The port of Alfalfa City had been abandoned for many years, but after some simple repairs, it was reopened today.
Facing the afterglow of the setting sun, the huge fleet of the Pegasus Navy slowly sailed into the shabby port. Orlando, the president of the Alfalfa Brotherhood, was standing respectfully at the dock with a group of subordinates, welcoming the navy officers and soldiers who were getting off the ship to rest.
The Ragewater River and the Crystal River intersected in Alfalfa City, so if the Pegasus Navy wanted to hand over their warships to Silvermoon City in exchange for Marquis Vincent, they had to pass through here.
However, Alfalfa City was the territory of the half-elven kingdom after all. It was reasonable to say that the Pegasus Navy could not dock here without the consent of the half-elven kingdom. But at this time, the mayor of Alfalfa City looked at the densely packed warships in the port and did not dare to say anything.
In fact, Ron Lute could not be blamed for not being dutiful because the half-elven kingdom did not have a naval force that could compete with the Pegasus Navy. Of course, they could only watch the people of the Eastern Region come and go as they pleased.
Even the Crystal River, the "mother river" of the half-elves, was often visited by the Pegasus Navy's warships. If it were not for the sluice, the fleet of the Eastern Region could even directly enter the Half-Elven Palace along the Crystal River.
At this time, the Pegasus Navy only docked in Alfalfa City. In fact, they were already giving face to the Northern Frontier. After all, they still had to ransom Marquis Vincent, so they could not be too rude.
More than 30,000 navy officers and soldiers poured into Alfalfa City at once, immediately making it very lively.
Fortunately, the Pegasus Navy had brought their own provisions. Otherwise, with the poor state of Alfalfa City, it was afraid that it would not be enough for these people to eat.
Although Alfalfa City did not have to provide for food and drink, the other physiological needs of the navy officers and soldiers were helped by the locals.
Looking at the scene of wanton indulgence of the soldiers, the Earl Of Avon did not restrain them. After all, a war was imminent. Letting the soldiers relax was also good for boosting morale. What's more, the city where they docked was on the east bank of the Ragewater River. In the subconscious mind of the people of the Eastern Region, this was an absolutely safe place.
The fleet's commander, Earl Hall, naturally wouldn't restrain his subordinates. At this moment, he was immersed in a tragic and despairing mood, unable to extricate himself.
This time, the warships that were selected to "deliver" to Silvermoon City would only carry the minimum number of crew members required for normal operations and navigation. After all, he didn't want to bury all of these navy elites in Silvermoon City.
Therefore, Earl Hall was in a dilemma over who to leave on the battleship.
Earl Hall looked at the name list placed in front of him and hesitated for a long time. However, he didn't choose a single person.
Without a doubt, the people who stayed behind to carry out the mission in Silvermoon City would most likely die. Earl Hall felt that this was probably the most difficult decision he had ever made in his life.
Dong dong!
"Come in."
Earl Hall looked up and saw his adjutant, Knight Holmes, walk in and close the cabin door behind him.
"Your Excellency, aren't you going to have your meal?"
"I'm not hungry yet."
Earl Hall replied casually. Seeing that Knight Holmes was still standing at the same spot, he asked, "Is there anything else?"
Knight Holmes hesitated for a moment, but he still gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice, "Your Excellency, are we really going to follow the Earl Of Avon's orders and hand over the family's battleship to the Northern Frontier?"
At this moment, the soldiers under Earl Hall still didn't know that they were heading to Silvermoon City not to hand over the battleship, but to blast open Silvermoon City's water defenses.
Earl Hall understood that if he were to tell his subordinates the truth now, there would definitely be a large number of deserters or even mutiny.
Only when they drove the battleship to Silvermoon City and had nowhere to retreat, could he use Marquis Vincent's death to agitate them or threaten them with the safety of their families to force them to carry out the mission that was no different from suicide. Only then could he carry out the mission assigned by the Earl Of Avon and fight for the slim chance of survival for the Hall family.
Therefore, when he saw that Knight Holmes was still reluctant to part with the family's battleship, Earl Hall suddenly felt pity and heartache.
