Chapter 350: A True Demon King Never Looks Back at Explosions

The morning after Prince Kelin left, the entire Shengcheng was immersed in a subtle commotion woven from anticipation and unease.

Not because of Prince Kelin.

Nor entirely because of the Templar Order.

But because of a novel that suddenly became a hit—"The Drifting Chronicles of Baron Kosia."

The citizens of the Shengcheng had never seen such an interesting "farming novel," and it was mixed with the love and hatred of nobles that they couldn't usually come into contact with. They were looking forward to the next chapter, and afraid that this chapter would end at the most exciting place like the last one.

When the newsboys running through the streets distributed the latest issue of "New World News," which still exuded the fresh scent of oil ink, to every corner of the Shengcheng, it was snatched up by the citizens who had been looking forward to it in almost an instant.

Their fanatical appearance was just like someone having a nicotine fit.

Without any accident, the sales of "New World News" hit a new high again. And the content published in the newspaper was also like a depth charge thrown into the lake, setting off a monstrous wave!

In the latest chapter of the story, the protagonist Titch Kosia, after building a simple shelter, began to recall with deep affection the land where his family had lived for generations on a stormy night—the manor located in the Bai Lu District.

He used delicate and emotional strokes to describe details that only his family members knew: for example, the century-old oak tree on the east side of the manor that was split in two by lightning but still grew tenaciously; for example, the three giant stones on the hill of the farm that were arranged in a strange triangle as boundary markers by their ancestors.

These words were superficially expressing the endless longing of a drifter for his hometown, but every one of Baron Dewol's henchmen who read these details and knew the inside story would inevitably break into a cold sweat.

That wasn't just expressing emotion.

Between the lines of Baron Kosia, it was clearly declaring to the Shengcheng the indisputable ownership of that land by the Kosia family in terms of legal principles.

He was telling those who were eager to move and watching him, he was telling those who were afraid of Prince Kelin's influence and dared not easily stand on his opposite side.

He hadn't forgotten.

The liquidation had just begun.

This chapter ended with an impassioned awakening of Baron Kosia, and also formally declared his ambition that had not been declared since he returned to the Shengcheng—

"... I don't hate the captain who tricked me onto the ship, that guy is an undoubted idiot, a slave captured by money, a poor man without faith, no matter how you scold him, it's not too much, but the one who will judge him will be Saint Xisi, not me. When I return to the shore, I will smash the gold coins fiercely on his chest and tell him we are even."

"I also don't hate the servant who instigated me to cheer up. It's true that he took money, but if it weren't for being completely disappointed in the Kosia family, he, whose ancestors worked in the manor for generations, would definitely not have chosen to betray."

"I want to tell those who still feel guilty and have good intentions that Baron Kosia doesn't hate them. Except for principles that cannot be compromised, there is nothing that cannot be forgiven."

"On the night the storm came, I made a decision—"

"Since the supreme god didn't let me be buried in the sea, it must be because I have a mission that I have to complete. I will continue to walk along my path, return to where I came from, take back the honor and land that originally belonged to me, and let the person who truly harbored malice and harmed me go to hell and stay with the devil he serves."

"In a trance, I heard Him whisper in front of me—"

"'Every penny and every piece of land that the devil's servants cheated from your hands, the Holy Light will take back for you.'"

"'This is what I promised you.'"

That "determination for revenge" and the "god seen by the devout in a trance" were all plucking the heartstrings of the citizens of the Shengcheng.

However, what was infuriating was that this short and powerless guy was gone again below.

Besides the novel serialized in the second edition, this issue of "New World News" also published a more explosive news.

It was like a time bomb, lying quietly in the third section of the newspaper—

"The Dilemma of a Million Gold Coins: Prince Kelin's Good Intentions and the Conservatism of the Imperial Bank"

The article reported in a compassionate tone, "objectively," the fact that the "Tangtaisi Group" applied for a loan of one million gold coins from the Imperial Royal Bank to develop the Bai Lu District but was eventually rejected.

It cleverly packaged this matter into a tragic story of a "reformer who cares about his homeland and is determined to make progress" being ruthlessly blocked by a "rigid rule and conservative old financial system."

At the end of the article, the author also expressed "good-willed" concerns about the future investment prospects of the Bai Lu District, implying that if even a gentleman as noble and generous as Prince Kelin could not successfully complete financing, how could the confidence of other investors be maintained?

"—As everyone knows, the banks of the Shengcheng only lend money to people who don't need money at all, but turn a blind eye to those who really need capital turnover. Admittedly, the borrower is not Prince Kelin himself, and the Imperial Royal Bank has reasons to refuse approval, but anyone who knows knows who is standing behind Sir Tangtaisi, and anyone who knows knows how much Prince Kelin favors the development of the Bai Lu District."

