PS: It's the end of the month. I'm looking for subscriptions and votes for a 5500-word chapter. Also, I'm looking for a guaranteed monthly vote for the next chapter.
Empire Calendar 2513, end of July, Marlin Castle Parliament Building, Upper and Lower Houses.
Brittany Knight King Laing -Macado held his wife Queen Suria's hand and sat at the back of the VIP seats, watching the confrontation between the Empire and Marlin Castle.
On the Empire's side, the most important people were Emperor Karl-franz himself, Griffin Duke Ivan Ferdinand, and the Emperor's flag bearer, Ludwig Schwarzhammer. Around them, the Rik Guards and Griffin Knights stood in a row, looking at the people of Marlin Castle with hostility. Many of the Rik Guards had their hands on the hilts of their swords.
On the other side, the Upper and Lower Houses of Marlin Castle, especially the top few rich merchants and the Archbishop of the Sea God, sat at the front. They represented most of the interests and attitudes of Marlin Castle. Laing noticed that Blackbeard Edward Teach of the Mannan Mercenary Group was also present, which indicated the attitude of Marlin Castle.
Both sides were loudly discussing the dispute regarding this incident, and both sides sent out representatives to explain the incident. The part that was not controversial was that the Emperor was attacked by the Juden Guards as soon as he entered Marlin Castle. Both sides fought in the dark streets for no reason, and it was confirmed that the Juden Guards took out their weapons first, followed by the Emperor's side preparing for battle. After that, the Juden Guards opened fire first.
The most controversial part was that when the Emperor led his people into the city at night, why didn't the city guards immediately inform the two Houses of Marlin Castle and send people to receive them?
Marlin Castle's point of view was that Emperor Karl came without notice and used his identity to enter the city without informing the two Houses of Marlin Castle.
The Empire's point of view was that Marlin Castle was the territory of the Empire, and it only enjoyed complete autonomy, but it did not mean that it was an independent kingdom. As Emperor Karl-franz and his followers did not need to inform anyone when they entered the city, and Marlin Castle had no right to stop them.
The second most controversial part was, what was the reason for the Juden Guards to open fire first?
Marienburg believed that this was purely Hugmans' personal action and had nothing to do with Marienburg.
On the other hand, the Empire presented Hugmans' confession. He admitted that he was "possessed" and chose to attack the Emperor on the spur of the moment. The Empire also found "evidence" in the Judun Chamber of Commerce. It was a crown made by the Judun Royal Family. However, the Emperor only showed the crown and said that he would bring it back to Brunswick. Surprisingly, the Empire did not pursue the matter and only brushed it off.
This situation caught the merchants of Marlinburg off guard. They had spent a lot of energy and prepared a lot of materials to show that they really didn't know anything. Even Archbishop Aldrich had prepared a ceremony to swear an oath to the sea god Mannen, but it was all in vain.
On the contrary, the Emperor's actions made him appear magnanimous and magnanimous, making the Marienburg side appear petty and petty.
In an instant, Fort Marlin fell into a disadvantageous position. Even the Emperor didn't bother with you, so what are you still doing?
Laing saw the situation and frowned. Knight King looked at Marienburg's weak defense and shook his head helplessly.
In fact, Laing already knew what was going on before Duke Schultz notified him. He had sent the Old Guard to the dwarven craftsmen's association. How could he not know that the Juden Guards were targeting the dwarves?
But the most awkward part was that Marienburg might have guessed that the Juden Guards were targeting the dwarves, but could they say that?
They had already attacked the Emperor, so how could they provoke the dwarves?
If they provoked the dwarves, wouldn't they also provoke Brittany and the Ash Corps?
Because of this, when the attack on the Emperor had already happened, Marienburg still couldn't give a reason why Hugmans and his Juden Guards were planning to do. So when the Emperor insisted that this was a misunderstanding, Marienburg could only accept it.
They had lost the initiative, but there was nothing they could do. Laing's expression didn't change, but he was actually not happy to see this situation. He knew very well that Karl-franz would never let go of any chance to take back Marienburg.
