Imperial Crown.

Chapter 57 Administrative Officer

Philip sat in the rickety carriage, leaning against the body in a daze.

The carriage suddenly stopped, and the inertia woke the Chamber of Commerce president up, so he didn't crash into the roof of the carriage.

"Mr. Philip, we're here." The coachman's voice rang out.

Grabbing the box of magic cores at hand and confirming the correct number, Philip breathed a sigh of relief, pushed open the car door and walked out.

As soon as he got off the car, he frowned and whispered to the driver, "Didn't I tell you to stop at Xiongying Town and walk the rest of the way by myself?"

The driver lowered his head and said, "President Philip, I saw that you were sleeping so soundly, so..."

Before he could finish his words, the guards at the castle gate called out, "Mr. Philip, ask your servant to move the car away. The Baron is waiting for you in the study."

"Oh, okay, okay!" Philip nodded with a smile, then he scolded the driver, "Didn't you hear me? Hurry up!"

The coachman drove the carriage to the side of the road, Philip straightened his clothes, and walked into the castle holding the box.

Although it was already eight o'clock in the morning, the weather was still dark.

All kinds of carriages and horses came in and out of the spacious gate of Eagle Castle, loaded with large bags of food.

Raven's personal soldiers were wearing full armor and holding weapons to guard their posts. Even on the city walls that were usually unattended, there were people on duty, staring at everyone who passed by.

After crossing the suspension bridge, you can still see groups of three personal soldiers patrolling the courtyard. They walk with heavy steps and serious expressions, and they look at everyone with scrutiny.

On the side of the castle, carriages kept stopping and strong laborers carried bags of grain into the warehouse in a serious and orderly manner.

When he entered the hall, the servants and maids passing by would greet him as usual, but they all seemed to be in a hurry, as if they were worried about something.

All the way up to the third floor, as soon as Philip reached the door of the study, he was stopped by Volaf.

The latter glanced at the door and whispered, "My Lord has something to do, please wait."

"Okay, I understand, I understand!" Philip smiled and stood by the door waiting, quite curious about who Raven was going to meet.

Then he heard Nancy's voice.

"Raven, you've almost spent all your money on buying equipment last time. You must be short of money now, right?"

Then came Raven's voice: "Uh-huh, so what?"

"So I can give you money!"

Inside the room, Nancy rested her hands on the desk, stared into Raven's eyes with sparkling eyes and asked, "1000 gold coins, take me to Bloody Highlands, how about that?"

"I knew you were doing this." Raven rubbed his temple impatiently and glared back: "Then I officially tell you, I will never take you to Bloody Highlands."

"So the money is too little?" Nancy pouted and leaned back in her chair. "2000 gold coins, how about that?"

Raven pursed his lips and raised his hand to chase the man away.

"That's 3000 gold coins!" Nancy sat up straight and said as if giving an ultimatum: "No more, these are all the gold coins I have now!"

"It's not about money." Raven frowned. "Miss Nancy, I'm not as free as you are. I have a lot of things to do right now. If you don't have anything else to say, please leave immediately, okay?"

Although gold coins are tempting, time is limited. Even if you get the money now, it will be difficult to convert it into your own or the army's strength before heading to Bloody Highlands. You also have to take into account Nancy, the troublemaker. It's really not worth it.

"Raven!" Nancy was really angry after being rejected repeatedly and slammed the table.

"Nancy!" Raven also slammed the table.

Their eyes met, and there was a brief stalemate. Nancy pursed her lips, snorted, turned around and rushed out.

boom--

The door was slammed against its frame and kept opening and closing.

Raven straightened the documents that were blown by the wind and cleared his throat: "Fili, I see you, come in."

"Yes, my lord!"

Philip responded, but his face froze as he walked into the door.

Raven was not wearing casual clothes or formal wear, but a set of shiny black leather armor!

After closing the door, Fili turned around and saluted, with a flattering smile on his face and his golden teeth shining: "It is an honor to accept your summons, Baron Raven!"

"Well, sit down." Raven pointed to the chair opposite.

Fili carefully lowered his butt and respectfully placed the box on the table in front of Raven. "Sir, this is the magic core you wanted, but time is tight and we only collected six..."

Gently opening the box, Raven nodded slowly.

There are eleven magic cores left in my hand, plus these six, a total of seventeen. Seven magic cores are kept as reserves, and the rest can be used to strengthen the warhorse.

Philip lowered his head and glanced at Raven's face from time to time, feeling quite uneasy.

At this moment, Raven snapped the box shut. "How much did you hear?"

"Ah?" Philip was stunned, swallowed his saliva, rolled his eyes and said in a panic: "Sir, what are you talking about? I don't quite understand, what..."

"Hmm?" Raven leaned over with his elbows on the table and asked again, "How much did you hear?"

"Well..." Philip's mouth twitched slightly, and he forced a smile and said, "I heard about... Bloody Highlands."

This is also the reason why he had such a big reaction when he saw Raven’s outfit when he entered the room.

The term "Bloody Heights", the tense atmosphere of Eagle Castle, and Raven in military uniform, the meaning contained in them really surprised him and even frightened him.

