Chapter 103: The Ultimate Return Gift, State Gift Porcelain

Chapter 103: Chapter 103: The Ultimate Return Gift, State Gift Porcelain

He didn’t know what kind of mood he was in as he read through it. It wasn’t until he turned to the very last page that he gently placed the notebook on the table.

The moment the notebook was set down, his body swayed slightly, and he stumbled back a few steps. He looked as though he had aged more than a decade in an instant. With his back hunched, he slowly sat down in his chair, relying entirely on the support of his assistant.

Elder Collins took out a handkerchief to wipe the tears spilling from the corners of his eyes. His voice was slightly hoarse. "Thank you both."

Rian Sinclair looked at Elder Collins. She understood perfectly well how unforgettable and deeply ingrained that period of history was, especially for people like him—those who lived close to that era or had experienced that history firsthand.

Elder Collins looked up, his eyes catching the glaring lights. His tears simply couldn’t be stopped.

Tears slid down from the wrinkled corners of his eyes. No one in the hall made a sound. They all maintained a solemn silence, seemingly mourning for the departed citizens and the fallen heroes.

"Young Miss Sinclair, do you know how miserably they suffered back then?"

Elder Collins’s eyes were hollow as he sat to the side, muttering to himself. "Those hideous people mercilessly slashed their blades across their chests. They skewered children like meat, treating human lives as a competitive game.

"Their steadfast refusal to plead guilty, their absolute denial even in the face of death, and every sickening smile they revealed—all of it serves as a constant reminder to us of that tragic past.

"Over three hundred thousand... the population of an entire city... just... just gone like that."

The moment Elder Collins lowered his head, he covered his time-worn face with both hands, his body trembling. Rian knew that this highly respected old man, famous for his iron will, was crying.

She certainly knew. She knew the profound significance the number three hundred thousand held for everyone in Veridia. This string of numbers was something every Veridian ought to keep firmly in mind.

Rian said in a deep, solemn voice, "Elder Collins, Veridia will surely stand tall in the world, prosperous and thriving."

Future generations had no right to forgive on behalf of their ancestors for that period of history. She only hoped that Veridia would grow prosperous and powerful enough to command respect from anyone in the world.

Elder Collins fell silent for a moment. After a long while, he finally lifted his head. The cloudiness in his eyes gradually cleared, and then he smiled. "Young Miss Sinclair is right. Veridia will definitely get better and better, stronger and stronger."

Rian pursed her lips and nodded. Elder Collins also gradually recovered his composure and properly handed over the items.

In response to the gift, under the state’s directive, they presented a piece of state guest porcelain in return.

Kyle didn’t quite understand its significance, but hearing Elder Collins say, "It’s just a small token of our appreciation," he assumed it wasn’t particularly valuable. He accepted it, set it aside, and continued his conversation with Elder Collins.

Rian kept her eyes on the porcelain. This was considered a promise from Veridia to him.

If he ever faced hardship, Veridia would offer its full support upon seeing this porcelain. Moreover, it could guarantee a one-hour grace period from the Dongfeng missiles for his entire family.

Very few people could receive such state gift porcelain—Julian Paxton in the past, Rabe later on, and now Kyle. State gift porcelain was bound by bloodline, meaning Kyle’s descendants would also be able to use it.

Elder Collins and Kyle had a very pleasant conversation. Given Elder Collins’s warm welcome and his own strong interest in Kyoro, the Veridian capital, Kyle decided to go sightseeing around the city.

The two of them saw Kyle off.

Elder Collins turned back to look at Rian. "Young Miss Sinclair has done such an important thing. The higher-ups will certainly give you a reward."

Hearing this, Rian smiled and shook her head. "Elder Collins, being a Veridian citizen is the best gift of all. There’s no need for anything else."

Elder Collins’s gaze toward Rian grew increasingly affectionate. Such a young child had such passionate devotion to Veridia. How could Veridia ever let her down?

The two chatted for a long time, going from the history of the past to the developments of the present, and finally to the future ahead.

Rian declined Elder Collins’s invitation to stay for a meal, as she had to make a trip to Sakuran.

Quentin Sinclair stood to the side. Elder Collins didn’t insist on her staying, only asking Rian to visit him often for tea and chats. After all, he genuinely liked such a visionary junior.

Her foresight, perspective, and awareness far exceeded those of other young people. Elder Collins had lived alone for the better part of his life. After his wife passed away from an illness, he had never remarried.

Having spent most of his life guarding his old relics, Rian naturally understood Elder Collins’s situation. She had to repeatedly assure him that she would definitely come visit after she finished her business before she could finally take her leave.

Back in the car.

Quentin instructed the driver to head to the airport. Noticing the hint of weariness between Rian’s brows, he asked, "Would you like to eat something first, Miss?"

Rian leaned against the seat back, letting her mind relax. "We fly to Sakuran first. Did we leave anyone with Mr. Kyle?"

"Ethan Sinclair is accompanying Mr. Kyle. As for the matters in Sakuran, we’ve already dispatched The Mercenary Corps to handle the communications. In addition, we’ve hired three other mercenary groups to head to Sakuran."

Rian couldn’t help but click her tongue. Sending mercenary groups to "communicate" was a bit underhanded, but she liked it.

"Does Scott Sutton have connections in Sakuran? I’d rather not waste time procuring firearms when we get there."

Quentin wasn’t entirely sure, but according to intelligence they had previously gathered, Scott’s arms trade network was quite extensive. Because of the items they were carrying this time, they were taking a private jet. The trip to Sakuran would be the same.

"I’ll contact him when the time comes," Quentin said.

Hearing this, Rian nodded and leaned back against her seat to rest her eyes.

After arriving at the airport, they didn’t stay in the VIP lounge for long before boarding the plane. The flight crew had already received the instructions; once the aircraft reached a steady cruising altitude, they began serving the meal.

After finishing her meal, Rian retreated to her cabin to rest.

Meanwhile, Quentin began reaching out to Scott Sutton.

He dialed the number, but it rang for a long time without connecting. Just a second before the call was about to drop, a man’s voice abruptly came through.

"Who is this?"

Quentin didn’t get angry at the curt tone. "Boss Sutton, I was wondering if you have any connections in Sakuran?"

Scott didn’t immediately answer Quentin’s question, instead asking about something else entirely. "Where is your young miss?"

Quentin didn’t reply. After a long silence, Scott’s voice sounded again, "The people working under her are truly boring.

"Speak. How much do you need?"

Upon hearing this, Quentin gave a rough outline of the supplies they needed and finalized the drop-off location.

Then, the call was disconnected.

Quentin didn’t show much emotion. He simply set his phone aside and glanced toward Rian’s cabin, withdrawing his gaze after a few seconds.

He was a man, so he could understand Scott. It was nothing more than an interest in his young miss. Thinking of this, Quentin made a mental note to minimize the number of times Rian would run into that man.

On the other end, the moment the address was given, Scott directly hung up the phone. He had absolutely no desire to listen to another word of nonsense from the other side.

However, his actions were quite honest, as he immediately ordered his subordinates to arrange the weapons. He had originally thought it was Rian calling, but seeing the phone ring for so long, he knew it wasn’t her.

Rian only rested in her cabin for a short while. When she came out, Quentin was still busy. The assistants and managers they had previously hired were temporarily placed with Donovan Sinclair. She just didn’t know which ones Quentin planned to take.

Seeing his young miss come out, Quentin had someone bring over some snacks. "Miss."