Griffith changed into a clean hussar uniform. Now a cavalry officer, he wears his uniform when he can't figure out what to wear or doesn't have the money to buy new clothes.
Sonia was wearing a long dress as colorful as clouds, and her bare shoulders were lowered to the limit of etiquette. She held up the hem of her skirt and ran briskly over, took Griffith's arm and walked toward the Hall of Beyeland's Hand.
"Griffith!" She pulled the quasi-knight with a concerned look on her face, asking him to bring his head closer.
Although I promised my mother not to tell anyone about the title, I felt extremely uncomfortable hiding it in my heart. Sonia couldn’t bear it anymore!
"What's wrong?"
"You are a candidate to inherit a noble surname, and can inherit an ancient family and title!" The girl who had been holding back for several days almost bit his ear and spoke, "De Ravenel family."
"Ugh, ah!" Griffith didn't know what to say.
"Don't say anything," the girl pinched his arm, "behave yourself!"
All the people coming and going were big nobles. But Sonia insists that Griffith, who has not yet become an official knight, dance with her for the first dance.
The first dance began. Griffith, full of curiosity and expectation, maintained a cautious posture and put his hand on Sonia's waist. Even so, he still felt the girl tremble slightly. Sonia dances very well. She is the brightest pearl of Beyeland. Tonight's dance partner is lining up waiting for her.
Such gentle and cautious movements should not have such a reaction. Griffith panicked, thinking he had misplaced his hand.
But, it seems not. Sonia put her hands on his shoulders obediently and started dancing to the melody.
"My brother may marry a big family in Odessa. I don't know the specific name yet," Sonia said softly about another thing, shaking off the countess's secret. "Our family is in Odessa. There is a large territory on the border of Sa, which was the property of the ancestors and granted by the war achievements in the early years.
"Although we don't go there very often, through the marriage here, dad may be promoted to a marquis. Nolan will inherit the title of the other family. He insists on doing so, and I will inherit the title of the Larmore family."
"Well -" Griffith let out a long hum.
"I don't know what kind of person will be arranged for me," Sonia said softly, and gently squeezed her right hand on Griffith's shoulder, "Actually, I think Nolan, as a Marquis, is the same. It’s very troublesome to manage the territory.”
"Unless there is a lost ruin there." Griffith chuckled.
"A relic is not enough," Sonia shook her head repeatedly.
"Two of them!"
The two of them whispered to each other in low voices and kept talking until the opening dance was over. The nobles lining up were already thinking about a duel with Griffith.
…
Next, a senator addressed everyone and announced the decision to grant Roland the title of Count:
"The work of Count de Sissel has been of great help to us. This resolute and brave knight has performed many meritorious deeds for the kingdom. He brought revolutionary gunpowder weapons to the army of the kingdom, and through simple The experiment showed us the principles of shooting of muskets and artillery. This experiment was conducted under the watchful eyes of His Majesty the King and noble senators. The count himself did not conceal any details. If he had any scruples, it was only for safety reasons. Consider asking all the adults to stay a little further away..."
The venerable senator's speech was long and unfocused. It can be seen that he is a very knowledgeable scholar, he knows a little bit about everything, and he wants to tell everyone about everything, but the result is that the ladies present yawn repeatedly.
Finally he finished his lengthy speech, and the attendants announced a long title at the door of the ball hall: "Lord of Bellomont, defender of the kingdom, dragon slayer, friend of elves and earth spirits, Roland de Cisse Your lord, Earl, is here!"
All the guests turned their attention to the door, where a tall and burly visitor appeared.
He was dressed like a fashionable boy from Bayerland, with a count's sash on his dark, straight blue coat, and his knight's eagle medal with diamonds, gold oak leaves, and eagles glowed under the light. His splendid vest, shirt and boots were all made by the best tailors and shoemakers, and his left hand rested freely on a sword inlaid with gold and diamonds.
The hero of Beyeland, the protagonist of the familiar story, stood tall on the red carpet. Every look and every movement he made carried the spirit of a conqueror, and the eagle's gaze swept over all the living beings who looked up to him. He walked into the living room of the palace as if he was the master of this world and this era.
