Chapter 372 352
Christine was the chief steward for the Fischer family and the Dawn Church; in the coming days, she spent her time discussing with an imperial emissary from Lorne about numerous supplies—what they were, how the trade should be conducted, including transportation and other detailed matters.
Christine had already prepared sufficiently beforehand, possessing a clear understanding of the negotiation's content, objectives, and ultimate bottom line.
Although those resources were indeed useful for the Fischer family, the negotiation process only deepened her negative impression of Lorne citizens.
The arrogance of Viscount Johnville from Lorne was simply too much.
His arrogance was the kind that seeped into his bones, and despite his utmost efforts to disguise it, trying to pretend to treat the Cyart people as equals and desperately not wanting to make Christine displeased, he still inadvertently revealed intense arrogance he wasn't even aware of in the details.
That very arrogance, which he couldn't mask, was no doubt the true form of pride.
Being as firm as Uncle Byrne could work, but truly offending Lorne citizens was not a good thing; on the surface, Christine always kept silent, yet deep inside, she gradually felt a disgusting nausea.
She knew very well that in the eyes of the Lorne citizens, who had conquered nearly half the world and even deemed the entire Claud World as something in the palm of their hands, her people, the Cyart, and those East Coast natives and White Sea natives were not substantially different.
Putting herself in their position, Christine knew the Lorne citizens had no good intentions at all.
They merely wished for the Cyart people to keep weakening internally, supporting a compliant family to power, so it would be easier for them to conquer this place in the future, nothing more.
She couldn't help but think of the High Priest of the Sea God Cult, Ian, a puppet of the Dawn Church and a White Sea native who was a genius on the Path of Knowledge and might have a chance to reach the 5th Rank someday, but for now was indeed just one of the best pawns of the Fischer family.
The extraordinarily powerful Lorne citizens, too, hoped the Fischer family would become their puppet, their own "Ian."
Meanwhile, in another room at the Fischer Manor, Madam Vanessa saw the elderly steward Theo enter through the door, his expression solemn.
"Madam Vanessa, I must inform you that Karno just left, but before he did, he left behind a Forbidden rare artifact, sigh, if it hadn't been for my discovery, that boy wouldn't even want to say a word before leaving."
With his white hair, the aged Theo sighed deeply.
He had watched Karno grow up, always feeling that the guy might be even more trouble than Darren.
Vanessa nodded gently with calm acknowledgment.
"I know, he will not always stay at home; Karno will never live in a cave, he desires to fly like a bird, I understand my child."
"..."
Theo fell silent, actually because that prophecy letter and this incident had somewhat altered the Fischer family's internal view of Karno's character.
And since Karno had this time helped connect with the Lorne citizens and left behind a Forbidden rare artifact on his departure, one might say he had repaid the Fischer family, thus even if they didn't voice it, their hearts no longer harbored complaints against him.
"This kid..."
"He will come back," Vanessa suddenly spoke.
She stated firmly:
"As long as there remains a crisis for the Fischer family, that child will come back sooner or later; I trust my son, he will help the family in his own way, or rather, help those he considers important."
——
At the Cyart Royal Capital, a grand soiree commenced, the venue glimmering vibrantly, with lights reflecting the joyful faces of people, the aroma of champagne and fine foods mingling to create an intoxicating atmosphere.
Guests dressed in splendid garments streamed into the soirée, with music resounding melodiously.
On the centerpiece stage of the soiree, the host enthusiastically announced news of a victory on the frontlines.
"We successfully repelled the rebels..."
His words filled with praises for the Adley Royal Family, inspiring everyone present, but he made no mention of the total naval defeat.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
Soon, applause and cheers arose.
At the soiree, an array of exquisite dishes was presented, with the guests surrounding the dining tables, savoring the food, sharing the joy of victory; they toasted to the success and prayed for a brighter future.
Any soldier who had experienced that naval battle would find all of this incredibly ironic.
