Lord Evan, "Welcome back Prince Eric."

Prince Eric, "Thank you, Lord Evan, now may I know where Duke Rafael is I heard from the guards that he has already arrived just a few hours before me."

Lord Evan, "Duke Rafael is in the garden enjoying the tea and pastries I prepared. Would you also like to join them, Prince Eric, I am sure that Duke Rafael would be glad to see you."

Prince Eric, "Sure, I still have to talk with Duke Rafael about some important matters."

Lord Evan, "Follow me then Prince Eric, I will lead you to the garden."

Eric then followed Lord Evan to his garden, when the two arrived at the garden, they were greeted by Lord Evan's maid.

Eric saw Duke Evan with Marquis Castel drinking tea at the gazebo of the garden. Eric went to the gazebo to meet up with Duke Rafael.

Duke Rafael noticed Eric so he immediately waved at Eric. Marquis Castel took a peek to see who was Duke Rafael waving. Marquis Castel was not surprised that it was Prince Eric. Marquis Castel already knows that soon Prince Eric will definitely be arriving soon.

Duke Rafael, "Welcome Prince Eric, would you care to join us in devouring this delicious tea and pastries created by Lord Evan's household. "

Prince Eric, "You sure are enjoying the tea party Duke Rafael."

Duke Rafael, "I can really blame myself, as food is one of the pleasures I can't control."

Prince Eric, "I guess the tea and pastries must be good if you are enjoying it."

Duke Rafael, "Then taste this one it is sweet and the texture is also good, it even tastes better with this black leaf tea."

Eric tried the suggested tea and pastries and enjoyed it, but Eric it didn't satisfy him that much. Eric suddenly remembered the cafe at Dariel, he was not satisfied with the tea and pastries because he has tasted something more delicious when he stayed at the kingdom of Dariel.

Eric then spoke about his food experience in the Kingdom of  Dariel.

Prince Eric, "These pastries and tea are absolutely delicious, but it still does not beat the taste and quality of pastries and drinks at the Kingdom of   Dariel."

Duke Rafael, "I already know that Prince, but this tea and pastries are absolutely delicious."

Prince Eric, "It might be delicious for your standard Duke Rafael, but you still haven't tried the places that they call the cafe. Your mind will be blown away by the quality and taste of their pastries and drinks."

Duke Rafael, "Interesting, then would you be willing to accompany to visit these cafes you told me."

Prince Eric, "I was already planning on visiting the last one we went to with Anya and Crystal. I guess having another person joining us is definitely not a problem."

Prince Eric noticed Marquis Castel was very quiet, so he asked Marquis Castel, "Would you like to join us in visiting a cafe Marquis Castel?"

Marquis Castel, "No, I'm gonna be doing something far more important than just eating, I hope you will take this very seriously Prince Eric. You are the one who will be responsible for the effects of this alliance, this move of yours will definitely affect the entire kingdom.No! It's not only the kingdom but the entire re continent of Agua."

Prince Eric, "I know that Marquis Castel, but this will greatly change the kingdom of Sirius, in a good way. Also before I forgot, how's your daughter Camari Marquis Castel? Has she gotten any better, or is she still at her bed resting. I know that you accepted to go to the kingdom of Dariel for the medicine of your daughter."

Marquis Castel, "So you know, we'll don't worry prince I will not be standing in your way this time. I am even helping you to make this alliance faster, I only told you that so that you will not blame me if anything bad happens to Sirius."

Prince Eric, "Do not worry about it, Marquis Castel, I will take all of the blame if something bad really happens."

Marquis Castel stood up and spoke, "I guess I have enough tea, for now, I will be going back to my room to rest."

As Marquis Castel about to leave the premises, Prince Eric suddenly spoke, "Wait! Marquis Castel."

Marquis Castel, "What do you want now Prince Eric?"

Prince Eric, "I would like to thank you for supporting this alliance Marquis Castel, I do hope that your daughter will be healed."

Marquis Castel, "No need to thank me, Prince Eric, I am only doing this for my daughter's well being. If you want to know if I already have switched sides the answer is no."

Marquis Castel left the garden and went back to the room prepared by Lord Evan.

*****

As Marquis Castel was walking the hallway of the mansion, he saw Lord Evan coming near him.

Marquis Castel spoke, "Lord Evan is there something you need."

Lord Evan, "No, but there is someone who wants to talk to you. He told me that it's urgent so you should hurry up to meet with him."

Marquis Castel started to get worried after hearing Lord Evan.

Marquis Castel, "Who is it! Is it someone from my household! Is it the herbalist taking care of my daughter."

Lord Evan, "Calm down will ya, it's one of those green men that always accompany Rogen."

Marquis Castel was relieved after hearing that it was not related to his daughter.

Marquis Castel, "Then please take me to him."

Lord Evan brought Marquis Castel to his office. Marquis Castel was surprised that he was not the only one who was in there. Duke Rafael, d.u.c.h.ess Lyra was already there, the n.o.ble merchant has also just arrived.

The only one n.o.ble who didn't arrive was Marquis Lucius. A man in green was in front of the n.o.bles, Marquis Castel also took a seat.

