Etaninburg, Palace Chamber.

It's not the big one, it's the small one near the edge.

However, everyone knew that this small council chamber was the place that really decided Aitandine, and indeed the whole of Hokuriku.

Any command issued from here is enough to affect the lives of millions of people.

As such, no attendants are allowed to approach here.

Aside from those summoned by the king, only the royal guards and Mt. Monte, the only close retainer of Etandine VI, could get close.

Of course, even if a close minister enters here, he needs to pass it on.

Outside the porch, Monte shook off his red gold-rimmed garment to make sure there was nothing wrong with his clothes and countenance, and the courtier, who had just completed the king's order, smiled at one of the captains of the royal guard.

It's no longer that flattering smile, it's a normal smile.

Such a smile does not look nondescript against the backdrop of the thick powder, but has a different sense of stability, which will make people feel good when they see it.

Everyone has a mask.

And as Monte, he has several masks.

When facing different people, he chooses different masks.

In the face of Qin Ran, he was flattering and flattering.

Facing the guards is respect, equality.

Facing Etandine VI?

"Lord Monte, please come in."

The chief of the guard said.

"Thank you."

After a very polite thanks, Monte walked through the door that had been pushed open by the head of the guard.

The small council hall is destined not to be too big.

It looks like less than about 50 square meters.

The fireplace warms the room, a large desk on the right side of the room, on which quills, ink, and many documents are placed in an orderly manner, and against the wall on the left is a wine cabinet with a bookshelf, which occupies two-thirds of the place, and it is full of all kinds of wine that can be found in the Hokuriku, and there are also many wines in the south.

There weren't many books on the shelves.

Especially after the middle floor is occupied by a model of a sailboat.

Sitting in the only high-backed chair in front of the fireplace, there was no one on the few low stools around him, His Majesty the King who had just entered middle age had gray temples, loose cheeks, large bags under his eyes, and bloodshot eyes that made it feel like he was seeing a vicious dog, especially when he looked at you.

"Your Majesty."

Monte stood as straight as a knight, and then, on one knee, head down.

The movements are meticulous, but there is no flattery, as if he is a real minister.

This is how Monte was in the face of Etandine VI: integrity and loyalty.

It's not that he wants to.

Rather, Etandin VI liked such people.

For an ambitious king, any traitor or courtier is not allowed to exist in the true sense, and at most set a target to attract the attention of others.

For example: Monte.

He knew he was the target.

But he knew better that it was what Etandin VI wanted others to see him for, not what Etandin VI wanted to see.

As a close minister, he needs to be conscientious.

Attract those who are in the same stream and who are upright in heart.

And discern what is truly capable.

Then?

Naturally, it was the work of Etandin VI.

As a king, Etandin VI was the most outstanding in Monte's eyes.

Whether it is the ability or the means, he is extremely admired.

This time was no exception.

A dinner party for the new lords of Sika City and the snake witchers!

Of course, it won't be a simple dinner party.

Monte could deduce a thing or two about the purpose mixed in, but he didn't dare to really guess, and he couldn't guess, after all, he was just a close minister.

"How?"

Aitandine VI asked.

His Majesty's voice was hoarse and deep, as if sandpaper had been polished on metal, and it sent chills down the spine when I heard it.

"The guests have arrived."

Monte replied truthfully.

"Did you see Sphinson?"

Aitandine VI asked abruptly.

Sphynson, the full name is Sfinson. Etandin, simply put, is the only son and sole heir of Aitandine VI.

In the face of such an abrupt question, Monte did not panic, and the expression on his face did not change.

"See Your Highness."

"He's in the hall."

Relay everything you see, don't say anything irrelevant, and don't speculate.

Monte remembered who he was, and there was no transgression.

"He's a young man."

"With the impulse of a young man."

"There is also the rebellion peculiar to young people, even if I am a king, I can't stop my children's rebellious period, so I need someone else's help."

"A person who doesn't let go because of his Sphinson's identity."

Etandin VI seemed to be talking to himself, and it was as if he were talking.

"The Serpent Witcher is a good candidate."

At the moment when His Majesty's words paused, Monte spoke appropriately.

"Of course."

"Whether it's the snake faction or the wolf faction."

"They're all very good candidates."

Etandin VI laughed, and the loose flesh on his face shook and shook.

Monte, who knew some secrets, hung his head even lower.

Knowing more isn't necessarily a good thing.

At least here in Aitandine VI.

The 'Black Plague' is a major reshuffle in the North and the South.

Among them, there are many forces that have perished.

The most famous is the 'Wolf Faction' Demon Hunter, and even everyone thinks that the Demon Hunter is a thing of the past, if not for the reappearance of the 'Snake Faction'.

Everything will be decided!

But there ......

Then it needs to be reestimated.

Unlike those people and forces that can be driven by profits, demon hunters who only act according to their inner rules, stubborn as a stone, once they find out the inside story of the 'black plague', I am afraid that they will ...... Will it never die, right?

Monte had this speculation in her heart, and there was a hint of lament on her bowed face.

He didn't want to be a match for the witchers.

Because, he knows how terrible those guys are.

They are the best fighters when facing monsters.

But when it comes to facing enemies, they are the best assassins.

Without a knight's sense of honor, these people can do anything to kill the enemy, and the thought of losing their heads in their sleep in the future makes Monte's neck tense.

As for persuading the king in front of him?

Forget it.

Killed by the Witcher, or died afterward.

Persuade Aitandine VI that he will die right now.

Not to mention......

It's too late.

Sphynson. Etandine will definitely make a move on the serpent witcher.

This is the arrangement of His Majesty the King in front of him.

Afterwards?

Naturally, the spies who had been prepared for a long time swarmed up, and there would be no fight, but only questioning - in front of a witcher who showed great strength, it was most unwise to use force.

