Inglis's Actions

Stepping down from the carriage, Li Qi immediately saw Mayor Dag waiting for him at the entrance.

And beside him, dressed in a lady's dress and wearing a sun hat, was Dag's daughter, Claudia.

Dag was a typical Noble.

He was called typical because he perfectly fit Li Qi's stereotype of a Noble.

He was dressed lavishly, had a large belly, a curled mustache, and held a cane that looked like a small twig compared to him.

Li Qi hadn't seen many Nobles; the most he'd seen were at school, followed by those on the train.

However, they were dressed very properly, either because they were at school or traveling.

Unlike the one before him... his physique was overly 'substantial'.

Compared to Dag, his daughter beside him was much prettier.

Her dark golden hair was curled, and beneath the lace-trimmed sun hat, a pair of brown eyes surveyed the surroundings with curiosity and scrutiny.

Her posture was quite proper, clearly showing she had received a good upbringing in etiquette, a true Noble lady.

The two welcomed him, one after the other, and behind them, the mayor's guards stood in a line.

Li Qi took in the entire scene before stepping down from the carriage.

As soon as he got off, the pot-bellied Dag came forward, excitedly saying:

"Oh! My dear Angela, I finally see you again!"

Saying this, Dag took two steps forward as if to hug Li Qi, but he quickly stopped in front of him.

He looked at his own large belly, then at his 'little daughter's' petite body, and for a moment didn't dare to reach out and hug her.

Seeing this, Claudia immediately stepped forward, hugged Li Qi, and said very excitedly:

"Little sister, long time no see, you must be tired from the journey."

"Long time no see, big sister."

Hearing Claudia's address, Li Qi raised an eyebrow slightly.

He had initially thought that Claudia was being forced by Dag to put on a show, and that she herself might not be aware of the inner workings of the situation.

But judging from Claudia's attitude now, the opposite might be true.

In the Angulo family, the person truly in charge should be this Lady Claudia.

Claudia's embrace with Li Qi was brief, and then she naturally took Li Qi's hand and walked towards the city.

At the same time, she said:

"You've been traveling for several days, you must be very tired, right? Big sister will take you home. You don't know, our family doesn't live on the estate anymore, we live in the city center now."

Claudia spoke softly to Li Qi about things in the city, like a doting older sister.

But while she appeared to be making small talk, she had actually explained most of the city's situation to Li Qi.

This included the names of some reputable Noble families in the city, some Reformist Faction officials, and also Traditional Faction officials hiding in the shadows.

In just a few sentences, this intelligent woman had conveyed the entire situation in the city to Li Qi through casual conversation.

And it wouldn't arouse suspicion.

This made Li Qi even more certain that his nominal older sister was likely the true decision-maker in the Angulo family.

There was some distance between the city center and the city gate, so they naturally couldn't walk back.

Thus, after only a few steps, Li Qi was pulled by Claudia onto another carriage that had been waiting for a long time.

The carriage was dark gold, and two brown horses snorted in front.

Compared to the carriage Li Qi had taken from the Provincial Capital, this one looked larger and more luxurious, capable of seating several people.

Claudia took Li Qi's hand and got into the carriage, and soon Dag also got in.

Afterwards, Generro sat in the front, responsible for driving the carriage.

Once the carriage started and the Soundproof Barrier inscribed inside was activated, Dag and Claudia's attitudes changed.

"This subordinate was rude just now, please forgive me, sir."

As soon as he got in the carriage, Dag apologized to Li Qi.

Li Qi shook his head: "This is my identity now, just call me whatever you should. Besides, I'm not some sir, I'm just an ordinary person now."

The moment Li Qi became a Spy, his official records would be completely sealed, accessible only to a few people.

At the same time, his public records would be tampered with, making him completely disappear from public view.

So Li Qi didn't hold an official position now, and Dag didn't need to be so respectful to Li Qi.

But Claudia said:

"Necessary etiquette is still required."

"Alright, there's no need for excessive formalities. You just need to tell me when I can leave for the Shipu Federation."

Li Qi said, sounding a little tired.

After several days of travel, even with Li Qi's good physical condition and being a Strategic Rank Mage Master, he was still feeling worn out.

Mostly... because he couldn't take off his clothes these past few days. Adding the corset made of wire and the decorations on his clothes, he was constantly wearing nearly twenty pounds of extra weight. No one could stand that.

So now, Li Qi just wanted to find a place to take off all his clothes, get a good night's rest, and then immediately head to the Inglis Magic Nation to study magic.

He didn't want to get involved in any messy affairs.

Li Qi wanted to go to the Shipu Federation quickly, but hearing his words, Mayor Dag and Claudia's expressions became somewhat awkward.

Seeing their reactions, Li Qi's heart sank:

"What? Is there a problem?"

"Sir, you just arrived today, so you probably aren't aware, but as early as three days ago, the Shipu Federation refused entry to our Uno citizens... This subordinate was just about to tell you about this."

Mayor Dag replied.

Li Qi's brow furrowed tighter. Claudia quickly added:

"You've been traveling these past few days, so perhaps you didn't know about this. Reportedly... Inglis has already gone to war with our country."

"I know that. I already knew this news before I came from the Royal Capital."

Li Qi was certainly aware that Inglis had declared war on Uno.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been in such a hurry to leave Uno.

Wait... gone to war?

Li Qi quickly realized that Claudia had said 'gone to war' rather than 'declared war'. Could it be...

Indeed, Claudia quickly explained:

"Not the previous declaration of war, but formal warfare. Inglis's warships arrived at the White Rock Strait a few days ago and encountered our country's fleet."

"The Shipu Federation closed its border at the same time Inglis went to war with our country?"

"Yes."

Claudia nodded.

So that's how it is. In that case, it seems Li Qi arrived a step too late.

Originally, Bolent had Li Qi leave in such a hurry because he wanted him to enter Inglis via another route, through the territory of a neutral country, before Inglis officially made a move.

But he didn't expect that shortly after Li Qi left, Inglis would immediately engage Uno.

Why would they act so quickly?

Li Qi found it hard to understand Inglis's choice and decision.

Inglis declared war on Uno about a week ago, less than ten days ago.

And they formally went to war with Uno three days ago.

From the declaration of war, to assembling the fleet, and then arriving at the White Rock Strait in Uno's waters, if there had been a delay in even one of these steps, it would have been impossible to engage Uno so quickly.

This meant that from the day the war was declared, Inglis immediately mobilized and launched a lightning-fast war against Uno.

Too fast.

Inglis's actions were too fast!

So fast that it was completely abnormal!

Inglis's actions made Li Qi think of something. He quickly asked:

"What about the Mien Frontline? How are things there?"

"The Mien Frontline?" Mayor Dag was startled. He thought for a moment and asked, "Are you referring to the front line fighting Falor? This subordinate isn't very clear about the situation there."

Claudia added:

"We only learned about Inglis's actions from the Shipu Federation. Falor is too far from us, so we don't know the situation there."

Thinking at the end, Claudia asked:

"Are you suggesting that Falor might also have gone to war with us?"

Not might, but definitely.

Li Qi's mood was heavy.

The fact that Inglis acted so decisively proved that Falor must have also launched an attack on Uno.

Only by being certain that Uno couldn't use its full national strength to defend the White Rock Strait would Inglis dare to make such a big move!

But if this was true, then it was absolutely bad news.

Because it meant that Falor and Inglis had probably formed an alliance!