"You shouldn't have come to me, DeWitt. No prince is allowed to enter the palace without the queen's summons." Tracy said sternly.
He had already seen through this woman's lustful appearance. "But I'm already in, how about it?"
"Ister will know about this."
"He knows all about this. However, it is one thing for me to step into the palace, and it is another thing for me to step into your bedroom. Unless someone among your guards is his eyes, our communication today will be completely confidential." Otherwise you wouldn't agree to see me at all.
Tracy Wiggins sat in a quaint long-backed chair that she made more majestic than a throne. The Duke wore a dark red dress, his face was expressionless, and his eyes were like deep pools. The neckline of the dress was very wide, exposing her neck and shoulders. The edges of the sleeves were decorated with golden lace and teardrop-shaped gems, and there was also a ring of fur on the chest. A fiery red four-leaf clover crown tightly hugged her high bun.
Her room was unlit, save for a tallow candle, but even the brilliance of the jewels could not spread through the darkness. DeWitt had no other requirements. His alien blood allowed him to see in dim environments. As for Aunt Tracy, she was a high-level person.
"You wrote a letter requesting a private meeting. Otherwise, if you walked into the palace openly, would anyone be able to drive you away?" the Duke scolded. "Besides, Laurence Norman will leave soon to organize his fiefdom." Her tone became increasingly impatient, "Your caution is for the blind."
"It's true that he got out, but Easter is not blind."
"What on earth is wrong with you?"
DeWitt knew that if he said to her at this moment, "I tipped you off, what's your reward?" or "Ister conspired with the Silent School to commit treason, have you considered supporting the queen's other sons?" Will cause ridicule. On the other side of the world, in the wizarding country of Moni-Antoros, DeWitt had had enough of the ridicule.
"I made an agreement with the school wizard Lind Punabag." He decided to get straight to the point. "This guy is now the new leader of the Dervish sect."
The Duke glanced. "I know this guy."
Although Eastman is just a remote mortal kingdom, it is connected to many mysterious pivots. Nominally, this is an "enclave" of the High Tower, but before the founding of the country, it was also the theocratic state of the Church of Gaia, and the belief in the goddess is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Two hundred years ago, after the Holy Radiance Council led the Fulcrum of Order to defeat the Calamity of the Undead, Eastman fell into Lucia's arms for a full hundred years, until he belonged to Croita after the Battle of the Saints.
In Eastman's court, people's disputes were not so much partisan disputes as the epitome of contradictions at the fulcrum of order. The King's Party, the West Party and even the Queen's Party all have the shadow of the mysterious fulcrum behind them. Just chess pieces. he thought.
"The Ascetic Sect is finished." Duke Yotsuba asserted. "After the Gulf War, the Church of Gaia almost became independent from the Silent School. After the Demon Hunting Movement, this voice became even louder, and devout believers continued to gather in Antoros. , now their wishes cannot be ignored.”
Tracy continued: "I have to admit that the tower messenger changed the church on his own. People regarded him as a messenger of Gaia, not a tower messenger, and believed that he was the incarnation of the goddess's will... What you said The new leader, who are his supporters?”
"He is a wizard of the school of thought, and he will be supported by the school of silence. The Church of Gaia does not dare to reject him, because Lind is the representative of the mysterious fulcrum. What you should be concerned about is the person he supports, Aunt Tracy."
"Ister." The Duke said calmly, "You clearly stated in your letter that he has cooperated with the Silent School. Well, the same as you. If it were me, I would choose Ister, he is the heir to the throne. "
DeWitt felt a fleeting sense of shame. "The School of Silence sent Nightingale to take over Sir Norman's position and support the new king. His plan succeeded." I wrote to you clearly to tell the truth, but you allowed the worst to happen.
"I stopped it," replied the Duke.
The Earl of the Bay did not attend the kingdom meeting and was very lucky not to witness the moment when the prince burst into the scene and sat on the throne. But unfortunately, he had ears, and the talkative servants would tell everything they saw. Everything is spit together and chewed on each other.
