"I thought the man who invited me to come and counsel with me was the Duke of Byrne. ”

In the early morning, Victor Hughes, who was not very good, held a cup of refreshing mint tea and looked at the black-robed wizard sitting opposite, Dalton Khand, with a blank face.

"After presiding over yesterday's ceremony, the Duke was exhausted. Dalton was still as concise as ever, and he was as disgusted as ever with others: "So the task of negotiating with the Heavenly Dome Palace is carried out by me." ”

"Ceremonies, tired?"

With a sneer, the Imperial Justice's face was full of mockery: "Are you referring to the farce of humiliating the Holy Cross Church, the extraordinary wedding, or the final banquet - as far as I know, half an hour after the banquet began, our Lord Duke left the table 'too much to drink'. ”

"He's got something going on. Frowning slightly, Dalton immediately changed the subject: "And I also believe that you don't care too much about him." ”

"Yes, I don't care about him—he's a nuisance, a scourge, a fanatic, but unfortunately he has a nation that is loyal to him, a group of people who are loyal to him, and a terrible prudence and a supernatural power of action. ”

Regaining his indifferent expression, Victor Theseus said calmly: "So tell me, what is it that woke me up at this time - it should not be for what happened at yesterday's ceremony, apologize to me, right?"

"Do you need it?" asked Dalton Kander.

"No, you don't. ”

The Lord Chancellor was equally concise.

"Then skip this link. Dalton bowed slightly: "I specially invited you to come for the next cooperation intention between the Heavenly Dome Palace and the Red Blood Castle." ”

Both of them are the type of people who hate wasting time and averse to scene talk, so they go straight to the topic.

Although the battle of Eberden ended, the battle of Shenlimburg did not, and the strength of the Ebolden enemy was still there, and it occupied the only outlet of the empire to the sea, and grasped the initiative in this war.

As long as Ebolden is not recaptured, the empire will always be in a passive situation - the terrain of Eboden is not very open, although it has the advantage of transportation, but the limit of 100,000 troops at a time is the limit.

Not only that, but the advantage of transportation, on the other hand, is the same for the enemy - down the river of gems, the imperial capital of Golovin is always within the range of the threat of the Azorean elven army.

This was absolutely unacceptable to the Empire, and the enemy clearly had more troop projection capabilities, and the hoplite legions that the Empire relied on had little advantage over the Elven Warriors and were far less mobile than the other side.

The only ones who can make up for this shortcoming are the Byrne Knights and Boy's hussars, and the Empire also needs the rich Duchy of Byrne to bear some of the logistical pressure caused by this war.

Negotiating with the Duchy of Byrne, making overtures, and obtaining more favorable terms for the empire was the final goal of Victor Hughes' trip.

So here's the problem......

"There is no disparagement of you, Lord Dalton Kander, I know that you are the mentor of Loren Turin. Victor Hughes frowned slightly:

"But this kind of thing is not for you to decide—so tell me, where is Duke Byrne?"

"I told you. Dalton remained aloof:

"Duke, there is something to do now. ”

..........................................

"So, let's get started... Although somewhat rudimentary. ”

The little priest Webber turned around slowly, his eyes swept to Loren, Ain and Charlotte, and slowly spoke.

Byrne Cathedral, once bustling yesterday, has now been restored to its original appearance as a sanctuary by emptiness, and the dawn of dawn shines through the mist through the stained glass and pours onto the bluestone slabs, illuminating the dust in the air like feathers.

It was a wedding that was destined not to go down in history – no groomsmen and bridesmaids, no guardians and witnesses, no packed guests, lavish feasts and singing hymns.

"But for us, a wedding isn't a joy – no, it's a responsibility, it's a commitment, it's an unspeakable burden. Webb spoke softly:

"Moreover, who else is needed to bear witness to our oath but ourselves and those to whom we are to be entrusted?

"The union of man and woman, before the Holy Cross—there is nothing more natural, holy, and pure in this world, and if it is so holy, why must it be seen by all to prove its sanctity?"

