It's a hot summer day in Atlanta in May.

Several successive rains did not cool off the heat, but made the ground of this busy city more and more muddy and difficult to walk.

The carriage ran over the mud in the road, crushing through the ruts. Pedestrians walked cautiously on the side of the road, occasionally avoiding the muddy water from the horse-drawn carriage.

In some places where the water is deep, bricks and wooden planks are also arranged, and when the ladies in beautiful dresses pass by, they look like jumping elk.

The largest number of soldiers in the city were still wearing imperial uniforms.

Soldiers with spears in their hands patrolled in formation. Men trudged through muddy water in wagons laden with supplies. The knights rode slowly. The coat of arms on the horse ornaments and armor show that they came from different legions of the Empire, different noble realms, and different positions of status.

Among them, there were bare-chested, muscular barbarians, bearded barbarians, and traditional aristocratic knights who were well-dressed, haughty, and meticulous in their manners.

Add to that the caravans and freelancers and mercenaries who speak different accents, and Atlanta looks cluttered and vibrant.

As a defensive town in the Imperial Plain, Atlanta's military position was extremely important. The arrival of His Majesty Edward made this fortress, instead of the imperial capital, the center of the Solan Empire at war.

From here, the military and administrative directives of the empire were transmitted to the major provinces of the empire. Nobles, large and small, rushed one after another. Countless empty magic ships landed every day, and the noble carriages entering the city were densely packed, like carp crossing the river.

As the situation in the south became increasingly severe, Donald, the prime minister who had been staying in the imperial capital, arrived in Atlanta three days earlier.

The next day, the ministers of the Imperial Cabinet also arrived one after another. Arrived at the same time. There are also the commanders of the five knights of the empire, the patriarchs of the four major families, and the heads of the major wealthy families.

Almost overnight, the natives of Atlanta were surprised to find that this city on the edge of the Imperial Capital Plain was star-studded. If you look along the road, you can see the carriages and the knights who usually only exist in the legends.

If it weren't for the fact that His Majesty Edward had abolished the usual system of aristocratic privileges by wartime ordinance. I'm afraid that the big guy can live a day just by avoiding salutes when they go out, and don't do anything.

The eyes of the commoners always moved with the gaze of the nobles.

When the top nobles of the empire gathered in Atlanta, the focus of the conversation on the streets and alleys naturally focused on the war situation in the south.

Atlanta is not far from Lulian.

Before the war, the city's largest trading partner was Loulian. Almost all the grain, monster fur, bones. Magic crystals and seafood are all from Lulian. Most of the trading houses in Atlanta were mainly engaged in the transshipment business between the Lulian and the imperial capital.

As a result, the Atlantans were more concerned about the well-being of Lulian than the rest of the imperial capital.

Once Lulian is lost, Atlanta will not only be reduced to the front line against the attacks of the Philaean Empire, but also, food. Cloth, medicine and other daily necessities. will also be in great trouble.

Everyone hoped that Lulian would be able to perform another miracle, just like they had done in Medin City before, and give the Philaeans a hard blow. Even if you can't win, at least keep the situation you are in, and drag it out for a few more months to buy a little time for Edward's Majesty.

But. This qiē is just the fantasy of the big guys.

With the almost catastrophic bad news in the early stage, everyone knew that the situation in Lulian had reached a point of no control.

To the northwest of Lulian and to the southwest of Atlanta. The Philip Longmen Front, led by Duke Benson, was attacking the Southwest Noble Coalition led by the Marquis of Ashley day and night.

Although the two sides were only in the stage of arranging troops and testing each other in the early stage, and the battle really started in just a few days, the news that came back was not pleasant.

It is said that Ashley's group of nobles made all the bold statements before going to war, and also concentrated the private soldiers of their respective territories. The children of the family even had three good horses, shouting and running on the training ground all day long, and there was a dance party at night, looking confident.

It seems that as soon as the Fireites came, they were able to kill all their enemies, and they tied roses with their coats of arms and offered them to their beloved maidens.

