Page 387
Page 387
"...Ugh!"
Hong Litte's face flushed instantly. She instinctively put her hands behind her back, hiding the groceries she was carrying, and stammered, head down:
“Ferryman… Ugh, Master… We… we’re a little hesitant… a little hesitant to eat the vegetables grown in the mage territory. They feel… a little too delicate…”
"Hmm?" The half-elf raised an eyebrow, looked at Redette who was keeping her head down like an ostrich, and said with a hint of amusement:
"What?! Since you're already registered apprentices under the master's command, why are you still acting so distant?"
"It's because... I'm not used to it yet..."
Hong Li answered hesitantly, then sighed and fell silent.
A while ago, she and some friends were suddenly pulled into a small meeting by the Walmart principal of Qing Teng Academy. At the meeting, the Walmart principal said that a new teaching pilot academy had been established in Lundia and asked them if they wanted to join.
This pilot academy operates on a similar system to the Mage Tower, where students become registered apprentices of a high-ranking mage and live and study under that mage's supervision.
However, the difference is that ordinary mage towers don't pay much attention to the apprentices' learning progress, but this pilot academy will focus on the apprentices' learning progress. In other words, in addition to the courses at Qing Teng Academy, they will continue to study at another academy, but the master of the pilot academy will help solve problems such as daily life.
Hong Litt was initially unsure, after all, her aptitude was only average, and she might not be able to handle another course. However, when she heard that the pilot academy was called Herod Academy, she immediately jumped up and signed up.
So, she naturally became the class monitor of the tiny class with only seven or eight students at Herod Academy.
However, although she inexplicably fulfilled her wish to follow the ferryman, her impoverished background still made her feel inferior involuntarily. It was as if the few silver coins she had left in her bag were all her confidence. Before her bag was full, she dared not touch anything too exquisite, even the crops that the mage had led her to grow.
Hey, did you read the morning newspaper?
"I saw it! Holy crap, how many years has it been since I've seen someone this amazing? I thought it was fake news made up by the daily newspaper, but I didn't expect that the news on the internet would actually be verified one by one..."
"The magic network is fast. I was planning to go and check out the legendary city of Titania in a few days. I feel that the King of Titania is a very reliable person. I wonder if he will allow caravans to stop here..."
"Probably! This is the closest the floating island has ever been to Lundia, unlike the long flight path to Dragonhorn Territory which is so far away... I have a feeling that Titania City will be located at the intersection of the floating island and the Kingdom of Norard!"
"Damn, then I absolutely have to try and set up a camp nearby..."
The chatter of passing merchants reached Hong Litt's ears. She glanced at their retreating figures with a hint of envy, then sighed again.
As an apprentice, she naturally had access to the Magic Network, and in the past few days she had witnessed round after round of frenzied discussions there.
She felt no fear or apprehension towards the mysterious King of Titania, perhaps because he was too far removed from her own existence. She had no idea what floating islands, high-ranking monster lords, or ancient palaces meant.
But there was one thing she knew very well: the King of Titania must be very rich, able to support a city, and his assets must be... at least a thousand gold coins!
If she could be like King Titania, no, even if she were just an unknown soldier under King Titania, it would probably give her a little bit of confidence... Unfortunately, she was just an ordinary apprentice who had left her hometown, with no money, let alone any background.
Even after joining the academy of the mentor... she didn't know how to place herself. Was she just a passerby, or was she fortunate enough to become a partner in the same camp as the mentor?
Hong Litt silently rubbed her eyes, looked up at Artemis's back, and found that she had suddenly stopped next to a carriage.
Huh? This is...
"Big brother, have you already gone home to see the little birds? You're so quick! Hehe, I'm just leading my apprentices back now..."
Artemis brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, listening to the teasing words from the person in the carriage, then suddenly widened her eyes and asked somewhat shyly:
"Honey... here? There are so many people here... Okay, okay, I know, you bad brother..."
She tiptoed and peeked into the carriage, giving it a quick, light peck. Then, blushing, she straightened up and said:
"Alright! I should head back soon. I won't be in the Mage Territory for the next few days, and Yashutia is still in Titania City, so I need to get back quickly to restock the item shop... Huh? What are these gold coins?! Are they all for me? Ugh... Okay, okay, I love you!"
How sweet they look... Are those your mentor's lovers in the carriage? I'm so envious... Wait, didn't your mentor just mention... Titania?
Hong Litt was stunned for a moment. Just as she was about to ask a question, she saw Artemis wave in surprise at the two knight ladies, one big and one small, across the street and then quickly run up to them.
Is that... the Knights of the Golden Hall of Lundia?
Hong Litt scratched her head in confusion. There were so many people around that she didn't know who to pay attention to.
They're all incredibly capable adults... unlike her, who's just a kid from the countryside...
“Honglit.”
Suddenly, a mature, magnetic male voice came from inside the carriage, carrying a hint of leisurely chuckle, and asked:
"Did I call you by the wrong name? Please come over here for a moment."
Yes, it's the gentleman in the carriage!
Hong Litt snapped out of her daze, nervously fidgeting with the hem of her dress. She lowered her head, stepped forward, and asked:
"Your Excellency...is there anything I can do for you?"
"No need, I just wanted to give you a little gift."
A large, broad hand suddenly reached out from the carriage and stopped in front of Hong Lit. Hong Lit instinctively raised her hands and caught the object that was put down from the large hand.
"study hard, improve every day."
The mysterious man uttered a catchy phrase, then smiled and closed the carriage door.
Hong Litt stared blankly as she opened her hands, looking at the greeting gift that still retained warmth in her palm.
A gold white.
"……Eh?"
