After thirty-three days, Carlos finally waited for Terenas' official invitation again. ┞┠═.〔［. c(om
A conversation takes place between men before the banquet begins.
"To be honest, I don't like you. I haven't liked you since you were a child. A six-year-old child gives people a sense of worldliness, which is not good. When you grow up, I don't like you even more. Indifferent, arrogant, and seemingly selfless selfishness. Although you hide it well, you may not be what I say in the eyes of others, but I stick to my point of view. I believe my first impression when looking at people."
Terenas' words did not match his status, but in this private space where only he and Carlos were alone, the crown of the king of Lordaeron was placed on the table.
"On the contrary, I like you very much."
After saying this, Carlos also took off his iron crown.
"Lies. The Barov family's little tricks have never stopped. There is no one else here, and you want to marry my daughter."
Terenas raised the corners of his mouth, making a disdainful expression.
If it were ten years ago in the previous life or this life, Carlos would have retorted.
However.
Only the strong are qualified to listen, and only the weak have the need to defend.
In Azeroth, words are only useful when words are useful, and actions can truly change the world.
From taboo to defensiveness, from fear to appreciation, Carlos' attitude towards Terenas is changing all the time.
For the first time, for the first time in his life, Carlos felt like he had the upper hand over Terenas.
Because the man in front of him had been his imaginary enemy for almost twenty years, but at this moment he chose to talk to him as a father and a man instead of a king to a king.
"The silence is because you agree with what I said?"
Terenas waited for a moment, unable to wait for Carlos's reply, and continued his verbal attack.
"Uncle, stop the meaningless temptation. Time is precious, both for you and me."
Carlos ignored the aggressive Terenas. He found a seat and sat down.
"Is this your attitude towards your elders?"
Terenas looked furious. ┟╡┟┠╡┟.〈.
"There are only two men here, or two kings."
Carlos pouted and indicated with his eyes that there were two more crowns on the table.
Then.
Terenas laughed heartily.
"I apologize to you and use the same method to deal with your father. It still doesn't work. No wonder you can be the king, but your father can only be a grand duke."
After saying that, Terenas walked to the other side of the room and sat opposite Carlos.
"As the son-in-law of the King of Lordaeron, you are impeccable. As a princess, Caliya marrying you is a match made in heaven. But as a father, I really don't want Caliya to marry you. You are too mature. And Caliya is still a little girl who fantasizes that the prince will ride on a white horse to marry her. You two will not be really happy together."
Terenas said with a smile typical of a mature man.
"You are not a farmer. Jia Liya is destined to bear the title of princess for the rest of her life. With all due respect, uncle, you have gone around in circles, but you are still lying to me. This opportunity is rare, so we can't talk about the topics that should be discussed in the secret room. ?"
As long as Terenas talks about the topic, he will be at a disadvantage in terms of momentum. Carlos seemed relaxed, but in fact, every word he spoke was only spoken after careful consideration.
"Okay then, let's talk about your sincerity. Suppressing the Menethil family and proposing a marriage at the same time. This is the Barov family. Is this the caliber and sincerity of the King of Alterac?"
Terenas leaned his back against the back of the chair, leaned back, raised his chin slightly, crossed his arms, and used body language to tell Carlos that he was still in control of everything.
"That's right. I think this is the magnanimity and sincerity I should have. I value the title of son-in-law of Menethil II more than the title of Calia's husband."
Carlos sat upright, with his back straight and his hands on his knees. Terenas answered seriously.
"I can agree with what you said, but I can't understand your behavior. What can you gain by weakening my prestige and shaking my foundation?"
Terenas finally put away his temptation and began to touch on the core topic.
"Prove my strength and gain your friendship."
Carlos finished. He nodded to strengthen his tone.
"Are you a child?"
Terenas laughed in anger. The logic of bullying you because he likes you is simply childish. ╪╪.?.
"In order to support this war, uncle, you are heavily in debt. I once estimated that in order to maintain the alliance's daily consumption of 200,000 soldiers, 170,000 gold coins are needed every day. This is every day, not counting the logistical supplies and supplies needed to organize the campaign. Replenish the troops. Even though we share the share, nearly half of it still falls on the Kingdom of Lordaeron. And one-third of the pressure on the Kingdom of Lordaeron is directly borne by the royal family. Those who are short-sighted cannot see what is coming over their heads. The ax blade fell, and all I could do was lower my head and count how much my wallet had become deflated."
Carlos paused briefly to let Terenas process his words.
"The war is over, and the war will continue. Next, here is my opinion as a general."
"Well, you say."
Terenas also sat upright.
"The orcs' plan to invade the Hillbrad region has basically failed. Maybe today or tomorrow, Marshal Lothar's good news may come, and the army of Quel'Thalas will not let us wait too long. But this is not enough, far from enough. There are still countless orcs on the other side of the sea. If we cannot pursue the victory and wait for the orcs to regain their strength, it will be difficult to say whether we can defeat the orcs next time. The world is so big, and humans It can only dominate mankind itself.”
"So I'm curious, what are you afraid of?"
