Chapter 451 The Demon King came to his loyal Thunder City
The loud whistle pierced through the thin morning mist, and the kind and wealthy Prince Colin finally arrived at his loyal port of Thunder City.
There is no doubt that the royal family of the Duchy of Campbell is the lord who rules this port.
But there is also no doubt that His Royal Highness, the Imperial Prince who owns vast territories overseas, is the true spiritual home of the citizens of Thunder City...
He is finally back!
On the deck of the steamer, the colorful butterfly had disappeared, replaced by a well-tailored dark blue tweed coat.
He was a handsome young man.
He had a high nose bridge and a slender figure. His right hand was casually resting on the oak railing, and the silver buckle gleamed faintly in the gray sky.
The white lotus leaf collar set off his slender neck line, and the chain of the golden pocket watch hung down from his waistcoat, and along with the corners of his clothes wet by the morning dew in the forest, they were rolled in the noisy sea breeze... He was like a person walking out of a painting.
Also fluttering in the roaring sea breeze was the fluttering purple moon flag and the port, thrown into chaos by the sound of the whistle.
The crowd on the dock was like a disturbed swarm of ants. Officials shouted at the guards to maintain order, but they still couldn't stop the citizens from running between Queen Street and the port.
The only people who seemed to be motionless were the women squatting on the dock, shucking oysters, and the stevedores who were standing there watching the excitement.
They are probably the few people in this port who have no direct connection with Prince Colin.
After all, the work in these corners is often not done by locals, but by farmers or farm women from the countryside.
Most of them had just arrived at this port not long ago, and had even just recently gained their confusing freedom.
"Puff puff puff... It seems you don't have a good reputation here. Everyone runs away when they see you."
Moving close to Luo Yan's trouser leg, Tafu covered her mouth with her paws and laughed with gloating glee.
This little guy wanted to win so badly that he would not miss any opportunity to laugh at the devil, so much so that he became one of the devil's after-dinner entertainments.
Looking at Tafu, who always gloated too early, Luo Yan smiled slightly and spoke in a chatty tone.
"You don't understand this."
"What don't I understand again?"
"Don't just look at the surface of a problem. Running away doesn't always mean you're not welcome; it could be a run-up to welcome the sun. Just like raising your hands above your head doesn't always mean surrender; it could be an embrace of the sun."
"What kind of perverse logic is this?"
"I call it—Demon King Studies! If you learn it, you too can become a Demon King."
“???”
All right.
In fact, Luo Yan was bragging about the last sentence.
Even if one learns his "heresies", not everyone has the opportunity to become a demon king. At least not every demon can enter the Demon King Academy and stand out.
At most, you can just be smarter so that you don't get taken advantage of by people who pretend to be ignorant while knowing the truth.
Just as Luo Yan was admiring the crowds of people at the harbor that were as crowded as an ant colony, a leisurely shadow appeared silently beside him.
It asked quietly with a hint of confusion in its voice.
"Master Demon, didn't you say you were going to find Irene Campbell? Why did you fly to Thunder City instead?"
"Is there any need to ask?" Luo Yan smiled slightly and answered in his heart, "We left from here, so naturally we have to come back from here."
When he first arrived in Thunder City, he wove a beautiful story for the name Prince Colin.
This time, he traveled all the way from the Holy City to the Academy and then to the Kingdom of Ryan to complete the story.
If he met Irene in the Kingdom of Ryan, the story he made up would lose its meaning.
It was true that he did intend to look for Irene.
But before that, he must first land at the port of Thunder City, even if it is just a matter of getting in.
In this way, the stories he carefully weaves and the footprints he leaves along the way can form a closed loop that connects the beginning and the end.
Just as Luo Yan was quietly waiting for the brewing crowd to rush to the port, heavy footsteps were heard from deep within the deck.
He was a tall lizardman from the Wind Howl tribe.
He was over two meters tall, with feathers like bone wings stretching out behind him, swaying slightly in the sea breeze.
His scales glowed a cool blue-grey in the misty light, and his chest, waist, and arms were adorned with heavy gold ornaments. Every step he took seemed to be accompanied by the dull clash of metal.
The Wind Howl Clan actually doesn't like to wear gold and silver. That's something only the earthen leopards of the Holy Armor Dragon Clan would do. The cumbersome metal pendants will only hinder the free soul from flying in the sky.
However--
But the devil likes it.
