Chapter 279 - 219: Pointing the Sword at the Southern Territory

’Well, well, well. A textbook answer, quick and clean.’

Levi hadn’t expected this Count Andao, who looked so honest and upright, to have mastered the art of being slick. His skill was probably on par with Levi’s own.

’No wonder the man managed to become a Count. There’s always a reason for these things.’

"I’ll let you in on a secret, too. In truth, I’m also a staunch supporter of Fulina, a member of the Duke Faction."

Levi leaned in close to the vigorous Count and whispered, not forgetting to add, "Whether it’s the Traditionalist Faction or the Reform Faction, anyone who dares to block the Duke’s path is nothing but a complete and utter reactionary."

He looked the very picture of righteous devotion, ready to sacrifice himself for Fulina at any moment. His platitudes were so grand that even the most zealous believer would have felt inadequate in comparison.

Andao gave the Lion Hunter Knight a smirk, his tone playful. "Duke Fulina is, in fact, the leader of the Reform Faction."

Before the Lord could open his mouth to complain with a look on his face like he’d just eaten something foul, Andao continued, "The Duke is in the prime of her life, a visionary who hopes to make the Northern Territory stronger and more prosperous through various new regulations."

"But just as you can’t add a single drop of oil to a cup already full of water, the majority of people in the Northern Territory believe in the Ice and Snow Goddess. Many things are already deeply ingrained in their hearts, making it difficult for them to accept anything new that goes against established custom."

"So, the Duke has to add another cup and pour half the water into it. Then, whether she wants to add oil or anything else, it becomes effortless."

"The Holy Light Church is, clearly, that second cup."

"And you, Knight, I’ve studied you for some time. You cultivate the Radiant Holy Word Treasure Manual and follow the Holy Light Church. You are a natural and powerful leader for the younger generation of the Reform Faction." Andao looked at Levi, grinning at him. "In a way, we’re colleagues. Add to that your experiences, which are similar to my own, and it’s only natural that I’d feel a certain affinity for you."

"Fuck!" Levi looked exasperated.

’No wonder that Count Tisi looked at me like I was something unpleasant he’d stepped in. So I’ve been slapped with the Reform Faction label for no good reason, and apparently, I’ve even become one of its pillars.’

"Lord, I’m actually an unbeliever. I don’t follow any Church," Levi said, still trying to struggle free.

’If I were Fulina’s Vassal, getting involved in this kind of factional dispute as part of the Neutral Faction would mean getting attacked from both sides.’

’But the key is, I’m *not* Fulina’s Vassal. At the end of the day, our relationship is just that of an investor and the one being invested in, entangled by mutual interests.’

Being inexplicably dragged into a factional war really pissed him off.

"Knight, no one cares what you actually believe. The moment you started cultivating the top secret arts of the Holy Light Church, people subconsciously categorized you as one of them."

"Besides, your reputation in Bailiu City is ridiculously famous right now. To the people of the Northern Territory, aren’t you the very standard-bearer for implementing the new regulations?"

Andao suddenly rolled up his sleeve and scratched vigorously at his right arm, leaving behind fresh, bloody marks.

’Things that seem free always have a hidden price tag. The old sayings are really true.’

The Lord could only sigh helplessly. As his relationship with Fulina deepened and he continued to accept all sorts of benefits from her, he would be branded as part of the Reform Faction anyway, whether he was or not.

"Let me give you an example." Andao rolled his sleeve back down, wiped the blood from under his fingernails with a handkerchief, and offered some comfort to the young Baron before him.

"I once faced a powerful enemy. Because my opponent was so strong, I had to choose between painful honor and a life of regretful mediocrity."

"While I complain about the chronic itch in my arm, a problem caused by overloading my Combat Qi..." The itch seemed to flare up again, and Count Andao began scratching right through his clothes. "I also know that because of it, I gained an honor that far outweighs this pain. And that is the nature of a choice."

"Not every choice is entirely bad. As a figurehead of the Reform Faction, while you’ll be viewed with hostility by the Traditionalist Faction, you’ll also gain unimaginable benefits."

...

The short conversation made the Lord understand that the Northern Territory was not the monolithic bloc it appeared to be on the surface.

Of course, this wasn’t to say the Traditionalist Faction was disloyal to Fulina. It just meant that whenever certain interests were at stake, the two sides would inevitably start bickering, preventing her word from being absolute law.

However, this conversation also helped Levi understand why those minor nobles and the two Counts had been so friendly toward him.

’Turns out they’re all damn comrades.’

With that realization, he relaxed considerably. He stopped being so guarded, no longer treating the enthusiastic minor nobles with the wariness one might show a predator.

Following the hurried arrival of Fujero and Fulina, the banquet officially began.

It was nothing more than eating, drinking, showering each other with praise, and getting familiar with faces.

Moreover, since this was not a dinner party in the traditional sense, no Noble Ladies or young noblewomen were in attendance. The Lord found it rather boring and spent the entire time focused on eating.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, the Maids began to clear the tables and exit.

Several soldiers strained to carry a long table to the center of the hall, then unrolled a large map across its surface.

Everyone began to gather around the long table and take their seats. Due to the lack of space and the large number of people, the minor nobles could only stand behind and watch intently.

The Lord, being a prominent figure himself, naturally managed to snag a spot, squeezed between Count Andao and Count Luke.

But being sandwiched between two men was incredibly uncomfortable. He wanted to shift his hips from side to side to make more room, but he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to control his strength and would send all the surrounding nobles tumbling to the floor. He could only endure it helplessly.