At the meeting, Duke Tracy Wiggins seemed not to support Easter's decision, but this made Norman feel relieved. As we all know, Tracy, as a representative of the princes, had the same interests as the royal party, but they generally had differences in details. She usually thinks of Flavia and Ister, but when it comes to her family, she will not hesitate to put the Wiggins family over the royal family.
She was known as the "Queenist" to distinguish her from Sir Laurence Norman, who supported the Talbot royal family. Since the death of the former Archbishop, Duke Tivin has been left alone, and the Western Party in the court has gradually declined.
Without a common goal, the differences between the Queen's Party and the King's Party became apparent. Wiggins is the leading nobleman in the country, and although Sir Laurence Norman is serving as Prime Minister and is a representative of officials, if he wants to oppose Duke Tracy, he mainly relies on persuasion and exchange of benefits. If she is resolute, things will often go in the other direction. However, Norman obtained the northern kingdoms. Even with the support of Ister, this matter is quite strange. After all, the person who really gives orders in the Eastman Kingdom is still technically the queen. Tracey is the biological sister of Queen Flavia.
I should have known you had other plans. Earl of the Bay thought unhappily. If you really want to stop it, there's no way Ister's bastard can become the regent of the North. With just a little manipulation, she could deal with the prince without leaving any trace, dispel his thoughts and then start messing up the matter. Humph, there are people who are busy trying to stop Easter from whatever he wants, but even if I start a war on my own territory, these people will just turn a blind eye.
"What a clever move. The land is exchanged for a false title, but now that Lawrence Norman has a fiefdom, he will soon have his own army. The Sword Legion has an opportunity to expand reasonably."
She will never support me. DeWitt understands. If you want to impress your aunt, you must show your trump card. "You don't know their real deal, do you? In exchange for the support of the Silent School, my brother promised to change the sect leader after his coronation. It's a long story, because-"
"The tower betrayed Eastman." Duke Yotsuba said, "The astrologer is going to hand over the kingdom to the Holy Council of Radiance. We are currently a neutral country until the envoys of the Council of Radiance arrive."
DeWitt's words caught in his throat. The new lord is the Glorious Council? Or did the tower give it up on its own initiative? He never got the news. Does the School of Silence not know, or does it know but not share it with me? It must be the latter, otherwise it would be better to let my aunt be the "second truth". Damn, they have the same attitude anyway.
"Everyone in the Glorious Council is familiar with it. It seems that Eastman's long table is about to welcome a second archbishop." He reluctantly continued, "Speaking of which, Gaia and Lucia... there are two priests with different beliefs. Sir, is the title still considered 'Archbishop?"
"Faith is undried wood, only sparks, which cannot really burn. Let them fight for it. Now we are the active party, the Silent School and the Holy Council of Light. Ister cannot give an equal bargaining chip. When the time comes, they will break out into conflict... …In the end, the winner will be favored by the Queen.”
"You want to wait for them to decide the winner? Damn it, the kingdom will not be peaceful until then!"
"If you don't want to wait, DeWitt, what do you have to say?"
"Since you ask me, then I have to say that this is a stupid thing! Not long ago, the Silent School provoked a dispute in Eastman. Who is the wizard's opponent? Have you forgotten! The cooperation between the Oath Keepers Alliance and us still needs to be It's going on." His voice stirred the candle flame, the shadows jumped and the light changed. "And the Radiant Council, especially them. What about your daughter's territory?"
The prince stretched out his fingernail and flicked the wick. Sparks crackled. "Your information is too broad. It couldn't be the information revealed to you by the wizard, right? The hand they reached out to Eastman was cut off once, and they haven't been able to connect it yet. DeWitt, the defense line has been broken, and the kingdom's The southernmost part has changed its ownership."
South, four-leaf collar? DeWitt subconsciously thought of the Wiggins family, but he quickly realized that this was referring to the Ice Territory. Now it’s interesting. The tower and other mysterious fulcrums signed an agreement for the Ice Territory, but I don’t know who was the first to tear it up. "Then Delphine..."
