Chapter 215: Perhaps they have already met

A gargantuan bomb has already been buried at the very center of the Campbell Principality's Tower of Power.

What it will sink is not merely the tacit understanding between the upper and lower classes that has existed since the First Epoch; it will also ignite a massive conflagration, dragging everyone who gazes upon it or finds themselves within it into the flames.

After enduring this catastrophe, which will cost an entire generation, the subjects of the Campbell Principality will ultimately find salvation.

However, just as Luo Yan and his followers have said, they must first experience despair.

In the time that followed, Luo Yan did not continue to discuss the things Edward loved to hear, nor the things he was wary of. Instead, he used his own "observations" from the Academy and the Empire to divert the topic, thereby guiding Edward to speak about the courts of the Campbell Principality and the Kingdom of Lei En.

Luo Yan skillfully controlled the social distance between them; while stepping into the other's mental world, he left behind a touch of mystery, never delving in completely.

Not exploring the other's mental world at all would not truly earn their trust, but going too deep would easily arouse their vigilance and suspicion afterward.

He would return the initiative to the other party at the appropriate time, just as he did when spending time with Ailin.

At the Demon King Academy, this course was called "Etiquette of the Human Empire."

The two chatted happily for the remainder of the time, and it wasn't until the luncheon hour that Edward left, still feeling as though there was more to be said.

As the monarch of this country and the host of all banquets, he had to tidy his appearance before the banquet began.

Luo Yan actually had the same intention, but just as he was preparing to leave the tea room, Baron Ge Si stopped him with a solemn expression.

Just as Luo Yan was curious about what he intended to say, Baron Ge Si performed an aristocratic salute and spoke with great gravity.

"Thank you. This advice of yours is very important to us, whether for our Majesty or for us vassals who serve him."

Luo Yan smiled and nodded.

"It is my honor to be able to help you. I like this place very much."

A smile also appeared on Baron Ge Si's face, and he immediately spoke again.

"I feel the same. After all, this is my hometown. It's just that I only recently realized that I don't actually understand the subjects I rule over at all. They aren't kind in the slightest, let alone simple and honest; on the contrary, their cunning exceeds my imagination."

"I have never thought about this problem until now, and only recently did I suddenly realize that those fellows aren't worthy of the Ge Si family's protection at all. It's just that we have always been bound to this land by traditional honor and responsibility."

"I vaguely sensed something was wrong, but I couldn't put my finger on where. Thanks to your words, I've been enlightened... Actually, we could be much wealthier, as long as we set aside even a tiny bit of our obligations as lords. In other words, I have actually sacrificed too much for them invisibly!"

"And how do they repay me? I led them to resolve a major trouble in the territory, yet they turned and fled without hesitation the moment I needed them most. I think it is time to let them receive a lesson. Only in this way can we make these scoundrels remember who it is that is truly best for them!"

Luo Yan looked at Ge Si in astonishment, unsure for a moment whether to be surprised by his heaven-defying logic or his shamelessness.

Indeed.

In an inconspicuous corner of the blueprint he had unfolded for Grand Duke Edward, it did indeed contain this whisper of a demon—

When these feudal lords set aside their feudal obligations and collude with the power of capital, they can earn unimaginable wealth, like eating a fish twice.

It was just that Luo Yan had not expected him to accurately find this whisper and ignore everything else.

It was as if he were showing the *Mona Lisa* to Grand Duke Edward; everyone, including the Grand Duke, saw the smile, but only his gaze looked downward and saw the cleavage.

This fellow, perhaps, was born to be a demon.

Shocked for a long time, Luo Yan coughed lightly and said.

"I am surprised that you interpret it this way. I think perhaps you should give them a lesson, but don't be too extreme."

Baron Ge Si winked at him, indicating that he understood perfectly.

"I understand. Although they were insidious and cunning first, I am, after all, a person who values decency. I will only take the portion that is rightfully mine."

Is that really so?

Luo Yan expressed doubt, but said nothing.

At this moment, Lady Marina walked in from outside, looking at her husband with a resentful gaze.

"Enough. You have already talked for too long. If you drag this out any further, the banquet will start."

She had spent the entire morning preparing for this matter.

