220: Chapter 131, The Struggle of the Prefectural Governor _3 220: Chapter 131, The Struggle of the Prefectural Governor _3 Without any previous experience to reference, even the cleverest bear couldn’t possibly anticipate such a shameless strategy.

…

Bera City, revisiting the familiar place, Hudson is feeling differently.

Although he’s treated like the top tier as before, the way people are looking at him is clearly full of awe.

Concrete proof of a fully grown Earth Bear has instantly made him the number one expert in Southeastern Province.

At least that’s the case on the surface, as for what more powerful figures might be lurking in the shadows, Hudson has no idea.

Unlike previous times where he had to queue to enter the Governor’s Mansion, this time around, Earl Piers came to greet him as soon as he walked in – a full face-saving reception.

The previous disagreements between the two seemed to have never happened.

For this change, Hudson found it rather pleasing.

In the depths of his heart, Hudson had already decided in secret, that considering Earl Piers has shown such understanding, he wouldn’t dance on his grave in the future.

After some courteous exchanges, Hudson decisively placed a bottle of “Locust Lure Potion” on the table, and nonchalantly said, “Your Excellency Governor, this is an alchemical product of Baron Caryo.

From the looks, his skill is already 60 to 70 percent there.

Congratulations to the Dalton Family on the imminent emergence of a new alchemist.”

“Alchemist” is not “Alchemist Master”.

The gap between the two is like a chasm.

Those with talent can leap over it, but those without it stay in place forever.

Naturally, Earl Piers caught the sarcastic undertone.

If a new Alchemist Master were to emerge, it would naturally be great news for the Dalton family.

But if it’s just a mere apprentice alchemist, then it would be a joke.

Everyone knows that becoming an alchemist requires a huge investment first.

No one can predict when results will bear fruit.

All they know is that they will lose money before they start to earn.

“Baron Hudson, what is the meaning of this?”

Earl Piers sharply asked.

Paying respect is one thing, but it doesn’t mean he’s afraid.

As the master of the Southeastern Province, a mere Earth Bear isn’t enough to make him submit.

Moreover, this bear’s master is bound by the game rules, so the threat he poses is even smaller.

“His Excellency the Count, don’t misunderstand.

I come with goodwill.

If you don’t believe me, open the potion and see for yourself.”

Hudson said calmly.

If it were before, he would choose to keep the matter of Baron Caryo releasing the Locust Lure Potion a secret.

Even if he had conclusive evidence, he wouldn’t make a move.

But now it was different.

Hudson, flaunting the might of his bear, had poise in negotiating.

Even if negotiations broke down, the Dalton family wouldn’t dare to consider silencing him.

An adult Earth Bear can easily escape with its owner, unless there’s a Giant Dragon to intercept.

Hudson didn’t think the Dalton family had a mature Giant Dragon.

If they had such a weapon, they would have been known throughout the whole continent.

The moment he opened the bottle cap, Earl Piers’s facial expression changed dramatically.

With a trembling voice, he said, “How is this possible?

No, there must be a misunderstanding here!

Baron Hudson, do you suspect Caryo…”

“Your Excellency Governor, you misunderstand.

I don’t know anything.

I just came to congratulate the Dalton family on the imminent emergence of a new alchemist.

As for the matter of the Locust Lure Potion, naturally, it is up to the Governor’s Mansion to investigate.

I’m just a bystander who just happened to come across some unimportant clues and brought them with me.”

Hudson hinted bluntly.

Bringing things to this point naturally involves benefit exchange.

If he meant to sabotage the Dalton family, these pieces of evidence, along with the clue in Hudson’s hand, would have all been sent to the Capital.

Once such hateful actions were exposed.

The Dalton family can’t hope to mingle in the noble circle anymore, and the stricken nobles would whip them for a lifetime.

Even if it were for the greater good, no one would believe him.

If things go wrong, the black pot of causing the locust disaster could very well be put on them.

If political adversaries were ruthless enough to smear the Dalton family with the label of collaborating with the clergy, they could effectively be expelled from the Kingdom.

