To put it bluntly, Marlinburg was a very special city in the history of the Empire.
This city first appeared in the 20th year of the Empire's calendar. The Judon tribe settled here. They built Marlinburg at the mouth of the Rik River, on an abandoned elven citadel and wharf. However, Marlinburg was soon attacked by the fog demons from the southern swamps. The Judon tribe spent 10 years to defeat the fog demons.
In the year 501 of the Empire's calendar, the Empire's Emperor "The Conqueror" Sigismund defeated the Judon Kingdom in the Battle of Marlinburg. Jutenis, the Judon king, agreed to a peaceful unification and incorporated Marlinburg and its surrounding areas into the Wester Province. From then on, Marlinburg became a part of the Empire. The Judon Kingdom disappeared from history. However, as the price for a peaceful unification, the Judon royal family received many privileges that were passed down to this day.
In the year 632 of the Empire's calendar, the Norse barbarians attacked Marlinburg for the first time. This terrifying war continued for more than a hundred years. In the year 765 of the Empire's calendar, the Empire finally signed a peace treaty with the Norse barbarians and temporarily stopped the war.
From then on, Marlinburg remained a part of the Empire until the era of the Three Emperors. At that time, the Empire had three Emperors. These three Emperors were fighting for the throne. The other Kurfürst also began to self-rule. From then on, there were signs of separation between Marlinburg and the Wester Province. In the year 1600 of the Empire's calendar, the merchants and trade unions of Marlinburg joined forces with Kurfürst von Beeck and announced the establishment of the Marlinburg Autonomous Parliament. Since then, Marlinburg gradually separated from the Empire's rule.
In the year 1979 of the Empire's calendar, Kurfürst Margareta III was elected as the Empress of the Empire. However, whether it was the Church of Justice or the White Wolf Church, or other churches, they all refused to crown Margareta III. Margareta III decided to join forces with the Church of the God of the Sea to establish herself as the Empress of Marlinburg. From that day onwards, Marlinburg officially separated from the Empire. The Rune Tooth of Wester Province was later sent back to the Empire by the loyal people of the Empire. The Empire gave it to Nord.
Then came the great Holy War. The Savior, Ludwig, gathered all the remaining troops of the Empire. At this time, Marlinburg also gave up the title of Emperor. The merchants of Marlinburg decided to provide military supplies for the Savior. After the great Holy War ended, the Marlinburg Assembly agreed to return to the Empire's system. They also gave an astonishing amount of wealth for the Savior to rebuild the Empire. However, the conditions were complete self-rule and that the Empire would not interfere with the internal affairs of the Empire. Ludwig thought for a long time and agreed, granting them complete self-rule.
After the eldest prince Frey Drich family obtained the throne of the Empire, Karl-franz's grandfather, Emperor Leopold, tried to lead an army to reclaim Marlinburg. However, he was defeated by the local defenders. After that, the eldest prince Richs tried many times to reclaim Marlinburg, but it was all in vain.
At the same time, Marlinburg also had the only enclave of the High Elves in the old world — Ifetau. This was already mentioned before, so I won't repeat it here.
Therefore, the rich merchants of the Marlinburg Assembly faced many crises after the great Holy War, but they always had a way to solve them. Either they asked the Empire for help, or they asked the Brittany for help. In the worst case, they could ask the High Elves for help.
These business princes had nothing to fear.
It was nothing more than a matter of money!
However, this time, the situation was different.
It was the Dwarves. The Dwarves were here for revenge!
In the Marlinburg Assembly, in a spacious and bright hall, the business princes of Marlinburg gathered together to discuss what to do.
Among them, the Duke of Marlinburg, Vander Guber Schultz, didn't bat an eyelid. He leaned back in his luxurious chair with an expression that said it had nothing to do with him. He tasted his gin and laughed with the second richest merchant of Marlinburg, Viscount Casanova of the Gentlemen Alliance.
These two had nothing to do with them, and the vengeance would not be directed at them. The other presidents of the merchant guilds in Marlin Castle obviously knew that Viscount Casanova had spent a lot of effort to hire the famous mercenary partners, Gao Cuike and Felix. This made the princes of the merchant guilds grit their teeth and curse Casanova in their hearts for being a traitor.
The merchants in the assembly were mainly the following.
The third largest merchant guild in Marlinburg, the largest food merchant guild in the old world. Their trading branches were all over the old world, and they also had strongholds in many places.
The fourth largest merchant guild in Marlinburg, the descendant of the Judun royal family, the chairman of the Judun Merchant Guild, Van Hugmans. The Judun Merchant Guild had suffered quite a bit in the attack on Eight Peaks Mountain's treasury and had taken a step back from being the third largest merchant guild.
The chairman of the fifth largest merchant guild, the Luxen Merchant Guild, Claude Juncker.
The three princes of the merchant guilds knew that they were the primary targets of the dwarves' vengeance. At that moment, Hugmans was sweating profusely. The chairman of the Judun Merchant Guild first placed the flyer on the table. "Everyone, we have a problem."
