The Lord Of Blood Hill

Chapter 625: No Blackmail Accepted

After Henwell says this, Prince Kullen still wants to speak, but the Grand Princess stops him.Then the Grand Princess looks at Henwell. "Henwell, we have a plan, but we need your cooperation."

Henwell signals for her to continue.

Grand Princess Dilina says, "You should know that Lumir's eldest prince, Dilio, is currently imprisoned."

"What we intend to do is pressure Obilian and force him to release Dilio back to his old territory in the west."

"We need to use Dilio to split Lumir. At the very least, we need to keep Lumir's new regime busy for a while."

Henwell frowns. "Then this should be cooperation between you and the Western Federation. Why come to me?"

The Grand Princess says, "Because I am now the Grand Duchess of Livos. I am the owner of the new territory Ika has obtained."

"In name, this territory is independent and is jointly supervised by the two countries."

"I will also be the duchess jointly recognized by both countries."

"To avoid triggering a backlash inside Lumir, neither the Ika Kingdom nor Livos territory can come forward to do this."

Henwell knows this. He only heard the news after arriving at Holy Lake City.

This is no doubt another result of the Western Federation pressuring the Ika Kingdom.

In other words, the Western Federation will absolutely not allow Ika to intervene deeply in Lumir's government again.

Especially not allow the Ika Kingdom's hand to stretch west and block the Western Federation's only outlet for intervening in the continent's situation.

The Grand Princess continues, "We need to plant a pawn in Dilio's territory."

"As I just said, we cannot use our own strength to support that pawn."

"According to our intelligence, you have some hidden channels in western Lumir."

"So we need you to help us support this pawn."

"Weapons and equipment, personnel training, financial support..."

Henwell roughly understands what the Ika Kingdom means, but he still asks without letting it show.

"Then what benefit can I receive?"

The Grand Princess looks at Henwell calmly. "You can receive our forgiveness."

Henwell laughs in anger. "Ha. Forgiveness?"

"I have come all this way without needing even the gods' forgiveness. Do I need yours?"

"None of us has cheap time. Let us stop hiding, dragging things out, and tugging at negotiations. Say something meaningful."

The Grand Princess says, "We will not seal Peace Haven's trade channels."

"Your goods and merchant caravans will still be able to operate in Ika and will remain protected by the laws of the Ika Kingdom."

"As for extraordinary materials, we will not restrict them either. We can cooperate on smuggling through the Western Federation."

Henwell raises an eyebrow. "That is all?"

The Grand Princess says, "Henwell, you are very strong now, but not strong enough. A person should know contentment. Excessive greed invites disaster."

Henwell shrugs. "I have a good appetite and bold nerves. I am not afraid of disaster."

"I will add some terms of cooperation instead."

"First, weapons and equipment will be priced thirty percent above market value."

"You do not lose out on this. You know well the quality of Peace Haven's weapons and equipment. Even above market price, they are worth the money."

"Second, the funds used to support your planted asset will come from you. I will take thirty percent. That is already a friend rate."

"After all, this matter cannot be hidden from too many people. I will offend the Western Federation, and I will also offend Lumir's new king."

"It will even damage some of my precious channels. That compensation is not much."

"Finally, Ika must give me the right of passage without inspection."

"For the next period of time, I will have goods transported from the west. Ika cannot block them."

The Grand Princess is somewhat surprised. "You can still smuggle from the Western Federation?"

Henwell says, "Profit is always profit. Even if the Western Federation is unhappy with me, they will never hate profit."

"It is simply that I will no longer earn as much as before. The purchase cost will be much higher, and I will have to share a large portion with the lords of the Western Regions."

"These materials are not for sale. They are needed for Peace Haven's own development."

The Grand Princess shakes her head. "You ask for too much. The kingdom is not negotiating with you. It is merely giving you a chance at peace."

Henwell also shakes his head. "These conditions will not change."

"Peace Haven did not develop to this point because others gave it charity."

"Peace Haven was carved out by me and my soldiers, blade by blade, sword by sword."

"We need development now, not war, but that does not mean we fear war."

With that, Henwell stands and prepares to leave.

Prince Kullen speaks. "Wait. Henwell, we came to discuss cooperation, not declare war."

Henwell looks back. "Since this is a discussion, everyone should benefit and everyone should earn."

"Peace Haven will never accept this kind of blackmail."

"Ika is powerful, but it also has many enemies."

"I can refuse to cooperate with you and cooperate with the Western Federation instead."

"Do not forget, I am also a Paladin of the Holy Spirit Church."

"Cooperating with the Western Federation may bring many inconveniences, and it is not my original intent."

"But at least the Western Federation will not casually use an attack on Peace Haven to threaten me into cooperation."

Prince Kullen continues, "Henwell, we can still discuss your demands. They must also be reported to the Golden Capital. Do not be so hasty."

Henwell shakes his head. "Since you cannot make the decision, there is no need to continue this talk."

"Next, I believe the Western Federation will soon send someone to invite me over."

"I think that in order to win me over, the Western Federation will certainly offer a higher price, and they will not threaten me either."

Prince Kullen narrows his eyes. "Henwell. If you do that, you will be forcing Peace Haven toward a dead end."

Henwell sneers. "But right now, you are also trying to force Peace Haven to its death. What is the difference in essence?"

The Grand Princess speaks again. "I accept your conditions. But not in the name of the Ika Kingdom."

"I accept these conditions in the name of the Grand Duchess of Livos."

"As for shipping, I will give your fleet access privileges in my personal name."

Henwell stops, smiles, and returns to his seat. "Then let us continue discussing the matter of splitting Lumir."

"For example, how far do you plan to build up your planted asset?"

"That is not empty boasting. As long as your planted asset is not an idiot, I guarantee he can rise quickly."

The Grand Princess gently shakes a bell. A moment later, someone is escorted into the room by guards.

After Henwell sees the man clearly, he cannot help frowning. "What is the meaning of this?"

The Grand Princess says, "This man is named Pajaje. He is Viscount Hodith of the duchy, and he is the planted asset we will support in the future."

Of course Henwell knows that the man before him is called Pajaje, and he also knows that he is a viscount noble.

Also, Henwell knows that he has another name. No, two names: Yorkel and Scar Tiger.

Now this fellow has been sent over by the Grand Princess. What does that mean?

Does Ika know that this is the planted asset Henwell buried inside the Dienbos family?

Is she here to demand an explanation?

Or is she warning him?

Facing Henwell's doubts, the Grand Princess explains, "This man was originally a member of the Dienbos family."

"Then he betrayed the family at a key moment, and now he has been caught by us."

"After some advice, he has come to his senses, recognized his mistake, and resolved to serve us."