Hmmph…, King George openly shows his displeasure when Cain refuse his good intentions. This mischievous son of his really knows no boundary.
Sigh…, the King let out a long sigh and asked Cain once again? My son, Are you sure this is what you really want?
Cain can hear the concern in her father sound and the serious looks in his eyes. Yes father, I am fully aware of my decision and the consequence it bears.
Hearing his son firm answer, King George knew that his son mind cannot be changed anymore, he can only wish his son have a good life in the future. Maybe by relinquishing the right to the throne, Cain's life will not be threatened anymore and he can stay away from the political fight in the royal capital, the King's deeply thought. Even thought it pains him that Vertalis Kingdom may fall under the influence of another country but so what, let the fate decide.
Then there is only one last gift he can give his son.
"If that is your wish Cain then so be it but Duke Gorm and Duke Strauss must put 5 million gold coins each to supportthe development of your territory.
Objection your majesty!, that amount is too much, we cannot put out that many gold coin at once said Duke Strauss.
Cain took this opportunity to interrupt and said "It is okay Duke Strauss, I can receive other goods if you don't have that much money. I can accept Lumber, Iron, Clothes, Food and other necessary things equal to that amount".
"This Brat, Duke Strauss really wants to choke Cain to death in his mind, even exchanging things with other equal goods, 3 million is still a very large amount and can cripple his territory economy for 3 years. Your majesty, your subject humbly request you to please reconsider the amount"
King George stand up and scream to the loud crowd,
SILENCE!!!, This is my final decision, if you do not want to agree to this condition then I will not revoke Cain Inheritance and will announce him to be the Crown Prince.
Silence emerged in the court, they rarely see the King get this angry, King George usually always stay calm and composed and willing to negotiate in many situation. Duke Strauss and Duke Grom look at each other, at loss what to do in this situation, if they are not willing to pay then the King doesn't want Cain to give up his right to the throne and want to make him the crown prince instead.
Hearing the King Declaration, Queen Seisha give a stern looks at Duke Gorm and Concubine Helenal also looks at Duke Strauss seriously with a meaning that say " Just agree to what the kings said, the goods and money we can discuss later".
Duke Grom and Strauss clenches their teeth's and look at each other.
Your Majesty, we agree to the condition you requested. Each of us will provide 5 million gold coin or in goods equal that amount to support Prince Cain develop his territory.
"Good, Bergen create a contract with both Duke using their Noble house magic mark. All the money and goods have to be delivered by the duke men's straight to the Verzia territory in one year. All delivery cost and risk will be borne by the duke house. One year after they complete the condition, I will formally annul Prince Cain inheritance to the throne. If the Duke or his men dare to play tricks or manipulate the price of goods, the contract will be deemed void.
Duke Strauss put another groan inside his mind. "Fuck me, the King is also an old fox, I cannot use an excuse of famine to increase the food price or secretly rob my own goods since if the King found out it may be used as an excuse to annul the Contract. Duke Strauss already have many plan in his mind from staging a robbery in the middle of the delivery or raise the goods price so he does not have to deliver those much but after the King has announce that all risk shall be bore by the duke family before the money and goods and come to Cain territory he cancel that though.
The King also issues a royal order to Bergen, the royal palace administrator to oversee the transfer process as fairly as possible. This will make it hard for Duke Gorm and Duke Strauss to cheat or find a loophole in the contract.
Thank you, Your Majesty for your Generosity, said Cain with a calm expression but his heart is jumping with joy as he exits the royal court. 10 million gold coins, I can use that many amount to develop the mines in the territory quickly and boost up the farmland amount as well as purchase many slaves. Cain intend to buy a large amount of Slave to start boost his territory population, the variant races slave usually has the cheapest prices. He intend to give fair treatment to them so they can be loyal to him.
In his past life, after the civil war between his brothers broke out, the price of slave increase significantly. Many nobles uses men variant slave as a cannon fodder in war and women variant slaves as prostitute in military camp such is the cruel reality of this world. Cain intend to buy as many variant slaves as possible with the money that he got from both Duke.
King George got to his room feelings tired and lay down on the Bed. "Loula do you think I have made a wrong decision?"
"My Love, our children are a gift from god, we cannot control them and only pray that they have a much better future than us" said Loula with a heavy heart. As a Queen, she want her son to be the next king but she also knows the danger that lurks in the shadow in the struggle for the throne and as a mother all she wants was for her son to be safe and sound.
King George look at Loula eyes and said in a solemn tone "I know Cain has made up his mind when he said that he wants to give up the throne that is why I have not said anything else in the court, I only hope that after he gives up the throne his life will become safe and he can develop his territory fast enough to defend himself if trouble comes.
Sigh…, king George realize that if Cain give up the throne, his life should be much safer and that is the main reason why King George agree to Cain request and blackmail that ridiculous amount of money to Duke Grom and Duke Strauss, besides weakening their influence and economy, he knows how badly both Duke wants the throne that is why he is so sure that both of them will take his offer even though they have to bleed much for it.
The next morning the royal capital is in an uproar, the news that Prince Cain intend to exchange his right to the throne with a territory and title becomes the hot topic in the capital. Various noble carriage move around the capital rapidly and messenger bird flown around between noble manor. Some nobles think that Cain decision is wise considering he almost lost his life before but others think he is a coward that want to run and play safe.
Right now the Man who become the hottest topic in town is on his way to the capital slave market accompanied by Deus, the captain of the royal guard, a famous rune knight in the kingdom. The King wants to make sure that Cain was safe before he got to his territory.
"Are you sure don't want to come with me to Verzia Deus?
"No, my prince, I am sorry but my oath is to the King and the royal family.
Well, it's a shame, I really hope to have help from a powerful rune knight like you but I also intend to built my own rune knight army to match the Royal guard said Cain while walking cheerfully.