But as soon as the battle really fought, they lost three territories in one day. His army was on the verge of collapse at the touch of a button. The aristocratic officers who led the lead were the first to flee, and thousands of improvised soldiers laid down their arms en masse and surrendered.

Most of these soldiers were originally farmers and craftsmen in the fields of the nobility, and had no combat experience at all. After being summoned, the southwestern nobles only issued some rudimentary armaments, and many of them did not even have a minimum of food and clothing, let alone training.

Such a team, facing the elite Philip army, the result can be imagined.

However, even if they surrendered, these poor people could not save their lives. According to reliable sources, more than three thousand soldiers were killed by Benson's order!

The ragged Solan soldiers were herded into deep earthen pits in droves, which were dug themselves and backfilled by the same Solan captives. And the cold-blooded Fiji martyrs were watching from the sidelines. Anyone who dared to resist was immediately shot on the spot and skinned for public display.

Countless souls roamed the sky above that land. Countless people are crying for the death of their loved ones. It was a terrible scene.

Today, the Marquis of Ashley's army is still guarded by the high walls of the castle.

But no one thought they would make it through a week. Many of the refugees who came from there said that the entire army had collapsed. Not only did the nobles complain to each other, each with their own thoughts, and the decrees were different, but many of them had simply broken their jars and died.

If it weren't for Donald's strict order to the Marquis of Ashley to hold on for a while longer, I am afraid that even the leader of the Southwest Coalition would have abandoned his territory and fled north with his family.

As for the Fifth Corps...... Every time people mention it, it's just a sneer. It is said that even among the nobility there were calls for the reorganization of the legions, the removal of all officers, and the arrest of the generals. It's just that everyone knows that this legion is Donald's, although the voice is high. But I can't move.

What's even more infuriating is that it is just a matter of not pursuing the Fifth Legion, and everyone has heard that this time Donald came to Atlanta in person to force Edward to the palace!

The reason is simple, Ashley and the Fifth Army are incompetent, though. But the alliance of the southwestern nobles has not completely collapsed after all. And in the face of the attack of the Filiet army, the situation of Lulian was out of control.

Now, it is no secret that Minai used Archduke Adolf to calculate Fano and make a surprise attack on the fjord.

This news came out from the inside line arranged by Donald in the royal family.

When the news spread, the whole country shook.

Ordinary people are sad and silent. Worried about the fate of the Empire. The aristocrats, on the other hand, are not only worried, but also have their own thoughts.

Although the situation in Lulian was grim before, everyone still had some wait-and-see ideas. After all, the Solan royal family has ruled this land for a hundred years, and the imperial dynasty is orthodox and still has prestige. And Edward I was oppressed by Donald before, but since the outbreak of war. The table of the royal family is much more beautiful than that of the Donald family.

Some might say it was Edward's luck. But sometimes, luck is also a kind of strength.

Why did Archduke Pru, loyal to Donald, lose the province of Pru, while Adolf, loyal to Edward, won a great victory under the city of Medin?

Luck alone doesn't tell the story.

Although the nobles were fickle, they did not reach the point of the twilight of the dynasty. Since everyone chose to unite around the royal family to resist the invasion of the Philets, and invested a lot of manpower and material resources for this. The formation of the three major legions, when there is not enough reason, they will not change.

But no one expected that after Adolf was attacked and trapped, the situation not only did not improve. On the contrary, it has deteriorated further.

Fano didn't rescue Adolf, not to mention, he was even played with by Minai like a fool, and stepped into the night canyon step by step.

Minai, on the other hand, marched eastward and attacked the fjord.

By the time the news broke, Minai's vanguard had already captured the fjord!

The guards are still thousands of miles away, but the swarming bandits have already crashed open the gate, and what will happen next, even if you think about it with your ass!

This reason seems to be enough!

The political situation of the empire suddenly fluctuated and was in chaos.

And such an opportunity, for an old fox like Donald, is obviously never let go.

Almost as soon as the news broke, Donald set off from the imperial capital to Atlanta. It's like a magician who accurately catches the king in the playing cards like a goddess scattering flowers, this old fox who has been in Solan's political arena for decades, and captured Edward's weakest moment!

