When Elendil returned, the feast at Haringos Castle had just begun, and the princes from all over the world had gathered here, making the castle hall a little more crowded, and various heraldic banners hung on the pillars of the hall, symbolizing which lords had arrived.

There is no doubt that the Radiant Cross banner is naturally hung in the center, with the golden lion of the Ultok family, the black falcon of the Brenus family, the black cross on a white background of the Elvwan family (the opposite of the Radiant Cross), and the emerald steed of the Alama family, symbolizing the domination of the north and the four most noble families under the emperor's throne.

And the most astonishing thing for these local magnates is that the golden laurel wreath of Rome is actually placed in a position parallel to the glorious cross, so that you can see that the four dukes and the five flags of Rome form a semicircle and defend the glorious cross in the center, or you can see that the golden laurel wreath and the glorious cross are equal, and even the four dukes are a head shorter than Rome.

Unexpectedly, this arrangement was made by Terenus. Theodore probably understood that the other party should be showing favor to him, as well as showing his help to Rome's strong support, which is a bit of a coercion. But on the other hand, it's like using yourself as a gun. Aaron and Salald may not matter, but the Duke of Laria and the Duke of Marions, who saw this scene, may find it difficult to have any good feelings for themselves.

As for the arrangement of the Hallingos Hall, Virgil, as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Rome, decided to use the Roman banquet to arrange, placed a large number of Roman-style soft couches and chaise longues in the hall, and carefully divided the space in the hall into five areas, each of which is obviously different, becoming a miniature version of the northern shili map, such as Salald brought a large group of subordinate nobles of the family to come together, and the powerful princes from the area of the Kwyn River went around to make friends with other nobles, negotiate tariffs and river trade。

In comparison, Theodore's side was very deserted. All the lands in Rome belonged to Rome, so he did not bring any of the local nobles to him. Theodore became the quietest corner of the hall, and even the stiff Aaron was surrounded by many people.

Because the purpose of this so-called "banquet" was not to gather together, Virgil did not arrange much food, but the long tables in the garden outside looked more sumptuous. Behind the castle hall, waiters with fine wine and various snacks come and go, serving food and drink to the adults.

But even the all-you-can-eat wine and snacks are impressive. Wine is still a novelty in the north, a Roman specialty, and desserts are a luxury, such as a laurel cake made by the Noldor elves, or a few baked biscuits, which are extremely luxurious delicacies, because these foods not only require a lot of spices, they are more complicated to make than ordinary foods, and the eye-watering prices of granulated sugar and maltose are precious even in the Silent Forest, where sugar is produced.

On top of that, this year, the sugar-producing southern Forest of Silence has been devastated by war, the city-state of Singal, a large trading center, is still being rebuilt, and the price of sugar and spices in the north has risen sharply, and sugar, which is not cheap, has become a rare good, and for a period of time in the future, raisins from Rome may be the dessert supply of Zuihou in the north.

After sending the sculptural face Valence outside to stand guard, Theodore sat down alone, quietly drinking his wine, watching the bustling group of lords, large and small, shouting loudly or whispering, scrutinizing as if they were outsiders, and from time to time he looked at the main seat, which had been vacated and made of marble, directly under the door, directly opposite the hall, without saying a word.

"Don't you feel like you're acting too isolated? Caesar. Elendil smiled and walked behind Theodore, bowed his head and said, "This kind of banquet should be the best time for you to win over your allies." ”

"I don't need to woo the allies I want to woo, and I don't need to woo the rest. Theodore shrugged his shoulders and continued to drink his wine: "For now, the East is of no use to Rome, we do not need grain from the Cwyn, and Marions' horse trade has long been negotiated. That Duke of Allama was wary of Rome, and he seemed reluctant to have anything to do with me, so I had no need to be too enthusiastic. ”

"You're really ......" Elendil quickly bit her tongue and didn't laugh. This Caesar's childishness has never been lacking, and it is better to say less about being a courtier who is not very suitable for his status.

