Just as Brando had predicted, an hour after he finished reading the letter, the same secret letter arrived at Princess Gryphine's desk, lying quietly on the ebony table.
Outside the window was the scene of Ampere Seale before the storm. The wind and rain were dark and gloomy; the haze that interweaved over the entire harbor made the whole day pass. Although it was only noon, it was already approaching dusk.
Lightning occasionally flashed through the clouds, and thunder rumbled. The pale white light shone through the window and projected the shadows of the trees on the carpet.
"What's the situation outside?" Princess Gryphine asked.
"We've already been surrounded by three layers inside and outside. The possibility of breaking out of the encirclement is not high. However, if Your Highness the Princess decides, we will definitely do our best to open a bloody path for Your Highness." The Knight who was kneeling on one knee was drenched. The water from his red cloak soaked the expensive carpet, but no one blamed him.
"No need. You can leave first and change into a dry set of clothes, Sir Lederer." The half-elf girl nodded and replied.
The knight responded gratefully, got up, and left.
"What's going on with the Halran Gaia?" She raised her head and looked at the others in the room. "Has anyone seen it appear in the kingdom?"
"This …" Oberwei's expression was a little strange. "Actually, there is, and it's one of our people."
"One of our people?" Gryphine was a little unhappy. "Why didn't I know?"
"I just found out about it, Your Highness." Oberwei hurriedly explained. "It's Roves."
"Roves? That Roves Delaar from Audine? Delaar's youngest son, the current heir of the Audine family, Count Audine? " The princess thought for a moment before remembering this person. "Weren't they sent by my father to the south to find the whereabouts of the Lionheart Sword …" She suddenly fell silent. In just half a year, the kingdom had changed, and the Lionheart Sword was now in her hands. It seemed that in the blink of an eye, Erouine had undergone a drastic change.
"What's going on?" She asked.
"Audine is outside. Why don't we let him describe it personally? It's inevitable that there will be some deviation in the words of an outsider." Oberwei replied.
Gryphine nodded.
After waiting for a short while, the pale-faced Austin entered their line of sight. Previously, he had almost lost his life in the battle of the Loop of Trade Winds, but he was saved by the Great Druid, Andrew, who was passing by. Although the external injuries on his body were mostly healed, the internal injuries were still there. After the long journey, he looked even more defeated now.
But even so, he still respectfully bowed to Gryphine.
"Count Audine, is your injury serious? Do you need to rest? "The half-elf girl looked at him and could not help but frown on her face. Even though she had heard that this group of people had met with an accident in the Loop of Trade Winds, she didn't expect them to be so miserable.
"It's just a small injury. There's no need for that. Her Highness, on the other hand, is more urgent," Austin answered. In fact, before the split of the Royal Party, he was more inclined towards the First Born, but in the past two months, his camp had unknowingly wavered.
Every time he thought of the young man he had met in the Loop of Trade Winds, he could not help but remember the choice he had made. When he knew that the Lionheart Sword was in the hands of the princess, he did not hesitate to come here.
"Then please tell us about the situation." The princess replied.
Audine nodded and began to tell the story of the battle. He was not a good storyteller, but he was a good storyteller. The adventure in the Loop of Trade Winds, which had lasted for several months, was reduced to a story of less than ten minutes in his mouth. Even so, he was still able to explain the cause and effect of the adventure clearly.
When he finished, the room was silent. Oberwei had already known, but Gryphine could not help but take a deep breath. "You mean, the sword is in that person's hands? He's the Lord of Tónigel? His name is Brando, right? "
"Yes." Audine nodded, but in his heart, he thought that the princess knew the young man.
"Is it possible to get him to return the sword to the Lionheart Sword?" Fleetwood suddenly broke the silence and asked.
Everyone could not help but shake their heads. Although Fleetwood was Erouine's top court wizard, he did not know much about politics. Halran Gaia was one of the goals of the Holy Temple of Earth, but it was not the real reason for this war. Regardless of whether Halran Gaia existed or not, the war would continue.
Even if the army was mobilized, there was no way they would retreat.
Audine looked at the chief wizard with disdain. He was originally from another faction and was biased against everyone here except for Gryphine, especially Fleetwood, who was a capitulator. I've never heard of Aouine giving up the benefits without being forced into a war. "
"Even if the Holy Temple of Earth agrees, the Lionheart Sword will not. The mobilization of an army is not a small matter, teacher." The princess shook her head. "Since it has already happened, why don't we think about what to do next?"
"My lords?" Her gaze swept across everyone.
"Think of a way to mobilize the troops in the south, and at the same time express our stance. Duke Viero has yet to express his stance. He and Count Randner are mortal enemies, and the Holy Cathedral has very little control over the south. We can win over his support." Makarov immediately replied.
"Who will board the sinking ship?" Someone asked.
