The Banquet's End / A Meeting on the Volcano

His public invitation as mayor was a great honor, and the young woman would undoubtedly find it easy to establish herself in the mayor's office afterward.

The Emperor frowned upon hearing Herman's words, inwardly thinking, "If I could have kept Suika here, she would never have come here."

But under such intense public scrutiny, could Suika really refuse the invitation?

The Emperor's expression darkened at the thought of Herman roasting the Suika over a fire.

Chapter 208 The End of the Banquet

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Suika firmly shook her head.

"I'm so sorry, Mayor Herman."

The moment I stepped out of the Lungmen, I made a vow to myself: to measure the land of Terra with my own two feet and to witness the landscapes of all the nations with my own eyes.

Siesta is indeed a beautiful place, but merely remaining beautiful and prosperous is not the way for us Catastrophe Messenger.

We chase after Catastrophe, observe Catastrophe, and predict Catastrophe, ultimately leading people to Catastrophe so that more people can live better lives.

As for me, I hope that after traveling all over Terra, I can write a book about Terra and the Catastrophe from my perspective as a Catastrophe Messenger of the Scourge.

Therefore, I cannot stop here and linger in this beautiful and prosperous Siesta.

Upon hearing Suika's decisive rejection of Herman's invitation, everyone fell silent for a moment.

Just then, two claps rang out, quite jarringly.

Looking over, I saw it was the Emperor and Mayor Herman.

It was no surprise that the Emperor would applaud, since he was brought by Suika and Suika must have a good relationship.

In this situation, as someone from Suika's side, and also an independent force, he would naturally choose to support Suika.

Mayor Herman's applause left the others momentarily unsure whether to applaud or remain silent.

At this moment, Herman looked at Suika with admiration.

"A very noble ambition; you remind me of my daughter."

I apologize to you; I was too presumptuous and abrupt.

Just as Cronin said, you are a Catastrophe Messenger with lofty ideals.

I admire your talent and would like you to stay in Siesta, but if that means Terra loses a great book, wouldn't I be a sinner? Hahaha.

I have seen your will, and I have heard your plea. To make amends for my oversight, starting today, I will provide you with a sum of money annually in my personal capacity until your work is completed.

Of course, if you intend to stop later, I believe Siesta will be your best choice."

Upon hearing Herman's words, the people around him breathed a sigh of relief and began to applaud.

"Then I Herman Mayor Hermann for his support. If that day ever comes, I will seriously consider your suggestion."

After Suika finished speaking, she said goodbye to Herman, and then the Emperor pulled her to the dining table next to them.

Picking up a grilled sausage, Suika chewed it for a bit, then picked up two slices of bread from the side, sprinkled them with cheese and sesame seeds, sandwiched the sausage between them, and, under the Emperor's disdainful gaze, hand-rolled out a hot dog.

"You're quite something to be able to make something worth a thousand yuan look like it costs ten yuan."

Seeing how Suika ate, even the Emperor felt sorry for the food in her hands.

"Even something worth several thousand dollars is worthless once it's been chewed up."

I've always felt that Western food values are problematic.

Rare ingredients are considered high-quality and expensive, while animals like the Tumor Beast, which can be kept in almost any household, are disliked because they are too common.

Don't you think Tumor Beast tastes much better than those other things? And it's filling too.

Suika picked up a plate of freshly sliced burlap Tumor Beast that had just come out of the oven and began to eat heartily.

The Emperor was taken aback for a moment after hearing this. He glanced around and found that, just as Suika had said, although the meat of the Tumor Beast tasted quite good, very few of the elites attending the banquet came here to get their food. Everyone seemed to look down on this "commoner" ingredient, the Tumor Beast.

He couldn't help but chuckle and then nodded.

"You little rascal, you see things very clearly."

However, what you said is not entirely correct. There are different kinds of Tumor Beast. As far as I know, the Tumor Beast from Kjerag and Minos have completely different flavors, and their Tumor Beast is more than twice as expensive as that from Victoria and Columbia.

In other words, this banquet used ordinary Tumor Beast. If it had used Tumor Beast from those two places, I don't think these elites would have minded having some."

Since Suika and the Emperor didn't know anyone here, and given her recent rejection of Herman...

Even after Herman took the initiative to explain the matter, these elites still tried their best to avoid any interaction with Suika.

This allowed Suika and the Emperor to enjoy some peace and quiet.

The two strolled around the dining table, enjoying various delicacies and sampling local wines, without feeling awkward at all.

After they had tasted everything that interested them at the table, the Emperor pointed to the entrance. Suika nodded, and the two walked over to Herman to let him know that the Emperor needed to go back to prepare for the performance. They then took Is Yi Si had been missing since entering the banquet, and walked out the door together.

"What do you think of this banquet?" the Emperor asked after they came out.

"There's a lot of delicious food, and the drinks are pretty good too. I think it would be even better if there weren't any noisy people around, so we could eat in peace."

Suika's words surprised the Emperor, who eventually shook his head and said, "Whatever makes you happy."

"I won't be going to the concert. Here's the key; just remember to come back tonight."

The Emperor nodded, then looked at Suika.

There's something I'm not sure if I should ask.

"What?"

"Why are you wearing a little doll on your head...?"

The Emperor finally couldn't hold back and complained about the doll that had appeared on Suika's head at some point and was always hanging on her horn.

"Ah!" Suika reached out and grabbed the Shanghai Dolls, which struggled violently.

"I was supposed to punish you by hanging you on my waist today, but how did you end up on my head again!" Seeing the doll pounding her arm with its fist, Suika reluctantly let go of it. After the Shanghai Dolls flew up, it straightened its clothes that Suika had crumpled and then swaggered back onto her head and hung there.

"A puppet?" the Emperor asked, somewhat surprised.

