47: Chapter 47 You want to recruit me? First, ask my creditors if they'll agree.

As night deepened, candlelight cast flickering shadows in the small dining room.

Princess Ella Radiance ultimately said nothing more, merely taking the heavy debt ledger and her equally silent guard knight to the guest room, guided by a servant.

Levi watched their figures disappear down the corridor, the weariness and bitterness on his face instantly fading, returning to his usual composure.

He picked up a napkin and slowly wiped his mouth, as if the heartfelt “tragic self-narration” he had just given was merely reciting a poem unrelated to him.

"Lord, your performance was truly... masterful," Evelyn stepped forward, refilling his glass with warm water, her violet eyes sparkling with undisguised admiration.

She had personally forged at least thirty percent of the “debts” in that ledger, so she naturally knew how much exaggeration was in his words.

"This isn't a performance, Evelyn," Levi picked up the water glass, feeling the warmth in his palm. "This is called 'establishing a character arc.' A purely cold and ruthless exploiter is hard to empathize with. But a tragic hero burdened by heavy shackles, forced to resort to any means for survival, is easier to understand, and even... to pity."

He took a sip of water and continued, "Her Royal Highness is a clever person; she won't just listen to my side of the story. She will definitely use royal channels to verify it."

"Then..." Evelyn sounded a little worried.

"Don't worry," Levi's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile. "Every debt in that ledger, especially the parts owed to the Gold Coin Chamber of Commerce and several major nobles, is real. I merely calculated the interest a bit more 'precisely' and 'accidentally' omitted some parts that had already been repaid. The verification results will only tell her that what I said... is largely true."

Truth is always the best lie.

He only needed to present a portion of the truth that favored him to guide the other party to the conclusion he desired.

The next day, Levi did not disturb the Princess, giving her ample time and space.

He handled the daily affairs of the territory as usual, approving new material orders for the workshops, resolving disputes between two foremen in the mining area, and even taking time to inspect the cafeteria to see if potatoes had been added to lunch again today.

Everything seemed calm, as if the confrontation concerning the fate of Blackstone Territory last night had never happened.

It wasn't until dusk that Knight Julius appeared at his study door, his expression even colder than yesterday, but with a hint of undeniable complexity in his eyes.

"Her Royal Highness requests your presence," his voice was dry and devoid of emotion.

Levi put down his quill, adjusted his collar, and calmly rose.

He knew the fish had bitten; it was time to reel it in.

In the Princess's reception room, Ella Radiance had changed into an elegant white gown, her golden hair swept up, revealing her smooth, graceful neck.

Before her lay several confidential reports that had just arrived via magic messenger, stamped with the Royal Family's unique griffon wax seal.

She looked at Levi as he entered, her azure eyes no longer holding the scrutiny and suspicion of yesterday, but replaced by a deeper inquiry, and even a faint trace of pity that she herself had not noticed.

"Lord Levi, I have verified it," Ella Radiance stated directly. "The Byron Family's debt is indeed a heavy burden, as you said."

"I'm sorry to have troubled Your Highness," Levi bowed slightly, a timely hint of bitter gratitude appearing on his face.

"My Imperial Father's original intention is for every inch of the Radiant Empire to prosper, and for every citizen to live in peace and contentment," Ella Radiance's voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable authority. "The current situation of Blackstone Territory and the heavy debt you bear are things the Royal Family cannot ignore."

She paused, seemingly organizing her words, and finally announced the Royal Family's decision: "After careful consideration, my Imperial Father is willing to represent the Royal Family and offer you a solution to thoroughly resolve the problem."

Levi listened quietly, his gaze focused, like a student awaiting judgment.

"The Royal Family will inject capital in a lump sum to clear all historical debts of the Byron Family. At the same time, Blackstone Territory's current core industries, such as workshops and mines, will be brought under direct imperial management, establishing the 'Royal Northern Industrial Bureau,'" Ella Radiance stared intently into Levi's eyes, not missing any change in his expression. "As compensation, my Imperial Father will confer upon you the title of Court Viscount, granting you a mansion in the Imperial Capital and a generous annual pension. You will be free from all worries, enjoying the glory you deserve as a respectable noble in the Imperial Capital."

The air seemed to solidify.

Knight Julius's right hand unconsciously rested on the hilt of his sword, his gaze like a knife, fixed on Levi.

This was the most honorable solution the Royal Family could offer — exchanging a vast sum of money and an honorary title for actual control of Blackstone Territory.

This was an open scheme, an imperial grace, and an ultimatum that could not be refused.

Levi fell silent.

He lowered his head, his shoulders trembling slightly, as if engaged in a fierce internal struggle.

Princess Ella Radiance did not rush him; she waited quietly.

