Urban Seduction: Housewives Club

Upon hearing Eric's question, Meyer smiled and shook her head. "The residents living on Greenland find it difficult for outsiders to survive there."

"How so?" Eric raised an eyebrow. "Do they intend to monopolize the island's treasures and refuse to share the benefits with others?"

Meyer shook her head again, her face showing a puzzled expression. "That's exactly what's strange about it! While the residents of Greenland occupy this 'treasure trove,' they are reluctant to 'explore' it. Apart from coal, iron, gold, and ice crystal ores, they haven't mined any minerals. Even valuable resources like methane hydrate and offshore oil remain untouched, not only preventing others from exploiting them but also lacking any intention to do so themselves. Moreover, aside from selling ice crystal ores, coal, and iron are used solely for local consumption, and gold is even sealed away..."

"No way," Eric exclaimed in surprise. "Do all fifty to sixty thousand residents not aspire to a wealthier life? Could it be that they're all so wealthy already that money is just a dull number to them?"

"It's quite the opposite of your speculation," Meyer chuckled. "Although Greenland's finances aren't in deficit, compared to Denmark as a whole, they're at the bottom. Each year, they receive over twenty million dollars in financial aid from the Danish government to ensure a modest standard of living, but 'wealthy beyond measure' is far from reality!"

Eric chuckled dryly. Such behavior was akin to the incidents at home where people drive cars while receiving social assistance.

Shaking his head, Eric asked, "Wouldn't Greenland's behavior of squatting on the toilet without using it cause dissatisfaction from the Danish government?"

"Eric, your metaphor is rather crude!"

Meyer gave Eric a disdainful look. She explained, "Greenland isn't a subordinate district of Denmark but a highly autonomous region. Although Denmark sends a governor to Greenland, it's mostly ceremonial. They can't interfere in internal affairs, let alone dictate Greenland's mining activities!"

"Highly autonomous region..." Eric had a vague thought.

"Yes. The Danish government not only can't meddle in Greenland's internal affairs but also can't intervene in military and educational matters. I heard even the schools there teach Greenlandic!" Meyer continued.

"Greenlandic?" Eric raised an eyebrow. "Are the residents of Greenland all ethnic minorities?"

"No," Meyer shook her head. "The residents of Greenland are descendants of medieval immigrants, including Danes, Norwegians, Swedes, and people from the E-country. The language spoken on the island, Greenlandic, is Old Norse, the official language of Denmark during the era of the legitimate royal lineage!"

Thinking of Ophelia's repeated invitations to Greenland and her claims of abundant evidence, Eric couldn't help but wear a look of realization. He murmured, "It seems Greenland is the stronghold of the Danish guardian knights..."

"Well... Ophelia never mentioned that" Meyer hesitated with suspicion but didn't dare to make a definitive statement. Instead, she suggested, "Should we call Ophelia over and ask?"

"No need." Frankly speaking, Eric didn't have much affection for the woman who repeatedly used Meyer to achieve her goals. He shook his head. "We'll be there tomorrow anyway. Let's discuss any questions when we're there."

"Alright."

Capital of Greenland Autonomous Region. Nuuk.

When the specially-made plane landed at a private airport in the wind and snow, Eric and Meyer, looking at the "carriage" that came to pick them up, couldn't help but be stunned.

It was a two-seater open-top carriage, exquisitely crafted and hand-carved by a master, with seats covered in Arctic fox fur, promising comfort and warmth.

What caught their attention even more was its engine—remarkably powerful: twelve large and robust Greenland dogs!

Yes, it was a sled—this unique form of transportation on snow-covered terrain!

Ophelia approached somewhat embarrassedly and said, "Due to last night's heavy snowstorm, most roads are virtually paralyzed... But sleds are still fast and safe. Please, make yourselves comfortable!"

Eric and Meyer exchanged smiles, eager to experience the wonders of this unique form of transportation.

Having raised many dogs at his Wu Mei Mountain Villa, Eric had some knowledge in this area. He immediately recognized the twelve large dogs pulling the sled as Greenland dogs. Known for their gentleness and endurance, they were considered the world's best sled dogs!

Guided by the world's best sled dogs, in less than half an hour, Eric and his companions arrived at their destination: a grand stone church at the north end of Nuuk's central square.