Of course, the probability of this happening is low.

After all, they’re an old major noble family.

The connections and foundation the Dalton family has built is not as simple as it appears on the surface.

As long as they respond appropriately and are willing to pay a certain price, it is still possible to suppress the matter.

Unsubstantiated accusations and mere gossip can’t shake their roots.

In this case, it would be Hudson who ends up unlucky.

There have been too many cases throughout history where a whistleblower not only fails but ends up dead.

If the same major power continues to hound them relentlessly, Hudson thinks it would be safer for his own life not to attempt this rashly.

After all, the current Mountain Domain is too weak.

Even if they toppled the Dalton family, they wouldn’t get much of the pie.

Gleaning the implied meaning, Earl Piers’s face instantly changed from gloomy to sunny, and he laughed, saying, “Baron Hudson speaks rightly, this indeed was a misunderstanding.

Caryo’s talent is limited, he is merely an Intermediate Magician till now, how could he become an alchemist!

Your Excellency came a long way, is it about the reward matter?

Our two families have been on good terms for generations, as long as it can be solved, I will solve it for you.”

After hearing “on good terms for generations”, Hudson almost laughed out loud.

To put it bluntly, even now, Earl Piers probably couldn’t even recall his father’s name.

There’s too large a gap between the two parties.

A small clan like Koslow would never catch the eye of Earl Piers.

Even now, the two parties are still like people from two different worlds.

Being able to sit here, calmly discussing matters, is all because Earl Piers doesn’t want to take risks.

Primarily, Earl Piers doesn’t know how deep Baron Caryo is involved, whether he’s in cahoots with the church or not.

Compared to the hefty price paid if the matter were to be exposed, buying Hudson’s silence is clearly a simpler solution.

“His Excellency the Count, the position of the Governor of Layton County has been in limbo, which is already affecting local development.

As a nobleman, I want this opportunity to alleviate the Kingdom’s worries.”

All along, Hudson had doubts about the dispute over the Governor of Layton County, the most crucial reason being that he had no representation in the court.

Hudson does not believe that just due to the native nobles’ sentimental attachment to their hometown, the Dalton Family would advocate for him.

“Baron Hudson, you’ve come too late.

In actuality, even before the division of territories last year, the Governor’s position had been determined behind closed doors in the Capital.

What was said about it still being undecided, in reality, it was just a play orchestrated by the Grand Duke to groom his son.”

Said Earl Piers, helplessly.

It’s not that he didn’t want to help, it was just a foregone conclusion.

Wanting to overturn the Capital’s decision, unless there’s an issue with Baron West himself.

Designing a play around a Grand Duke’s son isn’t an easy task.

It’s better to let minor disputes slide.

If he was wholly discarded, Grand Duke Cavadia would definitely intervene.

Getting this answer, Hudson wasn’t surprised.

He’d seen a lot of such absurdities, comparatively, this one could be considered mild.

Even if it was mere posturing, they went through the entire process.

If not for Hudson’s sudden rise, Baron West could’ve easily ascended to the position with public approval.

The typical: “Ten percent skill, twenty percent luck, the remaining seventy percent depends on—who your father is”.

A Grand Duke for a father is enough to erase all of Hudson’s efforts.

Even though his fame is now on the rise, and he’s considered by countless nobles within the Province as: the most suitable person to be the Governor of Layton County, it all ends up futile.

“I understand, thank you for your advice, Your Excellency the Count!”

He should’ve expected this, but now that it really happened, Hudson found that he couldn’t face it calmly.

After all, the smooth journey he had undertaken so far had led him to overlook the cruel reality of the world.

“There’s no way about the Governor’s position, but if you don’t want to be subordinate to Baron West, there’s still room for manoeuvre.

With your merits from capturing the Insect King, I can still pull some strings for the title of Viscount for you.

However, there’s no way to add more territories.

It’s just that your current management of the Salam Mountain Range and that swamp area could be designated to you.”

…