Volume 2: Empire Chapter 174 The Assassins
These many resources unique to Sky City are considered the first batch of compensation, and one-tenth of the total output will be given every year thereafter.
Is this compensation?
This is tribute!
Archangel Gold said angrily, "Lord Meteorite, we came to discuss compensation with sincerity. If you talk like this, I'm afraid it will be difficult for us to continue the discussion."
Luke smiled and said, "Negotiation means you set your price, I set my price, and if we can't reach an agreement, we both take a step back. In short, the compensation given by Sky City is far from what we expected.
The Moonlight Royal Court reunited the survivors of the World Tree. For thousands of years, they were isolated from the mainstream world because of the destruction of the World Tree. As the embodiment of justice, Sky City should feel guilty. "
Archangel Gold calmed down a little and said, "Sky City will add another 50% to the resources donated. In addition, we can give you 10 tons of gold."
Of course Luke was not satisfied. He felt that he needed to squeeze more out of Sky City.
Qingkong said at this time: "Let's end today's meeting here. I have a secret art class to attend. Please ask Archangel Gold to report our request to the Sky City Archangel Conference. If you are really sincere, let me feel it.
I hope that next time we meet, I can feel Angel’s true remorse, rather than compensation in name only and humiliation in reality.
Jennifer, get them out!"
"Yes, Miss Clear Sky." Jennifer turned to Archangel Gold and Luke and said, "Archangel, Lord Marquis, please go back!"
Luke stood up and walked out.
Archangel Gold didn't expect that their first meeting would end so abruptly. Seeing that Luke had already walked out, he had to salute the clear sky with the crown of thorns before leaving.
Sitting in the carriage on the way back , Luke complained, "I've already made it very clear that the compensation from Sky City is far from what we expected, but you only increased it by 50%."
"There are still ten tons of gold!" Archangel Gold reminded.
"Ten tons of gold!" Luke showed a mocking smile and took out a handful of Reichsmarks from his pocket: "The Empire has banned the circulation of precious metal currencies, and most countries in the world are popularizing paper money. The value of ten tons of gold can be printed by the Imperial Mint in one night."
Archangel Gold looked at the banknote in Luke's hand and asked in confusion: "Since this kind of banknote can be printed at will, how can it have such a high value?"
"This starts with..." Luke wanted to talk about the role of paper money in national governance and economy, but he quickly reacted: "You won't understand immediately even if I tell you. Now we are talking about compensation... I have done my best in this meeting. When you go back, discuss with other archangels what to discuss in the next meeting. Be more prepared, and don't let Queen Clear Sky lose the desire to talk after just a few words."
Archangel Gold asked, "When is the next meeting?"
"Wait for my notice..." Luke looked out the window of the carriage. "Tonight, Her Majesty the Queen of Clear Sky will meet with Elder Mu of the Shining Gold People. Tomorrow I will go back to Raging Waves City, and it will take five to ten days to come back.
We'll make an appointment then."
"Her Majesty Queen Clear Sky wants to meet Elder Mu of the Shining Gold People tonight?"
"Yes! The Shining Gold People are very eager to compensate for the destruction of the World Tree. They will set up a World Bank branch in the Moonlight Royal Court and bring in a very considerable investment, which is enough to bring the ancient grasslands from the wilderness to modern civilization.
The sincerity of the Shining Gold People is more sincere than that of the Sky City."
Luke pua Archangel Gold.
Archangel Gold was indeed very nervous.
He knew that the purpose of the Shining Gold Man opening a World Bank branch in the Moonlight Royal Court must be to get closer to the World Tree and find a way to transform the World Tree into a divine artifact.
The earlier you research, the greater your chance of obtaining an exclusive artifact.
I have already wasted an opportunity today, and as a result, my next meeting with the Queen of Clear Sky will be delayed for many days.
If the temple cannot be built in the Moonlight Court, Sky City will become extremely passive in obtaining artifacts.
"Can't you arrange a second meeting between me and Her Majesty Queen Clear Sky as soon as possible?"
Luke said helplessly, "I want to, but the Empire is at war. The fleet of Raging Waves will go north along the coast to compete with the Allied Navy of Art County for control of the sea, and the army formed by Raging Waves will also go to the North by land to participate in the war.
As the governor of Raging Waves City, I must meet with my soldiers. I may not be able to meet them next time."
The war stimulated Archangel Gold to recall some unpleasant memories.
"Yes, we may not be able to see each other next time. I wish the Marquis a smooth trip to Raging Waves City, and I hope you can return to Saint Lun City as soon as possible."
