“Perhaps they will unite to deal with our Venus Dukedom, and then take this opportunity to leave the Lisat Kingdom, delivering the most severe blow to it,” Erinna said.

The betrayal of one territory would not have a great impact on a kingdom. The betrayal of two would affect it to some extent, but it would not be fatal.

But if two territories betrayed them together and also tried to drag another one down with them, that would be a fatal blow.

Besides, if they were to do so, their purpose would be only one: to defect to the Luska Kingdom. This had happened in the original story, but the timeline had been moved up a lot.

“There is indeed this possibility. But the main reason is me. It was I who touched their interests.” Liana knew very well that the fuse for all of this was related to her. In matters of trade and magic, she had embarrassed both of them.

“This has nothing to do with you, Sister Liana. It’s just that they are red-eyed with envy. If there is a better choice, why not take it? Because they don’t have this ability, they can’t compare to you, so they can only think of the lower three exploits,”1下三滥 (xiàsānlàn), derogatory term for despicable, underhanded, or vulgar methods. The term’s exact origin is debated, but it’s generally thought to refer to three historically despised professions or social classes, thus associating these methods with the lowest rungs of society, likely thieves, beggars, and prostitutes. Erinna said.

“Even if you did nothing, it would still turn out like this in the end. This just gives them an excuse,” she continued. “In the duke’s room, I also saw some of Duke Ryan’s records regarding the two territories.

“From the moment they came to the Lisat Kingdom, he never let his guard down against them, especially the Darriss Territory.

“You should also know, Sister Liana, that the King of Lisat needed their power at the beginning and also gave them a chance to reform, which was why he let them stay. It’s just that now, it seems they don’t cherish this opportunity. The King of Lisat should already be investigating this matter.”

For such a major event, the king would surely handle it. No matter what, he was the king. This was a matter that seriously threatened the kingdom; he would not just stand by and watch.

“I believe the King will handle this matter well. He is the king of a country and also has a very close relationship with our Venus family. But even so, we cannot let our guard down. This is something we, as lords, should consider. We cannot trouble others with everything,” Erinna said.

“That’s true. As long as this matter is handled, I estimate no one will have any objections to you.”

“But this is just our guess,” Erinna said. “I also can’t make any moves that are too obvious, otherwise it will leave room for gossip.”

“Mm.” Liana nodded. “But these two things you’ve mentioned are a bit different from what you told me before, aren’t they? We just have to maintain the same relationship as before.”

“Yes. Sister Liana is indeed very meticulous.” Erinna smiled. “I’m the type of person who likes to put the more serious topics first. That way, I can relax and talk about the better news that follows.”

After hearing her words, Liana also relaxed a little. It seemed that the following topics would be mostly good news.

“You’ve also met that Princess Nataya before, haven’t you?” Erinna still had a relatively strong impression of her.

“Mm.” Liana nodded. “The princess of the Minagado Territory, of the dwarf race. What about her?”

“I wonder if you are aware of the relationship between our Venus Dukedom and the Minagado Territory?” Erinna looked at Liana. From her small expression, she could already tell that her sister probably knew about this.

“Mm, Princess Nataya and I talked before. And she seems... to see me as a goal? She has a feeling of adoration for me.” Liana’s expression was a little awkward.

“Wow, a goal?” Erinna looked at Liana with a sweet smile. “That’s a very normal thing. Duke Ryan saved the Minagado Territory, and his daughter has done these things. It’s hard not to become a goal, right?”

“Ah... so troublesome.” Liana hated being the center of attention, but now it seemed she had no choice. “Don’t tease me. Let’s talk about the Minagado Territory.”

“Mm.” Erinna nodded. “The Minagado Territory and our Venus Territory have always had an inseparable relationship. The weapons and hidden weapons we use are basically all made by them. However, ever since Duke Ryan disappeared and you became like that, our connection with them has become created.

“After all, the one who saved them was Duke Ryan, not Countess Rose. But even so, they still unconditionally help us make weapons for free. Of course, we certainly wouldn’t take them for nothing and also pay them at the market price.

“This relationship was maintained for a long period of time. It was only after I became the acting duchess that it improved somewhat. After all, I can be considered half a daughter to Duke Ryan and Lady Ambis. They are also willing to provide me with help.

“But compared to before, there was still much less communication, and we had become a bit estranged. And all of this, after your appearance, Sister Liana, began to change.” Erinna looked at Liana.

