In early January 1218 of the continental calendar, the entire continent became unusually quiet.

Although the declaration of war on the Klan City Alliance immediately after the end of the Orc Civil War made the situation tense for a while, the real war outside Klan City did not break out as expected. Even the huge army of the orcs amassed on the east bank of the Kemir River showed no signs of mobilizing after the declaration of war.

The high-profile declaration of war by Shikan-Silver Axe seems to have turned into a joke ...

However, the Crane City Union did not and did not dare to take this as a joke. Since New Year's Day, the area north of Crane City has been preparing for war. Of course, there are also people who suspect that Shikan-Silveraxe's high-profile declaration of war was deliberately done by him to consume the resources of the alliance, when in fact, the orcs did not want to fight this war at all.

It was mainly the city-state alliance of the Suke Plain that preached this view,

For this, they also found two reasons for themselves:

First, the Shikan-Silver Axe began with the war between the northern clans and the unification, and all wars did not have the habit of declaring war in advance, and second, the orcs had just finished the civil war, and they simply did not have the spare energy to fight another large-scale battle.

Over time, this view has gradually gained traction at the top of the Crane City league.

Because, most of the people in the alliance are not willing to fight this war from the bottom of their hearts, such as the Kingdom of Misha and the Grand Duchy of Suluk, they are willing to believe that Shikan-Silver Axe will not fight this war; It's because within the Alliance, except for the Elven Kingdom in the Naren Forest, all other countries are now poor!

The harsh reality has made them unable to withstand any toss...

Although most of the alliance is reluctant to lead a large-scale battle with the orcs in Klan like the orc invasion war three years ago. However, under the threat of the orc army on the north bank of the Kemir River and the army of the Balu Kingdom in Banson Town, the army of the alliance was still proclaimed with the joint support of all countries, but the formation of the Allied command was delayed due to the uneven distribution of interests among all parties.

Just as the Klan City Alliance was arguing over their coalition headquarters, Shikan-Silveraxe suddenly announced the news of the orc state to the entire Elan continent on January 8th!

He called his country by the Kamok Khanate,

And the city of Crane was once called the city of Kamok by Shikan-Silveraxe!

In the declaration of the founding of the orc tribes, they directly classified the Klan Territory as their inherent territory, and called the Klan City Alliance a shameful invader.

Subsequently, Shikan-Silveraxe issued a series of war declarations in the name of the Kamok Khanate, threatening that their great khanate would wage the largest war in the history of the continent of Elan to reclaim their territory!

On January 15th, the new royal banner of Shikan-Silver Axe arrived in the sky above Anku Fortress.

On January 20th, the orcs' newly formed army of 200,000 attackers entered the Anku Fortress Fortress Fortress Group.

...

The city of Crewe, the capital of the Kingdom of Kruria,

After the 10-day carnival of the New Year, the whole city is once again in a state of high speed, and countless workers are working silently to keep their families alive in large factories that have been renovated by goblins and handicraft workshops that are still running with old equipment.

Outside the city, farms and ranches that have ended their vacations are getting busy.

When spring comes, some young people with dreams go to remote and barren areas in response to the country's call to reclaim wasteland, trying to start a different life from their parents in an unknown and distant place.

After the New Year, in addition to the speech of King Pedi Reagan of the kingdom, the non-commissioned officer school presided over by Cowlier was also hotly discussed by the citizens. Because, the enrollment target of this school is actually for the citizens of the entire kingdom, not ... Limited to the descendants of the nobility.

Although school tuition fees are still frighteningly high, many middle-class families are not unacceptable, and even some working families can afford a child to study in school by saving money, but only if they pass the exam.

Tuition is not a problem, class is not a problem,

The only question is the authority of this school, in other words, what is the future that awaits the children after they have finished their studies?

Subsequently, the Kingdom Court issued an announcement that the Kingdom Knight Guard would select the top ten students who graduated from the non-commissioned officer school and would be canonized as Kingdom Knight by His Majesty the King.

This announcement not only responds to everyone's concerns,

It directly pushed this non-commissioned officer school, which has not yet been established, to the highest point of public opinion.

