137: Chapter 137 Choose, and then bear the consequences

These words were like a cold needle, precisely piercing the last layer of the membrane called "hope" in Ella's heart.

Another "God"?

She subconsciously glanced at Bishop Ambrosius, who was trembling with rage, his face a deep shade of purple-red.

This spokesperson for God on earth currently wore an expression more hideous than a demon from the abyss.

His kindness came with a high price tag and was filled with unquestionable arrogance and threats.

Meanwhile, the two pieces of parchment on the table represented two other completely different kinds of "kindness."

The kindness of the dwarves was an equal exchange built upon ore and strong liquor.

The kindness of the orcs was rooted in a shared thirst for the blood of a common enemy.

They might be savage or crude, but they were real, without a single trace of hypocrisy.

A deathly silence filled the council hall.

The gazes of all the nobles were focused on her—a mixture of fear, urgency, expectation, and a final sliver of struggle. They were like invisible chains, pressing heavily upon her shoulders.

Her fingertips were ice-cold, and every breath felt like inhaling a frigid wind laced with ice shards, stinging her lungs.

As an Imperial Princess, trading with "barbarians" was, in itself, a betrayal of her bloodline.

But as the Chairwoman of the Northern Development Foundation, she had to be responsible for the lives and fortunes of everyone present.

"Your Highness..." Baron Valerius's voice sounded dry. He no longer dared to look at the Bishop, instead staring fixedly at Ella. "Time... we're out of time."

Yes, there was no more time.

Ella slowly closed her eyes, and images of the impoverished lands of the North flashed through her mind—faces cowering in the cold wind.

They had no salt, no cloth for the winter, and not even enough medicine.

Duke Silverwind's blockade, Bishop Ambrosius's greed, His Majesty the Emperor's coldness... not one of them truly cared about these people.

Only survival was the most real and urgent need at hand.

When she opened her eyes again, the royal pride and innocence in her violet eyes had quietly vanished, like a candle blown out by a cold wind, replaced by a frigid determination born of being pushed to the brink.

She reached out, her fingertips brushing against the parchment stamped with the "Red Fang Tribal Alliance," bringing a stinging sensation.

Ultimately, her hand stopped on the other draft.

She picked up the quill from the table. Her wrist was still trembling slightly, but when the nib touched the paper, it carried a weight that seemed to sever the past.

The ink soaked into the fibers of the parchment with a soft scratching sound that, in this pin-drop silent hall, was as clear as a funeral knell.

Ella Radiance.

At the signature line, she wrote her name, stroke by stroke.

After signing the last letter, she seemed to have exhausted all her strength and tossed the pen onto the table.

She looked up to meet everyone's gaze and declared in a nearly hoarse voice—a voice that seemed to be convincing herself as much as the others.

"In my capacity as Chairwoman of The Foundation, I approve the trade agreement with the Stormhammer Tribe."

She took a deep breath, and her voice suddenly rose with an unquestionable authority.

"But this resolution is only a temporary measure to counter Duke Silverwind's illegal blockade! I hereby declare that once the blockade is lifted, all trade terms with the Mountain Dwarves must be terminated immediately and undergo a re-examination by all members of The Foundation!"

These words were the final fig leaf she left for herself and all the nobles present.

However, Levi didn't even look at the signed agreement, nor did he pay any mind to Ella's blustering declaration.

The moment Ella's ink was not yet fully dry, he had already turned to face Evelyn, who had been standing quietly by his side. In a tone that seemed practiced countless times and devoid of any emotional fluctuation, he issued his command.

"Evelyn, initiate the 'Crushed Stone' plan. Immediately contact our contact in Ironforge, codename 'Rusthammer.' Tell him that the first batch of five hundred tons of Grade A refined magic iron ore must be sent through 'Smugglers Pass' before sunset tonight."

The words fell, and the entire room was shocked.

"Crushed Stone" plan? A contact in Ironforge?

These unfamiliar terms left the nobles staring at each other, their minds blank.

Only then did they realize with hindsight that while they were still struggling painfully over whether to commit treason, Levi had not only thought of all the solutions but had even arranged the specific execution plans and personnel long ago!

He had never relied on the Church from the beginning, nor had he left them any room for hesitation.

Everything was within his calculations.

A chill rose up the spines of many nobles.

Looking at Levi's young and calm profile, they felt for the first time that the man before them was more terrifying than Duke Silverwind's army and the divine power of the Holy See of Radiance combined.

Evelyn's crystal tablet instantly lit up with a faint glow, and her fingers moved rapidly across it without any hesitation.

But just a few seconds later, she looked up, and for the first time, a hint of gravity appeared on her cold face.

"Lord, an emergency has occurred." Her voice wasn't loud, but it made everyone's heart leap into their throats. "I just received an encrypted transmission from the frontline scouts. 'Smugglers Pass' has been occupied by a mercenary group called 'Frostfang.'"

"Frostfang Mercenary Group?" Levi's brow arched slightly; this was his first reaction outside of his plan tonight.

"Yes," Evelyn continued her report at a rapid pace. "They appeared suddenly an hour ago and blocked the only path through the pass. They have declared that all goods passing through, regardless of ownership, must pay a twenty percent 'toll.' Otherwise, they will be intercepted by force."

Twenty percent!

Baron Valerius nearly choked. How was this any different from robbery?

"What about a direct assault?" Levi asked.

"The Frostfang Mercenary Group has deployed at least eight heavy ballistae on the heights on both sides of the pass and dug defensive fortifications; it is easy to defend but hard to attack. According to scout assessments, if our nearby escort team were to forcibly seize the pass, it would take at least a week and result in heavy casualties. We cannot accept this delay," Evelyn gave her professional judgment.

