When night falls, Haikou City lights up the brightest lights, horse-drawn carriages gather from all directions, continuous convoys fill the streets, and the banquet hosted by the president of Haikou City Chamber of Commerce can be imagined.

A black nanmu carriage stopped at the entrance of the banquet, and the merchant got out of the carriage to attract many people, wearing formal clothes to set off the merchant's figure more slender and straight, and his neat appearance made him look handsome and extraordinary.

The second person to get off the bus was Mike, who was wearing a small dress that Elijah had chosen for him, and the overly formal dress made Mike feel very uncomfortable, and he walked a little awkwardly.

The third place is Ilya, who amazed the audience, half a plate of long hair tied with hair accessories, the rest of the hair braided into braids hanging down to her ears, a long skirt with a small open breasts set off her noble generosity, and the confidence exuded by gestures in large occasions added infinite charm to Ilya, and all the men present looked sideways.

Except for a few people.

Ilya leaned out and noticed that the merchant had already walked away alone, and she pursed her lips: "Mike, listen, when a well-dressed lady dismounts from the carriage, you need to do your duty as a gentleman, and hold her politely and gently, instead of walking away like a fool without looking back, understand?"

Mike: "Oh, yes, let me help you down, Elijah." ”

Elijah bent down and got out of the car, his white arms made Mike's heart tremble, and his cheeks with a little makeup were so beautiful that people couldn't look at them directly, he lowered his eyes only to find a pair of white peaks crashing into his eyes, Mike's face was flushed, and he lowered his head.

The shy boy led a beautiful girl into the room.

The merchant at the front did not think about the responsibilities of a gentleman, and did not have time to pay attention to the two people who were left behind. The merchant walks into the venue, although he has been looking ahead, he is constantly analyzing everyone in his sight, and the merchant needs to see the target before throwing the fishing line.

It's just that the merchant didn't expect that before his hook was tied to the bait, the fish under the water couldn't help but bubble.

"Good evening, the president's special guests. ”

The speaker was a young man with monocles, a mustache, and two jade balls rolling back and forth in his hand.

"Hello sir, I'm Colin and I'm a small businessman, and it's a pleasure to meet you. ”

The smile on his face was not enthusiastic but contemptuous, and he said welcome but did not stretch out his hand, but looked at it proudly.

The merchant bent slightly: "Good evening, Mr. Colin, it's a pleasure to meet you." ”

The unexpected politeness and cordial tone surprised Colin, the people on the president's side shouldn't be so polite to him, but this couldn't change the fact that the man in front of him was in the same group as the cunning old fox.

Merchant: "Speaking of which, this is the first time I've attended a banquet like this, and I don't have much experience and don't know what to pay attention to at a banquet. ”

Colin: "Well, yes, there are a lot of things to be aware of, like keep your mouth shut, keep your eyes in order, you have a nice pair of shoes, don't you? Just put your eyes on them. Child, beasts fight, a sheep runs into a pen and will be torn to pieces. ”

The merchant looked frightened and hurriedly lowered his posture, Colin laughed, patted the merchant on the shoulder, and left victoriously. It wasn't until Colin completely disappeared from the crowd that the merchant straightened up again, his face as usual.

"I'm sorry Mr. Merchant, for making you laugh. ”

Colin left on the front foot, and Barron came to the merchant on the back foot.

Merchant: "Your president doesn't seem to be able to control his men. ”

Barron: "There's no denying that the president was re-elected, but only 90 percent of the vote, so I hope you can understand." ”

Merchant: "Those ten percent probably don't have much to do with Will. ”

Barron: "Yes, in addition to the Marquis of Ville, the Orne Empire still has a large number of nobles, and their circle is not easy to get along with. "Then allow me to be absent, Mr. Merchant, for I will have to attend to some of the other details of the banquet, and I think President Dean will be glad to see you, and I hope you have a good evening." ”

The banquet guests continue to enter, some people say laughing and laughing, some people are serious and cold, some people quietly fall on the businessman, and some people who don't know each other directly nod to the businessman, and the businessman silently divides the crowd in the venue, one large and one small, representing Haikou City, in addition to an obvious vacancy. The first and second are present, the third has not yet come, and whether the remaining four will be dedicated tonight has become the focus of attention of businessmen.

Mike and Elijah came to the merchant, Mike was visibly nervous, he had never been to a banquet like this, the people around him were rich and noble, he felt that he was out of place here, and there was a strong urge in his heart that made him want to turn and run away. Ilya, on the other hand, had a faint smile on her face, and such scenes seemed commonplace.

