When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist-Chapter 700 - 658 Moonlight Palace Conversation

"I don't like your monks' endless chatter," Solan asked directly, "What can we gain? What must we lose?"

Although Solan sided with Horn at the Witch Council, it didn't mean she would bow down immediately.

She needed to assess Horn on behalf of the Secret Faction, as the Black Snake Bay People would say, she wanted to weigh Horn's worth.

To see if this "Saint's Grandson" is an ally, a brother, or a malicious hypocrite.

Of course, faced with such a scene, Horn was quite familiar with it, as he often used such tactics early in his career to persuade others, that is, to make empty promises.

Given Miss Solan's culture has not even synchronized with Jeanne's, Horn touched his chin, organized his wording, and slowly said, "Miss Solan, I appreciate your pragmatism, so let's not dance around it. Madame Louise, could you provide me with a map?"

Snorting through her nose, Louise snapped her fingers to signal someone to close the cool and elegant room's door and sat down next to Solan and Horn together with Jeanne.

She pulled out a map from her bosom, the white-haired little girl with a pipe clamped in her mouth banged it on the short table in front of her, "Here."

Compared to the commonly used chairs in the Empire, Black Snake Bay favored sitting on the ground and short tables, as they are easier to carry and flee with.

Sitting cross-legged on a rush cushion, the sunlight outside cast mottled shadows on the sheepskin map before Horn.

His finger drew a circle around the outskirts of Black Snake Bay, stating simply, "You can gain Black Snake Bay, food, and money, but you must lose some of your chaotic freedom, privileges, and control over the military."

"We gain Black Snake Bay?" Solan repeated Horn's words, "Do we not have Black Snake Bay already?"

"At least a quarter of Black Snake Bay's territory, most waterway traffic routes, and arable lands are occupied by Secret Party defectors, Demon Hunters, and the Knight Order." Horn stared into Solan's eyes, "You're at most occupying Black Snake Bay, far from having obtained it."

Louise, bored, puffed out a smoke ring; this was content she had heard to death, naturally feeling dull.

But it made Solan fall into deep thought, admitting that Horn's words were what the Black Snake Bay People have been unwilling to face.

The Black Snake Bay People are always proud of resisting the Church, yet there's still a large amount of land occupied by the Church; instead, the Northern Thousand River Valley has almost driven out all Church forces.

Whenever the Secret Faction sees some improvement, the Church launches a new round of purging wars, sweeping away many flourishing Secret Factions, yet not thoroughly eradicating them.

These Demon Hunters and the Knight Order can achieve this largely because they occupy transportation routes and fertile soil, allowing them to quickly strike Secret Party Wizards using this as a base.

Red Copper Fortress is a stark example, with massive knights like Nigesar conducting rounds of cleansing and slavery on Wizards and the Secret Faction.

"Can you gain Black Snake Bay?"

"It's not that I can gain Black Snake Bay, but I can help you gain Black Snake Bay," Horn extended a finger slowly and said, "So first, and most importantly, is the 'Holy Axis Alliance Joint Defense Treaty.'"

Watching Solan's gradually focused eyes, Horn smiled softly, realizing that matters related to military and security could indeed resonate with Solan.

After all, the grain trade at the Thousand River Valley border was something she could personally experience, being well aware of the present situation and future prospects.

The Shadow Council is, rather, more concerned about unfamiliar military fields, for it determines their ability to protect their wealth.

The treaty's content is simple: first, any attack on allied countries is equivalent to all member states being invaded; second, Horn will train a modern force for Black Snake Bay and thoroughly expel the Church stronghold from Black Snake Bay.

"On this basis, we will provide spring-powered rifles, infantry plate armor, officers and instructors, and recruit a batch of local Black Snake Bay officers to enter the Holy Axis Central Military Academy for study." Horn handed a roll of copper spring to Solan, "Our spring-powered rifles defeated Prince Kongdai and the decree company, I believe that speaks volumes."

Touching the cold copper spring, Solan continued to ask, "But we also have to lose some military control, right? How much?"

