The Demon King is unfathomable

Chapter 325 The Prince from the Depths of the Vast Ocean!
There is never a shortage of news in the Holy City of the Empire, but Prince Colin’s return from the storm is definitely the biggest news in the past month!

There is no other reason——

Anyone who suddenly learned that his empire had gained an additional seven million square kilometers of land would be excited and have a drink in the pub.

Even though these seven million square kilometers have nothing to do with a glass of beer for him.

Of course, the people of the empire do not have to be discouraged. After all, these seven million square kilometers have little to do with the empire. Currently, only a small piece of the northern coast of the Janna continent belongs to His Majesty the Emperor.

But...so what?

A long, long time ago, their colony in the New World was only a small fishing village called Porto Saldo, but a thousand years later it has become twenty colonial states, leaving only the rotten land in the middle that is connected to hell and no one cares about it.

They believed that if time was long enough, their grandchildren's grandchildren's grandchildren... would surely see the empire's flags flying all over that barbaric land.

Consider this beer as an early celebration!
As the Janna Continent replaced the Great Storm as the hottest topic in the Holy City, the name "Prince Roxell Colin" also entered the vision of the citizens of the Holy City and spread almost throughout the streets and alleys of the Holy City within a week.

A prince who survived a disaster, stranded on a deserted island after a shipwreck, was not defeated by the desperate situation, but relied on his own strength to gain a foothold in the continent full of pagans! He kindly took in those who were equally pitiful and drowned, ignited the fire of civilization in the wilderness, reclaimed the barren land... and continued the glory of his family as a propagator of the Saint Sith faith until the arrival of the Imperial Navy's fleet!
Believers saw piety, soldiers saw loyalty, farmers saw land, citizens saw wealth...almost everyone could see elements that fit their own political spectrum, not to mention that the story itself is full of legends!

especially--

I heard that this guy is very handsome.

Although true and false rumors were flying all over the streets, the news that "he will arrive in the holy city this weekend" was enough to make the whole city boil.

Purple Moon, captain's room.

Sitting at the oak table, Luo Yan casually flipped through the manuscript in his hand. The morning light passed through the misty glass window and fell on his clean and tidy collar.

Tiqi stood in front of the table with his back straight, just like a student.

After waiting for a long time without any response, he secretly glanced at the Demon King and felt that the Demon King sitting there was like a lifelike oil painting.

Is this guy really human?
More than a month has passed since we set out from Deadwood Harbor.

Under the pressure of the devil, Baron Titch Cosia finally racked his brains and wrote the novel "Cosia's Crusade".

The content is more than sixty pages thick, and to summarize it briefly:

A failed nobleman from the Holy City disappeared for ten years after a shipwreck (actually he became a pirate). Finally, he accumulated great wealth and glory with his hard work under the command of the stern but kind Prince Colin, and once again became a baron with a rich seaport as his territory.

While Teach was secretly observing the expression on his face, Luo Yan had already read the entire book from beginning to end and had a general understanding of it.

After reading the whole text, although there are many grammatical errors and typos, the merits outweigh the flaws. The story is strong enough and the characters are also quite likable.

As for other things...what the Holy City lacks the least is intellectuals, so I can just find a novel writer to revise it when the time comes.

All in all there is no big problem with the content.

On the surface, this is a story about "My Struggle", but in fact, its core is - my living father, Prince Colin.

A person's efforts are important, but you can't earn a seaport in the New World just by hard work, let alone in the Old World. It is possible that you will lose your territory.

And the implication is -

In Janna, you can.

"not bad."

Hearing the Demon King's comments, Teach breathed a sigh of relief, then said with a wry smile.

"I don't understand. Why do you want to write my story? Compared to my story, your version is obviously... uh, more legendary."

As if he had guessed he would ask this, Luo Yan smiled faintly and continued slowly.

“The reason why an epic poem can be passed down through the ages is not because it tells everything people want to see, but because it leaves just the right regrets in just the right places.”

After a pause, he continued.

"Besides... I don't want people to think that I am bragging, so I need to use someone else's words to write about Prince Colin from Baron Cosia's perspective."

Tiqi was impressed in his heart and didn't say another word.

At this time, there was a knock on the door. Lumire pushed the door open and walked in, saying respectfully.

"Master Demon, we are almost there."

Luo Yan didn't look up, still looking at the book in his hand, and reminded him gently.

“Watch what you call me.”

Lumir was slightly stunned, then smiled knowingly and nodded.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Luo Yan smiled and nodded, then closed the book and handed it to Teach who was still in a daze.

Even though he had seen it many times, Teach was still unconsciously shocked by the Demon King's acting skills - the lord completed the identity switch in just a moment.

The person standing in front of him at this moment seemed to be a real noble of the imperial royal family, with profound historical knowledge and cultivation.