Such heavy news was naturally watched by more than one newspaper office.

Almost shortly after the latest issue of "New World News" broke the matter, the "Shengcheng Daily," which had a larger circulation, quickly completed interviews with the parties involved and urgently printed a batch of extras, serving the other side of the story to the citizens who were watching the fun.

In the interview, the President of the Imperial Royal Bank, Hogan Nora, stated in a tough tone that the Tangtaisi Group had never provided any valuable collateral from beginning to end, and it was impossible for him to lend "His Majesty the Emperor's money" to a "guy trying to use empty gloves to catch a white wolf."

"... Unless Prince Kelin guarantees it in his own name and uses his income on the Jana Continent as collateral, the bank has absolutely no possibility of approving this loan!" President Hogan said as such in the report, and the headline was attached with his magic photo, vividly depicting his righteousness.

Once this report came out, the public opinion in the Shengcheng became even more confusing, and both sides seemed to have their own reasons.

On the next morning, the "Shengcheng Daily" continued to report on the reaction of the Tangtaisi Group.

Sir Edmond Tangtaisi expressed great disappointment and indignation at President Hogan calling him a "guy trying to use empty gloves to catch a white wolf."

He publicly declared that he was "seriously considering" moving the entire investment plan to other provinces of the Empire that were more interested in this.

Even the vassal states of the Empire.

This news was like a giant rock, smashing the hearts of all speculators who had invested heavily in the Bai Lu District, and also making the citizens who were watching the fun shout for joy.

Good guy—

Sir Tangtaisi and the Imperial Royal Bank are scolding each other in the newspaper!

Besides those who were watching the fun, there were also those who tried to rob while the house was on fire.

For example, the president of another powerful private bank in the Shengcheng—Spire Bank, took the opportunity to extend an olive branch to the Tangtaisi Group when accepting an interview.

This gentleman smiled and hinted that Spire Bank was very willing to provide full-scale financial support for the "plan that will bring huge prosperity to the Shengcheng."

However, as of the time of publication, Sir Edmond Tangtaisi had not made any response to this matter.

An "insider" who did not want to reveal his name told reporters that Sir Tangtaisi might have been hurt by the cold business environment of the Shengcheng.

He might really be leaving.

And this time Prince Kelin left the Shengcheng, it was not to learn any magic at all, but to look for more worthy investment opportunities in the vassal states of the Empire...

In Baron Dewol's new manor, the afternoon sun at three o'clock was warm and pleasant, dyeing the vast lawn into a dazzling golden green.

This place was a full fifty kilometers away from the Shengcheng, and in an era where newspapers relied on carriages for transportation, the storm there temporarily couldn't blow here.

At this moment, Baron Ralph Dewol and his neighbor, Baron Wilson Lu De, were engaging in a sport with a long history on this wide lawn.

Its name is "Gate Ball," simply put, it is to swing a long pole hard to hit an egg-sized wooden ball into a small gate the width of a shoe.

This sport was quite popular among the nobles of the Aus Empire, and it was not only a pastime but also a way for the host to show off his vast land to his neighbors without a trace.

At this moment, Ralph was indulging in this pride.

He looked at Baron Wilson Lu De, who had a bad complexion beside him, deliberately slowed down his movements, and enjoyed the undisguised envy in the other's eyes.

"It seems you didn't move slowly this time, and you also got a lot of good land." There was a hint of sourness in Wilson's tone, and he just swung his pole and missed, and the wooden ball rolled into the distance.

If it weren't for asking for help, he would absolutely not come here to suffer this bird's anger!

"Each to his own."

Ralph smiled, gracefully swung his pole lightly, and the light wooden ball drew a perfect arc and "thumped" into the gate.

He stood up straight with satisfaction and said in the tone of a winner.

"For the Dewol family, taking down the land in the Bai Lu District is as easy as hitting this ball into the hole... you are clear about my methods."

Wilson's complexion became even uglier.

Since eating the land of the Kosia family, the Bai Lu District had become the Dewol family's alone, and he and another baron had almost lost their existence.

He was silent for a moment, and finally seemed to have made up his mind, stepped forward and said.

"Ralph, my friend, the scattered land in the hands of the farmers, we have almost recovered it. But the real big head, and the most valuable one, is currently in the hands of those townspeople in Bai Lu Town."

"The citizens of the Shengcheng are not to be feared, they can at most pick up the leftovers we don't want, you and I are both clear, the competitors in this card game are only you, me, and Baron Tecom. If we fight among ourselves, we will only thinly spread the profits in vain. I have already contacted Tecom... I mean, let's just draw the boundaries, eat our own, and no one will reach into each other's territory, how about it?"

