"Sorry, Viscount."

"The intelligence I’ve gathered so far is just this."

"Two days ago, I arranged a spy squad to infiltrate Morgan Town and gather intelligence."

"But three days have passed and the spy squad has yet to return."

"I’m afraid my spy squad has been detected and captured by the soldiers stationed in Morgan Town."

Seated at the head, Jon Zuck listened to Zock’s explanation.

Yet after Zock finished explaining, Jon remained silent.

Even though there were nine people gathered around the walnut square table.

The atmosphere in the conference room was extremely quiet!

Almost pin-drop silence.

The remaining seven Manor Lords also turned their gaze towards Zock.

Feeling the strong pressure of their gazes, Zock bent his waist even lower.

Half a minute later.

Jon’s deep voice broke the silence in the conference room.

"So, not only did you fail to gather useful intelligence."

"You also delivered a spy, familiar with your identity, into enemy hands?"

Zock instantly began to sweat profusely and hurriedly spoke.

"Sorry, Viscount, Zock failed to accomplish his task and let down your trust, please punish me."

Not only Zock.

The other Manor Lords also became tense.

Even though they had close ties with Zock, none dared to plead for him.

Because they sensed Jon’s shift in tone and the authority it exuded.

The questioning words rang from Jon’s mouth again.

"You do realize that you have let down my trust in you?"

Zock immediately accepted punishment, "Please, Viscount, punish me."

Watching Zock’s nearly ninety-degree bow, Jon let out a cold snort.

"From this month on, Connelly Manor in Alba Town will no longer have the privilege of using Fisherman’s Wharf for free."

"Just like a regular merchant vessel, it must pay the corresponding fees to use the wharf for transportation."

"Cargo tax, docking tax, market tax, and additional taxes during special times, among others."

"Not a single penny less!"

Jon stared at Zock Connally, asking: "Zock Manor Lord, do you have any objections?"

Listening to Jon’s nearly intimate tone and the content of his words, Zock’s breathing involuntarily sped up.

Luckily.

Jon was merely removing his free access to Fisherman’s Wharf.

This would only reduce the profits from his future trade activities.

The loss in Gold Pounds was indeed significant, but this kind of punishment was within his tolerance range.

Zock dared not utter a single unnecessary word and promptly replied: "Viscount, Zock has no objections."

"Everything follows your instructions, Viscount."

Seeing Zock dare not voice any dissent, Jon then shifted his gaze away from him.

Jon’s gaze swept over the faces of the other seven Manor Lords.

His deep voice sounded again from his mouth.

"I suppose everyone already knows the purpose of gathering you here?"

All the Manor Lords exchanged glances with each other.

Jon, tired of wasting words with them, came straight to the point.

"The purpose is to address the Lord who privately occupied Morgan Town!"

"A Lord who emerged from nowhere dared to wipe out all five Manors in Morgan Town."

"And plundered all the assets and peasants of the five Manors!"

"Although Morgan Town is located at the southern edge of the Marquisate, they are still Manor Lords of Marquis Ducas, they are Vassals of Marquis Ducas!"

"Relying on military strength, began external aggression and territorial annexation."

"As the Viscount conferred by the former Marquis Ducas, as the current Vassal of Marquis Mark Ducas, it’s my duty to quell internal unrest!"

Listening to Jon’s increasingly resonant voice, all the Manor Lords showed a stern expression.

Jon Zuck suddenly stood up, addressing all the Manor Lords: "I, Jon Zuck, in the name of Viscount, hereby summons you."

"Declare war on Morgan Town and the Lord hiding deeper in Morgan Town!"

"Who can respond to the summons?"

Jon’s gaze once more scanned the eight Manor Lords around the table, waiting for their response.

Just as others hesitated, Zock immediately rose from his seat.

He looked straight at Jon and shouted in response: "Connelly Manor responds to the Viscount’s summons."

"Five hundred soldiers of Connelly Manor are at the Viscount’s disposal."

"This is to show Zock’s resolve to earn forgiveness for failing the Viscount."

Upon receiving Zock’s response, Jon’s face revealed a trace of satisfaction.

He praised: "Zock Manor Lord, to respond at the first moment, you indeed haven’t disappointed me."

"Don’t worry too much about the taxes."

"As long as this campaign is victorious, the punishment of earlier can be waived!"

"Sit down."

Zock’s eyes lit up with some surprise.

"Thank you, Viscount!"

Indeed, the first one to declare is granted extra attention.

Zock knows very well, that despite his close relationship with Jon.

The uncompleted task is a dereliction of duty and disrespect towards Jon.

The punishment upon him also serves as a warning to the other seven Manor Lords.

Dereliction certainly leads to punishment.

As long as this war wins, Jon can cancel his punishment.

As long as Jon issues a summons.

As supporters, they can hardly refuse the privilege of tax exemption at Fisherman’s Wharf without responding.