"Darned dwarves!" Bahel's chairman, Becker, said impatiently, "This is a normal business. What do they think Marlinburg is? This is a free port! Everyone has freedom of speech and the right to make their own choices! What right do they have to threaten us and look for us to … Huh? Ask for compensation and be judged by the dwarves? "
"That's right, I think so too." Claude Juncker was wearing a grey-black military uniform with a rapier at his waist. He cursed the dwarves for being a bunch of idiots. "I suggest we use the stones and rotten fruits on the walls to cover their faces and make them scram!"
"Then they'll use mercury bullets and cannons to cover our faces!" Hugmans, the descendant of the Judun royal family, said fiercely, "Do you see those two ironclad warships? Which one of you wants a taste of cannons? Compared to ironclad warships, our fleet is like fishing boats! "
Marlinburg did have its own navy, but it was a yellow-water navy. The more elite Rik and Nord navies, the two navies of the Empire, were not part of Marlinburg's army.
The princes of the merchant guilds doubted that their gunships could penetrate the skin of the ironclad warships.
"… Those aren't the ironclad warships of the dwarves. Someone in the House of Lords said, "Those bearded dwarves only took the ships of Brittania and the Ash Legion."
"Those are the ironclad warships of the dwarves! The dwarves made them. The dwarves came down from above, "Hugmans said sternly," Are you still pretending you don't understand? Ashes and the chivalrous Brittany are in cahoots with the dwarves! "
"Knight King Laing and Fogen, the leader of the Ashes, are brothers. They brought the dwarves here and then docked at the port. Do you still not understand?" Hugmans continued, "Damn the Knight King and the damn Ashes. Are you pretending you don't understand what they're planning, or do you really not understand? If we make a move, they'll have a reason to make a move. "
Everyone was speechless. The princes of the merchant guilds began to feel troubled.
"How much do the dwarves want?" At this time, the president of the Bahl Chamber of Commerce, Becker, spoke. This old gentleman, who was about 60 years old, was wearing a tuxedo, a black round hat, and a single round gold-rimmed spectacle. He thought for a long time and slowly said, "Peace. We only want this much. How much do the dwarves want? Let's all pool together and end things here. Otherwise, how are we going to do business?"
"How much do the dwarves want? It's all written on this leaflet." Hugmans took out a slightly wrinkled leaflet and put it on the table.
"For Marlinburg's disrespect to the Angerande clan: three thousand gold coins."
"For Marlinburg's disrespect to the dwarven clans: five thousand gold coins."
"For Marlinburg's disrespect to their dead dwarven brethren at Eightpeak: ten thousand gold coins."
"Lastly, to wash away the unwarranted humiliation of the failed experts and celebrate the return of Bellegar and his glorious royal family: twenty thousand gold coins and the head of Jose Magical Bird!"
The princes of the business world looked at each other. Claude Juncker was wearing a silk robe and a pair of tight pants. He furrowed his brows and took the flyer from Hugmans. "So, the shortie wants 38,000 gold coins and the head of Mr. Magical Bird?" he asked after giving it a close look.
"That's right." Becker touched his gold-rimmed round glasses and narrowed his eyes. "The dwarves have asked us to give an answer within three days. Today is the first day. Gentlemen, senators, can you make it in time?"
"Do we really have to pay?" Claude Juncker's face darkened. "Wouldn't that make us look like pushovers? The dwarves can come for us once, and they can come for us twice, thrice, and countless times in the future. We're not the dwarves' little treasury! Sir Becker, you're not thinking straight! "
"Dwarves aren't humans, Sir Juncker? Dwarves aren't elves either. Gold coins can wash away their hatred and let them return with a full load. That'll be the end of this. " Becker interlocked his fingers and put them on the table. "If possible, can you listen to my opinion? Let's try to gather some money and send those dwarves away. "
"Gather money? How much? " Van Hugmans, the chairman of the Judon Merchant Guild, said impatiently, "Don't forget, we're in Empire territory! We're citizens of the Empire. Do you think the dwarves will tear Marlinburg down and bring it back to their mountains? If they do, it'll be a declaration of war against the Empire. Those mustaches can't represent the entire dwarf race! "
"Karl-franz's court won't declare war on the dwarves for us!" Becker emphasized, "Supreme King Solgrin Ironhammer's question is already on the emperor's desk! Do you think we're more important to the Empire or the dwarven treaty? "
"We have the founding ceremony of the savior!" Hugmans roared, "Complete autonomy!"
"The dwarves have Emperor Charlemagne's Sacred Alliance!" Becker shouted, "Hugmans, put away your Judon pride! That's a treaty of a higher level! The Empire can't do without dwarves, and neither can we! Do you know how many things Marlinburg has? How many contracts are signed with the dwarves!"
"So there's no other way? We can only pay up obediently, right? "Van Hugmans sat down helplessly.
"How about this? We'll gather 18,000 gold marks," Claude said. "As for the dwarves' compensation, we'll accept the first three conditions and half of the last one. What does it have to do with us if they reclaim Eight Peaks and return to their homeland in glory? We won't accept this condition. As for that Joze Magicbird … Your Excellency Hugmans, where is he? "
"He's hiding in a manor outside the city," Hugmans said helplessly, "My men have him under control, but …"
"Send him to the dwarves," Becker said hoarsely. Becker's old voice was a little hoarse. He had just shouted a few times and his vocal cords were tired. "Take it as an apology."
