Chapter 20 (1/2)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Gawain was starting to find Viscount Andrew to be quite an interesting fellow.
He was more like a businessman than a nobleman.
But at the same time, he was not a very shrewd businessman, at least in Gawain’s perspective.
A savvy businessman would not bring up things like transactions, bargaining chips, and debts at this juncture. It was beneath a nobleman to bring up such matters. Viscount Andrew’s best course of action should be to remain poised as he continued to help Cecil Clan, but at the same time also allow his influence to be felt by the knights and soldiers under his protection. Then, using his status as a nobleman, he should ascertain his ‘creditor’s rights’ legally pertaining to Cecil Clan’s debt and bring up his creditor’s rights before the king. After that… it would no longer matter whether Rebecca would be willing to pay her debts or not.
The kingdom’s laws and the rules of the aristocracy would help him to fulfill the transaction.
Of course, Gawain could understand why Viscount Andrew would feel this way. After all, Cecil Clan’s decline was a well-known fact. With the clan’s territory completely destroyed, no one knew how much ‘debt-paying ability’ Rebecca had.
“The Cecil clan always pays our debts.” Rebecca seemed a little unconvincing. “Rest assured that we can pay it back. Although we have lost our most prosperous areas, some mountainous forests at the edge of the Cecil territory still remain. And as long as I, the heir of the Cecil Clan, am still here, the Mithril Vault still holds some deposits from Cecil Clan, if worst comes to worst… ”
Gawain coughed and interrupted Rebecca.
He had seen enough of this and had a rough idea of the situation. At the same time, he had also pretty much sorted out the memories, and he stood up. “Rebecca, calm down. Viscount Andrew, set your sights on the longer term.”
Andrew gave Gawain a look. This supposed ancient hero still intimidated him no matter if he was the real thing or not. The viscount kept himself in check. “I apologize. I was indeed a little… greedy.”
He actually admitted to saying he was greedy, and it surprised Gawain. He raised his eyebrow. “You’re honest about it. But that’s fine. Seeking benefit is not something to be shameful about, just that we need to understand the situation. A viscount’s territory has been destroyed, a dragon appeared in the kingdom, and the monsters from the era of the Dark Wave have reappeared. With all these things before us, this is no time to be talking business.”
Before letting Andrew speak, Gawain continued, “Of course, all this righteousness aside, we still have to consider the practical issue. You’re worried that if you help Cecil Clan indefinitely, eventually you’ll lose everything. Well, let me tell you clearly that not only is Cecil Clan able to pay the debt, but if you can make good use of opportunities, we can even bring you unlimited benefits.”
Viscount Andrew looked at Gawain. “Please continue.”
“I.” Gawain pointed to himself. “I’m your biggest investment.”
Andrew’s expression froze for a few seconds, and then the corner of his mouth twitched awkwardly. “Grand Duke… Sire, I’ll believe that you’re the Grand Duke for now. But I have to remind you that you have been dead for 700 Years. Anzu is even at its second dynasty. Your title and your properties have been divided, conferred, inherited, spent or… taken back by the royal family. Of course, I have a deep respect for you, Sire. Every person in Anzu has deep respect for you. But I’m not just any ordinary person, I’m a leader. I have to care for my territory and my people…”
Gawain shrugged. “Think bigger, Viscount. Are gold, silver, and territories the only worthy forms of investment?”
Andrew: “You mean…”
“I have the permanent right to develop new regions.” Gawain raised the sword in his hand. “When Gawain Cecil holds the Sword of Pioneers, he has the right to develop lands which have yet to come under a territory, and that includes the undeveloped areas within Anzu, the wild areas outside of all nations, and the lawless areas of the Gondor wastelands. As long as we can maintain some control after these said areas have been developed, wherever the Sword of Pioneers go, will thus become Cecil territory, and Anzu’s royal family will have to acknowledge and guarantee Gawain Cecil’s rights as an overlord at all times.”
As Gawain spoke, he watched as Viscount Andrew’s eyes opened wider and wider. Then he slowed his cadence. “The right to develop new regions as mentioned was an agreement signed by Charlie the First. Also, the founder of Anzu, the western tribal country of Augari, eastern Typhon Empire, the southern Highmountain Kingdom, the elven Silver Empire, and all the countries in the north jointly recognized that this right will remain effective indefinitely. As long as the authorized pioneer, that is I, still live, it will remain permanently effective.”
“Actually this decree wasn’t signed only for me. All the pioneering leaders were similarly authorized. It’s just that today… I’m the only one who can still exercise this right.”
Speaking of this, Gawain grinned happily. “Those old men who signed these documents back then must have never expected that I would one day open and rise from my coffin.”