The Elector of Saxony, who had always been resourceful, saw this situation and instinctively felt that something was wrong—

"Could it be that the Second and Third Legions of the North Sea Country were drawn back by the little Caesar of the North Sea Country?"

It was not unreasonable for him to think so, because no matter how you look at the current situation in Beihai Kingdom, you should not fight a decisive battle with your opponent. Therefore, Frederick III believed that there was deception. It's just that he didn't understand what the problem was for a while.

However, before Frederick III could figure it out, an unexpected situation arose in the hall -

I saw the new Archbishop of Trier, Richard, stand up with a smile and say to Johnny:

"Sign it, I believe in the combat effectiveness of the Beihai Army!"

Johnny looked confused, nodded in confusion and said:

"Hmm!"

Then, on behalf of the North Sea State, he signed the duel book.

Henry, Duke of Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttle, happily looked at the duel bookmark, and then looked around:

"Who, then, wants to be a Witness?"

Witnesses are needed in duels to show fairness. After all, duelists are also afraid of their opponents cheating in violation of regulations. So, witnesses are needed.

Of course, the "duel" between nations does not need witnesses, the winner takes all, and the loser loses everything. But out of the habit of personal dueling, Duke Henry still asked who would like to be a witness.

"I'll do it!"

Again, Archbishop Richard of Trier, who was the first to sign and notarize on behalf of the Archbishopric of Trier. After signing, Archbishop Trier whispered in the ear of Henry, Duke of Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttle:

"Congratulations to Duke Henry."

"Haha!" Duke Henry smirked.

It seems that Archbishop Trier is helping the G-8 alliance to seize the land of the North Sea Kingdom.

The actions of the Archbishop of Trier interrupted Frederick III's thoughts. Seeing that there didn't seem to be much of a problem, the other princes who were disgusted with Marin also signed and notarized.

However, Maximilian I, who had always been friendly with the North Sea Kingdom, hesitated and refused to sign. Of course, this is also in line with his personality. If he showed a cheerful appearance, no one would suspect it.

After recalling the "script" provided by Marin, Maximilian I took a deep breath and said:

"Ladies and gentlemen, you are all nobles of noble origin. I guess everyone is a rule-abiding person, right? ”

Duke Henry turned his head to stare at Maximilian I, and said in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty, what do you mean? Do you want to declare this dueling book null and void? Duels are sacred, and even if you're the Emperor, you can't interfere with them! "Apparently, Duke Henry misunderstood, thinking that Maximilian I wanted to forcibly declare the duel null and void.

Maximilian I hurriedly waved his hand and said:

"I'm not intervening in a duel, I just feel that there is no tradition in Europe of killing the nobility and deposing the titles of the nobility. In this case, I will not interfere in your duel, but I hope that if one side wins, the life of the other side will be guaranteed. Also, the knighthood is reserved. Land can be dispossessed, but identity should be preserved. ”

It seems that Maximilian I was entirely worried about the murder or revocation of the title of Caesar the Younger after the defeat of the North Sea State. Therefore, his suggestion looks like leaving a way back for little Caesar. And this is also very in line with the emperor's personality. After all, Caesar was also his "son of the old man".

"Okay, no problem! If we win, we will never harm little Caesar! Duke Henry laughed happily.

The emperor's statement made him even more convinced that he would definitely win this duel war. Don't you see that the emperor is looking for a way out after defeat for his "son of the deceased"?

Then, Maximilian I turned his head and patted Johnny on the shoulder, comforting:

"Don't worry, though I can't divide my forces to help. However, I can still put you in touch with the Italian mercenaries. So, you don't necessarily lose. ”

Speaking of which, many princes laughed - Italian mercenaries? Don't be funny, okay? Can Italian mercenaries be compared to German mercenaries?

Moreover, the princes did not think that the emperor could help find many Italian mercenaries. After all, the Habsburgs were also notoriously "poor". And looking for Italian mercenaries, the combat effectiveness is not as good as that of German mercenaries, not to mention, the commission price is about the same, it is not cost-effective at all......

Duke Henry laughed, as if he had already eaten his opponent.

Seeing that there seemed to be nothing wrong with it, Frederick III also temporarily let down his guard, also went up to sign the notarization, and asked people to add the clause "no killing of the opposing monarch" to the duel book.

Seeing that the leading brother had signed, the princes of various countries also stepped forward to sign and notarize. Everyone's faces were beaming with joy, as if the Beihai Kingdom, the emperor's lackey country, was already doomed......

Only the new Archbishop of Trier, Richard, shook his head with a wry smile on his face, not optimistic about the "Eight-Nation Alliance". Of course, he smiled wryly and shook his head for a short time, but he retracted his expression for a moment, so no one paid attention.

In fact, Archbishop Richard had already guessed one thing - the North Sea Kingdom seemed to be digging a hole for 8 rival vassal states, and the pit was definitely not small......

Just now, he was actually doing Beihai a favor. His actions interrupted Frederick III's thoughts and doubts, and played a certain leading role.

However, he was also not voluntary, but forced......

That's right, the new Archbishop of Trier, Richard, was coerced!

The person who coerced him was none other than the most prestigious pope in Europe......

How was Julius II able to threaten the Archbishop of Trier? Because although Richard was elected as Archbishop of Trier, there was still a process to go through - pope approval......

It was at this threshold that Julius II stuck the other side and forced them to cooperate. Normally, the pope would also make things difficult for the new archbishop. However, a bribe can be done.

But this time, Julius II did not want a bribe from Archbishop Richard, as long as he did something for himself. After doing so, it will be approved for registration and his position will be officially recognized. Can't do it...... If it doesn't give you approval, you won't be able to become an official archbishop......

(Historically, Richard was elected Archbishop of Trier in May 1511, but Julius II somehow signed off on his official Archbishop in April 1512.) The plot in this book needs to be postponed for a few months. ）

Even, through the investigation of the spies in the North Sea Kingdom, the Holy See also mastered some black materials of Archbishop Richard. If the Holy See really uses these black materials, it may be able to remove Archbishop Richard's position......

In desperation, the new Archbishop of Trier, who had not yet "turned regular", had to give in, help find out the news, and secretly promote the signing of this duel......

……

So, although it is not known what hole cards the North Sea Country has, the new Archbishop of Trier Richard can be sure - the North Sea Country will not lose. Therefore, he knew that the princes were rejoicing too soon.

However, Archbishop Richard did not intend to remind the princes. Because, if he does not do it, he may be removed from the status of archbishop by the Holy See. And in order to be elected as the Archbishop of Trier, he can be said to have made a bloody investment, and he did not want to lose his money. Therefore, he chose to remain silent......

Besides, those princes were tricked, what did it matter to him? Becoming the official Archbishop of Trier, and then making a lot of money while in power, is the right thing to do......

In this way, for his own benefit, the new Archbishop of Trier, Richard, betrayed the interests of the princes without blushing and heartbeat......