Chapter 59: Final Negotiation
Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Final Negotiation
According to the rules of the duel set earlier, the winner would first claim forty percent of the island’s resources. The remaining sixty percent would be divided based on the specific results—for each victory, the winner would get an additional twenty percent.
Duane had won two matches and conceded one, so naturally, he was to take eighty percent of the resources.
But this was eighty percent! That was even higher than the amount discussed when Kalina and Curitu had come to negotiate!
If the profits were truly divided this way, then the Broken Wave Gang and the Holy Hand Association would have almost nothing to show for their efforts.
That was why neither Bard nor Daniels responded, remaining silent after hearing Duane’s words.
A cool breeze blew past, making the scene feel a little chilly.
"What? I made an exception and agreed to your proposal of using a duel to divide the profits. Now that the results are in, you want to go back on your word?"
Duane clicked his tongue. "Are you treating me, the Baron of Black Forest Island, like some kind of plaything?"
Although he knew taking eighty percent of the resources was unrealistic, he still had to adopt the appropriate stance.
Seeing that Bard remained silent, Daniels had no choice but to speak first:
"Baron, you know that mining the iron ore requires a great deal of labor. Just feeding the miners alone is a huge expense!"
"If you really make us hand over eighty percent of the profits, our losses will be far too great. We won’t be able to mine the iron ore long-term."
Bard’s lips twitched. He had always been the most powerful figure on Black Forest Island, and his long-held high status made him unwilling to bow his head before Duane.
But things were different now. He had to admit that he had failed and was in a very bad situation.
Calming down to think about it, he realized that if Duane and the Holy Hand Association were to join forces, they could completely eradicate the Broken Wave Gang.
This was also what he found strange. Why didn’t the Baron join forces with the Holy Hand Association to deal with him?
Bard set aside these concerns. Right now, he also needed to fight for his own interests.
"Baron, even those who serve lords in the territories of other Nobility get a sip of the soup. If you really take eighty percent, we won’t even get a taste of the dregs, let alone the soup."
Duane spread his hands. "So, you’re saying I went to all this trouble, even my own Guard Officer was severely injured, and it was all for nothing?"
The two fell silent again. If they had known this would be the outcome, they never would have suggested a duel.
In his current state, Bard no longer had the confidence to confront the Lord head-on.
After a long moment of contemplation, he took a deep breath, seemingly having made up his mind.
"Baron, we don’t want to go back on our word, nor do we want your efforts to be for nothing. We just hope you can consider our actual situation."
He paused, then said, "Fifty percent. That’s the bottom line I can accept! Any more than that, and the Broken Wave Gang will have to pull out."
Duane frowned. Bard’s attitude was that of a cornered man ready to throw everything away—he was threatening to just wash his hands of the whole affair.
If that happened, he would indeed gain one hundred percent control of the mines, but the amount of manpower, resources, and energy required would be immense.
Moreover, mining was a dangerous business. If a major accident occurred, it would be difficult for him, as the Lord, to handle.
Therefore, it was best to leave such matters to others. He just needed to collect the profits.
Bard’s tone was habitually arrogant, but he had a point. The specific division of profits still needed to be based on the actual situation.
As for the duel, it hadn’t been for nothing on Duane’s part, either.
He had used it to prove his strength, intimidate his enemies, and shatter any thoughts they had of uniting to rebel.
"Fifty percent is a bit low!"
Duane shook his head. "How about this: sixty percent. This is my concession to you."
Bard didn’t speak.
This time, it was Daniels who spoke up. His meaning was similar to Bard’s—basically, the usual arguments about it being too little, unprofitable, a guaranteed loss—and he re-emphasized that fifty percent was the bottom line for their survival.
"Fifty percent is also acceptable!"
Duane gave them the response they had been hoping for. "But I need to add a few conditions."
Daniels felt a little more at ease. "Please, go on."
Bard also secretly breathed a sigh of relief. At fifty percent, he still had room for profit.
"First, I will send my people to take inventory of the output from the iron mine, oak trees, salt, and other resources. You must guarantee the safety of my men."
"Agreed!" Daniels and Bard accepted without much hesitation.
"Second, I can leave Broken Wave Bay, Forest Village, and Hutou Village under your temporary management, but you must abide by the laws of the Kingdom. If you kill wantonly and commit serious crimes, I will undoubtedly punish you according to the regulations."
