Chapter 349: The Prince Who Left Gracefully Amidst the Noise

The whistle of the harbor saw off the young men heading for their ideals, and also saw off Prince Kelin, who was about to leave the Shengcheng for the north.

He had stayed in the Shengcheng for more than a month, and during this month, his "Prince Kelin" vest could be said to have stolen the show.

Whether it was politics or economy, or culture and military, and even the "scientific research" field, the entire Shengcheng was covered with his chess pieces wherever his gaze reached... regardless of whether those chess pieces influenced by him noticed this.

His expanding influence was like a huge tentacle, firmly grasping the base of the Holy Grail, and was spreading toward the cup body.

Doing this step was enough for now.

Tying it too tightly would only make the citizens of the Empire alert too early.

Especially since he had been in the limelight too much recently, and the promised benefits had been fulfilled one after another, some nobles who were not so close to him had begun to feel dissatisfied, and jealousy gradually overcame "freshness."

It would be better to leave actively for a while at such a time.

When the citizens of the Shengcheng missed him, he would naturally return.

According to the plan, after leaving the Shengcheng, Luo Yan would head to the Empire's Xuebang to admire the Empire's achievements in the field of magic over the past five hundred years.

If referring to the map of Europe on Earth, the location of the Shengcheng is probably around Rome, while the location of Xuebang is on the south coast of the Baltic Sea.

Incidentally, the next stop on Luo Yan's itinerary, the Principality of Campbell, can refer to the location on the north coast of the Aegean Sea in reality.

It can be seen how far this distance is.

Of course, the above is for reference only.

After all, the cartography level of the Aus Empire is still at the level of "before circumnavigation," and the terrain and landforms of this world are completely different from Earth, and there is no comparable significance in reality.

There is a saying in the magic world of the Empire that the further north the location, the richer the "magic elements," which is more conducive to the cultivation of magicians.

Therefore, most of the mage towers in the Empire are located along the North Sea coast, and many of these are sponsored by the Valencia family, the Kastelion family, and the Lanbell family.

The foundation of the nobles of the Shengcheng cannot be seen much in the Shengcheng, but outside the Shengcheng, it is like the roots of giant trees, intertwined. Counting the roots upward, almost all of them can count to the few most noble families, even if they don't interact frequently in normal times.

Marshal Lako suggested to Luo Yan that he could be taken to Xuebang by the Empire's Griffin Knights, which would greatly shorten his travel time.

However, after thinking for a moment, Luo Yan finally politely declined on the grounds of "wanting to measure the land of the homeland with his feet."

As for the real reason, of course, it was inconvenient to let people from the Empire follow him all the time.

Outside the Shengcheng, on the main road of the Empire leading to the north, a grand and solemn farewell ceremony was taking place.

Dozens of gorgeous carriages decorated with the crests of various families were lined up in order, and the flags were silently unfolding in the morning breeze.

And in this farewell team that almost included the top of the Empire's power, the most eye-catching was undoubtedly the protagonist being seen off—Prince "Roxay Kelin," who was stirring up the situation in the Shengcheng.

At this moment, he was wearing a dark travel suit, standing beside the carriage prepared for long-distance travel, personally saying goodbye to every friend who came to see him off.

"Marshal, we are at the border of the Shengcheng ahead, the journey is long, you should send me here."

Marshal Lako Aiberg, who was standing in front of Luo Yan, was wearing military uniform, and even in such a social occasion, he carried an aura of iron and blood.

He didn't say much, just stared at the Prince Kelin's face with those sharp eyes like a falcon, and said solemnly and slowly.

"Take care!"

He noticed that the precious sword he gave to Prince Kelin was hanging at the gentleman's waist at this moment.

The latter did not worry about the Senate's thoughts, but generously displayed the friendship between them, which also made a smile appear on the Marshal's face.

Actually, he thought too much, those families with deep foundations wouldn't care about this at all.

Not to mention, even he himself defaulted—Prince Kelin had just returned to the Shengcheng and didn't know the infighting between the Senate and the Marshal's Office.

Those big shots who stood in the same ecological niche as him naturally knew this, so how could they be petty about this little thing?

