Author's Note: This chapter is a bit late, sorry.
After the meeting, Knight King Laing came out of the tent. He was not in a hurry to see Countess Metternich. Instead, he asked Davu, "What kind of person is the Empire's ambassador?"
"What kind of person?" Davu was stunned for a moment. He tried to be fair and objective as he said, "It's an ambassador who is very well-dressed and has the style of the Rick Territory. It's just that his attitude is a bit tough. I'm wondering if he's really here to negotiate."
"He's only tough because he's guilty. If he's very confident, he wouldn't need to be so tough." Laing smiled and took off his jacket and handed it to Davu. "There's no need to trouble yourself here. Go and find Berliat. Ask him if he's done."
"Yes." Davu took Laing's jacket, bowed, and left.
Outside the tent, Laing received Countess Metternich. "Welcome, Your Excellency Metternich. Please make yourself at home. The Brittany and the Empire are strong allies and sincere friends. We've watched over each other for thousands of years. In the future, we will continue to fight against foreign enemies together, just like this time."
"Hello, Your Majesty Knight King. I bring greetings from Emperor Franz. He congratulates you on your series of victories in Kislöw." Even though she saw Laing as the Empire's biggest threat and imaginary enemy, Countess Metternich could only bow respectfully. "I came here this time because I have a small matter to discuss with you."
"Dispense with the formalities. A person's strength depends on their heart and strength, not complicated formalities." Laing looked down at the Empire's ambassador. "Consider this your home, Countess Metternich."
"I believe that no matter if it's the Empire or Brittany, our home is not in the distant and cold North, nor in the ruins." The Empire's ambassador stood up straight. "Do you consider this your home? But if I remember correctly, this is still the territory of the Romanov Tsar, right? "
Laing smiled meaningfully. "The people of Örengrád said that to me. They're grateful for our help and want us to stay here as if we're at home. They also said the same thing to Emmanuel. Or does Countess Metternich think that Emmanuel misunderstood?"
"Oh, no, I didn't mean that." Countess Metternich was immediately deflated. She could only apologize. "I'm sorry, I didn't know about that."
"You really don't know, or you don't want to know?" Laing smiled. "Forget it. How is Emperor Franz's health?"
"His Majesty's health is very good. How about you?" Metternich could only follow the basic routine.
"Oh, I'm also very good. So good that I want to continue north to destroy the remnants of Chaos!" Laing's lips curled up. He had already taken control of the situation.
"Excellent choice of words, Your Majesty Knight King." The Empire's ambassador knew that he was in a passive position. "Since Your Majesty is so easy to communicate with, I'll also convey the two things that His Majesty Karl-franz sent me here to ask."
"Please ask. I'll tell you everything I know." Laing shrugged and gestured for Metternich to sit down. The Empire's ambassador and the Knight King sat at the entrance of the tent. The Old Guard served them vodka and roasted lamb.
"His Majesty wants to ask you if you follow the basic principles of chivalry, respect the order of the old world, and respect and acknowledge the Romanov Imperial Family's legal right to rule Kislöw?" Countess Metternich asked seriously.
"Of course. Of course, we acknowledge the Romanov Imperial Family as the legal owner and ruler of Kislöw." Leon nodded without hesitation. Although Leon was a little arrogant, he was still very rational on this point. As the representative of the feudal monarchy and the protector of the old world order, it could be said that he had to acknowledge the legal authority of the Tsar's family over Kislev. This was determined by his identity as the Knight King. If he didn't acknowledge it, it meant that he would be hostile and besieged by all the forces of order in the old world. Leon's position determined his head. It was impossible for him to deny the legitimacy of his rule.
Hearing Laing's words, the Empire's ambassador's eyes flashed. He was slightly relieved, thinking that this was much easier to handle. So he continued to ask, "But I heard that the Brittany used some channels to influence and interfere with the internal affairs of Kislöw? For example, the appointment of the Duke of Örengrád? What I want to say is that this might be an invalid appointment. "
"This is the choice of the people of Örengrád. How can it be an invalid appointment? Is the Tsar family not the choice of the people? " Laing bluntly retorted, "The Brittany has never interfered with the internal affairs of Kislöw, but Örengrád needs a new ruler, right? Everything is their own initiative. "
"Yes, in theory, that is the case. But I heard that the Brittany supported His Excellency Vladimir a long time ago. Would it give people the impression that it was secretly decided and that the Bear God Priest was appointed?" Metternich continued to harp on this question.
"I don't mean anything by that. I just said that he was appointed as the Duke." Laing calmly said, "I just want to say that the referendum process is reasonable and legal. As for what you said, didn't Karl also ask for votes when he was electing the Emperor? The Brittany's King Richard also supported Karl's election. So according to what you said, Karl's election as the Emperor doesn't count? "
"Uh, that's not what I meant." Count Metternich was a little embarrassed. He only emphasized, "But he still needs to be officially appointed by Her Majesty Katarín, right?"
