CH 76

Anas Empire.

Tosi Cavendish listened proudly to the news reported by his attendant—Desinia accepted His Majesty the King’s invitation and would soon come to the Anas Empire to personally present a birthday gift to the queen.

On the table in front of Tosi was a box of lemon candies offered by others. At this time, there was not much left in the box, most of the candies were given to the king when he entered the palace.

The rest was eaten by Tosi one by one.

He squinted his eyes as if he was eating some delicacies, an expression full of enjoyment on his face.

After listening to the news from his attendant, Tosi waved his hand and the attendant respectfully left. The wooden box on the table was dragged by him, making the light yellow candies inside roll around and creating a nice sound.

Tosi twisted out a lemon candy again and stuffed it into his mouth, savoring the sweet and sour flavor, and even more enjoying the luxury of a candy worth a gold coin.

Tosi’s personal butler stood behind him, and couldn’t help pursing his mouth when he saw this, swallowing his saliva eager for a taste.

He said, “My lord, the people we sent to Desinian Territory to inquire about sugar and lemon candy reported that the manufacturing method of this lemon candy is actually not difficult.”

“Every day, the workers in the shop directly boil syrup behind the big window to make it… Anyone can watch and observe.”

“If you really like it, we might as well…”

Tosi snorted coldly, “Do you think our sugar came from the wind?! How many candies can be made with just a little sugar?!”

“Didn’t I order the servants to try it yesterday? But what was the result? The syrup was dark and hard and tasted bitter. They just ruined my can of sugar, a bunch of waste!” 

The butler was scolded and couldn’t raise his head.

Tosi: “That means Desinia somehow mastered some kind of method to produce large quantities of sugar, which can withstand consumption…”

“Gee, one candy for one gold coin is still cheap. If it gets into my hands…”

He fantasized the scene of gold coins pouring into his pocket and couldn’t help squinting his eyes.

“What if Desinia has such a large territory? Hum, in the final analysis, all of it was captured by the black and white cavalry…”

“By the way, who are the two knight commanders?”

The butler said, “One is Fernandi Edwards and the other is Walker William. The two of them…”

The people sent by Tosi Cavendish also investigated all the news about Xia Zuoyi. Naturally, it also includes his most trusted subordinates.

Among them, the two chief commanders of the black-and-white cavalry were most appreciated by Xia Zuoyi.

It is said that when Desinia had only one city territory at first, they followed him. Until now, where his whole territory has been expanded to the point where Tosi is jealous and envious, they still serve him faithfully.

After an oral account of the investigation, the butler whispered, “My lord, Desinia is a lord of such a huge territory after all. Will we be able to get the secret recipe for sugar making from him…”

In the end, Desinia’s black and white cavalry team is a threat that cannot be ignored.

“What are you afraid of? As long as he comes to the empire, he’s like a river fish trapped on the bottom of the sea. There are many people who want to skin and swallow him.”

“From the Desinian Territory to the Anas Empire, they can only take the waterway on the Volley River. No matter how powerful his black-and-white cavalry is, can he bring them all here?” Tosi said indifferently.

The butler nodded and chimed in a few words.

Tosi stroked his chin and smacked his lips, saying meaningfully, “I heard that Xia Zuoyi Desinia looks very good?” 

The butler whispered, “Yes, a year ago, a poet who traveled to the mainland came to Desinian Territory. He saw Desinia at that time and wrote a poem for him, praising him for having a beautiful face that is not inferior to roses.”

“But at that time, Lord Desinia was still young, and he didn’t come out of the castle much. The news didn’t spread widely.”

“The beauty of the rose…this little talent is a good judge…” 

A string of malicious laughter rang out in the room.

The butler bowed his head, his expression constrained.

When he thought of the marquis’s means of “rectifying” people, a burst of cold sweat broke out on his back. He didn’t dare to say anything more.

At the palace of Grand Duke Archiayoli.

Orville took the letter sent by the Nagabi Chamber of Commerce, and said to the chief steward Vincent who came in person, “Go back and tell Boris Abel, I know.”

Vincent respectfully said, “If Lord Desinia is in a difficult situation after he arrives at the empire, please help him.”

Orville: “Naturally.”

Vincent knew that Grand Duke Archiayoli had a cold temper, so he didn’t think much when he heard his short reply. After straightening himself, he turned and left.

Orville looked down at the letter in his hand and whispered to Robert, his attendant, “Is it alright for animals to travel by boat?”

Robert looked as if he’s having a headache, “…Your Grace, I really don’t know.”

Orville turned his head and narrowed his light gray eyes with an expression of “then what’s your use?”

Robert: “…”

Saint Airo Empire, Holy See.

With the weight of the king of the Anas Empire, if he wants to invite the Holy See to the Queen’s birthday dinner, he can only invite clergymen at the cardinal level.

Still only one.

But now, the Pope is sitting on a tall chair engraved with the patterns of the sacred flower belanka, holding the invitation letter sent by the Anas Empire in his hand, and his golden eyes look down with a smile.

“You all want to attend the queen’s birthday dinner?”

Maldiz and Demps looked at each other and then immediately looked away.

