Imperial Throne

Chapter 98: Rebirth

Spring had passed, and autumn had arrived.

Several months had passed since the end of the war between the White Mountain Territory and the Fertile Plains.

Although both sides had seemingly returned to peace on the surface, the aftermath of the war was far from over.

The three territories of the Fertile Plains and the White Mountain Territory had completely severed all trade relations and directly closed the border, which prevented merchant caravans from conducting trade through normal channels.

For the three territories of the Fertile Plains, this would indeed deal a significant blow to their local economies.

However, for the White Mountain Territory, the loss was even greater.

The only commodities it could offer for trade were mountain goods or basic mineral resources, which were of no value to the other territories within the Marquisate of Red Eagle.

Only the Western Wind Territory and the Spring Breeze Territory had substantial needs for these materials.

After all, both territories had traditions of assembling large armies, which meant their consumption rate for military supplies was quite high.

But without the White Mountain Territory’s mineral supply, it would only slightly raise the value of mineral goods within their territories. For these wealthier regions, it was not something unbearable.

For the White Mountain Territory’s trade, however, it was a serious blow.

In addition to the White Mountain Territory, another group affected by the border closure was the merchants.

Large merchant guilds were better off. They controlled many trade routes, so when this one was closed, they could redirect their caravans to other established routes.

Though this increased their operational costs slightly, these costs would ultimately be passed on to the commoners of various territories. For large guilds, it wasn’t a real loss.

But for small- and medium-sized guilds, or individual merchant caravans, the blow was nearly catastrophic.

Especially for those without any social connections or resources.

They often had to pay a tremendous cost to establish a stable trade route. Once the Fertile Plains unilaterally shut down the borders, these caravans were left in dire straits. If they had already recovered their investment, it was tolerable.

But if they had just established their routes, it became a disaster severe enough to push people to the brink.

So to recoup their costs, many chose to take risks.

Smuggling.

But such activities could not involve large or bulk goods.

Therefore, the best options were the body parts of magical beasts or finished bloodline potions.

For instance, the Flame Hound Heart that Ion had bought for ten gold coins a few years ago could fetch over twenty gold coins if sold in the Spring Breeze Territory or Western Wind Territory.

And that was only because the Flame Hound Bloodline Potion wasn’t particularly popular. If it had been a more sought-after potion, the price would have increased five or six fold. Even for standard materials, the price usually tripled.

If it was a complete set of bloodline potions, the value became even harder to estimate.

...

A five-man team, led by a one-armed middle-aged man, rode through the northern gate of White Mountain City and dismounted only after reaching the City Lord’s Manor.

Soon, guards approached swiftly to take the reins and help carry some items.

The leader didn’t pay any attention to these matters.

He strode ahead quickly, moving through the manor.

The guards within the City Lord’s Manor, upon seeing this one-armed middle-aged man, showed expressions of deep respect, and even their postures stood more upright.

“Lord Ion!” Roda, who hurriedly approached, couldn’t help but reveal a look of excitement upon seeing the man.

Ion Soderbell.

The hero who defended the White Mountain Territory during the war, a legendary instructor.

Thanks to Lily’s deliberate promotion, he had already become something akin to a guardian deity of the White Mountain Territory, many soldiers firmly believed that as long as they could pass “Ion’s Trial” and survive a brutal war alongside Ion, they would surely awaken their bloodline and become a respected, high-status Bloodline Knight.

After all, the thirteen veteran soldiers who had survived the invasion war of the three Fertile Plains territories under his command had all become enviable Bloodline Knights.

Not one or two, but all thirteen!

So in the White Mountain Territory, Ion’s reputation far surpassed that of Lily or Yam.

“Where’s Yam?” Ion’s face bore a trace of exhaustion, but his eyes were bright, his entire demeanor in a state of exhilaration. “I’m not too late, am I?”

“No,” Roda shook his head, “Lady Lily just returned to her room, and the physicians have already gone in. Lord Yam heard of your return and asked me to come greet you personally. He is waiting outside the door. Lord Akar also brought four knights to assist with security. The City Lord’s Manor is very safe right now!”

“That’s good.” Ion visibly let out a breath of relief.

Following behind Roda, he quickly ascended to the third-floor corridor.

At that moment, outside the corridor stood only Yam. Neither Akar nor anyone else was in sight.

“Where’s Akar?” Ion asked.

“On the roof,” Yam replied, his face clearly tense. “He said the view is broader from up there, making it easier to spot any issues.”

“All the physicians have completed their examinations?”

“Yes.” Yam nodded.

