Chapter 157: 157 Accompanying the Princess on a Scenic Tour

Chapter 157: Accompanied by the Princess Amidst Hills and Streams

Roning chose two recreational spots from the list Most had provided the previous day.

The morning was spent boating on Wushan Lake, followed by a leisurely stroll through the lakeside woodlands—a rather tranquil and pleasant pastime.

For the afternoon, he opted to take the princess to the colosseum, which promised a far more thrilling sort of entertainment.

The princess traveled with immense pageantry.

Though she brought only Knight Misi with her, the Keep of Wushan had dispatched a squad of knights led by Galile to escort them, accompanied by more than a dozen servants.

These attendants were responsible either for maintaining a vigilant guard or for setting up temporary, parasol-like canopies, arranging tables and chairs, and preparing pastries and refreshments.

Recalling his very first inspection of the Forest Town, when he had consumed nothing but dry rations and cold water in the wild at noon, Roning couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur of their current display.

Upon the waters of Wushan Lake, a grand vessel rested in serene stillness.

Roning held a fishing rod, casting his line; in a mere three or four minutes, he had already reeled in seven or eight fish, drawing applause and praise from Princess Blanche, which made him feel quite like a master angler.

He resolved that upon returning to the Forest Town, he would fashion a rod of his own and test his luck at the Forest Lake.

"I have heard that the Royal Capital possesses an exceptionally grand library, housing books of every imaginable kind."

While angling, Roning kept Blanche company in conversation; after all, he was the host and could not simply ignore his primary guest to focus solely on his own fishing.

"I wonder if there are volumes specifically detailing the Orlanth Empire and the eras preceding its foundation?"

Though Rulance possessed a collection of texts, they lacked detail, leaving many historical periods entirely blank.

As for historical chronicles prior to the empire's dawn, there was not a single one to be found.

The Imperial Calendar had only reached its 968th year, and he refused to believe this world possessed less than a millennium of history.

"There are indeed quite a few volumes concerning imperial history," she murmured.

"The era before the empire is said to have been utterly chaotic. And as you know, books have always been exceedingly dear; few were crafted, and fewer still survived."

Blanche sighed softly, her countenance clouded by an indescribable melancholy. "I, too, have wished to understand it on many occasions, but my endeavors yielded very little."

Roning was somewhat astonished. "Even the library of the Royal Capital lacks such records?"

"There are a few, after a fashion," Blanche said with a smile.

"If you desire to read them, you are welcome to seek me out in the Royal Capital at any time. I would gladly take you there, even if we were to steep ourselves in the library for weeks."

It appeared she was quite pleased with Roning; an invitation of this nature had already been extended thrice.

Of course, it was also possible she spoke merely out of polite courtesy.

As they spoke, Roning reeled in another black carp. "Come, Your Highness, do not merely watch. Give it a try yourself."

"Me?"

Blanche pointed to herself, caught by surprise and appearing somewhat at a loss.

To tell the truth, though she had gone on many excursions, this was the first time she had been invited to fish, and the first time anyone had ever asked her to hold a rod.

"I have never fished before; I fear I shall not fare well."

"It matters not, I shall teach you."

Roning handed her the rod. "When the fish are biting so well, you need only maintain sufficient patience and concentration, and you will surely succeed."

"Well... very well, then."

Blanche accepted the rod somewhat awkwardly and attempted to cast the line, but she was truly unfamiliar with the motion, failing to cast it properly twice in succession.

"Perhaps the rod is a fraction too heavy."

Roning stepped behind Blanche, his arms reaching forward around her form to grasp the rod. "Allow me to assist you."

Hearing his voice right beside her ear and feeling the warmth of his breath against her skin as he spoke, Blanche felt her cheeks flush crimson, her heart quickening its pace to a sudden flutter.

A royal princess ought to have experienced all manner of occasions, yet owing to her ill repute abroad, she had enjoyed very little contact with the opposite sex over the years.

