In February 1779, Wilhelm returned to Novgorod. Pen & Fun & Pavilion www.biquge.info

The contents of the negotiations with Archduke Henry, the various agreements had reached Archduke Otto a few days earlier. For all of William's decisions, Archduke Otto's attitude was basically the same as before-

He was worried, overwhelmed, and felt that it was difficult to achieve and very dangerous. But in the end, he decided to go according to William's plan.

In this way, the war machine of the Hereford family was once again in motion, and it was once again ready to expand abroad.

"After this war, my father was king...... How does it feel?" said William, smiling, and asked Archduke Otto.

"Nothing feels like it, there's no sense of reality. It's like everything we've been through in the past few years. Grand Duke Otto thought to himself. But on the surface, he was silent, and did not say a word except a gentle smile. In the course of spending a long time with William, Archduke Otto also learned a lot.

"Yes. Although Archduke Otto didn't say a word, William seemed to hear something: "Emperor." He's got a letter?"

"Yes. Archduke Otto nodded: "Actually, not only me, but the other Grand Dukes of Wende have also received his letter. ”

"What is he going to do?"

"Want us to recognize the legitimacy of his position as emperor. ”

"It's nothing. William nodded: "What else, do you want Wende to stop the civil war, or to elect a new king?"

"Not really. Grand Duke Otto shook his head: "He just called on the Wende Kingdom to stop the war. It is only an appeal, not a mandatory order. ”

“...... Yes. Hearing Archduke Otto say this, William was a little strange for a while: "Generally speaking, in this case, he should use coercion to increase his prestige...... Why is this happening? It's just an appeal? It doesn't say, 'If anyone is disobedient, attack whom?' This is a good opportunity to show off the imperial power......" William thought about it for a while, but he still couldn't understand it, so he stopped thinking about it, and then secretly paid attention, and decided to ask the Cheka to pay attention to this matter.

"Anything else?" asked William.

"That's pretty much it. Archduke Otto said: "I also asked the messenger, and the messenger said that several similar letters had been sent to Retjord in the north. ”

"Apart from Wende, Retjord is the greatest prince...... Although it has no impact on the overall situation, it is for the sake of him, the emperor, who deserves his name, and his face is good-looking. It is also a matter of course to buy the people of Rytjod. William thought to himself: "What about again? For Britton and the Visigothic Kingdom, does the emperor have any actions?"

"I haven't heard of this...... Where's your channel?" Archduke Otto knew a little bit about the Cheka. That's why there's such a problem.

“...... No. William shook his head and said, "I haven't heard anything about that either...... In other words, the emperor was quite pragmatic, and now he was still only managing the internal affairs of the empire, and had no intention of expanding and waging war. ”

"That's right...... So what do we do? Just send an emissary to the emperor and swear allegiance?"

“...... No. William thought for a moment, and then vetoed Archduke Otto's meaning: "We also have to tell each other that a civil war is about to break out in the Wende Kingdom. William said.

"But ......," Archduke Otto was a little puzzled, "won't the emperor interfere?"

"Tell him that everything should have a way to go -- that he had just put an end to a civil war and that he should understand what I mean. William said, "Moreover, let the Emperor know about the new kingdom we have established in the land of Slavi - this will be supported by the Emperor." 'During the reign of Kalman IV, the empire expanded greatly to the east. A new Gothic kingdom has been formed,' and good words like this will be loved by the old man who rejoices in his achievements. ”

"I see. Grand Duke Otto nodded.

That's it, business is over. The father and son of the Hereford family talked about something else. Part of it was Archduke Otto's sword, and his cultivation experience—this was something that William listened to very carefully. Then, there was what William had seen and thought along the way - of course, things like the rise of the working class and the reshuffling of the social order, which seemed unthinkable to the traditional aristocracy, William did not say.

Then, the two men talked about another "critical" issue.

"When are you going to marry Elise?" asked Archduke Otto suddenly.

"......" for a while, William failed to react. It was only after Archduke Otto asked the question again that he understood what he was talking about.