Merchant: "Let's go, it's time to begin." ”

......

...

An important banquet is not only reflected in the identity of the participants, but also in the layout of the banquet. The interior walls are resplendent with crystal carvings, and the ceiling is covered with a series of moving pictures, and under the ceiling is an intricate intertwining of gold wires. The long banquet table is filled with a variety of fine wines, delicate rattan baskets are placed with various kinds of dim sum, surrounded by seasonal fresh fruits, and the crispy golden pieces of meat are neatly laid down for enjoyment.

Mike's nervousness was relieved, and his attention was firmly absorbed by the food at the banquet. Ilya, who has attracted attention from the moment she enters, is surrounded by a crowd of people who want to be able to admire this delicate flower. Ilya smiled, bowed with her hands in her long skirt, and then crossed her hands in front of her, and chatted with everyone, the standard movements made the man fall, the words of advance and retreat fascinated the man, the look between the eyebrows made the man intoxicated, and its presence captured everyone.

It wasn't until President Dean showed up that many men reluctantly left Elijah.

Ilya rubbed her cheeks, it had been too long since she had kept a smile like she had done tonight, and her face felt a little sore.

Mike, who was satisfied with eating and drinking, could only get close to Ilya when he was free again: "Wow, Elijah, I really didn't expect you to be so powerful, you can handle talking to so many people, and you know all these social etiquette." ”

Ilya poked the other party's forehead and said proudly: "Little brat, your sister Ilya knows a lot of things, don't make a fuss, I will give you more powerful things when I have the opportunity in the future." ”

Mike nodded heavily: "But these people too, even if you don't eat so many delicious foods, they still talk around you, and you don't eat much, but it's okay, I brought you one." ”

Ilya looked at Mike who was full of oil and shook her head helplessly, but soon she felt dissatisfied, Mike was still a child and didn't understand, that stupid guy stood aside the whole time and watched coldly, no matter how he said, he was... It's also the female companion you brought, I really don't have any eyesight, and I really don't know what to respect Mike.

The businessman doesn't know that he has been criticized again in someone's heart, and even if he knows, he doesn't care, what he cares about is the next development.

President Dean presumably said hello to the attendees, and then proceeded to the main stage of the banquet without signaling that the audience had fallen silent.

Dean: "Everyone, welcome to tonight's banquet, I'm glad to be able to see so many people at the banquet I'm hosting, and it's an honor for me to raise a glass with you all here. ”

The audience laughed in unison, and raised a glass in reply.

Dean: "We used to be enemies and had huge differences, but now we're best friends and have a common goal. Walking out of this venue we can see a bustling city, a great city that we have built together, there are so many caravans and merchant ships that you can't record every day, although there has been a little accident recently, but I believe it will soon pass, this banquet will be regarded as a celebration in advance, raise your glasses My friends, let's forget about work tonight and enjoy it all!"

The mood was ignited, and the laughter and laughter composed a music to kick off the banquet, and at this moment, a group of clergy opened the way, and a man in a robe appeared in a corner of the venue. The merchant immediately noticed the familiar clothing and the robe that only the archbishop could have, as well as the president on the stage.

Dean changed his words: "Speaking of which, I haven't introduced you to the distinguished guests who have recently come to our Haikou City, let us hand over the stage to the honorable Archbishop of Clifford, I think you also have a lot of questions for the archbishop." ”

Clifford's face sank, making his already rejecting appearance even more indifferent, but he didn't refuse. The robe swayed, the archbishop floated into the air, and fell gently over the heads of the people to the main stage, Dean smiled and gave way, and Clifford stood in his robe, his lofty gaze swept over everyone, and almost no one dared to look at him, and the majesty revealed in his gaze made people's eyes tingle.

Archbishop Clifford: "It seems that I overestimated the ability of your president, and I thought that what he said to me the other day, 'It is appropriate to cooperate with the work of the Holy See,' means that he will explain it to you, rather than take advantage of the situation in front of the public. ”

There was silence in the audience.

President Dean's smile remained unchanged: "Archbishop Clifford, I think you misunderstood, most of the people in Haikou City are loyal believers of the Holy See, I mean they will have a lot of questions about the faith that they want to ask you. ”

Archbishop Clifford: "Humph!"

Ignoring it, Clifford returned to his seat in the same way, and the rest of the clergy stood side by side, neatly behind him.

As if nothing had happened, the small episodes were ignored by everyone, and the banquet went on as usual, but the atmosphere was much lighter. Clifford's surroundings are empty, like lone wolves separated from the group, and only a few people dare to approach, including Colin, who talks to the businessman at the beginning.