Terenas was keenly aware of the weakness in Carlos's tone.
"This is a war without a winner. Humanity, or rather Lordaeron, Alterac, Gilneas, Stromgarde, and Kurtisk, our human kingdoms, were defeated because of the extreme pressure from the orc tribe. The alliance was formed because of Anduin Lothar's reputation and bloodline. The moment the orc threat is lifted, it is likely that the alliance will fall apart. But deliberately condoning the existence of the orcs for the sake of the continuation of the alliance is A slow suicide.”
Carlos shook his head helplessly.
"I think I should be impressed by you. Not many people can think so long-term. But please forgive me for being blunt, it doesn't look like you came up with these things yourself."
Terenas leaned forward and looked seriously into Carlos's eyes.
"It's not important. What's important is my marriage. In fact, we all understand that at this sensitive moment, the marriage between Lordaeron and Alterac is a dazzling political signal. This should be your concern."
Carlos slides his left hand. He put his elbows on his knees and leaned forward.
"Yes, the replacement of Brill and Andorhal is a beneficial thing for both of us, but at this sensitive moment, I am afraid that accepting your request for marriage will stimulate the stability within the alliance. So I am hesitant. At the same time , I’m very curious about what makes you so urgent, and this doubt is also an important factor in my inability to make a decision.”
Terenas let out a long sigh and looked up at the ceiling.
"Because of time."
"oh?"
"This is the direct difference between us, uncle. As a soldier, when all of you are still confused about victory or defeat, I have judged that the tribe's defeat is inevitable, but I am not sure whether the alliance can really win, or whether the alliance can really win. Can humanity be the real winner. So I have to be on the side of the winner."
When Terenas heard this, he already understood.
"So you're threatening me with war bonds?"
"On the contrary, it is part of the bride price."
Carlos took out an envelope from his pocket and placed it on the table.
"I have to say. The guys from the Morgan consortium are the professionals. They have done everything, but they have done nothing themselves. Uncle, you have been able to encounter crises from the future, but you are safe now. What a good trick. ."
"Hmph, those human vampires, if you ask them for help, you will regret it sooner or later."
Terenas looked at the envelope and then at Carlos, the meaning was obvious.
"Inside is a list of names. In fact, the whole incident is very simple. Guys with ulterior motives have hoarded the war bonds that you can't repay. Then they make it difficult together. In this way, some things that cannot be done with gold coins and things that cannot be bought with gold coins can be I bought it with these pieces of paper that are not even gold coins. The biggest reason why you are in trouble, uncle, is just because you misjudged my purpose. And the reason why those guys followed the trend is just because they judged that uncle and I will continue to fight, the Menethil family Debt defaults are inevitable."
"And whichever side you fall to. Whichever side wins, right?"
"War bonds that originally only had an interest rate of 10% have now been snapped up at a premium of 30%. I lowered the exchange rate of gold coins to raise the price of these bonds."
"I should have taken action against you long ago."
Terenas smiled helplessly and shook his head.
"It's not too late for us to join forces to deal with certain people."
Carlos suggested seriously, and then pushed the envelope towards Terenas.
"Mrs. Morgan is not easy to deal with. You accepted her benefits. What is the difference between accepting money to buy your life?"
Terenas stood up and looked at Carlos condescendingly.
"If you use Menethil Port as a dowry, my chance of survival will be much higher."
Carlos also stood up and looked at Terenas condescendingly.
"Don't even think about it!"
Terenas was furious.
In the garden of the Lordaeron Palace, many dignitaries gathered.
"Today, here, I have two things to announce. First, our great Alliance Marshal Sir Lothar has achieved a brilliant victory. Let us toast the great Anduin Lothar."
"cheers!"
…
"Second, it's about the marriage between my daughter Kaliya Menethil and His Majesty King Carlos Barov."
Terenas was still speaking impassionedly on the marble podium, and people were already talking quietly below.
"Just wait, Terenas will definitely increase the war tax again in order to fight the orcs, and then continue to sell bonds."
"He can't bear it anymore, otherwise he wouldn't have agreed to the Barov family's marriage proposal so readily."
"It seems I need to buy more of that one."
"It's time for the Menethil family to shed some blood. For the sake of the alliance, we can't always be left to foot the bill."
"That's right."
All students who think they won't be caught by the teacher when they talk nonsense are fools who have never stood on a podium. They don't know how clear and distinct all living beings can be seen from a height.
Terenas smiled confidently. (To be continued.)
ps: A few words of complaint. Some book friends said in the book review section that the recent content is jerky and difficult to understand, and the author Jun Shui has too few words.
Unjustly accused~~~~~~
Follow o's official plot, it's naturally simple. When it comes to the butterfly effect, everyone understands it when it is used, but when it is not used, it is treated as if it has never been heard of.
Without this battle of wits and an inexplicable transition, it would be an insult to the intelligence of the audience.
Well, when I have time, I will hold an IQ Cup to clear my mind for those in the audience who don’t understand.
Then, the adventure of Ka'aotian's Burning Plains is about to begin.
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