The capital of the Kingdom of Lanka is called Lanka City, and the port is located at the southernmost point of the city.
Traveling by carriage through the streets of the kingdom, one could enjoy panoramic views of Lanka.
Most kingdoms in this world were scattered across various islands, with the Four Seas Kingdoms being the most numerous. They were primarily engaged in animal husbandry or agriculture, supplemented by regional specialties and trade.
These countries were often technologically backward and had a very low level of modernization.
As the carriage rolled over the newly varnished cobblestone road, Ross pulled back the curtain and peered out.
From Ross's perspective, the city of Lanka resembled a medieval city.
The streets were lined with low brick and stone houses, the mud walls had been repainted, and the corners of the walls still showed traces of water stains from the removal of moss.
With just one glance, Ross could roughly guess that this had probably been something hastily prepared in recent days to deal with him.
The city streets were impeccably clean, and their carriage was the only one coming and going. Many commoners lined the streets to welcome them, creating a bustling and beautiful urban landscape.
"Turn left at the next intersection," Ross suddenly said.
"This... Your Highness, I have prepared a palace for you to rest in, with entertainment prepared for you by your slaves."
Humphrey hesitated, not because he was afraid of being seen doing anything inappropriate.
After all, he knew very well what kind of people the Celestial Dragons were.
The main problem was that the Kingdom of Lanka had been in turmoil recently due to rampant pirate activity. They needed to spend money to train a capable army, and they had just announced a tax increase, which had caused considerable discontent within the kingdom.
He wasn't afraid that Ross would see the miserable state of the commoners, but he was afraid that Ross would be provoked by some of the commoners, and thus think that he was incapable of governing the Kingdom of Lanka.
If something happened to Ross in the kingdom, the entire Lanka family would be wiped out.
"I'm not discussing this with you."
Ross glanced at Humphrey driving in front, and his cold gaze made Humphrey tremble involuntarily.
Humphrey dared not say anything more and could only obediently drive.
Even if they were attacked by the lowly, they were not necessarily harmed.
But if he didn't follow Ross's ideas, he was doomed right then.
Following Ross's lead, the carriage turned onto an unplanned road.
After traveling less than 100 meters, the scenery outside the window was completely different.
Low, old stone buildings, a putrid smell, and disheveled homeless people almost filled the streets and alleys.
"Your Highness, this is the slums of the Kingdom of Lanka. These are all lowly people. I'm afraid they will offend your eyes," Humphrey said cautiously.
"Since it's going to offend my eyes, why not dress them properly and tidy up the streets?" Ross retorted casually.
"These…they're all lowly people. Even if you give them clothes, they'll ruin them in a couple of days. Even if you clean them up properly, they'll become tattered again in a few days," Humphrey said, forcing a smile.
These lowly people, who could not create much value, were not much better off than slaves.
He shared similar views with other nobles and didn't care about the lives of these commoners.
"Oh? Really? I don't believe it."
Ross raised an eyebrow; just a few conversations were enough for him to sentence Humphrey to death.
Aside from being a relatively smooth driver and being able to swallow his pride, he was basically a useless person.
Since he was unusable, there was no need to waste any more time on him. Once he had been used up, he could be thrown away.
"Stop."
Upon hearing Ross's nonchalant order, Humphrey's expression changed drastically.
Considering Ross's earlier words, he knew perfectly well what Ross was planning to do.
Perhaps for Ross, it was just a novel exploration.
But if Ross were to find out the truth, wouldn't he be guilty of deception? Would he even have a chance of survival then?
"Your Highness, it's too dirty here..."
Smack!
Before Humphrey could finish speaking, he was suddenly kicked away by Zane, who appeared next to him. He flew sideways and fell to the ground, rolling twice due to inertia.
The pain in his body caused Humphrey to let out a wail.
His body, which hadn't been exercised in a long time, couldn't withstand that blow.
On the other side, the carriage was also brought to a quick stop by Zane, not far from where Humphrey had fallen.
The unusual circumstances here immediately attracted a lot of attention from those around.
"Is that His Majesty the King on the ground?"
"It was him. He took my daughter away and she died in the palace. I would recognize him even if he turned to ashes."
"Good heavens, how did His Majesty the King fall to the ground?"
"Isn't today the day the Celestial Dragons come? Why is His Majesty the King here?"
"..."
The whispers around him were like sharp swords, subjecting Humphrey, who was already in excruciating physical pain, to both mental and physical torment.
His loss of composure was actually exposed to the eyes of the common people...
The endless shame and humiliation almost consumed Humphrey completely.
Before he could sink into the mud, a crisp sound of footsteps came and finally stopped in front of him.
"Your Highness is getting off the carriage."
Zane's words were like a death sentence, completely shattering Humphrey's defenses.
"No, no, no... Your Highness, I cannot lose my composure in front of a commoner like this."
Humphrey looked pleadingly at the figure inside the carriage, his face filled with pleas for forgiveness.
He was the king of the Kingdom of Lanka, and now he was in such a miserable state because he served the Celestial Dragons. Even just considering his sincerity, he should be spared.
"I can't let you lose your composure? Do you want me to lose my composure?"
Ross's calm words nearly made Humphrey catch his breath.
Feeling Zane's icy gaze, Humphrey knew clearly that he had no choice.
Either kneel, or...
He was a Celestial Dragon. Even if they killed him, the World Government would only give him a verbal reprimand at most.
No, Ross didn't care what the consequences were.
If he disagreed, he could lose his life.
As if he had lost his soul, Humphrey slowly got up and, under the strange gazes of the commoners, crawled step by step to the side of the carriage.
"Your Highness, please alight from the carriage!"
Accompanied by Humphrey's incredibly hoarse voice, Zane, like a proper butler, stepped on Humphrey to open the car door under the watchful eyes of everyone.
After opening the car door, Zane smoothly stepped aside and respectfully said in a voice that was not loud but could be heard clearly:
"Your Highness Jaygarcia, King Humphrey claims this area is dirty and disorderly. Please ride on King Humphrey's back and continue to explore the scenery of this area."
Upon hearing Zane's words, not to mention Humphrey's ashen face, the commoners began to look at Humphrey with hostility.
This was not a real slum. This was the port area closest to the harbor. The residents were ordinary people who worked or made a living at the port. The filth and disorder were not what they wanted.
Making a living was hard enough; who cared about such trivial things?
Besides, what did the dirt and disorder of the streets have to do with these workers and homeless people? It was just that the kingdom hadn't spent money to send people to clean it up, leaving it dirty all this time.
...
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