Alien world

Chapter 1382 16. Changes and New Candidates

Annan immediately understood that the Duke of Violet's rudeness just now was intentional and meant for them to see.

As for why...

"Annan, I have seen many outstanding young people, but they are far inferior to you." The Duke of Violet leaned on the jeweled scepter and tapped the head of the scepter slowly with his knuckles.

"While other young men are still competing for meaningless things and trying to attract the attention of females like animals, you are already a man with your eyes set on the future."

The Duke of Violet's eyes were filled with undisguised admiration.

"So I don't mind Katerina being with you."

"Thanks... huh?" Annan raised his head: "You misunderstood, Catalina and I are just friends."

"That's enough. You are also a noble. You should know that many nobles have never even met each other before the marriage."

Annan was not used to the Duke of Violet's straightforward, even transactional, remarks.

"Isn't Katerina excellent?"

"Very good, but..."

Annan wanted to say that there were more outstanding women around him... but that would sound derogatory, so he could only smile modestly: "It seems that you care about Catalina so much that you came all the way from the south to Liberty City in person."

Speaking of his daughter, Duke Violet's expression softened: "Besides her, I also came for you."

Annan's savings bank almost caused a big quarrel among the Southern Alliance congressmen.

Although the nobles have shortcomings such as arrogance, prejudice, greed and arrogance, there is one thing about them - they are not stupid.

Perhaps the environment will make them misjudge some things due to ignorance, such as Lord Raymond. But even if you only look at the surface, the depository, which can absorb a huge amount of money, is also a glittering gold mine.

They were annoyed why they didn't think of such a simple way to make money. Many congressmen thought it was an opportunity. Just as Catalina ran out without permission, they sent him to negotiate.

"The Southern Council is very interested in your savings bank. Perhaps we can cooperate."

"Sorry, the savings bank is related to Liberty City's core technology, and we will not cooperate with anyone else." Annan refused without even thinking.

It’s not that he eats alone...well, he eats alone.

The pie of the bank is too big. Think about it, the tax revenue of an ordinary baronial territory is only two or three hundred kinaers a year, but the money it circulates in a year is as much as thousands or tens of thousands of kinaers, which is dozens of times the tax revenue.

And savings can put this liquid money into your own pocket.

Even if the empire wanted to have a share, he would hesitate. How could he give it up just because of a few words from the Duke of Violet?

"If we cooperate, your savings in the south will be more favored by nobles and merchants."

The Duke of Violet was almost saying the 70-30 split.

But Annan was resolute.

He was like a greedy dragon, turning all the bastards who dared to covet his treasure into ashes with his dragon breath.

The Duke of Violet, who had hit a wall, put away his smile and his first negotiation with Annan ended in a bad mood.

Annan guessed that he would bargain with him next, but he didn't expect him to use a simpler and more brutal method - controlling Katarina and refusing her to go out for practice.

Faro Barros went there and was sent back.

As time passed, the crew was ready, but Catalina still didn't show up.

Olmedo also learned the whole story from Annan through casual conversation.

Annan had no ill feelings towards Katerina. Who could resist a smart, sensible, and simple girl?
She was innocent—he could tell that, and it wasn't because Catalina didn't ask for the bag of gems back.

"Why are both of them so arrogant and annoying?"

Annan was indignant, but he didn't expect Olmedo to suddenly shout as if in response to the pressure: "No!"

"What's wrong?" Annan asked doubtfully.

"Aren't you going to kill Duke Violet?"

"Do I look like a war nut?" "Don't I?"

Olmedo recounted Annan's battle achievements - the North, the South, Middle-earth, Wilhelm... He fought almost everywhere he went, and the people of the Empire had to give him a thumbs up when they saw it.

Although Annan never did it himself.

"That's because they are all enemies, and Catalina's father is not one. He is just taking advantage of the situation to get benefits..."

"Maybe he did it on purpose."

"What do you mean?"

Olmedo said: "Duke Violet is a registered member of the House of Representatives of the Southern Nations. Why would he come to you so carelessly to ask for a share of the pie? I think he is using this method to force you to make a decision."

Annan scratched his head and felt his scalp was itchy...

……

Annan felt it was troublesome, and so did the Duke of Violet.

His own daughter failed to attract the warlock, and he tried to bind him with benefits and failed. He also used the power of the Southern Alliance to suppress him, but he also had a suspected identity as the Son of God... It was so hard to bite.

"Father, I want this role," Katerina begged.

Duke Violet steeled his heart and said, "We have to go back...Daughter, there are many good roles, and we can also shoot magic images."

Katerina had never disobeyed her father before... and she certainly wouldn't disobey him this time.

"Master, why don't you let the young lady stay?" The housekeeper couldn't bear to see the young lady leave in disappointment.

“Because I’m a member of parliament.”

Duke Violet looked out the window, as if he wanted to imprint the prosperous Liberty City in his eyes.

"The Southern Alliance is a whole. If I leave Catalina here, they will think I have betrayed the collective and exclude me from the center of power."

The butler realized something: "So, it wasn't you who came here on your own initiative, Master?"

Violet Duke said nothing.

……

When the news came that the Duke of Violet was going to take Catalina away, Annan could no longer hold back and brought Faro Barros to visit him.

"Duke, this shouldn't be a deal."

"Have you thought it through?" The Duke of Violet leaned on his scepter, while the butler and guards behind him carried the luggage.

Katerina apologized: "I'm sorry, my father can't do anything..."

Annan sighed: "Do you know what kind of opportunity you caused your daughter to lose?"

The Duke of Violet looked at Faro Barros with contempt, and said mercilessly: "An opportunity to learn to act crazy and stupid from the clown?"

He may have had his own hidden agenda, but his disdain for Faro Barros was genuine.

The nobles care most about blood, and the second is face. And people like Faro Barros who can lick other people's boots just to survive are simply a disgrace to the nobles.

Faro Barros stood there awkwardly, a man in his forties looking at a loss.

Annan suddenly swallowed his words of persuasion.

"Goodbye, Lord Annan."

Duke Violet led Catalina, who lowered her head, and walked past Annan, ignoring Faru Barros.

Annan turned around and watched Catalina and her father get into the carriage on the street and drive to the port. He suddenly said, "Farro Barros."

Faro Barros, who was standing next to him, raised his head and habitually showed the ingratiating smile that had been on his face for the past decade.

"You play Truman."

(End of this chapter)