As an envoy of the Wind Howl State of the United Kingdom of Gutaf, Sack Gale dared not disobey the true Majesty.
He knelt on one knee, lowered his broad chest, crossed his arms in front of his chest as a gesture of the highest courtesy, and spoke in a low and respectful voice.
"Greetings...His Highness Colin."
Hearing the voice behind him, Luo Yan turned around and looked at the messenger of the Fenghou clan, smiled and nodded.
"Stand up, Mr. Sack. Here, we should use the imperial etiquette. There is no need to use the Janna Continent etiquette."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Sack stood up respectfully and stood aside with his hands hanging.
Several months ago, the United Kingdom of Gutaf received word from the Great Necropolis that the venerable Demon King had requested that they dispatch a steamship to the northeastern shore of the Whirlpool Sea to establish diplomatic relations with the Duchy of Campbell, located on the eastern edge of the empire.
Because the Knights Templar from the Holy City had recently carried out large-scale construction, building ports and settlements on the territory of the "Principality of Kolin", the lizardmen of the Janna continent are no longer as unfamiliar with the "alien species" of humans as they were more than a year ago.
Establishing diplomatic relations meant that corn could be sold further afield, which was naturally a welcome development for the chiefs and priests of the United Kingdom.
After a heated discussion, this glorious and arduous task finally fell on the shoulders of the Wind Howl Clan, and Sack Gale appeared on the ship.
In fact, the tribe leader of the Sand Ridge tribe, Aselmata, is also very eager to send her own people to serve the Demon King.
Unfortunately, the Sand Ridge Clan had received too many benefits from the Demon King, causing dissatisfaction among other chiefdoms, so Aeselmata had no choice but to give in regretfully.
In order to show the prosperity of the United Kingdom of Gutaf, Urga Fenglie also worked very hard and took this visit seriously.
As an envoy accompanying Prince Colin on a visit to the Principality of Campbell, Sack Swiftwind not only brought the gold and jewelry that were abundant in the continent of Janna, but also brought a number of advanced industrial products that were "imported and exported" from Beifeng City!
For example, further improved steam engines, pocket watches with smaller errors, and more precise spring mattresses, etc.
After all, in the story woven by Prince Colin, the natives of the Janna continent are not rustic at all.
The hardworking and courageous descendants of Gutaf not only established a highly prosperous and civilized country, but also shared improved steam turbine and boiler technology with the imperial merchant ships suffering in the storm!
With the support of the cemetery behind him, Sack has full confidence that he can complete this mission beautifully and shock the local leopards of the Principality of Campbell!
Looking at the confident Sack, Luo Yan smiled and asked him about the recent situation of the Jana continent, such as how the various tribes got along after he left.
Although he had already learned this information from the official website, he still expressed his concern from the perspective of the Demon King.
So that the people of the Jana continent won’t feel that they have neglected it.
During the time he and Sack were chatting, many familiar figures appeared at the port not far away.
Including the mayor and governor of Thunder City, as well as Luo Yan’s old friend Yang Andes, an important driving force behind Colin Group’s listing!
Seeing that the time was almost up, Luo Yan interrupted Sack's chatter and told him the first task after the reunion.
"From now on, you are not only the envoy of the United Kingdom of Gutaf, but also the cousin of Chief Urga Windsplitter of Wind Howl State."
"If anyone asks what a chiefdom is, just give an example of an imperial province or principality. Make sure the Campbells don't look down on you."
Sack was stunned when he heard this.
Although he obeyed the Demon Lord's orders absolutely without any hesitation, this sudden change of identity still made him stunned.
Lord Urga's cousin?
Can this thing also serve multiple purposes?
Cold sweat broke out from the sweat glands under the scales, and he lowered his head in fear and trepidation.
"Your Highness, Chief Urga...he doesn't have a cousin."
As if he had guessed he would say that, Luo Yan's expression did not change at all, he just threw out a sentence in an unquestionable tone.
"Really? Well, now he has it."
“But, but…”
"That person is you, I said."
Although Luo Yan did not doubt Urga's loyalty, it was naturally easier to use other people's subordinates than his own.
Let's give this guy some strength first.
Besides, this identity is not a bad thing for Sack himself. At least it allows him to integrate more naturally into the upper class of Thunder City.
Even without my help.
That's right.
The Demon King who is good at time management is about to "jump point" again.
This was not a sudden idea. Luo Yan had planned this from the very beginning - to just stay in Thunder City without getting in, show his face, and then jump back to Dusk Province.
