Reborn as the Failed Lord with my Resource Gathering System. - Chapter 192

Chapter 192: When a man is cornered.
“Please don’t do this. I’ll give you anything you want; just name it.”

The Duke broke down in front of Dorian, crying his eyes out.

He knew if Dorian were to release these envelopes to the public, or the King herself, then he was done for. Not only did the envelopes contain every single message he had sent to Alabaster—which detailed how he seized the land and how he duped the King using the Governor—it also contained the few things he planned to do in the future.

Some of which were a direct threat to the throne.

Treason.

“What do you want? I’ll do anything! Do you want my daughter? I can give you her hand in marriage if that is what you want!”

Every word the Duke spoke was followed by large droplets of tears dripping from his swollen eyes.

His soldiers all watched with disgust. While they knew what their lord had been up to, they didn’t expect him to come out and confirm it himself so pathetically. The soldiers of the Aurelian army and the Yins were no different. It was as though they felt pity for him and, at the same time, couldn’t stand the sight of his rotten character.

Of everyone there, only Dorian had the biggest smile on his face. He went low and stretched his hand towards the Duke like some kind of savior.

“Come, allow me to save you from your unfortunate existence. I can help you, all for just one favor. Just a small, teeny-weeny favor.”

Duke Valerie glanced up at Dorian even more, his eyes sparking with joy. “Really? You mean that? Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you.”

“No problem. A man such as myself can understand your actions. No, I’m being serious; you don’t have to worry about a thing.”

Dorian reached into his shirt and pulled out his contract, as always. He spread it out in front of the Duke and, with the biggest smile on his face, spoke yet again.

“All you have to do is sign this contract, and I will keep quiet about the whole thing. Hell, I’ll get me and my people out of here as soon as possible.”

“Huh?!! What the hell are you doing, Lord Dorian?!!! There is no way we are lea-”

Just as Emily was yelling, Nancy stepped in, immediately covering her mouth to stop her from saying anything that would get them in trouble.

Even if they were on the same side as Dorian, if he chose to turn against them, it was a fact that they wouldn’t stand a single chance, not with the ridiculous army backing him up.

So, while Emily was mumbling under Nancy’s hand, she shot her gaze towards Dorian, one filled with suspicion.

“Lord Dorian, I know you’re not the type to do anything without reason. Please tell me this is one of those times.”

She kept her gaze at him, his back already turned to her. Without even bothering to look at her, Dorian uttered with a cold voice, “Leave the city with the villagers. I promised to get rid of the Yaimas, not keep the land for you. You expected that on your own.”

Nancy’s face twisted in disappointment, and Emily got riled up even more after hearing Dorian’s response. Many of the Yins soldiers who were camped at the side were enraged as well, but also frustrated—frustrated at the fact they couldn’t do a single thing even if they wanted to.

Nancy had already been reaching for her small knife strapped to the side of her neck when she suddenly felt Maria’s blade pressed against her throat.

“Don’t even think about it,” uttered Maria.

Nancy closed her eyes in defeat, knowing there was literally nothing she could do. Not against a being like Dorian.

After seeing all the drama playing out in front of him, the Duke was sold that Dorian was being honest. Why else would the people he had just saved be trying to kill him?

A small, hopeful smile appeared on the Duke’s face as he looked down to pick up the contract to read. Ishtar and Seraphina watched from afar, both carrying serious looks on their faces.

The Duke began to read.

Article 1: Relinquishment of Territory and Authority

Duke Valerie hereby explicitly, permanently, and irrevocably relinquishes all claims, rights, and taxation authority over the territory known as the Red District, including the surrounding area within a fifty (50) mile radius.

Article 2: Client A Obligations

Client A shall immediately and publicly retract the petition filed against Client B’s promotion. Furthermore, Client A shall serve as the sole and primary sponsor for Dorian’s ascension to the title of Duke, publicly citing Dorian’s “heroic intervention” in the Red District as the justification for this promotion.

Article 3: Financial Responsibility for Damages

In consideration of Duke Valerie’s funding of the Yaima group, Duke Valerie shall be held financially responsible for all damages caused by the aforementioned group. Duke Valerie is obligated to remit a “Reconstruction Fee” to the Aurelian Barony, the amount of which shall be determined and specified in Schedule A attached hereto.

Article 4: Free Passage and Exemption from Tolls

Duke Valerie covenants and agrees to allow all Aurelian trade caravans and carriages free and unhindered passage through all remaining lands under his control, effective immediately and in perpetuity. Such passage shall be granted with zero taxes, zero tolls, and zero tariffs levied in any form or under any pretext whatsoever.

Article 5: Enforcement and Penalty for Breach

Should Duke Valerie breach any term or condition of this Contract, or should he engage in any future act, action, or conspiracy deemed hostile or detrimental to the interests of Dorian, the “Evidence Package” (containing letters and documentation proving acts of treason) shall be immediately and without further notice released to the King and made available for public dissemination.

Reading the contract, the Duke suddenly had a single tear drop from one of his eyes as he slowly raised his gaze to look at Dorian.

In return, Dorian smiled, pointing at the contract continuously as though to tell the Duke he didn’t have much of a choice other than to sign it.