Late April, Old World, Moroes Plains north of Estalia, Empire camp.
In the golden tent, Laing's group sat opposite the Empire's Great Alchemist Bayershazer Gelt and the Empire's General Bernhardt. The well-trained Empire's army had set up camp near the plains and forests.
There was a long table in the middle of the tent with some wine and food on it. Gelt led the Empire's officers to entertain Laing's group, but everyone knew who they were entertaining. Without a doubt, the only one who could make the Empire show such sincerity was Count Laing Macado, who had a good relationship with the Empire.
"Why would the Empire's army appear here?" In the golden tent, Laing picked up a mug of Empire stout and asked, "I don't remember any major diplomatic disputes between Estalia and the Empire, nor did I hear any news of Araby's invasion."
"We're looking for something." Bayershazer Gelt's face was hidden behind the golden mask, and no one could see his expression. The great alchemist sat down with a golden staff in his hand. "It's a treasure. It belongs to me and only me."
"Why would an army of more than ten thousand be needed to seize a treasure?" Laing asked, "Great Alchemist of the Empire, I'm not questioning your motives, but why would you mobilize such an army?"
Laing's question was a little too direct, and Bernhardt and a knight captain of the Empire's Flaming Sun Knights felt a little rude after hearing Laing's question. One of the Empire's generals immediately asked, "Then, esteemed Count Macado, why are you leading fifty Sea God Knights to Estalia?"
"Because we've run into some trouble. Some self-righteous rogue knights have become thieves, and we have to recover the stolen goods." Laing revealed a little about the situation he encountered. "We received news that in a few days, these rogue knights will be selling their loot to the merchants of Estalia on the Moroes Plains. So we set up an ambush here and waited for news."
"I see. Do you need our help?" Laing's honesty dispelled Empire's concerns, and Galt asked.
The generals on the empire's side also nodded in agreement. Fighting the rogue knights and merchants of Estalia? There would be quite a lot of loot here, and the Estalian army … was well trained. The Empire's army had been fighting on all sides for a long time, so the Estalian army, which lacked training, was like a war drill.
"No need, this is our family's private matter." Fedmond took the initiative to speak. He had the right to speak on this matter. "We are very grateful for the Empire's good intentions, but we will deal with it ourselves. I thank you on behalf of the Duke of Bordero."
"Alright then." Empire General Bernhardt was somewhat regretful.
"What about the Empire? Why did you come to this place? "Laing asked Galt.
"A talisman, a powerful magical talisman, buried in the grave of a great lord," Galt said without hesitation. "I need to get this amulet and prevent it from falling into the hands of the vampires," Gert said without hesitation.
"Great Alchemist …" Empire's general said hesitantly. It was obvious that the Empire was unwilling to let the Brittany chivalrous people know about the whole thing because they were afraid that this matter would become complicated.
Galt raised his golden glove and signaled for everyone to shut up. The great alchemist knew deep in his heart that he and Laing were on the same side.
That's right, they were on the same side.
The Empire's great alchemist was highly respected in the Empire's army. His contributions to gunpowder and engineering made the Empire's engineers, who had always kept a distance from magic, admire him. His performance in battle also made the Empire's army understand what it meant to single-handedly change the outcome of a battle. Every time the battle reached its climax, the great alchemist would ride on a pegasus and fly into the battlefield, using his alchemy magic to destroy the enemy. A metal flood would engulf the Empire's enemies, turning their weapons and armor into lead and clay, and their blood into turbid metal. No matter if it was Chaos creatures, Green Dwarfs, or vampires, they could not avoid defeat under Galt's powerful magic.
If the problem could not be solved, Galt's golden hounds would tear the enemy to shreds. His ultimate alchemy had once turned hundreds of Orcs into golden statues, turning the outcome of a battle in one fell swoop.
Eight years ago, when Galt returned from Nord with the new Emperor Karl-franz, his magic level had been improving rapidly. His status had also risen as a result. The Alchemy Academy of the Empire's Royal Wizard Academy had risen in status under his leadership. It was now qualified to challenge the former strongest academy, the Flame Academy. Galt and the new Marshal Rick, Helberg, had become the Emperor's most trusted right-hand man. Most of the obscure and mysterious matters related to magic were usually handed over to Galt, especially when the Emperor was on an expedition. As the Emperor's subordinate and best friend, Galt and a few other trusted aides loyally supported the Emperor's cause.
