The clothes of the great swordsmen of the empire were rather fancy. They often wore tight-fitting uniforms and trousers, paired with beautiful dwarven plate armor. All of the great swordsmen liked to wear hats instead of helmets. Their hats also had huge plumes of flowers. Even on a single person, the uniform of a great swordsman could be said to be colorful. The colors of the left and right trousers were always different. The colorful colors represented the identity of a great swordsman from different families and regions.
Immediately, someone arranged for the griffin knights and great swordsmen to rest elsewhere. Laing had already prepared a place for them. The Count and the future Countess brought Anton to the guest room on the second floor. "Come, Anton, my sworn brother. Let's take a seat first. I have arranged an exquisite banquet tonight. You can enjoy many different delicacies."
"Oh, I look forward to it." Anton Ferdinand looked at the luxurious decorations in Laing's castle with great interest. "Your castle won't be very big, but it will be very comfortable."
After opening the door of the guest room, the comfortable heater made them feel refreshed. Before Laing could speak, Marquess Suria said with a smile, "Mr. Anton, you are Laing's sworn brother, and you will be my sworn brother in the future. Although the Empire and Brittany have had occasional conflicts in the past thousand years, we will always support each other in the most difficult times. Please don't stand on ceremony. Treat this as your own home. Laing and I are your family."
After a few formalities, a standard gentleness of a noble lady was displayed in front of Anton. The Count, who had come from afar, felt as if he was bathing in the spring breeze. "Please don't be so polite, Marquess Suria. You can just call me your sworn brother in the future. The griffin will always be your friend. My father and your father, Mr. François, once formed a deep friendship. I believe that the friendship between our families will definitely continue."
"Thank you, Mr. Anton. I will." Sulia showed a standard smile. From the time they sat down to the third minute of the conversation, she had successfully made the Griffin Count feel close to her.
Laing saw everything and continued, "How is Godfather doing? I haven't heard anything from him lately. "
"Father, everything is fine. The Gryphon Knights have been resting ever since they exterminated the bandits in Rickwald Forest." Anton nodded and relaxed a little. Suria poured him a glass of high-class Winford red wine, and Laing served the delicious pastries. The Griffin Count was also more relaxed. He used the silver knife and fork to fork the cake, and said somewhat mockingly, "We also eliminated a group of rogue knights while we were at it."
"…" Laing frowned slightly. Rogue knight?
Sulia, on the other hand, was more sensitive. She immediately realized something. The female knight looked at Clayon worriedly.
Laing's expression didn't change.
The female knight tried to start a conversation with Anton. "I heard that the northern part of the Empire is in chaos?"
"Hmm, as you said, the invasion of Chaos has become more frequent. The allied army of Hocke Territory and Auster Territory was defeated by the Army of Chaos at the Brass Stronghold. The frontline Wolf Stronghold was once again razed to the ground by the Army of Chaos. Ludwig and I led a large group of Knights and the Empire's army to defeat the Army of Chaos and force them to retreat to the Brass Stronghold." Anton looked tired. "Hocke Territory and Auster Territory suffered great losses in this battle, especially Hocke Territory. The army in the territory is at its lowest point in history."
Hocke Territory was the smallest province in the Empire. It was a small piece of land between the central mountain range and the Tarabek River. Most of Hawk's territory was covered by forests and Orc tribes. Only the settlements in the south and the farmlands by the river bank were spared.
Before the Flaming Red Expedition, Hocke Territory was prosperous. However, after more than half of the Empire's Knights participated in the Flaming Red Expedition, a great Orc King announced his rise in the central mountain range in the north of Hocke Territory.
He was the Cruel Getwo, the greatest Orc King in history.
Laing knew that this Orc King slaughtered almost all the Orcs in Hocke Territory and Auster Territory. He almost destroyed Hocke Territory's capital, Herzig. If the Knights who completed the Flaming Red Expedition didn't return in time to kill Getwo, perhaps the northern part of the Empire would have been flooded by the Orcs.
