In the power games of the nobility, resolving this matter through bribery would count as a proper performance of the role of a Briber.
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Inside Greg's villa.
Hastur was savoring the fine wine from Greg's collection while listening to him explain how, under the current circumstances, one could advance in title.
Among the people he knew, Greg was the most skilled in such matters, so once Hastur decided to use the process of advancement in titles to digest his potion, it was natural for him to choose Greg as his first option.
He sent his visiting card and waited a whole day before Greg had free time.
"The fastest way for someone of your rank to advance is to donate enough gold pounds. This is the mainstream method of advancement right now. But I think you won't choose this path." Greg gave Hastur a meaningful look.
Hastur coughed lightly and said, "Greg, my financial situation is much better than before."
"Oh, then do you intend to advance by donating gold pounds?"
"No, I choose another way." Hastur rejected this path outright.
Greg wasn't surprised. Smiling, he said, "Besides this method, there are three others."
"The first is to earn enough merit. For example, when you resolved that matter with the almshouse, you earned a certain amount of credit."
"Of course, the fastest way to accumulate merit is to go to the battlefield and make achievements. Many earls and dukes were promoted for establishing major military merit."
"But this way is too dangerous. You're still young, and you lack battlefield experience. Besides, there's no large-scale war at the moment, so it's better to stay in Backlund and wait for other opportunities."
Greg drank a glass of wine, gave Hastur a moment to think, and then continued, "The second way is to become a vassal of a great noble."
"This is the fastest and simplest method for you right now. As long as you can persuade my father, you'll have the chance to become an earl. That's the limit of power he controls."
"Becoming a vassal of the Negan family means you'll lose some freedom, and in the future your family will have to advance and retreat together with the Negans, keeping your interests aligned."
Greg's tone softened. "From a personal perspective, I would very much like you to choose this path."
"Greg, you know me."
Hastur smiled as he rejected this proposal. He wanted to strengthen the Campbell family, not turn it into a vassal of the Negans.
Besides, becoming their vassal would at most allow him to reach the rank of earl, which didn't match his ambitions for the future.
By then, unless he was willing to bear the stigma of betraying the Negan family, he would basically have no further opportunities for advancement.
Of course, there was also an extreme path,
That was to put the Negan family on the throne, establish a new kingdom, and in that kingdom, use his contributions to become a prince or grand duke.
Then he would overthrow the Negan family's royal rule and achieve his own path as the Black Emperor.
Unless he had no choice, he preferred to overthrow the current royal family directly.
After all, once he reached Sequence 2, he would inevitably become their enemy.
"Hastur, I admire your pride."
Greg smiled and presented the last path: Hastur could obtain recognition from the powerful figures who held real power in the Loen Kingdom, including the royal family represented by the King.
After all, whether one advanced in title depended only on the nod of those above. As for how much merit you had or how great your contributions were, those were just reasons to be filled in afterward.
Many people easily fell into a misconception: they thought merit came first and then promotion.
But in truth, it was that small circle of people at the top who recognized you first, and then they considered your merit.
If your merit was sufficient, then you could be promoted openly without criticism.
If it wasn't, some operations could be arranged to add a few lines to your record. Sometimes you didn't even need that much, at most, it would only provoke a few harmless complaints.
Hastur agreed with these words. But hearing someone say it out loud still gave him a sense of sorrow.
Not forgetting his simple persona, he asked in surprise: "So the game of power can be played like this?"
Greg was silent for a while, then smiled. "Hastur, precisely because it's a power game, it can be played this way."
...
Leaving Greg's villa, Hastur sat in the carriage holding a document.
It was a gift from Greg, containing basic information on several powerful nobles of Loen, even their likes and dislikes were recorded.
It was a heavy gift. Greg even instructed him to burn it after reading.
In the end, Hastur chose this last path of advancement, it best suited his needs.
But when it came time to actually act, he still felt a little hesitant.