"At the same time, I will send teams to patrol these areas periodically. Aside from your private residences, you are not to interfere!"
Previously on Black Forest Island, whatever the Holy Hand Association and the Broken Wave Gang said, went. Without the restraint of law, some dark deeds were inevitable.
But now Duane had arrived. He needed to manage Black Forest Island well. While it wasn’t yet time to investigate past events, he at least had to stop them from doing as they pleased from now on.
Having their privileges forcibly curtailed, Bard and Daniels were naturally displeased.
But they had lost the duel and had neither the reason nor the strength to challenge Lord Duane’s position again.
It was only natural for a Lord to patrol his own Territory.
They hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "We have no objections."
Duane was rather satisfied and continued, "Third, you have privately occupied the oak trees, salt works, and iron mine for a long time. This is an encroachment on the Kingdom’s property. I don’t care to ask how much profit you’ve made in the past, but now, as the Lord, I am entrusting the development rights to you. In return, you will need to pay me a ’contract fee’."
Bard and Daniels were stunned for a moment. In unison, they both cursed this greedy Little Baron in their minds. After demanding so much of the profits, he actually wanted to collect a ’contract fee’ as well!
Daniels asked tentatively, "And how much, exactly, is this contract fee you speak of?"
"It’s not that much, really."
Duane offered a smile that seemed to say, ’Don’t worry, I won’t ask for much.’
"The well salt is mined solely by the Holy Hand Association. A one-time payment of about a hundred Gold Coins will suffice, and you won’t have to pay again in the future."
He said, turning to Bard, "As for the oak trees, you can pay sixty Gold Coins. The iron mine..."
Duane paused. "I’m not exactly sure how the two of you divided the iron mine in the past. In any case, just give me three hundred Gold Coins between the two of you. As for how much each of you contributes, you can discuss that amongst yourselves."
"My Lord, I don’t have that many Gold Coins!" Daniels insisted.
"That’s fine. You can substitute with Magic Books, weapons and equipment, Fire Attribute Demon Beast Meat, or other materials."
On an isolated island, currency was useful, but as long as there was no shortage of it, things like Potions were even more valuable.
After some "friendly" negotiations, Duane had preliminarily solidified his position as Lord, while also reclaiming a moderate amount of the resources from these areas.
Of course, the most important thing was that he now controlled Broken Wave City and Lingang Village. These could be considered his power base.
Next, he needed to properly govern Broken Wave City and Lingang Village, suppressing those who belonged to the Holy Hand Association and the Broken Wave Gang as needed, and sending away those who had to go.
"Baron."
Bard suddenly spoke up. "Since we’ve agreed to all these matters, do you think you could release Hardy?"
Duane chuckled inwardly. ’Might really does make right,’ he thought. The man’s tone was much softer than before.
"Rest assured, I’ll release him as soon as I get back!"
"Thank you!"
Bard said his thanks.
He really did want Hardy back soon. After all, he was currently injured and wouldn’t be able to recover his fighting strength for some time. Having more men under his command offered more security.
He wasn’t worried about Duane; he could tell the latter cared about appearances. Even if Duane wanted to cause trouble for him, he would probably find a pretext.
But the Holy Hand Association wouldn’t be so considerate.
Right now, Bard was most worried about the Holy Hand Association.
And just like that, Daniels spoke up.
"Baron, I fully support you taking fifty percent of the iron mine’s resources. But I was wondering, how should the Holy Hand Association and the Broken Wave Gang divide the remaining fifty percent?"
Duane contemplated for a moment before saying, "I’m the type of person who trusts his subordinates. Since I’ve entrusted the mining of the iron ore to you, I’ll only concern myself with the profits."
"As for how you divide it, that will depend on how much each of you contributes. In any case, that is your own business. You can just discuss it amongst yourselves."
At this, he added, "Of course, those miners are my subjects. If there are deaths from mining accidents, or if you work them to death, not only will I hold you responsible, but you must also compensate their families!"
Daniels bowed. "I understand."
Duane stretched. "Alright, I’m tired too. Someone will be in touch with you to handle the follow-up matters."
With that, under the protection of his escort, he began the journey back.
At the three-way fork in the road, only the men from the Holy Hand Association and the Broken Wave Gang remained, silently watching Duane’s departing figure for a long time.