Chapter 151: Sorry, Little Mother-in-Law

Chapter 151: Sorry, Little Mother-in-Law

The venue was enormous, with seating areas, an art salon lounge, and a dance floor.

In the spacious venue, glasses clinked. Nobles gathered around the expansive dance floor or stood between seats draped in bright red silk. They clustered in small groups, their ruddy faces full of smiles, whispering to each other constantly.

The three thousand three hundred gold and silver hollowed-out lanterns of various shapes hanging from the dome, along with the dome’s paintings, were integrated by skilled craftsmen’s design. They looked like brilliant stars beneath the gods and among the clouds, illuminating the place with a radiant glow.

The dance floor was covered with a carpet predominantly red, woven with a hundred flowers. Under the dazzling dome, it resembled clusters of blooming flowers.

Young nobles, men and women, mingled together. They stepped onto this flower-blooming dance floor, spinning in joyful dance steps. Their long, flowing skirts suddenly bloomed like peonies among the flowers, blossoming in an instant and then closing into buds just as quickly.

Upstairs and downstairs, in front of the exquisite rosewood handrails; between the spiral staircases, columns, and silk screens. People were everywhere, watching, chatting, and resting.

The maids moving through the crowd were each like a summer blossom. The noble ladies and princesses from various countries were like jewels of distinct characteristics, surrounded by a circle of these flowers.

But today, the most dazzling was undoubtedly the Jewel of Solerndor.

This princess, beloved by all things in the world, was the most revered princess among the wizards and the most esteemed princess of the Solerndor Empire.

Even among the Dragon Clan, she had many admirers.

Watching that brilliant jewel slowly enter the hall, many scions of great noble families couldn’t help but focus their gaze on her. They bowed slightly like gentlemen, their eyes full of fervent passion. They stepped forward, wanting to strike up a conversation and invite her for a dance.

But when that tall, handsome knight also entered the hall with her, the eyes of those who had stepped forward, along with the noble ladies, instantly snapped onto this mysterious Prince. Their eyes were filled with excitement and curiosity.

Some talked about magic, some talked about martial arts, others discussed the Son of Lant, and others talked about the Cloud Kingdom. They all wanted to get to know this hero pilot.

The noble ladies’ eyes burned even more intensely.

Princess Nephar Annabel slowly sipped her wine, her narrowed eyes full of fire. When she saw Louis and Ocris hand in hand, her face suddenly turned pale. A murderous intent appeared in her eyes.

After some socializing, Louis’s gaze swept across the massive venue.

The grand banquet had been going on for some time. The King and Queen seemed to have finished their speeches long ago. They stood in a lounge area with large floor-to-ceiling windows opening to a balcony, appreciating various antiques and curios while chatting with surrounding nobles, ministers, and visitors from other countries.

Louis and Ocris exchanged a glance and slowly walked over, waiting for the King to finish his conversations.

Kate and Yingling came over with a group of noble ladies and pulled Ocris into a chat. Today, everyone’s faces were slightly flushed. The unfamiliar young ladies kept stealing glances at Louis from time to time.

A small figure suddenly jumped onto a table next to Louis, and the smell of a cigar wafted over.

“Louis, I’ve had preliminary talks with both sides today,” Archie said with a grin, seeming quite pleased with the results.

Louis nodded. Now, it seemed both the Muggles and wizards wanted to sit down and talk, and just needed a mediator. Archie was in a good position to play both sides.

Because of Louis, Archie’s status had risen considerably this time.

Louis and Archie moved to a corner to understand the situation better.

The wager between the wizards and Muggles today was actually a kind of probe. Today, they each saw some of the other’s cards on the table.

The wizards’ card was the ability to deploy ‘little monsters’ anywhere, anytime—it was like releasing a Godzilla into a city. And it was hard to defend against.

The Muggles’ cards were the Son of Lant and the Magic-powered Battleships—covering land, sea, and air.

Therefore, both sides were deterred today.

The Muggles realized the consequences of starting a war with the wizards—though today’s Dragon Slayer Gundam was enhanced by various magic spells, even ordinary ‘little monsters’ would be hard to handle.

The wizards also thought releasing little monsters wasn’t so appealing anymore—though today’s Son of Lant was also enhanced, the wizards didn’t understand the technology. They were completely stunned by the Son of Lant today.

This made the wizards and Muggle generals who had been calling for war decide to temporarily hold their peace.

“Those fools have no idea what the Son of Lant really is—only you can pilot it to achieve such an effect,” Archie said, shaking his head helplessly. “So the wizards’ little monsters are genuinely powerful, but the Son of Lant is just for show. It can’t fight little monsters at all and doesn’t create any deterrence.”

Archie continued, “And the Son of Lant is very vulnerable to magic. Any decent wizard could use a few magic spells to kill the pilot or dismantle the Son of Lant into parts.”

“The Son of Lant is something researched jointly by wizards and Muggles,” Archie said, sighing as he puffed his cigar. “Its appearance made some wizards and Muggles see a new future—the future of a magical civilization.”

