Chapter 428: Announcing the Marriage Alliance

The moonlight spilled softly, and the grand Golden Feather Palace appeared exceptionally lively against the night sky.

The brilliant, sparkling magi-tech lamps were like a multitude of stars, illuminating every corner.

Tonight, nobles large and small from across the kingdom gathered here, making it both a celebration of the nation's founding and a grand gathering for mutual communication.

There was no shortage of those who came purely for the excitement, to enjoy the fine wine, singing, and dancing, but most people here were maneuvering and politicking to secure benefits for their own territories.

"Ronin, long time no see!"

Mairon, the acting patriarch of the Fleming family, walked over to Ronin's side holding a half-filled glass of wine.

"Screaming Island has already received several shipments of timber from Torrent Island, and the quality is excellent!"

He raised his glass: "A toast to our cooperation!"

Looking at his attitude and expression, who could tell this was the man who had secretly ordered the Ghost Tide Pirate Group to attack Torrent Island's ships?

Ronin smiled faintly; the man surely knew the Ghost Tide Pirate Group had been wiped out, yet he still acted so friendly, which truly required some acting skills.

He raised his glass as well: "Cheers!"

The two clinked glasses and took a sip.

Mairon said with a smile: "Today, many people are wearing silk formal gowns produced by the North Crow Territory. I have had the privilege of experiencing the uniqueness of this material, and in the future, it will absolutely dominate the entire formal wear industry. What do you think? Do you want to cooperate with me? The ships of Screaming Island can carry your goods to any part of the continent!"

So this man had come to cast his eyes on the silk.

Ronin swirled his wine glass slightly and said with a smile: "Currently, the production of the North Crow Territory is limited. Even if I had sales channels to various parts of the continent, I couldn't provide that many silk fabrics. However, once production ramps up later, perhaps we can cooperate!"

He was speaking the truth, yet it also carried a polite refusal.

Back then, cooperating with Screaming Island on the timber business was merely to stabilize the sea route south from Torrent Island, and for that, Ronin had even sacrificed quite a bit of profit.

Now, the other party still wanted to take advantage regarding the silk, which was purely thinking too much.

"Ronin!"

While the two were conversing, someone else walked over, "I've been looking for you for quite a while, why have you only just arrived?"

"Mr. Randall, long time no see!"

The gray-haired, middle-aged man who approached was precisely Randall Silva, the grandson of Belora.

Since Belora's son had already passed away, and he himself focused solely on cultivation and magical potion crafting, the Silva Magi-Tech Chamber of Commerce was now entirely managed by Randall.

"Grandfather specifically asked me to convey his congratulations to you. May the blessings of the Seven Gods accompany you and Blanche, and may your engagement vow become a beautiful tale passed down through the ages!"

Ronin couldn't help but rub his nose in embarrassment; Bruno hadn't even announced it yet, and these people were already offering their blessings.

In reality, many people knew about this matter and were watching for the final result, and at present, it seemed nothing would go wrong.

Ronin could only laugh, clinking glasses with the man: "Thank you for your blessings!"

Mairon also congratulated from the side, though he was very surprised that Randall would personally come to speak with Ronin, knowing that the descendants of the Silva family were extremely proud, sometimes not even giving face to the king.

He frowned slightly; just now Randall had said it was "Grandfather's congratulations," so Ronin's relationship with Belora was actually that close?

The music gradually quieted down, and the melody became slow, gentle, and elegant.

Bruno walked into the banquet hall, and by his side was the mature and elegant queen, wearing the golden crown of her rank.

Behind the two followed Garret, as well as Blanche, who had changed into a magnificent white court gown.

The appearance of the four immediately drew cheers from the nobles.

Bruno cleared his throat, a joyful smile on his face, and spoke in a clear voice: "Respected lords, ladies, and gentlemen, I sincerely thank you all for gathering here today to jointly celebrate the two hundred and thirtieth anniversary of the founding of our great kingdom! Looking back at the history of our kingdom..."

