Chapter 1179 - 186: Lady Bayonetta’s Predicament and Su Li’s Forceful Entrance_4

Chapter 1179: Chapter 186: Lady Bayonetta’s Predicament and Su Li’s Forceful Entrance_4

Whole roasted exotic fowl, with golden-brown skin glistening with oil, its stomach stuffed with expensive truffles and nuts; silver platters piled with mountainous stacks of deep-sea caviar from the distant frozen Northern seas, each plump and round, shimmering with black pearl-like luster;

also various tropical fruits, which Su Li had never seen before in the Border Prince’s Territory, so colorful like gemstones, exuding a tempting sweet fragrance. The air was thick with a luxurious symphony of countless spices and top-tier ingredients, nearly overwhelming with richness.

Attendants clad in crisp uniforms moved silently and precisely, like the most intricate machines, continuously pouring the costly wines into crystal glasses. The thick burgundy liquid swirled in the glasses, refracted with the dazzling lights, like flowing rubies. Just the cost of this banquet alone could probably arm an elite squad in the Border Prince’s Territory, or allow a barren Baron’s Territory to safely endure a harsh winter.

And all this formed a stark contrast with the world outside Marle Castle’s walls.

Su Li’s thoughts briefly wandered away from this luxurious cage. He recalled the sights he saw crossing the Border Prince’s Territory: barren, thirsty lands where sparse crops trembled in the wind; in the desolate villages, farmers stooped with bent backs, eyes numb, pale and emaciated; on the roads, one could occasionally see families in tattered clothes, migrating to avoid warfare, heavy taxes, or the threat of Chaos, heading towards an unknown "paradise." Yet their destination was often the Marle Castle gates, isolated by tall walls and guards. In those barren Pioneer Territories, a Golden Crown could be a year’s survival money for a family, and a complete set of Iron Armor would be a family heirloom for a small Lord.

Marle Castle, the jewel of the Southern Empire, each shining brick, each exquisite carving, each drop of flowing wine, saturated with the wealth from the Empire’s heartland, the blood and sweat of the Border Prince’s Territory, and resources from the entire Old World. It is like a meticulously polished, enormous diamond embedded in the barren wilderness, dazzling yet cold and hard, isolating the extravagant nobles within from the struggling masses outside. It guards the throat of the Empire and Border Prince’s Territory, controlling the lifeline of resource flow. Its wealth does not come from nowhere but is built upon near-monopolistic extraction from the entire region.

This is why Su Li must seize Marle Castle! Not merely because of its symbolic significance akin to the Heirloom Seal of the Realm, but also a treasure trove providing unending lifeblood for his unification ambitions! Capturing it, the numerous minor lords in the Border Prince’s Territory, facing his military might and resource blockade, will have no morale to resist. The Empire’s culture of ’submission’ will be vividly displayed in the face of absolute power and richness.

"Lord Su Li," Chairman Vigo Malcolm’s deep voice broke the silence, carrying a deliberately suppressed calm but filled with undeniable strength, "The City Lord’s Mansion and the council welcome your arrival. Marle Castle’s prosperity relies on powerful neighbors like Hesse Territory. However..."

His tone shifted, his eagle-like gaze swept over the pale-faced Bayonetta, "Marle Castle has its own operating rules and power structure. The City Lord is on an expedition, Lady fulfills duties in his stead, and the council represents the citizens’ intentions in handling specific affairs. Any overstepping of authority could disrupt the hard-won balance, harming Marle Castle’s stability and efficiency."

He seemed to be explaining the rules, but in fact, every word was warning Su Li not to overreach, while reiterating that the council is the real authority in the city. It appeared that the internal power struggle in Marle Castle had reached a fever pitch.

But Su Li was not as easy to handle as Lady Bayonetta, he didn’t care at all, directly changed the topic, and asked, "Have the officials from the Imperial Elector Council arrived?"

Chairman Vigo was thus directly left hanging, his eyes instantly filled with anger.

And Bayonetta suddenly showed a smile at this point, saying, "The Baron from the Electorate Council, representing the Empire’s upper echelons, has always been invited to our important banquets in Marle Castle. But for some reason, the council, which usually participates actively, rejected this time, breaking their usual practice."