Raven said slowly: "Don't worry, at least for now, there is no news that the bandits on Bloody Highlands will attack us." "That's good..." Philip breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's me, I'm ready to lead the team to attack."

"Huh?!" Fili took a deep breath and looked at Raven with wide eyes.

He is crazy! ?

In the middle of winter, traveling hundreds of miles to attack a dangerous and barren land and fight against those fierce bandits away from home?
As we all know, war is very expensive.

Baron Raven, you don't want the Flash Gold Merchants to pay for it, do you?
"My Lord Baron, please forgive my confusion. Did I hear wrongly?"

Raven shook his head gently, "No, you heard it right."

“This, this…” Without bothering to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, Philip licked his dry lips and said, “Sir… you have great ambitions and are very brave. Our Shining Gold Chamber of Commerce will definitely…”

"Okay, don't panic. I don't plan to ask you to pay." Raven drank a sip of water to moisten his throat and continued, "How can I let you take charge of things on your own in this situation?"

Philip was stunned: "Sir, what are you doing...?"

"I plan to attack Bloody Heights, so I have to withdraw the private soldiers stationed in Goldshire Town." Raven said slowly, "In this way, someone will be needed to maintain the law and order of Goldshire Town, and someone will also be responsible for handling the government affairs and lawsuits in Goldshire Town when I am not around."

Just like riding a roller coaster, Philip's mood fluctuated greatly, and his eyes shone: "Sir, do you want to hand over the responsibility of Shining Gold Town to me?"

That is Shanjin Town, the largest market town in the entire Eagle Territory and even within hundreds of kilometers around it.

Being able to take charge of such a town was something Philip didn't even dare to wish for when he prayed!
"That's what I thought." Raven smacked his lips, "But now..."

"Sir, I was just too shocked before. I didn't expect you to have the courage of a lion!" Philip said anxiously: "If you really hand over Shining Gold Town to me, I will definitely manage it in an orderly manner!"

"What if I can't do it?" Raven said playfully, "For example, when I'm away, something goes wrong in Shimmergold Town, or the tax revenue drops significantly next year?"

"Absolutely not!" Fili patted his chest. "I am willing to pay out of my own pocket to recruit people and maintain the law and order of Shining Gold Town! As for next year's tax revenue, if it is lower than the average level of previous years, I will make up for the shortfall!"

"Very good." Raven took out a roll of documents and pushed it in front of Philip. "Then from today on, you are the political officer of Shining Gold Town. When I am here, you will be responsible for me. When I am not here, you will communicate directly with Mr. Gordon and obey all his orders!"

"Here is your letter of appointment."

Philip took the appointment letter with shaking hands.

Finally! He was no longer just a businessman and had real access to real power.

"Don't worry, Baron!" Philip nodded vigorously and said, "I will definitely not let you down!"

"Don't let anyone know about the attack on Bloody Heights." Raven waved his hand and said, "Go ahead."

"Yes!"

Coming out of the study, Philip was so excited that he felt like he was walking on clouds. He was as light as a swallow, and floated all the way back to the carriage. It was not until he sat back in the carriage and looked at the documents in his hand that he felt a little bit of reality.

Recalling the details of today's conversation with Raven, the excitement on Philip's face gradually disappeared, replaced by a trace of awe.

The counterattack on Bloody Heights was not a spur of the moment idea, as evidenced by the group of war horses that arrived yesterday and the food that was continuously transported into the castle today!

War horses are easy to get, but food is not something you can get just because you want it, especially now that food prices are soaring.

This batch of grain should have been purchased at least two months ago!

Thinking of this, Philip couldn't help but sigh: "The Baron's vision is really long-term."

Not only is it long-term, but it is also ambitious, and its sights are not limited to the small Eagle Territory.

As Philip stroked the rough appointment letter with his fingers, he felt mixed emotions.

Currently in Eagle Territory, besides Gordon and Denise, he is the only one who shares Raven's power.

That was the Shining Gold Town that had just been recovered.

"With such great courage, is the Griffith family really going to rise?"

There is a thick door between the common people and the nobles. If you can cross it, you will be reborn; if you can't, you will just be an animal rolling in the mud!

Businessmen are just a little fatter.

And this door cannot be knocked open with gold coins alone.

"Then... I'll take a gamble too."

Philip held the appointment letter in his hand, as if holding a ticket to the gate of nobility, and fantasized longingly:

"I will serve the Baron with all my heart and soul. Perhaps, I will become a noble one day!"

At the same time, in Raven's office, Old Gordon asked, "My Lord Baron, Philip is timid and afraid of trouble. I'm afraid he is not the right person, right?"

"We need him to be timid and fearful, so that we can control him and prevent him from becoming too big to be controlled." Raven said calmly, "How is the food supply going?"

"Half of the first batch of 250,000 kilograms has been stored, and it will be completed before dark, sir." Old Gordon said, "The second batch of food will be delivered in five days."

"Hmm..." Raven pondered, stood up and walked out the door: "Where is the enchanted equipment?"

Old Gordon pushed up his monocle and followed: "November 11th, the day after tomorrow, your Excellency!"

"The day after tomorrow..."

……

(End of this chapter)