Although Duke Ivan worked in the royal palace, he couldn't reside in this place that theoretically belonged only to the Empress. His luxurious residence was on a mountain top slightly lower than the Spring Palace.
It was naturally not far, being on a mountaintop as well, but Murphy took more than an hour to arrive.
The saying goes, there's no such thing as a free lunch, and even though he didn't know what Ivan was up to, it certainly wasn't just to have him eat and drink.
However, Murphy didn't refuse.
After all, the Empress had mentioned acting tonight, and he had planned to visit Duke Ivan's residence this evening anyway. Now, it even saved him some trouble.
He just felt it was a bit too early, fearing that Lady Yaga might not have time to get the message and respond, so he dawdled on purpose.
First, he said he needed to change clothes. After changing, he claimed he needed to freshen up. After freshening up, he said his clothes got wet and changed again. When he finally got ready and stepped out, the servant waiting to take him was puzzled—wasn't this the same outfit as when he entered the house?
The servant was full of confusion. As they left, Murphy dawdled again. At one point, he commented on the beautiful scenery and decided to compose a poem, which ended up being: "Ah, look at the moon, so big and round..."
Then, he went to the edge of a cliff and claimed he wanted to pee into the wind for ten meters, only to be dissuaded by the servant, who reminded him that the ancestral tombs were right below.
Frustrated by Murphy's antics, the servant wanted to return and report back, but Murphy insisted, "Who will guide me if you leave?"
The servant pointed at the road, "Just go straight ahead…"
"I don't understand Suvian, did you say go back?"
"No, Mr. Murphy, forward. The direction I'm pointing."
"You say the moon is round? Oh, I see." Murphy gave a thumbs up, "You're right."
"I mean go forward, forward..."
"Downward?"
"Forward, forward... that way..."
"To the west?"
"...I'll just take you there, Mr. Murphy."
"What time is it?"
"It's ten in the evening, Mr. Murphy…"
"So late! What are we dawdling for? Let's go, they must be waiting anxiously!"
"..."
Finally arriving at the duke's residence with the mentally exhausted servant, Murphy immediately attracted everyone's attention.
A servant stopped him, "Please hand over your wand."
Murphy glanced at him and nonchalantly shrugged, handing over one of the wands from his belt.
To Murphy now, a wand was not essential; he still had dozens in his storage ring, so handing one over was no big deal.
"British envoy Murphy Darkholme has arrived..." the announcing servant had just finished when Murphy smacked him on the head, "Daring to address me by my name, do you know who I am?"
"You are?"
"I, Darkholme III, Emperor of the Eldians, Undead, Yato Tribe, Kulu-Tuk Tribe, Uchiha Clan, Guardian of Hyrule, Conqueror of R'lyeh, Lord of Terraria, Savior of the Borderlands, Arnan and Arad continents, Super King, Ghostly... cough, Godfather of the Black Church, Savior – The Avatar, Murphy Darkholme."
The familiar sound of gasping filled the mansion.
However, the envoys from other countries felt something was off.
It seemed... different from what he said before?
But Murphy had already taken his seat, not waiting for an invitation.
They were in an open-air courtyard, with numerous lanterns floating in the sky, and a wide view beyond the railing next to a cliff.
On the main seat sat a rather handsome middle-aged man in a red gold-trimmed robe - Duke Ivan, whose portrait Murphy had seen before.
Beside him stood a slightly shorter man in a military uniform, with sharp eyes. This was the former royal guard captain, Sofi Kristian.
On Ivan's left sat a young man about Murphy's age, resembling Ivan by about sixty to seventy percent - his eldest son, Rass Frederick.
On his right sat an old man with long, graying hair, thin and shriveled, with a strange red symbol on his black forehead, which Murphy didn't understand.
This was Felipe Carlos, the Great Shaman, known as the Song of the Earth, on the same level as Alexei.
Murphy frowned. Why was this man still here despite his delay? Hadn't Lady Yaga acted yet?
Murphy felt the gaze of the three men on him, especially the old shaman's eyes, which seemed to flicker with a flame-like substance. Even across the distance, Murphy felt the overwhelming magical power, solid as rock, heavy as a mountain, sending chills down his spine.
This guy was strong, probably not far behind Alexei.
Suddenly, Felipe stood up, his gaze still fixed on Murphy.
Is he planning to make a move first?
Just then, a maid ran over and whispered something to Duke Ivan and then to the shaman. The latter frowned and finally glanced at Murphy before leaving with the maid.
"Sorry, everyone, there's a small situation at the ancestral tombs, and the Great Shaman has to check it out, so he can't stay with us. But no matter, now that everyone is here, let's start the banquet," Duke Ivan announced.
Murphy quietly breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed Lady Yaga had managed to act in time.
The banquet was initially quite boring, with nothing but drinking, eating, singing, boasting, and dancing. Murphy didn't touch the food or drink; he was estimating the time and waiting to see what Ivan was really planning.
After three rounds of drinks, the servants cleared the table and poured everyone a new glass.
Ivan stood up with his glass, and the music stopped abruptly.
Murphy also looked up, anticipating the drama was about to start.
"Ladies and gentlemen, coming from afar to propose to our Empress, we are deeply honored," Ivan began, smiling generously and toasting a few guests.
"You must all know that Empress Sofia is my niece, the daughter of my sister. I watched her grow up. Sofia is gentle and virtuous, with a soft temperament. Having lost her parents early, she always stayed by my side, like a daughter to me."
The audience nodded, curious about what Ivan would say next.
Murphy rolled his eyes.
A soft temperament?
The Empress?
And like father and daughter?
Then you two must be quite filial and paternal.
"My son," he continued, pulling Rass beside him, "Rass Frederick, has been accompanying Sofia since childhood, and they grew up like siblings."
"The two have long harbored feelings for each other and have privately pledged their lives together. However, due to court etiquette, we had to extend invitations to you all."
With these words, the guests, who had been nodding agreeably, suddenly looked like chickens strangled by the neck, gaping in disbelief.
What does this mean?
An inner-family union?
We're just here for show?
While it's said
that Suvians are into this, isn't this just playing with us?
"For my son's happiness, for the continuation of my kingdom, I, Ivan Frederick, apologize to you all. If you would kindly withdraw from tomorrow's selection, please drink this glass. I will offer generous compensation and see you off from the city."
Silence spread through the hall, the guests in shock, unsure how to react.
Then, amidst the stillness, a round of applause broke out.
Murphy clapped, nodding, "Sincere! Genuine! Duke Ivan's words are truly heartfelt and moving. If I were you, I would drink that glass right now."
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