There are only a handful of great lords in the Aurenia Empire, all thanks to the political methods of His Majesty the Emperor. His knights terrorized the empire, and his cabinet favored the princes. He separated imperial power, religion, and mystery in the court, and single-handedly created the most powerful country in human history. The cabinet relied on the interests and relationships of all parties to maintain a balance, the church and the courts maintained order, and the nobles supported the emperor. As an example of a wise monarch, Elberhorsham left a solid foundation for his successors to rule. It seemed easy to do so, but I didn't want their love. Mike knew that there was a price to pay for the support of the nobles.
"The Mercury Temple." He also flicked the cup. "It is the embodiment of religious power among mortals. They have always claimed to be the agents of the gods. Regardless of whether it is true or false, the gods cannot deny it in person... The clergy have faith. With their power, wizards explore order and bring results. In this case, there is nothing wrong with recognizing their status."
"There are no knights in the Mercury Temple."
"Maybe there will be one soon." Mike said. "If the empire has religious knights, those wizards may be interested in paying attention to their status."
It's easy to control people as long as you know what they want. Mike knows this. He didn't mind adding weapons to the sect at all. The Silver Song Knights were enough to maintain order, and the small guard established by the wizards was nothing at all. But after all, this is unprecedented power and glory, enough to tie the Mercury Temple to his chariot. "At that time, the Judgment Agency will be more than just an empty frame. Saint Valoran will surrender to the Knights of Silversong, and perhaps Alanvor will surrender to our wizard. Kill two birds with one stone."
"Many of my colleagues are from the Temple." The knight captain rubbed his nose and sneezed. He drank the wine in one gulp. “Why not give astrologers a little motivation too?”
"The astrologers from the Tower of Sky will be assigned to every city after graduation, claiming that order everywhere must be maintained at all times, as if mystery is a piece of armor. We all know that the order of Saint Valoran and Alanvor does not need them to worry about. This is still As a result of what my father's grandfather fought for, the tower previously sealed itself in the sky... In short, their minions are scattered all over the place and are loyal to the local lords, which is not reliable at all." Mike once suspected that many predictions were made by astrologers. Directed farce. Once people know too much information, prediction is no longer difficult.
"Bernard Sterling." Veronca repeated the name. "He's the Prime Minister's son?"
He really didn't care about his courtiers. "Bernard is the brother of the Prime Minister." Mike had to explain, "He is a wizard and has his own laboratory in the Mercury Temple."
"Can he represent the Holy Church? Wizards are generally Gaia believers. Strictly speaking, the Mercury Holy Church worships three gods."
"Master National Master thinks he has this potential. You know, mysterious talents vary from person to person." Having said this, he couldn't help but look at the young Silver Song Knight opposite. "Sometimes talent comes from blood, but astrologers believe fire is related to will."
"Talent is talent." The other party clearly showed his disgust. "Whatever you think, Your Highness, I don't care what the nature of the mystery is. If you ask me, it's not worth studying at all."
Although Mike thought he knew Veronca only superficially, there were certain aspects that he knew very well. For example, the other party despises wizards, refuses to talk about any profound knowledge about the nature of mysticism, and even has no respect for the gods. As a Knight of Silver Song, he was loyal and served the emperor, but he showed no respect for the fashions prevalent in the upper class. This guy has a moral sense that is incompatible with the nobles, but he also extremely despises the ascetic and self-punishment style of the ascetic monks. Veronca loves liquor and addictive cigarettes. His most frequent places are various brothels and racetracks, and he also maintains abnormal relationships with four married women at the same time.
The most ridiculous thing is that even the queen is interested in him. She helped him search for fine wines in various places, and even planned to marry Helen to him. Mike didn't think his sister would like Veronka, and Helen wished she could spend all day among those musicians and poets who only sang love songs and talked about love. It seemed that the queen was aware of the dangers of continuing to indulge her. It's a pity that I picked the wrong person. In Mike's opinion, Helen would probably go her own way with her husband. Royal scandals are predictable. Forget it, not much more than this one.
"Perhaps. But you have to admit, Sir Veronka, that the original source is inherently stronger than others. Many geniuses have proven that their extraordinaryness comes from fire, and maybe you are the same."
