Arthur's Guest

In front of the main entrance of Dunkirk City Hall stood Dunkirk's largest city square. Normally, it was a place for children to play and idlers to cool off. Now, a blizzard swept over everything, covering the square with thick snow. Except for a path painstakingly cleared by servants dispatched by the City Hall, the rest was buried under several feet of snow.

The rectangular city square was surrounded by ancient buildings constructed from gray granite. These buildings belonged to the wealthiest and most powerful people in Dunkirk Port. Large merchant guilds, high-class salons, upscale hotels and restaurants, as well as some ultra-luxury apartments were located here. Those who could enter and exit were either rich or noble; ordinary citizens could only watch from the city square.

Directly facing the City Hall was the 'Green Rose Hotel', renowned for its luxury in Dunkirk. The backer of this hotel was the Dunkirk United Merchant Guild, whose headquarters were on the first floor of the hotel.

At this moment, in the highest suite of the Green Rose Hotel, Arthur lounged on a sofa, squinting his one eye at the flickering figures in a water sphere suspended in mid-air. Every move of Blackbeard and Lin Qi's group was clearly visible in this sphere.

Pine logs crackled merrily in the suite's fireplace, making the room as warm as spring. Besides Arthur, there were several other people in the room.

Standing behind Arthur's sofa was a tall, dark-skinned, muscular giant clad in tight leather pants, his upper body bare. The man was bald, his skin dark, with only two white patches in his eyes. He was a native from the 'Black Spirit Continent', located across the sea two thousand miles away to the south.

The giant's muscles were coiled like a lion's. His sharp gaze swept over everyone else in the room except Arthur, clearly a loyal bodyguard. A massive scimitar with an ivory hilt hung at his waist. The scimitar, a full six feet long, was exceptionally heavy, indicating its formidable destructive power when swung.

Opposite the long sofa where Arthur lay was a single armchair. Seated in it was an exceptionally striking young man.

He was striking because his appearance was far more handsome and extraordinary than Arthur's. Compared to the handsome Arthur, he made Arthur seem like a pebble trying to compete with a gem – a vast, immeasurable difference. With blond hair, golden eyes, and skin as fair as milk, his exquisitely handsome face possessed a suffocating, feminine beauty, surpassing even that of a peerless maiden.

The young man sat there in a simple black robe, yet he seemed adorned in a full set of Emperor's ceremonial attire, radiating light. A thick, large ancient book with a black sheepskin cover rested on his knees, and he watched the actions of Blackbeard and Lin Qi in the water sphere with keen interest.

On the sofas to the young man's sides sat five youths, three men and two women. Two of the men wore martial attire, while the other wore a black robe. The two girls, clearly identical twins, were dressed in red robes.

While the two girls were incredibly beautiful, their expressions were stern and cold, like icebergs, making them unapproachable. On their left chests were two palm-sized emblems – a holy cross emblem engulfed in flames, with a crown floating above it.

This was the mark of high-ranking clergy in the Church's Cardinal Hall. Clergy members qualified to wear these red robes held esteemed positions within the Church. When traveling, their status and authority were equivalent to that of a Bishop in a particular diocese.

Arthur's gaze occasionally swept over the faces of the two girls. The corners of his mouth twitched slightly. He felt a pang of regret for these two stunning beauties, especially since they were identical twins and such icebergs. What fine beauties they were, so young, yet already high-ranking clergy in the Church's Cardinal Hall. It was such a waste of their talent.

Sighing inwardly about the waste of talent, Arthur lazily sat up. He pointed at Lin Qi in the water sphere and said coldly, "Esteemed Lord Elham, this is Lin Qi, the only son of my adoptive father. An unmitigated scoundrel, a complete little thug."

The black-robed youth, who seemed to radiate light and exuded a solemn aura that deterred approach, slowly nodded. He spoke in a low voice, "Your adoptive father is quite interesting. He's actually a Heavenly Knight. And his guards are all peak-status knights. Hmm, I'm becoming increasingly interested in the terms of cooperation you proposed."

Tilting his head thoughtfully, Elham chuckled, "Your adoptive father is plotting to become the Mayor of Dunkirk?"

Arthur sneered, "In the future, he might even aim for the position of Provincial Governor. That is to say, he wants to become a high-ranking official of the Empire. And with the wealth and influence he commands, if nothing unexpected happens, he's very likely to succeed."

Elham's interest was clearly piqued. He smiled and said, "Oh? That's quite good. If your adoptive father becomes a Provincial Governor, and if he can hold that position for a few more years, then suddenly something happens to him due to an accident, and your nominal brother Lin Qi suddenly disappears, you could inherit his fortune and his power, couldn't you?"

Arthur frowned and shook his head. "Lin Qi won't disappear. But my adoptive father... I must admit he treated me well, so I don't want anything to happen to him. One thing is one thing. I desire the vast wealth and influence my adoptive father possesses, but I don't want to harm him!"

Elham sighed and looked at Arthur with pity, shaking his head slightly. "This is the most tedious sentimentality of you sinners. But I respect your choice. Since we are partners in cooperation, I respect your choice. I will use my power to do my best to help you achieve your wish."

Arthur said solemnly, "Lord Elham, such cooperation would greatly benefit both you and me, wouldn't it? You help me obtain what I desire, and once I obtain it all, I will naturally become your most devout follower. I believe my strength would be useful to you as well."

Smiling reservedly, Elham nodded. "Yes, I am here in the Gallic Empire by order of His Majesty to expand the Church's influence. I do need people like you to help. Then, let it be settled. Lin Qi will disappear as soon as possible, as you wish. And your adoptive father... let him become the Mayor of Dunkirk and the Governor of Yasen Province!"

Arthur rubbed his hands excitedly. He picked up a bottle of sparkling wine and asked Elham with a smile, "Then, shall we have a drink?"

Elham nodded indifferently. "In the original doctrines, alcohol, which causes the spirit to lose control, is one of the original sins... For those old fellows, drinking is an unforgivable grave sin. But we are different. Times have changed, and we must move with the times!"

Smiling faintly, Elham nodded. "Let's have a drink. I prefer mellow and smooth wines!"

With a 'ding', several wine glasses gently clinked together.

Elham's calm voice rang out, "Ya, Ling, go and test Lin Qi."