At the gates of Vritannis.
Nidhogg, Judeau, Farnese, and Serpico stood in the middle of a long queue, waiting for the gate guards to inspect them and let them pass.
"There are so many people here?" Judeau looked around curiously, his hands never straying from the throwing knives at his waist.
Serpico, squinting with his slanted bangs, introduced himself as a herald officer:
"This place belongs to the garrison of the Holy See's circle, so a great many nobles, knights, mercenaries, and commoners from all over the Holy See's circle have flooded here."
"See those flags? The crest on each flag symbolizes a parish nation of the Holy See: the Tudor Empire, the Kingdom of Midland, the Kingdom of Baldyan, the Principality of Moghul..."
Every time Serpico named a nation within the Holy See's circle, he raised his eyebrows. When he had named eleven countries, even he himself was quite surprised.
"This is truly strange. The knights of the eleven most influential nations in the Holy See are here. And there are many small, scattered nations. What has happened here? Why have so many people gathered at the same time?"
Nidhogg patted the man standing before him on the shoulder. When the man turned, Nidhogg politely started chatting with him.
After a few words, Nidhogg coaxed the other party into a good mood and extracted from his mouth what was happening.
It turned out that tomorrow, a tournament of knightly duels would be held here, sponsored by the Holy See and the Vandimion family. It was called the "Holy See's Knightly Tournament."
Unfortunately, the King was too old to travel far. So everything here was left to the Vandimion family. Only a respected priest from the Holy City was sent to represent the King.
Thanks to the generous rewards and the fact that it was jointly organized by the Holy See and the Vandimion family, it had a wide influence. Therefore, it attracted many knights within the Holy See's circle.
Hearing "Vandimion family," Farnese shuddered, then returned to normal. This was exactly what she wanted. Since the Vandimion family was going to hold a competition, her father must be here.
But the thought of meeting her stern father, Farnese, who had practiced in the monastery for several years, couldn't help but be a little timid. After all, this was her own plan, and she had to continue at this time.
After successfully passing the inspection of the city guards, everyone entered the city and passed through a noisy market, crowded with people for a while.
"We've been mercenaries for so long, and we've never seen such a prosperous city." Judeau, with his ponytail, smiled and shook his head. "Nidhogg, have you seen it?"
Of course, Nidhogg had seen it, and even missed the appearance of a modern city. But he naturally couldn't say, "In the future, we will build such prosperous towns and cities."
"I hope so," Judeau nodded, but had little confidence. Now they were homeless, and their goal was still deep in the Western Sea. It was still a long way from building a settlement, a city, or even a nation.
"Let's go this way." Both Farnese and Serpico had been to Vritannis and knew the local paths well. So they walked ahead to show the way.
After a while, they left the noisy market and arrived at a beautiful, quiet, and peaceful place. In the distance, they saw a rich mansion, surrounded by high stone walls.
"This is the Vandimion family mansion, just the one in Vritannis?" Judeau looked into the distance and said in surprise, "This is truly the most powerful family in the Holy See's circle, second only to the royal palace."
He had seen the Promolos Palace in Windham City, the Kingdom of Midland, and naturally made a suitable assessment.
Farnese looked embarrassed. The closer she got to the Vandimion family mansion, the more reserved she became.
Serpico knew the source of Farnese's nervousness. He could only stand silently beside her, offering support and hoping that Farnese could rely on herself.
Besides, if things got worse, weren't Nidhogg and Judeau still here?
Many difficulties and problems in the world are meaningless under the principle of "one force defeating ten meetings." And Nidhogg could use this force. Thinking this, his confidence grew.
Armored guards stopped them. This was not surprising. Even if Farnese produced the Vandimion family token—a sword engraved with the family crest, a four-leaf clover—they didn't let them pass so easily.
The entire Vandimion family was closely connected, and their industry spanned the Holy See and its circle. Naturally, it had countless members, and mobility was even higher.
It was normal that a few gatekeepers didn't know the daughter of the Vandimion family and her guards. But they still sent the token to the mansion for clarification.
After a while, the guard who had entered with the token hurried back, showing much more respect. He returned the token to Farnese and invited her and the others to enter.
"Miss Farnese, Lord Federigo wishes to see you."
