The Holy Man of Another Century Gospel

Chapter 230 Hourly Fries
As Eric and his companions followed the widow Liliana downstairs, they encountered her mother, the wife of Governor Austin.

After the greetings, the Governor's wife reminded her daughter that there would be a banquet that evening to welcome the Grand Princess and Her Highness the Holy Maiden, and that she should not keep them too long.

Eric and Natalia both understood that this was actually a reminder to them.

To avoid attracting too much attention, the group walked without guards to the western city wall built along the coastal cliffs.

Leaving the governor's mansion and walking through Sunset City, Eric looked around, comparing the differences between reality and the game scene in his mind.

The recurring sound of ocean waves in the game's background might not be as clear in reality because of the distance; instead, you'd hear more of the shouts of merchants in the city.

Eric walked on the stone-paved road, which was hard and flat, but he always felt that if he exerted too much force, water would seep out—the air by the sea was too humid.

“The south side of the city connects to the harbor. After we finish watching the sunset in the west side, we can go there to see the port. It’s very lively.” Liliana walked forward, occasionally turning back to observe their expressions.

“Your mother seemed to have mentioned there would be a banquet tonight,” Natalia reminded her.

"The more important a person is, the later they need to appear, right?"

Liliana didn't take it seriously. "Let those people wait. Your Highness and Your Highness can come after dark. No one will dare to say anything then."

“We’re not here to put on airs, Miss Austin,” Eric said. “We’re hoping to use this opportunity to meet some of the nobles or wealthy businessmen here.”

Liliana looked at the two of them. "Well, you two have had a tough time. This is only your first day in Sunset City."

“Not really for our trip,” Eric said, adding, “but Sunset City is bigger and more bustling than I thought, and I really want to explore every corner of it when I have some free time.”

Liliana smiled. "I can accompany Your Highness."

Natalia glanced at her.

"No one knows Sunset City better than me. Before I got married, I rarely stayed in the governor's mansion. I preferred to go to the port to watch the big ships depart or enter the port... Sigh, how did I end up marrying into a place where you can't see the sea for hundreds of miles around!"

Eric had heard a lot from her during this period of time, including about the marriage, which was arranged by her father, the governor.

Although her husband's family territory was inland, he was good-looking, the future heir, and treated her quite well. For a while after they got married, she felt very happy.

The problem is, her husband is dead.

All the problems that could previously be concealed by the couple's love are now laid bare before her, and she has a high probability that she will not be able to decide her own fate.

“If Father insists on making me go back there… I want to have the child and then run away. Sigh, am I being too willful? But the child will live well even without a mother; the Marquis of Rodney will surely spoil him rotten.”

"That is assuming you're carrying a son," Eric said. "If it's a girl, with her father dead and her mother gone, her fate will likely take a completely different turn."

Liliana frowned immediately and fell silent.

Natalia glanced at her again, her thoughts shifting to something else.

“We’re almost there,” Kasha said.

The group looked up and realized they had unknowingly walked to the foot of the city wall.

On the other side, right next to the cliff, there is no city gate on the western section of the city wall. Rather than a defensive fortification, it is more like a viewing platform where you can watch the sea, the sunset, or the towering waves that crash against the rock face and shatter into pieces.

"Here we are."

Liliana composed herself and smiled again, "When you see the sunset over the sea, I guarantee you'll be amazed."

She climbed the steps first, humming as she ran up, lifting her skirt.

Eric shook his head and muttered, "He's just a child who hasn't grown up..."

“She’s three years older than you, Your Highness,” Natalia reminded her.

“Do I look like her brother?” Eric also walked towards the city wall.

Natalia smiled and then shook her head.

Eric glanced back at Kasha, who was also two years older than him, but the actual impression seemed to be the opposite.

Once you climb the city wall, your view suddenly opens up.

Liliana was already waiting for them on the other side, waving continuously, "Come over here, look how high the cliffs are down there!"

The three of them came to the other side of the city wall and looked down.

Below the high wall is a steep, smooth cliff. The two seem to be naturally integrated. At least when looking down from above, there is no clear boundary line. Especially after so many years of wind and rain, mottled marks have long covered it.

Wow - Wow -

Here, the sound of the waves crashing against the cliffs is clearer than anywhere else, never stopping. It seems that every wave sounds the same, but in reality, there are differences.

"ocean……"

Kasha leaned against the city wall, gazing intently at the boundless expanse of water before him.

“This is also the first time I’ve seen the ocean outside the North.” Natalia looked down. “The seawater here should never freeze.”

“No, Your Highness,” Eric said from the side.

Natalia raised her gaze and looked into the distance. "Is this the end of the continent...? Could there be another continent on the other side of the ocean?"

“Gaia is the only giant landmass in the endless sea,” Eric said with certainty.

Natalia looked at him. "Because that's what the holy scriptures say?"

That's how it's set up in the game, Eric thought to himself.

“The sailors’ words are more convincing.” Eric gestured to Liliana on the other side. “If you don’t believe me, ask Miss Austin. Have the sailors discovered any other continents?”

