"The Holy Acropolis was the first barbarian army to convert to the Church of the Father during the Battle of Gutero hundreds of years ago, and it was also one of the strongest military forces on the entire battlefield at that time. ”

Holding a map of the diocese, Cumberland analyzed to Todd: "At that time, the Holy Acropolis had the most powerful cavalry regiment in the entire plain, and their soldiers were fierce and disciplined. It is no exaggeration to say that half of the credit for the tragic victory of that war should be attributed to the Holy Acropolis. Therefore, after the end of the Barbarian War, the Church gave the most fertile piece of land on the Moon Creek Plain to the Holy Acropolis in exchange for the allegiance of the kings. ”

Cumberland leaned down and tapped a large area of land east of the Watchtower with his knuckles: "The territory of the Holy Acropolis is located to the east of the Silver Ring City, and in terms of area, it is smaller than the latter. However, the Holy Acropolis has an innate advantage in resources, in addition to a large number of war resources such as wild horses and iron, there is a river that originates from the Falling Star Mountains and flows through its territory. ”

"The well-developed industry of weapons and armor making in the Holy Acropolis, as well as water-powered mills, horse breeding, etc., all benefited from this river. These innate advantages have allowed the country to gradually develop into the existence of the Papal States in military strength second only to that of the Papal States in the entire diocese. ”

Looking at Cumberland's eloquent appearance, Todd could not see in his expression the mustard caused by yesterday's argument at all.

The character of the old man is exactly like this, he will always immediately raise doubts about any dissatisfaction with his superiors, but once the interests of the state are involved, he will put aside all personal grievances and concentrate on his own work and obligations.

Todd looked at the national territory on the map, thought for a moment, and asked suspiciously: "I have a question, since the Holy Acropolis is already so powerful, why did the church judge the Silver Ring City to them this time." Isn't this a move that will further increase the strength of the Holy Acropolis and the Church's balancing technique?"

"Your Majesty, that's a good question!" Cumberland straightened up and cast an approving look at Todd, "I've discussed this matter with Emerson, and we think there are several reasons. ”

"First, compared to the growth of the Holy Acropolis, the church is more afraid of the strength of the Twilight Kingdom. ”

"2. According to the testament of the kings of the Holy Acropolis, those who take the throne must obtain the approval of the Pope, and the Church believes that it is sure that it can control the Holy Acropolis. ”

"Third, today's Silver Ring City is no longer the 'Silver City' of the past. The entire city was in ruins, with food and supplies in desperate short supply, no different from the ruins. By ceding such a place to the Holy Acropolis, the Church believes that not only will it not increase the strength of the other party, but will drag down the strength of the country. ”

Listening to Cumberland's analysis, Todd nodded, but later asked another question: "But this still can't explain why the Holy Acropolis sent a mission to ask us for help. ”

Cumberland looked at Todd and smiled bitterly, "To be honest, neither Eimerson nor I can guess why the Holy Acropolis is asking us for help. ”

Todd fixed his gaze on the map, pondered for a moment, and said softly, "We'll find out tonight." ”

——————————————

At five o'clock in the evening, the ceremonial hall of the palace of the west of the sunset.

Huggins acted as the royal housekeeper, directing the royal servants and setting up the reception venue.

The beautiful and unique Dumuyat wool carpet was carefully unfolded by the male servants and laid on the smooth marble floor.

The flawless and ingenious artificial crystal vessels were taken out of the velvet-padded camphor wood boxes by the maids and placed on the tables in order of seating and position.

The "Golden Skylark" troupe came to the luxurious backstage of the ceremonial hall early and was making final preparations before the performance.

Barbara, the popular actress of the troupe, wore a sky blue opera gown and carefully touched up her makeup in front of the mirror. A small diamond flower in the style of "Lilielle" is inlaid on the chest of the dress, shining in the light.

Looking at her delicate face in the mirror, Barbara let out a sigh of admiration: "There is such a magical thing in the world, in this crystal, I can even see my own eyelashes!"

The head of the Golden Skylark stretched out his hand like a chicken, blasted away a large group of members behind Barbara who admired the "strange things", turned his head to the top star of his troupe and said, "The thing in front of you is not a crystal, but a 'mirror'." It's a new gadget just invented by a few workshop masters, and I heard that the Holy Son has also helped those craftsmen build a factory guarded by the army for such a thing. ”

Barbara stroked her hair and asked hopefully, "After this performance, if Your Majesty is happy, I wonder if you will reward me with such a 'mirror'?"

