"Magritte, the capital and largest city of Estalia. It's also the core of the Magritte duchy." Laing spoke to Fedmonde and Al- Frey as they walked through the streets of Magritte. "This is the most important city of Estalia and the location of the strongest duchy. A natural deep-water port was built here, and this city has the reputation of being a friendly port in the world. There's a market for all kinds of goods here, attracting merchants from all over the world."
"That's right. This place is the trade center of the Old World, especially the departure point of many ocean trading caravans." Fedmonde was relatively clear about the situation in Magritte. As the eldest son of the Duke of the Sea, he was very familiar with the situation here. He even continued, "The port here is usually very crowded, and the security here is very good. For many years, the people of Magritte have maintained a strong presence in the southern seas, protecting the trade here. They are fair and honest merchants, and they gradually became rich through unremitting efforts. Tranquility Port is a natural fortress, carefully protecting this land. They built two strong and sturdy coastal defense towers at the two promontories of the bay to protect the port. At the same time, these two fortresses also act as the lighthouses of the port. "
"Even though the Invincible Fleet has been destroyed, Magritte still has a relatively large green water navy to protect the port. Their main opponents are the pirates from the 'Pirate Duchy' of Tyrell, which is also the group of pirates represented by Mannen's daughter, Irinasa Saltwater." Fedmonde continued, "This is the end of the famous trade route, the Silk Road. Merchants from the Far East Aurora sell silk and spices here, and we Brittany nobles are the main buyers."
"Yes, merchants of Aurora." Laing nodded. It was rare to see merchants of Aurora in the Old World, usually in ten years. He had never had the chance to meet these visitors from the Far East, and he probably wouldn't in the future. He didn't want to meet them either.
After seeing the portraits of Aurora's appearance, he completely gave up on the idea of meeting Aurora.
Apart from the dark elves, Laing, Fedmonde, Veronica, and Al- Frey walked through the streets of Magritte under the escort of a small group of Empire soldiers.
Magritte had a population of about 35,000, and 70,000 if the surrounding suburbs and floating population were included. The streets were very crowded, and the main squares were filled with vendors and merchants. The people here enjoyed the freedom and sweet air, they were indifferent to the threat of Chaos and the Green Dwarfs. It was a tradition of the Magritte people to move their leisure activities to the streets. music, art, art, street performances, street, and sketch. The people of Magritte spent their days in the endless entertainment, whether it be day, night or dawn... day, art, street performances, and street.
"The people here are really …" The handsome and resolute Fedmonde was the most popular person among the people of Magritte. The Holy Grail badge on the chest of this Holy Grail Knight and the silk dress on his body deeply betrayed his identity. The young girls who were playing in the square passionately hit on him, using fans to express their love and giving him many small gifts.
At the end of April, the scorching sun was enough for the women here to change into refreshing short-sleeved dresses. Under the siege of a large number of girls, Fedmonde, who had never wavered in the slightest during the Holy Grail Expedition, appeared to be quite uncomfortable and flustered. Naturally, he gained a good impression.
People were like this. Fedmonde was a tall, rich, and handsome man with a noble identity. Being a little shy was not a minus, but a plus.
Ryan was, in fact, more likable. As the Chosen One champion of the Lake Fairy, he naturally had a heroic aura and a heavy sense of dignity that belonged to a superior. However, this Holy Grail Knight was obviously taken. Veronica, who was dressed to the nines, was holding his arm, warning all the women in the square with her eyes as if she was guarding against perverts.
This man belongs to me!
As for the originally sunny and enthusiastic blonde Alfred, he was the most pitiful one. As a Holy Knight, he was injured in the war against the vampires, causing him to limp when he moved. The women of Estalia were the same as all other women, they didn't like cripples.
The ambassador of the Empire was a middle-aged man who looked to be in his forties. When in Estalia, he did as the Romans did and led Laing and the others. "The Palace of the East is just ahead. Sir Laing, Sir Fedmonde, you will meet the leader of the Estalia Merchant Alliance, Amancio Perez. We have arranged for you to have dinner with him."
"Where is the Great Teacher?" Laing asked in a low voice.
"The Great Teacher will arrive in the middle of dinner." The Imperial Ambassador's attitude towards Ryan could be considered respectful, but he was rather arrogant towards the people here, because in a place like Estalia, he had the backing of a powerful Empire. "It's currently just past noon, please take a rest, or you can take a stroll around the area."
"Alright." Laing nodded. The ambassador of the Empire booked a large suite for Laing and the others in the most luxurious hotel.
The one who came out to greet Laing and the others was a very beautiful waitress. She looked to be in her twenties and had a pair of lively brown eyes. Her dark brown hair complemented her hot facial features, and her slender black eyebrows made her look very heroic. Her short skirt revealed her slender and hot figure in front of Laing and the others. The waitress bowed and smiled charmingly at Laing and the others. "Please follow me, Count Laing, Baron Fedmonde, and this gentleman and young lady from Brittany."
