It would be a laughing stock if this were told to others.
In short, he pleased neither side.
Laureen took a deep breath and then looked at Aurelian, who was sitting next to Victor.
He spoke kindly to Aurelion:
"Your Highness, you are still welcome to have come from afar."
"It's getting late, so I've prepared accommodations for you. We'll set off for the capital tomorrow."
Aurelion nodded slightly in response, replying very politely:
"Thank you, Earl Laureen, for your thoughtful arrangements."
Amidst the sounds of horses' hooves and wheels rolling over sand and gravel, the carriage steadily drove out of the city and along a rugged country road.
The surrounding land was bent low by the heavy loads of rice and wheat, the yellow waves of wheat dancing in the wind, and the green rice leaves nodding steadily, as if welcoming their arrival.
The Earl turned to Victor and Aurelian, who were still admiring their surroundings, and introduced them with a smile, "Welcome to my territory, Shulburn."
This is Earl Laureen's territory.
This rural town with its thriving agriculture, along with the cities we had passed through earlier, were all Earl Laureen's territory.
The magical train that comes from abroad will only travel to this one station in this city.
Here, Earl Laureen took on the task of receiving foreign guests.
Aurelion responded to the Earl with a polite smile and a slight nod.
She understood that this territory symbolized the count's influence and power.
Visitors from abroad are constantly monitored by the owner of this territory.
In the Empire, this was almost an impossible thing.
At this moment, Aurelion turned her head and looked at the densely packed crops in the fields, seeing the wheat fields that were separated into patches.
On each piece of land stood a pillar, with a golden ear of wheat hanging atop it.
Seeing this, Aurelion couldn't help but ask the Earl out of curiosity:
Why is there a single ear of wheat hanging in the field?
Before Count Laurean could speak, Victor calmly explained for Aurelion.
“Those are ears of wheat representing the goddess of abundance.”
Earl Laureen paused for a moment, then smiled and said to Victor:
“Sir, you are truly learned. Indeed, our kingdom differs from your empire in many ways.”
"The biggest difference is—"
"We believe in the existence of gods."
Their faith is not a complex doctrine, but simply an understanding of the gods that once existed.
They would hold simple ceremonies and offer tributes regularly in order to seek some comfort.
Ears of wheat hang from the giant pillar, symbolizing a bountiful harvest.
Although there are times when the weather or other factors lead to crop failure, the common people of the kingdom still choose to believe in the existence of the gods.
This is a superficial belief, yet it is also a belief that penetrates the soul.
However, similarly, there are indeed many sects of gods in the kingdom.
Unlike empires, kingdoms do not prohibit sectarian groups within their borders.
Some lords even need these sects to stabilize their territories.
For example, Laureen has always done this.
"It is said that in the sect of the goddess of abundance, there exist ears of wheat that truly possess divine blessings."
Earl Laureen began by saying:
"The believers will create a portion of wheat that is imbued with divine power, and if any nobles manage to obtain these wheat ears, their territories will enjoy a bumper harvest in the autumn."
"However, this is, after all, an item with divine power. Even the cult of the Goddess of Fertility may not be able to produce ten ears of wheat in a year."
At this point, Earl Laureen puffed out his chest slightly, and gripped his cane with increased strength, filled with pride and arrogance.
Aurelion understood, and looking at the somewhat arrogant Earl Laureen, she cleared her throat and said in a cooperative tone:
"So, you possess those sacred ears of wheat?"
Aurelion looked very surprised when she said that.
“No wonder, Earl Laureen, your fields are very fertile.”
Earl Laurian was in a good mood after hearing Aurelion's words.
He smiled gently, looking at the bountiful fields around him, his eyes filled with undisguised pride.
"Thank you, Goddess of Abundance."
"It brings us bountiful harvests year after year."
At that moment, Vega, who was perched on Viktor's shoulder, suddenly opened his single eye.
It stretched its neck, lowered its voice in Viktor's ear, and said in a voice only Viktor could hear:
"What this person said is true; there really is some force in the fields that promotes growth."
"Tsk tsk, even the Goddess of Justice left behind the Scales imbued with her divine power, so what interesting things did the rest of the gods leave behind after leaving this world?"
At this point, Vega shook the feathers all over his body, and his originally hoarse voice became somewhat trembling.
I don't know if it was because of excitement or some other reason.
It narrowed its single eye, and a sharp voice slowly rose:
"I really want them all."
"They're getting contaminated one by one."
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