Volume 4 Chapter 88

Volume 4 + Chapter 88: A Man of Ambition!

“Great achievements are within reach?”

Upon hearing this, Leonard was somewhat intrigued.

“Yes, Lord Leonard. The Taylor family wishes to cooperate with you. I have come specifically to persuade you of this matter,” the Taylor family envoy explained. “It is none other than Lord Scott himself who sent me.”

The Taylor family, which controlled the Northern Mines, was now suddenly talking about rebellion?

The supreme leader of the Northern Rebellion Army found this utterly unbelievable.

Previously, even though the Northern Rebellion Army had been active in the Far North Lands, they hadn’t fundamentally shaken the Taylor family’s rule. Why would they suddenly want to cooperate now?

“Are you joking with me?”

Leonard pinched his cigar, clenched his fist forcefully, and crushed the cigar into powder.

“I despise this kind of humor!”

“Of course not, Lord Leonard. If you don’t believe me, please look here. This is proof of Lord Scott’s sincerity.”

The Taylor family envoy took out a scroll and unfurled it before Leonard.

Upon seeing its contents, Leonard’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.

“This… this is—!”

Having roamed the Far North Lands for so many years, there were few things that could stir Leonard’s emotions so intensely.

But what lay before him was an exception—something he had coveted for a long time:

A map of the Far North Lands.

This region was different from other parts of the Dragon Kingdom. Due to dangerous blizzards, exploration and map-making were incredibly difficult, even for dragons.

With a map, controlling this area would become much easier.

“Lord Leonard, this map was meticulously drawn by generations of researchers from the Northern Mines, who poured countless efforts into it. With this map, combined with superior combat strength and ample logistical support, dominating this region would be no problem at all,” the Taylor family envoy said with a smile.

To be honest, Leonard was tempted.

Initially, when he formed the Northern Rebellion Army, it wasn’t for domination or anything grand. He merely wanted an excuse to build his own power base and establish himself here.

But as the organization grew day by day, his ambitions surfaced and gradually swelled.

From an obscure criminal to a leader with armed forces at his command—it seemed that if he wished, his subordinates could easily capture a city and decide the fate of countless dragons.

How could he not entertain such thoughts?

Even though his Northern Rebellion Army could already act with impunity in the Far North Lands, at its core, it was not an official organization. It always lacked something—absolute legitimacy in the eyes of the dragon royalty.

Moreover, the Dragon Kingdom was so vast. Why confine themselves to the harsh northern environment?

A true man born between heaven and earth—how could he remain content under others’ rule forever?

At this moment, upon seeing the map of the Far North Lands, the flame of ambition in Leonard’s heart was thoroughly ignited.

However, since this was a negotiation for cooperation, he did not rush to reveal these emotions.

“Your map is incomplete,” Leonard pointed out. “There are many gaps in it.”

“Of course, Lord Leonard. We merely wanted to show you this as proof of our sincerity and to demonstrate that our cooperation truly has the potential to carve out a domain! As long as you are willing to cooperate, Lord Scott would be more than happy to provide you with the complete map!” The Taylor family envoy’s enthusiasm soared. “What are you still considering?”

“In the end, why should we necessarily cooperate with you?”

“Heh, Lord Leonard, isn’t the reason you allow your subordinates to plunder this city due to a shortage of supplies? Although the Northern Rebellion Army has been growing, thanks to pressure from our Taylor family, other families dare not cooperate with you. Without support, you can only sustain your war through war itself.”

The Taylor family envoy pointed out the Northern Rebellion Army’s pain point.

“But once we cooperate, won’t all these difficulties be easily resolved? The resources needed for war—our Taylor family has operated in the Far North Lands for so many years that we can certainly support it! Moreover, by running the Northern Mines effectively, we will have a steady stream of money and resources!”

“…”

Leonard did not deny it.

Yes, the Taylor family lacked formidable combat strength, and the Northern Rebellion Army happened to have it.

The Northern Rebellion Army lacked resources, and the Taylor family had them.

It truly was a match made in heaven.

“I still don’t understand why you are willing to cooperate with us. You’ve always been living off the dragon royal family’s provisions, yet now you want to abandon that status?”

“This brings us to the most crucial point, Lord Leonard. Although the Northern Rebellion Army has always claimed to be rebelling against the dragon royalty, in reality, you haven’t taken any concrete action in that regard, have you?”

“You dare to say that?” A murderous aura emanated from Leonard.

If the Taylor family envoy’s next words did not satisfy him and he dared to provoke like this, death would be inevitable.

“Lord Leonard, things are different now. We have an opportunity. We can collaborate from within and without to kill a key member of the dragon royalty—the Silver Dragon Princess, Xia Yi · Christie! From then on, we will be genuine rebels, no longer acting without just cause but with rightful purpose!”

…

“Your Highness, please review this.”

“…”

“Your Highness, please review this. This document outlines the military equipment our Taylor family plans to prepare and the funding amount allocated for recruitment!”

Scott respectfully presented a document, placing it on the table before Xia Yi.

The Silver Dragon Princess was reclining in her chair, engrossed in a novel with great interest, looking utterly relaxed.

Upon hearing Scott’s voice, she said, “Wait a moment. I’m at an exciting part.”

“Your Highness, please review it promptly and grant approval sooner. Everyone else is waiting.”

“You’re so annoying!”

Xia Yi, very displeased, threw the novel at Scott as if throwing a tantrum.

“Elly, you check it for me!”

“Your Highness, absolutely not! This requires your personal review. It cannot be handed over to a maid!” Scott advised.

“Silence! I’m happy, I’m willing, and I’ll do as I please!” Xia Yi glared at him.

“…” Scott lowered his head.

Elly, standing nearby, took the document and read through it.

“Elly, what do you think?”

“Me? Your Highness, this… it’s better for you to handle it!” Elly handed it back to Xia Yi.

Xia Yi sighed, glanced through it, casually flipped a couple of pages, and then tossed it aside.

“Not enough. Increase the funding further.”

“Your Highness? Is this still not enough? This is already the most cost-effective plan.”

“I want the most expensive armor for the soldiers, and it must look good, exceptionally good!”

“Your Highness, looking good doesn’t mean it’s effective, especially with the highest-grade ones. Practicality is what truly matters. This way, each soldier can at least have spare armor prepared to handle more situations…”

“Silence! What I say goes. Does the Taylor family not want to cooperate anymore?”

Xia Yi slammed the table, her expression turning stern.

“I am the law. You are not allowed to contradict anything I say!”

Scott lowered his head, not daring to utter another word.

This Silver Dragon Princess before him was an utter fool. Her words and actions were truly frivolous. She only knew how to use petty tactics to threaten and pressure him into working, but in reality, she was incompetent and foolish.

The dragon royalty was doomed sooner or later!

Scott thought to himself.

But perhaps this was for the best. The more foolish the Silver Dragon Princess was, the easier she would be to kill.

He could hardly wait to see the look of regret and humiliation on the Silver Dragon Princess’s face before her death!