20 The Lion Opened His Mouth Wide, The Envy Of The Noble Youth
In the face of Rennes' inquiry, Bennett stated his purpose directly: "Lord Rennes, I have come for the purpose of a marriage alliance between our two families."
"Marriage alliance?!" Upon hearing this, Rennes narrowed his eyes.
He couldn't believe that the Blake family would want to form a marriage alliance with him for no reason.
There must be a hidden agenda behind this excessive flattery.
Therefore, Rennes had no intention of responding.
He simply waited quietly for Bennett to continue.
He didn't have to wait long.
Seeing that Rennes remained unmoved, Bennett immediately revealed his thoughts:
"Lord Rennes, I believe you have also heard about the situation with the Viscount Cardo family."
"The situation in the Rhine region is becoming increasingly chaotic."
"In order to preserve our family heritage and territory, I hope that the Blake family and the Habs family can unite and form an alliance, supporting and assisting each other..."
After speaking, Bennett looked at Rennes with anticipation.
In his opinion,
this was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Cooperation between the two families would greatly enhance their ability to withstand risks.
However,
Rennes didn't think so.
In his view, Bennett's proposal was simply an attempt to take advantage of him.
After all,
almost half of the Blake family's strength had been taken by their patriarch, Cardia, to participate in the border war.
It was already a challenge for the remaining armed forces to defend their own territory.
How could they have the spare capacity to support him?
If the Habs family and the Blake family formed an alliance,
it would be of no use at all, and he would have to divert his attention to take care of this "burden."
Only a fool would make such a deal.
"Let's forget about it."
Thinking this, Rennes shook his head and directly chose to refuse.
"Lord Rennes, if there is anything you are dissatisfied with regarding the marriage alliance, please feel free to mention it."
"As long as I can agree to it, I definitely won't refuse."
Upon hearing this, Bénét immediately became anxious.
"I want half of your family's blacksmiths and five Meteor Breaker Crossbows."
Rennes boldly stated.
The Habsburg family has only been established for three generations.
Their foundation is truly weak.
Although under his management, they have caught up with the old aristocrats in terms of military and financial power in the Rhine region.
But there are still many shortcomings.
For example, they lack skilled blacksmiths who can forge and repair military equipment.
So far, the military arsenal of the Eagle's Domain has heavily relied on external imports.
They are unable to be self-sufficient.
Once there is chaos outside and the trade routes are cut off, and all the weapons in their hands are used up and become unusable, the Eagle's Domain's army will be left without any weapons.
But the Blake family is different.
As an old aristocratic family with a history of hundreds of years.
Although they are currently in decline.
They have accumulated a considerable number of skilled blacksmiths through years of inheritance and cultivation.
If they can obtain half of the Blake family's blacksmiths, the Habsburg family will immediately be able to make up for this fatal shortcoming in military equipment manufacturing.
As for the Meteor Breaker Crossbows.
These are magical military weapons enchanted with fire elements.
Each arrow fired from them has a power equivalent to a second-tier magic spell - Exploding Fireball.
When placed on the city walls, they are equivalent to defensive turrets.
They greatly enhance the security of the city.
Of course.
These powerful magical military weapons are naturally valuable.
If we don't consider the cost of technology,
just the cost of materials alone is over ten thousand gold coins.
If they were to be sold outside, it would take over fifty thousand gold coins to buy one.
Rennes is asking for five at once.
The value is as high as over 200,000 gold coins.
This is simply draining the blood of the Blake family.
"Impossible!"
Bennett refused without hesitation.
Such conditions, he, and even the Blake family, cannot accept.
"Then you can leave."
Rennes said indifferently.
He didn't expect Bennett to agree to his outrageous conditions in the first place.
He just wanted to find a decent excuse to refuse an alliance with the Blake family.
"One-fifth of the blacksmiths, a Meteor Breaker Crossbow."
Upon hearing that Rennes was ready to send him away, Bennett gritted his teeth and proposed his own conditions.
"No! Half means half, not a single blacksmith can be missing!"
"But I can exempt you from two Meteor Breaker Crossbows."
"This is the final offer, it can't go any lower."
Rennes spoke up.
Freeloading is shameful!
Wanting protection but not wanting to pay a heavy price.
There's no such good thing in this world.
"..."
At these words,
Bennett frowned.
After much consideration, he finally chose to agree.
There's no other way.
The situation is stronger than people now.
With the current strength of the Blake family, it's too difficult to safely navigate through this great turmoil sweeping the Rhine region.
For the continuation of the family, he must facilitate this marriage no matter what.
Even if it means paying a huge price, it's worth it.
After all, only by passing it down can the family have hope and a future.
The alliance conditions have been negotiated.
The two immediately signed a magical contract.
After successfully completing the purpose of this trip, Burnett did not stay long at the Habs Manor.
He hurriedly left with his guards and attendants.
He is now going back to prepare craftsmen and the Meteor Breaking City Crossbow to send to Habs Manor.
To make the magical contract fully effective.
To avoid any trouble during the night.
...
The next day.
Under Burnett's deliberate publicity.
The news of the alliance between the Blake family and the Habs family, forming an offensive and defensive alliance, quickly spread in the surrounding area.
This matter caused quite a stir.
Because the marriage partner of the Blake family marrying into Rennes, Katie, is pure in appearance and alluring in figure.
She has quite a reputation in the surrounding area.
She is the dream girl of many noble young men.
It can be imagined how difficult it is for these people to hear the news of Katie's marriage.
"Damn it! Katie is so young and beautiful, how can she marry an old man in his forties? Isn't that like putting flowers in cow dung?!"
"It's really envy, jealousy, and hatred!"
"Damn it! Why didn't the Blake family propose a marriage alliance with my family?!"
"It hurts, it really hurts!"
The noble young men in the surrounding area lamented.
If they didn't know that Rennes was not to be messed with, they would probably have already challenged the Blake family to a duel.
Apart from these individuals whose brains are filled with hormones.
Some keen-sensed people know that the Blake family has made a good move.
In the current chaotic situation, being able to use a marriage alliance to borrow the power and protection of the Habs family.
This deal is simply too cost-effective.
Some opportunistic and fishy characters have temporarily given up on looting the Blake family's territory.
After all.
With the support of the Habs family behind them, the Blake family is no longer a soft target.