"I guess so! A friend gave it to me. Aside from its little temper, it's actually quite interesting." Suika reached out to poke the doll, but the doll blocked her way with its hands.

The Emperor had seen many similar puppets in Leithanien. Although the puppet in front of him looked more "human," it was still just a puppet, so he didn't pay it too much attention.

"Then I'll take my leave!" The Emperor waved his hand and left the villa area with Yi Si.

Suika then turned and went back to her place.

After entering the room, she dragged a chair to the balcony. Looking at the sea in front of her and the Twin Moons overhead, Suika leaned against it, picked up the Ibuki Gourd, and softly hummed, "When will the moon be clear and bright? With a cup of wine in hand, I ask the blue sky..."

Behind her, the Shanghai Dolls, hearing her sing, raised its head and swayed gently to her humming...

Chapter 209 The Meeting on the Volcano

The next morning, the Emperor said he was going mountain climbing and asked Suika if she wanted to come along.

Suika pointed to the tall mountains not far away, then pointed to the huge sun overhead.

Are you sure you want to run up there in this blazing sun?

"What's wrong?"

"Aren't you afraid of getting sunburned like a penguin?" Suika reached out and poked the Emperor's belly.

"Pah! Pah! Pah! Children's words are just innocent talk, blown away by the wind... You're the one who'll end up looking like a dried penguin!"

The Emperor was either offended by a sensitive spot or angered by Suika's words; he jumped three feet high after Suika poked him.

Why are you so excited?

Suika withdrew her hand, preparing to escape, but was grabbed by the Emperor.

"Come with me, just to save face, okay?"

"What?" Seeing that the Emperor was so sincere, Suika decided it was best not to tease him any further.

"There's a shameless old man on the mountain. His little brat stole my records. I can't really lay a hand on the kid, so could you help me get them back?"

The Emperor's fins curved slightly, forming a fist shape, and he waved it in front of him.

"Um... Your Emperor, do you need to consider other people's opinions in your entire life?" Upon hearing this, Suika understood that he was going to see that fire goat.

"It's not that I have to cater to that guy's whims, it's just that he has a lot of men, and if he wants to run away, I really can't do anything about it."

"Okay! When are we going up the mountain?"

"You agreed?"

"Of course, given our relationship, how could I just stand by and watch you get bullied without helping you!"

"Then let's go! Right now!"

After saying that, the Emperor put on a suit, sunglasses, and a big gold chain, exuding the arrogant aura of a dragon king descending, and headed up the mountain with Suika.

After leaving the villa, the two headed straight up the mountain.

"Hey, you know what, I've been charged admission fees before when I went up the mountain from other places."

"There's a special path here, and we don't even need to pay a ticket. It's really great to have special privileges!" The Emperor complained to Suika as they walked, mentioning the time they were charged an entrance fee to go up the mountain.

"Isn't that normal? After all, if you can afford a house here, the house price is enough for people to go up and down every day for tens or hundreds of years."

Besides, nobles are all about saving face.

Although going up from here wouldn't save them much money, this is the kind of money only those in the villa area can save. Doesn't this instantly elevate their status? That's what face is all about!"

When they reached the bottom of the mountain, Suika suddenly turned around and realized that Yi Si hadn't followed.

"Where 'Yi Si Is? Aren't you coming along?"

"He still has some things to do, we'll meet again tonight." The Emperor waved his hand, then continued walking up the mountain.

Suika took out a parasol and handed it to the Shanghai Dolls on her head, then chased after it.

"Damn, you even brought an umbrella!" After catching up with the Emperor, the Emperor looked at the doll on Suika's head holding an umbrella to block the sun and speechlessly made a gesture of disdain.

Then, when Suika took out a ladylike umbrella and handed it to him, he objected, saying that he, a real man, could not possibly use such a girly umbrella.

Amidst the silent mockery of Shanghai, the Emperor's short legs sped up by two points.

The two arrived at the bottom of the mountain at noon.

"Are you being scammed? There's nobody here!"

After arriving at the top, Suika looked around. In this weather, there was no shade on the top of the volcano, so apart from the two of them, not even a Shrewbeast wanted to come up here at this time.

"Wait!" The Emperor pulled out a pistol from somewhere and fired several shots into the crater.

Then Suika saw a fluffy pink ball appear out of thin air in front of the Emperor.

"Oh my, isn't this an old friend?"

Why did you suddenly think of me?

"Stop talking nonsense, your brat stole my record."

I'll give you a chance to return the record to me, and then let me beat that brat up. That'll call it even. Otherwise...

My brother here is the kind of guy who can smash a mountain with one punch. You believe he'll wreck your whole place?

The Emperor pushed Suika forward halfway through his sentence before continuing his imposing and arrogant speech.

"..." Dory looked at the Emperor helplessly, not knowing how to comment on his behavior.

"Fighting isn't a good thing. How about we have a drink? Then you return the Emperor's things to him, and we'll call it even?"

After scratching her head, Suika offered her suggestion.

"Um, why don't you wait a moment, I'll go look for it for you!" Seeing the Emperor's Dory demeanor, and knowing that the girl beside him possessed powerful energy that was no less than his own and the Emperor's, Dori decisively backed down.

After all, he remembered that this penguin recognized the wolf cubs of Siracusa, and what if it attracted them...

Another half hour passed.

Suika looked at the blazing sun overhead, then picked up the sake jug, took a sip to quench her thirst, and then walked to the top of the volcano to ask...

"I hope that sheep won't stand us up!"

"Probably not... That old guy may be a bit carefree, but he still knows what's important and what's urgent."

After all, since I've found it, this news could reach the wolf cubs at any time, depending on my mood.

The Emperor touched his chin uncertainly, but in the end, he still felt that Dory wouldn't lie to him.