"She's alive, you don't have to worry about that." Tracy's expression seemed to tell at a glance that he had not considered Danlfien's life or death at all. "The royal party plans to find a husband for her and is indifferent to the war in the mysterious realm. You know
Why? "
"Maybe she's older." DeWitt hated caring about other people's marital problems, especially after the Gulf War. "I think she should have found...a reliable marriage partner." He almost said "find a man" in front of Tracy.
"Your angle is extraordinary, ser."
"Isn't she happy?" DeWitt raised an eyebrow.
"No. My daughter is not suitable to be a leader, I know this very well... However, giving the Ice Territory a leader will not change anything. Neither you nor the royal party can see clearly. The people who occupy the Ice Territory now are secret societies. They are opponents of the Fulcrum of Order, and there is no way the mortal kingdom can handle them."
The Earl of the Bay understood. "So it's useless whatever we do."
The Duke glanced back with displeasure: "I have told you so much, don't you have the ability to draw inferences from one example? These demons are no longer an association, they call themselves the Empire. If the ice territorial defense line is broken, then Eastman will It is a new line of defense. This is why the mysterious fulcrum is fighting for us. If you are not careful, the kingdom will turn into a battlefield! Do you really want to rule a ruin?"
DeWitt had not thought of this level. He had always believed that Eastman was part of the order and would naturally be protected by the suzerain. After the Tower withdrew, the Council of Radiance and the School of Silence fought for each other. He saw an opportunity to have both sides, and he couldn't wait to gain the support of wizards until he finally sought the crown... But he suddenly realized that this man suddenly became less powerful. attraction.
"But..." For a moment, DeWitt felt a thorn in his back. "The Seven Pivot Points signed an agreement..."
"...In the Ice Territory." Tracy continued. "That's right, so Lord Danlfion Lancost of the Ice Land is the primary target of the Mysterious Fulcrum. After the defense line was broken and Byrne occupied the Ice Territory, the royal party has essentially lost control of her. . This matter cannot be repeated. The Northland borders the Bures Empire, which is a vassal state of the Glorious Parliament. Sir Norman could not find anyone to replace Gron Themi, so he had no choice but to take over himself. Otherwise, why do you think the School of Silence would facilitate this?"
Norman is a member of the royal party, and Ister has reached cooperation with the Silent School. They must bring the northern kingdoms under their control, otherwise the wizards will not even have the base to fight against the Glorious Parliament in Eastman. The Queen's Party is in the south and maintains contact with many fulcrums at the same time, while the collaborator of the Western Party is the Gaia Church - at least on the surface, before the Gaia Church was split, the internal monks, whether they were wizards or church sects, All are governed by the Pope.
After the Battle of Antuolos, the believers and the wizards of the school seemed to be inseparable. The Western Party can no longer contact the School of Silence through the church, and Tiwen is too far away from the throne to have any influence on the entire kingdom. So the wizard gave up on the Messatori family and turned to develop the royal party... DeWitt was annoyed to find that they didn't count themselves among the ruling party at all.
Duke Tracy rubbed his eyebrows. "In short, your news does have weight, but it is not the value you imagined. I took time to teach you, DeWitt, not because you are grateful to me, but because the storm is coming, and I don't want you to mess with it again. Get into trouble. Taking good care of your territory is the greatest help to the kingdom. At the moment, whether they are wizards or princes, you'd better keep a distance from them."...
Yeah? They never approached me anyway. "Are you going to drive me away, aunt?"
"No one will chase you away, DeWitt. But you have your own fief, right? Do you still want to live in the palace forever? Let me tell you, Flavia will not come to see you at this time, and I will not allow it. She walked out of the royal city... Now that you have come back secretly and put on such a guilty attitude, it will only arouse suspicion if the news leaks again."
Damn it, whatever I do is my fault. "Don't worry, I'll leave right away." DeWitt stood up, "Thank you for your lecture, madam."
Tracy sighed. "I know you are blaming me, DeWitt. You lack the care of your relatives, I admit that. But Flavia has been heartbroken for the little princess. She is just a mortal woman. She is old, sick and unable to Covering everything. In fact, she loves you a lot more than Istel and Filores. Please remember this."