"Oh, oh, oh!" Alfred Frey's eyes lit up. The Paladin took the initiative to strike up a conversation. "Hello, young lady. I am Alfred Frey, a Paladin of the Church of Justice."
"My apologies, Alfred Frey." The waitress smiled politely. "My apologies."
"May I have the honor of knowing your name?" Alfred Frey immediately started the conversation. "I don't know how to address you."
"My name is Claudia."
The Paladin took the opportunity to strike up a conversation with the waitress. Laing smiled playfully and gave Veronica a meaningful look. "Alfred Frey's spring has arrived."
"Just mind your own business!" Veronica looked back at Laing in annoyance. "What does Alfred Frey's spring have to do with you?"
"I was just sighing …" Laing quickly shrugged and admitted defeat.
"Sighing is not allowed!" Veronica glared fiercely at Laing. The Turkey Banquet on the New Year represented the establishment of Laing's harem alliance. They had agreed to compete internally and work together to exclude outsiders.
"I'm also not interested, Veronica. I prefer someone like you." Laing had to emphasize. Veronica held his arm. The witch understood Laing and knew that Laing wasn't lying, so she let him go.
Veronica knew that Laing's aesthetic standards were slightly different from normal people. The waitress named Claudia in front of them had a hot body. Her eyes were hot, her lips were thick, and her nose was high. This kind of beauty in the eyes of normal people was just not ugly in Laing's eyes. He preferred more delicate and sweet women like Suria and Veronica.
The waitress brought Laing and the others to their room and opened the door. "Then, I'll stop here. Please have a good rest. If you need anything, you can find me at the front desk."
"Okay." Ryan indicated that he understood. The waitress waited in place for about ten seconds. Seeing that Ryan didn't say anything to persuade her to stay, she left with some disappointment.
"Sigh …" Laing shook his head with a wry smile. He turned around and asked, "Are any of you interested in going out for a walk before dinner?"
"Ah, good friend, I feel like I'm in love," Al Frey said absent-mindedly.
"Ha, men." Veronica sneered. Wizard Garland said directly, "I'm going to take a nap. Laing, you go out for a walk."
After that, Veronica kissed Laing's face and went back to her room to rest.
"I'll go out with you, Mr. Laing. I also have something to ask you." Fedmond nodded. The Holy Grail Knight was an animal that didn't get tired.
"Al Frey?" Laing turned around and looked at his childhood playmate. "Your foot is injured …"
"I think I love her. Good friend …"
Laing only felt that the blood vessels in his temples were about to explode. He was speechless. "You know how to love???!"
"But don't you think she's very beautiful? Oh, those eyes, that figure, and the expression she had when she received us … "Al Frey murmured to himself." Oh! She's like a thorny rose. "
"Fedmond?" Laing didn't bother with him. He directly said to Fedmond.
"Hmm?" The Holy Grail Knight was also annoyed.
"Is your urine yellow?"
“What？”
"Wake him up, okay? I'm counting on you. "
"… Please forgive me for refusing."
The room fell into a strange silence. Looking at the absent-minded Al Frey, Laing and Fedmond looked at each other with a helpless expression. Finally, Laing decided to speak. "Alf?"
"What's wrong?" The Holy Grail Knight immediately thought of something. He immediately got up from the sofa. "Laing, good friend, I knew you would be willing to help me, right?! You know women the best. Hurry up and teach me, okay? How did you pursue Marquess Suria? Teach me a few tricks! "
"… Alf, what I want to say is, if you want to pursue that waitress, you have to hurry up. Otherwise, if she changes shifts, you may never see each other again." Laing's words woke the Holy Grail Knight up. He directly chanted a theurgy in the room. A golden glow illuminated the whole room.
Eight-circle theurgy, Holy Healing.
Relying on the effect of Holy Healing, Al Frey assured himself that he wouldn't be a cripple for the time being. Then the Holy Grail Knight walked out of the room unsteadily.
… I'm an unsteady divider …
Thirty minutes later, in the central garden of Magritte.
It was a sea of flowers, made up of pomegranate blossoms and carnations. The garden was filled with acrobats and bards who sang about heroic deeds, as well as painters who could draw a self-portrait for tourists for only one gold coin. Ladies and children played here, while gentlemen, merchants, and nobles whispered in the garden. Everyone here was well-dressed and filled with the decadent smell of luxury. There were many guards at the gate of the garden, and anyone who did not meet the standards would be driven out. There was a sign at the gate that said, "Beggars and dogs are not allowed in."