"Me?" Veronka shook his head, "No. I lit the fire in the palace and passed the ceremony. Why did Chuyuan come to the Silver Song Knights?"
Mike filled the wine glass, "There are various types of talents, and not everyone with talents is a genius. Astrologer Tower and Mercury Temple do welcome them, but the number of places is limited."
"It's not like they have nowhere to go. Don't they still have associations?"
People who are spontaneously ignited do not have outstanding talents in the occult. To become a member of the two, they must also be interested in studying order or observing astronomy. Due to the considerable commotion that accompanied their appearance, this group of people was not welcomed by any of the lords. Nobles usually have their own guards of mysterious creatures. This is how associations develop. In Mike's eyes, they are essentially no different from free people.
Veronca continued the conversation. "Alanwo has more associations." He pointed. "Those foreign races like to mix together, like vegetables on a platter. But they are more difficult to deal with than Saint Valoran."
"The result hasn't changed, has it?" Mike didn't think anyone would be more mysterious than Veronka, not even the National Master. His power is innate, even far greater than that of the "Primary Source". Currently, Veronka is already the deputy leader of the Silver Song Knights, just one step away from the legion commander. I'm afraid it's because of my career, Mike thought, I will soon decipher the secret. "The Knights of Silver Song, in cooperation with the Mercury Temple, will achieve more glorious results than in Saint Valoran. The emperor no longer has to worry about threats to the vassal territories."
"When the time comes, Mike, you will have more things to worry about." The knight captain sighed, "It would be best if it has nothing to do with the Silver Song Knights."
When the time comes, I will not allow the Silver Song Knights to continue to exist. The emperor's bodyguard should not go into battle. "If it's me who loses, you don't have to worry."
"Of course, I will just lose my head and plot to come to you today."
"Bernard and I will stay with you." Long ago, he had imagined what it would be like to die at the hands of his brother. Helen won't shed tears for me, maybe my mother is the only one in front of the tombstone. "This is the empire's loss."
Veronka put down the wine glass, "Then I have to clean up my wine cellar in advance, and I can't make it easier for others. Thank God, the law stipulates that illegitimate children have no right to inherit property, otherwise they will destroy my collection."
"I finally know why you don't get married!"
"Family is a burden, Mike. Your queen has not been found yet. If you don't want to go to the guillotine, you'd better think about it quickly. Although Selegon's wife is from Grainstone City, you must not imitate him."
Patterned Stone City has been the territory of the Vogdal family for generations, and is not inferior to the territory of Duke Sterling. But the woman's surname was not Vogdal, she was just the daughter of a small family. The emperor was displeased when Mac's brother Selegon announced that he would marry her. But for that girl, he actually dared to kill her first and tell her later. By the time the news reached Marandeno, they were even married. The priest cannot regret the marriage under such circumstances.
Mike has no intention of trying to please his father, but he doesn't make arbitrary decisions about his wife either. The Silver Song Knights were not enough to tip the scales. He believed that this candidate could wait until he became emperor, and then select from the nobles based on the situation. Marriage is second only to the fire contract, and is enough to obtain reliable allies. In this regard, the emotional Selegon will only squander the opportunity.
"Thank you for your concern, sir. The signing of the agreement does not require the participation of the Silver Song Knights. I think you may be free to pray at the Mercury Temple in the afternoon." He revealed so much information not just to reassure people. "Tell Your Majesty that we are praying for his health."
"Not this afternoon." The Knight Commander directly picked up the wine bottle, "Didn't you listen to the content of the meeting, Your Highness?" Mike had just returned to Marandeno and missed the cabinet meeting. "Saint Valoran asked to sign an agreement with the Knights of Silver Song. You heard it right. They want to sign a contract with us. Do you think I look like an envoy?"
Mike frowned: "Us?"
"You are also a Silver Song Knight, although you were still a squire before you left the team. But I decided to let you take charge." He patted Mike on the shoulder with a drunken smell, "You should be the one to do it both emotionally and rationally, Your Highness."
Mike could feel his kindness. Signing the armistice agreement with Saint Valoran on behalf of Aurenia is undoubtedly a profound honor. It seems that my efforts were not in vain. "Then let's wait for another day."