Once the power game began, one had to go all the way, there was no turning back.
Right now, it was just bribery, but in the future there were still "Baron of Corruption" and "Earl of the Fallen" waiting for him in the sequence.
"In this regard, my resolve is far inferior to Roselle's…"
Hastur sighed, closed his eyes, and after a long silence, opened them again without the earlier hesitation.
There's a saying: the one who always charges ahead may not die, the one who always hides may not die, but the one who hesitates halfway will certainly die.
Since he had chosen to move forward, he could not waver again.
Back home, Hastur asked the chef to prepare a midnight snack and had the maid bring it to the study.
In the study, Hastur sat at his desk, reviewed the information Greg had given him, memorized it all, and then burned it to ashes with candlelight.
Taking out pen and paper, he wrote down three names.
The Prime Minister, Earl Hall, and Duchess Georgina Augustus.
According to Greg, as long as he built good relations with these three, not to mention advancing to viscount, even becoming an earl would not be difficult.
The Prime Minister represented the Negan family.
Earl Hall was Audrey's father, a powerful noble with both wealth and influence, recently enjoying the king's trust.
The last, Georgina Augustus, was an important member of the royal family, and the only woman among the three.
Hastur reasonably suspected Greg had deliberately mentioned her to watch some amusement.
After some thought, he placed Georgina Augustus last. First on the list was the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Aguesid Negan was Duke Negan's younger brother, and Greg's uncle.
With his relationship with Greg, Hastur could easily get an introduction, this would be the easiest noble to approach.
Thanks to Greg, as long as he targeted the Prime Minister's preferences, bribery shouldn't be difficult.
Earl Hall, on the other hand, was trickier.
Although Hastur and Audrey had a good friendship, this wasn't necessarily an advantage, it might instead provoke Earl Hall's hostility.
An unmarried, handsome baron flattering him while being close to Audrey… Who wouldn't let their imagination run wild?
As for the last one, that could wait until after building ties with the first two.
That night, after enjoying his midnight snack, Hastur bathed and lay down to sleep, entering the Hall of Stars.
He intended to peer into the fate between himself, the Prime Minister, and Earl Hall.
Perhaps he could gain some guidance.
Closing his eyes, the world before him went dark.
A single scene appeared: Prime Minister Aguesid Negan stood on high, Hastur stood below, and between them was a chest filled with treasure.
"Is this a revelation that I'll need to give the Prime Minister a huge amount of wealth to win his favor?"
Hastur frowned tightly. That was no good omen.
Even with a glance, the chest contained at least ten thousand gold pounds!
He had no wish to hand over such a fortune.
Better to try other methods first, and only resort to that if necessary.
After a short rest, he closed his eyes again to glimpse his fate with Earl Hall.
Again, there was only one scene, and again it was ominous.
Under the crimson moonlight, in a beautiful and delicate garden, flowers bloomed in the breeze.
On the cobblestone path, he and Audrey talked happily, almost walking shoulder to shoulder.
It should have been a beautiful scene, but behind them stood Earl Hall, his face ashen.
'What kind of infernal picture was this?!'
Hastur's eyes flew open in shock. If this came to pass, Earl Hall would chase him with a knife, anything less would be mercy!
Under the hazy moon, a lone man and woman, flowers all around, walking side by side…
Who wouldn't think their relationship unusual?
If Earl Hall saw such a scene, there was no way he'd befriend him!
"This must never happen!"
Hastur grew wary. Before Earl Hall helped him advance, such a thing must never occur!
As a mere baron, if someone as powerful as Earl Hall targeted him, advancement would be nearly impossible.
Even with Greg's support, it would be a struggle.
"As expected of the Briber's path, before it even starts, I've already taken two hits."
Hastur sighed, unwilling to think about these troubles for now. Instead, he cast his gaze at the star representing the High-Dimensional Overseer.
It was still hidden within its cocoon of light, but now there seemed to be a faint breath of life inside, as if something was brewing.