Chapter 348 The prince left gracefully in the midst of the crowd
The whistle at the port bid farewell to the young men who were pursuing their ideals, and also bid farewell to His Highness Colin who was about to leave the Holy City for the north.
He has been staying in the Holy City for more than a month, and during this month, his "Prince Colin" vest has earned enough limelight.
Whether it is politics or economy, or culture, military or even "scientific research", wherever he looks in the entire Holy City, his chess pieces are dotted... regardless of whether those chess pieces influenced by him are aware of this or not.
His spreading influence is like a huge tentacle, firmly grasping the base of the Holy Grail and spreading towards the body of the cup.
This step is enough for now.
Tying too tightly will only make the people of the empire prematurely alert.
Especially because he has been so popular recently, and the promised benefits have been fulfilled one after another, some nobles who are not so close to him have begun to feel dissatisfied, and jealousy has gradually surpassed the "freshness".
At this time, it would be better to take the initiative to leave for a while.
When the citizens of the Holy City missed him, he would naturally come back.
According to the plan, after leaving the Holy City, Luo Yan will go to the empire's academy, where he will admire the empire's achievements in the field of magic over the past five hundred years.
If we refer to the map of Europe on Earth, the location of the Holy City is probably around Rome, while the location of Xue Bang is on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea.
By the way, the next stop on Luo Yan's itinerary is the Principality of Campbell. You can refer to the actual location of the north coast of the Aegean Sea.
It shows how far away it is.
Of course, the above is for reference only.
After all, the cartography level of the Austro Empire was still at the level before the global voyage, and the topography of this world was completely different from that of the Earth, and there was no practical comparability.
There is a saying in the empire's magic circle that the farther north the location is, the richer the "magic element" is and the more conducive it is to the practice of magicians.
Hence, most of the empire's mage towers are located on the coast of the North Sea, and many of them are sponsored by the Valencia family, the Castellon family, and the Lambert family.
The background of the nobles of the Holy City cannot be seen much in the Holy City, but outside the Holy City, they are as tangled as the roots of a giant tree. Counting up the root system, you can almost count the most noble families, even if they don't interact frequently.
Marshal Lako proposed to Luo Yan that the empire's griffon knights could take him to the academy, which would greatly shorten his travel time.
However, after Luo Yan thought for a moment, he finally declined politely on the grounds that he "wanted to use his feet to measure the land of his motherland."
As for the real reason, of course it is not convenient for people from the empire to follow them all the time.
On the outskirts of the Holy City, on the main imperial road leading to the north, a grand and solemn farewell ceremony was underway.
Dozens of gorgeous carriages decorated with the emblems of major families lined up one after another, and the flags stretched silently in the morning breeze.
In this farewell team that almost encompasses the apex of the empire's power, the most eye-catching one is undoubtedly the protagonist being sent off - His Highness "Roxey Colin" who is stirring up trouble in the Holy City.
At this moment, he was wearing dark traveling clothes and standing next to the carriage prepared for the long journey, personally saying goodbye to every friend who came to see him off.
"Your Excellency, Marshal, the front is the border of the Holy City. It's a long way back, so just send me here."
Marshal Rako Aberg standing in front of Luo Yan was wearing a military uniform. Even in such a social occasion, he had an iron-blooded aura about him.
He didn't say much, he just looked at Prince Colin's face with his sharp eyes like an eagle, and said something solemnly and slowly.
"Take care along the way!"
He noticed that the sword he gave to His Highness Colin was currently hanging on the gentleman's waist.
The latter did not worry about what the Senate thought, but showed their friendship openly and openly, which also put a smile on Marshal Laco's face.
In fact, he was overthinking this. Those families with deep foundations would not care about this at all.
Not to mention, even he himself acquiesced - His Highness Colin had just returned to the Holy City and was unaware of the overt and covert struggle between the Senate and the Marshal's Palace.
Of course the big shots who stand in the same ecological niche as him also know this, so how can they be so petty about this matter?
