The Survival Rules of NPCs

Chapter 56: The Living Dead Duke!

Intelligence 1: The Grand Duke of Os died three years ago!

Intelligence 2: Michelle knows the secret to Lord Os's ability to live in public!

Intelligence 3: The president of Han City is rushing back to Milandale, planning to seize the position of lawyer from Yu Nu Wugua. He has a more disciplined team of players behind him.

Intelligence 4: Li Gou Dan has already made contact with Bai Cai's voice in the forest.

Intelligence 5: Duke Jackdaw's messenger is expected to visit Lady Eliza tonight.

........................

What shocking news is this?

Bright composed himself and looked at Michelle. This guy knew more secrets than he had imagined, enough to keep a dead person active in the public eye.

Does this mean they've indirectly gained control over the most powerful person in Mirandell?

What exactly is the relationship between the two? Is it mutual exploitation or pure control?

Regardless, this person is dangerous and has a lot of hidden cards up his sleeve.

"I started out with the black tin mine in Holy Stone City. I have a mining company in Holy Stone City and employ many workers. This kind of monopoly business should have been given by nobles to their relatives. In the eyes of many people, my connection in Holy Stone City is Allen. I provide many businesses, and the black tin mine is just one of them. Now that I am willing to lend a helping hand to Lady Elizabeth, it can be interpreted by outsiders as: after Allen's death, I want to continue to maintain my black tin mine business and have chosen to invest in Lady Elizabeth, an outsider."

"Duke Os will certainly have some suspicions, but he relies on me a lot. He's unsure whether I truly have a secret in Holy Stone City or if I'm just trying to protect the black tin mine business. If it's the latter, it's not worth him turning against me, because the cost of turning against me would be very high!"

"I see..." Brad nodded, smiling. "It seems Mr. Michel is very confident."

He couldn't show his excitement at having just stumbled upon such a juicy piece of gossip on his face. Instead, he was secretly processing the information. He probably wouldn't be able to get any information from Michelle about points 1 and 2. He also didn't have the power to meet Duke Oss. If he wanted to get answers, he would probably have to find a way from that fellow villager in the forest named "Little Cabbage".

Intelligence 3 surprised Bright somewhat. What the hell was Han Du? A player organization? A guild? A group of transmigrated players could actually form a guild? This kind of toxic thing really is enduring.

As a veteran player in his previous life, he didn't have a good impression of guilds. They squeezed out the living space of wild players, exploited the lower-level players in the guild, and imposed all sorts of guild tasks and attendance monitoring. He was here to play a game, but they made it feel like a job, which greatly affected the gaming experience.

To be fair, while guilds are a bit disgusting, guild players are indeed more efficient than individual players. If this so-called Korean guild really has the strength, it's not something to consider. As for Yu Nu, it has nothing to do with me. I've already given her a chance. Whether she can seize it depends on her ability. After all... I'm just an intermediary, aren't I?

In Intelligence 4, the fact that Li Gou Dan has been able to contact Bai Cai is good news. It proves that his fellow villager is still trying to contact him. It's just a pity that he's not in Holy Stone City right now, but the value of the hired help has been demonstrated.

The most troublesome thing is intelligence 5. Everything I have is now in the hands of the city lord's seal. If Eliza changes, it may cause me to go back to square one overnight. I have to become a nobleman as soon as possible.

In this damned world system, only by becoming a noble can one be a chess player. With a seal of authority, one can guarantee that their profession will not change. He remembered that noble seals of authority could be used to trade subordinates. With a seal of authority, he would have the opportunity to take over his doctor's authority, including the authority of the corpse collector and the fighter, from the seal of authority of the city lord of Holy Stone City. Only then would he be truly secure.

Moreover, with the seal of authority, one can better control the players' work. Judging from Gou Dan's experience, most players are unregistered and will not easily become farmers or workers. However, in one's own hands, one can have the combat profession authority that they desperately need, which is a huge attraction.

Only by obtaining the power seal can we attract these highly efficient workers and seize control of their lives.

Thinking of this, he looked up and said, "Lord Allen is no longer here. If we are to cooperate, I need a proper title."

"A proper title isn't easy to obtain," Michelle said, narrowing her eyes. "But you could give it a try. Allen said that besides being able to defeat Orland in a head-on fight, you're also a spirit healer?"

"Yes......"

"Then you need a chance to become famous!"

-----------------------------------------------

"Master, this is a perfume that Lord Michel provided, the latest popular perfume from Frankish Commercial City."

