Origin Paradise!

The Saint Lilith arrived at the bustling port.

Unlike when they departed yesterday, the Northern Fleet has now returned to port.

When Jiang He came to the ship's side from the captain's cabin, two enormous ships came into view. Their bow guns were no less powerful than the Yonggu Giant Cannon. They had four decks and a total of 360 gun ports. It was estimated that they could carry around 2,000 people when fully loaded.

Second-class cruisers, hailed as mobile fortresses at sea, are undoubtedly the mainstay of each fleet. With first-class gold warships remaining hidden, they are the absolute protagonists on the naval battlefield.

Ten third-class destroyers and more than forty fourth-class frigates lined up in the port waiting for supplies. Tens of thousands of laborers were transporting supplies and unloading cargo. Soldiers rushed like a mountain range to the taverns outside the port. The songs of nightingales seemed to echo over the city.

At this moment, the bustling port was so noisy it resembled a market.

Roland was the first to disembark.

Jiang He turned around and said, "There must be two officers on board at all times. Wu He is in charge of selling the six sets of construct armor. Distribute half of them as salaries and the other half to purchase supplies. You can relax in the outer city, but the evil soldiers should try to stay with the officers. Zhuang Ya will be with Lao Hei. Call me if there are any problems."

"Understood," everyone said in unison.

As Jiang He disembarked, Roland was chatting amicably with an elderly butler on the shore. Despite his advanced age, the butler's facial features were unusually soft and distinct, and his pointed ears clearly indicated that he possessed elven blood.

Beside the two was a young beauty with an elegant demeanor. Her long, flowing hair cascaded down her slender back, her eyes were like sparkling emeralds, and she had a tall and outstanding figure. She wore a gorgeous long dress adorned with delicate jewels.

She watched the two exchange pleasantries with a faint smile.

When the elf butler saw someone approaching, he gestured to Roland in invitation and then stepped forward to greet the guest.

“Mr. Rhein Augustus, your bravery amazes me. The master praised you highly this morning.”

"Nice to meet you." Jiang He shook hands with the other party, his expression slightly strange. This guy was actually only at the level of an ordinary Grand Knight.

The elf butler stepped aside and introduced, "This is Miss Olivia de York, a member of the family, the master's own granddaughter, and the most beautiful emerald in Prosperous Harbor."

"Hello, Baron Rhein."

Olivia smiled and clasped her hands together, her words revealing some inside information.

"Nice to meet you."

Jiang He shook hands with the other party, which was much more normal. With the strength of an apprentice knight, she could be temporarily labeled as a social butterfly.

Roland whispered a reminder: "Rhine, it's a hand kiss as a greeting!"

Jiang He calmly reached out and placed her hand on the back of her hand.

On the harbor shore, Roland and the old butler were both stunned by what they saw.

Olivia was stunned for a moment, then felt a little embarrassed. If it weren't for the ladylike etiquette of social occasions, she would have already turned around and left.

Jiang He said expressionlessly, "I ate a golden apple. I don't know if it will affect this young lady. Please forgive me."

Humiliating a direct descendant of the Djork family to their face is a matter that can be serious or minor.

The elven butler's eyes darted around. The golden apple had been infused with a cursed poison, requiring the use of a specific potion every month. This was something Earl de York had done, and it was currently causing Rhine's strong dissatisfaction. However, he was relieved, since a powder keg that had been lit but was temporarily left to ignite would usually explode violently.

Olivia glanced at the elven butler. Without asking, she knew that it was probably trouble caused by someone in the family again. Earl de York was the Duke's eldest son and heir, as well as her uncle. But recently, the Duke had been focusing too much energy on his youngest son, which aroused opposition from some people.

The brief silence passed.

Olivia took someone's hand, lowered her head and kissed it, her posture dignified and elegant, believing it to be her duty to her family.

Your handsome appearance is intoxicating.

Jiang He nodded, still looking slightly dissatisfied.

Roland politely turned away. Although it is said that a subject should die for his master, Olivia was just one of the family members. He was the Duke's Grand Knight, and he would only serve one person in his life.

"Haha, I think today's events will become a popular topic of conversation. Ladies and gentlemen, please come to Djouk Castle. There will be a grand wedding banquet and ball tonight." The elf butler stepped forward to smooth things over.

A servant brought over warhorses, and the four men left the shore.

Stepping through the city gate, the stone slabs are straight and wide, and the sounds of horses' hooves and pedestrians' footsteps resonate. The houses along the street are mostly made of brick and stone, with interlocking wooden beams and towering pointed roofs. In the square, fountains gurgle and water splashes around sculptures, and various large knight statues are lifelike.

The cries of vendors from shops on both sides of the street rose and fell, the aroma of bread lingered, and children played among them, brandishing wooden swords and pretending to duel like knights.

From the shore to the city, and from the outer city to the inner city, the bustling port is the second largest port in the Kingdom of Stuart, with a population of nearly one million. Djouk Castle is far more magnificent than Viscount Hru Castle, and looks like a small town.

