In the cold wind, a group of people with a complicated and strange composition formed a long procession on the road to Dragon Clouds City.
Even though they avoided the misfortune of being kidnapped to Dragon Clouds City, the next day, the White Blade Guards under Nicholas still "invited" the Constellation Diplomat Group out of Black Sand Region's escorting area without any explanation. They were then "escorted" to Dragon Clouds City by the White Blade Guards.
The army of Black Sand Region followed slowly and orderly on both sides and behind them. Kentvida and Tolja still dutifully sent out scouts to ensure the safety of the surrounding roads.
As for the White Blade Guards, these masked elite soldiers were cold, taciturn, rude, and unreasonable. There were a few times when they almost got into a fight with Constellation's soldiers because of pushing and shoving.
The middle-aged marquis with a blonde ponytail rode elegantly on his horse. With a kind smile, he said to the second prince of Constellation, "… The continuation of the Jadestar Family's royal bloodline, and Constellation's successor, is of great significance to the entire Western Peninsula … What I mean is, the replacement of the ruling royal family may bring chaos to Constellation that will be difficult to pacify for many years. This is something that the entire Western Peninsula, including us, the Camians, do not want to see …"
"Thank you very much for your concern, Marquis Shiles of Good Flow City." Thales, who sat stiffly on his horse, nodded at the guest from Camus Union with an equally stiff smile on his face.
This uninvited guest seemed to be a little too familiar with him.
Just like the people in front of Eternal Star City's Western City Gate who were dressed neatly, respectful, and attentive to serve as the "local guides" for first-time visitors to Eternal Star City. There were many such lads or tomboys in the Black Street Brotherhood. They usually worked well with the child beggars and hired thugs. When they saw suitable goods, they would act decisively. The best outcome for those guests was to be swindled out of their money, or have their wallets stolen. The worst outcome was to be robbed in a dark alley. Of course, the worst outcome was … none of you want to know.
"Be careful, boy." A languid voice came from beside Thales. "The Camians approached you for no reason. They must have ulterior motives. If it's not for money, then it's for … for … Achoo!"
As Aida spoke under the cloak, she held onto Thales' mount and sneezed loudly. She rubbed her nose pitifully.
"Aida, are you alright?" Thales asked worriedly. "Ever since we entered Northland, you have been sick."
"Don't worry! This temperature is nothing! " The elf fiercely waved her hand forty-five degrees to the left, not caring about the rudeness of this action. "Back in the day, I carried a broadsword on my shoulder and roamed the Wild Boundless Mountain. I carried a human head in my hand and battled the Grand Banquet Lord … Achoo!"
"Haih." Thales sighed. "I'll add another bonfire for you tonight."
"This lady who hides her beauty under a cloak must have misunderstood something." Marquis Shiles laughed without a care. "Although the Camus Union is famous for its trade and commerce, we are not short-sighted people who deliberately flatter others for the sake of immediate benefits. We strive for long-term benefits and a win-win situation that is mutually beneficial … Only then can we continue doing business."
"So, if there is anything I'm plotting, then I'm definitely plotting your friendship, Your Highness."
Aida snorted. "Camians are all liars. None of them are good. This is especially true in Good Flow City."
On the other side of the horse, Ralf scratched his head awkwardly. On the horse, Marquis Shiles smiled without saying a word.
"What you said might be too biased." He held the reins of Thales' horse tightly to prevent it from going berserk ("Haih, I must have been cast with the 'Enemy of Horses' halo," the Second Prince's crazy ramblings). Wya shook his head and said, "There are some Camians in the Tower of Eradication as well. Even though most of them come from poor backgrounds in Camus Union, when it comes to their abilities and personalities, I think they are about the same as us and Eckstedt's apprentices."
"Thank you for speaking up for justice." Marquis Shiles smiled and said, "Attendant Caso."
"That's because you haven't — achoo — seen the worst among them." Aida sneezed again and put her hands on her hips in annoyance. "I guarantee that you will have a deep impression of them."
