The late autumn sunset elongated the carriage's shadow.
Thanks to the extremely excellent shock-absorbing system designed by Irene, Sophia sat inside the carriage and could hardly feel the bumps of the stone road. Only the occasional afterimages of maple leaves sweeping past the window hinted at the journey's end.
As the heavy city gates slowly opened, the capital of the Kingdom of Orr was formally revealed to everyone.
Unlike the provocation everyone had expected, the atmosphere upon entering the city appeared exceptionally solemn and quiet.
Clearly, that silent confrontation at Falcon Pass had already been transmitted to the ears of the nobles in the Royal City of the Kingdom of Orr via carrier pigeons or fast horses, one step ahead.
In the rumors, the Queen of Mason possessed a guard capable of commanding thunder, and she herself could make a battle-hardened border official collapse to the ground with just a look.
When those sixty Black Rose Guards stepped onto the streets, their uniform footsteps seemed to strike upon everyone's hearts.
The residents of Orr on both sides of the street did not cheer as they would when welcoming their own monarch; instead, they huddled in twos and threes along the street side in a reverent silence. They looked at those soldiers with solemn expressions, carrying strange long-barreled weapons on their backs, their hearts filled with fear of unknown power.
The Kingdom of Orr was indeed worthy of being a country of plains. The streets of the capital were much wider than those of Mason, lined mostly with grayish-white stone buildings topped with dark green tiles.
Although it was more prosperous than Mason, in the eyes of Sophia, who was accustomed to seeing Irene's futuristic laboratories, the aesthetic here appeared somewhat old-fashioned and lifeless.
Sophia sat upright in the carriage, the golden crown glinting coldly in the dim light. She turned her head slightly to look out the window. That expressionless demeanor, falling into the eyes of outsiders, was the ultimate display of unfathomable depth.
The person responsible for the reception was the Second Prince of the Kingdom of Orr, a young man wearing a gorgeous silk formal suit and behaving with extreme propriety.
The moment he saw Sophia alight from the carriage, he did not show the arrogance of a neighboring country. Instead, he bowed with a courtesy that treated her as a peer, or perhaps even with a hint of deference.
"Your Majesty Sophia, your prestigious name has long crossed the wasteland. Royal Father has already prepared the most comfortable room for you at Hyacinth Manor."
Hyacinth Manor was the highest standard royal posthouse in the Kingdom of Orr.
It was a typical classical manor, with white stone pillars entwined by neatly trimmed ivy. In the center of the manor was a huge fountain, with water droplets dancing in the cold wind of late autumn.
The furnishings inside the posthouse were extremely luxurious. Heavy wool tapestries hung on the walls, and candles scented with a faint pine resin fragrance burned on silver lampstands.
However, the first thing Sophia did upon entering the room was to have Willow replace the layers of bedding that emitted the smell of stale perfume. The fireplace here, at least, was burning very vigorously.
"Willow, take out that bottle of wild mint incense to suppress this stale scent of old nobility."
Sophia did not much care for that headache-inducing fragrance.
Late at night, when the entire manor had fallen into silence, a figure draped in a dark gray cloak, guided by Valery, silently passed through the sentries of the Black Rose Guard and entered Sophia's side hall.
She was the Special Envoy of the Kingdom of Qubi, Bardess.
This woman from the mountain kingdom had dark skin, and her hands were covered in calluses left by long-term contact with ores. As soon as she entered the room and saw Sophia sitting in the armchair—still exuding an astonishing aura despite not wearing a formal dress—she immediately lowered her head.
"Your Majesty, the Kingdom of Qubi has no intention of being enemies with Mason."
Bardess's voice was low and urgent.
"The Kingdom of Orr has always tried to annex our eastern mining areas. Their invitation to the various kings this time is actually to discuss a 'Plains Security Treaty'. Essentially, they want to join forces to isolate Mason and swallow our Qubi."
Sophia gently swirled the red tea with milk in her hand, the milky white liquid leaving a ring of fine white traces on the cup wall.
Oh? So these guys are planning this.
One wants my soap technology, one wants the neighbor's mines, and they want to treat me as a common enemy to build consensus?
Sophia remained silent for a moment, her pale golden pupils appearing deep and cold under the candlelight.
Delilah looked at Bardess with a frown, then let her gaze fall upon Her Majesty.
Her Majesty is actually smiling...
Although it is just an imperceptible arc at the corner of her mouth.
She must have anticipated the Kingdom of Qubi's thoughts long ago.
She deliberately displayed military force upon entering the city without damaging Orr's face, precisely to give the Kingdom of Qubi a psychological step down to surrender.
Now that this Bardess has come knocking on her own, it means Her Majesty not only controls the Black powder but also controls the fear of these neighboring countries.
She is playing with geopolitics, manipulating the fates of these kingdoms like chess pieces!
"Then, what can you bring to This Queen?"
Sophia spoke coldly, her gaze looking straight at Bardess. "Qubi's mines, or Qubi's loyalty?"
It seems Orr not only wants to make a move on Mason but has even entertained thoughts of moving against several surrounding countries.
This old thing thinks quite beautifully. Does he perhaps think the surrounding countries are already in his pocket?
Bardess suddenly knelt on one knee, presenting a scroll of secret letters with a trembling voice:
"I have already understood Your Majesty's thoughts. This is the distribution map of the Kingdom of Qubi's secret mineral veins.
"And... we are willing to fully support any trade rules established by the Kingdom of Mason at the banquet. As long as Your Majesty can protect our mining areas from Orr's encroachment."
Sophia took the map, which smelled of sulfur and rust, her fingertips gently sliding over it.
Just as I said, as long as the military force is hard enough, resources will automatically come knocking.
With the Kingdom of Qubi's mines, plus Irene's brain, Mason's industrial takeoff is just around the corner.
Thus, I can temporarily reach a cooperative relationship with Qubi.
However...
Sophia's gaze landed on the mineral vein map.
Cooperation also carries risks. It might be better to... never mind, we'll see when the time comes.
"Valery, send the special envoy out.
"Tell her that This Queen does not have much patience. On the day of the banquet, This Queen wants to see the 'support' she spoke of."
Bardess felt as if she had been granted a great pardon and withdrew with gratitude.
The side hall returned to tranquility.
Willow draped a light velvet coat over Sophia and spoke with some worry:
"Your Majesty, if the people of the Kingdom of Orr find out that we privately received the Qubi special envoy..."
"So what if they know?"
Sophia walked to the window and looked at the sky outside, which was already showing the white of dawn. Her voice remained indifferent and composed.
"In this world, rules are set by the strong.
"If the King of Orr is unconvinced, This Queen does not mind letting him see with his own eyes what 'the end of an era' means at that banquet."
After all, I haven't tasted whether the apple pie here is authentic yet. If his schemes ruin my mood, then his time as King has come to an end.
I wonder, after I blow his head off, will his royal family members seek revenge against me?
Hmm... how many people are in his family again?
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