Her rough palms instantly became hot, and a feeling of confusion, embarrassment, and faint surprise tangled in her mind like a knotted ball of yarn. For a moment, she didn't know whether the gold white was real or fake.
She had never seen gold coins before.
"Honglit, let's go!"
Artemis's call brought Hong Lit back to her senses. She rubbed her sore eyes, opened her mouth but didn't know what to say, so she bowed deeply to the man in the carriage. After a moment of silence, she took a few unsteady steps and walked towards her mentor.
Titania...?
A sudden flash of inspiration struck Red Pete, and she seemed to understand something in a daze.
She paused, and subconsciously looked back.
Behind the silent, wide carriage was a strange coat of arms. Between two spherical buildings that resembled warehouses, a long cylinder extended diagonally. On the edge of the coat of arms, in common language and a strange square script, was written the proverb, "Truth is only within the range of cannons."
A strange sense of exhilaration welled up in Hong Lit's heart. She couldn't tell what emotion it was or where it came from, but from that moment on, she suddenly felt a sense of security.
So she started running and quickly headed towards her mentor.
Chapter 384 Slinger is actually a bit cunning
[Magic doll enthusiasts: Do you think Titania might have some novel dolls? Or advanced magical puppetry technology or something...?]
[Gentleman's One-Minute Showdown: Why is your mind filled with dolls? The King of Titania is a powerful figure; he could probably have dozens of sisters with a wave of his hand. How could he possibly keep a bunch of sex dolls at home? Diagnosed as sexual repression.]
[The magician's hobby: People who like dolls are actually drawn to the doll's supple texture and limited articulation. This fondness usually stems from memories of being in the mother's womb during embryonic development; simply put, they have a mother complex.]
[Magic doll enthusiast: Not a guy? Wait a minute...]
[The Master's Hand is the Orthodox One: Great! He's a psychology expert, we're saved!]
[Captain Jenny: Oh ho ho, next time I go to Titania, I'll check if there are any magical dolls for you guys.]
[The Magician's Purpose: Is Captain Jenny going on a mission? It's a shame I don't really like taking the back roads. I wonder when the trade routes from Lundia will be extended there...]
[Captain Jenny: It shouldn't be too long!]
[Amateur artist who's a full-time artist: So, the eastern forest area is safe now, we can go sketching, and anglers can start exploring new fishing spots too!]
[Gentleman's One-Minute Show: It's true, those who like to expose themselves in the wild have a new spot now.]
[Magical Doll Lovers: Sexual Repression, Sexual Repression, Sexual Repression!]
[Mr. Silver, the Mage's Hand: Wait, wait. The Association has confirmed that it will establish relations with Titania City. Perhaps the trade route will be extended here in a few days. If you have finished your term assignments, you may be able to come and visit in a few days.]
[The true lineage of the Mage's Hand lies with me: Wait, come here...?]
[Amateur Sorcerer with a Main Role as an Illustrator: Mr. Yin! I want to go too!]
[Mr. Silver, the Mage's Hand: You're no good. You should focus on preparing for your final exams.]
[An amateur sorcerer whose main profession is painting: Sad...]
……
Latis suppressed a laugh as he browsed through the discussions in the various chat areas. He had to admit that the mages' curiosity and anticipation about the new city far outweighed their fear and speculation.
It seems that casually killing the tiger that was chasing Yashutia back then was actually quite meaningful; people can only truly grasp the essence of things after their own lives have undergone tangible changes.
He stroked his chin, disconnected the magic network, and leaned back in the spacious carriage seat.
After greeting Artemis and Jennifer, he sat in the carriage for a while and observed the passersby around the outer city. He could see that even among ordinary people, Titania had become a topic that was brought up as soon as they opened their mouths.
It makes sense. Although the floating islands are the most eye-catching wonder on this land, most people have almost no chance to come into contact with anything related to them. Even if they wanted to visit them, the entrances to the floating islands are too far away and too desolate.
Now, for ordinary people, Titania is a microcosm of the floating islands, and for mages, it is a foothold in the undeveloped eastern edge forest region. Once he receives the Queen's title, Titania will become the only intersection between the floating islands and the Norard nobility.
I really don't know what a spectacular sight it will be.
Latis crossed his arms, intending to ask Princess Slingk how long it would take to arrive via the beacon, when suddenly his consciousness stirred and he sensed that his personal magic network surrounding the carriage had been slightly activated.
She is coming.
Sure enough, a soft knock came from outside the carriage the next second. Latiston immediately smiled and quickly opened the carriage door, looking at Slingk, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, holding a parasol.
"Long time no see, little princess!"
Latis grinned. He remembered his brief meeting with Slinger on the Dawn Tree. Although it seemed different from the simulation, and she didn't make that "declaration of her royal consort," Latis could still sense that their relationship had made great progress. There are always subtle differences between simulation and reality, and Latis didn't dwell on it.
Slinger subconsciously leaned forward slightly, seemingly unable to contain her joy, but she quickly realized her mistake and subtly transformed the gesture into a royal salute, smiling as she said:
"Long time no see, Gou..."
She paused, watching Latis's face quickly fall, and couldn't help but slightly curl the corners of her lips. She blinked, coughed lightly, and changed the subject, saying:
“Hmm… Lord Latis.”
"Eh?"
Latis suddenly realized that Slink had finally remembered his name. He immediately grinned and extended his hand to her, saying:
"Yes, yes, yes, yes... Please come in, Your Highness."
Although he always had the feeling that Princess Slingk was actually deliberately calling him by the wrong name to tease him, based on his understanding of the little princess from his many simulations, the little princess was obviously very cute and innocent, and could never be so scheming.
In short, the image of the little princess, Slinger, who would unconsciously talk to herself about her thoughts, remained very innocent and adorable in Latis's mind.
"Thank you, Lord Latis."
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