The officer faction of the empire gathered people who were politically immature. After all, if they were mature, they would not have such a rigid relationship with the Senate and the church.
"Well, goodbye!"
Luo Yan solemnly said goodbye to Marshal Laco. At this moment, Prince Regent Granville and the Duke of Valencia also walked in this direction.
Laco turned around and left knowingly. The only thing that bothered Luo Yan was the "Brother understands you" look in his eyes before he left.
Leave aside whether their relationship is that close...what do you know?
However, as a well-connected prince, he certainly would not show his troubles on his face. Instead, he gave Laco an "I understand" look, and then turned his eyes to the other two equally distinguished friends.
"Your Highness Colin!"
Glanville had an impeccable smile on his face and solemnly held Luo Yan's hand.
"On behalf of the empire, and also on behalf of myself, I wish you a smooth trip! We will properly advance the affairs of the Knights Templar in accordance with the charter, and we look forward to your bringing us new wisdom and vision when you return from the academy."
"The glory of the Colin family has been perfectly continued in you." The Duke of Valencia added with his kind and majestic voice, "Please be sure not to work too hard. The future of the empire still needs the contribution of young people like you."
Luo Yan smiled slightly, responded with a standard courtesy, and said calmly.
"Two gentlemen, I am just doing my duty as an imperial minister. The successful establishment of the Knights Templar is inseparable from the strong support of the Senate and the Prince Regent... The Colin family will remember this kindness!"
Granville and the Duke of Valencia both had pleasant smiles on their faces, and at the same time glanced at the burly figure who left here swaggering like a fool.
In their view, this guy is no different from those stupid young men who boarded the ship to the Janna continent to pursue their dreams.
The young officers of the empire have indeed formed a political force that cannot be underestimated, but the army of the empire is not always in the hands of these young officers... They always mistakenly overestimate their own weight.
For example, the offshore defense fleet that escorts the trade routes on the east coast of the vast ocean is firmly in the hands of Duke Andre Castellon.
Not only the offshore defense fleet, they also have loyal and reliable young men among the private soldiers in their respective territories... Some of them are the children of vassals, and some are the children of their servants.
With a huge foundation as backing, they can also place their own people into the Knights Templar. Even the clerks currently registering young men from the empire at the port are full of partisans of the Senate nobles.
The most important thing is that Colin is also a noble.
And unlike the rebellious Eberg family, the Colin family, which values tradition, has not been ostracized by the upper class of the empire.
After some pleasantries, the Regent and the Duke of Valencia left side by side with smiles on their faces, leaving time for others.
After the two left, Luo Yan finally waited for Duke Andre Castellon, who had had a private communication with him in the lounge of the Marshal's Mansion.
This man with thick, lion-like beards walked up with his blond, blue-eyed, petite and lovely little daughter, Miss Ophia.
"Your Highness, I wish you a safe journey! I think your ears will get calloused by the polite words, so I won't say those empty words!"
Andre smiled warmly, took Prince Colin's hand and shook it vigorously.
"The Castellion family will always be an ally of the Colin family! Regarding the opening of new routes to the continent of Janna, as well as the future material supplies for the Knights' stations such as Deadwood Port, my fleet is fully prepared. I look forward to your return from the north, and we can discuss the next cooperation plan in detail!"
The fleet he is talking about is naturally not the offshore defense fleet, but the empire's fleet.
In addition to controlling the empire's fleet, their family's private fleet is also large enough to influence or even change the empire's trade map on the vast ocean!
As the coachmen of the Empire's seas, the Castellon family even has a bronze seahorse as their family emblem, which shows their influence in the Empire's shipping industry.
This is also the most direct reason why General Hamelton is unwilling to cooperate with the imperial merchants to solve the supply problem.
As for saying that you can't trust the merchants of the empire, that's all just talk.
A few white gloves are not worthy of making the empire's general feel afraid. What he is really worried about is that the Castellon family will continue to extend their hands to the empire's ocean fleet and even St. Ilburg by relying on their trade influence.
