Chapter 320: A Generous Gift

Regarding His Majesty the King's invitation, although everyone was reluctant, apart from the injured Cross, the others all braced themselves to attend.

However, they left very quickly.

Before long, only Bruno, Blanche, and Luoning remained in the large dining room.

Bruno took the towel handed over by a servant and wiped his mouth elegantly: "I thought that after I punished them, you would continue to demand compensation from them."

Luoning laughed: "His Majesty has already made arrangements for me, so naturally I will not go and demand it from them anymore."

"Oh? So you are already certain that you can take the championship of the Martial Arts Tournament?"

"I will do my best, Your Majesty!"

After the news of how Bruno handled this matter today spread, those rumors regarding Luoning were labeled as untrustworthy.

Once the Martial Arts Tournament arrives, if Luoning defeats the outstanding talents of Jinyu City, by then, his current reputation will completely cover up his past misdeeds.

Blanche encouraged him from the side: "Luoning, I hope you can win the championship and then present the garland to me."

After a Knight wins the championship, they will present the garland to a woman present; this is both a way to celebrate the victory and a way to express respect or admiration for that woman.

Of course, accepting the garland represents accepting the other party's respect or admiration, and can also symbolize her charm, but it does not mean she will become the Knight's lover, or even marry him.

This is just a custom; many young ladies of noble families have received garlands, but only Blanche has not. She felt more or less regretful, to the point that she chose not to attend many of the Martial Arts Tournaments.

"I will, Your Highness!" Luoning promised.

"Don't underestimate the geniuses of Jinyu City; you will encounter opponents."

Bruno chuckled, but his tone shifted: "However, if you can win the championship, I will give you another gift."

Luoning was curious: "What gift?"

If His Majesty the King is giving a gift, it must not be a simple thing.

Bruno clapped his hands, and a subordinate official walked in respectfully, handed over a scroll, and then retreated.

Luoning hurriedly walked over to help open this two-meter-long, one-meter-wide scroll. It was not a painting, but a relatively complete map of the Orland Continent.

It not only marked the territories of nobles large and small within the Kingdom but also the islands on the sea, as well as whirlpool markers far from the coast.

"In the north-northwest direction of the Screaming Sea, near the sea of the Zishuijing Count Territory, there is an isolated island."

Bruno pointed his finger at the location of the island, "Jiliu Island."

Luoning looked over.

Although this island is close to the Zishuijing Count Territory, it has already reached the midline of the north side of the Screaming Sea; while it is said to be close to the Zishuijing Count Territory, in reality, it is not far from the Wubei Territory either.

"This island is not large, about the size of a Viscount territory. It has always been a place to imprison criminals. Since the establishment of the Auduin Kingdom, the criminals and the descendants born to them on it probably number in the tens of thousands, and they have even established several factions on it."

Luoning raised an eyebrow; this place sounded chaotic enough.

Bruno continued: "According to the personnel responsible for guarding that place, the several factions on it have been restless lately, showing signs of breaking away from control. If you win the championship of this Martial Arts Tournament, I will arrange for you to subdue these factions, and along the way, I will have you clear out the base of the White Whale Pirate Group."

Luoning knew the Kingdom would handle the matter of the White Whale Pirate Group attacking and killing nobles, but he did not expect to be the one leading it.

However, by comparison, Luoning was even more curious about Jiliu Island.

"Your Majesty, is there anything special about this island?"

Bruno said with a smile: "There are some specialty fruits on it, and a batch is transported to the Jinyu Palace every year. Besides that, Jiliu Island has abundant timber resources. Whether it is for making furniture or building ships, it is very good."

"Although resources are limited and there is nothing special about it, it is ultimately the Kingdom's territory, and I do not wish for it to break away from control and lack order."

Having said this, His Majesty the King looked at Luoning: "After you successfully clear out the pirate group's base and restore order to Jiliu Island, I will announce your marriage to Blanche, and at the same time, to commend your honor and merit, I will enfeoff you as the Viscount of Jiliu Island."

Luoning's heart warmed; once he becomes a Viscount of the Kingdom, this will be a solid step toward him becoming a Marquis in the future.

This father-in-law is truly excellent; the things he gives are both many and good.

Moreover, Luoning also noticed.

His Majesty the King never gives things directly.

For example, letting him choose two Battle Technique or Magic books in the library was under the pretext of collecting Luoning's "Explosive Flame Slash";

Giving Luoning 50,000 gold coins for reputation damages and medical expenses was done in a roundabout way, through the Martial Arts Tournament championship;

And now, the ennoblement is achieved through the merit of wiping out the White Whale Pirate Group, subduing Jiliu Island, and the marriage with Blanche.

Every step has a justifiable reason.

"Luoning thanks Your Majesty for your trust!" he said gratefully.

He looked at Jiliu Island; the location of this island was still quite subtle.

If, after the port of the Wubei Territory is built, Luoning's warships can bypass the North Sea and enter the Screaming Sea, they could approach the Earl of Screaming Island.

If he has Jiliu Island in the future, his pincer attack with the Dennis Family on Screaming Island will be even more convenient.

Luoning could even use Jiliu Island as an aircraft carrier.

"Jiliu Island is actually not far from your Wubei Territory. When Blanche gets married, I will give you a few Griffins so that it will be more convenient for you to travel between the two places."

Luoning's smile never stopped.

Griffins, these are mounts that many people dream of.

Back in Anbian City, Luoning had once set his sights on the Griffin Knights under Hesusu, but he gave up later.

He did not expect that His Majesty the King would be willing to gift them now.

It seems that the benefits of marrying into the royal family are truly too many.

Luoning knelt on one knee: "Thank you for Your Majesty's favor; being able to marry Her Highness the Princess is my honor!"

Blanche laughed from the side, teasing: "Am I too cheap? Father paid quite a lot to marry me off!"

What was given was indeed a bit much.

However, Luoning did not think Bruno did all this out of a father's love for his daughter.

Luoning has the idea of curbing the Earl of Screaming Island, and Bruno might not necessarily lack it.

According to his observations, Bruno is not a muddled, incompetent king who only seeks pleasure.

On the contrary, judging from the way the other party handled these few matters, the other party acts quite rigorously.

Therefore, Luoning had reason to believe that when Bruno saw the four houses of Feilunsibao, Vila, Screaming Island, and Yueguang Valley intermarrying, he was more or less worried in his heart.

Bestowing Jiliu Island upon Luoning was, in reality, also a way to borrow the strength of the Wushan Family.

As a neighbor to the Vila Principality, Yueguang Valley, and Screaming Island, if this Marquis were to develop, he could very well disperse the pressure on the King.

They are not close kin, so how could there be love without a reason? (End of this chapter)