While Roland was thinking about what kind of arson tool would be easier to make, a guard came in and said, "Your Majesty, the emissary from the Northern Region wants to see you."
"It's only been one day..." Roland was a little surprised. "Are they going to refuse my request directly instead of waiting for the Duke's reply?"
"Take them to the reception hall," Roland ordered after a moment of silence. "Also, tell Carter to block the Foreign Affairs Building and temporarily prohibit the emissary delegation from going out."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Since the emissary could not agree with his policy, Roland had to force them to stay.
...
When Roland walked into the reception hall on the first floor, he found that the people on the other side of the long table had changed their seats. The woman, who was supposed to be Cole's assistant, was sitting in the main seat, while Cole was sitting in the second seat with a book in his hands.
"Your Majesty, I'm Edith Kant, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Evernight and Cole's sister." The woman stood up and made a standard noble bow. "This is not the first time we've met. Cole forgot to introduce me last time. Please forgive me."
"Carr Wen's daughter?" Roland was surprised at first, and then he could not help but be interested. "So you're the leader of the emissary delegation?"
"Yes." She put her hand on her chest and said, "My father has entrusted me with this mission and given me the Duke's seal."
It wasn't that there weren't any women participating in politics in this era, but it was extremely rare, not to mention a young and beautiful woman. Roland could tell from Edith's expression that this was not the first time she had dealt with a superior. Her words and behavior were impeccable. As for the concealment of her identity, Roland realized that it was a trick to attract the attention of the negotiators. She was not deliberately concealing her identity. She was just using the disguise of a woman to mislead the negotiators. It was not deception, and most nobles would only regard it as an act of fun. Roland had to admit that it was indeed effective.
"In other words, you can make decisions on behalf of your father?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. To be precise, he will listen to my opinion."
"What a confident answer." Roland looked at Cole, who was scratching his ears and cheeks, and could not help but laugh.
"Well … Miss Edith, what's your purpose of seeing me?"
Roland had thought that she would tactfully say that she couldn't accept such a condition, or use other more "interesting" methods to get him to take back the new law. He didn't expect that she would take out a book from her backpack and put it on the table. It was the brochure he had written.
"I have some questions to ask you," Edith said bluntly. "You said that the reason why the feudal nobles will be eliminated sooner or later is that the central power continues to expand. But without the help of the nobles, how can you ensure that you can effectively manage the vast kingdom?"
Does he … want to discuss politics with me?
Looking at her sincere eyes, Roland realized that she was serious.
It had been a long time since he had heard such an interesting question.
"It's the people and the progress of technology," he answered after thinking for a while.
"Are you referring to those free citizens? What is technological advancement? "
"That's right. A management team trained by City Hall, paid by City Hall, and provided with manpower and supporting facilities by City Hall doesn't require the manager to have strong assets or abundant manpower. Therefore, it doesn't matter whether the manager is a noble or not." Roland began to explain the form of a centralized government and the way for ordinary people to be promoted. Then he talked about the practical significance of technology in controlling the territory. He talked for an hour.
"How do you plan to prevent the administrative officials far away from the king's city from malfeasance?"
"After Graycastle is unified, how will the trade be distributed?"
"Can productivity really be used as a standard to measure policy?"
"…"
The more she asked, the more Edith's eyes sparkled. It was not until noon that she let out a long sigh. "I see. You really didn't write that opening speech casually."
Roland also sipped his tea contentedly. As a person with a different profession, his political knowledge was probably only up to this point.
"Thank you for your answers. I didn't expect you to tell me these things in such detail."
"The most basic requirement of a City Hall in the new era is to publicize the policy. We must let everyone clearly understand the content of the new policy, so that the implementation will not be strange."
Edith nodded and changed the topic. "Can you provide the production equipment and personnel for the steam engine to the Northern Region?"
"I can't at the moment because Neverwinter is also short of people. But you can send some people to learn, provided that the nobles in the Northern Region give up their feudal rights and obey the management of City Hall."
"The construction technology of paddle steamers can also be taught?"
"Of course, as long as we pay the Golden Dragon, it won't be a problem. But without the witches' help, it'll be difficult for you to move the entire production line to the Northern Region in a short time. "
"Your calmness surprises me, Your Majesty." She pondered for a moment. "But there's one thing I don't understand. According to your plan, you can easily annex the entire Graycastle in ten years. At that time, you can push the new policy without any resistance, and you don't need to care about our opinions. Why are you so eager?"
Roland fell silent. After a while, he said, "Do you really want to know the answer?"
Edith probably did not expect him to answer so seriously, so she also became solemn. "Yes."
"Then come with me." He stood up and said, "I'll show you something."
…
Stepping into the shady backyard, Roland led Edith to the wooden shed in the center of the olive grove.
The demon, whose limbs had been amputated, was lying flat on a long table, surrounded by various bottles and jars. Agatha was making the final preparations for blood extraction.
"God above, this is — what?" Edith let out a low cry of disbelief, but Roland noticed that there was only shock on her face, not fear.
"I should lock the shed and ask Leaf to surround the yard." Agatha frowned. "Don't tell me you're going to let a common person participate in the sigil production. If I was fusing the God's Stone, I'd probably have failed."
"Of course not... It'll be ready soon." Roland coughed twice and turned to Edith. "The alien creature in front of you is the legendary demon. They appear in the Northern Region of the Impassable Mountain Range and are the biggest enemy that human beings will soon face. The war between the two races has nothing to do with territory or wealth. It's to decide who can survive, and the loser will perish completely."
"Demon? Decide to continue the war? "Edith could not help but murmur.
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