That is the marshal's sphere of influence, and it is also the last place for survival of the Holy City Officer Faction.
Luo Yan was about to respond to Andre's farewell, but saw Miss Ophia, who had been shyly lowering her head next to the Duke, suddenly mustered up the courage to take a small step forward.
Her fair cheeks were flushed, and even her swan-like neck was stained red. She held an exquisite and small amulet in her hand. Judging from the crooked seahorse symbol, she should have sewn it herself.
As long as there is a maid who knows needlework to help, it will not be possible to sew a cute little animal like a seahorse into an Arakto.
"Your Highness..."
Ophelia's voice was as small as a gnat, but crisp and sweet, "I wish you... a safe journey. The sunshine of the Holy City... will be here waiting for your return."
She read this love quote from a book, and it was called "A Love Saying Every Day with Ease of Advancement and Retreat". It was probably about a bard who used implicit yet passionate expressions to win the hearts of one noble lady after another.
Although it was filled with a lot of content that made her blush and unable to sleep after reading it, she still bit the bullet and found the useful parts.
Luo Yan lowered his head and thought for a while, then took the amulet from Ophia's hand with a smile, with a touch of warm fragrance on it.
"Thank you, beautiful Miss Ophia, your blessing is the most precious gift of my trip, I will keep it safe."
His words made Ophia's cheeks blush even more, and her eyes shone with joy.
However, Luo Yan turned her attention to Prince Andrei in the next second, and seamlessly turned the topic to her father.
“Thank you too, Your Excellency, the Duke. The Colin family will always be allies of the Castellon family. May our friendship be as long as the unbreakable brass barrier! Whether it is the future of the empire or our future, it cannot be separated from the support of the ocean. . And I think your daughter’s blessing also brings a good omen for our common cause.”
As he spoke, Luo Yan gently played with the cute seahorse and gave a gentle smile to Ophia who bowed her head shyly.
"What a lovely seahorse, thank you again, Miss Ophia."
Ophia blushed and said "hmm", not daring to look at him, and not embarrassed to say that what she was sewing was actually his pet dragon named Tuff.
Seeing that his daughter, who had always been as proud as a flower on a high mountain, turned out to be so shy, Andre was filled with emotion and couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her.
His Royal Highness Colin spoke very tactfully, caring about his daughter's dignity, but he could still hear the meaning behind the tact.
May their friendship be like Bronze Pass, but there is no love in Bronze Pass.
To be honest, he admired this young man.
At the same age, if he were facing a young girl from a good family background, he would definitely agree first.
One is willing to fight while the other is willing to suffer. Even if he does not want to be responsible in the end, can the other party turn against the Castellon family?
As for being forced to get married by his elders, that was something that happened later. When he was in his early twenties, he probably didn't bother to think that far.
Andre calmed down, took over the conversation, and moved the topic to other places before his daughter realized that she had been rejected.
"That's what I thought too... In addition, I didn't expect you to leave in such a hurry. I thought you would at least treat me to a good show before leaving."
Luo Yan knew he was referring to the land in Bailu District and said with a slight smile.
"This good show has already begun, but the actors will not go on stage until I leave here. You will understand why I said this afterwards... Please pay attention to tomorrow's newspaper."
Andre raised his eyebrows and said with a smile.
“Haha, really? Then I have to look forward to it!”
After the conversation with the Duke of Castellon and his daughter, Luo Yan met with the head of the Lambert family and other equally distinguished figures.
As the last friend said goodbye to him, this grand farewell was finally coming to an end.
Looking solemnly around every friend who came to see him off, Luo Yan performed an impeccable noble etiquette to express his highest respect and gratitude to everyone.
Without their help, I would not have been able to complete all my plans so smoothly.
After that, Luo Yan no longer had any nostalgia, turned around and boarded his carriage prepared for a long journey.
The carriage started slowly, and the guards rode forward. The wheels rolled over the stone pavement of the Imperial Avenue, making a regular and steady sound.
