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n?The clap was firm, and Howard declared, “Oli welcomes you.”

nLaurent responded, “I look forward to it.”

nAfter wiping their mouths with the dining napkins, the delightful lunch came to an end.

nDuring his afternoon rest, Howard took a stroll in Laurent’s garden to admire the plants.

nAlthough it was winter and most of the flowers had yet to bloom, Howard stumbled upon a plant known as the Christmas Rose in Laurent’s garden.

nThe blooming period of the Christmas Rose is from winter to early spring, and it happened to be flowering these days.

nHoward found the flower quite beautiful.

nLaurent asked Howard, “Oh, do you also enjoy tending to plants usually?”

nHoward replied, “Oh, I just like to look at them now and then.”

nThree days later, Howard arrived in Venice to meet with the governor of Venice.

nThe governorship of the merchant republic had already changed hands, as it often does frequently.

nHoward proposed that Venice be incorporated into his nation, with Laurent intimidating the other party by his side.

nThe new governor, Markhan, who was timid and easily frightened, coupled with the Lombardy Kingdom’s covetous gaze upon Venice, made a request to Howard.

nShould Howard fulfill this request, Venice would hold a vote among the five major families to decide whether to come under Howard’s jurisdiction.

nHoward inquired, “What is the request?”

nMarkhan brushed his long, bangs to the side, ensuring they didn’t cover his eyes, and said, “After Venice is incorporated into your jurisdiction, you must grant 50% autonomy to Venice citizens.”

n“The trade ports can be managed by you in terms of designated goods and navigation routes, but the crew and first mate must be appointed by Venice citizens.”

n“The taxes paid to you annually will be divided into ordinary taxes and trade taxes. You will receive 70% of the ordinary taxes and 50% of the trade taxes. Out of the trade taxes, an additional 25% of the funds will be allocated to establish a maritime academy, which must maintain a continental first-class level of maritime scholarship.”

n“Once the maritime academy is established, the 25% of the trade tax funds will continue to be used each year to upgrade the academy’s facilities and purchase necessary equipment. Can you accept this?”

nHoward agreed without hesitation.

n“There’s nothing difficult about this; I accept your terms.” Markhan swallowed, containing his excitement, and lowered his voice with a change in tone.

n“There’s one more thing, Your Majesty. Once Venice is incorporated into your realm, becoming a province of the kingdom, I boldly wish to attain the position of Duke of Venice. I request your gracious permission.” Howard now understood the real intrigue behind this.

nThe Republic of Venice, not being a kingdom, meant that the position of governor was somewhat transient.

nIn the year of the beast plague in Rolf, a former Venice governor had once praised Howard.

nHowever, his subsequent mismanagement in a war led to a defeat that many blamed on him.

nThis former governor then relinquished his position and set off alone with wealth and goods to trade in the New World, where he has now essentially monopolized the local trade.

nDespite the former governor’s apparent success, the prestigious position of governor of Venice was naturally esteemed more highly.

nMarkhan’s true desire was to transform his precarious governorship into a stable, hereditary dukedom, converting Venice’s rotational system into his own personal domain, with the ambition of preserving it across generations, never to be altered.

nHoward agreed to this proposal, seeing the expansion of his territory as paramount.

nSecuring the manpower and control over Venice’s trade hubs would strengthen his nation.

nThe process of incorporating Venice into his domain was straightforward, with no expected upheaval from the populace.

nThe current challenge lay with Venice’s five major families: the Leon, Kelan, Pibb, Sheffield, and Daddaro families.

nThe current governor, Markhan, belonged to the Kelan family, ensuring their vote for incorporation into Oli was secured.

nThat was one vote in the bag.

nHoward had Laurent approach the Leon family, appealing to their emotions and interests, securing their support and a promise to vote for Howard in five days’ time.

nHoward himself then went to meet with the Pibb family.

nThe Pibb family resided near a lighthouse by the port, adhering to their founder’s decree that they must always guard Venice’s port and trade, never allowing outsiders to disrupt it.