"Ha!" Laing sneered, "I think Her Majesty Katarín doesn't have the power to force anything. She just lost a large portion of her army and lost another battle. In fact, there was a mutiny in Örengrád. The guards here originally wanted to punish the Emperor and punish the corrupt officials, but in reality, they were very disappointed when they heard that Her Majesty Tsar ran away again."
"What if the Empire supports female Tsar to return to Örengrád?" Metternich also said stiffly, "We can help her solve the rebellion in Örengrád."
"Empire? Which Empire? The one in the south? "Laing smiled," Can you represent the Empire? I remember that this kind of important diplomatic decision must be passed by the Empire's parliament, right? Also, we promised that we wouldn't interfere with Örengrád's internal affairs. What Örengrád wants to do is the Örengrád people's choice. If the Empire does this, won't it go against its original promise? "
"When the time comes, the Brittany will have to participate." Laing whispered in his ear, "I don't think Karl will do this. I can guarantee that I know him."
The Empire's ambassador's face turned pale. He opened his mouth but found that he couldn't say anything to refute. He could only continue, "What if Her Majesty Katarín solves the problem herself?"
"I said that I won't interfere with Kislöw's internal affairs. What they want to do is their own business." Laing repeated. Knight King leaned back slowly and smiled, "Of course, I have to give you a piece of advice. I can't stop the Empire from continuing to pour money into that bottomless pit, but you should think about it carefully. How much money and resources have you invested? How much effect have you had? Not only will you not let her see the truth, but you will also give her the illusion that 'I can still give more'. This won't solve the problem. I think the Empire's treasury is empty right now, right? "
"…" Metternich was silent for a long time. The Empire's ambassador finally sighed, "To be honest, Your Majesty, the Empire's treasury, arsenal, and gunpowder storage are all empty. Please don't blame us for not being able to continue to provide you with logistics. The Emperor is still having a headache about how to pay his pension and salary in the next few months."
"I still have some money. If Karl needs it, we can purchase military supplies." Laing was being very generous. Knight King knew that Karl-franz's Reik Hill was rich and prosperous. It would only take a year or two for him to recover.
The continuous war made the Empire like a prisoner hanging on the gallows. Most of the time, the rope was loose, and they could take a breather. But once the rope tightened, the Empire had to use all its strength to survive. Everything.
"I will always respect the Romanov family's legal authority over this land. I promise in the name of the Lady." Laing stood up. Knight King noticed Talleyrand coming in from outside. "What's the matter, Talleyrand?"
"Your Majesty, there's an urgent report from Brittany. Lady Suria, she … she …"
"What happened to her?!" Laing's face changed drastically when he heard the news.
Talleyrand purposely glanced at Metternich, and the Empire's ambassador immediately stood up to leave. "Then I won't disturb you, Your Majesty."
After the Empire's ambassador left, Talleyrand took out the letter. Cripple laughed. "Lady Suria personally led twenty thousand troops to defeat Ulfric the Wanderer's army at Port Endèi. More than four thousand Northans died, while we suffered six hundred casualties. It was a great victory. Ulfric's World Walker army has retreated from the old world to Northans."
"Beautiful! Suria never disappoints me. " Laing took the military report and read it. He couldn't help but laugh. "It's just that this kind of strategy isn't very good. Fortunately, it's very practical."
Ulfric was looking for an opportunity along the outer coast of Brittany, and he really did find an opening. Port Endèi, a port in the north of the duchy of Le-Angouland, was captured by Ulfric. Just as the Northans were feeling proud and elated, Ulfric's carelessness caused victory to slip through his fingers.
His army didn't take the opportunity to enter the interior of Brittany because of the successful invasion. Instead, they went on a rampage at the port. This led to them being surrounded by Brittany knights on the marshy coast. Queen Suria then personally led her army to the frontlines.
Suria's strategy was as shameless as François's. She surrounded the barbarians and didn't take the initiative to attack. The marshy terrain limited the knights' abilities, but it also limited the barbarians' movements. Ulfric now found himself and his army trapped at the port and unable to break out of the encirclement. Soon, the barbarians lost many of their numbers due to hunger and disease. After three weeks of failed attempts to break out of the encirclement, Ulfric's army finally collapsed due to the lack of food despite their low demand. They retreated to the sea. Then, with the news of Motekin's death, the World Walker army's morale collapsed and they all retreated to Northans.
"Good, very good. My wife has surprised me again. She's always so talented." Laing sent the news back to Talleyrand and smiled. "But it's a little conservative. If it were me, the Northans would have lost more than four thousand men."