“Good.” Ion handed the black longsword tied at his waist to Yam. “There was a slight complication this time. The lords of the Western Wind Territory and Spring Breeze Territory are not fools. They had clearly been turning a blind eye to the smuggling activities before, but now they’ve started closing the net. There’s no way to continue for a while.”

“You’re unharmed, right?” Yam asked with concern. “I should have been the one to lead the team this time.”

“Lily needs you here.” Ion shook his head. “As long as a Third-Tier Bloodline User doesn’t intervene, no one can hold me back. ...Next, we can start making arrangements here. I’ve already mapped out all the smuggling channels. If the Fertile Plains dare to send people our way, we’ll be able to take in all their goods.”

“Akar told me as well. Anna has fully taken control of the Gem Territory. Her appeasement policy has proven highly effective. So we can ship all the magical beast materials and bloodline potions we’ve collected over the past few months to the Gem Territory. Anna will sell them to various merchant guilds in the Red River Territory under the name of the Gem Territory,” Yam said in a serious tone. “But she wants a forty percent share of the trade.”

“Seems she truly loves Akar,” Ion said lightly.

Yam dared not respond to that topic.

After discussing the situation with Anna, Akar had not objected to forming a secret alliance with the White Mountain Territory. He also didn’t refuse to help support seven Bloodline Knights. However, when it came to sending the child back to the Soderbell Family, Anna was fiercely opposed. It wasn’t until this time, when Akar brought people to help protect Lily during childbirth, that Anna finally relented.

According to Akar, the reason Anna gave in was because the Kasein Family also demanded that after the child’s birth, it be sent back to Eaglehead Territory to be raised by the Kasein Family.

That infuriated Anna, which led her to agree to send the child back to the Soderbell Family, but only after the age of four. The Kasein Family’s request was before the age of five.

“Anna’s child should be due soon as well, right?” Ion suddenly asked.

“Yes.” Yam nodded. “About three months from now.”

“Once things stabilize here with Lily, you and Akar should make a trip to the Gem Territory.” Ion hesitated briefly before continuing, “Also transport those goods over.”

“Alright.” Yam nodded.

He had already intended to visit the Gem Territory, but hadn’t found a suitable opportunity until now.

This time was just right. However, since this batch of goods couldn’t be exposed publicly, Anna had prepared all the necessary documentation to ensure they were “clean.” If it was discovered that the goods came from the White Mountain Territory, it would definitely lead to troublesome issues.

So, if possible, it was best to avoid drawing attention.

Just as Yam and Ion were still discussing matters, a sudden cry interrupted their conversation.

Yam was momentarily stunned, and then his face lit up with joy and surprise.

He was overjoyed that his child had finally been born!

But he was also worried for Lily’s safety.

After all, it wasn’t uncommon for mothers to die during childbirth. Even among Bloodline Users, such cases weren’t rare.

Seeing the expression on Yam’s face, Ion fell silent.

He too was concerned for Lily’s safety.

As for his grandchild, the first third-generation member of the Soderbell Family, that loud, strong cry was enough to know the child was healthy.

They waited for quite some time.

To the point where Yam felt as if he had waited a whole year. Finally, the door opened.

A maid entered with a joyful expression and said, “Lord Yam, madam is safe!”

Both Yam and Ion finally let out a breath of relief.

Akar, who had hurried over, happened to hear those words and smiled. “Congratulations, brother!”

“Mm!”

Yam responded with a nod and quickly entered the room.

Ion and Akar, due to their gender, were not suited to enter and remained outside the door.

Yam glanced around the chaotic room, then his eyes quickly found Lily, pale and weak, lying in bed. He rushed over, sat at the bedside, gently brushed aside the strands of hair stuck to her face with sweat, and softly said, “You’ve worked hard.”

“The physician said the child is very healthy.” Lily gestured lightly toward the baby beside her pillow. “It’s a girl.”

Yam gently picked up the swaddled infant.

It was his first time seeing a newborn baby.

Wrinkled and not very pleasant to look at.

But as he looked at the wrinkled baby, Yam felt an indescribable emotion: this was his child.

“Still going with that name?”

“Yes.” A warm smile appeared on Yam’s face. “Cindy. ...She’ll be called Cindy Yam Soderbell.”

Yam excitedly raised the child high.

But in the next second, the baby’s loud cries rang out instantly.

“Yam! Put the baby down!”

“Lord Yam, you scared the child.”

In an instant, the entire room descended into chaos.

Watching the commotion inside, Akar and Ion wore anxious expressions. But since they couldn’t enter, they paced nervously outside.

Soon enough, the pacing people increased to three.

Because Yam was also kicked out.

Wearing a dejected look, he stood pitifully outside the door.

Ion had no sympathy for Yam’s behavior.

Akar silently reminded himself to never do something like that in the future.