Sitting in the galloping carriage, Hobert looked out the window of the car, the crowd that had not yet come out of the panic, some of them sat on the side of the road, staring blankly at the coming and going carriages, and some of them looked at the bombed-out buildings in a daze, not knowing what they were thinking.

In addition, there are two groups of people, those who are weeping bitterly at the rubble, who either have their livelihood industries destroyed or have relatives still buried in the rubble.

The second group of people is calmer and is directing everyone to put out the fire.

Hobert sighed: "Beckland is such a troubled city. ”

"Those who look like curly-haired baboons will pay the price." Georgina said coldly.

Hobart didn't answer and continued to look outside at Beckland after the bombing.

Soon, when he came to Georgina's mansion, Hobert met Alice with a dignified temperament in a single room in the theater.

What Hobart didn't expect was that Georgina actually found a symphony orchestra to play on stage.

After bringing Hobart to Alice, Georgina withdrew, closing the door of the soundproofed room.

Alice got up and asked with a smile, "You got information before, the Vorsac Empire is going to attack Beckland?" ”

Hobert hung his coat on a hanger: "No. ”

"Then why did you sell the teleportation array to the military?"

"I just think the three main military regions of the Kingdom of Rune are too far apart." "For example, the southern shore of the Sea and the border with the Republic of Intis are blocked by the Hornachis Mountains in the middle, and it also passes through the Takwell Plains.

"If you want to mobilize troops in the meantime, even if the train doesn't stop for a moment, it will take three days and three nights."

Alice didn't continue to ask the question, but said, "Please be seated." ”

Hobart sat on the large sofa, and Alice did not get into Hobert's arms as usual, but sat on one side and said solemnly, "We're friends, aren't we?" ”

"Of course." Hobert smiled, "It's because of our friendship that I'm willing to offer you some help. ”

When he said this, he was actually making it clear: I am only friends with you, which does not mean that the forces of the "founder" are friends with Rune.

"Then I'll be blunt." Alice didn't seem to understand, but more like she pretended not to understand what Hobart meant, she said, "The Kingdom of Rune wants to be an ally with the power of the 'Founder'. ”

Hobert seemed to think for a moment before saying, "Compared to the Vorsack Empire, the Rune Kingdom seems to have a lot of advantages, right?" Why do you need allies? ”

"Yes, we definitely have an advantage." Alice described it very bluntly: "But the royal family of Rune has always been very friendly with the 'Founder', and we do not want the Founder's forces to form an alliance with our enemies. ”

Hobert bowed his head slowly: "I also said bluntly, we are not very willing to participate in this war, because even if we win, we will not get much benefit." ”

Alice made a gesture of please: "Make a condition, why are you willing to stand on the side of the Kingdom of Rune?" ”

She noticed that Hobart was saying "not very willingly" rather than "not willingly."

Hobert was also not polite: "We need to have a territory of our own, a territory where we can build a state!" ”

He had long expected that the Kingdom of Rune would talk to him about cooperation immediately after the war, so the conditions had already been thought out.

If you want the forces of the "founder" to take sides, it's okay, the Rune Kingdom has to show sincerity!

Alice closed her eyes for a few seconds before saying, "Yes, but I can only give you a territory in the Southern Continent."

"You will become the Duke of the Kingdom of Rune and can establish your own principality."

In other words, the kingdom established by the "founder" forces is legally subordinate to the kingdom of Rune.

Only then did Hobart realize that it was likely that William I would use Alice's vision to watch the negotiations, and would give Alice direct instructions, agree to some conditions, or draw the bottom line of the royal family.

No wonder Alice's expression has always been so serious, and she hasn't made any overly intimate movements.

"Please wait a minute." So Hobert pretended to pray, and was quiet for a few seconds before saying, "Yes, but we have to delineate where to build a state, and the Kingdom of Rune on Longtail Island cannot be taken back." ”

Alice didn't immediately agree to anything, but said to the outside: "Bring a map of the Southern Continent." ”

The soundproofing of the room was so good that Georgina didn't hear it, and with a wave of Hobert's hand, the doorknob turned on its own, and the door opened a gap.

Alice shouted again, and after a while Georgina brought a map of the Southern Continent.

Hobert had already planned which land he wanted, pointing to the map of the southern continent and saying, "Mirhebang, Southern Hagatia, and the districts of Paraná and St. Nosai. ”

The four places Hobert refers to are all in the southern part of the South Continent, bordered by the Hagati steppe to the north and the Hordes River basin to the west.

It was connected to the three regions in which the West Bailongbalk family currently had investments, and by establishing a principality here, he would be able to immediately establish a power across the southern part of the southern continent.

