Nafario Brindis's "Declaration of War" barely hesitated, even to the point of not concealing it at all: "Dominica today is the weakest in a hundred years, and when we are at its strongest, if we can't take advantage of it once and for all, we will give them more respite, and become a formidable enemy that can never be completely wiped out like the evil heretics in the East!"

"It is a great taboo to talk about war! Any war will eventually turn into a terrible disaster, and that is absolutely not advisable. This time, it was not only Grand Master Mercer Kane, but even the court ceremonial officer took the initiative to stand up: "You have also witnessed the cruel years of war, please don't take this as child's play!"

"It is because I know the horrors of war that it is necessary to do so once and for all—our enemies will not abandon their greedy minions because of the noble and benevolent spirit of the people of Turine, which will only cause more and more long-term misery to the kingdom. Nafario was awe-inspiring: "At the expense of one generation, we can buy hundreds of years of peace!"

"But what are you going to do? Winter is coming, and thousands of families in the kingdom of Turin are preparing for winter, how are you going to gather an army in such a situation?" Mercer Kane asked rhetorically, "Even the Knights of the Sacred Tree in the east will not be able to assemble to the west in the face of heavy snow blocking the road, or are you going to rely on the garrison of Turin City?"

"I'm ......" Nafario was suddenly speechless, but it was not without words, Edward could see that he was about to say something but finally gave up, and waved his hand heavily: "In short, the problem can be overcome!"

"But the reality is also that we have to accept, the fall of winter is never the right time to start a war, even if the opportunity is not good, the kingdom cannot afford it. His Majesty Horace interrupted Nafario's words, leaving the pale-skinned middle-aged man with a mouthful of blood in his chest.

"Marquis Holard Minest, tell me what you think. ”

"Yes, Your Majesty. The old man looked at Nafario as if he had been stabbed with a sword, very kindly: "Actually, I am in agreement with Lord Nafario Brindisi in most opinions, and he is right—this will be a very rare opportunity, and if done properly, we can make a lot of profit for the Kingdom of Turin." ”

"The nobility of Turin is the foundation of the kingdom, and if you can get them to forgive their debts by diplomatic means, the whole city of Turin will rejoice in it, and it will be good to abolish the Dominica concession in King's Port, and to give the royal family a large plot of land at once, to sell it to those truly patriotic merchants, to quickly replenish the treasury, and to build a new town hall and increase the number of clerks on the remaining land. ”

Holard Minnest talked eloquently, and sure enough, he had been the Minister of the Interior for more than ten years, and he listed all the advantages very smoothly, and avoided talking about all the possible hidden dangers: "Of course, as long as there are benefits, there will be disadvantages, and the Dominicians can swallow their anger for a while but will not be convinced." But as long as Turin is strong enough, he doesn't have to care about Xiaoxiao's opinion. ”

"It's so comforting to see you all so united. Horace smiled slightly: "Now that we have decided what to do, it is time to choose who should be the head of the reception mission." ”

"About this...... Your Majesty, allow me to make a very bold proposal. Holard suddenly raised his hand and blocked Nafario, who was about to stand up, and the kind-faced old man bowed slightly: "Please allow me to recommend His Highness Anson Marchelus, your eldest son and the first heir to the throne of the kingdom, as the head of this envoy group. ”

"I?!" the little prince almost jumped up from his seat, but not surprised, but extra surprised. Edward, who was standing behind him, could almost notice Anson's face flushed with excitement.

"Anson, sit down. Horace glanced at his son with a calm face, and when the little prince, who had just been very excited, saw his father's eyes, as if he had been immediately doused with ice water, he sat back obediently.

"Horard Minest, tell me why?"

"If the Dominicans are to show the Dominicans how powerful the Kingdom of Turin is, let them see what a wonderful heir we have to the kingdom, and how strong the House of Marcherus is with the banner of the flaming goshawk, and His Royal Highness the Prince can do it all. The half-hundred-year-old Holard bent down deeply and gestured humbly: "At the banquet of my granddaughter Alan Kwyn, His Highness shocked many people, and it will certainly shock the Dominicans!"

