Empire Calendar, Year 2515, June.
With the return of Knight King Llane and Lake Goddess Witch Mogianna from Lone Dragon City, and the return of the Northka Dwarven Army made up of more than a dozen Dwarven Legions (Again, a Dwarven Legion only has about 200-300 Dwarven Legions, compared to 1000-1200 Humans), everyone knew that the great Knight King Llane had once again obtained a complete victory in politics, diplomacy, and military.
With the signing of the 'Lone Dragon City Exclusive Trade Agreement', Knight King Laing and Emilia, whose stomach was starting to bulge, represented the human side to sign and seal the agreement, announcing the establishment of a new trading system.
It had to be said that the war ended much earlier than expected. When Emilia saw that Laing had returned, she secretly complained to Laing, "Why did you withdraw in June? All the supplies I prepared were wasted."
Laing smiled and said, "You didn't waste it."
Almost as soon as the Northka Dwarves arrived in Örengrád, the official trade between the two sides began.
The Northka Dwarven Supreme Monarch Tolgarde Crimson listed out his gift list to the new Dwarven allies, which included 150 sets of full-body runic armor made by the Dwarven Rune Craftsmen, hundreds of sets of runic weapons, most of which were swords, shields, and halberds, as well as large amounts of precious metal ores and jewelry.
On the human side, dozens of cargo ships were filled with food, cloth, wine, meat, and fish. Large amounts of supplies were used to trade with the Northka Dwarves. Even so, the value of the goods provided by the humans was far lower than the Northka Dwarves' gifts. This caused many Empire merchants who didn't get any benefits to complain. General Tim from Nur wrote in his diary, "This isn't a trade at all. It's a robbery! Who knows if it's because the Knight King is too powerful, or if the stinky seawater of the Chaos Sea got into the heads of those Noska dwarves? "
No one knew. Everyone only knew that the Northka Dwarves were extremely stubborn. They only recognized the Longsword Iris Flower flag that symbolized Leon's family coat of arms, or the Brittanian or Nuer merchants with trade certificates. No matter how low the price or favorable the conditions offered by other humans were, the Northka Dwarves would not even bat an eyelid.
A large amount of wealth poured into the official market. Lively shouts and the sounds of people buying and selling could be heard in the camp. Even after most of the Nosikas' goods were swallowed up, there were still a few goods that were allowed to be sold in the camp. Like sharks that smelled blood, Laing's father-in-law, François, immediately came to the scene with Duke Berchemund. He said that he would take all the goods first and then slowly negotiate the price.
It was the same for the Nur camp. President Krupp personally came from Herzig to Örengrád for this lucrative trade.
This process took two to three days. Finally, in June, Laing announced the victory of the Brittany army.
In the square of Örengrád, surrounded by hundreds of Old Guard, dozens of Brittany nobles, Grail Knights, and the Lake Oracle team led by Morgiana, Knight King Laing personally stood in front of the square and gave a victory speech to the excited and proud soldiers who came from all directions.
As Laing stepped onto the stage, the nearly 20,000 soldiers in the square all fell silent. They spontaneously lined up and waited for the great Knight King to give a speech.
"My soldiers, Brittany, the other human countries, and even the soldiers of other races of order!"
Ryan's voice rang in the ears of the soldiers who were celebrating their victory and glory.
"Yet another magnificent victory! The Orcs, the Green Dwarfs, the Chaos army, the Godly Chosen Champions, and the eternal Godly Chosen Champions have all fallen in front of us! " Laing raised his fist in front of everyone. Under the blazing sun of Örengrád in June, Knight King's voice was as passionate as fire as he said, "We've once again proven to the darkness that we won't yield and admit defeat. Our victory has lit up the long night. We've proven that mortals have their own beliefs and glory. Our courage will become the golden light of this dark age!"
"Victory! Victory! Victory! " The cheers of the soldiers were like a tsunami as they cheered for victory. Their passion, courage, and heart-rending emotions echoed in the sky above Örengrád and even in the subspace!
"There's still hope!" Laing shouted proudly, "Even though Kislöw has fallen, even though the Empire has been attacked, even though Auster has been reduced to ruins, even though many coastal ports have been threatened, even though the darkness has forced us into dire straits, we persevered and won! I, Laing Macado, am proud of all of you. My Knights and soldiers, I'm with all of you. What's there to be afraid of? "
"Laing! Laing! Laing! Laing! " The roars turned into a torrent. Every soldier shouted loudly, every knight took off their helmets and saluted, every dwarf placed their weapons on their chests, and every elf couldn't help but lower their noble heads.
"Now, we have driven the Chaos scum back to the North. We have crushed their army, just like a lion using its teeth and claws to tear their armor. We will move forward and forward until those stray dogs have fled back to where they belong. We will attack them directly until every blasphemous emblem and camp is reduced to ashes. These memories will be treasures that will accompany us for the rest of our lives, but we will never stop. For the Lady and the King, for the Brittany!"