Moreover, the northwest corner is the Star Plateau, and you can enter the Highland Kingdom after crossing a mountain pass, which is very suitable for the next step of expansion.

Alice was quick to reply: "Yes! ”

For the kingdom of Rune, the places that Hobert spoke of were only as big as a county.

The key point is that the Kingdom of Rune has not developed it very much, and the colonies that various countries have invested a lot of energy in developing are basically in the northern part of the southern continent.

Hobert knew that the northern region would not give himself anything, so he simply didn't think about it.

And there is an advantage to this kind of less developed area, it is easier for Hobart to establish his own set of order.

Alice added: "But the premise is that after you establish the principality, you will help contain the colonial army of the Fersak Empire in West Bailang. ”

"No problem." Hobert smiled: "But we are going to build several arsenals in the principality, and the Kingdom of Rune will provide military and technical support." ”

Alice asked, "What are these arsenals going to produce?" ”

"Guns, cannons, grenades, bombs, bullets, etc." Hobert said: "In short, it is a weapon that can be used on the battlefield in the Southern Continent. ”

As long as it doesn't require cutting-edge technology such as airships and steamships, Alice can call the shots: "Yes." ”

"We'll make the announcement as soon as we officially become allies," she said. ”

Hobert smiled, "This is the second point I want to say, we can only accept cooperation with the Kingdom of Rune, but not alignment.

"Well, we don't want to follow in the footsteps of the Witch Cult and the Aurora Society.

"Also, tomorrow I will announce to the public that I will establish the principality, and from tomorrow, the area I just demarcated will legally belong to me."

Alice frowned: "In other words, we used such a large piece of land in exchange for your promise to help us contain the colonial army of the Fusak Empire?" ”

"No, and our promise that we will not help other countries other than the Kingdom of Rune in this war." Hobart said seriously.

"As you just said, in this war, we have no small advantage."

"That's now." Hobert smiled: "At present, the Republic of Intis and the Kingdom of Fenerport have not expressed their position, have they? ”

Alice didn't give an immediate answer, and paused for two or three seconds before smiling: "Okay, we'll announce the news of your founding tomorrow."

"Congratulations, Grand Duke Hobert."

Hobert smiled, "Congratulations, Princess Alice, too." ”

For them, this negotiation is definitely a win-win.

The Kingdom of Rune used a less important piece of land in the southern continent to trap the power of the "founder", and Hobart was given the opportunity to establish a state, and this opportunity was legally justified.

This meant that at the time of the founding of the country, Hobert's forces did not have to face pressure from the Kingdom of Rune.

The tone of the negotiations was thus set, and after leaving Georgina, Hobert went to the "Earl's Light" to appease Audrey.

In fact, Audrey didn't need to be appeased, Hobert just explained to her that the war had begun, and then mentioned the negotiations with Alice just now.

Audrey was very surprised, she didn't expect that Hobert would use this to promote to duke and establish her own principality!

After all, the three principalities of the Kingdom of Rune were all established thousands of years ago, and the current three principalities have long been dismembered.

Hobert would tell the news, firstly to prove his honesty with Audrey, and secondly, to get Audrey to relay the news to Earl Hall.

After leaving the "Earl's Light", Hobart immediately began to transfer human resources, and he had been prepared for a long time before that, whether it was Longtail Island or South Coulson's grassroots staff, they all began to transfer to the southern continent.

At Hobert's order, another group of officials flocked to the Southern Continent.

In order to ensure their safety, Hobert dispatched the Tony Family Department, the Temperance Department, and the Angus Department, adding up to more than seventy extraordinary people to protect them.

During the ensuing war, Hobart had to seize the time to consolidate the foundation of the country and build a country that could be proud of the Southern Continent in terms of comprehensive strength.

……

Early in the morning, Hugh went out early as usual.

Yesterday's bombing, although it did not last long, cast a shadow over Beckland.

Hugh could still see grief or palpitations on the faces of some passers-by.

"Extra! Extra! The newsboy shouted at this time: "Hobert, the founder of the 'Earl's Light', has been promoted to Duke and is allowed to establish a Duchy in the Southern Continent!" ”

Hugh was stunned for a second or two before he quickly called the newsboy: "Get a newspaper!" ”

After taking the newspaper, Hugh immediately spread it out, and the headline on the front page was indeed the news of Hobert's founding of the country.

For Hugh, this news was even more surprising than the Fursak Empire's sneak attack on Beckland, after all, the Kingdom of Rune and the Vorsack Empire had already begun to attack each other in the newspapers.

But the news of Hobart's founding was without any signs.

Closing the newspaper again, Hugh smiled: "He founded the country, so don't I also have an official status?" ”

……

Berlund Street, the residence of Dawn Dantès.

