When Rod and Marlene returned to the banquet hall, the banquet was still in progress. Their departure did not attract much attention. In most people's eyes, they just went out to go and had a walk... and some people who vaguely knew the relationship between them were just thinking that Rhode might have gone out to comfort Marlene. After all, Marlene's call was very high this time, and the rewards she received were all false names, which were not as good as those nobles who were as young and promising as her. This was inevitable that Marlene would feel dissatisfied and depressed about it. It was not difficult to understand that Rhodes went out for a walk with her and relaxed her. But no matter who it was, I'm afraid he didn't expect that these two people would be so brave and opened a room in this majestic and sacred Golden City... After Rhodes came back, many nobles came forward soon.

When they talked to him, they praised Rhode's swordsmanship, and were also full of interest in everything he had done before. Some people began to ask Rhode how to practice his magical swordsmanship, and some people paid more attention to Rhode's mercenary fortress in the Land of Atonement. At the same time, some young and beautiful noble ladies also took the opportunity to come over and began to talk to Rhode, hoping to get his attention. After all, after Lydia awarded Rhode's Holy Cross, not a fool could see that this young man's future in the Principality was unlimited. In the history of the Principality, there was never such a young Holy Cross recipient. But then again, it was not surprising that Lydia would do this, because there was no such ostentatious archangel who was so flamboyant and cruel in the history of the Principality.

Extraordinary people must do extraordinary things, and the principles are always the same.

Politics is cruel.

A group of nobles surrounded Rhodes and asked about his well-being. Intentionally or unintentionally, they pushed Marin who was standing beside him. Even the young people who once admired Marin did not go up to talk to her now, but let Marin stand alone. This is not their fault. No matter what, Marin's reward this time is so simple, it is really abnormal. From a certain perspective, this is likely to be the consequence of the royal family's dissatisfaction with the excessive power of the Shania family. It is not surprising that they have such a guess. Because Lydia's power and desire to control are obviously much stronger than the grand duke in front of the principality, and what about the Shania family?

With their magic technology, the Shania family mastered the production of most magic equipment in the Principality of Mun, and could almost be said to have a monopoly surname. Although they are one of Moon's three major families, unlike the other two families, the Shania family never intermarries with royal members, but maintains a pure surname of their own blood. In other countries, such a powerful aristocratic family that is unwilling to merge with the royal family would probably be over. Fortunately, the rulers of the Principality of Mun are not humans but archangels, and generally do not have much desire for power. The Shania family has always cooperated closely with the royal family, so everyone dare not say anything more.

But now it is different. Lydia attaches great importance to power and prestige and does not allow anyone to provoke. And Marin's contribution this time is not bad, but she will be dealt with in the end. Is this the prelude to the great achievements that shock the Lord?

Thinking of this, many people immediately stood away from Marlin. The strength of the Shania family is still huge. They are like a towering tree, and their tentacles have penetrated into every corner of the land. So even if the royal family wants to move them, it will not be a matter for a while. But they are different. Their strength is not as good as the three major families. Moreover, this is the perfect opportunity for them to expand their strength. If they accidentally make the royal family unhappy, they can't torture the Shania family and can't touch themselves?

As for those young people who originally admired and secretly loved Marlene, they have not yet gone forward. They are not as worried about the future of the family as their elders, but Marlene has clearly stated that she belongs to Rhodes, and Antonio has used his personal experience to warn those who are ready to move, the tragic ending brought about by blind actions. There is such a distinct and bloody example in front of me. They are not so stupid that they don't even want their own lives... Marlene can't lean on it.

On the wall in the distance, she looked at the crowd gathered around Rhodes with a smile. There was no dissatisfaction or anger on her face after being neglected or abandoned. On the contrary, a soft smile appeared on Marlene's face. It was not the fake smile that a nobleman showed to maintain his demeanor. On the contrary, this was Marlene's smile from the bottom of her heart. She looked at the crowd in the distance with a soft smile, saying nothing. And at this moment, an old voice appeared in her ears.

"You seem to be happy? Marlene?"

"Sir, Father."

Hearing this voice, Marin quickly turned around, and soon, she saw the patriarch of the Shania family who had arrived beside her at some point. Then, she smiled and nodded, and soon, Marin turned her eyes to Rhodes again.

"Yes, I am indeed very happy, my father. You see, this is the first time I have not received any attention at the banquet. No one will come up to get close to me, nor will anyone come up to try to show kindness to me. I never thought that this kind of quiet day was a wise choice before. It seems that it is really a wise choice for me to turn down His Highness Lydia's reward. If this is the case in the future, then I might miss the time I attended the banquet."

