This event was related to the two kingdoms, and Asher, king of Hatties, made a request to the city-state of Salem. The city-state of Salem was nominally established within the territory of the Hati Kingdom, and the trade entrance to the Black Fire Swamp was also controlled by the Hati Kingdom, and the king of Asher was already very face-saving in the name of "request", which was actually equivalent to an order, and the cause and effect of the matter were like this - after a great war, Aesop must fulfill his pre-war promise as soon as possible and reward meritorious soldiers for their merits in order to attract more people to serve Salem City. But many of the fallen warriors were foreign explorers and people, and they had no family in the city of Salem, and they could not even find a compassionate partner. If the situation is different, this matter will be settled, not because the city of Salem does not give a reward, but because these people have no life to receive it.

However, after consulting with Aesop, Joshua and Isolt issued an interesting decree: according to the agreement in advance, the warriors would receive the corresponding land on the plains of Duk according to the size of their exploits. Many of the warriors who had made great achievements were killed in battle, but the city of Salem still gave them land.

The city of Salem published the names of these people, their origins, and the land they had acquired, and issued a proclamation that if the legitimate heirs of the fallen soldiers came to Salem, they could register with the city-state's agriculture and animal husbandry department to receive the rewarded land, provided that they could prove their identity.

The largest number of fallen warriors were the men sent by the city-states of Syria, who died in battle on the plains of Duk, but left the heirs with land, and many people could hardly believe it when they heard about it.

So there was a steady stream of people who came to the city of Salem from the territory of Hati through the trade routes of the Black Fire Marshes, some of them came to inherit the land, and some of them came to the city-state of Salem in search of opportunities. The appeal of this decree of the city-state of Salem is very great, and it is simply a blessing for the lumpenproletarians in all parts of the Tianshu continent.

Aesop's new policies through Joshua led to a larger population of Salem in a short period of time after the Great War, with more than 10,000 registered residents. The Black Fire Swamp and the two trade routes in the direction of Maldok City are also bustling with activity like never before. At this time, the Hatian king Asher sent Celia as a messenger to the city of Salem, making a request to the lord of the city, Aesop, and Amun, who was behind the scenes.

The Hati kingdom was preparing to wage war with the Barren kingdom again, and the first target of the attack was the city of Malduk, in the southeast corner of the Duk Plain, and the battle plan was to seize the land east of the inland lake and west of the Eudi River. King Asher planned to send two legions to outflank the inland lake from both north and south directions. The southern legions marched along the Syrian desert, of course, while the northern armies had to pass through the Duk Plain.

It was difficult for the Grand Legion to enter the Duk Plains, but this tactic was made possible by the opening of trade routes in the Black Fire Swamp. The exit to the trade route was in the hands of the city-state of Salem. So King Asher asked for an army to pass through the territory controlled by the city of Salem and then march south to attack the city of Marduk. It's a request that Aesop can't agree to, and she can't refuse.

The reasons for why King Hati waged war against the Kingdom of Barron at this time were complex, and the most important thing was that the young king wanted to make up for a regret in his heart, and also to realize the dream of a great emperor who expanded his territory.

When Asher was still a prince, he fought a big battle with the Barron army as a commander with the assistance of Gore, and obviously won a big victory, but because of the sudden death of his father and the usurpation of the throne by his brother, he was defeated, but let Prince Feng Niu, who came to negotiate with the Kingdom of Barun, pick up a big bargain, which is a regret that Asher has not been able to let go.

Asher also had the dream and ambition to leave a legacy in the history of the kingdom, and when the land was stable and the domestic situation was stable, he wanted to raise an army to punish the kingdom of Baron, which had offended Haty. There was little need for excuses for this war, as the newly founded city of Maldok of the Kingdom of Barron was located in the territory of Hati, and although the Kingdom of Hati never really controlled that area, it was the nominal territory of the kingdom after all.

