From Terra to Terra, the Star Emperor's Holiday

"Please come in first."

The manor was overgrown with weeds, and the exterior of the villa at the back was also covered with vines. Judging from the cracked walls, it was obvious that it had not been cared for and maintained for a long time.

That's right. Without Cyril, the Linguang family was already marginalized. Not collaborating with the Chamber of Commerce also caused the family's income to plummet. It was a pipe dream to expect Uncle Mauna, a corporate slave, to maintain such a large estate with his salary.

The interior of the villa still shows the heritage of the old knight aristocracy. Obviously, the current situation of the Lin Guang family is not so bad that they need to sell their furniture in the original plot.

After letting Si Ye and the others stay on the sofa in the living room for a while, Margaret got up and went to the familiar kitchen to look for tea sets to entertain the guests.

Having made a fool of herself in front of strangers, Maria seemed very reserved towards Si Ye and the others. While helping Margaret find the tea set, she asked in a low voice.

"These people are my sister's friends who she met outside."

Mainna became a social slave, Maria lost her aristocratic appearance, the Linguang family declined and no longer had visitors. The utensils used to entertain guests were piled up in the corner of the cabinet, gathering dust. Maria spent a lot of effort to clean them up.

"I won't leave now that I'm back. People say my sister is infected and was expelled. My uncle is busy with work all day, and only Aunt Zofia comes to accompany me occasionally. I..."

As she spoke, Maria's words became choked with sobs again.

Seeing her sister like this, Margaret was speechless. She could only whisper comfortingly, "Don't leave, don't cry. The boss of the pharmaceutical company I work for is coming to Casimir to watch the Knights' Championship. I agreed to be their tour guide. I'll apply to the company to stay in Casimir later."

"Company? Sister?"

Maria remembered that Margaret used to hate the business groups in Casimir the most. If the Linguang family was willing to go along with the Chamber of Commerce, how could they have ended up in the current situation?

"A pharmaceutical company whose purpose is to treat infected people and improve their conditions...is different from those companies in the trade union."

Margaret had actually witnessed how Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals treated the Sarkaz infected, so she naturally knew that treating the infected and improving their situation were not just empty words, but were put into practice by Si Ye in an unreasonable way.

People are like this. Compared with the visible prosperity of Kazdel, the illusory prosperity of Casimir, which is like a raging fire, makes Margaret feel breathless and she is shaken.

After all, this false prosperity only shifts all the costs onto the civilians and infected people who are exploited by the company. The greed of the Federation, the blindness of the people, the inaction of the National Council, all these things add up. Si Ye's words linger in Margaret's ears like the whispers of a devil. Maybe if Casimir is handed over to Si Ye, he will become better?

"If they can treat the infected...then they can also treat my sister."

"Hmm... Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals' mineral sickness inhibitors are very effective."

Margaret's words paused. She did not have oripathy. She was slandered as an infected person not only because her youthful vigor affected the Chamber of Commerce, but also because her grandfather Cyril protected her. Otherwise, she would have been subjected to various attacks and even her family would have been implicated for going against the mainstream of Casimir society.

The Linguang family is now in such a predicament, which is inseparable from her behavior at that time. After all, a family without long cavalry is not recognized in Casimir.

"That's so sweet. I missed you so much, sis."

Maria couldn't tell what was going on in Margaret's mind. She was simply happy that her sister had returned. Her innocent smile dissolved Margaret's fluctuating emotions.

"Okay, I'm making the guests wait."

Put the prepared tea bags into the cup, and as the boiling water is brewed, the rich tea aroma spreads and dissipates. Maria holds the tea tray and teacups, and Margaret holds the teapot, and they walk towards the living room one after another.

But as soon as they entered the living room, they saw Sofia, wearing a cloak, a tight skirt and a sword at her waist, walking in from the door.

"Maria, how are you today...huh???"

Sofia almost thought she had come to the wrong place. It had been a long time since anyone had visited the Linguang family. Where did the Sarkaz, the Yan Kingdom Dragon Clan, and other people who had nothing to do with the Linguang family come from?

