"But Salian, if this theory is correct, then it's us who is wrong, should we make them independent?"

"Haha, of course the theory is not wrong, it's just that we have encountered the two laws of the primeval philosopher Kant, and those who want to betray us, from their standpoint, can achieve prosperity in a corner of the country after independence, but it is only a small-scale centralized power, and you two are the heirs of a great power, and from a higher level, from the overall consideration, what you are pursuing is to dominate the rule of the continent," At this time, Salian suddenly changed his words, " Of course, the reform should be assisted by our traditional feudal aristocracy, done from the top down, and not let the people start the revolution. ”

Of course, Salian does not tell his king all the truth, and people will think first of all about their own interests, otherwise it will be a betrayal of the entire class. For example, Curran, Duke of Grandi, on the one hand, wanted to get rid of the control of the Kingdom of François and become completely independent, and on the other hand, he wanted to strengthen the monistic rule within his control and not allow Flanders to become independent. This in itself is the main contradiction or defect of the feudal system, the conflict of interests between the central and local decentralization, and it is certainly impossible for Salian, as one of the representatives of the feudal military aristocracy, to say this. The great centralization of the king's power would inevitably weaken their power, which all feudal lords did not want. The goal of the Salian was to improve to a certain extent, to make the empire a single government within a controllable range, to have a unified tax revenue, and to establish a standing army, so that he could concentrate his forces on defending against the attacks of the eastern Turg, and at the same time wage a war of aggression on the western continent and seize the hegemony of the entire continent. Among them, the marriage of Lola and Max will play a great role.

At this time, at another table, the Count of Noel de Fronna and his daughter, Mademoiselle Fernanda, also heard Salion's high-minded talk.

The future abbess's eyes lit up and she whispered to her father, "This new Duke of Mark of the Divine Grace Empire is really talented, I wonder if he is married?"

"Oh, little Fernanda darling, I have heard of this Duke of New Mark, who is indeed very handsome, but it is said that he has a bad reputation and likes to eat soft rice. Moreover, its main territory is in the bitter cold land on the northeast border of the Divine Grace Empire, although it is vast, but it is full of stones, and it can only grow some oats, and the output is not as good as one of our counties. ”

"yes, he's pretty hard. ”

"Yes. Dad didn't care much about the size of the land. But you grew up in a monastic house, and you are pure in heart, benevolent and kind, and you do not understand the dangers of society. I'm afraid you'll be deceived by bad men. ”

"I don't think he's a bad person, even Sister Lola listens to him. ”

"I do not deny that he has insight, and the present duke title is said to have been obtained by the election of the Rockenhausen family to the throne of God. ”

"Oh, that's good, he's really thoughtful, just like Dad!"

"Hahahaha, then let me see it again!"

"Okay, thank you Dad. ”

During the day, the Count of Fronna took Salian and Max, who were interested in the city's defenses, on a tour of the city. The new bastions and walls are not very tall, but they have a unique shape with an inverted angle. According to the Count, this design can increase the resistance to the magic cannon. The biggest difference between the fortress and the traditional tower is its multi-faceted obtuse shape, and each fortress is connected by a low city wall, and a large number of magic cannons and magic guns can be placed in the bastions, which can be designed sideways. In this way, not only do there be no dead ends, but you can also rely on the adjacent bastions to form crossfire.

"These Itkanrians are really smart, and there have been a lot of geniuses in recent decades. ”

"Your Highness, this is all thanks to the printed type, which has reduced the cost of learning. ”

"Oh, this is still a technology invented by our country, why didn't it be popularized in the Divine Grace Empire first?"

"The rulers or kings of the Itkanria kingdoms are very willing to spend money, isn't the August Academy established by the Republic of the Two Islands!"

The Count of Fronna also complied with the Tao from the side.

"Hehe, I also agree with His Excellency the Duke. His Excellency Curran, Duke of Grandi, is also learning from them and establishing public schools. ”

"Well, at the end of the day, we need to receive some sort of ordinary tax that will allow us to advance the public works of the entire empire. ”

It was a calm day, and all the Earl's soldiers entered the city.

In the afternoon, Countess Fernanda invited Salian to the library of the City Lord's Mansion to view his father's collection.

Count Fronna really had many rare books, which made Salian think highly of them.

"Yes, Your Excellency, my father was very fond of Machiavelli's writings. ”

"Well, this man has a very unique view of the public power of the state, but he has only been in charge of a small republic in Itkanria, and his ideas are not comprehensive. ”

"Well, Your Excellency the Duke, I also think that his theory of relying solely on terror to establish an authoritative regime is too one-sided. And on the military side, it is impossible to recruit only the National Guard without creating an army of mercenaries and professional soldiers. Although mercenaries are not very reliable, their professional qualities and military skills are not comparable to ordinary people. ”

"Please call me Salian, Miss Fernanda. You're right, and I think the National Guard has many shortcomings, for example, although they are more loyal to the state, but because of this, citizens will want to gain more political rights when they are armed, and ordinary people are easily instigated by people with ulterior motives, which will destabilize the regime, and they lack the expertise and long-term planning, and they will not be able to use their rights even if they are given them. ”

"Yes, that's it, Brother Salian. ”

Throughout the afternoon, the most devout of the Benedictine nuns discussed political topics with the Duke of New Mark that had nothing to do with theology, until dinner time.

