A Core Ship From The Start Chapter 1059

Chapter 1059: Chapter 730 Prelude Chapter 1059: Chapter 730 Prelude “Good day, Mr. Calga, may I ask the purpose of your visit today?”

Amalice sat behind the desk, her expression was indifferent and her voice cold, lacking the warmth and smoothness typical of diplomats. However, Calga was not bothered; in fact, these diplomatic representatives had long realized that Amalice was not the type of facilitator who would foster friendly exchanges between the Tribunal and other powers. Instead, she was more like a public announcer for the Tribunal, meaning if the Tribunal had any affairs to communicate to other forces, they would have Amalice issue the announcement.

Well, at present, Amalice's role was more akin to that of a spokesperson rather than a diplomat.

“Miss Amalice.”

In front of this lady, Calga also dropped the usual pleasantries and went straight to the point.

“I am here on behalf of the Red Robe Mage Association of Ser to discuss the establishment of an outpost in Arkham City that would be dedicated to the sale of magic equipment. We also hope to reach a trade agreement with the Tribunal…,” Calga began with a serious expression, but Amalice simply glanced at him impassively.

“Is Mr. Calga aware of the various regulations of the Tribunal?”

“This…”

Upon hearing Amalice's question, a slight twitch formed at the corner of Calga's mouth; of course, he knew.

According to the Tribunal's regulations, all land in the Lost Ground falls under the ownership of the Tribunal, and no organization or individual is allowed to sell it at will without permission. Moreover, those who purchase land only have leasing rights, not ownership rights. Even after acquiring land, one must submit architectural blueprints to the Tribunal for approval before construction can commence. If the construction is found to be in violation of regulations, the Tribunal has the authority to demolish it.

Honestly, these clauses are commonplace in modern times and are generally accepted, but on the Faelun Continent, people just can't accept them. Especially for an organization like the Red Robe Mage Association, their strongholds are almost always hiding places for illegal goods, and secret passages and vaults are indispensable. And you insist on building according to the blueprint, ready to demolish anything that doesn't comply?

Where is the sense in that?

“I am certainly aware of the Tribunal's regulations, but…”

“As long as you follow the regulations strictly, there won't be any issues,” said Amalice, uninterested in hearing Calga's subsequent “but.”

“Furthermore, we will not grant the Red Robe Mage Association extraterritorial rights. Within the Tribunal's territory, all powers and organizations must abide by the regulations of the Tribunal.”

In any other city, if someone spoke to Calga like that, he would have likely resorted to a mix of threats and persuasion. However, in the presence of the Tribunal, Calga truly didn't have the courage to talk tough.

“As for trade relations… it requires the approval of the Great Judge. Afterwards, miss Aile Este will contact you.”

Having said that, Amalice stood up.

“Please.”

“… If that's the case, then I leave it in your hands.”

Calga stood up, speechless, then turned and left.

The counterparty had made her point very clear, so all he could do was wait.

And Calga's request appeared on Duanmu Huai's desk that very day.

“As expected, I knew that group of Red Robes wouldn't be able to hold back.”

Looking at the application before him, Duanmu Huai was not surprised in the slightest. In the game, a chaotic place like Faelun was naturally infiltrated by the Chaos Evil God, with the Corrupted Foil often appearing amongst Elves and Druids; Brutal Wrath could be found on The Battlefield of the Blood War; Succubi and Demons of Lust easily fell victim to Obsessive Sin; and as for Cunning Deception, it was almost certain to show up within the Red Robe Mage Association.

This was also one of the reasons why Duanmu Huai chose the Lost Ground. To the west of the Lost Ground was the Supreme Forest, the stronghold of Elves and Druids, to the east beyond the Star Ocean lay Ser. In time, whether it was the Supreme Forest being corrupted or turmoil emerging from Ser, a volley from the Macro Cannon would undoubtedly eliminate them.

After all, the truth lies within the range of the Macro Cannon, and the question is whether you accept it or not.

Indeed, the Red Robe Mage Association truly fitted Cunning Deception perfectly.

As is widely known, Red Robes are synonymous with slyness and deceit. Whether it's interactions among peers or the ambition to climb higher, these bald magicians employ all kinds of conspiracies and tricks, making them the human equivalent of the Drow Elf. However, unlike the Drow, the Red Robe Mage Association uses these methods more as a matter of elegant taste–conspiracy and poisoned wine are considered far more sophisticated than flipping tables in their view.

Well, the fact is that when pushed to the limit, Red Robes will flip tables, too.

Moreover, the insignia of the Red Robe Mage Association subtly reflects Cunning Deception's number nine–a large fireball in the center with eight smaller fireballs winding around it. According to the official explanation by the Red Robe Mage Association, those eight smaller fireballs represent the eight factions within the association.

As for what the large fireball in the center represents, opinions vary.

