Chapter 49: The Grand Duke's Past

Isabella’s words caught Grand Duke Roland completely off guard.

The secret cultivation of influence within the Lost Lands was his ultimate trump card in these negotiations.

He had not expected that the other party would already be aware of it.

Moreover, they had thoroughly investigated the background of the faction he was nurturing, which instantly placed him in a passive position for the rest of the talks.

A prolonged silence fell over the negotiating table.

Finally, the Grand Duke sighed, his tone softening considerably:

"Still, there is a foundation there, isn't there? That is surely much better than going in blind and stumbling around blindly."

Isabella softened her tone in response:

"Of course we value the influence that Your Grace has painstakingly cultivated, and we are even willing to provide whatever supplies we can spare so that they may expand outward as much as possible.

However, that is no reason for you to demand half of the profits right off the bat!

We of the 'Pale Wings' built this project from scratch. If we do not secure a share of over seventy percent, I cannot face my family clan!"

Grand Duke Roland fell into contemplation once more. After a few minutes of silence, he spoke slowly:

"How about this? Since you are confident in recruiting mercenary groups to help you conquer the 'Lost Lands,' let us each take a step back.

We will start with thirty percent for us and fifty percent for you. As for the remaining twenty percent, it will go to whichever side manages to establish a foothold in the Lost Lands first. How does that sound?"

Isabella breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Before her departure, the bottom line given by the council of family elders had been fifty percent. Now that her initial objective had been achieved, her mind was at ease.

As for recruiting mercenary groups to fight for the remaining twenty percent, that could be discussed after she returned.

She did not want to push Grand Duke Roland to extremes; after all, this trade route ultimately had to pass through the Western Empire. Without the support of the local government and nobility, the costs incurred by the "Pale Wings" would only be higher!

Feigning hesitation, Isabella nodded reluctantly:

"Since Your Grace has taken the initiative to make concessions, it would be quite unreasonable of me to persist. Let us settle on that, then."

A smile surfaced on Grand Duke Roland's face as he gave a hearty wave of his hand:

"Very well! Talking with the Daughter of the Golden Wings is truly far more refreshing than dealing with those stubborn, unyielding old fogies!"

The two parties finalized a few more details and promptly began signing the agreement and stamping their family crests upon it.

With the negotiations settled, the expression on Grand Duke Roland's face relaxed considerably:

"Did little Isabella arrive in Florence only today? If so, you must spend a few more days here to enjoy yourself; there are quite a few places worth visiting."

Isabella’s gaze flickered slightly as she asked:

"It seems Your Grace is quite familiar with Florence?"

Grand Duke Roland replied with great conversational enthusiasm:

"Of course. In truth, I had a selfish motive in choosing Florence as the location for our negotiations."

Pausing, a trace of imperceptible sorrow crossed his face, and his tone grew somewhat heavy:

"The former King of Eivyn, Victor Corleone, was an old friend of mine.

I heard that Eivyn is currently ruled by the Queen. I wish to see how the bloodline he and she left behind is faring. Choosing Florence as our meeting place served both public and private purposes."

With acute sensitivity, Isabella caught the pronoun "she" in Grand Duke Roland's words.

Realizing his slip of the tongue, the Grand Duke simply smiled indifferently and sighed:

"Old age makes one prone to unnecessary sentimentality."

Perhaps having kept it bottled up for too long, the Grand Duke felt an urge to pour his heart out to a familiar member of the younger generation:

"Back then, Victor, myself, and Violica were very good friends.

We adventured and explored across the continent together.

We communicated with the various races of the continent, delved deep into dungeons and ancient ruins...

Those truly were the most carefree days of my life.

However, after Victor turned thirty, he had to return to inherit the throne, and Violica chose to go back with him."

On Grand Duke Roland's face appeared a lingering regret and sigh for a youthful moonlight that could never be reclaimed.

"Time is truly a sharp blade, easily severing everything in the world.

In the blink of an eye, not only did Victor die inexplicably in the 'Blurred Realm,' but even Violica vanished mysteriously.

