Chapter 332: The Empire

The sunset followed the carriage wheels and slowly sank below the horizon, and the twilight shrouded the Valencia family estate like a thin veil.

This magnificent building, like the Empire's unshakable power for a thousand years, stood tall and unyielding on the outskirts of the Shengcheng.

Unlike the Silphin estate located on Sage Street, there were no streets here, nor were there trendy house numbers.

The Valencia family was the only landmark here, and it is said that five hundred years ago, this place was a castle itself, until the city area of the Shengcheng expanded to this vicinity, and the Valencia family demolished the castle walls and turned it into an estate.

In the tea room on the second floor of the estate, Abot Valencia and "Prince Regent" Granville Bota were sitting leisurely in front of the tall floor-to-ceiling windows.

On the coffee table were tea sets with a silver luster, and the rose-colored tea soup swayed slowly in the crystal-clear bone china cups.

Abot's eyes narrowed slightly, examining the carriage slowly driving into the courtyard, his tone carrying a few traces of sincere admiration.

"I didn't expect Prince Kelin to be so young. I originally thought the rumors would be somewhat exaggerated, but I didn't expect that what I saw with my own eyes was even more incredible than the rumors."

The Silphin family's carriage rolled over the gravel-covered path, making a low and fragmented rumbling sound.

Outside the window, the servants in the garden had lined up neatly, waiting respectfully on the side, quietly waiting for the arrival of the guests.

Granville laughed lightly upon hearing this, his index finger flicking the tea spoon in his hand, and said slowly: "Indeed, platinum-level power, which is hard for many nobles to reach after a lifetime of struggle. A young man like him is probably hard to meet in a hundred years."

The friendship between the Bota family and the Valencia family was even longer than the Valencia family's estate, and could even be traced back to the First Epoch a thousand years ago.

Although the ages of Granville and Abot were somewhat different, their conversation had no gaps, just like intimate friends.

In fact, Granville's ability to become Prince Regent was precisely due to Abot's support.

Although the Bota family was prominent, it was still far behind compared to the Valencia family. Whether it was the heritage of history or the heritage in the sense of transcendent power, the latter was the absolute t0 of the entire Shengcheng.

Even if Abot, the head of the family, was not known for his transcendent power.

Watching the carriage outside the window, Granville put down the tea spoon in his hand and continued after a pause.

"To be honest, a platinum-level powerhouse in his twenties, even if he is sheltered by his ancestors, this strength is quite considerable. Even if you told me he was the chosen one of Lord St. Saint Xisi, I would believe it without doubt."

"Who knows? It might really be guessed right by you," Abot smiled lightly, his gaze glowing with spirit as he continued, "Otherwise, it is hard to explain why he is so perfect... whether it is the nobility of the soul, or the elegant and appropriate conversation and demeanor, and the most valuable emphasis on tradition and honor. No wonder the Silphin family is so interested in him."

"Defender of traditional noble honor." Granville nodded slowly, approval flowing in his eyes, and continued, "This is exactly the power our Senate needs."

Nowadays, various forces in the Shengcheng are fighting against each other, the Officer Faction is constantly expanding its influence among the civilians in the name of loyalty, and the Church Faction is ambitious and coveting secular power.

If the nobles of the Elder Faction can establish a solid alliance with Prince Kelin, at least it can curb the ambitions of all parties.

The carriage outside the window finally stopped steadily, the servants respectfully opened the carriage door, and the first to step out of the carriage was a pair of shiny black long boots.

The lights in front of the estate gate also gradually lit up at the same time, making that young and tall figure even more dazzling, just like the pairs of eyes gathered on him.

Granville and Abot looked at each other, both revealing tacit smiles, and put the bone china teacups back on the tray.

"Time to go and welcome our guests."

The night shrouded the entire estate, but Prince Kelin's arrival lit a lamp for the future of the Senate.

It's just that this lamp illuminated not only the elders of the Empire, but those pious believers also saw the invisible light radiating from Prince Kelin.

On the terrace of the Valencia family estate, the evening wind was cool, and the gorgeous colored glaze chandelier sprinkled a layer of warm yellow halo softly, playing a soothing prelude for the grand feast about to begin.

Count Casit Silphin stood by the carved stone railing, a gentle smile on his face, holding half a glass of amber wine in his hand, quietly watching his own carriage that stopped not far away.

And beside him, a man with a straight posture and decent dress was showing surprise, admiring without reservation.

