At noon ten days later, the ship of the White Whale Chamber of Commerce saw the huge city on the coast from a distance.
Suren came to the city-state of Moros again.
But this journey has not been smooth.
There used to be several mature shipping routes from south to north to Romance, not to mention calm, at least it can guarantee that the merchant ships going and going will not encounter storms for eight or nine months of the year.
But this time, Su Lun and the others encountered very dangerous bad weather several times, and the tornadoes and waves were terrifying. If it wasn't for Tani's excellent sailing skills, ordinary sea ships may have sunk to the bottom of the sea.
After the ship entered the port, Su Lun found that the once bustling city-state port of Moros was also particularly deserted. The ships go to eight or nine, and all the piers are empty. Only a few merchant ships are still unloading and loading.
Most of the dock workers and slaves were idle.
They were playing cards and chatting in groups of three or five, each of them languidly without the slightest bit of anger.
"Hey, the law hasn't been released these days. The amount of goods delivered in one day is not one-tenth of what it used to be. Now the grain has soared tenfold, and I can't even afford to eat."
"It's no wonder that food prices don't skyrocket without food merchants!"
"Who the **** dares to come here. Eight ships came from Hastelling in the first ten days, and all of them sank into the sea in a storm. In the middle of the year, a grain merchant saw the skyrocketing grain price, and a dozen more ships came to transport grain. It also encountered a storm, and finally only three ships docked. The **** weather is getting worse and worse, who dares to come?"
"It's not a weather issue. I heard that the **** of the sea is going to punish Roman. Did you hear about the 'Alcatraz' thing?"
"Shh... don't talk nonsense."
"..."
Suren and Mr. Mirror got off the boat.
Even if you don't listen to it deliberately, you can hear that most of the dockworkers' mouths are complaining about the poor livelihood of the transportation.
In order to hide their eyes and ears, the White Whale Chamber of Commerce brought a shipment of food over. As soon as they landed on the shore, those quick-handed workers gathered around the ship, trying to compete for the unloading of the ship.
The unloading is handled by the steward of the Chamber of Commerce, so there is no need for Su Lun and the others to worry about it.
They walked all the way through the pier and saw the "Princess Stiga" and several frigates also docked in the harbour.
The two walked along the trail to the city gate.
The identity of the grain merchant is very useful, and the Roman guards at the gate of the city did not dare to make things difficult, and the two walked in smoothly.
The city is still the same city, but its popularity is much less.
Su Lun came here once before. At that time, there were a large number of foreign merchants, adventurers and pirates gathered in the city, which was bustling and prosperous.
Now all the shops are crowded, and there are a few pedestrians on the street, who seem to be local people.
The two walked all the way, came to the vicinity of the central square, and stopped.
Mr. Jing squinted and looked at the [Statue of the God of War Tyr] on the square, wondering what he was thinking about, "It's strange, why the power of faith in the city is so thin."
Su Lun turned her eyes and looked around.
He couldn't perceive the power of faith, but naturally, there must be something wrong with what his senior sister said.
After a long while, Mr. Jing's frowning brows did not loosen, she still didn't seem to understand, "Agaphanon Temple existed thousands of years ago, it should not be underestimated. You are ready, I will go to the city to see first. Look."
"Ok."
Su Lun nodded and said nothing.
The two dispersed and walked away.
Mr. Mirror received information, saying that the high priest of the Agapanon Temple used mysterious means to predict some pictures, and 80% knew that the Dawn Mission would come to the city-state of Moros.
No one is blocking, thinking that something must happen, and there is no meaning to block.
The masters of the North Sea Fleet are most likely already in the city at this moment, waiting for them to appear.
However, Mr. Mirror was not in the prophecy.
Before the war, they had to go to the city to see the situation.
......
After the two separated, Su Lun wandered around the city alone.
He walked around the central square and suddenly remembered that he had met Vincent f. van Gogh here. That guy also provided himself with very important information.
Now that I think about it, it is most likely Katyusha's handwriting.
The marriage between the North Sea Fleet and the Marfa Empire was definitely something that the Lance family who wanted to control the North Sea definitely did not want to see.