The guard's words made Farnese so nervous that she couldn't help but take a deep breath.
After that, the path was unimpeded. They walked through magnificent palaces and corridors, passed many famous paintings, and were finally led into the study of the "Master of the Scales," Federigo.
In the huge study, Federigo was not alone. Two men stood on either side of the long table. When they heard the knock, they all looked up and saw Farnese and her company enter.
"Farnese." A stout man behind the long table, dressed in the ecclesiastical robes of the Holy See, stepped forward and hugged Farnese with a smile. "I am so glad to see that you have returned safely."
"Brother Polidiaro." Farnese spoke the name of her second brother, but she didn't feel friendly. She was not so familiar with the Grand Governor of the Holy See.
The man with a goatee on the other side of the long table also approached, dressed in luxurious aristocratic clothing. But after glancing at Farnese, he cast a stern look at the few people behind her.
"Serpico, how did you protect Farnese? Didn't I say, even if you have to die, you must die before Farnese? How dare you let Farnese be taken and then return with your face intact?"
"Lord Zulchio." Serpico looked sincere and frightened, fully expressing respect for the eldest son of the Vandimion family, the heir and right-hand man of Federigo, and the Chief Financial Officer of the Holy See's Accounting Office.
"I am to blame for everything. I am willing to accept punishment." Serpico half-knelt, not intending to defend himself.
"And what about Azan?" Zulchio glanced at Nidhogg and Judeau and said coldly, "The 'Bridge Knight' is no more than that. He couldn't even protect his own master. This is truly despicable..."
"Elder brother!" Farnese cried out in panic, begging Zulchio to stop and be silent.
Zulchio was about to say more when he heard the man behind the long table put down his pen and say, "Alright. Farnese, come here."
Federigo's voice seemed to possess a magical power. The entire study fell silent.
Farnese took a deep breath, stepped forward, and approached the old man, whose face was covered in wrinkles and who also had a goatee.
Federigo looked sharply at Farnese, his gaze dropping from her head. Then he turned to Serpico, who was half-kneeling on the ground, and to Nidhogg and Judeau, who stood indifferently behind.
He thought for a moment, then understood what was happening. But he didn't mention that Farnese had been kidnapped for over half a year. He simply said, "You and your friends go and rest. Take a bath and change your clothes."
"Father..." Farnese had only dared to look at Federigo's chin before. But now she looked up in surprise and met her father's gaze.
"If you need anything, we'll discuss it at dinner. I'll attend to matters with Zulchio and Polidiaro. Go on."
Federigo had indeed let her off. Farnese, who had thought she would be frequently interrogated, stepped back, a little stunned. Serpico also stood up.
Zulchio only snorted coldly and returned to his father along with the smiling Polidiaro.
Nidhogg, Judeau, Farnese, and Serpico left the study and were led by servants to their temporary rooms.
Judeau nudged Nidhogg's arm and asked quietly, "What an incredible family. Faced with their daughter and sister returning after disappearing for nearly a year, the behavior of the three men is so strange."
Nidhogg was not surprised. "To become the most powerful family in the Holy See's circle, such family members will be more or less 'different.'"
"You're right," Judeau nodded in agreement. "Only extraordinary people can do extraordinary things. It's just that they ask nothing and continue with their business. That surprises me."
"Rich people are different from us."
"Haha, yes, yes."
Farnese had her own room in this mansion. Nidhogg, Judeau, and Serpico were assigned a room that was spacious and bright.
Farnese, surrounded by a group of maids about to take a bath, could only glance back at the three and disappear around the corner.
"What do I do now?" Serpico slightly opened his eyes and asked.
"Federigo has probably guessed that it was us who took Farnese." When Nidhogg spoke, both Serpico and Judeau turned their heads in shock. "He's just not going to reveal it."
"Why?" Judeau asked.
"Because... in the end, it's a scandal." Serpico touched his chin, thought for a moment, and replied. "Whatever happened to Farnese, since she has been sent back, there is only one way out."
"If you want us to keep quiet, just pretend nothing happened." Judeau also came to his senses and asked, "Shouldn't they do bad things to me and Nidhogg?"
