"Landzel Otovik, leader of the Purple Sails Mercenary Regiment, you should know who I am - but as far as I know, the people of Turin regard it as a friendly way to tell them their name and title first, and I hope I will show you what I mean. ”

Riding to a tree not far from the gates of Fort Clarrum, the middle-aged man in a purple coat took the initiative to retreat from the guards behind him, and with a slight friend-like smile on his dark face, he raised his head slightly towards Edward: "It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir Edward Witwood—although we should both be very happy about this meeting. ”

"I'm glad to meet you, Captain Landzel Otovik. With a pleasant expression on his face, Edward, who had changed into a new overalle, stepped forward alone, with a slight playfulness on the corner of his mouth: "Or ...... The most famous of the Bright Star City, the illegitimate son of the Otovik family. ”

Randerzel's face showed a slight displeasure but it disappeared immediately, and he chuckled a little self-deprecatingly: "There are many identities that we can't abandon for the rest of our lives, but sometimes these unpleasant things can become a source of pride - like the current Otovik family, they must be ten thousand unwilling to admit how much they need me as a bastard to protect them now." ”

Edward raised his right brow in some surprise, he didn't expect this guy to be so cheerful - it often indicates how difficult this guy is, and a guy who can face it calmly when he is poked in the sore spot, and even take pride in it, often indicates how strong he is.

After all, our true strength is determined by our own shortcomings -- either we cover up our weaknesses well, or we don't care about exposing them so that the enemy can't get started. Although he doesn't want to admit it, Edward can't do the second point yet, and he can only try to show his strongest side.

"It seems that we have reached a minimum of sincerity, Sir Edward Witwood. Seeing the surprise on Edward's face, Landzel was not complacent, and spread his hands with a smile: "I'm here to negotiate - as you can see now, I didn't even bring a guard to show my sincerity." ”

"I'm now unarmed, and I'm standing alone in front of a knight like you, and you know the risks you're taking—if you're going to kill me, no amount of the brethren behind me will stop you. ”

"Really, but to me you're more of a threat. Edward shook his head with the same smile: "You mean to tell me that if I dare to do anything to you, the army of thousands will be a bunch of beasts that no one can stop, and in an instant the isolated Hornfort will be reduced to ruins, and all of us will die without a place to bury." ”

"Of course, you can also understand it this way - I am the leader of the Purple Sail Mercenary Regiment, and if I die, then the first officer or flag bearer who avenges me will be the next leader, this has been the rule of the Purple Sail Mercenary Regiment for generations. ”

"But I'm not going to die here, and I'm already here to negotiate with you in good faith. Landzel said in a deep voice, "I have shown you enough sincerity and respect for the enemy, because you have taken responsibility. ”

"Over the past few days, you and your brave warriors have resisted our attack with all your might, and as an enemy I greatly appreciate such heroic qualities and noble courage. You fought very tenaciously, and our two elite centurions were even robbed of their flags by you, and the centurion died on the city walls, which to tell the truth was a considerable blow to the morale of our army. ”

"But you and I both know that you can't hold this castle - yes, you have plenty of supplies, and the Turin battleship that I let go must have brought you extremely good readiness, but what about the soldiers, how many men do you have under your command, a hundred or two hundred?"

"You have indeed achieved brilliant results in the past few days, but we can still afford those little losses, but they are just scratching a little flesh, and you are not necessarily. The corners of Landzel's mouth curled slightly, and he pointed to the castle in the distance, which was almost soaked red with blood: "Maybe next time you can still repel our attack, but what's the point?"

"You're here to stop me from coming to the rescue of the Otovik family in Bright Star City, and I don't have the slightest affection for saving the family that once drove me like a pig and a dog, and I don't intend to care about their lives or deaths. The bastard son of the House of Otovík made no secret of his disgust: "Again, I have no thoughts of being an enemy of Turin. ”

"I can get you evacuated from Fort Clarrum, and you can take all of your men who are still alive with the wounded, and no one of the Purple Sails Mercenaries will hurt you - but in exchange you will need to convey our sincerity to your commanders and let them know that the Purple Sails Mercenaries want to negotiate amicably. ”

"It is only a matter of time before I take Fortfort, but I have no intention of making an enemy of the Kingdom of Turin, and we can join forces - I know what this war is about, you may not know, but what you call a just war is nothing more than a naked conspiracy to show off force and then plunder money from Dominica. ”

"Is there a second kind of war in this world?" asked Edward coldly.

“...... Yes, war is such a thing. After a moment of silence, Landzel smiled approvingly: "But wouldn't it be a better choice if there was a different way without sacrifice?"

"You want to get Bright Star City?"

"I'm also a member of the Ottovic family, and it's my natural right to be the ruler of Bright Star City - even if it's an illegitimate child, and I have a strong army in my hands that is loyal to me, why shouldn't I fight for it?

"What's more, for you Turine, with my help, your power in Dominica will be more stable - after all, I am a real Dominican, and I am also a member of the Otovik family, even if I overthrow the current Otovík family and become the ruler of Bright Star City, it is just a change within the family, and the people will not have any resistance. ”

"I've told you the truth, and I don't think there's anything like that to show my sincerity. Landzel smiled and said: "Agree to my conditions, I will let you go and you can continue the next step of cooperation, if you don't agree, I will kill the Horn Fort, and then plunder all the replenishment cargo ships of the Kingdom of Turin along the way, your 'expeditionary force' will become a 'lone army', either completely defeated, or can only retreat from Dominica, this war will become a meaningless war, no one can profit from it!"

"Now tell me your decision, Edward Witwood. Your decision now will change the fate of thousands. With that, Landzel waited expectantly for him to say that, leaving a scar in his eyes with a slight understanding, as if he already knew the final result.

.................. Looking at the back of the black-haired Sacred Tree Knight leaving, Landzel couldn't hide his surprise and bewilderment at all - this young man named Edward Witwood actually refused such a generous offer, where did he get the courage and determination to make such a ridiculous move?!

Such a clear condition is replaced by anyone who knows which one to choose. Landzel instead had a little appreciation-how could the guy who could stop the Purple Sail Mercenary Group for so many days be an ordinary person?

Or, is it really like what his herald said, is this guy really some kind of "devil" and "madman", or is it ...... A real monster?

"Tell the flag bearer, beat the drums of war. Landzel, who was riding on a war horse, looked at the castle with the horn sounding in the distance, and his face was cold: "Since they are seeking death, we have no need to stop them." ”

"Burn the Horn to the ground for me, and slaughter the arrogant scum of Turin!"