My coming to Florence this time is, on the one hand, to conduct business with you Pale Wings, and on the other, to go and see the descendants of these two dear friends of mine.

I heard he has been afflicted by a spell; I have brought a few Archmages with me this time to see if we can help him resolve it."

A thought stirred in Isabella's mind as she asked:

"Does Your Grace intend to enter the palace to pay respects to the King of Eivyn?"

"Indeed."

Isabella quickly followed up:

"Would Your Grace mind if I accompanied you?"

Grand Duke Roland looked surprised:

"Are you also interested in that young king?"

Isabella smiled and said:

"Not particularly. I simply wish to see his Queen.

I have long desired to pay my personal respects to the renowned 'Strongest Silver' of five years ago, but I never had the opportunity."

Grand Duke Roland nodded thoughtfully:

"You must mean that young girl who can handle a Legendary-tier entity!"

"Does Your Grace also know of this Queen?"

Nostalgia washed over Grand Duke Roland's face:

"She can be considered a disciple of Violica. In fact, among the three of us back then, Violica possessed the greatest talent.

That a student personally taught by her should possess such strength does not surprise me in the least."

A flash of realization crossed Isabella's mind: "I never expected such a connection to exist between the current Queen and the former one!"

Grand Duke Roland’s tone grew much heavier:

"Were it not for this connection, would Angus have managed to become Prime Minister so smoothly?

It was solely for the sake of Violica's daughter being a student of hers that I chose not to interfere with Eivyn's political upheaval back then.

I figured that since Violica's student was the Queen, it was an acceptable outcome.

Yet I never imagined that this group of good-for-nothings would fail even to protect their own king!"

An unfathomable light flickered in Isabella's eyes, and her interest in the Eivyn royal family grew steadily stronger.

Having said so much in one breath, Grand Duke Roland felt a wave of nostalgic melancholy.

With all the details of the cooperation settled, Grand Duke Roland proposed:

"Shall we gather at the State Guest House tomorrow and enter the palace together?"

Isabella agreed with a nod. Watching the Grand Duke and his entourage prepare to leave, a thought struck her, and she spoke up:

"If Your Grace is not in a hurry, why not stay and watch a grand show before you leave?"

As the brother-in-law of the reigning monarch of the Western Empire, Grand Duke Roland held a noble and prestigious status.

Once the battle broke out shortly, Grand Duke Roland, as a newly minted partner of the "Pale Wings," would certainly not stand idly by while Isabella was besieged.

Moreover, he had brought "Elite-tier" guards on this journey, whose combat prowess was comparable to the Legendary tier.

Such an excellent helper was too good not to use.

In fact, in her past life, Isabella's ability to escape the inescapable net of the "Black Tomb" was closely tied to Grand Duke Roland's timely reinforcement.

Perplexed, Grand Duke Roland saw Isabella offer a mysterious smile and walk out of the mountain villa alone.

After a moment of hesitation, Grand Duke Roland led his men to follow her.

No sooner had the two parties stepped outside than a smiling young man hurried up to greet them.

Grand Duke Roland had met this person a few times before; he was Weissel, the person in charge of the "Pale Wings" in Florence.

Bowing from afar, Weissel raised his voice and called out:

"Greetings, Your Grace!"

Grand Duke Roland shifted his gaze and noticed that Isabella’s expression remained calm, as if she were not at all surprised by Weissel's arrival.

Slightly astonished, Grand Duke Roland remarked:

"I assumed you hadn't notified the people of Eivyn."

Indifferently, Isabella replied:

"I certainly did not notify them."

While they spoke, Weissel had already approached.

Beside them, Mr. Modo’s face chilled, and he said in a frosty voice:

"Who gave you permission to come here? Didn't I tell you to wait until matters were settled before coming to see Young Miss!"

An awkward smile appeared on Weissel's face:

"Uncle, I was just too impatient. I thought I'd come and see if Young Miss and Your Grace needed me to arrange anything, seeing as I've been stationed here for quite a while..."

Mr. Modo's face grew even colder:

"How many times must I tell you? Use your official title while at work!"