met free Chapter 210 Talk at the Seat
Chapter 210 Talk at the Seat
Unlike the modern culinary system established by Alice in Amelia, traditional cuisine still dominates in Sarajevo, where banquets are still conducted according to strict procedures.
Alice was naturally seated at the head table next to the chairman, and even the messenger served her food first. Everyone could understand the meaning behind this, and the intention to curry favor was self-evident.
The waiters were summoned. In the Balkans, a place bordering the demons and the church, the East and the West, the cuisine was heavily influenced by all sides. Desserts, meat dishes, and vegetarian dishes were all available. White bread, the most upscale staple outside of Amelia, was used here as a paper towel for wiping.
"Let us raise a toast to the glory of Her Excellency President Alice!"
Sivitz Valerie raised her glass, and the guests responded in unison, raising their silver-plated glasses, except for Alice and Sivitz Valerie, who held aluminum goblets.
After the electrolytic aluminum industry in Amerlane officially went into operation and began supplying the aerospace industry, aluminum and aluminum alloys were relegated from the ranks of precious metals. Outside of Amerlane, however, aluminum remained a valuable metal, and even among the rulers of many countries, this lightweight metal was still a symbol of status.
The Church placed aluminum above silver as the instrument for baptism in the Cathedral of Light; the Caliph took pride in owning a bed made entirely of aluminum; the Seres Elf Column used aluminum to forge a crown symbolizing power; and the Amelansi used aluminum alloys to manufacture flying machines.
Alice held the aluminum cup in her hand, feeling both amused and exasperated. The war on the continent of Seris had allowed her to bring back local ceramic artisans and related techniques to her homeland and industrialize them using modern technology.
Therefore, porcelain cups are already available and widely circulated in Amelia.
The guests' glasses were filled with wine, of course, but the glass served to Alice contained a drop of blood. Alice smelled its slightly milky and floral scent and immediately realized that it was a girl's blood.
She turned to Rafis Yao, who was preparing the food for her, and asked, "Rafis, is this yours?"
The maid shook her head and asked the waiter in front of her. The poor man shook his head, indicating that he did not know either. Rafis secretly slipped a ten-dollar coin from Amelia. The waiter beamed and told her: This was sent to the kitchen by a close royal advisor, who specifically said it was for Lady Alice.
But there was only one royal advisor, and he was an old bastard, Alice thought. She looked at Sivits Valerie, and the crown prince seemed to be watching her the whole time. Alice had no choice but to raise her glass and drink it all in one gulp.
"Oh, by the way, the vampires I created don't necessarily need to drink blood, you know? They're just products influenced by the psionic core. Well, to put it simply—vampires actually absorb power through blood, including nutrients and magical abilities, which is why they're so strong~"
Raffarin Law reminded her at the right moment, and Alice nodded. The blood tasted sweet as usual, but different people's blood is still a little different.
For example, the maid's blood has a hint of tea fragrance, the demon's blood is slightly oily, the human's blood is like plain water, and this cup is filled with a mixed flavor, just like this country.
But in reality, none of them can compare to the satisfaction that comes from sugary drinks.
Seemingly seeing Alice drink the cup of blood, the Crown Prince's brows relaxed, and he looked at Alice: "Your Excellency, the current situation depends entirely on you."
"Of course, but Your Highness, what do you intend to do?"
Alice was somewhat curious about what the crown prince, who had attracted the attention of various countries under the guise of marriage, would actually do, and she couldn't help but feel a little interested.
"I cannot bear to see the people of the Empire suffer from war, but the Empire is now small and weak and needs your country's assistance. Your Excellency the President is wise and powerful, surely you already have a solution?"
"We dare not say what solutions we have."
Alice shook her head, giving a "no comment" look, since some things couldn't be said here.
Seeing this, the Crown Prince roughly understood what he meant. He nodded and did not press the matter further: "But Your Excellency, I would still like to invite you, in my personal capacity, to stay at the palace and enjoy the royal gardens. What do you say?"
Alice nodded. The Balkans couldn't be resolved so quickly. She had come here not only to argue with Sivits Valerie, but also with the other side.
After all, while the three parties may know each other's bottom line, they may not know each other's price tag; those are two different things.
So, despite being somewhat exhausted, Alice still had Raffarin Loehr release the message: "We need to discuss relevant matters with all stakeholders based on the Balkan events."
Alice directly invited not the rebellious nobles who were camping outside Sarajevo, but the people behind them.
In other words, it means inviting major powers with significant influence on the continent, such as the Church, the Dwarves, and the Caliphate, to jointly discuss order.
At least this was the order before Alice defeated the church, a period of peaceful order. As for the true order, it actually required a war to determine it.
That was the general idea, but as the banquet was drawing to a close, Sivits Valerie learned what Alice meant. He held the paper report in his hand, unable to let it go for a long time.
The paper is very thin, made using genuine Emerald papermaking technology. The inexpensive printing and cutting technology allows this paper to be exported in large quantities, while Emerald's exported typewriters are cheap enough for various countries to purchase some.
"She's going to sell my empire for a good price."
Sivits Valerie was initially angry, gripping the paper so tightly that it tore, but after thinking it over, she quickly calmed down.
What else could they possibly have to offer Amelia? Besides, the two countries were once enemies... To have achieved this much is actually quite impressive.
She tilted her head back, letting the tears flow back into her eyes, and then wiped them away.
Weak nations have no diplomacy, nor any other choice.
She understood that sentence in the book once again. Alice's actions disappointed her somewhat, but at this moment she admired Alice even more.
Alice was unaware of Sivits Valerie's complex feelings. She drank the blood from the aluminum glass in one gulp. Just then, Rafis Yaocai returned and slowly leaned down beside her, his breath lingering on her earlobe, sending a tingling sensation through her.
"Miss, this cup of blood comes from the Balkan crown prince..."
Alice was shocked, staring in disbelief at the cup, then at the Crown Prince who was strolling back through the side door.