So the assassination of Princess Stika is also said in the past.
Su Lun didn't know why, but suddenly he thought of the experience of being beaten by Grand Duke Lance before, and his cheeks seemed to be aching.
"Dignified Grand Duke, it's really hard to start..."
Su Lun was speechless, shook his head and continued walking.
I was just wandering aimlessly in the city. While walking, I unknowingly came to the Walrus Street in Dongcheng.
This is the pub block in town.
The alcoholics won't stop drinking because of the economic depression, but it's more and more lively here.
Without the outsiders, those sailors who used to rely on sea boats to make a living have no jobs, and stay in the tavern all day to drink and quench their sorrows.
This is the busiest place in the city, and Su Lun thought about it and walked in.
He found a seat by the window and ordered a jar of rum.
It was still broad daylight, and the tavern was full of drunken sailors.
Yelling and cursing.
There are many people, but most of them are poor sailors, and there are no outsiders who can really consume.
"Hey, Oval, you **** settle the liquor bill you owed yesterday."
"I said the boss, they are all old friends. Would you like to hang up the account first? I haven't ventured out to sea in the past few days. When I find an employment, we will settle it together."
"Hehe, in this situation, do you still want to hire someone to go out to sea? Last time 'Alcatraz' went to hundreds of thousands of adventurers, and finally I heard that only a few thousand survived. Tsk tsk, who the **** dares to come to Roman! It's not that all the belongings that have been earned for decades bought this pub in the city, and I have left early."
"Hey, it's rumored now that the treasure is a conspiracy deliberately released by the temple, trying to attract adventurers to use it for the 'sea sacrifice'. Whether it's true or false, there are more than 100,000 people, and who would dare to come from outsiders? , who would dare to venture out to sea?"
"Fuck rumors! Do you really think that the storm at sea is fake, and the death of hundreds of thousands of people is fake? If it wasn't for those people in the temple who did shameful things, how could this be?"
"Shh...that can't be said nonsense."
"What's not to say! Who doesn't know that this is the punishment of the Sea God? Fuck, the priests in the temple are usually pure and pure like fairies, but they are all a bunch of idiots."
"Don't say it, offending a temple priest is a serious crime..."
"Offensive? Hahaha... Now that the news has spread, who doesn't know it in the city! The [Muse's harp] is placed in the city. If it is true or false, you will know if you go to a few priests to play it. Are you there? Do the gods in the temple dare to show their faces? If there is no food merchants dare to come, do you know how many people Roman is going to starve to death? The two words I scold are light!"
"..."
Alcohol makes one's courage strong, and these rough, drunken men with red necks scolded more and more vigorously.
Su Lun sat and listened for a while, and gradually became interested.
He was a witness to the "Alcatraz Incident", and he naturally knew that what these sailors said were true.
But what makes Su Lun very puzzled is that the news shouldn't spread so quickly.
If he is Roman in power, this kind of negative public opinion will definitely be suppressed at all costs.
Moreover, after all, the temple is the belief of the Romans, and the authority accumulated over thousands of years cannot collapse because of some "rumours".
Those people opened their mouths and closed their mouths and said "Biaozi", what is the situation.
Suren though knew about the scandal at the Agaphanon Temple.
High Priest Helweier is Oleg's good friend, and gave birth to the illegitimate son of Onis Popov, the captain of the Third Fleet. That guy isn't a fuel-efficient lamp either, and he slapped all the priestesses in the entire temple.
But this kind of scandal, ordinary people should not know!
"Someone is spreading the news on purpose?"
Su Lun immediately guessed something.
He had heard of the [Muse's harp] before, and it was also a lost holy relic in Roman legends.
Legend has it that only the purest girls can pluck the strings and play the most beautiful music in the world.
It used to be that the priestesses of the temple would often play it on major holidays and collect treasures of faith.
And it just so happened that the harp, which had disappeared for hundreds of years, appeared at this juncture?
Now the priests of the Temple of Agapanon are not virgins, so naturally they can't pluck the strings.
