Chapter 307 238. Who knows we may gain unexpected benefits.
Chapter 307 238. Who knows we may gain unexpected benefits.
***
At this time, Taylor and others had arrived at the Floating Palace where all the important decisions were going to be taken.
John and Quill arrived at the Palace while all the other officials were already present waiting for John.
There was silence as soon as John's arrival was announced by the guards. Immediately everyone kneeled in front of John just like it was done in other countries. Officials of Aelius and other countries were quite taken back after watching John's aura and followed suit as they too kneeled like others.
John sighed as he signaled everyone to rest and start the official matters in the Palace.
This time it was Joel who immediately greeted Quill and John together while Plato was looking from the sidelines and followed Joel who was the official representative of Aelius's team of Officials and businessmen.
As soon as John had entered the Palace he immediately detected Plato's aura and magic capacity while Plato could only detect John's aura while not the magic and power capacity due to concealment from the System's Upgraded abilities.
Plato thought as he looked at John when people voluntarily kneeled, 'As expected of a man who commands so many people at once. His aura alone commands Majesty from the populace, no wonder he is popular among the commoners, slaves or the people in his court. This meeting surely won't be easy. I better be on guard against his schemes in case I get used as a pawn by him. Anyway, Let's start with the business and then political talks as I need to be cautious against him. I better secure the terms he agreed previously when I had talks with him, we will anyway benefit from those trade terms. It seems even that Traitor Baron Mendez is over here even though I didn't invite him specifically. I guess I can only treat it as I never saw him.'
Plato too came and greeted John enthusiastically, "I have long heard your great name, Lord John. I can only say that the rumors only underestimated you. As a sign of a new beginning between Aelius and Sky, I hope you won't reject this gift and have a drink with me. As I proclaimed earlier, I along with Aelius come here with sincerity so as deepen our relations with you and your people."
Some low-level officials from Sky were quite shocked by Plato's bootlicking skills. One of the Official asked his senior, "Sir Ben, What is going on? Why is that Plato bootlicking in front of Lord John while just seconds ago he was trying to slap the face of Lord Taylor?"
Lord Ben who just took over as a Deputy minister of finance looked at the youngster and spoke, "Well, it isn't surprising because no one would want to get on the nerves of the kings. Additionally, no matter what, His Majesty John is still the King of Sky and this fact is set in stone and he has to give face to Lord John for this feat. No matter what, even gods or demons can't change or challenge his Majesty's rise as a king (They can only create trouble till the crowning ceremony). As for why he is bootlicking or trying to be on the good side of his majesty? His Political career depends on this mission and he might be vary of the moods of his king who used to take disastrous decisions because of his anger and hence he is trying to be cautious so as not to tick off Lord John's wrong side in case Lord John cancels the whole deal in anger. Hahaha. Well, he certainly isn't familiar with Lord John's way for certain as Lord John has never gone back on his word."
Lord Ben continued, "The other reason might be that he wants to scheme something with Lord John and or even get more benefits from Sky in this deal and hence he might be trying to get chummy. Anyway, it will be revealed later on. Well, there is this rumor which I heard among the ministers on Lord Plato. Lord Plato has always been trying to get on the good sides of all the kings and Queens whether it was King Apollyon of Fire-abyss, Queen Kaylin of Ayananore or the Dwarf King. I guess he always wants to keep a path open for himself in case he gets crossed by his king, Queen, Big Family Nobles or the other crown princes as I am sure he has seen and has been involved in a lot of bloodshed in the court of Aelius. Well that is also the reason why he can completely offend some Prince's without batting an eye."
Ben thought, 'Well the other thing might be because of Lord John's Aura as well as Power which he might have grasped after years of his experience.'
The official nodded his head as he understood why Lord Plato was trying to be cautious. He too nodded and thought, 'True enough, after hearing from Lord Ben, now I understand why Plato isn't called the most cunning strategist of Aelius for no reason. Maybe only Prime Minister Hasse of Aelius can be comparable to him.'
John smiled as he continued squeezing Plato's hands as he looked at Plato and thought, 'He is quite strong for a minister, I guess he is just half a level below master. This is quite some bootlicking, no wonder he is on the good side of the king even after offending Prince Hector, also it seems that he is quite worried about the deal and hence is trying to be on my good side. Or maybe it is because of hierarchy. Anyway, I better get done with this deal since it is in our favor and hurry up for the crowning ceremony. We might as well scheme up something in these few days against the Radiant Church.'
John nodded as he looked at Plato while squeezing his hands and spoke, "It seems Lord Plato had quite a fun time with Taylor while you were here in Sky. Not wasting any time on pleasantries, I hope you will be staying for the crowning ceremony and also complete the other formal necessities. You may receive a surprise if all of you including the diplomats of other countries stay here during the crowning ceremony. I am sure everyone that stays during the visit will benefit by attending the crowning ceremony. Quill, start the show so as to entertain our guests today."
Lord Plato had a pale face as he was trying his best to smile while John squeezed his hand. Plato thought, 'Damn, what sort of strength is this? Even those Generals at Aelius or Fire-abyss aren't this strong. I can't get angry, smile, smile. Focus on this mission. I guess this was payback from Lord John for trying to bully his subordinate. Argh, I just need to bear it for a while, I can't lose face over here.'
