In the cold room, the cracks in the wall are still blowing in the cold wind, making the candles on the desk sway from side to side, but the fireplace in the room is still burning strongly, and it is still very warm. Leonardo Gombray, who was holding his chin with one hand, did not feel much warmth, looking at the heavy rain through the window, and even showed a little bloodshot in his tired eyes.

The already uncomfortable mood was exacerbated by the rainstorm, and the chief knight, with a splitting headache, kneaded his temples with his thumb, and a scroll with three seals at once placed on the table in front of him—the seal alone made it clear to everyone that it represented the will of Horace Marchelus, the supreme of the kingdom of Turin.

But because of this, it became the cause of Leonardo's headaches. Just by looking at this scroll, he could already imagine what kind of scene the city of Turin had become, and what this sudden order had brought.

The Knights, who fought with all their might, even at the cost of fighting most of them, won the battle of Ottovik by themselves, but it was only the beginning of everything, and it was even like a planned opera - Leonardo was not keen on politics, but he could understand that he seemed to be being used by someone.

If this is the case, then the intentions of the masterminds behind it are simply unimaginable - the Knights of the Sacred Tree, the royal family of Marcherus, the Mineste family, and even the entire south have been swept up in it, and if everything really breaks out, I am afraid that half of the kingdom will be ......

"Sir Leonardo, are you looking for me?" Edward, who gently pushed the door open and walked into the room, saw a tired Leonardo lying on the back chair, and there were still a lot of things on the somewhat messy desk. Edward's right eyebrow twitched slightly, and he involuntarily raised his attention—obviously before he came in. A lot has happened.

"Come in and sit down, you boy. Leonardo, who chuckled, casually pointed to the chair next to him and beckoned Edward to sit down. Then he breathed a long sigh of relief, and said slowly with a deep expression: "The war is over." ”

"The war is over. Edward understood what Leonardo was referring to - no matter what would become of Star City, it would collapse or become a puppet. The mission of the Turin Expeditionary Force has been achieved, and there is no reason to continue the war.

For the Dominicans, the purpose of this war was to overthrow the hegemony of the Otovik family, but no city-state dared to send troops - because legally speaking, the Otovik family did become consuls through elections, and received the puppet royal family of Dominica, the Maxim family, and was the rightful ruler of Dominica, and the use of troops against the Otovik family was tantamount to rebellion.

And suffered insults. And the kingdom of Turin, which was anxious to maintain its intimidating power in Dominica, was not ready for a war of conquest - so the two sides completed the Otovík war in tacit understanding. All Dominica watched from the sidelines, and even took the initiative to cut off the connection with Bright Star City, and watched the Turin Expeditionary Force capture Bright Star City.

The Turin Expeditionary Force, which was not ready to conquer the whole of Dominica, had no choice but to withdraw from Bright Star City - the two equally tired kingdoms had no intention of fighting each other to the end, so they had to sacrifice Star City and the Ottovik family with acquiescence. Let them take care of everything.

"Forgive all debts and allow the merchants of Turin and the merchants of Dominica to be treated equally. There are also two routes to the west coast, which will also be handed over to the Kingdom of Turin, the royal family of Dominica, which the Maxims have signed to make no war between Turin and Dominica for five years. Leonardo said in a deep voice, "And the Bright Star City is still ruled by the Otovik family. ”

"It's that simple?" Edward frowned, "I thought the kingdom would take some drastic measures - even if it was to preserve their dignity, it would not be possible to let them go so easily." ”

"Of course it's not going to be that simple – except for the reparations for this war. Bright Star City must cede Horn Fortress to the Kingdom of Turin, which is their eastern gate, and it is only a day or two sailing distance from The Hague Port, as long as the island is controlled, Bright Star City is a persimmon to be kneaded. No more threats!"

As for the rest of the city-state...... Although Leonardo didn't say it, Edward could have understood. Most of the city was reduced to ruins, and the inhabitants of Bright Star City were killed and injured by tens of thousands or more, and it no longer had the power to deter the surrounding city-states. And the loss of Horn Fort was not only a fortress for them, but also directly cut off the original shipping route and became the property of the Kingdom of Turin.

"Ceding Horn Fort......" Edward was a little surprised, "then how is His Majesty Horace going to manage this castle?

"Of course it can't be, Your Majesty is going to entitle a lord on this island to take charge of the mission of monitoring Bright Star City. Sighing softly, Leonardo placed his right hand on the scroll: "And at the suggestion of the ministers, the lord of Hornfort will have the title of viscount - which means that he can have his own coat of arms, and he will be hereditary." ”

Hereditary repudiation...... Edward was slightly startled, once such an important territory was sealed, the meaning was already quite obvious, and his dark eyes began to become a little eager.

And in ...... After hearing this, His Majesty Horace was ready to bestow this glorious title on the knights who had made great sacrifices and performed immortal deeds in the course of the expedition, just as Otto Kwyn had become lord of Fort Hague thirty years earlier. ”

"Edward Wetwood, Knight of the Sacred Tree!" Leonardo suddenly opened his eyes and shouted, "Come forward, and kneel before the Radiant Cross!"

Edward, who was already somewhat aware of what was happening, fell to his knees in front of Leonardo Cambrai in silence, slowly drew his sword, knelt down on one knee with the sword, suppressed his inner excitement and extremely complex emotions, humbly bowed his head, and waited for the declaration that was about to fall on him.

Titles, coats of arms, fiefdoms...... Hidden in these words, officially called the "candy" of power, Edward, who was still sarcastic about Trist's stupidity not long ago, couldn't help but laugh at himself and laughed secretly, what is the difference between himself and him who is excited to be like this?

"In the name of His Majesty Horace I, King of Turin, Heir to the House of Marchelus, Guardian of the Radiant Cross, Commander of the Knights of the Sacred Tree, and His Majesty Horace I, I hereby declare that I, Commander of the Expeditionary Force and Knight of the Knights of the Sacred Tree, Leonardo Gombray, hereby present Edward Witwood with the title of Lord of Fort Horn in the name of my King. ”

"Firmly believe in the dogma of the Order, defend the faith of the Radiant Cross, be loyal to our king, and swear to fight for Turin at all times, and to defend every inch of the kingdom forever with the weapons given to you by your title and faith!"

"I hereby swear to bear witness to my oath in the name of the Radiant Cross. Edward bowed his head and said in a deep voice as if praying: "Always believe in the teachings of the Radiant Cross, and always fight for Turin." ”

"I will be the shield and the sword that will guard the kingdom from now until the last day of my life. May the Radiant Cross give me the strength, courage and determination to stand firm in my faith. May my king be Yongchang, and God bless Turin-!"

"May my king be eternal, God bless Turin. Leonardo nodded slightly, and a smile finally appeared on his tired face: "Get up, Edward Witwood, from today until the moment you return to the Starry Sky Divine Kingdom, you will be the Lord of Hornfort, the nobleman of the kingdom!"

"Now, Viscount Edward Witwood, according to His Majesty's will, you can get ready to take over the territory and the castle without hasting back to Turin for the time being, and you should be familiar with it!" (to be continued......