Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 1524: Chapter 251: Yiben, Brave as a Lion

The Princess’s entourage had already left—from before their eyes.

Yet, the people on the streets did not leave because of this; they remained kneeling on the ground, fervently calling the Princess’s name: Yamanlana.

“Did you… you all, did you see it just now?” Claudia suddenly turned her head, looking at Luo Qiu and Mr. Otto behind her, with a slightly flustered expression, “The Princess… the appearance of the Princess?”

Boss Luo and Mr. Otto both nodded almost simultaneously.

Claudia instinctively rubbed her own head, seeming a bit unsteady on her feet, and softly said, “I… I seem to feel a bit unwell, can we find a place to rest… rest for a while?”

Mr. Otto nodded, then took down the bag slung over his back and opened it in front of them, “I found some clothes… no matter where this is, and not knowing what dangers might be here, anyway… let’s blend in here first.”

Not just clothes, but also some of their adornments, and even some… things that looked like currency.

Heaven knows how long they’ve been unconscious, and who knows where Mr. Otto got these things from?

Claudia at this point had no time to think about these things; she just felt her head in chaos and hurried into the depths of the alleyway. Seeing Boss Luo and Otto both turn their backs, she quickly changed into new clothes.

When she appeared again in front of Boss Luo and Mr. Otto, Mr. Otto rarely showed a smile, “Indeed… a Princess.”

“Please… please don’t joke!” At this moment, her confidence was somewhat lacking.

A joke?

But the woman in the passing convoy who was cheered on by the populace was none other than…

“That place should be the Royal Palace of this place.” Mr. Otto, at this time, gazed at the large building at the end of the long street and mumbled, “They call this place Heliopolis City, Sun City… yet I’ve never heard of such a Princess as Yamanlana existing in ancient dynasties. Which dynasty this kingdom belongs to is currently unknown… but very likely, there are some deviations from the history we’ve known.”

Claudia’s mind was in such a muddle at this point that she couldn’t bother to think about the information Mr. Otto provided; her mind was dazed, likely still concerned about the matter of the Princess Yamanlana resembling herself exactly.

“Mr. Otto, when you went out to inquire, did you find a place for us to temporarily rest?” Boss Luo suddenly asked.

“Come with me.” Mr. Otto said calmly, “There is an empty house nearby that does not seem to have people often.”

…

…

“The Princess has returned! The Princess has returned!”

In front of the huge gates of the Royal Palace, the soldiers made way, allowing the Princess’s convoy to enter through the main gate—the soldiers’ respect for the Princess was heartfelt because this Princess had always been the Guardian of the Royal Palace!

She had repeatedly led troops to fight, fending off the terrifying monsters from the desert, slaughtering those dreadful creatures time and time again, which culminated in the current peace and prosperity of the kingdom.

Within the palace, the aged King and the ministers of the kingdom were already waiting… Princess Yamanlana was the King’s only descendant, and the ministers of the kingdom all believed that with Princess Yamanlana’s merits, she was very likely to become the new King… Pharaoh.

Yet, historically there has been no such precedent, and it was unknown what plans the aged King had in mind.

In contemplation, Princess Yamanlana was also gradually escorted into the great hall by the attendants, with the King on the throne opening his hands, showing a satisfied smile, “My child, Yamanlana, you are the pride of the kingdom! Congratulations on successfully repelling the invasion of those monsters once again. I have already arranged for a banquet in your honor tonight, it will be a joyous evening! I will have the citizens of the whole city call for you… my child!”

Princess Yamanlana gazed around, then somberly said, “Father, please cancel the banquet tonight, now is not the time for celebration.”

The Princess’s statement surprised the ministers and made the King frown… The King asked in confusion, “Do you not like the banquet I have held for you? At the banquet, there will be the most distinguished men in the entire kingdom! I am planning to select a husband for you tonight!”

The King’s words made the ministers engage in low conversations… The Princess was indeed at the age of marriage, but the King had never been eager about this matter. Now suddenly mentioning it seemed to expose much information.

Princess Yamanlana at this moment solemnly said, “Father, although we succeeded in repelling the monster this time during the expedition, the casualties this time were unprecedented… Moreover, the number and size of the monsters this time far surpassed previous ones! If next time the number of monsters increases again, and they grow stronger, I fear our soldiers won’t be able to withstand them! The soldiers need training and sharper weapons! We shouldn’t waste wealth on luxury and pleasure!”

“My child, there is no war without casualties.”

The King waved his hand, speaking calmly, “What you mentioned, the soldiers who returned first had already informed me! I believe this was an all-out offensive by the monsters! After this, they are surely badly damaged and won’t be able to organize another invasion in a short time! So, rest assured!”

“Father?” Princess Yamanlana raised her head.

Seeing the King pressing his hands in the air, he said firmly, “My child, you have just returned, body and mind exhausted. I grant you rest so you can properly dress and attend tonight’s banquet… I have prepared the most beautiful clothes in the kingdom for you! Tonight, you will be the most beautiful woman at the banquet! All the young talents will go crazy for you… go on! This is an order!”

“Yes…” Princess Yamanlana could only retreat slowly, after all, he was the King, with the highest authority… Her father.

After the Princess left, the King also dismissed the ministers in the hall, each returning home to prepare for the evening banquet… The King himself also returned to his quarters.

During the Princess’s expedition, the King had acquired a new concubine, whom he adored greatly, meeting her daily.

…

“Your Highness the Princess, the King is eager to host a banquet this time; it’s said he wishes to find you a husband at the banquet.”

Walking towards her own palace, Princess Yamanlana heard the reminder of the maid beside her, her pace gradually slowed down, expressionless she said, “The monster calamity is not yet resolved, I have no time to choose a husband.”