“Hahaha……”

Hearing his daughter's words, the old man smiled and narrowed his eyes. He also raised his head and looked at Rhodes in Marlene's gaze. After a moment, he nodded and continued.

"Have you told him? About your decision?"

"No, Dad. But I guess what he is thinking now, so it doesn't matter if he just waits for a while. Who told him to leave me alone for so long? This is a small punishment..." As he said this, Marin proudly stretched out a finger and put it to her mouth. "At that time, please cooperate with me, Dad? Rhodes are very smart. If he sees something, then my little trick will be in vain."

"Of course, Marlene, you are my daughter. If I don't go to help you, would you also help the brat who cheated my daughter?"

Seeing Marin's expression, the old man also smiled with relief. He withdrew his gaze and looked at Marin standing beside him gently. It was not until a moment later that the old man sighed deeply.

"Marlene, to be honest, from the years since you were born, I have never thought of saying this to you--do what you want, Marlene, as long as you like it..."

"The same is true for me, my father."

When Marlin's expression changed a little when she heard the old man's answer, she raised her head and looked at her father.

"I never thought I would have such a day. I once told myself that my life belongs to the family, so no matter what the family wants me to do, this is a responsibility I have to bear. But now, I don't think it is a heavy burden and a shackle of fate. On the contrary, I feel very lucky and happy. This is enough for me, isn't it?"

“That’s true.”

The old man was silent for a moment, nodded with a smile, and he looked at Rhodes in the distance again. This time, the old man's eyes were a little more serious.

"By the way, Marlene, I heard from you. It seems that Xingguang is in some minor trouble now? If you wish, I can send some alchemists from the Shania family to help."

"No, my father."

However, before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Marlin's shaking her head.

"Rod is a very proud person. He does not like to get help or alms from others. Moreover, this time I have my own way to solve this problem. The family should not take action for the time being. I can be sure that Rod has realized that my family and I are not just attracted to him. And after this incident, I think Rod will definitely be sure of this. Maybe one day we need to think of him to explain the truth, but it is not now. Until the time is right, I will tell him everything......... About me, about the Shania family, and about himself..."

Speaking of this, Marlin gently bit her lips, and a complex look flashed in her eyes.

"This is my responsibility, and I should confess it."

Hearing his daughter's answer, the old man shook his head, and he couldn't say anything anymore. He stretched out his hand, patted Marin on the shoulder, then turned around and left, and went to the circle where the nobles gathered on the other side. He also had his own responsibilities. This time, Marin did not receive a reward and was considered by many people to be the beginning of the complete destruction of the Shania family, but they did not know the inside story, and the Shania family would not talk nonsense everywhere. But even so, as the patriarch, he had the responsibility and it was necessary for others to know that the Shania family was still a behemoth in the Duchy of Mun, and not everyone could bully it at will.

The banquet ended late at night, and after this banquet, the satisfied nobles also left the Golden City one after another. For many of them, this victory banquet represents the end of an old era and the beginning of a new era. To a certain extent, the current Duchy of Mun and the Dark Night Dragon Kingdom are actually a bit similar. Both young forces are growing and attacking the old aristocrats. However, the paths chosen by both sides are completely different. The Dark Night Dragon Kingdom chose to expand externally to digest the desires of emerging forces. The Duchy of Mun chose internal adjustments - as for the dead reformists, they are naturally the best victim.

But whether it is external or internal, this actually represents the same thing, that is, a new round of power expansion begins.

The same goes for Rhodes.

Although Glenbel is a barren mountain range without much people, it is not without gain for Rhodes to obtain this territory. As a veteran player within the Duchy of Moon, he certainly knows that there are maze dungeon treasures or hidden mission events or even hidden professions and organizations in the Duchy of Moon. This is too easy for Rhodes. Although in the eyes of other nobles, Glenbel is just an excessive territory that Lydia symbolizes the surname to compensate Rhodes, Rhodes is very clear that this "over-territory" contains rich treasures!

In the past, I had no time and ability, but now...... Hehehehe, if it can really go as smoothly as I imagined, even if the Dark Night Dragon Kingdom will really invade its territory soon, Rhodes would not mind at all letting them come from where they come from and go back!

But there was nothing perfect. For Rhodes, he gained some, but lost some others.

Marlene left anyway.

Last night, Marin left Golden City with her father. She didn't even say hello to Rhode, Lijie and others, and left quietly. Although Anne was still complaining about why Marin was not with them, Rhode felt that his previous guess was likely to have become reality. Although he couldn't understand why Lydia only gave Marin the reward of symbolizing surname, at least from the moment, she was still an important member of the Shania family.

