Mystery: The Last Shepherd

Chapter 211 Sofia Einhorn

"Princess Fussac?"

Audrey then showed a curious expression.

The Fusak Empire is located in the cold northernmost part of the continent, with a large territory. It borders Intis to the west and the Kingdom of Rune to the east. This country reveres military might and has only one faith—the God of War. Due to territorial disputes and other issues, the country and Rune are constantly at odds in political, military, and economic matters.

In the Loen people, it is generally believed that although Intis is unrestrained and immoral, it is at least a civilized country; while the Fusak to the north is rude and barbaric, and is a completely uncivilized people.

Unexpectedly, under these circumstances, a princess from Fussac actually visited.

"Yes."

Grynt laughed, "Audrey, do you remember our dispute with Fussack over interests in East Bayron six months ago?"

"That's what happened."

Audrey recalled seeing similar information in the newspaper and hearing it from her father and brother's conversations.

Due to competition for markets to dump goods and sources of raw materials, the two nations of Loen and Fusak engaged in a long and low-intensity military skirmish in East Byron on the southern continent. While it didn't escalate into war, the atmosphere was far from harmonious.

"So, was that dispute resolved?"

She asked.

"It's almost resolved, thanks to our valiant 'Knights of Punishment'."

Her other mystical friend, Murray, puffed out his chest with pride. "You've been under house arrest all this time, so you probably don't know. They fought fiercely in the recent military clashes, defeating the Fussack 'Twilight Army,' which outnumbered them several times over, forcing Fussack back to the negotiating table. Sure enough, for these barbarians, only fists are the only logic they understand."

"Were our casualties high?"

Audrey asked with concern.

"It's regrettable that dozens of brave soldiers lost their lives in the battle," Murray said, shaking his head. "Such sacrifices are truly heartbreaking, but to be honest, the number is acceptable. The casualties among the auxiliary forces, however, were considerable."

To put it bluntly, it was a battle between two major powers, using their colonies as a chessboard, for control of their interests. They naturally didn't care about the lives of the local people.

Lu Ze sneered inwardly from the shadows.

I have a feeling that this kind of thing has happened frequently in the history of my previous life.

"So that's why Princess Fussac came to visit?"

Audrey understood.

"Yes."

Murray nodded. "Frsac sent a delegation to Backlund, ostensibly to say that the princess wanted to come to Backlund to enjoy the winter festival. In reality, it was the Frsac people who came to negotiate."

To put it bluntly, they were just using the princess as a pretext to save face for themselves.

Since a member of the royal family had been sent by Fusak, and in accordance with the principle of equality, Rune needed someone of equal status to entertain him. Therefore, the princes readily accepted this task, and naturally invited him to the banquet that evening.

After hearing the reason, Audrey gradually became happier.

That's great! With a foreign princess around, those "respected" princes will probably cause me less trouble.
Although she was mentally prepared, Audrey was still taken aback when she met the foreign princess.

The young woman had vibrant red hair, and her dress was distinctly Fursac style—a long robe with wide sleeves, the silk brocade fabric delicately outlining her curves. The dress was adorned with intricate gold and silver embroidery, which, combined with her red hair, made her appear both noble and beautiful.

Surrounded by two princes of the Rune Kingdom, she gracefully entered the ballroom, tilting her head slightly, meeting the gazes of the crowd with a touch of haughtiness and spirit. This charm, so different from that of the Runes, instantly attracted everyone's attention.

“It’s a pity Constance isn’t here,” Grylint whispered. “He has a particular fondness for elegant ladies.”

He was referring to Constance Rearson, a friend of theirs who worked for MI9. MI9 seemed to be very busy these past few days; Constance was constantly on the go and had no time to attend the dinner.

Behind Audrey, at the feet of the barely noticeable girl, Luze, shrouded in shadow, also showed a look of surprise. He wasn't amazed by her appearance, but rather because he recognized this so-called Princess Fussac.

—The other party was none other than Sophia, the red-haired girl who had fought with him for the manuscript of the second-generation Difference Engine that night!

She's actually a princess!

Although Luze was surprised, he seemed to accept it. Because too many things about her had already been revealed, such as the endless stream of extraordinary items, the obvious Fussack accent, and the air of a superior, all of which highlighted her specialness.

However, it's astonishing that someone of such high status would actually try to snatch the manuscript himself in an attempt to gain a promotion.
"His Highness King Govington II, His Highness Prince Edsack, accompanied by Princess Sofia Einhorn, a member of the Fussack Royal Family, are present!"

After a complex and tedious ceremony, the master of ceremonies loudly announced the arrival of the royal family.

Everyone bowed in greeting at the same time.

"Cecilia, you are free to move around now."

After Audrey got up, she whispered to her guard.

"Don't you need my protection anymore?"

"As a matter of etiquette, I need to greet the royal family, which may take a long time."

Although she was reluctant, Audrey maintained her elegant smile. "You all work so hard accompanying me everywhere. It's a rare occasion for you to attend a banquet like this, so please enjoy it."

Moreover, she felt that given the current atmosphere of the banquet, no one from the Psychological Alchemy Society would come to test her.

"Ok."

After thinking it over, the hooded girl agreed and turned to walk to the long table where food was laid out. There was a dazzling array of dishes, including fried fish, tender roasted steak, various salads, and desserts.

"Brother, what would you like to eat?"

Lu Ze, hidden in the shadows, heard her say to him.

"Dishie's roast meat, and cream bread."

Lu Ze answered in a low voice.

Musicians played melodious tunes on one side of the hall, easily drowning out the conversations. People talked and danced to the music, and no one noticed the strange thing happening at the corner of the long table. Several large pieces of roast meat were picked up by a hooded girl, and just as they were about to land on the plate, the tongs loosened, and the roast meat fell with a thud into the shadow beneath her.

That shadow, like a swamp, silently swallowed all kinds of food.

The royal chef's skills are indeed excellent.
In the shadows, Lu Ze savored the food his sister offered him.

In the center of the hall, the royal family members were receiving greetings from numerous nobles, and he paid no further attention to the red-haired princess Sophia. Although he had had a brief interaction with her, that relationship was severed after the manuscript's profits were distributed.

Miss Audrey is right. Since we've come all this way, let's enjoy it to the fullest.

"Om-"

Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly realized that something was wrong.

The world silently dimmed.

(End of this chapter)