Seeing the Emerald Elf King forget himself like this, rattling off like a machine gun about the technology the Owl Dragon Emperor had provided that he had seen,
the Radiant Elf King looked at Zhao Chen apologetically, then frowned and glared at the Emerald Elf King on the far side of the video window. "Mansfield, you are an Elf King, after all. Mind your manners a little in front of a guest!"
At the Radiant Elf King's reminder, the Emerald Elf King at last came to himself.
He steadied his feelings, then looked at Zhao Chen apologetically and actually apologized of his own accord: "Your Excellency the Owl Dragon Emperor, I'm very sorry. I was rude just now; it's only that the technical material you've given us is so incredible, it's simply……"
Had the Emerald Elf King been left to go on like this, there was no telling how long it would take.
Zhao Chen cut in with a polite smile: "May I ask whether Your Excellency the Emerald Elf King is satisfied with the technical material in our deal?"
"Satisfied! Satisfied! Very satisfied," the Emerald Elf King said without the least reserve.
The Radiant Elf King covered his face beside them.
This Emerald Elf King had just such a bad temper; the moment he touched the technology in question he was straight as a gut, saying whatever he was asked.
Had he been even a little more roundabout, the Radiant Elf King might have used it to discuss a few things with the Owl Dragon Emperor.
But now you've said everything outright.
How was he to go on negotiating?
"Then since there's no problem, our technology deal this time can be counted a success, can't it?" Zhao Chen looked at the Radiant Elf King with a smile.
The Radiant Elf King nodded; helpless as he felt inside, at least outwardly he wore a smile as he said, "Ha ha ha ha. We trusted Your Excellency the Owl Dragon Emperor's good faith from the start; naturally there could be no problem with the technology."
Zhao Chen laughed to himself; that look of yours just now meant nothing of the kind.
Naturally Zhao Chen would not expose this rather hypocritical Radiant Elf King at a time like this.
"Then since everything's in order, let's leave the matter there." Zhao Chen's words had barely fallen.
But the Emerald Elf King stepped forward first and said, "That won't do! Your Excellency the Owl Dragon Emperor, the technical material you've given me looks very detailed, but there are still some things in it I don't quite understand. I need you to guide me!"
There were actually things in it the Emerald Elf King could not understand.
The Radiant Elf King and the Bluewater Elf Queen beside him were both greatly startled; that alone showed how deep the technological foundations of this Supernova Ultimate Bomb ran.
"I'm sorry, but I may not be able to stay long in the Sacred Elf Empire. You all must know that in this coming stage the Owl Dragon Empire has a great many things to handle. And I need to see to them myself," Zhao Chen said apologetically.
The Emerald Elf King's face fell.
The Radiant Elf King noticed the Emerald Elf King's look, and naturally saw through what he was thinking; this fellow Elf King of his was good in every way,
only every feeling and thought he had was written on his face, impossible to hide, and he was not much good with words either.
A matter like this still needed himself to step forward and try for it.
"Your Excellency the Owl Dragon Emperor, I know your affairs keep you busy now. But this matter is very important to our Sacred Elf Empire, so I still hope you might……" The Radiant Elf King looked at Zhao Chen with a smile.
Zhao Chen thought a moment, and held up three fingers. "Then I'll stay here only three days. After three days, whatever happens, I go back to the Owl Dragon Empire!"
"Three days is enough," the Emerald Elf King said at once.
Three days was enough for him, an outstanding scientist and researcher of the Sacred Elf Empire, to understand some of the intricate technical details.
After that, the banquet ended.
The Radiant Elf King saw Zhao Chen to the door of the most luxurious room aboard this interstellar cruise liner.
"For these three days, Your Excellency the Owl Dragon Emperor, rest here for now. This interstellar cruise liner will circle the star systems around the universe star gate for three days, and come back to the star gate within three days. In that time, we've picked some star systems along the way with fine views; you can tour them. Today, get a good rest first. I've told Mansfield not to disturb you for the next eight hours," the Radiant Elf King said with a smile. "You can rest well first."
"Thank you." Zhao Chen nodded.
The Bluewater Elf Queen beside them said with a light smile, "This interstellar cruise liner is the finest interstellar cruise liner our Sacred Elf Empire has. There are a great many fine observation decks here; when you have time, you can go and enjoy them."
"I will." Zhao Chen nodded.
After that, Zhao Chen settled into this suite.
The moment Zhao Chen stepped through the door, Panther-Girl went past him first and gave a look to the few guards she had brought.
These guards at once took out some equipment and checked the whole suite.
