As Charles roared at his new men, far south, in the city of Lille, at the center of the vortex of war and struggle, Catherine was whispering with the Archduke of Bavaria about the battle against the Rhine League. However, the severity of her words was no less than that of a roaring Charlie.

"My dear, I really don't understand what this is all about! I don't understand military affairs, but our 100,000-strong army has been helpless in front of Rothschel, who is only 10,000 men, and it has been half a month. Why is that? Capture Rothschel, and the city of the Rhine will be in front of you. The army that the entire Rhine League can mobilize now is only more than 30,000 people, right? How can the combat effectiveness of those noble private soldiers be compared with our elite knights? I don't understand why a battle that should have ended in a week has dragged on until now?"

At this time, the Grand Duke of Bavaria looked younger than half a year ago, looking no more than thirty years old, his face was already completely pale gold, as if wearing a mask, handsome and mature with a slight coldness.

"Catherine, you can't blame Rocherio for that. In the last battle of the fortress, our losses exceeded 8,000 people. Now that he is once again facing Rothschel, who is assisted by two archmagisers, he should be cautious. What's more, this time Hierro has already released his words, ready to use the artifact Sin Realm. So this time we are still going to besiege Rothschel, divide our troops to attack the Rhine, and force Hierro and Lhasa to return to the Rhine. ”

Catherine shook the Grand Duke's hand and said softly, "Don't lie to me, my dear. It's a tough war, but the real reason for the protracted delay is that you and Rocherio don't want to do anything to old friends like Hierro, Lhasa, and Russell. I know you want them to retreat, that's why you're holding back. But now it turned out to be clear, they were to serve the Rhine League to the end. Honey, you've given them a chance, but they've let it go. Now, they can't blame us for being ruthless. ”

Catherine's voice slowly grew cold: "My dear, the Archmage doesn't decide everything. I've read all the information about these two archmages, and their top-notch magic can only be cast twice, and considering the role of other spells and artifacts in the realm of sin, these two legendary archmages can kill up to 3,000 of our soldiers. In the presence of Mr. Prosis, I don't think they would dare to drain all their magic. My dear, I have also looked through all the siege battles for which there is information in the past twenty years, and when the ratio of attacking and defending forces reached more than five to one, all the cities were breached, and eighty percent of the attacking side lost about half of the defending side. I don't understand military affairs, and I don't understand why the losses of the attacking side are often smaller. ”

The Grand Duke nodded and said, "That's right, the vast majority of the defenders' losses occurred after the city was broken, and at that time, it was basically a one-sided slaughter by the besieging side. ”

"My dear, didn't a philosopher once say that heroes are judged only by success or failure? So I don't care about the process, as long as the result is reached! As long as we attack the city with all our might, then we are at least eighty percent sure that we will completely annihilate 10,000 defenders at the cost of no more than 8,000 casualties, is this true?"

The Grand Duke said a little helplessly: "That's right, my dear. ”

"Then why not attack immediately?"

The Grand Duke of Bavaria looked at the noble and beautiful Catherine, sighed lightly, and said, "The Most High God has taken my son, but he has sent you to my side. With your help, things will be a lot easier. Catherine, your body and your child matter, don't be too tired. I'll be back to the front tomorrow! I promise you, within a week, I'll be standing in front of the Rhine!"

Catherine smiled and said, "This is my hero! You are always so decisive and resolute, I know that no one can stop you." Ah, by the way, dear, I almost forgot. Didn't the Pope promise to help us, but now nothing has been done? I think you should meet him before you go, and make your request clear and specific, so that you can see how he can prevaricate! If he still refuses to send the Holy Knights under Lord Augustus, then ask him for Templars, at least five! These people will be of great use in both siege and field battles. If he still refuses, then you don't have to make any more demands, just leave! Hmph, this is what he promised us, and he is not so thick-skinned! As soon as you leave, he will definitely agree to one of these two demands. ”

The Grand Duke of Bavaria's face was a little embarrassed, and he said hesitantly: "This ....... is a little inappropriate, right?"