I know. When DeWitt goes to the fief, Flavia must see him off. The royal party tried its best to dissuade it, thinking that it would remind many people of that embarrassing history, but the queen
Very persistent. In front of the city gate, she put the family crest on him with her own hands and said to him: "Whether you are a prince or not, you are still my son." Before that, he thought that his mother didn't care about him at all.
Later, DeWitt took a boat all the way east, down the Gorge River, to Knights Bay. Although he was embarrassed to be forced to leave the palace at that time, he also had great ambitions for the new environment. He didn't have nothing. The queen has not forgotten him, and she has the palace knight Dalton at her side to help... No. I don't want to think of this name again. The Earl of the Bay put aside his distracting thoughts.
The person who came to receive him was a mercenary from Knights Bay named Andrew Stone. This person is a flatterer, greedy for power and profit, but he comes from a humble background and has wasted half of his life. DeWitt promoted him from an adventurer and made him a knight. Compared to ordinary aristocratic children, Andrew's future lies in the hands of the earl alone, so his loyalty is naturally unquestionable. If this guy can get a beautiful wife and concubine in the future, I'm afraid he will be happy to give her to her... DeWitt suspected that if he could get another promotion, it would be possible even if it were his wife.
"My lord." Andrew led him out of the palace, and the accompanying guards were waiting on the boat. "The knights of the court are at the dock, waiting for the captain to sober up. No one knows that we have ever disembarked," he assured the count.
"You did a good job." DeWitt brought an old cloak to cover his face and all features. Andrew is responsible for finding hidden paths. Along the way, DeWitt saw what Iron Claw City looks like today: war, foreigners, refugees and endless gangs have completely changed her. He suddenly realized that the iron dragon that once conquered the southern part of the continent had long since passed away, and what people were fighting for was just a small shadow of its former glory.
Moreover, even this shadow can be easily taken away by the Seven Fulcrums and the Byrne Empire... "What I pursue is worthless in her eyes." DeWitt said to Andrew.
"I don't understand government affairs, my lord." The mercenary knight replied.
"She doesn't like me, like most people."
Andrew shrugged, "People may not like Easter. Without Sir Norman, your brother is just a proud idiot who thinks he is capable. Besides, what's the use of the love of the lower class?"
DeWitt agreed with his assessment, but felt uncomfortable echoing it. Andrew is just a lowly mercenary who loves to flatter others. I should not trust this kind of person at all. To be honest, part of the reason why he initially gave this guy a knighthood was to see how funny the last name "Stone" could be. As a result, Andrew didn't notice at all, but praised him as much as he could, and even squeezed out a few tears. He was not very capable, but he talked a lot. DeWitt was actually somewhat used to his presence.
On the deck, several sailors dragged the drunken captain forward with difficulty, and threw him to an attendant in front of the cabin. The squire wordlessly carried the captain on his back and staggered into the house, the rapier at his waist almost dragging on the ground. Dillon cursed at them while Whittaker watched coldly.
I have no army, only my poor few men. DeWitt smiled. "If Ister is not there, will the royal party support me?" He didn't know who he was asking, but he already had the answer in his heart.
She watched her nephew leave the palace until Marianne knocked on the door. "My lord." The maid brought many documents to be approved, as well as Sir Laurence Norman.
Now he is also a Duke. "Ever since the tribes of the North surrendered to Krokarn and pledged their loyalty, Duke Prinn has been a rare sight in the kingdom."
Most of Eastman's territory is located behind the ancient "Dark Wall", with the exception of the Hot Earth Hills. The area is densely forested, humid and hot, which is incompatible with Eastman's cold climate. In fact, even the rulers here are not considered princes - the only city in the North, Pulin, was founded by the founding king Crokarn. Previously, the tribes in the Hot Earth Hills lived underground to avoid the intense heat and mysterious places.
When Eastman was still a vassal of the Glorious Council, a cardinal was invited to the Hotlands Hills to resolve troubles in the mysterious realm. He told people that the heat was an experience given to mortals by Lucia, the result of devout believers asking Him to answer their prayers. The goddess of radiance did not really appear, because if she came to the world, it would be equivalent to the sun falling on the earth, and the pure heat would turn everything into ashes in the light. His justice did not allow this to happen, so the goddess responded to the believers' piety with light and heat, without taking away the rain or dew.