Whether it was Ophelia's status here or prior instructions from higher-ups, Eric, and his party were immediately escorted to a small hall inside the church.

There, an ageless old monk awaited them.

Upon seeing Eric enter, the elderly monk's eyes sparkled with a sharpness as he carefully scrutinized him from head to toe.

Eric noticed that although the elder's beard was white, he maintained a dignified and spirited demeanor. Standing still, he exuded an imposing presence that made Eric slightly moved, realizing he had encountered the first authoritative figure since arriving in Greenland.

Upon seeing the elderly monk, Ophelia promptly addressed him as "Elder Anos" and respectfully stepped forward to pay her respects.

Eric immediately surmised that this elderly monk must be one of the officials within the Presbyterian Church—the governing body of Christianity!

However, Eric didn't take much notice of him. When Ophelia introduced him as "Elder Anos, Executive Elder," Eric simply nodded lightly and considered the matter closed.

He then stood quietly beside Meyer, who had performed a formal knightly gesture of respect, and listened attentively to Ophelia's narration.

Whether Ophelia hadn't made it clear over the phone or for some other reason, she recounted in detail how Eric was the direct descendant of King Gom's "legitimate lineage."

As Elder Anos listened to Ophelia's introduction, his eyes remained fixed keenly on Eric.

Eric furrowed his brows slightly under his gaze but refrained from reacting, keeping his eyes fixed straight ahead without uttering a word.

After Ophelia laid out everything she knew in detail, Elder Anos remained silent for several minutes.

Finally, breaking the silence, Elder Anos spoke, "From my ancestors, who served as chaplains during King Waldemar's victorious campaign in Estonia, I can imagine the splendor of King Waldemar based on family accounts. According to Ophelia's words, Mr. Eric is highly likely to be a direct descendant of King Waldemar. However, please forgive my impudence, Mr. Eric. Despite your extraordinary demeanor, you do not resemble what I imagined King Waldemar to be, nor do you resemble any of the successive kings of the legitimate royal lineage of Denmark..."

Eric smiled slightly, thinking to himself, "One European, one Asian—if they looked alike, that would be strange indeed!"

Just as he was preparing to explain that he wasn't a direct descendant of King Gom, Elder Anos continued, "To prove whether Mr. Eric is indeed a member of the legitimate royal lineage of Denmark, we only need to wait until tomorrow to know for sure. However, I have a friend here who can provide corroborating evidence. Would Mr. Eric be willing to accompany me to see this friend?"

Eric was already deeply interested in the "evidence" that Ophelia and others had presented so convincingly, whether it was ironclad proof or corroborative evidence—if it could explain the situation, he nodded without hesitation.

Elder Anos was pleased with Eric's response. He turned to instruct Ophelia to wait here.

Seeing this, Eric lightly patted Meyer's hand, which was tightly gripping his, indicating for her to stay here and relax. Then, guided by Elder Anos, he entered a doorway and turned several corners until they arrived at a spacious area.

Looking around, Eric realized they were in the backyard of the church.

Unlike the garden at the Yerlin Church, the backyard of this Nuuk church was a bare, sandy square covered in white snow.

Across this nearly thousand-square-meter square stood a solitary ice peak, towering about fifty to sixty meters high.

Eric was amazed that such a "solitary peak" stood in the center of a city in Northern Europe!
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In awe, Eric discovered that the destination Elder Anos had brought him to was precisely this solitary ice peak.

The icy peak was smooth and compact, without a single crack, except for a dark, human-sized opening at its base.

Eric speculated that this opening was probably the passage into the icy peak! Could it be that Elder Anos's corroborating friend lived inside the mountain?

Approaching the opening, Elder Anos suddenly said to Eric, "I feel somewhat guilty for troubling you like this. After hearing Ophelia's words, I understand that you have consistently denied being a direct descendant of King Gom. You only came to this frigid place to undergo verification at Ophelia's earnest plea...

Originally, I should have been deeply grateful. Instead, I have caused you many difficulties. I sincerely apologize! However, the direct descendants of King Gom are of extreme importance to us, almost affecting the life and death of a nation. Therefore, I must proceed cautiously and seek multiple verifications. Please forgive me for any offense..."