Cultivators at the Wizarding Academy

Chapter 159 The Strength of Earls-Level Nobles

"One-tenth!" Greenfield informed.

A rough estimate suggests that he earns at least 300 gold coins per month. This is dozens of times more than the 40 gold coins his family provides each semester, directly alleviating his financial straits.

"It's reasonable! Do you want me to give you some advice?" Iska took out a cigar, held it between her fingers, and gazed at Greenfield's quiet expression: "Don't let small things cause you to lose big ones. Excessive greed and possessiveness will make you lose your rightful place."

It's no surprise that the Blue Rose family has demonstrated its strength and entered a new level.

As long as Grinfield doesn't make any fundamental mistakes, she will naturally and gradually gain power, eventually ending up in the position of the Marquis.

The political significance then will be far greater than it is now.

Tai'an is solely focused on cultivation and has little interest in worldly affairs or social interactions. From now on, most of the family's internal and external matters will be left to Greenfield.

She was destined to become the representative of the Blue Rose family, one of the most powerful women in the kingdom.

Far better than some gilded queens, the unfavored principal wife's status was second only to women who could inherit titles. It was almost the best outcome imaginable.

"You don't need to worry about my affairs! The biggest help you can give me is to stay away from decadent nobles."

"Don't worry! Everyone's been behaving themselves lately..."

The Belland family's territory is located in the southern border of the Violet Kingdom, a fertile land bordering the sea. It boasts thriving commerce and a large population, and has long been coveted by neighboring nobles.

However, through hundreds of years of trials and tribulations, regardless of political maneuvering, intrigue, or military clashes, the Belland family has always maintained an absolute advantage.

Through various means, it has expanded its territory to more than double its original size. This has forced many neighboring countries to disappear and lose their original titles.

The Belial family's strategic goal is to expand all the way to the Southern Great Forest, also known as the Beast Forest and the Endless Forest. It spans the Eastern, Southern, and Central continents, connecting seventeen human nations. Rumor has it that its resources are inexhaustible, and that elven tribes even live in seclusion deep within its depths.

As long as they border the southern forests, future development will no longer be restricted. Simply by continuously expanding the forests, they can increase their territory, allowing their family to grow steadily and reach the pinnacle of power and glory.

Unfortunately, an accident occurred.

The industrial forces in the capital were completely routed by the Blue Rose family's attack. Even more troublesome was the exposure of their relationship with the heretics, rendering their territory illegitimate.

The restless neighbors, encouraged by the noble council, were eager to unite and divide the spoils.

A great battle is about to begin!

"It seems luck is on our side!" Lesser stood in the center of the altar, raising his hands with a fanatical expression.

By sacrificing a small town, they successfully summoned a terrifying being on par with an abyssal demon lord.

A giant humanoid creature with no skin, dark red flesh, and countless eyes covering its body. It has eight hands like octopus tentacles and emanates a strange spiritual field.

Just as described in the classic texts about the Evil Eye Tyrant.

"Summoner, I am very satisfied with your sacrifice." A faint voice echoed in Raiser's mind, the humanoid creature's eyes filled with mockery and amusement: "Speak! I can satisfy your needs to the best of my ability."

"My territory is being invaded. Destroy all the invading enemies." Lesser's eyes were vacant, and he had lost the ability to think.

"As you wish."

The Evil Eye Tyrant placed one hand on Lesser's head, its eyeballs, as if alive, silently residing in the back of the human's head.

Leisser was completely unaware.

The five neighboring territories of the Viscount of Belland are the Earldom of Northrend, the Viscountdom of Kuala Lumpur, the Viscountdom of Tassan, the Viscountdom of Conch, and the Viscountdom of Lanya. Smaller territories have long been annexed in the ensuing power struggles, and the territories of barons and knights are mostly vassals of the great nobles.

Marquis-level territories are also extremely rare. The Southern Stone family suppresses and dismantles families that may grow into rivals. The Eastern, Western, and Northern territories each have at least five marquis-level territories, while the more expansive Central region has over ten. The Southern Territories have only three, and almost all of them have maintained close ties with the Southern Stone family through generations of intermarriage.

Representatives from the five noble families quietly gathered together.

Count Northend took the seat of honor at the head of the meeting room and cleared his throat.

"The Belland family has acted perversely, colluding with heretics and committing countless evils. Following a trial and vote by the Noble Council, their noble titles and lands have been stripped of their legitimacy. A swift and decisive campaign is warranted! As the rulers of neighboring territories, we have an inescapable duty to punish them!"

"That's right!" Everyone agreed, and enthusiastic applause rang out, creating a lively atmosphere.

"Unfortunately, the Blue Rose family is not prepared to intervene in the war, and we must assume the responsibility of leading the main force. The acquired territory and spoils will have priority in internal negotiation for distribution." Count Northrend nodded, gesturing for his attendants to bring over a sand table map. All of the Belland family's territories were divided into scattered sections, with approximate value assessments marked: "The more effort you put in, the more you will gain. We welcome scholars to conduct more detailed calculations and value determinations. Cooperation must be based on fairness."

"Our Northrend family promises to mobilize all our resources, including two Saint-level experts, thirty-six Super-level experts, two thousand elite knights and magic swordsmen, supplemented by a two-hundred-man mage corps and fifty thousand elite heavy infantry."

An unreasonably luxurious lineup, openly displaying its ambition to annex vast territories.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; how could we not seize it? For the Earl of Northrend, the ideal scenario would be to acquire half of the Belerand family's territory!

The smiles vanished from everyone present, all awestruck by the Northrend family's strength and resolve. Truly befitting a long-established noble family in the Southern Territory. It should be noted that most viscount territories couldn't even muster a single Saint-level expert.

In other words, only viscount territories with powerful Saint-level experts have the potential to develop further, becoming true great nobles with complete autonomy and the freedom to amend laws, without the kingdom having the right to interfere.

The representatives of the remaining five viscountdoms exchanged glances, seemingly reaching some kind of tacit understanding, each declaring that they would unleash their full strength and resources.

Each family mobilized roughly one-third of the Northrend family's personnel. The Viscount of Lanya promised to send a Saint-level expert.

After a series of intense negotiations, an agreement was finally reached regarding the allocation of the Berland family's share of the territory.

The Earldom of Northrend holds 50%, the Viscountdom of Lanya holds 20%, and the remaining three each hold 10%.

Strength means the right to speak and the right to distribute resources. It is only natural that the strong eat meat and the weak drink soup, and no one will find it inappropriate.

(End of this chapter)