"So, have you met such a Camian before? Aida, "Thales asked curiously.
"Yes," Aida spat fiercely. "Evil liars, pompous fellows! A glib talker, an opportunist … Achoo! "
The elf wiped her snot and curled up.
Thales shrugged.
'Looks like I was deceived by the Camians.
And I was deceived quite badly. '
He cast his gaze on the person in front of him again. Marquis Shiles Bamra, who came from Good Flow City in the west of the peninsula and belonged to the Camus Union.
"I heard that Camus Union is a kingdom of merchants, Your Grace," Thales asked slowly, "I wonder if this is true?"
"Of course … Many people understand it this way, and I can't say that this kind of description or description is completely wrong." When he heard the prince's question, Shiles seemed to have been suddenly motivated. He spoke cheerfully, "But everything is dictated by history, Your Highness. History."
"History? I heard that Camus Union was formed by a few city-states after the Battle of Eradication. "Thales' interest in research and exploration had also been piqued. A kingdom that relied on the start of commerce?
"So this forged your tradition and foundation?"
"To be precise, we are not a kingdom, at least not a traditional kingdom." Marquis Shiles looked at Thales' expression and smiled slowly. "After the Battle of Eradication, the four cities in the west of the Western Peninsula formed an alliance. They helped each other in the chaotic world and managed to protect themselves. Among them was Good Flow City, which was located southwest of Eckstedt and northwest of the Great Desert. This was the origin of Camus Union.
"We lacked resources and heritage, and were sandwiched between a few great powers. Camus Union could only seek survival in the form of commerce. We used a free environment and a relaxed tax policy to support our merchants to go out and work hard. We also acted as the transporters of goods and resources for the various great powers. We struggled to survive as a middleman. From this perspective, we are indeed a kingdom of merchants.
"However," Marquis Shiles changed the topic, "even though these cities belong to Camus Union, they operate independently and govern themselves. Other than the 'Union Public Law', each city has its own laws and regulations, their own ruling families, their own customs, and of course, each has its own characteristics. For example, this time, I am representing Good Flow City in the union as an envoy to Eckstedt. In this regard, we are not like a kingdom, but more like a group of merchants helping each other. "
"But you are called an alliance, right?" Thales could not hold back his interest and asked, "You should at least look like an alliance, right? For example, a supreme authority that each city obeys? "
"Of course." Shiles chuckled. "The so-called Camus Union's Supreme Joint Parliament is in charge of allocating resources within the union and coordinating the relationship between the city-states. At least in name. Many people also think so, but reality is always stranger than what they imagine … much stranger."
Shiles shook his head and sneered in a self-deprecating manner.
"But I still heard that Camus Union's power is not to be underestimated." Thales mobilized the knowledge in his head. Most of it was what Gilbert had taught him in a short month. "Camus Union is rich and fertile … You are the 'Western Peninsula's purse'. Some people put you together with Constellation and Eckstedt as the three strongest forces in the Western Peninsula. "
"Purse?" Shiles smiled bitterly. "Do you really think that is a good nickname?"
Thales shrugged.
'Alright.
'This is indeed not a good nickname, just like how no one would be happy to be called a' fat sheep '.'
"We have spent a lot of energy just to protect ourselves between countries over the past few hundred years.
"And a power that is not to be underestimated? It would be better to say that it is a broad business route. "Marquis Shiles shook his head." Like I said just now, the alliance's business has grown bigger and bigger, and its routes have also expanded.
"So, the four small cities have become four city-states, and new cities have gradually joined our alliance. Now, Camus Union has sixteen independent business city-states, and our trade routes have spread throughout the entire Western Peninsula."
"The entire Western Peninsula? How did you do it? "Thales asked curiously." Can you explain it to me in detail? "
"It is not as exaggerated as you think. These are the routes that the sixteen city-states have opened up." Marquis Shiles was all smiles as he pulled out a gentleman's cane from the saddle and drew several routes in the air.
