97 Entering the Imperial Capital Part 2 (2/2)
”There are rules in the army camp. I will just have some dim sum,” Saleen said, as he pointed to a plate that belonged to a mage sitting opposite him. Saleen did not want any preferential treatment. Mages were respected not because of their pride, but because of their powers and knowledge. Since everyone had finished eating, Saleen felt that it was fine to simply eat dim sum and drink some tea.
”Scott, please tell me more about the Monitor Lizard Business. What happened after that?” Viscountess Lex continued with her question, interrupting Scott’s greetings to Saleen.
Scott coughed awkwardly and replied, ”The Monitor Lizard Business has managed to spread to the imperial capital. Naturally, the four big clans couldn’t tolerate them. As you know, violence wouldn’t have solved any problems in the imperial capital. Then, in a rare turn of events, the four big clans teamed up and organized the biggest auction in the history of the capital. The purpose was to cause the Monitor Lizard Business’ auction to fail. In the end, no one turned up to the Monitor Lizard Business auction.”
Saleen’s ears perked up when he heard Scott’s words. The four big clans? The Clyde family, which Aini was in, was one of the four big clans Scott was talking about. So even families of businessmen could call the shots in the Holy Rock City?
”The people who were bribed by the Monitor Lizard businesspeople let them cause so much trouble?” Viscountess Lex asked.
”Of course not. This matter eventually went up to His Majesty.”
”What did my father say?”
”His Majesty said that the capital wasn’t like Sikeqinya, and that the Monitor Lizard businesspeople shouldn’t interfere with business in the capital. These businessmen eventually left the imperial capital in shame, and lost everything.”
”Lost everything? I don’t think so. The Monitor Lizard businesspeople had already made the necessary connections to the lower house. In less than five years, the clan behind these people will be conferred royal titles. There is an advantage to dealing with people in the lower house. As long as they are paid, they will finish the job. On the surface, my father may have seemed like he was protecting the four big clans, but in his heart, he was actually secretly unhappy with them. The four big clans have profited too much from the spending sprees on weapons these past few years. They have forgotten who has been supporting them all along,” Viscountess Lex rebutted.
”Actually, the sale of weapons hasn’t been that important. In the past few years, the four big clans have groomed many mages.”
”They had no choice. The empire forbids the keeping of private armies. Furthermore, the businessmen needed to roam the mainland to do business. If they wanted to compete with the people from Sikeqinya, then they would need some combat power for protection. After this incident, were there any changes in the seats of the lower house?”
”The Duke of Burgundy has died, leaving an empty seat in the lower house, but there are no nominations so far. Rumors have said that there were a few nominations, but His Majesty was not pleased with them.”
”My father doesn’t interfere with the affairs of the lower house. It must be my uncle. He wants to use this seat to attract indecisive people. Scott, if you want to survive in the imperial capital, you must learn to look beyond the surface.”
Scott simply laughed but did not reply. Viscountess Lex could say these words, but he could not. It was taboo for military personnel to be involved in politics. Even if he were to inherit his father’s title and become a baron, he still would not be considered anyone important in the capital.
Saleen had listened in on the conversation but had gotten very confused. He only possessed a rough understanding that not everyone could survive in the imperial capital.
As Scott and the viscountess were speaking, a commotion could be heard outside. Scott shouted for a soldier, and a soldier came. Scott asked, ”What is happening outside?”
”The female warrior who was traveling with the viscountess is pitting her strength against Wild Bear.”
”Atrocious!” Scott was a little angry. He had met with Sika yesterday and had gained a good impression of this petite female warrior. He thought that she was a bed warmer for the mages. Pitting her strength against Wild Bear? If Sika got hurt, he would have trouble explaining this to the viscountess.
”It’s fine. Saleen, go and take a look once you are done eating.” Viscountess Lex did not let Scott continue berating the soldier. She knew that Sika had immense strength, but this soldier called Wild Bear must have been the strongman amongst all of the soldiers. It would be a rare sight to see a petite beauty sparring against a strongman. The viscountess’ agenda for going to the capital this time around was to influence people into being loyal to her. She could use this opportunity to familiarize herself with the troops guarding the empire.
The spar took place in the square where soldiers usually did their drills. Now, there were thousands of people surrounding the square. When the viscountess arrived, the soldiers quickly made room for her. In the square, Sika was sparring with a warrior who was two heads taller than her.
Sika was already considered tall compared to other females. Saleen had grown quite a bit, but he was still about the same height as Sika. The burly warrior called Wild Bear was half naked and his hands were empty. His hands were placed on Sika’s arms. Sika and this warrior were purely pitting their brute strength against one another. The warrior had bulging muscles, wore a pair of shiny leather shorts, and was barefooted, resembling a chef.
At first, the soldiers were roaring and cheering for both parties, but when Viscountess Lex arrived, everyone immediately quieted down. That warrior became distracted and took a glance outside the square. Sika did not care why and exerted her strength. The warrior lost his balance and Sika took a step forward. She raised his arms and went under his armpits, and with just one punch, the burly warrior flew out of the square.
Sika had not executed her finishing move. That warrior had landed and struck the ground with a great amount of force and said angrily, ”This doesn’t count!”
Sika arched her eyebrows and asked, ”Why not?”
”I… I will never lose to you!” This burly warrior was obviously not eloquent, and the soldiers who were watching burst out into laughter. Viscountess Lex also laughed. Sika was good at managing her strength. Not bad. But she did not know that Saleen had reminded Sika to rein herself in. Otherwise, Sika’s punch would have caused Wild Bear to vomit blood.
”The man called Wild Bear, come over,” Viscountess Lex said gently, as she gestured to the burly warrior who was lying on the ground.