Could it be an assassin sent by the Chamber of Commerce?

But before Sofia could be alert, she saw two sisters coming out of the kitchen talking and laughing.

"Margaret?"

Dengdengdeng.

The lady's high heels collided rapidly with the floor, and Zofia rushed to Margaret and looked her up and down with a scrutinizing gaze.

"aunt…"

Margaret felt itchy all over under Zofia's scrutiny, but just as she opened her mouth, the teapot in her hand was snatched away by Zofia and put aside, followed by a crisp sound.

Snapped!

Zofia's hand slapped Margaret's cheek without hesitation, making a crisp sound: "This slap is for Maria, because you were so childish and impulsive in the past!"

Margaret understood how much trouble her previous willfulness had brought to the entire family, so she was willing to accept the slap. But before she could say anything else, Sofia had already stretched out her arms and hugged her tightly.

"Welcome back, Margaret."

Chapter 37 Dispute

"These are my former companions and current colleagues, Shining and Nightingale."

After the farce, Margaret began to introduce Si Ye and others to Maria and Zofia.

"This is Si Ye, the boss of my current company, Rhode Island Pharmaceuticals. The person next to me is a young lady from the engineering department."

"Welcome everyone, I apologize for being rude earlier."

Sofia behaved gracefully and bowed slightly to apologize to Si Ye and the others. Maria also quickly imitated her aunt's actions and bowed together.

"No, we are the ones who disturbed you."

After the polite exchange, both parties sat down. Nightingale and Nian curiously finished their tea and snacks. Sophia sat next to Margaret and said with a serious expression:

"Margaret, you shouldn't have returned to Casimir during the tournament."

If it were under normal circumstances, if Margaret sneaked back, with the remaining influence of the Linguang family, the Chamber of Commerce would probably turn a blind eye. However, during a sensitive period like the Special Championship, the return of the Knight of Glory would touch the sensitive nerves of the Chamber of Commerce to the greatest extent, which could easily put Margaret in danger.

"Even if I never come back, will those hyenas let the Linguang family go? The Linguang family's current situation is due to my past impulsiveness. I have an obligation to make amends and solve these problems."

"Margaret!"

Sofia's tone unconsciously rose, and she glared at Margaret sternly, but Margaret still looked at her with an unyielding look.

After a moment, it was Margaret who took the lead in expressing her submission, and her tone quickly softened.

"Aunt, on my way back to Casimir, I saw the news that you were participating in the tournament as an independent knight... Why did you make it to the main tournament? Was it because of me?"

Zofia sighed and shook her head. "No, this is just what I want to do, Margaret. I don't have your firm belief. This is just an attempt as a knight bathed in the glory of the name of Linguang."

"Then we shouldn't continue now... Even if I didn't return, the Chamber of Commerce wouldn't accept an uncooperative independent knight shining brightly in the special tournament, not to mention..."

Margaret's tone became hurried. The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became. Her belief was firm, but that didn't mean she could watch the few remaining family members get hurt.

"The Business Federation will definitely use all sorts of underhanded tactics in the main competition in their ridiculously reasonable way. For your own safety... please withdraw."

What Margaret said made sense, but Zofia still chose to shout at him: "Margaret! I am also a knight of the Linguang family. Tell me, what is the Linguang family motto!"

“…not afraid of hardship and darkness…but!”

"Are you afraid? Or has the three years of hardship abroad broken your pride?"

"I just don't want you to get hurt, aunt. I don't want anyone in my family to get hurt again."

Margaret's eyes were firm, and the golden light gleaming in them was indestructible.

"I understand what you mean, Margaret, but the knights of the Linguang family never retreat easily. Also, don't call me aunt. You're old now, call me sister!"

"Aunt Sofia!" Margaret was not good at speaking, and her face almost turned red when she saw that she couldn't convince Sofia.

"Hey, hey, we finally meet again, let's not quarrel. If you are just worried about Miss Zofia's safety, why not give me a chance to cooperate with you?"

Si Ye interrupted the stalemate between Margaret and Sofia and took the initiative to speak.