“I... me?” Liana pointed to herself.

“Mm, ever since you proved your innocence, our relationship with the Minagado Territory has recovered a lot. But the most important thing was not long ago, when you once again appeared in the eyes of the world.”

“Is it because of my performance that the Minagado Territory has become like this?” Liana asked.

“Perhaps that’s part of the reason. But more than that, it’s because you are still alive, Sister Liana, and you are living with a relatively normal identity.”

Living with a normal identity... That didn’t sound like a compliment at all.

But forget it. She really hadn’t been like a person before.

“So?” Liana asked.

“The Lord of Minagado has communicated with me recently. They want to stand with us,” Erinna said.

“Haven’t we always been on the same side?”

“Sister Liana, you should know very well what I mean, right?” Erinna glared at her irritably. “Right now, they are waiting for my reply.”

“The Minagado Territory can be trusted. It’s just that if we unite so openly, it will cause dissatisfaction from the other territories and also from certain people in the Lisat Kingdom,” Liana said.

The King of Lisat certainly wouldn’t think anything of it. He knew very well that what the Venus Dukedom had always done was for the sake of the kingdom.

But others were different. Besides, once the Venus Dukedom started this, the Darriss and Angus territories would surely follow suit, and it would become very troublesome.

This was what Erinna was worried about, which was why she had specifically discussed this matter with Liana.

“Yes, that’s what I was thinking too. So I didn’t answer him immediately,” Erinna said. “Besides, this is completely unnecessary. It’s enough to maintain a relatively good relationship. Why must we be tied together? Perhaps the Lord of Minagado has other considerations.”

Erinna thought a lot, and not without reason.

There were many ways to express goodwill. There was no need to do something like binding themselves together at such a critical juncture.

“...Perhaps the ones the Darriss and Angus territories want to deal with is not the Venus Dukedom?” Liana suddenly raised a question.

Right now, they had all taken one thing for granted.

That these two territories, which had had conflicts with Liana and friction with the Venus Dukedom, would have the Venus Dukedom as their primary target.

What if that wasn’t the case?

Their ultimate goal was to deliver a heavy blow to the Lisat Kingdom. Dealing with the Venus Dukedom could achieve this {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} goal, but what about dealing with the Minagado Territory?

On top of that, the Darriss Territory was already very unhappy with the Minagado Territory. It wasn’t impossible for such a thing to happen.

Erinna fell silent. She really hadn’t thought of this. She didn’t have the mind to.

Just the affairs of the Venus Dukedom were already giving her a bit of a headache. How could she have the mind to consider the safety of other territories?

“Suppose, and I’m just saying suppose, if the two of them really did make a move on the Minagado Territory, it would be fine if they failed. But if they succeeded, what would we have to face then?” Liana asked.

“The Lisat Kingdom would lose three territories. At a time like this, to have to face the threat of two territories, the demon race, and the Luska Kingdom at the same time, the slightest carelessness could lead to the danger of the kingdom’s destruction,” Erinna said.

“That’s right. But I’m asking, what would our Venus Dukedom have to face, not what the Lisat Kingdom would have to face,” Liana said.

“Our Venus Dukedom?”

“Yes. Once they succeed, then our Venus Dukedom will, as a matter of course, become the next target. At that time, you, who are not as powerful as the other lords, what kind of pressure will you have to face? The other people in the territory, how will they believe in you?” Liana asked.

“What you say is right, Sister Liana.” Erinna nodded. She hadn’t considered this point.

Indeed, once a sense of crisis occurred, many questioning voices would appear. This had nothing to do with those who opposed her, but rather with questioning whether she had the ability to protect them.

“But we also can’t be sure if this is what the Lord of Minagado means. And this matter cannot be said directly. If there was decisive evidence, the person the lord would be looking for would be the King of Lisat, not us to form a group,” Erinna said.

“That is true. The only doubt now is why the lord came to find us,” Liana said.

“Perhaps, if you go and meet with Minagado’s Lord, you will know,” Erinna said. “The person trusts you, Sister Liana, not me, the acting duchess. Perhaps the Lord of Minagado is still hiding something from me, something he hasn’t said.”

“It’s not impossible.” Liana sighed. She would have to add another item to her upcoming itinerary.

She didn’t know if Nataya was aware of this. If she knew, it would save some travel time.

Besides, there was one thing Liana also wanted to know: was the dwarf race related to the holy sword?