Chapter 121: The Clown and the Gold Coins (Part 1)

  "Pfft." The lady-in-waiting beside Queen Katherine couldn't help but laugh out loud.

  The short envoy in gorgeous attire tumbled down from the dozen or so steps. Originally short in limbs and body but with a large head, he looked about like a piece of wood, falling awkwardly to the ground with a dull thud.

  Several ministers couldn't help but laugh either, but remembering this was the queen's council hall, they quickly suppressed it. From the moment this oddly dressed dwarf entered the hall, the originally solemn and somewhat oppressive atmosphere had become somewhat comical.

  "Are you alright?" Merchant Guild Leader Luther, who had been walking in front of Lord Bolgan, quickly ran down the steps, helping up the envoy who was now bruised and swollen. However, due to the disparity in their heights, it looked as if an adult were helping a child. Thus, the already somewhat comical scene became even more ridiculous. Even the Temple Knight, who had always maintained an expression as calm as ice, couldn't help but smile.

  Merchant Guild Leader Luther's old face turned crimson. What he had regarded as extremely important and somewhat ambitious journey to the palace had unexpectedly turned into a big joke. The surrounding ministers and nobles who knew his intentions laughed with even more ambiguous comfort.

  The Merchant Guild Leader had always been quite concerned about his status. Erathia was economically prosperous and politically open. As the Merchant Guild Leader of the entire country, leading the nation's civilian merchants, the pursuit of gold coins naturally no longer held much significance for him. And even though he earned a lot of money and could often bribe officials to influence many policies, in the end, he was still just a commoner. This trip to the imperial palace for an audience with Her Majesty the Queen was undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Although the matter to be discussed was not a good one, as long as he could handle it appropriately, demonstrate extraordinary vision and ability before Her Majesty the Queen, and manage this matter properly, then gaining the Queen's appreciation, being ennobled, and suddenly becoming a nobleman would be quite possible. But he never expected such a big embarrassment right from the start.

  Under the support of the Merchant Guild Leader, the envoy stood up, but there was a bruise on his forehead, and nose blood gushed out from his large nostrils. He clumsily tore off a corner of his already torn cloak and stuffed it into his nostrils. The laughter in the hall became more obvious, and one minister turned to whisper to his companion: "I think it might be more appropriate to invite this person to be a court jester."

  The Merchant Guild Leader was sweating profusely and quickly knelt down, saying in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, please allow me to take Lord Envoy to freshen up before coming back up..."

  "No need, this is fine. Lord Envoy surely doesn't mind, right?" Her Majesty the Queen smiled slightly. Her thin red lips lifted gently upward, and under her long eyelashes, there wasn't much laughter in her eyes, but there seemed to be a mysterious and ambiguous taste, like a mirage in the desert, making one feel disoriented.

  "Oh... oh yes, yes..." The Merchant Guild Leader took only one look at Her Majesty the Queen and immediately nodded hurriedly in agreement. Then, remembering that he should probably ask the envoy, he quickly lowered his head and asked: "Lord Envoy... do you want to..."

  "No, this is fine." Lord Bolgan rubbed his large face, tidied his messy hair, and continued walking toward the hall up the steps. This time, the Merchant Guild Leader carefully followed behind him, and fortunately, he didn't fall down again. This time, the envoy lifted his cloak as he walked up, his clumsy movements looking exactly like a farm woman lifting her skirt while crossing a puddle. This action drew another round of suppressed giggles.

  Looking at the messy head of hair bobbing in front of him, Merchant Guild Leader Luther felt as if his own head had become bigger than this big head. The bird's nest-like hair was a hundred times more stubborn than originally imagined—both coarse and hard with branches sticking out in all directions, so much so that even a wig couldn't fit over it, making the makeup artist suspect it was a strange wig made from animal bristles. It took two large bottles of special hair oil on this head to create a slightly presentable hairstyle, and now after this fall, it immediately returned to its original state, becoming even more hideous and messy. Coupled with the gorgeous clothes that were now crumpled from the fall, he looked as pathetic and ridiculous as one could imagine.

