Chapter 755: A Grand Deception

Kriye City's lord cannot help turning to Marquess Pajaje. "My lord, is this true?"

Pajaje ignores the question and turns to Scott. "We already paid the deposit."

"Any problems during transportation are your responsibility."

"You should bear the losses yourselves. Swallowing Qili Guild's funds now hardly seems appropriate, does it?"

Scott takes his seat as well. "My lord, please hear the rest of the story."

"Do you know where Qili Guild sold the equipment?"

"They were willing to take dangerous risks in pursuit of profit."

"But extraordinary equipment is difficult to fence. Finding a buyer was no simple matter."

"We never intended to go this far."

"Then we activated an inside source planted in Qili Guild."

"Their guard captain, Miller, was our man. After narrowly escaping death, he brought me a vital piece of intelligence."

"Only then did we realize there was far more to the affair."

"Eventually, we traced it all to a Kuka City faction called King's Shield."

"They paid Qili Guild a fortune to switch the shipment, then bought the equipment themselves."

"We are talking about fifty complete sets of extraordinary equipment."

"Do you think any private faction, or even one of Ika's great nobles, could afford such a purchase?"

Pajaje and Kriye City's lord both turn grim. "Ika discovered the transaction."

Scott nods. "Yes. That is what our investigation uncovered."

"The information leaked from your side to Livos city-state, then continued on to Golden Capital."

Pajaje panics. As a triple agent, he had indeed passed the information to Ika.

Scott continues, "Ika recently learned that we had traced the deal back to Qili Guild."

"They sent people to contact the guild's leader."

"They also offered substantial benefits, hoping to turn Qili Guild completely to their side."

"Both of you know perfectly well that we have used Qili Guild for clandestine deals over the years."

"If Ika obtained the evidence, it would also learn the channels and methods behind those dealings."

"That would pose an enormous threat to both of us."

"That is why we took ruthless action, destroyed Qili Guild, and seized all its wealth."

"Publicly, the raid demonstrates our resolve and warns our front organizations against making moves behind our backs."

"Privately, it removes the danger before it can cause greater trouble for either side."

"Strictly speaking, it wasn't robbery. Qili Guild's cash flow came from selling that equipment."

"We will expedite the extraordinary equipment promised to you and do everything possible to deliver it before the end of the year."

"As for the twenty sets already in your territory, you may dispose of them as you please."

Pajaje is delighted, but caution quickly returns. "And what is the price?"

Scott swirls the wine in his glass. "Put in a good word for us with your chief consul and buy us a little time."

"We will deliver all seventy sets before the end of the year. There will be no delay."

Pajaje narrows his eyes. "That price is far too small. You're handing me goods worth more than a million gold coins?"

"If that's all you want, I can't trust this offer, much less accept it."

Scott walks over to the map and taps one spot. "Let us develop this area."

"We don't want much, only five hundred square kilometers of land."

"We will station no troops there. It will only be a development zone with factories producing civilian goods."

"There is no need to fear military use. The land borders your territory and lies between your lands and Kriye City."

"All we want is to make some money."

"You both understand that we've spent years abroad, far from Peace Haven and with little access to resources. Life hasn't been easy."

"I'm newly arrived. I need to secure some benefits for my men and earn their loyalty."

"Peace Haven will not build the industrial zone. It will belong to our Military Intelligence Office station in the Western Regions."

Pajaje waves a hand. "No. I know how capable Peace Haven is at infiltration. This is absolutely unacceptable."

Scott remains unhurried. "Hear me out before you refuse, my lord."

"This equipment is my goodwill gift. I'll find a way to cover the shortfall afterward."

"I'll also give the city lord two hundred thousand gold coins. I hope you won't find the amount too small."

"We've investigated your circumstances too, my lord. What you lack most is money."

"You have a legion to support, while the federation provides far too little funding."

"In this changing world, an army is both the foundation of our power and our lifeline."

"Maintaining that legion already costs more than you bring in."

"If this continues, its combat strength will decline until it becomes a second-rate legion."

"You are one of only three marquesses in the Western Lumir Federation, and your position rests on that legion."

"Once the industrial zone is complete, I promise you twenty percent of its revenue and Kriye City's lord ten percent."

"Even a ten-percent share should exceed one hundred thousand gold coins a year, and the figure will only grow."

"An extra two hundred thousand gold coins each year will be more than enough to preserve your legion's combat strength."

"You will also be free to develop your territory and slip the noose your chief consul has deliberately tightened around you."

"As for Lord Anak, more money can hardly hurt. You could strengthen the city guard and stop being pushed around by every side."

"Or you could expand your family and develop your own lands. Either would be an excellent choice."

Pajaje glances at Kriye City's lord, frightening the man into lowering his head.

Pajaje then says calmly, "Officer Scott, there is no need for such divisive talk."

"My loyalty to the chief consul is plain for all to see, and I know perfectly well how deeply he cares for me."

Scott chuckles. "Then what do you think of my proposal?"

"And if I refuse?"

Scott sighs. "That would be unfortunate. You are not the only marquess in your country."

"We don't have to work with you. There are plenty of other candidates."

Pajaje turns to Kriye City's lord. "Anak, what do you think?"

Lord Anak lowers his head. "I will abide by your decision, my lord."

Pajaje says, "I want forty percent. Anak gets twenty."

Scott shakes his head. "Twenty-five percent for you and ten for Anak. We have other choices. You have only us."

Pajaje rises. "Deal. But I will deploy troops to keep the industrial zone under close watch."

"The moment I find armed forces there, or discover that you've overstepped your bounds, I'll expel you without hesitation."