Chapter 31: An Audience with the Lord
No matter how deceitful they are behind the scenes, the nobles must be polite when communicating with each other on the surface, and this etiquette refers not only to personal politeness, but also to many unwritten rules that can only be known in this class. (Fairy World debutant)
For example, when a duke visits another duke's domain, the number of his retinue will be set accordingly. It usually includes 300 accompanying guards, grooms, cooks, maids, butlers, vassals, and a series of miscellaneous people, etc., of course, a beautiful lady or daughter, and a brave captain of the guard are also indispensable.
A team of exiles who fled like this is a rather strange existence. They were not a single aristocratic family, but a collection of fugitive nobles from the entire North, plus the captives of the southern nobility who had not yet paid the ransom, and even the representatives sent were hundreds of them.
Since it is a flight rather than a trip, it is natural to be in a hurry. Fortunately, Mr. Androv was more knowledgeable in this area, and quickly selected a list of people to meet the lord.
Tiana Lanstadt, a descendant of the Timberwolves and the leader of the exile team, has the dual identity of a magician and a clergyman, so it is natural that she will be the protagonist.
Romus Menia, the biological brother of the Queen Mother, Prince of the Iron Guard, and the commander of the Kingdom Guard, can afford to pay his ransom except for the royal family and the Menia family, so he is still in a state of captivity. However, in his honorable capacity, he must also be treated with due dignity on such occasions.
Palanti, she was supposed to inherit her father's surname and title, but as the last bloodline and inheritor of the White Lion Family, she had to appear on behalf of the White Lion Family.
Delael Kemal, who is also the last descendant of the family, with the prestige of the Kemal family among the southern aristocratic factions, if not in the Thunder Fortress, his position would be in front of Palanti.
The above four are the official audience members, and as for El, in his capacity as General Isttalen, he can only be placed in the position of a staff member, alongside Androv. There should have been another name in this second cohort, but unfortunately Lorana hasn't woken up yet.
It is also worth mentioning the Diana siblings of the Sword Castle, not to mention Diana's situation, in the jealousy of the Truth Society and the royal family, El and Tiana are reluctant to let her appear in the public eye, and her brother Ximako also agrees with this. The issue of gem armament is not a problem, after all, this is a secret hole card that the North Wind family has never made public, and others may not be able to recognize it.
If Diana is seen, then the cause of the doller's death will inevitably be exposed, which will undoubtedly tear the skin between them and the royal family completely, and there will be no room for compromise.
Returning to Tiana's tent with Palanti, who had changed into a clean military uniform, El saw that both Prince Romus and Delarele had returned to their well-dressed appearances, and that the southern aristocracy was experienced in this area, and it could be said that it was a typical example of the death of face. Prince Romus was just that, he was captured by the Isttalons with his entire legion, and all the logistical baggage was not wasted at all, and it was not a trouble to find two formal suits in his luggage.
As for De Laere, the lost dog, he was more depressed, and he escaped almost penniless, and the only piece of clothing on his body became a beggar's outfit. Although he is also in the face problem of the nobles and is unwilling to snatch other people's clothes to wear, after all, this young master is also a demon warlock whose strength has barely reached the silver rank, and he will never let his urine suffocate to death.
When El saw him, the beggar suit on De Laere was spotless and new, and it was only then that it could be seen that it was actually a military uniform. Although it is a little too flashy and cumbersome compared to the military uniform of the Istalen, it does look a bit like a dog when you wear it.
What really surprised El was the other figure hiding behind everyone, the plain-looking but very familiar black hooded cloak, which made the corners of El's eyes twitch slightly.
"General El, good day. Sensing El's gaze, the girl sitting next to her pulled back her hood, revealing Lolana's trademark merchant smile and bowed slightly.
"Who asked you to come?" El turned his gaze to Delaire with a cold face, and although it was Lorana's face that was visible under the black hood, it could not deceive his eye of insight. Jessica has been learning from Lorana's movements these days, and because of the fusion of souls, she has now imitated it vividly, and it is almost as real as if it were real from the appearance alone.
It's a pity that her imitation is still false, and even kobolds and gray goblins can't fool it. Compared with the black-hearted businesswoman who really has no lower limit, her little succubus tricks really can't be put on the table.
