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Chapter 317: Lionheart King, Offering You the Sincerest Greetings
🕑 Added 2025-03-13 16:07:00 +0000 UTCViscount Constantine, whose youthful appearance matched his face composed of avian features, gave a gentle smile when he saw Charlot Mecklenburg and said, “Mr. Mecklenburg, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
“However, I am not the one who has something to say. Another gentleman wishes to meet with you.”
Charlot was slightly surprised. For someone to request Viscount Constantine to personally arrange a meeting, their status must be exceedingly high. Only then did Charlot notice the seven or eight other individuals present in the lounge. Apart from five Saint-ranked figures, there was also a man with high cheekbones and deep-set eyes that glowed an eerie blue. His every movement exuded an air of authority, making it obvious that he was someone of immense power and influence.
As for the others, their status was evidently inferior—for instance, Chloe Hadrian.
Charlot was convinced that the five Saint-ranked figures from Black Phoenix could not be the ones who required Viscount Constantine’s intercession. He directed his attention to the man with the distinctive features and said, “May I ask what business this gentleman has with me?”
The man smiled faintly and stood to give a courteous bow.
Charlot was slightly startled because this was a bow of etiquette belonging to the Lionheart Empire, distinct from the customs of Fars or Black Phoenix.
The man introduced himself, as expected: “I am Konro from the Lionheart Empire. I was originally tasked with a diplomatic mission to Black Phoenix, but I never imagined I would encounter you here. Due to the confidentiality of my position, I had to trouble Viscount Constantine to arrange this meeting.”
“Please allow me, on behalf of the current Lionheart King, to offer you the sincerest greetings.”
Charlot couldn’t help but be astonished. He quickly asked, “How does His Majesty Baldwin Asa know of me?”
Konro gave a small smile and explained, “His Majesty had the privilege of reading Lionheart King Charlie. He was delighted that someone would write such a comprehensive and historically respectful biography of Emperor Charlie. His Majesty has already ordered five hundred thousand copies from the publisher, to be distributed to every library in every country on the Old Continent, ensuring that this masterpiece is available in all corners of the land.”
“There are even plans to donate copies to libraries on the New Continent in the future.”
“My mission to Black Phoenix, like those of the other envoys, is entirely centered around you, Mr. Mecklenburg.”
Konro glanced at the Black Phoenix nobles present and continued, “His Majesty Baldwin Asa wishes that in the course of this war, no matter the circumstances on the battlefield, should you encounter Lord Mecklenburg, I ask that you spare his life.”
“The Lionheart Empire is willing to pay a considerable ransom for Lord Mecklenburg.”
“Similarly, His Majesty Baldwin Asa has made the same request on behalf of Miss Annie Bretagne.”
“I have obtained the consent of Emperor Yannis Hadrian and now humbly request the respect of the Lionheart Empire’s goodwill from all present.”
Charlot was genuinely caught off guard by this monumental “surprise” delivered by Konro.
He never anticipated that Princess May’s advice to extol Lionheart King Charlie in his new novel would yield such astonishing results.
However, the magnitude of this result was beyond belief.
Charlot hastily returned a bow and said, “I am overwhelmed by His Majesty Baldwin Asa’s kindness. Charlot Mecklenburg is at a loss for how to repay such grace.”
Konro smiled lightly and replied, “Simply writing excellent novels will suffice.”
“Furthermore, His Majesty Baldwin Asa deeply believes that Lord Mecklenburg’s ancestors were once citizens of the Lionheart Empire. Due to certain indescribable reasons, they relocated to Fars. Thus, His Majesty has restored your status as an official citizen of the Lionheart Empire.”
“I have with me the documentation to that effect.”
“All envoys have been instructed to carry this document. If fortunate enough to encounter you, they are to deliver it in person. If not, they must ensure its safe return.”
Charlot accepted the documents Konro handed over and found that there were two. Konro winked meaningfully and gave a knowing smile. Charlot thought, “Such a trivial matter as official citizenship is being treated with undue secrecy and pomp.” He tucked the documents into his coat, lingered briefly, relayed Earl Bretagne’s message, and then took his leave.
After all, this was the enemy’s military camp, and Charlot dared not overstay.
Moreover, the pressure of facing Viscount Constantine, the Black Phoenix Dynasty’s foremost expert, was no small matter.
Upon leaving Sedona City, Charlot breathed a sigh of relief. He pulled out the two documents and discovered that only one was addressed to him, while the other was intended for Annie Bretagne. Charlot refrained from opening Annie’s document and instead opened his own. To his astonishment, it was not a citizenship certificate but a decree personally signed by Baldwin Asa.
“Lord Charlot Mecklenburg, for your exceptional contributions and noble character, has rendered irreplaceable service to the Lionheart Empire. As such, you are hereby promoted to the rank of First-Class Counsellor of the Twenty-Fourth Order! Furthermore, you are appointed Literary Advisor to the Cold Spring Palace and Archivist of the Lionheart Palace.”
Holding the decree, Charlot felt his hands tremble slightly.
In the Fars Empire, he had been perpetually stuck at the rank of Fifth-Class Clerk in the Twenty-Fifth Order. Yet in Ingrima and the Lionheart Empire, he found himself ascending the bureaucratic ladder effortlessly. While the roles were not politically significant, they granted him regular access to the emperor and substantial influence in the political arenas of both empires.
Charlot mused to himself, “Perhaps I should write something for the founding emperor of Fars as well?”
He pondered deeply but could not settle on a suitable subject, so he temporarily set the idea aside.
However, he did consider adapting the classic works of La Dame aux Camélias’ author’s father, tailoring them to suit Earl Bretagne’s preferences. Naturally, he would need to revise certain details to avoid offending Fars’ most powerful figure.
Taking a deep breath, Charlot returned to the military camp and immediately sought an audience with Earl Bretagne.
The earl, to Charlot’s relief, neither embarrassed him nor refused to meet him. He invited Charlot into his temporary military carriage.
The carriage, an ordinary military model, was modestly furnished and slightly worn. After some thought, Charlot discreetly placed Dark Luxury and the decree on the small table inside the carriage and recounted the events of his visit to Sedona City in full detail.
Earl Bretagne said nothing at first. He picked up the decree, opened it, read it for a moment, and then smiled faintly. “Annie hasn’t even graduated, yet she already has a promising career.”
Charlot was tempted to ask what position Baldwin Asa had granted Annie and whether it came with political responsibilities. But before he could speak, Earl Bretagne said coldly, “The incidents from Seagull City must not happen again.”
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