Chapter 2800 - 1199: Everyone Has Their Backers

Chapter 2800: Chapter 1199: Everyone Has Their Backers

Some families rejoice, others grieve.

The larger the vitality and faster the expansion of Zalanda, the more discomfort the nobles and warlords of the Tesser Kingdom feel.

Their plan to welcome the king back to the capital is proceeding in a way they hadn’t quite imagined.

The king they chose, Harried III, did not joyfully accept their proposal to bundle him back to the Tesser Kingdom to be crowned king. Instead, he raised his banner two thousand kilometers away in Waterdeep City, recruiting mercenaries and forming his own king’s army.

"Old Duke, it seems that our new king has his own ideas and does not wish to accept our kindness. Instead, he wants to reclaim his throne through his own ability," Duke Zeber of Mitra City sneered.

The sarcasm in his words was clear enough for even a fool to understand.

Now, they found themselves completely put on the spot, the commotion they created earlier is causing them embarrassment now.

"In this matter, I did indeed make a fatal error, underestimating the prince’s ambition."

Duke Walter replied expressionlessly, "We are now on the same boat, and if this boat has any problems, it will be bad for everyone. 𝖋𝙧ⅇ

What we need to do now is work together to find a remedy, not sit around making sarcastic remarks here."

"That’s easy for you to say." Duke Zeber laughed coldly, "This matter requires mutual consent. We can’t just tie the prince up with rope and bring him back.

When he refused our emissary, we were already put on the back foot. Trying to remedy this situation is not going to be easy."

"The key issue here does not lie with Prince Harried, but with the forces behind him. Once we find them, the problem will solve itself!" Duke Francis interrupted their pointless quarrel, pointing out the core issue.

"The forces behind Prince Harried? You mean to say someone has already stepped in to support Prince Harried? Do you have any evidence?" Duke Sigfried of Willen City asked in shock.

"Isn’t the fact that Prince Harried is recruiting mercenaries on a large scale in Waterdeep City to form his own army the best evidence?"

Duke Francis retorted, "This requires a massive amount of funds. You’re not going to tell me that our prince is not only a scholar but also a business genius, earning all the money needed to recruit an army and buy weapons and food himself, are you?"

"Indeed! I initially overlooked this point. I heard that the army he’s recruiting in Waterdeep City is not a small number, numbering in the thousands, which costs no small amount.

And this is just the beginning. To bring this army thousands of miles to the Tesser kingdom will only cost more, requiring an endless stream of financial support.

Who exactly wants to extend their hand into our Tesser Kingdom?"

The last question was somewhat deafening.

Causing these dukes, who stand high in the court, to become very solemn in expression.

They see the Tesser Kingdom as their own treasure, wanting to nip even a local rising force like Zalanda in the bud, let alone external forces.

If there are indeed other forces supporting Prince Harried.

The nature of the matter changes; it’s not only a blade against Zalanda but also against them.

Before slicing towards Zalanda, it will first cut into them.

Duke Walter slowly opened his mouth, "I have already sent people to thoroughly investigate this matter. Recently, a merchant named Islam Huna has appeared at Prince Harried’s side.

He not only possesses unimaginable wealth but also has extensive connections. It is he who is supporting Prince Harried at all costs!"

"This person indeed has great business acumen, clearly wishing to use Prince Harried to change his own fate and status, but he must ensure his life to do so."

"If it’s merely a merchant, the funds he provides are ultimately limited!"

"We can’t move against Prince Harried, but there are no such constraints with this merchant. Have him permanently disappear from the prince’s side. Without external support, that prince will have no choice but to return to our embrace."

These dukes talk about the merchant as if discussing a cat or dog, deciding his life and death with ease.

In the face of absolute power, those wealthy merchants are like lambs to the slaughter.

Best not to attract their attention; once noticed, the only outcome is to be placed on the chopping block, even if the opponent is not within the Tesser Kingdom.

"If the other party was merely an ordinary rich merchant, I would not bring it to the table, would I?" Duke Walter retorted.

"So you mean to say there’s a guild or organization behind this merchant?"

"Stop keeping us in suspense, what’s the origin of this wealthy merchant?"

It is precisely because solitary rich merchants easily become fat sheep in the eyes of nobles or violent organizations that they often take associative measures to resist.

A single merchant cannot threaten a country or territory, but a group of merchants united can.

They may even possess the power to overpass ordinary countries or territories, in turn, threatening them, easily overthrowing their rule.

The most famous one belongs to the Santarin Association.