Extraordinary Voyage-Chapter 865 - 743: The Absentee
The day before Aiven and Olivia's wedding.
Whoosh—
A gentle sea breeze blew through Long Island Port, the finest deepwater harbor on the New Continent, where white sails spread like clouds and flags flew like forests.
Not a single nation with vested interests on the New Continent was absent, including the six other countries of the Tulip Alliance, the Sak Empire, the Telan Kingdom, and the Heimar Kingdom, with many royal flags among them.
Even the most esteemed guest arrived at the picturesque and pleasant Long Island climate at least a day in advance.
Aiven did not intend to have these distinguished dignitaries cross continents for his wedding. In this era, unless one became a peak-level Transcendent, any transoceanic voyage entailed risking one's life.
Thus, he instructed Mei and Bess to open a "special teleportation channel" in specific sea areas of the Old Continent, regularly initiating the [Dream Cruise] to directly ferry ships carrying guests from the Old Continent here.
Upon arrival at the port, the esteemed guests could choose to travel by carriage or steam locomotive to the National Guesthouse, not far from White Swan Castle in Saint Aiven City.
According to the established development plan, a single-track railway already in use stretches from Long Island Port to Orient Cape and Montauk Point, spanning the entire 190-kilometer-long peninsula and laying the foundation for Long Island's rapid development.
Chug... chug... chug...
The iron dragon, exhaling white steam, roared past.
"Five years ago, the creator of synthetic gemstone technology, Mr. Galliot, was just a mere Viscount and Official Wizard here.
Who would have thought that in just a few years, he would become a ruler of millions, with several Tier 4 Transcendents perishing by his hand—truly... enviable!"
After the initial excitement over the steam locomotive subsided, sitting in the luxury cabin.
The Desert Prince Aliyi of the Heimar Kingdom, who once commissioned a [Synthetic Gemstone: Peach-colored Pillar Stone] through [Ephelide's Sacrifice] with Aiven at the start of the "Spirit Tide," couldn't help but sigh, his face openly filled with envy.
Perhaps due to aging, wearing a luxurious suit and removing the ear studs, lip rings, nose rings, and rings on his hands, the Desert Prince appeared more composed.
"Aliyi, you should now address the Grand Duke Galliot as 'Your Majesty'! Don't bring your laissez-faire attitude from the Wizard Community into diplomatic affairs."
However, his words still displeased a middle-aged bearded man beside him, who reprimanded him quietly, crushing the prince's fantasies mercilessly.
"Yes, yes, Uncle."
Aliyi reluctantly pursed his lips and admitted his mistake.
In the Heimar Kingdom, where succession followed the "brother succeeds brother" rule, Aliyi's order in the line of succession was behind that of the middle-aged man.
Moreover, at that moment, Phaletis' eastern plan to conquer the Peacock Islands had already commenced.
The Heimar Kingdom, which once monopolized terrestrial traffic between the Peacock Islands and the continents, was hoping to establish favorable relations with the Tulip Alliance, firmly seated as the second-most powerful among the nations, to share in the spoils after the Hilus Empire's control over the Peacock Islands is dismantled.
Even if it couldn't restore the days of gleefully fleecing the nobles of every nation, it would still be a vast improvement over the present situation, wouldn't it?
After all, what's honor compared to having a meal, right?
Meanwhile, in the specially remodeled National Guesthouse in Saint Aiven City.
While several kings from the Alliance required Aiven's personal hospitality, Gel and Daphne, as direct family elders, were busy receiving guests with Anita, based on the guest's rank and status.
"Congratulations, congratulations, 'Jade Light' Your Excellency, General Gel, Lady Daphne."
A high-ranking officer from the Kingdom mainland greeted the three from afar with a humble demeanor.
"Thank you, Admiral Oderich, please come in."
After ushering in the Commander of the Kingdom's Third Fleet, three people hurried off to greet the next guest. Even Prince Aliyi of Heimar was merely one among thousands of guests.
Anita, neither overly enthusiastic nor cold, was fine. As a renowned Titled Knight expected to outlive many countries, everyone from kings to great nobles and generals greeted her with a smile.
Meanwhile, Gel and Daphne felt an almost dream-like surrealism, acknowledging their new identity as they watched the highest of the previous elite greeted them warmly one by one.
During this time, Daphne drew frequent glances from the female guests.
Even those who had never met the Duke Galliot's aunt would be informed about these key figures in the duchy by their diligent aides.
No one could believe that this "girl" was the mother of a twenty-year-old!
The truth was, despite being in her forties, Aunt Daphne, whose natural lifespan now extended to two hundred years, appeared as youthful and vibrant as a young maiden.
This, of course, was due to the [Secondary Elixir of Immortality] that Aiven had sent back through Gel.
