Chapter 1450: Chapter 26: Negotiation (Part 3)

“You said ‘we,'” Winters keenly retorted, “so, may I understand that as—you have already reached an agreement with Colonel Skur and Lieutenant Colonel Magash?”

“Discuss? What’s there to discuss?” Gessa squinted, answering gruffly, “As long as you agree, I agree; isn’t that enough? It doesn’t matter who opposes.”

Winters understood that Colonel Gessa neither obtained the consent of Colonel Skur and Lieutenant Colonel Magash nor intended to seek their consent in advance.

He subtly expressed his disagreement, “Important decisions should be made after thorough discussion.”

Gessa made a contemptuous gesture, “The more you discuss, the less you achieve! Aren’t you a Venetian? You should know the principle of ‘secrecy leads to success’!”

“Even for the Venetians, we only discuss in secret, not without discussion at all,” Winters, already immune to regional discrimination, countered, “You probably haven’t seen how the Sea Blue People elect a consul.”

Colonel Gessa hit a soft nail, got a bit annoyed, but also realized that unless he opened up today, convincing the stubborn horse in front of him would be challenging.

“There’s no need for discussion on this matter,” Gessa frowned, confidently, “that young lad Magash will definitely disagree, and if he disagrees, that old fellow Skur can only follow suit.

“Since they’ll both disagree anyway, and it will end up in a vote, what’s the need for discussion? To succeed in this matter, we must strike suddenly and decisively. Pre-discussion will only alert them; what’s the point?”

“Why are you so certain they will disagree?”

“Why?” Colonel Gessa smiled with relief, changed to a more comfortable sitting position, poured himself a glass of bitter beer, and suddenly changed the topic, asking somewhat abruptly, “You should know, that young Magash is planning on targeting the Northern Foothills Province, right?”

Winters answered honestly, “While I was away, Lieutenant Colonel Magash had expressed this intention to Captain Richard Mason.”

“See, he never ‘revealed’ that to me. Didn’t he also want to carry out a surprise attack and forcefully overpower me?” Colonel Gessa smiled slyly, “But even if he doesn’t say anything, I know he wants to attack the Northern Foothills Province. And I also know… the Northern Foothills Province doesn’t need to be attacked at all.”

“Hmm?”

Seeing Winters’ puzzled expression, Colonel Gessa felt a sense of pleasure, he smacked his lips, “You really know nothing about the weight of the ‘Magash’ surname.

“That’s the surname that once competed with Richard IV for the Duchy of Paratu, that of the ‘White Knight.’

“Now, Grof Magnus has made himself utterly detested, and the Kingsfort troops are nothing but the old, weak, sick and disabled…

Colonel Gessa’s eyes shone intently, declaring: “With the prestige and influence of ‘Magash’ in the Northern Foothills Province, it’s not impossible for the province to change its allegiance entirely.”

Winters nodded slightly.

“Young man, why don’t you take a guess,” Colonel Gessa asked meaningfully, “Since the Northern Foothills Province can be taken bloodlessly, why is Magash Colvin still organizing a ‘fight’ for it?”

“Because an uprising doesn’t count as military merit, but surrender does.” Winters replied calmly.

“Exactly,” Colonel Gessa snapped his fingers, giving Winters an appreciative look, “You’re quite perceptive, aren’t you?”

The next second, Colonel Gessa changed his expression, put away his smile, and said seriously, “Magash Colvin, when we went to find the main force of the fake New Reclamation Legion, stayed in Riverside County, claiming to guard Border Fortress, but he was actually avoiding confrontation.

“He never imagined the battle of River Valley Village would yield such great results. He couldn’t foresee us reaching a point where we could stand independently, with a chance to become the new rulers of the Kingdom of Galloping Horses.”

“Therefore, he’s now in a hurry. Not having been present at the battle of River Valley Village means he’s automatically lost his qualification to compete for the ‘first saber.’

“He must use another great military achievement to re-establish his position in the arena—conquering the Northern Foothills Province, I think, would suffice.”

Winters furrowed his brow listening.

Gessa Adonis’ face filled with a unique Paratu fierceness, his eyebrows raised sharply, and he stated non-negotiably: “This young man is too selfish, even more so than me! He must not be allowed to take the first saber! Otherwise, the nonsense with Red Rose, Blue Blood Faction, and the like will certainly happen again!”

Colonel Gessa stood up, placed his hands on his hips, paced back and forth in the lounge like a caged beast, muttering to himself:

“After thinking it over, you taking the first saber is still the most appropriate!

“Though your qualifications are shallow, your military achievements are outstanding; though you’re young, you handle affairs fairly; you’re not a Paratu, but precisely because of this, you won’t be constrained by close friends or family; and your character… I trust.”

Winters listened attentively but remained silent.

Colonel Gessa stopped pacing, looked at Winters, raised a finger, and firmly declared: “Most importantly, with my support, it doesn’t matter who opposes!”

“I believe that,” Winters finally broke his silence.

Colonel Gessa nodded with satisfaction, sat on the chair next to Winters, and confided, “So, even if it’s difficult, we must capture Kingsfort first. Once Kingsfort is taken, the main issue is settled. The remaining odds and ends are of no importance.”

“Kingsfort is not so easy to capture.” Winters maintained his rational stance.