Inside the Duke's mansion, the old butler is the owner of this mansion, who is also the true monarch of Mirandil, a powerful figure that even the royal family fears!

As a border town, Mirandil once suffered greatly from northern invasions. It was the Duke and his father who, with sword and spear, brought stability to this place. Mirandil is said to be the second largest commercial city in the Kingdom of the Rhine, second only to Beckens, which is close to the port. It is a treasure trove that connects the north and south. However, a hundred years ago, this place was still a barren land and a place of exile that no noble dared to take over. Before the Duke of Os and his son, no one was willing to come and face the iron cavalry of the north!

After the old Duke's death, the current Duke of Oss built upon his father's legacy, vigorously developing finance and mining, and trading in cattle, sheep, dairy products, and crude oil, the lifeblood of today's new industry!

In just a few decades, they have built Mirandil into what it is today, a feat unmatched even in the elite circles of the Rhine Empire!

But now the most troublesome problem has arisen. Duke Os is already 103 years old, having outlived three emperors. He is one of the longest-lived nobles in the empire, but he has also reached the end of his life. Yet none of his descendants are qualified to inherit the title of Milandil.

In any ordinary place, even someone of mediocre talent could have a dukedom that would bring wealth and honor to their family for a thousand years, but this is Mirandil.

The wolves of the north are always watching with predatory eyes, and the imperial family also wants to seize this newly rising city. Without strong measures, forcibly taking this position could lead to the destruction of the family. There is a saying among the Eastern Xia people: "Those who are not worthy of their position will surely suffer calamity!"

Actually, it's not entirely without a chance of stability. If His Highness the Duke is willing to relinquish the city of Mirandil and allow the Empire to send a more capable young duke to take over, then the Empire, considering the contributions of the Duke of Os's two generations, will provide a good resettlement. I remember that thirty years ago, the previous Emperor, Jarvan XIII, sent an envoy to hint that the Duke of Os should move his fiefdom to Ottirea in the interior. As a fashion capital, that city has a rich history and is already a very good backup plan.

But our stubborn duke disagreed, and so many years have passed, until three years ago...

The butler respectfully handed over the perfume. Duke Os looked at the perfume, a hint of disgust flashing in his eyes. He was a duke on horseback, a man of iron and blood. When would he use such things like a sissy?

But there's no way around it. Without this thing, you can't cover up the stench on your body. If people find out that you're like a living dead, the empire can even send troops to suppress you!

"Linus, you mean Michelle is already planning to market his 'life extension' product to you?"

Sitting next to the Duke was one of the powerful Marquises of Milandil, the same one who had previously had a private conversation with Michel at the manor.

"It should be. After all, we've all reached this age, and with years of trust, it's the perfect time for them to offer us something like this."

"Hmph...that guy..." Duke Os's eyes were full of gloom. Three years ago, at the end of his life, he still chose to risk using the other party's things. They were indeed as effective as the other party promised, but the problem was that they were not enough. He did not truly extend his life, but turned into a monster. What he wanted was the secret of becoming completely young like the other party!

"What do you think about Lady Eliza of Holy Stone City moving into his mansion?"

"The Minister of the Interior of Holy Stone City, Allen, had a good relationship with Michel. Although he is dead, it is very likely that he recommended Michel to this lady in the past. Michel started his business with the black tin mine in Holy Stone City. He has rarely returned in recent years, so we cannot conclude that his secret came from Holy Stone City."

"So this is a test. If he's very concerned about the change of ownership in Holy Stone City, it means there's definitely a problem with Holy Stone City. We should suggest a viscount take over and promise that the Michel ore trade will remain unchanged, and see what he says."

"That's a good idea, but what about Mrs. Eliza?"

"Keep her title, but she must relinquish her position as lord of Holy Stone City. This is the best outcome for her. If she becomes too greedy, then do as you wish."

"I understand." The Marquis stood up and strode outside.

The Duke wearily closed his eyes. Over the years, he had certainly noticed the movements in the north outside the forest. There must be secrets in that forest, which was why his father had chosen this place back then. But... he and his father had explored Holy Stone City before. He was certain that there was no safe entrance to that forest, and neither was there to Holy Stone City!

Michel's secret most likely comes from that forest, but how did he get in?

This is the key issue. Over the years, he has not dared to make a move against the other party because he was afraid that if he alerted the enemy, the guy might hide in that mysterious forest, and all his efforts would be in vain.

This time, trouble has broken out in Holy Stone City, and there's also some activity in the north. What is this cunning little fox planning to do this time?