Galt was very loyal. Sometimes, the Emperor even felt that Galt was too loyal.
That was why when the Great Alchemist suggested that the Emperor send an army to Estalia to search for treasures, Emperor Karl-franz agreed without hesitation. On one hand, it was a reward for his loyalty, and on the other, it was a form of compensation.
"Amulet? We are also looking for an amulet. I heard that the merchants in Estalia had found one and were happy to send it to the main shrine of Milmedia in Magritte as a sacred relic of Milmedia. " Laing said seriously. Galt's face looked troubled. "Perhaps we are looking for the same thing?"
"That's fake news we released."
"Huh?"
"That's fake news we released to confuse the vampires," Galt repeated. "This is the suggestion of the emperor's courtiers. They think that if we can make the vampires realize that they have to face the Empire and the Church of the Goddess of War at the same time if they want to compete with me for the Sea Gold Amulet, it will make the vampires think about whether it's worth it or not. These midnight nobles are always selfish."
"This news is so real that even I believe it." Laing's face twitched a little.
"If you want to fool the enemy, you must first be able to fool yourself." Galt's words were concise. He began to tell the story. "We have kept the news a secret."
The Amulet of the Sea Gold was an ancient and powerful magic amulet. It was a masterpiece from the time when the high elves were still in the Old World. Galt discovered its existence by chance when he was looking for information in the Royal Academy of Sorcerers of the Empire.
At the same time, the great alchemist also discovered that the vampires were also looking for the amulet. So he sent out the demon hunters to assassinate a few vampire scouts and learned that the vampire count was also looking for the amulet of the Sea Gold. The Empire's army led by Galt had already fought the Vampire Lord Leopold Haken in Marbad's mausoleum in Midden. Although the Empire's army had successfully defeated Leopold Haken and his vampires, the amulet was not there.
So there was only one target left, which was the high elves' mausoleum in Estalia. Galt knew that the vampires were also racing to get there, and the Empire's army had to fight in a foreign country. So he sent someone to spread the false news that the merchant alliance in Magritte had found an amulet that was a sacred relic of the goddess Mirmidia.
The Empire had been operating in Estalia for many years, and the news they released was enough to pass off as the truth. Many adventurers and mercenaries felt that the opportunity to make a fortune had come, and they set off for Magritte. Even the nobles of Magritte and the Church of the Goddess of War believed it without a doubt.
"Well, this might explain why we encountered a high vampire." Laing frowned. He knew that he had also received false news.
"A high vampire? Is it Leopold Haken? " Galt's tone was always emotionless, but it was obvious that he was very interested in Laing and the others' experience.
"No, it's a blood descendant of the Lemia family." Laing shook his head.
The Count then told Gelt everything that had happened to them.
"I see." Galt's metal face was expressionless, and no one knew what he was thinking. The great alchemist ordered General Bernhardt of the Empire, "Bring that over."
"That?" Bernhardt was hesitant. "But that was personally granted to you by His Majesty …"
"Sir Laing is a friend and ally of His Majesty, right?" Galt continued.
"… I understand." The general of the Empire thought of the courtesy that Laing had received in the Empire. He finally nodded and took out a scroll of parchment from the tent.
"This is the military permission of Estalia. We have many copies." Galt handed the parchment to Laing. "Take it. I can see that you don't have this."
"Thank you very much." Laing did not refuse and took the document. He and Duke Bordero indeed needed this. Holding the document, Laing smiled. "This thing must be difficult to get, right?"
"Not difficult. All the cities and duchies in Estalia are competing to sell their military permission. It depends on whether you have the connections." General Bernhardt of the Empire proudly said, "These southerners can sell out a lot for money. There's nothing they don't dare to do. As long as you hold this document as a military ally and partner of the Empire, you can move freely in Estalia."
"Don't these southerners have any dignity?" Fedmond said with a dark expression.
"No, at least not in front of our giant cannons, Hellstorm rocket launchers, and my metal torrent." Great Alchemist Bayershazer Galt stood up. "Sir Laing, can we talk in private? I have something to discuss with you. "
"Sure." Laing also stood up.