"No, if we still have the three territories, there is still room for maneuver. The Lionheart Sword has already taken the initiative to attack, and the north will be attacked from both sides. The Holy Temple will not ignore this. "
Everyone in the room was silent. Gryphine looked deeply at the cunning fox. This plan seemed to be impossible in Pegasus Starry Skies, but it was not impossible after careful consideration.
Makarov had probably seen through the trick. If Tónigel's army and Viero attacked Randner together, and secretly reached an agreement with the Royal Faction, the three southern territories would be on the princess' side.
Coupled with Karsuk and Grinoires, whose stance was unclear, the Royal Faction would be effectively divided into the north and south. Although without Arreck's participation, the Holy Temple would not dare to touch the Royal Faction in Ampere Seale anymore once Tónigel's army and Viero attacked.
In the end, the Holy Temple would have to compromise with the Royal Faction, but in that case, Erouine would only be divided.
It was a wise choice, but Count Audine furrowed his brows. Everyone present was smart, and no one could fool anyone. Oberwei and the rest had their hands on the hilts of their swords. He could not help but look at Makarov. There was no need to say such words in front of outsiders. What was this guy trying to say?
Was he trying to express his stance?
This was probably Duke Anthony's stance. Once the north and south were divided, Arreck, who was stuck in the middle, would not have an easy time. Everyone knew that Duke Anthony and Arreck had an irreconcilable feud.
The princess shook her head gently, "I reject this proposal. The Royal Faction can be defeated, but Erouine cannot be divided."
Everyone's expression changed, and only Oberwei frowned slightly. Audine looked up and carefully sized up the beautiful princess. It was as if he had sensed some hidden power in her for the first time.
"Your Highness." Makarov could not help but remind her.
"After we die, there will be people who will remember the glorious flag of the late King Erik. But if Erouine is divided, there will no longer be a chance to reunite. " The half-elf girl's silver eyes seemed to be able to see through the fog of the future. She sat there and answered calmly.
This was the tragedy of a small country. Erouine's fate was still in the hands of the Cruz people. This kingdom had been able to maintain its unity until now, but once it was divided, the Cruz people would not give it a chance to reunite.
The Princess and even everyone present knew this, but some people pretended not to know.
"Let's talk about the current situation first." Oberwei interrupted.
"No need." Gryphine suddenly understood something and sighed, "You all can leave first. I need to be alone for a while. Tomorrow's noble meeting and future matters will be handed over to you all. "
The room was silent.
Everyone looked at each other, nodded, and left the room. The last one to leave was Austin. He took a deep look at the princess, bowed, and closed the door as he exited.
The sound of footsteps gradually faded away.
When it was completely quiet, the half-elf Fairy Princess stood up. She was not tall, and with the petite body of an elf, she looked a little weak. She walked to the back of the chair, grabbed the back of the chair with both hands, and dragged the chair to the window with difficulty.
She panted and sat down by the window, staring at the scenery of Ampere Seale in the midst of the storm.
The sky was dark, as if in the next moment, the harbor would be swallowed by darkness.
After a long time.
The door behind her opened, and a voice said, "Your Highness, Lord Makarov and the others have gone to see the little prince. Only Lord Oberwei and Count Audine left together. "
Gryphine bit her lip, and her face was pale. They were going to stake everything on one throw, but should she stop them? Could she bear to let Haruz die with her? Besides, what ability did she have to stop them?
She had already expected this moment. The Royal Faction was already acting on their own will. As for whether it was still as pure as before, no one knew.
She raised her head, and the lightning illuminated her face, making it appear as white as jade. King Erik, is everything in Aouine coming to an end at this moment? She stared at the endless darkness in the east. She knew that there was a new empire growing there.
Erouine would eventually become its nourishment.
The door quietly closed again.
But Princess Gryphine did not seem to hear it. She stared at the scenery outside the window, as if she wanted to take it all in. No matter how dark it was, it was still Erouine's territory. At least for now.
Her face was deathly pale, but there was no joy or sorrow on her face, as if she was a puppet.
"At this time, it's better for your body to cry." A gentle voice said.
Gryphine was shocked. She reacted quickly and pulled out a silver dagger from under her skirt. "Clang!" A sharp sound rang out, and the dagger clashed with a black longsword.
Her Royal Highness took a step back and finally saw the young man who was wrapped in a wet cloak. At the same time, Brendel heaved a sigh of relief. He didn't expect the princess to react so quickly. She almost succeeded.
If the difference in strength between the two was not so great.
But Brando did not expect that Gryphine would not stop. Instead, she gritted her teeth and pounced on him with a determined face. Ah! It was as if Brendel had just woken up from a dream. He suddenly realized that the princess was probably begging for death right now.
She wants me to kill him! She wants me to kill him?
Is the princess crazy? Brando's heart sank. For a moment, even his movements slowed down.
… (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to qidian.com to vote for me. Your support is my biggest motivation.)
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