Shadow King Chronicles: Building a Kingdom From Behind the Scenes
Chip Bargaining
"So, Issac managed to defeat Marquis Baldwin's army in the west of the kingdom even captured that person huh? This is good news. Thank you, Margareth."
At the royal palace, Aurellia and Margaret were examining one by one the reports they had received from all over the kingdom. Most were glad tidings, but the most joyous was the one brought by Issac.
"But I did not expect that he would capture Marquis Baldwin. From what I heard, Marquis Baldwin was a ruthless and foolish leader. No, he's just stupid. Perhaps the influence of those around him made him cruel. Usually Issac won't forgive someone like that, right?"
Margaret wondered. But Aurellia already had the answer.
"Hyawa marquis Baldwin may be worthless, but what is valuable is his status. At all times, Marquis Baldwin was the recipient and distributor of aid from the Moskov Empire.
"Although to them the marquis Baldwin was only a pawn, they still needed him. Therefore, Marquis Baldwin will be made a bargaining chip by Issac."
After saying that, Aurellia got up and walked towards the map stuck on the wall. He had already marked several territories around the Grand Aria empire.
"We need this place to be a foothold in defending the kingdom or expanding the territory of Grand Aria if needed. Issac will use Baldwin's head to take over this place without bloodshed."
Aurellia then rounded up some of the places on the map. Margaret, who finally understood the mind of Issac, agreed.
"Then, let's wait for news from Issac and Angie."
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In the Mariendolf region, a fat bellied man in luxurious clothes who was now torn to shreds had just come to his senses. Where'sisthis? He wonders. This is definitely not his luxurious home.
Rather, it was nothing more than a dull wall without any carvings and jewels attached to its side. The floor is also hard and cold. Even so, this place is clean.
In front of him, iron bars stretched out. He finally realized. This is a prison. The man, Baldwin, swallowed his saliva. He remembered. When he wanted to escape, he failed and was captured by the commander of the enemy army who attacked him.
Instantly also his emotions surged and anger burned him. Roughly, he shouted and lashed the prison bars.
"DICKHEAD!! GET ME OUT OF HERE!!! I HAVE TO GO BACK TO MY PLACE!!"
There's no answer. Baldwin clicked his tongue and bit his finger. Where's adviser? Where is the army that should be there to help him? The man's mind became confused. For the first time in his life, he was treated this way.
In the midst of his immortality, without him noticing at all, a young man and the soldier who was beside him had stood before the prison that Baldwin inhabited.
"Welcome to the territory of the kingdom, marquis Baldwin. Sorry in advance if I can't treat you with a good banquet because we've decided that you're a criminal."
A criminal? Baldwin realized after hearing that word. Again, anger burned all over his body. Fiercely, he tried to attack the two people in front of him even though the attack he launched hit nothing but iron.
The young man in front of him just laughed. Even so, the person standing beside him was filled with killing intent. Got Baldwin pissed in his pants.
"You are free to say whatever Marquis Baldwin. But in reality, the main army had been destroyed. Most of them have been slaughtered. The rest, we took them to a labor camp. Incidentally, the person responsible for the massacre was right next to me."
Baldwin swallowed his saliva. Inwardly he tried to reject it but the reality was different. Tens of thousands of troops were slaughtered by 200 horsemen. What the fuck?!
The door of the prison cell opened and the man standing next to the young man instantly forced Baldwin to get out of his holding cell. Could he be taken to the hanging pole? Nah! I don't want to die!
"Calm down, Marquis Baldwin. Even though your life is worthless, at least we can still use your status to get what we want. James, take him to the waiting room. Negotiations will begin soon."
With his head bowed, marquis Baldwin was taken away by the man named James.
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"Marquis Baldwin was an important and influential figure in the Grand Aria empire. So we ask to let himself free and return to the empire. If not...."
"if not? Counselor, are you trying to dictate and threaten us? You have to remember that you and marquis Baldwin are on the losing side. Your main army has been destroyed and it took more than two years to build a new force.
"Well, if you remain stubborn, we will also exert our strength into the Baldwin region and its faction. Are you sure that you can survive our attack."
The adviser, who managed to escape, requested an audience with Issac. He asked to return Baldwin to his wialyanh but in vain.
"Of course we don't mind leaving Marquis Baldwin to all of you. But of course it's not free. As a winner, I require you to fulfill one proposal we made."
Issac clapped his hand and the door of the Audiesni room opened. Some of his officers came in and brought a file containing a sheet of documents. Issac gave the file to the advisor.
After reading the document for a while, the adviser's face became sour. That's because it's written there. Marquis Baldwin's side was required to pay war reparations in the form of a large amount of reserves owned by their side and half of their income.
Most importantly, the kingdom also obliged to give some of the territories that had been designated by the kingdom before Marquis Baldwin returned to them.
Of course the advisor objected. But he had no choice. In the end, he signed the deal with Issac and complied with all the wishes of the kingdom.
"Thank you for your cooperation, advisor. Be sure not to act recklessly in the future if it relates to the government. Then excuse me."
Exiting the audience room, Issac grinned widely.