Chapter 487

Horace paid the wages in "silver pounds" very reluctantly.

When the workers took those light paper banknotes from the accountant's hand, everyone opened their eyes in surprise.

"Thir, thirty... silver pounds?!"

"Did I see that wrong..."

"Aierxi, did you calculate the account wrong?"

A textile worker in his thirties widened his eyes, staring at the accountant who paid him in disbelief, as if everything in front of him was a dream, fearing that a loud voice would startle himself.

But if he didn't ask clearly, he was worried that the fierce guards would rush into the dormitory and take back the wages he "robbed" from the boss.

"Don't worry, it's not wrong! I calculated everyone's money carefully!" The young man named Aierxi stood up straight, with a confident smile on his face, and stuffed the counted banknotes into the textile worker's palm.

That straight back was not because he felt proud for his boss, but purely because he had also received his wages, so he had confidence.

The whole workshop was filled with incredible sounds.

The textile workers simply couldn't believe that the guy who was stingy to the bone had changed his nature and suddenly became so generous!

You know, that's thirty silver pounds!

In Thunder City, where copper coins are deteriorating, the actual purchasing power of this huge sum is no less than 5000 imperial copper coins!

This is simply giving everyone a disguised pay raise!

And it went up by a large margin!

In the past, that guy would definitely have settled their wages in copper coins, and would definitely have "bestowed" the money bag into their hands with an extremely reluctant expression, as if he had done a great good deed and had been taken advantage of.

Everyone exchanged excited expressions, discussing how to spend this money, and the whole workshop was as lively as a festival.

Horace's textile factory was originally the most stingy example in the entire industrial zone of Thunder City, but today their Mr. Horace seemed to have walked ahead of all factories again, becoming the first philanthropist in the entire district to pay wages in full with "silver pounds."

At this time, some old employees remembered the "good deeds" this gentleman had done—such as the three-story employee dormitory that could be considered outstanding in the new industrial zone.

They suddenly felt that this mean and stingy guy didn't seem so hateful anymore.

"Perhaps... we misunderstood him." The textile worker who had just woken up from a dream looked at the banknotes in his hand and muttered this.

Aierxi, who had finished paying the money, was silent for a moment, and a helpless expression appeared on his face.

"I have to say a fair word; this time it wasn't Mr. Horace's fault either. The wages couldn't be paid mainly because of the King."

Everyone was stunned when they heard this.

"The, the King?"

"What does this have to do with the King?!"

Aierxi summarized the story Horace had made up and told it to his worker friends in more logical language.

"Of course it does. The merchants of the Kingdom of Lane owe our factory a large sum of money. Mr. Horace can't do anything about them either. You know who stands behind those chambers of commerce; that is an existence that even our Grand Duke dare not easily offend."

"As for our Mr. Horace, he is actually a pious believer of Saint Saint Xisi. I always hear him say 'Saint Saint Xisi above.' How could such a pious good person intentionally harm us?"

This is also true.

Horace is just stingy, stingy to the point that he can't bear to throw away his own broken coat; he has no selfish thoughts at all, and harming others for no benefit is even more impossible.

It's just that the accountant obviously didn't explain it clearly. Although the King stands behind the chambers of commerce of the Kingdom of Lane, it doesn't mean the King is doing business with them.

But this is too difficult to understand. They, who have to count banknotes for a while, still prefer the simpler and more straightforward version—

The King of Lane is fighting with the Grand Duke of Campbell. The Duke should be the weaker side, so the King confiscated the wages that were originally supposed to be paid to the Campbell textile workers as a beating for the Duke.

The drowsy King added another greedy mask, and Horace's reputation was unexpectedly reversed.

Even if only in his textile factory.

Actually, the Campbell people are very simple, especially the Campbell people working in factories; their minds are like a blank sheet of paper.

Even if someone tells them that the sky is green and the sun is actually cold, as long as this person can let them eat their fill, they will believe it deeply.

Compared to this simplicity, what they want is not much; placed in front of the crowns of kings, it is just a piece of dust.

What the nobles crave is stability, and that is also their deep inner craving.

They only want a house to shelter from the wind and rain, a lover to share their life with, and one or two promising children, and then satisfy their basic survival needs.

If there is a little extra money, adding a few new clothes to the wife's wardrobe, letting the children go to school or be an apprentice in a shop, and finally having some beer as a seasoning for life... that is already a heavenly life.

If none of these are available, having some hope for the future is also fine.

Count Derrick always feels that they want a lot, but in fact, their ambition is the smallest in this thriving duchy.

Even, an inadvertent look from a lizardman messenger from the Gana Continent solved all the troubles they couldn't solve.

Abstractly speaking, this is indeed the case.

The medicine to solve their pain is indeed not "silver pounds," nor is it any sovereignty, but the perhaps-existing conscience of Mr. Ai Sa Ke and Mr. Horace.

