"Slave trade?" Fang Plover asked unexpectedly.
Princess Rupert's tone was very calm: "To be precise, I want Mr. Ed to help me investigate a case related to slave smuggling."
Fang Yu blurted out: "Why us?"
He imagined that they were just a group of passers-by. They were not enemies of the princess, but they could not be said to be very close. At best, he helped her sister out of danger and unintentionally did her a favor.
Could it be that Her Royal Highness the Princess has no one she trusts around her, so it is unreasonable to entrust strange adventurers to handle such a matter.
But Princess Rupert took her time and replied:
"Because I can trust you."
"Can you trust it?"
Princess Rupert looked into his eyes, showing extraordinary calmness:
"On the one hand, Mr. Ed's words about blaming Afifa let me know that you will not be complicit in these people. But more importantly, you have no connection with Istannia."
Fang Yu was confused after hearing this, and it took him a while to realize: "What does this have to do with the slave smuggling case?"
The other party did not answer him directly.
At this time, Princess Rupert turned around and took a sheathed saber from the hand of the maid. The worn scabbard was covered with scratches and one end was inlaid with a red crystal. The other party gently stroked the knife with his hand, his eyes were soft and filled with memories, and he said:
"Let me tell you the history between Penelope's royal family and slave traders."
Fang Yu nodded blankly.
Her Royal Highness the Princess then spoke slowly:
"In my grandfather's generation, the Kingdom of Kaolin signed the "Stargate Declaration" with you. As members of the Kaolin-Ithurian Alliance, we, the dwarves, and the elves Avonquin also signed the contract at that time. Shortly afterwards , Istania completely banned the slave trade. And this is the origin of what my grandfather, father and I are doing——"
"Did Her Royal Highness the Princess say that the slave trade should be banned and slave traders and smugglers should be cracked down on?" Fang Pliant asked.
Princess Rupert glanced at him appreciatively, nodded, and asked: "Are you curious why three generations of Penelope's royal family insist on having trouble with the Istanian nobles, even if they break with everyone? The country of the desert is divided into two, and the situation is like water and fire, so we still want to carry out these meaningless things?"
Fang Yu thought for a moment and replied: "I don't think this is a meaningless thing."
Princess Rupert smiled softly: "That may be true for you, but it is meaningless to us. The gravel on the silver sand sea is like the sand in a huge hourglass. It will never There will be a day when it will be exhausted. Therefore, in the millennium of Istania, time has also moved forward slowly. This ancient kingdom has long been accustomed to an unchanging life, so the nobles will question, my grandfather, my father, Why must we turn this peaceful country upside down?"
There was a bright and determined light in her eyes: "Actually, not only the nobles, but also the common people sometimes do not stand on our side. It's funny to say that some people were not greatly affected by this turmoil, but they were just in the past. The people below are now on equal footing with them, making them resentful."
There was a moment of silence in the hall. The people sitting here were either too mature or too inexperienced. Tianlan and Ai Xiaoxiao's eyes sparkled when they heard this statement, looking incredulous.
Fang Yu wanted to say something, but couldn't say it for a while. He can understand such emotions, but he also feels disappointed. Some things in this world are just not as expected and cannot always be what people want. He thought for a moment and finally comforted the princess:
"These things you do today, but one day people will remember you."
Princess Rupert smiled, but it was not a smile that accepted his comfort, but a smile that showed some interest in Fang Plover's embarrassment. There was a hint of apology in her bright eyes before she answered with a smile:
"I'm sorry, Mr. Ed, you may have misunderstood something. I didn't expect such a thing. People who sit in the position of rulers are not qualified to flaunt their own morality, because that is generosity to others. And others They call my grandfather, father and I three generations of rebels in Penelope’s family, but do you know why my grandfather, father and I made this choice?”
This answer surprised Fang Yu. After being stunned for a moment, he couldn't help but shake his head.
"After the "Stargate Declaration" was signed, the Kaolin nobles praised your civilization and the novel pictures you showed, but in fact my family is the real beneficiary of that clause." Her Royal Highness the Princess stroked her saber with one hand. , while slowly speaking these words.
But she knew that Fang Yu would not understand, so she added: "The policy of banning the slave trade really caused an uproar in Istania. Several princes and local nobles almost unanimously opposed it, and there were also disagreements within the royal family. . At that time, the King of Sand was indecisive and in a dilemma. Only my grandfather stood firmly on your side, because he knew that when the voice of internal division in Istania became loud, the opportunity would come."
During the dinner, Sylvester showed an interesting look.
"Sure enough, Corin-Ithulian would not sit back and watch Istania fall into turmoil again. My grandfather, who received the help from the Corin royal family, soon became the successor of the previous King of Sand. Heir to the throne. So to this day, many people still don’t understand why my grandfather, father, and I insist on having our own way, but in fact it’s just because of our background and position.”
Princess Rupert stopped talking here: "Of course, it's not just that. After seeing enough tragedies, I also realized the blood and tears behind the slave trade. Now, my father and I have forgiven them for the past. But even so, there are still many people who secretly flout the laws of the kingdom, which must not be tolerated."
