As the most prosperous city in the North and a well-known port in the Crescent Kingdom, Beigang is always so lively and busy.
However, Beigang today is even worse than before.
In the port facing the Xingyue Strait, one sailing ship after another sailed from the north and south, slowly docking at the deep-water dock of North Port. These sailing ships were large and small, including the most common two-masted sails, and some that had only been launched in recent years. The gradually rising Carrick barque.
Different from the sailing ships that usually conduct maritime trade, each of them hangs a variety of flags. The flags depict more elaborate and complicated emblems, and many of them are directly engraved on the canvas.
Those are the coats of arms of the nobility, and each coat of arms represents a noble family.
The Castel Bridge, the only direct passage from the mainland of the peninsula to North Port, was also busy. Gorgeous horse-drawn carriages gathered from all directions and drove towards North Port, and there was even a spectacle of traffic jam.
Like the sailing ships in the harbor, these carriages all had elaborate coats of arms painted on their sides, each representing a noble family.
Beigang City guards wearing uniform chainmail had already lined up on both sides of the bridge, guarding from the mainland all the way to Beigang City, maintaining order.
Looking at the coats of arms that are rarely seen on weekdays, but whose names are well-known in the Northland, the caravans entering and leaving North Port had to make way to both sides, allowing these carriages to be driven by barons or even viscounts. Go in first.
The passers-by and merchants passing by all cast curious glances at the carriages of noble nobles, and there were many comments and complaints:
"Damn it! What's going on today? It's not the Pioneer Day, so why are so many nobles here? We're still in a hurry to load the goods at the dock!"
"Loading? I'm afraid you have to wait until tomorrow. Beigang is very busy today. I heard that a banquet will be held at the Earl's Mansion, and the Earl will summon all the nobles in the territory."
"All the nobles?! No wonder! I said I just saw a carriage coming to the Gliss family! And it was escorted by their armored knights!"
"Hey, Len Castel's carriage is here too. It entered the city a quarter of an hour ago."
"Ren Castel? So two of the three viscounts have already arrived? What about the Romain-Fol family?"
"I don't know about that. They never participate in events at the Earl's Palace. Who knows if they will come, but... I heard that someone saw a black Carrick sailboat in the outer harbor. It looks like it belongs to their family."
"Damn it! If I had known that Castres Bridge was so blocked, we would have taken a boat into the harbor!"
"Then I'm afraid you won't be disappointed. The port is even more congested. I heard that many cargo ships have to anchor outside the port because there are not enough berths. Don't forget, the most important thing for the nobles of Castel is ships. As you can imagine Yes, people have thought of it a long time ago."
"Shit! Can't these nobles arrive a few days in advance?"
The caravans complained, but the rulers of Castel had no choice but to give way.
As the source of all evil in this great congestion and the center of it all, the Earl's Palace of Castres was also bustling with activity.
Carriages and long boats coming from all directions gathered here.
The long boat docked at the waterway berth of the Earl's Mansion, while the carriage entered the square on the side of the mansion, led by a deacon in black and white clothing.
The nobles in gorgeous clothes disembarked and got off the bus under the service of servants. Their eyes swept over each other's family coat of arms and greeted each other with smiles.
Either elegant and reserved, flattering and ingratiating, tit-for-tat, or hiding a knife behind a smile.
Everything depends on the family status and past relationships of both parties.
However, whether they are the arrogant "big nobles" or the cautious nouveau riche, the moment they step into the gate of the Earl's Mansion and face the greeting deacon of the Earl's Mansion, they will put on an elegant and decent smile. Show respect to Castells wherever possible.
Madoc Oran stood in front of the Earl's Palace.
The mayor of Northport personally took over the responsibilities of the steward of the Earl's Mansion, put on a Castel butler uniform, and commanded the Earl with a smile.
The deacons and maids of the palace guided the nobles attending the banquet.
Suddenly, a gorgeous carriage drove slowly forward surrounded by knights. The leader was the Baron of Chalon who was escorting Charlotte north.
Seeing the cross-cut family emblem with a black eagle and a silver shield painted on the side of the carriage, some minor nobles voluntarily moved out of the way. Madoc, the mayor of Beigang, was also in high spirits. He personally greeted him with a smile on his face. Even more so.
At the same time, a young male nobleman in fine clothes jumped out of the carriage, then turned around and helped an elderly nobleman get out of the carriage.
