The reception ceremony at the Royal Family's spaceport was short, and soon the people's attention shifted to the fleet's return. It had been more than two months since the Tónigel fleet left Valhalla, and the new residents of Valhalla had only heard of the fleet's name. Strictly speaking, this was the first time they had seen the fleet with their own eyes.
Although the ships entering the port at this moment were not the full picture of the fleet, the fleet had been ordered by the princess to split into three when they passed through Seifer. A patrol fleet was sent to continue escorting Erouine's envoy, while another fleet with three third-class cruisers as the main force was sent to the Laban coast north of Karsuk to seal off the mountain range to prevent the undead from playing the trick of ambushing Lantonilan and Viero's rear in the last war.
And today, the fleet that returned to Tónigel was actually less than half of the huge fleet in Erouine and even in the south of Cruz.
But even so, it did not dampen the people's enthusiasm. The news quickly spread, and when the new residents of Valhalla ran out of their homes and saw the silver dots of light descending from the clouds — most of them were small gunships, and some were transport ships — they could not help but whistle and cheer.
The citizens even took off their hats and threw them at the fleet in the sky as if that was the only way to express their excitement.
After all, this was the fleet that belonged to the Tónigel, and also the fleet that belonged to Abies. It was the fleet that belonged to their lord, even though Brando 'bought' them from the Bugas.
But what did it matter?
Who did not know that the craftsmen mages were arrogant, and not just any noble could be associated with them? At least, the people of Abies deeply believed in one thing: their lord was the descendant of the Highland Knight, and was a young man that the mages of the tower thought highly of. That was why the craftsmen mages thought highly of him.
The Shire Lord, who followed their Lord, was the best proof. He was a Great Mage. Didn't he also build a Mage Tower in their Lord's territory?
Sunders was an emissary from Grey Mountain. Although Grey Mountain Family was in the north during the last war, it did not change the fact that they were closer to Corvado. However, Count Grey Mountain always had a grudge against the Royal Faction, so when Fleetwood and Makarov were in charge, Count Grey Mountain had to consider his position in the south and his family's interests.
But when Her Highness the Eldest Princess expressed her disagreement with the Royal Faction, an envoy from the Grey Mountain immediately traveled south from Vlada Pest to Tónigel.
Of course, only those who knew the inside story would understand that the more important reason was that after the Second War of the Black Roses began, Levin Ornesson Seifer and the princess were showing signs of reconciliation.
Three months ago, the current leader of House Seifer ignored the opposition of his mother, Queen Anna, and liberated the Noble Parliament in the north. This caused the Northern Alliance, which was formed after the war in Ampere Seale, to collapse in an instant.
After that, he defeated a small group of nobles from Yanbao, Tuvalo, and Balta as well as the Thorn Wolf Family's small scale rebellion. The first thing he did after that was not to mobilize his troops to the south, but to send out an alliance of nobles with Nicholas as the commander to support the war between House Covardo and Madara.
This incident caused Princess Gryphine to remain silent for several days. After that, she reopened the free port of Ampere Seale to the north, showing her goodwill.
Now, in some areas north of Ampere Seale, it was obvious that the situation was getting better day by day. This was the opposite of the increasingly tense atmosphere in the south from Randner to Mannorville.
It was under such circumstances that Saunders arrived in Tónigel.
He knew that Princess Gryphine had a good relationship with her cousin when they were young. Later, due to Queen Anna, the two families gradually drifted apart. Now that they were showing signs of mending their relationship, it might mean that House Corvado and House Seifer were reconciling.
To Erouine, this was even more important than the war at hand.
On the surface, he represented the Count of Gray Mountain, but in fact, he was the special envoy of Prince Levin Ornesson Seifer. However, although the people in Tónigel were friendly, the princess did not seem to want to meet him for the time being.
King Oberg's death left a deep scar between the two families. After all, it was not something that could be healed in a short time.
Saunders rented a room on the second floor of the "Mermaid Inn" in the city. The ubiquitous Light Spirits in the city had arranged a place for him in the upper district. However, he preferred to wander around the lower district. The upper district was luxurious and elegant, which fit the aesthetic standards of nobles, but there were too few people. There was no trace of life.
