The more they oppose, the more it shows that I am doing the right thing

Borderlands, Morning Star Territory.

While a drizzle still lingered over the Imperial Capital, the Morning Star Territory was bathed in clear skies. The setting sun slowly sunk into the pale blue plains, the rose-hued afterglow stretching past the outpost’s wooden cabins and towers, leaping over several wooden railings, revealing the silhouetted castles on the hillside. They swayed in the evening’s balmy breeze amidst the remnants of the summer twilight, and by moving further along the main road, one could spot Morning Star Manor nestled within the castle’s embrace.

Mr. Karlo Moningstar, as the founder of the Chenxing family, was incessantly occupied, just as he had informed An Su. He urged An Su not to disturb him with serious matters.

The child was a profound disappointment. Ever since he was young, he only knew how to immerse himself in studies, exhibiting no self-restraint, forever engrossed in earnest affairs without a hint of the commendable traditions of debauchery, drinking, laziness, or gambling. Count Karlo found it difficult to trust the vast territory to him.

This useless young man was a failure when it came to squandering the family’s wealth. Squandering was something that anyone could manage, even the dimwitted duo next door could handle it, yet An Su failed at this simple task. If he couldn’t even do that, it showed he was completely incompetetent.

Count Karlo couldn’t put his mind at ease regarding An Su, so he had no choice but to personally manage the territory’s affairs.

Like right now, with the assistance of a tribune, Count Karlo was busy handling important matters for the Morning Star Territory.

"Your Majesty Karlo, the envoys from the Church Nation have arrived," reported the tribune respectfully. "They are currently waiting at the embassy and wish to discuss the Chenxing family’s potential affiliation with the Avad Church Nation."

The Church Nation had always been attempting to corrupt the revolutionary will of the three families on the frontier in order to pry open the border towards the hinterlands and invade the Imperial Capital. The deal was straightforward, not requiring the Chenxing family to do anything; on the contrary, they were asked to do nothing at all—when the Avad army passed through the frontier.

For a traditional noble with an ancient and unblemished lineage, the Church Nation’s invitation was nothing short of an insult, a slight upon noble honor and dignity.

Faced with such an insult, Count Karlo, as a new type of noble filled with a sense of mission and responsibility, righteously replied,

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"What’s the benefit?"

"..." The tribune paused before responding, "The Church Nation promises you five thousand ounces of gold and a thousand Demon Crystals."

"How much of a kickback did you take for this amount?" Count Karlo inquired.

"We didn’t take any this time," the tribune proudly answered.

"So without anyone taking a cut, it’s only this much?"

Count Karlo was furious like never before. He had never felt such a contemptuous insult. The Church Nation actually thought they could buy him with a mere five thousand ounces—it was a complete disrespect to the Chenxing family from start to finish.

For so many years on the frontier, so many have tried to bribe Count Karlo, but the envoys from the Church Nation were the most stingy he had ever seen. It was so little that even the tribune and his subordinates could not bear to take their share.

If his subordinates didn’t take kickbacks, didn’t make money to support their families, why would they diligently work for Count Karlo? Why would they be loyally devoted to the Chenxing family?

They might betray him at any moment!

If they’re not taking my money, where is theirs coming from? Perhaps they’re exploiting the common people!

Count Karlo snorted. If subordinates didn’t take kickbacks, and the other nobles found out, they would think the Chenxing family was too stingy to even offer bribes.

"It’s all because of that unfilial son An Su! A misfortune in the family home," Count Karlo lamented with exasperation. "If only he hadn’t insisted on studying, causing everyone to think our family lacks strength. Now, we’ve lost face even beyond our borders!"

"What about the Church Nation’s envoy?" the tribune tentatively asked.

"Kick him out," Count Karlo replied coldly. "And next time, if you don’t take at least ten percent, you and your men can leave as well."

"Understood." The tribune quickly assented, sweating profusely from his forehead. The saying ’serving a ruler is like living with a tiger’ proved true; the tribune had almost lost his position for a rare moment of integrity under the Count’s command.

"Anything else?" Count Karlo asked, feeling weary. "If not, you may leave."

"There’s one more thing," the tribune answered, "a Magic Communication from the Imperial Capital. Your son wishes to speak with you." Stay tuned with novelbuddy

"Hmm?" Count Karlo raised an eyebrow slightly. "He still has the nerve to seek me out?"

On mentioning An Su, the flickering anger that Count Karlo had just quelled flared up again. He took the Magic Communication device from the tribune, intending to listen to what An Su had to say; unless An Su was asking for money, he was ready to flay his son alive.

Once the Magic Communication connected, An Su cheerfully declared:

—"Father, the Church Nation asked me to give you a message!"

Count Karlo expressionlessly terminated the Magic Communication.

He couldn’t help but ponder how he had ever come to invent such an embarrassing contraption.

A measly five thousand ounces had bought An Su, leaving Count Karlo thoroughly exasperated.

This was the dreadful outcome brought on by a boy unfamiliar with wealth, who had never seen substantial money in his life and consequently lacked worldly wisdom. A boy with such a character could be easily duped by a pretty girl with a little money when out and about.

Utterly frightening.

Although Count Karlo had resolutely hung up, soon after, the Magic Communication rang again, its ping-pong echo signaling An Su’s stubborn attempt to reconnect. Count Karlo sighed, resigned, and answered the call once more.

"You have one chance to speak," Count Karlo said calmly, "If within a single sentence you fail to interest me enough to continue listening, do not call me again."