"There's nothing wrong with that!" Catherine said viciously, "If you don't go, then I'll go!" Now the soldiers who died in battle are the most precious resources in our hands, and in the land we have conquered with countless bloodsheds, how can the Church of Light be free to spread their teachings without paying any price? Hmph, I will go and tell the old thing, even if His Majesty the Pope does not keep his promise, we will still keep our promise and allow his priests to preach freely. It's just that we are financially tight, and we have to ask for his understanding if we have to levy a church tax in the future. ”

The Grand Duke's smile was even more embarrassed, and he reluctantly smiled: "I don't think the Pope will be untrustworthy." I'm going to St. Peter's Cathedral once. ”

Catherine smiled as she watched as the Grand Duke's figure rode out of the Grand Duke's palace and galloped away in the direction of St. Peter's Cathedral.

By the time she turned back, the smile on her face had long since disappeared. She coldly called in to a maid and asked, "Has Franco arrived?"

"Madame, he has just arrived. But wasn't it half an hour after you made an appointment with him?"

"Every time, he waits for the summons half an hour in advance, well, it seems that he controls the time really accurately, and he is a talent. Catherine thought to herself, and said to the maid, "Tell him to come to me now!"

Compared to a few years ago, Franco looks much more mature, wearing a blue-black dress that is simple and generous. He bowed to Catherine and sat down across from her. But when he saw Catherine's ivory skin and perfect and noble temperament, there was still a faint irrepressible fire in his heart.

"Hello, Viscount Franco, this is the second time we have met. Catherine's grace made it impossible for Franco to find any flaws.

"I am very happy to have this honor. Are you dissatisfied with the ordnance and armor produced in Fort Sellers?"

"On the contrary, I don't think I could have found a better armor than the Sellersburg production. That's why I'm going to forward orders from other arms dealers to you. From next month, I hope that the supply in Fort Sellers will be doubled. ”

Franco was stunned for a moment, and said, "Madame Catherine, I am very happy to be able to get so many orders, but I have to say that the production capacity of Sellersburg may not meet your requirements.......!

"Lord Franco, this is the final decision. You don't have to worry about the lack of production capacity, soon two arms dealers' industries will be transferred to your name, and you will be able to handle these orders by then. I greatly appreciate your ability to manage your territory, and I appreciate your leadership. Hundreds of dwarven slaves at work are not seen anywhere else. You know that the Principality is in great need of talent, and if you contribute to the cause of the Principality, you will definitely gain something. ”

Franco pondered for a moment and said decisively: "Madame Catherine, thank you very much for the trust you have placed in me. I know that the Duchy's finances are very tight at the moment, so in this case, all the ordnance supplied by Sellersburg to the Duchy will be priced at cost only, and I will not earn a single copper coin from the Duchy's treasury. ”

Catherine smiled and said, "Thank you." But don't worry, for what you have done for the Principality will be compensated. ”

The two chatted casually a few more words, and Franco got up and saluted, and went to go through the formalities of receiving the property.

Catherine pondered for a while, then suddenly smiled: "Franco is really a clever man, and he seems to be very well-informed, and he actually knows the reason why I just executed two arms dealers this morning. Well, I like smart people......."

Feeling a little tired, she stood up and stretched a little lazily. At this moment, her bulging belly could no longer be concealed by clothes.

Catherine came to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked at the northern sky, wondering what she was thinking.

The celebration of the Kingdom of Leighton has been going on for a full month, but King Romon is still not enough.

The splendor and luxury of the Layton Palace is commensurate with the status of the Layton Kingdom in the Holy Alliance. At nightfall, the square in front of the palace is filled with large and small magnificent carriages. Almost all the nobles of the kingdom gathered in the royal palace to participate in various celebratory receptions, banquets and balls.

Not only is this a rare opportunity to make friends with each other and cling to the powerful, but they also want to take a closer look at the pure and weak elf, Ikreel.

King Romon is sixty-two years old this year, but he feels that he has been thirty years younger in the last month. He never imagined that the smiling Ikrair was so beautiful and charming. The moment the elf smiled, the old king immediately felt that winter was gone and spring was coming again. For the sake of this moment, it was really worth waging a war and killing thousands of soldiers! Not to mention, this war also made the old king's prestige unprecedentedly high.

