I was a knight in the Middle Ages

Chapter 536 Demonic Vine (Page 12)

Inside the grand gates of Istanbul, beneath the magnificent golden domes, the air was so heavy it seemed as if you could wring water out of it.

Governor Parker stood before Grand Vizier, his face ashen, his hands trembling slightly with anger and despair.

He had just used the last of his strength to vehemently denounce Alpha's "unauthorized actions" in Cyprus.

The army that landed without permission, the force that was rapidly expanding on the island.

However, Parker was met with indifference and whispers from the court officials.

"Cyprus?" A nobleman in a brocade robe leaned lazily against a cushion, picking his teeth with his jeweled fingernails. "What kind of place is that? In which corner of the map is it?"

"I heard it's a dusty little island with nothing but olive trees and stones," another nobleman chimed in dismissively, then turned to his colleague and whispered about the new dancers who had recently arrived at the court.

Parker's heart sank to the bottom.

Parker had hoped that the Empire would be wary of Alpha's actions because of the reputation of the Thunder Knights, and might even lend a hand to get rid of him.

But Parker never expected that the nobles of the empire were already indulging in extravagant entertainment and had no interest in distant wars or territorial expansion.

Their only concern was why the Thunder Knights had been sent to the coastal front to fight against the so-called "alliance," which they found "extremely sympathetic."

The sympathy wasn't for the soldiers who died in battle, but for the fact that the "noble bloodline" of the Thunder Knights had been so "ruined".

“Your Excellency,” the Grand Vizier finally spoke, his voice tinged with impatience.

"The empire is currently in dire need of development and its finances are strained. Since Alpha is willing to expand the empire's territory, let him go. As long as he pays his taxes on time, the empire will not interfere with his 'small actions'."

Parker was struck dumb.

This is the empire's attitude—as long as it brings resources and fills the national treasury, what does it matter who holds the power of discourse?

Parker opened his mouth, but found that he could no longer utter a word.

Nothing could be more utterly devastating than this.

Two weeks later, Parker's administrator, Leos, once again set foot on Cypriot soil and arrived at the new port in Limassol.

The scene before him made him almost unable to recognize what this place had once looked like.

The pier is wide and sturdy, the military camp is neat and orderly, the newly paved road stretches straight inland, and several guesthouses are taking shape, exuding vitality.

However, when Leos turned his gaze to the administrative district, it was still a ruin, with weeds growing among the broken walls, a stark contrast to the prosperity before him.

"The Governor asked me to tell Lord Lei," Leos took a deep breath, trying to calm his inner shock, "that the Empire has agreed that the amount of tax paid will be based on the amount of territory occupied. This is the Empire's bottom line, and also Lord Lei's opportunity."

Alpha stood on a high point on the dock, the sea breeze blowing his black cloak, making it flutter loudly.

After listening to Leos's account, he simply nodded slightly, a barely perceptible smile playing at the corners of his lips.

Alpha had anticipated this outcome.

The sea breeze, carrying a salty, fishy smell, swirled through the stone pillars of the new Limassol dock, which were not yet fully enclosed, and into the spacious council chamber.

Leos held the cup of coffee that had long since gone cold, his fingertips turning slightly white from the force he exerted.

He originally thought that the imperial grant of the right to "pay taxes on whatever territory is occupied" was a gift that would make any vassal grateful to tears.

However, the Alpha standing opposite him showed no trace of humility or submissiveness in his deep eyes; instead, they burned with a chilling ambition.

"Resources... are the only hard currency." Leos silently pondered this sentence in his heart, feeling his throat go dry.

He suddenly realized that what this young man was after was far more than just the position of governor of a remote island.

Alpha slowly walked to the window, his gaze passing over the bustling dock and landing on the desolate yet promising western mountains in the distance.

The area is barren and rocky, with almost nothing except for a few abandoned ancient mine pits.

Governor Parker wanted to use this "unwanted" land in exchange for 80% of the high tax revenue.

This might be seen as a shrewd calculation by the imperial bureaucrats—getting rid of a burden while reaping the benefits.

But Alpha sees this as a trap full of pitfalls.

Alpha knew that the fertile plains of eastern Cyprus were the foundation of their survival and the source of their food and population.

The west, though seemingly useless, is actually the choke point of future strategy.

More importantly, behind Alfa stands the Hashim family, who control half of the Persian Gulf's lifeline in the shadows.

Money, supplies, and even the resupply of an entire fleet.

In the eyes of that behemoth, they were nothing more than numbers jumping on a ledger.

Resources are Alpha's sharpest asset.

“Tell Governor Parker that I understand his difficulties.” Alpha turned around, his voice as calm as a deep pool, yet containing an undeniable firmness. “The Empire’s finances are tight and it urgently needs a boost. However, asking him to exchange that barren land in the west for 80% of my tax revenue is asking too much.”

Leos abruptly raised his head, his eyes filled with astonishment: "Lord Leos! Eighty percent of the taxes is already a huge concession from the Empire, this..."

