Gwen began to think that Viscount Andrew was an interesting guy.
He was more like a businessman than a nobleman.
But at the same time, he was not a very smart businessman — at least in Gwen's opinion.
A wise merchant would not reveal the details of transactions, bargaining chips, debts, and the like at this moment, while a noble would not even bother to mention such things. The best thing for Viscount Andrew to do now was to quietly continue to provide help to the Cecil family, but at the same time, he should infiltrate his influence between the Knight and the soldiers who were under protection. At the same time, he should use his identity as a noble to legally determine his "creditor's right" to the Cecil family, and it would be best if he could bring this "creditor's right" to the king. Then … it would no longer matter whether Rebecca was willing to repay this debt.
The laws of this country and the rules of the noble system would help him complete this transaction.
Of course, Gwen felt that he could understand Viscount Andrew's feelings. After all, the decline of the Cecil family was well-known, especially today when the core territory of the family was completely destroyed. It was really unknown how much "repayment ability" Rebecca had.
"The Cecil family will not owe anyone anything," Rebecca's words were a little unconvincing. "Don't worry, we can repay. Although we lost the richest area, some forests on the periphery of Cecil's territory are still there. And as long as I, the heir, am still alive, there will always be a loan from the Cecil family waiting in the Mithril Vault. It's not a big deal …"
Gwen coughed twice and interrupted Rebecca's words.
He felt that he had watched enough and roughly understood the current situation. At the same time, he sorted out the memories in his mind, so he stood up and said, "Rebecca, don't be impatient. Viscount Andrew, take a long-term view. "
Andrew glanced at Gawain. This man, who seemed to be an ancient hero, had a certain deterrent effect on him. Regardless of whether Gawain was real or not, the viscount restrained himself. "Sorry, I am indeed a little … greedy."
Gwen was a little surprised that the viscount admitted the word "greedy". He raised his eyebrows and said, "You're honest, but this is also good. Pursuing interests is not something shameful, but we have to understand the current situation. A viscount's territory has been destroyed, a dragon has appeared in the kingdom, and the monsters during the Demonic Tide have reappeared. In the face of these things, it's not appropriate to talk about business."
Without waiting for Andrew to speak, Gwen continued, "Of course, after the righteous words, we still have to consider the practical problem. You're worried that the Cecil family's aid will accumulate without limit, and eventually you will lose all your money. Let me tell you that the Cecil family is not only able to repay any debt, but if you seize the opportunity, we can also bring you unlimited benefits. "
Andrew looked into Gwen's eyes and said, "Please continue."
"I," Gwen pointed to himself and said, "am your biggest investment."
Andrew's expression froze for a few seconds, then he pulled the corner of his mouth a little awkwardly and said, "Duke … Your Excellency, I believe that you're really the duke, but I have to remind you that you've been dead for 700 years, and Ansu is already in the Second Dynasty. Whether it's your title or your property, they have all been enfeoffed, inherited, consumed, or … taken back by the royal family. Of course, I respect you personally, and every Ansu person respects you. But I'm not just a person, I'm also a lord, I should consider my territory and my people … "
Gwen shrugged and said, "Think more broadly, Viscount. Is real money and real territory the only investment value?"
Andrew said, "Do you mean …"
"I have a permanent right of development." Gwen raised the sword in his hand and said, "When Gwen Cecil holds the Pioneer's Sword, he has the right to explore any unclaimed land, including but not limited to the undeveloped areas in Ansu, the wild areas outside the borders of other countries, the Gondor wastelands, and other areas without legal disputes. As long as he can ensure that he maintains a certain degree of control over these areas, wherever the Pioneer's Sword goes, it will become the territory of the Cecil family, and the Ansu royal family will recognize and ensure Gwen Cecil's rights and interests at any time."
As Gwen spoke, he looked at Viscount Andrew's eyes that were getting wider and wider. He then deliberately slowed down and said, "The above right of development was signed by Charles I, the founder of Ansu. At the same time, the Auglay Tribal Nation in the west, the Typhon Empire in the east, the Kaolin Kingdom in the south, the Silver Empire of the elves, and the city-states in the north will all recognize it. The validity is unlimited. As long as the authorized pioneer, which is me, is still alive, it will be in effect forever.