If it was replaced with other things, it would have been destroyed by the Romans long ago, but this [Muse's harp] was originally a sacred object of belief, and no one dared to move it.
So, Mr. Jing wondered why the faith in the city was broken. Is this?
Isn't this an assist from God?
Sullen thinks this is good news.
For believers of God, the power of faith is the most important source of power to determine combat power.
Once the temple loses its credibility, Roman warriors may not necessarily obey their orders.
Just like right now.
In addition to sailors in the tavern, there are many Roman natives, and even some soldiers wearing standard armor.
But listening to the sailors scolding the temple, these soldiers were drinking suffocating wine, and no one made a noise.
But knowing that he has done something shameless, no matter how brave a soldier is, he has no confidence in his heart.
The "God of War Tyre" believed by the Romans represented integrity and justice.
They are not afraid of life and death, but they are not ashamed of despicable and dirty means.
Moreover, the Romans will face and solve problems directly, rather than the practice of avoiding the temple now.
This really left everyone full of doubts.
......
"Who is spreading the news?"
Su Lun felt more and more curious in his heart.
People in the North Sea Fleet will definitely feel that the biggest enemy of the "Dawn Regiment" is spreading rumors.
But Su Lun knew that it wasn't them who did it!
"To do such a thing, naturally, I want to weaken the strength of the North Sea Fleet and destroy the foundation of belief in the Agapanon Temple. The reason for this is nothing more than the Lu Ying royal family and a few big nobles in the north..."
Su Lun ruled it out for a moment, suddenly thought of something, and said to himself, "Could it be the Lance family behind Katyusha?"
I met Bartolo Lance, the "Duke of Tulips" in Beihai before, a dignified grand duke. It's definitely not as simple as beating him out of his spare time. Eighty percent have other plans.
Su Lun thought of this, took another sip of wine, and didn't think about it any more.
Anyway, this is good for their dawn group.
He took out the communicator and contacted Mr. Jing, and shared the information he got here.
And Mr. Jing also came out with news. He originally planned to let the Chamber of Commerce contact Kai to see if he could redeem it. Now that it's impossible, it's time to prepare for a fight.
Moreover, she also found a lot of strong people in the city.
However, everything is pretty much as originally planned.
......
After hanging up the communicator, Su Lun drank all the rum.
He wasn't going to stay in the tavern for long, he got up and was about to leave.
But at this moment, a man with a cloak came in from outside the tavern, looked around the tavern, and went straight to Su Lun's table.
"Sir, can you buy me a drink?"
The voice is soft and pleasant to hear.
Even if you don't see the face, you can guess that this must be a girl with a good face.
But Su Lun's face became very surprised.
From the moment the man entered the door, he recognized this familiar soul and asked, "Katyusha?"
The man in the cloak lifted the brim of the cloak, but did not take it off, revealing that bright smile: "Mr. Su Lun, long time no see."
The tone is still intimate, as bright as the sunshine in spring.
Su Lun frowned when she saw a young girl's face.
But not the Katyusha he knew.
There is no freckles on his face, nor is he a big flaxen braid, but a very beautiful purple hair.
This is a noble lady who is so beautiful that people will feel amazing at a glance, enough to be called an all-powerful lady.
The purple-haired girl Yingying smiled. She sat on the high stool opposite Su Lun. The details of her behavior were full of the elegance and self-restraint of a top noble lady. She put on the cape again and said, "Sorry, it's not convenient for my appearance to be exposed here."
Su Lun felt very strange.
After pondering for a moment, he asked, "Should I call you 'Katyusha' or 'Miss Ekaterina'?"
"It's fine."
The purple-haired girl tilted her head, and her watery eyes were full of quirks.
She heard the mood swings in Su Lun's tone and responded, "I never lied to you. 'Katyusha' is my nickname, and only my closest family members call me that."
"Oh."
Su Lun was inexplicably lost.
The original young girl suddenly turned into a slim noble lady in front of her.
It does look better.
But this was not the friend he knew.
The Katyusha he knew was an innocent girl, pure as white paper, but poetic.
Although the person in front of him was well concealed, it really wasn't.