  This was the Erathia palace, the most magnificent and splendid palace on the Western Continent, and sitting above was the most powerful, capable, and perhaps most beautiful woman on the continent, the heir to the greatest royal family. Listening to the suppressed laughter around him, and catching glimpses of every expression twitching from holding back laughter with his peripheral vision, Merchant Guild Leader Luther no longer dared to look at the queen even once. He felt his mind was completely empty, wanting only to groan. If it weren't for the fact that this embarrassing dwarf was sent by Sedros, that Sedros and Oufu had been, and might still be in the future, the biggest source of wealth for the Erathia Merchant Guild, and for the five hundred gold coins just received and the promised thousand gold coins afterward, he would bet that after walking out of the palace gate, he would immediately find a knife to stab this embarrassing dwarf twice.

  Climbing the dozen or so red-carpeted steps, above was the council hall of the Erathia palace. Marble ceilings and walls, along with dozens of huge marble pillars, every place was exquisitely carved, and the entire structure was integrated, magnificent yet dignified. The spacious space and the dozen-meter-high ceiling appeared even more spectacular, fully displaying the grandeur of this centuries-old dynasty. Sunlight refracted between the white marble, illuminating the place as if it were outdoors. The walls were covered with portraits of every king of the dynasty, each portrait lifelike, expressing the majesty of these rulers and integrating it into the atmosphere of the hall.

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  However, all these kings combined did not have as much presence or inspire as much reverence as the person on the central throne. Just by sitting there, all the dignity and splendor of the hall gathered on her alone.

  Perhaps there could be women more beautiful than her, with finer skin, better figures, or even more charming, dignified, or holy in temperament, but absolutely no woman could be more charismatic than her.

  Because she was the Queen of the Kingdom of Erathia.

  Her every gesture, every word, every smile, every breath, each subtle movement expressed not only the beauty of a woman but more importantly, the majesty of a ruler, the ease of a wise person, and the calm composure of a worldly person. These qualities blended inseparably, naturally revealed through her vibrant vitality. Perhaps other beautiful women could be described as sculptures of gems or beautiful jade. But no one who looked at her would feel they were merely looking at a beautiful thing, or even a woman. What also entered the eyes and heart was something more moving, far more captivating than a woman's charm.

  Even the Creator could not create such a woman; her charm was not only innate but also condensed with countless worldly essences.

  Beside her was Cardinal Eschol of Erathia, dressed in robes. This bishop, who oversaw the largest diocese on the Western Continent, was stern-faced. In the hall, only he showed not the slightest hint of amusement at the Oufu envoy's comical performance. The sacred and dignified majesty and bearing appropriate to his status contrasted with the charm of Her Majesty the Queen.

  Although Cardinal Eschol often inquired about political affairs, matters like receiving foreign envoys normally wouldn't require his attention. But this meeting with the Oufu envoy was extraordinarily significant. After all, compared to Erathia, the Church was even more hostile to that orc city.

  Behind the Cardinal stood a valiant female knight. Taller than the average man, her tight-fitting knight's armor displayed her slender and fit body without reservation. Under her dazzling golden hair was an expression as cold as ice. The faint fierce aura between her eyebrows made her originally beautiful and handsome face appear somewhat androgynous. She was the youngest of the nine Church Temple Knights who had just arrived from Celeste, renowned throughout the continent.

  All the ministers stood in rows on both sides. This meeting with the Oufu envoy was of great importance. Although overall, due to the Church's attitude, war was probably only a matter of time. However, many still held peaceful opinions, even hoping that the Oufu envoy could be eloquent and offer some solution to turn the situation around, persuading Her Majesty the Queen and the Cardinal to restore trade relations between the two countries. After all, Oufu was also greatly beneficial to Erathia's economy, and no one wanted to be at odds with shiny gold coins.

  Some held hostility and vigilance, while others held anticipation, each nervously waiting for this envoy from the orc nest. But no one expected that such a comical dwarf would come, making the vigilant ones amused and the expectant ones disappointed for no apparent reason.

  Lord Bolgan and Merchant Guild Leader Luther stepped forward and paid their respects. As Merchant Guild Leader Luther bowed to Queen Katherine, before he could speak, Cardinal Eschol beside him suddenly spoke. His low voice was steady and grand in the hall, with the solemn and inviolable air of ceremonial music. "Your Majesty, this person is merely a commoner. How can he come to the hall to participate in discussing important state affairs? Moreover, I heard that when Oufu was established, these merchants provided them with much help."