Olivia rode alongside someone, an ancient nobleman. She wouldn't let her distinguished guest get lost or be embarrassed. Her responsibility was to entertain the great knight beside her, a powerful figure who had killed the Silver Sword Rosard, and whom the Djouk family treated with utmost respect.

The four arrived at the castle. The first floor was the banquet hall, with a high dome that appeared and disappeared in the dim light. The rough stone walls were full of dents from the passage of time. Several brocades that had weathered the vicissitudes of life hung down around the walls. Their colors were dull, but they still outlined the bustling hunting scene of the knights in the past. Gold and silver threads were interspersed among them, occasionally reflecting a cold light.

The banquet hall was brightly lit by candles, and the members of the White Rose Knights stood solemnly on both sides, fully armored like guards. The surface of the armor had a dark and dull metallic luster, and the gauntlets and breastplates were engraved with the family crest.

"It seems the banquet is about to begin," the elven butler said with a smile, inviting the three of them inside.

Hundreds of distinguished guests chatted in the banquet hall, the lively scene making the knights look like statues. In the corner, a band played soft music, but with just one glance, Jiang He saw an old man sitting on a large chair at the far end, drinking a glass. He was wearing armor and was out of place with the people chatting and dancing. He was strong, burly, and shrewd.

The executive-specific prompt provided the information.

[Name: Duke of Djokovic]

[Challenge Level: LV50]

[Gold Energy: 10350]

[Ordinary creatures of the Golden Age]

[Strength: 46]

[Constitution: 49 (True)]

[Agility: 45]

[Spirit: 42]

[Charm: 19]

[Golden Realm: Pale Rose]

[Ultimate Energy Attribute: Sharpness]

[Equipment: S-rank Ocean Treasure - Thunderclap (Ultimate Grade), Titled Knight-class Construct Armor, First-class Battleship - White Rose...]

[Skills: Sword Master LV27, Golden Body, Knight's True Form: White Rose, Knightly Virtues - Honesty, Honor, Courage, Soul...]

[Note: This person possesses the blood of a sea serpent (perfect-level physique), granting them over 50% resistance to water-attribute attacks.]

Jiang He withdrew her gaze. Duke Dejouk's power was beyond imagination, comparable to half a Rosard.

Ordinary creatures in the Silver Age have all attributes exceeding 21.

Elite beings of the Silver Age have one true attribute reaching 30.

The pinnacle of the Silver Age, with all attributes exceeding 31.

Based on the Silver Body's 30% damage reduction against lower-level life forms, Jiang He doubted that even at the peak of the Bronze level, wielding the Long-Hate Dragon Spear, he would have difficulty inflicting serious injuries on the Gold Body.

……

The Duke noticed the gaze and looked back. With Roland and Olivia by his side, the newcomer's identity was obvious.

“Father, Baron Rhein is more handsome than I imagined. I thought he would be a burly, strong man.”

Beside the large chair, a young man of only eighteen or nineteen years old turned his head and spoke. He was the only family member present who could stay here. As the youngest son, he had received unimaginable attention over the past six months.

The Duke, known for his dignified demeanor, now revealed a gentle smile. "Your elder brother is very strict, and this little fellow is probably quite unhappy about it. From now on, the Wizard Tower will allocate you one bottle of purification potion every month."

The purification potion, created by the great wizard with tremendous effort, can alleviate various curses and is of excellent quality.

As for the compensation the Djouk family gave to the Rhine, it was a baronial title and a fief.

Brownie hesitated for a moment and said, "Baron Rhein is very young. I think it would be more appropriate to tie him down with friendship."

The Duke nodded and instructed, "It's good that you have your own opinions, but you need to use different methods for different people."

"Back then, Roland was able to join the Royal Guard due to his military achievements in the colonies, but the Mad Prince whipped him because of his blond hair. A young man who loved Stuart and fought loyally for the kingdom for ten years ended up like this. If you were him, what would you think?"

Brownie hesitated for a moment, then asked uncertainly, "Hatred and anger?"

The Duke chuckled and replied, "Probably, but I feel more bewildered."

"Roland's first half of life was completely negated. All the sadness, regret, and pain of the ten-year war would be vivid in his mind. He did not want these to lose their meaning, so when I extended an olive branch, he became more and more loyal, even to the point of being pathological. He only hoped to prove himself right, and at the same time, he hated the royal family more and more."

The Duke's tone became slightly solemn, "But Rhine Augustus is different. His age and strength exceed the scope of a subject. The old elf's spies said that he has mastered the secret art of disguising strength, but at this moment, he is indeed a seventeen-year-old knight."

Brownie looked up. "I think we should choose one of his closest relatives to marry him."

The Duke laughed. "The golden apple I took out wasn't poisoned; it was your elder brother who took matters into his own hands."

