As Ugor's man and Laing's favorite minister, Berliat did not quite understand why Laing would suddenly ask him to go to Marimburg to invite the female Tsar, Katarina. On the way, he and General Meretskov discussed for a long time without coming to a conclusion.
If Laing needed a Sanctuary expert, he did not lack one. Moreover, with the relationship between Laing and Grand Duke Schultz, and the fact that Katarina had already accepted the mission semi-openly as the "magic consultant" and "guardian" of Marimburg, he only needed a heavy bag of gold coins to invite Katarina.
If Katarina's power was needed … What did the female Tsar have left? A small court composed of a dozen people? Leaving behind only three hundred men of Romanov's personal guard? Or a disbanded and weakened Ice Witches' Association?
Then what he needed was Katarina's knowledge of magic and ability to govern the country?
？？？
Berliat thought for a long time but still could not figure it out. Ugor was full of questions. On the way to Marimburg, the General Commissar of the Ashes Corps, a Brittany knight, and the holder of the First Class Grand Cross, who had always been gloomy, was discussing this question with General Meretskov. "Why do you think His Majesty wants me to find Katarina?"
"Her Majesty Katarina, it's Her Majesty, Lavrentiy. Even though we are Brittany citizens now, we still have to call her Her Majesty." General Meretskov was actually very reluctant to accept this mission. This guy had spent more than a decade in Cheka prison. The high-spirited and ambitious young general had now become a middle-aged general who did not like to speak. After coming to Brittany, he was very satisfied with his peaceful life now. Usually, except for routine military training and missions, he was basically an otaku. After marrying a local noble lady as his wife, General Meretskov's greatest joy was to stay at home, read books, cook food, and do military deductions.
Hearing Berliat call Katarina's name directly, Meretskov's face immediately darkened. He muttered, "You'll get us killed, Lavrentiy. I'm serious. Don't be like this, okay? Why don't you go by yourself?"
"Oh, Kiril, what I want to say is that if we don't complete the mission given by His Majesty, it will really get us killed." Berliat said bluntly. Ugor's attitude was not polite either. "We have to think together. You can't escape, and I can't escape either."
"The most important thing is to figure out His Majesty's intention and what His Majesty wants to do." General Meretskov shook his head. "Most of the time, His Majesty and I only see each other during routine meetings and celebrations. I don't even talk to him. You are different, Lavrentiy. If you want to see him, you can just ask the Old Guard to report to him. Why are you asking me?"
"Sometimes, an outsider can see everything clearer. Kiril, tell me your opinion." Berliat shook his head. Ugor's eyes looked at the slightly fat general with evil intentions. "It's okay. Say whatever you want. I won't blame you."
General Meretskov shrunk his neck. He suddenly felt that it was not a good idea for him to come out this time. He opened his mouth and said, "Then I'll say it, Lavrentiy. I'm just saying, and you asked me to say it. You have to promise me that if anything happens in the future, don't get me involved, and don't say that I said it."
"Pfft!" Berliat laughed. "Do you still think you're in Kislöw, Kiril?"
"I didn't say that." Meretskov shuddered and said hurriedly.
"Enough. If I'm still Chica, I'll handcuff you." Berliat said impatiently. "Don't think that I don't know what you want to say! Okay, just say it. This is Brittany. I have no right to handcuff you. "
"Well, I mean, Lavrentiy, do you think His Majesty is … interested in the Ice Witch recently?" Meretskov finally opened his mouth and asked casually.
"Oh?" Berliat's eyes flashed. Ugor's men nodded silently and did not say anything.
A few days later, the winged cavalry arrived at Marienburg. After showing the king's document, Berliat and the others were allowed to enter the city.
However, Berliat soon learned that Katarina was not in Marienburg. She had gone out with some people and would not be back until the next day.
What should I do? He could only wait for her to come back. Belial and the others stayed in Marlin Castle, but he didn't stay idle. At noon, he had a seafood feast at the Swordfish Inn. After that, he went to the Mannen Shrine and threw a few silver coins to show that he, Belial, was also a believer of Mannen. After that, he went to the Flea and Talent Market in Marlin Castle to see if there were any good goods.
Although the situation in the Old World had become more and more dangerous in recent years, as long as they did not attack Marienburg, it was fine. The merchants relied on taking in refugees from the Old World, buying supplies for the Old World army, and selling food at a low price and selling at a high price. They made a lot of money, and the Chamber of Commerce made a lot of money. The cheap laborers were willing to work as long as they could for a basic living wage. They were also willing to extend their working hours to 14 to 16 hours a day. This really surprised the rich merchants.
