"Thank you. Pen | fun | pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 Info" William nodded: "Thank you, father. Thank you so much. ”

"You've never thanked me in all this time...... No, I should say that I should be the one to thank you. Duke Otto sat down in his chair, tilted his head and said, "You are the greatest hero of the Hereford family, the greatest hero of the Great Frontier Region, and even the greatest hero of the human world. We all owe you, William. ”

"It doesn't matter. William continued: "It's not like we're not seeing each other again. It's not like I won't come back. Hereford is still my home, and you are still my father. ”

In the days that followed, William, as he said, attended all kinds of celebrations, banquets, and balls with Duke Otto, and behaved perfectly.

Whether it's smiling or talking, whether it's facial expressions or body movements, it's all perfect. It was as if he was really the son of a man who admired his father's glory and martial arts and adored Duke Otto.

No one saw that something was wrong. In fact, very few people would have thought about the truth of this matter. Or rather, people don't think in that direction at all.

The whole celebration reached its peak in January. The Holy See, an emissary from Pope Pius IV, came and showed Duke Otto goodwill from the Holy See.

Although he did not canonize Duke Otto, as some might think, the Pope showed great kindness and interest. At the same time, he used the terms "Holy Shield" and "Guardian of the Human World" when addressing Duke Otto - not as shocking as "Saint", but still amazing enough.

At the same time, Pius IV encouraged Duke Otto to continue his efforts and continue his attack on the centaurs. and implied that if Duke Otto was able to recover the lands of Ruthenia, then he could crown Duke Otto King of Ruthenia.

The prestige of the Hereford family reached its peak at this moment.

Whether people want to or not, they have to admit the fact that in the Grand Duchy of Mazovia, and even in the Kingdom of Wende, and even in the entire Great Frontier Region, the Hereford family has become a well-deserved first family.

Of course, there was another thing that was noticed, and that was that Duke Otto did not seem happy.

His smile was reluctant. It is even said that there is a little sadness.

However, the vast majority of people still did not associate this matter with William. Instead, he thought that Duke Otto was distressed by the order of the Holy See.

Although, in the eyes of the parties involved, namely the Hereford father and son, the Tartariya Khanate had already begun to decline. But in the eyes of those who don't know what's going on, the Khanate is still a behemoth that ordinary people can't compete with. With the strength and ability of the Hereford family, they have done everything they can to ensure that the west of the Vistula River is not touched. Not to mention the attack east of the Vistula.

"What if...... Well, of course, the Pope has also considered your Excellency's difficulties. When the envoy of the Holy See saw Duke Otto's embarrassed expression, his thoughts were no different from those of ordinary people. Immediately reassured: "It's just an intention." Moreover, the Holy See is actively lobbying the nations to form a new crusade. The Duke is not alone. ”

Knowing that the other party had misunderstood what he meant, Duke Otto smiled reluctantly and did not explain more. But in my heart I don't think so.

Pope, the influence of the Holy See on the nations of the human world is clear to all of you. This time, the crusaders, the human nations, and many nobles suffered such a big loss. In the near future, I am afraid that no one will want to go on a crusade. The efforts of the Holy See will certainly be in vain in the end. The Holy See is hoarsely propagating to the princes of the nations, and the final result can only be to make himself a laughing stock, nothing more.

But of course, this kind of thing can be thought about in your heart, but you can't say it. On the surface, Duke Otto still had to pretend to be grateful. At the same time, the envoy was assured: "Once the crusade is completed, the Hereford family is willing to be the vanguard and be the first to enter the territory of the Tarta Khanate." ”

After receiving assurances from Duke Otto, the papal envoy left satisfied. Looking at his happy appearance, most of them didn't hear what Duke Otto said.

- Yes, the Hereford family will indeed be the first to enter the territory of the Tartarya Khanate, but there is a premise for this, that is, "the crusade will be successful", and if "the crusade will not be successful", then the Hereford family will have to say sorry.

That's it. Although Duke Otto knew very well about the situation in the Tartarian Khanate. He knew very well that as long as he made a little move, then it would be absolutely fine to annex Ruthenia, not to mention the vast land of Tarta, at least.

But William didn't want him to do that. The reasons are as stated above. He needed a stronger Tartaria as a shield against the even more terrifying invasion of the Dark Elf Empire.

During the day, William attended a variety of banquets with Duke Otto. After returning to the annex prepared for them by the Grand Duke of Mazovia, William would teach Duke Otto the next direction of the development of the Duchy of Mystia and the development strategy bit by bit. This included the preservation of the Tartarya Khanate and the expansion into Holmgard and Novgorod. Stabilize your own power and expand your voice and territory in the Grand Duchy of Mazovia. And to a limited extent to help the Trieste family.

- With the Hereford family able to seize any of the three Slavic states at any time, the title of Grand Duke of Mazovia is no longer as important as it used to be. If you can be crowned a certain Slavic king. Even after annexing all three Slavic states, crowned with the title of "Ruler of All Slavites", then the Hereford family also has a ticket to the throne of the Wende Kingdom.

In this case, maintaining the rule of the Trieste family in the Grand Duchy of Mazovia, co-opting an ally, and maintaining a good name was more important than expanding his territory in Mazovia, which would be more appropriate than a small concession from Mazovia, if William could secure a kingdom of Wende for this purpose.

In addition to these strategic decisions, William detailed the future path of the Hereford family, including the expansion of animal husbandry, the export of large quantities of wool, grain, and soybean oil, the expansion of influence in the Polotsk region in the north, the establishment of a top-down bureaucracy, the establishment of a modern postal system, and the construction of more cement, gravel, or cinder roads. Introduce science and technology from western developed countries. Establishment of scientific research institutes, establishment of public colleges, public universities, etc., etc......., etc., etc., etc.

Some of these things Duke Otto listened very carefully, while others Duke Otto did not think so, and just spoke casually.

William could see it, but there was no way - no matter how close he was to Duke Otto, no matter how much Duke Otto trusted him. But at the end of the day, Duke Otto didn't think the same way as he did. There are some things that he doesn't value. Or rather, incomprehensible.

In this way, William spent the last winter in Krakow. In February, winter goes to spring. It's time to leave.