God knows what this guy is really happy to do, and any sober-minded human knows that demons cannot be trusted, they are the product of natural chaos, and even half-bloods cannot avoid chaotic nature. El had already made up his mind in his heart, and when he returned, he would try to have another in-depth communication with Lorana.
"Wouldn't it seem thin if the four guests of honor were only two of their staff?" Before De Lael could speak, the girl exclaimed impatiently.
"Even the accompanying staff can't take your turn. Ellen snorted. In terms of seniority, both the officers of the Isttalon faction and the southern nobles under Prince Romus were eligible to accompany him. But this time to meet Lord Churkin is related to the fate and future of everyone, and it is not only unnecessary to bring a few more people to make up the number, but there may also be accidents.
"I know how ...... be fierce to others," Jessica pursed her lips and muttered quietly, suddenly raised her head and coughed, and said, "Of course there is a reason, on such an important occasion, Miss Lolana should have accompanied her, because you need her wisdom." And I, with the consent of Miss Lorana, will walk with you in her place, and guide you at critical moments!"
"Don't mess around, Jessica, we have business to talk about. Delale was a rare serious man to his sister, and he and Prince Romus were awkward, both of whom were refugees, but their political demands were very different. The Istalons had come to ask for a stay, and Prince Romus had to contact the royal family to pay a ransom for himself, according to the rules of the nobility. As for himself, he wants to rebuild his family with revenge.
Of course, there is no point in saying this now, as the defensive line collapses and the army of death moves south, leaving the entire southern plains almost undefendable and unavailable. These former giants can only survive under the wings of the remnants of the Istarons.
Therefore, no matter what kind of thoughts they hold in private, in this situation, they must also unify their voices with the Istalon people and advance and retreat together, so as to obtain the greatest benefits.
The essence of political negotiations between the nobility was a process of mutual compromise, and compromise was an art that only the heirs of ancient families could grasp the essence of this art. As for those fools who only care about their immediate interests, they will soon disappear into the wheel of history.
"I'm not kidding, Miss Lolana has prepared a few words for me to tell you at a critical moment. Seeing El's skeptical eyes, Jessica said with a straight face, "For example, now, there is a sentence that can only be said when everyone is ready to go. Miss Lolana asked me to tell you that the army of the undead is coming in a blink of an eye, and the Thunder Fortress may not be safe, so there is no need to fight for a long time and find a way out as soon as possible. ”
Jessica's words made everyone fall silent, everyone had different thoughts in their hearts, but it was undeniable that after arriving at the Thunder Fortress, everyone's mentality subconsciously relaxed a lot, and this sentence was like a basin of cold water on the head, allowing them to calm down again.
Arriving at your destination is not the end of everything, on the contrary, it has just begun. With the undead approaching, the answers to these questions are still unknown, whether the Thunder Fortress will be able to cope with the attack of powerful enemies inside and outside, and what is the future of the Oakland Kingdom.
"Thank you for your advice, Miss Jessica, and I agree to your request. Tiana pondered for a moment, then turned back to Jessica and said, "But you also have to promise us not to act recklessly in public, otherwise you will be overdrawing our trust in you." ”
"Lady Lanstadt, you are as wise as the rumors. Hearing Tiana's words, the girl immediately smiled, but because El was still standing on the sidelines, she had to pretend to be a lady and bow her head in thanks. I have to say that after hiding the character of the little devil, she really looks good to play a famous lady.
"It sounded like Lolana was saying something that gave me a bad feeling. After stepping out of the tent, El leaned over to Tiana's side and whispered, taking advantage of the fact that the others were not paying attention.
"Her words should be reversed, and the reverse inference may be that Lord Churkin's attitude towards us may not be very good. This can also be seen in the treatment we are getting now. The key question is ......" Tiana frowned slightly, and asked in the same low voice, "What is the reason why Lolana is unconscious? ”
El shook his head, Lolana has always been taboo about the hidden dangers of his body, and he naturally doesn't want to talk to Tiana in detail. As the Chosen One of the Sun Gods, she was helpless against Haksuna's Hellrose Seed, and the high-ranking clerics of other temples might not be able to do so.
Thinking of this, El couldn't help but glance at the girl who followed the back of the line, wearing a cloak and pretending to be a ghost. Although Jessica has always been just a mischievous personality and has never exposed the evil side of the devil, he has never been able to truly trust this girl.
He prefers to trust his instincts.