Chapter 1905 - 522: The Backbone of the Duchy (Part 5)

"Exactly. The ones you see most over there are Lizardmen, or Sailors who capsized their ships—kids his age are really scarce. It only got a bit better in the last couple of years."

That was close!

Keeping his expression steady as he steered the topic back, Luo Yan felt his palm break out in a sweat.

He'd let himself drift just now and almost slipped up. Fortunately, he'd long since trained the ability to lie through his teeth with his eyes wide open, so he hadn't shown any cracks.

Edward clearly hadn't imagined anything as far-off as Hell; he was just puzzled by the lack of peers.

"To be honest, I've been meaning to ask: his engagement is actually with…"

"Naturally it's with a family from the Holy City. We can't seriously be arranging a marriage with Lizardmen from the Gana Continent, can we?" Luo Yan said in a joking tone.

The Colin family had a secret passage that could slip past the Great Barrier; he'd shared that lead with the Campbell family people a long time ago.

So having dealings with a Holy City family was the most normal thing in the world; without a god's-eye view there was no way to spot anything off.

"Haha, of course."

Edward didn't dig all the way down and ask which family it was, since he also worried about exposing his own ambition to match Gutaf with Lino.

Sabotaging a marriage contract wasn't exactly glorious business; his heart was locked in an inner struggle, so he laughed it off and let the topic drop.

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, then sat down on the sofa.

Without summoning the servants waiting at the door, Edward personally poured Colin a cup of tea, speaking with sincere tone.

"I really have to thank you for this."

Luo Yan nodded with a smile.

"You've already said that plenty of times."

"No matter how many times, I still have to say it. Without your help, there's no way this would've gone so smoothly."

Edward's voice carried a hint of emotion as he said this.

"Seeing those energetic kids today, I was endlessly thankful for the decision I made back then—to spend that money on them."

"Looks like their confidence really struck a chord with you."

"More than that!" Edward grinned. "I only realized not long ago that the backbone of the Campbell people is the backbone of the Duchy, not that unreliable so‑called 'Duchy Shield', nor that 'Light of Praise' that hurts the enemy a thousand and harms itself eight hundred."

Late yesterday, he'd received a report from the Royal Intelligence Bureau about the Third Level Conference being held at the Ryan Kingdom's Summer Palace.

After reading the entire report, he couldn't help but sigh: in that grand Land of Knights, there were hardly any real men left!

Even some two‑bit opportunist could wag his tail over there and, just like that, turn into a distinguished guest of the Ministers.

What was happening in Roland City made one's blood run cold.

And this only further confirmed the thought in his heart: only by enlightening the people's Spirit could they resist the feudal forces inside and outside the Duchy.

The founding of Thunder City University was the first step in establishing a national Spirit for the Campbell Duchy, and also the most crucial step.

Luo Yan looked at Edward in surprise, a trace of amused interest rising in his eyes.

It seemed the concept of "nation" hadn't only been born in the roar of the textile workers—it had also sprouted in the heart of Duke Campbell.

"Your scope and vision are still as impressive as ever. The fact you can see this shows the Campbell Duchy's Future is already on the right track."

"Speaking of 'the right track'…"

A mocking curve tugged at Edward's lips as he casually shared with Mr. Colin the news he'd gotten from the Intelligence Bureau yesterday.

"Our dear His Majesty the King has put on quite a show lately. I hear he's short on money, so he set up a 'Third Level Conference' in the Summer Palace, trying to copy our method of raising taxes."

"Oh? How'd that go?" Luo Yan blew at the tea leaves floating in his cup.

Although he'd already gotten wind of it from the Holy Mark Organization, he still asked offhand.

And Edward's answer turned out exactly as he'd expected; the Duke made no effort to hide the mockery in his tone as he grinned and said:

"The result? The result is that his Summer Palace turned into a vegetable market. Nobles were slapping the tables and cursing, Priests were as cold as bricks, and a few boneless dogs were trembling in the corners… Saint Sis above, that damned old man really should've invited me; I actually missed such a wonderful circus act."