Another goal of the war was to gain what it should have achieved that year, and to push the kingdom of Barun back east of the Eudean River. As for the larger strategic goal of the next step, Asher did not say, but it can be guessed that if the city of Maldok and the land west of the Eudes River were captured, it would be impossible to control the entire plain of Duk. But this is only a long prospect, and the first thing to do is to achieve the victory ahead.

When Goret learned of King Asher's intentions, he neither encouraged nor objected, but simply dismissed his advanced age and desire to devote himself to the study of divine arts, and would no longer intervene in the matter. Goret had become known throughout the country as a figure second only to the gods, and King Asher had endured in the light of his old man for far too long. This time, the king had intended to rely entirely on his prestige and intellect to achieve meritorious deeds, and the battle plan was also personally specified.

Goret understood the young king's thoughts, knew why Asher was waging this war, and knew that he could not persuade him even if he wanted to, so he did not express his opinion. In fact, King Asher started this war in connection with an oracle, and Enriel sent an oracle at this time, instructing the kingdom of Hati to attack the kingdom of Barun. The oracle was so pandering to King Asher that it was impossible to get him to change his mind.

The two-front battle plan was to send the Anu legion into the Duc Plain, which had to pass through the exit of the trade route controlled by the city of Salem. King Asher made it clear in his writings that he sent his legions only by means of a march, and that he would not threaten the city of Salem, but that the target of the attack was the city of Marduk, in the southeast.

King Asher was also well aware that the city of Salem was fighting against the Assyrian kingdom in the north, and promised to ensure that the trade routes of the Black Fire Swamp were unblocked, so that the city could receive continuous logistical support. The implication was that if the city of Salem did not agree, he would order the city-state of Syria to close the trade routes.

If Aesop agreed, it would be equivalent to putting an elite legion of the Hati Kingdom into the Duc Plain, and it was hard to guarantee that it would not be a threat. If the Hati Kingdom really captured the city of Malduk, it is difficult to say that it will not take advantage of the situation in the future to capture the entire Duk Plain, including the city of Salem. If they take advantage of the battle between Salem and Enriel and launch a surprise attack from behind, they will not be able to take Salem first.

Aesop would not have wanted this to happen if she had a choice, but if she refused, King Asher would be able to block the trade routes in the Black Fire Swamp with a single order, cutting off the supply lines of logistics that the city of Salem was currently desperate for. Unable to decide, Aesop and George went to the temple to call for Amon's guidance.

At this time, Link had changed the fortress that Raphael had been guarding, and John was sent to guard another fortress, and Aesop, George, Yunmeng, and Raphael, who had remained in the city of Salem, all came to the temple to pray and call to the idol, and read the document sent by King Asher. They knew that Amon would be able to hear and reply if they wanted to pay attention.

After reading the paperwork, they heard Amun's voice: "You must have considered how to agree to the request that you could not refuse, and you must have already discussed it, what did you decide to do? Asher should have sent a legion into the plain of Duk, and he should know what the city of Salem would worry about, and it is impossible for him not to try to dispel your doubts, and what kind of promise has he made?"

Aesop smiled bitterly, "We just read out the paperwork, and Celia sent another appointment." The king of Asher appointed you prince of Salem and a glorious general, and his rank and rank were no less than those of your time in Eju! The kingdom of Hatti also gave you a large territory, which was a 200-mile radius around the city of Salem, and which was conferred on you by Pharaoh Lasis II. It also promised to open trade and collect its own taxes, so that the city of Salem would only have to provide services to the kingdom in time of conquest. ”

Amun's voice was smiling: "This is something we have worked hard for, and he is very good at doing favors, so he gave it to me in the name of the kingdom." If I accept this appointment, it will be equivalent to formally incorporating the city of Salem into the territory of the kingdom of Hati, and if I refuse this appointment, I will say that the city of Salem will not cooperate. In fact, this appointment is a promise made by the Kingdom of Hati to the city of Salem, what do you think should be done?"