No wonder he was able to deceive the nobles of the Duchy of Campbell, and it was the first time that he thought that those country bumpkins’ losses were not unfair.

"What are you waiting for? It's time to meet the Emperor's servants."

When Tiqi heard Luo Yan's voice, he woke up as if from a dream and responded quickly.

"Yes...Your Highness."

……

In the early morning, the morning mist has not yet dissipated and the sky is still hazy.

Before the seagulls foraging for food woke up, curious citizens had already gathered outside the harbor.

Some of them stood on the roofs of warehouses, some climbed up the street fences, and even the terrace of the bell tower was occupied by early risers.

"Have you heard? The Colin family was the most distinguished prince around the emperor!"

"Nonsense! How come I've never heard of the last name Colin?"

"That's why they are so mysterious. It is said that their ancestors were rich enough to rival a country and owned large territories overseas!"

"I heard that they have been living a miserable life for the past five hundred years, so poor that they can't even afford to eat..."

"It's not that they won't have food to eat. Don't they have a good relationship with the Lizardmen? Besides, I heard that he is very handsome!"

"I heard from my cousin that he will come riding a dragon!"

"Nonsense, how could a dragon fly so far?! But I did hear that he brought back a whole ship full of gold coins to repair the ancestral home!"

"Ancestral home? Where is it?"

"I don't know... Until yesterday, three knights and one baron have claimed that they are collateral branches of the Colin family, but only one seems to be more reliable and seems to match the files at the customs."

The crowd was talking to each other, and rumors and fantasies rose like steam in the morning mist.

Just as everyone was standing on tiptoe, looking around and expectantly waiting for the illustrious person who had stepped out of the legend, a sudden commotion came from the edge of the crowd.

"Give way! Everyone, give way!"

Sir Edmond Dantes squeezed into the crowd with sweat on his forehead, followed by his entire family. "We are relatives of Prince Colin, let us pass!"

People turned around and didn't see any royal nobles. They only saw a pretentious guy trying to be nice, and everyone burst into laughter.

"Are you a relative? I'm Prince Colin's cousin!"

"Hahaha, I'm Prince Colin's grandfather!"

"Look, the noble relative is still squeezing in by himself, but there are no guards to help him clear the way!"

"Hahahaha!"

The atmosphere at the foot of the imperial city is much more open than that of the cities in the vassal states. If it were the Kingdom of Ryan or some remote town, no one would dare to tease a guy who is suspected to be a noble like this.

Laughter rang out one after another. Edmund's face turned red and his lips trembled slightly, but in the end he did not bother with these outspoken guys.

He silently cursed these short-sighted civilians in his heart, pulled his wife Anna and continued to squeeze forward, while also protecting his lovely little daughter Emily.

"I told you we should go out earlier!" Anna complained, completely forgetting that she was the one who spent the longest time putting on makeup, even more time than her eldest daughter Sofia.

Sophia lowered her head and tried to explain quietly: "Mom, it's you——"

"Shut up!" Before she could finish, Anna glared at her with her goldfish-like eyes, and then continued to complain to her husband, "Look at it now, we can't even get close to the front!"

"Okay, I get it! Just stop talking... and remember not to embarrass me later! Damn it, I should have come alone!"

Edmund gritted his teeth and squeezed to the place closest to the cordon, only to find that it was already crowded with people.

But he was not discouraged. With an attentive and smooth smile on his face, he squeezed out a place in the crowd and squeezed in his complaining wife and four troublesome children.

The family finally stood in the "special seats", although this so-called special seat was still quite a distance away from the pier.

They were squeezed between a group of peddlers and porters, with sea water and fish scales that had not yet dried up in the morning under their feet.

"Hurry up, kids, follow me. We need to stand closer. Your Uncle Colin has come all the way from the colony to see us. We can't let him lose sight of us! Remember, when you see him, introduce yourselves in the order I say... These ancient families are very particular about etiquette. Did you hear me, Lucien? I'm talking about you!"

"I know...you've told me this so many times." The eldest son Lucian complained in a low voice and hid his sleeves to the side to avoid being touched by the fishy smell of the port.

The open space in front of the port was cordoned off by the Imperial City Defense Forces. This was the closest position they could get.

The city defense soldier carrying a musket took a look at the family who kept pushing forward, frowned, but ignored them.

Edmund still held his head high, as if someone would call him "Sir" and welcome them into the ranks of the dignitaries in the next moment.

Although no one here looked at him twice.

"Stand still! Emily, stop licking the candy!" Anna Dantes frowned and couldn't help patting her little daughter's hand.

"But mom, I haven't had breakfast yet..." "Eat, eat, eat! You only know how to eat! Be careful not to turn into that little thing Margery!"