In her opinion, this plan was nothing short of a godsend for a young lord suffocated by debt.

He had no reason to refuse.

After a long while, Levi slowly raised his head, his eyes slightly red, and said in a hoarse voice, "Thank you for His Majesty's benevolence, and for Your Highness's compassion. To lift this century-old yoke from my family, I... I personally, in principle, agree to this plan."

Julius's tense muscles instantly relaxed.

Ella Radiance's face also showed a relieved smile. Things were going smoother than she had imagined.

However, Levi's tone suddenly shifted: "But, Your Highness. Before nationalization, we must first resolve another issue—clearing all of Blackstone Territory's current debts."

"All the debts?" Ella Radiance frowned slightly. "I thought that's what we were discussing."

"No, Your Highness," Levi shook his head. He walked to another table in the study, pulled out a brand new, thick ledger from a pile of documents, and respectfully presented it to Ella Radiance with both hands. "The one you saw was the Byron Family's old debt. This one is Blackstone Territory's new debt."

Ella Radiance took the ledger in confusion. The cover bore a beautifully gilded line of Common Tongue: "Blackstone Territory Construction Bondholders' Register."

She opened the first page, and her pupils suddenly contracted.

It wasn't cold numbers listed there, but prominent family crests and names.

"Earl of Northwind City, Wellington Family, holding bonds worth thirty thousand gold coins."

"Baron of Silvermoon County, Lambert Family, holding bonds worth fifteen thousand gold coins."

"Ironforge Gold Coin Chamber of Commerce Branch, holding bonds worth eighty thousand gold coins."

"Northern Diocese of the Earth Temple, holding bonds worth fifty thousand gold coins, collateralized by the tithes of the next ten years..."

Page after page, after page...

Ella Radiance's fingers began to tremble slightly.

This register included almost the entire Northern Province, from great nobles to minor gentry, from commercial giants to local temples, and even several large merchant guilds from neighboring provinces!

They had all, in various forms, purchased the so-called "construction bonds" issued by Blackstone Territory.

This was no longer a family's debt; this was a... a vast financial network covering the entire provincial aristocracy!

"This is..." Ella Radiance's voice was somewhat dry.

"This is the method I was forced to resort to in order to revitalize the territory," Levi's tone was terrifyingly calm, as if stating a trivial matter. "I issued bonds, collateralized by Blackstone Territory's future profits, to all 'investors' who were optimistic about our development. They are my creditors, and also my partners. We promised an annual interest of twenty percent. If the Royal Family forcibly takes over, causing us to be unable to fulfill our principal and interest payments, then..."

He didn't continue, but the chill brought by his unspoken words seemed to lower the temperature of the entire room by several degrees.

Ella Radiance's face turned pale.

She instantly understood the meaning of Levi's words.

If Blackstone Territory defaulted, then Earl Wellington's military expenses would face a shortfall, Baron Lambert's castle renovation plans would be ruined, the Gold Coin Chamber of Commerce's capital chain would be impacted, and even the temple might cause unrest among its believers if it couldn't recover its investment.

This would not be a simple commercial default, but a financial tsunami and political earthquake sweeping across the entire Northern Province!

At that point, the enraged creditors would not blame a remote Blackstone Territory; they would unleash all their fury on the instigator of it all — the Royal Family of the Radiant Empire!

To offend the entire provincial aristocracy for a barren border territory?

This political consequence, let alone her, even her Imperial Father, would absolutely be unable to bear!

Ella Radiance clutched the ledger tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force.

She finally understood that this young man, from the very beginning, had no intention of negotiating with her.

He had built an impregnable fortress for himself with debt after debt.

He was no longer fighting alone; behind him stood the entire interest group of the Northern Province.

Blackstone Territory was too big to fail.

Watching the Princess's constantly changing expression, Levi knew the time was right.

He took a step back, bowed deeply once more, and said with utmost sincerity, "Your Highness, do you still believe that the Royal Family taking over Blackstone Territory is a wise decision?"

At this moment, Ella Radiance felt a deep sense of powerlessness for the first time.

All her wisdom, authority, and pride were utterly crushed before this seemingly gentle and harmless young lord by an invisible, vast net woven of interests.

She was caught between a rock and a hard place.

Just as the atmosphere in the reception room reached its peak of tension, a sudden clamor of voices erupted from the plaza outside the castle.

Evelyn appeared at the doorway at just the right moment, bowing slightly and saying, "Lord, Your Royal Highness, the Territory Development Achievement Report Conference is ready."

Levi turned to Ella Radiance, making a 'please' gesture, his expression once again gentle and enthusiastic: "Your Highness, I know your mind is in turmoil right now. How about you come with me to meet the lovely people who created all of this? Perhaps hearing their voices will give you new ideas."