System: Build My Own Territory

Chapter 1326 - 347: Spirit Reef Port Falls (10,000)_3

Even though Ludivico had come to his lands, held a face‑to‑face meeting, and even verbally agreed to cooperate and swear fealty.

It had only been a brief compromise Ludivico made to get out of his territory safely.

Perhaps.

In the eyes of Ludivico and the other Free Nobles.

The military force Lynn possessed was far more terrifying than the Furious Giant Bear Mercenary Corps!

As for what Gasper had said, that Simo had left Kakasong City a few days ago...

Even Lynn, who could obtain intelligence from various channels, was temporarily unable to confirm it.

If Lynn wanted information from within the Church, he could only learn it from the mouth of Guard Captain Samuel!

However.

Lynn could still feel it.

The Free Nobility and the Church, in order to seize control over Kakasong City.

Were about to erupt into war within Kakasong City!

Under the respectful greetings of the Guards on duty at the castle gate, Lynn returned to the castle.

With Kuisi and Janet attending him, he finished today’s dinner.

Then, in his private chamber, he enjoyed a comfortable soaking bath.

Lynn went back to the bedroom, wrapped his arms around Janet’s soft, warm body on the great bed, and gradually drifted off to sleep.

After a whole day spent on the Production of sand‑mold forms for steel tracks, Lynn was already exhausted.

...

Kakasong City under the curtain of night.

The sprawling grounds of the Knight’s Mansion.

A room lit by the orange glow of oil lamps.

Despite one gust of wind after another slipping through gaps in door and window, drilling into the room and stirring the flames of the wall lamps.

Making the flames sway and flicker without cease.

The air above the room was thick with the stench of burning animal fat.

Yet it did nothing to disturb the dozen or so finely dressed men and women sitting upright at the council table.

At this moment all their gazes converged, falling upon the middle‑aged man at the head, waiting for his words.

Ludivico, seated at the head of the council table, let his gaze sweep across the faces of the fifteen Free Nobles, wealthy merchants, Workshop Masters and others before him.

Looking at the ever‑increasing number of people present, Ludivico felt no trace of joy in his heart.

On the contrary, only deeper disdain and scorn.

From the very moment he first resolved to resist Simo, Ludivico had already dispatched people to the estates of these Free Nobles and others before him.

To invite these Free Nobles and wealthy merchants to his mansion for a midnight council.

Yet these Free Nobles and wealthy merchants had turned down his invitation with all manner of excuses.

Because these Free Nobles and wealthy merchants understood that Ludivico was at a disadvantage.

Once they joined Ludivico’s line of resistance, there was a tremendous chance they would be suppressed and purged by the Church and Simo.

But now.

Even without Ludivico sending out invitations.

These Free Nobles and wealthy merchants had already learned that he had instructed Megan to bring in the Furious Giant Bear Mercenary Corps.

With the Power of the Furious Giant Bear Mercenary Corps, it was enough to fight the Church head‑on!

In other words.

These Free Nobles and wealthy merchants believed he now stood a strong chance of becoming the new leader of Kakasong City.

And had come to curry favor!

Though his heart was full of contempt and mockery, Ludivico did not show a trace of it on his face.

Instead, he put on a gentle smile and addressed the crowd before him.

"Before we begin this midnight council, I, Sir, have a few things I wish to make clear in advance."

Megan, seated to Ludivico’s left, and Harry to his right, fixed their eyes on Ludivico, waiting for his words.

The rest of the Free Nobility likewise waited.

Feeling the weight of all their gazes upon him, Ludivico spoke calmly.

"I, Sir, am very grateful to all of you for coming!"

"For I, Sir, know well that the Power of one man is ultimately limited."

"Only by uniting all those in Kakasong City who share our consensus, uniting all the Power that can be gathered."

"Can we completely annihilate and uproot the Church that has sunk its roots into Kakasong City for decades!"

"Only then can the right to rule Kakasong City fall into our hands."

"Only then can we become the true masters of Kakasong City!"

Listening to Ludivico’s words.

The Free Nobles and wealthy merchants seated on both sides of the council table shifted their eyes, each wearing a different expression.

Yet all alike, they nodded in agreement.

By the light cast from the candles burning on the council table.

Ludivico naturally took in the expressions of every person present.

He paid them no heed, and suddenly shifted the tenor of his speech.

"However, to realize this step, for us, is destined to be fraught with danger and risk."

"Not only because what we seek to eradicate is the Church, which commands tens of thousands of followers within Kakasong City."

"If anything goes awry, we may well be branded Heretics by the Church, shunned or jointly opposed by all the faithful in the city."

"By then, even if we manage to survive by sheer luck, we will certainly be unable to gain a foothold in Kakasong City!"

As Ludivico’s voice fell, there were still Free Nobles, wealthy merchants or Workshop Masters nodding in response.

More of them, however, wore solemn looks, weighing pros and cons in silence.

Seeing no one speak, Ludivico continued.

"Furthermore, the force we have hired to take the field is the Furious Giant Bear Mercenary Corps!"

"You and your families have been rooted in Kakasong City for a very long time already."

"You should be well aware of what the Furious Giant Bear Mercenary Corps once did in Kakasong City..."

"In truth, Jon Zuck’s rallying of all the local Powers to drive the Furious Giant Bear Mercenary Corps out of Kakasong City was the single most correct thing he ever did in his life."