"But if we do that, how will those people in the future be willing to speak up for us?" Hugmans said angrily, "And what about our Mister Adabey? Where did he go? Why did he disappear at such a crucial time? "
"Don't you know him? That old dragon is really cunning. " Becker continued, "Alright, let's send Mr. Magical Bird to the dwarves. As for the 18,000 gold coins, we'll pool it together. The three major chambers of commerce will pool 12,000 gold coins. As for the remaining 6,000 gold coins, we'll take them as well. We're all businessmen. Peace breeds wealth. Are you willing to break this peace? If things really get messy, we won't be able to do business anymore. "
"That's … that's the only way." Hugmans gave up.
In the end, the Chamber of Lords of Marlin Castle decided to take out a sum of money and send these dwarves away. It would be a waste of money to avoid disaster.
They appointed the archbishop of the Church of the God of the Sea, Aldrich, to take the money to solve the problem.
At the same time, the leader of Marlin Castle's underground world, Adabey Hensman, received news that the dwarves were coming for revenge.
"Father, what do we do? What do we do? The dwarves are coming for revenge! The knights are coming for revenge! "Adabey's son, Alphonse, was scared out of his wits." Damn it, damn it! Why didn't they all die in Eight Peaks Mountain? "
Adabe, on the other hand, was very calm. The king of the underground world of Marlin Castle sat behind his desk calmly. He opened the safe and threw the important evidence into the brazier to burn. The old gentleman did not look nervous at all. Instead, he was very calm. "What should we do? What should we do? Did we attack the national debt of Eight Peaks Mountain? Or did we offend the Knight King or the Dwarf King? Think about it carefully. What did we do? Did we leave any evidence behind? "
One by one, bills fell into the bonfire and were burned clean. Adabe smiled and said, "Moreover, we have sent a generous gift to Brittania. They won't look for us. Don't worry, Alphonse. Calm down. If you stick your head out at this time, you'll die! Even if you want to die, it's not the way to do it! "
"Father, you really have foresight." Alphonse carefully recalled the series of actions that he and his father had done. Only then did he manage to calm down. Unknowingly, his back was already drenched in sweat.
"You have to think thrice before you do anything. You have to be wary of danger, retreat, and change. Only when you know the danger can you avoid it." Adabey frowned. He burned the most important evidence, then opened the small vault and took out a big box.
It was filled with gold coins. On each gold coin was a sticker of the Lady of Wealth. Counting carefully, there were more than a hundred gold coins! There were more than a hundred thousand gold marks inside. Adabey looked at the box and suddenly sighed. He handed it to his son. "Take all of them. Use your connections and buy generous gifts. Give some to the Ashes Army, and some to the King and Queen of Brittany. Keep a few for yourself and buy the best equipment and find the Church of the Sea God to bless you. I've already signed you up. From the day after tomorrow, you'll be a new recruit in the Ashes Army's first army, a trainee knight."
"Father?!" Alphonse hurriedly rushed to Adabey. He looked very emotional. "What, you want me to join the Ashes Army? Father, aren't you forcing your son onto the path of no return? You want me to go on an expedition to the New World? Then … then what will you do? "
"Hehehe, I'll teach you a phrase that the Empire's generals like to say." Adabe laughed dryly and pulled Alphonse to sit down. The Casanova who had dominated Marlin Castle for more than twenty years pointed his index finger at the burning ashes in the brazier and said, "Put death on the ground and then rise again!"
"In the past few years, I've carefully observed and collected information. The future of the New World will belong to this Purple Phoenix sooner or later. And this Purple Phoenix has a close relationship with King Laing and Schultz," Adabey said sadly. "Don't look at the past few years. We've done so much because we're still useful. The princes of the business world need us to clean up the underground world and clean up the dirty corners of Marlin Castle. Only then can we get a chance. But people like us are destined to be just pieces of cloth. We can't even be considered as tools. It's been more than twenty years. I can feel that the people in the House of Lords are thinking of changing people. And we've been on the wrong side for the recent national debt issue."
"What? We've done so many things for him! He actually?! "Alphonse said angrily." Are we destined to be … "
"So, I'll let you serve in the Ashes Army." Adabey closed his eyes and nodded slowly. "Alphonse, my son, I'm telling you. Go with your tail between your legs and serve Sir Fulgen. You have to let Sir Fulgen and the generals and soldiers of the Ashes Army see you in a new light through your performance. I've spent more than twenty years training you without caring about the cost. Your swordsmanship and your knighthood shouldn't be so weak even in the Ashes Army. When you're there, forget that you're my son, forget that you're an underground noble prince of Marlin Castle. You're just a new recruit, a trainee knight. Be a good soldier."
"Father, I understand." Alphonse shed tears. He wiped his tears with his hand and lowered his head that had been held high all this time.
"Sigh, go." Adabe let out a long sigh. "If Grand Duke Schultz really wants to replace me, I might need you to save my old life!"
Otherwise, people like us are destined to die miserably! "
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