She looked at Fang Plover: "Mr. Ed, I am telling you this, firstly, to express my attitude. The ban on the slave trade was proposed by you. At this point, I am your natural ally. Secondly, it is for Afifah apologizes for her young and ignorant remarks, but she is essentially very kind-hearted and even more innocent and naive than me, my sister."
Fang Yu was silent for a long time before asking: "But this still doesn't explain what this has to do with us?"
The "Stargate Declaration" was signed by various governments, and the clause prohibiting slave trade was written into it. The Stargate Port should also be involved - in this era when commercialization is gradually penetrating into every corner of Aitalia, people are They become only concerned about their own interests, so this statement gradually has a considerable market.
But that's not what Fang Yu meant. He was just trying to figure out why the princess needed to rely on their identities.
Princess Rupert only slightly bent her eyes when she heard this, smiled politely and said:
"Please wait a moment while I show you something."
After saying that, she beckoned a lady to come to her, handed a box to the latter, and then ordered it to be delivered to Fang Plover.
Fang Plover looked at the box. The dark wooden box was only two feet long. The wood seemed to have experienced corrosion for a long time. The paint surface looked very mottled. The workmanship itself was also very rough. It was not like what he had seen before. The royal utensils used by Her Royal Highness the Princess are so exquisite.
At Princess Rupert's look, he opened the box and found several pages of parchment neatly packed inside. But only one or two of them are still intact, and most of the others are damaged and dry, as if they will break at any time.
There were some winding words and symbols written on the parchment. When he first looked at it, he felt a sense of familiarity in his heart. But when he took a closer look, he found that he didn't recognize the words and symbols on it. He just felt vague. Read the Book of Heaven.
Most of these words and symbols are mottled, and there is even mold on the corners of the parchment, making it even harder to see clearly. Behind the text on the first page, there are several sheets of parchment with pure patterns, a bit like some kind of magic circle, but completely different from alchemy.
Fang Plover checked it out, then raised his head and looked at the princess in confusion.
"This is Yuanhai's handwriting. Of course, it is not the original, but the handwritten text of later generations." Princess Rupert seemed to have anticipated his expression and answered.
When Fang Yu heard this, he was so frightened that he almost threw the box in his hand.
Since the Hall of Thousand Doors, he has specifically gone to learn about the 'No. 7 Prohibition'. The 'Seventh Prohibition' stipulates that the chosen ones are not allowed to have any contact with the cultists and cult organizations in Aitaria.
It is also not allowed to collect evil objects, summon evil gods, have any communication with the dark world (dark saints), or perform any burnt sacrifice rituals related to living creatures.
Among them, in the column of evil objects, the Yuanhai Scroll and its manuscripts were ranked first, and ranked third.
Fortunately, for some unknown reason, the ancient alchemy derived from the Abyssal Scroll is not prohibited. Otherwise, if he left the Hall of Thousand Doors, he would not dare to meet with the military.
"Why did your Royal Highness give me these?"
"Because it is incriminating evidence," Princess Rupert replied unhurriedly.
"Evidence of guilt?"
Princess Rupert gently pressed her hand on the saber:
"Not long ago, my guards rescued an escaped slave in Bargo. At that time, the slave was carrying this box. But of course it was not his, but something he had stolen from a group of slave traders - —
I just learned that there was a smuggling operation going on in Tansnir. The other party also told me that these slave traders were staying in Tansnir, where they met a group of mysterious people not long ago and received a batch of such boxes from them. I asked him to describe the appearance of those connectors, and coincidentally, I happened to know one of them. "
The thick smoke in the hall was slowly spreading, carrying a faint scent of incense. Princess Rupert paused for just the right moment:
"About a year ago, a group of sand pirates attacked the Fantasy Garden located in the silver sand sea..."
She changed the topic and talked about something with a longer timeline.
The Garden of Fantasy is the garden of the Royal Family of Penelope, where the Star Flower, which can brew the original solution of 'gin', is planted. Some secrets of the Royal Family of Penelope are also kept there, and it has always been the most confidential place of the Royal Family.
Due to the quicksand, the location of the Garden of Fantasy in the sea of silver sand changes every year, and only the Penelope royal family knows the rules.
Therefore, in the entire Istania, only a handful of people know its true location in the desert.
"...So I have always believed that the attack on the Fantasy Garden was not a coincidence. It was that someone in the royal court betrayed me and my father. This person may even be someone close to us."
Princess Rupert's tone suddenly became much lower, with a hint of calmness:
"The attackers at that time, the leader of whom was named Mahazar-Ishf, was the most notorious thief in this desert. And he also appeared in this confrontation with the slave traders. In the middle of the meeting. And by the time I led the people back to Tansnir, those slave traders had indeed disappeared without a trace."
After listening to this, Fang Yu finally understood what the princess meant.