He was one of them. Since Galt took the initiative to ask him to talk, it must be something very important.
The two of them walked out of the tent one after the other. The well-equipped and well-trained Empire army was setting up camp on the plains. All kinds of powerful war machines made Laing somewhat envious. The Brunswick Military Factory and Nur Military Factory could produce many powerful war machines, but his territory could not.
After leaving the camp, the two of them walked into a small forest. The sun in Estalia was very bright. The forest here was far away from the pollution of Chaos and was full of vitality.
The Great Alchemist was wearing golden scale armor, a golden mask, a golden staff, and a golden cloak. His appearance looked very vulgar, but it was also very majestic. Laing walked behind him with his hands behind his back and smiled. "What does our Great Alchemist want to talk to me about?"
"Something big happened in the Empire recently. It's related to you," Galt said in a low voice. "Because of this, all the Kurfürst are holding a meeting in the Empire in Brunswick."
Something big? Laing rolled his eyes and immediately realized something. "Emilia … No, Emmanuel?"
"Yes, Emmanuel von Lebowitz Bernardino. This noble lady who has been missing for many years returned to Nur under the escort of the army. Then, under the support of the Nur nobles, the Nur Sorcerer's Guild, and the Armoured Nur, she became the Duchess of Nur." Bayershazer Galt calmly recounted the recent events in the Empire. "But Duchess Emmanuel is not satisfied. She officially filed a lawsuit to the Empire's parliament, claiming that the positions of Kurfürst and Grand Duke Wesen that should belong to her were illegally stolen. She asked Emperor Karl-franz and the other Kurfürst to uphold justice for her."
"That doesn't sound easy." Laing nodded. Emilia naturally had strong claims to the Kurfürst of Brescia and Grand Duke Wesen. But having them was one thing, and whether or not she could successfully take them was another.
"The Emperor accepted the lawsuit, and the Empire's parliament was officially held. All the Kurfürst rushed to the Brunswick Royal Palace. In the Empire's parliament, Emmanuel used the Kurfürst's Sacred Sword to prove her identity." Galt continued, "But the Schroder family's representative in Wesen believed that there was no problem with Emmanuel's identity. However, she didn't understand the specific situation of the territory, nor did she understand the series of threats that Wesen was facing. She also lacked an heir. If this continues, the Bernardino family's direct bloodline will become extinct."
"That's not the point. The point should be that Gianni should hand over all his titles, right? Those are titles that he illegally stole. Emmanuel should take back everything that belongs to her, "Laing said strangely.
"That's right. Emperor Karl believed that the Schroder family's point of view was complete nonsense. Kurfürst Boris even asked the Schroder family's representative to get lost on the spot." Galt nodded, "But obviously, the Schroder family is not without allies. For example, the Kurfürst of Uttbad and Grand Duke Steyer, His Excellency Wolfram, the Kurfürst of Becafen and the Speaker of the Ostermark Alliance's parliament believe that the Empire's parliament is not the Emperor's alone. The Schroder family and the current Kurfürst Gianni have the right to speak in the Empire's parliament."
"What are their conditions?" Laing continued to ask.
"The Schroder family's condition is that Emmanuel must marry Gianni Bernardino and give up the Kurfürst title through marriage. At the same time, Emmanuel must stay in Wesen Castle for at least six months every year and take the Kurfürst's course," Galt continued.
"Marriage, birth of an heir, and taking the course means being locked up," Laing raised his eyebrows, "Until an heir is born, Emilia will be useless."
"Emmanuel naturally doesn't accept it." The grand alchemist stopped and turned around to look at Laing, "She revealed two facts that shocked all the Kurfürst in the Empire's parliament."
"First, the current Kurfürst, Gianni Bernardino, is also a woman! This is the deepest secret of her distant relative. The Schroder family clearly misunderstood something. "
"Second, she is already pregnant. The child's father is the famous human hero, the Chosen of Goddess of the Lake, Laing Macado. This child will inherit all her titles in the future. She has an heir!"
"Very good." Laing nodded seriously. He thought for a moment and continued, "Then, what should I do? What should I do to help Amy … Emmanuelle? "
"You should …"
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