"I always hear people talk about Prince Kelin being young and promising, and seeing him today is indeed well-deserved!"

Pausing, he couldn't help but say.

"To achieve platinum-level strength at such a young age, even with a prominent family background, it is not an easy thing... Did he successfully conquer which Demon King?"

This person was named Todwen Aiberg—this name was also a thunderous name on the continent of Os.

Besides "Leader of the Silver Hand Adventure Group" and "Unfathomable Baron," these titles familiar to countless adventurers, he himself was the president of the Adventure Guild General Association!

As everyone knows, the Adventure Guild is run by the Church; in other words, this Mr. Todwen doesn't just have a Baron's establishment under the Emperor, he also has an establishment here on St. Saint Xisi's side.

Casit laughed after hearing this.

"There are not so many Demon Kings for people to conquer, and the continent of Gana has just broken free from the Dragon God's barrier... However, I heard that the continent of Gana is a place of poor mountains and bad waters, with countless dangerous magical beasts and poisonous insects, as well as primitive lizardman tribes who drink blood, so I think there should be no lack of opportunities for training."

Todwen nodded, considering it an acknowledgment of this statement.

Then, withdrawing his gaze from outside the terrace, he looked at Casit again and asked with interest.

"You seem to know him very well."

"Very well is not quite right, but compared to you, I have indeed had more contact with him."

When he said this, Casit smiled slightly, a hint of sincere appreciation flowing in his eyes, and said in a relaxed tone.

"And, compared to transcendent power, I am more surprised by his attainments in the field of art. The day before yesterday, I learned from Baron Harvey Mitia that when he was painting for Prince Kelin, he had a discussion with Prince Kelin about art techniques and schools, and his understanding of abstract art... even Baron Mitia himself felt inferior."

"Even Baron Mitia felt inferior?!"

Todwen raised his eyebrows, showing an interested expression, and continued.

"This... this is too surprising."

As a member of the Shengcheng's vanity fair, although he didn't often deal with artists, he had also heard of Baron Mitia's miraculous painting skills.

According to the Pope's own evaluation, Baron Mitia was the only person who could make the canvas come alive like a magic photograph by relying on pure painting techniques.

That is art that is pure and reaches the depths of the soul!

In this field, he is the only one!

"What surprises me is not just these," Casit sipped his wine leisurely, "In short, both I and His Holiness the Pope are quite satisfied with him."

Art and religion are inseparable; both are reflections of the human spiritual world, but one is shot onto the canvas and the other is shot into the scriptures.

Since before the First Epoch, the St. Saint Xisi Church has been the sponsor of artists in the Shengcheng, and even until two hundred years ago, all artists in the Shengcheng made a living by painting for the church.

Including the Imperial Royal Academy of Arts.

So many art schools are just things that have happened in the last two hundred years; going back further, basically all well-known painters were priests, or people related to priests.

Therefore, from the Church's perspective, a family that understands art and attaches importance to the education of children naturally carries the attribute of piety.

To describe it in one sentence—his persona is as perfect as the textbook of the Imperial Royal Academy of Arts!

At least in his eyes it is.

The smile on Todwen's face also deepened, and he said understandingly: "It seems he is not only powerful, but also quite meticulous. Such a person, presumably, is a target worth winning over for the Senate, the Imperial Army, or our Church."

Casit smiled slightly, a hidden and confident light in his gaze: "Presumably the Adventure Guild is also very interested in this young Prince, right?"

Todwen laughed heartily, without any cover: "Exactly, Count! I have always hoped to chat with Prince Kelin about opening an Adventure Guild branch on the continent of Gana! The Kelin family has huge power on the continent of Gana; if we can get their support, our work will be much smoother... I wonder if you are willing to help?"

Casit nodded lightly, a gentle smile appearing on his face.

"Why not? I am very happy to introduce you. Presumably with Prince Kelin's piety to St. Saint Xisi, he will certainly not refuse such a thing."

The Adventure Guild opening overseas business itself is something the Church is happy to see, and he is of course willing to act as a lobbyist to bridge the two.

Todwen was overjoyed upon hearing this, an uncontrollable excitement flowing in his eyes, and he happily raised the wine glass in his hand.

"Great! With you bridging the gap, this matter is definitely settled!"

Casit smiled and clinked glasses with him, accepting this favor, everything unspoken.

Presumably tonight must be a fruitful night...

Just when the people of the Church Faction were pondering how to establish a deeper bond with this young and promising Prince, the Empire's Officer Faction did not fall behind.