A member. And after this incident, Marin may have to pay more attention to the affairs of the Shania family. When he thought of this, Rhodes felt that his fate with Marin might have ended here, and this surname may be quite large, especially in the Golden City. Marin's abnormal passionate performance also made Rhodes think that this might be the girl and knows that she might not be able to follow her side in the future like before. The surname Suo simply went crazy, but after being crazy, she would do whatever she should do.

Rhodes naturally couldn't bear to part. He was not heartless and heartless. And if he had Lijie and Canary around him, it wasn't right to not want Marlin. Every woman has the benefits of every woman, and not all women in the world are the same. If they were the same, why would so many men cheat? Wouldn't they be satisfied with holding their wives at home? But some things are really not within their control. He has no grudges with the Shania family, and Marlin is not the kind of princess who was imprisoned by the family and waited for the prince to save her. She has her own dignity and pride. If Rhodes rushed into the Shania family like a 25-year-old, holding Marlin's hand and asking her to go with him, anyone who dares to stop him must ask the sword in his hand first...... Marlin didn't slap him first and completely turned against him.

But now... the next day, Rhodes did not leave the Golden City immediately. Although he had packed up his salute early in the morning, he stayed in the hotel for a whole day. However, until the end of the pole, Rhodes still could not wait for the scene he hoped for.

Forget it, I knew it was this result for a long time, but now I just confirmed this.

Thinking of this, Rhode shrugged, and then he turned and walked out of the hotel.

"Let's go, Anne, Lijie, there are still many things waiting for us to deal with in the fortress."

Lijie could feel that Rhode was absent-minded. She was not a fool. She had always been smart and naturally knew why Rhode had such a behavior. It seemed that Marlin was leaving them.

Like Rhodes, Lijie was also reluctant to let go of Marlene. They were their best friends. Although they were separated from each other because of some things before, after meeting here, the relationship between Marlene and Lijie did not become indifferent due to the frequent separation. But this time, for Lijie, Marlene's departure was not only a reluctance, but also a little regretful. Because she had made up her mind to confess to Marlene about the matter between herself and Rhodes, but now that Marlene left them, she probably wouldn't have the chance to talk about this again.

Because of this, besides Rhode, Lijie also seemed a little absent-minded. On the contrary, Anne was the simplest and the person who had no worries was relaxed. Apart from complaining about why Sister Marlene didn't go back to the guild with them, Anne was not as far-reaching as the two of them thought. Anyway, in her opinion, Sister Marlene was a member of the guild, so she would definitely come back. But now she was entangled in the family affairs, and when she finished the work, she would definitely come back.

The carriage set off soon, and sat in his seat. Lijie looked at Rhode, who was leaning against the window and admiring the scenery outside. However, involuntarily, what his sister and herself said yesterday appeared in her mind.

"As your sister, I must bless you to find your own happiness, Lijie. This is what you deserve. After removing the dust, the diamond will eventually emit a dazzling brilliance that belongs only to it. But Lijie, I hope you can understand that beautiful and dazzling diamonds will not only bring happiness, but also bring danger. You must know that you are not following an ordinary person. Beside him, you will encounter unprecedented dangers, which is not as simple as you imagined, or as you experienced in the life of a mercenary. Lijie, that huge pressure is likely to make you breathless and even make you completely collapse. I am not scaring you, Lijie, you should be very clear that he is not an ordinary person."

Yes, my sister, I know this very well.

Thinking of this, Lijie turned her gaze outside the carriage, in the blue sky.

On that day, if this person had not been rescued by the floating boat, would she still survive until now? I'm afraid she had become a cold corpse like everyone else. At that time, she already knew that the man around her was not ordinary at all, and he was not the kind of ordinary person who could be seen everywhere. Lijie knew this very well, but now she felt that she could accept this fact. As long as she could continue to stay with Rhodes, then... no matter what kind of difficulties and dangers, she was not afraid.

She has such confidence.

“——————”

Just as he was about to leave the Golden City, in front of the city gate outside the Golden City, the carriage suddenly slowed down and then slowly stopped.

What happened?

Upon hearing this scene, Rod and Lijie couldn't help but come back to their senses. They looked at each other curiously. Generally speaking, there are few carriages that are intercepted when they leave the city. Could it be that there is something wrong and is conducting a check? But they didn't hear about any problems in the Golden City? Or did the reformists run away?

Just when the two were surprised, suddenly, a knock sounded in front of the carriage door, and then the carriage door opened.

The three of them looked curiously towards the car door, and then they were stunned.

"Rod, why are you here so late?"

Wearing a mage robe with no difference in Peace, Marlene walked into the carriage, then she sat next to Anne, raised her eyebrows at everyone, and smiled slightly.

"I've been waiting all morning."
Chapter completed!