Chapter 387: Gem Empire! A land of endless prosperity!

"If it is Your Highness..."

He will definitely be able to do it!

Sebastian silently lowered his head, his eyes filled only with Locke's magnificent figure.

Even though he wasn't outrageously large compared to those freaks of the Giant race.

He was still towering.

Like an endless ocean, making one feel deep awe while marveling.

Even the Marines or whatever...

Were just running dogs that could be easily dealt with before His Highness!

His weathered eyes carried a hint of suppressed fanaticism.

Regarding the future of Noxas, he had no doubt; as long as Locke wanted to do it, he would definitely succeed!

This was an absolute! Absolute! Absolute! Indisputable fact!

——

Not a word was spoken all night!

The east turned white!

After settling Leone and the others and arranging for them to enter the rooms already prepared in the palace, Locke returned to his room and fell into a deep sleep on the soft bed.

After all!

Although his bed was sturdily made, it was somewhat difficult to bear the weight of five or six people.

Fortunately, although the Kingdom of Noxas was not large, the palace castle that had existed for hundreds of years was quite reliable; arranging a few rooms was not a problem at all.

Moreover...

It wasn't one room after another~

"Your Highness!"

Locke woke up from his deep sleep and saw this scene before him.

Leone was sitting on the bed in a kneeling position.

Her fragrant shoulders were half-exposed.

Her fair skin was smoother than milk, and under the rising sun, it was coated with a faint white light; even the fine, soft hair on her skin gave one an indescribable sense of warmth.

Rubbing her sleepy eyes.

She looked like she had just woken up.

"Mmm~"

"Your Highness, are you awake?"

Seeing Locke sitting straight up from the bed beside her, she instantly gained some energy.

"Hmm!"

Locke nodded, habitually moving his gaze away from Leone; when sailing on the vast, empty sea, it was only him, Leone, Najenda, and the others—what should be seen and what shouldn't, what should be done and what shouldn't, he had already tossed and turned and moved countless times; he could know it even with his eyes closed.

He put on his clothes and lifted the quilt to get off the bed.

The wooden floor on the ground had been renovated and repaired after his strong suggestion.

Tap!

Tap!

Tap!

It was still early, and the sun was far from reaching its scorching heat.

Following the soft sunlight, Locke walked slowly on the floor, took Leone with him down the stairs, and on the dining table in the palace hall, meticulous tableware had already been set, with extremely respectful little maids standing on both sides.

They were just waiting for Locke to come and take his seat to quickly serve the dishes and start the meal.

Snap—

Closing the book page.

Without Locke having to do it himself, the chair behind him was already pulled out and prepared.

Not long after he sat down, crisp footsteps sounded outside; it was Esdeath, who had heard the commotion and walked over.

"Little Highness~"

"You must have slept well last night~"

After returning to the familiar Noxas, Esdeath had returned to her previous flippant tone.

As if it were relaxation due to familiarity.

"Hmm?"

"Is something the matter?"

Locke looked up; based on his understanding of Esdeath, she was definitely not someone who liked to gossip, nor would she wait outside the door just to tease him.

According to her usual habits, when the sun was high, she should have already started training her soldiers.

"Tsk~"

"There really is something, and it's not a small matter~"

Esdeath raised her eyebrows flippantly.

Even with a playful expression, she was very beautiful and charming, definitely a perfect beauty.

However.

Her eyes soon turned cold.

Transforming into a stern, unsmiling coldness, like frost; just one look made one feel as if they were about to be frozen stiff.

It was because others had walked into the banquet hall.

"Your Highness!"

"Documents from various countries have been submitted, saying they want to personally visit you, Your Highness."

"The Kingdom of Dorcas, the Kingdom of Mirya, the Plosti Empire, the Kolding Duchy... there are nearly a dozen countries in total that have submitted visit requests shortly after your return."

"There are those who were previously beaten into submission by General Esdeath, as well as those who previously didn't give us in Noxas a second look; even several kingdoms that rank among the top in the North Blue, and powerful hidden empires that never participate in North Blue disputes, are no exception..."

While Locke was waiting for breakfast.

Sebastian came running in, holding a large pile of thick documents.

Only after getting close to Locke.

Did he remember the etiquette of a head butler and hurriedly slowed his pace, forcibly pretending to be calm, but his eyes, which were wide with excitement, and his flushed face completely betrayed him.

Indifferent?

Composed?

Unflappable?

Aristocratic etiquette?

It was all fake; he couldn't hold it together at all!

His heart was already bursting with excitement, and his ecstatic inner joy was even more brilliant and turbulent than a fireworks feast.

State letters!

State letters arriving like snowflakes!

The least of them were countries even more powerful than Noxas at its peak; a handful of the top ones were even top-tier empires that even the apparent North Blue hegemon, the Kingdom of Germa 66, had to fear and dare not offend; they were just usually low-key and rarely bothered with disputes in the North Blue, having long since extended their reach to the Grand Line.

There were even rumors in the underworld that these top-tier empires hid power comparable to Emperor-level combat strength, capable of contending with Marine Admirals, and were extremely powerful.

And yet, several such terrifying empires had simultaneously submitted state letters to Noxas.

Judging from the wording above.

There was even a hint of respect and fear.

Sebastian knew very well that these changes were all relying on Locke alone; the mere Noxas Empire, even as it began to grow stronger under General Esdeath's military edge, was still not qualified to make these powerful ancient kingdoms bow; the moment Locke returned, these arriving state letters were ironclad proof.

"¨「 A visit?"

Locke flipped through the documents on the table casually, with a hint of nonchalance.

"Tsk~"

"Even such ancient great powers have put down their pride and taken the initiative?"

Locke unexpectedly opened a letter. ===== CHAPTER 389 =====