The number of believers coming to Stade for refuge is increasing day by day, and Ella's heart is getting heavier day by day.
Although she avoided a direct conflict with the Alemannic Federation in the name of a "neutral zone" to protect the believers of the Abrahamic Orthodox Church, that was just an excuse after all. The people of the Alemannic Federation are not fools. This incident will definitely affect the diplomatic relations that have been finally established between the two countries.
Those believers who built bunks in Stade often clashed with Ella's soldiers over matters of faith, which also made Ella feel irritated.
The Kingdom of Sweden governed by Ella also has two faiths: those of the Asgard who follow the traditional belief in Asgard, and those who follow Ella and believe in the Olympic gods. There were conflicts between these two groups of believers, but they were not as frequent as those in Stade.
Perhaps because all the ungodly believers have converted, the believers who came to Stade for refuge seemed to have some serious illness in their minds. Although they were clearly under the protection of others and protected by Ella's soldiers, those believers would jump out from time to time and accuse Ella's soldiers of believing in the devil: some pulled Ella's soldiers and tried to persuade them to convert in tears; some pointed at Ella. soldiers, threatening them with torture after death if they did not convert.
Ella couldn't figure out what they were thinking, and it seemed like they couldn't live without converting people.
If Aila hadn't stopped them, those believers would have been thrown into the sea by Aila's soldiers.
After receiving another report of a conflict, Ella finally couldn't stand it anymore.
"Why should I sacrifice my relationship with the Alemannic Federation to protect these guys with brain problems!"
She stood up and walked a few steps to the gathering place of the believers. Those believers had just finished arguing with the soldiers, and saw a woman in gorgeous clothes walking over aggressively surrounded by a group of soldiers. They had a premonition that something was not going to happen, and they all stood up nervously.
Ella was about to ask the soldiers to drive them away. When she glanced around, she happened to see Gregory lying dying in the corner.
"You people from the Abrahamic Orthodox Church, stop bothering me with your beliefs! I will kick out anyone who preaches again! Soldier, find some doctors to treat the injured!"
After saying these words, Ella turned around again and walked away.
The believers cheered for Ella's righteous deed behind her back. But Ella was not happy at all.
She walked back to her room and kicked over the chair.
For more than eight hundred years of history, the Tianfang Empire has been invading the territory of the Qiqiu Empire. The Heavenly Empire was able to be established precisely because the Abrahamic Orthodox Church brought the scattered Semitic people together. In this sense, the Abrahamic Orthodox Church is the real enemy of the Seven Hills Empire!
A movement broke out against the Abrahamic Orthodox Church in the Alemannic Federation. This is obviously the best time to reduce the power of the Abrahamic Orthodox Church.
But why can't she do it?
That whole night, Ella buried her head in her knees.
"Father...Mother..."
…
…
Prince Otto comes to Stade. He glanced coldly at the group of Abrahamic Orthodox believers, and then walked to the negotiation table under the protection of the guards.
"King of Sweden, I have a gift for you this time."
Duke Otto clapped his hands, and the soldier behind him handed over a roll of paper. Duke Otto slowly unfolded the paper and showed the pattern on it to Ella.
Ella brought her eyes to the paper and looked up and down several times: "What is this? The Atlantis treasure map?"
"It's a map of Anglia and its environs!"
After Duke Otto reminded her, Ella finally saw something about Angria on the map. She was used to seeing the accurate maps drawn by Gan, but she couldn't get used to seeing this kind of map with serious distance problems.
"I heard that you have reached an agreement with many merchants these days to send mercenaries to protect their merchant ships. I think you need a base close to the Alemannic Federation to facilitate the implementation of the agreement - you should also know, Stade cannot stay here forever."
Ella nodded. She illegally occupies Stade. Although no problems have arisen yet, if she does not leave after the agreement is negotiated, there will definitely be a conflict with the Alemannic Federation. This is what she wants to avoid.
Prince Otto's hand drew a circle on the map.
"There is a series of islands on the west side of the Duchy of Angria, some of which are inhabited and some of which are deserted. This island is my direct territory. It is not large in area, but it is more than enough to station a small army. Look here how?"
"The location is good. Do you want to rent this place to us?"
"Lease it to you—and waive your rent."
"...So, what's the price?"
"I don't dare ask for any price. But, I hope this gift can win the favor of the King of Sweden, and then I will carefully consider my proposal - the King of Sweden, how about assisting me in attacking the Tianfang Empire and the Abrahamic Orthodox Church?"
Ella was silent for a moment.
"...What should I do?"
"Even if the King of Sweden does nothing, as long as he doesn't interfere, it will be the best assistance to me."
"For example...where do the Abrahamic Orthodox believers in Stadler go back and forth from?"
"I'm glad that the King of Sweden understands - how about it? It's a good proposal, isn't it?"
Ella couldn't help but said: "Why do you have to treat them like this? Even if some of them make mistakes, it shouldn't be extended to all..."
"If this was said by an ordinary woman, I would understand it. But when it is said by the King of Sweden, I am a little surprised." Duke Otto said in a deep voice, "King of Sweden, you should know , In front of politics, there is no right or wrong, only interests."
Ella was silent again. She knew that Duke Otto was right. Attacking the Abrahamic Orthodox Church would be beneficial to the Alemannic Federation, the Pirate Kingdom, and the Seven Hills Empire. Before Duke Otto came, she had already thought about whether to get involved.
But she couldn't make up her mind. It was not just because the church in Hamburg had given her accommodation, nor was it just because Gregory had helped him many times. The biggest reason for her hesitation was that during the Jochebed incident, she was almost killed by the Alemannic Federation out of anger.
The anger and helplessness she experienced at that time stimulated her nerves over and over again, preventing her from making a decision.
"Duke Otto, let me ask another question, and you have to answer me honestly. You found three corpses from that church...Is this true?"
"Is it important whether something is true or not? What matters is whether you and I are willing to believe it, right?"
These words made Ella suddenly feel angry.
She patted the chair and stood up, pointed at Duke Otto's nose and said: "Otto...get out of Stade immediately!"
