Faced with Leonard's impending blind help, Duke quickly refused at this time: "Cardinal, as a young man, I like to challenge difficulties. And there are so many devout believers in Stormcastle, if I leave, then they will be threatened by the Ice Demon, so thank you for your kindness, I am willing to fight these evil creatures to the end!"

Listening to Duke's high-spirited words, Leonard rarely had a trace of appreciation in his heart, but he didn't expect Duke to take the initiative to stay in Storm Castle for the sake of his subjects and believers, this kind of aristocratic second generation who is not afraid of difficulties and dangers is really too rare.

"Yes, there are very few ambitious young people like you now, and if Stormcastle has any difficulties in the future, you can ask for my help. ”

Whether it was the reason for the Mass money or Duke's actions that made Leonard feel very comfortable, he really admired Duke anyway and felt that the young man in front of him was very promising. Even said so directly that he could ask him for help in the future, you must know that this promise may not be worth a thousand gold, if outsiders know that Duke has such a relationship with Leonard, he will immediately become the hottest young nobleman in the French Empire!

Even Duke himself felt a little surprised to hear Leonard make such a blunt promise. His biggest idea before was just to have a little relationship with Leonard, to pull the banner of the tiger and frighten those opponents who didn't know the truth.

As a result, now that Leonard says this, he almost treats Duke as his own. I really didn't expect that the world's largest heretical and scientific believer would be favored by the cardinal.

Although the camps are different, it is not a bad thing for Duke to be in the current situation, hugging Leonard's thigh, it will be much more convenient to act in the French Empire in the future. So he hurriedly replied with a grateful look: "Thank you so much for your kindness, Cardinal, I will definitely show you my devotion and perseverance!"

Leonard was also very satisfied with Duke's reaction, after all, he was about to retire, and no matter how Kasmai cultivated, it was impossible for him to sit in the position of cardinal in a short time. Moreover, the cardinal of a country needs to be consulted by the Holy See in the Holy City, and Leonard is not in a position to appoint it.

Therefore, in addition to a cronie like Kasmai, who has no background, it is also a good idea to win over a potential nobleman of the French Empire. After all, after retirement, there is no even identity, and many worldly things need to be done by secular forces.

Duke has a stellar family background, but it is almost impossible to become a duke heir, which is also satisfying Leonard's need to control the worldly spokesman.

The money was delivered, the loyalty was shown, and most importantly, what Duke needed was given. So after a few polite words to Leonard, Duke left Francois Cathedral and prepared to go back.

Sitting on the carriage, Duke grinned again, because even if the price of the gift just now was not high, it almost hollowed out the foundation of Storm Castle.

It's been a lot of money these days, and Duke himself hasn't spent anything extravagantly, and now Duke is basically a poor guy except for the funds that he is finally going to open a store in the imperial capital, and if he can't turn back the funds quickly, he may not even be able to get the money back.

When I returned to Otto's Clubhouse, it was almost late at night, and even with the bustle of the French capital, the whole city had already faded from the hustle and bustle. Duke had planned to visit Tyrande when he returned, because how the Priestess of the Moon was caught in the Palace of Joy was still a mystery.

However, because he was too frightened in the Happy Palace, Tyrande was already asleep when Duke returned, so Duke didn't bother, and it was not too late to ask after dawn.

Duke slept soundly that night, just as he had when Stormcastle had faced an attack from the Ice Demons. Because he feels that his every move in the imperial capital is also walking on thin ice, and a lot of strength is pretended to be with the help of the name of Duke Otto, and the slightest carelessness will make people see the essence of his weakness.

At the same time, the more he saw the prosperity of the French Imperial Capital, the more he felt the weakness of his strength. The world is in some ways much larger and more numerous than the Middle Ages on Earth, and its military power far exceeds the size of the small lords on Earth.

The storm army that was in Storm Castle before, fighting with the small lords around him, really had a posture of fighting invincible opponents all over the world. But as his horizons broadened, Duke's strength was not enough to even stuff his teeth with others.

Another point is that tomorrow's princess Jina's wedding banquet will no longer face the gang of scumbags in the imperial capital, but will face the real aristocratic second-generation elite group of the French Empire, and Duke doesn't know how to defeat these opponents with his own strength.

Although Duke doesn't have much affection for Princess Jina for now, but after having experienced so much with her, whether it's feelings or possessiveness, he is always reluctant to look at Jina, a cabbage, and be arched by other pigs. And seriously, Princess Gina is only sixteen years old this year, and Duke doesn't want to see her become a political marriage tool of the Emperor Fran.

While Duke was pondering this matter, Emperor Henry VII of France was also checking the list of nobles who would attend the banquet tomorrow. He selected some relatively outstanding young talents of the great nobles, and then said to a court official behind him, "Lazer, which one do you think is better?"

"Back to His Majesty the Emperor, these are all young talents from our French Empire, and they are all very good. ”

Hearing the court official's gentle answer, Henry VII only smiled, but he also understood that in this kind of matter, the old man who had served for decades behind him could not give a clear answer.

At this time, Henry VII looked at the other side of the table and said, "This is a letter from Duke Otto, who wants to marry Jina to his second son Torke, what do you think?"

Hearing Henry VII's question, Lazel bowed slightly and replied: "I think this is Duke Otto's move to ease relations, he hopes to reach a marriage with the royal family." ”

"De-escalation? Henry VII sneered, and then continued: "If he really has this in mind, he should take the initiative to dismantle the Lion Army, instead of taking full control of the Northern Army. I also knew that all three of his good sons had already trained an army, even Duke, who was known as the straw bale. ”

"Seriously, even I was blinded, I used him to knock Otto, but I didn't expect Duke's straw bale to be hidden. Now that the Otto family is getting more and more eyesighted, should I still marry the princess to raise tigers with them?"10