Chapter 84 Dragon and the Golden Flower (Part 1)
“Yes, yes!”
Verafia vigorously nodded her little head, her big eyes sparkling with a beautiful radiance, appearing quite interested in this treasure.
“Um, Young Lady, I don’t think it’s what you’re imagining. ‘The Most Vivid Red Crystal Gem on Peka’s Crown’… Well, although it is indeed quite famous in the Kingdom, it’s actually the wine produced in the estates within Rubiel City.”
“Wine!”
In Ig’s eyes, the ignorant Miss Phoenix was startled, and a surprised expression appeared on her doll-like, porcelain-white, exquisite little face.
Under the girl’s questioning gaze, Ig patiently explained everything to her, including what “wine” was.
“Ah, it’s just a drink for you humans, how boring.”
One of Verafia’s golden strands of hair drooped, she pouted her lips, and a hint of disappointment appeared on her small face.
“It’s not just that. Young Lady, Rubiel is not just the largest wine-producing area on the Agrand continent.”
Ig explained with a smile.
“The wines brewed in the Ronal River Winery are quite famous throughout the Kingdom and the continent, and the type you mentioned, the red blood wine called ‘Heart of Blood,’ is quite popular even in the Langest Republic and the Empire, which is already known for its winemaking. Even Father has praised it to me more than once.”
A fleeting glint flashed in Verafia’s eyes, which were slightly lowered beneath her long, delicate eyelashes, but Ig did not notice and continued.
“Furthermore, wine production contributes at least millions of gold coins in taxes to Duke Aslandt and His Majesty the King every year. It’s likely due to this pillar that the Golden Lion was able to establish an elite knight legion of tens of thousands of men.”
“Calling it the most vivid red crystal gem on Peka’s Crown is actually quite fitting.”
Verafia responded with an “Oh.” However, her small face still showed considerable disappointment.
Seeing the girl’s appearance, Ig couldn’t help but want to reach out and stroke her soft hair. Ig said with a smile.
“Of course, besides wine, Lansiat has many other outstanding aspects. At least, the black tea industry in Rubiel City is also quite famous; would you like to try it, Young Lady?”
Because recommending alcoholic beverages to Verafia, who looked like a child, felt somewhat wrong to Ig, the young man thought for a moment and then suggested a local specialty instead.
“Black tea, huh? From what you’re saying, it sounds pretty good…”
Verafia’s voice held a slight hint of doubt. However, as if remembering something, the girl lifted her delicate and fair little face, and her pair of bright golden eyes turned to look at Ig.
“Oh right, Ig, speaking of Rubiel City, I remember you mentioned that Rubiel City and this Lansiat Duke Territory were rebuilt fifty years ago?”
“Yes, and it was due to a war that involved a great deal.”
Ig did not forget what he had said to the girl in front of the captured “Western Wind Pirates” trio half a month ago. He nodded and explained to the girl.
“However, Rubiel City is not. It has been the territory of Dawn Adrian from the very beginning. When Dawn became the Duke, it naturally became the capital of Lansiat.”
“Dawn Adrian?”
“He is the Golden Lion I mentioned before, and the current Duke of Agrand. Young Lady, this Grand Duke Dawn is quite famous in the Kingdom. As the chief knight personally appointed by the King, Duke Dawn is considered top-notch in both influence and character, and he is also one of His Majesty the King’s most steadfast supporters.”
Verafia nodded as if she understood, but she seriously noted down the name in her heart.
She suddenly heard Ig’s voice, laced with a smile, again.
“Of course, there are many legendary heroic stories about Lord Dawn, but compared to daily bread and flour, common people won’t be as interested in such important figures. The reason Lord Dawn is so famous is because of his daughter, Miss Elishia.”
“Duke Dawn’s daughter… Elishia? Do you know her, Ig?”
A hint of suspicion suddenly appeared in Verafia’s large eyes, which were suddenly raised.
“Of course… Young Lady, please don’t look at me with such suspicion. Miss Elishia of Lansiat is not only famous as the golden flower of the Kingdom; her talent, will, and character are all objects of study for all the talented individuals in the Kingdom.”
In Ig’s words, Miss Elishia, known as the golden flower, was not only comparable to the White Iris Princess in the Kingdom for her beauty but was also a sword technique genius from childhood.
She began practicing sword techniques at the age of five and entered the Bronze Rank at six, possessing a rare and powerful “talent.” Afterward, Elishia, who was specifically taken as a personal disciple by the chief Cardinal of the Peka Church rushed from the Royal Capital, broke through the Platinum limit through the cultivation of Sacred Light at the young age of twelve.
Such talent was rare on the entire Agrand continent.
“Shiel also said that Miss Elishia is not only the youngest Platinum Rank Paladin in the history of the continent but also among the top-tier in strength among everyone in Aris Academy.”
“If we consider talent alone, in the past decade, the only person on the continent comparable to Miss Elishia would probably be Lord Andes, the Holy Silver Knight of the Imperial Church of Light, who is rumored to be granted the title of Holy Son.”
Listening to Ig’s praise, Verafia pouted with disdain, and a strand of soft golden hair on her small head stood up charmingly.
The girl crossed her slender hands in front of her slender chest, displaying a rather dismissive expression.
“What’s so enviable about that! Platinum at twelve years old… although it’s quite good, how can mere humans compare to this young lady?”
“Naturally. Although Miss Elishia is excellent, she naturally cannot compare to you, Young Lady.”
Seeing the expression on the girl’s face, Ig couldn’t help but smile wryly. However, the ingrained instinct developed through training these days still allowed him to subtly offer his flattery: “You are the greatest, Young Lady.”
The girl’s lips curved upward slightly, but it did not escape Ig’s gaze. Seeing her unable to hide her happy expression, Ig couldn’t help but shake his head and smile.
“You have good taste; only then can you be called this young lady’s attendant!”
The girl’s clear and melodious, enchanting spirit voice sounded like the cry of a kite or the ringing of a bell. Verafia again rested her chin on her fair little chin, thinking thoughtfully.
“However, this little fellow named Elishia, whom you, Ig, praise so highly, must be a very outstanding human… If possible, I’d really like to meet her.”
“It would naturally be a good thing if I could meet this legendary golden flower with you, Young Lady. However, Miss Elishia is likely not in Rubiel City.”
