The Knight's Journey to the Empire

But...how could a woman admit her mistakes so easily?

So Countess Katis raised her lips slightly, revealing a half-smile, and said with a sob: "So if that's the case, I have to thank you, right? Smart Baron Soran!"

Soran did not hear the hidden meaning of Countess Katis's words, but said with a bright smile on his face: "No need to thank me! After all, the Count has helped me before! Help each other... Help each other..."

After saying this, he raised his head slightly and took a sip of the sweet tea with a hint of pride!

However, Countess Katis suddenly changed the subject and continued to ask with a smile: "But, Baron Soran, I have another question to ask you!"

"Please go on." Soran said gentlemanly while drinking tea.

Countess Katis immediately stared at Soran, as if she wanted to see into his heart through his eyes!

"That is, since you have both the production processes of [Snowflake Sea Salt] and [Floral Soap], and the value of this [Floral Soap] is obviously higher!"

"Then why didn't you choose to cooperate with me by offering the more valuable [Floral Soap] production process at the beginning?"

"Or did you think that even with the strength of my Earl of Katis's family, we couldn't keep this huge benefit?"

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Upon hearing this, Sauron choked on his tea and coughed violently a few times, almost knocking over the cup in his hand!

But in my heart I was thinking: This woman, she really only wants the best, and she is so stingy and vengeful!

"My Lord Earl, if I say that I didn't know before that the value of [Floral Soap] is higher than that of [Snowflake Sea Salt]! Would you believe it?" There was a hint of embarrassment in Soran's voice that was difficult to conceal.

Upon hearing this, Countess Katis slightly raised her eyebrows, then raised the corners of her mouth, revealing a half-smile again!

Her beautiful, lively yet sharp eyes narrowed slightly, as if she had seen through Sauron's eyes and seen through his true thoughts!

Then Countess Katis asked with some momentum: "Do you think I believe it? Baron Soran!"

Facing the questioning of Countess Katis, Soran licked his lips guiltily and laughed awkwardly!

Finally, after racking his brains for a while, he had a flash of inspiration and came up with a reasonable explanation:

"My Lord Earl, the reason why I chose to cooperate with you on the [Snowflake Sea Salt] project is mainly because I value the fact that the Earl of Katis's family has been engaged in the production and sales of sea salt for generations, and has extensive connections and profound industry experience in this field!"

"So in order for our cooperation to develop faster and bigger, and thus maximize our benefits, we made this choice!"

"Okay! Then I'll trust you this time!" Countess Katis smiled slightly and regained her dignified, elegant, intellectual and charming demeanor!

But the main reason is that things have come to this point. Even if Countess Katis wants to continue pursuing the matter, it will be of no avail!

Moreover, although the title of Countess Katis is higher than that of Baron Soren, in the true sense, Soren is just her business partner, not her subordinate or vassal!

Therefore, she had no reason to pursue or accuse Soran of doing anything wrong!

After all, it is Soran’s freedom to choose which technology to use and with whom to cooperate!

Objectively speaking, no one can interfere!

As for why it is objectively?

Because subjectively, whoever has the bigger fist is right!

...........................

Countess Katis was silent for a while, and suddenly said: "However, Baron Soren, no matter whether what you just said is true or false, as a partner, I would like to advise you: Don't get so close to His Royal Highness Prince Leo II, and keep a certain distance as much as possible!"

She paused for a moment before solemnly emphasizing, "At the same time, you must remember not to take a stand or choose a side easily! Even if you have to make a decision, do not choose to stand on the side of His Royal Highness Prince Leo II!"

“Why? Isn’t it said that the Second Prince is smarter, wiser, more virtuous and more talented than the First Prince?” Soran asked puzzledly.

"No reason! You just need to know that the inheritance rights of the eldest son, especially among the nobles, are definitely not so easy to shake!"

"Moreover, for us hereditary nobles, the smarter the King is, the better!" Countess Katis explained lightly and stopped talking.

Over there, Soran was lost in thought!

Countess Curtis ignored him and drank her tea leisurely!

After a short while, Soran finally figured out some of the key points, and suddenly his mind became clear!

So he sincerely thanked Count Curtis: "Thank you for your teachings, Count!"

Countess Katis nodded with a smile, expressing her satisfaction with Soran's comprehension!

..............................

But actually!

Even without the "well-intentioned" reminder from Countess Katis, it was only because "His Royal Highness Prince Leo II has sent assassins to assassinate him"!

It is very likely that Sauron will not choose to stand on his side!

After all, revenge is one of Sauron's characteristics!

Therefore, if the right opportunity arises, Sauron may not be able to restrain himself and want to get rid of Prince Leo II himself!

So how could Sauron choose to stand for him!

However, if it really comes to an emergency, then things like "when you are under someone's roof, you have to bow your head" or "being in Cao's camp but your heart is with Han" are not completely impossible!

Well, of course, taking a step back, if the development trend of the general environment is already very obvious, then it seems that it is not a bad idea to follow your heart!

Anyway, in a nutshell, the most important thing is to save your own life first!

Because only by surviving can you have more possibilities!

Otherwise, everything else is just empty talk!

..............................

A beautiful maid from the Earl's mansion came up and filled the teacup in front of Soran. Then she smiled at him, made a "please have tea" gesture, and retreated.

Soran gently picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip of hot tea, made a "tsk" sound, and then slowly put the cup down!

Focusing his eyes on Countess Katis again, Soran asked softly, "My Lord Count, I also want to ask you something. I wonder if you can answer it for me?"