The location of the school is very particular, and after several months of investigation, Cowlier chose the original city defense garrison... A small inner fort built on the inner and outer city walls.

However, when Collier declared the school's address to the cabinet, Daisily Pombo refused. But Collier didn't give up, and he reported the location of his school to Pedi while he summoned him alone, and Pedi directly approved the request.

Wild Deer Mountain Non-commissioned Officer School, which Pedi named after Wild Deer Mountain, one of the two peaks next to Crewe City.

On January 25th, when Shikan-Silveraxe ambitiously held his swearing-in meeting at Anku Fortress, the Yelushan Non-commissioned Officer School was officially established.

However, Pedi unexpectedly sent his prime minister, the Marquis of Daisily Pombo, to participate in the establishment of the school in his place. During the ceremony, which lasted three hours, Daisily Pombo had a black face. When the ceremony was over, he left without even saying hello.

In the evening, Edwin Filming, who had finished his cabinet business, quietly came to the school and was received by Cowlier in his principal's office.

After the two exchanged pleasantries, Cowlier invited Edwin Filmin to sit down.

"You've offended our Prime Minister this time. Sitting on the simple wood-paneled modular sofa in the principal's office near the window, Edwin Fellin looked left and right, "You're pretty shabby here. ”

"There is no way, the school's funds are limited, so we can only save a little. Collier made two cups of tea and said indifferently: "Our Prime Minister didn't like me in the first place, and when I entered the cabinet, he did everything possible to block it, and now he doesn't even agree to the location of a school, and he thinks that the whole cabinet is up to him if he doesn't give him some color." ”

"This doesn't look like you," Edwin Fellin looked at Cowlier seriously, and then whispered, "You, don't play with fire and set yourself on fire... And don't forget how you got kicked out of Crewe in the first place!"

"I will never forget it without your reminder. Collier chuckled under his breath, no joy or anger on his face, "Don't worry, I'll be fine... Because our Majesty is not the Emperor of Laubert, nor is he the stupid Sinda... His Majesty does not like infighting, and the spies of the police department are all over the kingdom, and if Daisily Pombo dares to take the lead at this time, I am sure he will get an unforgettable memory. ”

"But—" the old mage said, "Do you think our Majesty really likes a harmonious cabinet?" he held up his teacup to cover most of his face, "Would you be relieved if your guild's subordinates were united?"

Edwin Filmin shook his head, "But the police department seems to have gotten a little bit lately..."

"What you see is only temporary, Don Wright and Hannina just haven't adapted to the new set of laws after the establishment of the kingdom. Cowlier interrupted Edwin's next words, "Our Majesty is still basking in the honor of the throne, and when one day they both come to their senses—" he shook his head and did not continue.

Edwin Filmin was not surprised by Collier's words, but he was surprised that the other party said it at this time, he was silent for a while, and after Cowlier put down his teacup, he asked, "Did you get any news?"

Cowlier laughed and was silent for a long time before he said, "Don't you think the cabinet is in charge of a little too much now?" he looked at the silent starry sky outside the window with cloudy eyes, "Or don't you think that Daisily Pombo has been stretching his hand a little too long lately? ”

"Sir Sir Sir Marne's intel?" asked Edwin Film, subconsciously.

"Do you think Sir Cyla will casually reveal her position?"

"That..."

"Negotiations with other countries don't seem to have been going well lately, right?" Cowlier asked rhetorically.

"Well...," Edwin Filmin was silent for two seconds, because there were some questions that he couldn't say, but he finally chose to say it, "Your Majesty wants to support Shikan-Silveraxe's war against the Crane Territory, but Daisily Pombo disagrees, and in order to stop Your Majesty, our Prime Minister has united many nobles to put pressure on Your Majesty. ”

"Uniting the orcs against the elven alliance of the Suker Plains is the right choice no matter how you look at it. Edwin Fellin frowned and said, "But Daisily Pombo does not agree to it, and he does so that even Sir Sir Sheila Marne is not free to express his position." ”

"I've heard—" Collier's voice was inaudible, and a simple sound-insulating magic was formed with a flick of his wrist as he spoke, "I've heard that certain nobles have been sabotaging His Majesty's orc immigration program, capturing orcs everywhere and secretly executing them... And behind these people stood a certain big man in the kingdom's cabinet. ”

"This is a fact that everyone knows, but no one dares to report it to His Majesty. Edwin Fellin shrugged helplessly, "Even His Excellency Morinda himself doesn't dare to say a word, let alone us." ”

"Maintaining a rapport with the orcs is a huge diplomatic advantage for our kingdom, and the best way to maintain that relationship is undoubtedly to open up the immigration policy, although... Your Majesty's step was a bit quick, but it was correct. Collier took a deep breath and said regretfully, "However, few people can understand our majesty, and many people think that this is a betrayal of honor..."

