I will traverse countless worlds and become a god entirely on my own!

What does it mean that she would give herself anything that the public possesses? Bai Ye suddenly thought of something... *cough*.

So you're gambling?

Bai Ye looked at Queen Skadi with a smile.

He probably realized that Queen Skadi seemed to be gambling, betting that she would eventually have a conscience.

"I suppose so. This is all our duchy has, and recently the Empire seems to be stirring again. I don't want the duchy to be annexed by the Empire."

Since we've already come this far...

Queen Skadi didn't mind making things clearer. She directly admitted that the pressure from the Empire was too great, so she had to offer so many tempting terms to White Night in exchange.

He knew Bai Ye was planning to buy a house soon, so he gave it to her directly.

He even granted Baiye freedom and the right to form the Duchy's army.

This would be highly unlikely to exist elsewhere.

Therefore, she believed that she had shown enough sincerity, but it was up to Bai Ye to decide.

Listening to her words, Bai Ye took a deep look at Queen Skadi and couldn't help but admire that this daughter of a wealthy merchant was indeed quite capable of becoming the queen of a duchy.

"So, give me your answer, Bai Ye."

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 222 Insubordination? Your Majesty, I'm sorry!

"It all seems to be beneficial; I don't seem to have any reason to refuse."

Bai Ye rubbed his chin. Based on his previous analysis, it seemed that this matter only had advantages for him, while the downside was that he would have to become an enemy of the Empire.

Unlike the Empire, the Duchy of Belmar is peace-loving and does not usually wage war against other countries.

As a general, he was directly subordinate to Queen Skadi, or rather, he was free to disobey Queen Skadi's orders.

But in reality, the interests of both parties are intertwined.

This is why Queen Skadi was willing to put these conditions on the table and hand them over to White Night.

Because in the conversation just now, Queen Skadi saw that Bai Ye longed for freedom and not being restrained, but also wanted to benefit from it.

This means wanting both, wanting everything.

Can the Empire give that to Bai Ye?

It's definitely impossible!

You can either serve the Empire like Barn, and the Empire will reward you handsomely.

Either you have nothing at all, because in the Empire, profit is everything. If you have no use and can't contribute to the Empire, the Empire won't give you resources.

Queen Skadi's actions were as if she were saying, "My Duchy of Belmar can do this!"

However, the downside is that you will inevitably have to do a lot of things on behalf of the principality afterwards.

Even in the adventures that followed, he represented the duchy.

"I will not be a general, nor do I need to build an army, but I will step in when the Duchy of Belmar is in danger. However, as a reward, the Duchy of Belmar must do everything in its power to provide whatever I need in the future!"

Bai Ye didn't want to become a general, nor did he have any intention of forming an army.

However, he couldn't always do everything himself. If he could have a duchy to use, Bai Ye felt that would be pretty good.

"Not wanting to be a general, nor wanting an army?"

Queen Skadi was somewhat curious, as this was a right that was right in front of her and within easy reach.

Moreover, if Bai Ye promises to do his best to help, they will still do so as long as he agrees; there is no need for them to go to such lengths.

"I prefer to go on adventures alone or with a few others, and I don't want to manage an army."

Bai Ye explained that he liked freedom.

Queen Skadi was somewhat surprised, but she agreed.

He seems to enjoy adventure?

"I agreed!"

Seeing this, Queen Skadi said no more. Since Bai Ye had already said so, she naturally agreed immediately.

In the end, it seems like I actually benefited from this situation?

"Well, if there's nothing else, I'll be going now."

After Bai Ye finished speaking, he got up and prepared to leave. Only he knew that it was really just a facade.

And since he's no longer a general, there's no need for so many ceremonies.

Queen Skadi did not stop Bai Ye from leaving; she simply had him escorted out of the palace.

"Your Majesty, what does he mean?"

Ent had something to say earlier, but Queen Skadi stopped him, so he didn't get to say it.

Now that Bai Ye has left, Ent couldn't wait to ask what exactly happened to Bai Ye.

Does this mean they agreed or not?

"Okay."

Queen Skadi was quite satisfied with the result.

After all, Bai Ye had essentially agreed, and she actually hoped that the Empire would not go to war.

First of all, the Principality of Belmar is no match for the Empire.

Secondly, there is no news on whether the empire intends to expand, but based on Queen Skadi's past experience, the empire cannot remain so quiet indefinitely.

So she was taking precautions to prevent it from happening.

Even with Bai Ye's agreement, she wasn't really that confident.

The main reason is that the gap in strength between the two sides is simply too great.

"By the way, you should subtly release the news."

Queen Skadi took out a fan and covered her lips, a sly smile flashing across her face beneath the fan.

Although it is somewhat unethical to do so.

However, this was also to completely drag Bai Ye onto their chariot.

But then again, I'll make it up to him in the future.

But we need to make use of him now.

After saying that, she prepared to tidy up, change her clothes, and go outside for a walk.

Unlike other kings, Skadi prefers to wander around Huttonmar and the Duchy of Belmar. She would probably become depressed if she stayed in the palace every day.

"They've joined the duchy?"

Sosia was also somewhat surprised to see Bai Ye return.

Unexpectedly, Bai Ye joined the Duchy.

"That woman, Skadi, really has ill intentions!"

Scardy, you bad woman!

But thinking about it, it makes sense. How can someone not have a dirty mind when they're involved in politics?

I had just left the palace when this news came out. There was no need to wonder who spread it.

"Well, joining the principality is actually quite good, since there's a stable salary after all."

Sosia said with a smile, though she actually leaned towards Bai Ye's decision.

No matter what, the peaceful atmosphere in the Principality of Belmar is still quite good.

"I'm not someone who just wants a paycheck."

"That queen is quite something; she's... now..."

"Hey, Sosia, you've got some nerve!"

Bai Ye was numb.

What does it mean to say that the Queen is good?

Although he knew that Sosia was just teasing him, Bai Ye almost couldn't hold back when he heard Sosia say that.

no! ?

The Queen is nice?

That's certainly good, especially with so many buffs on him, but well, he had no reason to argue against it.

"I'm just pointing you in the right direction, because effort is nothing compared to choices!"

"Can I live off you? After all, with Moonlight Tavern supporting me, I won't have to take any risks!"

Bai Ye laughed and replied, but as soon as he finished speaking, he felt a strange murderous aura behind him and saw the mockery in Sosia's eyes.

"Lord Byakuya is such a big idiot!"

Celia glared at Bai Ye, her face flushed with anger. She had been so happy to hear that Bai Ye was back that she had come over to ask him about his previous adventures.

Because of her previous job at the Moonlight Tavern, she had been keeping something bottled up inside. She had many questions she wanted to ask, but she knew that it wasn't the right time, so she never asked.

"Celia, how can someone who lives off a woman be considered stupid!"

Bai Yetian shamelessly said that if he could, he would like to live off Celia, the Primordial Light.

"But didn't Lord Baiye say before that he really enjoys adventure?"

right.

Celia realized that her previous anger was only because Bai Ye seemed to have given up on his adventure.

Although being a kept man isn't necessarily shameful, the fact that he gave up his dreams to be a kept man is perhaps what angers Celia the most.

"Haha, just kidding, of course I prefer adventure."