Lu Yiduo glanced a few times.

Suddenly said, "It's indeed impressive here, but I wonder if you all are interested in working with others."

Hans let out an "Oh," with a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes.

He actually wanted to investigate what the situation with this Caesar really was.

That he could previously connect with Prince Louis already indicated that his backing was immensely powerful.

Now he exhibited an understanding that was difficult for ordinary people, bordering on the Sword Saint realm, perhaps even already having the potential of a Sword Saint.

A genius like this would rarely remain unknown.

If he has always been unheard of, there's only one possibility: someone has consciously hidden his identity.

From what it seems now, the one hiding his identity is most likely the royalty.

Hans had the ability to further investigate this Caesar.

But he wouldn't play the role of the "villain" in this case.

It wouldn't benefit him at all and might even provoke hostility from Caesar.

The Adventurer Guild also didn't really like probing into what kind of existence was behind these Titled Strongmen.

Playing the honest middleman was their current strategy.

However, if Caesar himself was willing to disclose some details, that would be a different matter.

So he posed with an expression of "eager to hear more."

Louis pondered for a moment and said:

"Is there any willingness to replicate the related technology of your mission hall for us?"

Hans said, "This isn't something I can decide, but if you truly want it, I do have the channels to help you."

"Of course, if you want to buy our technology, it won't be cheap; our Adventurer Island is essentially a wealth hyena."

Louis nodded, not denying Hans's term "you guys."

It was obvious Hans regarded him as a representative of some faction.

For this, Louis only wanted to say, "You've guessed right."

Strictly speaking, Louis now served as a representative of the "Prince Faction."

More broadly, it was the "Eldest Princess Faction," even significantly representing the "Ense Faction."

He had no intention of hiding this.

Louis said, "Cooperation is definitely necessary, but if the cooperation method involves monetary transactions, how mundane would that be!"

Hans skeptically glanced at Louis and said:

"Isn't this just an excuse for not wanting to pay?"

Louis showed a fox-like smile, though Hans couldn't see his expression beneath the armor:

He said, "How could that be? We just think that for such lifestyle technology, we have better mutually beneficial ways."

——He would never admit that he coveted the Adventurer Guild's technology but was reluctant to pay for it.

He was the Arch Sinner of Greed!

If there was a way not to discuss money and acquire wealth through virtual value, why would he use physical assets?

Hans also became intrigued by Louis:

"Care to share how you plan to collaborate?"

Louis smiled and said, "Of course, have you ever heard of Mayer Commerce Association?"

Hans's expression became solemn, and he said in a deep voice:

"Are you from the Mayer Commerce Association?"

Louis said, "Not quite, but my identity of Caesar is in the same camp as Mayer Commerce Association."

He paused a moment and added:

"Our relationship with Mayer Commerce Association is far closer than that between your Titled Adventurers and Adventurer Island."

The emblem of the God of Contract before Hans glimmered.

This indirectly verified the truth of Louis's words.

Hans clapped his hands and said, "No wonder you could reach His Highness Louis, no wonder you dare to negotiate cooperation with us on behalf of Mayer Commerce Association."

Many things that were previously unexplainable suddenly became clear.

The current situation in the Ense Empire was still quite transparent.

The entire empire was broadly divided into three factions.

The Imperial Faction, the Princess Faction, and the Neutral Faction.

The people of the Imperial Faction were loyal to the emperor.

Since the emperor had chosen the Eldest Princess Beatrice as the next successor, the Imperial Faction, to an extent, followed the directions of the Eldest Princess.

But when it came to some core interests of the empire, they might not listen to the Eldest Princess.

Even if they believed the Eldest Princess's actions hurt the authority of the emperor, they might become the princess's enemies.

Strictly speaking, the Neutral Faction cannot be considered a fence-sitting faction.

The members of this faction were primarily the aristocrats in charge of the empire's finance and grassroots military.

They believed in procedural justice, willing to compromise when reasonable, but would become obstacles to the Princess Faction in certain special maneuvers.

The reason is simple: If you presently support the emperor wholeheartedly, aren't you worried Beatrice will retaliate when she takes over?

Similarly, if you fully support the Eldest Princess now, aren't you worried the emperor might come back to power and suspect you of treason?

No one can guarantee there won't be conflicts between the emperor and the Eldest Princess.

So unless necessary, they simply conduct their duties impartially.

Though it might not win them any extra benefits from either side, at least they could survive.

This situation would see a rapid transition of power after Her Highness Beatrice ascends the throne.

By then, they would naturally serve the new monarch wholeheartedly.

But, now is not the time.

As for the Princess Faction, it goes without saying that its primary components included the emerging nobility developed over the past 20 years and some border aristocrats possessing some military force, as well as the young talents drawn in by the charm of the Eldest Princess leader over the years.

This force is currently expanding at an extraordinary pace.

It's worth noting that beginning this year, a very special faction within the Princess Faction has been expanding at a rate far surpassing the norm.

That force is called by a small number of people the "Prince Faction."

Hans sneaked a glance at Caesar.

This person was most likely a backbone of the Princess Faction, and he had exceedingly close relationships with the Prince Faction within it.

Even... he might well be one of those few individuals in the Prince Faction.

According to what Hans had heard, the expansion speed of the Prince Faction was absurd, even uncanny.

By rights, Prince Louis at his core should be a vassal of Her Highness Beatrice.

