Chapter 307 [The Art of Managing People], Post-Event Settlement

After ending his communication with the Iron King, Count Mills abruptly pushed open the oak window.

The blinding afternoon sunlight streaming into the study from outside the window made him squint unconsciously.

He took several deep breaths of the air, fragrant with garden roses, his chest heaving as he tried to dispel the frustration and humiliation brought on by the negotiations.

Gradually, his emotions calmed down, and he regained his usual composure.

"Perhaps... we should redeem Ciel."

As he calmed down and reviewed the negotiation with the dragon, a wave of regret gripped him.

Count Mills realized that his last-minute decision was driven by emotion and was not rational.

The Flower Knight has indeed become a useless person, losing his former value.

But with the Albert family's vast resources, taking care of one more disabled person is not a difficult task at all.

More importantly.

This serves as an excellent example for all other adventurers—look, even if you end up crippled and miserable while serving the Albert family, the family will mercifully take care of you to the end and will never abandon you.

Once such a reputation spreads, the Albert family will surely gain more gratitude and support from adventurers, making those simple-minded, hot-blooded fools even more willing to risk their lives for the family.

Putting aside any so-called past feelings and moral obligations, purely from the perspective of family interests, redeeming Shire is clearly the better choice.

only.

In the long and drawn-out negotiations with that greedy, cunning, and outrageously calculating red iron dragon.

Under the humiliation and torment of being repeatedly told that his family had failed, that he was forced to cede business opportunities, and that he had to pay astronomical sums in compensation.

Earl Mills' patience was gradually worn down, and his accumulated frustration, like molten lava, kept crashing against the banks of his reason.

final.

The accumulated negative emotions completely overwhelmed his calm thinking, leading him to make a decision that lacked careful consideration and was merely a momentary emotional release.

Of course, this decision was not without its consolations.

Giving up on the Shire at least prevented that hateful dragon from getting another gold coin out of his hands!

The thought of the dragon's possible disappointment or anger filled Earl Mills with a sense of satisfaction, making him feel slightly better.

"Should we contact that evil dragon again, negotiate revive, and redeem Ciel?"

He hesitated, his gaze falling back to the crystal communication device on the table that had just gone silent.

However, after only a few seconds of thought, he shook his head slightly and gave up the idea.

"Never mind, he's not exactly an important figure in the grand scheme of things."

"Redeeming him would be nothing more than icing on the cake for the family's reputation. Besides, if we change our minds and start negotiating again now, that cunning dragon will inevitably seize the opportunity to extort another sum of money from us."

The pride and dignity inherent in nobility also prevented Earl Mills from easily backing down or bowing down to his enemies.

Earl Mills paced slowly in his study, which was covered with thick carpets.

The lingering annoyance in his eyes was gradually replaced by coldness.

Having suffered such a huge loss, causing his family unprecedented shame and damage, Mills Albert would never let this go.

otherwise.

The Albert family will be utterly disgraced in aristocratic circles and become a laughingstock.

"The most urgent task is to ensure the smooth progress of the transaction with the Ironforge tribe, stabilize them, and first redeem core members such as Rhodes and Sienna safely."

"As long as the pillars of these families are still alive, their foundation remains unshaken."

After calming down, Earl Mills' thoughts became very clear.

"After that... comes the real reckoning."

As for why they were determined to fight to the death against the Ironforge tribe, which was located in the wilderness and had a geographical advantage.

The reason is as simple as it gets.

Firstly, a nobleman's face is more important than gold.

They either swallowed their pride and endured the endless ridicule and opportunistic attacks from other nobles, or they silently endured the humiliation and suffering.

Either go all out, fight to the bitter end, wash away the shame with the enemy's blood, and restore the family's prestige.

Secondly, and more realistically, there are other reasons.

The Albert family has already invested a great deal of resources in this matter, resulting in huge sunk costs.

Only by completely annihilating those dragons—whether dead or alive—can the dragons themselves and their retinues bring immeasurable value, enough to make up for all the family's previous losses, and even more.

On the other side, in the Sel Wilderness.

"The evil dragon successfully turned the righteous knight against his will, and the cunning nobleman, whose hypocrisy was exposed, will eventually die by the sword of the knight he once deceived."

“This kind of story is much more interesting than those clichéd tales of heroes fighting dragons.”

A look of pleasure gleamed in Galos's eyes as he silently murmured to himself.

He even pondered with great interest whether he should create a separate chapter in his Dragon Heritage memories dedicated to recording this technique: the art of controlling people.

Often, the first sentence spoken in a conversation, or even the other person's posture before they speak, is enough to reveal a person's character.

Earl Mills was undoubtedly an extremely calm and calculating opponent.

From the devastating defeat of his entire army to the humiliating negotiations he was forced to face a powerful enemy, he was able to quickly suppress his emotions and maintain calm and rational negotiation throughout the entire process. There were no useless angry threats or uncontrolled rages. This composure was far beyond that of ordinary nobles.

That's why.

In this negotiation, Galos abandoned his usual straightforward style.

He chose the most lengthy and tedious method, meticulously scrutinizing every single gold coin, repeatedly emphasizing the failure and powerlessness of the Albert family, like a dull knife cutting flesh, constantly wearing down Earl Mills' patience, inducing his irritability, and ultimately causing him to lose his usual calm judgment.

Ultimately, things unfolded as Galos had hoped.

Earl Mills will pay a far heavier price than he imagined for the brief loss of composure at the negotiating table.

When sheer force fails to solve a problem, Garus often displays a remarkable intelligence that contrasts sharply with his massive physique and ferocious appearance.

Who would have thought?

This fierce and terrifying red iron dragon, seemingly the embodiment of rage and destruction, could so skillfully manipulate people's hearts?

"Using kindness as a glamorous facade and good deeds as a prelude to deception."