The man in green suddenly spoke, " Okay, I will introduce myself, I am Captain Alvarez of the special forces of the Kingdom of Dariel. Now you might be wondering why the h.e.l.l is this man is having a meeting with us instead of Rogen. The answer to that is quite simple, it's not related to politics. I'm here today to have a meeting about the security of our country. "

d.u.c.h.ess Lyra, "Oh! Is there a problem, with your country, I am hoping that there is no internal conflict in your country that you have to brief us of security."

Captain Alvarez, "Do not worry ma'am, it's not about that, you see we also treat communicable diseases as a threat to our country. So the reason I have arranged a meeting with you is to ask permission, to do a medical checkup on your slaves."

The n.o.bles, "What!?

d.u.c.h.ess Lyra, " Well, I guess it's for security reasons, I would allow it. But don't you dare hurt them don't you know how expensive the investments in slaves is."

The n.o.ble merchant, "Well, I agree with d.u.c.h.ess Lyra, I would allow it as long you don't damage our property."

Marquis Castel, "I allow it but remember what the merchant told you, do not damage our property."

Duke Rafael, "I see no harm in this, but just make sure that you will handle them properly. Some of the slaves we own are quite feisty."

The door of Lord Evan's office opened, and Marquis Lucius along with Veiran arrived.

Veiran, "Where is that Rogen, I can't wait to see him humiliated in front of the king. "

Marquis Castel, " Oh! Lucius your here, we just had a meeting about our slaves. He wants to ask permission to check out our slaves. So you can tell him if you would allow him to."

Marquis Lucius, "Ok! I allow him as long he does not damage those properties. The resale value of those slaves is high if they haven't been damaged."

Captain Alvarez, " I guess that concludes our meeting, I will now check out your slaves after this immediately."

Captain Alvarez went back to the Inn to pick up Robert and some personnel, to help them with the medical check-up.

Alvarez was having these thoughts while walking, [ Wow, I think those n.o.bles sure hate to use the word humans to their slaves. Well, it might be because of the culture difference here.]

*****

Robert, "I can't believe we are still doing this at this time Alvarez."

Alvarez, Hey, I also didn't want these but it was an order from the higher-ups."

Alvarez and Robert along with there soldiers visited the rented stables by the n.o.bles for their slaves.

As they enter the stakes they were greeted by people wearing tattered clothes and a foul smell.

The slaves we're scared when Alvarez and Robert entered the stables. One of the oldest slaves stood up and talk to Alvarez.

Old Slave, "Please sir, do not disturb us, the is our only rest after a hard day of work from our master. We are also begging to not hurt the woman and old slaves."

Alvarez, "Relax old man, we are not here, to hurt anyone. We are here to do a medical checkup to all of the slaves here."

Old slave, "What is a medical check-up?"

Alvarez facepalmed and explained, "A medical checkup is done to check if you are sick or not."

Old man, "Why does master wants to do this medical checkup, is it because he will sell us to another person. Then what will happen to the slaves who are sick, don't tell me they are going to be disposed of."

Alvarez, "Shut up! Old man, now let's get started with you."

Old Man, "Why me?

Alvarez, " You are the nearest if you resist this check-up you will be in deep trouble if your master knows that you haven't been checked."

Alvarez called Robert to gather data on the old man, the other personnel accompanying Alvarez and Robert also started to gather data.

...Time skip...

The data was already gathered, only they have to do is write what they have found out about the slaves' health conditions.

At Alvarez's temporary office Robert and Alvarez were reviewing the data they gathered.

Alvarez, "Most of the slaves I checked suffered from malnutrition, and parasites such as fleas and head lice. Most of them also have 'boils' (furuncles) which is caused by the unsanitized place they always sleep."

Robert, "I think we should give them ointments for the boils, we should also give the bath and let them use some soaps and shampoos. Also, we still have some medicines, we should give them that."

Alvarez, "The medicines won't be a problem but telling them to bath might be a problem."

Robert, " Don't worry about that, I already have a plan. Tomorrow, before our departure, they will be 100% clean."

Alvarez, "Well, I guess we already solved that problem with the slaves.

*****

Admiral Alfonso of the Royal Sirius navy was docking at the port of Ernan. Admiral Alfonso was still mesmerized by the Bismarck, he was daydreaming about him being the captain of the Bismarck.

Admiral Alfonso had these thoughts, [ That s.h.i.+p is truly one of a kind, it truly is a beauty even in the night. When I first saw the s.h.i.+p, I immediately felt fear and in love. The captain of that s.h.i.+p sure is lucky to be riding that s.h.i.+p. I am even trying to stop my urges in trying to challenge it to a duel with my s.h.i.+p, knowing that I would lose. But how capable really are these s.h.i.+ps, those escort s.h.i.+ps are also a beauty but I think this big one is the most capable among the tree.]

As Admiral Alfonso was about to leave after taking a glance at the Bismarck he noticed another s.h.i.+p. He then comments unintentionally.

" That s.h.i.+p stands out too much in the dark with its white paint and lights turned on. It's also a beauty alright but I think its more like a s.h.i.+p for show and not for war. Well, each s.h.i.+p has its own personality but that big one is still the best for me."