Chapter 931: The Daughter of the Valkyrie (4k)
Of course, if one were to underestimate him based on his appearance, they would surely be devoured.
Stanley Longfellow was the head of the royal secret service!
Once these two also took their seats, the trilateral meeting that had started with the rising sun finally began in earnest.
At the same time.
Chris had already arrived at the camp of the Saint Church.
She was accompanied only by Dani Sophie and several maids from the Scorpion Palace.
Due to previous cooperation, Chris’s arrival did not provoke any rejection from the Saint Church.
The person in charge of the Saint Church on the Mountain of Gods was named Sabrina Melville, a female bishop from the Heretic Tribunal.
It was none other than Bishop Melville who received Chris and her group, but the twin holy knights Chris wanted to see did not show up.
On the other side, the team led by Professor Metia also visited the forest where the elemental race was stationed.
Metia Bartholomew, known as the “Witch of Silver Moon” among the moon elves, was quite well-known.
Therefore, this group of moon elves received them with unexpected enthusiasm. That said, the person who came out to greet them was not the leader of this group of moon elves.
The moon elves prepared fresh fruits rarely seen in the Northern Territory, showing great hospitality, but no one in charge appeared.
The moon elves clearly had no intention of truly interacting with them.
Thus, Dake was the first to get straight to the point. “So you mean you want to cooperate with us in exploring the Mountain of Gods?”
Facing Dake’s straightforward proposal, the smile on Duke North’s face gradually faded.
Gavin North and Stanley Longfellow also became visibly serious.
Dake stated directly, “I came here specifically to explore the Mountain of Gods. When Principal Altair returned to the academy, she brought back some information. There are things I want in the Mountain of Gods. But considering its proximity to the Northern Territory, I also came today to inform you.”
“Altair?” Duke North rested his arm on the table and said in a deep voice, “I heard she returned some time ago, but how could she possibly allow you to come to the Mountain of Gods?”
“Allow?” Dake said slightly surprised, “Your Excellency, what do you mean by that?
Ted North paused for a moment, then smiled. “Indeed, my wording was inappropriate. How could a mere principal instruct us, nobles of the kingdom? I just wanted to ask, is Principal Cynthia Saint Altair… doing well?”
Dake smiled. “Principal Altair is naturally fine. However, this action was indeed something I insisted on. After my mother learned about it, she sent Olivia to me.”
Ted North raised his head slightly, looking at Olivia standing behind Dake and Angrey.
His gaze then moved imperceptibly to Professor Steven Harvey. “Then what about this professor from Saint Maryann Academy?”
Dake glanced at Professor Harvey and said, “Professor Harvey has his own mission. We have already reached a cooperation agreement with the academy. Through exploring the Mountain of Gods, each of us can get what we need. I think… if there is also a need in the Northern Territory, this could be an opportunity.”
However, Ted North shook his head solemnly. “The Northern Territory has no other demands for the Mountain of Gods except for it to remain stable. But now, many people do not wish for it to be stable.”
There was no hostility in his tone, but his meaning was clear. Dake observed this elderly man over seventy years old without revealing his thoughts.
Since they met, this old man had never treated him like a child of thirteen or fourteen; his eyes concealed the wisdom accumulated over the years.
But wisdom was not the only thing accumulated over the years.
Dake tapped his fingers habitually and said, “I thought that with Duke North’s insight, you should already know that the situation has reached a critical stage, and both you and I are already in the midst of it. Only by breaking through can there be stability.”
Ted North slowly said, “Being in the midst of it, why not?”
Dake suddenly fell silent as he looked at the Duke of the Northern Territory.
In that instant, he finally saw the aura of old age in the old man’s eyes.
No matter how robust his appearance, he was already over seventy.
Especially after experiencing ten years of peace, he could never return to those days.
As the ruler of the Northern Territory, Ted North could not be unaware of the changes in the Mountain of Gods. He simply chose to pretend he didn’t know.
Under such circumstances, persuading him was extremely difficult.
“What a pity,” Dake stared into his eyes and said, “Then why are you here at the foot of the mountain if you’re not going to do anything?”
The Duke of the Northern Territory slowly exhaled four words: “To protect the people.”
Negotiations failed.
What is firmness when young becomes stubbornness when old.
The Duke of the Northern Territory had a simple concept: he believed that excessive exploration of the Mountain of Gods would bring disaster.
But with the Saint Church being powerful, he had no way to interfere.
The moon elves held a unique status among the elemental races and were even less likely to follow his ideas.
The same went for the academy.
Unable to change the minds of other forces, he could only personally lead his soldiers to guard the frontline.
This was a difference in choice, yet it led to factual conflicts.
Dake did not dwell on this topic further, as he still needed to go to the Saint Church camp.
“Since Duke North has no real interest in the Mountain of Gods, let’s call it a day.”
After bidding farewell to the Duke of the Northern Territory, Dake left the meeting room without delay.
However, he did not really leave but followed a servant to another room.
Ten minutes later, Gavin North and Stanley Longfellow appeared at the door.
“It looks like we’re moving on to the next phase.” Professor Harvey remarked. Dake shook his head and said in a low voice, “While we were negotiating with the Duke of the Northern Territory, they were present but couldn’t say a word. What can they produce now that we’re alone? I’m staying here to see what the king’s man wants.”
Footsteps approached, and Dake stopped talking.
Before long, he was sitting at the same table with Gavin North and Stanley Longfellow.
Dake slowly said, “Count Gavin North, it seems you have different ideas from the Duke.”
Count Gavin North firmly said, “My father is my father, and I am me.” A slight arc appeared at the corner of Stanley Longfellow’s mouth.
