Although, I don't want to fight the third time just after the second big border war. Pen ~ Fun ~ Pavilion www.biquge.info But if things really go that far, then William will never be afraid or resist.

"First of all, we have to form another coalition army. With the strength of the Hereford family on their own, it was still too reluctant to fight against a powerful country like the Ottoman Empire. William thought about it all. As the court minister of the Duchy of Mystia, as well as the court minister of the Grand Duchy of Novgorod. More often than not, he alone decides the affairs of the military. Archduke Otto, for the most part, only played the role of a mascot.

But, of course. Now that something so big had happened, it really shouldn't have been called Archduke Otto—in fact, all the high-level officials of the Grand Duchy had been present at this meeting, even Elise. And as happens in the vast majority of cases, the person presiding over the meeting is William. And none of the principality's top brass felt anything was wrong. Everyone was listening carefully to William's words.

"Of course, it is impossible to pull up another crusader. William shook his head and said.

"Why?" Archduke Otto was a little surprised: "Last time, didn't we gather so many armies in the core and name of the Crusaders?"

"That's right, Father. This time, however, the situation was different. William said: "Last time, the Hereford family was not that powerful. ”

"Now, we don't have that much power. Hearing William say this, Archduke Otto felt even more incomprehensible.

"You misunderstood me, father. Wilhelm smiled and explained: "By 'so strong' I don't mean the power to defeat the opponent alone, but the power to advance, develop, and occupy the land east of the Vistula River - in our plan, the land east of the Vistula River is in our pocket." We will not allow any uncontrolled nation to emerge in that land, not be it the New Knights or the Crusader Kingdoms!"

"But now it's ...... After all, the lands east of the Vistula we occupy only Novgorod. Archduke Otto hesitated, then said, "We may be able to ...... Plot against them later?"

"It's difficult. William shook his head: "Moreover, the reputation is not good - whatever the purpose of the crusaders, objectively they helped us. So ......"

"Ahh Grand Duke Otto nodded. Then he stopped talking.

"Moreover, I do not think that the Holy See has enough prestige as a presiding officer to lead another crusade. Although the Crusaders had successfully attacked Novgorod before, they had earned a little face for the Holy See. But the impact of the previous failures of the Great Frontier Crusades was too great. The Holy See will never be able to do anything in the short term. And. Speaking of this, William smiled:

"We had a better alternative than the Holy See and the Crusaders - to secure the eastern territories of the Empire, to assert their authority as Emperor, and to control the divided kingdom of Wende. Kalman IV would definitely intervene in this war. When the time comes, we will have a much more centralized and effective organization than the Crusaders. We will be aided by an Imperial army of 200,000 or more!

And more importantly, His Majesty the Emperor could never have seized the lands of the Great Frontier - for which he had just fought a protracted war. In any case, he will not make the same 'mistake' again.

In this case, there are two options that are best for him. The first is to canonize the newly seized territories to the new nobility. The second is to divide these territories among the original nobles of the great border areas. And at this point, the Hereford family can definitely gain an advantage. ”

"But wouldn't that diminish the independence of the Hereford family......? Even if Kalman IV could not bring those territories under his jurisdiction, he could still canonize some nobles who were close to him. At this time, the merchant John, who was William's deputy, hesitated for a moment, and then said that he was now a hot celebrity in the Grand Duchy of Novgorod. He shoulders two important positions: General Manager of Hereford General Company and Minister of Finance of the Grand Duchy. It was even called the money bag of the principality by some.

But John the merchant himself knew his own business. His actual status really isn't that high. The administrative power of all the territories of the Hereford family was almost in the hands of William. John the Merchant was sure that William was the most power-grabbing man he had ever met. In many cases, he just did what William told him to do. Only small, trivial things can he call the shots.

"Canonize the nobility?" William chuckled, "What good is it to him to be canonized, or what do you think should be considered when Allocating Kalman IV's territory?"

