Heading south along the Rick River, Rhodes followed the army back to the Imperial capital of Aldolphe. On deck, the crowd talked about politics and women. Only Rhodes remained silent. It's just that no one notices that in just three months since this northern lord of Kislev came to the empire, the number of followers around him has doubled, and many of them are from the empire......

The carriage and horses drove through the main gate into the gates of Aldolf. Rhodes noticed that there were many more poor people gathered outside the city than three months ago, presumably refugees from Marienburg who had been displaced by the war. However, the emperor and politicians would not say this to the outside world, they would only say that it was a slight increase in the number of poor people due to the failure of the winter crops.

In fact, the citizens of Aldolph were so accustomed to the poor outside the city that they turned a blind eye to them. No one will care if they live or die. It should be said that the people in the city themselves are also trying to survive, and they have no time to care about others.

In the evening, the banquet arrived as scheduled.

There were a variety of delicacies on the long table, and it seemed that famous chefs from all over the world had gathered in Aldolf, gathered in the emperor's palace, and plates of good dishes were served. Aromatic oxtail soup, walnut crisp, grape salad, crab pie, spiced boiled eel, creamy quail, each dish has a corresponding wine pairing. It's like a grand triumphal feast. It's ridiculous that the soldiers who actually shed their blood on the battlefield are camping out in the cold wind outside the city.

"Perhaps, I should dig this cook to me. ”

"Hahaha, you can ask Louis Bird, a cook, he won't be so stingy. ”

"I know his temper best. ”

Maximian and Todd Bollinger chatted casually, and when they finished speaking, they looked at each other and laughed.

Their knights were chatting about which brothel in Aldolph had the bustier women. Some of these knights are hereditary family inheritance, some are bought with money, and some are even mercenary backgrounds, in short, they have complex identities, as long as they serve the lord, they have the opportunity to be promoted. There are people of three religions and nine streams. Unlike the knights of Bretonnia, they are basically in the same vein. So you can't expect how high they are in terms of quality.

Rhodes sat aside, holding walnut crisp in his hand, one bite at a time, and tasted the fine wines from all over the world. The wine from Bretonnia is still so mellow, and the vodka still needs to be made locally in Kislev to make that flavor. At least the beer, the dwarves brewed well, but unfortunately the alcohol content is always surprisingly high, and not everyone can afford it.

"Everyone, please put down the food in your hands for a moment and listen to me. ”

The festive atmosphere of the banquet was interrupted by a high-pitched voice. Everyone present turned their heads and looked at the main seat. It was where the Emperor and the Electors sit, right in the middle of the banquet hall. Ivey leads the election of Emperor Marius?? Lightdorf raised his glass and said with a smile on his face.

For this person, Rod is still very impressed. When he first came to the Empire to warn the Emperor, he was the most arrogant of this guy. Of course, he does have arrogant capital, Ivey's territory is wide, the territory is even larger than that of Kislev, the territory is rich in ore, timber and other resources, and the population is large. In terms of strength alone, for such a province within the empire, the overall strength even exceeds that of the entire country of Kislev.

"Thanks to the gods, we have a great victory. ”

"You should be grateful to Rhodes for turning the tide of the battle and saving the lives of countless Imperial soldiers!"

Marius's proud speech was directly rebuffed by Maximian, the candidate of Oster Elective Emperor. Indeed, what Maximian said was the truth. This battle is none of the gods, nor is it the business of other forces outside the three northern provinces. It was the combined forces of Osterland, Nord, and Ostmark, together with the defenders of Fort Marien, that defeated the Norscan invaders. Even the emperor's army was belated, not to mention the southern provinces, which showed no signs of sending troops from beginning to end. It would be impossible to say that the northern provinces had no opinion on this at all. Maximian's words were basically the complaints in the hearts of the other two candidates.

"Okay, okay, let's not mention that. I will say that one way or another, we defeated the invasion of the Norsca tribes. This is something to celebrate. ”

"Cheers to this great victory!"

Ignoring Maximian's praise for Rod, Marius skips the topic and turns to celebration. Pick up a glass of wine and drink it all. When everyone saw this scene, they couldn't say anything, they raised their glasses and drank freely, and the atmosphere became warm and festive again.

Taking advantage of the jubilant mood, Marius continued his oratory, placing his glass in one hand, raising his other hand with a ruby ring, and stopping in the air.

"However, it's not enough to celebrate the victory. ”

As soon as Marius changed his words, everyone stopped what they were doing, whether they were eating food or drinking wine, or molesting the maid......

"The empire must not forget the blood shame, and the blood of the warriors must not be shed in vain! The Norscans came and went again. But the scars they have inflicted on the land are indelible. ”

Marius?? Lightdorf clenched his fists and said in a loud voice.

At this point, Rod had already guessed what he was going to talk about next, which was something that Rod had been worried about all along. Unfortunately, it still happened......

"Therefore, I swear in the name of my family that I will make these barbarians pay with their blood. For the bloody sacrifices of the Imperial soldiers, for the innocent Marion civilians. ”

I have to say that the lords of the empire, the electors may not rush to the front when they fight, but they have their own set of speeches and agitation. Marius spoke loudly, his voice was subdued, and his sensational facial movements instantly aroused the enthusiasm of the imperial knights present. Coupled with alcohol, many people have the urge to get ready for it.

"When was the great empire, the rich Marienburg, so humiliated by the barbarians? This was not only a provocation, a plunder, but an insult. For the sake of the glory of the Empire, I propose to organize a northern expedition to sweep the Norsca tribes, slaughter the enemies they see, and let the glory of the Empire shine on the dark and cold land of Norscan. ”

Marius said loudly, and the imperial generals and knights below had already sharpened their swords, and they couldn't hold it back, and there was an uproar.

Following this emotion, Marius continued to sensationalize to—

"Ivey's legions are ready and ready to go. We will go deep into the territory of the Norscans and burn their villages and towns. The armies of the Empire will unleash a storm that will destroy all entrenched enemies of decay and darkness. ”

"I'm afraid your legion will be swept away by a storm at sea before it arrives. ”

Marius's fiery speech was interrupted by Maximian's icy words.