Chapter 84: Farming Reputation
Chen Heng was not opposing Olivia just for the sake of it.
He had observed the surrounding nobles and came to the conclusion that they were quite dissatisfied with her actions in recent years.
It was just that because of Olivia's temperament and power, they did not dare to resist or even say anything.
At a time like this, if someone was willing to represent them and speak on their behalf, that person would win much goodwill from them.
This was what Chen Heng wanted.
Having the favorability of the nobles would help him with his plan.
If Olivia ruled calmly and stably and her power did not decline, then it would be fine. However, if her power became weaker, the nobles would most likely rebel against her.
When that time came, the peaceful Kutu Principality would be sent into chaos.
However, the chaos would be an opportunity for Chen Heng.
When that time came, because of his actions today, he would win the support of some nobles, who would become part of his strength.
As for any retaliation from Olivia, Chen Heng was not afraid—after all, he was not an ordinary noble.
As an individual, he was the Kutu Principality's Guardian Knight. During the years after Corripo had left, he had become the number one Knight and had great reputation and fame. Let alone the Kutu Principality, he was famous even in Olis and other kingdoms.
If Olivia really did dare to do anything to him, she would be greatly criticised before she could do much.
Moreover, Chen Heng was a powerful Knight who was close to becoming a Great Knight, and he was one of the Kutu Principality's trump cards. No matter how stupid Olivia was, she would not force Chen Heng away.
With Chen Heng's fame and strength, if he wanted to go to another kingdom, he would be able to easily obtain a prosperous territory and high position.
Olivia knew this clearly, so she would not go too far.
Moreover, Chen Heng's wife was her little sister, so she would at least consider her little sister's feelings.
As such, even if Olivia wanted to do anything to Chen Heng, she was extremely limited.
She could take away his title as a Count, but he would not care about that.
She could take away his territory, but that was not very realistic.
Before, Chen Heng's territory had been just empty land, but through Chen Heng's efforts, it had become a well-developed area. Every inch of land was imprinted with Chen Heng's mark.
Moreover, his control over his territory was something that other rulers could not compare to. If Olivia wanted to just take away Chen Heng's territory with an order, that would be impossible.
She would only be able to do this through battle.
With the connections that Chen Heng had developed over the years, fighting with him meant fighting with all of the northern rulers.
Even though Olivia was the Queen, she would still have to consider this carefully, and she could not act rashly.
As such, Chen Heng did not fear Olivia's anger at all.
After all, as long as he did not completely burn his bridges, Olivia would not be able to do anything to him.
Of course, what he had said before was indeed what he was thinking.
If Olivia continued on like this, she would force the nobles into a corner, which could create a dangerous situation.
If she was able to accept what he had said, it would be beneficial to everyone.
If she was not able to, Chen Heng would have to start making preparations now.
Thinking to there, Chen Heng turned and looked at the palace.
Compared to before, the palace seemed to have gone through many changes, and it looked much more splendorous.
It seemed that after ascending to the throne, Olivia had spent much effort on renovating her palace.
Chen Heng also heard that Olivia had many male servants in this palace.
All of these things were somewhat disappointing.
Thinking of the intelligence he had obtained, Chen Heng smiled before leaving.
In the next few days, the banquet continued on, but Chen Heng did not participate; he just remained in the Kutu Royal City.
However, some rumors began to spread. Some people said that Knight Kailin had visited Queen Olivia and had tried to give her suggestions, but he was chased out by her.
Others said that Knight Kailin was punished by Queen Olivia and had been heavily injured.
Many different rumors spread quite quickly.
Because of these things, the various nobles' impression of Chen Heng became even better, and Chen Heng's reputation rose even more.
However, no one knew that these rumors were spread by people Chen Heng himself had sent out.
Of course, he had acted with great care, and even those who spread the rumors did not know that they had come from Chen Heng and thought that it was others who were spreading these rumors.
"It's time to leave…"
Half a month later, Chen Heng rode his horse outside the Kutu Royal City and looked at the city as he thought to himself.
After coming to the Kutu Royal City to see what Olivia was like now, other than gaining some reputation among the nobles, there was not much else to do.
As such, it was about time he should leave.
However, Chen Heng knew that around this time next year, he would most likely have to come again.
After all, he had said those things, and Olivia would most likely hold it against him.
She was limited in what she could do to him, but she could at least summon him every year to attend a banquet to annoy him.
However, Chen Heng did not mind too much.
It was just an annoyance.
Chen Heng silently made his decision.
If Olivia dared to summon him again, he would act like a loyal subordinate and try to advise her in order to farm reputation and goodwill with the nobles.
Following this, Chen Heng began his trip back.
On the way back, he was incredibly careful and wary.
Even though he knew that Olivia was not stupid enough to send people to kill him, this world was filled with unknown variables, so it was still important to stay cautious.
Fortunately, nothing out of the ordinary happened on the way back. Apart from encountering some unlucky bandits, they did not see anyone else.
Just like that, Chen Heng returned to Sordar, his territory.
Time gradually passed.
Soon, another ten years had passed.
Over these ten years, Chen Heng's territory had become incredibly prosperous.
Within the city, residents walked about, and occasionally, some warriors and mercenaries with swords and sabers could be seen.
Sometimes, some Orcs from the desert could also be seen walking about.