A week later, the vehicle arrived at a familiar small town, the very place where Kal'tsit and Kanna had met Saint Carmen.
As Kal'tsit expected, they encountered him in the town.
"Thank you for your help in Rock Bay Town this time, Kal'tsit." Carmen stood as firm as an ancient pine, exuding a sense of security just by his stable presence.
"Everyone contributed significantly to defeating those monsters from the sea." Seeing Carmen's appearance and assessing the surroundings, a slight sense of vigilance arose in Kal'tsit's heart. From her understanding of him, even if he came, he wouldn't bring so many people.
"I know that, of course, but according to Ilena's and the Tower Keeper's reports, the main hero this time is this little one, isn't it!" Carmen looked at Kanna, who was beside him, gnawing audibly on a chicken wing handed to her.
"What's up, wanna praise me?" Kanna's words were muffled as she chewed her food.
"Of course. Little one, what do you think of Iberia?" Carmen squatted down, looking at Kanna with a benevolent smile.
"It's alright. It has all sorts of delicacies, a nice place." Due to the principle of not biting the hand that feeds, Kanna thought for a moment and still said some good things.
"Then what do you think about living in Iberia permanently?" Hearing Kanna's praise, Carmen revealed his intention.
Kanna glanced at Kal'tsit, who remained calm, as if unconcerned by Carmen's attempt to poach her.
Hmm?
Hearing Carmen's question, Kanna snapped back to reality and sighed, "Forget it! I'm someone who likes to travel around. Always seeing the same scenery can get boring."
As she spoke, Kanna surveyed the people subtly surrounding her group, and a realization dawned on her. She continued, "Grandma always said that the wind is unrestrained and thunder is unfixed. I, for one, don't particularly like being managed."
Before her words had even faded, Kanna suddenly vanished from in front of Carmen, then reappeared with a whistling wind, holding a piece of fruit which she offered to Carmen.
"When Kal'tsit was here last time, she bought fruit from this stall. It tastes good."
Looking at the fruit in front of him, Carmen's pupils contracted violently. He knew that fruit stall, about half a street, over five hundred meters away from where they were. And the fresh appearance of the fruit clearly indicated it had just been picked up from that stall.
In less than half a breath, this girl in front of him had run a kilometer back and forth.
Her meaning was clear: his group couldn't keep her.
Carmen couldn't help but show a wry smile. He hadn't originally wanted to make such a move, but both the Congress and within the Church had many people eyeing Kanna. After all, Rhodes Island, being merely a pharmaceutical company, in their eyes, was not qualified to possess a weapon like Kanna, who could unleash natural disasters.
He thought that if others came, their good relationship would instantly turn into enmity, so it was better for him to come. At least with his friendship with Kal'tsit, perhaps the situation wouldn't become so bad.
However, it seemed the other party's answer was very firm. With the speed Kanna demonstrated, if his group angered her, not only would they fail to keep her, but the losses would also be quite severe.
Carmen sighed, then waved his hand, signaling the Inquisition members around them to disperse.
"My apologies, Kal'tsit!"
Kal'tsit nodded, "I had anticipated this. But did you think I would let Kanna act without considering such a situation…?"
"I know, but unfortunately, many people are captivated by Kanna's combat power. If they were to come, it would inevitably cause bloodshed here. So it's better for me to come. At least I believe my status as a 'Saint' in Iberia still carries some weight." Carmen also felt a bit helpless about this.
When he received the news, he knew Kanna was not someone Iberia could keep. However, his comrades had been persistently pursuing Kanna, which is why he personally stood here.
"Since Kanna doesn't wish to stay in Iberia, we will not force her. However, her contribution to Rock Bay Town is indelible, so I have specially prepared an honorary viscount title. I hope, Kanna, you will accept it."
Carmen gestured, and an Inquisitor came forward carrying a box. Carmen opened the box, which contained a certificate and a medal.
Kanna looked up at Kal'tsit, who nodded slightly, and then she reached out to take the box.
Carmen, seeing their actions, also sighed. It seemed Kanna and Kal'tsit's bond was very deep (in fact, it was Rhodes Island). He could only say that fate did not favor Iberia. If he had met Kanna before Rhodes Island, he was confident he could have kept her. But now, he could only watch her leave.
"According to the report from Rock Bay Town, Kal'tsit, you and the Operators of Rhodes Island have made immense contributions to resisting the Abyssal invasion. Through a joint resolution of the Congress and the Church, starting today, Iberia will recognize Rhodes Island as a friendly trading company. Rhodes Island Operators can, with this status, freely enter and exit Iberia without needing to apply.
Furthermore, Rhodes Island is permitted to sell medicines and lease properties in all towns of Iberia. All towns will give your business applications the green light."
Finally, this is a local specialty from Iberia that I specially prepared. I hope this small gift can make everyone forget the slight unpleasantness just now."
Carmen, who had stood up again, said to Kal'tsit. These were actually rewards he had prepared beforehand for Rhodes Island's help this time.
Kal'tsit nodded again, reaching out to shake Carmen's hand. "Thank you for your trouble, Saint Carmen."
"Oh no!" After seeing the large cart of rewards Carmen had prepared, Kanna suddenly slapped her head, remembering that she had specifically promised to bring gifts back for Popukar and the others before leaving. However, she had given her sunglasses to Skadi during the last battle and had forgotten to buy new gifts.
The people around looked over when they heard her exclamation.
They saw Kanna, with a mournful expression, say to Kal'tsit, "Before I left, I told Popukar and the others that I would bring gifts back, but I forgot to buy them!"
Hearing Kanna's words, Kal'tsit just wanted to find a bamboo pole to hang her up. This fellow's constant startling almost scared the old woman to death.
Carmen, standing nearby, smiled and said, "There's a small shop nearby that specializes in souvenirs. Their items are quite good. Why don't you go take a look?"
Kanna's eyes lit up when she heard Carmen's words. She turned and stared at Kal'tsit.
Kal'tsit, after calming her composure that was almost broken, said helplessly, "Alright, let's go together."
Led by Carmen, the group arrived at the souvenir shop. Carmen said, "As a border city, this place has souvenir shops everywhere, but this particular shop has very distinctive items. I believe you and your friends will like them."
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