Just after Luo Yan finished explaining to Sack the things that needed attention, Sarah, who had just disappeared for a while, walked over from behind the deck.
In her hand was a freshly-baked newspaper, which had just been bought from the port of Thunder City and was even still warm.
Taking the newspaper from Sarah, Luo Yan took it in his hand, took a look at it, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
The headlines in the newspaper were exactly what he was looking for—
I saw a magic photo of Irene Campbell, who looked so heroic, vividly printed on the front page, with the flag of the Northern Rescue Army and the soldiers armed with live ammunition behind her.
Compared to more than a year ago, this young girl has matured a lot, and she seems to be growing along with the ever-developing Thunder City.
Whether it is temperament or mind.
Luo Yan took the newspaper and glanced at it symbolically, then handed it to Sack, who was still trying to digest the huge amount of information.
Clearing his throat, Luo Yan spoke.
"Prince Colin was worried about Her Highness Irene's safety. He said she was an important friend of his and he couldn't leave her alone. So, without even a moment's delay, he disembarked and immediately rushed to the Dusk Province with his personal guards."
"He asked his companion, Sark Swiftwind, to say hello to his old friends on his behalf, telling them not to worry about him and to return soon. He said the Holy Light would bless him... What do you think of this story?"
"I..." Sack opened his mouth, unable to tell whether it was good or bad.
After all, he had never heard of such a complicated story, so he didn't remember it at all, but he didn't dare to tell the devil in front of him, and begged the devil to tell it again.
"Don't be nervous. If you don't know something, just keep your mouth shut. Think it over before you speak. As for excuses, those who trust us will naturally think for us. There's no need to convince those who don't believe us one by one."
Luo Yan smiled and patted Sack Jifeng's shoulder, giving the sweaty guy an encouraging look.
"Do your best, I believe you can do it well!"
Actually, it doesn’t matter whether Sack remembers it or not.
Anyway, he believed that with Andes's intelligence, he would understand everything after seeing the newspaper in the guy's hand, and at most he would just add some details.
He had seen Sack's bravery. This guy was the first messenger to come to him after he set foot on the Janna continent from the Great Cemetery.
Although he was sent here tied up.
Taff looked at the big man in front of the Demon King in surprise.
These lizardmen were all created by her own hands in her previous life. It is true that they have sweat glands, but it is rare to see them sweating so profusely.
Could it be that they had evolved again without her knowing?
This is incredible...
…
The dark blue tweed coat disappeared in the sea breeze, and the colorful butterfly reappeared on the deck, fluttering its transparent wings and flying to the top of the mast.
Although the flying speed of the "Butterfly of All Things" is not very fast, Luo Yan, who has diamond-level strength, can operate multiple Butterflies of All Things at the same time and deploy them in advance where they are needed.
Physical distance is not an issue.
After all, according to the "curator", this thing can even cross galaxies, so the distance on this planet is naturally no problem.
Just as Luo Yan was about to leave, the fanatical citizens of Thunder City finally crowded to the edge of the port, blocking the dock.
"Oh! Damn it! Move over! I was here first!"
"My shoes! My shoes!"
"Are you crazy? I'm a baron!" Victor Gus, who was standing on the terrace of the port square, was so angry that his face turned red.
He shouted loudly, waved his cane, and tried to squeeze forward.
A long time ago, Gus's family moved from the rural area of Silverpine Town to Thunder City, completely away from the morally corrupt place of Silverpine Town, and made a fortune by relying on the hot real estate market in Thunder City.
He couldn't wait to shake His Highness Colin's hand and express his gratitude to that gentleman!
It's a pity that this is the Grand Duke's Thunder City, not his barony, so he really can't kick the troublemakers who are blocking his way down the stairs.
Since Grand Duke Edward was a "people-friendly" majesty, he even agreed to borrow money from citizens instead of raising taxes for the first time. Therefore, many things that did not matter at all during the time of Grand Duke Aaron suddenly became important today.
What's more, there are many nobles like him here, who also want to squeeze to the front. He is really afraid of kicking the wrong person.
At this moment, Victor Gus, who was obsessed with His Highness Colin, did not notice that Mrs. Marina Gus behind him had a flushed face and looked like she was about to faint from excitement.
She still remembered the day she shared a room with His Highness Colin.
Well, actually, nothing happened that day. She just personally took the gentleman to the guest room of the villa, and after that, she was alone in her work after returning to the room.
