Count Karloff Horsman stood in the center of the banquet hall, looking with satisfaction at the surprise and admiration of the guests he invited.
As before, he is still the center here, the focus of all eyes.
With an elegant and decent smile, his eyes scanned every face in the scene, including Viscount Carroll, Lady Glen, and Earl Pepper. These are very important figures, among others. In addition, there are many gentlemen and ladies with pure and honorable blood who have the right to speak in the South. Some of them have inherited the title, and some are important heirs in the family or important figures who can speak on behalf of the family. These people must be It is not easy to invite people together, especially in these cold winter months - the visit of these big shots is enough to prove that the surname Horsman has always had the same appeal in the south, and in order to further consolidate the authority of his surname , Count Horsman certainly prepared a "big meal" that could match this banquet.
That is the magic network technology that he finally obtained with a combination of great efforts and good luck at a great price.
People applauded, Count Karloff Horsmann smiled reservedly, and after the applause lasted for ten seconds, he slightly shook his wine glass, showing a humble look: "I must admit, that The ancestor who was resurrected from the dead was a respectable figure, and he created incredible things - maybe he got some 'help' from some alien friends, but no matter what, the magic network technology is amazing, And such a good thing should obviously be shared with everyone."
A nobleman wearing a dark blue velvet coat took over Count Horsman's words appropriately: "But if I remember correctly, Duke Cecil has not banned the outflow of magic nets - it is said that through the guarantee and introduction of Viscount Leslie, as long as enough money is paid, the Cecil Territory will send craftsmen to help people in need build magic nets, and even build Various devices based on the Magic Network. "
"Of course, for a sufficient price, Duke Cecil will 'help' us build the Magic Network," Count Horsman toasted to the noble representative. He greeted, then smiled and shook his head, "But that's a lot of money! Our founding Duke simply wanted to use a carriage to transport all the gold coins in our castle - and more importantly, it was in the hands of others. Things are unreliable after all, aren't they? The Cecil Territory will indeed send people to help build the Magic Network, but that is more about holding the technology firmly in hand than helping. If the Magic Network is broken, Or maybe it’s not enough, and we need to spend a lot of money to bring back those craftsmen... Compared to this almost endless investment, don’t you think it’s more cost-effective to get the technology to build the magic network?”
"Indeed," Count Pepper, who had light blond curly hair and was slightly stout, walked up to him with a smile. "My old friend, how did you get that technology in your hands?"
p>“With a little luck, I happened to meet two rune craftsmen who were responsible for building the magic network in Tanzan Town, andThese two rune craftsmen happened to want some better development prospects," Count Karloff Horsman said unhurriedly, "They brought the drawings and part of the construction technology of the magic network - of course, for It is safe. I asked my scholars and mage consultants to participate in the specific trial production work. The final result was satisfactory. I created a usable magic network with the same efficiency as the mine magic network led by Leslie. . Everyone, you can look up and take a look at the magic crystal lamps in this castle. If you have the opportunity, you are also welcome to visit the magic tower behind the castle - they are now driven by magic nets! "
"The mages in my territory will definitely be interested in this! "
"I'm also very interested in it - I'm a mage myself. ”
“Count Horsman, how do you plan to... ‘share’ these results with us? ”
Nobles of all sizes gathered around and exchanged information about the Magic Network with Count Horsman with compliments and sincerity, because each of them knew that Leslie led Changes in the past few months - Although they have criticized Viscount Andrew Leslie, who has completely fallen to the Cecil family, they must admit that the mines in Tanzania Town have changed in the past few months. The ore produced has overwhelmingly occupied many raw ore markets in the South. The huge output and extremely low cost have made several nobles in the South who were originally competing with the Leslie family in the ore business miserable. < /p>
Of course they want to get the same mining equipment and magic network system as the Leslie Territory, but the price is really daunting, and they are even more wary of the Cecil Territory, which is developing rapidly. I don’t want to have too much direct involvement with the Cecil Territory - especially with such basic technology as the "Magic Network"
Now, Count Horsman has successfully "stealed" the magic. How could they not be tempted by this?
Although mining equipment still needs to spend a lot of money to buy from Leslie or Cecil, at least they have solved half of the problem, and it is still Energy issues are the basic problem.
The nobles are mediocre, but they still have some brains. They know the difference between magic nets and mine magic machines - the latter are just magic props, and they can be thrown away if they break. It’s just a loss of money, but the former is the foundation. If the energy in the territory can only be built by other people’s craftsmen, they will never be assured. Only if their own craftsmen also master the technology of laying magic net can they dare to be confident and bold.
But while nobles of all sizes gathered around Count Horsman, a tall and thin figure quietly left the banquet hall.