Both of them look at each other unpleasantly. Because of this, they frequently bicker in the Holy See, often verbally stimulating one another.

The invitation was sent to the Pope in accordance with the usual practice, and then the Pope will personally appoint the candidate to attend the dinner.

Maldiz wanted to go since he’s a little familiar with Desinia.

But Demps wants to go too.

He wondered what kind of person Desinia was, who could make the old-fashioned Maldiz come back without doing anything, and not be held accountable in the name of threatening the authority of the Holy See.

Demps did not know about Lord Desinia’s gift of candies. 

The box of lemon candies brought back by Maldiz and Paul was so precious that only the two of them knew the news.

Later, they returned to the Holy See.

Maldiz told the Pope about Desinia’s gift, and then… 

The memory is not very pleasant.

Maldiz’s stale face looked even more serious. It seemed that he was very dissatisfied with Demps vying to go to the dinner party like him.

Demps wouldn’t budge even at the sight of his ugly face.

Segalot slowly flipped the invitation letter at his fingertips, “Since you all want to go to the Anas Empire, why don’t we all go together?”

However, as soon as his words fell, Maldiz and Demps immediately opposed it.

—It’s better that they all don’t go!

Segalot frowned slightly, seemingly troubled, “Then I’ll have to go alone.” 

Maldiz & Demps: “…???”

Demps: “Mianxia, no!”

“You are the Pope, the queen of the Anas Empire doesn’t have the qualification to let you go to the party in person.”

Maldiz also frowned, “Mianxia, please think again.” 

Segalot refused, “You both stay in the Holy See to handle affairs on my behalf or I won’t return when I got there.”

“…” 

Just going to the queen’s birthday party, how come you won’t go back? Are you planning to stay there for a year and a half…

Seeing that the Pope’s attitude was irrefutable, both Maldiz and Demps had to obey, their expressions depressed.

But afterward, Demps suggested that the Pope bring at least one archbishop with him so that he could communicate with others on his behalf.

Segalot: “Then let Paul follow.” 

Maldiz: “…Yes.” 

The great opportunity was taken away by others.

Thinking of this, Maldiz couldn’t help glaring at Demps, and the latter responded in a “friendly” manner.

Segalot chuckled at the empty hall after the two left.

To reach the Anas Empire departing from Desinian Territory, it will take more than half a month of sailing on the Volley River.

There are many people and things that Xia Zuoyi wants to take with him, so he needs to prepare enough aboard the ship in advance.

First of all, the number of ships is an issue.

For this reason, Xia Zuoyi ordered Samuel to gather a large number of ships currently in the territory in his name, including the large ships that Samuel built when he came to the territory.

After the collection, all the ships stopped at the port. The scene was spectacular.

Xia Zuoyi: “Taylor, Barnard, Mike, Daina, the four of you will stay in the territory. If anything happens, let Green Dumpling deliver a letter to me.”

He left Green Dumpling in the territory.

But he’ll just stay here in the morning, then fly away at noon, and come back the next morning. At Green Dumpling’s speed, he can go back and forth several times a day without stopping. It’s so convenient for delivering messages.

The four nodded and said yes.

Green Dumpling stood on the side of the ship and chirped twice.

Xia Zuoyi turned and looked behind him. Briquette, Snowball, and Egg Yolk were there. Brown Sugar’s figure was a lot bigger now. At this time, he’s next to Briquette’s legs. If you didn’t pay attention, you could completely overlook him.

Xia Zuoyi didn’t know if Egg Yolk and Brown Sugar would be seasick. He walked over, squatted, and kneaded the round ears of the half-size black panther.

After all, it’s a long voyage. Humans may not be able to bear it, let alone animals living on land.

But let Briquette and the others stay in the castle…

Thinking of the results of the previous discussion, Xia Zuoyi had a headache.

He will be away for more than a month this time.

The three beasts grew up with him since childhood, and they haven’t been separated from him for such a long time. They started making trouble just after they communicated. Even the calmest Snowball pressed him to the ground with his thick paws to keep him from leaving, softly whining incessantly.

They kept on clamoring so he had no choice but to take them all with him.

Udit: “My lord, it’s time to set off.”

Xia Zuoyi stood up and nodded to him.

Samuel commanded the fleet and ordered the sails to be raised.

A group of waterfowl was so frightened that they flew up and hovered in the air. All the sails unfolded with the pattern of thorns and roses, constantly fluttering in the wind.

Xia Zuoyi took the lead boarding the first ship, three large beasts and Brown Sugar following right after him… This ship is Samuel’s masterpiece; fast, large in size, and with a beautiful hull.

Xia Zuoyi looked at the undulating river and the blue sky as if he could already see the Anas Empire.

He looked at the black-and-white cavalry lined up on the shore again. With a smile on his lips, he raised his hand, “Go!”

“Yes, my lord!” 

The soldiers answered with great momentum.

After some time, all the ships are ready.

Later, there was a record—Xia Zuoyi Desinia set off for the Anas Empire today, laying the foundation for the division of the Anas Empire, and the prelude to the annexation of Helgeda by Grand Duke Archiayoli.