In the office room of Baron Igor's manor, the baron sat behind a large oak desk with his face etched with worry as he sifted through a pile of reports.
The papers, covered in detailed accounts from the western and northern regions, painted a grim picture. The intensity of the border conflicts had escalated, and many nobles from neighboring countries had their sights set on the valuable crystal mines.
Crystals were one greatest source of the economy. Not only the energy contained in it could be used to train soldiers, but it was very helpful in creating Mage legions.
So, the economy and military upgrade that it brought was hard to turn a blind eye to.
Baroness Martha entered the room and observed her husband's troubled demeanor. "Why are you so worried, Darling? If the situation is so dire, why not halt this crusade?"
Baron Igor looked up from the reports, his expression heavy with concern. "It's not that simple, Martha. The investments we've made are substantial. Stepping back now would be catastrophic for us. We're in too deep, and if anything goes wrong, the entire region's power dynamics could shift."
"If we lose, the entire Yak family would be drowned.Our enemies would pounce, and the king might just replace the entire nobility with new faces."
Baroness Martha frowned, her concern evident. "Then what do you propose we do?"
A spark of inspiration suddenly lit up Baron Igor's face. He straightened up and clapped his hands together. "Martha, I think I've got an idea. We should seek an alliance with Baron Roland. I've heard he recently married and that his wife is looking for intelligent and capable women."
Martha's eyes widened with understanding. "You're right. If we can form a connection with him, it could be beneficial for us. We could even offer one of our daughters to solidify the bond.This would leave us a way to retreat."
Baron Igor nodded vigorously. "Yes, that's a brilliant idea. Let's send our most unruly daughter to him. She might be a handful, but if she can secure this alliance, it also will bring much-needed stability to our home.
Thinking about the daughter gives him a headache.
Baroness Martha agreed, a relieved smile spreading across her face. "Very well. I'll make the arrangements. Our family's future might just depend on this."
As Baron Igor watched his wife leave to carry out the plan, a sense of hope mingled with his worry.
After his wife contacted Baroness Janet, and finished the discussion Igor immediately went to Roland house to have a talk.
...….
"I hope, Baron Roland, that you can marry my eldest daughter, Jess," Igor said solemnly.
"??? " Roland was filled with question marks upon hearing this.
He was so shocked that the hand he held the tea cup, trembled.
Didn't you say you were in trouble?
So what's up with this marriage talk?
Was this guy so serious about giving his eldest daughter to him?
Could it be that he was under some kind of pressure and lost his mind?!
Before understanding the reasons behind this, Roland didn't dare to accept this 'gift'.
"I don't have confidence in coming back unscathed from this border war," Igor said with a bitter smile, seemingly sensing Roland's thoughts.
"You know how dangerous the wars are. I don't want my lineage to go extinct with me."
Roland blinked his eyes and spoke out sincerely, "Then don't fight. Why are you jumping into the trap readily."
In fact, Roland started to wonder if people really found Crystal Mines
A bitter smile formed on Baron Igor's lips, making him chuckle…
"You know Baron Roland, for nobles rising to the peak is the greatest honor. We live and die for honor. It is everything for us. And during all my lifetime, I don't want to die with the small title of countryside Baron. People might consider us nobles but in the eyes of society, we are nothing but village chiefs and small dogs."
A look of determination flashed in Igor's eyes and he clenched his fist.
"I am willing to take the risk for the betterment of my future generations but…."
Igor paused but his pause conveyed Roland everything.
There are no rules on the battlefield.
In the wars between nations, small nobles like him, who are weak in strength, are simply risking their lives for wealth and glory.
Even if he gathers a group of local nobles, he can't guarantee that he won't die on the battlefield.
Upon hearing this, Roland immediately understood the implied meaning in Igor's words.
This old guy wants to secure his family's future.
By marrying his eldest daughter as a mistress (concubine), it is clear that he hopes Roland can help the Yark family in critical moments in the future.
After all…
The next generation of the Yark family has not yet grown up.
As the eldest son and heir, although he has average magical talent, he is currently only a 4th-tier mage; however , compared to his pathetic self without a cheat code, that guy was already a mini stage boss.
Mages are a highly expensive late-game profession, with money you're a mage lord, without money you're a mage loser, lacking enough money to buy equipment and magic scrolls, their early-game combat power is completely inferior to warrior and knight professions.
That was the condition of their eldest son. He is also not outstanding in terms of strategy. It is difficult for him to uphold the Yark family's banner.
In this situation….
If Igor, this old guy, doesn't come back from the battlefield, the Yark family's various businesses will undoubtedly be swallowed up by other nobles.
Ultimately, they will decline, and the competitors won't have the mercy to leave anyone behind.
"This matter is too sudden. I still need to think about it carefully."
Understanding the reasons behind it, Roland immediately prepared to refuse.
He is not an animal that thinks with his lower body.
Just to marry a woman he has never met, he would help the Yake family withstand the pressure from other nobles.
Isn't that foolish?
The gains didn't outweigh the risks. As for Jess, it's not as if she was a heaven-topping woman to die for.
"I can hand over the Yake family's Black Rock Mine to you."
Upon hearing Roland's Refusal, Igor gritted his teeth and increased his offer again.
Upon hearing this, Roland's eyes also lit up.
"What…For Real?"
This…This wasn't a dream, was it?