With the Asrofik Empire on the sidelines, the Holy Alliance has not had a civil war for more than twenty years. The last time the Kingdom of Leighton expanded its territory was thirty years ago. Now the three highland principalities in the Holy Alliance, which have always prided themselves on their military strength, have been swallowed up and exterminated by the Leighton Kingdom in a battle, which really makes the old king, who has always been arrogant, have to be complacent.

When the old king stormed into Ikrel's room in a whirlwind and told her that he had defeated the three principalities of the Highlands and freed all the elves, he finally got his wish and saw the elves smile.

Ikreel walked up to the old king, stroked his beard gently, and said softly, but proudly, "I know that Your Majesty will bring the news of victory." Your Majesty, you are the hero of my dreams! I can only express a little of my heart if I dedicate all my love to you. The Great Magician Rogge once divined my fate, and he said that whoever has the love of the elf Ikrel will have martial arts and exploits with him throughout his life. Your Majesty, let me dedicate this luck to you as well!"

Viewed from such a close distance, Ikrel's small face perfectly expresses the delicacy and delicacy of the elf, and the beauty is almost suffocating to Romong. But what made him even more ecstatic was that the old king, who had read countless people, saw in the eyes of the elves that it was clearly a burning fire of love! He had supreme power, endless wealth, and countless women, but he knew how difficult it would be to have a sincere love.

That night, Romon announced that the entire Layton Kingdom would be in revelry for a month!

Tonight's ball was no different from the previous balls, in the sky full of fireworks, the palace orchestra played the 'spring' waltz hard, and the whole ball has gradually entered **. In a few more songs, it will be close to midnight, and it is almost time for the end of the song to disperse.

King Romon was very old, and although he was in high spirits, he gradually grew tired from the successive revelry nights. Now he sat on the throne with sleepy eyes, and the golden cup in his hand was crooked, and the wine in the cup was about to spill out. The maid behind the old king was quick and immediately took the golden cup.

In the sweltering ballroom, Ikrell, who was next to King Romon, looked a little sullen and stood up. A maid came to help her, but the elf said, "It doesn't matter, it's so stuffy here, I'll go out and breathe." Her graceful and delicate back disappeared into the back hall.

In the sumptuous ballroom, there are several pairs of hot eyes that keep an eye on the elves. Shortly after she left, several figures quietly left the ball hall.

This terrace at Leighton Palace is purely about its size.

Ikrair walked alone onto the terrace and looked at the night sky to the southeast. There was the City of Oracles, her countless brothers and sisters, the towering Elven Ancient Tree, and the tender green goose yellow she was accustomed to.

Passionate dance music came out of the room. To Ikrìl's ears, these dances were so straightforward, fiery and vulgar. She deeply misses those elven songs, that is the real art, that is what she really loves. She was born Sara and had an almost fanatical love for elegance and art. Here, in this splendid palace, what is there? All the people here will only stare at her with **naked** eyes, while desperately showing her their power, wealth, status, or force. Little did they know that none of this was what she needed. She even felt bored and disgusted when she heard this.

Of all the men Ikrel had ever seen, it seemed that only on the day that her fate would change, the divine made Rog look at her with no ** at all, only a strange stern gaze that seemed to penetrate her soul and scan all her memories and thoughts. At that moment, in front of this cold strange gaze, she seemed to be completely **.

Rog stared at her for half an hour, then nodded, telling her that she could leave, and that he would have to discuss something with Elder Theseus again. Iklael was very scared, and that night, she quietly found Adjani, but Adjani did not know Rogge's plan, so she could only comfort Ekreel that everything the divine envoy did was for the future of the elves.

The next day, Elder Theseus summoned Ikrel and told her about the life-changing plan.

A rush of footsteps behind her interrupted her thoughts. Ikrel's ears twitched, and she took a deep breath, turning the disgust on her face into a frosty coldness.

