Chapter 221 - Chapter 221: He Will Make This Deal (2)
Chapter 221: He Will Make This Deal (2)
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
[Teleportation Necklace]
[Tier]: 4-star treasure
[Effect]: Allows the wearer to teleport to a designated location up to 5 kilometers away.
[Cooldown]: 72 hours
[One of the masterpieces by the Orleans Kingdom’s master blacksmith, Samora Veil, possessing a powerful life-saving ability in spatial treasure]
[Samora Veil: No one understands blacksmithing better than me]
A 4-star spatial treasure?
Ji Chen was amazed for a moment. Anything related to spatial manipulation was certainly not something ordinary.
This teleportation necklace was clearly specialized in escaping and self-preservation.
A distance of five kilometers was enough to successfully escape in most situations.
Although it seemed very tempting, he didn’t intend to accept the necklace that a father had given to his daughter.
“You can keep it. No need for such a gesture. This necklace was made by Samora Veil?”
Monica was taken aback, then nodded, saying, “Yes, Master Samora Veil has a good relationship with my father. So, he entrusted him to create this necklace as my coming-of-age gift.”
“But why are you asking about this, Your Excellency?”
“Nothing much, I obtained an item made by Samora Veil as well. Just curious.”
“I see… If Your Excellency wishes to commission Master Samora or have an artifact repaired, I might be able to convey the message for you.”
Upon hearing this, Ji Chen’s interest was immediately piqued.
This is something he needed!
Lizardmen excelled in forging, but they couldn’t repair advanced artifacts like the Dragon Slayer Great Sword.
Someone capable of crafting a 4-star spatial treasure, this Master Samora might not be an ordinary person. Perhaps he could inquire whether the sword could be repaired.
With a smile, Ji Chen said, “That would be appreciated, Monica. I happen to have an item that needs repairing.”
Monica smiled back, saying, “It would be my pleasure if 1 can assist Your Excellency.”
To seek help from others, one must first offer help.
Monica’s proactive assistance indicated that she had something that she needed his help with.
He couldn’t believe that a woman born into the Grand Duke’s family would be as innocent and naive as she seemed on the outside. Only Anina, the fool, would be easily deceived.
“Monica.”
“Your Excellency, I’m here.”
“I heard that your ship was attacked and ultimately sank in the Stormy Sea. Can you tell me who attacked you and for what reasons?”
Hearing this, Monica’s face showed a trace of difficulty, “This…”
“Your ship has already sunk, and if you want to cross the ocean to return to the Lienhardt Grand Duchy, you definitely need my help to make it back.”
Ji Chen squinted his eyes and continued, “However, obviously, 1 won’t assist someone who might potentially bring unnecessary trouble to me without knowing the full story. You should understand this principle very well.”
Monica contemplated for a while, a bitter smile forming on her face.
“Lord Ji Chen, this concerns the safety of the Lienhardt Grand Duchy. I implore you not to disclose this to anyone after hearing it.”
“Please continue. I do understand the importance of keeping secrets.”
Seeing this, Monica seemed to relax a bit and began to explain the situation.
On the northwest coast of the North Continent, there were four kingdoms and duchies in total, and one of them was the Lienhardt Grand Duchy.
However, due to maritime routes and the precious coastline, conflicts occasionally arose among the four kingdoms and duchies.
Not long ago, the Lienhardt Grand Duchy and its neighboring country had clashed once again over territorial disputes along the coastline.
The ambitious current Grand Duke of the Lienhardt Grand Duchy, who was also Monica’s father, had lost all patience for the conflicts that had occurred for centuries. He resolved to solve such issues during his reign.
Up until this point, Ji Chen was still within his knowledge range.
Previously, from chat channels and forums, he had come across a fair amount of information about the Lienhardt Grand Duchy.
These were things that most players were aware of.
But what Monica said next was something not known to outsiders.