People's discussion lasted for a whole noon, until the lunch break ended, and the foremen drove them to their workstations like herding cattle.

But this time everyone was very cooperative.

Not just cooperative, but full of energy!

The clatter of the looms had never been so high-spirited, and that determination to work together changed even the face of Horace, who happened to pass by the workshop.

Saint Saint Xisi above—

So these guys were slacking off before!

This is too bad!

Any rational duke would recognize the reality at this time and would not really drag everyone into a civil war.

After all, if it really reached that point, all who die would be Campbell people, and only the demons of hell would laugh out loud.

Looking at this young man who still holds unrealistic fantasies, Count Derrick sighed inwardly.

Too naive!

If it were before, his fantasies might really have been realized. Both sides would weigh their chances of winning, then make compromises on non-core interests, and finally maintain harmony on the surface.

For example, taking a portion of Thunderclap City's tax revenue to provide financial subsidies to the three count-led territories that rely mainly on agriculture.

As long as the treasury is not affected, most nobles actually don't care that much about tradition, including Count Derrick himself, who has purchased property in Thunderclap City.

But now it is different.

Edward has already been drawn into the game with the Kingdom of Lain, and the Devalu family has already reached into the Campbell Principality, becoming the power behind all the traditional nobles.

As for Edward himself, he also has a backer standing behind him, and that is the Imperial Prince who is deeply involved in the development of Thunderclap City!

This is already an irreconcilable struggle of paths, a life-and-death battle that will decide where the Campbell Principality is headed in the future!

Edward will never back down.

The nobles representing the traditional forces, of course, cannot back down either.

"Your Highness is kind-hearted, which is admirable, but you must also think about the long-term future of the Campbell family."

He sighed softly, pretending to be worried about the future of the Campbell family.

"Although Princess Princess Ailin has made repeated achievements on the front line, you and I both know the side effects of the Light of Proclamation... In case, I mean in case, this miracle is built on the grace of Saint Saint Xisi, she might follow in the footsteps of my Lord before long."

He observed Jieluoke's expression, and without waiting for the latter to speak, he brought the hint hidden in his words out into the open.

"If that happens, the 'Light of Proclamation' that symbolizes Campbell's legitimacy will surely choose a new master with both strength and virtue. I think the vast majority of nobles would be more inclined to support a noble knight like you, rather than your brother who is lax in martial arts and intoxicated by power."

"Enough! Count Gladstone!"

Jieluoke finally couldn't help but interrupt him, his tone a bit stiff, "I respect you, but I don't want to think that way. Besides, my sister is very young and healthy. She will return safely!"

"I... of course also hope Princess Princess Ailin lives a long life, but I also hope you can consider this issue carefully."

Count Derrick slowed his tone, reminding him with a kind voice.

"This is not just for yourself, but also for those knights who follow you, and for all those who look forward to the principality returning to the right path."

It is a pity.

Jieluoke's heart is still not ruthless enough, and his determination is not firm enough.

But he cannot wait any longer.

Edward has already reached into the Twilight Province, trying to replicate the Thunderclap City model there, uniting those small and medium nobles to hollow out the King's power.

Once he succeeds, the Duke's strength will expand unprecedentedly, and he will effectively control two principalities, and by then, His Majesty the King's influence on this land will be negligible.

They must pull the Campbell Principality back to the "right track" while there is still room for recovery.

Otherwise, once Edward recovers, he will immediately clean them up!

The naive Jieluoke did not realize that the moment he did not follow the order, he was already standing on the opposite side of his brother.

The reason his brother turned a blind eye was by no means because of any brotherly love, but simply because he was "helpless."

He was still fantasizing about using the Gladstone family's stance to pressure the Duke, not knowing that he himself was the banner that united all the traditional nobles, and also the greatest confidence that all Campbell nobles dared to resist.

Gladstone, on the other hand, could surrender and lose half, but those with inheritance rights don't have this opportunity; there are only two endings: win or die.

With his back to the Torrent Pass, which is struggling to recover, Derrick cast his gaze toward Thunderclap City, and a trace of imperceptible cold light flashed deep in those sharp eyes.

Perhaps—

It is time to create some opportunities for this future Duke to ascend the throne...

Jieluoke did not stay on the castle for long; the increasingly desolate autumn wind blew on his armor, and he could already feel a trace of winter's chill.

Although a Platinum-tier powerhouse would not frown at this bit of cold wind, there are very few powerhouses who like to self-abuse.

From this point of view, the farmers of Gladstone Castle are indeed more spirited. Despite wearing only thin clothes, they didn't even frown.

Dinner was exceptionally sumptuous, with fresh and fatty roasted pork knuckles, as well as soft and tender stewed beef legs and ham as thin as cicada wings.

The guests drank the fine wine of Bai Yin Pine Town, and the banquet hall remained lively until late at night before they returned to their rooms in low spirits.