Brownie's face was grim and he made no attempt to hide it. Given the current state of the family, the chosen direct descendant would inevitably be close to him, the youngest son who was highly valued. His elder brother had a "if I can't have him, I'll destroy him" mentality. The poison hidden in the golden apple had caused Baron Rhein's initial goodwill towards the family to drop to rock bottom. Under such circumstances, a marriage alliance was better viewed as enslavement, and no strong person would be willing to do it.

"Then why didn't you stop him?"

The Duke calmly turned his head to the side.

In the past, when the old king was alive, he had no intention of challenging the royal family, so the selection of his successor followed a conservative approach.

However, the situation has changed, and the Mad Prince is simply an unacceptable time bomb. Therefore, the successor needs to take the pioneering route and at the very least be able to stand alone and command battles.

Compared to her seven sons and even more daughters, the youngest son's only advantage is his youth and high potential for development.

But this doesn't mean he completely abandoned his eldest son, whom he had carefully nurtured. If his "favoritism" towards his younger son could force the eldest son to break free from his original constraints, then it wouldn't be so bad if the former became a sacrifice.

As a titled knight, he had the leisure to calmly observe the competition among his sons and ultimately select a qualified and satisfactory successor.

The Duke's gaze was devoid of any emotion; his gentle smile and the elder's teachings seemed to be nothing but illusions.

What makes you think it has to be you?

Brownie felt immense pressure that caused him immense pain; he could even read the meaning in his father's eyes.

The Duke ignored the other party's previous question and said, "In the war with Wyatt, you are the nominal commander of the fleet, but the actual command is still held by Earl of Rock and Earl of White Sail. I will not leave Bustling Port."

Brownie asked with a complicated expression, "My father is a titled knight; his departure will make the outcome uncertain."

The Duke chuckled softly, “As the heir, you need to distinguish your true enemies. If I were to take the field, the Bourbon Kingdom would have to consider the possibility of a national war, and therefore, when the war breaks out, there will inevitably be titled knights facing me.”

“Our enemy is the royal family. This war is intended as a demonstration, a warning to certain nobles of the Bourbon dynasty not to interfere in the war that will soon follow. There is a big difference between a noble war and a national war. Why should I help the royal family fight a national war?”

The Duke resolutely said, "If we're going to fight, we'll fight after I become king."

"What if we lose?" Brownie asked bluntly, his tone sharp, perhaps because of the coldness the other person had shown earlier.

"Then let's just stay in the chaotic corridors." The Duke laughed for real this time. "A bunch of good-for-nothings want to live in the inner city of the capital? Do they deserve it?"

……

"The nobles in the chaotic corridors are all valiant warriors."

Olivia led Jiang He to the mural and introduced it to him.

"Among the four great count families, there are all warriors at the peak of the Great Knight level. Among them, the Rock Count has even reached this level himself. One count guards the Chaotic City in the northern part of the Chaotic Corridor, another is in charge of the New World colonies, and the other two are here today."

Olivia noticed that many noblewomen and young girls were secretly observing the people around her, but her presence clearly made them feel restrained.

Jiang He then asked, "Whose wedding is it today?"

Olivia replied with a smile, "The Duke's youngest son, my uncle Brownie. As for the woman, she is an illegitimate daughter sent by the Wyatt family. Of course, she is nominally born of the legitimate line, but her fate... probably won't be too good."

In the center of the banquet hall, a girl in a blue dress was responding to greetings from all directions. She had a doe-like innocent look in her eyes, and her personal maid and tutor were surrounding her.

Every nobleman in the chaos looked at her with pity or malice, and a very few even expressed amazement.

At this critical juncture when war was about to break out, Miss Wyatt dared to attend the banquet. The nobles did not know whether to call her brave or ignorant.

Olivia led Jiang He to meet and talk with the chaotic nobles one by one. Thanks to the death of the Silver Sword Rosard, everyone seemed very friendly, until the towering middle-aged man appeared.

“Shall we have a glorious duel?” Earl Rock said with great interest. “Before meeting you, I have never felt threatened by a knight.”

Olivia explained in a low voice that the glorious duel was a tradition that had been passed down for thousands of years in the Old World. The knight who lost the duel had to lay down his weapon from then on, or he would be met with the unanimous hostility of the knights. The Earl of Rock was an exceptionally warlike fanatic.

Jiang He naturally wouldn't accept such a pointless invitation.

“Count, you are far less free than you imagine.”

"The sword is in my own hand."

"Not necessarily. I'm afraid in the Duke's eyes, my side is already set. Once we duel, you will have no choice but to accept your position. Think it through before you invite me again."

Jiang He brushed past the other person.

Count Rock was a little embarrassed. He had no intention of taking sides in the succession struggle. As a peak Grand Knight, the Duke would not allow him to step down and cause the scales to tip completely. What the other party said might be right; sometimes his sword was not in his own hands.

Chapter 290 The Black Rose Spear

Ballroom.

The band's performance suddenly stopped.