With the arrival of noble patriarchs from all over the country, and as the situation on the Lulian front became more and more severe, everyone could feel the changing clouds over Atlanta.

The dark clouds are getting thicker and thicker, and that thunder may explode in the next moment!

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

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

"Your Highness, I insist on my opinion, the finances of the empire have reached the verge of collapse, because the situation in Lulian continues to deteriorate, the price of food in the imperial capital this week has risen by fifty percent compared to last week, and the situation in other surrounding cities is even worse. We must cut the military spending of the three major armies, buy food, and balance the price of food, and we must not wait. ”

When Susan walked softly into the palace chamber, she saw a chaotic scene.

Stayed in the imperial capital, temporarily replacing Edward I, Eretia sat on a chair high on the throne. Below her, the officials and nobles of the government were standing in the hall in groups of three and five in different camps, discussing a lot.

The person who spoke to Eretia at this moment was a middle-aged fat man named Duff. He was dressed in a striped velvet coat, waving his thick arms, and his small eyes, squeezed out of shape by fat cheeks, radiated an aggressive light, and looked like a barking bulldog.

Susan knows Duff. This guy is Donald's lackey, an earl from a remote region. Under the guidance of Donald, he entered the aristocratic circle of the imperial capital, and is now one of the three deputy ministers of the Ministry of Finance.

This guy is rude and aggressive, greedy and ruthless, and in this position, it is not known how much money he made for Donald. It's Donald's most important arm. It is said that among the people under Donald, even many of the legion commanders with heavy weapons in their hands, were all smiling when they saw this guy.

For these people. Duff is their god of wealth.

Over the years, the legions of the Donald family, whether it is weapons and equipment, war horses, medicines, magic crystals and other military supplies, are far more and better than the army loyal to the royal family.

Even the treatment and equipment of some second-rate troops stationed in the interior. It is also higher than the army that is on the front line, stationed on the frontier of the empire day and night, and Douff plays a key role in it.

It is not an exaggeration to describe him as unscrupulous.

On weekdays, this guy disobeys Edward's will, but when Edward's Majesty went to Atlanta and Princess Ellethia was in prison, he immediately couldn't wait to jump out.

Although I only listened to a few words. But Susan knew better than anyone that what Duff said was an outright lie.

The situation in Lulian has indeed affected food prices. However, the food supply system of the imperial capital did not rely on one Lulian alone, but also on other provinces.

As early as the beginning of Lulian's grain reduction, Edward had already coordinated with the lords of the producing areas in the major provinces to increase the amount of grain provided to the imperial capital. And used part of the grain reserves to balance prices.

And the reason why the price of food in the imperial capital has skyrocketed. It's all because Duff and a bunch of greedy guys secretly join forces and hoard Juqi.

In just one or two months, they don't know how much black money they have made.

Susan even heard that Duff had also reached into a batch of strategic grain reserves in the possession of the Ministry of Finance, and now, nine reserve granaries in the imperial capital. More than half of them were empty.

Now what is said about the skyrocketing food prices, the collapse of the economy, it seems that all the money has been spent on the three major armies.

You must know that the formation of the three major legions is an agreement reached by the nobles of the empire. Each family has provided a lot of money for it. Even Edward himself tightened his belt and transferred a large amount of money from the royal treasury that was enough to reduce the quality of life of the royal family by more than half.

This money was earmarked for the formation of the three major legions, and even Donald did not dare to risk breaking with all the nobles to fight the idea of this money.

Duff didn't dare either.

Therefore, he is now taking advantage of Edward's absence to bully Princess Ellethia, who never asks about politics, into ignorance and trying to open a gap from her.

As soon as Eretia can't see through his insidious intentions and nods her head and agrees to cut the military spending of the three legions and use the money to balance the price of food, this guy will immediately take advantage of the opportunity.

When the time comes, how much money will flow into the pockets of his Duf and his master Donald, the nobles don't know, but this black cauldron, Elethea has a back.

At this moment, in the meeting hall, there are really all kinds of beings.