Ronin listened quietly, feeling as if he had returned to his middle and high school days on Earth, where the principal would say the exact same things at every large-scale event like the school sports meet.

After a long while, Bruno's voice suddenly grew a notch higher: "At the same time, taking advantage of this celebration, I am here to convey a major royal piece of good news to you all!"

Ronin's spirits lifted; it was time for the official business concerning him.

He saw Bruno leading Blanche by the hand to the front.

"Today, I am pleased to announce that my daughter, the princess of the kingdom, Blanche Audouin, will enter into an engagement with the kingdom's Flame Knight, the Baron of Torrent Island, the Earl of the North Crow Territory, and the eldest grandson of the Crow Mountain family, the powerful Silver Moon Knight, Ronin Crow Mountain!"

Instantly, enthusiastic applause and various blessings rang out in the banquet hall.

Ronin stepped forward, took Blanche's hand, and stood to one side.

Rulance was also clapping, his eyes flashing with a gaze of fondness and expectation.

Announcing an engagement on such an occasion meant there would be no unexpected changes.

More crucially, putting aside the exchange of benefits between the two families, the relationship between Ronin and Blanche was actually very good, unlike some family alliances where the marriage was entirely forced.

Rulance had not expected that the preservation method he had originally devised for Ronin would still be realized after the latter grew powerful.

"How do you feel?" Ronin asked in a low voice.

Blanche revealed a happy smile, "Nervous, but very happy. I didn't expect this moment to truly arrive!"

Ronin led Blanche by the hand into the banquet, where they accepted congratulations from familiar or unfamiliar nobles, becoming the protagonists of the field for a while.

When the banquet concluded, Ronin escorted Blanche back to the Moon Shadow Palace.

Although the alliance had been announced, according to customs and habits, they could not share a room yet.

Ronin could only give Blanche a kiss goodbye, and then set off for the Gilded Rose Inn.

"Ronin, knocking on a lady's door in the middle of the night is not a very polite thing to do!"

Sophia opened the door; at this moment, she was wearing pajamas, though it was unclear whether she had bought them recently or carried them in her spatial ring, and her face showed some sleepiness.

However, Sophia was not alone in the room; Ainilu was also there.

"I'm sorry, Sophia, today was too busy, so much so that I didn't have time to come over."

Ronin said apologetically: "Tomorrow morning there is a meeting of the kingdom's high-level nobles. I have already requested permission from the king to bring a friend to participate, and you can come with me then."

The sleepiness on Sophia's face vanished instantly, "I understand!"

"Can only Your Highness go?"

Ainilu was somewhat hesitant: "Can we have one more person follow?"

Ronin shook his head, "Rest assured, there is no danger. Even if an accident occurs, I guarantee I will bring your Highness back safely."

Sophia, however, was not worried at all, "Don't worry, even if some accident occurs, don't forget that I am a Grand Mage."

"Alright~"

Ainilu stopped speaking; truth be told, the life-saving items Sophia carried on her person were quite numerous.

"However, there is one thing I need to tell you in advance," Ronin said.

"Please speak."

"Tomorrow at the venue, there will be a member of the Witch Soul Race. His name is Jesus, he is the Earl of Moonlight Valley, and the biological younger brother of His Majesty the King."

Sophia and Ainilu were stunned.

The king's own younger brother had actually become a member of the Witch Soul Race?

"What do you want me to do?" Sophia asked.

Ronin smiled: "Whether to identify him on the spot or find an opportunity to settle accounts afterward depends entirely on how you choose. I will not interfere too much."

He changed the tone of his conversation: "No matter how you choose, neither I nor my grandfather will allow any Witch Spirit clan members to exist near the territory of Mount Wu!"

Sophia focused intently, pondering and nodding thoughtfully: "I will make my choice." (End of Chapter)