And when I encountered it here, there was an air of conspiracy and conspiracy coming from the surface.
Su Lun vaguely guessed something.
The purple-haired girl looked at Su Lun like this, and the innocent smile on the corner of her mouth slowly subsided, and the luster in her eyes was extremely deep.
She restrained her disguise and laughed at herself without being rude: "I wanted to meet you as an acquaintance. But it seems to be self-defeating."
The words explained,
The two fell silent.
Su Lun knew that when he met here, there was nothing but scheming for profit.
He sighed slightly in his heart and asked directly, "Miss Ekaterina, what are you looking for from me?"
Yekaterina is also very straightforward: "I want to make a deal with you."
Su Lun was not surprised at all: "About the North Sea Fleet?"
Seeing this, he knew that everything in the Beihai situation had her shadow.
The slave hunting plan in the silent forest, the reform movement of Shanyin, the assassination of the pirate city, and now the public opinion in Roman city is fermenting...
This is a politician with remarkable skill and scheming.
Ekaterina shook her head and responded, "It used to be one of those purposes. But not anymore."
Su Lun raised her eyebrows: "Oh?"
This answer really exceeded his expectations. If it wasn't for the upcoming battle, why?
Ekaterina said unhurriedly: "The North Sea Fleet and Princess Namafa have set up an ambush here and wait for you to come. Everyone thinks that your 'Dawn Mission' will definitely be destroyed..."
Having said this, she stopped to raise her glass and gestured.
Suren touched his glass politely and took a big sip.
Ekaterina also took a sip, graceful and sloppy.
She is no longer the kind of silly little girl who got herself drunk.
She added: "I originally wanted to remind you that Oleg is here in person. But since you are here, my warning is unnecessary. It seems that the mysterious leader of your dawn should also come."
Su Lun glanced at her, "How did you know that?"
Ekaterina's star-like eyes flashed with brilliance, as if nothing could hide her: "It's not divination. The high priest of the Agapanon Temple didn't have the ability to predict that kind of existence. I just know, Mr. Suren, your character will not be so rash. If you know that there is an ambush in this Moros city-state, you must be sure. I think only the mysterious leader of your Dawn Organization is here. "
"..."
Suren didn't respond.
After pondering for a moment, he asked again: "So... what is the content of the transaction?"
Hearing the question, Yekaterina did not rush to answer.
She twirled her slender white fingers on the mouth of the cup, pondered for a moment, and then slowly said a few words: "I need to marry the Rhaegardi family."
The voice was low, but Su Lun frowned instantly when he heard it.
He immediately understood something.
Political marriage...
Sullen almost forgot that he also had the identity of "Fick Regardi".
......
Suren is not Fick, and has no interest in any marriage.
Hearing this, he took a sip of wine expressionlessly.
Now that I think about it, many things become clear.
It was also because of the marriage that he was assassinated by the young William of Leigardi.
Although I don't know why she didn't choose the obviously better William, but chose "Fick".
But it doesn't make any sense.
Su Lun has always been haunted by his own death.
But now that I know the truth, it doesn't seem to matter anymore.
Why are you so upset in your heart?
Is it because of anger at the encounter in Blizzard City, that a friend who can drink has become part of the machinations?
Ekaterina continued: "This marriage won't have much impact on you, what you want is the identity of 'Fick Regardi'. Mr. Suren, you are still Suren. The only thing you need to do , is to appear in Lingdun three months later, and accept the blessing of Her Majesty the Queen with me. Only then will all the nobles of Lu Ying recognize this marriage. Before and after this, we can have no contact. "
The essence of political marriage is the exchange of interests.
There was no personal emotion in the words.
The largest aristocrat in the north and the ambitious Rhaegardi family in the south have united powerfully. This is an existence that the Lu Ying royal family should be afraid of.
Lu Ying's political situation is about to change.
Ekaterina added: "As a condition, I will help you in this battle. I will also give you more resources and convenience in the future. It will wrap your Dawn Mission's future cooperation, shelter, development... and so on. "
Su Lun listened silently, and had nothing to say.
This "Miss Ekaterina" is extremely smart, and she has considered everything before she speaks.
