Chapter 58: This Is The Effect Of Studying Core Ideologies
King Leodegrance and King Rience had arrived with their own private thoughts.
But within three minutes of meeting Noah, all the petty schemes they had harbored vanished completely.
Now, as they gazed at Noah and the dish of refined salt placed before him, it was as if all their pride had been shattered.
For this plate of refined salt could indeed shatter the entire South, dissolving everything they had accumulated over decades—or in King Rience's case, over generations.
Though they had anticipated that Noah's private summons meant renegotiating the agreement between the Six Southern Territories and Camelot, neither expected him to present such a thing from the very beginning...
After collecting themselves, both King Leodegrance and King Rience devoted their full attention to deciphering Noah's intentions. Their earlier petty schemes now seemed trivial in comparison.
"Your Majesty... presenting this refined salt—is this a demonstration of power against the South? Are you not afraid of inciting rebellion in our territories?"
King Leodegrance voiced these words with extreme caution.
Had this occurred before seeing the salt, King Rience might have added—"You represent the South"—but now he remained silent, watching Noah intently.
The root of the conflict between Kings Leodegrance and Rience lay precisely in the salt trade.
King Leodegrance wasn't originally a Southern knight. During King Uther's reign, he abandoned everything, staking his entire fortune to establish himself in the South. Naturally, he sought firm footing there.
To achieve this, controlling the salt industry was essential. Without it, he could never compete against King Rience, whose family had developed the South for generations.
To King Rience, Leodegrance was an invader.
Britain's salt trade had always been monopolized by Rience's family until Leodegrance's surprise offensive seized a significant portion of their business, earning him Rience's lasting resentment.
This was the core of their conflict.
But now that Britain's entire salt industry faced upheaval, their rivalry became irrelevant.
Unity against an external threat became the obvious course.
Observing their reactions, Noah maintained a neutral expression while inwardly smiling.
This was precisely the response his plan required.
Though their mutual restraint had its advantages, reclaiming the South and subduing both would have been far more difficult if they remained divided.
With them aligned, the task became significantly simpler.
Thus, ensuring their temporary alliance in this matter was crucial. As for the future—whether maintaining balance or pursuing other objectives—numerous methods existed without sacrificing long-term gains for immediate benefits.
"King Leodegrance, King Rience—forgive my bluntness—you overestimate your importance."
Noah delivered these words with an unwavering smile.
"The two of you cannot represent the entire South. I acknowledge your influence in the Southern territories, but—"
"Your men may be loyal, but the people of the south are also citizens of Britain. Your forces have been rooted in the south for a long time. If you two intend to do something reckless, how many of your followers do you think would throw caution to the wind and join your madness?"
Noah turned his gaze to King Leodegrance.
"Among the old subordinates you once led, how many have not settled down? Most of them have children, and some may even have grandchildren by now. If you lead them into madness again, they themselves might be willing, but what about their families?"
Noah's words plunged King Leodegrance into silence. Then, Noah shifted his attention to King Rience.
"Your situation requires even less explanation from me. You understand better than I do the true nature of those nobles. If you seek madness, I suspect they will be the first to betray you. After all, unlike you, they only desire stable profits. You know this, don't you?"
King Rience also paled visibly.
At this point, Noah let out a light hum. As he continued speaking, his Conqueror's Haki subtly emanated.
"And even if I were to assume they would all follow you, do you think only I would suffer the consequences?"
"Don't act as if the destruction of southern Britain by the Saxon Barbarians, should you two go mad, would only affect me."
"While I would indeed be affected, if I sincerely admit fault and fortify the north, even if the south were completely destroyed by the Saxon Barbarians, the worst I'd face is being labeled a failed king, a foolish king, or even a mad king."
"But if you two lead the south to ruin, then what of you two... or even if you fear no death, what of your subordinates and families? You, who have long dealt with the Saxon Barbarians, surely understand this better than I, correct?"
Both King Leodegrance and King Rience fell silent. Noah now wiped the smile from his face, his voice turning icy in an instant.
"So stop threatening me with such matters!"
"If you don't value your positions among the Twelve Lords, there are plenty who would gladly take them! This world never lacks those hungry for power, even if it lacks people with grand ambitions!"
Noah's cold voice, amplified by his Conqueror's Haki, left King Leodegrance and King Rience too intimidated to even lift their heads.
Then, Noah retracted his Conqueror's Haki, his voice returning to its previous tone.
"...So I've shown you this refined salt. By the way, its yield is higher than sea salt, its quality superior, and its price more affordable... Under such impact, you who once managed Britain's salt operations undoubtedly understand better than I what this would do to the existing salt industry."
Hearing this, King Leodegrance and King Rience raised their heads once more.
Ignoring them, Noah continued.
"I'm not forcing you into a corner. After all, no matter how good the salt or how profitable the business, someone must handle it. And if there are those already familiar with the trade..."
"Having extensive connections and plenty of experience would be even better, don't you agree?"
Hearing Noah's words, King Leodegrance and King Rience, who had just been pale-faced, suddenly had their eyes light up!
If Noah had said this to them directly from the beginning, they might not have felt so fervent.
But now that their original pride had been completely suppressed by Noah, in their current perspective, this appeared to be their only path to survival—and not just survival, but potentially living even better than before!
After all... if the once-feared enemy was now an ally, it naturally brought greater peace of mind.
That was precisely how they felt at this moment.
Cooperating with Noah meant not only a way out but possibly an even better life...
This was the core philosophy of "striking first and then offering a sweet reward."
However, in Noah's mind, Mary was still saying he had been too hasty and that a few details should have been refined further.
Noah had no choice about that.
He wasn't naturally skilled in such matters and had already done his best to reach this point!
Fortunately, the outcome was positive.
Noah looked at King Leodegrance and King Rience before him, maintaining his smile as he produced the agreement he had already prepared with Mary and Morgan.
The Southern Six Territories—this was practically settled.