Grand Duke Schultz could not stand it anymore, but he could not stop it. So, he issued a series of laws to restrict the rich merchants in Marienburg. This also caused the rich merchants to complain.
"If the union can legally start a strike, then all the Chamber of Commerce will collapse!"
"Pay Mrs. Kiesler 3 copper coins a day? Why don't I just close the warehouse at the docks! "
"Although it is not good to have accidents, asking for compensation for the work injuries of stevedores is simply killing the survival of Marienburg's freight business!"
"You can't fire an employee just because he sought the arbitration of the Sea Church and the Impartial Goddess Church? How are we going to do business in the future? "
"Outlawing child labor will drag down Marienburg's economy and make us lose our dominant position."
"What? This is an order from the Lady of the Lake Church? Then it's fine, we will do it. Mannen and the Lady of the Lake are best friends! "
Under the incomparable prosperity of the economy, the vast majority of workers could only get a basic wage that was enough to maintain their lives. Moreover, they did not dare to say anything, otherwise, there would be people willing to take over their jobs. The minimum wage standard and guarantee issued by Schultz was only to prevent these poor refugees from sleeping on a rope at night.
Berliat had a deeper understanding of all of this. These rich merchants were really arrogant and unscrupulous. The only thing they were afraid of was the army in the hands of Schultz, Karl-franz, and His Majesty Laing. They were only afraid of those sharp, fast, accurate, and ruthless knives.
The job market was dirty and messy. Refugees from various territories of the Empire, the Southern Kingdoms, and the border princes were crowded together, receiving relief porridge, sleeping in the corners and beside the smelly sewers, begging for a job everywhere. But among them, Mrs. Kiesler was the most popular.
In contrast, Berliat and his winged cavalrymen, who were well-dressed and armed, attracted the attention of their compatriots in Kislöw. They cried and begged for shelter or begged. Some people just stared at them silently with cold eyes, but most of them were envious.
"Help me, winged cavalrymen, messenger of Essun, the Bear God, help me." A Kislöw woman shouted, "Lord Berliat, I know it's you. I saw you in Kislöw. When you were choosing a girl, I was standing next to Khorkina! In the end, you chose her, not me! "
Berliat stopped. At this time, even the most cold-hearted Ugor felt a little sad. He sighed. Khorkina was now a courtier and legal lover in his manor. She had already given birth to a son and a daughter for him. She was living a good life. What she liked most was learning to cook, practicing fencing, and painting.
The woman's name was Jana. She was only in her twenties. When she saw Berliat, she was so excited that she spoke incoherently. She spoke incoherently and without rhyme or reason. She even cried as she spoke, but Berliat still understood what she was saying.
After Kislöw was destroyed, Jana's family came to the Empire to make a living. Her family was originally well-off, and could be considered as a small landlord or a rich farmer. However, after they fled, they lost their land, and the family's living conditions deteriorated. Jana's father was somewhat educated. He was now responsible for teaching arithmetic and literacy in the Chamber of Commerce in Marlin Castle. The profiteers lowered his monthly salary to only two silver coins, which was not enough to support the family. The middle-aged man in his forties or fifties could only take another job — helping people write letters in the post office. Although the family of four worked, they still barely made a living.
In the Muxilon Military Factory, the monthly salary of the lowest level worker was 10 silver coins, and the monthly salary of the senior technicians was 15 to 20. After passing the dwarf's examination and being promoted to an engineer, 100 copper coins = 1 silver coin = 0.1 gold coin. According to the prices in the old world, a family of five needed at least 4 gold coins a year to maintain food and clothing.
"I only have one set of clothes, Lord Berliat," the woman said sadly. "This is the only set of clothes I can wear to meet people. Fortunately, I don't have to wear clothes most of the time when I work."
Berliat was speechless.
Berliat once thought that he had thrown his conscience to the edge of the sea, but no matter what, it still existed in this world. Ugor took out a silver coin and a handful of copper coins and gave them to Jana, telling her to be more optimistic and work harder. He did not know what else to say. Before he left, he heard the woman pleading, "Take my family away, warriors of Essun, save me! Save Kislöw! "
"Marlin Castle is hell. It's good to go anywhere. I heard that the Knight King Kingdom is very powerful now? Very rich? Lord Berliat, save us! "
The winged cavalry could not save their compatriots, so they could only grit their teeth and leave.