Mike and Elijah were enjoying the feast, Mike pulled Elijah to taste the delicious food on the table one by one, this time Elijah didn't let go of Mike, she needed a man to act as a shield, although this man was only thirteen years old, Elijah didn't want to spend the rest of her time entertaining those pick-ups.

President Dean, who was also out of business, came to the businessman's side: "The guy who has no one in his eyes. ”

Merchant: "You know 10 percent of the people around him?"

President Dean introduced one by one: "Colin McCann, the first one on the left, is a gem merchant, and the next one next to him, Chazzor Chester, is also a gem merchant, and the two of them are close to a duke named Dennis, and the two who are past are ...... That's probably the case. It's a lot like a pack of dogs wagging their tails waiting for their owners to feed their bones, isn't it?"

The merchant writes down the message: "This time they will also participate?"

President Dean: "Perhaps, the merchants are profit-seeking, and if the Holy See and the nobles behind them have given enough benefits, then this time we had better count them in our attack on the Holy See." ”

Merchant: "What do you have in store?"

President Dean: "Marquis Vell has secretly arranged for five magicians to be by my side, and I think Colin will have them as well, but we have enough of them. ”

Nine to one, the disparity is indeed not small, the miscellaneous fish understand the same, and the businessman is ready to get to the point.

Merchant: "How much do you know about the Londeion Holy Lance?"

President Dean: "Honestly, I'm just an ordinary person, and my knowledge of holy relics is limited. ”

The merchant nodded: "Then it seems that only those who understand will be able to do it." ”

President Dean: "Who?"

The merchant did not answer, left the crowd, and walked straight to Archbishop Clifford. Dean smiled, with admiration, daring to go by himself, but he was not small.

A few steps away, the atmosphere changed suddenly, the people around the archbishop showed obvious hostility and rejection towards the merchants who suddenly appeared, Clifford had no interest in the people who came, and the power struggle in Haikou City could not be seen by him, and the merchants were even more.

Colin: "What's the matter, little one, lost? Didn't old Dean teach you?"

Merchant: "I'm an antique dealer and like to collect special things......"

The merchant's ignorance offended Colin: "I'm talking to you, kid, don't you hear, no one cares who you are, disappear from my sight while I can still talk properly." ”

Merchant: "Relic, for example." ”

The continued disregard made Colin angry, and he grabbed the merchant by the collar: "Fuck, look your eyes to me, I said get you out of ......." ”

Clifford: "Fuck off. ”

Colin: "Did you hear that, the archbishop told you to get out!"

Clifford: "I mean you guys. ”

Colin was stunned for a moment, then turned back to find Clifford looking directly at the merchant. Neither the merchant at the beginning nor the archbishop now took Colin seriously, and a moment of annoyance flashed across his face, but Colin hid it well, so good that he could immediately put on a smile and retreat, and he could also straighten the collar for the merchant.

It's just that when he left, he didn't forget to leave a cruel word in the merchant's ear: "This is an impressive acquaintance, and I look forward to the next meeting." ”

The rest of the group followed Colin away, and even the clergy present took a few steps back, leaving only two people at the table.

The businessman's actions affected not only the people at the table, but everyone present tonight. The lively atmosphere was like a mask over everyone's faces, and there was never only one place for everyone's eyes to look under the mask.

Barron came to Dean's side, "President, is this okay?"

President Dean: "What's the problem? What can be the problem? A traveler from out of town wants to get to know the famous five bishops of the Holy See, and we can't control it, it's someone else's freedom, let it be." ”

Having said that, but the corners of his mouth were playful, Dean wanted to command his legs to walk over now, sit down and listen to what the two of them would talk about, how they would talk, and he wanted to know what kind of person he was who could make the Marquis of Ville very important.

Back at the loneliest table in the field.

The man in front of him was nothing special in Clifford's eyes, and if he had to say it, the only thing special was that he was very bold.

The merchant pulled out his chair and prepared to sit down.

Archbishop Clifford said coldly, "I want you to know what you're talking about before you decide to sit down." ”

The merchant sat down calmly.

It's a sense of calmness and self-confidence from the heart, and both of these are often built on the absolute strength of oneself. Being able to sit opposite the Holy See and not be afraid of provocation, no single nobleman in the Orn Empire can do it, except for one, and this "one" is not strictly considered a noble, it is an existence above the noble.

