166: Aldridge visits

Beneath the calm surface, a storm was quietly brewing. Shortly after Elise entered the breath of life and began her secluded cultivation to break through to the Legendary realm, news of an unexpected visitor broke the daily rhythm of the Star Sea Territory's high-level officials.

Clay came to report: "Lord Duke, the Governor of Tianhai Province, Earl Aldrich, has sent an envoy with a formal request for a visit, stating that he will come to the Star Sea Territory in person."

"Earl Aldrich?" Linn was slightly surprised, but then a look of understanding and a faint sense of reminiscence flashed in his eyes. This name brought him back to the early days of his career. When he was struggling to gain a foothold on Iron Sand Island and during the initial construction of Star Sea Island when everything was waiting to be built, this powerful Earl, who controlled Tianhai City, the capital of Tianhai Province, had provided him with valuable help in trade, intelligence, and even a certain degree of political protection. It could be said that Aldrich was one of the important external aids that allowed Linn to gain a firm footing and develop rapidly in the early days.

Clay was somewhat puzzled: "This Earl Aldrich usually interacts with us mostly in commerce and intelligence exchange. Why is he coming in person this time? Now that the relationship between our Star Sea Territory and the Kingdom is delicate, his identity is quite sensitive."

Linn smiled, his tone carrying a calm insight into the ways of the world: "Earl Aldrich is a staunch supporter of the Kingdom's First Prince, His Highness Athos Olei, and belongs to the First Prince's core team. Now that I am the 'Duke of Star Sea' who occupies two provinces and holds a heavy military force, in the eyes of those Highnesses who aspire to the throne, I am a very heavyweight prize. Nine times out of ten, his trip is on behalf of the First Prince to test the waters, or even to win me over."

Clay suddenly understood, realizing that the Star Sea Territory was now a major player that truly had a seat at the table! "My Lord, I presume Aldrich is not the first envoy; I expect the southern side will also send someone."

"Oh, Clay, you're good at fighting, but when it comes to politics, you're still missing a spark," Linn shook his head and teased.

Puzzled, Clay asked respectfully, "I ask my Lord to enlighten me."

Linn was not annoyed and explained patiently: "According to reliable news, the Second Prince himself holds real power over a southern province as his fief, and has won over two Marquises including the Iris Family. Combined with Gordon's maneuvering and the full support of the Iris Family, four southern provinces are already under the Second Prince's control."

"And the Iris Family is like fire and water with me. The Second Prince's roots need the Iris Family's protection, and our Star Sea Territory is geographically in the north of the Kingdom. The Second Prince will not abandon the Iris Family to come and win me over."

After this explanation, Clay finally understood the reasoning. Even if the Star Sea Territory was powerful, the Second Prince would not send a lobbyist because of the Iris Family... Half a month later, Earl Aldrich's flagship arrived at Star Sea Port. Although the status and strength of the two sides had now reversed, Linn did not neglect this former 'benefactor' and personally welcomed him at the port.

"Your Excellency Aldrich, you have come a long way; it has been hard on you." Linn had a smile on his face, his tone calm and carrying a just-right friendliness.

Aldrich was a middle-aged noble with an elegant temperament and shrewd eyes, dressed in a well-tailored Earl's formal suit. Seeing Linn personally welcoming him, he hurried forward and bowed slightly according to etiquette: "Aldrich pays his respects to the Lord Duke of Star Sea. To be personally received by the Duke, I am truly overwhelmed."

Linn stepped forward to support him slightly, his tone sincere: "Your Excellency, there is no need for such formality. Speaking of which, if it weren't for your many assistances back then, the Star Sea Territory might not be what it is today, and I might not be standing here talking to you. Linn always remembers this friendship."

This attitude of not taking credit and instead remembering old favors greatly comforted Aldrich, who was originally a bit nervous. At the same time, it gave him more confidence in completing the task assigned by the First Prince. This young Duke did not seem to have become arrogant or forgotten his roots due to his skyrocketing power.

After the pleasantries, Linn did not enter the castle directly for talks, but instead invited Aldrich with great interest to stroll through Star Sea City. "It's rare for Your Excellency to visit. Why not take a look at my Star Sea City and see how it differs from the former Iron Sand Town and the newly built Star Sea Village."

Linn had already thought of a strategy before his arrival; only by showing his own strength could he gain the maximum benefit in subsequent negotiations.

Aldrich readily agreed. Accompanied by Clay and the eight knight attendants who had been promoted to Colonel and served as Linn's personal guards, the group strolled along the wide main road of Star Sea City.

The scene before him made even the well-traveled Aldrich secretly astonished. The streets were paved with smooth gray-white stone slabs, wide and clean, enough for eight carriages to pass side-by-side. Magic street lamps lined the roads, and the drainage System was hidden and sophisticated. Pedestrians bustled to and fro, dressed decently with calm expressions, exuding an aura of prosperity and order. Shops were lined up one after another with a dazzling array of goods, many of which were rare treasures from the Dwarf Kingdom and even more distant regions, showcasing the staggering commercial vitality of this port city.

What made Aldrich's pupils shrink even more was that he clearly saw several figures in the crowd—they had pale blue skin, tiny scales faintly visible behind their ears, and carried an innate water element affinity as they walked.

Sea God Clan!

Waves of shock rose in Aldrich's heart. Didn't the Sea God Clan live in the Sea God Kingdom in the central sea area between the Eastern and Western Continents of Cediroat? That place was extremely far from the Aolai Kingdom; how could they appear in the Star Sea Territory?

Linn took in all of Aldrich's surprise but only smiled calmly without explaining. Today, he no longer needed to deliberately hide this force. Even if the Sea God Kingdom's homeland learned the news and wanted to launch an expedition across the ocean, he was confident he had enough power to make them return in defeat. Displaying part of his strength was also a form of invisible deterrence and a bargaining chip.

"It's truly... amazing." Aldrich sighed from the bottom of his heart, withdrawing his gaze from the Sea God Clan and looking at the bustling street scene. "I once thought that among the cities of the North, Tianhai City's prosperity was the foremost. Only today do I know that I was looking at the sky from the bottom of a well, underestimating the heroes of the world. The Duke's ability to govern the city and his policies for the people are truly admirable."

"Your Excellency overpraises me; it's just adapting to local conditions and managing with effort." Linn gave a modest remark. Seeing that the shock and curiosity in Aldrich's eyes were gradually replaced by a deeper contemplation, he knew the timing was right and gestured, "This place is noisy and not a place for conversation. Please follow me; tea and snacks are prepared in the castle, and we can talk in detail."

The group turned and headed toward the magnificent castle standing on the central high ground of the city, which shimmered with the unique glow of Star Sea Stone under the sunlight. Aldrich composed himself, knowing that the real 'visit' and conversation were only just beginning. He had to choose his words carefully, needing to complete the First Prince's mission to test and win over this pivotal Duke, while also not causing any resentment. After all, things were different now, and the initiative was completely in the other party's hands.