Chapter 572 - 364: The Tortoise Scholars
Chapter 572: Chapter 364: The Tortoise Scholars
Levi was beyond simply satisfied.
Tina made it sound simple, but putting himself in her shoes, he realized that not just anyone could have accomplished what she had.
It was an incredible feat to not only maintain High Cliff Castle’s basic operations after he left, but to also ensure its continued development.
"It wasn’t just me. Both Leiden and Mier put in a tremendous amount of effort. Si Kai, especially—he not only served as the commander of the Griffin Knight Order but also whipped the Reserve Corps into shape. You need to thank him properly." Tina made sure to credit everyone. "You poached him, after all. He took on so much without a single complaint."
Levi said he would, but inwardly, he had other plans.
Si Kai had been poached, and without having formally sworn fealty, his position was already awkward. Thanking him so deliberately now would be tantamount to treating him like an outsider.
Treating him like one of their own was the best way to make him feel more comfortable in High Cliff Castle.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you something." Tina tapped her head, her expression turning serious. "High Cliff Castle may be peaceful, but a tense cloud of uncertainty now hangs over both Debei and the Persian Gulf Empire."
"When His Majesty Harland learned what happened to us, he immediately had his diplomat in the Persian Gulf Empire demand an explanation. But no one expected King Fern IX to turn the tables, claiming that High Cliff Castle had attacked his nobles. He demanded that His Majesty hand you over, or he would use military force to get ’justice’."
"Even a three-year-old knows that’s impossible. To show his stance, His Majesty Harland threw every merchant from the Persian Gulf Empire in Debei into the dungeons. Now, even the farmers in the countryside know a war might be coming."
"A while ago, His Majesty’s Griffin Envoy came to High Cliff Castle to tell us to prepare. Leiden managed to get some information out of them—they said war is almost certain."
"Let them fight. I was just thinking a few hundred thousand Gold Coins wasn’t enough anyway," Levi sneered. He had just returned from Gonda and knew even more than Tina did.
The real reason for His Majesty Harland’s fury went far beyond King Fern IX’s accusations. The Empire had killed Debei’s diplomat, and only one person had managed to escape and return.
The officials were all furious, believing their counterpart had gone mad—that he was a mad king. No matter how reluctant they were to go to war, the Empire had dragged Debei’s honor through the mud. It was impossible not to respond.
Besides, Debei was no pushover. And now, with the sudden appearance of a Dragon Knight, the kingdom’s strength had increased significantly.
After three days and nights of deliberation, the cabinet, with Harland’s final approval, decided to teach those damned Persians a lesson.
In other words, the Persian Gulf Empire’s actions were a clear provocation of war with Debei. The only thing that slightly surprised the Lord was that a war was actually going to happen.
High Cliff Castle’s military might was insignificant compared to an entire nation’s, but they wouldn’t be on the front lines. As long as they could follow in Debei’s wake and pick up the scraps, they would profit handsomely.
"The Burning Corps’ daily training must not stop. And have the blacksmiths work a bit harder for now—forge as many weapons and armaments as possible to prepare for war," Levi instructed with a wave of his hand.
The big boss had spoken. The old blacksmiths nodded vigorously, ready to gulp down the rest of their meal and get back to forging Arrows and other equipment.
"I just feel like the whole continent is becoming more and more chaotic," Tina sighed. "Life was hard before, and there was always friction between the kingdoms, but things were stable. Now the weather is strange, the harvests are poor, and suddenly everyone wants to go to war." She sounded like one of those Minstrels in a tavern, lamenting the state of the world.
"Perhaps they want to fight precisely because the situation is chaotic," Levi said, shaking his head, his words cutting to the heart of the matter. "Debei’s weather has been terrible, harvests have plummeted everywhere, and enough people have starved to death to fill Sai Pan Lake. On top of that, Demons and the recent title seizures have devastated the Southern Territory. It’s likely the enemy sees this as the perfect time to attack."
"Sigh... In this climate, I’m afraid the other major powers aren’t stable either. Goddess above, I hope this war ends quickly, and that no more people have to die," Tina prayed, her voice filled with worry.
She desperately wished everyone could live in peace, allowing High Cliff Castle to develop slowly and peacefully.
"If you want peace, you must prepare for war," Levi said calmly, quoting an old adage.
...
Just after breakfast, Levi finally met the scholars who had come to seek refuge at High Cliff Castle.
"Good day, esteemed Duke Levi, Lord of High Cliff Castle!" The leader of the group, an elderly Turtleman, slowly approached the Lord. He was stooped with age, a mottled turtle shell on his back, and leaned on a staff of Silver-Edged Wood as he performed an impeccable nobleman’s bow.
The seven scholars behind him hurriedly bowed as well.
"Good day, Elder Tang Jin," Levi greeted him first before asking with a broad smile, "Are you finding the environment in High Cliff Castle to your liking, Mr. Tang Jin?"
"My nose has always been sensitive. In the cities of the Eastern Territory, I had to endure all sorts of indescribable odors. But here in High Cliff Castle, it’s as if my nose has stopped working altogether," the old Turtleman said with a smile, adjusting the round spectacles on his nose. "Praise the gods for allowing this old man to find such a suitable place to live out his twilight years."
"Elder Tang Jin, you may stay in High Cliff Castle for as long as you wish," Levi decided with a wave of his hand. ’This old fellow doesn’t seem like the troublesome type, and he probably doesn’t eat much, either.’