Chapter 118: My Royal Privateer-Smuggler Fleet?

Chapter 118: My Royal Privateer-Smuggler Fleet?

The business Archie Barriff talked about involved millions. No wonder nobles and politicians from both the Muggle and Wizard worlds, as well as various kingdoms, treated these big capitalists as honored guests. They begged for loans and begged to be brought into business to make money.

And it seemed this Dragon Clan client was worth much more to Archie than those millions—after all, a neutral dragon, leaning towards any side, would tilt the balance. So whether from a business or power perspective, a Dragon Clan client held significant meaning.

Louis suddenly fell into thought again—Delphinia’s hidden ally was most likely the Black Dragons. No wonder she dared to plan a ‘Munich Incident’ against the Ministry of Magic after the Muggles lost.

This schoolgirl, her level wasn’t great, but her methods and ambition were extraordinary. Much more ruthless than her adoptive mother.

And also very crazy—she was practically gambling with the entire world’s future.

It seemed this Delphinia was like him—she chose everything, but she chose the opposite. The failure consequences of A and B were the goals she wanted to achieve.

Louis looked at Archie, thoughts churning in his mind.

He had to mess this up! This dragon arena thing, he was going to play with it!

This matter had to make Archie bleed a little—he really had encountered a big trouble; if he didn’t help him this time, he would definitely be squeezed dry by Her Majesty Delphinia.

But Archie didn’t put it that way.

“This time, my bet with the Witch Queen is not small—a wager of over a hundred thousand pounds!” Archie said with a pale face. “If I lose this money, my cash flow would break—it would be the death of me. Louis, if you win, I’ll give you twenty thousand pounds—or gift you a small castle.”

Louis reached out and removed the silencing charm, got up, and walked away.

“Grandpa! Grandpa! Don’t go! I’ll give you a department head position too! Plus the Four of Hearts!” Archie flew to Louis’s backside, hugged his leg and cried loudly, making Kate and the little Yordles stare in stunned silence—they had never heard of a Barriff Family head begging someone to do business.

“The Ministry of Magic plans to establish a new branch office recently. I’ll get you the proper head position of the Department of Mysteries—or have the Special Office upgraded to an independent department-level unit, okay? Then you be the deputy head! That authority is much greater than the Department of Mysteries! You guys can oversee practically anything!”

[Louis was an official position fanatic; he loved this kind of thing.]

[And he had already resolved the Crowley Family’s big trouble himself, so he had the foundation—though he hadn’t been on the job long. Spending a little ‘small money’ to smooth relationships and get this done shouldn’t be a problem. Trif should be due for a promotion soon; it’s perfect to ask him for another favor. With Trif handling things above Louis, Louis would be very satisfied.]

“I’m satisfied my foot!” Louis grabbed Archie and plopped him onto the table. “Kate, let’s go.”

Seeing this stance, Archie was dumbfounded.

“Don’t go, Louis.” Archie hugged him again. He glanced at Kate, and his eyes suddenly lit up. He cried and pleaded, “Help me out, I’ll owe you a favor—also, I promise, I’ll help Miss Kate with one more thing! Her father’s matter!”

Seeing Louis stop walking, Archie jumped onto the table, lit a cigar, put his hands on his hips, and said, “That privateer fleet! I promise you, after this matter, I’ll help the Crowley Family get it operational—there’s no maritime business I, Archie, don’t know about. Miss Kate, your father Crowley will command a real fleet!”

Kate stood frozen in place, looking at Louis and Archie with disbelief. The Yordles also gaped, never imagining that what was originally Louis asking Archie for a favor had turned into this scene.

But what shocked Kate even more came next.

“Crowley can’t command a fleet right now, Archie,” Louis said. “The fleet has nothing, just a few old warships, bought some weapons, and is drowning in debt—are you paying?”

Hearing this, Archie nearly fainted.

[You’re too ruthless!]

He gritted his teeth hard and said, “I can’t help you with the debt—don’t go! Louis! I have some ships! Cannons and everything are ready-made!”

Seeing Louis stop walking again, Archie breathed a sigh of relief.

[This is a major loss for me. Although my ships are a bit old, they have magic enhancements. They’re no worse than other nations’ second-line privateer fleets. Plus, with Crowley’s original main steel warships, they can go anywhere on the sea.]

“But Louis, let’s be clear first. After I provide the ships, if Earl Crowley is satisfied and accepts them, then you have to help with my smuggling… ahem, my maritime trade fleet’s goods—we split the profits!”

[Although there’s a big loss upfront, a loss. But if it grows big later, this could become the Royal Smuggler Fleet! This is mutually beneficial.]

Archie showed his frankness. “Of course, Louis, besides my support, the fleet’s main warships might still lack some weapons—operating a fleet is not easy. So you have to help me with one more thing—my cousin’s matter. The Warhammer of the God of War arms trading company is managed by him. If the fleet wants to upgrade its arms in the future, my cousin will help.”

Archie puffed on his cigar, feeling quite confident about this situation—how many small kingdom’s fleets and armies were initially propped up by Warhammer of the God of War? The Seventh Fleet itself had some foundation, and the kingdom’s treasury would also contribute a sum.

So Warhammer of the God of War wouldn’t have to fund everything—they couldn’t afford to.

So this could work. Once the business was done, if Louis completely controlled this fleet, everyone could make big money together.

Louis stroked his chin and fell into thought. Crowley now had connections and relationships. The soft power was sufficient. They just lacked some hard power.

Once this fleet was established, it would definitely become a stable major power in the kingdom. In the future, even if the King wanted to move against him, he’d have to think twice. The Princess faction would also be a bit more secure.

And thereafter, this fleet could basically be called the ‘Louis Fleet’—Archie helped him contribute shares, and not small shares. And with his own investment, Crowley’s company could finally get off the ground.

Louis patted Archie’s head and walked to the balcony.

Seeing this, the big stone in Archie’s heart finally dropped. He had the two pure white dragon maidens serving wine follow them to the balcony. He discussed real business with Louis—Louis’s plan for the Ministry branch office, dealing with the King and the Magic Council, and so on.

Things gradually became smoother.

Meanwhile, Miss Kate was already feeling dizzy and overwhelmed.

Reorganizing the Seventh Fleet.

What a huge favor this was! This wasn’t just a multi-million pound astronomical matter. This counted as Louis making a major investment! And he wasn’t just investing in warships, but also many relationships, connections, and channels. Plus the Warhammer of the God of War specifically supporting the fleet.

Kate knew this matter meant too much to her father!

‘Even selling me wouldn’t be worth this price…’

Watching Louis’s back as he talked with Archie on the balcony, Kate felt both worried for him and somewhat excited. She also felt a bit wistful.

Just last night in her dream, Kate dreamed she bought Louis a car and supported Louis. Being his big sister.

But in just one day, things had taken several sharp turns. In the end, Kate realized it seemed like she had latched onto a super powerful leg—she wasn’t supporting Louis; it was Lord Louis supporting the whole family!