Chapter 288: Feigning Compliance (Additional chapter for book friend ‘Fading Water Blueberry’) (Third update)

Young women in maid uniforms were pruning green plants.

For a moment, Su Ming felt as if he had entered another world.

From this, it was clear that the living standards of the Abike Royal Family were in no way inferior to those of the Federal capitalist giants.

“How extravagant,” Mia couldn’t help but complain.

“Mia!” Fleck, sitting in the front row, turned his head and glared at her impatiently.

“Alright, I won’t say anything,” Mia replied, bored.

Just then, the hovercar drove straight to the castle gate and slowly stopped.

As the car door opened, Fleck, Mia, and Su Ming stepped out.

At this moment, Martins walked up, extended his hand, shook Fleck’s, and said with a smile, “The banquet is ready. His Majesty has been waiting for you for a long time.”

“Good, then let’s go in,” Fleck replied calmly.

“This way, please!” Martins then led Fleck and the others inside.

When they passed through the gate, they arrived at a luxurious hall with a bright red carpet laid on the golden floor.

Servants and soldiers standing on both sides bowed their heads.

At this moment, Su Ming saw a short, corpulent middle-aged man with an oily face, various luxurious gemstone rings on his hands, and wearing a luxurious red starry robe, walking towards them with a beaming smile.

“Fleck, long time no see.”

“Your Majesty Bystander, indeed, it’s been many years,” Fleck replied politely.

“Years have passed, and you still haven’t aged a bit.”

“You too.”

“We must catch up properly today. The banquet is ready. Let’s eat and chat,” Bystander said with a smile.

“Good!” Fleck and the other two then followed Bystander towards the banquet hall.

Su Ming kept observing King Bystander along the way.

Although he had no dealings with this guy, from the small talk he had with Fleck just now, it was clear that this King was not a simple person; he was a typical old fox.

Soon, they arrived at the banquet hall. A twelve-meter-long ruby table came into view, adorned with bouquets of fresh flowers.

King Bystander took the main seat, while Fleck, Su Ming, and Mia sat together on the seats to the left.

Clap, clap!

King Bystander clapped his hands.

Young and beautiful maids came forward, carrying various dishes.

In the blink of an eye, the entire dining table was filled with thirty-six different dishes.

Then, several maids came forward and poured a glass of crystal-clear red wine for Su Ming and the others.

“I toast to you. You have come a long way, and I should have received you earlier. However, I have been tied up with recent trivia, so please don’t mind,” Bystander said, raising his glass.

In fact, his original plan was to have Martins send Fleck and the others away, and if Fleck wanted to see him, he would find an excuse not to meet them.

But things developed somewhat unexpectedly. After Fleck and the others failed to negotiate with Martins, they neither left nor made any moves, staying cooped up on the ship.

This made Bystander feel a bit uncertain, so he took the initiative to invite Fleck.

“Your Majesty is truly too kind,” Fleck also raised his glass and responded politely.

“Cheers!” King Bystander smiled and drank it all.

Su Ming and the other two also finished the wine in their glasses.

Mia’s eyes lit up immediately. The wine was of excellent quality, and she quickly signaled the maid behind her to refill her glass.

At this moment, King Bystander, while eating, apologized to Fleck.

“Fleck, my old friend, besides inviting you to dinner today, I’m also here to apologize to you.”

“Apologize for what?” Fleck’s heart stirred, but he responded very naturally, pretending as if nothing was amiss.

“Of course, it’s about the mining area in Ge Tuosi Ge Grand Canyon. This matter is actually all our fault, but we couldn’t help it! That rebel army has the support of the Dark Star Empire, and we truly dare not touch them.” King Bystander was also slightly surprised by Fleck’s reaction, but he still began his performance.

“Oh, you’re talking about that. It’s a small matter, don’t worry about it. Let’s drink!” Fleck said, raising his glass indifferently.

“Good!” Bystander smiled, picked up his glass, clinked it with Fleck’s, and drank the wine in his glass, but he felt increasingly uneasy in his heart.

At this moment, Fleck finished the wine in his glass and praised it greatly, “This wine is good! Smooth and very fragrant.”

“Since you like it, when you leave, I’ll have someone bring you a few cases,” Bystander and Fleck feigned compliance.

“Good! Then I won’t be polite, haha!” Fleck accepted with a chuckle.

Seeing Fleck in such a good mood and even having the leisure to accept his wine, Bystander frowned slightly and then asked nonchalantly, “Fleck, will the loss of this mining area have a negative impact on you? If so, I would feel even more guilty.”

“It’s fine. Why talk about such depressing things? There’s already a solution for the mining area, and it’s also a great thing for you.”

“A good thing?”

“Didn’t that rebel army occupy your territory?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve already applied for support from the school. The Royal Court Academy has decided to send a Level 5 warship fleet. When they arrive, I’ll help you sweep them all away, and everything will be resolved. I just need to sit on the ship and wait for things to end,” Fleck said, growing more and more pleased, even picking up his wine glass and taking a big gulp.

Upon hearing Fleck’s words, Bystander’s old face twitched, and he immediately thought, “This is bad!”

He had originally intended to make the Royal Court Academy retreat in the face of difficulties, but he didn’t expect the Royal Court Academy to be so resolute as to dispatch its main fleet.

This wouldn’t do! Not only would the supplies be taken back, but his own troops would also be swept away, which would be a huge loss.

So, Bystander’s eyes darted around, and he quickly said with a smile, “Oh, my dear Fleck, such a small rebel army is not worth the Royal Court Academy making such a big fuss!”

“I thought so too at first, but I didn’t expect the academy to be enraged when I reported it! So, they dispatched the main fleet and senior students to help. This will solve everything at once. I just need to squat on the ship and wait for things to end,” Fleck said with a chuckle.

“Cough, cough, that, my dear Fleck, after much thought, I don’t think this is quite right. This rebel army was caused by our country’s mistake, so how can we trouble the Royal Court Academy to go to such great lengths! How about this: I’ll negotiate with the rebels? I’ll make them return seventy percent of the supplies and release all the hostages,” Bystander asked with a chuckle.

“This…” Fleck immediately looked troubled.

“My dear Fleck, think about it! If we don’t leave them something, how can they possibly give up willingly? Besides, resorting to direct force is very dangerous for the hostages, and it’s not worth the loss!” Bystander quickly and earnestly analyzed.