"No." Serpico shook his head and said, "Master Federigo is meticulous in his work. He will surely consider the position of you and your companions. Recklessly provoking you would be bad for the Vandimion family."
"Then only one way remains," Judeau smiled.
"But Lord Farnese... I'm afraid she won't be able to leave Vritannis." Serpico sighed softly. Then he suddenly remembered that Nidhogg was standing nearby and couldn't help but look at him.
"First, get the ships and people," Nidhogg said. "Since Farnese said she wants to come with us, we can kidnap her once, and we can kidnap her twice. So don't worry."
Serpico thought about this. Although there were many people here, he feared that no one could actually stop Nidhogg.
At the banquet that evening, Federigo invited Nidhogg and Judeau to dine together with the four actual siblings: Farnese, Serpico, Zulchio, and Polidiaro.
Farnese had changed into a luxurious corset and was cutting the meat on her plate with a knife and fork, her eyes downcast.
Serpico sat nearby, also silent in the serious atmosphere.
Then Federigo broke the silence and spoke of family matters. His wife, Farnese's mother, and others, if nothing went wrong, would arrive in the city early tomorrow morning to catch up on this competition.
This was quite strange. Federigo and his wife were actually acting separately. They usually didn't stay together.
As for his unsuccessful third son, the often underestimated Manifico, he had arrived in Vritannis early. But he seemed to be entertaining friends in the city and was not in the mansion at this time.
At some point, Federigo suddenly asked about the origins of Nidhogg and Judeau. Nidhogg replied that they were members of a mercenary group.
Federigo thanked them for saving Farnese, calling them Farnese's saviors and friends of the Vandimion family.
Nidhogg observed Zulchio and Polidiaro. Their expressions remained unchanged, as if they had united their level and woven the story into the rhetoric about them being a mercenary group that had accidentally saved Farnese.
Therefore, everyone tacitly closed this matter.
After the banquet, Federigo asked someone to bring two treasure chests and opened one, filled with rare and precious treasures. The other was filled with gold coins.
"This is a small token of our gratitude." Federigo smiled and said. "Please accept it. If you have any needs, please don't hesitate to let us know. We will surely try our best to satisfy them."
Nidhogg and Judeau looked at each other, naturally accepting the treasures of the two chests. But Judeau was a little troubled: how were they going to take these two heavy, yet invaluable, chests away?
With such abundant wealth, they probably wouldn't have to worry about running out of money for a while.
Since Federigo had taken the initiative to mention "any other needs," Nidhogg was not polite and asked, "We want to put to sea. If so, can you provide ships, captains, and sailors?"
Federigo thought for a moment, didn't hesitate, and replied, "Yes. How many ships do you need?"
The Spirit Tree Company now had over a hundred people. If a ship were large, it would be enough to barely accommodate them. But since it was the Vandimion family providing the ships, why hold back?
"Please give us three ships and the personnel," Nidhogg replied.
Federigo listened and didn't hesitate. He simply waved his hand, and someone went to handle it, as if it wasn't anything special. "Tomorrow morning, you will see three ships."
Thus, both guests and hosts were pleased.
The next day, Judeau and several servants moved the two heavy treasure chests into a carriage. Then they left the city gates together to join the members of the Spirit Tree Company. Afterwards, they would go together to the port to board the three ships.
Allocating personnel and purchasing supplies would take over half an hour. There were many trivial matters, so the departure time was not yet determined.
That matter would be left to Guts, Casca, and Judeau. Nidhogg would wait for news when the time came, and then board the ship.
Nidhogg stayed in the Vandimion family mansion, wanting to watch the tournament, which would last all day.
Naturally, Federigo didn't drive him away. He ordered servants to entertain him as much as possible and suggested that he go to the knightly duel venue with the Vandimion family members, so he could take VIP seats.
This time, Nidhogg didn't agree. He wanted to observe from the side, not sit in the high seats. So he politely declined Federigo.
Federigo didn't force it. After meeting his wife, a woman surrounded by many handsome men, the Vandimion family went together by carriage to the event venue.
Before leaving, Madame Vandimion lifted the carriage curtain, carefully looked at Nidhogg, opened a small fan, covered the lower part of her face, laughed a few times, and lowered the curtain again.
As for Manifico, he was ignored again.
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