"This is the Duke's order. We have to carry it out!"
Knight Holmes stiffened his neck and still looked unwilling. "Your Excellency, the Duke of Saint Prospero is obviously trying to weaken Marquis Vincent's support! If we allow them to hand over these battleships, it's hard to say who will inherit the position of the Duke of the Eastern Region in the future! "
Hearing this, Earl Hall could no longer hide the sorrow in his eyes. He wanted to tell his adjutant that Marquis Vincent was already dead and that the position of the Duke of the Eastern Region was destined to belong to the Earl Of Avon in the future.
But when the words reached his mouth, Earl Hall didn't say it.
Earl Hall's hesitation was obviously misunderstood by Knight Holmes, so this loyal knight of the Hall family took a few steps forward and lowered his voice.
"Your Excellency, we can secretly detain the Earl Of Avon and use the House of Saint Prospero's battleship to redeem Marquis Vincent from Silvermoon City!"
Earl Hall shuddered and looked up into Knight Holmes' eyes.
Knight Holmes looked back at him without fear and continued to persuade him.
"Your Excellency, you don't have to worry that this will bring disaster to the Hall family. As long as we get Marquis Vincent back, he will definitely support the Hall family!
Moreover, as long as the House of Saint Prospero's battleships are handed over to the Northern Frontier, the Pegasus Navy will be completely controlled by the Hall family! If the Duke of Saint Prospero doesn't want the Northern Frontier to take advantage of the situation, not only will he not dare to blame you, but he will also have to appease you!
And in this way, even if the Duke of Saint Prospero wants to change his heir, he will have to consider the Hall family's attitude!
As long as we successfully push Marquis Vincent to the position of the Duke, the family's position in the Eastern Region can even be improved! "
Earl Hall remained silent.
Actually, he knew very well that Knight Holmes was right.
But this plan had a prerequisite — Marquis Vincent had to be alive.
Only then would the Hall family have a future.
Otherwise, whatever the Hall family did to the Earl Of Avon would not be punished for the time being, even if it was to resist the Northern Frontier. But in the future, when the Earl Of Avon inherited the position of the Duke of the Eastern Region …
No, there was no need for the Earl Of Avon to inherit the position of the Duke. As long as the situation stabilized and the threat of the Northern Frontier was eliminated, the Hall family would definitely be dealt with!
Knight Holmes looked at the silent Earl Hall and thought that he could not make up his mind, so he said again, "Your Excellency, I have secretly tested the attitudes of most of the Hall family's officers. They have all expressed that they will support you unconditionally!
So, as long as you give the order … "
"Enough." Earl Hall interrupted Knight Holmes. "The Hall family will not go against the orders of the Duke of Saint Prospero. You can leave. I'll pretend that I never heard these words."
"Your Excellency …"
"Get out!"
Knight Holmes's face was full of unwillingness, but he did not dare to disobey Earl Hall's orders. He could only leave indignantly.
Earl Hall looked at Knight Holmes's back as the sorrow in his heart intensified.
Looking down at the name list in front of him, Earl Hall could not bring himself to write.
In fact, the Earl Of Avon had already given a principle for choosing who to carry out the mission — choose those who had families.
Only those who had families would risk their lives in a desperate situation instead of running away.
Earl Hall closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he finally became resolute again. He picked up the quill and began to draw on the name list.
A moment later, the name list of the people who would carry out the mission was set. Earl Hall felt an endless wave of exhaustion.
He staggered out of the cabin and came to the deck. He looked at the deep river alone in a daze.
It was already dark. Other than a few soldiers on duty, the rest of the people on the battleship had already come ashore to rest and relax.
The lights and noise on the shore were a stark contrast to the coldness on the battleship.
Earl Hall silently looked at his reflection in the water. No one knew what he was thinking.
As time passed, as if it was an illusion, Earl Hall felt that the face reflected in the water resembled Marquis Vincent's.
But then, the reflection in the water emerged from the water and grinned at Earl Hall.
"Earl Hall, are you looking at the scenery?"
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