Essentially, it stripped away the extraneous effects of the "Night Spirit" bloodline's appearance, allowing one to retain human identity while acquiring the essence of the "Night Spirit," limited to mere mortals below the Official Transcendent level.
Upon gaining a long lifespan and witchcraft resistance, power will slowly grow to the level of a "Night Spirit," comparable to the weakest Official Knight.
Who could refuse such temptation?
Understandably, no one can ignore the secret to longevity hidden behind this, or rather, many aging nobles are likely losing sleep over it. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺
The [Active Enzyme Preparation] from Sekhmet Biomedical Company is something they've somewhat encountered, but that merely extends life, whereas Daphne's performance is simply "rejuvenation."
They firmly believe that the Grand Duke must have a more advanced elixir for prolonging life, prompting them to exhaust their minds on what might impress the young Monarch beyond traditional wedding gifts.
For Aiven, this was merely serendipitous.
In fact, Aiven has already decided that after his wedding, he will simply have his uncle and aunt remain with him and not return to the mainland. The subsequent conflicts with Hilus and the Lowland Republic are destined to become more intense, and nowhere is safer than by his side.
To others, poaching an experienced Tier 3 Major General, Captain in a pivotal moment of the Kingdom's strategy seems like a pipe dream, but for Aiven, it's merely a matter of having a word with Liweina.
As for Elante, being young, it's acts of valor and achievements he needs to pursue.
It's said that, having been recommended by the current captain of the [Quasi-Legendary Battleship: Brilliance], Major General Brand, he will join the second wave of the Raiding Fleet on his return from vacation, entering the Eritrean Sea to participate in the blockade of the Peacock Islands route.
It's there, in recent years, the Alliance's battles have been fiercest, and it's the best place to hone oneself and build achievements.
On the continent occupied by the Duchy, countries are singularly composed and there are hardly any formidable mundane adversaries. The threats faced are more from peculiar extraordinary aspects, not particularly favorable for Elante, who is purely a Knight.
Yes, wait until he grows to a Great Knight, then poaching him wouldn't be too late.
Liweina: Haha.
Besides the nobles of the secular world, the guests also included representatives of the "Gem School," small concealed schools within the Duchy, the Six Great Lakes Atrean representatives, and members of the "Holy Stone Council" of Celebes Island.
The "Snake Witch" Serra, together with Nymph, was responsible for entertaining the Transcendents as the elder representatives of Aiven.
This witch, uncharacteristically, wasn't wearing her typical seductive, revealing attire but instead donned a wine-red court gown, paired with gold high heels.
Partly due to the legendary origin of the first Duke Galliot who, starting from scratch, established this vast territory, and partly owing to the chaos caused a few months ago by an Evil God's attack on the Duchy, which stirred a frenzy in the extraordinary world across both New and Old Continents.
Henceforth, the world's connections will only become closer.
As the most significant event since the founding of the Duchy, this wedding wasn't just about its inherent meaning, it aimed to forge friendships and was a formal display before the entire human world; it was also meant to show strength and spread the Galliot Duchy's influence within human civilization.
Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, it was midnight on July 7, Sea Origin Calendar 190.
The White Swan Castle was brightly lit, with most of the noble ladies and maids who came to help having not rested the previous night. Many were gathered in Olivia's dressing room, making final preparations for her.
The first to arrive was King Liweina, who had stayed for three months when the White Swan Castle was newly built and was almost as familiar with it as St. James's Palace.
By now, she had changed into luxurious attire, personally placing a dazzling crown on the radiant Olivia—a wedding gift from Phaletis to Aiven and Olivia.
The crown's platinum base was adorned with orange leaves representing the Far Sails Territory, Charaji Rose from Georgia, grapes from Buffalo, and Dahlias from the Western Shattered Star Sea Coast, set with 1,333 diamonds and 169 pearls.
"Hesi, you are stunning today!"
Watching Olivia glowing under the lights, Liweina's eyes shone with admiration, and she couldn't help but express her appreciation.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
As today's absolute protagonist, Olivia smiled brightly, her happiness almost blinding.
"It's almost time."
Seeing that his fiancée finally finished with her makeup, Aiven stepped forward and gracefully knelt.
In front of Liweina and a group of noblewomen, he confidently and gently took Olivia's delicate ankle, lovingly helped her into high heels adorned with naturally growing clusters of sapphires.
He took her hand and helped her up.
Six gemstone butterflies had already taken flight, gracefully dancing around the girl. In this moment, Olivia, radiant like a celestial maiden, was the center of the world.
Just then.
Midorra, recently promoted to Court Lady, handed Aiven a guest list, whispering softly in his ear.
"What? Mr. Jelos and Princess Stephanie haven't arrived yet? Can't be contacted?"
Standing right next to Aiven, Liweina involuntarily shuddered upon hearing a familiar name.