The Cardinal explained many myths and won countless northern believers for the Radiant Goddess. Out of the doctrine of impartiality and selflessness, the bishop used magic to create a pure land for the locals before leaving. Later, the descendants of the tribe moved from underground to the ground, and gradually formed the scale of the city. The king then ordered the construction of city walls, selected lords, and made Pulin the main city of the North.
Nowadays, King Crocan has passed away for many years. The cardinal of that year has degenerated into a demon lord. Eastman has gone through many twists and turns and has become a land without one. Even the tribe that has taken over Pulin has changed several times. At the kingdom's meeting, the authority of the Northland was intertwined several times, and now it is slowly returning to the hands of the Talbot royal family. Although Tracy's sister is a queen, she is not Norman and will never equate the kingdom with the family.
"Easter didn't discuss it with me." Norman frowned, "He did this..."
"...It's not my suggestion. You have the wrong person, Lawrence."
He didn't investigate whether this woman's words were true or false. "There is a report from Nightingale in the city, and he seems to have seen someone from DeWitt Hearn."
"I think your person is either mistaken or hallucinating." Tracy lied without changing her expression. "DeWitt misses his mother and will enter the palace openly. No matter what, he is His Majesty's biological flesh and blood. Is there anyone who wants to stop this?"
If I hadn't seen him leave your bedroom with my own eyes, I might have believed this nonsense. "I won't do that." Norman had to pinch his nose and admit it. After all, she was the most powerful prince that the royal party could unite. "But the two brothers must be kept out of the way. It's already a troubled time, so let's stop making trouble."
If DeWitt and Easter could fight to the death, Tracy would probably be happy to see it happen. But DeWitt has inherited Knight's Bay, and now his name is not legitimate, his words are inconsistent, and he is completely excluded from the throne. He cannot be Ister's opponent.
"As for Flavia, I will also give up the idea of her visiting her youngest son. The princess is weak and sick, and children always need to worry more than adults. She will be tightly tied to the palace by her daughter."
"Speaking of the princess," Sir Norman mentioned as if unintentionally, "Before the meeting, I proposed to Duke Messatori that the princess should be married to the West, but this boy refused." He was quite unhappy. "You also heard that half of what Tivin Messatori said at the meeting was deliberately made fun of."
Tracy narrowed her eyes.
"Tiwen's biological mother is a Motog." The Duke slowed down his tone. "Perhaps she instilled some bad ideas in him."
Huh, it was probably your idea. Norman had known that she would not wholeheartedly support the royal party. During the Broken Sword Revolution, Duke Wiggins had done a good job of hedging his bets. "That woman has died long ago, and she is not the wife. Her words are no more meaningful than the braying of a donkey. I think there must be other reasons for this."
"I don't mean to offend, but I forgot that there is a Motog here." She dropped the conversation and ignored his question. "Now that the matter has come to this, it's better to choose a new partner for our princess. When your lord goes to Pulin, your responsibilities will change, and you will surely have more free time to deal with this matter. Maybe after you get engaged to the princess, you can also arrange for the unborn princess. The child is looking for another marriage. What about the Themi family? Their descendants will have the blood of the great princes in the country."
The child would then be in line of succession after all his brothers and sisters, for only a pure-blooded Talbot could rule Eastman. "Marriage is the backbone of a country, so it is appropriate to give it more consideration. You see, if Gron Themi has a family full of descendants, it will not be my turn to marry his granddaughter. You always think too little about this kind of thing, madam."
"I think you are thinking too much, sir."
They looked at each other in front of the balcony of the tower, and the cold wind conveyed a solemn atmosphere. Norman wanted to use Philolis to pull the people of the West onto the royal chariot. He started to implement it a long time ago. Wiggins and Messatori are both the few great nobles in the kingdom, and they must work with them. To form an alliance, on the other hand, it is necessary to divide the two sides to avoid a recurrence of the Broken Sword Revolution.