Although the relationship between Prince Colin and Her Highness Irene was known to everyone in the upper class of Thunder City, this did not prevent the ladies who were interested in Prince Colin from becoming even more excited.
What you can’t get is always the most charming.
It has to be said that the citizens of Thunder City are still a bit behind the citizens of Holy City in terms of their background. There are simply too many nouveau riche here, who are more enthusiastic than reserved.
Mayor Lucius looked at Governor Wilson anxiously, hinting with his eyes that the latter should think of a solution quickly.
However, the latter also had a helpless expression and turned to the Grand Duke's right-hand man, Jan Andes, for help.
He is the most resourceful person in the entire Duchy of Campbell. His resourcefulness has helped the Grand Duke solve many urgent problems.
Including the recent national debt, it was Andes’ idea.
With all eyes focused on him, the shrewd Andes came up with several solutions to satisfy both parties.
But when he saw the person walking down the gangway, he was stunned and his jaw dropped.
To be precise, it wasn't a person.
But the lizard man.
His bluish-gray scales radiated a cold sheen, his thick tail like a python held between its legs, his pterosaur-like wings folded behind him. But even more eye-catching than his scales and muscles were the gleaming golden ornaments...so much so that even the shareholders of the Colin Group couldn't help but twitch their brows.
About a dozen lizardman servants followed behind him, and there were also about twenty human servants who were looking around curiously.
Obviously they all came from the New World and this was their first time to visit such a far eastern place.
Baron Gus, who was trying to squeeze forward, stopped, stared at the gold on the lizard man with his two small eyes, and couldn't help swallowing.
He had previously cursed his neighbor as a nouveau riche, but now he had to sincerely take back what he said.
Because it was obvious that his showy neighbor was nothing compared to this guest from the Janna Continent...
"Lizard, lizard man?"
"How could the Lizardmen be on His Highness Colin's ship..."
"I seem to have read in a newspaper that there are many lizardmen in the new world where the Principality of Corin is located."
"By the grace of Saint Sith... I thought those guys were savages!"
In the Duchy of Campbell, Lizardmen are not welcome creatures, but rather "bugs" in the southwestern swamps.
The feud between the two sides has nothing to do with hell.
It was simply a territorial conflict between the Ryan people of the Isaac Dynasty and the Dragon God’s people who remained in the area a thousand years ago.
There's nothing strange about this.
Although the Campbells always complained that the Empire had taken away all their colonies, they obviously did not realize that before they changed from Lane people to Campbell people, they were also a group of colonists who rowed small boats and sang songs as they crossed the Rapids Pass to the south.
At that time, the descendants of Gutaf lived happily on the coast of the Whirlpool Sea, because Gutaf suddenly ran away with a large group of lizardmen.
As for how the land of these lizardmen came about, it all comes down to the bloody history of the orcs and elves.
Just as the human race did not own this old continent by birth, the Lizardmen's territory certainly did not fall from the sky.
That's getting off topic.
In short, most people can't remember things that happened so far ago. They only remember that on the northeast coast of the Whirlpool Sea, lizardmen were equivalent to insects.
Looking at those pairs of eyes staring at him, Sack Gale felt a little scared. He could only remember the teachings of the Demon King. When he didn't know what expression to make, he would keep a blank expression. When he didn't know what to say, he would remain silent.
Interestingly, his "coolness" actually worked, scaring off a group of Thunder City citizens who originally looked down on Lizardmen.
Taking advantage of the strange silence in the crowd, Governor Wilson quickly seized the opportunity and ordered the guards to move forward and clear a path out of the crowd.
Lucius glanced secretly at Andes and spoke to the latter in a low voice.
"Where's Colin? Why don't I see him?"
"How would I know... He came back without telling me in advance." Andes said in a low voice, and couldn't help complaining in his heart.
Although he welcomed His Highness Colin's return with open arms, it was too sudden and he was not prepared at all.
Regardless of anything else, at least give him a few days to prepare so that he can raise the share price of Colin Group in advance, right?
Of course, this is actually secondary.
Andes didn't care about the floating profits in the secondary market. What he really cared about was why His Highness Colin chose to come back at this time.
"Why don't you go and ask?" Mayor Lucius whispered.
"Why don't you go?"
"I...I'm not as familiar with him as you."
I'm not familiar with the Lizard People either!
