The Lord Demon King is Unfathomable!

Chapter 1157 - 347: The Prince Who Gracefully Departed Amid the Clamor

"The glory of the Colin family has been perfectly extended upon you." Duke Valencia added in a kindly yet authoritative voice, "And please do not overexert yourself; the future of the Empire still needs young people like you to contribute your strength."

Luo Yan smiled slightly, returned a standard courtesy, and spoke calmly and unhurriedly.

"You gentlemen overpraise me, I am merely fulfilling my duties as a subject of the Empire. The smooth establishment of the Holy Temple Knight Order wouldn't be possible without the strong support from the Council of Elders and His Excellency, the Regent King... This kindness, the Colin family will remember it in their hearts!"

Granville and Duke Valencia both showed pleasant smiles on their faces, while casting a glance that seemed to look at a fool at the burly figure swaggering away from here.

In their view, this guy seemed no different from those naive youths who boarded ships heading for the Gana Continent in pursuit of dreams.

The young officers of the Empire have indeed formed a political force that cannot be underestimated, but the Empire's armies are not all in the hands of these young officers... They always mistakenly overestimate their significance.

For instance, the coastal defense fleet escorting the trade routes along the eastern shore of the Vast Ocean is firmly in the hands of Duke Andre Castellion.

It's not only the coastal defense fleet; among their private soldiers on their respective territories, there are many loyal and reliable young men... Part of them are children of vassals, and some are children of their servants.

With a massive foundation as their backing, they too can insert their own people into the Holy Temple Knight Order, and even among the clerks registering the young lads of the Empire at the port, there are many pawns of the nobles from the Council of Elders.

The most crucial point is, Colin is also a noble.

And unlike the rebellious Aber family, the traditional Colin family has not been ostracized by the upper echelons of the Empire.

After some polite exchanges, the Regent King and Duke Valencia left together smiling, leaving time for others.

And after the two left, Luo Yan finally awaited Duke Andre Castellion, who had previously conversed privately with him in the lounge of the Marshal Mansion.

This man, whose thick beard is like a lion's mane, approached with his blonde, blue-eyed, petite, and charming daughter, Miss Ophelia.

"Your Highness, I wish you a safe journey! I assume you're tired of hearing polite talk, so I won't say those meaningless words!"

Andre laughed warmly, shaking Prince Colin's hand vigorously.

"The Castellion family will forever be allies with the Colin family! Regarding the development of new routes to the Gana Continent, and future materials supply for Knight Order bases like Withered Wood Port, my fleet is fully prepared. I look forward to discussing our next cooperation plan when you return from the North!"

When he spoke of the fleet, he naturally wasn't referring to the coastal defense fleet, which belongs to the Empire.

Besides controlling the Empire's fleet, their family's private fleet is also large enough to influence or even change the Empire's trade map on the Vast Ocean!

The Castellion family serves as the Empire's wagoner over the sea, even their family crest is a bronze seahorse, demonstrating their influence in the Empire's shipping industry.

And this is the direct reason why General Hamoldon is unwilling to cooperate with Empire merchants to solve supply issues.

As for mistrusting Empire merchants, those are just formalities.

A few mere white gloves aren't enough to make the Empire's general feel apprehensive; his real concern is the Castellion family's trade influence, allowing their hand to reach into the Empire's ocean fleet and even Saint Yil Castle.

That is the Marshal's sphere of influence, and also the last survival ground for the Officer Faction of the Holy City.

Luo Yan was about to respond to Andre's farewell when he saw Miss Ophelia, who had been shyly bowing her head beside the Duke, suddenly mustering the courage to step forward slightly.

Her fair cheeks blushed, even reddening her swan-like neck. In her hands, she held a delicate and small amulet, from the crooked seahorse symbol on it, it seemed she had sewn it herself.

If she had a handmaid skilled in needlework, she wouldn't have sewn such a cute little animal as the seahorse into an Alakdo.

"Your Highness..."

Ophelia's voice was as thin as a mosquito's buzz, yet crisp and melodious, "I wish you... a safe journey. The sunshine of the Holy City... will be waiting here for your return."

This romantic gesture she learned from a book named "Daily Enchanting Words", which roughly speaks of a minstrel who, through implicit yet fervent expression, opens the hearts of noble ladies one by one.

Though it contains much content that made her blush after reading, unable to sleep, she still braved the odds to find the useful parts.

Luo Yan lowered his head, pondered for a moment, then smiled and took the amulet from Ophelia's hands, which carried a hint of warm fragrance.

"Thank you, beautiful Miss Ophelia, your blessing is the most precious gift of my journey, I will keep it carefully."

His words made Ophelia's cheeks redden further, and a joyful light appeared in her eyes.

However, in the next moment, Luo Yan redirected his gaze to Duke Andre, seamlessly transitioning the topic to her father.

"Also, thank you, Your Grace, the Colin family will forever be allies with the Castellion family, may our friendship be as everlasting as the unbreakable Brass Pass! Whether it's the Empire's future or our future, it cannot do without the support of the ocean. And I think, the blessing from your daughter brings a beautiful omen to our shared endeavor."