"First of all, I need to be sure of one thing. Arnold glanced at Louie, and the expression on the guy's face didn't know whether it was anticipation or banter, which made Arnold very uncomfortable, "Is it possible to win against such an enemy, based on the number of people alone?"

"It is true that it is very difficult for ordinary soldiers and armies to deal enough damage to such a guy who has reached the level of a demon lord, but it is different if there is our city of Vodahara, which is enough to hold more than 200,000 troops, and with the help of Vodahara's fortress and the weapons created by the Arcane craftsmen, the accumulation of numbers will no longer be a simple accumulation of numbers, but can be truly converted into combat effectiveness. Duke Æthelwolf said, and it was evident from his courteous explanation that Northway was very anxious for reinforcements from Figlaf and Tamská.

"However, no matter how strong a fortress is, it is only a fortress fortress after all, maybe we can rely on the city of Vodahra to repel the enemy, but it is impossible to destroy the enemy—if we need to defend the city, how can we pursue it?" Arnold's expression did not become relaxed by Duke Æthelwolf's explanation, and he still insisted on his own thoughts, "Therefore, we must have the means to destroy this demon, otherwise even if we win a battle under Vodahara, we will only be laying the groundwork for future dangers." ”

"However, who can ...... such a mission," Duke Æthelwolf frowned tightly, his eyes deliberately or unintentionally aimed at Archbishop Benedict, "where do we find such power? It is almost impossible for mortals to defeat a demon Lord-level guy." ”

"But if you follow your method and simply pile up victory with the lives of our warriors, then such a victory is no different from defeat. Arnold shook his head, "Tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of young men have died, who will the people in our territory rely on to feed? What's more, even if we can use this cruel method to survive this time, what will we do next time, once that demon returns, will we still have to fight with the lives of our warriors?"

Duke Æthelwolf sighed helplessly. "I see what you mean, Duke Arnold, this is certainly not the outcome we want to see in Northway. However, it is precisely because there is no other way that such means are compelled to be used. If there's anything better you can do, speak up and I'll hear you. ”

Archbishop Benedict kept his eyes down, silently listening to the conversation between Arnold and the Duke of Æthelwolf. Although he didn't look at it, the archbishop could also know that the eyes of the two dukes must have been looking at him.

"Only the gods can destroy the demons. The archbishop spoke slowly, and a low and solemn voice resounded in the church, "If it can be proved that such an evil really appears in the human world, then you should be able to ask the gods for help, and the benevolent archangel will never sit idly by and watch his followers suffer the ravages of evil." ”

"So......" Duke Æthelwolf stared at the archbishop, "Your Excellency Archbishop Benedict, can I ask you about this matter?"

The archbishop's eyes were so lowered that even Louis couldn't see his eyes.

"It's incumbent on me. ”

Duke Æthelwolf breathed a sigh of relief.

"In that case," Arnold looked at Archbishop Benedict and nodded, as a salute, "The Cold Mountain Leader will also send 25,000 men to support the city of Vodahara, and at the same time, I will lead all the knights of the Blood Cross Knights to fight evil in person." ”

When Arnold said twenty-five thousand, the Duke of Æthelwolf's expression did not change in the slightest, but his brow trembled when Arnold said the name of the Blood Cross.

"Is that reliable, and with the three of us together, and with the Blood Cross and Archbishop Benedict, I believe we can hopefully repel and even destroy this evil. ”

"Hopeful...... "Oz muttered to himself in a low voice, even if the three dukes tried their best, they could only say that there was hope to overcome, and even a little comfort in this hope was not easy to say.

"That's all for today, then. Louis patted his shoulder lazily, as if sitting made him very tired, "I will have a banquet in the evening, and I invite you two to enjoy the light." ”

His voice was powerless, insincere.

"Then I'm looking forward to it, Talgateka's Vortagan cuisine. The Duke of Æthelwolff smiled, but his words seemed to have a deeper meaning.

Arnold didn't speak, he simply stood up, and left the church directly with Titus, Oz and others.

The Duke of Æthelwolf said goodbye to Louis very formally, but Louis's eyes stayed on Arnold's departing back.

In the empty church, only Archbishops Louis and Benedict remained.

"Teacher. Staring at the church door, Louis turned his back to the archbishop and said, "It seems that sooner or later Northville and Fegraf will be our enemies." ”

"Yes, but not yet, we still have to treat them as allies until we become enemies. ”

"In comparison, teacher, who do you think is more of a threat to us? Louis ignored the archbishop's last words, and continued to speak his own words.

Archbishop Benedict was silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on Louis's back, his eyes dim.

"Fegraf. ”

A sinister smile tugged at the corners of Louie's mouth.

