That wasn’t an exaggeration. Even by subcontracting, one could still make a fortune.

However, Luther hadn’t presented a concrete, executable plan, which made it feel like an empty promise.

Ronin nodded slightly. "I will consider it."

Luther raised his glass. "I’m sure you’ll make the right choice. After all, a handsome profit could get your territory more Silver Knights and Golden Knights."

The two clinked their glasses. Then, the Minister of Finance turned and re-entered the main hall to negotiate with his associates.

Watching the slightly plump man’s retreating back, Ronin swirled the last sip of wine in his glass, a smirk playing on his lips.

They stood on different ground, thought from different perspectives, and held different ambitions for the future. Naturally, they saw things differently.

Silver Knights and Golden Knights were easy to find, but Meteor Knights were another matter entirely—especially one who would be sincerely loyal to him.

If he were to extend an olive branch to Karda now, it would be a lifeline.

As for whether insisting on recruiting Karda would offend the Minister of Finance, Luther, Ronin couldn’t care less.

He was a landed noble and the future son-in-law of His Majesty the King. His status and standing were both far above Luther’s.

Besides, the porcelain and silk for his territory were specialties of the Wubei Territory. Even if Luther did try to interfere, the impact would be minimal.

Besides, compared to the hostile forces aligned against the Wushan Territory, Luther was hardly a threat.

Just as he was mulling these things over, a burst of jeering laughter cut through his thoughts.

He couldn’t help but turn his head. In a corner of the open-air plaza, a group of young nobles had gathered, their voices a constant stream of taunts and jeers.

And the one they had surrounded was none other than Karda.

"Interesting."

Ronin swirled the red wine in his glass and walked over.

He wasn’t the only one; quite a few other young nobles who enjoyed a good spectacle were also drifting closer.

"Take a look, everyone! Take a look at this commoner who’s so desperate to become a noble!"

The speaker was clearly drunk, his voice dripping with scorn. "Look at his clothes! Look at his posture! How does someone like him have the nerve to attend the Princess’s banquet?"

"And his table manners from earlier!"

Another young man theatrically strode over to the long table, sliced off a huge chunk of Magical Beast meat, and stuffed it into his mouth, mimicking someone gobbling down their food. He made a show of getting grease all over the corners of his mouth and on his hands.

"Eating like that, have you gone your whole life without ever seeing Magical Beast meat?"

He cut another piece and tossed it onto the table. "Here, here! You’d better eat your fill tonight! HAHAHA!"

His words drew stifled snickers from the onlookers.

Although Karda’s strength and talent surpassed theirs, there was a certain thrill in mocking a man like him.

Ronin observed him.

Karda’s clothes weren’t particularly fancy, but they were still perfectly respectable.

There were no traces of grease on the corners of his mouth or on his hands; clearly, he hadn’t touched the Magical Beast meat at all.

Karda just stood there with a grim face and furrowed brow. Despite being mocked to his face, he didn’t fly into a rage and rush forward to beat his tormentors to a pulp.

He knew that if he laid a hand on them, he would be severely punished, regardless of who was in the right.

A commoner striking a noble was an assault on their privileges and dignity!

He had no desire to let a moment’s impulse land him in prison.

Just then, one of the mockers noticed Ronin on the scene and hurried over. "Esteemed Flame Knight, come take a look at your vanquished foe."

He said with a grin, "He was never worthy of standing in the same arena as you, and he certainly doesn’t belong at tonight’s banquet!"

Ronin didn’t recognize the man and had no idea what his status was.

But the man was using him to mock Karda, which annoyed him greatly.

"Sharing this celebration with the common folk is the will of His Majesty the King."

Ronin’s arrival instantly made things more interesting.

Many of those who had just been snickering at Karda immediately fell silent.

The young noble who had tried to use Ronin’s prestige to his advantage froze, unsure how to respond.

Ronin walked over to the long table, cut off a piece of Magical Beast meat, and popped it into his mouth. "This meat is so tender and flavorful. Absolutely delicious. I don’t think I’ve ever had anything this good in my entire life. What kind of Magical Beast is this from?"

"It’s meat from a Third-level Water Python."

Karda said, "I’ve killed several of them myself in the Demon Beast Mountain Range. I ate nothing but that for half a month."

"Then you must be sick to death of this meat by now."

"Yes, Count Ronin."

Karda seemed to be recalling the taste and couldn’t help but add, "Perhaps the Magical Beast meat at the Royal Palace is prepared differently, but I really have no desire to eat it."

At his words, the faces of the young men who had been mocking Karda turned pale.

They clearly hadn’t expected this. Not only had Ronin refused to join them in mocking his vanquished foe, he had even defended the man, putting them in an extremely awkward position.

Yet they didn’t dare to turn their mockery and slander on Ronin himself.

Left with no other choice, they could only beat a hasty, dejected retreat.

Ronin turned to Karda. "I believe we can have a proper talk now."

"As you wish, my lord!"