Chapter 88: The Delegation

Chapter 88: The Delegation

While the Dragon Riders were returning to the Azure Wave Archipelago at full speed, the delegation had also begun its journey back. Unlike when they came, the escort knights for the delegation were low in morale, and many were lost in confusion. All of this was because their leader, Ryan, was dead, and he died without dignity. The head of the delegation—Luke—tried to appease the Northlanders’ anger with Ryan’s head and poisoned his waterskin. But this action, instead of calming the anger, completely infuriated the Northlanders.

The Northlanders returned Ryan’s head intact. A Warrior should not have such an end; he should not die by the betrayal and conspiracy of his own people.

The Northlanders did not take any further action against the delegation, but everyone knew their chances were slim. The Northlanders simply did not want to dirty their own hands. When they returned, the Royal Capital would naturally send their heads back.

Luke was somewhat distracted. He knew he had really made things irreparable this time. It’s not my fault. I just wanted to save everyone with the smallest sacrifice. Luke tried to convince himself, trying to find some psychological comfort.

Ryan had once told him, “Don’t be too afraid. Just admit to your actions, and then wait for the Northlanders to state their terms.”

But how could he not be afraid? Who wouldn’t be afraid? Now he only wished the journey back would never end.

…

The Nobles began to keep their distance from the leaders of the delegation. Everyone knew they were finished. No one had expected Luke to make such a foolish move. His actions were somewhat inexplicable. He neither acted according to the Rules among Nobles nor handled the problem in the Northlanders’ way. Even if he had let Ryan directly challenge the Northlanders, it would at least have respected the Northlanders’ tradition—the strong are respected. Everything showed that this man had been crushed by fear.

Among the Nobles who had participated in surrounding Bran, all had confessed their actions and then compensated with appropriate wealth according to the noble Rules. The Northlanders also tacitly accepted these Rules and accepted the compensation.

Now, the surrounding of Bran was widely known, an unexpected result. Everyone was guessing what Bran’s abilities were? He actually left no survivors. Ruthless and vicious—that was everyone’s evaluation of Bran.

So, what was the purpose of the Northlands releasing such a person? People’s thoughts began to lean toward power, status, and so on, in the direction they believed.

This year, the Dragon Riders had also come, bringing a son and a daughter with them. Although there was no clear statement about a marriage alliance, they were getting too close to Bran. If these two sides joined together, what power could the Kingdom use to restrain them?

The answer was none.

All Nobles sensed the crisis. They knew their country—the Green Kingdom—was not a large Kingdom. Over the years, they had intentionally suppressed and excluded the Dragon Riders, and the Dragon Riders had lost patience with them. Now everyone had to consider whether they needed to choose sides again.

…

Zoya and her parents sat quietly in the carriage. Her mother took out the accessories one by one, held them against herself, a bit reluctant, but finally put them back into Zoya’s jewelry box.

“That boy is really generous, but his methods are too ruthless. He’s not a good match,” her mother, Susan, sighed.

Zoya’s father, Niels, said casually, “It’s uncertain whether he’ll even come back alive from the Trial. Don’t think that far ahead yet.”

Zoya said firmly, “He will definitely come back. I believe in him.”

Niels also sighed, “Even if he comes back, whether we can win him is not certain either. Many more people are watching him now.”

Zoya didn’t quite understand, “Why? At first, many people didn’t want to get close to him.”

Niels sighed again, “Trouble is coming.”

Susan nodded, “Prepare in advance. It’s not about competing for a son-in-law now, but about competing for a place of shelter.”

Zoya was a bit confused, looking back and forth at her parents, and then said, “Bran said the Northlanders have no other intention.”

“It’s not about whether the Northlanders have it or not, but that we must think about it. Probably everyone here is thinking about it,” her father pointed outside the carriage. He continued, “It won’t become chaotic for a while yet, but we must prepare in advance. Our Riley family has its own armed forces, but against the Dragon Riders and the Northlands, it becomes a joke. So, now we need to pay attention to their movements.”

Susan added, “The Northlands are somewhat better. They probably won’t make big moves, but the Dragon Riders have already taken action. They have now occupied the East Coast and are gradually expanding. If it weren’t for the uncertainty about the Northlanders’ attitude, it probably wouldn’t be just the East Coast.”

Niels didn’t want the atmosphere to be too heavy, so he changed the subject, “Back then, Bran didn’t show how powerful he was in front of you, right? I heard from your brother that he was even being overpowered and hacked at by that little girl Eileen.”

Zoya always had full confidence in her friend, “That was Bran letting her win. Bran said civilized people shouldn’t fight and kill.”

Her parents exchanged a look. At least their daughter had a good impression of Bran, and it seemed Bran was good to their daughter too. Whether a marriage alliance was possible or not, this relationship must be maintained.

Niels teased his daughter, “If our daughter is satisfied with Bran, then we’ll start preparing the dowry.”

This made Zoya blush, and she raised her hand to lightly punch her father.

…

As they moved farther from the Northlands, the accessories Bran gave to the children began to be confiscated by their parents. This made the children quite angry, and from time to time, there were cries of protest.

At first, a few with thicker skins directly put things like Rings on their fingers. Then this behavior began to spread, and they wore these accessories more and more with a clear conscience.

As they traveled on, this behavior began to turn into a show of pride. Although Bran gave out quite a few accessories, after all, they were only given to some children. When spread among the adults, there seemed to be not enough to go around. So differences began to appear, comparisons began to be made, and the desire to compete grew stronger under this stimulation. Now, not wearing one or two such accessories seemed to make one less confident.

And indeed, they were less confident. After all, the accessories Bran gave out were absolutely not comparable to their own poorly made things. Some people had already started to buy these accessories at high prices. And because of the competitive mindset, people didn’t want to sell them in the short term, so the prices kept rising, but it was basically a situation where there were prices but no market. Those who could bring their children to the Northlands for a marriage alliance more or less had some background. Trying to move these people with money was probably very difficult.

Now people began to turn their attention back to the Northlands, considering whether they could order some accessories from the Northlands. The price could be negotiated. For the sake of face, a little money was nothing.