“This is very unfair.” Alpha interrupted him, a faint, cold smile playing on his lips. “The grain and olive oil produced on the eastern plains are the lifeblood of tens of thousands of people on the island and the cornerstone of tax revenue. And the west? It’s nothing but rocks. Governor Parker wants me to use the blood of knights to fill the hole in the west, and then hand over most of the profits to someone else. I’m afraid I can’t comply.”

The air in the council chamber seemed to freeze instantly.

Leos felt an invisible pressure coming towards him, the aura of a strong person.

Alpha took a step closer, staring intently at the administrator, and revealed his pre-planned trump card: "I'll give him two choices now, let him choose for himself."

He held up one finger, his tone resolute: "First, I want the western region, but I will only be responsible for 30% of the tax revenue."

Before Leos could react, Alpha raised a second finger, a sharp glint in his eyes: "Or, I want control of the entire island. I can take full responsibility for the taxes, handing them over to the Imperial Treasury in full. However, all administrative, military, and trade affairs on the island will be under my control. Governor Parker and his administration can continue to remain in Nicosia and enjoy their privileges, but only as nominal governors, and they must not interfere with any of my decisions."

These words struck Leos like a thunderbolt.

Alpha's intentions are now crystal clear—he wants to transform Cyprus into a commercial empire independent of the imperial bureaucracy, a transit hub connecting the vast power of the Hashem family.

Here, he makes the laws, he controls trade, and he commands the army.

“You…you are seeking independence!” Leos’s voice trembled slightly.

“No, this is expanding the empire’s territory in the most efficient way.” Alpha leaned back in his chair, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest.

The caravans that Alpha plans to establish will bring a continuous stream of wealth, with spices and silks from the East transiting here before flowing to Europe.

This island will be revitalized and become a jewel of the Mediterranean.

This requires absolute control, and cannot tolerate the meddling of bureaucrats.

Leos's face turned deathly pale.

Once Alpha's plan is implemented, within three years, Governor Parker will become a figurehead.

Real power will be entirely in the hands of this young man.

What frightened Leos even more was that Alpha seemed completely unconcerned about the family's opposition.

His nonchalant attitude made it seem as if all of this had been tacitly approved, or even... instructed, by that mysterious family.

This decisive, overstepping-the-top approach exudes a chilling confidence.

“This…this is beyond my control.” Leos swallowed hard, the document in his hand feeling like a hot potato. “This is the Governor’s bottom line, and the will of the Empire. I must go back and report to the Governor in person.”

"Please go ahead." Alpha made a graceful "please" gesture.

My gaze returned to the shimmering sea outside the window, and I could almost see the green fleet built by "Hai Tieteng," fully loaded with cargo, sailing toward a glorious future.

After seeing Leos off, Alpha turned and walked towards his laboratory.

Alpha has indeed had a lot less work lately.

The knights' training was already on track. Best might not be good at commanding, but he could carry out Alpha's orders completely naked.

The city's construction was also overseen by his capable deputy, Old John. Although Old John was old and no longer able to fight on the battlefield, he was still quite good at commanding and coordinating.

Alpha finally has time to think about longer-term issues—such as how to build an invincible naval fleet.

"Ah, Lord Lei, with your desire to have it all, we'll never be able to create the plant you want in our entire lives!" Alpha was startled awake by the angry roar of the elf Dikona as soon as he entered the laboratory.

Dikona was standing in front of a huge laboratory table, holding a plant seedling with a metallic sheen in her hand, her face flushed red.

“Sister, you can’t talk to Lord Lei like that,” her brother Tixen scolded sternly, though a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes.

Having spent time with Alpha, they had long since become accustomed to these "intense" discussions.

Alpha always has countless ingenious ideas, while Dikona is always driven crazy by these "impractical" ideas.

"It's nothing, I was probably too hasty," Alpha said with a smile and a wave of his hand.

Alpha simply walked to the experimental table and carefully examined the seedling. "Then let's build warships based on the existing sea iron trees. After all, only by laying a solid foundation can we achieve our goals step by step."

This plant, known as "Sea Iron Vine," was developed by Dikona through countless experiments.

A product that perfectly blends the resilience of giant vines, the toughness of cycads, and the vitality of mangroves.

It possesses the unlimited growth ability of a giant vine, but once solidified, it is as hard as iron and almost impervious to blades and spears.

The characteristics of mangroves allow them to grow freely in seawater and even absorb minerals from the seawater to strengthen themselves.

"Lord Lei, I also need to study the fire resistance of the Sea Iron Teng, its super resilience, and the supply capabilities you mentioned." Although Dikona complained, her eyes gleamed with excitement.

She had to admit that every idea Alpha had was like opening a new door for her.

"These studies have already given me a lot of headaches. Let others handle the boring, repetitive work of building warships."

“Theory must be combined with practice to find the best method.” Alpha smiled and patted her on the shoulder. “And I believe in you, Dikona. You will definitely be able to build the most powerful warship in the world.”

As for the elf Tiksin, he was merely a warrior and knew nothing about cultivating these complex magical plants.

Alpha couldn't help but chuckle as he watched him stand to the side, longsword in hand, solemnly playing the role of "bodyguard."