Wearing a black woolen coat, a beard, and a crystal monocle, Viscount Carroll held a wine glass and walked around the waiters coming and going. He walked out of the banquet hall alone and came to the outside of the hall. In the corridor, he sighed slightly
The castle was indeed brighter than before - this was not the first time he came to Count Horsman.As a guest in the castle, he can see that many new magic crystals have been added in the corridors, courtyards and even on the outer walls of the main building of the castle. With the abundant supply of magic power, the bright lights almost make this ancient castle appear crystal-like. With its crystal-clear texture, it seemed that Count Horsman was right. He had indeed acquired the technology of the Magic Network - and he couldn't wait to use it in his castle.
Viscount Carroll looked at the courtyard illuminated by lights. Under the bright light all around, the bright starry sky above the courtyard seemed to be a little dim. His eyes swept across it randomly, and suddenly found that He wasn't the only one standing outside the hall.
A thin lady wearing a black palace dress and a black wide-brimmed hat is standing not far away from her. The lady's clothes look very thin, but she has A magical shield shrouded her, blocking the cold wind from the winter night.
Lady Luo Penny Glen, the richest widow in the South, may also be the most unfortunate widow.
“Ms. Luo Penni,” Viscount Carroll walked over with a wine glass. He could not let such a lady stand alone outdoors on such a cold winter night, “Do you also feel that it is stuffy in the hall? ?”
“Please call me by my title and surname, Mr. Viscount,” Ropenny Grant glanced at Viscount Carroll. Her eye sockets were deep, her cheekbones were high, and she had a There is a hint of morbidity, although she can still be seen as a beauty, but there is no doubt that her beauty is declining due to her poor health and mood - but she is still fully attractive to many young aristocratic men, "This is very formal "The banquet."
"But we are outside the banquet hall," Viscount Carroll said with a smile. After realizing that his humor was not responded to, he calmly changed the subject. "So Dame Glen, aren't you interested in the Magic Network?"
"Earl Horsman just needs someone to praise him. After the praise is over, the real money comes. I There is no need to waste time and energy before this," Ropenny Grant said in an almost snarky way, her speaking style has always been like this, "And to be honest, I really don't have much interest in the magic network. If Count Horsman If the price offered is not appropriate, I will leave immediately."
Viscount Carroll smiled and nodded: "I understand, Miss Grant is waiting for you to come home."
When she mentioned her only daughter, Luo Penny Grant's expression softened slightly. She turned to look at Viscount Carroll and asked casually: "What about you? Aren't you interested in the Magic Network?"
Viscount Carroll thought for a while and showed an exaggerated expression of distress: "To be honest, I am interested, but I don't dare to be interested."
Lopeni Grant finally had a hint of curiosity. His expression: "Oh?"
"Things from Cecil's territory are full of weirdness," Viscount Carroll said in a slightly lowered voice, but the volume was just enough for people to hear clearly. A subtle way of speaking to arouse the opposite sexCuriosity always leads to success, "I don't know if you have noticed that the southern territory is now full of new gadgets from Cecil Territory - all kinds of alchemy potions, magic nets, mining machinery, and their forged High-quality currency, almost overnight, before anyone could react, Gawain Cecil was everywhere..."
Speaking of this, Viscount Carroll suddenly After a pause, he opened his hand: "Even I myself see Gawain Cecil's face at least countless times every day - when counting money."
The corner of Luo Penni Grant's mouth He tilted his head slightly: "I'm okay, I only like the silver and gold shields of the kingdom."
"You see, you are also a humorous person," Viscount Carroll immediately complimented , then held the wine glass and looked towards the courtyard, "Many people are not aware of this penetration, but I have a sense of crisis... The 'new gadget' led by Cecil is so convenient and cost-effective. No one can resist it, but you should also know that the more poisonous something is, the more sweet and attractive it will be disguised... Those magical creations from Gawain Cecil are no less beautiful in my opinion. A dose of poison..."
Viscount Carroll said, his eyes inadvertently swept over the soldiers in the courtyard, and in the keen eyes of the low-ranking knights, he saw a Huo A small piece of clear crystal bottle neck was revealed from the belt bag on Soldier Sman's waist.
There is also Cecil’s logo on the neck of the crystal bottle.
"I'm afraid we have already poisoned our hearts."
Penny Grant glanced at Viscount Carroll: "Then will you refuse these poisons?"
Viscount Carroll was silent for a moment and suddenly smiled: "Sometimes, poison can also be a cure - as long as everything is under our control, just like now, I am going back to the banquet hall Here, go to the 'real money' stage with Count Horsman."