"My daughter is already engaged. I don't want her to leave Qinsidun City right before fulfilling her engagement."
Viscount Levin Kinston pinched the bridge of his nose and replied.
Several figures stood at the entrance to the Reception Room, conversing. They had no intention of discussing things in detail inside the room.
Viscount Levin Kinston had only intended to see the guests from Boen City off.
"Engagements can be dissolved, you know."
Viscount Blake Boen acted as though he hadn't noticed Viscount Levin Kinston's refusal—or perhaps he simply didn't care about the other man's attitude.
"Forget it. If you don't trust Professor Meiqi's educational standards and think he won't be able to help Lilith, then there's no point in my saying more. Quite a few nobles from the other city-states are lining up to meet Professor Meiqi, while I've shown you more than enough respect. It's a pity you don't appreciate it."
Viscount Blake Boen sighed regretfully.
"...That isn't what I meant. I have great respect for the educators of Protos Royal Magic Academy."
Viscount Levin Kinston suppressed his impatience and irritation, glanced at Professor Meiqi, and spoke.
During this unusual period for the empire, Snowfield Province had instead been isolated into an independent existence by the Northern Border Province and Box Mountain Province on either side of it.
Now, not only were communication and transportation major problems, but there was also the threat of the Ghost Party.
If several city-states joined forces to ostracize one city-state, the consequences would be severe. It could make that city-state the target of the Ghost Party's concentrated attacks. Without being able to request assistance from other provinces or nearby city-states, it might even be wiped out.
Clearly, many nobles from the other city-states were doing their utmost to curry favor with this professor