A Frost Giant, looking bewildered, foolishly got up.
"Thank you." Fat Luo hoisted his large behind, displacing the Frost Giant, almost toppling him onto the ground. He plopped down, showing no signs of his previous ill health.
The expression of Lord Mourinho’s followers turned grave.
Old Liu buried his face in his hands.
He had no idea what to say. The soldiers’ pride was something he had cultivated, and this pride did not allow anyone to show off in front of them.
"If the world’s strength is divided into ten parts, the Feilengcui Warriors undoubtedly occupy five of them, while the rest is shared by other warriors!" Lord Mourinho defused the situation with hearty laughter.
The innkeeper Ning Yu, very astute, immediately instructed the slave warriors to move a long table from the dining hall below.
The once tense atmosphere immediately relaxed.
Six Scepter Shamans also hurried over to greet the esteemed High Priest, Lord Mourinho. He graciously returned their greetings. Old Liu promptly rearranged the seats, accommodating the six Scepter Shamans and the three distinguished guests at one table. Elder Andulan and himself settled back in their seats as companion guests. The innkeepers took on the role of waitresses, rushing to and fro.
"To the Worm People’s ten-thousand-year return and to everyone’s health, let’s raise our glasses together." Lord Mourinho held up his wine cup and elegantly took a sip.
"For your generosity, cheers." They all raised their glasses in unison.
Once they began eating and drinking, there were no more inhibitions, considering how hungry many were.
"Richard, I came here with several things to discuss with you." Lord Mourinho paused, unable to resist adding a compliment: "This wine is excellent. My chef is a Hobbit Halfling too, but I’ve never tasted rum wine ."
"Absolutely!" The six Scepter Shamans nodded in agreement. Liu was somewhat suspicious that the main reason these people had stayed here was most likely because of this blissful drink, rather than awaiting the High Priest’s inspection.
"Lord... " Liu began to speak, but was cut off by Lord Mourinho.
"Call me Mentor." For more chapters visit noⅴelfire.net
"Mentor, you are here primarily because..." Liu immediately changed his tone, tentatively questioning.
"Actually, as soon as you and Helen advanced successfully, I planned to come visit you. The world goes around saying that our lineage produces geniuses. Initially, even I found that laughable, but now it seems it’s true." Lord Mourinho’s face did not reveal a trace of the noble prejudice typical of the Piegel race. His affable smile was like a beacon in the night.
"Cui Beixi mentioned that to us earlier," Liu nodded with a smile.
"Richard, have you ever considered being loyal to our Swan Tribe?" Lord Mourinho hesitated a moment before posing his query with sincerity and formality.
All the Scepter Shamans were struck dumb, none had anticipated such candor from the High Priest. Swan of the Smey Clan was a lord of the Bode Clan, his status far surpassed ordinary nobility. Even though Piegel race belonged to the Fawkes Clan, many minor nobles still served as vassals to large nobles. This was nothing strange considering the benefits were plenty, like having the backing of a powerful clan in times of need.
However, for one as distinguished as Lord Mourinho to so directly pose such a question seemed somewhat abrupt.
Gortani, standing behind her father, Lord Mourinho, frantically gestured to Liu.
Her actions were clearly out of self-interest because, with very few exceptions, no vassal could anticipate any marriage alliance with the children of their lord.
Cui Beixi’s beautiful eyes remained fixed unblinkingly on Liu.
After a moment’s thought, Liu gently shook his head with a smile.
"Why?" Lord Mourinho asked, appearing slightly puzzled.
"Shamans are God’s envoys and messengers to the world. I hold no ambitions." Liu laid special emphasis on the word ’ambitions’.
When he uttered these words, his gaze was lucid and honest. He spoke the truth; he merely wanted to be an ordinary Beamon.
Cui Beixi sensed this, and so did Ning Yu and Helen. Even Gortani felt it, though one person might not have.
"Is that so?" Lord Mourinho’s eyebrows raised and with a smile, he peeled an Immortal Fruit.
"Actually, I’m not all that noble. I just want to be a local tycoon." Liu admitted, with a wry smile.
"Great! I just happen to have some business information that could make us rich." Lord Mourinho elegantly removed the pit from an Immortal Fruit, popped it into his mouth, and while savoring the bittersweet flavors, said, "A few days ago, I dispatched a messenger, my Griffin Knight, to Dorott. As a representative of the Beamon Kingdom Temple, I’ve reached a consensus with the Dorott Duchy. The Duke of Dorott has succumbed to illness. Now, the grand duchess is the eldest daughter-in-law of the Shalba family."
"This did not come as a surprise." Liu nodded in agreement.
"I sent a messenger to the reigning Duchess of Dorott, and we have agreed on favorable terms." Lord Mourinho glanced back at Gortani with a meaningful gaze, "The fourth princess of Dorott is not yet married. She could be married to our kingdom’s finest and youngest shaman, Richard Zhenhan Liu. The marriage alliance would mean our two nations are connected by marriage, avoiding future armed conflict. The Saint Francisco Empire has no objections. Their goal is just to keep the gate to the Donau Wasteland secure. Marrying off a minor princess from a vassal state is quite ordinary; besides, it would only bring disgrace to the royal family of Dorott’s duke. Furthermore, relations between them and the Pompeii Empire seem to be strained, and they are worried about us."