That was why people always preached freedom in the south, but in fact, after seeing it with their own eyes, they found that it was not the case at all. The Empire and Brittany liked to ridicule the southern countries for their "freedom".
Near the garden's pool, Laing and Fedmond walked one after the other.
"Sir Laing, you don't seem to think highly of Al Frey's pursuit of that waitress?" Fedmond was the first to start the conversation.
"Yes, I don't think so." Laing shook his head. "Waitresses are never the ideal target, especially those who work in a state guesthouse. Fedmond, if you want to pursue her, you can, but Al Frey, you can't."
"Why? Can you tell me the reason?" Fedmond was also worried about marriage. Duke Bodrick chose Eva, the granddaughter of Duke Berchemund of Bastogne, for him, but the Knight of the Holy Grail did not want to get married so soon. He was also a little reluctant to marry a woman he had only met a few times.
"Different horizons." Laing closed his eyes and smelled the fragrance of the carnations. "Think about it, Fedmond. If this waitress works at the front desk for a year, what kind of people can she meet?"
Fedmond immediately understood. The Knight of the Holy Grail walked to Laing's side. "Without a doubt, great nobles in human countries, famous mercenary leaders and adventurers, rich merchants who control several trade routes, elves and dwarves."
"Yes, waitresses, especially those in state guesthouses, often have this problem. They have seen too much and their horizons are too high." Laing turned his head to look at Fedmond. He reminded the eldest son of Duke Bodrick, "It would be fine if it was you, but Al Frey is only a Templar Knight of the Temple Knights under the Church of Justice. He doesn't even have a fief, so the possibility of this waitress falling in love with Al Frey is not impossible, but it's very unlikely."
"Even if she has nothing worth mentioning except for her beauty, she still thinks that Mr. Frey is not up to her standards?" Fedmond completely understood what Laing meant. He smiled and said, "That's too harsh."
"But this is the reality. We can't criticize her because it's her freedom. I can only say that I don't think so." Laing nodded. "This is called threshold. Because of receiving all kinds of important people all year round, this waitress' emotional threshold is very high. It's difficult to move them with flowers and dinner because they've seen too much. It's more likely that they'll win the duel."
"Just like Marquess Suria won the duel and then pursued you?" Fedmond suddenly joked. "Everyone says that the love between Marquess Suria and you blossomed at that time."
"Hahahaha!" Laing laughed out loud. "You know how I won Suria's heart. What I want to say is that a wife like Suria is worth a lot of effort to pursue."
"You're always admirable, Mr. Laing." Fedmond was deep in thought. During the time he followed Laing, the Knight of the Holy Grail learned a lot. "If it were me, I would've already started a war with Estalia. I wouldn't have spent a day to come to Magritte just to have dinner with the nobles here. If it were me before, I would've thought that I lost Neptune's Trident …"
"You didn't do anything wrong, and the truth is on your side. So you can take back your things by force?" Laing leaned against the railing of the garden and said to Fedmond with a smile.
"But you taught me that sometimes the problem isn't that simple." Fedmond nodded and said with some frustration, "It's always painful to deal with the local nobles, especially when I feel like I'm the victim."
"But it's necessary." Laing raised his chin and looked at the prosperous market and the wide streets of Magritte, as well as the Goddess of War Square and the statue of the goddess in the distance.
The afternoon sun and breeze, as well as the scenery in the garden, seeped into one's heart, causing one to involuntarily relax.
"Yes … It's necessary. If it weren't for you, I think I would've had a conflict with Duke Silva of Billibaly, with the vampires, and then with the great alchemists of the Empire, and finally with the Church of the Goddess of War and the Knights of Magritte." Fedmond shook his head. "But not only did you let us find the culprit perfectly, but you also helped us. In Billibaly, you smoothly got the help of Duke Silva, in front of the Empire's army, you were warmly received by the great alchemists, and in Magritte, you were a distinguished guest."
"Fedmond, listen, I'll only say these words once." Ryan looked around and made sure that no one was around. Finally, he decided to speak. "In a complicated environment, we have to figure out who our enemies are, who our friends are, and who we should fight for."
"If it's our enemies, we must resolutely beat them to the ground and completely eliminate them. If it's our friends, we must tie them to our chariot and fight together with us. Those who can be fought for, we must try our best to win them over, or at least not let them join the enemy."
"For thousands of years, the system established by Order is a place where individuals need to suppress and restrain their personality. In the system, personal likes and dislikes are secondary. The most taboo is that many young people feel that they have the truth in their hands and challenge authority." Laing said earnestly, "Whether they really have the truth or not, the result of challenging authority in this situation will never be good. We need to wait for the right time."
"Then when is the right time?" Fedmond asked humbly. A Knight of the Holy Grail in his fifties was like a junior in front of a thirty-year-old Chosen One.
"That is …"
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