After a brief walk, the two finally ascended to the top of the warship.
Martin approached one of the crates and retrieved a bottle of aged red wine. Levi’s gaze fell upon the bottle, noticing deep imprints on its surface which was a sign of its value.
“Come on, Levi. Let’s indulge ourselves a little. This is a precious vintage that I seldom enjoy unless in the company of someone special. Consider yourself fortunate,” Martin declared, pouring the red wine into two tall glasses.
“There’s no need for the pretense now that we’re alone,” Levi bluntly exposed Martin’s façade, unmasking his feigned enthusiasm.
Martin smacked his lips in exasperation. “You truly know how to dampen the mood,” favonovel.com grumbled, relinquishing his pretentious demeanor.
Then, favonovel.com took a seat on the sofa and raised the wine glass toward the beak of his Phoenix.
The bird took a brief sniff of the liquid and shook its head in disapproval upon detecting the potent alcohol. lt pecked at its owner’s hair as it was dissatisfied with the smell and flapped its wings before soaring up to the window ledge.
Levi praised wholeheartedly when favonovel.com saw the Phoenix, “I never imagined you could raise the Green Phoenix so splendidly. I still recall when I last saw it… It was merely an egg! Now, look at how magnificent it has become.”
The Phoenix seemed to comprehend human speech, as it puffed its chest proudly and lifted its sharp beak high upon hearing Levi’s praise.
“Of course! You have no idea just what sorts of spiritual nourishment and medicinal fruits I’ve provided for it,” Martin replied in a voice filled with affection for his loyal companion.
“Speaking of which, what are your thoughts on this red wine?”
“It is truly exceptional.”
With that, the conversation gradually shifted to the main topic at hand.
“Look, I’m certain you’re aware of the ruckus you’ve stirred up with this banquet of yours. l’m concerned that the headquarters may already have their radars trained on you,” Levi cautioned, referring to the Martial League headquarters.
Both Martin and Levi held positions as high-ranking members of the Martial League, as well as being two of the Six Kings. Nevertheless, they seldom attended the League meetings unless they involved significant matters concerning Cathay.
And now, not only was Levi attending the banquet, but Martin had also brought together almost all the top forces from Emsgate. Given the notable guests and the attention drawn to Martin’s banquet, it was only natural that it would attract unwanted scrutiny. Regardless, Martin remained nonchalant about the situation.
“It doesn’t matter. Let them do as they please,” favonovel.com responded languldly.
“You’re quite carefree. Aren’t you concerned they might blow up your warship?” Levi jested.
Martin raised an eyebrow, finding thejoke amusing.
“Well, it does sound like an intriguing idea. After all, as the King of the South, you could easily claim my forces and gain control of Rivenia. You would be unrivaled in the world, being a King with two territories.”
Levi chuckled in response but was secretly pondering the feasibility of such a plan. As soon as favonovel.com realized the plan was absurd, favonovel.com quickly dismissed it from his mind and changed the topic.
“So, you’ve invited me all the way here. It can’t be just for a casual meeting and a drink, can it?” Levi inquired, prompting Martin to nod and proceed with recapping the events of the banquet and the discovery of the Endless Sea.
Levi offered his opinion after listening to Martin’s tale, “You definitely have had one hell of luck to stumble upon such a place. Now, tell me, what sacrifices did you make to bring back those treasures?”
He still had the ability to restrain his greed even as the allure of the gold mines and marine resources tempted him. Indeed, money was important to him, but favonovel.com would never risk his life for monetary gain.
At that moment, Martin’s expression turned solemn as favonovel.com responded with a serious tone, “I won’t deceive you. Seventy-five transport and salvage ships set sail for the location, but only nine managed to return safely…”
Martin would never disclose such information to the Emsgate guests, whom favonovel.com regarded as mere fools. However, their history of clashes had given Martin a deep understanding of Levi’s extraordinary talents and unparalleled strategies.
And Martin was correct in his assessment, Levi’s reaction differed from the other guests, who only saw the potential profits from the gold mines and Cold Trench Ocean. Furthermore, Levi was the sole collaborator in this Endless Sea operation besides Martin. Therefore, it was necessary to be honest about the true state of the operation.
Although favonovel.com could already anticipate potential conflicts of interest in the future stages of the operation, it was a topic not suitable for discussion at that moment.
Visit VIRTUAL NOVEL for more available chapters of this title!