The growth of the Prince Faction depended on Beatrice's support of her chosen fiancé.

Initially, the Prince Faction was indeed such.

But since the end of last year, things took an earth-shaking turn.

First came Mayer Commerce Association, absorbing resources from Ense and Tunisia at an unimaginable speed, becoming the biggest winner outside of the three royal commerce associations.

The head of the Mayer Commerce Association wielded influence that reached other nations.

Especially this January, when Mayer Commerce Association rapidly expanded under the conditions of receiving large quantities of interest-free loans and policy support.

Mr. Mayer was a first-rate genius.

The business model he created was unheard of, unseen.

The main branches of Mayer Commerce Association and Mayer Furniture were self-explanatory.

It was said that Mayer Furniture alone, after opening in the Tunis Royal Capital in January, earned 300,000 Gold Coins a month.

This figure, more absurd than robbery.

It was said neighboring Am Empire tried to replicate this operation in their capital, but the profits weren't as expected.

The modern industrial chain concealed beneath Mayer Furniture and their contemplation of human nature were the real winning strategies.

The merchants of Am realized this but didn't comprehend the full extent of the impact.

Thus, half a month later, Am invited Mayer Commerce Association to establish a presence in the Imperial Capital.

The Mayer Commerce Association, wielding its enormous cash flow, set up its base in Am and opened for business 10 days later.

Another storm of bloodshed.

The merchants on the land of commerce were driven mad and awestruck.

It was said that on that day, even the patriarch of the Commerce Goddess Church directly visited Mayer Commerce Association.

Hans even heard some rumors from his brother.

It was said that Lokeshi and East, West Monet had also started reaching out to Mayer.

By now, it was almost certain that there was a legendary dragon protecting Mayer Commerce Association from behind.

Hans was not most shocked by this, however.

What truly shocked him were the people gathering around the prince.

To give a sense, take just one concept, the network of contacts that Prince Louis himself had at his disposal already represented, to some degree, the empire's future.

And if Mayer Commerce Association is taken into account...

Then Hans just felt goosebumps all over.

So he put on a face of genuine sincerity and said, "No wonder you can get in touch with His Highness Louis, no wonder you dare to represent the Mayer Commerce Association in negotiating cooperation with us."

All those things that didn't make sense before, suddenly it all became clear.

The current situation in the Ense Empire is still very clear.

The whole empire is broadly divided into three factions.

Emperor Faction, Princess Faction, Neutral Faction.

Among them, the members of the Emperor Faction are loyal to the Emperor.

Since the emperor has designated Eldest Princess Beatrice as the next heir, the Emperor Faction is, to a certain extent, subject to the instructions of the Eldest Princess.

But when it comes to some vital interests of the empire, they may not necessarily heed the Eldest Princess.

In fact, if they believe the actions of the Eldest Princess infringe on the Emperor's authority, it is not impossible for them to become enemies of the Princess.

Strictly speaking, the Neutral Faction should not be considered a group that sways to any side.

The members of this faction are basically the nobles in power over the empire's finances and grassroots military.

They believe in procedural justice, and they might be flexible under reasonable circumstances, but when facing some special maneuvers, they can become obstacles for the Princess Faction.

The reason is simple: If you now madly support the emperor, aren't you worried that Beatrice will retaliate when she ascends the throne?

Likewise, if you fully support the Eldest Princess now, aren't you worried that the emperor might return to power and suspect you of treason?

Who can guarantee there won't be conflicts between the emperor and the Eldest Princess?

So, unless absolutely necessary, they would honestly do business impartially.

Even though it doesn't make them any side's favorite or bring them extra benefits, at least it allows them to survive.

This situation will rapidly change after Her Highness Beatrice ascends the throne.

By then, they will surely serve the new monarch wholeheartedly.

But, not now.

There was no need to mention the Princess Faction, mainly composed of the emerging nobility that developed rapidly over the past 20 years, along with some border nobility who exacted force, and the young talents absorbed into the faction by the Eldest Princess's charismatic leadership over these years.

This force is currently expanding at an extremely rapid pace.

It is worth mentioning that starting this year, there is a particularly special faction within the Princess Faction, with an expansion rate far exceeding the ordinary.

That force is referred to by a few people as the "Prince Faction."

Hans quietly glanced at Caesar.

This man is most likely a pillar of the Princess Faction and has exceptionally close ties with the Prince Faction within the Princess Faction.

Even... very likely one of those few people within the Prince Faction.

Based on what Hans has heard, the rate of expansion of the Prince Faction is utterly outrageous, even eerie.

Logically, that Prince Louis should essentially be a proxy under Her Highness Beatrice.

The growth of the Prince Faction depends on Beatrice's choice of future spouse.

Mayer Commerce Association, in a way that is unimaginable to ordinary people, absorbing the resources of both the Ense and Tunis, become the biggest winners outside the Royal Three Commerce Association.

The influence of the leader of that Mayer Commerce Association directly covered other countries.

Especially this January, when Mayer Commerce Association, thanks to huge cash flow, became a triumphant Red Hat Commerce Association propelled by the nation's full strength.

And it's almost confirmed that a legendary dragon is backing Mayer Commerce behind the scenes.

But what truly astonished Hans was the people gathering around the prince.

To put it in perspective, just the network of connections that Prince Louis himself had could represent the future of the Ense Empire to a considerable extent.

Adding Caesar now...

Hans felt chills creeping down his spine.

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