“This damned weather,” Lete. Betterman muttered by the window, gazing at the cloud-laden sky, “It’s going to rain again.”
Sunken Pool Bay, near the sea, was never short of rain, especially during the summer and autumn seasons. It was common for the sky to be clear one moment and a storm to erupt the next. Therefore, the city had made extensive preparations, from stone-paved roads to underground drainage systems. Unlike Broken Tooth Fort or Greystone City, where a rain shower could turn the lowlands into puddles and everything became muddy, one or two heavy rains at most would delay merchant ships from unloading, having little impact on the city.
It wasn't so much the weather as it was his mood.
Unfortunately, after the downpour, the dark clouds would dissipate, but his mood would not.
“Lord, have you considered how to answer them?” Clerk Zum asked cautiously.
“Answer?” The Baron sneered twice. “Being hanged or burned at the stake, if you had to choose one, how would you answer?”
“Uh…” The Clerk was momentarily speechless.
“No way to choose, right? Let’s keep stalling.”
“But…” He opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but in the end, he couldn’t bring himself to speak.
Even if he didn't say it, Lete. Betterman knew that this matter would be difficult to keep dragging on—like a **weather** pregnant with storms, no matter how unwilling merchants were to see it, it would eventually fall.
The root of everything came from the war with the Church.
After the destruction of Wolfheart King City, it was as if a large number of the Wolf King's illegitimate children had sprung up overnight. Lords from various regions formed factions and fought against each other, each claiming to be the rightful heir. After a period of competition, three major forces gradually emerged—the Token family entrenched in the northwest, the "Red Stone Gate" family occupying the southern territory, and the "Fangs" family in the eastern mountainous area.
The former, due to its distance, had not bothered Sunken Pool Bay. However, the latter two families were different. Both dukes wanted to pull Sunken Pool Bay into their faction to further expand their own strength.
In the early stages of the conflict, the Baron insisted on the port maintaining neutrality, not offending any side. This not only allowed the city to quickly recover its prosperity but also earned him considerable income. To ensure that goods could be exchanged for grain or gold dragons in a timely manner, coupled with the surrounding area being unsettled, the two dukes did not put too much pressure on him.
But with the new round of annexation and expansion, the Fangs and Red Stone Gate gradually stood out, becoming the most powerful contenders for the new Wolf King. Additionally, the Token family suddenly closed the Cage Mountain passage, causing these two major families to turn their attention back to Sunken Pool Bay.
The Baron could guess what they were up to without even thinking.
—Swallowing Sunken Pool Bay and, by the way, cutting off the enemy's supply trade, would inevitably give them a great advantage in this competition. So, this time, they not only sent envoys, but also dozens of knights and hundreds of mercenaries, making their intentions clear.
The harbor only had patrol teams to maintain order and a personal guard to protect the lord. They were fine dealing with poorly armed pirates, but they had no ability to defend themselves against fully armed knights. Lete. Betterman didn’t plan to resist either. If the three major forces had already determined a victor and decided on the Wolf King, he would not hesitate to swear allegiance. As for whether the new Wolf King was from the Old Wolf King's bloodline, he didn't care.
However, the Red Stone Gate and the Fangs were evenly matched.
Pledging allegiance would be a dead end.
No matter which side he chose to stand with, the other side would never sit idly by and lose the maritime trade. That would mean that supplies such as grain and ironware could only rely on domestic production, while the other side would be able to continuously obtain supplies, undoubtedly handing victory to them.
Therefore, once he pledged allegiance, he would inevitably face a large-scale attack from the other side.
Sunken Pool Bay had neither impenetrable walls nor deep moats. To resist, it could only rely on the full support of the side it pledged allegiance to.
But would the two families really support him?
The Baron dared not gamble.