Seeing the old nobleman, Madoc took a step forward. He first nodded to the already familiar Baron of Chalon, then saluted the old nobleman and said respectfully:
"Your Majesty, Viscount Leon Castell, welcome to North Port. You have had a hard journey along the way."
Then, he looked at the young nobleman beside him and said with a smile:
"This is your eldest grandson, Lord Derek. I heard that he is already a Knight of Stars at a young age, and I am afraid he will be a Silver Moon in the future."
After listening to Madoc's words, the young male noble was obviously very impressed and even straightened his waist a little.
The old nobleman smiled gently, shook his head and said:
"Him? He's still far from it. He's already twenty years old and still rough. It would be great if he can take over the important responsibilities of Len Castel."
"You are being modest. I heard that Lord Derek has already become a Knight of Stars at the age of eighteen. He is extremely talented in sword skills. It will definitely be no problem for him to become Silver Moon like you in the future."
Madoc laughed.
The old nobleman smiled, shook his head and said:
"If we really talk about talent, the Earl is the most powerful. I heard Sharon say that the Earl was already a star when he was not yet an adult, and it seems that he has awakened to become a star. The Earl is the real genius!"
As he said that, the old nobleman asked curiously:
"Sir Madoc, I heard that the truth about the depletion of mithril has been found out in the mine? Is someone secretly controlling the workshop? What is going on?"
"As you know, we in Lenland are in the south. Although we have the dividend rights of the mine, we have never been very involved in the management of the workshop. We only have a marginal steward."
After finishing speaking, the old noble looked a little solemn:
"Such a big thing has been hidden for so long. It's not simple behind the scenes..."
Beigang Mayor Maddock sighed:
"Yes, I see that the Earl has been in a bad mood these past few days after he came back from the workshop. I'm afraid things are more complicated than imagined, but...the Earl didn't tell me the specifics, so I don't Very clear."
As he spoke, he smiled again:
"However, if you have anything you want to know, maybe you can ask the Earl directly. Len Castel and the Earl's Mansion are one and the same. They are all one family."
The old nobleman sighed:
"Speaking of the Earl, I feel deeply ashamed. If I had known that the Earl had gone through so many difficulties at Castel Manor, I should not have come back in the first place. I should have been with you all the time."
After hearing what the old noble said, the young noble on the side couldn't help but said:
"Grandpa, there is nothing we can do about it. Who would have thought that Mrs. Yin Laina would turn into a blood demon."
"As for the silver mine... In my opinion, it must have something to do with the Laglis family. After all, their fiefdom is closest to the Silver Mining City. I heard that when the Earl was reorganizing the mining workshop a few days ago, Laglis The steward of the Si family is still talking back to the Earl!"
After hearing what his eldest grandson said, the old nobleman frowned slightly, seeming to be a little dissatisfied with his interruption.
But the next moment, along with a chuckle, a lazy female voice came from behind them:
"Oh? The Len-Castle family is pretty well informed, isn't it? It seems like they don't know anything about the mine!"
Hearing this voice, Madoc's eyes twitched. He looked up and saw a gorgeous girl in a cocktail dress gracefully stepping out of the carriage and walking over under the escort of armored knights.
she
On the turbulent chest, there is a silver badge with a picture of a fire dragon on it.
Recognizing the girl's identity, Madoc quickly saluted again:
"Lord Viscount Laglis, welcome to North Port."
The girl nodded slightly to Madoc, then glanced at the young noble Derek, and said to Viscount Leon Castell:
"Your Excellency Amory, you'd better take good care of your heir. I, Laura de Leglis, have a clear conscience about the Castel Silver Mine, and the honor of our coming to the Gliese family does not allow us to do so." Being so slandered!"
"To have such an ungrateful successor, to be honest, I'm really worried about Len Castel's future."
After hearing the girl's words, the old nobleman frowned slightly, while Derek snorted and said:
"Come to the Glis family to support your troops and respect yourself. Castel is well known. Who knows what role you played in the mining workshop?"
As he spoke, he glanced at the girl contemptuously:
"The Laiglisi family, which once dominated the Star-Moon War, now only has one woman in power. It seems that the Laiglisi family is really going to decline."
After hearing Derek's words, the gorgeous girl's expression changed slightly.
