The sunlight's brilliance cast upon the bluish-gray limestone wall, threw the scorching rays in through the open pointed arched windows, landing on the carpet adorned with a Western-styled green-backed scorpion-tailed lion ensemble.

With a gilded copper cup in hand, Monte Yac leaned against the wardrobe by the window, sipping gently at the wine within.

His attention wasn't devoted to the exquisite wine he held but rather was focused on the distant gate of Feiliu Castle.

There, indeed, was a light cavalry with red feathers riding briskly on a galloping horse, thundering down the street, toppling a vegetable vendor's cart, and narrowly avoiding knocking over a mother and child.

"How many golden lacquered Feathers of Kong letters is this now?"

Monte Yac turned around, behind him stood a Falan merchant who had placed a sun-shading straw hat on the walnut cabinet.

The thin and tall Falan merchant was named Gigano, who was also one of the shareholders of the merchant association tower, chosen to welcome Monte Yac.

Unlike most Falans who were unrestrained in manners, this merchant's collar was neatly arranged, sleeves properly ended at the wrists without revealing hairy arms.

Finishing the chilled wine in a gulp, Monte Yac casually tossed the copper cup into the ice bucket, sat down heavily on the chair: "Yesterday, three letters were sent, today it's already the fourth one this morning."

"Won't it be another round of those twelve golden lacquered letters again?"

"We're far from that," Monte Yac sneered, propping his feet up on the table, "Back then, one letter per day for twelve days. Look at this, by the twelfth day, there could very well be thirty-six letters."

Gigano fetched two copper cups from the cabinet, poured a glass of wine each, pulled out a chair and sat down: "The Salvation Army made quite a name for themselves with this battle, the news hasn't spread yet. Once it does, wow, they annihilated two entire decree-led infantry regiments..."

"If they're willing to accept employment, plenty of nobility might consider hiring them to trouble our Great King Jiji." Monte Yac confirmed, taking another sip.

That so-called Great King Jiji was a derogatory term for the current King Leia, Ginijis, coined by the dukes' alliance during Leia's civil war.

Swaying his head comfortably, Monte Yac shook his copper wine cup: "We were right not to confront the Salvation Army initially; there was no conflict of interest between us and them."

Gigano, knowing Monte Yac was preserving his errors, still complimented a few words despite his conscience.

Yet that wasn't his main agenda today, as he swiftly shifted topics after some idle chatter, directly addressing the current situation of the Thousand River Valley.

Given the ongoing minor civil war in the Thousand River Valley and the major civil war in Leia, merchants dealing in weapons, armor, and horse feed thrived while those like him, focusing on household goods trade, saw a continuous drop in income.

The news capable of altering his current plight was of utmost importance to these Falan merchants.

"Looking at the present situation, the Salvation Army, supported by funds from Rapids City, is highly likely to establish firm footholds in Langsande County and Lower Reif County." On crucial matters, Monte Yac remained reliable.

"Thus, the entire Valley of the Thousand Rivers effectively divides into three sections. The first," Monte Yac lifted three fingers, one by one, "is the power of Prince Kongdai and the Church, encompassing the wealthiest Hotam County and the isolated Mande County.

The second is the power of Grand Duke Moliat, comprised of the Duchy of Hemashi formed by the mountain four counties, Shangruifo County, North Mangde County, South Mangde County, and North County.

The third constitutes the fragmented alliance led by Saint Son Horn, including Kasha County, Lower Reif County, and Langsande County, with the Salvation Army likely being the main force.

In the current circumstances, if Prince Kongdai advances northward, the plain three counties would invade Hotam County, if southward, the mountain four counties would invade. At present, Duke Hemashi's relationship with the Saint Son remains ambiguous, and future loyalty is uncertain.

In the long run, the Thousand River Valley is highly likely to split, forming a no man's land zone."

Despite being heavily intoxicated, it did not prevent him from logically analyzing the possible future situation of the Thousand River Valley. Perhaps, this was a gift of the Falan people.

