Industrial Cthulhu, starting from the island lord

Chapter 318 Finally, they released them.

“Miss Zoe, do you have a moment to spare? His Highness William would like to speak with you in person.”

Zoe glanced at Galahad standing at the door, then turned back to look at the people inside the mansion.

"Isn't Grand Duke Tiss very busy? I remember he said he wouldn't have any free time these past few days," Elwin asked with a smile from inside the house.

“The situation is different now. Castell’s gift has surprised us greatly. Since Count Hughes is so generous to his friends, the Duchy of Tiss will naturally cherish Castell’s friendship as well.”

Such a generous and open admission took the people in the room by surprise. This prince was indeed quite something. After realizing that his clownish behavior had been discovered, he neither became angry nor denied it outright. Instead, he shamelessly accepted the opportunity to become his friend.

Although the group didn't say it aloud, they couldn't help but think more highly of him. Regardless of what the prince really thought, at least his attitude was sincere.

"By the way, please join us, everyone. His Highness William is very interested in Castells."

Zoe, Erwin, and several members of the Guards of the Faith left with Galahad, while the old woman claimed to be unwell and stayed at the mansion.

She was, after all, a superhuman, and staying outside was for her own safety. If the prince intended to harm them, she could provide immediate support.

The sea isn't far from here, so the old woman can use her supernatural abilities to call for help from the banshee. Ash and her team are fully armed and ready.

A whole squad of banshees, clad in heavy armor and wielding heavy machine guns and steam rifles, could easily tear a hole in even a well-organized army formation.

Meanwhile, Zoe and the others followed Galahad and soon arrived at the prince's residence.

This is William's private residence. Like Hughes, he is accustomed to working in his own home. The group met the prince in the reception room.

He was handsome, with deep features like a statue, and his thick golden curly hair made him look like a lion from a distance. He smiled when he saw the group and stood up to welcome them.

"Welcome, my guests. It's a pity we can't meet until today. You've come for old Connor and the others, haven't you?"

Without waiting for their reaction, he shouted outside, "Galahad!"

Soon, the door to the room opened, and Connor walked in, accompanied by Galahad.

“Mr. Connor!!” Zoe exclaimed in surprise, her eyes wide.

She really didn't expect to meet Connor so soon.

The long-lost butler looked well, dressed in brand-new clothes, and gave Zoe a simple nod.

“Mr. Connor, it’s nice to meet you again. The last time was at the Duke of Cohen’s mansion, when I went with my father to visit. It’s been many years.”

Connor turned to the prince and began to talk to him in a humble yet assertive manner.

Meanwhile, Erwin secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Firstly, seeing that Connor was unharmed and hearing from the prince that the accompanying guards were also present, his mission could be considered complete.

Another point is that the prince immediately asked Connor to come out and meet him, which basically confirms that there is no danger on this trip.

Zoe and Connor were both raised by Duke Cohen, so finding out about this wouldn't be difficult. The prince, knowing this, prioritized releasing Connor, which was an act of goodwill. The maids and butler often used coded gestures, and both had long served Hughes; if anything seemed amiss, Connor could have easily given a subtle warning. Having them meet directly would essentially confirm that the prince didn't intend to harm them.

It seems that this prince is truly intending to befriend Castel.

Given Castell's strength, this was actually the only option, but Erwin didn't expect it to happen so quickly.

Yesterday he was trying to steal the gun from them, but today his attitude has completely changed, which means that the prince decided to accept Castell as a friend immediately after seeing the gift.

This kind of courage
Erwin looked at the prince, who was all smiles. Despite being the Grand Duke and the only nobleman here, he showed no arrogance whatsoever.

It was as if he had always been this approachable, as if he had been making excuses about being busy for the past few days and that it wasn't him he hadn't met.

"He's definitely someone to be reckoned with," Erwin thought to himself.

"So that's how it is, Mr. Connor. You came with such a mission. It's a pity I didn't believe it then. Alas!" The prince sighed, his brow furrowed slightly, looking regretful. "How is Castell now? Is Count Hughes alright?"

His gaze fell on Zoe, and Connor also turned his head, looking at him intently. He had been under house arrest by the prince and knew nothing about Castel's situation.

"Castel withstood the monsters' attack. We don't know where those monsters came from. When they saw that they couldn't take our castle, they left on their own, and we never saw them again."

Connor and the prince gave Zoe a deep look, and neither of them spoke for a moment.

This explanation was agreed upon by several people; the matter of the sea god involved the banshee, so it was not appropriate to announce it for the time being.

Moreover, it's unknown what the church's attitude will be, so it's best to be cautious when dealing with these forces that possess extraordinary power.

The prince knew, of course, that Zoe wasn't telling the truth, but he didn't press the matter. Instead, he smiled and said, "I see. That's wonderful. By the way, I wrote a letter to Count Hughes."

As he spoke, he picked up a letter from the table and handed it over: "Blood Harbor has always been based on commerce. I've heard that Castells has many specialties, and we're sure to have a lot of cooperation in the future."

Zoe solemnly accepted the letter, exchanged a few pleasantries with the prince, and then prepared to leave.

“The airship you were on earlier was damaged. I had the craftsmen try to repair it, but,” the prince shrugged, “it can’t fly now. I’ll have it delivered to your ship later.”

"Thank you so much." Zoe bowed slightly.

"Alright, it's settled then. My fleet will be visiting Castells in a while. Is there anything else you need?"

The prince casually uttered a polite remark and prepared to let the group of Castel people leave, but he was then somewhat surprised to find that Zoe, who had just stepped out of the room, hesitated and then turned back.

"There is indeed something I need your help with."

Zoe raised her head, her face full of sincerity.

“A Castel named Josh came to Bloodharbor before, and later there should have been a ship full of refugees from the North with him.”

Do you have any news about him?

(End of this chapter)