Chapter 30: The Contract of the Laval Family

Between sips and toasts, though it was only milk and tea, Willis felt deeply content at this moment.

It had been a long time since she had allowed herself such wholehearted relaxation.

Besides the moments when she teased Ophelia and thus felt truly alive, only this calm could soothe the ever-anxious Willis.

The food was exquisitely delightful, and before her eyes, the singing girls and dancers exuded a faint, intoxicating fragrance.

Elliot was like the perfect dining companion—his eyes only sought Willis’s company to enjoy the earthly delicacies and witness the beauties and enchanting music, without any ulterior motives.

Before crossing over, Willis had never liked so-called business dinners.

Everyone there ate uneasily and without joy, chewing on tasteless food.

Especially those who organized the dinners always had a purpose; if negotiations failed, not only would the meal be wasted, but so would the money spent.

Even those who previously merely filled seats had to watch the mood of both host and guest, creating atmosphere to ease the awkwardness…

It was less a meal and more a volley of open and hidden attacks.

Willis believed that eating was eating, and discussing business was business.

Even if business needed to be discussed over a meal, it should wait until everyone was full and satisfied.

Wasting good food was a desecration of life itself.

Fortunately, though Elliot never explicitly said he was this kind of person, he acted accordingly.

Willis’s meal took over an hour.

After she was fully satisfied, her expression radiated contentment, and her familiarity with this scion of the Laval family deepened somewhat.

“Xiao Si, now that we’ve eaten and enjoyed the song and dance, it’s time to talk, right?”

Seeing no sign of Elliot speaking up, Willis smiled lightly at the corner of her mouth. This guy was just waiting for me to break the ice!

Fine, well-fed and refreshed, she’d give him that courtesy.

Sure enough, hearing Willis’s words, Elliot’s eyes brightened, and a look of relief spread across his face.

“My apologies, milady.”

With a wave, the dancers and musicians all stopped moving and quietly withdrew.

Even the two deaf-mute girls nearby left.

The entire room was now occupied only by Elliot, Willis, and Victoria.

Seeing that confidential matters were about to be discussed, Victoria voluntarily offered to stand guard at the door, and Willis did not refuse.

Once she had left, Elliot carefully produced a piece of parchment contract and handed it to Willis.

Willis took it; the texture was soft and smooth in her hands. Reading the contents carefully, she understood immediately.

“So that’s it—the Laval family wants to do business in the Luo Xing Grasslands?”

The parchment was a signed agreement between the Laval family and a nomadic tribe.

In this world of magic and swordsmen, such paper contracts were essential to formalize obligations and agreements.

After all, here there was no magic oath system like the ones Willis had seen in her previous life’s novels.

“The Luo Xing Grasslands lie northwest of the Empire,” Willis said, “Not only do you have to cross the border and the Great Tunnel, but also the treacherous Miqiela Crosscut Mountains, and beyond that the dreaded Flame Valley…”

She frowned, “Such a distant and perilous journey—seems you are truly determined!”

Elliot laughed, “Haha, Your Highness sees clearly. Our Laval family finally found an opportunity to do some business and thus reached this agreement with the Aquiluan Tribe.”

“We provide them with ironware, fabrics, spices—things they lack. In return, they raise over ten thousand magical sheep, magical cattle, prairie runner pigs, and other specialties of the grasslands.”

Elliot sighed.

“Ah, but Your Highness, you know the Luo Xing Grasslands are far away, the environment is harsh…”

“The main problem is bandits and thieves abound, especially in the Great Tunnel, where some bandits even disguise themselves as Imperial soldiers…”

Elliot’s expression grew grave, “The Laval family sent several private armies to escort shipments, but they all suffered heavy losses.”

“Moreover, our noble status doesn’t help much in the border towns along the way. The generals and officials there constantly hassle us, seizing goods and levying fees.”

“Originally full shipments are cut down to only sixty percent by the time they reach their destination—worse than the bandits themselves!”

Hearing this, Willis finally understood.

“So the Laval family wants to cooperate with me, using my identity to protect your caravans from being searched and plundered by Imperial officials?”

“And you want me to dispatch troops to escort you?”

Elliot respectfully stood and bowed.

“Exactly, Your Highness!”

“Your reputation is thunderous throughout the Empire, and as an Imperial Princess, those local officials and generals dare not inspect your caravans.”

“By law, you can command up to three thousand private soldiers; we need only five hundred.”

“As for the profits, we split them sixty-forty!”

Willis smiled, “Well said, Xiao Si, but should we reconsider the profit split? **!”

“Your Highness!”

Elliot looked miserable, “Our family provides manpower, bears costs, and trades goods…”

“Hold on, by that logic, I as an Imperial Princess would also be giving up reputation and authority, and providing five hundred soldiers—how does that factor in?”

Willis said confidently.

“Currently, my elder sister Hill Yu focuses solely on herself, barely even having guards, with no interest in business, having even abandoned her fief.”

“My younger sister Kris is often weak and sickly, unable to handle burdens. Although she has a fief, she neither develops private troops nor manages it well.”

“By that logic, I’m the only choice you have—unless you want to look to other ministers?”

Our Imperial Princess, full and satisfied, crossed one leg, watching Elliot struggle on his face.

In the end, he sighed.

“Alright, ** it is **—the Laval family agrees! But Your Highness, we must add one more condition!”

“Oh?”

Willis raised an eyebrow, surprised.

Damn, this guy probably already prepared for me to bring up **!

But at this point, Willis could only ask, “What condition?”

“It’s that beyond this deal with the Aquiluan Tribe, we also have a verbal agreement.”

“If they find lava crystals and volcanic ore in the Flame Valley in the southeastern foothills, the Laval family will purchase those as well.”

Elliot paused, then continued, “At that point, the materials will likely need to be transported to Ushi City for processing. We humbly ask for Your Highness’s approval.”

“Fine, lava crystals and volcanic ore, huh… I’ll take forty percent of that too!”

This no-capital trade, paying only a processing fee, was not something Willis wanted to miss out on.

Lava crystals and volcanic ore were prized additives for weapon crafting; the better ones could be used to forge divine or magical weapons with fire-element affinity bonuses.

That would be a huge resource and a big source of profit!

Elliot was equally generous, agreeing immediately.

“Excellent, Your Highness, you are decisive! It’s settled then!”

Afterward, both parties signed the parchment contract, verified it, and safely stored it away.

This meal concluded satisfactorily.

“Does Your Highness have any other matters?”

Elliot asked cautiously.

“No.”

“Then please, milady, rest here for half a day more.”

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

The music and dance resumed, and various delicious small pastries were continually served.

By sunset, Elliot bid Willis an excited farewell in the Mirror Flower Elegant Garden.

Willis climbed into the carriage for the return trip, with Guard Knight Victoria still by her side.

Upon entering the Imperial City, Willis did not return immediately to the Crown Palace but instead turned toward the Royal Library within the city.