Monte Yac's words only added to Gigano's worries; did this mean they'd continue fighting for several more years?

"With this situation, I fear I might have to withdraw from Thousand River Valley and seek elsewhere." Gigano straightened his posture solemnly, laughing while sipping heartily like a proper Falan.

Seeing Gigano's joyous laughter hiding his anxiety, Monte Yac instead became serious, sitting up swiftly: "Don't rush to leave yet, there's something I need you to do."

"What does Lord Monte Yac have in mind? I'll do my best to assist."

"Do you know why I brought this topic up with you?"

"No idea," Gigano admitted candidly.

"How can our Falan Kingdom not have a hand in such a lively place?" Monte Yac grinned crookedly.

Gigano's eyes brightened: "You mean, to cultivate our own power?"

"You guessed right." Monte Yac snapped his fingers.

"Then whom does the higher-ups intend to support?" Gigano knew such decisions weren't solely up to Monte Yac; there had to be others involved.

"Salvation Army." Monte Yac affirmed Gigano's assumption.

"Salvation Army? You mean that peasant rebel force mimicking the Burning Winter Uprising?" Gigano was astounded; from a power perspective, it was sensible, but in terms of status, it seemed questionable.

"This is not just any peasant rebel force; this is one with combat achievements, one that defeated two decree-led infantry regiments." Monte Yac pointed at his head, "The future of the Thousand River Valley is not a no man's land, but a governed land by three.

Behind Prince Kongdai are Leia and the Leia Church, behind Moliat are Norn and the Norn Monarchs, only the Salvation Army is an independent force, all others simply lack presence."

"But their leader claims to be the Pope, and that Saint Son even declared himself as the Saint Master's son!" Gigano was baffled by Monte Yac's reasoning.

Monte Yac, however, shook his head, "It's just a leader, isn't it? Our own Grandiva Pope claimed to be the reincarnated Angel himself. Their numbers, a mere million, cannot withstand the pressures.

Should stability be achieved, they can be granted the status of a vassal state, and if need be, change their leader.

Moreover, they're adjacent to Black Snake Bay, which suits altering the spice trade route just fine to suppress those unruly merchant nobles at Red Leaf Hill."

Speaking of which, Monte Yac recalled a letter written to him from Flower Hill, penned personally by Prime Minister Lorenzo, known as "Mr. Spider" of the Falan Kingdom.

Despite the passing years, Mr. Spider harbored resentment from the Windmill Land battle; though Windmill Land failed to gain independence from Falan back then, it produced numerous ungovernable free cities.

Originally a major source of Falan's taxation, Windmill Land also was Lorenzo's hometown, now detached from kingdom control, with his primary goal upon assuming office being to reclaim Windmill Land.

The main agenda in stirring the Thousand River Valley was guessed by Monte Yac: under the premise of stalling Leia, to hinder Norn's forces from crossing the Ibe River, forcing both into internal consumption.

The best outcome would be a bloody rivalry between the Norn Kingdom and the Leia Kingdom in the Thousand River Valley, providing Prime Minister Lorenzo ample time for his reforms.

Thinking back to the protesting students and noble factions marching en masse in Flower Hill before his departure, Monte Yac felt particularly weary.

However, those among the progressive factions understood challenges were temporary; once the batch production of Extraordinary Knights commenced, what would Leia be counted as the Knight Country?

It was precisely because of Lorenzo's reform plan that Monte Yac could easily declare the insignificant nature of even millions.

Thinking of this, a wave of enthusiasm surged within Monte Yac; the Falan people ought to be the empire's most civilized citizens, and they could finally reclaim their rightful position.

"So your intention is?" Unable to bear the silence, Gigano still inquired.

"It's very simple." Monte Yac took a letter from his pocket and tossed it to Gigano, "I provide the channel, you reach out to them, they're lacking funds and manpower, likely not to refuse.

The Royal Zealand Company will acquire your association's shares, your association will serve as Falan's trading window with the Salvation Army, delivering Falan's weapons and fostering goodwill, even allegiance."

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