In the meantime, some trivial things had happened.
Sushia built a gigantic sandcastle.
Especially, the grilled lamb tasted delicious.
One of the spider’s legs, the Singer of the Waves, tried to assassinate Ascal.
Such were the trivial stories.
“I, the Singer of the Waves, acknowledge defeat.”
The Singer of the Waves dropped to their knees.
“I used every means available, but I couldn’t assassinate you. You are beyond my capabilities. The hidden dragon of the Empire. It was as if you foresaw all my moves and evaded them. I even felt a sense of inferiority.”
Ascal silently looked down at the Singer of the Waves.
There was no other choice.
He couldn’t understand why they were acting this way all of a sudden.
“Our tribe is a nomadic people from southern Getar. But when the Empire occupied Getar, we lost our homeland. So we always harbored resentment toward the Empire.”
The Singer of the Waves grabbed Ascal’s arm with a wrinkled hand.
“Please, end it with me. Have mercy on our tribe...”
“I don’t understand. Did your people do something?”
There was neither anger nor contempt in Ascal’s eyes.
The Singer of the Waves spent a long time trying to interpret those eyes. And finally, they understood the meaning behind Ascal’s words.
―I will consider your attempt to assassinate me as nothing.
The overwhelming difference in their magnitudes.
The Singer of the Waves trembled.
“So, can we stay as we are?”
The Singer of the Waves asked with a worried expression.
The fate of the tribe depended on Ascal’s word.
“I don’t understand what you mean. Weren’t you always like this from the beginning?”
“...!”
―From the very start, you were citizens of our Empire.
The Singer of the Waves’s tears fell.
For a long time, they belonged nowhere, shunned by all, and now they were finally recognized.
Within the vast embrace of the Empire.
“Thank you, thank you...!”
The Singer of the Waves repeatedly bowed.
Ascal only looked at the Singer of the Waves with a puzzled expression...
****
One More Thing.
Suddenly, Veld, the representative of the Coastal Development Union, who had been absent for a while, appeared and said to Ascal,
“I have been watching this and I am deeply moved. Seeing your boundless generosity, Count, made me realize that I have been nothing but a merchant chasing after money.”
What’s with this guy now?Thê source of this conte/nt n/o/v/(el)bi((n))
“But from now on, I intend to live as a merchant who benefits people.”
Now he skipped all the build-up and went straight to the climax.
Ascal, giving up, replied,
“That’s a good thing. So?”
“I heard that your territory has been experiencing a shortage of supplies recently. I believe our merchant group can solve that problem.”
As Ascal nodded indifferently, Veld smiled and said to the merchants,
“Guys! Let’s go! To the Erindale territory!”
The merchants, loading their goods onto the wagons, departed immediately.
This was the moment when Veld, later known as the great merchant of the continent, took his first small step.
.
.
.
“But you need to explain what exactly happened...”
Sometimes, many things happen in unknown places.
―Quest Complete! <Tears of the Emerald Coast>
Route C. Complete reconciliation of two forces
Reward: The Saltwater Tribe pledges loyalty to you.
Reward 2: A merchant group is added to the Erindale territory.
Current development level of Erindale: Lv.3
<A territory that has just begun to grow>
By the sea, Lia, who was waiting for Ascal, was talking to someone.
- I declare, if you don’t seize this opportunity, you are the world’s biggest fool.
“I understand.”
Recently, Lia had become somewhat familiar with the other voice in her head.
The father becoming the final obstacle for his son’s path was a common story.
“Lucia also wants you to become the Prime minister of the Empire. You are the pride of our family. Son, I am proud of you.”
“Don’t act all warm and fuzzy now, Father,” Ascal said.
“I have a proposition. If I defeat you here, you will step aside peacefully today.”
“It’s been a long time since we’ve dueled. But can you, who have been buried in books, defeat me?”
Arthur didn’t know.
Ascal’s swordsmanship had improved dramatically.
“Come, my son.”
“Prepare, Lia! We’re attacking together!”
“?”
Ascal scratched his head and said.
“I never said it would be a one-on-one fight.”
****
In the end, the two of them defeated Arthur and sent him back home.
Dawn was breaking.
Dolphins were leaping over the sea.
“Let’s finish our earlier conversation. What about the escape plan?”
Lia wiped the sweat from her forehead and smiled.
“Take me as a hostage.”
It was a plan she had thought about for a long time.
“After everything is done, let’s flee to the west together. I know a place where no one will find us.”
“That’s an intriguing idea.”
Ascal considered it positively.
Lia was the imperial princess, Yulia Barba.
She had high value as a hostage.
“And one more thing.”
Lia took a deep breath and spoke clearly, leaving no room for misunderstanding.
“I love you, Ascal.”
****
―I love you, Ascal.
At dawn, Sushia went outside, drawn by the noise, and witnessed an unexpected scene.
It was the prime moment for a young girl.
She was very sensitive to matters of love.
Moreover, witnessing a girl confessing directly to a man was enough to awaken certain feelings within Sushia.
‘Oh, that’s strange. Why is my heart racing like this?’
Sushia hurriedly hid behind a rock, breathing heavily.
Her face was hot, and her heart was pounding.
This was a feeling she had never experienced before.
It was an emotion without any apparent reason or cause.
****
Meanwhile, Serena was busy,
“Your posture is off! Again!”
In dance,
“With this, you’ll be adored in any household.”
Embroidery,
“As expected of Princess Serena. Your form is perfect.”
Etiquette,
“Today’s love fortune is very favorable. You might receive unexpected good news from him?”
Even in fortune-telling.
Only a thoroughly prepared woman can win a man’s heart.
That was Serena’s belief.
When Ascal did not come to the waiting room, Serena was shocked and made a decision.
‘I’m still not good enough.’
So, she decided to polish herself even more.
It would only take a little more time.
‘Just wait a bit longer, darling.’
Once her preparations were complete, she planned to make the most perfect confession.
Directly to him.
– – – The End of The Chapter – – –
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