Chapter 392 - 270: The World Is a Giant Amateur Show (Part 2)

Chapter 392: Chapter 270: The World Is a Giant Amateur Show (Part 2)

Exquisite long tables were arranged around the room, laden with a sumptuous feast and fine wine. The gaze of a particular noble was fixed on Selas.

Countess Ratifa sat at the head of the table, her posture elegant and noble, her eyes holding a hint of stern coldness.

She wore a deep blue gown, its hem embroidered with silver patterns that sparkled in the light.

Her gaze swept over Selas. She raised a delicate eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

"Selas, to be honest, I’m quite surprised." Ratifa’s voice was cool and imperious. She beckoned him forward with a flick of her finger.

"I had expected Count Henry’s minister, Claude, to be the one coming to speak with me."

Selas bowed slightly and replied, "Countess Ratifa, Minister Claude has important matters to attend to. He specifically instructed me to convey his respects to you.

And I, as the representative of the Bro Clan, am equally qualified to negotiate with you on this matter."

Ratifa stared at Selas, as if scrutinizing whether he was truly qualified to represent the Bro Clan.

"Haha, don’t be so tense. I remember your face. I saw how gallantly you fought during the battle with the Inferior Horned Beasts. You are a worthy Knight."

Selas breathed a sigh of relief and took a seat as guided by a handmaiden. Kurt offered a less-than-friendly smile and sat down as well.

"Selas, the rise of the Bro Clan is indeed remarkable. Count Henry’s current strength has made the entire empire sit up and take notice. However, I’m curious as to why you’ve chosen to approach me at this particular time."

’Huh? Weren’t you the one who sent my lord the first letter?’

But Selas wasn’t foolish enough to say that out loud. ’Nobles,’ he thought. ’They always test the waters before talking business. We’re just getting started.’

"Countess, you are the lord of Tiyaer, its master. The Bro Clan has always held you in high regard. We have come today hoping to discuss matters of mutual benefit."

Ratifa nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied with Selas’s answer. "Tell me, what matter could be so important to the Bro Clan?"

"Countess, you must be aware that the empire is in a precarious state.

The Emperor has lost the hearts of the people, and nobles across the land are secretly gathering their strength, biding their time. And Count Henry... he does not intend to be a mere participant in the coming chaos."

"Hmph. The whole empire knows of Count Henry’s ambition by now."

Selas didn’t refute her; Ratifa was right.

"You are correct, Countess. Count Henry is indeed ambitious, but he is also aware that the Bro Clan cannot shake the entire empire on its own.

We need allies—like-minded individuals. And you, Countess Ratifa, are without a doubt the best choice."

"Me?"

"Yes, you," Selas said, his tone firm. "Your influence and status in the Northern Lands are enough to command the attention of all its nobility.

And what Count Henry needs most right now is an ally just like you. We can back you, ensuring you secure a more advantageous position in the coming chaos."

Ratifa fell silent for a moment, a thoughtful look in her eyes. "Selas, your support sounds tempting. But I’m curious, how exactly do you plan to support me?"

Selas smiled, rose, and took a few steps forward, his gaze meeting Ratifa’s directly. "Countess, you know that Count Henry’s army is now strong and formidable. We can also support you politically, giving you a greater voice in the chaos.

A public alliance with Count Henry would allow you to..."

Ratifa smiled, a playful glint in her eyes. Her conversation with Selas seemed formal and serious, but it was, in fact, merely a performance.

Long before Selas’s arrival, she had received the secret letter he’d entrusted to the patrol captain—a letter that detailed Henry’s plan.

And she herself had already weighed the pros and cons and made her decision.

This so-called negotiation was just a formality, a way to give both sides an "out" and make their cooperation seem perfectly logical.

Selas was well aware of this, too. He was merely following Henry’s arrangements to complete the final step of the process.

Selas and Kurt’s visit was merely an exercise to hone their negotiation skills.

This negotiation, which on the surface concerned the fate of the empire, was nothing more than a charade both parties silently acknowledged. The outcome was already decided; this was just a game of formalizing an agreement after the fact.

Meanwhile, Fass’s situation was much the same as Selas’s.

He traveled from one noble’s domain to another, ostensibly to persuade them, but in reality, he was merely completing a "pilgrimage" with a predetermined outcome.

Those nobles had long since learned of Henry’s strength, ambition, and activities through various channels, and all of them were trying to predict his next move.

Their minds were already made up; they just needed a suitable opportunity and a respectable pretext to officially join the coming upheaval.

If they were too slow, they wouldn’t just miss the feast—they’d end up on the menu themselves.

Fass’s tour of persuasion felt more like he was delivering a pre-drafted treaty, and the nobles were simply waiting for his arrival to add their signatures as a matter of course.

They all had a tacit understanding, maintaining a facade of noble reserve and caution, while in reality, they had long since made their choice.

Fass’s words might have been persuasive, but what truly made them commit was Henry’s current prestige and military might.

The most difficult part of the entire process wasn’t the negotiations themselves, but the endless travel.

From one noble’s domain to the next, Fass and his retinue had to hurry along rugged roads, crossing forests, plains, mountains, and wastelands.

The horses were weary and the men were exhausted, but they could only grit their teeth and press on.

The mission was simple, but the rewards were considerable. At the very least, this tour had greatly expanded Fass’s own network of noble "friends."

That’s how nobles were. Meeting once made you acquaintances. Shared interests made you friends. Conflicting interests made you enemies.

This whole journey, in one light, was just a glorified delivery errand. But in a better light, it was almost like a tour—an exhausting one, at that.

Fass often thought that if Count Henry weren’t so ambitious, he might have been able to properly appreciate the continent.

After all, from the vast plains and lush forests to the rolling mountain ranges, every part of this continent possessed its own unique beauty.

Now, however, he could only rush through, with no time to savor the sights.

Before he met Henry, he had been nothing more than a wealthy noble Knight. He probably would have spent his life as Boman’s good friend, maintaining their defensive pact and living out his days on his own little patch of land.

But that wasn’t an option anymore. An opportunity like this was right in front of him. If he didn’t take the gamble, he’d miss his chance for a lifetime, and he knew he would regret it to his dying day.

But it was precisely this constant travel that allowed Henry’s influence to spread so quickly and his grand plan to advance so rapidly.

Every arrival in a new domain, every meeting with a noble, added another brick to the foundation of Henry’s grand plan.

When Fass finally reached his next destination and saw the ancient castle standing on a distant hill—a fortress that had withstood the ravages of time—he couldn’t help but sigh.

’Another perfunctory negotiation. Another charade we all understand.’

"My lord, shall we send a letter ahead first?"

Fass thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No. I’ll go speak to this one myself. Sending only a letter might seem disrespectful."