Time has made his hair thinner, but his strong lines, extraordinary demeanor, noble identity and wonderful stories make him still a fascinating lover. The years away from Beyeland left his body as strong and strong as a war horse. When he nodded slightly, the proudest Duke subconsciously returned the greeting.
The dormant hero returns to the center of the civilized world. The lights have been turned on, the curtain is about to open, and the show is about to begin.
…
"His Royal Highness Prince Mark Commodus Anthony,
"Princess Diana de Mirantis."
A third of the way through the dance, the prince arrived with the daughter of the Guardian of the South.
Griffith couldn't help but raise his head. This was the first time he saw the prince. In terms of age, he is only a few years older than me.
"The prince has just graduated from Homemonworth. Have you never seen him?" Sonia took the prospective knight's arm. "He is engaged to Miss Diana, and they are also classmates. Today is the official engagement ceremony!"
"For God's sake, I don't know anyone. I have met Duke Mirantis," Griffith thought for a moment, turned his head and whispered in his daughter's ear, "In a secret meeting, the Duke said that as long as The prince and the princess can solve all mysterious crises by bringing a team of Shutoral together. The archbishop present laughed at him."
Sonia turned her head and glanced at him quickly: "This is not a joke of the Duke. The two of them have known each other since they were very young. They have taken adventures together and handled many cases. They are the most famous couple in Beyeland!
"Even compared to the heroes in storybooks, it's hard to compare."
Griffith nodded. Suddenly, he thought of a question:
"Prince and duchess? Handling cases? Why don't they leave it to the knights and the army."
"Hmm~ I don't know. His mentor, Paladin General Maximus, has been carefully teaching him military theory and swordsmanship."
Princess Mirantes and Prince Commodus were the protagonists of the banquet. They are as perfect as a pair of porcelain villains, and even the most picky person cannot find faults.
Lord Rowland had left early, and Griffith noticed that he and General Macdonald's wife had gone out into the garden, talking and laughing.
After a few laps of dance, Griffith looked at the time and prepared to go back to his room to take a nap before starting his duties. The senior Shutoral who was originally scheduled to be on duty injured his arm in a minor accident. His superiors drew lots and decided that he would be responsible for the security work in an area within the palace from 12 o'clock to 2 o'clock in the morning.
Just as he was about to leave, Sonia hurried over, caught him, and brought him to the presence of the prince and princess.
"Your Highness, Princess, he is Griffith Blanton, the third-class assault squadron leader, the recipient of the Knight's Order of the Eagle with Silver Oak Leaves, and my Shutoral." Sonia introduced seriously,
The prince nodded to him cordially, and said with the pleasant expression of a senior and a friend: "The countess told me about you, the quasi-knight, and you were very active in the battle between Verona and Raven.
"Hidden dangers threaten our country at all times, but comfort consumes our ambitions. Only great causes can awaken noble souls."
The prince stretched out his hand to the prospective knight: "Mr. prospective knight, soon, I will officially begin to command the army. This country will be inherited by me, and I swear to lead her to greatness. Will you join my team?"
"..." Griffith couldn't answer for a while. He was stunned. Yes, he is a vassal of the Larmore family, and the earl is also a vassal of the king, but he is not a vassal of the king!
Although there is no big problem in terms of the chain of command, if he is required to be loyal directly to the prince, how should he explain his loyalty to the Larmore family, the earl and Sonia.
Sonia was looking at him and the prince with sparkling eyes, not realizing the problem at all.
Princess Mirantes stood aside. She looked at the prince, at the countess, and at the would-be knight. Fortunately, like Griffith, she was still conscious.
"Your Highness, there are enough warriors fighting for you. I heard Sonia say that her knight is a good intelligence and staff officer. The previous battles have proved this for us. Please don't misplace his talents. place.
"Let him stay behind and spend more time with Miss Larmore."
The princess took her betrothed's arm and pointed out the prince's little mistakes with a smile.
oh--! Well said, this is truly the style of a queen! Praise the princess! Griffith said repeatedly in his heart.
"Yes, that's what happened!" The prince seemed to understand, but he was also a little confused. "We are currently studying and following Sir Roland's suggestion to establish a staff and unify command authority. Come and join us later when you have time. Let’s do a sandbox simulation, I’m very interested in the battle between Verona and Revan.”
"Your will is my action, Your Highness." Griffith beat his chest in greeting.