Duff stood in front of Eretia, aggressive, as if Eretia would not agree, and would immediately pick on her. Behind him, several officials from the Ministry of Finance were holding the ledger and complaining while persuading Elethia bitterly.

The aristocrats watched coldly, some were watching jokes, some were whispering, and many more looked like they didn't care about themselves.

For the people of the Donald family, the control of the three major legions is in the hands of the royal family, and it is naturally in their interests for Duff to draw his salary. The money for the formation of the three major legions, they were originally reluctant, and now that there is Eretia behind the black cauldron, why not?

Anyway, no matter what Duff does, the share that belongs to them will always dare not be less.

And for some neutral nobles, they have the same thoughts.

The current situation is at a critical juncture. The news from Lulian has made everyone understand that this time, not only Adolf is in danger, but the royal family will also be dealt a fatal blow.

Donald has already rushed to Atlanta, and this time forcing the palace may be able to make Edward call to abdicate in disgrace.

Looking at Duff's arrogant appearance, doesn't his confidence come from this?

At this time, who wants to offend them? Speak up? That would be just setting themselves on fire. Donald has been covering the sky in Solan for thirty years, and the families that have been destroyed in his hands are countless. In the slums of the imperial capital, how many people used to be rich and expensive, but now?

These people were considered lucky, and many even became slaves and were sent to the gladiatorial arena.

Think of the nobles who fought with wild beasts, fought desperately with gladiators, and finally died under the thumbs and boos of the audience, and the names that were once familiar were enough to dispel the idea of standing up.

And more importantly, whatever the reason. Now the food price in the imperial capital is indeed in danger of getting out of control.

Previously, Duff and others had proposed to Edward to levy a special war tax, but Edward rejected it. It's also unrealistic to want to get money out of Donald's hands. They are the ones who started it.

Therefore, use the military expenses of the three major legions to let these guys make a profit. At least getting the food out of their hands is a no-brainer.

However, after all, there are people who can't stand it.

A nobleman rebuked: "Duff, you have the idea of spending less on the military." At a time when the empire was in crisis, the formation of the three major legions was a top priority. No one can touch this money. ”

"Oh?" Du Fu snorted coldly, glanced at the nobleman, and said lightly, "The common people can't afford to eat." In your opinion, it's nothing, or would you like to break the bank and help our esteemed Princess Elethia solve the problem of food prices?"

"You are messing around, who of us doesn't know, the imperial capital is short of food, and you are hoarding, and you can't escape the blame!" a nobleman rebuked angrily.

"Don't slander me. Hoarding food is nothing to worry about. Duff sneered, "What other people do, that's a business matter, and I can't control it." As for responsibility......

Duff turned his head to look around, and finally turned his gaze to Elethea: "I'm afraid it's Archduke Adolf who really bears the responsibility." If it weren't for the fact that Lulian had fought like this. There will be no panic in the hearts of the people, and the price of food will skyrocket. Your Highness, you are a clear-eyed person, and you should know that if you wait for two more days, the news of the real fall of Lulian will come. I'm afraid the situation will be ten times worse than it is now. ”

For a while, there was silence in the conference hall.

Eretia frowned slightly, looked around, and finally said, "That's all for today." Ladies and gentlemen, Vice-Ministers, allow me to think about it. ”

As the smug Duff and the nobles with different expressions left, the spacious council hall became empty and silent.

Sophia walked to the window, stared at the carriages speeding down the Imperial Power Mountain, and sighed softly.

"Your Highness," Susan walked up to Sophia's side and said softly, "Why don't you refuse Duf? Didn't you tell me yesterday that Duf wanted to put his hand into the military expenses of the three major legions? Once he succeeds, not only will the imperial forces be damaged, but His Majesty will also lose the trust of all nobles......"

Eretia lowered her head, her long, wavy hair hanging softly.

"I know," she said, biting her lip, "but what else can we do if we don't say yes?"

"This ......" Susan opened her mouth, but couldn't speak.

