Mingling at the Banquet
The Emperor persisted, reaching out to embrace Suika as she sat up.
"You really don't have even the slightest thought about it?"
"Absolutely not..."
"That's such a pity..." Seeing Suika's resolute will, the Emperor reclined in his chair.
"You know, singing on stage costs money, and Siesta's sponsors are very generous..."
Hearing the Emperor's subtle, suggestive advances, Suika reached out and slapped his forehead without hesitation, then triumphantly pulled out the bank card Swire had given her.
Don't try to tempt me; I'm not the same person I used to be!
The Emperor's eyesight was sharp; he immediately recognized that the bank card in Suika's hand was a high-end VIP card issued by the Victoria Banking Association. He couldn't help but stomp his leg in frustration.
"Oh, damn it. I forgot you got this good stuff from that little kitten at the police station."
Suika didn't seem to care. As for language talent, she thought she had a tiny bit of it.
However, musical talent, if not negative, is almost entirely overshadowed by linguistic talent.
It's not that I'm tone-deaf, it's just that I sing at a normal level.
The key problem is that she basically doesn't know any of Terra's songs, and she can't sing songs from her past life, nor does she have the ability to compose music.
Therefore, I resolutely refuse to go on stage and embarrass myself.
"How about we get together tonight?" the Emperor continued.
"Tonight? Tonight won't do... I received an invitation to a banquet." She should have accepted the invitation since it was a chance to meet an old friend in a foreign land, but she guessed that the inviter was Mayor Herman. It didn't feel right to stand up the highest leader here while she was having fun. Besides, she also wanted to see this mayor, who was quite suspicious but also quite capable.
"Hmm, is that not allowed? What kind of banquet is this? Can I bring people? Or can I come along?" The Emperor said, indicating that it was a rare opportunity to meet an acquaintance and he wanted to chat a bit more.
"It seems like it's possible. Let's go together tonight!" Suika took out the invitation and looked at it. It said that you could bring no more than two companions, and coincidentally, the Emperor and Yi Si were the only two people there.
Inside the mayor's office on the other side.
Herman was relieved after hearing Cronin's explanation.
Cronin was certain that the other party was a highly professional and knowledgeable Catastrophe Messenger, so she was not a spy.
After all, such a young Catastrophe Messenger is a treasure anywhere. We'd rather nurture him than use him as a spy.
Soon, news of Suika meeting the Emperor at the performance plaza reached his ears, further allaying his concerns.
"Cronin, do you think we have a chance to keep that Catastrophe Messenger in Siesta?"
Now that he was certain the other party wasn't there to cause trouble, Herman naturally set his sights on her.
Although it's unclear why this little girl named Ibuki Suika came to Siesta, it's impossible to remain completely unmoved by such a young Catastrophe Messenger right in front of one's eyes.
In the afternoon, the Emperor went on stage again and sang for more than half an hour before leaving the stage amidst cheers.
He and Suika strolled around Siesta with sunglasses on, looking quite arrogant.
"You said you joined an organization called Rhodes Island?" The Emperor was puzzled after hearing Suika's story. If she had joined an organization, why was she still wandering around outside so carelessly?
"That's right, but Rhodes Island's main business is developing pharmaceutical companies that work on Inhibitor for Oripathy."
When I joined them, they didn't require me to stay in the company; it was more like I was just a figurehead.
"When I'm out and about, I can use the company's resources in various locations, but similarly, if I receive a distress call from a company operator, I'll lend a hand if I can."
Suika recounts her identity on Rhodes Island.
"I see. These medical companies usually have offices in various places, so you can indeed ask the locals for help if you encounter problems."
Relying on friends when you're away from home is a great idea.
However, this is a medical company. Who is the leader of this company? Let me see if I know them...
The Emperor accepted the fruit juice-mixed drink that Suika handed him, took a satisfied sip, and patted his chest, saying...
"Rhodes Island's leadership... to be precise, Rhodes Island has probably only been established for about a year..."
Suika calculated the time. Theresa died last summer, and it would take some time to move from Babel to Rhodes Island. Considering it was late summer now, a year should be roughly the time.
