They don't want me to try anymore.

After walking another hundred meters, they arrived at their destination, a two-story restaurant of medium size with two fake coconut trees at the entrance, giving it a very southern feel.

Led by Anton, they went straight to the second floor by the window. Richard took a look at the menu, thought it wasn't expensive, and ordered a huge table full of food without hesitation.

Including desserts made with bananas and beans, beef stewed with potatoes, tomatoes and peppers, and juicy pies stuffed with cheese and meat and then fried...

Anton was also invited by Richard to stay for dinner. Out of gratitude, he introduced the background of each dish while eating, just like a tour guide.

Richard was very satisfied with the food he heard about.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, he couldn't help but ask curiously, "Anton, why did you come to Idaril? To study, or to travel?"

Just as Anton was about to answer, several men in suits at the next table started talking loudly:

"This restaurant specializes in Kuala Malang cuisine, it looks quite interesting... Hey, speaking of Kuala Malang, have you ever been there?"

"The company arranged a business trip for me. It was a pretty desolate place, but because there was a gold mine, the goldware was very famous."

"Oh, I remember now. When the generals returned from their campaigns, they paraded their spoils along the central avenue. There were several statues of golden birds and golden snakes. It was quite a sight."

Where are those things now?

"The Victory Museum, perhaps..."

It was visibly Anton's mood that soured.

A few seconds later, he shrugged at Richard and said, “I’m here for the Easter competition. I heard that if you’re in the top three, you can ask His Majesty the Emperor for a wish. I… I mean, who can resist that temptation?”

"That's right, then, I wish you victory!"

Richard raised his glass, and laughter filled the table.

Afterwards, everyone enjoyed more desserts—the professionals' robust physiques allowed them to indulge their cravings without worrying about overeating.

At this moment, Anton excused himself to go home and maintain the doll, but actually went to the balcony on the other side of the second floor and remained silent as he watched Idaril being gradually enveloped by the night.

Richard secretly followed them: "So, you didn't come to the competition just for fame and money, did you?"

"You... are truly perceptive."

Anton smiled wryly: "However, my real purpose may be quite disappointing."

Richard shook his head, looked directly into Anton's eyes, and said, "You can tell from my accent that I'm not from the Empire either."

Anton paused for a few seconds, feeling that the young man in front of him, who was younger than him, had the demeanor of an elder in his family. After a moment's hesitation, he finally calmed down:

“In my hometown, there was a golden dragon-fish statue, half a meter tall, with a history of three hundred years. I used to worship it every year when I was a child. But two years ago, it was stolen by the Imperial Army and sent to a museum here... Damn it, those Imperials never cherish our treasures! They don't burn incense or apply oil, they just let it gather dust in a corner!”

“I want to take it home. I hope my younger siblings can also see the relics of our ancestors… But I have no money and no power. However, I have heard that there has been a record of bronze winners in the Easter competition, so I want to give it a try.”

Richard frowned slightly and sighed.

Is the celebratory competition of the Imperial Festival the only hope left for the Guamara people?

"...That's difficult."

"Thank you for your concern, but I'll give it a try."

"I wish you success, seriously."

Richard left five gold coins on the railing.

To reiterate, he was happy to support any force that aspired to resist the empire.

Moreover, Anton's experience vaguely reminded him of some events from his past life...

"Thank you, I will make good use of them."

Anton accepted the money, bowed respectfully, and then went to the back door of the restaurant—because he was staying at the home of the restaurant owner, a fellow villager.

Richard turned around, intending to go back to continue eating, but then he heard a woman's voice coming from the balcony again:

"Feel sorry."

Upon closer inspection, it was Luvia.

"Why did you follow me out?" Richard smiled. "The tragedy in Guamara wasn't your fault, don't be so sensitive."

"It's not that it's sensitive."

Luvia said sincerely, "It's just that I have been thinking about this recently."

After the fifth simulation, Luvia began to reflect.