“This was the King’s original intention for starting this project—he hoped to use it as a breakthrough to later establish a new academy. A Magic and Steam Academy, a new academy open to both Muggles and lower-class wizards!”

Louis’s eyes flickered slightly. The significance of this academy was immense.

He and Frankischko had been pondering how to change the world without destroying it or collapsing the current civilization.

Changing education and the next generation was undoubtedly a crucial point.

This academy was the beginning of changing the next generation and the future.

“But if everyone discovers the Son of Lant is just a meaningless product, the so-called ‘Magic and Steam Academy’ will become a joke,” Archie said.

Louis rubbed his forehead.

If he holed up in the Laboratory leading everyone in hard work, this world would surely see many breakthroughs in this field. But that would be too inefficient. And he was somewhat like a skilled cook without ingredients.

If the Forbidden Sanctum hadn’t disappeared and he could copy books back and forth like Anthony did in the past, it might work—just give the scientists the materials and let them research.

“Archie, you didn’t come here just to spout nonsense and annoy me today, did you? Spit it out if you have something to say.” Louis knew Archie probably got some instructions from Frankischko today and wanted to talk business with him on the side.

“The Son of Lant project has been underway for over a decade. We’ve actually found a breakthrough—materials and technology.”

Archie’s eyes lit up as he said, “The Stogg mercenaries once followed an archaeological team and discovered some valuable things during excavations—some deep-sea antiques, and magic books and documents secretly preserved by some wizards from the ancient book-burning era—we salvaged them from the sea.”

“But during transport, the fleet, along with a large batch of weapons and equipment from the Warhammer of the God of War, vanished in the ‘Silent Harbor’,” Archie said, his gaze intense. “Once this matter is resolved, everything will fall into place.”

He stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and said with a frown, “Did you mess up the task the King previously assigned to you?”

Archie suddenly grinned—he had been very worried originally, but with Louis around, he felt confident about this matter. So he actually showed a gloating expression.

“To be honest with you, Louis, I have to be frank about this. The fleet getting lost is a mess my cousin ‘Michelin’ created—the original route wasn’t like that. But you know, the Warhammer of the God of War has a lot of business in many small countries. So he not only smuggled many weapons into the escort convoy but also bribed the captain to change the course.”

“After learning the items were lost, the King has gotten angry several times, almost wanting to kill him—lately, Michelin has been unable to eat or sleep, utterly worried. If you help him fix this, he’ll definitely be willing to pay a hefty price. He’ll give you all those weapons to arm our ‘Seventh Fleet’.”

“When your fleet is ready, we can go on archaeological digs together, or visit those wizard principalities.”

Archie’s words were very honest, holding nothing back, laying everything out.

Lines of Narration suddenly appeared before Louis’s eyes.

[Three of Hearts (3/3): The Crowley Family’s merit, Archie’s recommendation, and Stuart’s reasonable letter of recommendation earned you 3 votes—in a few days, after the geniuses from the Mystery Nursing Home arrive at the Mage Association, your new secretary ‘Mr. Edward’ will handle the relevant documents and procedures for you.]

[Four of Hearts (0/3): After you resolve the Silent Harbor incident, the Warhammer of the God of War’s chubby boss ‘Michelin’, Delphinia (she might write one), and the Rainbow Kingdom’s Mage Association might each help you with a letter of recommendation.]

[You have discovered a special mysterious event.]

[‘Silent Harbor’]

[The once beautiful Rainbow Kingdom has now become a terrifying silent land… Whenever a fleet passes that sea area, they hear the sorrowful and desolate song of a man echoing in the mist.]

[Inviters:

1. The Archmage ‘Hober’ who dreams while all others are awake (“Mother, believe me, you will survive! I will save you! I will save this kingdom, save my homeland!”);

2. The desperate people of the Rainbow.

3. The Rainbow King, his ministers, and Divine Officials who have given up hope and spend their days catching lice to eat.

4. The regretful Frankischko.

5. The Red Queen ‘Elizabeth’ (“Old Uncle has been taking people there for three years, why aren’t they back yet—wouldn’t killing everyone solve it? Such a simple thing, can’t that idiot handle it?! Could he also be lost there?”)]

[Detailed Information: You need to gather more intelligence—perhaps wait for the King’s negotiations to end, and then you might need to give Her Majesty Delphinia a spanking (optional), after which Her Majesty Frankischko might take the initiative to talk to you.]

Looking at the Narration, Louis fell into thought.

This matter seemed complicated. It appeared even Frankischko and the Red Queen didn’t know how to solve it, and it also involved some small medieval-era kingdom and the Inner World.

And it seemed like he might have to spank his little mother-in-law, which wasn’t good—Frankischko might kill him.

Louis was in a dilemma.

[Note: Optional]

‘Sigh, so many people are waiting for me to save them,’ Louis ignored the Narration and sighed. ‘I’m in such a difficult position.’

[Note: Optional]

‘To save everyone, I guess this is the only way. Have to take the risk.’

[???]

‘Sigh, I’m forced into this.’

[…]

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