The Empire taking back Marienburg might be a good thing for the Empire, but for Laing, this was not in the interest of Brittany. Knight King would never be happy to see the Emperor take back Marienburg. Since he was the Knight King, he had to work for the Brittany. This was what a qualified king should do.
But now he was in a passive position, and he lacked an excuse to intervene in this matter. Knight King could only watch the scene quietly.
"This is too coincidental. It's so coincidental that it's a little illogical, my dear." Suria held her husband's hand and said softly, "It's hard to believe that things would turn out like this. Now His Majesty Karl has found an opportunity, and we still don't know what he's hiding."
"There are many illogical things in this world. Only comedies need logic. Tragedies don't." Laing held Suria's hand and whispered, "We lack an excuse to intervene, my dear. What we need to do now is to see how Karl is going to achieve his goal."
"Yes, Laing, I think Brittany can't lose this free port and buffer zone." Suria whispered in Laing's ear, "Even if it's unfair to the Emperor, we can't stand on his side this time."
"The High Elves are here too." Laing looked at the High Elves' ambassador to the Old World, Taimag Den Caben, who was sitting not far away with a glass of wood elven fruit wine in his hand. Behind the ambassador stood two fully-armed Lothian soldiers with shields. He looked at the scene in the Senate with a sullen face. His Excellency Tegris was about to arrive. If this happened at this time, wouldn't it add another stain to his career as an ambassador?
Why are these monkeys so stupid? Why don't you all f * cking perish together? When will these monkeys die out?
Veins popped out on Taimag's head. He didn't want to participate in such a boring matter at all, but he knew that he had to participate because this matter was likely to involve Ifetau — the last enclave of the High Elves in the Old World!
Forgen, on the other hand, was elegantly tasting the wine and tuna sashimi. He just listened quietly.
In the Senate, the debate continued.
Emperor Karl-franz was wearing the emperor's armor. He said calmly, "According to the peace agreement signed by Sigismund II and the Judon Kingdom, Marlinburg is undoubtedly a part of the Empire. According to the founding ceremony of His Majesty Ludwig the Savior, Marlinburg has complete autonomy. However, since the Empire gave Marlinburg to you, you have to take responsibility for governing Marlinburg. Am I right?"
"Since His Majesty the Savior has given Marlinburg to the two Houses, we will naturally work hard to govern this city. The hundreds of members of the Upper and Lower Houses are constantly working for the prosperity and stability of Marlinburg. According to the founding ceremony, only when Marlinburg encounters an 'unsolvable' problem can we ask for help from the Empire, and not the Empire actively helping us," Schultz said slowly. "Since this has happened, both the Upper and Lower Houses of Marlinburg are responsible. We have never run away from this. From today onwards, we will reorganize the Upper House. As for the business of the Judon Chamber of Commerce, we can divest it and hand it over to the Empire."
"Reorganize the Upper House?" Karl-franz shook his head. "Mr. Schultz, I don't think that reorganizing the Upper House can solve the current problem. I can forgive your mistake this time, but His Majesty the Savior didn't give Marlinburg to you to train a member who dares to attack the emperor in the street!"
Before the Marlinburg people could say anything, Karl-franz immediately said, "Of course, I believe that everyone here, everyone who is willing to come to the scene, and everyone who is willing to take responsibility after this matter is over, everyone is good. However, who can guarantee that everyone is fine? To think that I, as the Emperor of the Empire, would be ambushed by hundreds of people on the streets. My fellow councilors and masters of Marlin Castle, you are truly incompetent! "
"Everything was done by the Judon Chamber of Commerce. Your Majesty Karl, you know Hugmans' identity. He is a descendant of the Judon royal family. He has the right to command his own private army." Senator Greimar said, "We can't control how he wants to command it."
"You can't control it? Then in the future, if there is an assassination on the streets of Marlinburg, you can openly tell everyone that you can't control it? " The emperor's words were extremely sharp. "The Savior generously gave you complete autonomy, and this is how you govern Marlinburg?"