"Okay, do we have to gather talents all night? Don't you have enough loyal ministers and generals for Your Highness?" The princess gave Sonia a charming smile, "Does anyone remember that this is a ball and not a royal meeting?"
…
The princess went away with her prince. Griffith felt a little thirsty, so he and Sonia went to the couch in the corner of the hall to rest.
Fiona and Lana were there too. Count Chalon, who had been away from Beyeland for a long time, actually came back from the Verona front line and was chatting with Count Lamore.
"Sonia, come and announce the answer!" Seeing the two people coming, Count Chalon grabbed Count Larmore who was trying to escape and shouted, "The prince wants to win over your knight, doesn't he?"
"You can't say that, Earl. The prince just hopes that Griffith can serve the future of the kingdom with him." Sonia corrected tactfully.
"Isn't this just wooing?" Earl Charles snorted, "Look, I guessed it right. The prince is eager for military power and status, and wants to treat our Senate as nothing!"
Count Larmore looked at his good friend in silence.
"He is a prince, doesn't the whole country belong to him sooner or later? Why not?" Fiona asked her father in confusion.
"Tsk, tell me, William." The drunk Xia Long held his friend's arm to prevent him from leaving. But Count Larmore ignored him and just looked around vigilantly.
Count Charles had no choice but to explain himself: "Order, young friends, order is the cornerstone of the kingdom's existence. Even evil order is a hundred times better than disorderly kindness."
Everyone couldn't understand what he said.
The Earl continued: "The first thing I did when I arrived in Verona was to bring my legion to establish order there. There must be clear boundaries for what can and cannot be done. Even if it means burning, killing, looting, How you burn and how you kill, how you rape and how you plunder, there must be a regulation. Rana, do you think so?"
"I don't know anything, Earl!" Lana replied quickly, and then quickly glanced at Fiona and found that she was looking at him eagerly.
Count Chalon drank two more drinks today and was in a very good mood. It seemed that he had been exhausted in Verona. He went on to say: "Suppose my soldiers want to eat chicken on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and want flower girls on Tuesday, April, and Saturday, and have Sunday off. This is order. This is a hundred times better than disorder.
"If you were all like the prince, you were in a good mood today Tuesday and went out early to find the flower girl. Halfway through, you found that the chickens in this family were really fat, so he killed the villagers with a knife and ate the chicken. The flower girl's story was revealed. By the way, what does this mean? We promised that the flower girl will not eat chicken today?"
"The count used a metaphor, which means to create a predictable and stable behavior pattern between the parties and reduce misjudgments and suspicions between each other. It's not really about eating chicken and flower girls." Faith hurriedly took over the words. He had already seen that Sonia and Fiona had something wrong with their expressions.
Earl Chalon glanced at him approvingly, and then said: "The function of order is to make everything that is about to happen known, so as to avoid confrontation caused by fear to the greatest extent. The unknown is the greatest fear.
"In this way, everyone will know that we want to eat chicken on the 1st, 3rd and 5th, and we can also sell something else. On the 2nd, 4th and 6th, we will also arrange for the girls to provide better services to bargain. In this way, everyone will have a profit. Figure, order becomes the practice, the practice is the law, and the world will be peaceful."
Leaving aside the dirty jokes, Count Chalon's remarks are still quite clever. Griffith couldn't help but record it in his mind and study hard.
Fiona glared angrily at Count Chalon, who went to spend every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday to spend time with the little girl.
"I was just making an analogy, daughter," the earl explained in a loud tongue, "Besides, this is not a big deal. William, both young knights know how the soldiers on the front line can avoid this. belch."
"That's not the case!"
"I don't!"
"Stop talking nonsense!"
Griffiths, Lannes, and Count Larmore shouted like an artillery battery firing a volley.
Fiona's eyes turned cold and she looked at her father with a keen eye: "You drank too much and talked nonsense again. Stop talking. Mom will come and beat you soon."
"Cornelia, how can I understand the army?" Count Chalon drank another large glass of wine. "Whether the prince wants military power or looks for a flower girl, there must be a regulation. If he can't find one today, it will definitely not work. Tomorrow is the day and you must not let it go. This is called...
"What's wrong with you guys? Haha, what's the expression on your face? Could it be that Cornelia is behind me, ah——!"