Everyone's hearts sank again.

One blockade was just resolved, and now another roadblock had appeared.

The fate of the North seemed to be perpetually ill-fated.

However, to everyone's surprise, after hearing this terrible report, Levi showed no anger or anxiety. Instead, the corner of his mouth curled into an interested arc.

It didn't feel like he had encountered trouble, but rather... like he had discovered an interesting toy.

"Frostfang Mercenary Group..." He repeated the name softly, as if savoring a new dish. "Evelyn, pull up all their data. Who is the leader, what is their name, their background. How many people are in the group, the ratio of Battle Qi practitioners to ordinary warriors. Their main sources of income over the past six months, their mission completion rate, and... casualty reports. I need the most detailed version."

Evelyn's fingers danced across the crystal tablet again, and a light blue light screen projected into the air before Levi. Rows of data and text began to scroll rapidly, visible only to him.

Levi's gaze swept across the screen. His brain, like a precision computer, rapidly deconstructed, reorganized, and analyzed the seemingly chaotic information.

A few minutes later, he closed the light screen, the peculiar smile on his face deepening.

He turned around and offered a gentle, reassuring smile to the bewildered nobles and the equally uneasy Ella.

"Everyone, please remain calm. It's just a small transportation issue." He adjusted his collar, his tone as relaxed as if he were discussing the day's weather. "I will handle it personally. Evelyn, come with me. Also, call for Captain Kyle."

Kyle, the former captain of the Frostfang Mercenary Group, was now the nominal chief instructor of the Blackstone Territory escort team since being recruited by Levi.

Hearing Levi call his name, the burly man with a full beard immediately stepped out from the corner, shouldered his massive battle-axe, and replied in a booming voice, "Yes, My Lord!"

Half an hour later, at Smugglers Pass.

The cold wind whistled through the narrow valley, making the banners flap loudly.

Over a hundred fierce-looking mercenaries leaned against the rock walls and temporary defensive structures, warily watching the entrance of the valley.

The leather armor they wore mostly bore old scratches and signs of repair, and their weapons were a motley assortment. However, the fierce aura of those who lived by the blade year-round was enough to make any merchant caravan hesitate.

In the very center of the pass, atop a giant rock, a burly man with a hideous scar on his left cheek was unhurriedly trimming his nails with a dagger.

He was the new captain of the Frostfang Mercenary Group, Kane.

"Boss, the people from Blackstone Territory are here," a sentry reported, running down from a high point, out of breath.

Kane didn't even lift his eyelids. He just blew the nail shavings off his dagger and asked lazily, "How many people? How much cargo? Tell them to get the toll ready."

"Just... just four people. One carriage," the sentry's tone was uncertain. "The leader is a frail-looking young man, looks like some noble family's young master."

"Four people?" Kane finally stopped his movements and frowned.

He slowly stood up and looked toward the valley entrance. Sure enough, he saw a plain, unadorned carriage accompanied by two guards, driving over unhurriedly.

What was this? Coming to die? Or coming to make a joke?

Levi stepped down from the carriage, with Evelyn following closely behind.

He looked up at the dark ballista muzzles on the heights on both sides, then scanned the group of unfriendly mercenaries before him. There was no trace of fear on his face; instead, like a noble out for a stroll, he surveyed the surrounding scenery with interest.

"You're the boss here?" Levi's gaze finally landed on Scarface Kane.

"Lord Levi of Blackstone Territory?" Kane narrowed his eyes; clearly, he had also received intelligence.

He sized Levi up, but rules were rules.

"If you want to pass through here, the twenty percent toll—not a single copper less."

The surrounding mercenaries burst into laughter, their weapons clattering against their shields with ill intent.

Levi smiled.

He wasn't angry as Kane had expected, nor did he bargain. Instead, he directly had Evelyn hand over a parchment scroll.

"Tolls are too troublesome. You have to calculate them every time and send people to collect them; it's a waste of manpower," Levi said with a smile. "I have a simpler and more efficient proposal here."

Kane took the scroll suspiciously and tore it open roughly.

However, when he saw the contents of the scroll, the flesh on his face instantly froze.

It wasn't a trade route agreement, nor was it a toll receipt. It was... an employment contract.

"Blackstone Territory Logistics Security Department (North Special Operations Division) Employment Agreement"

The content of the contract was simple and blunt: Blackstone Territory would provide the funds to incorporate the entire Frostfang Mercenary Group.

All members would receive a fixed monthly salary, quarterly bonuses, brand-new standard equipment, and... a complete casualty compensation and family resettlement plan.

And their job would be to transform from roadside bandits into the official guardians of this trade route.

Their income would be directly linked to the safety and punctuality of the cargo they were responsible for.

Kane held the parchment, feeling his hands tremble.

He had lived for thirty years and had never seen such a good deal.

A fixed salary?

Brand-new equipment?

Compensation?

This didn't sound like hiring mercenaries; it sounded like... knighting them.

He looked up, his bloodshot eyes staring fixedly at Levi, his voice turning hoarse from disbelief. "You... what do you mean by this? What do you want us to do?"

"It's simple." Levi's smile remained gentle, but the words he spoke made Kane's heart skip a beat.

"The contract takes effect immediately."

He pointed his finger deep into the pass, in the direction leading to the dwarven territory.

"Your first mission is to ensure my first batch of ore reaches Ironforge safely before dark. Then, bring the first batch of 'goods' given in return by the dwarves back to me, perfectly intact, by the same route."

Levi took a step forward, leaned into Kane's ear, and said in a low voice that only the two of them could hear:

"Trust me, Captain Kane. The value of that cargo is enough to make the entire North go mad for your decision today. And you will be the first to touch that madness with your own hands."