While Salian was leisurely communicating with the beauties, let's turn our attention to the south-central part of the Divine Grace Empire, far away from Charlot, when Count Sebastian von Ridlingen also returned to his Freising fortress at the confluence of the three rivers, where a special guest had arrived two days earlier. As soon as the Imperial Count returned, they immediately engaged in secret talks.

This guest was none other than Thomas Dyer, the man we had met in the past, the man of the saviors of the world and the holder of the Holy Sword. No one would have thought that the owners of the magic sword and the holy sword would actually get together one day.

"Your Excellency, thank you for your continued support for the cause of the independence of our seven states of Mars, and we are determined to win and die in this event. ”

"Well, I've written down St. Gallen's defensive posture and deployment in this document, and with it you will succeed. ”

Sebastian continued, pointing to a few pieces of paper on the table.

"After you capture St. Gallen, you just have to wait for reinforcements from the encirclement, because the distance is very close, and I will definitely be called up to fight at that time, and when the time comes, we will cooperate and let the emperor of the Rokenhausen family retreat. ”

After Thomas left, the female ninja Sakura, who had been hiding in the carved accessories on the ceiling and secretly protecting Sebastian, revealed her tall figure.

"Ranzakura, you quietly follow the Thomas Retreat who left just now, this person will definitely go to see his sister first when he returns, and find an opportunity to kill her. Try to make it as beautiful as possible. ”

Although she received the order, the female ninja did not get up immediately.

"My lord, even though I'm a ninja who fights no matter what I do, I've always been proud of it. However, what you are doing now is completely opposite to your identity, is your mental state normal, or is your mind a little disordered because you have practiced too many spiritual exercises?"

Hearing Sakura's words, Sebastian couldn't help but laugh.

"Hahahaha, thank you for your concern, my dear Sakura. "You may not know much about the history of our country, from the collapse of the ancient empire and the establishment of the Eastern Kingdom to the Pope's blessing to our people and the establishment of the God-blessed Tutonian Empire. As a result, every time a national crisis is turned around. But because of this, the problems that have accumulated in the country have not been released, and now they are almost terminally ill. ”

Sebastian stood up and looked out the window at the rolling east waters of the Lin River and the wheat-growing fields on both banks.

"Now that foreign countries have begun the process of retroization, this is the knowledge I got at the Auguste Academy, that civilization has come again, the Isle of Three Kings and Franços have ended the Hundred Years' War, and their countries are engaged in a war of unification, and in less than ten years these two countries will complete the centralization, and the Turde Empire in the East is tending to be extremely prosperous, and our country is the biggest obstacle to its westward expansion. ”

"Lord, then I don't understand it even more, since the country is already in such a dangerous situation, why do you take the initiative to mess with her?"

"It's all because of my good friend, Salian von Hohenstelingen, Duke of Neumark, who, like the heroes of history, is capable of solving all this for the Empire. From the first time he came to my territory to talk to me, I knew that he was another pillar of the Empire. He was both determined and knew how to adapt in order to gain the emperor's trust, and he could be said to be an all-round man in civil and military affairs. I think he can solve these superficial difficulties in front of the country, but the foundation of the empire has not changed through this crisis, and in a few decades, the development rate of the surrounding countries will far exceed that of our country, and even if Caesar is reborn, he will not be able to return to heaven at that time. ”

"My lord, although I also know that Salian is extraordinary, I have gone to Asuka Capital with him to suppress the souls of the dead, and I have seen his skills, but you are not worse than him!

On the one hand, because I don't want to bow down to the nobles or the emperor, I will help my friends, but I don't want to be loyal to anyone. I think Salian will be a marshal or prime minister in the future, and he likes the burden of bitterness, and I don't. In addition, although he also understands that he can do whatever it takes to achieve his goals, he is still too kind, has unnecessary kindness, and only thinks about how to reform within the legal limits. It's just that what the empire needs now is not broken, and he cherishes his feathers too much, and will not do something that damages the honor of knights. ”

"But you're going to be infamous forever!"

"Hehe, for the sake of the country and the nation, even if I want to betray my motherland, it is okay. What's a little fame?"

Ranzakura burst into tears.

"Lord, I didn't expect you to have such a bearing, I'm really ashamed of my groundless speculation just now. ”

"No, as long as you can understand my original intention, I will be satisfied. ”

"Yes, my lord, I will not waver in any of your orders in the future. ”

"Well, let's go!"

Two days later, Thomas Die found her sister's body brutally dismembered and thrown on the side of the road, even showing signs of being insulted. Her husband and children were also dead, and the weapons left behind at the scene had the insignia of the Royal Arsenal of Foralburg in the Grand Duchy of Altenburg. Eventually, Sakura, who was watching from the sidelines, reported to Sebastian that Thomas had returned to Mars Hill after burying the body in tears.

"Well done, we just wait silently for the next issue in the Mars Mountains, now I will focus on the development of the 'Knights of the Absolute Soul', when the time comes, the sacrifice of thousands of people will still be inevitable, but for the prosperity of the empire, everything is worth it." ”