"The Judon Chamber of Commerce and Hugmans have already taken responsibility for this matter …" Viscount Casanova, the second richest merchant in Marlinburg, said. "Your Majesty, this is the responsibility of all of us. As for compensation, Your Majesty can directly take it from the treasury of the Judon Chamber of Commerce …"
"I didn't ask anyone to take responsibility, and I'm not talking about compensation!" The emperor continued to press. "I'm talking about the autonomy of Marlinburg! Let me ask you, the autonomy of Marlinburg is for you to mess up the security of Marlinburg like this? Charlemagne above, an emperor of the Empire walking on the territory of the Empire was attacked by the army of the Empire? You still don't think there is a problem? What are you trying to do? "
"Your Majesty, what do you mean by this?" Archbishop Aldrich of the Church of the God of the Sea in Marlinburg was displeased. He came out and said to the emperor, "Mannen above, I can swear that the Church of the God of the Sea and I did not know anything about this. If Your Majesty is dissatisfied with the security of Marlinburg, we can restore the security of Marlinburg, or you can let me resign from my position as archbishop!"
"Enough, Sir Aldrich. This is a public meeting. No one is forcing you to take responsibility, and no one is forcing you to resign from your position as archbishop of the God of the Sea. This is something that only Mannen can decide." Grand Duke Schultz said slowly. "His Majesty was attacked in Marlinburg, so he naturally has to ask questions. We only need to answer them, and there is no need to resign. On this issue, I, as the Grand Duke of Marlinburg, have the first responsibility. If there is anyone to resign, it should be me!"
"Your Majesty, what do you think? If you allow, I can resign now, and the upper and lower houses of Marlinburg can re-elect the Grand Duke. Of course, I will continue to run. "
Emperor Karl-franz's expression changed slightly.
If Schultz resigned, Marlinburg would immediately face a huge bloodbath. In the past thirty years, only this Grand Duke could suppress the princes of the business world, countless mercenary groups and churches, the human countries of the Old World, and even the High Elves and Dwarves' diplomacy (all the countries of the Old World had their embassies here). When that happened, Marlinburg would be in chaos, and this was not what the Emperor wanted to see. Schultz could be chased away, but not now, not before the Emperor controlled Marlinburg.
Moreover, with Schultz's methods and abilities, he would most likely be elected in the end. The emperor was giving him a chance to reorganize the internal affairs of Marlinburg, and the Marlinburg Parliament would become even more united.
"I didn't say who should take responsibility for this issue," the emperor said. Karl took two steps forward and put down the long scroll of parchment in his hand. "I said before, the Judon Chamber of Commerce incident ends here. Hugmans was not thinking clearly at that time, and he was very nervous when he saw someone appear in the dark. That was why he gave the order to open fire. I don't plan to put the blame on everyone here. What I want to emphasize is, isn't this enough to explain the problem? Such bad public security should not appear in the Empire's territory! "
"We will reorganize the public security, and I guarantee that nothing like this will happen again!" Schultz said immediately.
"Very good. How can you guarantee that?" The emperor finally seized the opportunity. Karl-franz walked in front of everyone and faced the VIPs and senators in the Parliament. He said firmly, "How can you guarantee that nothing like this will happen again? If the assassination of the emperor of the Empire on the territory of the Empire happens a second time, what are you going to do? For such a person to be able to sit in the fourth seat of the House of Lords, I am deeply worried about the safety of Marlin Castle. If the Emperor cannot be protected within the Empire's territory, how will you be responsible? "
"This is what I said. I don't need you to take responsibility for this! Because you don't deserve it now! " The Emperor finally roared. He threw the scroll of van Hugmans' confession on the ground. "Or is this an organized and premeditated treason?! The Empire plotted to assassinate the emperor of the Empire on the territory of the Empire?! "
Suria's eyes lit up. The female knight realized that the emperor had completely controlled the topic. Laing also nodded slightly. The couple looked at each other and smiled.
As expected of Emperor Karl-franz!
Now, Marlinburg was forced into a dilemma.
The public security problem or the attempt to assassinate the emperor. Marlinburg had to choose one, right?
The princes of Marlinburg's business world all turned pale. Grand Duke Schultz was in a dilemma. The emperor's words were harsh. No matter what, Marlinburg was still part of the Empire's territory. No matter what, he could not say that he had committed treason and attempted to assassinate the emperor.