At this time, the Crown of Thorns, who had been silent, said, "Marquis, Marquis, could you please ask Her Majesty the Queen of Clear Sky to return my angel wings to me.
I recognise my mistakes and I deeply regret any offence I may have caused Her Majesty the Queen."
There is some sincerity in the words of the Crown of Thorns.
Qingkong's beating knocked down his arrogance, and the destruction of the holy relic of faith calmed his fanatical heart. This time, he completely put down his attitude and apologized to Qingkong, which in turn relieved him of the burden he had been carrying.
An epiphany made him figure out a lot of things.
Archangel Gold also pleaded for the Crown of Thorns: "Can you persuade Her Majesty the Queen of Clear Sky to change the punishment? Angel wings are too important for an angel!"
"Okay." Luke agreed. "But as far as I know, Queen Clear Sky has planned several important experiments for the Angel Wings. After the experiments are completed, she won't have much use for the Angel Wings."
The Crown of Thorns asked anxiously, "Will the experiment hurt my angel wings?"
"That... I don't know. Maybe I'll get hurt, or maybe I'll become stronger. If you're willing to be a volunteer for a human experiment, the chances of success will be much higher."
Archangel Gold asked, "What is the experiment?"
"Keep it secret!" Luke asked the Crown of Thorns, "What is your choice? Help the Queen of Clear Sky complete the experiment. If the Queen is happy, she may reinstall the stronger angel wings on you.
Of course, all experiments are dangerous and your safety cannot be guaranteed."
The strongest form of Clear Sky can produce Angel Light Wings, which can be upgraded to Seraph Wings. However, Luke came to this world before Clear Sky's Angel Light Wings were upgraded.
According to the manufacturing process of the Blazing Wings that Luke collected, the production of the Blazing Wings must be completed first. That is, the sacred energy of the angel wings is intensified to make the angel feathers burn completely and form an immortal holy flame.
Then the angel's wings of light are dyed through a ceremony, and finally a large-scale holy fire is released into the sky. As long as the sky is successfully dyed, the wings of the seraph are completed.
There is no limit to the enhancement of the characters in the Anno game. Luke was going to make Blazing Wings for Clear Sky to welcome the update of the new version. Now Luke is going to make Blazing Wings for Clear Sky to welcome the arrival of the five ancient civilizations ahead of schedule.
There is a certain chance of failure in the production of Blazing Wings. If the owner of the Angel Wings is willing to participate in the production, the success rate can be increased. If the Crown of Thorns is willing to take the risk and participate in the experiment, the Blazing Wings can be rewarded to him.
The Crown of Thorns didn't think too much and said, "I am willing to participate in the experiment. For Angel Wings, I can do anything."
Luke reminded, "You are a volunteer for human experiments. Neither Queen Clear Sky nor I forced you. You did it voluntarily."
"I volunteered."
Luke said to Archangel Gold: "You heard it... The Crown of Thorns will be handed over to Queen Clear Sky for a while."
Archangel Gold didn't know what experiment Qingkong was doing, and he actually wanted to use angel wings. This was not a good thing for Sky City. If Crown of Thorns participated in the experiment, perhaps he could get some information .
"Okay, I allow Crown of Thorns to participate in Her Majesty Queen Clear Sky's experiment."
Luke stopped the carriage and said to Crown of Thorns, "Go to the museum in Clear Sky by yourself. Tell us what you are here for, put away your angelic arrogance, and do whatever the Queen asks you to do."
"Thank you, Lord Marquis!"
Crown of Thorns pushed open the door, jumped off the carriage, and ran towards the Clear Sky Museum.
The carriage restarted.
Archangel Gold warned: "I hope you won't do anything that will harm Sky City."
"Of course not! And...if the experiment is successful, it will be a good thing for Sky City. In the future, any angel who wants to increase his strength or change the style of his angel wings can come to the Queen of Clear Sky."
“That doesn’t seem like a good thing.”
"Trust me, it's a good thing."
After Luke sent Archangel Gold back to the palace, he returned to his own residence to prepare for the dinner.
Unlike the angel's secret visit to Clear Sky, this time the meeting between the Shining Gold Man and the Queen of Clear Sky was public.
Not only will the entire Golden Emissary Group attend the dinner, but many officials from the Imperial Court will also be there.
This was the first banquet that Meteorite had held since moving into this house, and the dignitaries of the entire imperial capital tried their best to get an invitation in order to meet the new powerful official of the empire.
