An elder of the Flower Fief also came with Valeria. However, although she held a status that of an
elder, the woman looked extremely young as if she was just under forty years of age. In fact, as they
sat together, she just looked like Valeria's older sister.
"Elder Leticia, it still puzzles me why we have to ally ourselves with the Ghost Fief. There are others
out there who are much stronger than them. I thought we are just evenly matched in terms of power. I
don't understand why the leader would choose such an average fief," Valeria blurted out her thoughts.
"You are right. The Ghost Fief is not among the strongest ones. However, its leader, Gilbert, is also
born from a royal family just like our leader. Hence, both of them have common interests. As for the
other seven leaders, despite their close ties to the royal family, they are not born pure-blood," Elder
Leticia pointed out.
"That's it? I don't think it's reasonable enough!" Valerie furrowed her eyebrows, thinking that there
should be a more specific reason that she did not know.
"Ha-ha! You are such a smart girl. Fine. The real reason why our leader chose the Ghost Fief is that
she once had a relationship with Gilbert. That was back when they had not taken over their fiefs yet,"
Elder Leticia whispered.
"What? Really?" Valeria's eyes widened a little because of shock.
"So, part of the reason why our leader decided to ally with the Ghost Fief by proposing an arranged
marriage is that she wants to make up for her past regret," Leticia explained further.
"Well, if it wasn't for the order of our leader, I would not marry the Godly Genius of the Ghost Fief. I
don't even know what he looks like," Valeria said in a gloomy tone.
"It's much better if you do not see your fiance in advance. Otherwise, you might get more reluctant to
marry him," Leticia remarked.
"Why are you saying it like that? Are you hinting that he is ugly?" Hearing what the elder said, Valeria
could not help but be a little depressed.
"You know how it is. There are only a few good-looking men from the Shura Race. I just don't want to
get your hopes up. They are different from humans. Don't expect that they would be tall and handsome
like humans," Leticia responded bluntly.
"So, have you ever seen a man from the human race?" Valeria asked out of curiosity.
"Ha-ha! Of course, I have. I even fell in love with a human," Leticia replied as a girlish expression
appeared on her face.
"Really? What happened then?"
"Even you know that a relationship between members of the Shura Race and the human race is
forbidden. So, of course, it had to end." Leticia let out a deep sigh as she smiled bitterly.
"But I also have blood of the human race in me…" Valeria uttered in confusion.
"Shh! That is a secret. If anyone knows that you are not a pure-blooded member of the Shura Race,
you will certainly get into huge trouble," Leticia immediately warned.
"Oops. Sorry, I forgot." Valeria said as she stuck her tongue out.
"Anyway, remember that we have two missions this time. First, we have to make sure that the alliance
with the Ghost Fief would go smoothly. Second, you and their Godly Genius will go to the Nether Fire
Land together to accomplish the task. With that, you can have a very good chance of winning," Leticia
said as her expression became serious.
"But I heard that my fiance is the weakest among all the other Godly Geniuses. It means that I will need
to protect him in the future, right?" Valeria asked with hints of reluctance in her voice.
"Don't worry too much. He is the disciple of Esteban, Ghost Fief's highly-skilled doctor. His fighting
abilities may be a little weak, but as a practitioner of medical skills, he will be capable enough to help
you survive in the Nether Fire Land. Moreover, I heard that his pillar of divine power ascended to one
foot and five inches within a month. It just means that he is an extraordinary fellow," Leticia said as she
encouraged the young woman.
"As long as he does not hold me back, then it's fine," Valeria replied as she pouted, not really
convinced with what Leticia told her.
Hearing Valeria's response, Leticia just kept quiet and let out a faint smile.
About two days later, their group had finally arrived at the Ghost Capital.
Not long after, they stopped in front of Gilbert's mansion.
Upon seeing the people from the Flower Fief, Peter the steward, who was patiently waiting outside to
welcome the guests, immediately walked towards the chariot and respectfully greeted, "Welcome,
distinguished guests from the Flower Fief. I am the leader's butler. We have been expecting your
arrival."