"What's more, His Royal Highness the Prince is not alone, and I am sure that the Court Master of Ceremonies will be more than happy to assist His Highness. Holard stood up slowly, and glanced at Edward as if inadvertently: "And our young and promising squire Sir Edward, both of whom will become powerful aids to His Royal Highness the Prince, to accomplish this noble mission." ”

.................. "What the hell are you trying to do with this guy Holard Minest?" Almost as soon as the meeting ended, the iron-faced Nafario blocked Holard in the uninhabited corridor and said in an extremely fierce tone: "Swear in the name of the Radiant Cross, I won't let you leave here if you don't say it!"

"I am on your side, Lord Nafario Brindisi - and indeed I admire you, especially with the skill of Chancellor and the sensitivity to Gentiles that you have shown today. The old man who was half leaning against the wall smiled slightly: "If we can work together, the Kingdom of Turin will usher in a new prosperous world!"

"Cooperation, I am the descendant of the oldest family in Turin City, and you are just a defeated soldier of the Marcherus family, a captive who surrendered, what is the qualification of a savage foreigner to talk to me about cooperation?!" Nafario had a hideous expression: "Wait and see, one day I will drive all of you people out of Turin City, and return all your lands and towns to the kingdom, so that you damned scum will have no room to survive under the light of the great glorious cross!"

"Then I can only wish you a speedy success, Venerable Lord Nafario Brindis. Holard still didn't lose his temper, "But I still think we can be friends - the Minest family's financial resources will be a great help to you if you want to." ”

"Leave your gold to the greedy and ambitious foreigner, just like that Edward Wittwood, how can a mere squire have a place at the prince's side, while so many noble Turin nobles can only watch? Why should an excellent young man from a century-old family pay tribute to a country boy whose ancestors are all farmers?" Nafario even trembled with excitement: "I hate all of you, especially you!"

"Don't think that a few kind words for me and a flattery or two will make me a friend - a true and upright Turin nobleman will never forget who his enemies are. Nafario, who said these words angrily, gave Holard a cold last look: "Wait, you coward, Turin and Dominica will have a battle, and that day will be the day when the whole of Turin will become pure again, and that day will be the day when the flaming goshawks of Marcherus will rise from the south of the earth!"

With these almost prophetic words, Nafario turned and left the palace. Horald's expression slowly became serious, and he straightened his shirt very solemnly.

"It seems that even I am disgusted by this Lord Nafario Brindis. Edward, who had been standing in the corner of the corridor, walked out leisurely: "In order to maintain the relationship between the two sides, you are really hard. ”

"Everything is for Turin. As if joking, Holard said it, and silently turned his gaze to Edward: "But this is not the most important thing for you to pay attention to right now - since His Majesty Horace has agreed that our little prince will be in charge of the diplomatic reception, it means that you have been given the lead in dealing with the envoys, and you have no light burden on you." ”

"It's a great honor to have your recommendation, but it doesn't seem to me to be. Edward raised his right eyebrow, "I'm just one of them, along with the Court Celebrant and Sir Green Turn, who is in charge of the protection of the Emissary Corps." ”

"Then find a way to squeeze out the two of them - I've earned this power for you, and it's up to you what to do next. In the empty hallway, Holard uttered these naked words as if without taboo: "Greene Turnn should be easy to deal with, but our court ceremonial officer is a difficult fellow, and this is the last hint." ”

Lord Holard Minest...... "Of course not, the corners of Edward's mouth lifted slightly, "Are you suggesting to me that I want to control His Highness Anson's every move and turn him into an obedient puppet?"

"You did a great job at the banquet that day, and I'm sure you can do even better. Holard smiled and patted Edward on the shoulder, as if to encourage a "positive" young man.

"So, is that what you're recommending me for?" Edward asked, "I'm afraid you want me to do something unspeakable for you?"

"There is no doubt about it, but the Kingdom of Turin will certainly benefit from this. Holard smiled: "That also means that you can also make a lot of money from it." ”