Chapter 158: People from the Three Major Provinces of the Western Kingdom Arrive

On their clothing, each of them had their respective family crests embroidered.

Those were the symbols of the old-fashioned Grand Nobles from the three major provinces in the west of the Black Kingdom, those who had inherited their status for hundreds or thousands of years.

The atmosphere in the great hall instantly became somewhat frozen.

Everyone could see that the newcomers meant no good.

Hart's brows were already tightly furrowed, and his hand subconsciously gripped the axe handle at his waist.

As long as Roko gave the order, he would not hesitate to make these ignorant fellows bleed on the spot.

A smile still remained on Roko's face.

He looked at the effeminate young noble who was leading them and spoke slowly.

"May I ask who you all are?"

"You are Roko Raymond?"

The young noble asked in a condescending tone, not even looking Roko in the eye.

"We come from the Sunset Province, the Silver Moon Province, and the Alva Province."

"My name is Philip de La Mancha, and this is my companion, the representative of the Commercial Alliance, Mr. Silas."

He pointed to a middle-aged merchant beside him who looked very shrewd and capable.

"We have come this time under the orders of our masters to consolidate the 'resources' of your Xin Feng Province."

"I heard you have been making quite a stir lately, and even created some sort of 'Xin Feng Alliance'?"

A mocking smile curled the corners of Philip's mouth.

"It is time for this child's play to end."

"From today on, this so-called alliance of yours will be taken over by us."

He said these words in a light, offhand manner.

Yet it was like a heavy bomb, exploding with a roar throughout the entire hall!

All the nobles of the Xin Feng Alliance were stunned.

They simply could not believe their ears.

Who is this guy?

By what right?

Who does he think he is? The King?

To actually dare to demand to take over the entire alliance the moment he opens his mouth!

He must be crazy!

Just as the atmosphere in the hall reached its peak of tension and Hart's Battle Axe was already half-drawn.

The merchant named Silas, who had not spoken until now, suddenly swept his gaze over the Storm Knights standing guard in the corner of the hall.

When he saw the one-piece, cold-metallic-gleaming Obsidian Gold Armor on the knights, his pupils shrank violently; then, his nose sniffed lightly at the rich and unique aroma of wine in the air.

His expression changed instantly!

Philip's words were like a giant boulder crashing into a calm lake, stirring up a thousand waves.

The entire banquet hall was deathly silent.

All the nobles of the Xin Feng Alliance looked at this foolhardy fellow as if he were an idiot.

They admitted that the nobles of the three western provinces had deep foundations and great strength.

But this is the Xin Feng Province!

This is the territory of Master Roko!

You, an outsider, run into the master's home and, to the master's face, say you want to take over everything he has?

If this isn't looking for death, what is?

A ferocious smile had already appeared on Hart's face.

The Battle Qi within his body began to surge uncontrollably.

As long as Roko gave a single look, he could make this pretty boy understand why flowers are so red.

Fula also narrowed her heterochromatic pupils, and ice-blue and crimson flames flickered deep within her eyes.

However, Roko, the focus of the entire room, remained as calm and composed as ever.

He even poured himself a glass of wine with great interest.

"Take over our alliance?"

Roko took a sip of wine and asked indifferently.

"That sounds like a very interesting proposal."

"I just don't know, by what right do you do this?"

"By what right?"

Philip laughed exaggeratedly, as if he had heard some grand joke.

"By the right that we are true nobles from the three major provinces of the west!"

"By the right that any one of the families behind us could easily crush this ridiculous alliance of yours, which is composed of a bunch of bumpkins!"

He extended a finger and pointed contemptuously at everyone present.

"And you, Roko Raymond."

His gaze finally landed on Roko, filled with disdain.

"You are nothing more than a lucky little Baron."

"I advise you to be sensible and obediently hand over control of the alliance."

"Otherwise, I wouldn't mind letting my knights teach you what true noble etiquette is."

His voice had just fallen.

The few Knights behind him then stepped forward in unison.

"Clang!"

