Chapter 316: Only the Eternal and Glorious History Is Worthy of Miss Annie Bretagne!

Charlot Mecklenburg had no idea how to explain away this wild claim.
Saint Michael Island was a fine place, but it was Ingrima Empire’s territory. Holding it was one thing, but gifting it to someone? That would be both inappropriate and unjustifiable.

And that divine creature?
Giving it away privately might be questionable, but announcing it publicly was outright unthinkable.

Other options?
Perhaps gifting Annie the opportunity to summon an evil god? The Earl of Bretagne would surely split him in two on the spot!

It was likely a spur-of-the-moment inspiration—or perhaps desperation could drive anyone to take drastic measures.

Charlot spoke with a calm and persuasive tone:
“In this world, even heroes grow old. Even emperors age and wither. Even those with overwhelming power will face moments of desolation. Even immense wealth will one day part from its owner. And even the most priceless treasures may lose their utility.”

“But there is one thing that will last as long as humanity exists!”

“That is civilization!”

“Annie and I wrote a few novels together, and their quality is outstanding!”

“I believe that even a hundred years from now, or two hundred, or even five hundred, people will still read them and remember these novels were written by a man named Charlot Mecklenburg for the woman he loved most.”

“I don’t know how long your reputation will be etched into history, but I can guarantee you this: Annie’s name will be remembered far longer than yours, and by an unimaginable margin.”

“Perhaps in fifty years, or a hundred, when people mention your name, they will say, ‘Oh, we know, he was Miss Annie’s father!’”

Clair Bretagne and Ebner Soumet discreetly stepped back. Both of them were aware of Charlot’s writing ventures, and they couldn’t deny the sheer masculine charisma of his words. But the last two sentences were unquestionably daring!

While they both secretly thought Charlot’s claims might just come true—after all, the pseudonym Annie Mecklenburg was likely to outlast the name of Earl Bretagne—they also felt his boldness was audacious to the extreme.

Neither of them would have dared to boast like Charlot. Beyond their limited eloquence, the sheer courage needed to make such a statement was equally crucial.

Clair even mused that he might not have the guts to utter such words to Viscount Branton, let alone Earl Bretagne.

Ebner shot Clair a glance that seemed to say, “What now?”

Clair had no answer.

Charlot, in the heat of the moment, almost believed he had been a literature teacher in his past life—not a math teacher.

With impassioned resolve, he concluded his speech:
“In my eyes, no worldly treasure is worthy of Annie. Only the foundation of a continent’s civilization, only the eternal and unyielding history, can match Miss Annie Bretagne!”

Earl Bretagne took a deep breath and said, “Charlot Mecklenburg!”

“You are indeed the boldest young man I have ever met!”

“To spout such utterly illogical nonsense and make it sound so compelling—and what’s more, I can’t even argue against it!”

The earl patted Charlot’s shoulder and said, “Do you know how many times I’ve wanted to kill you? A hundred and sixty-eight times in total.”

“That Firequell Silver Rhino in your possession? It was chosen during the first fifty-six occasions I planned to shoot you. At the time, I thought, after killing you, this weapon would have to be discarded...”

Charlot instinctively touched his thigh. Of course, the Silver Rhino wasn’t there anymore—it had been replaced with the Red Viper long ago. Still, he couldn’t shake the chill running down his neck, a visceral sense of having narrowly escaped death.

The earl withdrew his hand, gazing toward Sedona City. He said, “Go to Sedona City and deliver a message to Viscount Constantine for me. Tell him...”

“If he doesn’t make a move, neither will I!”

Charlot agreed hurriedly and left in haste. As he walked away, cold sweat continued to pour from his body.

Clair and Ebner approached the earl only after Charlot was well out of sight. With remarkable tacit understanding, neither of them mentioned Charlot again.

Earl Bretagne, in contrast, treated the two juniors with far greater kindness, giving them a few words of praise before selecting a military carriage. He declared that unless it was time for meals, he was not to be disturbed.

Clair sighed in relief. “For a moment there, I thought Charlot might not make it out alive!”

Ebner Soumet muttered softly, “Charlot’s nerve is astonishing, but his words were also incredibly impressive. What’s more, I feel like there’s a real chance they might come true. His novels really are quite good.”

Clair nodded in agreement. He had been keeping up with Charlot’s works, which had become strategic morale boosters on the Ferranden frontlines.

As Charlot fled the military camp, a thought struck him: “Should I have brought Old Goat Herolf along?”

But he immediately dismissed the idea. While he might face little danger alone, bringing Herolf along would likely provoke the Black Phoenix Dynasty’s Saint ranks to launch an all-out assault on the goat. Opportunities to take down an enemy Saint were rare enough to warrant such risks. Even Viscount Constantine himself might join the fray.

Summoning his courage, Charlot reassured himself that delivering a message shouldn’t require much bravery. After all, facing Earl Bretagne was far more perilous than merely relaying a message.

Charlot was acutely aware that the earl had indeed contemplated killing him earlier. The only reason he refrained was Annie. Beyond that, there was no other explanation.

When Charlot arrived outside Sedona City, he shouted with all his might, “I’m here to deliver a message from Earl Bretagne!”

No sooner had he finished than he spotted Chloe Hadrian’s face peering down from the city walls. Her expression was one of unmistakable sympathy.

“Come inside,” Chloe called.

Charlot quickly replied, “I’m just here to deliver a message and will leave immediately. There’s no need for me to enter.”

Chloe said, “Viscount Constantine wants to see you!”

The cold sweat that had just subsided returned in full force. Having already faced Earl Bretagne, Charlot had no desire to encounter Viscount Constantine as well. This wasn’t a world where signing in or checking boxes came with rewards. Earl Bretagne might spare him for Annie’s sake, but Constantine? He owed no one such considerations. If he decided to kill Charlot, there would be no one to stop him.

Charlot refused vehemently, spilling out a string of excuses. Just as he finished, a stern voice echoed from within Sedona City:
“You, the boy delivering the message—come here. I have questions for you.”

Chloe spread her hands in a helpless gesture.

Charlot, truly out of options, muttered under his breath, “Can I really not refuse?”

Chloe responded, “What do you think?”

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