The several tragedies between her and Richard were, to some extent, related to Richard's desire to save his country—including the last time he was killed by the mysterious legend in a simulation. She felt that if Richard didn't want to save the country, why would he get involved in the empire's internal strife?

Therefore, she realized that in order to achieve a happy ending in reality, she had to find a way to resolve the root of the problem.

However, at present, she has not thought of any other reliable way to avoid being hostile to the empire besides becoming a legend herself and offering protection.

...And it remains to be seen whether Richard will accept this approach.

After hesitating for a moment, Luvia asked:

"Richard, what kind of person do you envision for Connaught?"

"This is a really big problem."

Richard sighed and said slowly, "I want too much: wealth, education, healthcare, and... independence."

"To be honest, for a country with 500,000 people, it's a bit of a pipe dream to try to do all of the above, so I don't have too many obsessions. I'll just go wherever I can."

Luvia recalled her experiences in the simulations, and she believed that Richard would go further than anyone imagined...

She nodded slightly and said solemnly, "You can definitely do it... I will help you too."

"Thank you for the encouragement."

Richard replied just as seriously.

He knew all too well how hard-won this blessing was for someone like Luvia, a true member of the Imperial Plain Yellow Banner.

Whizzing!

boom!

At this moment, at the end of the Avenue of the Former King, people gathered and lit magical fireworks to celebrate the festival.

The colorful and magnificent patterns unfolded one after another in the night sky, reflecting on the faces of every viewer as if rainbows were flowing across them.

Luvia pursed her lips and quietly reached out to touch Richard's fingers.

Richard had mixed feelings, but he didn't back down.

Then, he felt that wonderful warmth and softness...

After one hour.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, they set off on their return journey.

Midway through, Luvia said goodbye, only reminding Zoe to continue sword training the next day, without saying anything else, which surprised Zoe.

But when they arrived at St. Goethe's Gate...

Richard was surprised to find that two people seemed to be waiting for him.

One was a clerk I hadn't seen in a long time, and the other was a woman who looked somewhat familiar...

"Your Highness, Lady Megan is in trouble!"

Chapter 85 Malice Arrives Late But Sure

Megan Herrera, the court mage of the Connaught royal family, was Richard's magic teacher before he came to St. Goethe, and someone he greatly respected.

Only after the clerk's reminder did he realize that the woman next to him was none other than Megan's wife, Mrs. Herrera.

"What happened?"

Richard had just finished asking when he noticed Mrs. Herrera's exhausted face, so he quickly added, "There's a café on campus that can accommodate outsiders. Let's go sit down there and talk."

He turned to look at Zoe, only to see the little girl, who had been a bit sleepy after finishing her meal, now wide-eyed and clenching her fists: "What Megan does is what I do!"

Richard nodded and led everyone to the coffee shop.

After everyone sat down, Mrs. Herrera could no longer hold back her tears.

“Your Highness, my merciful Your Highness, my husband, he, he…”

Richard quickly handed her a handkerchief: "Don't be nervous, take your time."

“Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness.” Lady Herrera sniffed, her voice becoming slightly more composed. “Megan… he’s been imprisoned by the Imperials!”

ha?

Goodness, have I been having a lot of bad luck with the word "prison" lately?

Richard's lips twitched slightly, and he quickly inquired about the details.

This story begins a month ago.

At that time, Megan was on the Western Ocean buying fresh fairy powder and mermaid scales, something he did every year—after all, Connaught Market was too small, just like Nyon when mercury was scarce, and many things were hard to find, so he had to go out to buy them.

However, on his return journey, he encountered a small group of pirates at sea.

As a Silver rank pirate, Megan was naturally not afraid of ordinary pirates and gave the enemy a good beating. Logically, the matter should have ended there...

But when Megan landed at a nearby third-party port that did not belong to the Empire, a group of people came up to accuse him, saying that not all the people he killed were pirates, but three were Imperial citizens, one of whom was a noble cousin and the manager of the Standard Fruit Company.