"You went to find Terenus, didn't you?" said Theodore suddenly, "How's that, old ...... Your Excellency, what do you want to get something out of you?"

"I'm just one of your royal knights, and I don't have any interest or ideas in politics. Elendil bent slightly: "What I said is what I should say, that's all." ”

"You've been getting bored lately, Elendil. Theodore looked at the knight behind him with some amusement: "I have never distrusted you. In fact, it would be nice to have Tyrenus a little bit of what I'm going to do next, at least we'll both be prepared. ”

"Elendil, I want to ask you. Theodore raised his head and looked at the knight behind him: "Do you think the north can really be unified?

"There's no doubt about that, Caesar. Elendil said: "Because Your Highness is the only heir, if they do not want to obey, it is a rebellion! If they were not very confident before, now half of the north has pledged allegiance to His Highness, and if they dare to break their oath, they must first weigh whether anyone is willing to die with him." As long as the south can be recaptured, it is impossible for the lords of the north to compete with His Highness!"

"Is it the only heir?" said Theodore, "is this a blessing or a misfortune? ”

"By the way, what about Helena?" asked Theodore, "Shouldn't she have come a long time ago at this time?"

"His Highness is still in his bedroom, as if he has been hit by something. Elendil smiled bitterly, "I heard Will say that it was because Duke Elfwan didn't come. ”

"Bran Elfwan? Indeed, the guy from Laria doesn't look like an eleven or twelve-year-old. Theodore looked at the middle-aged man in a white cross coat of arms on the other side, talking and laughing, and pouted: "Didn't you say that the Elfwan family and Pendragon are in-laws, why didn't they come?"

"Maybe it's their own considerations. Elendil replied: "But this matter is still quite a blow to His Highness, after all, it is the closest family." ”

"Helena will be fine, maybe she will be sad, she will cry, but she is still brave. Theodore asserted quite confidently: "She is like a snow lotus on the ice field, pure but brave." Is that the ...... No matter how scared you are, you will grit your teeth and persevere!"

"That's true. Elendil nodded approvingly: "Because Your Highness is the blood of Pendragon, the ancestors of this great family are all protecting Your Highness Helena." ”

――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

"Your Highness, all the adults are waiting for you, do you want to change into your dress first?" Knight Ain cautiously looked at Helena, who was sitting in front of the windowsill with her back to her, "It's almost time." ”

"Ain, do you think I'm not particularly like a real Pendragon?" Helena's voice carried a sense of self-pity: "People say that Pendragon was born to be a leader, but ...... I ......"

"You must not have such thoughts!" The somewhat panicked Ain hurriedly walked behind Helena and knelt down on one knee: "My Highness, you are my lord, and no one can replace you!"

"Sometimes I really think, how nice it would be if my brother was still alive, he must have made everybody rally around him, he has the ability. Helena looked at the blue sky in the distance: "But I didn't." ”

"I never thought I'd sit in this position. Helena looked back at Ain: "I've never been a true leader. ”

"But only you can unite them, because you are the blood of Pendragon!" said Aine without thinking: "Maybe you don't understand military affairs, maybe you ...... The real Bixia, who has died a heroic death, is better suited to sit in this position than you, but now only you can unite the North. ”

"Please go down to the hall below, and show your majesty to everyone!" Aine stood up and bowed his head respectfully, "No matter what, I will follow you to the end of hell!"

"Swear by the honor of Pendragon. Helena stood up and looked at the female knight: "Al Yin of the Talboa family, you will always have a place beside me, anyone who insults you is equivalent to insulting me, unless you want to break my promise to you, you will always have the right to hold the flag for me!"

"Thank you for your grace, my sword will always be wielded for you!" Al Yin replied happily, "Then Your Highness, can I now change into a dress for you?"

"Bring my armor anyway. Helena puffed up her chest, proud as if she were a snowlotus standing proudly in the ice and snow, holy and solemn.

"As you said, maybe I didn't have the Liliang who made them willingly submit, but the Pendragon family has such an indelible majesty!"

(Thanks to 2175s for the tip)