"For the Lady and the King! For the Brittany! "
"For the Lady and the King! For the Brittany! "
"Now, let us open the road back to our homeland. Let us return to our homeland. Glory, wealth, and the children of the Brittany, we are going home!"
"Home, home, home!" The cheers spread from one side of the city to the other.
The Brittany had never felt so proud of their identity. Their blood was boiling, and the glory of victory belonged to themselves.
Look, Laing standing on the stage no longer looked like a living person, but a symbol.
He was the synonym of glory and victory!
After the speech, a banquet was held. The knights and soldiers drank to their hearts' content. Laing personally poured two glasses of Empire Stout and handed one to François. "It's time to go home, my Duke."
"Yes, it's time to go home, Your Majesty." Francois said elegantly. His father-in-law had gained a lot from this battle, and he once again proved his ability to command an army and the super combat power of the Winford Duchy's army. In Ehrenglard, his father-in-law was appointed as the chief of logistics, and the first thing he did was to kill a noble logistics officer who had embezzled about fifteen kilograms of honey and brown sugar. In other words, he threw the noble logistics officer into a manure pit and let him drown to death.
His father-in-law was even more ruthless than Laing when it came to suppressing the loss of logistics. His report actually stated that the loss of logistics was only five to seven percent, which was close to the actual loss. After all, there were indeed losses in logistics and supplies. The fact that his father-in-law was able to suppress the loss to such an extent was enough to put the people of the Old World to shame.
Laing only found out about it after the fact. Of course, honey and brown sugar were luxuries in this world that only nobles could enjoy. Fifteen kilograms could be sold for hundreds of crowns, but Laing still felt that his father-in-law was being a little too ruthless.
"If we don't act ruthlessly, these fellows won't learn their lesson. We'll kill one to warn the rest. This time, we got a lot of loot and there will definitely be a lot of people who want to get their hands on the spoils and supplies. "
"Ah, I miss Suria." Leon and Francois clinked their glasses, and the two of them downed a full glass of Imperial Stout in one gulp. Immediately, the old guard beside them hurriedly took the empty glass and went to the side for more beer. The Knight King smiled and said, "I've been away for more than half a year. I wonder how Sulia is doing."
"Suria will take care of everything. She'll definitely be looking forward to your return." The old man smiled as he took the glass and finished it in one gulp. He then passed it to the old guard to get more beer. "I miss little Devenhill too."
"Hahaha, you're right." Laing sighed. Even though this expedition wasn't as long as Eight Peaks Mountain, it was still long enough. Knight King raised his glass. "To victory! Cheers!"
"Cheers!" The two glasses clinked together. François raised his glass first, but after seeing Laing finish it in one gulp, he only took a sip before putting it down. He asked casually, "By the way, there's a rumor going around in the military that His Majesty is going to make ten marshals. Is there anything to say about that?"
"That's a consideration." Laing narrowed his eyes. Laing's father-in-law was trying to sound him out. Obviously, the dukes all realized that with Laing's power, further centralization of power and bureaucratization of the nobles was inevitable. In order to prevent themselves from being marginalized and unable to eat meat and drink with Laing in the future, they had to come to sound him out.
The matter was simple. Laing purposely asked the Old Guard and the First Guards to spread the rumor about the appointment of marshals to test the reaction of the nobles and knights. As expected, the nobles and knights immediately took the bait.
They had no choice. Working with His Majesty Laing gave them too many benefits.
"Then …" François continued to sound him out. "When we get back, His Majesty and Her Majesty will discuss it in detail?"
"Right now, it's just an idea, François." Laing raised his glass. The Knight King thought for a moment. Laing had always followed his footsteps. When it was time to give him money, he would give him effort. When it was time to let him lead and manage the army, he would put in a lot of effort. He should let him rest assured. "Anyway, you won't be left out, François. I mean, if there is."
Laing's father-in-law nodded. He was half relieved, but the other half was still worried. "Then … about other things?"
"There will be bread, milk, and everything else." Laing smiled and did not say anything else.
At this time, the kingdom's regent, Lauan Leo Cornwall, came up with a glass of wine. He looked serious. "Your Majesty, can I discuss something with you?"
"What is it? Leo Cornwall? "Laing saw that Lauan was serious and did not seem to be faking it. He also stopped smiling and became serious.
"I want to stay. I want to stay in Örengrád." Lauan raised his glass.
"I want to be the commander-in-chief of the army and the logistics manager here!"
"If it's possible, Your Majesty, I want to give my duchy to you to govern!"
"What?" This time, Laing was really surprised.
Is Lauan taking the initiative to help me centralize power?!
… I'm the dividing line that follows the trend of history …
Just as the knight's army returned the way they came.
Brunswick, the capital of the Empire, the palace of the Empire. In the bedroom of Emperor Karl-franz of the Empire.
On a large gold-inlaid chair, Emperor Karl-franz of the Empire sat. He was wearing a purple shirt and white breeches, with a golden robe draped over it. He leaned against the back of the chair with a pale face.