If he were the Duke of Red Stone Gate or the Fangs, he would naturally be able to think that it would be more effective to first use the people of Sunken Pool Bay to wear down the attackers, and then take the opportunity to attack from both sides, which could effectively reduce the casualties of the elite knights. Even letting the enemy into the city and then blocking their retreat to slowly wear them down… After all, what the other party wanted was Sunken Pool Bay, not the people here.
Or rather, Sunken Pool Bay without him, Lete. Betterman, in charge would be better.
As said before, this was a question of choosing to be hanged or burned at the stake.
Putting the two envoy groups in the same camp was to use their mutual animosity to buy time. It would be even better if they could fight. He had repeatedly provided them with strong wine and women and deliberately let them choose together, but even though these people argued until their faces were red, they never drew their swords against each other.
“Drip, drip…”
The rain finally fell, and the governor's garden became hazy, as if covered by a thin veil.
Staring at the petals gently swaying in the rain, the Baron remained silent. Waiting like this was not a solution, but he couldn't think of a way to maintain neutrality. His grandfather often said that nobles often wavered between gains and losses of interest and power. As long as one used this well, one could play both sides. Perhaps he should calm down, give up those little tricks, and think carefully from a strategic level about how to get out of this predicament.
At this moment, a burst of hurried footsteps interrupted his thoughts.
“L-Lord, something bad has happened!”
“What’s the panic? Speak properly!” Lete. Betterman glared at the newcomer with displeasure. “What exactly is so bad?” Could it be that those knights had finally started fighting? If that were the case, it would be good news! He stared at the guard's mouth, hoping to glean the words "camp" or "knight" from the other party's mouth.
“Graycastle, the Graycastle King’s fleet has occupied the harbor!” However, the guard’s words completely exceeded his imagination, leaving him unable to react for a moment. “Not only that, but they have also blockaded the dock area, prohibiting anyone from approaching!”
“What did you say? Gray…castle?” The Baron repeated subconsciously. “Do they want to buy or sell something? Wait…did you just say blockade?”
“That’s right!” The guard said urgently. “They drove away the ships that were originally docked at the pier, only allowing their own ships to dock, and said it was a ‘temporary requisition’ and that order would be restored soon. The patrol team wanted to stop them, but they were disarmed in the blink of an eye! According to reports, there are hundreds of Graycastle ships outside the port!”
Lete. Betterman found it a little hard to believe. “Are you sure it’s the Graycastle King’s fleet? Not a lord’s coat of arms?”
“Yes, I saw it with my own eyes through the telescope,” the guard nodded with difficulty. “It is indeed the Graycastle royal family’s Tower and Spear banner.”
Gods, could it be that Graycastle intends to invade Wolfheart?
Why would Wimbledon abandon the wealthy neighboring countries and go out of their way to find trouble with him?
Even if the King of Graycastle wants to expand his territory, there is no need to launch an attack from the sea, right? Can the Token family really withstand the Graycastle army that defeated the Church?
No, this doesn’t make sense at all…
The Baron felt that his mind was in a state of chaos and couldn't make heads or tails of it.
Until Clerk Zum walked to his side and whispered a few words in his ear.
The Baron’s eyes lit up!
That's right, this might be the opportunity he's been waiting for!
The strength of Graycastle is beyond doubt, enough to break the current stalemate between the two powers. Assuming this fleet is really here to expand the territory for the King of Graycastle, being new to this strange land, no matter how powerful they are, they will need the help of local nobles. With a little guidance, perhaps they can achieve the effect of driving wolves to devour tigers. Anyway, it's not like he cares whom he pledges allegiance to. If he shows goodwill to the King of Graycastle, perhaps he can gain greater power and become a guardian of a region!
Even if Wimbledon fails, he won't suffer any losses.
At this moment, another guard ran in. "Lord, the Graycastle fleet has sent an envoy, saying that they are carrying the decree of His Majesty Roland Wimbledon and hope to speak with you in detail."
Lete. Betterman and Clerk Zum exchanged glances, then nodded. "Guests who come from afar are always welcome. Tell the envoy that I can see them at any time."