George replied, "Actually, it's very easy to do, you are the god Amun, and you have cultivated in the kingdom of God, even if it is the king's order, it is difficult to deliver." We leave these documents in the city-state, but we cannot deliver them to you, and you do not need to accept or reject them. ”

Amon: "Okay, that's how it should be. If you agree to the request of the Hati Kingdom, there will naturally be advantages and disadvantages, so what is the biggest disadvantage?"

George: "If we allow the legions of the Hati Kingdom to enter the Duk Plain to attack Maldok City, then the trade route between us and Malduk City will be cut off, and the supplies must be replenished by the trade route of the Black Fire Swamp." ”

Amon: "The trade routes in the Black Fire Swamp are much more important than the trade routes in the direction of Maldok City, and if you refuse, the more important ones will be cut off, and the lesser of two evils, and the opening of trade with the Hati Kingdom is exactly what the city of Salem needs." ”

Aesop added, "In the long run, putting a legion into the heart of the Duk Plains is always a potential threat. ”

Amon interrupted him and said, "The battle for the Duk Plain will inevitably involve more forces, sooner or later. If there is no such thing as today, there will be other things tomorrow, and even the current population of Salem is obviously too small, not to mention this thousand miles of fertile land, and in the future, there will definitely be more than these three city-states on the plain of Duk. ”

George nodded again and again: "It is true that there should be such foresight, the timing chosen by the king of Asher is very good, we have resisted the invasion of the north, and he has taken the opportunity to enter the hinterland, even if he does not attack the city of Malduk, he can completely choose the right place to establish the city-state." ”

The final result of the discussion was naturally to agree to the request of King Asher, not only to agree, but also to take the initiative to provide more assistance, and the city of Salem will be used as a logistics transit station for the expeditionary force of the Hattian Kingdom, providing trading, hoarding, and transshipment services for military supplies, and will also become the foothold of a large number of logistics personnel of this legion after entering the plains, showing an attitude of comprehensive cooperation.

This cooperation was urgently needed by the expeditionary force, and in turn meant greater prosperity for the city-state of Salem. Not to mention anything else, if there are tens of thousands of logistics personnel in a regular army, if they all settle in the city of Salem, not only need to transport a large amount of supplies, but also a very lucrative business.

On the other hand, the regular combatants of the Hati kingdom were not allowed to enter the city-state, and the defense of the fortress at the exit of the Black Fire Swamp trade route must also be the responsibility of the city of Salem, and the expeditionary corps was not allowed to interfere. The city of Salem had three fortifications built on the periphery, two of which were on either side of the northern avenue against the city of Enriel.

Another fortress was on the edge of the Black Fire Swamp, guarding the exit to the trade route. If there is any change on the side of the Hattian Kingdom, as long as this fortress is closed, it will also be equivalent to cutting off the most important logistical supply line of the Hattian Expeditionary Legion.

The promise to provide logistics services is also based on the same idea, if the cooperation is sincere, both sides are beneficial, if the Hati Kingdom has other plans, then the logistics supply of the expeditionary corps is in the hands of the city-state of Salem, and it is not so easy to turn the other cheek. If the king of Asher had no tricks, he should have agreed to this favorable condition.

These countermeasures, Aesop and the others have already discussed, but they just ask Amon for the final decision. Amun nodded in agreement, and finally said: "You have set me up on the altar, and I need to devote myself to cultivation to pursue the realm of true transcendence of eternal life, and I may not appear for many years, and even if I do, I may not be in the identity of Amon." The affairs of the city-state belong to the people of the city-state, and since it has been decided, then go and do it well. ”

The matter has been discussed, and Aesop and the others did not dare to disturb the cultivation of Amun God more, and were about to bow and leave, but Raphael touched his nose and coughed and said: "Ah, Amun God, Teacher Golie has written me a letter, and there is another thing mentioned in the letter, I think I should tell you." ”

Amon: "Oh, what else does he have to say?"

