"Come, please."

Inside the Summer Palace of Falan, as Charles VIII announced the attack on Windmill Land, André and Valent sat drinking at a small table with a stout man amid the Shattered Stone Plain.

The stout man picked up an oak cup and poured André a large mug of malt mead.

André wasn't fond of the taste, so he added some autumn pear syrup and mountain pine nut wine.

As for Valent, he neither spoke nor drank, just leaned to the side, occasionally asking questions and taking notes.

Sitting across from André was not a person from the Shattered Stone Plain, but a Norn.

To be precise, he was a peace envoy sent by the Norn people.

The news of the Battle of Gray Robe Valley had already spread to the Shattered Stone Plain, and amid the shock, their second move was peace negotiations.

If they were to wait for the army of Hotam County to come, their whole bunch would be doomed here.

The envoy sent was none other than Duke Gloev of Bear Castle Territory.

The Norn Kingdom, despite standing alongside Falan and Leia as a kingdom, was almost as large as Falan and Leia combined.

Though possessing only three territories, each was larger than two provinces combined.

Unlike Burner Hammer Territory and Stone Sword Territory, Bear Castle Territory was closest to Lydia Falan, culturally aligned.

Following the earlier reforms, Bear Castle Territory had begun using the titles of Duke and Count instead of the collective term Great Monarch.

The terms for peace negotiations were clear: Bear Castle Territory would relinquish prisoners and spoils, and withdraw from the Shattered Stone Plain.

Subsequently, André's Iron Fist Army would take over the entire Shattered Stone Plain.

After the negotiations, Duke Gloev started discussing business with André.

"Fur? What kind of fur?" André asked, spearing a slice of ham with a small knife for his drink.

Duke Gloev heartily thumped his chest, "Whatever fur you need, we can get it—beaver fur, fox fur, mink fur… we've got it all."

Since ancient times, fur has been a highly prized luxury in the Miserian Religious World.

Before the advent of efficient heating technology and cold-resistant fabrics, fur was among the warmest garments.

Initially, one of El Empire's major incomes from the colonies in the East Continent was fur.

After the empire was established, the nobility and priests' craze for fur was unparalleled.

In the cold winter, even a duke lacking a befitting fur coat had to endure ridicule from counts and even barons.

Nowadays in Falan, many nobles without access to fur even borrowed from merchants in the end marrying their daughters to merchants to clear their debts.

Ginijis' winter gown used over a hundred sable pelts and dozens of beaver pelts.

Yet, as the Imperials continued developing west of the Dragon Sleep Mountain Range in the "civilized world," fur resources, especially high-quality ones, became increasingly scarce.

The mascot beaver that once helped Xiaochi City was a testament to the abundant fur resources of the East Continent.

The Fox Skin District of Rapids City began as a fur trading post, due to the area's abundant fox population.

Unfortunately, the former was skinned and tendoned by the nobles of Thousand River Valley for hats and coats, while the latter vanished due to deforestation and land clearing.

According to André's own experience, a top-grade beaver skin could easily sell for 90 Solas (Royal Court Gold Coins, 1 Sola ≈ 10 Dinars).

The Norn people preferred Sola Gold Coins over the Imperially common gold pounds.

The emerging citizen class mimicked the nobility, likewise purchasing fur to showcase.

This resulted in a significant gap in fur within the empire.

"...as for the fur from Bear Castle Territory, let me say, we guarantee no less than fifteen thousand beaver skins annually, each for this price?"

Duke Gloev held up five fat, carrot-like fingers.

"50 Solas?"

"Wrong, it's 5 Solas, of course, with a minimum purchase of a thousand skins and raw pelts." With a triumphant slap on the table, Duke Gloev sent the wine cup flying, catching it in mid-air, and took a deep sip.

After placing down the cup, Duke Gloev did not see the expected delighted expression on André's face.

André popped a piece of sugar-coated fruit into his mouth, "Then let me ask, with such profit, why not turn to your own friends and family instead of me, your enemy?"

"Within enemies, there are friends, and within friends, there are enemies." Duke Gloev showed his insignia ring, bearing a distinct bear claw emblem.

"What do you mean?"

Gloev closed the window and pulled the candle closer: "I am from the Bruemlind family of the Bear Castle Territory."

André was not very familiar with the messy noble families of Norn, but he was quite familiar with the Bruemlind family.

The reason being, their former Patriarch, Petrov of Fat Cow Castle, was the first Legion Commander of the Falan Marseille Legion.