…
The mountain road is rugged, and the wheels run over gravel, which makes people feel stomach upset. But all this has nothing to do with scouts. No matter how critical the moment is, scouts always have horses to ride on. As long as there is still a horse in the team. "There's no one ahead, the road is clear." "Firefly" galloped back to report, with a bunch of huge cockleburs hanging on his trousers.
"Do you promise?"
The scout turned around and was surprised to see a small black shadow approaching the team. This was impossible. He didn't know why he ignored the other party. The rider didn't even cover his tracks. "My subordinate neglected his duty." He was both embarrassed and panicked. "I'm sorry, sir." This was not a mistake that the Silver Song Knight's scout should make. Maybe his career would end here.
"I bet it's his problem." His superior swung his rifle past his side, and the scout saw the fruit of the plant flying to the ground. "Is that a missionary?"
Although he is a Knight of Silver Song, his mysterious career as a scout and the skills he has honed over many years are all for detecting the way forward. No one in the team can see farther and perceive more keenly than him. That's how it should be. His boss is an exception. "He is a missionary from Gaia, but he does not wear the medal of the Mercury Temple." The scout answered cautiously.
The rider was close to the range of the crossbow, but the commander did not give the order. The scout saw a strange look in those inhuman blue eyes. "I haven't seen him for a long time." This was not a common language, but the scout could barely understand it.
"Have you seen the missionary?"
But the boss hesitated. "No? Maybe I'm just too lazy to remember?"
He doesn't seem to be an important person. "Are you going to drive him away, sir?" the scout hoped to make amends.
"Sir? Maybe I'll have to call him sir."
"Firefly" doesn't understand. The Mercury Temple has no affiliation with the Silver Song Knights, and neither wizards nor priests are qualified to command them. Maybe I should remind him, the scout thought, after all he had just taken over the team, and he was still a demi-human.
But he soon got an explanation. "The legion commander will allocate some people to the temple." The superior said, "Including us people. You have to learn a new skill, Firefly, maybe janitor."
The scout opened his mouth wide: "What does the wizard want the Silver Song Knight to do?"
"If I were a wizard, I could tell you," his superior said coldly. Firefly had heard that he had spent time in the Quicksilver Temple and was extremely unpopular with wizards. Of course, the scouts had also heard even more outrageous rumors. "Keep going." He turned around and ordered, "There are no obstacles ahead."
The scout frowned, worried that the incoming missionary might cause trouble on the way forward. Although his actions seemed unabashed, the very presence was suspicious.
The rider really wasn't that honest. He has obvious southern characteristics, his eyes wander, and he doesn't dare to look at others at all. If he were not a missionary, "Firefly" was sure that someone would come up to him and question him even if he walked empty-handed on the street.
"Long time no see." His boss said, his tone was not enthusiastic.
"It's not too long for me." The missionary's voice was as young as his appearance, which made people untrustworthy. He held a sheepskin scroll in his hand, vaguely revealing the identity of the priest. "Are you a Silver Song Knight now?" He quietly looked at the silver buckle on the white cloak.
Even the priest of Gaia has no right to question the identity of the Silver Song Knight. The scout's brows furrowed even more. Offending other knights might go unpunished, but not his superiors. "Firefly" once served as the translator for his boss, and he had experienced the cynicism of the other party using some weird bytes to piece together.
"Not soon. Are you here to deliver the order?"
"No, no. I... happened to be passing by. I mean, can I go with you? To the canyon, right?" He pointed to the sign.
"That's right. I don't mind if you're willing to condescend." The boss replied unkindly, noticing the missionary's gaze. "I know you are curious about the story about how criminals became Silver Song Knights. Most people are curious." His face gradually darkened. "There's nothing to hide. If you drive a pig to the battlefield, you can get a promotion if you survive to the end. Fortunately, my quagmire is war."
Apparently, the preacher didn't like the topic. "Is the war over?"
"It's almost over." The superior said indifferently. "Come to visit the peace ceremony, priest? Anyway, you and I are not the most popular people at the ceremony." He turned his horse's head and passed them. "But you'd better not be late."
