Chapter 501: We Have a Request!

"Your Majesty, Second Prince!"

"Carnet? You've come—no need for formalities; there are no outsiders here, please sit!"

The Second Prince appeared extremely warm.

Of course, this was not only because the Second Prince's mother came from the Lieshi family, but also because of Carnet's current status.

Carnet, for his part, felt no restraint and sat down directly in the parlor.

Soon after, the two began casual conversation, discussing Carnet's plans for the future development of his earldom.

After listening, the Second Prince praised Carnet's vision for his future domain, then casually summoned a servant to bring a gift list.

It was precisely the gift mentioned by Duke Lieshi.

The Second Prince's gifts were generous: weapons and armor, grain and horses, seeds and cloth, and more.

The total value was at least seven or eight hundred gold coins.

Though these gold coins meant little to an earldom.

But as a gift, they were by no means insignificant—they would allow Carnet to develop his domain faster.

"Thank you, Second Prince, for your gifts! Carnet will never fail your expectations!"

"Carnet, develop well—in my eyes, you, my mother's nephews, are no different from my brothers; indeed, you feel even closer to me than some of my own blood brothers!" the Second Prince continued, encouraging him.

Carnet was deeply moved.

Though he himself was a scion of a duke's family, the other was still a prince.

Moreover, his grandfather had already said that his appointment as earl was largely due to this man before him.

So he could not help but value and be grateful to the Second Prince.

Seeing Carnet's emotional expression, the Second Prince was satisfied, then shifted tone: "By the way, Carnet—you've met Gervas, haven't you?"

"Yes, Second Prince—he's the one who offended you and indirectly caused the death of a collateral scion of our Lieshi family?" As for Gervas, Carnet had already received all the details from his grandfather.

"Yes, this fellow is a bit clueless—you know the monocular telescope and the magic fan? They're produced in his domain!"

"I originally wanted to give him a chance to pledge loyalty to me, but he refused!"

"Though later Duke Hernad said the monocular telescope included half the rights of his granddaughter, that doesn't change the fact that this boy was ungrateful!"

"More importantly, this fellow has grown close to the First Prince!"

"So since you're heading to the Southern Region, if you get the chance later, be sure to properly 'greet' him!"

The Second Prince emphasized the word "greet."

Clearly, this visit by the Second Prince was not only to court Carnet, but also about Gervas.

Originally, Gervas was just a lowly worm; though he had offended him, the Second Prince simply didn't have the energy to bother with such a worm hiding on the frontier.

But now this worm had shown unusual ability and become an earl.

That was something the Second Prince could not tolerate.

"Yes, Second Prince—rest assured, I will make him understand the consequences of offending you and the Lieshi Duke family!"

……

Gervas, of course, had no idea he had been remembered again by the Second Prince.

But even if he knew, he wouldn't care.

He couldn't give up the earldom just because he feared being targeted by the Second Prince.

So, when the troops come, send out the generals; when the water rises, pile up the earth!

Right now, the most urgent thing was to leave the capital.

Of course, before leaving, Gervas still needed to bid farewell to Marshal Mi Xiusi and Adri.

But what Gervas hadn't expected was that it wasn't just him who would leave the capital—Marshal Mi Xiusi and Adri were also about to depart.

"You two are heading to the Western Region? Why?" Gervas was stunned; both were high-ranking ministers of the kingdom who had earned many achievements.

To be sent to the Western Region was practically exile, wasn't it?

Of course, as soon as he asked, Gervas realized something.

Perhaps this had something to do with the First Prince.

Indeed, the next moment, Marshal Mi Xiusi and Adri exchanged a glance and sighed: "Alas, Gervas—if we were outside, we'd never dare speak the truth!"

"But with you, we needn't hide it—just don't spread it after hearing!"

"Actually, we've been assigned to the Western Region because we are men of the First Prince…"

Then, they subtly revealed that His Majesty had personally promoted many new Commandants and Deputy Commandants.

And the two had been forced to step down and were assigned to duties in the Western Region.

Of course, they were not alone—many other Commandants and Deputy Commandants had suffered the same fate.

These Commandants had all been loyal to the First Prince or had been promoted by him directly.

But the royal decree was absolute, and no one dared defy it.

Even the First Prince dared not speak a word—not even to comfort Marshal Mi Xiusi and Adri.

After hearing this, Gervas didn't know how to comfort them.

After all, royal power struggles were always like this.

This situation was already quite mild!

They were father and son, and no real competition had begun, so only some people's futures were affected.

Had the true struggle begun, rivers would run red with blood!

"Your Excellencies, I don't know how to console you—but if you ever have time in the future, come to Stormhold; I will treat you well!" Gervas said sincerely to the two.

"Hah! Gervas, we're not as downcast as you think—we've actually come to terms with it; this is quite good!"

"Power and position? Happiness matters most. After all, we worked hard for years—and still couldn't withstand sudden change!"

"So, rather than straining for an uncertain future, better to enjoy the present!"

"Exactly! I missed so much fine wine and beautiful women before—once we reach the Western Region, I'll make up for it all!"

Marquis Mi Xiu and Adrie heard Gervas's regret and concern, yet responded with unexpectedly carefree ease.

To this, Gervas could only mutter: "Damn!"

After all, these two had somehow grasped a sliver of the survival wisdom from their past lives as beasts of burden.

Afterwards, Gervas drank heartily with Marquis Mi Xiu and Adrie.

After finishing the meal with the two, Gervas paid another visit to Duke Hernade and took his leave.

Then, without delay, Gervas immediately set out on the return journey.

Accompanying Gervas on his departure were Mil, Ian, and others!

Mil, Ian, and the rest had originally planned to linger in the capital for a few more days.

After all, it was a rare trip, and they had just been promoted from baron to viscount—naturally, they could afford to indulge a bit more.

But upon learning Gervas wished to depart quickly, they unhesitatingly abandoned their original plans and chose at once to return with him.

"Set out!"

A military camp fifty li outside the capital.

Gervas's army was stationed here.

After all, the capital was a vital seat of power; foreign troops could not approach freely.

Fifty li was the absolute limit.

And even that was only because they were meritorious subjects.

At Gervas's command, the ranks unfurled the black-and-white dragon banner alongside the golden griffin banner denoting his earldom.

"Tsk tsk, this earl's banner is so impressive—even just marching beside it, we feel mighty."

"True! Before, if we ever saw an earl's procession, we could only stare from afar in envy—but now, thanks to Gervas, we're right beside this earl's banner! What an honor!"

"Haha, Gervas, we've got a request—promise us this: when we return to the Southern Region, let's make a detour to Wolf City first, and really stroll around there. Is that alright?"