They had clearly suffered a crushing defeat, yet there was still a grand celebration being held in the back!
A distinguished guest from Carnia, the brother of the King of Carnia —
Prince Konrad.
He was invited into a separate room.
Aside from Prince Konrad, the room also housed the King of Cyart, Noah with his golden blond hair and cold eyes, as well as Noah's uncle, who was nearly a hundred years old.
The white-haired, cane-leaning uncle might only be a high-level Transmutation Extraordinary Exponent, but he was the palace steward, the chief steward of the Adley Royal Family, and his words always carried great weight.
The palace steward slowly said, "Prince Konrad, welcome and thank you deeply for Carnia's assistance."
Prince Konrad suddenly scoffed and said, "Aren't you all a bit too incompetent?"
Facing these words, King Noah remained indifferent, while the old man's face instantly changed.
"Please show some respect towards our emperor, Prince Konrad! Do not presume this is still Carnia!"
Prince Konrad looked at the new King of Cyart, Noah, and said calmly,
"What exactly about you Cyart people is worthy of our respect? If he were the Emperor of the Seven Stars, I would kneel and kiss his boots, begging for forgiveness. But clearly, the king of the Cyart people does not deserve such respect from me."
He did not hide his anger as he spoke,
"You lost that most important battle puppet, which belongs to the people of the Seven Suns Empire, and Carnia will have to pay a huge price if it isn't returned by the lease deadline!"
For the people of Carnia, the Seven Stars Empire was indeed an untouchable backbone that they had to retrieve the undersea battle puppet by any means necessary!
Noah said indifferently, "Konrad, you are not a prince of the Seven Stars either, do not overstep. Remember, we and Carnia are equals."
A terrifying aura suddenly enveloped Konrad, causing him to be stunned for a long time as he gazed at the new king of Cyart.
Had he already advanced to a mid-level Monarch?
Prince Konrad frowned and took a deep breath, "Are you really cooperating with the Words of Tranquility?"
Noah shook his head in denial, "Of course not."
Prince Konrad nodded lightly and continued to ask, "Alright, another question, do you know why those lightning strikes occurred? They were even able to destroy such a strong battle puppet."
"I do not know."
Noah analyzed calmly, "But it was capable of penetrating the defense of a Calamity-class war machine, so it's likely from a high-level Monarch hiding within the clouds at the time."
Prince Konrad tightly furrowed his brows, puzzled, "But among the high-level Monarch Extraordinary Exponents in the eastern part of the Ouden Continent, there have always been few, who could it be?" Stay tuned with empire
High-level Monarch top fighters were even rare in Lorne and Seven Stars, indeed each of them could change the current situation.
The people in the room sat in a circle, the air heavy and suffocating; the face of Prince Konrad was filled with worry, his brows tightly knitted and his eyes deeply contemplative.
The palace steward's lips were tightly pursed, and it seemed even his breathing became exceptionally heavy; his gaze occasionally met with that of Prince Konrad, only to quickly shift away, as if seeking answers yet fearing to see the same confusion and anxiety in the other's eyes.
The room was pervaded with an oppressive atmosphere, yet Noah looked as composed as ever.
Night fell, and the party outside gradually reached its peak, with people dancing elegantly to the music, thoroughly enjoying the delightful evening.
In the interplay of shadows and lights at the party, Chris was like a leopard lurking in the dark, calm and deadly.
Through his extraordinary power, he easily altered his appearance, dressed in a proper evening suit, adorned with exquisite accessories, perfectly blending into the apparently calm but turbulent party.
Chris's gaze was deep and sharp, occasionally sweeping over the surrounding crowd, searching for his target this time.</p>
This assassination was highly risky, but the profits if successful would be even greater.
His fingers gently stroked the sharp dagger hidden in his sleeve cuff, the emotions in his eyes increasingly fading until his heart had completely turned cold and ruthless.