Chapter 68: Negotiations for War Reparations
Chapter 68: Negotiations for War Reparations
Time passed quickly.
Ten days later, when Ryan returned from Loren City, Baron Valmy and Baron Graton had already recovered.
Thor also asked Neil Morton to perform a sealing ritual and then placed the two men in the same room with Baron Pape.
"Baron Valmy!"
"Baron Graton?"
In the room, Pape Lawrence looked at the two men brought in, his expression full of surprise.
"Baron Pape, you're not dead?"
Baron Valmy and Baron Graton were equally taken aback, their expressions showing astonishment.
Hearing their words, Pape Lawrence's face darkened.
"If you two were dead, I still wouldn't be! So, you were captured by that Thor Dresrosa too?"
Pape Lawrence said angrily.
"Baron Pape, it wasn't us who said you were dead, it was your son!"
Baron Valmy quickly explained.
"Yeah, your son said that you had been dealt with by the Lord of Eagle Ridge."
Baron Graton added.
As the two spoke, Pape Lawrence quickly understood what had happened, making his face darken further.
He had known that his son had allied with these two barons to launch an attack, but he didn't expect his son to declare him dead.
"Bastard!"
"Damn it!"
Pape Lawrence couldn't help but curse.
Seeing Pape Lawrence's anger, Baron Valmy and Baron Graton couldn't help but smile inwardly. Seeing someone else in a worse situation while they themselves were unlucky was a small comfort.
"Creaaak!"
"It seems that you three have recovered well!"
As the three conversed, the door creaked open, and Thor entered the room with a light laugh.
Seeing Thor walk in, Baron Valmy and Baron Graton were somewhat surprised.
They couldn't help it; Thor's aura wasn't very strong.
Or rather, it was extremely weak compared to their level as Grand Knights.
Judging by his aura, he was clearly just an apprentice knight.
But their surprise was only momentary.
Because soon, Pape Lawrence spoke up.
"Lord Thor, I apologize sincerely!"
"I am willing to sign a soul contract and provide the ransom you require. Please allow me to return to my territory."
Pape Lawrence said with a sigh.
The defeat and capture of Baron Valmy and Baron Graton made him understand clearly what he needed to do.
If he continued to let his second son manage the Lawrence territory, the entire territory would surely be ruined. So, no matter the cost, he had to return.
"Of course!"
"How about this, Baron Pape Lawrence, see if this is acceptable?"
"If you agree, you can leave at any time!"
Thor smiled and waved, and Ryan stepped forward to hand a parchment to Pape Lawrence.
Pape Lawrence took it and began to read.
But as he read, his pupils contracted sharply.
"You!"
He exclaimed in anger.
"Baron Pape Lawrence, what do you think?"
Thor smiled, not offering any explanation.
But this light smile made Pape Lawrence instantly deflate.
"I agree."
He said hoarsely, looking suddenly older.
"Then let's sign the contract."
Thor nodded with a smile.
Without further hesitation, Pape Lawrence activated his life force, cut his finger, and let the blood drip onto the parchment.
"Buzz!"
As the blood fell, a strange magical array lit up, enveloping Pape Lawrence.
"Oh, by the way, Lawrence, you'll need to sign a contract as well."
Thor said with a smile, looking at Lawrence.
"Lawrence!"
Pape Lawrence called out.
Lawrence hesitated but eventually stepped forward.
When he took the parchment and read its contents, his eyes widened as well.
"This?"
"Father?"
Lawrence couldn't help but look at his father.
"Sign it!"
Pape Lawrence sighed deeply, closing his eyes.
Hearing his father's words, Lawrence could only sigh and let his blood fall on the parchment.
"Buzz!"
Ripples spread, and the contract was formed.
Thor raised his hand, and the contract returned to his hand.
At this moment, Baron Valmy and Baron Graton couldn't help but feel nervous.
They didn't know what was in the contract, but they knew it couldn't be good.
"Lord Thor, we apologize for our offense. How much ransom do we need to pay?"
Baron Valmy asked nervously.
"Yes, Lord Thor, we are willing to pay ransom!"
Baron Graton quickly added.
"Of course. Ryan, give the two barons the ransom rules."
Thor smiled and nodded, signaling Ryan.
"Yes!"
Ryan nodded with a smile and handed over another parchment.
But this time, it wasn't a contract, just the ransom rules.
"No, this is impossible!"
Baron Valmy quickly looked up, staring at Thor in disbelief.
"Lord Thor, I apologize, but this is simply impossible!"
Baron Graton also spoke up.
What a joke.
The ransom required was three thousand gold coins for their own release, five hundred gold coins per official knight, one hundred gold coins per apprentice knight, and an additional three thousand serfs and two thousand gold coins as war reparations.
Such expenses were beyond their means.
Selling their entire territories might barely suffice.
"Of course, you don't have to pay the ransom. You can simply sign this contract."
Thor smiled, indicating the contract in his hand.
"Lord Thor, may we see it first?"
Baron Valmy and Baron Graton exchanged a glance, and finally, Baron Graton spoke.
"Of course."
Thor nodded with a smile and let the contract float over to them.
They exchanged another glance before Baron Graton took the contract and opened it.
As he read, his pupils contracted sharply.
"What is it?"
Seeing Baron Graton's reaction, Baron Valmy couldn't help but ask.
"Take a look."
Baron Graton handed the contract to Baron Valmy and fell into deep thought.
"Oh my god, this is impossible!"
Baron Valmy, upon reading the contract, looked at Thor in disbelief.
"Gentlemen, I must remind you that you have no choice. Unlike the Lawrence family, your territories are not as wealthy. Without you, your territories would be doomed."
Thor smiled calmly.
"This!"
The two barons were stunned, their faces constantly changing.