The little wizard looked at him very seriously, and his cheeks turned red when he heard the word "union", while the black-haired wizard had a trembling expression, and Charlotte on his side was even more panicked, not daring to make eye contact with Webb.

The place where Weber is standing right now, to be precise, is the main altar and the statue of the Holy Cross behind him, which is the location of the "divine union" of the two last night.

"Loren Turin. Little Priest Webb called softly.

The black-haired wizard nodded.

"We've been friends for many years, and from the first time you appeared in Gumu Town, I've been sure that you must have a mission on your back. Webber exhaled lightly and said in a very solemn tone:

"This mission may or may not have been given to you by the Holy Cross, but in any case you are a person who lives for yourself and for others, and I don't think you can accurately measure what you do, even by the standard of 'hero'. ”

"You have great goals, heavy responsibilities, dreams, ambitions and desires... These are the burdens you have already carried. ”

"And now, I'm going to give you a responsibility that is far heavier than all this, and will even overwhelm you. Weber's tone became more and more solemn:

"And it's not one, it's two. ”

As he spoke, the little priest's eyes were fixed on the black-haired wizard's every move: "Charlotte Turin, Ain Rand... Both of them love you so much, are willing to sacrifice everything they have for you, and have both sacrificed themselves for you more than once. ”

"Ain, she will always be behind you silently, silently doing her best to help you - not seeking fame, not seeking profit, she has touched one after another people who were once hostile to you with her true feelings;"

"As for Charlotte... She gave up the dukedom that might have belonged to her for you, gave up so many honors, and dedicated everything to you wholeheartedly. ”

"So tell me now, answer me... Are you willing to take on this responsibility?"

..............................

"No way!"

Without even thinking about it, Victor Theseus flatly rejected Dalton Kander's proposal: "Although Eberden has been occupied by the Azorean elves, this does not mean that the Nine-Pointed Star Wizard Tower must be built in Byrne!"

"When the Empire recaptures Ebolden, the Wizard Tower will still be rebuilt there!"

"The empire doesn't have that kind of money. Dalton shook his head indifferently: "Byrne has it, and the Turin family has it." ”

It is precisely because Byrne has such financial resources that he cannot rebuild the Nine-Pointed Star Wizard Tower in Byrne - you already have the Empire's premier knight legion, and the financial and material resources are huge enough to compete with the Empire, do you still want to become the center of the wizarding world, and even the leader?!

Of course, Victor Hughes would not say such a thing, and he believed that Dalton Kander on the other side understood what he really thought.

"The Nine-Pointed Star Wizard's Tower, which is to the wizarding world what the Cathedral of Golovin is to the Church of the Holy Cross, should of course be built in the imperial capital of Golovin, not in a southerly duchy castle. The Chancellor said it another way:

"Of course, if Byrne wants to establish his own wizarding guild, the empire will never interfere, and all the burdens and responsibilities will be borne by Byrne himself. ”

To put it simply, the meaning of this sentence is that "the Empire will not interfere with Byrne's wizarding guild, and you can do whatever you want, but the position of the Nine-Pointed Star Wizard Tower and the center of the wizarding world must be left to the imperial capital of Golovin, even if it is nominally."

That's what Dalton needs, but he wants more than that.

"If the Heavenly Dome wants the Red Blood Castle to make concessions on the issue of the Wizard Tower, then it must provide compensation in other ways. Dalton said in a deep voice.

"In the next elven war, the Red Blood Castle needs the power to lead the army alone. ”

"No, the Red Blood Fortress must obey the orders of the Heavenly Dome Palace!" Victor Hughes categorically vetoed: "This is a total war, and the entire empire must follow the imperial orders of His Majesty Conod!"

"Byrne can bear all the expenses of this war on his own, and does not need any supplies from the Empire. ”

"I said that this is impossible—all the wealth, military strength, and battles of the empire must be in charge of the Heavenly Dome Palace, planned by the Imperial Cabinet, and decided by His Majesty, and no principality can go to war without receiving an order, let alone disobey orders!"

