In an awkward atmosphere, Wang spoke: "But, can we really trust you, 'Don' of the Wanderers' Guild, you attacked me in the street." ”

The short and fat man laughed, "Very reasonable suspicion." I received information that you are a very rational and logical person, and I like to deal with people like you. Because people like you can be persuaded by logic.

"I'm going to start by explaining the reason for testing you at that time, I didn't want Her Royal Highness to suddenly gain the ability to cause trouble in the battle for the heir......"

Wang: "You don't know that the eldest prince is already a paladin?" Your intelligence network isn't very reliable. ”

Bruce immediately looked at Humpty Dumpty with a look of disdain, not hiding his mockery in the slightest.

Tang took out his handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead: "This...... The old duke is an expert in playing with intelligence, and he personally manipulates and deceives, and it is normal for me not to know. After all, you see, everyone here was tricked by him. ”

Elizabeth: "I knew from the beginning that Big Brother was a paladin, and you didn't know ......"

"It's part of the trick." The leader of the Wanderers' Guild looked at Elizabeth, "You ...... after all"

Elizabeth: "It's a vase, isn't it?" ”

Humpty Dumpty nodded, and then immediately turned to the king: "There is one thing that surprised me, I got the news that the mage of Her Royal Highness the princess directly judged that Her Royal Highness the eldest prince was a paladin yesterday. How did you do that? ”

Wang: "Logic. Yesterday the Duke felt unwell immediately after taking stomach medicine, and through the Prince's account he did not immediately lose consciousness. But by the time the pastor and doctor arrived, the old man was unconscious. During this time, the eldest prince must have done something that would worsen his symptoms.

"Then I thought about the growth of positive energy that I had seen underground, turning humans into monsters. Our pastor also happened to say that healing spells cannot cure the lesions caused by parasites and microorganisms, because the treatment will strengthen the parasites and microorganisms, so it is necessary to remove the disease.

"The paladin didn't have a disease removed from his list of divine arts, and he could only use holy healing on his father. Divine healing is the channeling of positive energy from the deities to replenish the life force. ”

Wayne Langdon lowered his head guiltily: "I didn't know that positive energy could also kill people, and I think it's good to add a little vitality." ”

As soon as he finished speaking, the bishop of Lancelot's temple spoke: "I'm not sure that's the case yet, it's just this mage's words!" Although he is a disciple of a legendary mage, medical skills are not a mage's strong point. I think we'll wait until we catch that Arven ......."

Humpty Don: "Erwin." ”

"Yes, Erwin. Wait until you catch him and figure out what he's doing! Maybe then the truth will be revealed! Until then, I can't accept that positive energy is harmful to people! Never! As a pastor who serves the Lord of life, I deny such slander! ”

The bishop's words caused a whisper, and it seemed that the nobles present were not convinced that positive energy could actually be harmful to humans.

At this time, the new duke, who had not yet officially held the succession ceremony, spoke: "Actually, many people don't even believe that you are a disciple of that legendary mage, after all, they didn't see you flirting with the court archmage.

"Of course I believe it completely, because I see the reaction of the court archmage, he didn't dare to tear that Banshee's howl scroll last night because he was afraid of you. And I speculate that the reason why he was sure that scroll was the Banshee's Howl was because you showed him a part of that magic. Should it be one in nine? ”

The words of the new duke again sparked a murmur.

In this situation, it can be said that the new duke has endorsed the king's origin, and it would be ignorant to question it publicly.

Bishop Lancelot pursed his lips and grimaced.

After all, to say that there may be something wrong with positive energy is tantamount to blasphemy, and Lancelot is the master of life.

After the new duke directly suppressed everyone's suspicions, he continued to stare at the king and said, "Let me tell you the truth. His Majesty the Emperor, Duke Styr, is preparing for war, and he has a standing army of four thousand men that has stood the test of the Southwestern War!

"He also has more than 10,000 conscripts, and at least 10,000 mercenaries. On our side, the duke's own standing army is only a thousand men, and it will take at least a month for the levies from all over the country to be assembled. ”

The so-called standing army is the knight lord and their servants, these people are basically out of production, and they do nothing but military training in peacetime, and they are well-equipped, most of them are equipped with heavy armor and war horses. This is the most capable unit in the hands of the duke.

Others, such as the self-police regiment and the urban garrison, are basically served by urban civilians in turn, but they are off-duty during the period of being a soldier, and they still have to work to make a living after returning home.

As for the conscripts in the countryside, they were originally peasants, and they were only trained during the winter slack period, and they were already well-trained if they didn't break up when they really fought.

Of course, the various counts, viscounts, and barons under the duke also had their own standing troops, but because of the restrictions on the income of their territories, these troops were not as elite as the duke's standing army.

Moreover, there is a problem with the use of these troops: as the saying goes, the vassals of my vassals are not my vassals, and these standing troops owe allegiance only to their lord and do not accept the command of the duke. Therefore, these units are naturally inferior in command efficiency.

The king frowned and asked, "That means that the emperor has concentrated twenty-four thousand troops?" How did you know now about such a large concentration of troops? ”

"We have long known that Langdon City has long expanded the city garrison and self-police regiment, and the standing armies of the barons are also ready and rushed here as soon as possible." Bruce shrugged, "Even though they were going to come to the throne." The old fox has already counted this far. What he missed was that the emperor really dared to do it. ”

Wang: "What do you say?" ”

Bruce propped his hands on the edge of the sand table: "There are twelve Electors in Kosania, not counting the six of us who support our next Emperor. If the Emperor attacks us, all six of our allies will raise the flag together. The old fox calculated that the emperor did not dare to move, and the gathering of troops was only a deterrent.

"And look at the time, it's spring, and the conscripts are going home to farm. In fact, we have been receiving conflicting information that the levies have not been disbanded and that the Steyr Command has begun spring ploughing. The old fox chose the latter among the two choices.

"Now we know that he was wrong, and the emperor is ready to teach us a lesson with a brief advantage in strength."

Bruston paused, and continued: "Of course, we are not completely without advantages. First of all, we are much richer than the emperor. I've sent out offers to several well-known mercenary groups. But they need time to get there.

"Secondly, our own strength is stronger than that of the emperor. We don't have that many standing troops, but we have enough levies. It will take time to assemble these as well. Especially now, spring ploughing has been around for a long time, and farmers are taking care of their crops. ”

One of the barons said, "The Emperor really can't think of it, he must defeat us, or his Steyr will be famine next year." We will also have famine, but he will have enough money to buy food for relief. ”

Bruce: "All in all, we're in a race against time, and I guess the news of Steyr's invasion will come soon." We are prepared to hold on to Random City. Preparations for the defense of the city have already begun, and at this time, we cannot muster the strength to encircle and suppress the large number of goblins and kobolds underground. ”

Wang: "I see, so let's carry out a decapitation operation, kill this Irwin, and seize the artifact." This will also allow us to order goblins and kobolds to attack the Emperor's army. ”

Bruce: "It's better to be like that. Of course, I won't just let you go, my team will go too, and Don will send his men. ”

"And who's going to protect you?" Elizabeth asked, confused.

"Me." Grand Prince Wayne said, "As a paladin, there is no more suitable bodyguard than me. ”