Chapter 76

The Anas Empire

Tosi Cavendish smug expression as his attendant reported the news: Desinia had accepted His Majesty the King's invitation and would soon personally visit the Anas Empire to present the Queen with a birthday gift.

On the table in front of Tosi was a box of Lemon Candy that had been presented to him by someone else. There were hardly any candies left in the box; most of the candies had been given to the king when he entered the palace.

The rest were eaten by Tosi, one by one.

He squinted his eyes as if he were eating some rare delicacy, his face full of enjoyment.

After hearing the news from the servant, Tosi waved his hand, and the servant respectfully took his leave. He tugged at the wooden box on the table, and the pale yellow candies inside made a pleasant sound as they rolled around.

Tosi picked up another Lemon Candy and popped it into his mouth, savoring the sweet and sour taste and enjoying the luxurious feeling of each candy being worth a gold coin.

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Tosi's personal butler, standing behind him, couldn't help but purse his lips and swallow the saliva that longed to taste it.

He said, "My lord, our spies who went to the Desinia Territory to inquire about sugar and Lemon Candy have reported back that the method for making Lemon Candy is actually not difficult."

"Every day, the shop assistants make the syrup directly behind that big window... anyone can watch and observe. If you really like it, we might as well..."

Tosi scoffed, "Do you think our sugar grows on trees?! How many candies can you make with just a little bit of sugar?!"

"Yesterday I had someone try it, and what kind of rubbish came out? The syrup was black, hard, and tasted bitter. It was a complete waste of my jar of sugar. A bunch of useless idiots!"

The housekeeper was so scolded that he couldn't lift his head.

Tosi: "So, it's just that Desinia somehow discovered a method to mass-produce white sugar in large quantities, enough to sustain its production..."

"Tsk, one candy for one gold coin is still too cheap. If it were in my hands..."

He imagined gold coins flowing into his pockets, his eyes narrowing as a glint of shrewdness appeared.

"So what if Desinia has such a large territory? Hmph, in the end, it was all conquered for him by the Black-and-White Cavalry..."

"By the way, who were those two knight commanders again?"

The butler said, "One Ferdinand Fernand Edward, and the other is Walker William, and the two of them..."

Tosi Cavendish's men also investigated everything about Cyrus's surroundings, including his most trusted subordinates.

Among them, the two commanders of the Black-and-White Cavalry were most appreciated by Cyrus.

I heard that he followed him when Desinia first possessed only the territory of one city.

Even now, with the territory expanding to the point that Tosi is envious and jealous, he still serves him with unwavering loyalty.

After recounting all the information gathered from his investigation, the steward whispered, "My lord, Desinia is, after all, the lord of a vast territory. Would it be... dangerous for us to try and obtain the secret recipe for making sugar from him..."

The Black-and-White Cavalry of Desinia remains a threat that cannot be ignored.

"What's there to be afraid of? Once he comes to the Empire, he'll be like a river fish trapped at the bottom of the sea, with plenty of people wanting to skin him alive and devour him."

"The only way to get from the Desinia Territory to the Anas Empire is by water on the Volri River. No matter how powerful his Black-and-White Cavalry are, can they all be brought over?" Tosi said nonchalantly.

The butler nodded and echoed his sentiments.

Tosi stroked his chin and clicked his tongue, saying meaningfully, "I've heard that Cyrus Desinia is quite good-looking?"

The butler said softly, "Yes, a year ago a poet who traveled the continent came to the Desinia Territory, saw Desinia with his own eyes, and wrote a poem praising her beauty, which even roses could not match."

"But the Lord of Desinia was still young at that time, and he rarely left the castle afterward, so the news didn't spread widely."

"Rose Beauty... so delicious..."

A string of malicious laughter echoed inside the room.

The butler bowed his head, his expression timid and submissive.

He recalled the Marquis's methods of "disciplining" people, and a cold sweat broke out on his back. He dared not say another word.

At the residence of Grand Duke Achiyoli.

Orville accepted the letter delivered by the Nagabi Merchant Guild and said to Vincent, the head steward who had come in person, "Go back and tell Boris Abel that I understand."

Vincent respectfully said, "If the Lord of Desinia encounters difficulties after arriving in the Empire, please be sure to lend him your assistance."

Orville: "Naturally."

Knowing that Grand Duke Achiyoli was a man of few words and aloofness, Vincent did not disturb him further upon hearing this. He gave a slight bow and then turned to leave.

Orville lowered his gaze to the letter in his hand and whispered to Robert, his subordinate following behind, "Isn't it inconvenient to bring wild beasts aboard the ship by water?"

Robert looked troubled. "... Your Excellency, I truly do not know."

Orville turned his head, narrowing his light gray eyes with a "what use are you?" expression.

Robert: "..."

The Holy See, Holy See Saint Airo Empire.

Given the caliber of the King of the Anas Empire, even if he wanted to invite members of the Holy See to the Queen's birthday banquet, he could only invite clergy members of the cardinal rank.

Still one.