“No.” Liliana quickly shook her head. “I’ve heard many rumors over at the port, but they all talk about how dangerous the open ocean is. No one has ever discovered the other side of the continent. At least west of Sunset City, there aren’t even any islands.”

Natalia nodded slowly, then asked, "How far can ships venture into the ocean?"

"They kept heading west, going deeper into the region for over a year?"

Liliana wasn't sure either. "No one but explorers would do something so pointless. The merfolk say there's no other continent."

"Are there many merfolk here?" Eric asked. "I haven't seen any yet."

"So many, so many! There are so many fishmen doing hard labor over at the port... Ah—"

Liliana suddenly screamed, startling Eric and Natalia.

She pointed behind the two of them, and Eric turned around to see Kasha had just jumped off the city wall.

"Kasha!"

A cold sweat broke out on his body instantly. He leaned over and looked down. Kasha suddenly transformed into a bird in mid-air, soaring straight into the sea against the sea breeze. Just as he was about to crash into the sea, he suddenly lifted up, drawing an elegant arc.

"..."

The three people on the city wall breathed a sigh of relief and looked at each other.

“Miss Kasha…you’re really bold.” Seeing Natalia’s hesitant expression, Eric guessed that she really wanted to say more than that.

"For those who have mastered the ability of shapeshifting animals, it may be just like ordinary people running to eat or rushing to the toilet; it's just instinct."

Natalia glanced at him and then nodded. "Thank you, Your Highness. I can understand Miss Kasha's thoughts a little better now."

"I was just talking nonsense."

"..."

Kasha flew close to the sea for a while, then flew back, only to suddenly rise up at the foot of the cliff and fly back to the city wall, where she transformed back into human form beside Eric.

“You scared me to death, Miss Kasha.” Liliana patted her chest and said, but her face showed more envy. “You druids are amazing. You can fly whenever you want. I wish I could fly too.”

“Even for druids, transforming into flying animals requires extensive training,” Eric cautioned.

"Ok."

Eric then looked at Kasha, "Remember to say hello first next time."

"Oh." Kasha nodded, then looked at the sea, seemingly savoring the flight she had just experienced.

It was already quite late when they arrived at Sunset City. They stood on the city wall for a while longer, watching the sun sink lower and lower, gradually approaching the sea, and the entire sky was a brilliant golden-red color.

Eric noticed that there were many more people on the city wall, all of whom seemed to be there to watch the sunset.

Countless seabirds flew against the wind, their white bodies turning black the instant they passed through the setting sun, like black nails embedded in an oil painting called "Sunset".

A golden road emerged from the sea, connecting to the dazzling golden wheel that seemed to be at the end of the world. The sun sank lower and lower until it irrevocably and completely disappeared beneath the surface of the sea.

The seabirds continued their flight, even soaring onto the city walls and flying over the heads of those watching the sunset.

The sea breeze seemed to bring a touch more coolness than before sunset.

After taking one last look at the sky gradually turning dark red, Eric said, "Now that we've seen it all, let's go back to the Governor's Mansion."

"Are we really not going to the harbor?" Liliana asked.

A seabird flew past Natalia's head, and she lowered her head. Eric watched and followed it for a while, but the dead bird made no attempt to bother her again.

"Let's go again sometime. I'm hungry, I'll get some fries when I get back."

"French fries?" "Don't you have any here?"

"never heard of that……"

"That's a shame."

After coming down from the city wall, they found the governor's carriage waiting below, having arrived at some unknown time.

"This will save us the trouble of rushing back."

After boarding the carriage and returning to the Governor's Mansion, I found that many celebrities had already arrived in the courtyard to attend the banquet.

Eric and Natalia had to change their clothes first. After returning to their room, Eric changed into a formal suit without the help of a maid. Then he heard Natalia calling to him from the small door connecting their rooms.

"Your Highness, are you alright?"

"All right."

Natalia pushed open the door and came in. "Let's go downstairs."

“Hmm.” Eric glanced at the barrier leaning against the side, and the two of them went down together.

Kasha didn't come up with them. Led by Liliana, she found a place to sit. There were all kinds of delicious food and plenty of fine wine to drink, so she had no worries about food and drink.

Eric waved in her direction from afar, and then he and Natalia strolled around the courtyard of the governor's mansion, waiting for someone with a keen eye to come up and greet them.

Such people appeared very quickly.

"Your Highness, Grand Princess Natalia, I never expected to meet you here. Please allow me to offer you my sincerest greetings."

Natalia stopped and smiled at the middle-aged nobleman who had appeared beside her, nodding to him.

Eric also stopped, and the two looked at each other, neither of them recognizing the man.

Fortunately, the other party quickly introduced themselves.

“I am Cooper of the Cornwall family. Your Highness, it is an honor to meet you.”

"So he's the heir to the Marquis of Cornwall..."

After having a drink and chatting for a while, the Marquis of Cornwall's heir left, and another earl came over to greet the two.

When the host of the banquet, Governor Austin, arrived, he introduced the two to many nobles and wealthy merchants.

With the intention of getting to know each other first and then talking about money, Eric and Natalia didn't plan to discuss supporting the front lines today. They wanted to get to know each other first, but someone still asked them.