Then, it was the second half of the banquet.

The Gladstone family adheres to tradition, especially the tradition of hospitality, and will never let distinguished guests spend a lonely night alone.

Especially at this time when unity is needed.

The young maid carrying washing utensils passed through the corridor, knocked on the doors one by one, and then pushed them open and walked in.

They actually didn't resist doing this, and even felt honored; after all, some things are really hard to say who took advantage of whom.

Like the knights under his command, Jieluoke also drank until he was dead drunk, seemingly wanting to use alcohol to extinguish the sorrow in his heart.

However, he did not indulge himself.

Like many knights who truly adhere to tradition, he righteously refused the second half of the banquet, just like the previous nights.

The family style of the Campbell family is very traditional, and they must never leave behind heirs that shouldn't be left.

When she left with the washing utensils, the petite maid had obvious disappointment on her face, seemingly regretting not being able to get the favor of the future Duke.

The big one doesn't like it, and the small one doesn't like it either; Count Derrick is also exhausted for him. Could it be that what this knight gentleman actually likes is not women, but delicate and pretty boys?

She only thought about it for a second in her heart, then couldn't help but shiver, hurriedly putting away this devilish thought.

Saint Saint Xisi above, that is too blasphemous...

It was not just Jieluoke who did not indulge himself, but also Count Derrick.

He remained sober, and after the banquet ended, he dismissed everyone, held a candle, and came to the basement of the castle.

Right beneath the solid granite foundation of Gladstone Castle, a space completely different from the pastoral scenery above ground was buried.

This is a secret sacrificial chamber.

Or perhaps, it can be called a "church."

The air flowing in the corridor was dark and damp, mixed with the smell of stale blood and a faint scent of sulfur. The light of Saint Clement Cathedral could not reach here; only the flickering candlelight set off the twisted and blasphemous ancient runes, and in the corner, one could faintly hear mice gnawing on teeth.

In the center of the altar stood a half-man-high obsidian statue of a god.

It had the head of a cow and the body of a man, with knotted muscles, a ferocious face, exuding pure fear and arrogance!

It is no one else—

It is the first Demon King of Thunderclap County!

And also the Demon Kings of all generations!

Derrick walked into the sacrificial chamber alone, his expression solemn, and lit the specially made incense on the altar.

Smoke rose, emitting a pungent smell.

He drew his dagger, skillfully cut his finger, dripped blood into the groove at the base of the statue, and casually recited the Light Spell to heal the wound.

A moment later, the piety on his face remained unchanged, and he recited even more blasphemous eulogies, calling upon the demons of hell.

For about a minute, the eyes of the obsidian statue slowly lit up with scarlet light, and a chaotic and vast will descended upon this room.

The statue awakened, those eyes staring straight at him.

Feeling that majestic gaze, Count Derrick did not dare to be negligent, kneeling respectfully on the ground, his forehead touching the cold stone slab.

"Salute to you, great new king, Your Majesty Delagong... Please forgive my negligence; I haven't contacted you for so long, really because the situation on the surface is treacherous, and your loyal servant is unable to take care of himself."

He first expressed the Gladstone family's unchanging "respect" and "loyalty" for generations, then described the current "crisis" of the Campbell Principality in a tone suppressing excitement.

That was the bait thrown to the demons.

"Your Majesty! Just as I said, Thunderclap City is falling into unprecedented turmoil! The foolish Edward has emptied the nobles' family assets, drove the farmers to the factories, and sent them to the northern battlefield. Now Thunderclap City is empty inside and has no strength to fight again!"

"I know Aaron Campbell left you with too deep an impression, but that guy is already dead, and now the Light of Proclamation is falling into a disagreement with the Tribunal! The city above your head is like a rotten house; you only need to step forward and kick it down!"

Derrick raised his head, clenched his fists and stood up from the floor, his eyes flashing with fake fanaticism, and continued excitedly.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—"

"There is no better time to counterattack the surface!"

Xino Delagong: "...?" ===== CHAPTER 483 =====

However, that shout was transmitted out.

"Praise the Dragon God—!"

That sound immediately triggered the resonance of countless drunks who were anesthetizing themselves, so much so that chaotic and excited shouts immediately rang out in the tavern.

"Praise Lord Gutafu!"

"Cheers to the generosity of the Dragon God—!"

Suppressed emotions always need an outlet; cursing the stingy Horace is an outlet, and praising Gutafu is of course also an outlet.

The noisy sound almost lifted the roof of the tavern, almost scaring away the bartender who was looking for change.

Are these idiots crazy?!

Although the Dragon God was once an ally of Saint Saint Xisi, and Saint Saint Xisi does not deny that this funny guy contributed to solving the God of the Underworld, singing the praises of other gods so loudly is ultimately disrespectful.

However, he was still too careful.

There was not a single pious priest