Chapter 505: Chapter 21: The Battle of Yadesi River (5)_2
The voice echoed through the grand hall, everyone listened intently.
The blue moonlight slanted in through the castle windows, illuminating Jones’s figure, casting everything in a serene hue.
"We have felt your sincerity and completely agree with what you have expressed, respected Lord of Giant Snake City," Prince Louis said, as he bowed again with the members of the Blood Clan delegation.
*Who would have thought that just a few years ago, Jones was merely a ridiculed underage member of the Blood Clan? Although he was still underage, he was now the Lord of Giant Snake City and a Hydra Knight, standing in the grand hall, conversing with the entire Blood Clan.*
*Time was the greatest artist in this world, capable of sculpting things into unimaginable, unique forms.*
...
The Nine-petal Snake Flower flag flew atop the castle.
Under the night sky, Giant Snake City remained vibrant. Creatures who loved to venture out at night were busy. For them, the new day was just beginning.
"I estimate that soon Giant Snake City might fully open to the Blood Clan. Many members of the Blood Clan will flood into Giant Snake City and become its residents."
"But we just fought a war with them... They didn’t surrender either. And didn’t we fully open to them before? Even during the war, many Blood Clan members were active in Giant Snake City."
"It’s different now. Before, although they came, they looked down on us from the bottom of their hearts. Now it’s different. When they come, they must bring respect for Giant Snake City along with them." The fat dwarf said casually while moving a box past two goblins, "This is good for us. We celebrate bravery, but war itself is not a good thing."
...
"I was there at the time." The tall elf man boasted to two elf girls at a long table, "I witnessed the fierce battle between the City Lord and the Blood Clan elder. In a few days, I will be meeting the City Lord to receive the Silver Nine-petal Snake Flower Medal. If you want, I can bring you to attend the event."
"So we can see the City Lord?" One of the elf girls asked admiringly.
"Of course, you can see him up close. Seeing him from afar is easy; getting close, well, not everyone gets that chance. Without the helmet, too."
"Great! I heard the City Lord is very handsome! After seeing him, I’ll probably dream about him at night!" The other elf girl sighed with stars in her eyes.
"Uh... He is still a child."
"But he will grow up, won’t he? We can wait."
"He’s a member of the Blood Clan, not an elf. Aren’t I more substantial standing in front of you?"
You shouldn’t be discriminatory. Lich King Gray Gruggle is a Lich, and his wife is human." The two elf girls, full of disdain, walked away arm-in-arm.
The elf man was left standing dumbfounded and at a loss.
...
"The war made us realize we are true loves, so we decided to get married. Please help us complete the paperwork." The two goblins held each other sweetly.
"Alright, we understand. Congratulations." The elf girl at the counter wiped her sweat, sighed helplessly, and lowered her head.
...
Susan walked on the streets of Giant Snake City dressed like a doll, fuming with anger. She occasionally looked around at the hurried crowd and sometimes gazed at the huge castle visible from any point within Giant Snake City.
"Susan, aren’t you going to walk faster? We have a lot to do!" Aunt Sarah urged ahead.
Susan lifted her skirt and hurriedly chased after, complaining, "Why do we have to move to Giant Snake City?"
"Because Giant Snake City has prospects. The previous place is already history. Your father has decided to settle here; we must seize the opportunity before other Blood Clan members realize it and secure a spot here. If your father can’t secure a spot, you won’t be able to marry a good husband. Understand?"
"Why does it have to be Giant Snake City?" Susan’s brows furrowed deeply.
"I have already told you the reason; how many times do you have to ask? Walk faster?"
"Alright... alright."
*Not far behind Susan, her cousin Bailey, more conflicted than Susan, just recovered from being beaten by Jones.*
...
"Count Dracula, Countess Dracula. This is the house Lord has arranged for you."
Looking at the cozy two-story house with a small garden in front, then glancing back at the magnificent castle where Jones resided far away, Count Dracula lowered his voice and said to the tall-hat-wearing community administrator, "He... he didn’t intend to give us a castle? I am a Count, after all."
"Many Counts have arrived in the city recently." The administrator replied with a smile, "Moreover, this is the place specified by the Lord. Frankly, such a separate residence in Giant Snake City is not cheap. If Count Dracula is unsatisfied, you can speak to the Lord. As long as he agrees, we can change it for you anytime."
"Uh... talk to him?"
"Certainly, or you can speak to Miss Dora, but in the end, it still needs the Lord’s approval."
"Then I’d better stay here for now."
"Alright." The administrator took out a scroll from his bag and handed it over, "This is the house deed, please keep it safe. Actually, even if it’s not well kept, it doesn’t matter. The Lord has notified the administrative hall to mark this house as ’non-tradeable.’ It will always belong to you both."
After the administrator left, Countess Dracula looked at her husband gloomily and said, "Maybe you should have a good talk with Jones."
"Forget it, let’s just live here." With a sigh, Count Dracula walked straight inside.
...
Under the moonlit Giant Snake Hall, Jones seriously discussed details with the Blood Clan representatives.
Dora smiled, sitting beside him, attentively listening.
Adelle was arguing with her father about trade terms. Though they argued, the overall atmosphere was still harmonious.
...
High Court, Cloud.
In front of the Blood Castle, Bartholomew Elder stood quietly, gazing through the clouds at the increasingly dwindling lights of High Court City below the mountain.
"Have they all left?" Elder Felix asked silently, coming up behind him.
"Many have left." Bartholomew Elder replied.
"Won’t you stop them?"
"No need." Bartholomew Elder shook his head, "Let them go. They may be meaningful to that young fellow, but they are actually meaningless to us."
"We waited for ten thousand years, finally got a chance, but didn’t expect to hit a snag. The key issue was that we didn’t trust the information Adolf gave us."
"Adolf?" Bartholomew Elder was stunned.
"Adolf Capadocia, his real name is Ansel Lefebvre. Don’t you even remember the fake name you gave him?"
"Alright, I remember. What do you think we should do next?"
"Continue waiting. We’ve waited for ten thousand years; we don’t mind waiting longer. Giant Snake City will experience rapid development, but they will encounter more challenging opponents. Even if they resolve that issue, they are far from true ’liberation.’ We, just like before, will stay here and watch them perform. Anyone capable of opposing Heaven and Hell is our potential ally. If we can’t swallow them, we just need to slightly adjust our minor strategies; the major policies won’t change. Besides, when the ’Day of Awakening’ arrives, it’s good to have various forces distracting Heaven and Hell, isn’t it?"
"Fine, let’s leave it for now." Saying this, Bartholomew Elder turned and walked towards the Blood Castle.
Elder Felix silently watched his back for a while, then followed.