30: Chapter 30 Welcome to the Land of "Blessings"

"Her Highness the Princess has not only brought the glory and wisdom of the Empire, but has also endorsed us with royal authority, approving this great project that will completely change the future of Blackstone Territory! From today on, you are no longer ordinary miners, but participants in a specially approved royal infrastructure project! Your hard work will be protected by both the laws of the Empire and the glory of the royal family!"

These words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves in the damp mine tunnel.

The miners were stunned at first, and then, on those faces covered in mine dust and fatigue, an incredible ecstasy erupted.

Royal? Imperial? These distant and sacred terms were actually linked to them, miners who never saw the light of day?

This was simply more exciting than digging up an entire pure gold vein!

"Long live the Lord!"

"Long live Her Highness the Princess!"

Someone shouted first, and immediately after, deafening cheers echoed in the narrow mine tunnel, gathering into a scorching torrent that almost shook the rubble from the tunnel ceiling.

The way they looked at Levi had already sublimated from initial awe into a kind of near-fanatical worship.

And their gaze towards Ella Radiant was also filled with heartfelt gratitude and respect.

Ella Radiant froze in place, her face turning pale and then green.

She felt like a carefully manipulated puppet, forced to cooperate with Levi on the stage he had built to complete a spectacular performance.

What she had signed was clearly a humiliating "treaty of surrender," but at this moment, it was twisted by him into the royal family's grace and recognition of the territory, while also shaping her into a "wise princess" who pleaded for the people.

All her anger, unwillingness, and humiliation were blocked in her throat by these tsunami-like cheers, and she couldn't say a single word.

She had been coerced by public opinion.

Levi watched all this with satisfaction, gently pressed his hand down, signaling everyone to be quiet.

Subsequently, he issued a series of eloquent commands, speaking extremely fast but clearly and logically, filled with unquestionable authority.

"Hill, Head of the Engineering Department, make three copies of this design drawing immediately. Send one to the Smelting Department and have them start the purification experiments for 'calamity alloy' immediately; send one to the Dwarven Foundry and have them drop all secondary tasks and focus entirely on casting the core pump body and gear sets; as for the last one, keep it yourself, lead your team to conduct on-site surveying immediately, and within three days, I want to see a complete construction plan!"

The silver-haired elf, Hill, nodded coldly, took the drawings, didn't say a word, turned around, and disappeared into the depths of the mine tunnel with several assistants, her efficiency shockingly high.

"Evelyn, the Financial Officer!" Levi's voice turned to the other side.

"Here, my Lord." The succubus lady pushed up her glasses and stepped out from the shadows.

"In my name, issue a Level 1 mobilization order to the entire territory. But the content must be changed." Levi paused, a meaningful arc appearing at the corner of his mouth, "Order the Orc Security Department to immediately lift their combat readiness, take off their armor, and put on our newly issued honor guard uniforms. Starting tomorrow, their task will no longer be patrolling, but setting up the venue and maintaining order. Order the dwarven craftsmen to take all the newest, brightest, and most impressive works in their warehouse—whether they are new farming tools or enchanted weapons—clean them all up, and move them to the square in front of the castle, ready to be used as exhibits."

A glimmer of understanding flashed in Evelyn's purple eyes, and she bowed slightly: "Understood. Then, what is the codename for this event?"

"Just call it, 'Blackstone Territory's Five-Year Development White Paper and First Round Private Placement Briefing'." Levi casually threw out a phrase that made everyone present, including Ella Radiant, feel incredibly unfamiliar.

After the series of orders were issued, Levi turned around and looked back at the livid Princess Ella Radiant.

Under the organization of his adjutant, the miners had already happily returned to the surface, ready to welcome their "new life."

In the now empty mine tunnel, only a few of them were left, and the atmosphere instantly turned cold again.

"Levi Byron!" Ella Radiant could no longer suppress her anger, she lowered her voice like an enraged lioness, "What exactly are you doing? Are you crazy?! Your brother, Karl Byron, is bringing the Byron Family's most elite knight order, charging over aggressively, and will be at the city gates in five days at the latest! Not only are you not reinforcing the city defenses or preparing the army, but you're here holding some... 'Private Placement Briefing'? Are you planning to use those shiny farming tools to smash the helmets of heavy armored knights?"

She really couldn't understand this man's thought process.

Facing a military threat sufficient to overturn the territory, everything he did seemed so absurd, like a farce of self-deception.

Levi listened to her quietly until she finished, his expression unchanged.

He reached out to brush a little dust off his cuffs, his movements unhurried.

"Your Highness Ella, why do you think Karl Byron is coming?" he asked in return.

"Of course, it's to seize your right of inheritance and annex this territory!" Ella Radiant answered without thinking.

"Correct. But why is he coming now?" Levi guided her, "Because he heard about the 'prosperity' of Blackstone Territory, heard about the new alloy we smelted, and heard about our skyrocketing tax revenue. He is like a shark that has smelled blood, wanting to snatch a piece of fat meat, a fruit he believes is within easy reach."

