organization to manage those lands, since we have drawn up a precise map of them and they connect to the borderlands where our colleague here has his organization."

"The idea is to merge the two organizations and take control of the war-torn borderlands. Together, we’d have more territory than the vast majority of counts. We’d present the organization to the kingdom, and we’d become the new giants of these lands."

Harry couldn’t believe what he was hearing. ’Am I witnessing the birth of a betrayal against Lord Ashford?’ He swallowed hard... he couldn’t help but feel afraid.

Unlike viscounts, who inherit titles without issue, counts must prove, in every generation, that they are capable of leading a county.

And all this territory belonged to Count Ashford’s County!

In the Western Province, where they live, there are only two counties!

Hazzard and Ashford!

And there are more than 20 viscounts!

Do these idiots really intend to rebel against one of those counts, with just one viscount, a half-viscount on the decline, and a couple of barons?

Harry began to regret coming here... But he resisted the urge to run away. ’Now I understand...’

Everyone could tell he wasn’t convinced.

Suddenly, the silent man, leader of a mercenary organization, spoke up. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"I’ll add one thing. Our Lord doesn’t want any stragglers. Count Ashford is already finished. So you’d better make quick decisions; for the future belongs to the decisive."

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