But now, the Pope sits on a tall chair engraved with the patterns of the Belanka Divine Flower, holding an invitation sent by the Anas Empire, his golden eyes looking down with a half-smile.

"You all want to attend the Queen's birthday banquet in the Anas Empire?"

Malediz and Dempus exchanged a glance before immediately turning away with stern faces.

They disliked each other, which led to numerous arguments within the Holy See, often resulting in sharp verbal exchanges that clashed with each other.

As is customary, the invitation was delivered to the Pope, who then personally appointed the attendees for the banquet.

Malediz wanted to go; he felt he was already somewhat familiar with Desinia.

Dempus also wanted to go.

He was curious about what kind of person Desinia was, that he could get that old-fashioned Malediz to return without accomplishing anything, and without being held accountable for threatening the authority of the Holy See.

Dempus was unaware that the Lord of Desinia had given them candy.

The box of Lemon Candy that Malediz and Paul brought back was so valuable that only the two of them knew about it.

Upon returning to the Holy See, Malediz told the Pope about Desinia's gift of sweets, and then...

Malediz face grew even more serious, as if he were very displeased that Dempus had competed with him for the dinner party.

Even seeing his unpleasant expression, Dempus did not budge an inch.

Segalot slowly flipped the invitation between his fingers. "Since you all want to attend the banquet in the Anas Empire, why don't you come together?"

However, no sooner had he spoken than Malediz and Dempus immediately objected.

It's better not to go at all than to have them come along!

Segalot frowned slightly, seemingly quite troubled. "Then I'll just have to go alone."

Malediz & Dempus: "...???"

Dempus: "Your Majesty, no!"

"As the Pope, the Queen of the Anas Empire is not qualified to invite you to personally attend the celebration."

Malediz frowned as well. "Your Majesty, please reconsider."

Segalot refused. "You stay in the Holy See to handle the affairs; I'll be right back."

"..."

It's just attending the Queen's birthday banquet; it's a quick trip, otherwise, how could I stay for a year or two...?

Seeing that His Holiness the Pope's attitude was irrefutable, Malediz and Dempus had no choice but to comply, their expressions sullen.

However, Dempus later suggested that the Pope bring at least one archbishop along, so that he could communicate with the other party on his behalf.

Segalot: "Then let Paul come along."

Malediz: "... Yes."

A great opportunity was snatched away by someone else.

Thinking of this, Malediz couldn't help but glare at Dempus, Dempus responded with "friendly" retort.

After the two left, Segalot chuckled softly at the empty hall.

The journey from the Desinia Territory to the Anas Empire takes more than half a month by sailing on the Volri River.

Cyrus wanted to bring a lot of people and things, so she needed to prepare enough on the ship in advance.

First, the number of ships is an issue.

Cyrus then ordered Samuel to requisition a large number of ships currently existing in the territory in his name, including the large ships that Samuel had built upon arriving in the territory.

After the collection was completed, all the ships were moored at the port, creating a spectacular scene.

Cyrus: "Taylor, Bana, Mike, Daina, the four of you stay here and guard the territory. If anything happens, have Qing Tuan fly to the Empire to send me a message."

He left the Qing Tuan in his territory.

However, they only stay here in the morning, fly away at noon, and return the next morning. At the speed of Qing Tuan, they can make several round trips a day without stopping, which also makes it convenient to pass on messages.

The four nodded in agreement.

The Qing Tuan chirped twice while standing on the gunwale.

Cyrus turned to look behind her. Coalball, Snowball, and Egg Yolk were still there. Black Sugar had grown quite a bit larger and was now right next to Coalball's legs. If you weren't paying attention, you could easily miss it.

Cyrus didn't know if the Egg Yolk and Black Sugar would get seasick.

After all, it was a long voyage.

But leaving them in the castle...

Thinking about the outcome of their previous communication, Cyrus couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

He will be away for almost a month this time.

The three beasts had grown up with him since they were cubs and had never been separated for such a long time. As soon as they finished talking, they started making a fuss. Even the calmest one, Snowball, used its thick paws to press him to the ground and wouldn't let him leave, letting out soft howls.

There's no other way but to bring them all.

Judas: "My lord, it's time to set off."

Cyrus stood up and nodded to him.

Samuel directed the fleet, ordering the sails to be hoisted.

A flock of waterbirds were startled and took flight, circling in the air, while all the sails, adorned with patterns of Thorn Rose, fluttered and waved in the wind.

Cyrus was the first to board the first ship, followed by three large beasts and Black Sugar...

This ship is Samuel's masterpiece; it is fast, large, and has a beautiful hull.

Cyrus gazed at the undulating river, seemingly trying to see the Anas Empire. He then looked at the Black-and-White Cavalry lined up on the bank, a smile playing on his lips. He raised his hand and shouted, "Let's go!"

"Yes, sir!" the soldiers replied in a resounding voice.

After some time, all the ships were ready.

Later records state that Cyrus Desinia set off for the Anas Empire today, laying the foundation for the Anas Empire's division and setting the stage for Helgoda's annexation by Grand Duke Achiyoli.