"Ikrel?" the eager voice belonged to Kerry, the eldest prince of the Layton Kingdom, "My goddess, are you waiting for me?"

He hugged the elf in his arms, but the elf struggled out of his arms.

"Your Highness Honorable Kerry, you are always like this, aren't you afraid that His Majesty Romon will know?"

"I'm not afraid, Ikrell, believe me! I can give everything for you, tell me, what can I do to win your love, as long as you tell me the direction, I can do anything for you!"

Ikrair said coldly, "Are men like this? Isn't it?"

Kerry was in a hurry, he knelt down on one knee in front of Ikrair, and said eagerly: "I can prove that giving everything for you is more than just talking! I've heard that what you admire most is bravery, tell me!" Is that so?"

Ikrair looked at Kerry coldly and said, "I hate you nobles the most, you are brave guys who can only talk about nothing. Only warriors who have returned triumphantly on the battlefield are qualified to talk about bravery. ”

Kerry's anger rose and he roared: "Ikrel! I will let you see if I am a person who can only talk empty words! Father has only pacified the three principalities of the Highlands, and I will let you see that in my Kerry's hands, the entire Holy Alliance will become the hunting ground of the Layton Kingdom!"

Ikrair said noncommittally, "Okay, I'll wait until the day when you become a true warrior and king." It has been my dream since I was a child to spend my life with a true king. ”

As the prom drew to a close, Kerry had to perform the last few dances and head back into the prom hall. Ikrel didn't go, and the elf's keen hearing let her know that there was another person hiding behind a thick curtain.

She sobbed lowly.

"What's wrong with you, did Kerry bully you?" the man hiding behind the curtain hurried over, he was very young and handsome, and there was a slight childishness on his face.

Ikreel was taken aback, and she looked at the visitor with some panic. Under her gaze, the young man looked cramped and uneasy, and even his face turned red.

The elf sighed faintly and said, "It turned out to be the Fifth Highness, you can't help me." I'm just an ordinary elf who doesn't have the power to choose my fate. ”

"I can help you! I'm eighteen years old, and I've already fought in the battle to pacify the three principalities of the Highlands, and I've killed four enemies with my own hands. My swordsmanship teacher and my military strategy teacher praised me as the most talented of all princes!Ikråre, I know I'm young, even a little naïve, but I've learned love! Yes, I've been in love with you from the first time I saw you! Maybe I can't do anything for you now, but I won't hesitate if I can do it. By the way, my uncle is the secretary of state of the kingdom, and he will definitely help me!"

Ikrair looked into his eyes, suddenly sighed, and said, "Can you guarantee that anything I say to you will only be taken to heart and never shown in front of anyone?"

"I promise! No, I swear!"

"Kerry said that when His Majesty dies, he will be the king of the Kingdom of Leighton, and at that time, he will receive me. ”

"This bastard!" said the young prince angrily, "I'm going to duel him!"

The young man's impulse quickly cooled in the elf's icy gaze.

"Ikrel, do you want to tell your father about this?"

"Your Majesty won't believe it, he likes Kerry very much. What's more, our elves have a long lifespan, and Your Majesty is already old, and after his death, if Kerry becomes king, it is normal for him to accept me, isn't it? So, Your Highness, I can't accept your affection. ”

The young prince calmed down, and he suddenly said firmly, "I think I understand. Rest assured, dear Ikraire, Kerry will not be the king of Leighton. This is a young knight's promise to his elven princess!"

The dance party was finally over, and there was a faint sound of people in front of the floor-to-ceiling door of the terrace. The young prince also left.

Just one door away, the cold wind of the northern winter night outside, and the luxurious and extravagant palace dance party inside. Ikrair sighed softly, this was not her world, but she had to endure it, and she had to play her role well. This is related to whether countless brothers and sisters can live happily or not. She didn't understand why the elves couldn't live peacefully in the central mountain range as before, but must use intrigue and blood to fight back a space for survival in this cold human kingdom.

"Maybe one day, the Divine Messenger will give me an explanation, when will he take me out of this greedy, dirty, ugly city?" she thought to herself, gazing at the night sky to the southeast.

;