Evidently, this Commander Petrov was deeply influenced by the Falan autocratic monarchism and was quite dissatisfied with the loose internal structure of Norn.

After returning to inherit his territory, it happened that the Bear Castle Territory was repeatedly raided by Centaurs, even invaded and looted by Border Knights and Dwarves.

Thus, under Petrov's leadership, the Bear Castle Territory initiated a reform movement, modeled after Falan.

This included the Great Monarch dividing titles of Duke and Count based on land output to bear corresponding military obligations, dividing military districts to implement a military alliance system, with Petrov appointing district generals from among the Dukes.

Thereafter, this Duke Petrov fought numerous battles, pacifying rebellious noble armies and Centaur war bands, and reclaimed lost lands from the Dwarves.

Hence, he became the first Duke of the Bear Castle Territory in over a millennium.

André scrutinized Gloev in front of him before slowly saying, "After Duke Petrov drowned, I thought the Bruemlind family was sidelined."

"Not sidelined. We have supporters in the White Bear Military District, which includes Smoke Castle, Fat Cow Castle, and Blue Pattern Castle.

In other districts, there are also dukes and counts of various sizes who are loyal to the Duke, and the Duke even has the support of the local bishop and nominal ducal authority.

It's just that our young bear master is too young, only nine years old, and state affairs are controlled by the generals' council and family elders, which makes it seem like we've been sidelined."

André was speechless, "After all that, aren't you still sidelined?"

"Are you kidding me? Do you have the capability to get that many beaver pelts?" André stood up, ready to leave.

Gloev grabbed his arm, smiling as he put his arm around André's shoulder: "Don't rush off, hear me out."

"If you don't get to the point, I'm really leaving."

Gloev quickly replied, "Weren't you asking why I didn't let others handle the beaver pelt business?

First, the Border Knights monopolize our trade with Leia, and we can only sell furs through them.

Second, Centaur war bands plunder trade routes, and many barbarian clans occupy the fur-producing areas.

Third, the military district imposes heavy taxes, even looting caravans to sell themselves.

Fourth, Burning Hammer Territory monopolizes our fur exports and port trade with Stone Sword Territory.

So, you see, our Bruemlind family and those military district generals are fundamentally different.

As long as these four obstacles can be cleared, selling furs to Falan, Leia, and Stone Sword Territory, we won't have to worry about making money."

André squinted, then suddenly chuckled softly, leisurely sitting down, crossing his legs: "So you're saying, you want me to help you remove these military district generals, and then you sell the furs to me?"

"Exactly."

"Then why shouldn't I just invade? The furs would be mine too."

"Would they accept your rule? You are a Falan, and can the Holy Alliance govern such a distant place? Would His Majesty the Saint Sun agree?

If you insist on doing this, it would help us instead; the generals would surely rally under the ducal banner, proclaiming our young bear master as Duke again."

Gloev grinned, revealing yellow-black teeth, and carefully poured André a glass of wine: "You see, you defeated the armies of Border Knights, Centaurs, and military district generals.

If you can win once, you can win twice, thrice—defeating them is not a problem... Not to mention, we also welcome your Holy Path to come and spread its teachings.

If you can assist us in turning the Bear Castle Territory into the Bear Castle Kingdom, then the Holy Path would become the state religion of the Bear Castle Kingdom."

Staring at the clear acorn liquor for a long time, André held it but didn't drink: "What do you want?"

"Clockwork guns, clockwork cannons, and infantry and artillery instructors, hmm, and strong liquor." After a brief pause, Gloev continued, "I also hope our young bear master could study at ry Court Barracks."

"You know that clockwork guns need Alchemists to operate, right?" André asked in return.

Gloev nodded conspiratorially: "You can rest assured, we have the means to gather a thousand or two alchemists, enough to form four gun phalanx legions.

Of course, should the Holy Alliance be willing to sell the potion that transforms people into alchemists, we would be very glad to purchase it."

"Then forget it, there are so many good lads in the Holy Alliance Battle Group waiting; it's not your turn." André stood up, contemplating for a moment, "Clockwork guns could probably be sold, instructors could also be dispatched, but as for clockwork cannons... I will introduce you to His Majesty, and if you can convince Him, it's up to you."

"That would be greatly appreciated." Gloev downed his glass of wine, as if having determined something, suddenly pulling out a black and red sun banner from his bosom.

In Valent Taylor's astonished gaze, he grasped André's hand firmly: "To tell you the truth, I've long since converted to the Holy Path!"