Soon, the two realized that the other party had not come with good intentions.

"Your Highnesses, news of the ceasefire at the front reached Sunset City several days ago. The demons want to negotiate with us."

Eric glanced at the waiter beside him, who immediately handed him a full glass of wine. "Thank you. And then?"

The second half of the sentence is a response to the nobleman.

“I’ve heard about some of the conditions for the peace talks, one of which is that recruitment at the front must be stopped immediately. It’s precisely because the two princes have been lobbying from the rear that the peace talks at the front have been stalled,” the man continued.

Eric glanced at the wine glass in his hand, then at his face.

"Too many? The moon hasn't even come out yet."

"What did your Highness say?"

Eric took a sip of his drink. "You mean, as long as we stop supporting the front lines, the demons will obediently cease hostilities and stop invading us?"

He nodded, swirling the empty wine glass in his hand. "The Demon Clan has already shown their sincerity, even returning the remains of the late Emperor and Empress and Prince Charles. Shouldn't we also make some concessions?"

Natalia's expression changed, and Eric grabbed her arm and looked around carefully.

"Who is Your Highness looking for?" the man asked again.

"I'm wondering if you were sent here to cause trouble, or if you're just an idiot to begin with."

"..."

Eric's gaze returned to his face. "What did you say your name was again, Jarvis? Which family are you from?"

“The Marquis Beecham is my father,” the man said proudly.

"So what you just said, was it your father's idea?" Eric asked.

"No, it's my own idea."

"That's good." Eric nodded. "Go home and let your father teach you a lesson before you come out to attend the adults' banquets."

Jarvis's expression changed, "You..."

"What?" Eric leaned closer. "Are you going to curse me? Or hit me? Even your father would have to kowtow and call me 'Your Highness' if he saw me. You can go home and ask him now if you don't believe me."

"..."

Jarvis stared at him for a while with a stern face, not daring to retort, then turned and squeezed out of the crowd.

"Your Highness..."

Natalia clinked glasses with him and glanced at his face. She could tell that he had been quite restrained.

“I haven’t seen anyone paying particular attention to this area. This kid might just be stupid,” Eric said in a low voice. “Of course, we can’t rule out the possibility that this is just an initial probe by someone with ulterior motives.”

Natalia frowned and nodded, but couldn't help asking, "What's the motive? Is it just that you don't want to pay? You could have just refused us."

“Perhaps his status and position prevented him from remaining indifferent to the fighting on the front lines,” Eric said.

Almost simultaneously, a name popped into their minds. They exchanged a glance, then looked at Governor Austin, who was catching up with other nobles.

“I hope it’s not him,” Eric whispered. “I quite like his little daughter.”

Natalia immediately looked at him again.

"...I mean as a friend. I have no interest in widows."

Natalia looked away. "Your Highness is overthinking it. I didn't say anything."

Eric was helpless.

The discordant voices were merely a brief interlude at the banquet, but they made the two of them more vigilant afterward.

They came all the way from Lutia, and even without mentioning it, many people already knew their purpose. If they talked for a while, it would be hard for the conversation not to veer in that direction.

Many of them had already drunk too much, and as they chatted, their words became somewhat inappropriate. Fortunately, no one else appeared like the Marquis Beecham's son.

“Of course I can feel your deep sorrow.” Eric helped up a middle-aged nobleman who couldn’t stop leaning against him. “In a few days, I’ll come to your residence and discuss with you in detail the matter of personally going to the battlefield to eliminate the demons, how about that?”

"Okay, no problem! It would be best if you came tomorrow!"

"Tomorrow won't work. We have appointments with Earl Campbell and Marquis Gerald, and we need to visit them tomorrow."

"Hmph... Gerald, he's all talk. His Highness should be satisfied with just a hundred gold coins to support the front lines."

Eric smiled, "Even the smallest act of support is a contribution. The empire is vast; with each contribution accumulated, what is there to fear from the demons?"

The middle-aged nobleman nodded emphatically and gripped his wrist tightly.

“I’m afraid someone might interfere. Marquis Astrid, have you heard anything?” Eric asked, looking at him.

The Marquis of Astrid seemed to think for a moment, then shook his head.

Eric didn't ask any further questions. He glanced at Natalia, who was chatting with another nobleman, and then looked away. "Then it's arranged. Princess Natalia and I will visit you in a few days."

"come on!"

By the time the excitement subsided and the banquet ended, it was already late at night.

Kasha went upstairs to rest early, and Eric and Natalia also returned to their room to first compile the list of nobles they had arranged to meet that day.

"...Oh, right, there's also Marquis Astrid. I feel he's very sincere, so we can schedule the visit earlier."

“Hmm.” Natalia, sitting at her desk, nodded, wrote down her name, and then drew three lines after it.

Eric leaned against her and watched, his gaze following her leaning forward, unconsciously drifting down to below her neckline.

When he was transferred back, Natalia was looking at him.

"..."

Eric glanced at the list in front of her without making a sound.

"...I have an idea."

"what?"

"I'm still writing, no, I'm still thinking about it."

(End of this chapter)