in the name of the queen

Chapter 7 Can yesterday’s old boat ticket board today’s broken ship?
  Sitting in the office, Roland looked at the upgraded talent cards, but his joy was reduced.

[Occupation: Writer]

[Rank: Ninth Level]

[Grade: Excellent]

[Ability: Elementary Memory, Elementary Encyclopedia]

Winning the national essay competition raised his writer level from ordinary to outstanding.

The Basic Encyclopedia is also unlocked.

This book covers the history, humanities, geography, military, economy and many other categories of the Sussex Empire. It is connected to the consciousness and can be queried directly from the brain without taking it out. However, the content of the elementary encyclopedia is relatively simple, and the hidden royal secrets and precious knowledge recorded in the unique book cannot be searched.

Roland didn't know why these extraordinary abilities favored him, and he didn't bother to think about it. In short, it was a good thing.

Her Majesty the Queen is tolerant and kind, and the noble lady has a discerning eye.

Good things are all good things.

If he had never met Alina.

Regardless of whether Alina was after his body or something else, she had spent a lot of money after all.

We've made an appointment with Karun, and the ferry tickets are all ready. Why don't you leave if you don't want to?

According to the normal spy thinking, if you have something in your hand, why don't you threaten Roland?
  Either a ticket to the Golden Kite or a summons from the Sussex Inquisition.

There is no way he would be allowed to pass easily.

Roland thought for a long time, saw the stars outside the window, and felt a little hungry, so he decided to go home first.

Now that the matter is over, let’s go home and have dinner first.

Sussex is a food desert, but Lisa's parents migrated from the food kingdom of Thalia, and her father is also a famous local chef.

Lisa's parents have passed away, but she learned cooking skills, and Roland has been eating at her place over the years.

Roland had just left the office when Lisa, who had been waiting outside for a long time, appeared like a ghost.

"Roland, how are you?"

Roland was startled by Lisa's elusiveness, but he couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth slightly and whistled proudly.

"Sister, we are the champions, today."

"champion?"

Lisa was stunned for a long time before she came to her senses. She asked eagerly: "Is everything okay?"

Roland briefly explained, which finally made Lisa feel relieved.

On the way home, Lisa was as happy as a bird out of its cage, chirping non-stop.

Roland laughed with her and made an appointment to go to Belfa Street to pick a house together in a few days.

Although the causes of death were different, they were all orphans. After the death of their last relative, the two orphans who lived in the same small building wiped away their tears and hugged each other for warmth and took care of each other.

To be precise, Lisa took care of Roland unilaterally. Without her, Roland's life would have been a mess.

Even the post office work was handled by Lisa.

Now that I have money, I naturally want to repay her for taking care of her over the years.

After returning home and enjoying a delicious dinner, Roland was not in a hurry to go to bed. Instead, he quietly left the yard through the back door and walked towards the address left by Alina.

He must firmly and skillfully draw a line with Alina.

He is now a rising star in the Sussex literary scene. Even if he goes to the Golden Kite Kingdom in the future, it will be in the form of an artist's visit.

His worth is different from yesterday.

The past was before and the present is now.

That verbal agreement is naturally void.

Although he was a little worried, he vaguely felt that Alina would not get angry and attack him.

The Golden Kwan Republic is a big country, and Alina is a noble and a special envoy, so she has her own sense of proportion in doing things.

After learning that Roland was visiting, Alina came out quickly. She asked curiously:
  "Can't wait to leave? It's dangerous to sail at night. I suggest setting off tomorrow."

"Sorry, I can't leave."

Roland took out Alina's token, handed it back with both hands, and said frankly:

"I just got the news that I won the essay contest. Her Majesty the Queen doesn't mind offending. It's not good to leave at this time. I will never forget your kindness. I owe you a favor."

Alina stayed for a few seconds, her eyes a little confused. "Huh? Champion? It's really something worth celebrating."

Roland was a little surprised. Alina didn't seem to be angry, at least it couldn't be seen from her expression.

He opened his mouth but stopped talking.

Looking at Roland's expression, Alina smiled and teased: "You think I will get so angry that I threaten you with a secret agreement?"

Roland didn't speak, which was his acquiescence.

Alina sighed softly: "You are insulting me. Our Golden Kite Republic respects artists, and I am no exception."

There was a hint of sigh in her tone, "I asked you to take refuge in Jinyuan because I treat you as a friend. How could I threaten a friend?"

Looking at Alina who seemed to change her face instantly, Roland thought to himself that this guy is either schizophrenic or has a performative personality.

But it has nothing to do with him.

Regardless of deeds or intentions, Alina was indeed helping him. Although an unexpected turn of events occurred in the end, he had to accept the favor.

After a few pleasantries, Alina made an additional request. While she was still in Sussex, Roland had to come to her every Sunday to act as a painting model and share novels with her.

"I will graduate in a few months. I need a permanent model, and it's you."

Although the request was a bit strange, Roland agreed without hesitation.

As a writer, the most painful thing is having no readers.

It is difficult for literate nobles in this era to like his books, and only Sif is his loyal reader.

But Sif was a big noble, and there was an invisible thick barrier between them. They were barely readers who read books occasionally.

Alina at least seems open-minded and might become a follow-up reader.

Happy to accept the arrangement, Roland handed the ticket to Alina again and prepared to leave.

However, Alina refused to take back the ticket.

"According to the customs of our country, returning a gift is a great insult and must be washed away with the blood of one party."

Alina's expression was serious, her hand was on the hilt of the sword, and her voice was cold, "Are you inviting me to a duel?"

Ah, does your country still have this bad habit?

Alina said this, so he could only believe it tentatively. The ticket held in his hand froze in the air, neither taking it nor giving it away.

Fortunately, Alina kindly helped him out.

"You don't know Jin Yuan, so no offense. Please keep this ticket. If you need to use it one day, you can come to me."

As expected, she is a senior female spy, and she doesn't forget to win over her at times like this.

Roland accepted the ticket and said sternly: "I will not betray Sussex, but I am grateful to Captain Alina for her kindness. Let this ticket be kept as a testimony of our friendship."

After chatting for a while and making an appointment for the next meeting, Roland left Alina's residence and went home.

Just as he went out, under the dim starlight, a black shadow came out of nowhere.

Roland subconsciously raised his fists to defend himself, but found it was the newsboy.

"Sir, do you want the newspaper that just came out?"

Roland was in a good mood today, so he naturally didn't mind letting the newsboy go home early.

He calmly took out a few coins, gave them to the newsboy, and took the newspaper.

After taking a look under the dim light of the pastry shop on the roadside, Roland crumpled the newspaper into a ball and threw it away angrily.

Is this the Sussex Evening News, an authoritative media that claims to have accurate and timely news?

Look what you have written!
  "Breaking Bad!" The reactionary literati who were bribed by foreign forces used the opportunity of the essay competition to slander Her Majesty the Queen and have been formally arrested by the police."

Total nonsense!
  First of all there is no defamation.

Secondly, it has not been bribed by foreign forces.

There was no arrest in the end.

Fake News!

What bullshit authoritative media, Roland's evaluation is not as good as a toilet repayment.

It was a lovely day, except for the wasted shilling.

(End of this chapter)