"The threat of Chaos is getting closer. The Sky Magician predicted that a large Orc army will attack the northern part of the Empire soon," Anton said in a deep voice. Anton said in a low voice, "We don't want to suffer too much loss in the infighting, Ryan."
"The Brittany has just defeated the Vampire army. We suffered heavy losses in the War of Knights three years ago. The Dukes need to rest and reorganize their armies. We need to accumulate our strength," Laing said in a low voice. "The Human countries are very weak now."
The heavy snow outside the house continued to blow, but the guest room was as warm as spring.
Anton stood up, his face unnaturally cautious. He walked to the glass window and looked at the snowy scenery outside. In the distance, the prosperous Zeon Town was emitting warm smoke. The lush Chalon Forest was covered in white snow as usual. The mountain path to Helen Hilde was blocked by heavy snow. Every winter, the mountain path would be covered in waist-high snow.
"He seems to have something to say." Suria patted Laing's hand and said, "Laing, go over quickly."
"I understand." Laing stood up and walked to Anton's side. "So … the Empire is ready?"
"The cause of the incident was one month ago." Anton looked at the heavy snow outside. "The long period of conflict made the people at the border suffer. So we proposed a negotiation. Duke Palawon also agreed. He brought his wife to Brunswick for negotiation. At that time, His Majesty the Emperor was busy with internal affairs. So, the Elector of Tuscany, 'Sun Lion' Umberto Corleone, came forward to negotiate with His Excellency Casfern."
Hearing that Casfern brought his wife, Laing and Suria's faces turned green.
Things were getting worse!
"During the negotiation, we couldn't reach an agreement. And the negotiation process was interrupted several times because His Excellency Casfern's wife barged into the meeting." Anton's tone was strange. "The Duchess was too rude and unreasonable. His Excellency Umberto couldn't stand it and reprimanded Casfern and his wife …"
"So, the negotiation broke down?" The female knight continued.
"Yes, the negotiation broke down." Anton's words had an ambiguous tone. "So, His Majesty sent me to you."
Laing's face became serious.
This was the reason why he had to withdraw from this winter offensive.
"You are a worthy opponent and comrade, Laing. The feats you have accomplished over the years are well-known even in the Empire. His Majesty the Emperor has never restricted the spread of rumors. He even sent the Brunswick Imperial Guards to add fuel to the fire. Maybe … I mean maybe, the Empire has no choice but to have a war with Casfern to calm both sides down. And your attitude is very important." Anton continued.
"What's so important about me? I'm just a Count, not a Duke. You should go find His Excellency François or His Excellency Berchemund. "Laing's voice had a hint of ridicule." It's useless to find me. "
"No, finding you is the most important step." Anton smiled. "The prestige and status you have in this country is something that even my father can't compare to. You are also the champion of the Lady of the Lake. Your attitude is very important. If I'm not wrong, the young knights in Brittany are imitating your every move. Your words are the wind vane of the knight class. Am I right?"
Suria immediately understood. She completely understood.
With Laing's great reputation in Brittany, as long as he showed the slightest hint of not wanting to become enemies with the Empire, all the Dukes would think that it was the Lady of the Lake's intention. Then, the Dukes would hesitate to start a war. The young knights were even more so. As long as Laing showed his attitude, most of the knights would refuse to fight with the Empire.
The Empire saw the special relationship between Laing and the Empire, which was why they sent an envoy to point out the crux of the problem.
"I need some time to think." Laing gave his own answer. "You must be tired after coming all the way here. Anton, you should rest first."
"Okay." Anton nodded.
Twenty minutes later, in Laing's master bedroom, Laing and Suria sat together to discuss what happened.
"I don't want to see a civil war in a human country, Suria." Laing hugged the soft body of the female knight and said in distress, "But it seems that this war is inevitable."
"Laing, the Empire also has the same goal. They want to use your influence." The female knight gently stroked Laing's handsome face. "You are the Lady's Chosen Champion. If you declare that you want to become enemies with the Empire, then the whole country may send out ten thousand knights to join Casfern's side. If you declare that you don't want to become enemies with the Empire, then the Dukes will also be very cautious about whether they will stand with Casfern."