Berliat then strolled around the flea market in Marlin Castle. In the market, all kinds of goods from the old world could be seen here. The entrance fee was only two copper coins. The officials of Marlin Castle and the Sea Church would provide guarantees and fair trade. At the same time, they would take a 5% commission.
Sure enough, in the flea market, many veterans wearing Kislöw military uniforms were setting up stalls. Most of them were only in their forties or fifties.
"Gold Star Medal, 20 copper coins cheap."
"Troll Kingdom Battle Medal, 15 copper coins. Bear Flag Medal, one silver coin."
"Everyone, come and take a look. Red Tsar Boris Medal of Honor, only 12 silver coins!"
"Kislef Medal of Victory, First Class, worth three gold marks."
Berliat picked up a shining medal from the stall. "You're selling this too?"
The Essun Medal had Bear God Essun's blessing on it. It was once the symbol of Kislöw's highest honour. It was engraved with the words' Awarded to Sedov Nilgai Skrepnik. '
"Thirty gold marks. Gold crowns would be best." Sitting at the back of the seat, Kislev, a veteran with graying temples, raised his head to take a look. His face instantly turned pale, and then he became furious. "Belial, it's you! Get the hell out of here, I won't sell it to a guy like you. Get the hell out of here with the badge of the Bretons! "
"Thirty-three crowns," Berliat said calmly.
"No …" The veteran, a former hero of Kislöw, gulped.
"Thirty-four crowns." Berliat clapped his hands and the attendant took out a small bag of gold coins.
"You can't … You can't do this …" The veteran's eyes widened at the sight of the heavy bag of gold coins.
With this money, he could let his family live in a clean house and live a decent life. With this money, his wife wouldn't have to work as a seamstress anymore. His three children wouldn't have to work during the day and deliver letters and newspapers at night. With this money …
"Thirty-six." Berliat took out two gold crowns and put them in the bag. It was the sound of gold clinking against each other. "Final offer."
"… Deal." The veteran's eyes dimmed. He lowered his head and picked up the Essun Medal. His scarred fingers caressed the shiny Essun Medal as if it was the last touch between lovers. After caressing it twice or thrice, he finally passed it to Berliat.
Berliat smiled.
He was now confident that he could invite the female Tsar to Brittany.
The next day, Berliat and Meretskov went to the manor outside the city after hearing that the female Tsar had returned. Berliat thought for a while at the entrance of the manor. In the end, he still decided to use the courtesy of a king and a humble subject. He handed over the official document and let the Romanov Guards in.
Meretskov was satisfied with Berliat's actions. "She's a female Tsar after all."
Berliat nodded and sneered. "She's a female Tsar after all."
"I'm a female tsar with a hammer? How come I didn't know that? " A cold voice came from afar, and Katarine appeared. Her face was cold, and at the same time, there was a hint of paleness and anger. "Belial, it's you. What are you doing here? Are you here to laugh at me?"
"No, it's the opposite. I'm here to invite you." Berliat hesitated for a moment and bowed. "It's an honor to be welcomed by Your Majesty."
"… Let's talk inside." Katarina stared at Berliat and nodded slowly. The female Tsar had a complicated expression.
Kislöw had fallen. After coming to Marienburg a few years ago, she saw with her own eyes how the peasants made a living. They worked every day at sunrise and went to bed at sunset. They worked non-stop except in winter. Even if they were free, they had to go to the city to do odd jobs. Only then could they have some food and money. Even Rick Hill, which had always been known for its wealth, was like this, let alone Mrs. Kiesler. She saw with her own eyes the current situation of the Kislöw refugees in Marienburg. She could no longer convince herself that "they didn't have enough to eat because they didn't work hard enough."
As the female Tsar of Kislöw, she was powerless. She couldn't face her ancestors, her father, and Red Tsar Boris, who had fought for the country until his death. She couldn't even face her people, even if her people didn't completely blame her.
This pain finally woke her up. She knew what mistakes she had made and what she had neglected. In the past few years, she regretted every moment. She regretted her decision and everything she had caused.
She stepped into the countryside of Rick Hill for the first time and truly understood some things.
The Essun medal that Berliat wore on his chest pierced Katarina's soul. That medal reminded her in the cruelest way that the symbol of the highest honor had become a commodity to be trampled on. It had become the plaything and collection of Berliat and those rich merchants.
"Sun Wang Laing Macado asked you to come. What's the matter?"
"His Majesty wants to invite you to Brittany as a guest."
"Invite me? For what? "
"For …"
A subtle smile flashed across Berliat's face. His smile was strange and sinister.
"His Majesty the Sun King can rebuild your father's kingdom."
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