Chapter 988 - 97: Fiery Flame Land, Capable of Anything, Truly Unimaginable Beasts (5800)_2

Chapter 988: Chapter 97: Fiery Flame Land, Capable of Anything, Truly Unimaginable Beasts (5800)_2

"Although the opposing side is indeed an elite Sublimator squad, ten people is not a number that conveys an intuitive sense of threat. I think... hmm, let’s go with fifty people. It’s just right, and we can also claim bounty rewards for forty additional ordinary special forces."

Deceiving aid and bounty rewards was truly Viscount Grant’s specialty. As he said these words, his tone was incredibly seasoned, even his expression was invigorated as if his entire being was glowing, looking exceedingly suave: "Next, your phrasing was on point—this is where you need to escalate things. Bring up national security and dignity; otherwise, why would the Imperial Capital care about your so-called losses? Just trivial matters, that’s all."

"Take it up a notch and frame it as foreign Special Forces being insidious and shameless, ambushing our civilian teams, and ultimately being heroically stopped by the Imperial Nobility—that’s the narrative that fits!"

"But after that, your mention of ’huge losses’ was too simplistic. Add a bit more, make it tragic. For instance, saying dozens of people died... hmm, not too many though, or it would make you seem incompetent. Not too few either, or it might come across as unconvincing."

"How about roughly twenty or so? That way, we can request more compensation payments. Let’s split the allocation equally."

"No, how could it be fifty-fifty?" Ian smiled, waving his hand to decline. "Of course, you should take seventy percent. Consider it a fuel fee for the Conquest Ripple deployment."

"No need to be so polite," the Viscount sincerely refused. "Do you think I can’t see that this is a gift you’re giving me? I appreciate the sentiment; you took risks this time too."

"Just treat it as a birthday gift for Little Komet (the Viscount’s unborn child)." Ian insisted, and Viscount Grant couldn’t continue refusing. He nodded, smiled, and said, "Then it’s settled."

After this, there was nothing much left that needed fine-tuning.

Ian carefully put away the revised report and entrusted Green Tide to deliver it through a Messenger to Nauman City.

"He’s Second Energy Level now. Was at the peak before—indeed, he has potential. You’ve found yourself a good helper."

After Green Tide left the room, Viscount Grant shifted his gaze from the swordsman to Ian.

"Impressive."

He genuinely marveled, "In just one year, Ian, you’ve grown to a level where you can stand shoulder to shoulder with me. I have no doubt that the Silver Peak Family will thrive under your leadership, perhaps even returning to the Imperial Capital to reclaim true glory."

"It brings me great delight, and I send you my heartfelt blessings."

"You’re too kind. It’s you who have surprised me instead."

Ian slightly bowed his head to accept this blessing. Smiling, he said to the Viscount, "You’re on the brink of reaching Third Energy Level now, aren’t you? When that happens, commanding the subjugated Redwood Natives, your jurisdiction over Harrison Port will expand to encompass the entire Great Redwood Forest Zone, the surroundings of Ivorybone Mountain, and even the West Sequoia District."

"By then, we should be calling you ’Marquis Grant!’"

"Haha." The Viscount shook his head indifferently: "These are minor matters. Titles and reputation are mere formalities; only the strength of oneself and one’s descendants truly matters to us nobles."

"In the past, I was always puzzled as to what exactly was needed to reach Third Energy Level. I could never figure it out, endlessly obsessing over self-improvement without progress."

"But once I really understood what I wanted, my strength naturally advanced, and I stopped paying much attention to it."

"When I no longer regarded pure power as my top priority, my strength instead grew step by step... thinking back carefully, maybe I also owe some of this to you, Ian."

Saying so, the Viscount turned his head to look in the direction of Harrison Port.

He gently remarked, "If not for you bringing new hope to Elder Pude, inspiring my curiosity to try nurturing the next generation..."

"I wouldn’t have realized... how much all this truly matters to me."

Ian could clearly see that Viscount Grant’s words and demeanor had become much gentler compared to nine years ago.

Even his overall bearing no longer gave off the dangerous aura it once did.

It was perfectly reasonable—someone about to become a father, and finally understanding their ’dreams,’ could indeed become this composed and serene.

Ian knew very well that Viscount Grant’s obsession lay in ’family.’

Through the fragments of words Patrick had once revealed in the South Sea Great Labyrinth, as well as the information Ian himself had gathered in the Imperial Capital, Ian knew about Viscount Grant’s lonely childhood. His parents were often absent, striving away from home, leaving him to be raised by his strict grandmother without many friends.

As he grew up, his parents and grandmother passed away one after another. He left the Imperial Capital for the unfamiliar Harrison Port to fight for things he had never expected—his family, his domain, and his people—on many occasions nearly losing his life.

He understandably felt confused, even resentful and angry about it all.

Viscount Grant was remarkably talented. Although he was a complete mess when it came to alchemy, his cultivation abilities far surpassed Patrick. Whether as children playing around or adults dueling, Patrick never won against Viscount Grant even once, and he had marveled at the Viscount as being on the same level of genius as his elder brother.

The issue, however, was that Patrick’s elder brother, Marquis Ayrin, was Fourth Energy Level, while Viscount Grant was only Second Energy Level.

Aside from magic potions and resources, the biggest difference was that Marquis Ayrin had clearly long known exactly what he wanted and had pursued it relentlessly.