nThis was a hardline stance, likely difficult to persuade.

nHoward met Jacob, who was donning a black felt hat, clad in a thick leather coat, and wrapped in a mink scarf, clearly someone who detested the cold.

nHoward shared his thoughts, only to be met with Jacob’s scorn.

nJacob retorted irritably, “Look like someone who’s afraid of the cold? Are you spouting nonsense? Why would I wear all this if I weren’t cold?”

nJacob showed no respect for Howard, confirming the lighthouse keeper’s reputation for being uncompromising.

nHoward mentioned, “Venice is holding a vote in five days. Are you aware of this?”

n“The rats have already informed me of your arrival. Don’t underestimate the intelligence capabilities of our Venice families.”

nHoward, unafraid to use coercion and threats, his expression stern, said, “Since you’ve brought it up, I’ll be straightforward as well. Don’t underestimate my family’s military capabilities.”

nJacob scoffed, “Your family? Do you even have a family? Aren’t you the only one who can fight?”

nHoward sneered.

n“I alone am enough.”

nLosing his patience, Jacob smashed a cup.

nFive assassins hiding outside, armed with sleeve daggers, leaped over the wall, attempting to kill Howard.

nHoward bellowed, “So, Jacob, you dare sabotage our negotiation!”

nJacob pulled a small shield from his clothing, raised it, and slowly walked towards the door, laughing, “Ha, I’ve got nothing to discuss with you. I’d rather you die right here.”

nHoward drew his two-handed sword, slashing towards an assassin who hurled a dart in return, only to be parried by Howard.

nIntending to perform a backward somersault for retreat, the assassin found the room too small, crashing into the wall instead.

nHoward charged forward, driving his two-handed sword into the assailant’s body with the momentum.

nA white-robed assassin yelled, “Marleigh!” and charged at Howard, brandishing a large sword.

nHoward, fearless, swung his greatsword at the incoming blade.

nWith greater strength, Howard’s blow caused the assailant’s grip to numb, destabilizing him.

nAs the assassin lost balance, tipping backward, Howard pressed on, overpowering the white-robed assassin’s defense.

nWith a crash, Howard’s sword pierced the assassin’s body.

nThe remaining three assassins, evidently not martyrs, were daunted by Howard’s swift dispatching of their comrades.

nExchanging signals, they fled through the window.

nTheir entrance and exit were as if they were drifting clouds, leaving no trace behind.

nThe audacity of the Pibb family was staggering.

nTo avoid alarming various Venetian factions, Howard had traveled without any soldiers, journeying by carriage from Paris to Venice accompanied only by Laurent and a few attendants.

nIn a gesture of goodwill, he approached the Pibb family’s territory unaccompanied, only to face an unabashed assassination attempt.

nHoward kicked open the door, sword at the ready, and circled the room to confirm Jacob’s departure.

nFrustrated, he wiped the blood from his sword and sheathed it, contemplating the boldness of the Pibb family’s actions.

nAt six in the evening, within the luxurious governor’s mansion in Venice, Markhan and Howard were enjoying dinner.

nHoward shared the treatment he received from the Pibb family with Markhan, who feigned outrage, condemning the Pibb family’s rudeness and brutality.

nHowever, Markhan had already received a warning from the Pibb family, cautioning him not to get too close to Howard, though they were yet unaware of Markhan’s true ambitions.

nWeighing his options, Markhan decided to proceed with the plan but sent a letter to the Pibb family.

nThe letter stated that he was coerced by Howard through the threat of war into considering a compromise, suggesting the convening of a meeting with the five major families to placate Howard.

nMarkhan informed Jacob that he was acting under duress, asserting that the Kelan family and the other four major families of Venice stood united, a fact he confirmed. .

nMarkhan had made his position clear: it was not convenient for him to express his stance openly, opting instead to watch how events unfolded.

nThus, after uttering a few disparaging remarks about the Pibb family, Markhan swiftly changed the subject to the flowers of Provence and the grand cathedral of Milan.

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