Zhao Chen walked to the sofa and said with a light laugh, "Relax. The Sacred Elf Empire isn't stupid enough to use cheap tricks like that on a diplomatic occasion of this level."
"This is part of our duty." Panther-Girl got there a step ahead and checked the sofa over, and only after making sure there was no problem did she let Zhao Chen sit down.
Very soon the whole suite had been checked.
The guards came back before Panther-Girl and nodded.
"Go rest in the side bedroom; without permission, or unless you hear something unusual, you're not to come out," Panther-Girl ordered.
"Yes." The guards at once went through the side door and closed it.
At once only Panther-Girl and Zhao Chen were left in the room.
Panther-Girl stood silently in a corner of the room, without a sound or a movement, as though she had merged into her surroundings.
"There's no need to be so stiff; find somewhere to sit," Zhao Chen said, looking at Panther-Girl.
Panther-Girl said coolly, "This is my job."
So stubborn.
Zhao Chen said nothing more; after resting with his eyes closed on the sofa for a few minutes, he set to work at once.
He was in the Sacred Elf Empire now, but there was still a great deal of work he had to take charge of.
Time passed bit by bit.
Zhao Chen suddenly looked up and glanced at the time.
He put away his work equipment, then got up and walked toward the door.
Panther-Girl at once followed behind; this time those guards did not come along.
Zhao Chen opened the door and stood in the doorway, looking at Panther-Girl following behind him; he knew her temper, and said nothing more.
Then he went along the corridor outside the door in one direction.
"Where do you need to go? I'll lead the way for you," Panther-Girl said, following behind Zhao Chen.
As Zhao Chen's guard, once they had boarded, she had required the Sacred Elf Empire's side to provide the layout of this interstellar cruise liner's interior.
So although it was Panther-Girl's first time aboard this interstellar cruise liner, she had long since committed every position to memory.
"No need; I remember it too," Zhao Chen said with a smile.
Taking the nearest floating lift, Zhao Chen and Panther-Girl soon came to an observation deck.
This observation deck was very secluded; a great deal of plant life could be seen, which, together with the starry universe beyond the transparent glass overhead, made a beauty of a different kind.
Panther-Girl stopped and stood there, following Zhao Chen no farther; surprise flickered in her eyes, but soon faded.
Then she stood calmly where she was, scanning her surroundings now and then.
For at this moment someone had already arrived first on this secluded observation deck.
By the figure from behind, it was none other than the Bluewater Elf Queen.
Seeing this, Panther-Girl, however blunt, could guess that the Owl Dragon Emperor had come here himself to find the Bluewater Elf Queen.
As for when the two had arranged to meet,
and why the two of them were to talk here, she was curious, but as a guard she must not overstep in such things.
Zhao Chen walked up beside the Bluewater Elf Queen.
"Look; these stars truly are beautiful. Like flowers blooming in the universe." The Bluewater Elf Queen looked at the stars overhead as she lightly stroked the flowering plants beside her with her fingers.
"They are beautiful," Zhao Chen agreed.
"Salaman says you're a very interesting person. I've read a great many files on you before, but apart from last time, this should be our second meeting. And now is our first meeting alone." The Bluewater Elf Queen looked at Zhao Chen with a smile.
Zhao Chen nodded. "Yes. What I know of you is limited to the files too."
"Then why did you really come here in person?" The Bluewater Elf Queen looked at Zhao Chen curiously.
Zhao Chen looked at the Bluewater Elf Queen with a smile. "The Bluewater Elf Queen invited me in person; how could I have any reason not to come?"
The two looked at each other and smiled.
"But I'm very curious what could make Your Excellency the Bluewater Elf Queen talk with me privately in person. And besides……"
Zhao Chen looked around and said, "It's so big here, and I walked over here so openly. Can it really stay secret?"
The Bluewater Elf Queen explained with a smile, "Perhaps Your Majesty doesn't know this interstellar cruise liner very well. This interstellar cruise liner is called the Water Sprite. I gave it the name. Everyone aboard this interstellar ship was placed here by me. In name it belongs to the Sacred Elf Empire's High Council, used mainly for official receptions. But in fact its real owner is me."
Having heard the Bluewater Elf Queen's explanation,
Zhao Chen understood: so this was her ground.
"Then what does Your Excellency mean to talk to me about?" Zhao Chen asked with interest.
The Bluewater Elf Queen looked at Zhao Chen, and said with an earnest look, "Some advice about the Owl Dragon Empire's plan to open up new territory in those interstellar civilizations' universes."
"Advice? Didn't Your Excellency already give some advice at the welcome banquet?" Zhao Chen said, feigning not to understand.
"This advice is rather different. There are some people I'd like to introduce to Your Majesty."