These are the two elven doctors that His Majesty is meeting?
Ferdinand was a little concerned, so he observed the two elves in front of him without batting an eyelid.
They were two Silver Elves who looked very similar. They had the characteristic long blonde hair and pointy ears of their race. They were tall and had impeccable appearances. They wore long white court dresses (or, to put it more accurately, the dresses of nobles). They wore an emblem with a picture of leaves and branches in front of their chests. This seemed to indicate that they were also Extraordinary individuals from the Druid faction …
What left the deepest impression wasn't the two elves' beauty or temperament, but the sense of "synchronization" that they were closer and more tacit than twins. They spoke in unison and bowed to greet him almost in unison. This even gave Grand Duke Ferdinand the illusion that he was looking at a person and her shadow.
"I've never seen you before," Duke Ferdinand Wendell spoke in an indifferent and reserved tone.
There was no need for him to speak too much with the two doctors, especially since they were elven Extraordinary members hired by the royal family. However, even if he asked a few more questions, no one would suspect anything.
"Indeed, you've never seen us before, because we're not palace doctors," the two elves said the first half of the sentence in unison. Then, the slightly taller elf continued, "We've only been summoned by His Majesty."
"I see." Ferdinand nodded slightly. After that, he didn't pay any more attention to the two elves. Instead, he turned and continued to walk to Rosetta Augustus' reception room.
Although it wasn't common for the emperor to summon doctors at the last minute, this was the emperor's private matter. As the First Duke, there was no reason for him to pay too much attention to this.
The talented and bold emperor sat in the large chair at the head of the reception room, waiting for his First Duke.
This middle-aged emperor had a gaze as sharp as an eagle's. Although he had a gloomy disposition and was thin, his sharp gaze still made him as intimidating as a powerful wolf. He sat in the chair with a wide back. The light from the lamp shone from behind the back of the chair, causing him to be hidden in the shadows. However, after Ferdinand entered the room, this middle-aged man who liked to shroud himself in shadows took the initiative to stand up.
"Ferdinand, I'm so glad that you're willing to visit me in this foggy weather."
Ferdinand was stunned for a moment. He looked at Rosetta Augustus in disbelief.
The Emperor's figure was still thin, and his temperament was still somewhat gloomy. However, the eyes that were exposed under his short gray curly hair shone with a clear and wise light. He stood upright, and although the smile on his face was diluted by his gloomy temperament, there was no doubt that the Emperor's mental state was unprecedentedly good.
Ferdinand couldn't remember how long it had been since he saw Rosetta Augustus' smile, how long it had been since he saw his completely sober eyes, and how long it had been since he heard him call his name in such a relaxed and friendly manner. The crazy curse that had shrouded the Augustus family for more than 200 years had actually temporarily faded away from the emperor?!
Emperor Rosetta didn't seem to notice Ferdinand's momentary shock. He smiled and walked to another chair at the side and sat down. He gestured for Ferdinand to sit opposite him in a relaxed manner as usual. At the same time, he said, "Do you have something important to tell me in this foggy weather?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Ferdinand took a deep breath and sat down in front of the emperor. "I've received information from the border …"
He spoke of the information he had received while cautiously observing the changes in Emperor Rosetta's expression.
Unlike the backward and chaotic Ansu, the Typhon Empire had already achieved the consolidation of the country's power and the reorganization of the aristocratic system after many successful reforms. Although the enfeoffed nobles still existed, their power had been greatly suppressed and controlled. The authority of the entire aristocratic system was in the hands of the royal family, and this great reform was single-handedly facilitated by this emperor in the first half of his life.
This consolidation of power had increased the efficiency of the Empire's administration to an unprecedented level. Duke Ferdinand was also sincerely convinced by this emperor who was more than ten years younger than him, and willingly became an active promoter and assistant of the new policies. However, the duke also knew that there was a huge shadow hanging over the new policies, and that was the emperor's mental problem. Or rather, it was a mental problem that every member of the Augustus family had to face.
The power of the royal family could make the Empire prosperous, but it could also magnify the consequences of the emperor's own mistakes. As the First Duke of the Empire, Ferdinand Wendell's mission was to always be the Augustus family's "insurance." He had always kept this mission in mind, especially after the new policies were implemented.
Rosetta Augustus didn't notice Ferdinand's gaze. He only listened to the contents of the information with a calm expression and nodded slightly. "So, the Ansu was also attacked by those monsters, just like Typhon."
"Your Majesty, those aren't normal monsters. They might be blasphemous creatures that wandered out from the Gondor wasteland and are called aberrations by historians," Ferdinand emphasized. Master Delin's earnest warning echoed in his heart. "If they really are aberrations, then the attack on Winter Wolf Fort is only the beginning. More serious things can happen at any time."
"We should reconsider the war situation with the Ansu," Rosetta Augustus said calmly.