This marriage also has huge benefits for Su Lun.
A useless "identity" in exchange for infinite benefits.
But Su Lun didn't know why, but he couldn't get the slightest interest.
He felt very irritable, did not respond to Ekaterina's conditions, and drank the wine from the glass in one gulp.
For a long time, the two did not speak.
The atmosphere became gradually unfamiliar.
The purple-haired girl sitting in front of her was still calm, composed, rational, and steady.
But she seemed to see something, and there was an imperceptible mood swing in her eyes.
At this time, she finally took out a box that she carried with her.
Su Lun had seen this meteorite treasure box before, and he clearly remembered that the treasure box used to contain many exquisite and precious small meteorites.
now open,
There is also a nicked gold coin hidden inside.
Ekaterina took out the gold coin, put it on the table, and said solemnly, "Mr. Suren, you once gave me this gold coin. Now, can I use it?"
Su Lun recognized the gold coin at a glance.
, This is what he said when he took out this gold coin and gave it to Katyusha.
Seeing it now, a sneer suddenly appeared on Su Lun's expressionless face.
At this moment, a certain thought in my mind seems to have been broken.
There is nothing to hesitate. He picked up the gold coin on the table, and his tone showed no emotion: "Okay! I will appear in Lingdun in three months."
Saying that, get up and leave.
With a flick of his finger, he didn't take the gold coins and left it on the table again.
But this time, the gold coin used as a token is the money to buy wine.
Ekaterina showed the composure and wisdom she should have from beginning to end.
But at this moment, a different light flashed in her eyes.
Watching the man turn around, she suddenly spoke, and said a very poetic sentence: "It must be because of fate, but no other factors."
Sullen chuckled lightly.
There was no turning back.
Nothing matters anymore.
He walked out of the tavern, and the back figure made people look inexplicably sad.
From the moment of turning around,
He knew he had lost a good friend.
A storage ring, and a letter from that good friend.
It turned out that she had already said goodbye.
Su Lun realized it later.
......
Sullen is gone.
Ekaterina looked down at the gold coins on the table, the cloak completely covered her beautiful face.
No one saw her nose wrinkle slightly, and sporadic crystals swirled in her eyes.
The first secret love in a girl's life may not be much like, nor may it be sweet. But that pure spring heart sprouting is also a hot emotion that she will never forget in her life. It is also the only time in her life that she is brave and sincere without any ties. Just like the splendid wildflowers in poetry, it blooms on its own, although it is not delicate enough, but when you look back at the blooming flowers, its color is still bright.
Suren is not only a line of romantic poems in Katyusha's life, but also many unique beautiful pictures.
took a bite,
I will probably remember it for many years.
Thoughts fly.
Wait until the sparkle in the eyes completely dissipated,
this moment,
She finally settled down in the Holy Land.
Yekaterina looked at the back who was walking further and further away from her heart, and muttered to herself: "You are the only man Katyusha has ever been tempted by. In that case, write a poem to say goodbye. ."
She looked out the window and looked up at the sky in the southeast, with a cold smile on the corner of her mouth.
She dipped in wine and wrote a line of poetry on the table:
The blue sky shone with dewdrops,
golden clouds,
ripped apart,
listen,
the wind howls;
look,
The stars gleamed in the flames;
On this day, my dream woke up, and it was far away from me;
Like a falling meteor in the daytimea moment of light, blooming beautifully~
Before the writing was dry, Yekaterina's eyes were full of ruthless sternness.
She snorted softly: "Astral Alchemy Red Emperor!"
......
Outside the city, someone suddenly shouted.
"Not good! Look at the sky!"
"The falling stars in the daytime, my God, is it the punishment of the gods..."
"The meteor seems to be heading towards the temple!"
"..."
There was a commotion in the Moros city-state, and everyone crowded on the street, looking at the sky, shocked.
At the same time, in an unknown ancient street in Xicheng, Mr. Jing strolled leisurely on the stone road. She seemed to have noticed something. Looking at the vision that suddenly appeared in the sky, she smiled and said to herself, "Su Lun really has a very good friend."