CHAPTER 185: CONSOLIDATING THE POWER

When even Wesley was swift enough to sign the 80% contract, the crowd no longer hesitated when the remaining guards delivered a contract of 50%.

They weren’t foolish!

The Crown Prince was adamant in taking their wealth today, and anyone who disobeyed was going to meet the butcher knife.

Darius was already a prime example.

Having lost all his reputation and wealth today, Darius couldn’t even be considered a toothless tiger.

He was a complete deadbeat and a waste now!

In less than a few minutes, whether the crowd was willing or unwilling, they all signed the 50% donation contracts.

"Ah, this banquet is really wonderful." Leonard appeared emotional and returned to the center stage. He thanked the collective crowd in sincerity.

"They all say the city of Velastra was known as The Trade Crown. But I believe it’s incorrect. It should be known as The Charitable Crown!"

Soon, applause from Leonard’s rank resounded in the area.

The clapping itself was like a resonance, prompting the others to also clap their hands.

Even Wesley wasn’t spared and had to clap his hands to demonstrate his stance.

’What a charitable crown...’ Wesley sneered inwardly. Which one of them didn’t know that the majority of the money earned today was going into his pockets?

This so-called charitable Crown Prince’s banquet could be summarized in a single word.

Bribery!

Want to survive and continue meddling in Velastra?

Cough up your wealth and bribe him!

Refusal would only lead to Darius’s fate, who could easily go from the top to the bottom.

The means of the Crown Prince were unfathomable and impossible to grasp.

Sometime later, Leonard gestured for the guards to remove the corpses.

Soon, the atmosphere was finally rid of the foul stench, allowing the people in the room to breathe at ease.

"Today is really a joyous moment." Leonard smiled and raised his wine cup.

"On behalf of the victims of this outbreak, this Crown Prince hereby drinks a cup of wine as gratitude." He then consumed the entire wine.

The others soon followed suit and drank their own cup of wine, including Wesley.

’What a poisonous move.’ Wesley thought to himself. By using the pretext of victims as an excuse, Leonard himself had made over a million gold coins.

Such wealth was not something a single power should have been able to swallow, but Leonard certainly had the capability to do so.

Moreover, Wesley reckoned the wealth was going to contribute to expanding his army and influence in Velastra further.

’Am I really going to lose to a greenhorn brat?’ Wesley clenched his fist. He was unwilling to be defeated by a 15-year-old.

He had been controlling and operating Velastra for as long as he could remember. He could not accept that the city was starting to get away from his grasp.

Did they know how much he sacrificed?

’No, I still control the Merchant Guild. I’m not like that wasted Darius who got screwed over.’ Wesley refused to give up. There was still hope.

However...

That glimmer of hope seemed to be slipping through the cracks as well.

"By the way, I have invited the gold ranked merchant Vincent to become the main channel of trade between Velastra and the capital." Leonard suddenly declared.

Soon, Vincent emerged from the background.

Naturally, this Vincent was Number 13 in disguise.

’The Crown Prince is killing me.’ Number 13 cried inwardly. First, he had to disguise himself as the Crown Prince, and now he had to disguise himself as a gold ranked merchant.

It would have been fine if he had some experience, but he got none of that!

As Number 13, now disguised as Vincent, stepped onto the stage, Wesley’s eyes narrowed.

For some reason, he found this Vincent to be a bit odd. But he also couldn’t pinpoint what was odd about him.

"I’m sure the Merchant Guild has met with Vincent before." Leonard subtly stood in front of Number 13, effectively blocking Wesley’s scrutiny.

The subtle action didn’t raise any suspicion because he dominated the scene with another explosive news.

"Truth is... Vincent is my subordinate, and I have decided that as long as he becomes the representative. The import and export taxes in this city would be lowered by 50%."

Shortly after the announcement was made, the collective merchants became agitated.

Having lost half of their fortune, what terrified them the most was the import and export taxes, which were like a butcher knife constantly swinging at them.

Yet now Leonard had openly declared that the butcher knife would be removed as long as they supported Vincent to become the Merchant Guild’s representative, they were exhilarated.

"Is this for real, Crown Prince?"

"Will the Merchant Guild’s Main Branch really agree to such a tax cut?"

Some remained doubtful and skeptical of the announcement.

Hence, they risked their lives and raised their concerns. This was an important matter, so they had to know.

Meanwhile, Leonard anticipated their response and retrieved his Crown Prince’s token.

"The city of Velastra was known as a free trade without many laws because of its unique location. But I must remind everyone that Velastra is still within the Valdoria Continent. As the Crown Prince of Aldros, I can guarantee and promise that my words aren’t superficial!"

With the revelation of his Crown Prince’s token and subsequent promise, the crowd was convinced. These two actions symbolized the authority of Leonard, as well as House Lawson.

’Not good! He’s already consolidating his power and trying to kick me out.’ Wesley was dumbfounded.

Without realizing it, Vincent’s prestige was already quite high among the merchants in the guild after that banquet held by him.

To think that he was the one who willingly became a stepping stone for others to rise.

’Haha... was this how you felt too, Marquis Darius?’ Wesley smiled bitterly. He had lost against a greenhorn brat as well.

When he wandered his gaze at the merchants who used to fawn over him, rushing over to Leonard to pledge allegiance. He knew there was no turning back.