"We're facing a common threat, so …" Ferdinand continued almost out of habit. He only realized what he had heard halfway through the sentence. He looked at the emperor in front of him in shock. "Your Majesty, you mean …"
"We're facing a common threat. All humans, and even all races, don't differentiate between each other in the face of this threat, right?" Rosetta revealed a gloomy smile. "All human kingdoms have a long border close to the Gondor wasteland. Those monsters won't consider whether they're attacking Typhon or Ansu when they attack the border."
"So, we …" Duke Ferdinand said tentatively. "Should we postpone the plans for next year?"
"Not just postpone. We have to be more thorough in our preparations, don't we?" Rosetta looked into Ferdinand's eyes. "Perhaps we should re-establish a dialogue with the Ansu … That is, if that king still has the right judgment."
Ferdinand didn't say anything. Instead, he glanced at the ruler of Typhon in front of him. The latter replied calmly, "Ferdinand, I know you're very surprised.
"I've indeed been too tense recently, but you don't have to be nervous. I've always been very clear about what I'm doing.
"Augustus' curse may eventually fall on my head, but not now.
"Perhaps I should find a time to express my condolences to Count Wintercastle …"
"It's better that you're getting better. I'll share the good news with Count Palin," said Ferdinand Wendell. Then, he hesitated for a moment and asked, "Is it because of those two elves?"
"They have a personal friendship with the Augustus family," said Emperor Rosetta casually.
At the same time, two pieces of information were also placed on the desk of Francis II, the king of Ansu.
The old king carefully read the contents of the report as if he wanted to engrave every word on it in his mind. In the end, he sighed softly and tossed the two pieces of light parchment that had been magically processed into the brazier beside him.
In the city of Saint Sunil in the late winter, the cold wind howled with the frost and snow from the mountains in the north. Between the ancient palace walls and the clock towers, there seemed to be faint bell chimes that came with the wind, but they could only make a hazy echo outside the wide and gorgeous crystal windows.
Francis II knew that it was the bell of the Church of Holy Light. In this winter where the cultists wreaked havoc, the bell of the Church of Holy Light was at least twice as frequent as usual. Listening to the faint bell chimes, Francis II's mood also calmed down a lot.
The crown prince of Ansu, Prince Edmund, stood beside the king's desk. He looked at the parchment that was gradually turning into ashes in the brazier. He could still vaguely make out some of the words on it: Winterwolf Fortress, Attack, Mutant, Warning from Cecil …
"Edmund, do you know what this information means?" Francis II's voice woke Prince Edmund from his thoughts. The old king warmed his hands above the brazier, using the power of the fire to warm up his old and cold veins again.
The young prince frowned and said, "It means that the threats and challenges we have to face are increasing day by day?"
"No, it means that we finally have good news." The old king raised his head, a little bit of light reflected in his cloudy eyes. "Ansu is not ready for war yet. But fortunately, the war is going to be delayed."
Edmund thought for a moment and shook his head slightly. "I don't think Typhon, that mentally paranoid emperor, will be swayed by this."
"Edmund, you can't just look at the parts." The old king shook his head and said his own judgment. "Rosetta Augustus may not be swayed, but the Parliament of Nobles he formed can also receive intelligence from the border, and his First Duke, his advisory group … He may have succeeded in the centralization of the royal power, but he still has to compromise with the group of nobles."
Edmund Moen lowered his eyes, blocking all the changes in his eyes. "He also has to compromise with the nobles …"
Francis II raised his eyes and glanced at his favorite heir, but did not say much.
The young prince was too sharp and did not understand the significance of 'compromise' to maintain the country, nor did he understand how powerful and necessary the traditional aristocratic system was. But it did not matter. This was a necessary part of the growth process of every king. It did not matter if he did not understand it now, he would understand it sooner or later.
'Compromise' and 'negotiation'. A former illegitimate son with the support of the Northern Duke became the king of Ansu and gradually took control of the situation of the whole country. Gradually, the shackles around his neck were loosened, and he had the right to speak as a real king. What he relied on was' compromise 'and' negotiation '.
Compromise on the surface, negotiation in private, and exchange of interests in the bone. Aristocratic politics was nothing more than this.
The old king knew that the negotiation with Typhon was not far away.
In the suzerain's study in Cecil's territory, a detailed report was sent to Gwen.
Hu Po leaned over curiously. She saw the logos of several technical departments, including the Machinery Manufacturing Department, the Rune Research Institute, the Military Machinery Department, and so on. However, what was even more eye-catching was the strange thing drawn on one of the pages.
It had a long parallel track, a cast metal base, and a 'sub-device' that seemed to be placed in the track, labeled as a 'cannonball'. It was a new thing that she had never seen before.
The half-elf scratched her head and asked, "Gwen, what is this?"
"A prop to measure the truth." Gwen smiled. "The most effective means of negotiation."
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