In a simulated life scenario, how do you defy fate and change your destiny every time?

Chapter 69 The Second Generation: Klaus's Confidence

"Count Klaus is indeed incredibly resourceful; I never imagined he could train a mermaid into a servant."

"The merfolk are truly born singers. I swear, this is absolutely the most beautiful singing I have ever heard in my life!"

"I'm willing to offer 100,000 gold coins for this mermaid. I wonder if Earl Klaus would be willing to part with it?"

A wealthy businessman from out of town took a great liking to the mermaid and was willing to spend a fortune on her.

Upon hearing the price, many guests' eyes lit up with envy.

In the magical world, currency is divided into copper coins, silver coins, and gold coins.

An ordinary farmer can only earn ten gold coins at most after a year of hard work.

And 100,000 gold coins.

This is equivalent to the savings of an ordinary person who works for 10,000 years without eating or drinking!
But Count Klaus, sitting in the main seat at the banquet, flashed a hint of disdain in his eyes and rejected the wealthy merchant's offer.

To many outsiders, Blackrock City is just a barren, desolate, and remote town.

But only a few local elites knew that this remote border town was clearly an inexhaustible gold mine!
Because Blackrock City is close to the Kagal Mountains, it is rich in natural resources.

Besides.

As the main battlefield between the Empire and the Abyss Demons, the Bone Wasteland is the site of a small-scale war that breaks out almost every few years.

The weapons and armor left behind by the dead, as well as the corpses and bones of demons, are a valuable treasure!

This indirectly led to a large number of bounty hunters and mercenaries heading to the Bone Wasteland to pan for gold.

Not to mention.

As the leader of the Holy Light Knights, Count Klaus could also demand a large sum of supplies and military funds from the Empire every year through various means and pretexts.

So while 100,000 gold coins may seem like a lot, for Klaus, it's not enough for his annual allowance for enjoyment and leisure.

Subsequently.

Earl Klaus clapped his hands again.

Before the mermaid girl could even rest, she began to sing again, continuing to perform for everyone.

In her beautiful and melodious singing voice.

All the guests were completely absorbed, losing track of time.

"enough."

But at this moment.

A message scroll suddenly appeared out of thin air and fell onto the table in front of Earl Klaus.

He picked up the scroll, glanced at it quickly, his expression turned somewhat grim, and he immediately snapped his fingers.

The mermaid's song stopped abruptly, and everyone came to their senses.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I do not wish to spoil your enjoyment."

"But unfortunately, I have some bad news to tell you."

Earl Klaus spoke with a heavy tone, as if he had encountered some insurmountable difficulty.

The other guests were curious when they saw this.

The Holy Light Knights, as the empire's elite force, have always been invincible.

As the leader of the Holy Light Knights, Earl Klaus held an even more prestigious and illustrious position, and even the monarch of the Kingdom of Ryan would show him deference.

With his power and prestige, he even dared to openly privatize the empire's gold mines and industries.

So what could be causing him such a headache?
"Your Excellency Earl Klaus, may I ask what is troubling you so much?" the Lord of Blackrock City asked respectfully.

“Just now, my scouts brought news,” Earl Klaus said in a low voice. “A newly risen undead lord has suddenly emerged and is ruling the entire Bone Wasteland!”

"This undead lord is powerful, commanding an army of tens of millions of skeletons, and could pose a threat to Blackrock City at any time!"

"In order to protect the lives and property of the people of the Empire, I have decided to impose martial law on the entire city and strictly prohibit anyone from leaving the city without authorization!"

Count Klaus declared righteously and decisively.

Many people panicked upon hearing this news.

Blackrock City has a special location, situated precisely at the border between the Kingdom of Llane and the Kagar Mountains.

All traveling caravans had to pass through this place.

If the entire city were placed under martial law, it would inevitably have a serious impact on their business.

As for the nobles and dignitaries of Blackrock City, their faces were as black as the bottom of a pot.

Because they own many gold mines and estates near the Kagar Mountains, they would lose a lot of revenue every day if mining suddenly stopped!

Merchants are driven by profit. For them, not being able to make money is worse than death!

Only a small number of people remained calm and didn't take it seriously at all.

They had business dealings with Klaus, so they naturally knew very well what kind of person this leader of the Holy Light Knights was.

Martial law in the whole city?

What a joke!
You should know that the largest gold mine in the Kagal Mountains is owned by Klaus himself!

Given his greedy nature, how could he possibly cut off his own flesh?

Klaus's exaggerated claims are nothing more than an attempt to extort benefits.

“Count Klaus, the situation hasn’t deteriorated to that point yet. Isn’t it too rash to declare martial law now?”

"Moreover, the Holy Light Knights are the Empire's most elite force. Don't you even have a way to deal with them?"

Many businessmen offered their advice in a tactful manner.

"Your Excellency Earl Klaus, the gold mines near the Kagal Mountains are an important source of revenue for the Kingdom of Ryan."

"I am willing to donate five million, no, ten million gold coins as expenses for the Holy Light Knights. I urge you to personally lead your army to eliminate all enemies and threats."

A powerful figure tried to sway Klaus with offers of benefits, but he, who was always greedy for money, remained unmoved this time.

"No, this undead lord is more powerful than before. We absolutely cannot act rashly before we find out the situation."

“If you insist on going your own way, you can always ask the Ryan royal family for help.”

Klaus righteously and resolutely refused all bribes.

Hear this.

Those powerful figures who had previously had business dealings with Klaus now wore expressions of utter disbelief.

When did Klaus become so selfless?

Given his insatiable nature, he could squeeze even the poorest of the poor out of every penny.

But now, faced with ten million gold coins, how can he remain unmoved?

Is Klaus really serious this time?

For a while.

All the guests were filled with unease, and the sweet wine in their glasses seemed to have turned bitter and unpalatable.

When the party is over.

A Holy Knight clad in silver armor hurriedly entered the hall.

"Lord Klaus, the undead lord's power is still expanding rapidly. Should we do something?"

"No! We don't need to do anything. Let the Ryan royal family have their headaches."

"Our mission is to monitor the Abyss Rift; sweeping through the Bone Wasteland is not within our purview."

Klaus's eyes flashed, and he spoke in a low, languid tone.

Those fools in Blackrock City actually dared to try to win him over with money, just like they always do.

Little did they know that the gold and silver treasures in his underground palace were already piled up like mountains, almost moldy and rusty.

He doesn't lack money now, what he lacks are achievements and merits!
However, the empire has enjoyed peace for a long time and has not experienced a large-scale war for hundreds of years.

Other commanders of the Holy Light Knights, in order to gain merit and promotion, turned their swords against orcs, elves, and other races.

While Klaus made a fortune in Blackrock City, he had no notable achievements to speak of.

therefore.

He hoped the commotion in the Bone Wasteland would be as big as possible.

The more serious the situation, the more military achievements he will gain, and he might even be able to transfer to the imperial capital and be received by His Majesty the Holy Light!

As for whether it will backfire and cause harm, or whether playing with fire will lead to self-destruction?

Klaus never worried about such a thing!

As the leader of the Holy Light Knights, he knew all too well just how terrifying the Empire's strength was!
Back then, His Majesty the Ancestor used only 300,000 Holy Knights to wipe out billions of Abyss Demons.

And now.

Klaus commands tens of thousands of elite Holy Light Cavalry.

With this power, he was confident that he could wipe out the entire Bone Wasteland.

What kind of trouble can a mere newly born undead lord stir up?
(End of this chapter)