"Ah? It's never been counted like this!" The fat man realized this was what he was waiting for, but he came to negotiate a ransom, how did it turn into compensation?

The nature is completely different now!

Thinking of this, he repeatedly shook his head in refusal, "We can't do this, we don't accept it."

"This is a negotiation between me and the Earl, you're just a messenger, what qualifications do you have to refuse?" Lance's tone was slightly heavier, causing immense pressure on people.

Under the flickering candlelight, the fat man felt that the figure before him wasn't human, but a monster, with even greater majesty than the Earl, and a strong murderous aura that couldn't be washed away.

He was arguing moments ago, but turned into a quail, not daring to say more.

"I'll let those Knights and one Noble return with you this time, bring the money next time and I'll release another."

"Aren't you afraid we won't pay this money?" The fat man had never encountered someone so easy to talk to, yet so hard to deal with.

It sounded contradictory, but releasing people before the money arrived, isn't this being hard to deal with?

Yet his attitude was extremely firm, allowing no doubt.

"I'll keep Alvin, if Count Bastia doesn't care about his son, that's fine by me, moreover, don't you want those armors and weapons?"

Lance never intended to live off this, whether the Earl pays or not, he'd be caught up in public opinion, he wouldn't mind using this money to undermine the Earl's authority, and for Lance, it might be better if the Earl doesn't pay.

Besides, those Shields and Lances have been phased out by Hamlet, who would treat them as treasures?

As for the armors, they are useful, but many were damaged in battle, making repairs less cost-effective than making new ones.

More importantly, these armors can't stop bullets anymore, they are no different from scrap iron, so might as well sell them.

They are useless to Lance, but these items are valuable for the underdeveloped Bastia, without weapons and armors, they aren't Knights, to restore these Knights' prowess, they need to be repurchased, otherwise those Knights are useless when they return.

Of course, the price of these armors and weapons has some leeway, Lance's attitude also softened considerably.

"This ten thousand is a fixed amount, non-negotiable, but the Earl certainly wants to ransom back those Knight's Armors and equipment, these bills are calculated separately, and I'll take only ninety percent, the remaining ten percent is yours."

The fat man's expression grew strange upon hearing this, were benefits being offered to him?

Even if it's just ten percent, it's still a considerable sum.

But he's not stupid, instantly realizing the catch.

"What do you want me to do?"

Lance's lips slightly curled up, it seemed the hunger hadn't clouded his mind yet, also quite unceremoniously he started, "I need intel on Bastia's situation, and the Earl's arrangements."

"Impossible!" The fat man rejected without hesitation upon hearing this, how could he betray the Earl for this little money?

"Your loyalty to Bastia is merely to exchange for the Earl's Sanctuary from the Church for you Magicians, if he can do it, so can I, and I wouldn't make you serve as dogs while bringing your own dog food.

I remember you act as if you're a merchant to hide your identity, right? With me, you don't need to disguise yourself, you can walk openly."

Francis fell silent, these words directly exposed his core interests, which were that his identity as a Transcendent required the Earl's Sanctuary to survive the Church.

"Can't I decline?"

But even if the fat man is foolish, he knows who's more powerful, an Earl or a declining small-town Lord, can you protect me?

"It's simple, continue staying here, I'll have the Church come over to negotiate, let's see if the Earl is willing to fight the Church for you.

I'm warning you, you're playing with fire, falling into the Tribunal's hand wouldn't be like this, they'll render your fat into cracklings."

Lance's intent is clear, either accept the benefits, work for him, and everyone lives happily ever after.

If you refuse, I'll report you, see if the Earl would protect you against the Church?

The fat man felt his scalp tingle upon hearing this, how could one be so shameless!

You're calling this good? He hadn't done anything yet was detained here, starved alive for several days, to the point of disorientation.

Now he's being forced to betray the Earl, is this money really so easily taken?

But the cost of betraying the Earl is unbearable!

The fat man is now inconsolable, why is he so unlucky?

Logically, Count Bastia, the Empire's Fierce Tiger, even the Barbarian Tribes would have to heed him, let alone a ragged small-town Lord.

According to his plan, wasn't he supposed to persuade a tiny Lord with eloquence at the negotiation table, and then ransom the person?

Why hadn't the story even started before turning out like this?

Lance noticed his forlorn expression, knowing well what he was thinking, yet he wasn't angry, instead, he smiled.

Not liking is normal, who would like to be forced?

Equally not trusting is normal, even in front of the Church, not even Count Bastia would dare act recklessly, at least openly.

"I haven't asked you to rebel right away, you're still the Earl's man, and as long as you don't tell, no one will know our deal.

Regarding whether you truly submit doesn't really concern me, you just need to do as I say, it's not rebellion, just business, because I pay for information."