At the entrance of the estate's main building, which was crowded with people, stood two men with completely different temperaments amidst a crowd of colorful and gorgeous clothing.

They were also wearing noble clothing, but the same clothes were worn on them with edges and corners like knife blades, just like military uniforms without ranks.

One of the middle-aged men with black hair and a firm face was Marshal Lako Aiberg, known as the "Black Iron Eagle." And the man with fiery red hair standing beside him was Legion Commander Julian Keller, president of the "Red Shield Brotherhood." The so-called "Red Shield Brotherhood" was not an organization like the Adventure Guild, but an unofficial club organized by junior and middle-level officers. The organization drew on the Adventure Guild of the Church, and the core referred to the large and small "invitation-only" salons in the Shengcheng.

Its purpose was initially to help retired veterans solve their livelihood in their later years, and later, as the number of people grew, it naturally developed into a political entity for civilian officers to help each other.

From the perspective of nobles, this is of course evil and unquestionable; after all, nobles huddling together is justified, that is the friendship of ancestors, that is for the cohesion of the Empire, what do a group of cannon fodder want to do together?

However, although the Senate had many criticisms and criticisms of the Red Shield Brotherhood, because these "godsons of the Emperor" were fighting under the banner of loyalty to the Emperor, the Emperor's real sons couldn't say anything.

Over time, as the Aiberg family, which possessed "demigod heritage," was gradually squeezed out to the young officers because of their disagreement with mainstream nobles, the originally thin Officer Faction immediately became a rising new force—

They represent the voices of citizens that have been suppressed for a long time.

If the nobles and priests still maintained a hint of restraint in winning over Roxay Kelin, then they were willing to win him over to their side at all costs.

In fact, they were already doing it.

General Hamorton invested a large amount of resources in Deadwood Port regardless of cost; it was impossible to do it just by his own strength and the face of a few letters.

He felt he didn't stand in line, but in fact, he had been in Marshal Lako Aiberg's team from beginning to end, but those who used him were not interested in pointing it out.

"... The news from General Hamorton was indeed not exaggerated," Marshal Lako stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze staring straight at the Prince walking down from the carriage, the more he looked, the more he felt appreciation, "To have platinum-level strength at such a young age, if only he were a general under my command."

Julian laughed, his tone carrying a hint of teasing.

"Haha, isn't it too much of a waste to let a Prince be your general?"

"I'm just saying," Marshal Lako grinned, paused for a moment, narrowed his eyes and continued, "Among the young nobles of the Empire, there are many who possess strength, but it is rare to see someone who has both strength and reputation, and can be unanimously recognized by all parties."

Not only that—

What is even rarer is his loyalty!

Not to mention those nobles who suck blood on the Empire, even within the Officer Faction, there are a large number of corrupt people who only care about profit.

However, this Kelin is different.

He is neither like a moral cleanliness freak who treats money as dung, but has strict bottom lines and good conduct for "what money can be earned and what money cannot."

This is the most valuable thing.

The nobles of the Empire lack bottom lines the most; their willfulness for power has eroded the foundation of the Empire, and the Aiberg family was just dissatisfied with this and was squeezed out of this circle, not tolerated by the mainstream.

"... According to Hamorton, this Prince not only helped the Empire solve the emergency supply problem in Deadwood Port, but also showed extraordinary organizational and management skills. The most critical thing is that he is not arrogant and frivolous like ordinary nobles, and always maintains enough respect for soldiers. This kind of pragmatic and well-bred noble is almost an endangered species in the Empire." Julian also couldn't help but admire.

If the nobles of the Empire were all like this Prince, he wouldn't be so disgusted with these hypocritical and pedantic guys.

Marshal Lako saw the bottom line and conduct, while he saw pragmatism and respect.

Of course—

The most important thing is land.

Opening up territory for the Empire is the value of the Empire's warriors.

Not only that, from a realistic interest perspective, the vast un-enfeoffed territory outside the vast ocean also belongs to the sphere of influence of the "Officer Faction."

This is also the biggest bargaining chip they can compete with the Senate and the Church today.

Marshal Lako nodded slowly.

"Exactly, the Empire's army does not judge heroes by bloodline, but only by whether a person has ability and responsibility. If this young Prince can truly stand on our side, it will undoubtedly be a huge help to the Empire's future reforms."

Speaking of this, he paused for a moment, a faint smile on his face, and continued.