After listening to this proposal for cooperation, Ralph didn't answer immediately.

He narrowed his eyes, looking at the lush forest that belonged to him in the distance, and a smile like an old fox appeared on his face.

"Wilson, my friend, you have to know, opportunities are always reserved for those who are prepared... land is naturally the same."

With the relationship of branch manager Hark Alton in the Bai Lu District, his confidence was sufficient.

Knowing that the value of these lands in his hands would double again soon, how could he be stupid enough to agree to Wilson's proposal and let this hungry wolf snatch even a small piece of meat from his plate?

Of course he wanted it all!

As long as he could build a relationship with Prince Kelin by relying on this profitable business, even Wilson's share, he dared to think about it!

Wilson immediately understood the arrogance and refusal in his words, and finally understood the real intention of this guy inviting himself to talk about things on this lawn.

This is naked humiliation!

His complexion turned from red to green, and finally cursed in a low voice, threw the pole in his hand to the ground, and walked toward his carriage without looking back.

"Hahahaha!" Looking at the "good neighbor's" angry back, Ralph finally couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter.

He had been holding back for a long time to see the expression on that guy's face, and now he finally didn't have to continue acting.

"It seems our Mr. Wilson stepped on cow dung when he went out today, and he is in a bad mood, may Saint Xisi bless him haha!"

Finally laughing enough, Ralph teased himself, and threw the pole in his hand to the servant on the side.

However, his pride didn't last long, and the urgent shouting almost followed the back of Wilson's angry departure.

"Master! Master!"

Ralph looked back, only to see his wife Mira holding her skirt, with a hint of panic on her face, running quickly from the direction of the mansion.

Her breathing was rapid, and she was clutching a newspaper that had just been delivered tightly in her hand, the cover seemed to be "Shengcheng Daily."

"What's wrong, dear? So panicked, not like you at all." Ralph frowned, took the newspaper, and his tone still carried a hint of blame.

However, when his gaze fell on the layout of the newspaper and saw the report about the Imperial Royal Bank refusing to provide loans to the "Tangtaisi Group," the smile on his face froze instantly.

Especially when he read the tough and even merciless refusal of President Hogan Nora, Ralph's complexion turned pale.

Saint Xisi above...

He actually dared to call Sir Tangtaisi a guy trying to use empty gloves to catch a white wolf!

How dare a small president!

Forcing himself to calm down, Ralph patted his wife's cold hand and comforted her.

"Don't panic, dear. This... might just be some misunderstanding between Mr. Hogan and Sir Tangtaisi. We can't mess up our own position first."

He paused, trying to make his voice sound calm, and continued cautiously.

"However, this matter is indeed tricky. Prince Kelin just left, and President Hogan dared to turn against his people... The land in Bai Lu Town, I think we should slow down first, don't rush to collect it all."

The Imperial Royal Bank is the Emperor's money bag, unlike other private banks, it nominally doesn't have any specific noble standing behind it.

However, in an Empire where the will of power determines everything, another meaning of "no background" is "let people handle it," in other words, anyone can exert influence on this powerless bank president.

Relying on his years of experience in the Shengcheng, Ralph almost instantly figured out the context behind the whole thing.

Undoubtedly—

Prince Kelin had a little unpleasantness with a big shot in the Shengcheng, and that big shot didn't want to completely fall out with Prince Kelin, so he used this just-right means to beat the Prince who was too fast.

But...

Who is that person?

Could it be the Kastelion family?

I heard that Andre has always wanted to introduce his daughter to Prince Kelin, but Kelin refused in every possible way, and this time he left the Shengcheng in a hurry, maybe it was to avoid that overly enthusiastic lady.

If the Kastelion family understands this as humiliation and uses the power in their hands to retaliate, it is not impossible.

However—

If this reason holds, with the Prince's romantic performance in the Shengcheng recently, how many families have reason to do this, not just Kastelion?

A layer of fine sweat climbed onto Ralph's forehead, he once thought he was a vulture soaring in the sky... until he faced the real invisible hand of power.

The Senate of the Shengcheng is like a huge black box, even he can only guess to judge the treacherous situation behind this.

But no matter what, being careful is never wrong.

Suspend acquisition, wait and see, this is the most cautious and correct judgment he can make.

If it's just these loans, he will at most tighten his belt and live a hard life for a while, and at most add some collateral assets to the Bai Lu District branch of the Imperial Royal Bank, it won't make the Dewol family stand on the edge of bankruptcy.

However, Mira's next sentence was like a cold hammer, smashing into his heart.

Her complexion was as pale as paper, her lips trembled, and she muttered to herself in a voice that was almost desperate.