"This method is more deadly and harder to defend against than the sharpest sword or the hottest dragon breath."

“I have seen through Earl Mills’s hypocritical mask to his true nature—greed, hypocrisy, and a disregard for human life. He is a devil in human skin, and deserves to die!”

The Flower Knight, Charles, stood to the side, his gaze icy, seemingly showing signs of turning to the dark side.

To be ruthlessly abandoned and betrayed by someone you once respected, trusted, and were willing to fight for means that all past favors have been settled.

At this moment, all that remained in his mind was the resolute thought of exposing the count's hypocrisy and upholding true justice with the sword in his hand.

"There's no need to rush. The sword of revenge needs to wait for the most opportune moment to be drawn."

Galos calmed the murderous intent surging in the knight's heart.

He told the Flower Knight to calm down and stay in Riverwood to recover from his injuries.

Only after the deal with the Albert family is completely completed and the Ironforge tribe has successfully obtained the trade route and all the ransom will it be time to begin the final reckoning.

On this point, Garros and Earl Mills were surprisingly in agreement.

Transactions are transactions, and settlements are settlements.

The difference is...

No matter how Earl Mills may seek revenge on Garros in the future, it will be difficult to achieve in the short term due to the terrifying power of the dragons and the natural defenses of the Sel Wilderness.

However.

When a border traveler who is well-versed in the ways of space harbors murderous intent, the guards will be rendered useless.

An elderly count, pampered and spoiled, had virtually no chance of resistance against the knight's sword.

Next.

Ciel Hines, the Flower Knight, remained in Riverwood, quietly recovering from his physical and emotional wounds under the care of the Ironclad Families.

Galos returned to the depths of the pine valley to continue his daily, uninterrupted training and practice.

Time, like the ceaseless wind over the Serbian wilderness, flows by silently, and soon, more than a month has quietly slipped by.

The Albert family envoys entered the territory of the Sel Wilderness as promised and arrived at Riverwood.

The messenger brought with him official legal documents of cession bearing the coat of arms of the Albert family and certified by the Federal Notary Office, as well as a magically reinforced chest containing a heavy sum of war reparations and ransoms for prisoners.

Under the solemn witness of a priest from Libra Church, dressed in white robes, and amidst the excited gazes of many Riverwood residents, the Albert family and representatives of the Ironforge tribe signed the pact and exchanged prisoners and ransom in the town square.

No accidents or setbacks occurred during the entire process.

It is worth mentioning that the Libra Sanctuary is a transcendent organization that spans many kingdoms and even exists within a vast empire.

They worship a deity who governs the laws of fairness and justice.

A contract signed under the personal witness of a high priest of the Libra Sanctuary possesses a sacred binding force far exceeding that of ordinary magical contracts. Any party who dares to break the oath of the contract will face extremely severe and terrifying punishment under the watchful eyes of the gods.

After successfully ransoming all the prisoners.

The Albert family members remained on high alert throughout, carefully and slowly retreating from the territory of the Sel Wilderness.

To their surprise, the return journey went exceptionally smoothly.

Only a few ignorant wild beasts and low-level monsters launched sporadic attacks, but they were all easily killed and eliminated by the guards.

Time passed day by day amidst the intense march.

The group finally made it safely to the south.

Subsequently, escorted by a team dispatched by the family, and after traveling some distance, key figures such as Rune Knight Rhodes, Alchemist Sienna, and Protection Mage Sanchez were brought back to the heavily guarded depths of the Albert family's manor.

In the study at the heart of the manor, they met Earl Mills again.

"Your Excellency."

Rhodes, known as Albert the Wolf, knelt on one knee, his head bowed, revealing an expression of shame and pain like that of a loyal dog.

"We failed to complete the task you entrusted to us, and instead caused our family to suffer enormous shame and incalculable losses."

We have let you down.

Sienna, Sanchez, and the others behind him also lowered their proud heads.

"Get up, all of you, get up!"

Earl Mills strode forward, bent down, and gently helped Rhodes, who was kneeling on the ground, to his feet, lightly brushing the wilderness dust off his shoulders.

A gentle smile, as warm as the spring sun, appeared on his face, his eyes filled with genuine heartache and comfort.

"This is not your fault."

The count said, "I seriously underestimated the Ironforge tribe and the true power hidden in that red iron dragon. It was my mistake in decision-making that put you in danger and caused you to suffer so much."

He looked around at his wounded but still loyal subordinates, his gaze warm.

"You have suffered."

"Now, your top priority is to go back to your rooms, get some rest, and focus on recovering."

Earl Mills said earnestly, "Don't dwell on those useless self-blames, and don't think about revenge or anything like that."

"Remember, only by recovering your health and strength as soon as possible can you better serve the family in the future!"

"The future of our family depends on you!"

More than half an hour later.

Having finally calmed down the core members who had survived the ordeal, Earl Mills dragged his slightly weary body back to his study.

He turned and closed the heavy, carved wooden door, shutting out the noise from the outside world.

He exhaled a long breath, as if trying to expel all the stale air from his chest, and then lay back wearily in the soft, high-backed chair, raising his fingers to gently massage his throbbing temples.

"The Ironforge tribe, those damned dragons."

He gazed at the intricate gilded decorations on the ceiling and murmured to himself.

"They are entrenched deep in the Serbian wilderness, holding an absolute advantage in terrain. If we send a large army to invade them again, the result will likely be the same as before."

Earl Mills frowned, lost in deep thought.

"With the resources that the Albert family can currently mobilize, it would be too difficult to completely eliminate the Iron Smelting Tribe, this major threat."

"Has it come to the point where we need to use the precious favors our marquis ancestors accumulated for the family?"

Thinking about this, Earl Mills felt a thorny unease.

(End of this chapter)