“But my father doesn’t know that, except for the kingdom that doesn’t border the Lienhardt Grand Duchy, the other two neighboring nations have secretly formed an alliance.
On the surface, they maintain control over conflicts just as they have done previously, but behind closed doors, they have been covertly reassigning fleets and troops, with the intention of annihilating the Lienhardt Grand Duchy’s naval forces in a single decisive strike. Their goal is to seize maritime dominance and subsequently lay claim to the coastal territories.
Even more concerning is their apparent alliance with a neighboring inland nation. Once the initial phase of their scheme is accomplished, these three nations will launch a coordinated assault on the Lienhardt Grand Duchy from the mainland, aiming to obliterate it entirely from existence.
We learned of this plan while on a diplomatic mission to another country. Through certain channels, we found out about this. That’s why we were pursued by both nations on our way back and had to risk entering the Stormy Sea for refuge.”
Finishing her explanation, Monica’s expression was incredibly sincere as she continued, “Lord Ji Chen, I beseech you to send us back to the Grand Duchy on a ship. Only if I return in person will my father believe these claims.
Both I and everyone aboard the Radiant Envoy will be immensely grateful to you. The Lienhardt Grand Duchy will not forget anyone who extends their helping hand.”
Ji Chen took a deep breath, his expression serious.
At this moment, he was caught in unprecedented turmoil.
Kingdoms, duchies.
These powers at the tier of kingdoms and duchies weren’t comparable to the Hanseatic Chamber of Commerce, Bauhinia Alliance, and other small entities.
Even their weakest presence had a fleet of over a thousand ships.
These weren’t wooden vessels anymore, but ironclad ships forged from steel.
They were equipped not with ordinary cannons, but more powerful alchemical cannons.
The strength of the sailors and soldiers aboard was dozens of times greater than that of the Chamber of Commerce guards, and their numbers were in the tens of thousands.
Could he really intervene in conflicts and battles between nations?
Even if today he simply helped Monica and her companions return with ease, if two nations found out, they would certainly hold a grudge. Sending just one or two fleets could spell trouble for him.
Considering from a standpoint of interests, there were three options.
The first was to ignore Monica and keep her here, making it as if nothing had happened. After the dust settled outside, she could be released.
The second was to send them all to the hostile countries directly, which might earn goodwill from the two nations, but it wasn’t guaranteed.
The third was to send Monica back to the Lienhardt Grand Duchy. This would most likely win the gratitude of her father and the entire Grand Duchy.
After pondering for a moment, Ji Chen looked down at Monica with a serious expression, his voice low.
“If I help you, what kind of benefit can 1 gain from it?”
Upon hearing this, Monica’s expression turned equally serious and earnest. “If Lord Ji Chen can assist the Lienhardt Grand Duchy in overcoming this crisis, then for as long as my father and I live, the Lienhardt Grand Duchy will forever be your greatest friend.
Be it alchemical technology, resources, military aid, or any other thing, whatever the Lienhardt Grand Duchy possesses, we will support you to the best of our ability.
With the name of Valencia Family, the daughter of the Grand Duke of the Lienhardt Grand Duchy, and the guarantee of honor!”
Ji Chen looked at the resolute Monica, squinting his eyes slightly, contemplating.
Not helping her would result in neither gain nor loss.
But if he took the risk to help her, and as long as the information remained confidential, the potential gains in the future would be significant.
Setting aside the strength of a duchy, just the ironclad shipbuilding technology possessed by duchies and kingdoms alone was enough to pique his interest.
Not to mention the alchemical cannons and various advanced alchemical technologies.
Any one of these items would be enough to drive any player crazy due to their value.
The saying goes, “You won’t know if you don’t try.”
One of the reasons why Crown of the Ocean had grown so rapidly and outpaced most players was because Ji Chen was willing to take risks.
The greater the risk, the greater the reward.
This principle was understood by everyone, but only those who took actual steps could truly reap the rewards.
With this thought, Ji Chen’s brow furrowed.
He decided to make this deal!