Chapter 1214: Chapter 1142: The Bet of Racing Steeds
At the end of August, the mountain winds at the Vicente Pass carried the scent of pine needles over the rough granite walls.
Beyond the pine needles, past the expanse of dark green forests, one could see the snowy peaks of the mountains.
The sunlight reflected off the ice and snow, and staring too long could even hurt the eyes.
The villa was a typical mountain style, with thick round logs nailed with square nails, leaving a corridor for hunting dogs to rest in.
Inside, heavy oak beams extended outward, with several strips of dried smoked meat and a basket of pine cones hanging from them.
Behind the densely placed ceramic wine bottles on the windowsill was the expectant face of the Crab Roe Monarch.
As soon as he heard the creaking sound of wheels, he immediately rushed to the door.
"Lady Jia Li! I’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival!"
Sibangqi Monarch was about fifty years old, with slightly graying hair meticulously combed back.
When he smiled, the lines at the corners of his eyes crinkled together, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes, and a slight sweat could be felt on his palm.
"Long time no see, Lord Sibangqi."
With her hands behind her back, Jia Li nodded and walked past him, her gaze sweeping across the living room.
On the wall hung a large deerskin trophy, with the deer’s eyes inlaid with jewels from Norn.
On the table were ceramic tea sets and silver cutlery, with several crumpled issues of "The Truth" piled next to the tea tray.
The Monarch has been sighing over the newspaper these past few days.
"Lord Sibangqi certainly knows how to choose a location," Jia Li said, removing her hood with a calm tone, "a secluded mountain retreat indeed."
Sibangqi gave a dry laugh and gestured for her to sit in the armchair by the fireplace: "You’re joking, it’s just a temporary resting spot.
You’ve traveled far, have a cup of malt beer?
It’s mixed with snow from the mountain top, perfect to beat the heat."
As he spoke, he gave a look to the servant standing nearby.
The servant quickly approached with a silver jug, and as the amber liquid poured into the cup, it was enveloped in a fine mist of ice.
Jia Li refused the cup: "There’s no need for trouble, since everyone is here, let’s get to the point, saving everyone the suspense."
Sibangqi paused with the cup in his hand, then reluctantly set it down: "What does Your Highness mean?"
The door curtain lifted, and Theodora and Harbin walked out shoulder to shoulder.
Theodora wore a light blue wool dress, her eyes slightly red, perhaps from longing or grievance.
Harbin was still in his smallest dark blue Holy Alliance uniform, sensing Theodora’s unease, he even raised his hand to pat her waist as comfort.
"Papa," Theodora called softly.
Seeing his daughter in this condition, Sibangqi’s face immediately darkened. He was about to speak when Jia Li raised her hand to stop him.
"Monarch, hold your words," Jia Li’s gaze fell on the two of them, "Theodora, Harbin, raise your hands."
The two were taken aback, then understood Jia Li’s meaning.
They exchanged a glance, Theodora extending her right hand, and Harbin his left.
On their hands, there was a silver ring inlaid with transparent gems.
A flush of red immediately rose from Sibangqi’s neck to his entire face: "You’re engaged?"
"Yes, Father, we want you to bless our wedding."
His pupils contracted slightly, his gaze fixed on the two rings, Sibangqi almost passed out.
He had originally thought Jia Li would first talk business with him, discuss the canned factory cooperation, but never expected her to be this direct.
Understood, this was forcing him to accept this marriage he absolutely didn’t approve of.
But he was a Monarch, after all, and the Crab Roe Clan had a reputation to uphold, not to mention having his name tarnished by despicable means before...
He opened his mouth, his throat seeming blocked by a wad of cotton, unable to speak.
Yet his eyes remained fixed on Harbin, almost spitting fire.
"Father, Harbin and I truly love each other," Theodora finally couldn’t help but speak, "What difference does it make between Dwarfs and humans?"
"Shut up!" Sibangqi slammed the table, causing the silver tea set to jingle, "I’m your father! I’m not dead yet, it’s not your place to talk to me about love!
A Dwarf, a minor Holy Alliance officer, worthy of our Crab Roe Clan’s noble daughter?"
Harbin stepped forward, shielding Theodora behind him.
He raised his head, staring directly at Sibangqi, his tone unabashedly firm: "Monarch, this is no longer an era where bloodline determines status, the Holy Alliance is not a nation of nobility.
Otherwise, Leia would still be under Prince Kongdai’s rule now, the bloodline is bound to be obsolete."
"Obsolete... hahaha." Sibangqi abruptly stood from his chair, his chest heaving, "My Crab Roe Clan has a thousand-year legacy, I am Sibangqi, the Great Monarch of Norn!
You, a Dwarf, dare to speak to me about eras and obsolescence?"
With that, he rushed forward and grabbed Theodora’s wrist, his fingers clamping down tightly: "Come with me! Back to Crab Roe Castle! I don’t believe that without this Dwarf, you can’t survive!"
Theodora struggled, her wrist hurting from the grip: "Papa! Let go of me! I’m not going back!"
Harbin also reached out to pull, but then saw Jia Li slowly stand, already standing in Sibangqi’s way.
Jia Li’s gaze was calm, resting on Sibangqi’s hand gripping his daughter: "Lord Sibangqi, let go of her."
Sibangqi met Jia Li’s eyes, a jolt going through his heart, and he instinctively loosened his fingers slightly.
He swallowed, his cheeks twitchingly threatening: "Lady Jia Li, this is a family matter of mine.
The business between the Holy Alliance and Crab Roe Castle can still proceed, I can agree to the canned factory cooperation, but this family affair..."
