Chapter 268: The Second Prince

The banquet is over!

All four envoys accepted the Crown Prince's invitation and went to his estate for the second half.

Mi Xus's magic fan was temporarily borrowed by the Crown Prince.

Mi Xus didn't mind at all.

I've helped Gervas gain great fame this time—I must get another one from him.

Even better, something more luxurious—made of brass, or even silver.

"Marquis Mi Xus, please wait!"

As he thought this, a shout suddenly came from behind him.

He turned back and saw over a dozen nobles rushing toward him in a flurry.

"Gentlemen, what do you intend? This is the Royal Palace..."

"Marquis Mi Xus, please don't misunderstand—we mean no harm. The Crown Prince just entrusted you to order magic fans; we simply wish to ask if you could help us order some too!"

"That's right, Marquis Mi Xus, don't worry—since you're helping us, there'll be plenty of rewards. Didn't you say you wanted some of my specially acquired Northern Orc caravan magic sheep milk wine? I'll send you a small jug tomorrow!"

"Is that so!" Mi Xus's face lit up with a smile. "My lords, your requests are all easily settled. As long as there's a reward, I'll gladly help—after all, ordering one is the same as ordering ten..."

Thus, Mi Xus immediately became the darling of the nobles, with gifts of fine wine and delicacies promised one after another.

Of course, where there was joy, there was also deep displeasure.

"Damn Mi Xus—how dare he oppose me? Last time he defeated Anthony in the contest, I didn't even hold him accountable—it was Anthony's incompetence!"

"This time, those western envoys were about to accept my demands, and he stepped forward and ruined my plan."

"My lord, should we find a way to deal with him secretly?" the subordinate ventured cautiously.

"No. The banquet just ended—if anything happens now, even fools will know it's me. Let him enjoy a few days of happiness; later, when the chance comes, I'll make him pay dearly." The Second Prince was no fool.

"By the way, what's this Stormhold about?"

"This... My lord, it seems to have risen suddenly. Oh, I checked recently—I found Stormhold has a very peculiar past!"

"What past?"

"In the past ten years, Stormhold has lost three lords—all died in monster attacks or bandit raids."

"And this Viscount Gervas only arrived half a year ago—he gained his title through the triennial Second Son Challenge!"

"Huh? Three nobles dead in ten years? And he's been promoted to viscount in less than half a year—what's his background?" The Second Prince paused. Stormhold and Gervas's origins had indeed surprised him.

"My lord, Gervas is merely from a baronial family, and his title was granted for great merit during the Western Campaign!"

"A baronial family? Not from a great house or aligned with the Crown Prince?" The Second Prince was even more astonished, as if hearing some extraordinary tale.

"Yes, my lord. These details were confirmed by the Royal Capital Civil Affairs Office—they're almost certainly true!"

A glint flashed in the Second Prince's eyes. "If he's not the Crown Prince's man, then he's a potential ally."

"Most importantly—the telescope and the magic fan!"

"You know what to do, right?" The Second Prince looked at his subordinate.

"Yes, my lord. I'll arrange it at once!"

【Ding! Daily intelligence has refreshed!】

【Intelligence One: Your benevolent attitude toward refugees, through their experiences and word-of-mouth, is gradually spreading across the Chaos Wastes.】

【People say the lord of Stormhold is a truly kind and generous ruler—he provides black bread for free, guarantees safety for refugees, and levies only a twenty percent tax.】

【It sounds almost like charity.】

【Your kindness has attracted even more cautious refugees.】

【They are the adventurers among refugees.】

【Today, a group of refugees arrived—specialists who venture deep into the Wastes to collect medicinal herbs and seeds.】

【They brought many medicinal herb seeds and fruit to Stormhold.】

【Their prices were extremely low—one fifth of the normal market rate.】

【Of course, uncertain whether Stormhold was safe, they initially sent only one man, offering just a few bundles of night-blooming jasmine seeds...】

【Intelligence Two: Besides these adventurer-refugees, another special group will arrive at the border of your territory today.】

【They are the leader of Mik Settlement and a few of his titled knights.】

【Seven or eight days ago, Mik Settlement and Horton Settlement—two powerful groups each exceeding fifty thousand—clashed.】

【Mik Settlement lost due to betrayal by its second leader, who opened the gates from within.】

【Mik, the settlement's leader, was gravely wounded and barely escaped under protection of his loyal followers.】

【But Horton Settlement, determined to eliminate all threats, pursued them relentlessly.】

【With no other choice, Mik's group fled into the kingdom—only there could they hope to shake off Horton's hunters.】

【But they will be cornered at Stormhold's border, surrounded and on the verge of annihilation.】

【Intelligence Three: Crystal Lake, on the southwest side of Stormhold, is named for its crystal-clear, bottom-visible waters.】

【Beneath it, a thousand meters down, lies a fire-elemental energy vein.】

【Though buried too deep for humans to sense easily, the plants above have subtly changed over decades.】

【In the southern bay of Crystal Lake, the newly transformed fire-crystal grass has fully matured.】

【As a result, over a dozen first-rank fiery wool sheep from the Wastes have come here to feed.】

【Intelligence Four: Waga will arrive at Stormhold this afternoon with the caravan.】

【His purpose this time is to deliver you a precious gift!】

【Intelligence Five: The Skeleton Gang pirates originally sailed south to the remote waters near Viscount Kenneth's domain and Stormhold's baronial lands because they were attacked by another powerful pirate group.】

【After being severely damaged and having their stronghold seized, they were forced to flee here.】

【The group that crushed them is called the One-Eyed Dragon Gang.】

【At the time, the One-Eyed Dragon Gang needed to consolidate their new territory, so they had no time to hunt down the survivors.】

【But after months of rest and stabilization, they now firmly control their new lands.】

【Now, they remember the survivors they left behind.】

【So they've dispatched a fleet to eliminate this final threat.】

【Two single-masted warships, three single-masted merchant ships, five hundred fierce pirate sailors.】

【This evening, they will arrive at Stormhold's waters, spot Sugarcane Island and Black Goat Island, and launch an attack.】

This evening, they will reach the Storm Lord's waters, discover Sugarcane Island and Black Goat Island, and launch an attack.