Archbishop Clifford: "Possession of a holy relic is a grave sin, whether under imperial law or papal canon. ”

Merchant: "I'm just interested." ”

Archbishop Clifford: "So you're also interested in death?"

Merchant: "Interested, but that was later, and now I want to know what the Archbishop thinks of the Londerian Holy Lance." ”

The pupils shrank, and Clifford didn't speak, it was a sensitive subject, more sensitive than any other holy relic.

Archbishop Clifford: "You mean you have this holy relic in your collection?"

Merchant: "The two-meter-long, one-meter-two body of the gun, bright white and gorgeous, with seven magic stones inlaid on the hilt, a perfect work of art." ”

Archbishop Clifford: "While I have patience, the next sentence that comes out of your mouth will best answer my question." ”

Merchant: "Yes, the Holy Lance is in my shop, which is why I came to visit the Archbishop." ”

It seems that his speculation is very redundant, and Clifford knows that the man in front of him is just another "merchant" in Haikou City who wants to borrow the holy relic to integrate into the Holy See.

Archbishop Clifford: "Very well, tomorrow I will send someone over to fetch it, this time you can get the grace of the Holy See, there will be no next time." Clifford stood up, "Also, you should ask Colin for advice on what is the proper way to talk to people." ”

The merchant sat alone, the majority and minority factions of the Haikou City Chamber of Commerce, the archbishop sent by the Holy See, and the identity of the fourth actor that he had just gotten, this time the merchant hoped that his inference was wrong, and the existence of the Londerian Holy Lance to himself was only "them".

Dean also left the crowd and walked next to the merchant: "What did you all talk about after a short conversation?"

Merchant: "The Londerian Holy Lance." ”

President Dean: "How's that talk?"

Merchant: "Let's talk directly." ”

President Dean: "Answered?"

Merchant: "Answered." ”

President Dean: "And that's the one in the ocean floor?"

The merchant paused for a moment before he said, "If you were the Holy See and there was a holy relic in my possession that I was looking for, would you take it away immediately?"

President Dean: "Of course. ”

Merchant: "Well, I think so too. ”

The darkness of the night can hide a lot of things, the undercurrents that seem to be surging under the pomp and circumstance, the information revealed in a few words of conversation, and the heart-beating glow of the great magic array beneath the sea.

......

...

Under the same night sky, a man shopping in Pegasus City stopped and closed his notebook and muttered, "Are you going to start?" ”

Under the same night sky, a man in armor waited quietly on a jutting cliff in the distance, waiting for a box still in transit.

Under the same night sky, a man who was also in the distance was leading a black horse in the jungle in the middle of the night.

"I said Black Wind, it's been really hard for you this time, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't know how to get in and out of that hellish place, let me think about how to reward you. ”

The dark horse snorted and seemed to complain about something.

"Don't be like this, my old fellow, no matter what, we can be regarded as xenomorph brothers who have experienced life and death, and I and your master are old friends, how about accompanying me to one more place for the sake of this relationship?"

The dark horse was reluctant.

"Please, the last place, I promise the last place, trust me, my friend, when did I lie to you...... Hey Black Wind, what kind of eyes are you, are you suspicious of me?"

The dark horse turned its head away. The man touched his chin, and he felt that he had to do something, otherwise the horse full of personality would not have followed him to the next place.

"It seems like we haven't written back in a long time, do we?"

The black horse's ears jumped.

A clumsy excuse, because a letter had already been sent by one person and one horse not long ago, but this did not affect the interest of the dark horse.

"Yes, that's right, we need to write a letter to your master, my old friend, and we need to think about what to write. ”

The man sat down on the spot, found a fairly smooth stone, blew the dust on it, and the black horse also came over and exhaled twice, spread the white paper, and chose a good angle to start writing by the moonlight.

"Dear, love, of, old, friend, friend, you, most, near, also, good, yes, question mark. Xu, long, no, see, I, very, think, miss, you, I ......"

The black horse arched the man with his head.

"Okay, okay, I got it. ”

The man erased the "I" on the letter, changed it to "we", and picked it up and put it on the dark horse's eyes, and the black horse nodded with satisfaction before continuing to write the letter.

"Old man, isn't it going to be repetitive and boring when we write this every time?"

The horse's head is crooked.

"Well, you don't understand it if you ask you, let me think about it...... Why don't we write down our recent experiences and share them with your master...... No, no, no, forget it, I don't think he likes what we do, so ...... It would be nice to take out what he doesn't like and just talk about what he likes, aha, the great Hank is always so flexible. ”

Under the moonlight, a man and a horse are working hard to write.