Fortunately, the people in Tónigel did not restrict his freedom. Before he was received by the princess, he moved out and settled down in this place. Most people knew about this, but no one came to stop him.
Saunders was happy to have some free time. He knew that his mission was not something that could be completed overnight. In fact, he was more curious about this fortress. He traveled to various places in Erouine several years ago, and naturally, he also visited the barren land of Tónigel. However, he never heard of such a giant "tree" here.
He heard that the "lord" brought the tree back from the Loop of Trade Winds. He also heard about the legendary story of the "lord". It was a pity that he never got the chance to meet the "lord" in person.
While cheering outside, Saunders and his attendant were looking out of the window on the second floor. The latter was a country bumpkin from Tónigel. He was not very knowledgeable. Other than complaining about the hot weather in Tónigel and looking for people to gamble, he had no other good points.
Saunders chose this person because the latter was honest and obedient. Sometimes, this could be considered a good point.
The man almost fell from the window and yelled to his master, "Oh my god, master! These ships are flying in the sky!"
Of course, Saunders had seen ships flying in the sky before. As a matter of fact, he had seen the wind warships of the Erouine Royal Family in Yanilasu, and the local fleet of the empire in Anzeruta. However, they were nothing like this.
His eyes reflected the scenery in the sky, and his heart was filled with complicated emotions. It was just a fleet that belonged to the people of Aouine, and it had just returned from the Empire. There, it and its masters had done many things that the people of Aouine could never imagine in their lifetime.
Brando's journey in the empire was mostly praised and criticized by the nobles. However, the common people, especially in places like Tónigel and Randner, praised him in unison.
Some people claimed that this lord was the most outstanding envoy leader of Erouine Royal Family in recent years. Some even compared him to his grandfather sixty years ago. Even the Elder Princess, who had a keen eye for people, gained a lot of fame because of this. There were already many rumors about the Knight and the Princess.
However, this fleet was simply too powerful.
It was so powerful that it was suffocating.
As the special envoy of Levin Ornessen Seifer, he was well aware of the thoughts of the blind prince. The prince had repeatedly urged him to think of a way to win over the feudal lord, or at least win his favor.
He stared at the floating light spots above the clouds in a daze. He thought silently in his heart. In an era where such a powerful person was born, he did not know whether it was a blessing or a curse for the small country of Erouine Royal Family.
Was he an imitator of the late King Erik, or the next Duke Arreck?
… …
Back in the upper region of Valhalla, the forest palace Brendel had specially reserved for the royal family — in fact, Her Royal Highness Princess Gryphine — waited until the maid turned around and closed the door with a click. The serious and cold image that Princess Gryphine had maintained throughout the journey could no longer be maintained. She turned around and carefully examined her only brother from head to toe.
"Are you really not hurt, Haruze?"
"Yes, it's all thanks to teacher, but he —"
"That's great, Haruze, that's great, you're finally back …"
Haruze opened his mouth wide and stared blankly at his sister. Even the second half of the sentence was blocked by his sister's choked voice.
He had never seen her lose her composure like this in his life.
Gryphine put her arms around his short and thin shoulders, lowered her head, and sobbed quietly. Her tears could not stop falling, drop by drop rolling onto the thick carpet, forming beautiful crystal beads.
"Sister … Sister …" Haruze panicked.
"I … I'm fine, Haruze, I'm just too scared." Gryphine hurriedly raised her head. She took a breath and reorganized her emotions that were on the verge of collapse. She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and cheeks with the back of her hand. "You're right, it's all thanks to the prince. We'll find him."
"Sister, you called teacher …?"
"Haruze, Ornessen sent me a letter."
"Brother Levin?" Haruz reacted in an instant, equating the name with the person in his memory. Although he had experienced so many things since he left Covardo, he had not forgotten the memories of his childhood.
Gryphine nodded, as if the mention of this name made her look a little complicated. "He gave me a suggestion in the letter …"
… …
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