The Empire's officer faction gathered people who were politically immature. After all, if they were mature, they wouldn't have handled the relationship with the Senate and the Church so stiffly.

"Hmm, see you again!"

Luo Yan said goodbye to Marshal Lako solemnly. And it was also at this moment that Regent Granville and Duke Valencia also walked toward this direction.

Lako turned and left tactfully, the only thing that troubled Luo Yan a little was the "brother understands you" look when he left.

Not to mention whether their relationship was that close... what did you understand?

However, as a Prince with good popularity, he naturally wouldn't write the trouble on his face, but returned Lako an "I understand" look, and then faced the other two equally noble friends.

"Prince Kelin!"

Granville's face carried an impeccable smile, and he held Luo Yan's hand solemnly.

"On behalf of the Empire, and on behalf of myself, I wish you a smooth journey! We will properly promote the affairs of the Templar Order according to the charter, and look forward to you bringing new wisdom and vision to us when you return from Xuebang."

"The glory of the Kelin family has been perfectly continued in you." Duke Valencia added in his kind and majestic voice, "Also, please be sure not to be too tired, the future of the Empire still needs young people like you to contribute strength."

Luo Yan smiled slightly, returned a standard etiquette, and said calmly.

"You two are over-praising, I am just doing my duty as a subject of the Empire. The smooth establishment of the Templar Order is inseparable from the strong support of the Senate and the Regent... The Kelin family will keep this kindness in mind!"

Both Granville and Duke Valencia's faces showed happy smiles, and at the same time, they glanced at the burly back that left swaggeringly from here with eyes looking at a fool.

In their view, this guy was no different from those young men who boarded ships to the Jana Continent to chase their dreams.

The young officers of the Empire did form a political force that could not be underestimated, but the army of the Empire was not all in the hands of these young officers... they always overestimated their weight.

For example, the Near-Sea Defense Fleet that escorted the trade routes on the east coast of the vast ocean was firmly in the hands of Duke Andre Kastelion.

Not only the Near-Sea Defense Fleet, but there was also no shortage of loyal and reliable young men in their private soldiers in their respective territories... some of them were children of vassals, and some were children of their servants.

With a huge foundation as a backing, they could also insert their own people into the Templar Order, and even the clerks who registered the young men of the Empire at the harbor at this moment were full of party members of the Senate nobles.

The most critical point was that Kelin was also a noble.

And unlike the rebellious Aiberg family, the Kelin family, which valued tradition, had not been excluded by the upper society of the Empire.

After some pleasantries, the Regent and Duke Valencia left side-by-side with smiles, leaving time for others.

And after the two left, Luo Yan finally waited for Duke Andre Kastelion, who had a private exchange with him in the lounge of the Marshal's Office.

This man with a thick beard like a lion walked up with his golden-haired, blue-eyed, petite and cute little daughter, Miss Ofia.

"Prince, I wish you a smooth journey! I think your ears must be calloused from hearing polite words, so I won't say those empty ones!"

Andre laughed enthusiastically, held Prince Kelin's hand, and shook it vigorously.

"The Kastelion family will always be an ally of the Kelin family! Regarding the opening of the new route to the Jana Continent, and the material supply for the knight order stations like Deadwood Harbor in the future, my fleet has made full preparations. I look forward to discussing the next step of the cooperation plan in detail after you return from the north!"

The fleet he mentioned naturally did not refer to the Near-Sea Defense Fleet, which was the Empire's fleet.

Besides controlling the Empire's fleet, the scale of their family's private fleet was also large enough to influence or even change the Empire's trade map on the vast ocean!

As the coachman of the Empire on the sea, the Kastelion family even had a bronze seahorse as their family crest, which showed their influence in the Empire's shipping industry.

And this was also the most direct reason why General Hamorton was unwilling to cooperate with the Empire's merchants to solve the supply problem.

As for saying that he didn't trust the Empire's merchants, those were all scene words.

A few white gloves were not enough to make the Empire's general feel wary, what he really worried about was that the Kastelion family would continue to reach out to the Empire's ocean-going fleet and even Saint Ilburg by relying on trade influence.