Raphael asked in a hesitant voice: "Don't you think it's a bit strange that the Hati Kingdom has given you an appointment, you are not a royal noble, how could you make an exception and give you the title of prince?"

Amun: "This king of Asher is a very different kind of thing, you are a Hatian nobleman, and you are also the high priest of the city-state of Syria, I want to hear your opinion. ”

Raphael did not answer directly, but asked, "Do you know why Asher specially sent the great sorcerer Celia as an emissary? As far as I know, the expeditionary force sent by the Hati Kingdom to the plain of Duk is the Anu Legion, and Celia will be appointed as the chief priest. She is a princess of the kingdom, and her father is the younger brother of the former king Lucille. ”

Amon didn't say anything yet, but Yun Meng was anxious, and interjected on the side: "How do you talk and talk about it?

Raphael was a little embarrassed and continued: "This is what the teacher told me privately, he understands the intention of King Asher, and hopes to marry Princess Celia to Amun......"

Celia is a princess of the kingdom, and she is also young and beautiful, and there are naturally many suitors, and there are even princes and nobles from surrounding countries. But on the other hand, she is also a great magician, and this identity makes her have a higher arrogant capital, in other words, her vision is too high, and many suitors have not taken a fancy to her.

When Lucille was alive, he was worried about his niece's marriage, and once asked Celia: "What kind of person do you want to marry? ”

Celia replied, "I don't care about my status, the pursuer of me should be more accomplished than me, and he must defeat me in a duel." ”

This sentence is tantamount to rejecting all suitors, who can defeat a great magician? Those who pursue Princess Celia have no ability to do this, don't even think about it. As for those who have this ability, those great samurai or great magicians have already become married and famous, and it is unlikely that they will pursue this princess of the kingdom.

But then there was one thing that everyone knows, that is, the duel between Celia and Amon, and Amon won! This duel naturally has nothing to do with the pursuit of Celia, but people will inevitably associate the two things. There are many people in the capital of the Hatian King who are talking about this matter, and many people even say that a great magician like Princess Celia can only be worthy of a great hero like Amun.

This time, King Asher specially sent Celia as an envoy to discuss cooperation, which was also to test whether Celia herself was willing to come to Amun, and Celia accepted the task. The appointment of Amon as the Prince of Salem is already a hint that if the two really have a little meaning after meeting, and the city of Salem is willing to cooperate, King Asher will immediately act as a matchmaker. In a sense, this is also a political marriage concept, a means of controlling the city of Salem.

Raphael explained the reason, and George tried to stop him from talking with a look at him, and then he started coughing again, and almost kicked him. There is also a statue of Goddess Mu Yun standing on the altar, it doesn't seem appropriate to say this to your face!

Raphael finally said helplessly: "As far as Mr. Golie knows, King Asher did have this idea, and it seems to be related to Enriel's oracle, as for the matter between the gods, I don't have a good evaluation. But King Asher didn't say it explicitly, and the teacher just asked me to say hello to the god Amun, which seems to be unnecessary, because the god Amun didn't appear in the city of Salem at all. ”

Amon smiled and replied, "There is no need to say anything about this matter, I think King Asher himself thinks too much." ”

Raphael said again: "No wonder His Majesty the King thinks a lot, you really don't have a family, and a big hero like you, what kind of girl can be worthy? ”

The speaker was unintentional, the listener was intentional, and Amon on the altar was silent for a while. Far away in the Garden of Eden, he inexplicably remembered another person, who was Mary, the patron saint of the Temple of Isis.

The people in the temple were waiting for Amun to speak, but suddenly they heard the idol exclaim, "Gabriel, come quickly......" and then fell silent, and the people could not feel the gaze of the idol. Amun suddenly "left" the temple at this time, and did not even have the heart to listen to the events of the city of Salem.

George and the others looked at each other, something big must have happened in the Garden of Eden!

(To be continued)