There weren't many servants left here, and after yesterday's bombardment, Klein had the butler take them to the suburban manor.

Klein is also leaving here today, the war has begun, and he has to change his identity to a secret point, so it will be more convenient to act.

After Klein got up, he enjoyed breakfast and began to read today's "Beckland Morning News".

He smiled and said in his heart: Today is the last day to enjoy the life of a rich man.

Immediately, Klein's smile stiffened, he thought he had read it wrong, and took a serious look at the headline on the front page: "Hobert has built a country!" I ......"

He didn't care about breakfast, he read the report carefully, and recalled in his mind the place where Hobart was founded: "It's a good place, far away from the war, and rich in resources." ”

Then he realized that this was the bribery of the "founder" forces by the Kingdom of Rune!

Then in this war, the "Founders" will support the Kingdom of Rune.

Then Klein sighed in his heart: It is also a cross-over, this guy has built a country!

But then he thought about it, and the path that Hobert had chosen, it seemed that it would be a matter of time before the establishment of the country was established.

Klein closed the newspaper and let out a long sigh: "War is also an opportunity for many people!" ”

……

At the same time, Christine also saw the reports of today's major morning newspapers, and Hobert told him about it yesterday, and he was not surprised.

After putting down the newspaper, Christine sighed: "Hobert still went to the Southern Continent. ”

Then he laughed and said, "But unlike what we experienced back then, we were occupying a colony for the Kingdom of Rune, and every inch of land that Hobart conquered was his own!" ”

Christine sighed, and suddenly sighed that when she was young, why didn't she think of such a way?

But he then shook his head, he and Rex did not have a strong backing to support back then, even if they became local warlords, they would still work for the colonists of the Northern Continent.

……

"Piaget's Light", General Manager's Office.

Todd looked at the newspaper: "Am I the equivalent of the Principality's Minister of Economy?" ”

After all, there are a large number of gold pounds being transferred to the southern continent, which should be used to build a principality.

At present, such a big "Earl's Light" is all about him maintaining daily operations, and it is not too much to say that he is the Minister of Economy, right?

While reading the details of the newspaper, he thought to himself: Fortunately, he had followed his father's advice and joined Count Hobert...... Now he is a duke, and he has joined the "Earl's Light", which was still being prepared at that time. Originally, I thought that I would become the general manager of a company with tens of thousands of people in half a year, which is already remarkable, but I didn't expect that this is far from my apex.

……

The Earl Hall's family, who were also eating breakfast, stopped eating the delicious breakfast and were concentrating on reading the newspaper.

Eventually, Hibbert tweeted the newspaper: "It's completely confusing. ”

First of all, he couldn't understand why the royal family would let Hobart be promoted to duke at this time?

Theoretically, it is generally after the end of the war that people who have made great contributions have the opportunity to become dukes and establish a principality, right?

"Apparently this was bought in the early days of the war." Earl Hall glanced at Audrey before saying, "It seems that Hobert's biggest backer is not Duke Christine. ”

Audrey smiled slightly, although she wanted to, but she still held back, and did not tell her family the secrets of the extraordinary world.

Then she took a deep breath, in the future, she will be a duchess herself!

……

Southern Continent, Saint-Nosse region, Ciudad Angelou.

The city was more of a fortress, originally founded by the natives, but later occupied by the colonial army of Rune and became an important stronghold in the western part of the Sierra Negro.

At about ten o'clock in the morning, the guards on the city wall saw a very neat line of soldiers outside the city, they were marching forward with clear banners, beating marching drums, and marching in orderly steps.

Because the other party was not dressed in a rune uniform, the guards immediately blew the whistle, and the entire city of Angellu immediately entered a state of readiness, and the soldiers and commanders quickly climbed the city walls.

The commander-in-chief of the department, Kurt, was very calm and picked up the binoculars to take a look.

This team under the city is so well-equipped, it is definitely not the army of the local warlords!

Looking at the decoration, it is not a Vrsack or an Intius, and the military uniform is a bit like the style of the Fenerport Kingdom, but there are obvious differences.

The point is that if it is a colonial army of an enemy country, it will not march in the area of Saint-Nossai so openly.

At this time, the opposing brigade stopped outside the range of the cannons, and an officer came to the city alone with a banner: "The Duke has come to receive his city!" ”

The telescope in Cotter's hand fell to the ground, and before he climbed the city wall, he had just received a telegram from Beckland, ordering them to quickly evacuate north, and four districts including Saint-Nossay became the fiefdom of Duke Hobert.

Unexpectedly, just after reading the telegram and climbing the city wall, the duke's team to accept the city was ushered in?

It is unlikely that this is a trick of the enemy, after all, he has just received the corresponding order, and the enemy will have to get information two or three days in advance before he has time to prepare.

