Chapter 403: The Dutch Envoy

Phoenix Pavilion

Silence settled over Phoenix Pavilion, but the Phoenix Pavilion remained brightly lit.

A man wrapped from head to toe in a dark glowing cloak was escorted through the castle grounds by several guards. His footsteps were calm as the waters, yet almost arrogant, even though he stood inside the residence of the prince valeric.

At this time, waiting underneath the pavilion was a tall middle-aged man. His expression was stern, his features sharp. A small black mole rested between his brows, making his already imposing face even more striking. His eyes were narrowed and cold, resembling those of an eagle watching its prey.

He was Damien Valerie’s father.

The cloaked man stopped several feet away.

"Your Highness." He said. His voice carried an unmistakable foreign accent.

Valerie raised his eyes.

The man reached up and pulled away the cloak covering his face.

Upon removing the cloak, a young man emerged.

He appeared to be in his twenties, with striking red hair and pale skin. His clothing was completely different from the robes commonly worn throughout Reef. He wore a dark European-style coat, with several silver buttons running down its front.

His name is Alonso.

He was the representative of the Dutch merchants stationed in the Eastern seas.

Alonso had a bright charming smile.

"Your Highness summoned me. May I ask what matters require my presence?" He said. Still smiling.

Seeing this, Valeric’s expression immediately darkened, there was still some dissatisfaction in his eyes. "You know very well why I called you here."

The young man known as Aloson merely raised an eyebrow, as he asked.

"Then perhaps your Highness should enlighten me."

"Envoy Alonso, I demand answers on why your fleet attacked my merchant vessels." Prince Valerie said in a low voice.

"For years, our two sides have maintained a commercial agreement. Your merchants received favourable treatment in our ports, while our merchants were permitted to conduct trade throughout the sea."

His fingers tightened around the armrest.

"But a few months ago, everything changed."

Alonso’s smile remained.

"The situation has changed, Your Highness."

"Changed?" Valeric asked, as he laughed coldly.

"You go around, attacking merchant vessels belonging to the Eldorian Empire and now claim that they have no right to sail those waters."

"As a matter of fact, they don’t."

Alonso’s answer was immediate.

"The sea routes around Split Rock are now under Dutch protection. The newly appointed Earl Grey has made his position clear. From this point onward, trade in this region will be conducted through the Dutch vessels."

Prince Valeric’s eyes became colder.

Alonso continued casually, not minding the cold glare.

"If your merchants wish to sell porcelain goods in Europe they may sell them through our ships. Also, if you need slaves from Cole Island, we will deliver them for you, you request sulfur from Latin, we will happily transport it..."

He spread his hands

"There’s no need for your merchants to risk themselves at sea."

Prince Valeric stared at him blankly.

"So that’s your new agreement?" He asked.

"No."

Alonso smiled.

"That’s the new reality."

Silence descended over the pavilion once more. The Prince’s face was dark enough to seem capable of dripping ink.

Prince Valeric clenched his fist, his eyes were filled with anger. Since the new earl who managed Split Rock took office three months ago, the Dutch suddenly tore up the commercial agreement they signed. They were no longer satisfied with the most favorable treatment instead demanding the entire Reef State. Open the market and prohibit private trade by any merchant ships in this area.

"Look, I don’t care what some newly appointed Earl says."

The smile on Alonso’s face slightly disappeared.

"Be careful with your words, Your Highness."

"So what, I’m the man in charge here, you do as I say," Valeric said in a booming voice.

"And for your information, Earl Grey controls the Dutch forces stationed here in Split Rock."

Alonso said, as he leaned forward slightly.

"Now, if Earl Grey knows that you are humiliating him, he will definitely be unhappy, and perhaps the supply of matchlock guns may be cut off by then..." Alonso said teasingly.

Prince Valeric suddenly burst out laughing. He laughed so hard that tears formed in his eyes.

"Do you think I still care about your matchlock guns now?"

Then he leaned forward.

"There’s something you should know. We can make them ourselves."

Alonso froze.

For the first time since stepping inside the pavilion, genuine surprise appeared on his face. "Impossible! How were you able to make matchlock guns, the least your Craftsman can only imitate them."

Over the years, he has made a fortune relying on trade with the Dutch, and ocean trade has made him rich in capital. Now that the Dutch have cut off his trade lines, they have cut off his financial path.

It was for this reason that he was so angry.

Alonso’s expression became increasingly unpleasant.

Seeing this, Prince Valeric had a faint smile as he continued.

"More importantly, the secret is the longer you’re alone."