Currently, everything in the Supreme Forest is still normal, whereas Ser is in the midst of upheaval. Duanmu Huai knew long ago that since the Tribunal's raw materials flowed into the markets of the Faelun Continent, the magic equipment business that the Red Robe Mage Association had always controlled had started to shake. With the business shrinking in various places, internal instability grew within Ser.

It goes to show, raw materials are indeed the most crucial element in controlling the world.

No matter how brilliant Bill Gates is at creating systems, without ample raw materials to make chips, it's meaningless. Producing ten Steve Jobs would also be futile. As the saying goes, the most skillful cook can't make broth without rice, and the raw material suppliers are those who sell the rice. If I refuse to sell you rice, even the imperial chef will starve to death.

Of course, precisely because of this, raw material suppliers are also easily targeted by others, since nobody wants their life and fortune in someone else's hands. Therefore, in such a case, if the supplier of raw materials is as powerful as the Tribunal, it can do whatever it wants, as long as it doesn't involve killing–any of the seventy-eight positions can be rotated through.

Even if a life is taken, a bit of money can smother the affair.

However, if they're not powerful enough, then it's as if they've been handed the fate of a black uncle in South Africa, mining diamonds for a lifetime in his own home, none of which are his to claim.

Ser didn't have the guts to wage war against the Tribunal, and neither dared the Archmages of the eight factions of the Red Robe Mage Association seek out trouble with Duanmu Huai, so they could only begrudgingly endure.

However, once the distribution of interests becomes unequal, the unrest or even rebellion within Ser is just a matter of time.

Chaos, conspiracy, changes, Cunning Deception enjoys all this–it's just unknown how it will act this time. Corrupted Foil chose to send Star Warriors in its service, only to have them incinerated by Duanmu Huai. However, Cunning Deception obviously wouldn't be as brainless as Corrupted Foil…
Duanmu Huai pondered for a moment, then sent a telepathic message.

“Gavi, are you there?”

“Here, what's up?”

Although Bambi was ostensibly in charge of intelligence and internal affairs, in reality, the collection and organization of intelligence were all handled by Gavi, who seemed to take a particular interest in the role of the shadowy puppeteer.

“I want you to send a team of Puppets to Ser immediately to gather intelligence on the Red Robe Mage Association.”

“To Ser, huh… But I'm not familiar with the Red Robe Mage Association.”

“Don't worry about that.”

Duanmu Huai smiled faintly.

“I want you to keep an eye on one thing, once you find any debate in Ser about changing the eight factions of the Red Robe Mage Association into nine, inform me immediately.”

“That's easy, leave it to me.”

After giving his orders to Gavi, Duanmu Huai looked again at the application before him, then stretched out his hand to stamp it.

“As long as the Red Robe Mage Association agrees to abide by the rules and requirements of the Tribunal, I will agree, of course… they had better not provoke my patience.”

After all, Duanmu Huai was not known for a good temper.

Although Duanmu Huai could have mentioned this to the Lich who was the actual ruler of the Red Robe Mage Association, he had no interest in chatting with a mage; after all, in Duanmu Huai's view, many mages were cunning, and it was easy to get drawn into their words, so Duanmu Huai decided to be direct and brutally simple by using the Macro Cannon to demonstrate his stance when necessary.

It's like being invited by someone to determine the outcome over a game of chess–sitting down means losing. In such instances, the best method is to grab the chessboard and smash it directly onto that annoying face.

Rules? I bloody well am the rules!

Nothing else really matters.

From this perspective, Duanmu Huai believes in weapons over rules, because they cannot be misinterpreted and they will not be silent when needed.

And regarding the problem of Obsessive Sin…
Duanmu Huai thought for a bit, the Blood War is manageable, but it seems that neither the Demon of Lust Queen nor the Succubus Queen is interested in his type of handsome man; they prefer those delicate and tender pretty boys.

Well, no choice then, he thought, but to wait until they are corrupted by Obsessive Sin and then eliminate them.

Construction on the Tribunal is on the right track, starting to build the second layer of defense. Duanmu Huai must ensure that his territory is like an enormous hedgehog, capable of withstanding all external attacks. Of course, internal issues cannot be ignored–he had already begun integrating and recruiting Grey Knights, strong and willing individuals for human combat could earn this honor within the Blade of Judgment squad.

Finding the Untouchables was going to be quite challenging, at least until Duanmu Huai finds someone to forge “Frost Mourne,” he won't be able to resurrect the Silent Sisters.

As for the Assassin's Court–well, what Gavi is currently doing is already taking shape.

Tribunal, Grey Knights, Silent Sisters, Assassin's Court… Duanmu Huai has almost entirely replicated the organizations within Tribunal's jurisdiction.

The Star Language Court and the National Religion–well, they aren't under the jurisdiction of the Tribunal anyway…
“Master.”

At that moment, Ogis walked in.

“What is it, Ogis? What's the matter?”

“Miss Shari wishes to meet with you.”

“………What is she doing here again?”

Chapter end

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