  The Merchant Guild Leader's face immediately turned green as he cursed inwardly.

  The Erathia Merchant Guild had been secretly supporting Oufu from its establishment. Merchants had always hoped for a commercial hub in the Barbarian Highlands, and also for the great convenience and protection Sedros had promised them in their dealings. This matter was quite confidential; he never expected Cardinal Eschol to know about it.

  But Her Majesty the Queen smiled slightly and said: "That was all in the past, and they only did it to earn more money, which is the duty of merchants and not to be blamed. Moreover, Merchant Guild Leader Luther has led Erathia's merchants for many years, playing an important role in the country's economy and material circulation. I have always wanted to meet him, so I specifically asked him to come today. And he knows the situation in Oufu best, which will be very helpful to us."

  "Your Majesty is wise." Merchant Guild Leader Luther was so grateful he almost shed tears of joy.

  "Very well, let's talk about the numerous misdeeds committed by those orcs of Oufu recently." Her Majesty the Queen's gaze, clear as water and bright as a sword, fell on Lord Bolgan's face. "Since Oufu sent you, it must mean they have something to say."

  "Woo..." The dwarf envoy paused, then suddenly knelt down and shouted loudly. "Your Majesty the Queen, those are all false accusations!"

  Everyone was stunned. This was by no means the behavior expected of someone sent for diplomatic negotiations. This was not only not the eloquence everyone had anticipated, but it couldn't even be considered clumsy speech—it was completely like a child's tantrum.

  "Our orcs in Oufu are all kind people and would never recklessly cause trouble. These are all frames by someone!" Lord Bolgan's large face was filled with indignation and pain.

  Queen Katherine's expression of surprise flashed by only for a moment before she immediately recovered her calm and composed demeanor, smiling as she said: "But everything is backed by solid evidence, and almost every incident had witnesses who saw the orcs' atrocities on the spot. How can this be called a false accusation?"

  "We don't know either. But it's definitely a false accusation!" Lord Bolgan replied like a prisoner complaining of injustice, even resorting to this kind of rascal-like response. The key was that his voice was truly unpleasant, not much better than the sound of slaughtering a pig, and its resonance in this magnificent palace was simply sacrilegious.

  The ministers' expressions became somewhat unnatural. This wasn't a negotiation at all; it was simply indecent. The female knight behind the Cardinal frowned even more tightly. Having long stayed in Celeste, accustomed to seeing pious and upright faces and hearing prayers and hymns, she was indeed not accustomed to such crude appearances and voices.

  "Please give Your Majesty the Queen some time, and we will definitely prove our sincerity." The dwarf continued to shout pitifully, but this time he proposed very persuasive terms. "As for those previous incidents, although they were deliberately framed, we Oufu are still willing to compensate Erathia with one thousand gold coins as a sign of our absolute lack of ill will. If Erathia is willing to restore trade relations with Oufu, we will permanently exempt all merchants from Erathia from all taxes and provide all their food, lodging, and other expenses while in Oufu."

  The ministers couldn't help but burst into discussion and commotion. Setting aside the unpleasant voice and comical manner of expression, these were indeed very impressive terms. One thousand gold coins might not be considered much for the treasury of a rich and powerful country like Erathia, but no one would dare say this amount was small. The key was that this showed Oufu's sincerity—no one would casually throw away a thousand gold coins for no reason.

  And if all taxes for Erathian merchants were truly exempted, then Oufu would become a huge commercial post for Erathia in the Barbarian Highlands. From a long-term perspective, the series of benefits brought by this condition simply couldn't be measured with specific gold coins.

  Queen Katherine's thin eyebrows slightly raised, as if in thought, then she revealed that same ambiguous and inscrutable smile. But she didn't directly express her position, instead turning her gaze to the ministers and saying: "What do you all think?"

  "This offer is truly worth considering and discussing..." No one could decisively refuse this offer. Although the ministers all knew that given the Church's attitude, the possibility of peace was not great, under the temptation of such obviously favorable terms, no one would want war rather than gold coins. Many ministers began to say: "Perhaps we can investigate those orcs' misdeeds more thoroughly..."