·The motorcade headed north, gradually merged into the distant horizon, and finally turned into a blurry black spot, disappearing from the eyes of everyone who was looking at it.
Regent Granville Porta and the Duke of Valencia still stood side by side, with a satisfied smile on their faces.
"A young man worth looking forward to," Glanville said softly. "His respect for honor and tradition exceeds my expectations."
"More than that, he also knows how to reciprocate favors and understands the source of power." The Duke of Valencia nodded slowly, his voice low and full of confidence, "This move of the Knights Templar was beyond my expectation. I did not expect that he would use this method to throw an olive branch to the Senate. , and cleverly avoided offending the officer faction, which has greater power in the New World... I admit, I underestimated him. "
This young man may become the backbone of the Senate, and he has high expectations for Prince Colin.
Glanville smiled and raised his eyebrows.
"Do you think he would be more tactful?"
The Duke of Valencia said with a smile.
"It was before, but now, I have to re-evaluate him."
On the other side of the crowd, Duke Andre Castellon put his generous palm on his little daughter's shoulder.
Ophelia Castellon's eyes were still looking into the distance crazily, until they completely disappeared, the feeling of disappointment quietly crawled onto her face.
"Let's go, my little Ophia," Andre's voice was gentle, and he patted his daughter's shoulder, "Your Highness Colin... After all, he does not belong here. There are as many outstanding young men in the Holy City as there are leaves in the forest far away. Don't give up the entire forest for one tree."
Hearing these irresponsible words, Ophia snorted lightly and secretly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.
"You don't understand... what love is. Whether there are a thousand or ten thousand leaves in the forest, it has nothing to do with me... I just want the one that belongs to me."
Andre: "..."
It's okay if I don't understand.
But he can't laugh at his daughter. I have talked to more girls than you have met men. Who gives you the confidence to say I don't understand?
It's just that it's not very elegant to say it, and the true words don't sound good, so it's inconvenient to tell you.
Looking at her speechless father, she complained in a low voice again.
Everyone edits their memories, and Miss Ophia is obviously no exception.
At this moment, she had completely forgotten that she had shyly hid behind her father and looked around curiously, and she had even forgotten that she was intoxicated on the dance floor.
She only remembered her father's hint to her after the banquet that day - and the so-called hint was actually nothing more than "His Royal Highness Colin is a good young man, both in his family and his conversation are impeccable."
Looking at his daughter who turned her back and refused to admit her fault, Andre felt dumbfounded for a moment.
"But... isn't this appropriate only if both people are happy? I can't force him."
"Who wants you to force him? I don't need your help. This is my own business!" Ophia turned her face to the side stubbornly, and muttered after a moment, "I won't give up."
She encouraged herself in her heart.
Come on Ophia! You are still young!
Even Baron Corsia can stand up from where he fell, let alone the noble Miss Castellon!
She may not have a chance of winning!
By the way, His Highness Colin seems to like magic?
Ophelia's eyes lit up, and she secretly made up her mind to ask her father to hire another teacher who was proficient in magic when she returned!
For nobles, it is very simple to learn things like extraordinary power.
It's a pity that poor Miss Castellon doesn't know how powerful her competitor is.
But it’s good not to know. If she knew, her fantasy about Roxey Colin would probably be shattered... After all, even that gentleman’s name was fake.
Andre smiled bitterly and shook his head.
He still doesn’t get involved in young people’s affairs.
At least, he can trust His Highness Colin's character, his behavior is more than polite, and he will never do anything to disgrace Ophelia.
Having a good impression of that gentleman is not a bad thing. It is better than being abducted by those young boys who appear out of nowhere.
In any case, the love between children is just an insignificant speck of dust in the face of family interests. His cooperation with His Highness Colin will not be affected in any way because of his daughter.
The first flights of the Knights Templar have departed.
As the helmsman of the Ossian Empire on the vast ocean, he must also be ready to welcome a new era of great navigation!