"Since the person has already arrived, let's not chat here, let's go and talk to him directly."

Julian thought the same, nodding happily.

However, just as the two were about to step forward, they saw two familiar figures appear under the gate of the estate's main building.

I saw the owner of the estate, Abot Valencia, and the "Prince Regent" Granville Bota walking side by side, with kind smiles on their faces, actually greeting them out of the banquet hall door.

This move instantly caused whispers among the crowd around.

Marshal Lako raised his eyebrows and laughed: "I didn't expect the Senate people to be so active; it seems our Prince Kelin is of great significance to them."

But unfortunately—

They didn't know that Prince Kelin had already been their person.

Julian smiled faintly, but his gaze fell on the Count Silphin and the Adventure Guild President who also walked down from upstairs, his eyes couldn't help but carry a hint of playfulness.

"I thought they would be more restrained; it seems tonight's banquet will be even more lively than we imagined."

Three waves of people walked toward the carriage parked at the estate entrance at the same time, and a loud welcome drifted into Luo Yan's ears from far away.

"Prince Kelin!"

Luo Yan tidied his cuffs slightly, a calm and restrained smile on his mouth, his gaze falling on Prince Regent Granville Bota, who was standing at the forefront with a graceful demeanor.

The Empire's Prince Regent!

The first person under the Emperor!

However, what is somewhat different from the knowledge he learned at the Demon King Academy and Tichy's rhetoric is that this Granville is less like the Emperor's spokesperson, and more like the spokesperson for the Duke Valencia next to him.

This respected Prince Regent walked up, with a sincere smile on his face, and extended his right hand to Roxay Kelin in front of him.

"Welcome, Prince Kelin. Your great achievements and outstanding contributions on the continent of Gana have spread throughout the Empire. I represent the Os Empire and the Emperor who cannot come in person, and express my most sincere respect and welcome to you!"

"Welcome home!"

Luo Yan bowed slightly to return the salute, his expression humble yet not losing the decency of a noble, his voice steady and fluent: "It is the Kelin family's greatest honor to receive such high-standard courtesy from the Prince Regent. As a member of the Os Empire, being able to return to the Emperor's side to contribute my meager strength to the Empire, I believe my father would be proud and proud of me."

Luo Yan's words won the appreciation and applause of a group of guests around, including political enemies who were not at odds with Granville.

At this moment, he represents the Empire, not an individual or the Valencia family, and no one will tear down his stage.

And Prince Kelin also represents the Kelin family in expressing submission to the Empire... this is in line with the core interests of everyone present.

However, Luo Yan knew very well that the main event was next.

Those naked eyes could no longer restrain the desire in their hearts, urgently wanting to get the biggest piece of cake from him.

It's just that they didn't know who they were trading with while bathing in the Holy Light.

Luo Yan responded to every greeting elegantly and appropriately, from Count Casit Silphin who had already contacted him, to the Grand Duke Valencia with deep historical heritage, to Marshal Lako representing the Officer Faction and his right-hand men.

He remembered every one of their faces and read the desire hidden behind the mask with his rich past experience.

What the Senate craves is not noble honor, but to let the Empire, this wild horse that is increasingly out of the control of the nobles, return to the golden age when the nobles had the final say.

And those officers are not noble either; although they don't leave the Emperor in three sentences, and everything must speak of loyalty, that is just to cover up their shame.

They don't want to end the war with the Underworld at all; they just want to become new nobles. It's just that the citizens of the Shengcheng happen to think so too, so it seems they have represented the citizens of the Shengcheng.

If they really win, it will definitely be the greatest disaster for the ordinary people of the Empire. The elders at most just don't play with the civilians, but they might really take the young men of the Empire into the Underworld to "make contributions."

As for the priests, they are the most severely corroded, and Luo Yan even suspects that there are Calamos's servants among those who shook hands with him.

Reason?

There is no reason to identify Calamos's servants, as long as it gives him goosebumps.

As for the scene words they said, they were just names said to outsiders.

And what he has to do next is to feed everyone as much as possible at the banquet, and stabilize his neutral position in the process.

The Kelin family is new here, doesn't understand the interest entanglements of the Shengcheng, and doesn't want to stand in line in a hurry; "Roxay Kelin" hopes to learn more from everyone.

Everyone can talk about cooperation first, then talk about ideals.

I believe those big figures who are unwilling to force him to the opposite camp will give him time to understand the rules of the game.

This banquet itself is also prepared for this.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 333 =====