The sound of longswords leaving their sheaths seemed exceptionally harsh in the quiet hall.

The bodies of those few Knights all radiated the powerful aura of the late Bronze Rank.

Clearly, they were all battle-hardened elites.

The expressions of the nobles of the Xin Feng Alliance all changed.

They had not expected the other side to be so arrogant, ready to strike at the slightest disagreement.

Hart was even more furious.

"You're courting death!"

He roared, and the giant axe in his hand was instantly enveloped by scorching Flame Battle Qi.

It looked as if a bloody battle was about to break out.

"Hart, stand down."

Roko's calm voice rang out.

"Yes, Master."

Although Hart was unwilling, he still obediently put away his Battle Axe and stepped to the side.

Roko's gaze moved past the arrogant Philip and landed on the merchant behind him, Silas, who had not said a word from the very beginning.

From the moment this group entered the door, Roko had been observing them.

This Philip, although he looked like the leader, was in reality nothing more than a foolish Kuanglei pushed to the forefront.

The one who could truly make decisions was this merchant who looked so unremarkable.

Because Roko did not see arrogance or contempt in his eyes.

He only saw a sharp, falcon-like scrutiny and bottomless shrewdness.

And at this moment, this shrewd merchant was staring fixedly at the few Storm Knights acting as guards in the corner of the hall.

To be precise, he was staring at the black Obsidian Gold Armor on their bodies that seemed to absorb all light.

His breathing became somewhat rapid.

His eyes were filled with shock and disbelief.

As a merchant who had roamed between major powers for years with a sharp eye.

He saw the value of that armor at a glance!

That perfect streamlined design, that seamless forging craftsmanship, and those mysterious magic patterns faintly visible on the surface—

This was absolutely not something that could be created by any forging technology known in this era!

These were simply perfect works of art for slaughter!

If he could get his hands on this kind of armor...

Silas's heart began to beat wildly and uncontrollably.

Following that, he smelled the unique wine aroma in the air that made even his soul tremble.

As a representative of the Commercial Alliance, he had tasted countless fine wines from all over the continent.

Among them were the Jingling's "Moonlight Brew" and the Dwarves' "Lava Flame."

But none of them could compare to the wine aroma he was smelling now.

Rich, mellow, as if it contained the power of life.

Just by smelling it, he felt the Battle Qi within his body become a bit more active.

If he could drink just one sip...

No!

If he could obtain the exclusive agency rights for this kind of wine—

Mountains of gold coins instantly appeared in Silas's mind.

The way he looked at Roko changed completely.

It was no longer scrutiny, but burning heat!

It was greed!

It was the look of a Columbus who had discovered a New World!

This young man!

This young man whom that idiot Philip called a "country Baron"!

He was not a bumpkin at all!

He was a massive, untapped gold mine!

"Young Master Philip."

Silas suddenly spoke, interrupting Philip's incessant chatter.

His voice was somewhat hoarse.

"I think we might have some misunderstanding regarding this Master Roko."

"Misunderstanding?"

Philip was stunned for a moment and looked at Silas with dissatisfaction.

"Mr. Silas, what do you mean by this? Are you trying to say that I was wrong just now?"

"No, you were not wrong."

A professional, humble smile piled up on Silas's face.

"I just think we should communicate with Master Roko in a more gentle and friendly way."

"After all, we are here to discuss cooperation, aren't we?"

As he spoke, he took a step forward on his own initiative and bowed deeply to Roko.

"Respected Master Roko, please forgive Young Master Philip for his rudeness."

"He was just... his brain was baked by the sun of our Western Province."

"My name is Silas, from the Western Commercial Alliance."

"I offer my most sincere apologies to you, and to everyone present, for our offense just now."

His words, and his 180-degree turn in attitude, left everyone stunned.

Even Philip had his mouth wide open, a look of disbelief on his face.

This Silas, who usually dared to argue on grounds even in front of his father and looked down on everyone,

what was wrong with him today?

Did he take the wrong medicine?

To actually lower his head and apologize to a backwater Baron?