"Such a young pharmaceutical company... are you sure there's nothing wrong with it?" Upon hearing that the company had only been established for a year, the Emperor instantly felt that it was somewhat unreliable.
"Don't be fooled by the fact that the company has only been established for a year. Its predecessor was very famous. However, after the previous big boss passed away, many people outside were eyeing it, so it had no choice but to change its name and start over."
However, we still have the resources, so I think it shouldn't be a problem for us to start a second season.
After Suika finished speaking, the Emperor nodded, but he felt that Suika's words were a bit too vague... as if she was hiding something.
"Oh! The company whose big boss died last year... I don't recall that at all? Yi Si, can you think of any large pharmaceutical companies that suddenly went bankrupt last year?"
The Emperor looked at Yi Si, who was following behind him. Yi Si shook his head, indicating that he had no recollection of it either.
Okay, okay, I won't tell you any more riddles.
Rhodes Island's previous name was the Babel, and the big boss was naturally Theresa...
Before Suika could finish speaking, the Emperor spat out a mouthful of soda.
"Ah?"
"What's there to get excited about... I went to Kazdel when I set off last year."
I originally wanted to meet the Sarkaz Demon Lord, who always pursued a policy of appeasement.
However, before I could find her, I heard the news of her death. I was quite disappointed at the time, and I didn't know what kind of personality the next Demon King would have.
So instead of continuing to wander around Kazdel, we turned around and headed to Ursus...
It's fate that brought us together after a thousand years.
I thought I had no further connection with the Babel.
When Victoria helped take a group of children to a company in Rhodes Island for treatment, she discovered that there were many Sarkaz there.
We drank and chatted together, and learned from them that they were actually the remnants of the Babel.
After Theresa's death, Babel was reorganized into Rhodes Island, and the Demon King's Crown is still on Rhodes Island... However, the crown is no longer chosen by the crown holder as before, but by a successor personally selected by Theresa.
After hearing what Suika said, even the Emperor felt that the world was changing too fast and too strangely.
If he hadn't received this information from Suika, he wouldn't have been able to imagine that the losing side in the power war could still have the opportunity to "retreat unscathed" with only the loss of their leader, especially since both sides were the most skilled Sarkaz.
Chapter 207 Interactions at the Banquet
"So you've joined the defeated, exiled government?" the Emperor asked after a moment's thought.
"That's really harsh of you... What do you mean by a defeated, exiled government..."
Nobody on Rhodes Island is even thinking about leadership of Kazdel right now.
Although there are quite a few Sarkaz on Rhodes Island, almost all of them are pitiful individuals who disagree with Theresis's radical views but can't return to Kazdel...
Given their past actions, if they return to Kazdel, they will either be used as expendable resources or have their heads ripped off someday.
However, without the pressure of vying for power, I'm actually quite satisfied with Rhodes Island now.
There are skilled individuals who can travel around and frequently call for assistance from various places.
Besides, I think I get paid... You know, who wouldn't want to do a job where you just get paid and don't do any work?
After Suika finished speaking, the Emperor seemed somewhat tempted.
"Hey, what do you think about me going to Rhodes Island and getting a salary?"
"Are you short of money?" Suika rolled her eyes at the Emperor.
"Not lacking"
"Then why did you do such a despicable thing?"
"Who would complain about having too much money!" Emperor declared confidently and righteously.
"That makes a lot of sense... but you probably won't get past the Personnel Department with that idea in mind..." Suika stroked her chin.
"No problem. What kind of status do I, the Emperor, have? I'll volunteer to join a medical... medical organization. At worst, I'll be a spokesperson for a while. Do you think Rhodes Island would refuse?"
The Emperor stated that his name is known to everyone in Terra, from the very young to the very old. He felt that by endorsing Rhodes Island and earning an endorsement fee while simultaneously receiving a long-term free salary, he was losing out.
"Um, are you sure you can fool the Heart Demon?" Suika asked doubtfully.
"Rhodes Island has a demonic fiend!" The Emperor's eyes widened.