"We have agreed to the material needs of the Heavenly Dome Palace, and agreed to assist the Imperial Legions in the next battle, is the Heavenly Dome Palace not willing to make even such a small concession?"

"Of course we can make concessions, but it must be within reasonable limits - because the Red Blood Castle is a vassal of the Heavenly Dome Palace, this is not an equal negotiation, you and the Duke of Byrne behind you have no right to make equal demands, please make this clear, Your Excellency Dalton Kander!"

"So to what extent is the Heavenly Dome Palace willing to make concessions?"

Dalton, who looked indifferent, still did not give up, and threw the problem back to Victor Hughes.

"As I said, we can make a certain amount of concessions within reason—we don't mind letting the House of Turin get the honor and benefits they deserve from this war, but the supreme authority must belong to Emperor Conrad!"

"Since you are so insistent, then simply do not budge. Dalton was still indifferent, and the toughness of the other party did not surprise him: "Let's make a deal." ”

"Deal?"

"That's right, my offer is that one-third of the Empire's military expenses and material circulation will be handed over to the United Chamber of Commerce of the Duchy of Byrne, and the Duke's army has the power to requisition materials from warehouses throughout the empire in wartime, and the United Chamber of Commerce will be responsible for compensating for the requisition. Dalton said coldly:

"Would you like to make this deal?"

........................

"I do!" this is Loren Turin.

"I do!" this is Ayn Rand.

"I do!" this is Charlotte Turin.

The little priest Weber bowed slightly: "Since none of you have any objections, then I formally declare in my capacity as Bishop of Byrne, a servant of the Holy Cross, that with the secular law, the doctrine of the Church, and the authority given to me by the Holy Cross, I will grant you the right to be betrothed to the three of you, and to grant you the right of formal union." ”

"Since you are willing to make vows to each other, your wedding will no longer need to be witnessed by anyone—when the Holy Cross and your loved ones are witnesses to the vows, any outsider... Including me... are all redundant. Speaking of this, Webb couldn't help but chuckle:

"I guess it's probably the most bizarre and quintessential engagement ceremony I've ever presided over — so that's all I can say......"

"I wish you all happiness. ”

Facing the little priest's hopeful gaze, the black-haired wizard bowed slightly: "This blessing of yours... I, Loren Turin......"

"Accepted. ”

....................................

"Yes, but only if you come up with something that is comparable to the price. Victor Theseus smiled coldly, with a slight mockery in his expression:

"I heard that Duke Byrne's mentor is the Wings of the Firmament, the founder of the Witcher Legion, but do you still have information about the Azorean elves in your hands?"

"With all due respect, if that's the case, you don't have to think about it anymore - Your Majesty has already been on the battlefield and knows everything you should know, and if you don't know, it means that someone deliberately concealed it and didn't report it... That's going to kill people. ”

"I'm afraid the intelligence of the Azorean elves is not as good as the price I offered. Dalton Kander's face did not change: "What I want to take out my hand is beyond the reach of His Majesty Connad I." ”

"Oh, what is that?" Victor Theseus became interested: "What His Majesty the Emperor wants but can't get... Is there such a thing?"

"Yes. ”

Dalton bowed slightly, and softly pronounced the name: "Root Infinit." ”

"I know where he is. ”

Victor Theseus's brows jumped, and an indescribable panic welled up in his heart: "You, you mean ......"

"He's the former leader of the Night's Watch, and he knows the truth about that night... I can give him to His Majesty Emperor Conrad. Dalton said coldly:

"I know His Majesty the Emperor is looking for him too, right?"

"This kind of thing, it's not like I, a former justice, can ......"

"But I want you to make a decision now, or please forget what I just said - capturing the leader of the Night's Watch is tantamount to spying on the royal family, and you and I are well aware of the consequences of improper operation, but if you succeed, you will become an absolute confidant of Emperor Conod, so tell me ......"

"Will you say yes or not?"