"Why do you ask this question all of a sudden?" asked William.

"You're not young anymore. I'm already 20 years old this year. Archduke Otto said earnestly: "I have been married to Elise for two years. How long do you want to drag it out? The family is not prosperous, and you always like to run around. If the family is extinct, what's the point of laying down a big territory?"

"......" For a while, William was speechless. Just because he knew that Archduke Otto was right.

"So...... What is Charlumi going to do?" asked William.

"This is easy to do, just marry together. Grand Duke Otto waved his hand angrily: "It was a little difficult before this. But if we can establish a new kingdom, you, as the crown prince, will barely have enough status. Charlumi grew up with you. I can't wronged her. ”

“...... Good. After thinking about it for a while, William nodded: "It's set after this war is over." After my father was crowned king, I married Charlumi and Elise. ”

"Good. Hearing that William agreed without hesitation, Archduke Otto smiled with satisfaction—he had thought that William would use some reason to prevaricate him. He had thought of a number of words to convince William, but now it seemed that none of them were needed.

"It's really grown up, my son. Grand Duke Otto felt very emotional for a moment. In the blink of an eye, his son was already getting married and having children. I'm about to turn forty myself...... Although the body is still full of vitality, the appearance has not aged too much. Pick up the long sword, you can still single-handedly take on a team of thousands, but ......

"I always feel old......" thought to Archduke Otto.

However, he was not too sentimental. His son was promising, even better than he thought it could be...... Although what he did was often unsettling, in terms of results, nothing was better than what he did.

The Hereford family finally rose to prominence and finally received a title and domain as kings. This means that the family has finally truly stepped onto the world stage. Moreover, his son is about to get married...... His own family is multiplying, and his own family is endless. It doesn't get much more joyful.

Then Archduke Otto took William's hand again and spoke to him for a long time. The main thing is to reminisce about the past, to recall the glorious traditions and glorious history of the Hereford family. Looking at his father's nostalgic expression, and the white hair that grew imperceptibly in the black hair. William couldn't help but have a similar mentality: "Father is really old." ”

William also felt very emotional.

That's it, Wilhelm's first day back to the Grand Duchy of Novgorod was spent with Archduke Otto. After the two of them finished talking, they had lunch with the rest of the family. In the afternoon, the two of them went to the school grounds, and after inspecting the troops, they went to the martial arts training ground to compete.

Of course, Wilhelm was no match for Archduke Otto. After several successive defeats, Archduke Otto explained to William the mistakes he had made in battle, as well as some techniques for using the sword. After that, the two of them went to the bathroom to take a shower together. Dinner with other family members in the evening.

During the time when William was awakened and then exalted, he and Archduke Otto rarely got together like this—William was too busy. War, Economy, Government, Agriculture, Industry, Military & Education...... The Hereford family had so many things for him to do. Even when they were with Archduke Otto, they were basically talking about business, or discussing the course of the war, or discussing how the family should stand and how the territory should develop next. It's almost impossible to stay together, entertain, and rest like this.

"But that doesn't seem like a good feeling...... Perhaps, it's not a bad thing to take a relaxing break once in a while. William thought to himself. Archduke Otto, on the other hand, was very satisfied.

For so many years after his wife's death, his only son, William, was almost all he had. War, Administration, Enjoy Life...... Maybe these things are important, or maybe they're pleasant. But for Archduke Otto, the best thing was to stay with his son.

"Maybe there will be more such time after the founding of the country...... Perhaps after our kingdom is built, William will be able to relax...... Perhaps......" Archduke Otto even had such an idea. But soon, he put such thoughts behind him.

Impossible.

He knew it was impossible. William will not stop advancing. He won't stop moving forward until he's old, can't do it anymore, or even says "dead." And yourself, it's very likely that you won't see that day.

For a moment, Archduke Otto only felt a little sad...... But he also knew that what William did was "right" and "should", and there was nothing in this world that should be more important than making the family strong. I can't help William too much on this point, but he shouldn't be holding back.