At night, there was a constant stream of traffic outside the Marquis Nutao's mansion, and guests coming to the banquet were endless.
The entire Marquis's Mansion was brightly lit inside and out, and the Imperial Secret Service increased its manpower several times to protect the safety of the place.
Everyone who entered the Marquis's Mansion had their identity carefully checked, and many people who tried to sneak in with forged documents were discovered and caught.
On the side of the road one block away from the Marquis of Nutao's Mansion, there was a freight truck parked with several fully armed men hiding in the carriage.
In the dim light, the leader is the nightingale.
After the rhythmic knocking sounds, a thin man wearing a felt hat opened the carriage door and jumped in quickly.
“Miss Nightingale, the Marquis’s Mansion in Meteorite is surrounded by imperial spies everywhere. They check the documents very carefully, so it is difficult for us to sneak in.
Not to mention assassinating a meteorite under heavy protection."
Nightingale sat at the innermost part of the carriage, sharpening the dagger in her hand with a grindstone.
"Usually the Secret Service protects the meteorite more strictly. It will be hard to have a better opportunity than tonight. Only by killing the meteorite can Prince Alex have a chance to come back."
"But we have not received any direct orders from Prince Alec."
Nightingale flicked her hand, and the dagger stopped in front of the man's eyes after a flash of lightning: "Do you suspect that I falsely conveyed the order of Prince Alex? Can such an order be issued by the prince himself?
Whether it succeeds or fails, this assassination has nothing to do with Prince Alex, do you understand?"
"Understood!" Facing the dagger that was almost touching his eyeball, the man answered fearfully.
"Do you all understand?"
"Understood!" everyone answered.
Nightingale reached out, and the electric chain pulled the dagger back into her hand.
She explained to the assassins she organized in a relaxed tone: "Someone in the palace sent a message to Prince Alex that his majesty may have passed away. The Queen is governing the country, and it is very likely that the Queen, Meteor, and Agatha are working together to steal the country.
The one sitting on the throne should be His Highness, to whom we are loyal, but His Highness is trapped in the Crescent Oasis.
As long as we kill Meteor, the official system of Nutao City will collapse, and the Queen will have nothing to rely on. The ministers of the palace will welcome His Highness back to the imperial capital, and our His Highness will be the emperor of the empire.
We will all be ennobled, and even after we die, our nobility will be inherited by our families."
All the assassins said together: "We are willing to die for His Royal Highness Prince Alex!"
"Very good!" Nightingale was happy about the high morale. "The defense of the Marquis's Mansion is tight, but it won't be a problem for us. There are many people going to the banquet tonight, and we can grab the official invitation. The difficulty is how to get close to the meteorite and deliver a fatal blow.
I have a plan..."
Nightingale took out a topographic map of the Marquis of Nutao's mansion, and the assassins gathered in a circle, waiting for Nightingale to assign them tasks.
But Nightingale noticed something strange. She quickly scanned everyone's faces, frowned and said, "Why is there one more person?"
Are there many people?
The assassins looked at each other and realized was wrong.
How did eight people become nine?
But when they carefully distinguished them, they found that... they had no idea who the extra one was. All the faces were familiar, and they were all assassins selected by Nightingale himself.
No repetitions!
How is this possible.
If someone disguised themselves as one of these people, there should be two identical faces.
But why is there clearly one more person, and that person is right in front of me, but I don’t know who he is?
Mental impact!
Nightingale stretched out the dagger and put it on the neck of the man on his right. He said, "There is an outsider who has sneaked in. He has exerted a mental influence on us, so we can't see him clearly. Everyone, control the people around you, and we will find him together."
Upon hearing this, the assassins immediately drew their weapons and put them to the throats of their companions on their right.
Nightingale chanted a mental strengthening spell, trying to free herself from the mental influence. She closed her eyes and opened them again... There were still nine people, and she couldn't distinguish the extra person no matter how hard she tried.
Who is the extra one?
"I ask questions, you answer them, and I know who is right and who is wrong. Let's start with Xi Ke..."
Nightingale asked each person a question and got the correct answer.
How is this possible!
At this time, someone said, "Ms. Nightingale, why did you only ask seven questions?"
"Did I only ask seven questions?" Nightingale looked even more nervous. "I clearly asked all of you one by one, without missing a single one."
"Ms. Nightingale, I checked and you really only asked seven questions."
"Yes, Miss Nightingale, I checked too, and they only asked seven questions."
Nightingale asked: "Who among the people you controlled did not answer?"
silence……