Quill too couldn't help but laugh as he watched Plato's face that was trying to keep his cool.
Meanwhile, Taylor and Joel too were smiling as they looked at the scene from below the podium.
After John's order to start the party, Quill had arranged everyone to follow the new hall. All the people started pouring into the big entertainment hall which was made especially for the event today at the Floating Castle.
After entering the hall, a lot of Nobles and Diplomats from Aelius, Fire-abyss and other countries were quite surprised after Sky presented the new Glass Items in the hall to everyone.
Watching various Glass articles along with refined sculptures truly surprised everyone participating in this event.
One of the Nobles from Aelius named Willow exclaimed who was quite ignorant of glass development, "How can glass be crafted artistically like this? Isn't Glass formed naturally? Even the alchemists who produce them can't produce such finely crafted glass. They only make rough articles. This Glass sculpture of the Goddess of Fertility and Harvest alone is an artistic marvel and can be sold for high prices in the grand auctions since it is first of such Glass Artifact."
A lot of people in the event agreed with the noble as they watched the Glass sculpture of Goddess of Fertility and Harvest.
The Noble, Marquis Willow who was praising the Artifact of Goddess of Fertility and Harvest asked one of the low-level officials from Sky, "Hey, can I get the information of the Alchemist or company that made this artifact. I am sure I can give him a very good price for such a treasure. I specifically want a glass artifact statue for myself and hence the request. Do you have any information regarding that?"
The official sighed as he spoke to Marquis Willow, "Marquis Willow, I am sorry, even I don't have any information regarding the artifacts shown in this event. This is the first time that these wonderful artifacts are shown to all the officials including ones from other countries. If you want you may visit the glass manufacturing company which produces glass products such as Wine Bottles, Windows and other things to enquire. And since a deal is almost done with Aelius then you may be able to import such items in your manor."
Marquis Willow nodded as he understood the situation and then met with certain businessmen from Aelius to plan forward for his Business venture.
After watching the finely crafted glass which was used for Wine-bottles, Glasses, Tables, Chandelier and other things. Everyone in the palace including many officials from Sky marveled at this scene.
To the nobles from other countries, this only exuded luxury as such fine glass artifacts and products were considered rare even for the Royal palaces.
Only Taylor and a few ministers smiled as they knew that today's event would surely create noise in other empires.
Taylor thought as he looked at the noble who was praising the sculpture of the goddess, 'As far I know, this sculpture was made by one of the workers at Glass Manufacturing works in his off-hours. I better reward him since he is quite good at glass arts. Maybe we can export these items first as luxury items to other countries. Hmm... Our first target will be the nobles and then after a few years it will be the common public but we have to create a brand name so as secure the top market.'
One of the Sky officials thought and murmured, "Isn't our Glass Manufacturing currently limited to Windows Glass, Glass Bottle, Mugs and telescopes as seen earlier? or even the projectors and the new camera's lenses. It seems we had some breakthroughs and hence the show today. Maybe these articles were held intentionally up until now for a better presentation of our Kingdom."
Even Anin who was present thought, 'This setup seems quite luxurious for a small event today. Even our Dwarf Kingdom can only create glass that is of yellow or blue color. And we can't really create such fine sculptures of Glass with our current technological prowess. This Fully Transparent Glass is quite a fine quality Glass compared to others. From the looks, it seems Glass will be one of the main or even the main export of Sky and hence the show today to all the foreign dignitaries. It seems their main target are the nobles from various countries. Maybe we too can collaborate with them in packing of the luxurious Wines produced by the Wine King personally just like Sky. From this, it can be seen that Sky has the ability to produce glass on a very large scale. We should hurry up as well.'
Quill coughed a bit as he spoke in a commanding tone after signaling Donovan who was backstage, "I hope everyone here today can enjoy the show which was specially arranged for today's event. Today's Drama is presented here by Mr. Donovan's Company, Donovan Entertainment."
Quill thought and smiled as he continued his announcement, 'Lord John even commercialized today's event with advertisement where I thought we had to fork out quite a lot for today's show. I guess this can only be attributed to the status of Floating palace. And there is this thing he will be recording this event from the sidelines.'
Quill concluded as he left the podium and joined John, "The other important events will be held later. I hope everyone of you can relax free from other worries while the show is going on."
Bidder too was quite astonished as he watched the Palace in Marvel. He thought, 'I must make them my allies. they will certainly be of big help against my brothers as well as Aelius in future. Let's see what is Arzaz's view on this.'
Bidder asked Arzaz who wasn't quite fazed unlike others, "Arzaz, what do you think of this show by Sky?"
Arzaz showed a rare smile and spoke to Bidder as he understood what he was trying to convey, "Knowing Lord John, I think that this is just a starter and that the main show will be during his crowning ceremony as a King. I think they can certainly be good allies for us in the future. Maybe we can use that information from the underworld about the heavens' plans to gain his interest as well as trust. Who knows we may gain unexpected benefits."
Bidder nodded as he too decided his plans after hearing Arzaz's counsel and spoke, "It's decided, We will use our sources and men to try and contact his Majesty John or his important ministers."