The Masked Lords' Council Hall in Waterdeep was destroyed during the war and later looted. With the exception of the valuable decorations, all the documents related to the meeting were lost. Maybe someone wants to find clues about the identity of the masked lord from these materials, or simply wants to destroy the information of the past?

The new council was chosen for the original public bathhouse, the largest preserved building in Waterdeep. By filling in the bath and changing the direction of the benches that used to be resting, it can be turned into a conference room.

More than 60 "councillors" elected from various regions gathered here. They come from all walks of life, with different ages, experiences, and ways of looking at things. Some are enthusiastic, some are skeptical, some scoff at the situation, and only a few are really prepared.

The presiding officer was a chubby, bald man, whose head was especially conspicuous by torches and pearlescent light. He read the manuscript in a loud voice, praising the good wishes of the inhabitants of Waterdeep for peace and order and the courage to act on it. He spurned the original masked lords, believing them to be nothing more than "conspirators who dare not see the light". Such an assertion was met with boos and applause, but neither voice was of any use.

Siegel and Dennis sat in the back corner, looking at the back of sixty heads and a shiny slicing brain door. The stench of sweat in the air around us, mixed with the smell of soap that never cleans the walls, is suffocating.

"How long is your council going to be in session, so the air is so bad here?" Siegel asked Dennis, "Is it any fun to run against these people who have been magical?"

"Trust me. Even if all of them are not affected by the spell. Campaigning is never fun. Dennis replied, "I have a mask that resists mind control. Helping those around me is a benefit I get as a lord. I can't give up my advantage for the sake of absolute fairness, can I?"

"Not really. If the whole city is not clear to everyone, it is a real disaster. Keep in mind, though, that while the power of the spell makes the people of the city obedient and absolutely respectful of authority, it will lead to death if this continues. Waterdeep must contact the Mage Guild or the Temple of Dawn and invite the caster to heal the citizens, otherwise you will only be able to defend a dead city. ”

Dennis nodded, "You've reminded me many times. I remembered. But now it's your turn, the fat man is done. ”

Sure enough, there was a round of applause in the room, and then the moderator asked, "Is there anyone who needs council services, please bring it up first?"

Several people stood up, including Siegel. But when the light on the defensive staff lit up, everyone else sat down again.

"I am Siegel Squid, the pioneer knight of Waterdeep, and the Baron Lord of Heim. I left my castle from the south of the New World and made my way to the north, where I was supposed to fight the elves. In the end, he only fought with the steppe people. Fortunately, Waterdeep is still in the hands of Waterdeep City's own people. Since your new council claims to rule the city in place of the Masked Lords' Council, then I would like to ask. What about my Baron title and the title of Knight of Pioneering?"

This question has caused a lot of discussion. Most of the people in the room were from commoners, who were unaware of the rules and practices of the aristocracy, and who thought that rule was nothing more than dealing with neighborhood disputes and collecting taxes. Under the influence of spells, they will fear and obey people of higher status when they encounter things they don't understand, so it is really difficult to get them to come up with ideas.

An old man with a short beard stood up and said to Siegel in a slow voice, "I remember that if a superior lord dies and there is no heir, then the non-permanent title under him is invalid. Moreover, Waterdeep City needs to protect itself, and currently has no ability to develop. He coughed twice, as if it was with tenacious vitality to squeeze out this sentence: "The new council naturally wants to draw a line with the masked lords and usher in a new beginning, so we should not inherit the problem of history." ”

Under normal circumstances, there would have been a lot of opposition. The larger the number of parliaments, the more chaotic they are, but the more comprehensive they can be. But under the spell of the Knox Commons, whoever is more like an authority will obey more. There were countless voices of approval at the meeting, as if what the old man said just now was the truth.

Siegel slammed his staff into the ground, the thunder crushing over all sounds.

"I led 2,000 cavalry across more than 3,000 miles to aid Waterdeep, not to help a group of ungrateful people. According to the agreement between me and the Masked Lord of Waterdeep, Waterdeep should increase my title or pay me a gratuity based on half of the land I have conquered and my exploits. I think the new council wants to save money and titles, right? I will never agree to this. ”

Two thousand cavalry silenced everyone, and magic made Siegel the authority of the authorities.

"I don't care what method you use to manage Waterdeep, the new leader must ensure my interests. Siegel said, "If there is a legal problem with my territory because of the new council, then my cavalry will help me get justice!"

"Justice!" someone shouted, and was quickly reconciled. "We should have a Speaker, but only the lord can govern the lord, so we should elect a Speaker Lord!"

"Lordship, yes, lords of the election!" others shouted in a hurry, "Lordship, lordship!"