Margery was Emily's classmate at Notre Dame School, a chubby little girl whose family was in the candy business. Although Anna often praised her in front of her mother about how cute she was, it was obviously another story behind her back.

By the way, the so-called Notre Dame School is a feature of the Ottoman Empire and its colonies. It is mostly run by widows or old women in their own homes. It has a small number of students and is aimed at preschool children aged 2 to 6. The price varies depending on the identity of the principal.

Generally, middle-class families who are relatively wealthy but not rich enough to hire tutors would consider sending their children to such schools. It is not for the purpose of learning anything, but mainly to ensure that their children will not play with wild children outside.

In addition, the identities of the principals of some Marist schools are not simple, especially those that charge high tuition fees.

Even though widows or old women with children were considered marginalized in the aristocratic circle, their connections were still something that ordinary people could only look up to, and opening a school was only to maintain the luxurious expenses and the costs of maintaining the ancestral home.

Emily's school belongs to this category, and admission requires an interview. Although the Dantes family is just an inconspicuous little sparrow in the Holy City, they are definitely willing to spend money on their children's education.

Even if a lot of it is just wasted money.

"All right……"

Emily muttered as she spat the candy back into the wrapper, secretly put it in her pocket, looked up at her mother, and then stole a glance at her father's haggard face.

Her father had a confident smile on his face and stood upright, his whole body like a straight vine, just like the one her teacher held in her hand.

He wore a lavender satin suit, the cuffs had yellowed embroidery, and the metal buckle was copper-covered silver, but it was polished to a shine. In addition, he wore an ancestral brooch with a family crest on his chest—although he himself was not sure of the origin of this thing.

In short, little Emily hadn't seen this brooch on her father's chest for a long time.

Sophia quietly leaned close to Emily and whispered.

"Don't get the icing on Brother Colin's sleeves... I beg you not to leave a bad impression on him."

"Brother? Isn't he uncle?" Emily tilted her head, but her sister did not answer.

At this moment, there was a commotion in the distance at the dock, as if the long-awaited circus had finally begun.

Everyone looked up and saw a tall ship approaching the shore, its purple flag fluttering in the white smoke from its chimney.

Prince Colin's family crest stood out in the sunlight.

Little Emily was surprised to find that it was the moon on her father's chest!
"Here it comes!" Sir Edmond Dantes clenched his fists excitedly, like a rooster that has taken in enough air to crow.

A young man in a luxurious robe slowly walked down the gangway. His temperament was calm and composed, and he was not affected by the noise around him at all.

Especially that kind smile that was like the spring breeze, like the rising sun over the sea.

The girls lying on the railing blushed, and some enthusiastic and lively girls whistled and threw handkerchiefs at him - although most of these handkerchiefs fell into the sea, were taken away by seagulls, or covered the back of the head of a bald sailor.

It's not just the girls who are enthusiastic——

The same goes for young guys.

They whistled, clapped their hands, and some put their palms to their noses and shouted loudly, trying to attract the attention of this patriot.

"Welcome home!"

"May the holy light always bless you!"

"Your Highness Colin! Are you still in need of knights? Look at me!"

"Look! Sophia! That's... Prince Colin! I told you, he's a good man!" Anna held Sophia's hand tightly. The latter's cheeks had turned as red as ripe apples. She lowered her head to adjust her skirt because of nervousness, and her lips stammered, unable to utter a word.

"He can't hear us if we shout from here. We have to find a way to get in..." Edmund was so anxious that sweat broke out on his forehead and he looked around nervously.

He obviously underestimated the enthusiasm of the citizens of the Holy City for His Royal Highness the Prince. At this rate, he would never be able to get close to His Royal Highness the Prince.

What if no one comes to pick up His Royal Highness after he gets off the ship and he can only stand awkwardly at the port? !

At this moment, someone suddenly fired a salute.

With a "bang", thousands of ribbons, like little snakes swimming in the air, dispersed the seagulls flying around the dock.

Edmund was caught off guard by the unexpected scenes that followed.

A carriage decorated with golden roses and scrolls stopped at the dock and parked steadily at the prince's feet. The door was opened by a servant, and a handsome middle-aged gentleman stepped out of the carriage. His golden hair shone warmly like holy light in the sun.

"It's Mr. Cassidy Hilfen!" Sir Edmund's youngest son François recognized the man at a glance and couldn't help screaming.

"Do you know him?" Emily asked in a baby voice, tilting her head back.

All eyes fell on his youngest son, and Francois spoke with rapid breathing.

"Know him? I see his portrait every day! He's the president of the Imperial Academy of Arts!"

Edmund naturally recognized him, and a layer of sweat subconsciously broke out on his forehead - Cassidy Hilfen, this big shot is not just the president of the Art Academy.

