NOVEL NEXT Chapter 36: United Against a Common Foe
A long night.
The next morning, an exhausted Aske got out of bed, dressed, and planned to take a walk outside.
Although Constantinople is his "hometown" and the "starting point" in this world, Aske has never really explored the city.
The first time he came here, he faced a strange world and impending war;
The second time he returned, it was a team on the brink of splitting and an uncontrollable longing for home.
This time, he could finally relax.
Today's Constantinople, though not as prosperous as it was ten years ago, is much better compared to six years ago when it was just regained from the Seljuk Empire.
Almost all the buildings have been repaired, with no trace of past wartimes, and the bustling streets are no longer mainly populated by Sirius people but are now made up of various ethnicities from different countries.
In these six years, Theodora has recaptured Asia Minor and even reached Jerusalem, thus turning Constantinople back into a commercial hub and the center of the world, second only to the bustling Solomon City.
However, considering the Church Court's heretical cleansing policy, Constantinople is undoubtedly a better place to live than Solomon City. Therefore, buying property here is a matter of pride for royalty, nobles, dignitaries, and wealthy merchants from various countries.
Aske even saw at a nearby real estate agency that the house prices in his neighborhood have risen to 8 pounds per square meter. Therefore, the total price of his home is likely over 1000 pounds now.
Right, should that house be counted as Peggy's or mine?
Never mind, it's common property for spouses.
Aske comforted himself this way, quietly activated the "ambush" skill, avoided the nearby Church spies' gaze, and went out to stroll.
.........
About half an hour later, at Achilles Mansion, Peggy suddenly awoke from the bed.
"Aske!" she exclaimed and then realized the bed next to her was empty.
Quickly dressing, Peggy rushed to the window, transformed into a bat, and flew out.
Although reason told her the squad leader must have left earlier for a walk,
Constantinople is not exactly safe!
Nora, Eleanor, Medea, and Miel, who knows how many spies they have scattered in this super city?! What if the squad leader gets captured?
Flying to the church entrance at top speed, she transformed back into human form amid the shocked gaze of the Iron-armored Holy Cavalry guarding the gate, and quickly described Aske's appearance, ordering:
"Get the Church Court spies to find him quickly!"
The Iron-armored Holy Cavalry promptly took the order and left. Moments later, the Church's spy network began rapidly operating.
Peggy, having no patience to wait for the Church's results, transformed into a bat again and flew up into the sky.
A few minutes later, in the Golden Governance Palace, Theodora also received the news of Peggy mobilizing Church spies.
"Aske is missing?" The Storm Empress stood up and frowned.
How can this be? In the Imperial Capital where I oversee, can kidnapping or missing person cases happen? Aske is a Demigod! Wait...
Could it be that Nora and the others have snuck in? If it's them, the possibility of Aske being taken without resistance does exist!
Without further information, Theodora's thoughts soon aligned with Peggy's, and a certain sense of offended anger surged in her heart.
To sneak into my Empire silently, trying to abduct my Co-Ruling Emperor, do they really take us for weak Sirius people?!!
Leaving the matter to Madame Varomina, the imperial scribe, Theodora quickly flew out of the palace to search for Aske.
...
Aske arrived at a nearby hotel, a familiar déjà vu surged over him.
Oh, this place.
He remembered that the hotel's basement had a mercenary training field, it was here he drilled Peggy and incidentally met Eleanor.
Hahaha, who would have thought you could meet a runaway Empire Princess from Divine Luo Empire in a random underground training field?
Feeling spontaneous, Aske decided to go downstairs and have a look, but then found the stairs had been sealed off.
"Sorry, guest," the attendant in the hallway explained, "The place downstairs is still under renovation and is temporarily closed to the public."
"Wasn't there a mercenary training field downstairs?" Aske asked.
"Ah, that was from before," the attendant smilingly explained, "Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, our Imperial Army grew stronger, and after reclaiming Asia Minor, the surrounding security situation significantly improved, so Constantinople no longer needed so many mercenaries. About three years ago, our boss renovated the training field and opened a nighttime bar instead."
"Oh, it's not open anymore," Aske said a bit wistfully.
"Yes, the bar opens at nine at night, you may come after we are open," the attendant replied.
Aske left the hotel, sighed a little in disappointment.
Hmm, if Eleanor knew about this, she might feel a bit sad.
Why not buy this hotel and renovate it?
Aske suddenly snapped back, realizing his thoughts were getting a bit Nora-like, quickly discarding the nonsensical idea.
...
On the flight from Aachen to Constantinople, Eleanor and Nora were sitting in business class, absent-mindedly gazing at the clouds outside.
Suddenly Eleanor groaned softly, then touched her stomach and smiled contentedly.
"He's kicking my stomach again, Nora," the Knight Girl said with a smile.
"My child is very well-behaved, never causing any fuss," Nora also stroked her belly and smiled.
"After all, he's a boy, I hope he loves sports, and is healthy and sunny," Eleanor said.
Nora's expression slightly stiffened, because Aske seemed to have said the same thing, which made her feel uncomfortable and jealous.
"Love sports?" she said a bit angrily, "Boys being that energetic for what? Being obedient isn't good? If the child grows to be around seven or eight and runs outside not coming home all the time, us mothers will be worried, right? Ellie, I'm not saying being outgoing is bad, but haven't we suffered enough from that scumbag man's antics?"
Mentioning that scumbag man made Eleanor's face cloud over.
Clearly, clearly married to me first! How did you register with Nora then?
Fine, Nora is my bestie, for now, I'll forgive you this. What about Miel and Mia?
Medea said upon finding that ship, the aura in the cabin seemed to contain about the amount for a dozen times, so you just can't control your lower body? Don't tell me they drugged you too!
"Damn Aske," she couldn't help but curse.
"Scumbag Aske!" Nora also gritted her teeth.
The two friends, originally having a slight rift, whenever mentioning this fickle and heartless husband, quickly united against the common enemy.
Quarreling over jealousy can wait, the focus now is to bring him back!