But soon, she chuckled again and said to Maddock, the mayor of Beigang on the side:
"Mr. Madoc, have you seen this? The Leon-Castle family looks down on our Earl from the bottom of their hearts. They seem to have forgotten that our Earl is also an outstanding woman!"
After saying that, the girl raised her head again and said to the nobles around her:
"Did everyone hear this? The Len-Castle family looks down on female nobles!"
After hearing what the girl said, the nobles passing by looked strange and started talking about it.
Derek's expression changed and he said in a panic:
"No, I'm not...I didn't!"
"enough!"
Old Viscount Leon Castells glared at him dissatisfied, and then said calmly to the girl:
"Your Excellency Laura, we don't need you to worry about Len Castel's affairs. You should think carefully about how to meet the Earl's wrath."
As he spoke, he gave the girl a meaningful look:
"Although Derek is a little reckless, he has a good saying. In terms of influence, except for the Earl's Palace, no one in the Castel Mining Workshop can match Gliss."
The pretty girl's expression changed slightly.
However, she quickly recovered her smile and said tit for tat:
"That being said, I'm also very curious. The Len-Castle family used to be the leader of the mine investigation team. Why didn't they discover that the mithril depletion was a fabrication?"
As she spoke, she narrowed her eyes:
"Or... Or maybe Len Castel, who always prides himself on being loyal, has actually turned against him a long time ago?"
After hearing these words, the old noble finally became angry:
"presumptuous!"
The powerful coercion belonging to Silver Moon spread, causing Madoc on the side to stagger and almost fall down.
However, the girl Laura snorted lightly, and her body also emitted a powerful aura, confronting the old Viscount tit for tat.
"Silver Moon?"
Viscount Len Castel glanced at Laura in surprise, then slowly put away his breath, his eyes were a little incomprehensible:
"I didn't expect Laura to become Silver Moon quietly. I'm really curious about how this was done. After all... If I remember correctly, Laura became a star only three years ago. thing."
"Hmph, you don't need to worry about this, old man."
The girl's eyes flickered slightly and she said coldly.
The two viscounts, one old and one young, were facing each other tit for tat, and the smell of gunpowder became stronger and stronger.
Madoc, who was watching on the sidelines, felt dizzy.
Further away, other nobles had already escaped and took a detour into the Earl's Mansion.
The Leon-Castle family and the Leglis family are originally Kas.
The second of the three most powerful families in the Steer Territory, they can't afford to offend them and can afford to hide.
The two families, one in the south and the other in the north, guarded two sides, and had always been at odds with each other. It was a well-known fact in the earldom.
And just as the two viscounts were confronting each other, another commotion came from the waterway anchorage of the Earl's Mansion.
A long boat came slowly, and an elderly man boarded the water bank surrounded by several swordsmen in black.
The old man was also dressed in black robes and leaning on a cane. He looked drowsy, but his gray hair was meticulously taken care of.
Seeing the old man, other nobles subconsciously moved out of the way, and some further away fell into discussions:
"It's the Roman-Fol family! They're here too!"
"Didn't Viscount Romain Foul always have a delicate relationship with the Earl's Mansion because of the Star-Moon War?"
"Who knows, after all, that is in the past. Maybe the count has changed and they want to ease the relationship with the Castel family."
"Really? But I heard that Duke Roman of the Fallen Star Kingdom has been wooing them. After all... they are a branch of the Roman family. If you really want to count, they are related to the Fallen Star royal family."
"Hush, don't talk about this. Don't worry, the Roman-Fol family's privateers will burn your caravan..."
The nobles talked in low voices, and the sleepy old man also came to the Earl's Mansion.
Looking at the pale old man, Madoc suddenly felt pressured. He forced himself to salute and said respectfully:
"Ro...Mr. Viscount Romain-Four, welcome to North Port."
Viscount Romain-Fol nodded slightly but did not say anything.
He didn't even look at the Len-Castell family and the Leglis family, but walked into the Earl's Mansion.
Viscount Len-Castell and Countess Leglis looked at each other, snorted softly, and stopped confronting each other. Instead, they took the same steps and entered the Earl's Mansion.
Seeing this, the other nobles also breathed a sigh of relief and filed in one after another.
In the years when Earl of Castel was away, the three viscounts were the most influential forces in Castel. Any one of them was a person that the nobles present needed to look up to.
At this point, all three viscounts from the Earl of Castells have arrived.
