The situation in the Kingdom of Dawn has been somewhat turbulent recently, something even Yoko, who doesn't pay much attention to politics, can feel.
Since the new king ascended the throne, guards have been seen on the streets every day, rushing into residents' homes to search them. The most frequently discussed topic in taverns is the rebellion of the border lords. There are fewer foreign goods at the exhibitions, and even his own merchant group has temporarily suspended slave transport.
According to Hill, Amperein Moya not only took in the slaves of Wolfheart, but also granted them freeman status – a good deed, but one that hindered the plans of His Majesty Roland.
Yoko doesn't have any objections to this. The merchant group was provided to him by Dennis, and the head fee for the slaves is a cost-free business. He earns what he can, and if it's gone, he won't feel any pain. As long as he is still the Ambassador of Graycastle, such benefits will always come his way.
There has been new progress in the matter of the alliance.
On the third day after Amperein's coronation, he was summoned to the palace to answer the new king's detailed inquiries about the alliance. After the news of the church's disastrous defeat at Coldwind Ridge reached the capital, Amperein happily pressed his fingerprint on the alliance.
This can be considered the formal completion of the first task His Majesty entrusted to him.
But that night, Hill poured a bucket of cold water on him.
This alliance came too late and is probably useless. He remembers the bodyguard saying something like that, and the new king's attitude toward witches is likely to offend His Majesty. The last one to do that was Theodore, which is proof of that. You should keep this parchment as a memento.
Roland Wimbledon's emphasis on witches is well known, but to say that he would tear up an alliance with a neighboring country because of witches? Yoko only felt that the other party was exaggerating.
Moreover, how the Lord of Dawn manages this kingdom is his freedom. Even if His Majesty is offended, what can he do? The Moya family has been the hereditary ruler of the Kingdom of Dawn for generations, and no one else can interfere.
Of course, regardless of what happens, he still stands on the side of his old friend – witches are such a beautiful and outstanding group of people, they don't look like the devil's claws at all.
Yoko shook his head and put these trivial matters behind him. He is just an ambassador, and he should honestly convey His Majesty's intentions. As for the fluctuating situation and political changes, they have nothing to do with him.
While there's still time, he plans to see Dennis first, and then decide on tonight's entertainment.
Just as he was about to leave, the eldest son of the Rossi family suddenly came to his door.
Yoko secretly thought it was bad. This guy has never brought good news. The previous letters claimed to be related to the survival of Graycastle, and later he clamored that the new king was completely different from when he was a child. Every piece of information was extremely headache-inducing. If Hill hadn't insisted on maintaining this line of communication, he would have really wanted to turn a blind eye to Otto Rossi.
After immediately calling Hill to take charge, he welcomed the other party into the living room.
"Do you have news from the palace to pass on to His Majesty again?"
"Not for the time being," Otto poured himself a cup of tea as if he owned the place. "Do you have plans for tonight?"
"Yes." Actually, he didn't, but Yoko hoped that the other party would give up. Dennis would take him to enjoy romance, while Otto would only keep him up all night.
"Then cancel them. I want you to do me a favor," he handed over a black letter.
Yoko opened it and found that it was an invitation. The signature was a pitch-black dragon head, which was exactly the same as the pattern printed on the gold dragon.
After reading it, he shook his head. "You want me to go to the exhibition with you? I don't have the money to help you bid."
Dennis had taken him to such exhibitions a few times before. The things they bought were indeed more and more rare, but the prices were also ridiculously high. Transactions of thousands of gold dragons were common, and he didn't know where those extravagant merchants scraped together so much money.
"You don't have to worry about the money," Otto drank the tea in one gulp. "And this time, helping me is also helping your Majesty."
"Tell me about it?" Hill, who was sitting beside him, said.
"I heard news that there is a witch among the auctioned items this time," he whispered.
Damn it, he knew it wouldn't be anything good, Yoko cursed inwardly.
Everyone knows that the new king is strictly cracking down on witches. If it were normal, he would be happy to go, but at this moment, he really doesn't want to wade into this muddy water. "Aren't these people afraid of angering His Majesty Amperein Moya?"
Moreover, the three major families should be closely united around the king, how come it feels like you don't want to support his policies at all? But these words were hidden in Yoko's heart and not spoken directly.
"Although Brightlight City is Moya's territory, there are places he can't touch," Otto shrugged.
"Could it be that this exhibition is run by rats?"
"If rats had the money to do this, they wouldn't be called rats," Hill said calmly.
"You're right," Otto nodded in approval. "This exhibition is not so formal, but it is still organized by the most powerful merchants in the area. They call it Black Money, and they often sell things that are not convenient to see the light of day, among which slaves are the biggest part."
"The slave market is open every day in the outer city," Yoko questioned. "What's so good about hiding it to sell?"
"You'll understand when you see it."
"Maybe I can invite the Payton family to come along?" The curiosity in his heart had been piqued, but he didn't want to be completely led by the nose by the other party.
"Are you talking about that female merchant who is often with you? She can't get in," Otto said. "Black Money's entry requirements are the strictest of all exhibitions. She is indeed a little famous, but not qualified enough."
"Do you want to buy that witch?" Hill changed the subject.
"Not me, the ambassador," Otto pointed to Yoko. "The Rossi family is too close to the Moya royal family, it's not convenient for me to take direct action, but it's easy to understand that the Graycastle ambassador wants to try a new flavor. I will pay for this expense. I hope you can send her to His Majesty Roland's territory – using the trade route you previously opened up. With the ambassador's flag as a shield, it should be able to travel smoothly all the way."
"But the slave trade has been suspended," Hill spread his hands. "And it's unknown when it will resume."
"You can transport some other goods, just hide the witch in the convoy."
"Why do you want to do this?"
"Because... an old friend," Otto hesitated for a moment. "She is also a witch. I once thought she had fallen off a cliff and died, but I didn't expect to see her in the Western Territory of Graycastle. His Majesty Roland Wimbledon told me that every witch is precious and should not be damaged by the malicious rumors of the church. I also want to find a few more partners for her."
"This matter, allow me to re—" While Yoko was still considering an excuse, Hill Fox had already grasped Otto's hand.
"I understand, let Ambassador handle this matter."