Chapter 781: Elf King Apologize
The city gate seemed to have been frozen by the ice and snow. The soldiers guarding the city gate walked down the city tower. They lifted the wooden stake together and knocked the city gate open.
Because the mourning period had just ended, the band that used to play music to send the soldiers out of the city had been withdrawn.
This time, the people were not announced when they left the city, so only a few pedestrians on the street noticed Kant and his group in black.
"According to the letter from Elf Kingdom, the s.h.i.+p hit the reef, and all the soldiers were swept away by the wave." Kant sat on his horse and slowly said, "Not even a single relic was left behind."
"c.u.mberland has already sent a lifeboat to the location of the sunken s.h.i.+p to salvage it." Bunduk reported.
"In such cold weather, the soldiers shouldn"t be able to stay at sea for a night, right?" Kant looked at the sky and said, "If they find any remains, I hope they can send them back to Drondheim as soon as possible. It"s really hard on the families of those soldiers."
"When we arrive at Elf Kingdom, we should be able to receive news from c.u.mberland." Bunduk comforted.
Before Kant set off, he wrote a letter to Elf King. The letter said that he would bring people to Elf Kingdom in a week. So, when Kant and his people were halfway through their journey, Elf Kingdom had already begun to prepare for the visit of the Caradia Empire.
"Your Highness, Lord Kant and the others will probably arrive at our capital by tomorrow evening." an elven minister reported to Elf King.
"Mm." Elf King simply responded without saying anything.
"When the time comes..." the elven minister observed Elf King"s expression and spoke hesitantly.
"I will personally welcome them." Elf King interrupted him and said, "This operation has caused the Caradia Empire to suffer heavy losses. No matter what, I have to apologize to Lord Kant in person at the first possible moment."
"There are many unpredictable aspects to this mission. Your Highness, please do not blame yourself too much." the elven minister bowed and replied.
"Do not arrange for the honor guard or anything like that. Just send a few soldiers along with me when the time comes." Elf King instructed.
"Yes." after the welcoming ceremony was sorted out, the minister took his leave.
The news of Kant"s group"s visit had spread from the palace to the military camp.
The elven soldiers in the same sickroom began to discuss.
After Raphael heard the news from the others, he asked in puzzlement, "I didn"t expect Lord Kant from Caradia to come personally. What are they doing here?"
"I heard that the citizens of the Caradia Empire were mourning for the soldiers who died a few days ago." said one of the elven soldiers.
"It"s just over twenty dead people." another elf soldier sneered and said, "Could it be that the Caradia Empire is deliberately making such a big fuss to embarra.s.s His Highness?"
"It can"t be..." an elven soldier shook his head and said.
"Why don"t we follow them to the city gates tomorrow?" an elven soldier suggested.
"Yes." Raphael nodded in agreement to the suggestion and said, "Since everyone is recovering well, follow me to the city gates tomorrow to see what intention of the Lord of Caradia is."
The timeline went back to two days ago. Kant and his group stayed in Durandal.
It was only then that Durandal received the news that the reconnaissance team had encountered a s.h.i.+pwreck.
Derrick"s emotions had been crushed by the sudden news. He locked himself in the military camp and didn"t come out.
Bunduk was worried and was about to look for him, but he was stopped by Kant.
"I reckon that none of us are sadder than Derrick over Claremont"s death." Kant said to Bunduk. "Although Derrick"s consciousness is more sensitive than yours, he isn"t so easily defeated. Don"t underestimate his tenacity. Let him be alone."
"Yes..." Bunduk had no choice but to agree.
However, the next morning, when the group set off again. Bunduk still didn"t see Derrick in the group that was sending them off.
Three days later, Kant rode his horse and stood at the city gates of the main city of Elf Kingdom. The city gates had long been opened for them.
Elf King wore simple clothes and walked to the city gate to welcome everyone.
"Your Highness, long time no see." Kant jumped off his horse and bowed to Elf King.
Although they were both rulers of the kingdom, Kant always treated Elf King like an elder. Every time they met, he would bow.
But today, Elf King could not accept Kant"s politeness.
Elf King quickly held Kant"s bent body and said, "Long time no see, Lord Kant."
"Many unexpected things have happened recently. Let"s wait until we get to the palace to discuss it in detail." Kant said with a smile.
He had come to visit Elf Kingdom in person, so he naturally had to bring the grace of a king and the etiquette of a diplomatic meeting.
"The elf clan has let down Caradia in this accident. I apologize to Your Highness" Elf King said to Kant. "The banquet in the palace has been prepared. Please sit on the carriage and go with me."
Kant shook his head and said, "There"s no need for Your Highness to apologize to me. The sailing itself carries risks. Let"s hurry up and get on the carriage."
Elf King remained silent for a moment. He extended his hand and said to Kant, "Please!"
As they watched the carriage of the palace move further and further away, a group of elven soldiers who were climbing on the city walls walked out from behind the stone pillars.
"This group of Caradia people seems quite gentle." a soldier commented.
"It seems that they are here to verify the details of Devitt"s group"s martyrdom." another soldier said.
"What are you still standing there for?" Raphael instructed. "The biggest target of Caradia is us. Quickly return to the sickroom and lie down!"
When the group heard Raphael"s order, they immediately went back to the military camp.
Kant and Elf King sat in the same carriage. At this moment, they were asking Elf King about the news of the soldiers who were rescued.
"I heard that the soldiers rowed their own boats to the sh.o.r.e." Kant was the first to start the conversation.
"Yes, they were discovered by the patrolling soldiers. At that time, their bodies were already showing signs of dehydration." Elf King replied in detail. "I heard that they were adrift at sea for an entire day and night."
"I see. Then, have they recovered?" Kant continued to ask.
"Yes, probably. But they are still recuperating and haven"t been put into military training." Elf King replied.
"These elven soldiers are lucky to be able to escape from the s.h.i.+pwreck. This is probably the only fortunate thing." Kant said.
"At that time, the elven soldiers were also startled awake from their sleep. They only cared about escaping from the cabin in a hurry." Elf King said.. "They only went to wake up the Caradia soldiers, but they were unable to help them."