He slowly rose from his chair.

"So take my message back to Earl Grey. If the Dutch honor our original agreement, then I’ll continue trading peacefully. But if you insist on monopolizing the sea..." His voice hardened.

"Then don’t blame us when we stop being polite."

According to the information he obtained, the Dutch army stationed on Split Rock was only 20,000 people. Although his fleet was not as good as the Dutch fleet, he had 5,000 large merchant ships.

In the past, he got along well with the Dutch and never thought of using force, but now that the Dutch have gone too far, he can only consider this as one of the options.

Alonso studied him closely for a while.

Then he smiled again.

"Very well, Your Highness. I shall deliver your message."

Then he pulled the dark cloak over his shoulder.

"Though I suspect Earl Grey will be very interested in hearing what you have told me."

Alonso turned and left.

The guards escorted him towards the castle gates. The moment he disappeared, another young man stepped beneath the pavilion.

He wore a purple round-necked robe. His face was long and narrow, and his eyes resembled those of his father.

He was the eldest son of Prince Valeric.

Damien Valeric.

"Father," Damien called out. As he looked in the direction Alonso had departed.

"Why waste your breath negotiating with them?"

His voice clearly carried a trace of impatience.

"Why not simply drive the Dutch from the sea? The sea routes will belong to us."

Valeric remained silent for several moments, before shaking his head.

"You overlook them, The Dutch fleet is not something we can casually handle lightly. If we start a rough war with them, we will lose our troops. It’s a pity that Prince Simon has ruined everything after our hard work for so long."

Upon hearing this Damien frowned.

"Then why provoke them? If doing so will only get us killed?"

"Because there’s a big difference between provoking someone and giving them a reason to fight someone else," Valeric said.

Damien’s eyes suddenly brightened.

Then his father turned toward him.

"Do you now understand all of it?"

A slow smile appeared on Damien’s face.

"Father, you deliberately told Alonso about the matchlock guns being made here, but not just here but by Prince Simon."

"Of course."

Prince Valeric chuckled.

"Does dirty bastard have been selling us firearms for five hundred caps of silver each?"

He said in a disgruntled voice.

"But Prince Simon had already begun producing them. And according to the report reaching the court, he can supply firearms at a fraction of the Dutch price."

Damien understood immediately.

"The Dutch won’t tolerate such an act, especially with their business." He said.

"Exactly." Replied Valeric. With a vigorous smile.

"The Dutch believe they controlled the market because only they possess the technology. Now Prince Simon has taken away their greatest advantage."

He took in a deep breath.

"What do you think they will do?" Damien asked, with a knowing smile.

"Sure they can’t sit still and watch their business deal go away, they will surely strike him."

Prince Valeric’s gaze became calculating.

"And if they do..."

He slowly closed his hand.

"We watch."

"If Prince Simon falls, we move."

A glint flashed in Damien’s eyes. As he spoke.

"Then we take all the lands around Bison, We have waited for too long."

"We take everything." Prince Valeric corrected him.

The father and son exchange a knowing glance. Their family had accumulated wealth for generations. Prince Valeric’s treasury was overflowing. In some prefectures, copper coins had accumulated in such quantities that the ropes binding them together had rotted away long before the coins could be spent. With such wealth, Prince Valeric had long wondered why he should continue bowing his head to the imperial court.

For years, he had waited. But every time he thought his time had come, Prince Simon appeared and disrupted his plans.

Prince Valeric’s expression darkened.

"Prince Simon had become a troublesome variable in the mix.

Before he could go on, a sudden rush of footsteps drew their attention.

A castle guard rushed into the pavilion. His face was pale.

"Your Highness!"

Prince Valeric became disgusted and asked in an angry voice.

"What brings you here in such a rush?"

The guard dropped to one knee.

"The Dutch..."

His breathing was heavy.

"The Dutch fleet has attacked the harbor."

The expression on both father’s and son’s faces became unreadable.

"What did you just say?" Valeric asked.

"After Envoy Alonso boarded his vessel, the Dutch warships suddenly opened fire."

The guard swallowed.

"Now several merchant ships in the harbor have already been destroyed."

For a while, nobody spoke.

Boom!

A distant explosion shook the castle Windows, Damien turned sharply toward the harbor.

Then another explosion followed.

Boom!

Damien’s earlier confidence vanished.

"Father..."

Prince Valeric slowly stood, his expression becoming terrifyingly cold as he fixed his eyes upon the distant flashes.

With bloodshot eyes, he spoke...

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