It is said that he is a favorite of the Pope and a leader in the entire cultural community of the Holy City!
How come even this big shot is here?
No, not really?!
Edmund was sweating profusely in anxiety, but his unfilial eldest son Lucian curled his lips and snorted with disdain, "He is just an artist, what's so great about him..."

His eyes were secretly fixed on a team of royal knights who appeared in the port at some point, and a trace of anxiety rose in his heart.

If he failed to pass the exam to become an apprentice knight and missed the age to be selected as a royal scout, his mother would nag him to become a squire for his uncle in Thebes.

Although Uncle Thebes was a decent person and a relative of theirs, he would never let him fight with the devil with bayonets, but being a squire was a job that only peasants would fight for, so how could he possibly do it!

Sophia reminded softly.

"Mr. Hilfin is not just any artist... He has created statues for the Emperor. With his recommendation, you can even join the Royal Knights directly."

Lucien shut his mouth instantly.

At this time, the welcoming ceremony at the dock had come to an end.

The honorable Mr. Hilfen did not seem to want to keep the guests from afar waiting for long, and the convoy soon left the dock accompanied by the Royal Knights.

The crowd, having feasted their eyes, dispersed one after another, like full pigeons, with satisfied and leisurely smiles on their faces.

The fun is over.

It's time to go to work.

however--

Edmund was in despair.

"I told you that we should get out earlier and stand in front!" Anna complained sharply as she watched Colin get on the Hilfen family's carriage. "Now look, he got on the Hilfen family's carriage directly! He didn't even look at us!"

Sophia also looked disappointed, and her slender hands quietly pushed her hair behind her ears. She had been preparing for today for a month, not only putting on a carefully designed light makeup, but also wearing the white dress that made her look most like a "noble lady", just to win Mr. Colin's favor.

pity--

They didn't even make eye contact.

"Okay, now is not the time to complain to each other..." Edmund interrupted everyone with a headache. He was also very unhappy, but he had to maintain his gentlemanly demeanor on the surface.

Watching the carriage going away, he finally didn't remember the people left here, and muttered in disappointment.

"Colin... Oh, you are indeed a noble man. How could you remember us, the poor people..."

He seemed to have forgotten that there was no relationship between him and Prince Colin, and that so far the relationship between the Dantes family and the Colin family was just his wishful thinking.

Sir Edmund shook his head and prepared to leave, but before he took a step, a young and clear voice came from behind, gently interrupting him.

"Excuse me, are you Sir Edmond Dantès?"

Edmund looked up suddenly and saw a young man standing in front of them. He was tall and straight, with a sword at his waist and wearing a purple short cloak.

His skin was tanned and he looked like a sailor who had been at sea all year round, but the purple cloak could not doubt his nobility.

In the empire, purple dye was the most expensive, and few nobles were willing to use it on their servants.

"Who are you?" Edmund subconsciously used a cautious tone, showing the reserve he would show when facing an important person.

Lumir smiled gently and spoke politely but not servilely.

"I am Mr. Colin's servant, and he told me that Sir Edmond Dantes is an important visitor, and he specifically asked me to come here to meet you."

Edmund was stunned for two seconds until Anna poked him with her elbow. He suddenly came back to his senses, and his depressed face suddenly cleared up like the sky after rain, dispersing the dark clouds on his brows.

"His Highness Colin personally ordered you to come? Haha! I told you, of course he remembers us, we are blood relatives!"

Edmund looked at his family members in surprise and joy. He was so smug that he forgot himself and shouted so loudly that he hoped that even those people around him who once looked down on him could hear him.

Everyone had different expressions - Anna rolled her eyes, but her pouting mouth straightened. Sofia was a little embarrassed and winked at her father, suggesting that he calm down.

Emily and François were too young to fully understand what this meant to their family, and they just followed their father and had fun.

The eldest son Lucian's breathing became rapid.

In particular, he thought of what his sister Sophia had just said - Mr. Hilfen was not an ordinary artist, and a letter of recommendation could send him into the Royal Knights.

Considering the relationship between Uncle Colin and Hilfen, in other words...his admission into the Royal Knights is settled? !
He swallowed his saliva excitedly, wishing he could recognize Colin as his father!

Looking at the family that left him aside, Lumire felt embarrassed but didn't care and coughed lightly.

"If you don't have anyone else to wait for... can we talk for a moment?"

Edmund quickly looked at Lumire and said with a smile on his face.

"Of course! Please follow me, Mr. Lumire! You are here to take us to Mr. Hilfen's estate, right? We--"

"Of course we'll go to your house first."

Lumire interrupted him and said politely but in a way that could not be refused.

"His Highness Colin has prepared a gift for you, but before that... there are some things I need to confirm first."

(End of this chapter)