But the fact that the witchers will not attack ordinary people without endangering themselves is destined to be the victory of Etandin VI this time.

A 'controlled' snake witcher.

It's bound to attract more witchers.

There are snake factions and wolf factions.

These people will definitely express their 'apologies' when they learn about 'what happened', especially after Etandin VI showed 'modesty' and 'generosity'.

This is the effect that His Majesty the King wants.

A small 'conflict', his own son was just beaten and was able to tie the witcher to his chariot, it was really worth it.

What's more, it's not just the snake witchers.

And the 'foggy' church!

This church, which has shown its strength, is also what his majesty wants to woo.

And, of course, the new Lord of Sika.

Even, Monte can be sure that his majesty must have thrown out the true culprit of the 'Black Plague' at the most opportune time!

When the time comes......

Monte, who thought of something, began to have fine beads of sweat on her forehead.

Sweat flowed into his eyes, a hot sting.

But Monte didn't dare to wipe it at all.

He kept his head bowed, waiting for Aitandine VI to speak.

Fortunately, the wait was not long, and His Majesty said again.

"Have the people of the 'Silent Night Secret Order' entered the city?"

"The representatives of the fourteen councillors have all entered the city after noon!"

"They're all in Silent Night now"

Monte reported again.

"Silent Night!"

An indiscernible cold snort sounded from Etandin VI's nose.

Is there anything else for a king to be built out of a city within a city on his own turf and not be able to interfere in something worse?

Naturally, there are two such cities within cities.

Etandine VI leaned back in his high-backed chair, the crown above his head not shaking, his bloodshot eyes already fixed in a certain direction.

Monte didn't look up, but he knew what his majesty was looking at at this time.

In fact, many people know what His Majesty is really angry and jealous of.

'God of War'!

A being that is inseparable from Etandin.

At a certain time, it can even affect the entire kingdom.

Although it was not as good as before after the 'Black Plague', it still made his His Majesty the King feel like a fish in his throat.

"What about the South?"

Etandin VI collected his emotions and asked calmly.

"Our shipyards are at full capacity, and when summer comes, our warships will be able to fill the entire Cheka Bay!"

Monte's voice involuntarily rose a point.

He was so excited, no matter how much he tried to hide it, he couldn't hide it.

As a courtier of Aitandine VI, he had always feared this His Majesty, but he also admired this His Majesty, and he knew that if His Majesty's plan succeeded, the whole situation of Aitandine would be completely changed.

The kingdom of twilight will inevitably be given new life.

The exploits of Aitandine VI will also be matched by His Majesty I.

"Summer, summer."

Aitandine VI muttered softly.

Then His Majesty stood up.

The old Etandin VI, with the tall, muscular stature of the Hokuriku, had left many marks on the king's face, but not physically.

If you don't look at your face, no one will think of this body as an old man.

It will only be considered that this is a person in the prime of life.

It's still a very strong one.

He walked over to the bookshelf and picked up the model of the sailboat.

It was made by skillful craftsmen in the royal palace.

Not only are the proportions of the size accurate, but the sails, cables, hatches, and guns are the same as on a real ship, as if they had been perfectly reduced and placed on them.

Aitandine VI's fingertips touched the cannons, and his bloodshot eyes were filled with hideous anticipation.

That's the gaze of a conqueror.

It is the eyes that the victors are accustomed to.

"Did those guys react in any way?"

Immersed in fantasy in his mind, Etandin VI asked casually.

"They're trying to woo the 'foggy' church."

"But the people who sent it out failed."

"They also tried to contact the witchers before, but before they could get closer, they were eliminated by our shadows."

Monte knelt down on one knee, raised his head slightly, looked at his majesty's back, and said in detail, with contempt in his tone.

For those old-fashioned, he knows what kind of attitude to use.

He also thinks that the old school deserves such an attitude.

A flock of straw bales!

Perhaps there are some alarming and admirable characters among them.

However, most of them are straw bales that have not achieved enough and have more than they have failed!

Think of the man who co-opted the 'fog' church today.

Do you really think of yourself as a big man to give alms?

I can't even figure out my own positioning, so I want to talk about cooperation, do you really think of yourself as the protagonist in the biography?

If I had such resources, I would have ...... long ago

Thinking of this, Monte quickly stopped his divergent thoughts.

He waited quietly for Etandine VI's next order.

He was well aware that the old school had to be addressed before summer arrived.

Otherwise, this majesty will not be at ease to go on the expedition!

And at this moment-

Jingle bells!

A bell in the small conference room suddenly rang from behind the desk.

Monte looked there in amazement.

He never knew there was a bell there.

However, after seeing the slightly changed countenance of Etandin VI, he understood the importance of this bell.

In other words, the existence of such a bell is normal.

His Majesty in front of him always likes to be prepared for a rainy day and be wary of any danger.

Aitandine VI hurried back to his desk, and with a pull on the handle in his shadows, the bell immediately stopped ringing.

"What happened?"

Aitandine VI asked in a deep voice.

Compared with ordinary times, such a deep voice is more majestic and oppressive.

At least, the voice in the shadows trembled.

"Si, Si ......"

The stammering words, coupled with a trembling voice, made the sentences extremely incomplete.

Aitandine VI frowned.

Rarely, a bad feeling rose in the heart of His Majesty.

"What's going on?"

Suppressing the bad feeling in his heart, Etandin VI asked emphatically.

"It's His Highness Sphynson!"

"His Highness Sphynson was kicked to death by the 'Snake Faction' witchers!"

The voice came clearly.

Thump!

Monte, who was kneeling there, collapsed directly to the ground.

At this moment, in the mind of this close minister, there was only one sentence left-

It's over!