"From Eckstedt's City of Faraway Prayers and Prestige Orchid Region in the north, to Thornland's Alumbia Kingdom and Dragon-Kissed Land's Anlenzo Dukedom in the south, to White Mountain and the Alliance of Freedom in the east, and even to the western edge of the Great Desert. These are the direct routes for our land merchant caravans. Along the way, we can visit a small half of the Western Peninsula, and even the entire left half of the continent is within our reach."
The marquis continued to speak with delight.
"And our western port near the Demon Sea extends Camus Union's business even further. To the west are the Three Devil Islands, the Alumbia Kingdom, and the Tarundi Shared Governance, which are the kingdoms on the West Coast. As for the south, after crossing the Sea of Despair to the Sea of Long Corridors, there are the kingdoms on the South Coast, such as Norton Dukedom, Anlenzo Dukedom, Long Corridors Archipelago, and Sera Dukedom.
"If there are fleets with more trade ambitions, they will continue to the east, sail out of the Sea of Long Corridors, cross the Mystery Sea and the Fog Sea, and reach the wealthy Evergreen Island, which is ruled by the Seucader Family, one of the Thirteen Distinguished Families of Constellation. They will sail all the way to the east, past Crystal Jade City, which is built on Crystal Jade Island by the Merfolk of the Western Sea, and follow Constellation's sea trade route to the Sea of Eradication, or even the Eastern Peninsula. This way, the right half of the continent will also be included in the alliance's trade route."
"It sounds amazing." Thales furrowed his brows and said with a serious expression, "Your forces of influence are all over the continent … It is not an exaggeration to say that."
"On the contrary," Marquis Shiles shook his head and said, "Camus Union only has the city defense teams that belong to the major cities. They do not have a unified military force, and it is absolutely impossible for them to start a war. The wrangling in the United Parliament alone can last for three years.
"Since we rely on trade to survive, even as nobles, we must go out to develop and trade. When I was thirteen years old, I followed my father to Alumbia Kingdom for the first time. Our family's merchant fleet was detained there."
Ralf, who was riding on the side of his horse, walked on the snow-covered ground with his fists slightly clenched.
"So, you can understand now, right? I am happy from the bottom of my heart about the re-appointment of the Prince of Constellation. This means that Constellation, a big country in the Western Peninsula, is stable and without worry." The marquis shook his head. "Even in Eckstedt, where the system of choosing a king has become the norm, once the throne passes to a new archduke's family … For example, from Dragon Clouds City's Walton Family to Beacon Illumination City's Poffret Family, or to Prestige Orchid Region's Olsius Family, it will be quite a shock. Our established trade routes and long-term business agreements will have to be reconsidered or even completely overturned according to the ruling order and habits of different families, much less a hereditary royal family like Constellation.
"Just like this, our business is often troubled by the constantly changing situations in various countries." Shiles sighed deeply. "If there is a place where the nobles live a harder life than the commoners, remember to vote for Camus Union."
"Hmph, serves them right." Aida snorted coldly. "Wanting to earn money and be comfortable at the same time, how can there be such a good thing?"
"What you said is really wise, Madam." Marquis Shiles sighed and stuffed the gentleman's cane back into the saddle. "So, you see, at the age of thirty-eight, I still have to go out and work hard."
"So, it is also reasonable for you to come to me." Thales let out a hollow laugh. "Is this to develop your future business network in Constellation?"
"It is for the sake of friendship." Shiles winked in amusement. "Of course, if you have any — and I mean any — needs that are outside the boundaries of your kingdom, please be sure to let me know."
Marquis Shiles laughed out loud. "As a marquis of a small city, I have no other forte, but I do have some connections and connections in various countries."
"Wait, marquis?" Thales frowned. "Duke's son, male merit … But I seem to have never heard of such a title as marquis in this world?"
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