"Too late... dear, it's already too late."

"Too late?! What's too late!"

Ralph's voice subconsciously raised a few points, reaching out to grab Mira's cold shoulders, and asked urgently.

"Didn't I say wait and see last night?! What did you do behind my back?"

Mira's complexion was as pale as paper, her lips trembled, and she couldn't even hold the "Shengcheng Daily" in her hand, which drifted to the ground.

She didn't answer, just took out a contract that had just been signed, and the ink seemed to still carry warmth, from her handbag with trembling fingertips.

"I, I didn't go behind your back... we discussed it!" Her voice was broken, with a crying tone, "Just half an hour ago, before Baron Wilson visited... I followed the plan we discussed, in order to snatch the victory in the Bai Lu District before him and Baron Tecom... I..."

Ralph snatched the contract, his gaze swept across the terms above quickly, and his pupils contracted to the size of a needle tip in an instant.

Mira's voice continued to entangle in his ears like a dream, and also as if it were thousands of kilometers away, making his spirit wander on the edge of a trance.

"I... I paid all our liquid funds, a full thirty thousand gold coins, as a deposit, and took down those few most critical shops and residences on the commercial street in the town center. And... in order to make up the remaining payment, I mortgaged the land previously mortgaged to the Bai Lu District branch again to Spire Bank, and borrowed a short-term loan for three months..."

"Spire Bank?!"

Ralph let out a hiss of disbelief.

He naturally knew that bank, it was the greediest lender in the Shengcheng, famous for its efficiency, boldness, and equally high interest rates.

He was a noble, so he wasn't afraid of the debt collection methods of those vultures, but the problem was, she actually mortgaged the land already mortgaged to the Imperial Royal Bank a second time!

Ralph's complexion turned pale, and he could no longer pretend to be calm.

In the Empire, anyone can misappropriate the Emperor's money, anyway, the Emperor doesn't need it for the time being. However, there is a premise here—it cannot be too blatant.

Secondary mortgage belongs to blatant robbery.

Even if he wanted to repay the Imperial Royal Bank's debt first, it was impossible, because according to the laws of the Empire, the repayment priority of the Imperial Royal Bank is lower than that of private banks.

Even if he repaid the money to the Imperial Royal Bank, Spire Bank could also execute the money he had already repaid to the Imperial Royal Bank through the court's procedures.

The original intention of this law was to prevent them, these lawless nobles, from simultaneously mortgaging land to the Emperor's bank and private banks, and then only recognizing the IOU of the former and not the latter, or simply declaring bankruptcy, letting the Emperor's bank and private banks fight over the shit in their pockets.

Moreover, if Spire Bank knew that their land had been mortgaged to the Imperial Royal Bank, but the land deed was not placed in the Bai Lu District branch, I am afraid that even Hark, who approved the loan to them, would have trouble!

Although all the nobles of the Empire put the land deed in their own safe and absolutely would not give it to the bank, this is illegal after all.

Ralph felt he was going crazy and couldn't help roaring.

"Why... why did you find them? Didn't we already get through the relationship with branch manager Hark? Why didn't you find him directly!"

"I wanted to, but he didn't agree!" Mira cried, "He told me that Prince Kelin might have offended a big shot, and this project might not be approved, he also said... let me put the land deed with him!"

"This idiot! At this point, he still wants to jump off the car!" Ralph cursed, but for a while, he didn't know who to scold.

Perhaps, if his wife really gave the land deed to Hark, maybe things wouldn't be so bad.

At least they wouldn't add another layer to the already heavy leverage.

"... I could only find other banks, and only they promised to release the loan within a day, allowing us to complete the acquisition before everyone else reacted... who could have imagined that things would suddenly become like

"Plop."

That contract, which symbolized their "glorious victory," slipped from Ralph's stiff hands and fell onto the emerald green lawn.

He suddenly realized something.

That Spire Bank didn't just pop up out of nowhere; while they were staring at Prince Kelin, others were also staring at that Prince.

Naturally, they noticed him, this self-clever groundhog.

Ralph staggered back two steps, feeling the world spinning, and had to reach out to steady himself against a servant nearby to barely stand firm.

It's over...

Everything is over.

The afternoon sun at three o'clock was still warm and pleasant, and the croquet balls and mallets scattered on the lawn shone in the sunlight, as if silently mocking the hearty, unrestrained laughter he had just let out.

That laughter sounded so harsh and foolish at this moment.

Baron Ralph Devol opened his mouth, but could not make any sound; his vision went black, his body swayed, and he fell straight backward.

"Master!"

Mira's scream sounded so shrill and desperate over the empty and magnificent manor.

As if the sky had collapsed...

(End of chapter)