Chapter 284: Changes and Schemes

Inside the bustling factory, Howard wore a mysterious expression, whispering to his coworker at the adjacent station:

“Have you heard? They’re apparently sending a new administrator.”

“Has Lord Big Head decided to quit?”

“Of course not. Since the last expansion, Factory No. 4 now has hundreds of workers. How could Lord Big Head, an ogre, manage it all alone? So he requested a few administrators to help manage us.”

“Tsk, tsk, how envious I am of those lords. Sitting in their offices, eating and drinking all day, and still earning more than all of us combined.”

Chris, the coworker, couldn’t help but sigh.

“Envy won’t get you anywhere. They’re Dragonblood nobles. For people like us, just getting food on the table is a blessing. If it were back during the Lackman Duchy days, we’d be lucky to survive the winter.”

“I just wonder what kind of person this new lord will be. Hopefully, they’ll be a bit lenient...”

Howard deftly sealed a can and placed it on the assembly line, casually adding his comment.

However, as he was busily working, a familiar voice called from behind, accompanied by a pat on the shoulder.

“Howard, long time no see.”

“George—”

Howard quickly recognized the voice and turned around in delight, blurting out the familiar name.

But he was taken aback to find his once-familiar friend looking somewhat foreign. The man was dressed in a fine gray suit, adorned with a woolen scarf only the wealthy could afford, and even carried an exquisite gentleman’s cane—nothing like the taciturn, honest George he remembered.

Howard had often imagined, if he were the lucky one, how bright his future would be. He’d even spoken of “the enviable George” during casual chats, using his friend as fodder for his stories. But now, the cold reality stood before him—

They were now people from two different worlds.

Howard froze, his lips trembling slightly, and his head unconsciously drooped.

Soon, he tacked on two words to his earlier exclamation: “My lord.”

“Lord George, indeed, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen you.”

The surrounding workers, drawn by the “triumphant return” of George, cast envious or jealous glances his way.

George shivered involuntarily, becoming keenly aware of the disparity his new status brought. Still, he adjusted his attire and responded to Howard.

His voice was notably loud, addressing not just Howard but the thirty-some workers in the workshop.

“But I’m not here just to catch up with old friends.”

“The kingdom’s government is recruiting factory administrators. Since I’ve worked here before, I applied to manage this factory.”

“I’m familiar with the work here and can understand your feelings. I hope we can work together to make progress, be more efficient, and contribute to the kingdom’s glorious endeavors.”

He had rehearsed this speech many times, but it still came out a bit awkward. Fortunately, it didn’t matter. The workers’ attention was entirely focused on him.

George paused deliberately, clearing his throat.

“Of course, as someone who was once a worker myself, I won’t treat you unfairly. I’ll ensure all performance bonuses in the regulations are paid in full.”

“Clap! Clap! Clap!”

“Good!”

Scattered applause broke out. George turned and saw Howard clapping enthusiastically.

Soon, the other workers followed suit, expressing their satisfaction with their new administrator—after all, this newly transformed “Lord George” controlled their wages.

Howard quickly shed his initial stiffness, adapting to the new dynamic and secretly delighted at being close to George.

Meanwhile, George looked at the familiar faces now wearing fawning smiles. Overwhelmed with mixed emotions, he could only smile and clap along.

“Bang!”

Grand Duke Leo slammed his large hand onto the table, causing cracks to appear on the sturdy birchwood surface.

On the table lay a sheet of white paper, detailing the Bosk Duchy’s recent trade data. The outflow of gold was staggering.

“These greedy merchants should all be hanged!”

“And those foolish commoners—do they even realize they’re aiding the enemy? Every copper coin they spend ends up in that red dragon’s coffers, funding their monstrous armies and tools of destruction!”

Count Trelishka sighed wryly. “Your Grace, there are things I must point out.”

“Local cotton clothing is mediocre in quality but costs seven times more than Ember Kingdom’s cotton garments. Faced with such disparity, merchants will risk the gallows to smuggle these goods. Besides, we signed agreements that prevent direct attacks on Ember Kingdom’s caravans.”

“I must remind you that the nation ruled by the red dragon is no longer a typical monster lair. Its vast influence now spans all of Anzeta. Their products, tools, and even culture have become integral to the northern realms.”

He gestured to the white paper on the table.

“Look, even these papers are their creations, yet you didn’t realize it.”

“This is the terrifying influence of the Ember Kingdom. Unnoticed, they’ve silently invaded our lives and are reshaping Anzeta.”

Grand Duke Leo’s face grew even grimmer. Stroking his bushy white beard, he seemed deep in thought.

Trelishka produced another document, spreading it out.

“In April, we seized 1,245 smuggled items from the Ember Kingdom. The smugglers had removed or concealed the kingdom’s emblem, replacing it with the Bosque family crest. They falsely claimed these were ‘century-old’ local products, priced incredibly low, causing a frenzy among the nobles.”

Grand Duke Leo frowned. “How did you uncover this?”

Trelishka sighed, exasperated. “The quality was too high. No domestic workshop produces goods of this caliber in such quantities. It was almost too easy to spot.”

“And this behavior is rampant in the market. We can no longer manage it all.”

“Damn it.”

Grand Duke Leo gritted his teeth, his weathered face clouded with gloom.

Since the “Lionheart Alliance” over thirty years ago, the Grand Duke hadn’t felt such a sense of crisis. But Cassius’s rise changed everything—he had never faced an enemy like this.

And now, without even direct war or conflict, simple trade was pushing his nation to its limits, plunging it into disarray.

The red dragon’s shadow loomed over all of Anzeta. The Ember Kingdom’s reach had spread across the northern realms. He couldn’t fathom the terror if this giant mobilized fully and unleashed its power in war.

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