Firefly Journey

Chapter 280 Trying to Scoop the Moon from the Mud (5)

Being an ambassador was a first for Lin Yuanran, like a young woman getting married. She was learning as she went, feeling her way across the river.

Similarly, Du Guangting was also doing diplomatic work for the first time, and the two of them were relying on each other, but they didn't know who to rely on.

But one thing is certain: until they are received by the ruler of the Debasa Empire, they can only stay in the embassy and can do nothing.

Lin Yuanran suspected that Clifford, the one-eyed man, was lying. He had been in Radiant City for half a month, but the other party had not released any information, as if the Chu Kingdom's delegation had never come. The emperor refused to receive them.

Lin Yuanran had urged him several times, but Clifford always made excuses, each time becoming more and more perfunctory.

Lin Yuanran couldn't figure it out. What could he do but wait?

For the past two weeks, Lin Yuanran's daily routine has consisted of doing nothing but wandering around the city.

In fact, besides carrying out a mission from the Chu Kingdom, he also had some personal matters to attend to in Guangyao City.

It wasn't a big deal. His friend Dupipon, who lived in the same town, was now a believer in the Fighting Arena. Since they were in the same city, it was natural for them to meet.

Unfortunately, Durant and Pippen went on a mission with their mentor Jonathan and only returned a few days ago.

Lin Yuanran instructed Du Guangting to keep watch over the delegation and prevent anyone with ulterior motives from finding fault with the etiquette. He himself, however, took advantage of his friend's free time to meet with him.

Unfortunately, Lin Yuanran couldn't even sort out his own affairs, nor did he find any clues about Old Du Pippen's death.

Durant looked disappointed, but quickly composed himself and said to Lin Yuanran, "Thank you for your concern for me."

Lin Yuanran felt quite embarrassed; strictly speaking, he hadn't taken the matter to heart at all.

"They're all friends."

"By the way, you've been in Radiant City for half a month now. Have you seen all the sights?" Little Du Pippen asked enthusiastically.

Lin Yuanran said, "I've basically explored all the bustling areas, and it's not much different from Yicheng."

DuPippen laughed and said, "There's a scene you've definitely never seen before?"

"Oh, what is it?"

"The prayer ceremony at the Battle Arena."

Lin Yuanran shrugged: "As a devout follower of Julius, I cannot participate in any of his god's ceremonies, not even to watch them."

Dupippon raised an eyebrow: "By the God of War, how could anyone in the world not believe in the source of power, Terragler!"

Lin Yuanran said, "It's over, you've been brainwashed."

"I didn't. Are you saying your devotion to the sun god is fake?"

"It's true, but I rarely attend the Vatican's routine prayers, and when I do go, it's just for show."

"Okay, me too. Do you know how childish the prayer rituals at the Fighting Arena are?!"

My God! A group of people were standing in an open space, throwing punches according to pre-rehearsed movements, just like when we did exercises in school. It was so embarrassing.

Lin Yuanran smiled and gently touched his left chest with his right hand: "May the light be with you!"

Dupippen retaliated, striking his right palm with his left fist: "The God of War will guide you in the right direction!"

The two men laughed.

After a lighthearted laugh, Lin Yuanran adopted a serious expression and said, "Your mentor is Jonathan the Werewolf. Back in our hometown, he had two students, Jamie and Finney."

"To be honest, my mission in Radiant City this time is related to the Robert family. After all, you've been here for so long, and I wanted to ask about the details of the Robert family."

Dupipon thought for a moment and said, "The power dynamics in Radiant City are complex, and I don't know much about them. However, because I share the same mentor as the siblings, I have some understanding of the Robert family."

The Debasa Empire was established a century ago. In the beginning, the top administrative body was composed of many families. Although there was an emperor on the surface, his power was limited and he could not influence the empire's decisions to a large extent.

Until Henry I came to power, he completely consolidated royal power and turned the empire into his personal fiefdom.

The Robert family is one of the families that existed since the founding of the empire. They are deeply rooted in Radiant City, and members of the family in almost every generation are distributed in the military and local government, wielding considerable power.

The current head of the family is Jamie's father, Kane, who is one of the few grand dukes in the empire besides the emperor who holds military power.

The Robert family has a very strict family tradition, and all its members are elites. They have an excellent reputation in the empire and therefore have many followers.

As Lin Yuanran listened to Du Pipeng's introduction, he gradually felt troubled.

It seems the Robert family wields considerable influence; they're not just figureheads. I wonder if they'll agree to a marriage alliance if I propose it.

If Fine herself disagrees, and the Grand Duke goes along with her, then the mission will most likely fail.

The difference between powerful nobles and those who are merely figureheads lies here. With a figurehead, everything is easy as long as the emperor of Debasa is persuaded. But it's different with powerful nobles; the emperor has to consider the consequences when issuing orders.

Lin Yuanran felt the task was daunting. But since he was already there, he didn't mind giving it his all for his old classmate's lifelong happiness.

The two chatted idly, and time passed by.

……

……

Inside the magnificent and imposing council hall, the nobles of the Debasa Empire gathered together. Their main purpose in coming together today was to discuss the envoy delegation from the Chu Kingdom.

The letter from the State of Chu a few days ago, to be honest, surprised everyone. Since the war between the two countries, as time went by, normal business and diplomatic relations had been restored. However, in ordinary times, from ordinary citizens to high-ranking officials, the two countries looked down on each other.

The official letter from the State of Chu, however, was somewhat humble and subservient.

Therefore, the nobles speculated that this might be a trap, a pit that the empire was waiting to fall into.

From any perspective, the letter of credence was perfectly legitimate. The gifts brought by the Chu delegation were also extremely valuable, with dozens of carts filled with Chu specialties, including even the national treasure, the iron-eating beast.

It should be noted that the Iron-Eating Beast, a type of magical beast, is nearly extinct on the ancient continent. In the entire world, only the Chu Kingdom has a few hundred left.

The State of Chu was very generous, sending four birds at once. Note that it was a gift, not a loan, a lease, or a sale. This shows that they went to great lengths to persuade Debasa to form an alliance.

Faced with the Chu state's show of weakness and goodwill, Henry I and the nobles were at a loss for what to do, so they simply left the envoys hanging and waited to see how things would develop.

After several days of discussion, Congress finally reached a conclusion on this matter.

Henry I, seated high on his throne, spoke in a booming voice: "So be it, Duke of Clifford. After the meeting, you will inform the Chu ambassador to attend tomorrow's parliament to discuss the specific details of the alliance."

The Duke of Clifford, who only had one usable eye, readily agreed.

"The rise of the empire cannot be separated from everyone's strong support. Before we are strong enough to sweep across the continent, it is also important to form appropriate alliances. At least we won't have to be on guard against our backs all the time."

Shortly afterward, Parliament adjourned, and Henry I headed toward his bedchamber.

There, someone was waiting for him.

……

……

P.S.: This chapter is a make-up to yesterday's.