Siegel sat down, having fulfilled his task in this meeting - to push for the election of a speaker. Next, it was enough for him to take a stand at the crucial moment and tip the balance of victory in Dennis's favor.

However, looking at the situation at the meeting, most of the people were in a trance under the influence of magic, and they seemed to be thinking, but in fact, their minds were full of strange reasons, and they were completely convincing themselves, that is, blindly obeying. The strange system of the Speaker Lord was created in this state, and there may never be a chance to reproduce it on the two continents.

He closed his eyes and rested. Under the protection of the spell, it is possible not only to reduce the noise of noise, but also to prevent hostile actions by people with malicious intentions. Now that Dennis can avoid the effects of Knox's spell with the Masked Lord Mask. Then so can the other masked lords. These people don't follow blindly. There's a good chance they've been lurking. Implement your own plan.

But it can't be ruled out that they have already reached an agreement - after all, Siegel has only been around for two days.

In this large steam room, sailors, soldiers, blacksmiths, stables, and butchers are guided through their emotions, forming a stream of water to the left or right, arguing and swaying with each other. When everyone began to lose their caution due to fatigue, Dennis stepped up and began to affect the currents of consciousness.

Eventually, he creates a vortex that concentrates everyone's thoughts on him. After the election. He got his wish to become the first Speaker Lord of Waterdeep.

Siegel brings up the old story again and asks Waterdeep to clarify its attitude.

It's really a negotiated thing.

Waterdeep has entered a new chapter in its history, no longer having a relationship with the knights and knights of the past canonization, but still recognizing the titles and realms they have acquired. The Heim Territory belongs entirely to Siegel, and is no longer a "new land" acquired as a Pioneer Knight. In other words, the original rule of "meeting and sharing half" with the lord has ended.

The new council would deal with all the legal paperwork and recognize all the lands of the Heim Territory as belonging to Siegel. Siegel had to pay a final "tax" on half of the total land area, thus becoming independent and becoming a free lord.

The knight Siegel also has the title of baron of the Starry Kingdom, swearing allegiance to Prince Aaron. Not a complete Liberty Lord. But in the New World, he was no longer shackled. He could manage his territory exactly as he wanted - he had always done it, but now it was legally recognized.

"Each acre of land is taxed at the value of one gold coin, Siegel, do you have any objection?"

"I want to pay for the goods and not for gold. Siegel said, "Unless you admit to the gold coins I have minted myself." ”

"Cargo is a better option, especially for Waterdeep, which has just finished its siege. "We want food, cloth, salt, and iron, and not to exceed the average price of Waterdeep," said Dennis, the new Speaker. What can you offer?"

"I will make a detailed list and implement it as soon as possible. Siegel smiled, looking satisfied. "As Lord of the Heim Lord, I am willing to continue to maintain a good relationship with Waterdeep. However, my territory is not as fortunate as Waterdeep to be liberated from the encirclement of the elves. I will go back to take care of my people, so Mr. Speaker and distinguished councillors, I and my troops are bidding farewell to you!"

After a long silence, the room erupted in applause, led by Dennis, followed by messy shouting. Siegel waved like a triumphant hero and walked out of the large bathroom.

He didn't even understand why he had received such a send-off.

What a weird and absurd rally, a weird and absurd authority. Siegel gets what he wants, but he doesn't pay a single gold coin or a grain of grain, and the so-called taxes will be paid by Dennis.

Let the merchants of Waterdeep continue to rule the city, hoping that they will get everything they want through trade, both in front of the stage and behind the scenes, human and elven. But Siegel knew that it was a strong army and a fair and benevolent policy that could really sustain his rule, never a masked council or council lord.

With his escort, he returned to the camp. It's still on alert, which means it's ready to go. Siegel looked in the direction of the Tri-Peaks Tower, which was still surrounded by elemental magic, keeping ordinary people out. Alexander the Lion King should still be inside, but if he goes in again, he will probably be teleported out, and Siegel will not go to say goodbye to him.

Lady Linda Deepp and her son Liel have not been found, and the last news indicates that the two were seen after the Elven siege, and then suddenly disappeared, leaving only a locked house and an empty courtyard. If you look for it, you won't be able to make progress, and you won't have that much time to waste. Siegel wakes Manna up and orders to be pulled.

The cavalry unit quickly left Waterdeep through the north gate and would head northwest to the Walled Mountains, before returning to Heim Territory via the mid-mountain trade route. However, there was a team of twenty scouts who took a different route, choosing the ore path in the same way as in peacetime, and returning to the city while scouting the control of the elves.

Siegel used teleportation to go straight back to Myr City. (To be continued.) )