"You are right. His Highness Easter is your nephew, and the little princess and even DeWitt are descendants of Her Majesty the Queen." Sir Norman sighed, "They are all your relatives, Mrs. Tracy. You should be involved in your children’s marriage matters.”
"Me? I'm just participating, who will
Decide? You? Or those royal branches? "
Tracey continued: "I just want to safeguard the queen's power, Lord Lawrence. Although Flavia is only the wife of Watson II, her crown came innocently. She dedicated her life to the kingdom and returned it to Eastman left an heir. Let me tell you, she did too much and got too little. You think I can't see what you did to her? Huh? Even Eastman saw her as a stumbling block. !" The Duke turned around angrily, "Filores is not yet five years old this year. Have you ever thought about how cruel it is to take a child away from her mother?"
Flavia's feelings are not considered by Norman at all, but this cannot be said to Duke Tracy. "The princess is too young to get married. We are only discussing an engagement."
"My sister is the participant in your discussion." Tracy told him, "I will not agree to send the child to the West until the princess reaches adulthood. Whether she is a bride or a hostage, you know for yourself!"
"The Earl of Iceland was still underage when he came to take office in Veniworth." Norman pointed out.
"Yes, fortunately Pulin's heir has a knight like you to protect her, unlike her." Tracy said coldly, "I hope your wife lives a long life and gives birth to an heir as soon as possible. I will not join you. It’s the wedding, my lord.”
Norman didn't like the way she mentioned it. Gron Themi is almost of the same generation as him, and marrying his granddaughter may be surprising to mortals, but it is not a problem at all to the mysterious creature. Although Tracy is a high-level person, her thinking is still the same as that of a mortal woman.
"His Royal Highness the Prince's wedding will require your sisters to worry about it, madam." He softened his tone. "The situation in the North is uncertain. If His Highness's wedding is coming soon, please forgive me for not being able to attend in person."
"Anyway, Easter is my nephew, so it's hard for me not to worry about him." Seeing this, Tracy had no choice but to take a step back. "As for the mess you left behind, like Tywin Messatori, he will be content with being engaged."
Norman said no more. They knew very well that the person who succeeded him would probably be the mouthpiece of the Silent School. However, although the prince had reached an agreement with the wizard, the royal party might not recognize the contract. After he puts on the crown, many things will quietly change. Norman found Tracy not to settle old scores, but to plan for the future of the kingdom. Only at this level are the interests of both parties the same.
Tracy turned her head and looked back at the vast world outside the balcony. The towering Dragon Cave Castle reaches into the sky, and the red iron dragon flag flutters on the city wall. In the shadow of the two, groups of cavalry were ready to go. Some people went north to pacify the tribes in the Hot Earth Hills with the new Duke, while others went south to escort Shuangyue's grain and supplies to Veniwaz. They passed each other in front of the iron fence. As luck would have it, the Duke watched these horsemen embark on their journey. Although the road ahead is difficult and dangerous, there is a glimmer of hope. Only those who stay will face the real storm.
"Norman is the high ring," she said to the relief outside the railing.
There was no one around, it seemed that only Duke Yotsuba was talking to himself. However, the next moment, a response came from the shadow: "Pulin is no match for the Sword Legion."
"Let them both lose." Tracy had fought many battles in her life and knew that the victor on the battlefield was sometimes not the winner. "You can take action later."
"I will do my best, sir. However, I cannot guarantee the outcome. As the chief mage of the palace, Sir Norman is particularly good at protecting himself."
"I saw the shadow following DeWitt. What about him?"
The other party was silent for a moment. "His life will wash away the shame of the Wiggins family, my lord."
"Then wait until he comes back."
"Yes, sir. Is it also the case in the Western Region..."
"No." Tracey smiled, "This matter cannot be left to chance. When the bad news comes, I will go to see my sister and tell her the royal party's plans for Philolis. At this time, the Duke of Flying Eagle City must have Death will relieve her grief and give her some comfort." As for the bad news, it was time to start making arrangements. "DeWitt's ship will stop at Timil's house."
The other person nodded. "I'll contact you right away."