"That's a good habit, Your Majesty. When you're on the frontlines, you need a stable leader." Talleyrand looked outside. "Is he, the Empire's ambassador, satisfied?"
"Not really, but there's no other choice." Laing also looked outside. Knight King gradually stopped smiling. "I have a feeling, Talleyrand, our honeymoon with Emperor Karl is over."
"Mortals are always repeating the same mistakes, Your Majesty." Talleyrand nodded slightly. He tapped the ground with his walking stick a few times. "For ordinary people, it's easy to share trials and tribulations, but for countries, it's easy to share trials and tribulations, and difficult to share tribulations."
"What about the people?" Laing asked casually.
"The people are with you." Talleyrand smiled. "I've already asked everyone to spread the news of Female Tsar's defeat throughout Örengrád. I've arranged for a soldier on every street to 'explain' the battle to the citizens of Örengrád. I'll let them see how Female Tsar almost destroyed the White Guard. This way, the citizens will know who's the most reliable."
After a while, Davu came in from outside. The deputy commander of the Old Guard came to report. "Your Majesty, Berliat's side has been searching for a long time, but they couldn't find him."
"Not a single member of the Romanov family?" Laing was a little surprised. "Even if it's a branch family member, it'll be fine!"
"Not a single branch family member, Your Majesty. They either died in the Battle of Zedevka or starved or died of exhaustion while fleeing to the south. The few remaining branches were brought by Katarina. It's said that they all died in the Battle of Fortendorf and Rachhof. According to Berliat's investigation, Female Tsar herself is very likely to be the last surviving member of the Romanov family." Davu was a little embarrassed. "General Berliat said he tried his best."
"It's him. He tried his best. I don't blame him." Laing sighed. Our Knight King really didn't want to have any direct contact with Female Tsar, but it seemed that there was no other way.
However, the Knight King's strong personal ability made it so that he wouldn't be depressed for long. Laing immediately said to Talleyrand, "Very well, now let's split up. You go and negotiate with Countess Metternich. We'll go according to our previous agreement. Talleyrand, you know what to do."
"Your Majesty, I've drafted a flawless treaty." Talleyrand took out a piece of parchment from his chest and handed it to Laing. "We'll negotiate according to what's written on it."
Laing took the parchment and frowned after a few glances. "I don't remember us agreeing to allow Katarina to rebuild the army, even if it's only 500 guards. How did we agree to provide low-interest loans to Emperor Karl-franz?"
"Your Majesty, if we want to maintain peace, we have to maintain a balance of power." Talleyrand said playfully. "We've already gotten enough from Örengrád, and with the trade in Lone Dragon City, the human kingdoms of the old world will see us as an imaginary enemy. I promise that I'm considering the interests of the Knight King Kingdom. Tsar is still Tsar. Even if she doesn't have any land, her family's law still has some value … some value."
"Perhaps. I think I've already spent too much time on Kislöw." Laing handed the parchment back to Talleyrand. "You're right. Let's negotiate according to what's written on it, as well as the trade and loans in Lone Dragon City."
"François and Berchemund will be in charge of the upcoming war. Morgiana and I will go to Lone Dragon City personally to negotiate with the Crimson King of Dwarves!"
Talleyrand couldn't help but feel gratified. This was the king he was supposed to serve. A superhuman warrior, a military genius like the High Lord Tyrion, an expert in internal affairs, and a diplomat like Archmage Tegris. At the same time, his mind was still clear, and he knew what to do and what not to do. He would understand with just a little reminder.
Ten minutes later, Talleyrand came out of the camp and found Metternich. "His Majesty asked me to come and discuss with you."
"It's you? Talleyrand, I remember you were just an ambassador to Nur. "Metternich was a little surprised.
"I'm now the foreign affairs minister in his cabinet. You have to thank me, Metternich. I was the one who convinced His Majesty not to annex Örengrád, and I was also the one who convinced him to provide a low-interest loan to your emperor." Talleyrand squeezed out a smile, his eyes squinting. "Thank me."
"Thank you very much." Metternich sighed in relief. It seemed that the two of them had known each other for a long time. "Emperor Karl-franz is grateful for your efforts. You will get what you deserve, I promise."
"And I just want … peace."
"We will have peace."
"No, Metternich. You have to understand that we Brittany chose peace!" Talleyrand laughed. "Now, let's find a place to sit. How about the Halfling's food? We can have a good meal there. "
After saying that, the cripple walked to another place. The Empire's ambassador stood there with a terrible expression.
He had a feeling that this cripple might be even more difficult to deal with than the Knight King, because the Knight King still cared about the law and the morals of a knight.
But this cripple didn't need anything.
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