668 A Group of Envoys Part 1 (2/2)
”If no-one willing to give their best troops, I will have no choice but to follow my brother and personally fight at Luolan. Perhaps I will just die on the battlefield!”
The Dukes were horrified after hearing what Safilos said.
”I have decided that we must take down the east of Luolan before winter. May I know how many soldiers all my Lords will send?” Safilos had lost all patience. He could not believe that these noble families were naïve enough to think that it was alright for them to be locked in a stalemate at the borders of Luolan. If they did not push on to attack, the Tanggulasi Empire would quickly launch an attack on the north of Qin once they sensed that the Qin soldiers were fatigued.
Seeing how the King of Qin was putting pressure on them, the Dukes all promised ten-thousand soldiers each and they would all obey Safilos' commands.
This was equivalent to Safilos gaining another twelve-thousand elite soldiers, he would be able to split up his forces now. Holy Rock City's ten-thousand elite soldiers were focused on attacking in one direction, but if the Holy See deployed armies to attack Metatrin City, the entire battle situation would be blown wide open.
”His Majesty has also decided to send envoys to Metatrin City to exchange letters of credence to acknowledge the existence of the Metatrin Kingdom,” Safilos said with a solemn expression.
”Your Majesty, you must never do that!”
The atmosphere quickly tensed up again. These men were fiercely loyal to Holy Rock City and could not understand the Emperor's intention behind his actions.
”Why not?”
”Your Majesty, Metatrin City is a force to be reckoned with and it is also close to Phoenix. Phoenix's hatred towards us has yet to be resolved. If Phoenix decides to form an alliance with Metatrin after the latter has been recognized, what should we do?”
Safilos sighed again. These nobles might be self-centered, but at least they understood the situation. He was worried about the same thing, but the Emperor had already made his decision, what else could he say?
”The Grand Duke of Phoenix is still in our hands so we don't have to worry about that for the time-being. My Lords, his Majesty has asked me to choose one person to negotiate with Metatrin. Who amongst you wishes to go?”
Seeing that no one was going to volunteer, Safilos said, ”If that is the case, I will have to choose one of you.”
The Dukes felt helpless. No one was willing to take up this task because there might be danger involved. According to Qin laws, this person would be able to ask for royal mages for company.
”Barde, hand over your responsibilities to your assistant for the time-being and take a trip to Metatrin City,” Safilos pointed at the youngest Duke.
Barde nodded and said, ”Your Highness, I dare not disobey your order, however… how many mages will His Majesty send forth to ensure my safety?”
”I will speak to His Majesty to appoint a sorcerer and four grand mages to you. I will let Vincent choose two-hundred elite soldiers from the army to protect you. You can bring along another two-hundred men as well, on top of one-thousand soldiers from the guard of honor. This should suffice.”
Barde calculated. One-thousand and four-hundred elite soldiers along with four grand mages and one sorcerer. Indeed, this was a rather powerful group of envoys. For some reason, it still felt unsafe. He would need to pass through Phoenix. It was possible for them to encounter some lunatics from Phoenix who would want to harm them. If only the Grand Duke of Phoenix had not died for no good reason in Holy Rock City.
”Guderian City will also deploy two regiments for your protection. This should be enough.” Safilos said impatiently. At the back of his mind, he knew that he was different from these Dukes. As a grade-9 Professional and a gold grand swordmaster, he rarely had to worry about his own safety. Even if these nobles picked up swordsmanship, they were only at the level of swordmasters at most. It was only natural for them to worry about their own safety.
”Your Highness…”
”Barde, stop trying to stall. Guderian City cannot deploy too many soldiers and horses. I will write a letter to Metatrin City beforehand so that they can prepare soldiers to bring you in. If you are worried about Phoenix…”
”Your Highness, I will go, I will go!” Barde hurriedly made his stand. Although this was a dangerous task, it also served as a kind of political capital. It was not as if there were no benefits to be gained. Besides, the Prince had already fought hard for his protection. The soldiers deployed from Guderian City were the best proof of this.
”On this trip to Metatrin City, you will need to find out what is really happening there. The news brought back by merchants may not always be reliable. Go to the palace now. His Majesty has other tasks for you. Do your best,” Safilos' expression softened. He recalled that Barde's son was still young. If anything happened, his family would be in trouble, so Safilos stopped chiding the young Duke.
Over at the palace, Ojarvis was receiving the Heads of the four major families, which were also the four palace Earls.
The four major families; the Tiffany family, the Rolande family, the Williams family, and the Clyde family, all possessed enormous wealth, but lacked political powers. Everything was held within the tight grasp of the royal family.
Ojarvis looked at the four elders and said slowly, ”I know that some members have split from your families to pledge their allegiances to Saleen. What I am trying to say is, don't try to stop or hinder them.”