He paused, his gaze becoming sharp: "Then, Your Highness, in this situation, what is the most foolish thing to do? It is to hide this fruit, or surround the fruit with swords and set up a stance of mutual destruction. That will only make him more crazy, willing to do whatever it takes to snatch it. Because military confrontation is the most costly, least efficient, and most unimaginative method."

Ella Radiant's brows were tightly locked; she vaguely felt that there was some kind of logic in Levi's words that she had never encountered before, but she couldn't quite grasp it.

Levi looked at her confused expression, smiled, and continued to explain in his coaxing tone: "My goal is not to fight a war with him and then hold onto a pile of ruins after a pyrrhic victory. What I want to do is change his perception of this 'fruit.' I won't let him come to 'snatch' it, I want him to 'buy' it. No, not even buy."

In his eyes flickered a light Ella Radiant had never seen before, a flame mixed with greed, confidence, and absolute rationality.

"I want him, and those hyenas following behind him ready to get a piece of the pie, to cry and shout, taking out their own gold coins, begging me to sell them some 'shares.' I want to turn them from predators into my... angel investors."

Ella Radiant was completely stunned.

"Shares," "investors"... these terms were like a language from another world, impacting her inherent aristocratic cognition.

She looked at the man in front of her and felt for the first time a kind of fear stemming from the intellectual level.

What he was planning seemed to be something even more terrifying than war.

Levi ignored the pensive Ella Radiant and turned to walk into the depths of the mine tunnel.

Hill and her team were nervously conducting measurements there, with magic light bands drawing precise reference lines on the rock walls.

He walked to the side of the elf engineer, the standing water under his feet gently swaying, reflecting his calm figure.

"Hill."

"My Lord."

Hill didn't even turn her head, the crystal surveying instrument in her hand was projecting a complex stream of data.

"I want you to reorganize the technical parameters of that pump system." Levi's voice was very low, "Forget those complex engineering terms, like 'multi-stage linkage,' 'differential pressure boosting.' I want you to translate it into... well, some 'investment highlights' that laymen can also understand."

Hill finally stopped her work and looked back at him in confusion.

"For example," Levi extended his finger, starting to give examples, "tell them that the 'calamity alloy' purification technology used in this system, if applied to weapons and armor, can create equipment with what degree of magic resistance. Tell them that the power core of this water pump, with slight modifications, can drive how large an ore crusher, or how heavy a siege hammer. Tell them that mastering this technology means that the mining depth and efficiency of any underground vein will crush any competitor in the Kingdom. Understand? I don't want the process, I only want the result, a result that will make those nobles who only have gold coins and military exploits in their heads shine with greed the moment they hear it, a result full of temptation."

Hill pondered for a moment, and for the first time, a trace of admiration appeared in her cold, clear eyes.

[part:gemini-2.5-flash]

She nodded, "I understand. Translate technical language into business language."

"Exactly right." Levi praised, "Also, on the day of the press conference, I want a live technical demonstration. It doesn't need to be fully assembled, but it must be able to move. I want everyone to see with their own eyes how muddy water is continuously pumped up by this steel monster and turned into... flowing gold coins."

After giving instructions to Hill, Levi turned and left the mine.

Above ground, the sun was just right, dispelling the chill of the mine.

He squinted, watching the entire Blackstone Town operate with unprecedented efficiency under Evelyn's command.

The Orc Security Department members, who usually patrolled the streets exuding an aura of 'do not approach', were now clumsily and earnestly taking off their blood-stained leather armor and changing into well-tailored dark blue uniforms, with a brand new Blackstone Territory badge pinned to their chests.

Their huge bodies paired with this attire looked somewhat comical, yet they exuded a different kind of solemnity.

They adjusted each other's collars and began hanging ribbons and flags in the areas designated by Evelyn. Although their movements were unpracticed, their execution was flawless.

Dwarf artisans, like cherishing rare treasures, carefully moved battle axes shimmering with runic light, sets of gleaming plate armor, and some strangely shaped farm tools out of the workshop, arranging them one by one according to the planned exhibition booths.

The blacksmith shop, usually clanking with activity, had today become a product display room.

Evelyn stood on a high platform in the town center, giving final instructions to a group of carefully selected, good-looking young townspeople.

Most of these men and women were shop assistants or workshop apprentices in the town, chosen for being clever and articulate.

"Remember your lines!" Evelyn's voice carried the unique allure of a succubus, yet contained an undeniable authority, "When those esteemed guests ask about your lives in Blackstone Territory, how will you answer?"

"We will tell them from the bottom of our hearts that here, every effort is rewarded! We are full of confidence in the future of our territory!" Dozens of people answered in unison, their voices loud and full of emotion.

"And when they ask about the Lord?"

"We will tell them that the Lord is the wisest and most generous leader we have ever seen! It is he who leads us to common prosperity!"