After scolding her husband, Marina looked at Mr. Kelin, and her gaze softened instantly.

"Please come with me, respected sir. You must wish to prepare before the banquet begins."

Although Luo Yan felt there was no need for this, he nodded respectfully and then looked at Baron Ge Si to say goodbye.

"Then I shall take my leave first. See you in a while."

"See you in a while, sir."

Baron Ge Si nodded with a smile, watching Mr. Kelin leave the tea room.

However, when his gaze fell upon his wife, he frowned in confusion.

Why did this woman change her clothes again?

In all the time they had been married, he had never seen her so fond of dressing up...

The luncheon was held in the manor's dining hall.

The dining table here was arranged exquisitely and elegantly; the linen tablecloth was covered with sumptuous dishes, including roast squab, honey-glazed venison leg, fresh vegetable salad, and sweet wine brewed from wild berries, a specialty of the Silver Pine Forest.

On both sides of the spacious dining hall, there were musicians holding instruments to provide accompaniment.

Grand Duke Edward sat at the head of the banquet table, with his sister Ailin on his left, and Mr. Kelin, the most distinguished guest of the Campbell Principality, on his right.

As for the master of this manor, Ge Si himself, he was squeezed into the fourth position.

However, Ge Si himself had no complaints about this arrangement; after all, dining at the same table as the Grand Duke was already a tremendous honor for him.

Not to mention that there was the eldest son of a certain Prince of the Empire keeping them company.

From the moment the banquet began, Ge Si had been doing his utmost to curry favor with the Grand Duke, either boasting about his achievements in the barony or seizing every opportunity to offer compliments.

Yet, facts proved that his flattery did not hit the mark; he merely dusted off the straw beside the horse's hoof.

The respected Grand Duke Edward was preoccupied with his own thoughts and was clearly not interested in the achievements Ge Si was bragging about; he didn't even have as much interest in them as he did in the honey-glazed venison leg.

As for Luo Yan, he looked at Princess Ailin, who appeared to have just recovered from a serious illness, and asked with concern.

"Princess Ailin, do you feel better?"

"I feel much better, thank you for your concern." Perhaps because her brother was nearby, Ailin appeared very reserved, as if she had returned to the time they first met.

However, a person's eyes cannot lie.

Luo Yan could clearly feel that she would steal a glance at him from time to time, so much so that You You, who was floating to the side eating melon, giggled incessantly.

Edward seemed to be annoyed by Baron Ge Si and finally spoke up to interrupt the latter's incessant chatter.

"Mr. Ge Si, I am not interested in how you personally went into battle to stack two frigid cows together. You had better talk about your experiences yesterday, such as what you saw in the Demon King's stronghold, or how you were rescued."

"No problem, Your Majesty!" Seeing that Grand Duke Edward was not interested in his topic, Ge Si immediately switched the subject from his "diligent governance" to his "heroic prowess."

As for why he didn't win, he attributed the problem to the incompetence of the tenant farmers of Silver Pine Town, who had been scared out of their wits by the demons of Beifeng City.

He glossed over the experience of being captured, and immediately went on to talk about his experiences after being captured. However, when he mentioned the Demon King's stronghold at the foot of Beifeng Mountain, a trace of hesitation appeared on his face.

This was a topic he had been deliberately avoiding since returning from the north of the Silver Pine Forest.

That was that those displaced people who had lost their lords were actually living quite well in the Demon King's territory.

They had not starved to death.

On the contrary, they had even begun to doubt the majesty of Saint Xisi, and this was often something people only started doing once they were well-fed.

He could be certain that His Majesty would not like to hear such words, so he had no choice but to change his perspective.

"Those demons are using strange machines."

"Strange machines?" Grand Duke Edward raised an eyebrow, a strange expression appearing on his face, and he even stopped the knife and fork in his hand.

Seeing that His Majesty seemed interested, Baron Ge Si immediately described it vividly.

"That's right. Those are some machines I haven't even seen in Lei Ming City! There are circular discs that can quickly cut through wood, and iron hands that can lift stones onto rooftops. It's a bit like dwarven craftsmanship, but completely different. I can't help but suspect they have colluded with the followers of the God of Machines!"

