Chapter 586 - 371: The Mermaid’s Song
Chapter 586: Chapter 371: The Mermaid’s Song
Kemish joining High Cliff Castle didn’t cause much of a stir. The only difference was that the group of Black slaves who had toiled endlessly in the iron mine were conscripted once again, officially forming High Cliff Castle’s Mamluk Corps, with Kemish as their commander.
Although the people of High Cliff Castle were curious how a slave could suddenly become a commander, to them, their Lord was the reincarnation of the War God, the one and only sun in the Wilderness. Naturally, his word was law.
Kemish himself had been stunned by the Lord’s appointment. After all, he had only just surrendered, yet Levi immediately entrusted him with command of his own soldiers again. This stood in stark contrast to the Persian Gulf Empire, which had condemned him to death.
When asked why the Lord of High Cliff Castle trusted a newly surrendered prisoner so much, he simply clapped Kemish on the shoulder, laughed heartily, and said, "I trust the oath sworn by a good husband and father."
It would be a lie to say Kemish wasn’t moved. As he watched Levi walk away, a thought rose from the bottom of his heart. ’Maybe joining High Cliff Castle as a man who’s already as good as dead isn’t so bad after all.’
In reality, it had little to do with trust. It was purely because the system was backing Levi, and besides, even with his soldiers back, Kemish posed no threat to High Cliff Castle.
But that didn’t stop the Lord from using the situation to rake in loyalty points and project the kingly air of "trust those you employ, and employ only those you trust." Moreover, this trick was tried and true, and he had lost count of how many people he’d used it on.
...
A period of peace and tranquility followed in High Cliff Castle. After another bout of debauched living, the time finally came to prepare for the meeting of the Three Kingdoms.
This meeting with Talisi and the Holy Sith Kingdom was merely to discuss the division of spoils and the proportion of effort each party would contribute, so Levi didn’t bring many people.
He only brought his advisor, Leiden, along with Little Buji, Tiffany, Mier, Zat, and Sam. Adding a few Rabbit Maidens and a Griffin Knight escort, the entire party numbered only about forty people.
After a two-day flight, they first landed in Gonda City to rest and regroup. Then, they would join the Delegation’s caravan, travel through the Western Territory, cross Lake Beier by boat, and finally pass the Philor border to enter the Holy Sith Kingdom, with Feilengcui as their final destination.
It was said that this city was the pinnacle of Alchemy on the entire Middle Ages Continent, as dreamlike and fantastical as jade.
Leiden calculated that, barring any accidents, the journey to Feilengcui alone would take at least two months.
Of course, the reason it would take so long was that the entire Delegation consisted of several hundred people, which would inevitably slow their travel speed.
...
In Debei, each province’s festivals were different. For example, the most important festival in the Northern Territory was undoubtedly the annual Winter Solstice, but in Gonda, the most important festival of the year was definitely Revival Day.
It represented the retreat of the Ice and Snow Goddess and the Goddess of Life reclaiming the land. It was a season of renewal, symbolizing the passion and vitality of life.
It was also a festival for young men and women to confess their feelings. On this day, they would give their sweethearts handmade Sachets and White Bread to express their affection.
Legend had it that the exceptionally handsome Flower Knight once received several bags full of Sachets and White Bread just from taking a single stroll down the street on this day.
The Delegation’s departure today was scheduled with the hope that their own Lion Hunter Knight, the Duke, could fully experience the passion of Gonda’s people. What they never expected, however, was that this passion would nearly drown them.
The Champs-élysées, wide enough for four carriages to travel abreast, was jam-packed with young men and women. They cheered and shouted with excitement, looking like a horde of Undead that had just spotted fresh meat.
The Long Halberd Guards responsible for maintaining order were at their wits’ end. Not only were many important figures watching, but the young men and women before them were the future of Gonda City. They certainly couldn’t be handled with pepper water and clubs, like the refugees in the commoner districts.
And the source of all this suffering was the towering young man standing on the carriage, waving continuously. His face was even more handsome than an Elf’s, yet without a trace of effeminacy. His frame was like a mountain, a ridge, as if the Creator had bestowed upon him eighty percent of all the masculinity in the world.
With his extraordinary good looks, coupled with his famous titles like Dragon Knight, the Lord of High Cliff Castle had become an object of adoration among the youth. It was even rumored that some Noble Ladies hung nude portraits of him above their beds, gazing at his likeness to while away the lonely nights.
Thus, the fact that such a flawless hero was married did nothing to stop them from showering him with their affection.
"Boss, our three carriages are all stuffed full of Sachets and bread," Zat reported, catching up from behind. His expression was a mixture of joy and worry.
He was joyful because they had gotten so much food for free. For a glutton like him, it was no less satisfying than a farmer gazing upon a field of heavy-eared wheat.
He was worried because this much bread meant he might have to survive on nothing but bread every day for the next few months. For a carnivore like him, the thought was sheer torture.
"Then stuff the fourth carriage. This is all a token of their affection. If you dare to secretly throw any of it away, I’ll beat you to death!" Levi said, all while maintaining what he considered to be an impeccably handsome smile.