Roko looked at Silas, the corners of his mouth curling into a playful smile.

"Oh? Cooperation?"

"How do I remember it, what you said just now was, take over?"

"No, no, no, you heard wrong, you definitely heard wrong!"

Silas's head shook like a rattle-drum.

"It is cooperation! It is a win-win, pleasant cooperation!"

As he spoke, he gave Roko a wink without a trace.

The meaning was very clear.

"Can we, perhaps, step aside to talk?"

Roko understood in his heart.

It seems this fish has already taken the bait.

"Fine."

Roko nodded.

"Since Mr. Silas is so sincere."

"Then I will give you a chance to talk alone."

He turned his head and said to Martina.

"Martina, help me entertain the other guests."

"As for this one, Young Master Philip—"

Roko's gaze swept over the pretty boy who was still in a dazed state.

"Find him a quiet room and let him calm down properly."

"Yes, Master."

Martina smiled and agreed.

The look in her eyes as she watched Silas was full of admiration.

This was a smart man.

He knew when to make what kind of choice.

Dealing with smart people is always pleasant.

Soon, Roko brought Silas to the study of the Lingzhu Fu.

And that poor Young Master Philip was dragged into a small dark room by Hart, who held him by the neck like a chick.

Waiting for him would be an unforgettable lesson in "aristocratic etiquette."

Inside the study, only Roko and Silas remained.

Silas could no longer hide the excitement and greed in his heart; he rubbed his hands and got straight to the point.

"Master Roko! A man of honor speaks plainly!"

"Your Obsidian Gold Armor and that kind of magical Strong Liquor, our Commercial Alliance wants it all!"

"As long as you are willing to cooperate with us, price is not an issue!"

"To show my sincerity, I can first give you a shocking secret about the Royal Capital that is enough to change the entire war situation of the Kingdom!"

Inside the study, the candlelight flickered.

In Silas's eyes, there flashed the shrewd and greedy light peculiar to a merchant.

He stared fixedly at Roko, as if looking at a moving mountain of gold.

"Obsidian Gold Armor, magical Strong Liquor, we want it all."

"Price is not an issue."

These words were spoken with great wealth and confidence, full of temptation.

If it were any ordinary noble, they would likely have been dizzy from this huge profit long ago.

But Roko just picked up the teacup on the table and gently blew away the heat.

There was not the slightest ripple on his face.

"Mr. Silas, your appetite is a bit too big."

"You want everything of mine in one breath?"

"Do you think that's possible?"

Silas heard this and froze, the expression on his face somewhat awkward.

He also realized that he had been a bit too impatient just now.

"Ahem, Master Roko, you have misunderstood."

He hurriedly explained.

"What I mean is, we can conduct deep, comprehensive trade cooperation."

"Whether it is the Obsidian Gold Armor or your Strong Liquor, our Commercial Alliance has the ability to help you sell them for a price you cannot imagine."

"We have the broadest channels and the highest-quality clients, which can cover the entire Kingdom and even the surrounding duchies."

"This is absolutely a win-win situation."

Roko smiled, noncommittal.

"It sounds quite good indeed."

"However, why should I trust you?"

"Just based on those empty promises you made earlier?"

"Or should I believe that companion of yours, whose brain was baked by the sun?"

A bead of cold sweat seeped out on Silas's forehead.

He knew that the young man before him was far more difficult to deal with than he had imagined.

He was not the type of greenhorn who could be swindled with a few words.

To cooperate with him, one must bring out sufficient sincerity.

"Of course not!"

Silas took a deep breath, his expression becoming serious as never before.

"To show my sincerity, I am willing to first gift you, free of charge, a piece of invaluable intelligence."

"Oh?"

Roko finally became a bit interested and set down his teacup.

"Let's hear it."

Silas leaned in closer, lowered his voice, and spoke in a volume that only the two of them could hear.

"It is about the civil war in the Royal Capital."

"I believe the Raymond Family, where you are, Master Roko, supports the First Prince, correct?"