Listening to Baron Ge Si's description, Grand Duke Edward's expression became increasingly surprised, and then his brows furrowed.

"Is that so? That is a serious problem."

"It is, especially since those fellows have also enslaved the kingdom's displaced people, forcing them to help forge weapons," Baron Ge Si said hurriedly. "Your Majesty, I suggest you take this opportunity to eliminate them once and for all, while they haven't grown strong yet!"

Edward pondered for a long time and gave an ambiguous answer.

"Let's discuss this later."

Honestly, this was indeed a hidden danger, but the Wan Ren Mountains were, after all, outside the borders of the Campbell Principality.

Moreover, compared to taking the initiative to attack, waiting for those demons to come over was clearly more in line with his interests.

Let's wait a little longer.

Seeing that Grand Duke Edward had little interest in his instigation, Baron Ge Si did not dare to bring it up again, but in his heart, he became even more determined to sell the land use rights in his hands. He would not wait for the demons to come before running.

He never wanted to experience yesterday's encounter again in this lifetime...

After the luncheon ended, Grand Duke Edward left the manor and headed to the military camp stationed near the manor.

Because the military action was canceled, the purpose of this assembly changed from reinforcing the barony to an exercise aimed at deterrence.

An army of 20,000 formed into square formations and conducted drills in the unique style of the fantasy world.

This included, but was not limited to, joint spellcasting by the chanting group, Griffin Knights sweeping low over the positions, and heavy cavalry holding light spears charging under the protection of holy light.

Luo Yan saw Charles in the crowd, but the other party didn't seem to notice him and was focused on commanding the troops.

It wasn't just Luo Yan watching the excitement; the farmers near the manor and the servants in the manor also stood in the distance to watch, marveling at the knights who were showing off their power.

And those adventurers who had specially run over from town had faces full of envy.

Only at this moment did they thoroughly realize the gap between themselves and the regular army.

(Content not to be skipped!)

The martial prowess they boasted about, and the magical beasts they claimed to have defeated, were probably only at the same level as the mounts of the Griffin Knights.

In front of that steel torrent galloping with holy blessings, the short swords and muskets in their hands were like toys; they could at most bully the magical beasts in the surface layers of the labyrinth or the Silver Pine Forest, and on the battlefield, they would at most be a group of high-tier cannon fodder...

Just as Grand Duke Edward was reviewing his troops, Ailin Campbell, who had changed into casual clothes, brought Teresa to find Luo Yan, who was watching the excitement, and said in a voice tinged with shyness.

"Mr. Kelin, I would like to invite you to a nearby town. I wonder if you have time now?"

It just so happened that Luo Yan was also a bit tired of watching Grand Duke Edward show off, so he readily said.

"Of course, it is my honor to accompany you."

"That's great! Cough... I mean, I am happy that you are willing to accompany me." A bright smile bloomed on Ailin's face, although she quickly hid that heartfelt joy behind a reserved cough.

Looking at the flustered Princess, Teresa couldn't help but show a helpless smile.

Although she understood that Princess Ailin wanted to remain reserved in front of the person she liked, she still couldn't help but want to remind the Princess that her thoughts were almost written all over her face.

Even a vulgar person like herself with no experience could see it; presumably, Mr. Kelin had seen it long ago.

The carriage soon stopped at the manor gate.

Looking at Ailin's expectant gaze, Luo Yan gentlemanly helped her onto the carriage, although after seeing her heroic posture, he actually seriously doubted in his heart whether there was any need for this.

If she used her full strength, it shouldn't be any problem for her to swing this carriage around.

"Depart!"

Teresa rode her horse to the front of the team, shouted to the guard, and then led the team toward the direction of Silver Pine Town.

Looking at the scenery passing by outside the carriage window, Ailin gently dangled her calves and suddenly spoke.

"I had a dream last night."

Luo Yan said casually.

"May I have the honor of knowing it?"

Ailin's cheeks felt slightly hot; she turned her face away and whispered.

"It has to do with you anyway..."

Has to do with me?

Luo Yan couldn't help but be a little curious about what she had dreamed. However, seeing the look on her face that made it hard to speak, he knew that he probably wouldn't be able to ask.

Time flowed silently in the quiet, and Ailin suddenly whispered.

