The Knight's Journey to the Empire

"Hey, Count Katis, don't act so fierce! After all, we are still hereditary nobles of the same kingdom, and we still have some affection for each other!"

Perhaps Prince Mochristin felt that his attitude in asking the question just now was a bit aggressive, so he thought of laughing it off to ease the current atmosphere.

But Countess Katis was very angry at the moment, so how could she possibly pay attention to his attempts to reconcile?

So she stared straight at Prince Mercristin with an expression that kept him at a distance, and had no intention of paying any attention to him at all.

Upon seeing this, Prince Mercristian curled his lips helplessly, feeling unhappy.

He simply stopped changing the subject and resumed his previous cold expression, while calmly stating his conditions:

"I've also learned about the situation in the [Angliss Islands]!"

"So, of the five largest islands, I want two as my private territories. In addition, I also want 20,000 citizens to develop the territories, as well as a transport fleet!"

"As for other supplies and the like, I want 30%."

Over there, Countess Katis and Soran heard what was said and stood up from their seats in shock.

Even Butler Mark, who had been sitting silently nearby, showed an expression of disbelief.

And the royal priest, Master Oliver, also raised his eyebrows in surprise!

Obviously, they had not expected that His Royal Highness Prince Mercristian would have such a big appetite!

Because this is simply asking for an exorbitant price, a real exorbitant price!

However, Butler Mark and Master Oliver did not say much, but kept their eyes closed and looked as if they were "minding their own business".

But the subsequent performance of Countess Katis and Soran was somewhat puzzling.

The two of them looked at each other in tacit understanding, then smiled at each other and sat back down.

Then the two of them leisurely picked up the tea beside them and drank it in silence, as if no one was around.

Prince Mercristin was a little confused about the two's behavior, so he could only ask tentatively with displeasure: "Why? Are you two dissatisfied with the conditions I proposed?"

Soran still ignored him and drank his precious tea leisurely.

Because the tea used to entertain the two nobles here is also brewed with the leaves of the 4 precious [Cappuccino Magic Plant Giant Tree].

After taking a sip of tea, Countess Katis said in a mocking tone: "Your Highness, King and Prince Mercristin, if you really want to negotiate with us, then make good terms; if you don't want to negotiate, then please do as you please!"

Soon, Soran also said: "Yes, Your Highness, I still have a lot of things to deal with. If you don't want to talk, then I won't bother you!"

Upon hearing this, Prince Mokristin frowned and said in a rather unhappy tone: "Am I not negotiating terms with you now?"

Soran rolled his eyes, shook his head imperceptibly, and sighed silently in his heart!

Countess Katis on the side pouted and replied: "Your Highness, since you said you have learned about the situation of the [Angliss Islands], how can you put forward such conditions? So you'd better change it quickly! Tell us what you think, otherwise there is no need to talk!"

Prince Mochristin suddenly felt a little embarrassed!

Because he also knew that the conditions he proposed were indeed too high!

But he didn't show anything on his face, and continued to say stubbornly: "What I just said is my condition!"

In fact, according to Prince Mercristin's idea, he just wanted to take advantage of the "skylight effect", or the "front-door technique" in negotiations.

That is, at the beginning, they ask for a sky-high price and put forward a condition that they feel is painful or impossible to achieve; then they slowly lower the conditions through bargaining or compromise, so that the final goal is to reach a price that is more favorable to them.

But what was unexpected was that Countess Katis and Soran saw through his plan directly.

So the two of them ignored him and didn't even argue with him.

Instead, I just drank tea leisurely and watched him perform quietly.

That's why Prince Mercristian felt a little embarrassed!

After all, if the other party doesn't support you, no matter how good your plan is, it will be in vain if you can't use it.

……

"Alright! Your Highness, we are all smart people. We have seen through your little tricks a long time ago! You are just trying to 'seek the best and get the worst'!"

"This negotiation technique is useless to us! So you'd better tell us your real conditions as soon as possible! Otherwise, there is really no need to continue the discussion!"

Upon seeing this, Countess Katis no longer gave face to Prince Mercurystin, but directly pointed out his true thoughts.

Prince Mokristin's thoughts were revealed, but he was not angry. Instead, he asked: "In this case, why don't you tell me what conditions you can offer first!"

In a negotiation, it is better to ask the other party's bottom line first, rather than revealing your own bottom line, so that you can deal with it.

Countess Katis and Soran looked at each other again, then Soran stood up and said the price they had just agreed on:

"Among the five largest islands, except for the [Sail Island] which has already been put into development and the largest [Angles Island], you can only choose one of the others!"

"As for the people, I can only give you 20! The ships are only 30 medium-sized Garp ships and large transport ships!"

"I can only give you 15% of the last supplies!"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" As soon as Soran finished speaking, Prince Mokristin started shouting loudly.

How could he agree to such conditions?

Giving an island as a territory is not a bad condition. After all, there are few people in the territory now, so even if we want more territory, it will be in vain if it cannot be developed.

But the number of subjects is only 5,000, which is absolutely impossible.

You know, the output from the crops of only 5,000 subjects is not even enough to support the troops brought by Prince Mercristin.

As for the importance of ships and supplies, it goes without saying that these are of paramount importance, so how can they be reduced?