The Emperor was sick. His stomach was tormenting Karl-franz's nerves, but he still forced himself to stay alert.
The north had turned into a wasteland. Auster was struggling in the ravages of Chaos. The plague and rumors brought by spring had spread throughout the entire territory of the Imperium. Fear shrouded the people and the army of the Imperium. Many Kurfürst were in desperate need of support and funds to rebuild their territories. However, the cash flow in the Emperor's hands was almost exhausted. If it wasn't for the Supreme King's generosity for not being able to support the Imperium this time, Emperor Ka would have been forced to use his personal wealth.
"Your Majesty, Metternich is back." At this time, the Emperor's Minister of Internal Affairs, Duke Anel Danstadt, strode in from outside. "He brought back the latest news. Do you want to see him?"
"Let him come here." The Emperor knew that it was not convenient to see people in the bedroom, but he had no choice. He was sick.
Soon, Duke Anel led the Emperor's special envoy Metternich in. Metternich was about to salute, but Karl-franz stopped her. "No need, Metternich. As you can see, I'm not in a good condition. If you have something to say, just say it. Sit."
Metternich told the Emperor about the results of her negotiation. The agreement did not exceed the Emperor's bottom line. Emperor Card was satisfied. "Looks like the situation is not too bad. The worst thing that we expected did not happen. Metternich, this is a good thing for us, for Brunswick, and for the Empire."
"Good thing? Your Majesty, please forgive me for not thinking so. "Metternich could not help but say," Do you know the size of the knight's army returning? The return army of about fifty thousand people was actually more than eight thousand meters long! My men did a little calculation. Those damned Brittany and Nur, they organized a huge army of more than forty thousand carriages, donkey carts, mule carts, and handcarts. Every cart was stuffed with all kinds of food, luggage, and spoils of war! "
"Other than these people, there were at least twenty thousand people following the army. Most of them were soldiers' families, merchants, peddlers, and homeless civilians. Many women became cooks and brought their fatherless children with them." Metternich emphasized.
"It seems that our Knight King has gained a lot from this expedition." The emperor smiled. He did not respond as Metternich expected. Instead, he calmly leaned back in his chair. "It's fine. It's just a fire in the east, a strong wind in the west, and a heavy rain in the north. At least the Empire survived this time. What else is there, Metternich?"
"Your Majesty, there's one more thing. We've dealt with the corrupt officials in the logistics department led by Count Walter. The list of stolen assets has been released. In total, we've confiscated more than three thousand dwarven gold coins and 37000 gold marks. Other immovable property, antiques, and cellar resources are worth about 20000 gold marks after discounting them." Metternich thought for a moment before continuing, "Marshal Rick, Helberg, Foreign Affairs Minister Amadeus, and Interior Minister Anel have a dispute over how to use the money."
"I knew it." The emperor got angry at the mention of this matter. "I know it's difficult to transport to the north, and I know it's not safe to travel long distances. There's also all kinds of embezzlement, but most of the journey is along the river. There's no way the loss of transportation could reach thirty-seven percent! In the name of Charlemagne, that shameless Walter is indeed blinded by greed. He deserves to be killed! "
"… Walter has already confessed. He only asks Your Majesty to let his child go," Metternich said in a low voice. "This is also the intention of Lord Rick's council."
"Got it." The emperor thought for a moment and could only emphasize, "Regarding the dispute, Metternich, go and send a message to the court officials. That is, military supplies and relief for refugees are prioritized. As for my personal expenses and the unpaid salaries of those bureaucrats, these can be temporarily delayed. They won't starve to death, and they won't starve to death, either!"
"Yes!" Metternich agreed in a low voice. The emperor was always so self-sacrificing and selfless.
"You also went to see Laing's army this time, right? What do you think of their combat strength? "the emperor asked casually." Did you see how they fought with your own eyes? "
"No." Metternich said with some regret. "The outskirts of Örengrád are very unsafe. Everyone advised me not to leave the city, but …"
"But?" The emperor noticed that Metternich took out a metal box. "What is this?"
Metternich took out a piece of honey cake from the metal box. "This is a cake, Your Majesty."
"I said, Metternich, I'm not hungry. I don't want to eat now." Karl-franz felt that his stomach was hurting. The emperor said impatiently.
"This is not for you, Your Majesty. This is a honey cake that Brittany's Old Guard used for their birthday." Metternich handed over the metal box. "It tastes pretty good. It was cooked by the army's mess team, and it didn't spoil along the way."
"…" The emperor opened his eyes. He took the cake and smelled it. Then, he put a little into his mouth and chewed gently.
Only the sound of the emperor chewing could be heard in the bedroom. Metternich looked at the emperor quietly. He knew that with the emperor's wisdom, he should be able to understand the meaning behind this.
After a long time, Karl-franz finally spoke.
"I have a question. Metternich, can you answer me?"
"Your Majesty, please speak."
"Why is Laing always getting richer and richer as he fights, while our Empire gets poorer and poorer as we fight?"
"This …"
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