"This ......" is a matter of course, and John, a businessman who only performs in economics and commerce, cannot answer at all.

"Strength, loyalty, goodwill, and whether it can come in handy. Of course, William didn't want the merchant John to answer, and said all these elements to himself: "And these things, our Hereford family happens to be lacking!"

"Well, then send an envoy to His Majesty Kalman IV at once, and ask the Emperor for reinforcements!" said Archduke Otto, with some pleasure.

"No, you can't do that. William shook his head: "At least not for now." If the emperor misunderstands that we wrote a letter to him to pledge our allegiance to him because we asked for reinforcements, it will greatly damage our image in front of the emperor. ”

"Well, we ......"

"In a short period of time, you can wait and see what happens. William said: "At least until the defeat of Sarida Khan, we will wait and see what happens." We want to give the emperor an impression, it's all a coincidence. All this was something we didn't expect. In this way, the emperor will be able to reduce his suspicion of us. ”

"What should we do, then, now?, is it enough to concentrate our forces?" asked Archduke Otto.

"Yes, for the time being, it's enough to just concentrate forces. William nodded: "There really isn't much that should be done...... Now, it is not us who will decide the situation in the Great Border Region. ”

"But to do that...... Is it really too late?" On the other side, little John, who had already hung up the rank of colonel, was a little hesitant: "If it is after we have fought with the dark elves, we will ask for help from the Empire." Then even if the emperor is willing to send reinforcements. The army is organized, and the time for the march is probably not short......"

"Not short. William nodded: "Yes, during this time, there is a good chance that we will have to face the army of dark elves alone. But it was not too difficult - Sarida Khan's army, no matter how weak, numbered 100,000 men. And Ruthenia is a barren country, no matter what. After defeating the army of Sarida Khan, and then marching to Ruthenia. How much strength do the dark elves have left?How could the Hereford family not be able to defend against such an army?"

"You mean we can beat them?" William's words gave little John the illusion. He was starting to rejoice.

"No, just defense. William replied.

His words made everyone present feel unwilling. It was only at this time that they realized that although the Hereford family was already strong, it was still not strong enough. Still not strong enough to decide everything, at least to the extent that it matters to one's own interests.

But at the same time, everyone also believes that under William's leadership, they will grow to that level as quickly as possible. They had faith in William. After all, William had led them to many things that seemed incredible and incomprehensible. Some of them can even be called "miracles".

"So be it, guys. William finally said, "Go back to work." I need you to be in the best shape for whatever challenges come your way. ”

After this, the dignitaries of the Grand Duchy saluted Archduke Otto and William one after another, and then rushed out. Only William was left in the room, as well as Charlumie and Elis.

"William. After seeing that only his own family was left, Grand Duke Otto could no longer hide the worried look on his face: "We, can we really ......" After saying this, Grand Duke Otto stopped, as if he didn't know what to say. However, William still understood what he meant, and then comforted him in a deep voice:

"Of course, father. William said:

"Whether it's to capture the Tartariya Khanate, or to defeat the dark elves of the Ottomans. Whether it's profiting between the Emperor, the Pope, the Alchemist, and the Britons, or in the Great Frontier, we can do it all. The Hereford family can also eventually develop into a first-rate power that no one can underestimate. Our names, of course, will be recorded in the history books forever. It's all okay, so rest assured. Our family also needs your strength. ”

"I see. Hearing William say this, Archduke Otto showed a reassuring expression, and then he continued to hold William's hand, looking at him a little out of control, and asked a little nervously: "You will do all this, right, William?

"- Of course, father. I'll do it. William replied, holding back the aching hand that had been held by Archduke Otto.

After hearing the affirmative answer, Archduke Otto finally breathed a sigh of relief, and then he sensed that his movements were inappropriate, and withdrew his hand in a mocking manner. Some don't know what to say.

"Go and rest, father. So William said, "Perhaps next, we will face the most terrible enemy in the world." So, while we still have time to rest, let's have a good rest. ”