"Very good!" Evelyn nodded in satisfaction, her purple eyes behind her glasses sweeping over everyone. "Remember, your expressions must be natural, with smiles, that heartfelt sense of happiness. This is not deception; this is... the transmission of emotional value. You represent the prosperity and confidence of Blackstone Territory, and every smile of yours is part of our future financing plan. Now, dismissed, prepare yourselves!"

The crowd dispersed, and the entire Blackstone Town became like a precisely wound machine, every gear frantically turning for the upcoming "press conference."

Three days later, at the border of Blackstone Territory.

Dust flew, and hooves thundered.

A well-equipped knight order appeared on the horizon, the black Byron Family battle flag fluttering in the wind, its roaring lion emblem fierce and majestic.

At the very front of the procession were two magnificent warhorses.

The one on the left was entirely black, with a young knight in a full suit of finely crafted black iron armor seated upon it.

He had a handsome face, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, carrying an innate arrogance.

He was Karl Byron, Levi's half-brother, hailed as the Byron Family's once-in-a-century martial genius.

Beside him was a slightly plump middle-aged man in a luxurious purple bishop's robe.

He rode a docile white horse, a benevolent smile on his face, but his small eyes occasionally flickered with shrewd calculation.

He was Gregory, the Archbishop of the Holy See of Radiance in the Northern Province.

Upon hearing about the Byron Family's "family affairs," he immediately followed with great interest, citing "the Lord's glory needs to witness every righteous judgment," ready to claim the most lucrative piece of the pie once the dust settled.

"Karl, is this your useless brother's territory?" Archbishop Gregory narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the distant, emerging outline of Blackstone Town, a hint of disdain in his tone. "It seems... a bit livelier than rumored."

Karl Byron snorted, not caring for this bit of "liveliness" at all: "It's nothing but a false prosperity, a brief resurgence. A bunch of fools, thinking that digging up a few pieces of scrap metal can change their fate. Your Grace, you will soon see that in the face of absolute force, all of this is just child's play."

The scene he imagined should have been a fortress with closed gates and arrows on the string.

His "good brother" Levi would be trembling behind the city walls, while the townspeople would be panicking and fleeing in all directions.

He would enjoy the thrill of cat and mouse, crushing all of the opponent's pitiful resistance with absolute strength.

However, as the knight order drew closer, the sight before him caused the arrogance on Karl's face to slowly freeze.

There were no closed city gates, no soldiers standing ready.

At the entrance of Blackstone Town, the road had been widened, flat and clean, and even decorated with colorful flags on both sides.

The town entrance was bustling with traffic and people, a scene of orderly activity, completely contrary to the chaos he had anticipated.

Even more incredible to him was that at the entrance of the town, a peculiar team was quietly waiting.

This team was composed of tall and mighty Orcs, agile humans, and even a few aloof Elves. Without exception, they wore unified, brand new dark blue uniforms, standing tall and solemn, looking less like guards and more like an honor guard from a major merchant guild.

The sound of the knight order's hooves finally alerted this "welcoming party," and they all looked over in unison.

Leading them was a purple-haired woman in a black business suit and crystal glasses.

Her figure was exquisitely alluring, every movement exuding a fatal charm, yet her expression was as cold as the clauses in a business contract.

It was Evelyn.

She ignored the oppressive killing intent emanating from the knight order, and with elegant steps, walked directly to Karl Byron's horse.

"Welcome to Blackstone Territory, esteemed guests." Evelyn flashed a flawless business smile and bowed slightly.

Karl frowned. He could feel the faint, indistinct abyss aura emanating from this woman.

A succubus?

His useless brother had actually fallen so low as to associate with devils?

Before he could reprimand her, Evelyn had already taken a beautifully crafted booklet from a follower and handed it over with both hands.

The cover of the booklet was made of fine tanned leather, with a prominent line of large characters written in gilded Common Tongue.

"This is a gift our Lord has prepared for you and everyone." Evelyn introduced with a smile, "'Blackstone Territory Five-Year Development White Paper and First Round Private Placement Briefing.'"

Karl Byron's pupils sharply contracted.

He looked down at the gilded booklet. He recognized every word, but combined, they filled him with an unprecedented sense of absurdity and bewilderment.

As if she hadn't seen the ghost-like expression on his face, Evelyn continued in a sweet and formal voice: "The Lord has reserved the most distinguished seats for everyone. As the first 'angel investors' to arrive, you will have priority subscription rights. Please follow me, the briefing is about to begin."

Karl Byron looked up, past Evelyn's shoulder, and into the town.

He saw a bustling crowd in the square, as if some grand gathering was indeed taking place.

He could even faintly hear his brother Levi's unhurried voice, amplified by some magical device, coming from a distance, seemingly introducing something to the crowd.

The entire world seemed to become unreal at this moment.

He, Karl Byron, leading an elite knight order capable of leveling this town, had come to execute the family's judgment and settle accounts with an overconfident good-for-nothing.

And yet, the other party was treating him as an "investor" coming to attend a... business meeting?

A surge of anger from being fooled and belittled instantly rushed from Karl's heart to his head, burning away his last shred of reason.

His hand was already on the hilt of the longsword at his waist.