"The one currently residing in southern Kaedwen is Count Karn, Henselt's nephew. He's twenty-three years old and has only recently inherited the title. While he lacks prestige, his family is wealthy, and he has gathered a circle of young nobles around him. However, he commands few soldiers and has little real combat experience."
"In northern Kaedwen, you'll find Marquis Iraset, Henselt's cousin. He was once a general of the Brown Cavalry Battalion, leading a formidable unit of heavy cavalry."
"Although Iraset can't match Count Karn in terms of wealth, he carries forward Henselt's ideals and has garnered the support of several conservative nobles."
As Francesca finished her explanation, the two continued riding through the wilderness atop Robin, the Deathclaw. She kept Wayne informed of the unfolding political situation in Kaedwen.
"The human nobles are currently preoccupied with aligning themselves with one faction or another. This has made our efforts to rescue our kin smoother. However, the spread of the fog has made areas outside cities and towns increasingly dangerous, driving many refugees to seek safety within city walls."
"Even the Brotherhood of Sorcerers has stationed mages in cities bordering the fog, monitoring the situation closely."
"They fear that the spatial rift may continue to expand, potentially unleashing even more powerful creatures from the other world. I've heard that several high-ranking sorcerers are tirelessly working on a way to seal the rift."
"Unfortunately, developing new spells isn't something that can be achieved overnight," Francesca added with a sigh. "No one knows how long this situation in Kaedwen will last."
Wayne nodded thoughtfully as he processed the information. Francesca's insights had given him a clearer picture of the state of Kaedwen and the political climate across the northern realms. While the general course of events mirrored the original timeline, the instability in Kaedwen had triggered unforeseen ripples in the surrounding nations.
He considered his words carefully. With the prospect of deepening his cooperation with Francesca and the elves, this seemed like the right moment to share part of his plan.
After a moment's deliberation, Wayne cleared his throat. Francesca turned her attention toward him, intrigued by the shift in his demeanor.
"I have a plan—a grand plan. I believe we could collaborate on this and make it mutually beneficial."
Francesca's interest visibly piqued.
"Oh? A grand plan?" she asked, her smile widening. "I'd love to hear what you have in mind."
Francesca regarded Wayne highly. In her eyes, he possessed a rare combination of intellect and strength, making him stand out even among the brightest minds of her people. To further cement her alliance with him—and perhaps secure future opportunities—she was willing to invest in his vision, even if it meant incurring a small loss initially.
Wayne gave a slight nod. "As one of the leaders of your people, I imagine you understand the importance of wealth," he began.
"In this world, money holds immense power. It influences everything—from the simplest matters of daily life to the rise and fall of thrones, the formation of armies, and the outcome of wars that shape the world."
"But money sitting idle, locked away in a bank or hidden in a vault, is meaningless. It has no power in that state."
"To unlock its potential, wealth must be set into motion. It needs to circulate, to inspire ambition, to make people chase after it, desire it, and strive to earn it. Only then does it become a true force."
"In this world, beyond noble titles, the most abundant resource is people willing to do anything for the right price."
Francesca listened intently, her expression shifting from curiosity to contemplation as Wayne's words struck a chord.
His philosophy about wealth resonated with her in a way she hadn't anticipated. In the past, she had thought of money merely as a tool for hiring mercenaries or maintaining a luxurious lifestyle. The deeper strategic value Wayne was proposing—the idea of harnessing wealth as a dynamic force—had never crossed her mind.
Despite the vast wealth the elven kingdoms once possessed, they still fell at the hands of humans. Gold and jewels, in the end, were as worthless as dust, unable to halt the tide of human ambition.
As a result, Francesca, though wealthy by all accounts, placed little value on money. In the secluded valley of Dol Blathanna, gold held no true meaning—isolated as it was from the rest of the world, with no need for currency to flow or trade to thrive. Wealth, in that context, became irrelevant.
Wayne paused for a few moments, meeting the elf sorceress's curious gaze, noticing the glimmer of intrigue in her bright eyes. Then, with measured calm, he continued:
"My plan is to establish the largest merchant guild in the North—a vast network that spans across every realm. Through this network, we can do more than just gather intelligence. By recruiting guards, merchants, and talented individuals, and by manipulating markets and prices, we can wield the power of wealth to achieve influence."
"While witchers and elves are often treated as outcasts in the North, the power of money knows no bias. It speaks to all races equally."
"If we handle this properly, we can even buy the loyalty of nobles—men who would sell their own king for a fortune. Soldiers, too, will fight for anyone willing to pay the right price."
"By controlling the flow of goods and manipulating prices, we won't just amass wealth—we'll gain leverage over entire economies. And through that, we can indirectly control the destiny of kingdoms."
Wayne's voice grew more confident, though inwardly he couldn't help but feel a bit like a schemer, preaching the virtues of gold. It was a strange sensation—promoting wealth as a force capable of bending the will of men, as though it were a power bordering on divine.
Still, the truth in his words was undeniable. For most mortals, life revolved around wealth. People spent their entire lives working for coin, fighting for it, and in many cases, dying for it. In essence, wealth dictated their choices and controlled their fates.
As Wayne explained his vision, he noticed the change in Francesca's expression. The clever sorceress listened with rapt attention, as if a new horizon had suddenly opened before her. Ideas and possibilities raced through her mind, her eyes shining with renewed inspiration.
Francesca, one of the most formidable sorceresses in the world, was highly intelligent and shrewd. Her thoughts had always revolved around strengthening the position of the elves, protecting her people, and expanding their influence. Yet, she had never considered that wealth could be a means to achieve those same goals.
Wayne's words had pierced through the surface, illuminating a new strategy that had never occurred to her before. The realization sparked something within her, a desire to act—to begin shaping this vision into reality.
Seeing the flicker of excitement in Francesca's expression, Wayne knew his words had struck a chord. He had planted a seed in the sorceress's mind, one that would linger and grow.
Clearing his throat, he seized the moment to press on.
"Francesca," Wayne continued smoothly, "as one of the leaders of the elven people, you have access to an abundance of talent—craftsmen, scholars, and mages, all with skills that are currently underutilized."
"Although the elves cannot operate openly without attracting human hostility, the products they craft and the skills they possess are second to none."
"My goal is to establish the most powerful merchant guild the world has ever seen. What I need are trustworthy partners, skilled artisans, and sufficient financial resources."
"Let me tell you this—my wealth surpasses that of all the kings in the North combined."
"And you, Francesca, have access to talented individuals who are loyal to the elven cause. If we work together, this grand plan of mine can take shape sooner than either of us imagined."
"I believe that, with our combined efforts, we can create a future where the lives of the elves will only grow brighter—safer, wealthier, and more prosperous."
...
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