The eldest princess of Istani apparently suspected that someone in the royal family was colluding with Mahazar-Ishf, which was why the Garden of Fantasy was attacked. And this so-called 'slave trade' case became not so simple because of the appearance of the sand bandit leader. There might be someone from the royal family involved behind it.
That's why she sought help from people outside Istania.
And it is not difficult to understand what the other party said before. They are outsiders who have nothing to do with Istania. On the one hand, they also show hostility to the slave trade. They are the best candidates in the eyes of the princess.
This task is actually not simple. But the conditions offered by the eldest princess were equally generous - the opportunity to use the royal shipyard to build the Seven Seas Traveler was really rare.
It's just that he still had some detailed questions. Fang Yu was about to ask, but the other party answered first:
"Besides, does Mr. Ed know the identity of that slave?"
Fang Yu was startled, how could he know such a thing?
However, the princess obviously would not take pleasure in him at this time, which meant that he must know the identity of the slave. He couldn't help but think about it silently - first of all, the other party would definitely not be the chosen one, but could only be an aborigine. Among the indigenous people, the Kaolin people and the residents of other places are unlikely to become slaves. Don't forget that this is a world that can be resurrected. Moreover, no matter how bold the slave traders are, there is no need to offend something bigger than Istania. Kingdom of Kaolin.
So after excluding these two possibilities, only the locals of Istania are left. But he didn't know many natives of Istania, and most of them were unlikely to be slaves.
The only one who has anything to do with it is Pasha. When he thought of Pasha, an idea flashed in his mind.
He raised his head and said, "Could it be that the blood shark stole the person?"
Although the Blood Shark Air Pirates were completely defeated in Idos, some of them were rescued by the descendants of Flor. But some of the people they abducted from other areas had not yet arrived in Idos - after hearing that the excavation work had failed, these people mysteriously disappeared.
If the only thing that has anything to do with me is probably this.
After hearing his answer, Princess Rupert couldn't help but shine with admiration in her eyes:
"Mr. Ed seems to be not only accomplished in alchemy, but also extremely clear-headed. This makes me more confident."
She nodded again:
"Indeed, these slaves should come from the hands of the Blood Shark Air Pirates. However, it is still unclear what the connection between those slave merchants and the Blood Shark Air Pirates is. However, I also found out about another thing - "
"I would like to hear the details." Fang Yu said in a deep voice.
It has to be said that if this matter has anything to do with the Blood Shark Air Pirates, then they must not just sit idly by and ignore it.
During the Battle of Idus, the Wanderer was seriously injured and escaped, and Luo Lin also disappeared without a trace. The only ones who were related to the two and could still be found were probably these Blood Shark Air Pirates. . Although the possibility of these people knowing the whereabouts of the Wanderer is very slim, the Wanderer should be at his weakest at this moment, so no matter how small the opportunity is, he cannot let it go easily.
In addition, the Blood Shark Pirates must also be connected to the Dragon Worship Cult. Whether it is for their own reasons or a commission from the military, he will not ignore any information related to the Dragon Worship Cult.
In fact, he instinctively felt that there might be the shadow of the Dragon Worship Cult behind this matter. When the slave mentioned that the Sand Pirates were meeting with the slave traders and handed over a batch of manuscripts of the Yuanhai Scroll, he already had such a hunch in his heart. .
Princess Rupert thought for a moment before saying: "I don't know if this matter has anything to do with Mr. Ed, but those people seemed to have mentioned that they seemed to be looking for clues about the 'Obelisk' in the manuscript. .”
Fang Yu was lowering his head and thinking, but when he heard this, he couldn't help but feel a thump in his heart.
Not long ago, Tang De and Karatu discussed with him about the elven holy objects. Among them, the obelisk pointing to the Holy Grail is an important clue.
But he didn't expect that just a few weeks later, he would encounter such a thing again.
He immediately raised his head and said to Princess Rupert: "I have a request."
"Please say."
"I want to see the escaped slave."
…
When leaving the manor.
Everyone was also discussing about the famous sand pirate 'Mahazar-Ishf'. In fact, this person himself is not an unknown person. They had heard about him long before this.
After all, he is one of the most famous thieves in Istania. He has been in the silver sand sea for more than ten years, and there is no way he will remain unknown.
Just like all legendary gangsters, the other party also gathered a group of extremely vicious gangsters, who came and went like the wind on the sand sea, and even escaped from the royal guards several times.
It is naturally impossible for them to deal with such a legendary figure. But fortunately, their mission is only to investigate the whereabouts of those slave traders.
But it's time to board the 'Bergo' again.
Sylvide suddenly turned around and asked him with a smile: "Captain, do you believe that the princess just asked us to investigate the whereabouts of the slave traders?"
When Fang Yu heard this, he was silent for a moment and shook his head.
The eldest princess doesn't seem to be such a simple person. Is her purpose really just to investigate a slave trade case? Then why did the other party bring up the matter about the wandering alchemist intentionally or unintentionally?
There was also the Fantasy Garden attack a year ago, which all showed that this task was not simple.
But since he agreed, of course he also had his own considerations.
…