"Actually, before today, I had secretly met a lot of merchants and chaebols," Elecia's long eyelashes fluttered, "but the current situation of Lulian has worried them, and no one wants to take the money out. Unless the tide of the war can be reversed, they say, the rising food prices will not be manageable. ”

"Reversal ......." Susan chewed on the bitter word in her mouth, her mood gloomy. However, she still reassured, "It's not completely impossible, maybe we still have a chance." ”

As she spoke, her eyes lit up and she said, "Your Highness, don't forget, your guardian knight is in the fjord right now. It is said that on the day the Firean army attacked the fjord, he saw through Minai's plan and led the army to reinforce the fjord. ”

Speaking of Roy, even the sad Erethia had a smile on her face.

The news about Roy was sent back by his father, Edward.

When she heard it, she felt an indescribable pride in her heart. Although the original title of Roy as her guardian knight was just a little girl's joke in the eyes of others, in Elethea's mind, it was a very, very strict thing.

The big-headed boy not only saved his own life, but also, on the night of the invasion of Bollabelle, his cousin was many times better than those noble knights. His valor, his mercy, the responsibility he bore, like a true knight!

Although Ellethia hasn't had a chance to see Roy since then, she thinks of him from time to time.

The encounter in the south made this teenager unconsciously become an important person in her life.

The moment he knelt in front of her and swore allegiance, it was as if an invisible bond was tied between the two people.

And this bond, not only was not broken because of the long separation, but because of the battle of Medin City, because of the change of Muni City, because of the boy's suppression in Scarlett, in the attack of the Langrith family and the tenacity and unyielding in all kinds of difficulties, and became stronger and stronger.

Even Edward I benefited from this several times.

When Edward sent someone to tell Sù Elethia about Roy's army leading to the fjord, Elethia could see his pride in her father's letter.

The pride of this guardian knight chosen for yourself.

He's his own guardian knight.

Every time I thought of this, Eretia's tired and helpless heart felt a little comforted. That was my biggest gain from that wayward trip.

However, thinking about Roy's situation in the news from her father, Eretia was more worried at the moment.

There were not many troops coming from Medin City to reinforce the fjord. Moreover, under Roy, who was responsible for reinforcing the Western Front, there were only some cadets and a small number of cavalry who had not been on the battlefield.

Even Edward didn't believe he could do anything in the fjord with such a small man. For this reason, he also sent Sophia back, and the main task was to bring Roy back.

Although Eretia hopes more than ever, Roy will be able to create another miracle for himself and for his father. However, she also understands that this is nothing more than her own fantasy.

It was a bloody battlefield, a place where countless lives were lost.

Even those famous generals who have fought all their lives, are scheming, and have excellent wisdom and scheming, they are inevitably defeated and killed, how can a seventeen or eighteen-year-old immature boy change this qiē?

Moreover, his opponent is so powerful, so terrifying.

In the silence, Eretia sighed softly, crossed her hands over her chest, lowered her eyelashes, and prayed, "I just hope that he will be safe." He's done enough. But until now, I haven't given him anything in return. ”

Susan looked at the silhouette of the girl in the sunlight and asked, "What would happen to you if he really did a miracle?"

"I will spend his knightly night with him and pray with him. Eretia imagined the scene, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

Susan was startled.

Knight's Night is the night before the apprentice knight is ordained as an official knight.

As a knight, you must kneel in the knight's hall all night, pray with all your heart, and swear to uphold your duties as a knight. And as a princess, if Eretia accompanied Roy on a knight's night, it would be a sensation across the continent. Countless knights will be jealous and crazy about it!

"But before that......" Elethea's smile turned a little cold, "I'll smash the chair on that duff's head with my own hands!"

"It's not a lady's job to be on the Holy Land," cried Susan, "or I'll do it." ”

"No, I'm coming. I'm a magician now. I can tie him up with restraint first......"

In the council hall, the sound of girls chattering and arguing could be heard...... Seven thousand words, two chapters in one. Ask for a commuter pass!. Thank you for the reward from Brother Wang, the leader of the alliance. You've been hidden but you've been discovered...... (To be continued......)