"You won't be unfaithful, will you?"

As soon as the words fell, she suddenly realized that she didn't seem to have the standing to ask this question, so she hurriedly changed her words.

"Sorry, is it very strange for me to ask this question? I am not speculating on your meaning, it's just... I... I don't have much sense of security..."

Her voice became smaller and smaller, and she reached out to cover her face, only then realizing that her brain, which had already broken the fever, was as hot as a furnace.

Looking at her incoherent appearance, Luo Yan couldn't help but smile and said in a gentle voice.

"How could that be? I am very happy to listen to your troubles, although... this question makes me feel a little troubled."

"Sorry, please forget it..." Ailin closed her eyes in regret, and a small cry came from her throat, like a hamster cornered against a wall.

It seems that brave people are not always so brave.

Looking at Princess Ailin, who was almost about to "a" at him, Luo Yan smiled lightly and handed her a step.

"You might be tired; you'll be fine after resting for a while."

"Sorry..." Ailin buried her head very low, and her tightly clenched chin was almost buried in her collar.

"Please don't apologize anymore. Why not look at the scenery outside the window? When I passed by here before, I hadn't had time to appreciate it carefully."

As Luo Yan said this softly, he cast his gaze outside the carriage window.

He remembered that when he and Sarah passed by here last time, it was still snowing heavily in the sky. Now, in the blink of an eye, winter was about to end.

The sunlight shone softly on the snow-covered wilderness, and a hint of warmth emerging from the soil began to melt the frozen earth.

If there were no accidents, this place would become an endless field in a few months.

But if an accident happened, the scenery of the past might not appear again.

Everything would be gone forever.

Luo Yan quietly appreciated the scenery outside the window until the cooking smoke of Silver Pine Town came into view.

Ailin, sitting opposite him, seemed to have finally calmed down; she no longer clenched her toes against the soles of her shoes, but looked out the window as quietly as he did.

"... Winter is coming to an end. Looking at these melting snows, I feel my mood has become light."

Luo Yan looked at Ailin; her smile was quiet, and a touch of sunlight happened to fall on the tip of her nose, like a butterfly that had arrived gracefully.

He pondered for a moment and said softly.

"My mood is the same as yours."

Ailin looked at him and blinked playfully.

"If only time could pause at this moment."

Luo Yan smiled and said honestly.

"That might be a bit difficult."

With the arrival of Ailin's guard, A De Lai, the sheriff of Silver Pine Town, and the mayor hurriedly came to the town gate to welcome them.

This was the second time the Campbell family's flag had visited this small town in one day.

And when A De Lai saw Luo Yan sitting in the carriage, the expression on his face suddenly looked like he had seen a ghost; he was stunned on the spot, unable to say a complete sentence.

Ailin did not blame him; after all, he was not the only one who stuttered and couldn't speak when seeing the royal family.

On the contrary, the mayor looked at A De Lai strangely. This guy was fine when he saw His Majesty in the morning; why couldn't he speak when he saw the Princess?

After dealing with the town officials, Ailin's carriage went straight to the door of the Silver Pine Town church.

The one who came out to welcome him was Father Ma Te.

Compared to the fussing A De Lai, this ghoul priest was calm without any flaws; even when facing the God-Chosen and a group of knights, he didn't show any flaws.

"... Sorry, Princess, Mr. Yan Wang ultimately failed to return. Huang Tong Pass is in jeopardy, and the people there need him."

Hearing Father Ma Te's answer, a look of disappointment appeared on Ailin's face, but she was ultimately relieved.

"Although it is a pity, I can understand that he has his own things to do. Please tell him for me that I hope he is safe and sound. Also, those displaced people from the Twilight Province are living very well now; I will do my best to help them settle down in Lei Ming City."

"I will tell that gentleman for you, if I can contact him. Also, you actually don't have to regret..."

Father Ma Te nodded slightly, cast a subtle glance at the Great Demon King standing beside Her Highness the Princess, and then looked at Ailin with a kind smile.

"You might have already met him, who knows."

Ailin looked at him in surprise.

"When?"

"Then I don't know," Father Ma Te shook his head lightly. "He only told me that you are a truly kind lady."

"May Saint Xisi bless you."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 216 =====