"I've studied the public profiles of the contestants. Aside from a few who possess inherent strength, the disparity between the remaining contestants is more like a battle of technological prowess between various armor and weapons companies. In this regard, we have the best [craftsmen]."

"If Miss Zofia doesn't want to withdraw from the competition, then I will provide her with equipment. I can naturally ensure her safety during the competition."

"Just call me Zofia,"

Sofia turned her gaze to Si Ye, quickly recalling what Margaret had said when she introduced Si Ye.

Rhode Island Pharmaceuticals, this is an unfamiliar name. Zofia quickly looked at Si Ye, trying to find some information from his appearance.

Since Si Ye has been spending a lot of time with Nian recently, the dragon horns and tail of the Yan Kingdom dragon clan have always been on his body. Combined with his own aura, he looks like a Yan noble.

"Are you from Yan Country? Foreign companies wanting to sponsor knights in the tournament need the approval of the Business Federation. Furthermore, I am an independent knight and do not accept any sponsorship or endorsement contracts."

"I'm not from Yan Country. Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals is a borderless pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the environment for infected people and treating mineralogy. This isn't a sponsorship; it's simply our company's commitment to protecting the safety of our employees and their families."

Nian poked Si Ye's waist, trying to break his serious expression, but was hit by Si Ye's simulated tail instead.

"Protecting the safety of employees and their families? Your company is really generous..."

Zofia frowned as she looked at Si Ye's nonchalant expression, as if he didn't take the Chamber of Commerce seriously at all. She didn't know what to say.

Margaret's secret relief at Si Ye's promise to ensure safety only made Sofia more suspicious.

Could it be that in Margaret's mind, this unknown Rhode Island Pharmaceuticals can really compete with a behemoth like the Chamber of Commerce?

Margaret actually didn't know Si Ye's specific strength, but she still felt the support of the Sarkaz for Si Ye during the few days she was in Kazdel, as well as the support of the Demon King of Kazdel for Si Ye. Si Ye was able to get the Demon King to treat Nightingale's illness, and he looked very familiar with the situation. In Margaret's heart, it was not an exaggeration to say that the entire Kazdel was supporting Si Ye.

Not to mention that Si Ye's land-based ships were still accompanying them outside the city. Even if something really went wrong, based on the attitude Si Ye had shown before, there would definitely be no problem in protecting the safety of everyone in the Lin Guang family.

"So, Zofia, you can consider the weapons and equipment I provide as a gift of friendship. Of course, if you're willing to accept advertising, I can also promise that all of Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals' revenue during the special tournament will be used to provide free medical care for the infected in Casimir."

Money has no meaning to Si Ye. How to maximize the influence is Si Ye’s focus. As long as there is a suitable reason, Si Ye will be happy to do it even if it means losing money to gain publicity.

"After all, how can ordinary iron collide with D32 steel? Using some high-quality equipment is also for the sake of fairness, right?"

"aunt…"

“No wonder Margaret joined your company.”

Sofia stopped Margaret from continuing to dissuade her and held her forehead with her hand as if she had a headache.

"You've already said this. It would be ungrateful for me to refuse. I'd rather rely on my own abilities to win. How about considering these guarantees as a form of insurance?"

Si Ye readily agreed to this small request: "That's easy. Just ask Nian to add a seal when he forges your weapons and armor."

"Hey, you've been making promises for so long, why am I the one doing the work?"

Relying on her outgoing personality, Nian was chatting with Maria beside her, but she didn't expect that Si Ye had made such a promise for so long that the job fell on her.

"Well, when it comes to weapons and armor, they should be returned to the world's number one forger, the Dragon of Casting, Master Nian, you, please come forward."

Good words and reputation don't cost money, and Si Ye bombards them like a machine gun.

"Alright, just for what you said, Si Ye, leave it to me."

But Nian fell for it and immediately rolled up his sleeves, looking like he was ready to do something big.

Seeing that she couldn't refuse and with Margaret's pleading gaze beside her, Zofia sighed and stood up on her own initiative.

"Then I'll trouble Miss Nian. If you need anything, I have a simple workshop and materials at home.