Chapter 13 : Chapter 13
Chapter 13. Putting Pressure on the Nine and the Situation in the Northern Frontier
After bidding his mother farewell, William headed straight for the office of the chief steward in charge of royal logistics.
“Your Highness, Fourth Prince.” When Sir Trudy saw him enter, he quickly bowed. “What instructions do you have for me?”
William looked at the gray-haired old knight and got straight to the point.
“Sir Trudy, there are five million gold coins here.”
“Starting today, raise the cultivation resources for Kyle and the other eight to the highest level. Their treatment must surpass that of ordinary royal family members.”
He handed over a Spatial Ring.
Sir Trudy accepted the ring and swept his spiritual sense through the gold inside. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and he hesitated before speaking.
“Your Highness, forgive me for speaking out of turn…”
“I am afraid it is… not quite worth it to spend so many gold coins on attendants born from commoner and slave backgrounds.”
In his view, people without distinguished family backgrounds could hardly amount to much no matter how much they were nurtured.
William waved a hand, his tone firm.
“It does not matter, Sir Trudy.”
“I have confidence in my judgment. They will not fail these five million gold coins.”
He paused, then added, “Whether it is cultivation materials, magical beast blood essence, or high-grade potions, give them the best.”
“Send a copy of the monthly expenditure list to me.”
Seeing that William had made up his mind, Sir Trudy said no more and bowed. “Understood, Your Highness. I will make the arrangements at once.”
William nodded and turned to leave. He knew very well that in the storm to come, ordinary resource investment would be far from enough.
Kyle and the others were the foundation he had personally chosen. They had to grow as quickly as possible.
These five million gold coins were not an expense.
They were an investment—a wager placed on the future.
Sir Trudy watched William’s departing figure and shook his head before putting away the Spatial Ring.
He did not understand the Fourth Prince’s decision, but royal rules stood above all else. Since His Highness had given the order, all he needed to do was obey.
At that moment, William was already striding toward the training ground of the western side hall.
From afar, he could already hear the crisp clash of weapons and the shouts of the youths.
He stood beneath the corridor and looked at the sweat-drenched figures in the field, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes.
William lightly clapped his hands, and the movement in the training ground stopped at once. All nine of them turned to look at him in unison.
He gave Barton, who stood at his side, a look. Understanding immediately, Barton bowed and left the western side hall.
“Come here,” William said. His voice was not loud, but it carried unquestionable authority.
The nine quickly assembled before him, standing tall, their eyes filled with curiosity.
“I, William Kroll, have allocated five million gold coins to the logistics office today.”
He got straight to the point, his gaze sweeping across them.
“That is right. All five million are for you, to purchase cultivation resources.”
“Hiss—”
Sounds of sharp inhalation rose one after another.
The dwarf blacksmith’s eyes widened, and the hammer in his hand nearly slipped free.
He had never seen so many gold coins in his life, much less imagined that a prince would spend such an enormous sum on people of humble birth like them.
The others were also breathing faster, their faces full of shock and disbelief.
Only after giving them time to digest the news did William continue.
“But let me make one thing clear. Since I have invested this much, I expect to see results.”
“If, one month from now, any of you have failed to break through to Bronze Rank, I will send you back to where you came from.”
His tone suddenly turned severe.
“I know your talent well.”
“With such abundant resources supporting you, there is no reason you cannot break through as long as you are willing to train desperately.”
“Even members of the royal family may not receive treatment like this. Do not disappoint me, and do not let this chance to change your fate slip away right before your eyes.”
He spoke that final sentence with particular weight, like a heavy hammer striking every heart.
The shock on the nine faces faded, replaced by burning determination.
Kyle clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
The boy who could communicate with beasts had bright eyes, as though he could already see a brand-new future.
Even the usually silent A'gu lifted his head slightly, and a flame ignited in his eyes.
“Alright, get back to training.” William waved his hand.
“Yes, Your Highness!” the nine answered in unison, their voices louder than ever before.
They turned and rushed back toward the training field, every movement carrying a strength they had never shown before.
The clash of weapons rang out once more, but this time there was a fiercer, all-or-nothing resolve behind it.
William stood where he was, watching their backs, the corners of his lips lifting into an almost imperceptible smile.
Pressure was often the best catalyst.
He had given them resources. He had given them an opportunity.
What remained was to see whether they could seize it for themselves.
The days quietly slipped by, woven together from calm and hidden undercurrents.
During this period, William attended several more noble banquets. The scenes were as luxurious as ever, yet they only left him increasingly bored.
Most of the kingdom’s truly powerful nobles surrounded the First Prince, the Second Prince, and the Third Princess. Few paid much attention to him, a lower-ranked prince.
He was more than happy to enjoy the peace and focus his energy on cultivation and keeping watch on the situation in the Northern Frontier.
According to the latest intelligence, the Barbarian tribes had already advanced to the core territory of the Derek Family, and only then had their offensive finally come to a halt.
When William saw the report, he understood at once.
Just as his mother Vivian had said, the Derek Family was killing with a borrowed knife, using the Barbarians to weaken the royal family’s control over the Northern Frontier.
At that moment, the atmosphere in the royal council chamber was so heavy it seemed almost capable of dripping water.
Kroll II’s face was ashen as he slammed a battle report onto the table and shoved it toward the great dukes and powerful marquises before him.
“Heh, the Derek Family truly has some fine methods!”
“They have bled those royal legions dry, and the nobles along the route all followed their lead and withdrew into their own territories!”
The report passed from hand to hand, and every face showed shock.
No one had expected the Derek Family to dare expend royal forces so openly.
Even if they wished to preserve their own strength, they should at least have done it more discreetly. Such naked conduct was practically a direct challenge to the authority of the royal family.
“Are they not afraid that Your Majesty will hold them accountable?” a marquis could not help asking in a low voice, breaking the silence.
Duke Lane stroked his beard, a chill flashing through his eyes.
“They are probably already confident that they have nothing to fear.”
“The Northern Frontier is now firmly in their grasp, and the Barbarians are glaring at them from outside the gates. If the royal family moves against them at a time like this, it would be no different from tearing down its own Great Wall.”
Duke Carden gave a heavy snort.
“Are we just supposed to let them carry on like this? The knights of the Royal Legions are not blades of grass!”
Kroll II tapped his fingers against the table, producing dull thuds, while anger churned in his eyes.
“Hold them accountable? Of course I will!”
“But not now.”
He took a deep breath and forced down his rage.
“Pass on my order. Put all legions in the Central Realm on alert. At the same time, send people to the Derek Family’s territory to ‘offer condolences’ and see exactly how far they intend to throw the Northern Frontier into chaos.”
“And let us also see where their confidence comes from.”
The crowd exchanged glances, then bowed together and accepted the order.
They knew the king was enduring this in silence.
The situation in the Northern Frontier was still unresolved. If they completely tore their relationship with the Derek Family apart now, it would only make matters worse.