Chapter 603: Meeting Miligas Again
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Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
The clear sky bathed in sunlight, with a few lazy clouds drifting by, and the gentle rolling of the waves. Occasionally, flying fish leaped out of the sea next to the fleet, creating a soothing and tranquil scene.
After the fleet left the stormy sea, it followed a route that converged around the south end of the Death Sea and headed northeast from the southwest.
With Ji Chen’s presence, the Ocean Crown fleet would never encounter storms. Even the prevailing winds were in their favor, and the sea remained calm.
After sailing on the sea for several days without any mishaps, the fleet safely reached the Maple Princ.i.p.ality.
As soon as they anch.o.r.ed, Ji Chen dispatched someone to inform Raymond, the portly man who handled trade affairs for him in the Maple Princ.i.p.ality.
Raymond quickly appeared in his sight, his belly noticeably larger than the last time they had met.
Ji Chen couldn’t help but tease him. “Raymond, it seems like you’ve been living well here.”
“Hehe, I’ve been eating quite a bit lately,” Raymond replied somewhat awkwardly, scratching his head.
Ji Chen chuckled but didn’t dwell on the topic. He got straight to the point.
“I’ve come to the Maple Princ.i.p.ality this time to send a group of lost elves back to their homeland. Is Sir Black, the official dealing with matters in Maple City, still here?”
Raymond was momentarily surprised. How could his Lord find elves every time he went out?
However, he didn’t ask any more questions and nodded. “Sir Black is indeed still in Maple City, but he’s probably quite busy right now, especially considering the serious incident involving the elves that occurred recently.”
Ji Chen furrowed his brow. He had only been gone for two or three months, and the elves were already causing trouble again?
Seeing Ji Chen’s concerned expression, Raymond quickly explained, “It’s about the incident on the Elf Queen’s birthday. A few days ago, during the celebration ceremony in Silvermoon City for the Elf Queen’s birthday, a group of criminals infiltrated the procession of envoys from various countries who had come to congratulate her. They launched a violent attack at the celebration ceremony. Although they were quickly captured and killed by the Elven Guard, this incident undoubtedly severely embarra.s.sed the elves and the Silvermoon Dynasty.
The Elf Queen was furious about it and ordered a thorough investigation to find the culprits and those behind the attack. Preliminary investigations suggest that some of the criminals may have come from the Maple Princ.i.p.ality. As a result, the elves from the Maple Princ.i.p.ality are now fully engaged in searching for clues and leads. Amba.s.sador Miligas and Consul Black are both overwhelmed by this situation.”
Ji Chen nodded in understanding. He had heard about the Elf Queen’s birthday celebration when the Fifth Fleet returned to the capital.
As the capital of the elves, Silvermoon City naturally had tight security measures in place. The celebration ceremony for the Elf Queen’s birthday should have been even more cautious and vigilant, yet such a major breach had occurred.
Ji Chen had a nagging feeling that something was amiss.
After a moment of contemplation, he decided to first find Miligas and resolve the matter concerning the elves from Vale Village.
“You handle this shipment for now. I’m going to Maple City.”
“Yes,” Raymond replied respectfully.
Ji Chen had only brought two heroes with him, Alice and Anina, and left the elves from Vale Village on the ship.
He hired a carriage to enter Maple City.
Upon entering the city, he immediately sensed a tense and solemn atmosphere. Pedestrians hurried along the streets, and fully armed soldiers patrolled in squads. Many shops along the streets were closed.
For the Maple Princ.i.p.ality, the Silvermoon Dynasty was like their parent.
Nearly half of their prosperity relied on the elves, and a significant portion of elven goods flowed through the hands of the Maple Princ.i.p.ality to other places, bringing them enormous profits.
Politically, they were fully aligned with the elves. The ruling Gremolagen family of the Maple Princ.i.p.ality was essentially a lapdog of the Silvermoon Dynasty and the Elf Queen, obediently following the elves’ commands.
Culturally, any aspect of Silvermoon Dynasty’s culture that arrived here would instantly become the fashion and trend in Maple City, whether it was good or bad.
All of this was attributed to the elves’ strength and their long-standing influence, making the Maple Princ.i.p.ality a complete puppet under their control.
In this stark disparity of status, it was evident that the elves could act with impunity here, even bypa.s.sing Maple Princ.i.p.ality’s soldiers to directly arrest suspicious individuals within the city, and the Maple Princ.i.p.ality soldiers could only watch in silence.
Apart from the Maple Princ.i.p.ality, several surrounding nations near the Elven Empire were in similar situations, resembling puppet states.
After crossing the streets and reaching the emba.s.sy district, teams of elven warriors guarded the front of the Elven Emba.s.sy, scanning pedestrians with a vigilant gaze.
When they saw Ji Chen’s carriage approaching the Elven Emba.s.sy, their eyes were fixed on it as if they were looking at a criminal. Several elven warriors approached and halted the carriage.
“Stop right there in front of the Silvermoon Dynasty’s Emba.s.sy in Maple City!”
The captain leading the team spoke in a solemn tone. However, when he saw Ji Chen getting out of the carriage, his expression changed, and he respectfully said, “Lord Ji Chen, my apologies, I didn’t know it was you.”
Ji Chen looked slightly surprised at the elven captain. “How did you know it was me?”
“Commander Black instructed us to look at your portrait and told us that if it was you, there was no need to stop you, and you should be allowed inside.”
Ji Chen nodded in understanding and didn’t waste any more time. “In that case, please lead me inside. I have a matter to discuss with your Amba.s.sador..”