That was the sphere of influence of the Marshal, and also the last soil for the survival of the officer faction in the Shengcheng.

Luo Yan was about to respond to Andre's farewell, but saw Miss Ofia, who had been shyly lowering her head beside the Duke, suddenly summon the courage to take a small step forward.

Her fair cheeks were flushed, even dyeing her swan-like neck red. She held a delicate and small amulet in her hands, and from the crooked seahorse symbol, it should have been sewn by her own hands.

If there was a maid who knew needlework to help, it wouldn't have been sewn into an Arachdo.

"Prince..."

Ofia's voice was as tiny as a mosquito, but crisp and pleasant, "I wish you... peace on your journey. The sunshine of the Shengcheng... will wait for you to return here." This love line was read from a book, named "One Love Line a Day to Advance and Retreat Freely," which roughly talked about a bard knocking open the hearts of one noble lady after another through subtle yet enthusiastic expressions.

Although it was full of a lot of content that made her blush and unable to sleep after reading it, she still bit the bullet and found the useful part.

Luo Yan lowered his head and pondered for a while, and took the amulet from Ofia's hand with a smile, which still carried a warm and clear fragrance.

"Thank you, beautiful Miss Ofia, your blessing is the most precious gift of my journey, I will keep it properly."

His words made Ofia's cheeks even redder, and joyful light also appeared in her eyes.

However, in the next second, Luo Yan turned his gaze to Duke Andre, and seamlessly turned the topic to her father.

"Also thank you, Duke, the Kelin family will also always be an ally of the Kastelion family, may our friendship be as long as the unbreakable Huang Tong Pass! Whether it is the future of the Empire or our future, it cannot be separated from the support of the ocean. And I think, your daughter's blessing also brought a beautiful omen for our common cause."

Saying that, Luo Yan flicked the cute seahorse lightly and gave a gentle smile to Ofia, who was shyly lowering her head.

"What a cute seahorse, thank you again, Miss Ofia."

Ofia blushed and said "Hmm," not daring to look at him, and even more embarrassed to say that what she sewed was actually his pet dragon named Tafu.

Seeing his daughter, who was usually as proud as a high-mountain flower, become so shy, Andre felt a hint of heartache for her while feeling emotional.

Prince Kelin spoke very tactfully, taking care of his daughter's face, but he could still hear the meaning behind that tactfulness.

May their friendship be like Huang Tong Pass, and Huang Tong Pass has no love.

Honestly, he admired this young man.

At the same age, facing a girl with a good family background and in her prime, he would definitely agree first.

One is willing to hit and the other is willing to suffer, even if he didn't want to be responsible in the end, could the other party turn against the Kastelion family?

As for being forced by elders to get married, that was a matter for later, he was probably too lazy to consider so far when he was in his twenties.

Andre calmed down, took over the topic, and before his daughter noticed that she had been rejected, he transferred the topic to other places.

"That's what I think too... Also, I didn't expect you to leave so hurriedly, I thought you would at least invite me to watch a good show before leaving."

Luo Yan knew he was referring to the land in the Bai Lu District, smiled slightly and said.

"This good show has already begun, but the actors will only appear on stage after I leave here. You will definitely understand why I say this afterward... please pay attention to tomorrow's newspaper."

Andre raised his eyebrows and said with a smile.

"Haha, is that so? Then I have to look forward to it!"

After the conversation with the Kastelion Duke and his daughter ended, Luo Yan also met other equally noble figures such as the head of the Lanbell family.

And as the last friend finished saying goodbye to him, this grand farewell finally approached the end.

Looking at every friend who came to see him off solemnly, Luo Yan performed an impeccable noble etiquette, expressing his highest respect and gratitude to everyone.

Without their help, he would not have completed all the plans so smoothly.

Afterward, Luo Yan no longer had any reluctance, turned around, and boarded the carriage prepared for long-distance travel.

The carriage started slowly, the guards rode forward, and the carriage wheels rolled over the stone slab road of the Imperial Avenue, making a regular and steady sound.