"I certainly won’t interfere with your family matters, but there’s one thing you need to understand," Jia Li interrupted him, "Theodora and Harbin are both citizens of our Holy Alliance.
The Holy Alliance’s laws and the principles of personal jurisdiction grant citizens the right to free love, and no one has the authority to interfere—including you, the father."
"Citizen?" Sibangqi’s eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Theodora. "You... you’ve joined Holy Alliance citizenship?"
Theodora bit her lip and nodded. "Papa, I joined Holy Alliance citizenship a while back.
I have workshops and business here in Holy Alliance. I like living here; I don’t want to go back."
Sibangqi, trembling with anger, raised his hand to strike Theodora’s face. "Nonsense, you are one of the Norn people!"
Theodora closed her eyes but didn’t feel the expected pain.
Sibangqi’s raised hand paused mid-air as if someone had pressed the pause button.
Thinking about his deceased wife and the hardships his daughter faced because of him for over a decade, looking at his daughter’s pale face...
In the end, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
Abruptly pulling back his hand, the Great Monarch breathed heavily, his chest rising and falling intensely.
Harbin once again stood in front of Theodora, staring at Sibangqi. "Excellency, I have no intention to insult you or make you my enemy.
Not wishing to offend, but if you insist on taking her from me, then I can assure you—
One day, I will use my influence in Holy Alliance to take her back.
By then, the contempt and insults you have imposed upon us today will be repaid tenfold to your clan."
"Influence?" After being stunned, Sibangqi sneered. "What are you? What influence could you possibly have?"
"Please trust in my abilities." Harbin straightened his back, speaking with certainty about the future. "If all goes well, I will soon become the Executive Deputy Director of Holy Court Barracks and perhaps achieve a cardinal position in ten or twenty years."
Sibangqi’s expression changed slightly but quickly became firm again. "And what if you become a cardinal? Does Holy Alliance dare to go to war against Norn?"
"Does Norn have food, minerals, population, and ports?"
"We have abundant resources in Norn, lacking nothing."
Harbin smirked. "Then Holy Alliance’s attack or transformation of Norn is inevitable."
"Are you threatening me?" Rolling up his sleeves, Sibangqi pointed angrily at Harbin’s nose.
"Great Monarch, you know full well that Norn is affluent, but can it really be utilized?" Harbin retorted, "Transformation or war, the choice is yours."
"I choose war." The Great Monarch said defiantly, deliberately avoiding looking at Jia Li for fear of stumbling over his words.
Harbin exhaled heavily:
"As your son-in-law, this is my advice—can’t you see the rise of Holy Alliance? Can’t you see the thriving Spring Industry and the wave of Alchemy Revolution?
Before long, Holy Alliance’s railways will spread across the entire Empire like a spiderweb.
Holy Court Barracks’ gunners can reach Crab Roe Castle in just three days, not to mention the steel chariots being developed.
At that time, if I can exert influence.
For Theodora’s sake, I will spare none of your lives.
But I will level Crab Roe Castle, destroying your clan’s millennia-old foundation."
Sibangqi was stunned and then burst into laughter. "Even if you become cardinal, can Holy Alliance really be as powerful as you say?
Don’t be ridiculous, Falan once claimed to rise, but what happened?
Wasn’t it struck down by Leia, sinking for several decades?
Does Holy Alliance have Falan’s heritage? Does Holy Alliance have Falan’s resources and population?
What does Holy Alliance have? Just the Spring Revolution? No matter how powerful machines become, can they ever surpass humans in battle?"
"Holy Alliance’s spring machines can already make iron carriages faster than galloping horses.
Holy Alliance’s alchemy technology can already cure previously untreatable diseases.
Holy Alliance’s citizens are using their hands to create an unprecedented era!
If you don’t see it with your own eyes, how could you know?"
The living room suddenly fell silent; no one spoke, only the mountain wind fluttered the curtains by the window.
Sibangqi stared at Harbin, his gaze complex, full of anger and disdain.
He tried to appear steadfast, but his rapidly blinking eyes betrayed him.
After a long time, Sibangqi suddenly sneered and turned to Jia Li. "Lady Jia Li, for your sake, could you bear witness, I want to make a bet?"
Jia Li raised her eyes slightly. "What are you betting on?"
"You said, didn’t you? That Holy Alliance’s spring machine car can surpass warhorses?" Sibangqi’s gaze swept over Harbin and Theodora, his tone slightly provocative. "Fine, I’ll bet with you.
If spring machine cars truly surpass warhorses, I’ll give Harbin another ten years.
In ten years, I’ll personally come to Holy Court Barracks to take Theodora back.
If by then, you, Harbin, can actually become a cardinal, capable of stopping me, I’ll accept this marriage.
But if not..."
"I won’t wager my beloved as a stake!" Harbin immediately interrupted him, his tone resolute.
"I’ll bet with you."
Suddenly, Theodora stepped forward, walking out from behind Harbin, looking straight at Sibangqi.
Her tears had already been wiped dry. "Papa, Harbin and I, together, will bet with you."
Sibangqi evidently hadn’t expected his daughter to say such a thing, his facial expression froze.
Then he felt somewhat embarrassed, his tone becoming cold, seemingly carrying a hint of grievance. "Do you trust this Dwarf so much? Believe Holy Alliance can win?"
Theodora lowered her head, shared a glance with Harbin, and then both suddenly smiled.
Then, they both raised their heads together. "We trust His Majesty Saint Sun and also trust Holy Alliance’s citizens."
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