Thus, he could only admit that it was a public security problem. "Your Majesty, the public security problem is indeed not well managed by the two houses."
"The nature of the problem is bad, the management is not good, the public security is chaotic, and it even caused a diplomatic dispute. Now, Knight King Laing, Queen Suria, Commander of the Ash Legion, Sir Forgen, Dwarf Special Envoy Solgrin, and High Elf Ambassador Taymarg are all in Marlinburg. The public security is so bad. This shows that the management of Marlinburg is very problematic." Karl-franz finally revealed his true intentions. "Of course, I understand. The people in charge of Marlinburg are all merchants. Merchants are good at dealing with merchants, but they are not good at dealing with saboteurs. They are also not good at sniffing out and catching people with ulterior motives like Van Hugmans.
But it doesn't matter. You are still citizens of the Empire. The Empire will never forget Marlinburg. I have many experts in the palace. They are responsible for assisting Marlinburg and helping you maintain social order. " The Emperor nodded, and a bright smile appeared on his face. "I have already thought of a name. It will be called Marlinburg Cheka Committee. I will send people to help you and ensure the public security problem."
"Your Majesty, we don't need help. We can take care of ourselves." Schultz had already realized what the Emperor wanted to do.
"Take care of yourself and something like this happens?" Karl-franz interrupted Schultz with a standard smiling emoji. "This kind of thing will only happen zero times and countless times! There will be countless fights and attacks of this scale! I mean, it happens every year, every month, every day! You really don't need my help? "
"As your protector, I will give you an offer that you cannot refuse." The Emperor's lips curled up, but he did not show his teeth. Behind him, the sunlight from the glass window shone into the parliament building and onto the Emperor's back.
The Emperor's back was facing the sunlight, creating a shadow that went all the way to the front of the Marlinburg Parliament. His face was covered by the sunlight, making it hard to see.
The parliament was silent. None of the Marlinburg Parliament members dared to speak. They looked at the Emperor angrily but did not dare to say anything. The Emperor was threatening them! He was threatening Marlinburg. Even if Marlinburg itself was fine, he, Karl-franz, could create problems!
When that happened, the public security would collapse, and Marlinburg's value would be greatly reduced.
"Very well. Since no one can object, I declare that the matter of Marlinburg Cheka Committee has been approved." The Emperor finally showed a satisfied smile. "I will appoint experts, especially demon hunters and security consultants, to work here. When the time comes, please cooperate to solve the public security problem!"
After that, the Emperor turned and left the parliament hall without looking back. "Let's go to the Judon Chamber of Commerce! I want to see if there are any illegal items that have not been found! "
Some of the Marlinburg Parliament members wanted to stop the Emperor from leaving, but someone immediately pulled them back. Karl-franz was the Emperor of the Empire, and this was Empire territory. Who would dare to stop the Emperor from moving freely?
Then the public security problem would rise again, and the Emperor would send the army!
"It's a complete failure." Knight King looked at the depressed and angry faces of the Marlinburg Parliament members and smiled bitterly. "As expected of Karl-franz. He played this beautifully. Marlinburg has completely lost the ability to resist."
"Laing, what do we do now? The Emperor is obviously planning to use this Cheka Committee to gradually control Marlinburg. " Suria whispered into her husband's ear, "This is not in our interest, Laing, if the Emperor can do it."
"Marlinburg has no way to refute the Emperor. Just like what he said, Marlinburg can only admit that it's a public security problem and an attempt to assassinate the Emperor." Laing nodded slightly. Knight King felt that things had become interesting. "Since it's a public security problem and the Emperor can't manage it himself, it's only natural that the Emperor would send people to 'assist' in managing it."
Laing stroked his smooth chin. Knight King's face was full of admiration and caution.
Okay, Karl, you're really good. You can use one thing as an excuse to escalate the situation to such an extent that Marlinburg is completely defeated.
Unfortunately, for the national interest of Knight King, I can't let you set up this Cheka Committee.
This time, I'm going to stand on Marlinburg's side.
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