At the same time, Valeria and Elder Leticia got out of the chariot.
"The leader is already waiting for you inside the hall. This way please," Peter said as he guided them.
"Thank you for all the help," Valeria responded politely.
After that, Peter took them directly to the conference hall.
As soon as they arrived, they saw Gilbert inside, sitting in the high seat, together with more than a
dozen elders and retainers on both sides. Obviously, they had been waiting for Valeria and Leticia.
"Greetings! We are glad to experience such a warm welcome," Valeria said as she bowed and paid her
respects to the leader and the elders.
At the same time, Leticia also bowed to Gilbert.
"You are most welcome. Please have your seats."
As they sat down, Gilbert asked tentatively, "I heard that your purpose for coming here is to form an
alliance with us. I will be straight to the point and declare that we have no objection to it. Do you have
any more requirements before it becomes official?"
"None, sir. But I do want to see the Godly Genius of your fief first if that is possible," Valeria requested.
"Of course. That is not a problem. Go and invite the Godly Genius to come here," Gilbert ordered a
servant at once.
Immediately after, the servant went to the Ghost Palace to fetch Rocky.
However, not long after, the servant came back and reported to Gilbert with an embarrassed look on
his face, "Leader, he said that he is busy right now. If the Godly Genius of the Flower Fief won't mind,
please wait for a moment."
Hearing these words, Gilbert clenched his fists and was also embarrassed.
Although Valeria thought that it was so impolite of Rocky, she still replied with politeness, "That is not a
problem. If he is not available at the moment, we can wait for him."
"I see. I know that you have been worn out after traveling all the way here. Why don't you go to the
Fragrance Palace first to have a rest? When the Godly Genius is already available, I will ask him to pay
you a visit in person," Gilbert said as he forced a smile.
"Of course. Thank you for your hospitality." Valeria nodded and did not express any objection.
After that, Gilbert ordered some of his servants to guide the guests to the Fragrance Palace.
"Leader, our Godly Genius is too discourteous! The Godly Genius of the Flower Fief traveled a long
way just to see him, but he did not even have the decency to make time. He must be doing this on
purpose! Is he unwilling to marry Miss Valeria?" As soon as Valeria and Elder Leticia left, some of the
retainers immediately expressed their dissatisfaction regarding Rocky's attitude earlier.
"I think he has been with Esteban for too long that he also acquired his attitude."
"Well, it does not really matter whether they see each other right away. The marriage is just a symbol of
the alliance of the two fiefs. We should not get too pressured with the details of their relationship."
"All right. Calm down. The Godly Genius of the Flower Fief is already here, so we should at least give
her what she wants. But we should also give our Godly Genius some time to figure things out." After
saying that, Gilbert eventually went on his way.
Meanwhile, in the Ghost Palace, Rocky, who had just said that he was busy, was actually basking
under the sun and sorting out some of his medicinal herbs leisurely.
"Hey, brat. The Godly Genius of the Flower Fief came here to see you. Why would you even refuse to
see her? Can you imagine how embarrassed she must be?" Esteban said as he walked towards
Rocky.
"Then, that is better. If she got angry, she might want to break off the engagement. It will work out in my
favor," Rocky replied with a devious smile.
"You, stupid brat. Gilbert must be so furious right now!" Esteban said with a heavy sigh.
"It's going to be all right. Since the Godly Genius of the Flower Fief asked to meet me first, then she
should be really eager to formally have the engagement. If that is the case, then we can't let her get
what she wants too easily," Rocky said while snickering like a child.
"Well, yeah. I think so too. But I am warning you. Don't take it too far or it will surely end in chaos,"
Esteban reminded him sternly.
"Of course, you don't have to worry. I know what I am doing."
Hearing Rocky's confident answer, Esteban didn't say anything more. He just turned around and went
back inside the Ghost Palace to continue studying the corpse that he had dissected
earlier.
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