"A lot of people... In particular, the original upper nobles of the kingdom advocated an alliance with the Duchy of Suluk and the Duchy of Twak, rather than the Orcs. Edwin Fellin nodded, "These people have a high status within the kingdom, and if you want to get rid of them... Unless the kingdom's own laws are changed, which have been formed since more than 200 years ago!"

"His own laws," Cowlier whispered softly, "with the vicissitudes of history, this set of laws has long lost the value of his existence, because it exists only to protect the interests of the upper nobility... Or rather, its existence has hindered the future development of the kingdom. ”

Edwin Fellin shook his head, "However, the law upholds the descendants of the earliest followers who followed the Reagan family ancestors to open up the Wasteland Crewe, and these descendants are scattered throughout the kingdom, and it is not possible to eradicate them with a single word. ”

"Haha!" Cowlier whispered and laughed out loud, "Not necessarily... Why was the police station created? and, for the new aristocracy and wealthy merchants... The urban middle class, these people are their natural enemies. He blew lightly on the heat of the tea and tightened his clothes, "And, all you see is some high-flying leader... In fact, the reality is that there is a considerable number of people within these people who want to change their current situation through reform. ”

"For example—" The old mage held his teacup to warm his cold hands in the winter and smiled at his political allies, "For example, Baron Aemond... He has returned from the Dwarven Kingdom, and His Majesty has relieved him of his position as the mayor of Balan Town, what do you think Your Majesty will arrange for him next?"

"Baron Aemond, he's the Marquis of Daisiri who spent a lot of effort to get back to Crewe from Balan, he..."

"That's how you see this?" Cowlier put down his teacup, lay down on the wooden chair, and looked out the window at the night sky, asking, "Why was Baron Aemond sent to Balan... The position you are sitting in should have been his, do you really think that the embezzlement case of 500,000 gold coins is over? You still don't understand the ultimate purpose of His Majesty's establishment of the police station. ”

"Some people think that in the name of the old lady, they can hide from everyone and let all the investigations be suspended. Collier smiled coldly, "But they underestimated His Majesty's tolerance for such things, and also underestimated His Majesty's methods. He suddenly turned his head to look at Edwin Film, "During my time in Sekka Town, not only was I preparing for the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but I was also ordered to secretly investigate the embezzlement case of 500,000 gold coins, as well as the promoters behind Bell Cade, and even the civil war with the Heron Lords later were on my investigation list. ”

"What did you find?" said Edwin Film, a little nervous on his face.

"It seems... You do have something to hide from me... But deny it, it's nothing, after all, who doesn't have a little secret?" Collier pointed to the cigar in Edwin's arms, "In short, you can feel free to take a bold stand now, which will make you lose some of the support, but you will get more." He took the cigar handed over by Edwin, bit the cigar head with his mouth, and said, "Look at me now, you should know how to choose, right?"

"It's not a simple multiple-choice question. Edwin Fellin leaned back in his chair and looked at the dark starry sky outside the window like an old mage, "Once you make a choice, it means that there is no way back. ”

"But the path you choose is a wide avenue. Cowlier took over, "So, there's no need to retreat at all... Shikan-Silveraxe has completed his oath meeting in Anku Fortress, and the war in the Klan Territory will break out in full force in a month at most, do you think our King will remain silent?"

"Looks like you're getting some hints?" asked Edwin Film, reluctantly.

"This is not the Sir Edwin I know. Collier gulped down on his cigar, "Or maybe it's because you're too high now that you're afraid of falling?" but you forgot that climbing isn't about being cautious, it's about what you have to hold on to!"