Listening to that unvarnished ridicule, Luo Yan smiled and quipped:

"Looks like our Mr. Theoden must've offended Saint Sis—otherwise it's hard to explain why misfortune keeps landing on him."

Edward joked back as well.

"I heard he promoted the court jester to the position of regional bishop; I suppose that was what offended the Divine."

Luo Yan let out a sigh.

"Then it's no surprise. If I were Saint Sis, I'd have to deal with him too."

Edward chuckled and leaned his head back against the sofa.

"Haha! You're as witty as ever! Though… perhaps we should choose some other joke to make."

He didn't mind that joke with the door closed, but thinking of the utter mess next door… he felt it was better to be a bit devout.

What if Saint Sis overheard?

"…I imagine merciful Saint Sis wouldn't care about some harmless teasing from me. Besides, as a Prince of the Imperial, from the bottom of my heart I feel these people are the ones truly blasphemous—they've even managed to drag the Judicial Court into it."

Watching his dear ally look so certain of victory, Luo Yan, having finished sharing his delight with Edward, gently set down his cup and went on in a conversational tone.

"Still, even though our neighbor has pulled another disgraceful stunt, you mustn't assume he's your only opponent. It's better if we stay cautious."

One man alone cannot make the Campbell Duchy a republic; likewise, one man alone cannot turn the Ryan Kingdom fully feudal.

Whichever path is taken, it's the manifestation of the whole civilization's collective will; this is absolutely not something a single King or a single Noble can decide.

Edward grinned. He still didn't take that dignity‑stripped King seriously, but there was no arrogance in his eyes.

"Naturally. Only fools pin their hope of victory on their opponent's mistakes. With or without that idiot Theoden, Campbell's reforms will keep advancing at our pace."

Yet as he said this, a hard glint flashed through his eyes.

"That said, my score with Theoden is not settled. Campbell blood cannot be shed for nothing; reciprocation is a Noble tradition. Since he likes playing tricks behind our backs, I intend to repay him with a handsome gift."

Looking at the ambitious Duke, Luo Yan smiled faintly.

"You've already given their Salvation Army a lot of support; any more weapons and they won't be able to absorb them. Besides, what they lack right now isn't backing—it's timing… If you still want to do something more, why not try the Encyclopedia?"

"The Encyclopedia?"

Edward blinked, clearly not keeping up with Mr. Colin's leaps of logic, at least not yet seeing how the two things were connected.

"Yes, the project Mr. Locke is in charge of."

Luo Yan nodded slightly.

"I don't believe the Ryan people are as worthless as you make them sound. The feudal Ghost still lingers within the Campbell Duchy, and the republican Ghost must also be hovering above the Ryan Kingdom. This candle may not have started to shine yet, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. You've already won one victory; you're in a perfect position to help light it for them."

He didn't know exactly which version of the report Edward had heard, but the intelligence the Holy Mark Organization relayed to Sarah contained every single speech.

For example, there was a Scholar named Ferguson at the conference—clearly one of the rare clear‑headed ones—who shut Baron Wickton up with a single sentence.

The very loving Prince Colin had stated that 3% of the seats was indeed far too few.

But this card was an excellent one.

"When the smart folk of the Ryan Kingdom start drawing Campbell Duchy salaries to write 'Truth' and 'Science' in our books, I'm sure the smart folk of both countries will have many topics in common to share… A shared topic is always a fine way to warm relations."

The Campbell Duke was a clever man; Luo Yan could speak to him the way one speaks to clever people, without having to spell out every last detail as he did with the Holy Daughter.

It was like asking an adult to light firecrackers—you just toss him the Lighter, and at most remember to take it back when he's done.

But if you're asking a child to light firecrackers, you not only need to teach the kid how to light them, but also how to run right after lighting, and not to toss the Lighter away and run off holding the firecrackers.

Edward's eyes grew brighter as he listened, a look of deep thought on his face.

"I see… This sword is one I'd overlooked! Thank you!"

Watching Duke Edward thank him yet again, a slightly helpless smile appeared on Luo Yan's face.

"No need. With your intellect, I'm sure even if I hadn't mentioned it, you'd have thought of it yourself sooner or later."