“The supply of majeongseok has been cut off. What does that mean?”
In response to the chilly inquiry from King Laniere of Einsterne, his subordinate lowered his head. The frigid atmosphere emanating from the king made his whole body tremble like a leaf.
“We blocked it at the Solisbury Duchy. As you know, transporting majeongseok by land from the Cannello mines is difficult due to the rough terrain.”
“Who wouldn’t know that? What method did those fools, lacking even maritime technology, use to block the majeongseok?”
The majeongseok supplied to the royal family comes from the mines in the Cannello region. The issue was that these mines were adjacent to the Solisbury Duchy.
To safely transport the mined majeongseok by land, it had to pass through the Solisbury Duchy. Otherwise, it would have to traverse an area filled with hostile forces.
That’s why they had been using the sea route so far…
“To breach the sea route, it seems unavoidable to confront the maritime forces of Solisbury. Otherwise, we would have to fulfill what they demand on our end…”
Thud!
As if he couldn’t stand to hear more, Laniere slammed down the armrest of the throne. The subordinates flinched, bowing their heads deeply, anxious to gauge the king’s mood.
No one dared to speak against the tyrant. Those truly devoted to the country were all bowing under Laniere’s rule.
“Should we accommodate the whims of those insignificant wolf pups? Is that what you’re earnestly suggesting?”
“No, Your Majesty. I just…”
“Abandon the Cannello majeongseok mines. After all, it wasn’t a place with increasing mining quantities. Focus more on finding a new majeongseok mine! A place with no geographical issues, where we won’t be entangled in such ridiculous disputes.”
Laniere scolded his subordinates. Discover a new majeongseok mine… The subordinates closed their eyes tightly, swallowing their saliva.
If finding a majeongseok mine was such an easy task, they would have abandoned the Cannello mines long ago. They wouldn’t have gone through such trouble for just one majeongseok.
Moreover, the overall mining quantity was decreasing in the majeongseok mines in the southern part of the continent. If they couldn’t find a new mine, they would have to rely solely on imports from Elowen in about ten years.
Or they had to venture to find majeongseok mines on other continents or islands, which was also not an easy task.
The last resort was to start a war with Elowen to seize the mines… but war was always the worst and final option.
In reality, the disadvantages outweighed the benefits. Establishing a diplomatic and friendly atmosphere with Elowen through negotiation was far more advantageous than risking defeat in a war, completely cutting off the supply of majeongseok.
However, whether the tyrant, who didn’t listen to others’ words, would nod in agreement to diplomacy remained uncertain. It was fortunate if he didn’t resort to violence for being considered ‘severe.’
That day, the officials left the court with even deeper expressions of sorrow. The gloomy mood seemed insurmountable, as if Einsterne’s fortunes were waning.
After dismissing all his subordinates, Laniere paced the court with a frustrated state of mind. The blockade of the sea route from Solisbury was undoubtedly retaliation for his sending assassins the last time.
The question was why they were retaliating now. For years, Laniere had been sending countless assassins to Solisbury, a kind of warning not to encroach on the Einsterne royal family.
This time was no different. As retaliation and a warning for Gloria and the Solisbury Duke refusing his divorce order, Laniere sent assassins.
Although it was usually an attack like any other, this time, for some reason, the Solisbury Duke responded sensitively. Why?
Gracian Solisbury, the duke in question, was so calm that it was unusual for him to retaliate unless provoked.
“He clearly must have warned not to touch Gloria and that rabbit-like maid…”
Gloria still had her uses, so she shouldn’t be killed. Laniere had not given up on his plan to divorce Gloria from the Solisbury Duke and bring her back to Einsterne.
As for the rabbit-like maid, it was better not to touch her, as she was the lever of the Solisbury Duke.
Since there were no plans for a full-scale confrontation with Solisbury at the moment, Laniere always emphasized this point to the assassins.
In fact, keeping the rabbit-like maid alive might be more useful, as she could be used as a negotiating tool by kidnapping her or other means…
“Yes, but… what’s going on exactly?”
What on earth had become tangled?
The assassins under Laniere received thorough education from a very young age, so they didn’t make mistakes.
That’s why it was even more suspicious. Lifeless puppets, practically assassins, rebelling against orders or deviating from plans, something that shouldn’t happen…
“I need to check it myself.”
Thinking so, Laniere changed direction, leaving the court to investigate. The Solisbury Duke was not someone who would suddenly go mad.
Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.
Synopsis:
Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.
Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.
Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.
Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.
There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.