The motorcade headed north all the way, gradually merging into the horizon in the distance, and finally turned into a blurred black dot, disappearing from the eyes of everyone who was looking forward to it.

Regent Granville Bota and Duke Valencia still stood side-by-side, with a satisfied smile on their faces.

"A young man worth looking forward to," Granville said softly, "His respect for honor and tradition exceeded my expectations."

"Not only that, he also knows how to return kindness, and understands the source of power even more." Duke Valencia nodded slowly, his voice low and full of confidence, "The Templar Order was a move that exceeded my expectations. I didn't expect him to use this way to extend an olive branch to the Senate, while cleverly avoiding offending the officer faction that has greater influence in the New Continent... I admit, I underestimated him."

This young man might become the backbone of the Senate, and he had high expectations for this Prince Kelin.

Granville smiled and raised his eyebrows.

"Do you think he would be more tactful?"

Duke Valencia said with a smile.

"Before, yes. As for now, I have to re-evaluate him."

And on the other side of the crowd, Duke Andre Kastelion placed his broad palm on his little daughter's shoulder.

Ofia Kastelion's gaze was still looking into the distance infatuatedly, until it disappeared completely, and the lost emotion quietly climbed onto her face.

"Let's go, my little Ofia," Andre's voice was gentle, patting his daughter's shoulder, "Prince Kelin... after all, doesn't belong here, the excellent young men in the Shengcheng are as many as the leaves in the forest in the distance, don't give up the whole forest for one tree."

Hearing this irresponsible sentence, Ofia hummed lightly and secretly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.

"You don't understand at all... what love is. Whether there are a thousand leaves in the forest or ten thousand, it has nothing to do with me... I only want the one that belongs to me."

Andre: "..."

It's okay that I don't understand.

But he couldn't mock his own daughter, the girls I've talked to are more than the men you've seen, who gave you the confidence to say I don't understand?

It's just that it's not elegant to say it, and the real words are not good to hear, so it's not convenient to tell you.

Looking at her father who couldn't speak, she complained in a low voice again.

"Also, didn't you tell me... if it were Prince Kelin, it would be good. It's all your fault, otherwise... I wouldn't have developed feelings..."

People will edit their memories, and Miss Ofia is clearly no exception.

At this moment, she completely forgot the self who was shyly hiding behind her father and looking around curiously, and even forgot the self who was intoxicated on the dance floor.

She only remembered the hint her father gave her after the banquet that day—and that so-called hint was nothing more than a sentence "Prince Kelin is a good young man, both family background and conversation are impeccable."

Looking at his daughter who refused to admit it after turning her face, Andre was also a bit dumbfounded for a while.

"But... isn't it appropriate for both parties to be willing? I can't force him."

"Who wants you to force him, you don't need your help, this is my own business!" Ofia stubbornly turned her face to one side, and muttered after a while, "I won't give up."

She cheered herself up in her heart.

Come on Ofia! You are still young!

Even Baron Kosia can stand up from where he fell, let alone you are the dignified Miss Kastelion!

She still has a chance!

By the way, Prince Kelin seems to like magic?

Ofia's eyes lit up, and she secretly made up her mind that when she went back, she would ask her father to hire another teacher proficient in magic for herself!

For nobles, extraordinary power is very simple as long as they want to learn.

It's just a pity that the poor Miss Kastelion didn't know how powerful her competitor was.

But it's good not to know. If she knew, her fantasy about Roxay Kelin would probably be shattered... after all, that gentleman's name is fake.

Andre gave a wry smile and shook his head.

He won't interfere with the affairs of young people.

At least, he can trust Prince Kelin's character, his behavior is strictly within the bounds of etiquette, and he will never do anything to Ofia.

Having a good impression of that gentleman is not a bad thing, it's better than being abducted by some hairy boys who don't know where they came from.

In any case, children's love is just a trivial dust in front of family interests, and his cooperation with Prince Kelin will not be affected by his daughter at all.

The first batch of flights of the Templar Order has set off.

And as the helmsman of the Aus Empire on the vast ocean, he also has to prepare to welcome a brand-new era of great navigation!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 350 =====