For men feared that if they drew too close, Bruno would seize the opportunity to bestow a marriage upon them, only for them to be cursed to their graves.

Thus, in all these years, she had never engaged in such intimate proximity with anyone, and for a moment, she forgot entirely how to cast the line.

She remembered only that this particular cast went exceedingly well; soon enough, a fish bit the hook, and shortly thereafter, the very first fish of her life was reeled in.

"Wonderful!"

She cheered merrily, masking the unusual flutter of her emotions.

The two of them cast their lines a few more times before the boat returned to the shore. Handing their catch to the servants to prepare for luncheon, they set off for a stroll.

After several hours in each other's company, they had grown far more familiar, and their solitude was no longer so awkward.

Following their luncheon in the lakeside woods, they rested for a brief spell before hastening toward the Wushan City Colosseum.

Their prime seats had been reserved long in advance, and even the commencement of the spectacle had been adjusted for their sake.

The Colosseum of Wushan City stood resolute in the very heart of the settlement.

This monolithic structure loomed like a mountain peak, solid and unyielding, imparting a majestic grandeur that commanded reverence without the need for anger.

At the center of the colosseum lay a massive performance arena where gladiators would engage in life-and-death struggles against magical beasts, presenting breathtaking spectacles for the audience.

Surrounding the stage were towering walls; a height of over a dozen meters was more than enough to ensure the beasts within could not harm the spectators perched upon the stands above.

For this outing, Roning brought only Maken, while Misi remained steadfastly by Blanche's side.

The four of them took their places at the very front and center of the stands; looking down slightly, the entire performance arena lay completely within their view.

By now, the stands were packed with spectators—nobles, knights, merchants, and the like. Anyone capable of paying the viewing fee of at least three silver coins per match could attend.

"The Royal Capital also possesses a colosseum, and it is far grander than this one."

Following the intimate encounter during their fishing excursion, Blanche had visibly grown far more talkative. "I have visited it a few times myself. The spectacles are magnificent, yet utterly brutal."

Brutal indeed; the vanquished gladiators met exceptionally wretched fates, with some even devoured alive by the beasts upon the spot.

Yet the populace still flocked to the games, drawn by the blood, the violence, and the raw thrill of it all.

A deep, resonant thud of a drum struck, causing the heartbeats of all present to skip a beat.

A host clad in splendid attire already stood upon the pavilion, proclaiming loudly, "Welcome, one and all, to the Wushan City Colosseum!"

"Today, our arena welcomes spectators of unprecedented and weighty distinction!"

As he spoke, a beam of light illuminated the place where Roning sat, bathing both him and Princess Blanche in its glow.

"None other than the beautiful Princess Blanche, of the noble house of Alduin!"

"Allow me to invite you all to welcome Her Highness with your most thunderous applause!"

A princess was a grand figure whom many would never chance to glimpse in a lifetime, and beneath the brilliance of the light, Blanche appeared extraordinarily beautiful.

This instantly evoked a mountainous roar of applause as countless voices chanted the princess's name, pouring forth their fervent enthusiasm.

Blanche was reasonably well-accustomed to such displays; she rose and walked to the front of the stand, waving to the surroundings with a gentle smile, looking very much like a star acknowledging the adulation of her admirers.

Roning gazed toward the opposite stand in surprise, his eyes fixing upon the magical crystal lamp beside the host. Was this the spotlight of this world?

He furrowed his brow ever so slightly.

Nowhere in Most’s itinerary was there mention of a special segment dedicated to Princess Blanchette at the Ushan Arena.

After all, one of the builders of this arena was Ushan Fortress.

The arena’s operators not only had to share their profits with Ushan Fortress, but also obey its commands.

If such a segment had been planned from the start, it should have been disclosed in advance, allowing the princess to prepare accordingly.

Ronin glanced toward the rear.

To afford Ronin and Blanchette sufficient space, Knight Missy and Macken stood several paces behind.

Macken understood immediately and stepped forward. “My lord?”

Ronin whispered softly, “Be alert.”

(End of Chapter)