But then again, why did the duke's army come so quickly? It was as if the unit had been stationed outside the city.

At the urging of his subordinates, Kurt judged that it was unlikely to be an enemy, so he ordered to go out of the city to meet him.

Originally, Kurt visually measured that the other party was the strength of a regiment, so the commander was a regimental commander, and they were at the same level.

Unexpectedly, the officer who flew the flag just now told him that the duke himself was also here!

This made Kurt a little flustered, because he had never seen a nobleman of this level.

Hobert was still far away from the city, and Kurt and the others felt tremendous pressure, and the soldiers all bowed their heads and did not dare to look ahead.

Only Kurt, who was extraordinary, looked ahead a few more times under pressure, and Duke Hobert easily recognized him as the one who didn't look very serious, but made people feel very majestic.

He was handsome, dressed in a military uniform, with a black cloak on his back, riding a white horse, and was walking unhurriedly in this direction.

Seeing this, Kurt also lowered his head unconsciously.

A few minutes later, as the sound of the horse's hooves gradually improved, only Duke Hobert was heard: "Colonel Cotter! ”

"Yes! Subordinates are here! Kurt felt that his answer was stupid, because he was not a subordinate of the Duke.

Hobert added, "Take me to your headquarters." ”

Kurt agreed, jumped on horseback and led the way.

The city is not very large, with only two short streets in each direction.

Most of them were barracks, or the residence of the families of the soldiers.

A regiment was stationed here, about six hundred people.

The inhabitants were mostly rune merchants, as well as some natives who had their own estates or large tracts of land.

Hobert estimated that the small city could accommodate more than 2,000 people at most.

Come to the garrison headquarters, because there is no administrative body here, this headquarters is the most imposing building in the town.

Kurt's office is very spacious, with a map of the southern continent hanging on the wall, a wireless transceiver, a magnificent desk, and some office supplies for the staff.

As if returning to his office, Hobert took off his cloak and hung it on the hanger, and sat down in Kurt's seat: "You should have received the appropriate order to retreat, and know that this is already my fiefdom, right?" ”

Kurt nodded repeatedly.

"Then I order you to vacate the barracks before two o'clock this afternoon, and to evacuate them all by evening." Hobert Road.

Kurt didn't expect to be in such a hurry, but in the end he could only say, "Yes." ”

Hobert added: "Supplies and tents, as well as personal belongings and weapons can be taken away, but not a single piece of public property can be taken away. ”

Knowing that this was a good opportunity to be courteous, he asked, "Duke...... Your Excellency Duke, have you received Puerto Paranagua and Puerto Invelli? Do you want me to leave a platoon of soldiers to guide you? ”

These two ports are considered to be the more prosperous places in the southern part of the southern continent, and are the capitals of Mirhebang and Southern Hagati Oblast respectively.

"No, I don't plan to take it there yet." Hobert said lightly.

Kurt was stunned again, instead of receiving those two prosperous ports, he came to receive this small inland fortress?

Hobert smiled and said, "In the future, this will be the capital of the Duchy of South Bailang. ”

Kurt also thought he had misheard: "This...... Over here? ”

To the east is the Sierra Negro Mountains, which greatly interfere with access to the port, and to the north is a hill beyond which you reach the Hagati steppe.

In the west, the high Baranapa Mountains are large plains with fertile land, but frequent floods have reduced crop yields.

In the south, there was not much traffic in the area, but further south, the climate began to get colder, and the land was not as fertile as it was, and although the Kingdom of Rune had supported agents in that area, it had hardly done any development.

Although this is not a wild place, judging from the number of garrisons, this is not a place that matters.

Hobert affirmed, "Yes, this is it." ”

In Cotter's eyes, a useless place is a "treasure of feng shui" in Hobert's eyes.

The surrounding terrain is very conducive to defense, since there is a teleportation array, Hobert likes this relatively closed terrain, retreating can be defended and attacked, and there is a large plain of grain.

Hobart had been here many times before, and the reason why flooding was frequent was that the river was not dredged and reservoirs were not built, making it difficult for the water to flow out of the basin due to the melting of the snow-capped mountains in the summer.

As long as the river is dredged, the flood can almost be eliminated.

A few more reservoirs will have enough water to irrigate the farmland.

He is most optimistic about the mountainous area on the east side, as long as the local bandits are eliminated, the arsenal must be built there!

If the fortress is lost, it can be withdrawn there to continue the battle.

Officer Kurt left the command in some frustration, and after conveying the corresponding order, he suddenly found that there were still a large number of extraordinaries and clerks at the end of the receiving procession brought by the earl.

He couldn't figure out what the Duke wanted, but he knew it was clear: the land had changed hands.

(End of chapter)