The maid lowered her voice, “I heard that the new concubine the King acquired seems to be pregnant… the State Preceptor predicted this will be a Prince. But the King ordered this matter to be kept confidential… I heard it whispered by the servants from the Imperial Concubine’s place.”

Her slowing steps suddenly stopped, Princess Yamanlana then frowned deeply, her expression changing several times, finally she said in a deep voice, “Is it truly as the State Preceptor predicted?”

The maid hastily said, “I just heard this… Recently, the State Preceptor rarely appears in the Royal Palace, I couldn’t find out much. But the State Preceptor indeed returned once, about a month ago, then left again.”

Princess Yamanlana nodded and, contemplating, she waved her hand to dismiss the maid, while she walked into the bathroom herself, “You keep watch outside, I want to have a good rest.”

“What about tonight’s banquet…”

Princess Yamanlana replied indifferently, “Since we are choosing a husband for me, naturally, it must be someone I like… I want to see whether the young talents in the city are worthy of me.”

The maid was stunned for a moment, then smiled wryly, fearing that the enthusiastic young talents tonight would be in trouble.

Princess Yamanlana is brave and skilled in battle, having studied the art of governance with the State Preceptor since childhood, a person of both literary and martial prowess, unlike those young talents in the city… Hopefully, the Princess won’t embarrass them too much.

“Then… then I’ll go prepare the dress for the Princess.” The maid said, lowering her head.

“No need.” Princess Yamanlana waved her hand, saying, “Polish my armor clean, tonight I will wear battle armor to attend the banquet!”

Oh… Great Sun God above, when will you let the Princess get married?

…

…

The humble conditions of the house somewhat exceeded Claudia’s expectations… but overall, it was much better than being outside in the sun.

Mr. Otto was just like a local resident who had lived in this city for a long time; all along the way, he astonishingly managed to buy quite a few things — upon arriving at this vacant house, he started creating food.

Boss Luo watched with interest, helping out while leisurely asking questions… Claudia felt that the dynamic between the two seemed increasingly strange, so she rubbed her temples vigorously.

She felt a headache, not just because her mind was confused at the moment, nor just due to the issue of Princess Yamanlana having the same appearance as her — in fact, ever since she awakened at this place, her head intermittently experienced inexplicable pains, even making her feel short of breath.

She always thought she had heatstroke, mentally exhausted at this time and appearing to be feeble — actually, there was another incredible thing.

She discovered that she seemed to not need Mr. Otto’s translation to understand the language spoken by people living in this city… as if she was born knowing it.

She once secretly asked new classmate Luo Qiu if he could understand the language of these residents, receiving an affirmative answer — Claudia swore she had never encountered this language family in all her past education!

The inexplicable things are increasing… the headache also grew unbearable, as if her head was going to split.

Shortly after, something happened that made Claudia’s headache grow worse… someone had flipped into this vacant house — yes, flipped in, from the window.

With a completely dark skin, wearing lantern pants and a white top, he had a face full of urgency.

The one who flipped in now cautiously hid under the window, seeing six pairs of eyes simultaneously looking towards him, he quickly gestured for silence.

Outside seemed to have people chasing him… but soon they passed by the window.

The person hiding now patted his chest, letting out a long sigh of relief… Mr. Otto, seeing this, frowned and said, “Aria, when did you come in? Didn’t I ask you to wait outside?”

“Do I know you? Who is Aria?” The dark-skinned individual now stood up with a confused look toward Mr. Otto, then shook his head, swiftly stepping toward Claudia.

This individual suddenly tidied up his rather messy clothes, then knelt on one knee, “Oh! Honorable Her Royal Highness Princess Yamanlana, I really didn’t expect to meet you in this place! It’s truly my honor! I am Yiben, I have long admired you!”

“Yi… Yiben?” Claudia was stunned.

Boss Luo blinked as if he recalled something, Mr. Otto then frowned, relaxing afterward… Claudia suddenly gasped — she also connected the dots!

Since there is a Princess Yamanlana with the same appearance as hers, having another person with exactly the same looks outside as Aria, perhaps… it’s not impossible!

She abruptly looked at Mr. Otto and Luo Qiu.

Since people with appearances like hers and Aria’s appeared in succession, would there also be encounters with people identical to Mr. Otto and Luo Qiu in appearance next?

“I appreciate your respect for me…” Claudia now took a deep breath, smiled wryly, and said, “But apparently, I am not the Princess Yamanlana you mentioned.”

“What?” Yiben jumped up all of a sudden.

…

“There are actually two people in the world who look so alike!” Yiben now approached Claudia, checking up left and right… almost investigating inside and outside physically, “My heavens! Such a miraculous thing is just like divine intervention! Are you really not Princess Yamanlana’s twin sister? Why don’t we secretly steal away the real Princess Yamanlana and impersonate her? We’ll gain lots of wealth!”

If it weren’t for this guy being much darker than Aria outside, with much longer hair… this is clearly another Aria, equally naturally friendly, equally… shameless!

“Mr. Yiben, have you lived here since childhood?” Boss Luo suddenly inquired.

“Mister?” Yiben rudely picked up some food made by Mr. Otto and began eating, swaying his head, “It’s quite an odd title… Hmm, yes, I’ve grown up here since childhood! People here call me [Brave as a Lion Yiben]! By the way, where do you guys live? Why have I never seen… logically, with you looking so much like Princess Yamanlana, having grown all these years, someone should know!”

“We came here from outside.” Mr. Otto said calmly, “We got lost, so we unintentionally arrived here.”

Yiben immediately widened his eyes, “There are really humans outside? You came from outside? How did you avoid attacks from monsters! My heavens, is there really a road leading to the outside world? I feel like I’m going to be rich?!”

So, this guy is really not Aria impersonating… Claudia couldn’t help but sigh.

…