"I have that much power?" Laing smiled slightly unconfidently. "I keep feeling that this is not real."
"You do, Laing." Suria's smile bloomed like a flower. She kissed Laing's cheek. "Otherwise, father wouldn't have let me get engaged to you so easily."
"So … my fiancée, what do you think of this matter?" Laing smiled bitterly. "I don't want to become enemies with the Empire, but I also don't want to fall into my sworn brother's trap. I want to remain neutral, but …"
"You should tell Sir Anton directly that you won't become enemies with the Empire. But because of the Lady's wishes, you can't openly declare your position. The only thing you can do is remain silent. Laing, trust me, father and Sir Berchemund will make the same choice as you." Suria continued to analyze. "You have enough power to not take sides. You are now a Holy Grail Knight at the peak of legendary. No matter if it is us or the Empire, there is no champion who can be compared to you."
"My silence means that the Empire and Duke Casfern are really going to war, Suria." Laing frowned. "I said that I don't want to see a civil war in a human country."
"You are wrong, Laing." Suria shook her head fiercely. Her long golden curly hair that reached her waist danced in the air, emitting the fragrance of irises. "We can't allow a full-scale war between humans, but a small-scale war is still necessary. Whether we win or lose, this war will calm people down. The Empire across the mountain is the same, and so is the Brittany."
"If we don't fight, how can we understand the difference in power between two countries? If we don't fight, how can we usher in true peace?" The female knight's lips curled up into a smile. "Let His Excellency Casfern fight with the Empire. No matter who wins or loses, we will enjoy the fruits of his labor. Casfern is no match for Karl Franz, no matter how you look at it."
Laing's eyes gradually lit up.
He only needed to use the Lake Fairy as a shield. He only needed to remain silent, and he would be able to take advantage of both sides. The Empire would owe him a favor, or they would have to face the attack of tens of thousands of knights. The Brittany would also not blame him, because this was the lady's idea. Moreover, many dukes had a good relationship with the Empire. They would take the opportunity to choose to remain silent with Laing. They also had to owe him a favor.
Infighting between humans was not desirable, but blindly trying to make peace and forcefully maintaining peace was actually very difficult. On the contrary, just as Sulia said, a small-scale war could allow both sides to calm down and return to the negotiation table. That was true peace.
If you seek peace through conflict, peace will exist. If you seek peace through compromise, peace will perish.
Suria actually came up with such a clear and optimal choice for Laing in such a short time!
Laing could not help but hug Suria and spin her around a few times. He kissed her lips a few times. "Thank you so much, Suria. You are really my lucky goddess! It is my fortune to have a fiancée like you! "
"Ah! Don't be like this, Laing. Olica is still here! " Suria's little bear slippers fell to the ground. She blushed and hugged Laing's neck. The dark elf maid Olica was standing in the room looking at them!
The female knight was always shy about intimate actions between the two. If it was just them in private, it would be fine. However, Olica had been serving Laing for a long time. In front of the dark elf, Suria was not used to it.
In the void, a certain beautiful figure looked at the blissful female knight and snorted coldly.
… …
"Sir Anton, please stay here for the time being." In the guest room outside the castle, a few maids were arranging a room for the Griffin Count.
At this time, a young maid in a white maid dress pushed a cart and delivered many daily necessities to the Griffin Count. Her footsteps were hurried. "Sir Anton, please rest well. Dinner will be served at seven in the evening. I have something to do, so I will leave first."
After that, the young maid wanted to leave in a hurry. However, Anton still saw the ordinary appearance of the young maid. Some doubts and curiosity appeared in his eyes.
"This voice … It sounds like Emmanuelle … but she doesn't look like her."
The strange thought circled in Anton's mind and disappeared. He shook his head self-deprecatingly. "I must be hallucinating. Emmanuelle disappeared more than ten years ago. How could she appear in Brittany? She is still working as Laing's maid."
"Phew … I'm so tired. Let me rest for a while …"
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