"Nonsense! The Heartbreaker is still a member of the Sarkaz. Although there aren't many left, Rhodes Island is Theresa's legacy, so having one shouldn't be a problem!" Suika looked at the Emperor with a "what nonsense are you talking about?" expression.
"Then I won't go... What if my brain gets eaten..." The Emperor put his hands on his hips and changed his mind.
"If the Demon of Heart-Piercing Hell heard you say that, he might really come and dig out your brain to see what it's made of..." Suika retorted.
The two of them chatted back and forth until evening.
"Aren't you going to sing tonight?" Suika suddenly asked, looking at the Emperor was walking with her towards the banquet.
"It's just a banquet, how long can it last... We can eat and then go back to sing... Anyway, the closing time is midnight."
The Emperor said he had seen many banquets before, which usually only lasted an hour or two and did not interfere with the evening's performance at all.
Upon arriving at the villa area, the Emperor patted Suika on the shoulder.
"Good Kid, you're living in such nice accommodations? I was thinking of renting a villa here, but they said they were all taken and they wouldn't rent to me!"
Suika pointed inside
"I live in the villa where Swire's family lives here."
Are there any extra seats?
Yes, do you want to stay here?
"Nonsense! The hotel we booked here has a nice view, but it's nothing compared to this place!"
"I'll give Yi Si a key later, and you can come over when you're done tonight!" Suika didn't mind the Emperor, after all, there was no pressure in "living together" with a penguin.
"OK! I knew Suika was my lucky star! Finally, I don't have to stay at that hotel anymore!"
The Emperor patted his belly happily.
After taking out the invitation and leading the Emperor and Yi Si into the venue, many people looked over. Upon seeing the Emperor, several people's eyes lit up, and they all came up to ask for photos.
Suika glanced around and saw that almost everyone present was dressed in a suit and tie, including Siesta's top elites.
The Emperor is quite influential among these people, which is related to his famous saying that he can meet fans wherever he goes.
She didn't quite believe it when she was in Lungmen, after all, even the Emperor who was squatting at the entrance eating noodles hadn't seen anyone ask him for an autograph.
Seeing these elites of Siesta actively seeking photos with the Emperor, I realize that this penguin's reputation is indeed quite good.
"Miss Suika, and Mr. Emperor, it's a pleasure to have you both here." A pink-haired middle-aged man walked over.
Those around him straightened up upon seeing him and addressed him as Mayor.
Suika looked at the somewhat unshaven man in front of her and couldn't believe that he had such a beautiful daughter Ceylon... To be precise, apart from his pink hair, it seemed that Ceylon hadn't inherited a single bit of his looks.
"Hello, Mayor Herman!" Suika replied politely.
"Oh, you know me?"
"A mayor who is so respected in Siesta can't possibly be from Dossoles!" Suika replied with a smile.
Upon hearing her words, the people around her burst into laughter.
"Mr. Emperor, I am your loyal fan. I have collected all your albums from your debut to the album released in March of this year."
I invited you before, but unfortunately I missed it due to time constraints. I am very grateful to Ms. Suika for the opportunity to meet you this time."
Herman's words drew everyone's attention to Suika. The Emperor's fame was beyond question, but his personality was as unpredictable as his music.
The fact that even Mayor Herman couldn't invite the Emperor was brought to this banquet by a girl who looked to be in her teens, which means that this girl holds a special place in the Emperor's heart.
"There's no need for such praise to my Mayor. I'm merely one of the lucky ones who are acquainted with the Emperor. Compared to him, every one of you here is an elite who commands respect in your respective fields."
Suika's answer brought smiles of satisfaction to everyone around her; after all, no one dislikes being praised.
"You are no ordinary person. Let me introduce you to this lady named Ibuki Suika. She is an experienced Catastrophe Messenger."
I suppose we were drawn to the beauty of Siesta when we were passing by, which led to our meeting today.
I invited you here today because I hope you will stay in Siesta and become a part of Siesta.
Siesta's beauty is absolutely worthy of your attention.
Upon hearing Herman's invitation, those around him cast envious glances.