"You say!" Countess Katis frowned slightly, but tried to keep her voice calm and gentle.

"The fact that the Kingdom of Essex conquered the Free City of Ancordina has caused a great uproar in the city of Ganise recently. I wonder what the Earl thinks about this?"

"In other words, Lord Earl, do you think it is possible for the Kingdom of Essex to take advantage of the situation to attack the Kingdom of Midburg?" After a long time, Soran finally asked the question he wanted to ask most on this trip.

His eyes were fixed on Countess Katis, observing the changes in her expression, trying to get some clues from her reaction!

"Baron Soran, if I'm not mistaken, this question is the ultimate purpose of your sudden visit to me this time!"

Countess Katis also stared at Soran closely, with a wise light flashing in her eyes!

She chuckled, as if she had completely seen through Soran's thoughts!

Soran was a little surprised that his thoughts were guessed by the other party, but he did not show any panic or anger!

He just grinned slightly, using the smile to cover up his inner embarrassment!

After all, I had come here specially to thank Countess Katis!

But at this time, the smile that originally hung on Countess Katis's lips gradually faded, and was replaced by a face full of sadness and displeasure!

Countess Katis sighed softly before continuing, "Baron Soran, it seems a bit redundant to ask this question now!"

There was a sense of helplessness and heaviness in her voice, which moved Soran!

At the same time, Soran's heart tightened, and he realized that things might be more serious than he thought!

Soran quickly asked, "My Lord Earl, what happened? Why do you say that?"

Countess Katis frowned and said seriously, "Because according to the latest news we received from the south, the Kingdom of Essex has already assembled a large number of troops in the border area!"

"That is to say, they are already eyeing us covetously, ready to invade the Kingdom of Midburg and launch an attack on us at any time!"

Soran was shocked and couldn't help but mutter: "Has the situation developed to such a serious level now?"

He couldn't help but fall into deep thought!

Actually, think about it!

From the news that he first got in the White Bear Territory, about "the Free City-State of Ancordina being conquered by the Kingdom of Essex"!

This has already been passed through countless hands, and its timeliness and accuracy are definitely difficult to guarantee!

In addition, it took me four or five days to travel all the way to the city of Ganise!

Therefore, during this period of time, the battlefield situation must have undergone tremendous changes!

After all, it is wartime, the situation changes rapidly, and any slight disturbance may trigger a chain reaction!

Therefore, it is normal for this situation to occur!

If I have to blame someone, I can only blame myself for being weak and not having a strong enough intelligence system to support me!

Thinking of this, Sauron's mood became heavier!

Countess Katis nodded slightly, agreeing with Soran's statement, and then she continued: "That's right, Baron Soran! And I also want to tell you that this news came from the south five days ago!"

"So, at this moment, the war has already started in the southern border area. This situation is not impossible to happen!"

When Soran heard this, his face turned even darker!

Five days ago?

Doesn't that mean that before he has received any news about the Free City-State of Ancordina, the Kingdom of Essex may have already sent a large army to invade the Kingdom of Midburg?

So if the White Bear Lord had not set up an intelligence base in the city of Ganise!

Doesn't that mean that he will have to wait until the army of the Kingdom of Essex reaches the territory of the White Bear Territory before he can know the news of the Kingdom of Essex invading the Kingdom of Midburg?

The speed of information transmission in this world is too slow!

What a speechless incident!

"Then may I ask, Lord Earl, is there any news from the capital? How does the royal court plan to deal with this crisis?" Sauron asked impatiently.

Countess Katis thought for a moment before answering, "In fact, three days ago, His Majesty the King announced to the whole nation in the capital that the entire Midburg Kingdom has officially entered a state of emergency war. The whole country will unite as one and go all out to resist the invasion of foreign enemies until the final victory of this anti-aggression war is won!"

"Not only that, the king also issued a war order to nobles across the country, ordering all hereditary nobles to quickly summon the private armed forces in their respective fiefdoms and rush to the southern battlefield to reinforce and resolutely resist the attack of the Kingdom of Essex!"

"At the same time, a national conscription decree covering the entire country has been promulgated and implemented, aiming to recruit a large number of soldiers in a short period of time and achieve a large-scale expansion of the army!"

"In addition, His Majesty the King has also issued an emergency dispatch order to the Blue Shield Corps, which was originally responsible for guarding the kingdom's western border, to quickly dispatch the Blue Shield Corps to the southern region to provide strong support for the southern battlefield!"

"By the way, the eldest son of the Principality of Glia has also been released and returned home! Today, the Kingdom of Midburg and the Principality of Glia have successfully reached a reconciliation and have once again formed an offensive and defensive mutual assistance alliance to jointly resist the invasion of the Kingdom of Essex!"

"What about the ownership of the Lorraine Iron Mine in the Barinas Mountains? Was this mentioned?" For no reason, Sauron suddenly had an impulse and asked this question.

But after asking, he realized that he was really "talking too much"!

"No!" Count Katis shook his head decisively and said indifferently: "Now both countries are in a huge crisis, facing the worry of national destruction and on the verge of national extinction. Who would have the energy to care about those trivial matters?"

"And shouldn't the most urgent task be to expel the invaders from the Kingdom of Essex first?"

"Your Excellency is right!" Soran laughed awkwardly, and then asked, "Then how does Your Excellency plan to deal with this predicament?"

Countess Katis immediately looked helpless and sighed, saying, "Baron Soran, do you think there is any other way out for us besides actively responding to the King's call and dispatching troops to resist foreign enemies?"