"Don't you dream!" The troupe leader rolled his eyes, "Do you know how precious this mirror is?!" One side is placed in the King's dormitory, one side is placed in the Twilight Academy, and the other side is placed here. Someone once offered 500 Jin Xu, hoping to buy one, but it was also in vain!"

Barbara glared at the head of the regiment vigorously and said nothing.

Time passed until six o'clock in the evening, and outside the inner gate of the royal castle, horse-drawn carriages of extreme luxury slowly stopped on the square. A glamorous lady and gentleman, under the guidance of the royal attendants, walked along the dreamlike crystal street lamps and along the clean and tidy royal garden road, and walked into the ceremonial hall one after another.

Huggins, dressed in a ceremonial dress, was busy handling all the affairs of the dinner.

Beside him is Edgar with the "Speed" ability, and the physical work is Jerry Jerry with the "Berserk" ability.

The former has become a trainee knight of the Dusk West Knights by virtue of his military exploits and recommendations, while the latter has lived on the North Island for more than half a year, and because of his honest character and infinite strength, he was elected as the deputy head of the North Island Knights and returned to the Dusk West City.

After bringing a well-known scholar from the Twilight Academy and his wife into his seat, Edgar stuck out his tongue and sat down at Huggins' feet, complaining miserably, "I'm going crazy with exhaustion!

Huggins and the head chamberlain in charge of the back kitchen, after checking the menu again, smiled and took an apple from his bosom and threw it to Edgar.

took the apple and wiped it with his sleeve, Edgar took a bite directly into his mouth, and then said to Huggins vaguely: "It's been several years, and you still haven't changed the problem of hiding food in your pocket!"

Huggins gave Edgar a pop on the top of his head and kicked him in the ass: "When eating, hide some of it for me, don't let your eating affect the appetite of the guests!"

Giving him a blank look, Edgar turned his body to the pillar and began to deal with the apple in his hand intently.

Little Jerry, who is nearly two meters tall and has a strong physique like a giant bull, walked up to Huggins, touched the back of his head and said with a smile: "I helped the troupe set up the stage." ”

Huggins patted him on the arm, took another apple from his bosom, tossed it to Jerry, and went about coordinating the rest of the dinner.

The banquet in the venue had not yet begun, and His Majesty the King and the envoys had not yet arrived, so the attention was more focused on the guests.

Men compare identity and status, while women naturally compare beauty and temperament.

After a battle between the open and the dark, the first competition for beauty in the upper class of Dusk West City secretly decided two winners.

One is Mary, who is naturally the "Princess of the Holy Acropolis", who wears a moon-white evening dress designed and cut by herself, and her natural beauty and radiant appearance are even more stunning against the background of jewelry and clothing.

The other winner, on the other hand, surprised everyone. He is the chief swordsman of the royal family and the chief executive judge of the court of Twilight. This gender-obsessed person has long pale blonde hair tied into a twisted braid, which quietly hangs sideways on his chest. Because of the king's permission, he wears a thin sword with him. The petite and graceful posture, the red complexion of the white muscles of the wrists, and the rumored superb swordsmanship form a sharp contrast in temperament, which makes people deeply experience a completely alternative beauty.

"Your Majesty has arrived!"

With a shout from the herald, everyone in the hall stopped talking and looked to the end of the hall.

With a sincere smile, Todd walked into the hall, followed by a serious, unashamed Cumberland.

Amid the cheers of the crowd, Todd came to the throne and stretched out his hand to signal everyone to move freely without restraint, then he looked around and whispered to Cumberland, "The envoys of the Holy Acropolis do not seem to have arrived yet. ”

The latter said solemnly to Todd: "Your Majesty, I have dealt with the people of the Holy Acropolis, they are valiant and good soldiers, and they are also arrogant warriors, so when communicating with them, try to pay attention to your words and actions. ”

Todd nodded, signaling that he understood.

A few minutes later, a report came from outside the door: "The Holy Acropolis envoys have arrived!"

The audience turned their attention to the entrance of the ceremonial hall, each with a different expression on their faces, including curiosity, doubt, uneasiness, and apprehension.

As king, Todd rose from his throne, and now he had only one thought in his mind, desperate to meet what Cumberland called the strongest army in the Ecclesiastical Territory, the kingdom that galloped into battle and would be strong.

Soon, five figures appeared at the gate.

Before Todd could see the appearance of the comer, the man at the head of the mission, as soon as he stepped into the hall, fell to the carpet with a pop, unconscious.