The Reason for Seeking Help

Chapter 63 The Reason for Seeking Help

"Recently, the Mujik family sent us an official document stating that my grandfather had borrowed a huge loan from them using land as collateral, demanding that we cede territory to repay it. However, my grandfather has been dead for many years, and we have never heard of such a thing. This cannot be true!"

Branta gave a wry smile. "We would never cede territory, and of course we won't acknowledge this. The matter was reported to the Senate for arbitration through the Noble Council. But to our surprise, the Senate actually accepted the IOU presented by the Mujik family, and it does indeed bear my grandfather's signature. However, I can confirm that the IOU is absolutely forged! Count Mujik must have made some kind of deal with the nobles in the Senate!"

Alphonse curled his lip. It was obvious. It was simply a matter of money being a powerful motivator and possessing a treasure being a crime.

The Mujik family did something quite unethical; no wonder I heard Count Mujik went to the capital.

He must have gone through connections.

It's really impossible to compare them; it's infuriating to even try.

I thought that discovering iron ore in Coldwind Territory was already quite good, but compared to Blue Feather Territory, it's far inferior.

Branta continued, "The day before yesterday, the Mujik family sent a statement saying that because of past agreements, they believed our family could abide by the contract, so they had been waiting. But we have betrayed the honor of the nobility and their trust. If we are not willing to give up the mortgaged land within a week, they will launch a territorial war against us. If we lose, our family will be destroyed."

At this point, Brenta's face was filled with sorrow. "Your Excellency, you must help us!"

"Didn't you ask other nobles for help?" Alphonse asked curiously.

"We've looked." Branta was extremely dejected. "None of the nobles in this northern region are willing to lend a helping hand. We are now isolated and helpless, and we can only hire some mercenaries at high prices."

"How many men are in Count Mujik's army?"

"There are at least a thousand men, but that doesn't include the mercenaries and peasant soldiers who were temporarily conscripted. Perhaps other nobles will also send troops to participate," Branta said, staring intently at Alphonse.

Alphonse was truly speechless.

It's a battle for supremacy among the villages, isn't it?

In his previous life, the Ten Directions Holy Sect had over ten thousand disciples.

How many of you are there?

"With the recruited mercenaries and peasant soldiers, we should be able to muster about six or seven hundred men," Branta replied.

No wonder they were willing to pay such a high price; this was their life-saving money for the Cold Wind Guard.

It seems the Swood family is indeed at a critical juncture of life and death.

"Was the marriage agreement between Baron Swood and my father made in preparation for this?"

Upon hearing Alphonse's question, Branta didn't dare to hide anything and nodded, "Yes."

It's good to be prepared.

No wonder!

I found it strange at the time. Monica was known as the "Flower of the North," so why would Baron Swood be willing to let his precious daughter marry his infamous predecessor?

So that's the reason.

This is using their daughter as a bargaining chip.

"Four days until the war begins?"

"Yes!" Branta nodded again, then asked with some trepidation, "Your Excellency, have you decided to send troops to our aid?"

Alphonse considered it for a moment. The guards of the Cold Wind Territory had been cultivating for nearly half a month. With the help of the Divine Incense, all the soldiers had acquired true qi, and their Blood Fiend Demon Art had also made some progress.

It is indeed profitable, so participating in this war and testing the results is certainly no problem.

Going back to the point, that guy Ferren secretly set a trap for me, and I was already quite unhappy with their family, so this was a good opportunity for me to get revenge on them.

Ideally, all problems could be solved once and for all.

"Can."

Brenta was pleasantly surprised. "Thank you so much!"

With the Swood family surrounded by enemies, they finally found an ally willing to help.

Like a drowning person grasping at a straw, they were filled with gratitude towards Alphonse.

"Where's the money? If you want me to send troops, shouldn't I at least get a deposit first?"

If Branta was just trying to get something for nothing, Alphonse would have kicked him out immediately.

Judging from his appearance, he doesn't seem to be carrying a lot of money.

Branta quickly replied, "Your Excellency, rest assured, the promised reward will not be less than a single gold coin, but I haven't brought the gold coins with me yet."

Alphonse's face immediately darkened.

His eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a dangerous glint.

Are you trying to fool me?

"We can sign a magic contract!" Branta exclaimed, quickly pulling out a scroll and a bottle of ink.

Once the ribbon tied to the scroll was untied, the thick sheet of paper was laid out.

Alphonse immediately recognized it; it was another of those expensive contraptions from the Church of Justice.

Branta took out a quill, dipped it in ink, and began to write rapidly.

"Forget about Miss Monica. Take her back. I have no interest in her," Alphonse said.

Hearing Alphonse say this, Branta thought he was being pretentious and trying to make excuses, so she quickly looked up and said, "Her name is already written down, and this clause cannot be changed. If it is altered, this magical contract will not be effective. I only brought this one copy of the contract with me. Leaving Monica here as a hostage is also for the sake of our alliance."

Alphonse's face darkened instantly. "You son of a bitch, you wrote that fast!"

If we don't sign, there's no proof, and if Baron Swood goes back on his word, we can't just turn around and fight him again.

So it's not like fighting one house after another?

He glanced at the silent Monica, who seemed resigned to her fate, sitting there lost in thought with her head down, like a puppet that had lost its spirit.

Alphonse sighed inwardly. He really wasn't interested in Monica. He just couldn't understand why the Swood family would sacrifice their daughter when the conditions offered were already extremely generous.

Is there something strange about this?

Little did they know that the Swood family was completely desperate and fearing that Alphonse would be afraid of the Mujik family's power and unwilling to help, they sent Monica over as a gift.

They reasoned that Alphonse had been very attentive to Monica, so he probably had some feelings for her. By using Monica as leverage, they should have a better chance of persuading Alphonse.

Little did they know that Alphonse had been transformed, becoming an incredibly audacious individual who had long harbored a grudge against the Mujik family.

After Branta finished writing down their family's terms of the deal, she looked up and asked, "Your Excellency, your guardian knight Mia will also be accompanying you into battle, won't she?"

"Yes." Alphonse nodded.

"That's good." Branta breathed a sigh of relief and quickly resumed writing.

(End of this chapter)