Chapter 00121: A Visit
# A Visit
Chapter 121
Novel: AFK Game: Portal to Another World
Chapter 121: A Visit
Demon Lord Calendar, Year 648.
May 19th, morning.
Facing the thin mist, Viola walked down the gangway.
She looked at the still bustling harbor and sighed with some emotion.
If not for the war, this harbor would probably be even more prosperous and lively, wouldn't it?
“Your Highness, be careful. It seems we are being watched.”
Shelly quickened her pace by two steps to shield Viola's side, her fingers resting on her sword hilt, ready to deal with any danger at a moment's notice.
The Captain of the Royal Guard, Zola, had been assigned to remain in the Leon Territory to continue her work.
Those responsible for protecting Viola were all elites specially selected from the Royal Guards.
“Shelly, you're too nervous. But it's true, several gazes are fixed on Her Highness.”
The cloaked Hill appeared on her left.
As an army scout and a perceptive Elf, Hill was extremely sensitive to being watched.
The fact that Princess Viola was coming to Sailing Harbor was neither concealed nor widely publicized.
It was perfectly normal for people in Sailing Harbor to have received the news in advance.
This place was the trade and logistics hub of the Northlands.
Its commerce was extremely developed, and the wealthier a place was, the more easily crime could fester, and the greater the pressure on public security became.
Precisely because of its nature as a transportation hub, all sorts of people from every walk of life made their living here.
It could even be said with certainty that there were spies from the four enemy nations in Sailing Harbor.
It was just that the factions within the city were deeply entangled, and with an army currently besieging the city from the outside, there was no good opportunity to conduct a search.
Creating a large-scale panic would not be worth it.
Therefore, Li Chengxi's worries were not unfounded; it was indeed not very safe to come here.
“Many organizations have their roots too deep here. Even now, a constant stream of intelligence is being sent out of the city. Your Highness, we should try to make our visit quick.”
As a local, Wendy obviously knew more.
She added at the end:
“But there's no need to worry too much. Most of these organizations just want to make a living and generally won't clash with the authorities. We can ignore them. Besides, we happen to need to send out a signal that Her Highness is here.”
For a princess like Viola, the significance of her existence was actually more important than her abilities.
As long as she lived, the Avarus Demon Kingdom could not be considered conquered, and the noble lords loyal to the royal family would continue to resist.
Once the entire royal family was dead, having lost the lord they should be loyal to, the noble lords' will to resist would weaken.
In other words, to ensure Viola's safety, the intelligence that she had visited Sailing Harbor had to be spread.
From this perspective, the grey organizations making a living in the city were an excellent channel; they transmitted information even faster than the official authorities.
Viola herself was well aware of this, so compared to Shelly's nervousness, she appeared much calmer.
“Let's go. The welcoming party has arrived.”
–‐‐——–‐‐——
Viola had come to Sailing Harbor openly, in her capacity as a princess.
Therefore, Sailing Harbor naturally had to welcome her with the honors befitting a princess.
For example, this included a procession in an open-topped carriage through the streets, waving to the cheering crowds along the way.
This whole affair took nearly two hours before Viola finally arrived at the City Lord's Mansion.
Wendy's father, the current City Lord Walter, had been waiting for a long time.
Upon seeing the princess enter, he immediately led his officials and advisors to kneel in welcome.
When a princess arrives somewhere, there are quite a few rules of etiquette.
In short, only after a whole series of formalities could they finally speak properly.
“Your Highness, for you to come to Sailing Harbor, I believe the soldiers will be extremely happy.”
“I am also very grateful to all of you for continuing to defend the city at this time.”
“Your Highness, please proceed to the dining hall. I will have a banquet prepared at once.”
“No, let's go to the conference room. A banquet can be held anytime. I want to understand the situation first.”
Walter had heard that Princess Viola had always been very assertive since she was a child, but he had never known the details.
Now, with the kingdom on the brink of collapse, the princess showed not the slightest hint of weakness.
This point alone was enough to prove she was no mere figurehead.
“Of course. This way, Your Highness.”
Before long, the group appeared in the conference room, where Walter gave a detailed account of Sailing Harbor's current situation.
“Although our defenses are currently holding, launching a counterattack with Sailing Harbor's military strength alone is also very difficult. I predict that as time goes on, securing supplies will likely become even more difficult.”
Not all territories had conditions as favorable as Sailing Harbor's, and not all nobles held the conviction to fight to the death without surrendering.
As more and more territories were conquered, the places from which Sailing Harbor could obtain supplies would dwindle, and it would eventually be starved out.
“The Leon Territory is currently promoting a special crop called the potato. It can be harvested three times a year and can be stored for seven to eight months. If processed further, it can be stored for even longer. This should alleviate some of the pressure on Sailing Harbor.”
Food supply was the most difficult issue for Sailing Harbor.
After all, with a large army besieging the city, the farmland had long been destroyed, making it impossible to produce grain.
They were now holding on solely through their stockpiles and food transported from other territories.
But as mentioned earlier, just because there was no problem now didn't mean there wouldn't be one later.
Traveling by water to the Leon Territory took less than two days.
Being able to secure food supplies from nearby was like a shot in the arm for Sailing Harbor.
“Besides food, once the facilities being built in the Leon Territory are completed, they can also provide paper, oil, and even weapons and armor, enough to support Sailing Harbor in continuing the fight.”
Although this was good news for the City Lord, Walter waited until Viola finished speaking before asking:
“Your Highness, I understand your intention to develop the Leon Territory into a rear base, but you could also remain in Sailing Harbor and control the Leon Territory remotely.”
Walter said this because he was worried.
The land route to the Leon Territory had indeed been cut off, but clearing it was not an overly difficult task.
If the enemy quickly cleared the Canyon Path and sent troops to attack, Walter, being far away in Sailing Harbor, would be completely powerless to help.
By the time he heard the news, the battle would likely already be over.
“It would be better for you to stay in Sailing Harbor. This subordinate is willing to guarantee with my life that I will absolutely ensure your safety.”
“I am very grateful that you are still willing to think of the kingdom at this time, my lord, but I must still refuse.”
“Is it because of the Demon God?”
“If I said it had nothing to do with him, I doubt you would believe me, my lord. Yes, I received a Divine Revelation in the Leon Territory. I believe the Lord was hinting at the importance of the Leon Territory.”
“Forgive my bluntness, Your Highness. I do not believe any deity would help a mortal without asking for something in return. Of course, I do not wish to interfere with your faith.”
“I understand your meaning, my lord. But even without the Lord's reasons, I cannot stay in Sailing Harbor.”
Viola said:
“As long as I live, I am a banner. Likewise, I am a banner the enemy is eager to destroy. If I stay in Sailing Harbor, the ones besieging the city will not just be the Tiger of the Kingdom from the Subia Demon Kingdom. It's very likely the Coalition of Four Nations will all send people over. How long can Sailing Harbor hold out against an attack by the Coalition of Four Nations?”
If she stayed in the Leon Territory, the Coalition of Four Nations would think she was no threat.
After all, a few casual inquiries would reveal what a poor, remote place the Leon Territory was.
Even if she wanted to develop it and raise a force, it would be impossible, as there were simply not enough people to conscript.
But if she stayed in Sailing Harbor, as a banner of resistance, the situation would be different.
In order to carve up the Avarus Demon Kingdom, the Coalition of Four Nations would absolutely spare no expense to launch a fierce assault.
(End of this chapter)