"In fact, this law was not signed for me alone. Every pioneer had a corresponding authorization, but today … I'm the only one who can exercise this right."
At this point, Gwen grinned happily and said, "The old guys who signed these documents must have never thought that I would one day open the coffin and rise."
Before the stunned Viscount Andrew could say anything, Rebecca could not help but exclaim, "Ancestor … Ancestor! You … You're for real?! "
"Who was in charge of her history class?" Gwen could not help but facepalm and squint at Heti. "Or has this law been abolished? If it has been abolished, then I'm a little embarrassed. Speaking of which, the heads of the countries would not be so bored as to suddenly gather together and hold a congress after a few hundred years to announce the abolition of a development law that has long been useless, right? "
"Rebecca's history class … I was the one who taught her, but her results were really bad," Heti explained with a blush. She then quickly answered Gwen's question. "Besides, the law you mentioned has not been abolished. When the pioneer Knight was still alive, no one dared to abolish it. And after the last pioneer died, this law became a part of the glory, representing the belief of human reshaping civilization. So, no one would abolish it."
Viscount Andrew continued the second half of the sentence, "Not only is it not abolished, but the historians and scholars will also write about it …"
Gwen shrugged. "So, my sudden resurrection is definitely a surprise to them. This law from 700 years ago finally has a place to be used again."
Viscount Andrew stared at Gwen, especially at the Sword of the Pioneers in his hand. "I admit, this is indeed … an idea that I have never thought of … If you use the permanent development rights, you do have the possibility of revitalizing the Cecil family, but with all due respect, this will be a very long-term deal. Do you know how many unclaimed lands there are at the border of the kingdom now? "
"I have a rough idea. My descendants have already told me on the way." Gwen glanced at Heti and Rebecca next to him. "Basically, the lands that can support people have been divided. The unclaimed lands are all dense forests, poisonous swamps, or bordering the Gondor wasteland."
"So, what are you going to do?" Viscount Andrew spread out his hands. "Where do you want to revitalize your family?"
"That's the question I have to consider." Gwen smiled. What came to his mind was a picture of the land overlooking from a high altitude. It was a satellite map that humans of this era could never get their hands on. Its precision and breadth were almost insane. It was deeply stored in Gwen's memory. Although it might be an outdated record from a few years or even a decade ago (after all, Gwen had now lost contact with the overlooking perspective), it was enough to point out the future path for Gwen. "You just need to consider … how much investment value can a founding duke, who has participated in the second development and still retains the permanent development rights, have?"
Andrew lowered his head and seriously considered this matter for the first time.
After a long time, he broke the silence. "If your permanent development rights are really recognized by the royal family, then I, as a little viscount, will be happy to provide you with any help I can."
It was the standard speech of a smooth aristocrat — no loopholes, no overstepping the rules, and a certain degree of respect.
Rebecca's eyes widened. "Is it possible that the current king will not recognize the permanent development rights that the founding monarchs and the ancestors of all countries have recognized?"
Gwen looked at the immature junior with a smile. "Of course, he won't recognize me. In fact, it's very likely that he won't recognize my identity. Even if Charlie the First pops up to prove that I'm real, the king and his staff will probably still pray from the bottom of their hearts that I'll die on the spot and be buried back in the ancient tomb in the southern border of the kingdom."
"Why?" Rebecca felt that her worldview had been challenged. "You're the founding duke! You're a figure enshrined in the temple! The king and the nobles remember you every year. Don't they want you to come back and help the kingdom again? "
When Gwen was about to explain, Amber across the table yelled, "Because they missed three days of leave!"
As she yelled, the half-elf deliberately winked at Gwen, which provoked an angry glare from Heti.
"Don't listen to her nonsense. That's just a joke." Gwen waved his hand. "The real reason … Heti and Mr. Andrew should have figured it out by now, right?"
Heti sighed. "The king will remember the hero because the hero's image and reputation can be used to consolidate his rule. But he will never want the hero to come back. Once the hero comes back, the image and reputation are no longer something he can control …"
But Hettie, in the presence of Andrew, did not say more outrageous things, especially when the King, whose origin was a bastard, was not in his own right.
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