"Accurately speaking, it's transferring the military from the private hands of the Secret Faction to the Black Snake Bay Federation, with only federal troops henceforth, no private armies.

I won't deny you'll lose absolute control over the army, but the issue is, even under your absolute control, you haven't defeated the Church." Horn spread his hands, "We only took a year and a half to expel the Church."

"But that was with Black Snake Bay's support," Solan couldn't help but retort.

"Black Snake Bay's support is indeed crucial but not essential; what's essential are the Thousand River Valley People and proper guidance, win early or win later, eventually, victory is certain." Raising a finger, Horn shook it with a determined look, "I think, it's a matter of confidence, and the Black Snake Bay People precisely lack this confidence.

Your resistance is always passive, a desperate roar, though commendable and mournful, hasn't played a sufficient role.

It's time to change, Miss Solan, the victory of the Thousand River Valley proves that the Church isn't as formidable as imagined.

The current issue is: do you believe in yourself, and do you believe in me?" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Solan intended to argue back but, within Horn's resolute eyes and confident aura, found herself unable to speak.

"During the Church's north-south standoff and the Leia Kingdom's civil war, both you and we experience an unparalleled strategic opportunity." Horn leaned on the short table with both hands, lifting his upper body, nearly gazing down at Solan, "The Thousand River Valley has already achieved freedom and victory, while Black Snake Bay still chooses to remain under the Church's might?"

After pondering for a while, Solan hesitated to speak, but her momentum was much subdued: "I've heard a great deal about your vision for the Black Snake Bay Federation from Leader Louise, but I have a question."

"Please go ahead."

"According to your vision, you hope Black Snake Bay forms a free state or federation, right?"

"Yes."

"Then I ask you, is it a Secret Party Federation or City Federation?" Solan sighed lightly, "You know, the Shadow Council has many subsidiary small Secret Parties."

"I'm afraid I have to tell you, it's a City Federation, with only one seat per region." Horn replied firmly, "The Black Snake Bay People must realize that if they want to defeat the Church, they must pay the price of relinquishing power; you need to learn to share benefits."

After a brief pause, Horn looked into Solan's eyes and solemnly said:

"Miss Solan, you might be pondering whether the losses are worthwhile, but I must tell you—this isn't a mere transaction, it's a transformation.

Black Snake Bay will transform from a suppressed, fragmented chaotic area into a respected, powerful union, with every ounce of effort exchanged not for tenfold returns.

Imagine, Black Snake Bay People no longer cowering under the Church's might, but able to control their destiny.

Land no longer invaded, wealth no longer plundered, people able to grow freely, living without fear and hunger, isn't this far better than the current cyclical Fire Prison?

Now, you just need to answer me one question—to achieve all this, do you want to cooperate?"

Biting her lip, Solan's brow furrowed, her fingers instinctively rubbing the cold copper spring roll.

Horn's words embedded themselves like nails into her thoughts, impossible to dismiss; she raised her head, a hint of complexity flickered in her eyes, quickly concealed again.

She lowered her head to sort out her thoughts, tapping her fingers lightly on the short table, eventually sighing gently, "Black Snake Bay needs change... I'm willing to cooperate with you, but I fear mere words may not satisfy the masses?"

Before Horn could speak, Louise lazily puffed out a smoke ring, tapping the pipe casually on the map on the table: "Mr. Horn and the Ruo'an Faction will offer you all some sincerity."

"What sincerity?"

The pipe pointed at a critical node on the map, Louise's lips curled into a cold smile, "Here—Fraser Fortress, without uprooting it, we can't connect to Central Black Snake Bay County."

Coughing once, Solan advised Horn who was affected by the alcohol, "Fraser Fortress? That is quite a significant stronghold, and Mr. Horn brought only a few hundred men, right?"

"You'll see... hic... not only you, but the Secret Faction in Northern County will see." Horn's face turned slightly red, only feeling the wind of Long Embankment City exceptionally intoxicating.

"Are you ready?"

"I have a proposal, let's call the Secret Party in Northern County here, cough, to see how we capture the fortress, how about it?"