"Sure enough, it's my teacher, exactly like I thought. Arnold, my cousin, has been deliberately keeping his distance from us since he entered this church. Whether it is a provocation or a rebuttal, he is showing his opposition to us, all in order to pave the way for a break with us, and sooner or later, there will inevitably be a life-and-death battle between us in Tamska and Figlaf. ”

Archbishop Benedict did not speak, he did not have any doubts about Louis's judgment, he was only worried about the mentality of his disciple.

"My sister went to look for you, didn't she?" Louis suddenly changed the subject, turning his face to look at the archbishop.

"Yes. Without hesitation, the archbishop admitted, "Miss Michelia does not want to marry His Excellency Alfred. ”

"Hmph, what a stupid woman. Louis wrinkled his nose, it seemed that he and his sister were not on good terms, "What is she to dislike Alfred, for her, being able to marry the heir of Northway is already the best choice." Since she didn't want to, then she had to accept the worse choice. ”

Archbishop Benedict looked at Louis in surprise. "What kind of marriage would you like to arrange for her?"

"Let her marry into the cold mountain collar. Louie's gaze became cold, and there was almost no human emotion in his eyes, "If Arnold wants to make any moves, then it's better to get news from my stupid sister, right?"

"Marry into the ...... of the Cold Mountain," repeated Archbishop Benedict, "then, to whom?"

Louis lowered his eyes.

"Arnold may not accept it, but it doesn't matter, anyone can be that Webster, as long as she marries her into the Cold Mountain Collar ......"

"It's useless, Lord Duke. The archbishop sighed and interrupted Louis, "Once you make such an arrangement, it will cause the alarm of Duke Arnold. Our main goal now is not to lead the cold mountain collar, please don't lose your mind because of personal feelings. ”

Louis was silent.

"Well, let's think about it for a while. ”

——————————————————

Arnold did not choose to stay in the city of Fotagen, but took his troops to occupy an abandoned residential area near the city wall as a temporary military camp.

Having spent some time in Vortagen, Arnold was familiar with the place, and although the place he chose was not too comfortable, it was still passable.

After settling down, Titus immediately came to find Arnold.

"Lord Duke, do you need me to send a message to Lionheart Castle now, asking Miss Serena to gather the army?"

"Gather the army, why?" Arnold glanced at Titus.

Titus was stunned for a moment, Arnold's attitude made him a little confused.

"Didn't you promise the Duke of Æthelwolf to send twenty-five thousand men and the Knights of the Blood Cross to support the city of Vodahara?"

Arnold sighed, seemingly helpless at Titus' stupid question.

"I said so, but the talks are not completely over yet, and this is just a preliminary verbal agreement. Even if we have to send troops, we have to set a time with the Norsvik side, and they still need a lot of preparation to let our reinforcements into the territory, and it is not a hasty decision. ”

"But it will take us some time to gather our troops, not to mention the current season, and I am afraid that if we gather late, we will not be able to catch up with the battle over there. ”

Titus's honest answer really made Arnold a little speechless, which reminded Arnold of Fonner, if he was talking to Fonner about it, then probably he wouldn't need to explain so much.

"There's no need to worry about that, like you said, it's a difficult thing to call up an army in the cold winter, and we don't have to do that for Northville. Moreover, since the Duke of Æthelwolf was able to leave the Eastern Territory at this time, it means that the urgency of the matter has not yet reached the level that requires us to be in such a hurry. Time exists, and the problem we face is precisely not time. ”

"What's that?" Titus blurted out subconsciously.

"The way to defeat that demon. Arnold's gaze became gloomy, "I don't know where Northway's confidence comes from, Vodahara is just a city after all, even if that demon can't break through their fortress, can't it go to their other territories? ”

"But, this method ......" Titus had a headache, thinking about such things was not his forte.

"There's another thing that worries me. Although there is some helplessness about Titus's simple mind, such a person is easier to control, so Arnold also said a few more words to Titus, "The imperial capital is also calling us, the imperial council cannot be refused, the affairs on both sides are very urgent, I am afraid that we will be in a dilemma at that time." ”

Titus thought about it, and also felt that it was quite tricky, on the one hand, it was the invasion of the White People, and on the other hand, it was the threat of demons, neither of which was easy to deal with.

"So be it. After thinking for a while, Arnold said to Titus, "You immediately send an order for Doug to come to Vortagan with the remaining half of the Blood Cross of Lionheart, and then the half of the Blood Cross will be handed over to him, and he will lead him to the city of Vodahara." ”

"Doug?" Titus was a little surprised, "and handed him half a Blood Cross...... Is this appropriate?"

Arnold knew that Titus was questioning Doug's ability, and in fact, Arnold himself knew that with Doug's ability, he could not lead half of the Blood Cross Knights at all.

"It's okay, when you get to Vodahara, let him obey Northway's arrangement, and I don't expect him to do anything anyway, maybe it's just right to send him. ”

"yes, yes? I see. ”