It had to be said that Fairy Tail's "good reputation" at this time truly played a decisive role.
If it were replaced by another guild, it really might not have had this effect, but when Moen said it here, it was enough to make these people feel uneasy.
Dare to try? Try and you die!
"."
Duke Savalu glanced at those guys who had been frightened and simply felt he could not bear to look; Fairy Tail were not outlaws! Could they really just go around causing destruction at will?!
Moen had not even said that; these people had filled in the blanks themselves, each and every one scaring themselves here.
But obviously, Duke Savalu himself had also thought of that possibility; otherwise he would not have immediately understood what the other nobles were worrying about.
It could only be said that some stereotypes truly are not formed in a short time, nor can they be eliminated in a short time.
Looking at Moen with a smile on his face, the nobles all felt a chill in their hearts.
"Ahem, of course we are willing to cooperate with Fairy Tail, willing to cooperate with the Kingdom's policy. Isn't it just opening a railway? This is a good thing! In the future, everyone transporting goods and such will be more convenient! This is a good thing! We definitely support it!"
As expected, someone immediately chose to kneel and concede.
This immediately made Duke Savalu glare angrily at that noble who had spoken up to concede.
"Good, I like those who know what's good for them. The South has long lacked railway access and maintained a high degree of autonomy; the ones who truly benefited were only a few at the top.
For the majority of small nobles, opening the railway is actually a good thing. This is something that can greatly facilitate commerce and transportation. You have no need to be tied together with certain ambitious schemers. Think more about your own interests, and consider which side you should stand on."
Seeing someone step out and switch sides, Moen continued pressing the attack. This was already pressing right to their faces, just short of directly naming names.
Duke Savalu's expression became extremely unsightly.
Moen was digging at the very foundation of their southern nobility!
"I also support it!"
"Mr. Moen makes sense!"
"Of course we must follow the national policy!"
"Fairy Tail is worthy of trust! They definitely won't harm us!"
With Moen's forceful pressure and Duke Savalu's silence, more and more small nobles began stepping out to switch sides.
For them, what Moen said indeed made sense. Previously they had not stepped out purely because they feared the power of great nobles like Duke Savalu. Now that an even more powerful Fairy Tail had arrived, they naturally felt no burden in switching sides.
"Good, good, good! I am not surprised at your duplicity!"
Duke Savalu's face was filled with anger. Although he said with his mouth that he was not surprised, the fact that these small nobles so decisively judged that he was finished, believing he certainly could not defeat Fairy Tail, still made him feel he had completely lost face.
"Duke Savalu, being a local tyrant in the South is certainly not bad, but following Fairy Tail definitely means a broader horizon. You must also understand that we do not have many choices."
The middle-aged count who had first spoken up retorted to Duke Savalu. These words made Moen unable to resist looking at this middle-aged count; this middle-aged man's awareness was truly extraordinary!
"May I ask who this Count is?"
Moen asked curiously.
"Mr. Moen, I am Gaudiche, my fief is near Balrunya."
As soon as the middle-aged count spoke, Moen understood. Balrunya is near Magnolia, not too far away, considered the southeastern area. It was simply the most normal thing for this fellow to immediately switch sides to him.
Good heavens, this one was genuinely afraid. After all, if "Fairy Tail" really made a move, they would definitely deal with him first while they were at it.
Moreover, because he was relatively close, Gaudiche was also quite aware of just how "terrifying" "Fairy Tail" was.
In order not to be destroyed by "Fairy Tail," Magnolia even specially invented a "Gildarts Mode"! The entire city would make way for one person, and it had to be activated every time Gildarts returned. This matter alone was enough to show just how arrogant and domineering "Fairy Tail" was!
How should it be said?
This Gaudiche gave people a feeling of having understood, yet not fully understood, and it was precisely this kind of state that made people feel the most fear.
If one did not understand at all, one would not fear "Fairy Tail." If one understood deeply, one would also not fear "Fairy Tail." It was exactly this half-baked understanding that would make someone extremely afraid of "Fairy Tail."
"Very good, Mr. Jude, there's no problem with allocating one percent of Balrunya Station's profits to Count Gaudiche, right?"
Moen looked at Jude, seeking his opinion. He felt that Jude should understand; the most classic tactic of winning over one group while striking another was still easy to comprehend. Taking out a bit of profit in exchange for the support of the local strongman could also reduce unnecessary trouble.
Of course, it was also possible not to give anything. After all, relying solely on strength could still suppress them. But Moen was a man who cared about propriety; he would at least share a little benefit with them.
And if after taking the money they still secretly stirred up trouble, then they shouldn't blame Moen for being ruthless. Did they really think his money was that easy to take?
"No problem, that's as it should be."
Jude nodded immediately. He could of course figure it out as well; after all, they couldn't really wipe out all the fellows in the South in one sweep.
Strike the biggest and most thorny ones, then win over the obedient and smaller forces below. It was actually beneficial for the work to proceed afterward. These local strongmen could provide quite a bit of help.
"That's wonderful! I will definitely cooperate with all my strength!"
Hearing that there was also a share of profit to take, Gaudiche was naturally happy. No matter how much it was, this approach at least gave them face. They were collaborators, not people who had surrendered and become captives!
From this angle, Moen truly had not thought of it.
"As long as you support it, everyone gets a share!"
Seeing that Gaudiche's reaction was not bad, Jude then made a promise to the others.
Train stations were certainly going to be laid out in all the major cities. At most, each station would only distribute one or two shares of profit outward. This was truly not a great cost, yet the returns gained would be considerable.
Of course, Jude also understood that being able to use such a small cost to gain the support of these local strongmen was entirely because Moen was here, because "Fairy Tail" was backing them.
If it were just him alone, these local strongmen would definitely think he was tossing scraps to beggars.
The same share, yet now each of them was overjoyed. One could only say this was the difference between having backing and having none.
"Let's go!"
Watching a group of small nobles gather around Moen, Duke Savalu turned and left with a cold face. He naturally did not dare to tear his face with Moen here. He was afraid that this young man, who looked like a hotheaded fool, might truly keep him here, so he decisively took his people and slipped away.
However, he certainly would not let this matter rest. If he couldn't deal with you, Moen Dolea, and couldn't deal with you, "Fairy Tail," could it be that he couldn't deal with Jude Heartfilia?!
[For additional chapters Patreon. Com/ALLISWELL123]