Andes complained bitterly in his heart, but facing Mayor Lucius's pleading gaze, he finally sighed and walked out.
Everyone in the harbor watched him with bated breath.
Whether it was Mayor Lucius who had instigated him to move forward, or the oyster-shredder squatting on the dock, or Baron Gus's family standing in the crowd...
Seeing someone walking towards him, although Sack Gale's expression was still tense, he felt relieved in his heart.
Being stared at by that sharp gaze, Andes felt uneasy, but he still suppressed his uneasiness, cleared his throat and spoke.
"Hello, excuse me for disturbing you. My name is Jan Andes. May I ask... what is your name?"
As he said this, his heart was pounding, especially when he saw the tightly closed "bloody mouth" open a crack.
"Sack Galewind, the younger brother of Chief Urga of the United Kingdom of Gutaf. You can think of our chief as the king of the human race."
To Andes's surprise, what came out of that savage mouth was not the growl of a beast, but a calmness and composure that was greater than his own.
There was a small exclamation from the crowd.
The King's brother?!
In other words... this person is also a prince? !
"I heard His Highness Colin mention you," Sack said with a chuckle, slowly finding his rhythm as he looked at the stunned human before him. "He said you were a smart guy, a quick learner, and you understood a lot of things instantly."
"Thank you, thank you... It's my honor to be thought so highly of by His Highness." Andes nodded dumbfoundedly, but was a little confused by what he heard.
It was true that he had learned a few tricks from Colin, but when did he become Colin's student?
And how did Colin know about it in Janna Continent?
But that's not the point.
After all, he heard that Princess Irene often wrote letters to Colin, and perhaps the two mentioned him in their correspondence.
Seeing that Prince Gale was about to say something, Andes quickly interrupted him and asked the question that everyone was eagerly waiting for.
"Where's Mr. Colin?! I heard someone saw him at the harbor! Why... didn't he come down with you?"
Sack was silent for a long time, then slowly spoke.
"He... is gone."
Andes' eyes widened.
“Gone?!”
"Um……"
"What else did he say?!"
“…”
Seeing that this human was not giving in, Sack was so anxious that he dug his toes into the ground, but he didn't dare show it on his face.
Seeing the atmosphere becoming increasingly tense, with no sign of any chance of getting away with it, he suddenly had an idea and remembered another sentence from the Demon King -
"...Don't tell me what you don't know, just tell me what you know!"
"He said she's very important to him," Zack Swiftwind said in a hoarse voice, pointing to the woman in the newspaper and looking at the startled human before him. "He wants to go find her. He can't leave her alone... in that dangerous place."
The harbor was silent.
Including Governor Wilson and Mayor Lucius, all the nobles and citizens standing at the harbor watching the excitement were stunned.
Her Highness Irene...is a very important person.
He's going to find her!
Mrs. Marina Gus's eyes couldn't help but become moist.
Her eyes were red and she raised her hands to cover her mouth. She was so moved by this sincere love that she shed tears of blessing.
What loyalty this is!
Even Baron Gus, who disdained love, couldn't help but sniff lightly after hearing these words.
If he were to ask himself honestly, if it was for Marina or his lover in the suburbs, he would definitely not dare to go to such a dangerous place as Twilight Province.
After all, the farmers there really do eat people!
"God bless you! His Highness... for the sake of His Highness the Princess, whom he deeply loves, he wouldn't even stay for a moment!"
"That's true chivalry! He'd go into hell for her!"
"May the Holy Light bless them..."
The most touching affection is always hidden in the simplest confession, and the voices spread among the crowd.
A futile wait unexpectedly ignited everyone's enthusiasm.
This romantic story of a thousand-mile pursuit seems to touch the softest part of the Campbell people's hearts more than His Royal Highness's personal appearance to receive people's cheers.
The admiration of the citizens of Thunder City for this kind, generous and loyal prince seemed to have reached a whole new level, just like the flowing river!
Although there are some undecided guys who have begun to hesitate whether to sell the stocks they just bought...
Haha, these traitors deserve to pay the money!
Looking at Mr. Andes, who looked lost but somewhat relieved, Sack finally breathed a sigh of relief and silently gave himself a thumbs up for his resourcefulness.
A troublesome matter was resolved quietly. Just as the Demon King said, people will naturally imagine the truth they are willing to believe.
I'm a fucking genius!
I don't know why, but Sack always feels itchy on his scalp, as if someone is staring at him...
(End of this chapter)
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