Chapter 114: Thirteenth Episode: Chapter 5 (2/2)

Eisenstein took a deep breath. No matter what, they should admit that there was still a distance that was not able to be overcome between their country and Titan. This Giant’s population was the larger than that of Deiss by six-folds, and their land was wider than Deiss’. Facing such a strong opponent, any military actions of the Kingdom had to be carefully considered first. Even though Rapids place did not have anything that could be picked on in the document, this matter had already progressed to this stage. What more could they say?

”Then… Resume the negotiation with the Titan?”

Deiss took a glance at his old friend. He knew that since Eisenstein had said that, that meant that the highest Command Department could no longer find any solution.

”Sure! But… I still don’t want to let O’Neil Andrew Morisette go!”

Eisenstein nodded knowingly, ”I understand, Your Majesty. I will instruct the Diplomatic officer to choose a condition in which the Titan could never accept.”

Deiss waved his hands at Harriens. ”Why am I seeing you again?”

”Your Majesty!” Harriens carefully came forward. He had been noticing the small rein in the King’s hand. ”The strange cases that happened two months ago finally have some leads now.”

”Say them...”

”Your Majesty, one month ago, I took the Chief of Staff of the southern border army as bait…”

”Enough!” His Majesty the Ninth suddenly interrupted the words of the head of spies, ”I know it just by looking at you. The bait has been killed and you didn’t manage to catch anyone! Is that right?”

Harriens wiped his cold sweat as he nodded.

”Haha! You are as stupid as before!” Deiss held the rein in his hands tightly. ”Is the opponent functioning in a team or…”

”One man!” Harriens said the answer in fear. ”There was only one man. The only survivor of that action told me this! The scene was messed up. Except for the bodies, there were no other useful clues, but the bodies usually tell us a lot of things. But… But this time… Obviously, that assassin must be the ace in the hands of Titan Imperial Family. He used all sorts of weapons to take the lives of more than forty guards in that small mansion. Among them, there were even five Paladins…”

”Alright…” His Majesty the Ninth suddenly had his line of thought interrupted by a sudden pain in his body. ”Stop… Just stop it right here!”

Engerbury Roulexberg took a box of opium cream and extracted a portion of dark red opium. Without looking at the appropriate portions, he then pushed it into his mouth in panic. The opium slowly took its effect. After a while, His Majesty the Ninth, who was tortured to exhaustion by the sickness, was finally able to open his bewildered eyes.

”Your Majesty, this is related to your safety. For such super assassin, once he has been given a duty, he will not stop. He is just like those death warriors. They will only stop the killing until the end of their lives. After this, he will be more careful. He will get closer to bigger and more obvious target.”

The Deiss King weakly looked at Harriens that became slowly blurred. ”Get out! All of you get out! Get out!”

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”Yes, Your Majesty!” The Paladin, who guarded the study of the Emperor closed the door, left quickly after being hinted by Alfa III His Majesty.

”Alright!” Alfa III His Majesty stretched his back. As the ruler of Titan, he could not remember how long he had not been as busy as he was now.

”How is it, my Sir Marshal? Any trouble with dealing with the Rielese?” The Emperor lied on the comfortable sofa, looking at the Marshals that stood with military posture on his two sides and smiled. If they did not have an answer, then they should not blame him for being mean!

”Your Majesty!” Marshal Alan asked first, ”The Knights of the Guards had already closed in on the Rielese’s Capital, so the Infantry Unit from all directions received strong resistance. But, I believe that you will see the Rielese opening the gate to the Capital and requesting for peace negotiation in half a month.”

”Then… What about the Narcissus Knights?” Alfa III His Majesty did not plan to let the Military Affairs Chancellor just like this.

Alan sighed a bit. Who knew what Dortmund is thinking! The Marshal bore himself and opened up the information collected by the Military Intelligence Bureau.

”Urgh… Until this point, the Narcissus County’s Military Personnel Bureau had dispensed 21 Independent Knights Brigade. They defeated Deiss’ 9 Corps of the East Border Army. The carriage from Andrew’s territory kept snatching resources from Deiss border day and night. It seems that… Marshal Dortmund has the intention of continuing the invasion of the Deiss Kingdom.”

”Ah…” Alfa III His Majesty sighed deeply. ”Write a letter to Duke Andrew in my name! Ask him to Dulin for once. Just say that it is to discuss the strategy towards Deiss together. We should let him calm down completely!”

”Yes Your Majesty!” Alan nodded. It seemed that he could only use the name of the Emperor to ask Duke Andrew to stay away from the battlefield. ”Your Majesty, and this!” The Military Affairs Chancellor took a document out again, ”The Chief of Staff of the Narcissus Knights replied to your order towards the Army Division. On the letter, they totally accept the grace bestowed upon the Red Tiger Knights Division by His Majesty the Emperor. They had already begun choosing and replacing the soldiers and experienced commander for the Red Tiger. Then… It is a whole lot of compliment towards Your Majesty.”

”I know!” Alfa III His Majesty nodded, ”Use the time wisely. Keep on urging the Andrew to manage this matter. The best method is to let Dortmund bring the whole new Red Tiger Knights Division over. This way, the Red Tiger can immediately join in the northern attack and the Imperial Family will not say anything towards the Andrew.”

Alan accepted the order respectfully.

”Sir Chief of Staff, do you have anything?” The Emperor turned towards Marshal Valier.

”Your Majesty, it was not something big. It’s just that a most important member of the Sukhoi family is about to have a wedding. I will represent the Army Division to go to Grizzly Fortress to attend…”

”Alright!” Alfa III His Majesty nodded, ”I believe that through the defense war at Saijo Mountain, everyone can see the meaning of Sukhoi family to the Empire! I think… I can’t let them handle the fire weapon building technique single-handedly anymore!”

The Chief of Staff of the Guards suddenly showed a happy expression. ”Your Majesty! I understand what you meant. Do you want the Sukhoi family to cooperate in technology with the Army Division or the two large arms dealers?”

”No!” The Emperor glared at Marshal Valier impatiently, ”You completely misunderstood my words! The Sukhoi Family’s loyalty towards the Empire is doubtless, so I ordered them to be responsible for those confidential projects together with Dulin University and the fire weapons experts at the Imperial Military Academy. My Sir Chief of Staff, did you know that? Before I bring the traitor to the higher level of the Empire to hell, I will never ever again let the sensitive national resources be leaked out like before!”

”Yes! Yes, Your Majesty!” The Chief of Staff retreated to one side awkwardly. He noticed that Alan gave him a cold stare.

At night, the Hamilton Palace was extremely quiet since the Empire was having a large-scaled war right now. The Capital’s home base area had strengthened the security of the Imperial Family and the important places around Dulin. The nobility who used to only know how to show off their military uniform all got relieved of their duty. In return, the honored knights of the nobility took over their duty. These high-level knights, who were successors to the hereditary noble title, still kept the ancient battle tradition. Since they were young, they had begun to accept a standardized military training and were nurtured with patriotic thoughts.

In the shadows in front of the stairs of the Imperial Palace were two carriages that were normal in terms of design and type. There was a logo of Titan Guards painted on the carriages. This meant that these carriages were the objects of the Army, and the one in the carriages was the leader of the Army.

When Marshal Alan and Marshal Valier came down the stairs together, the Guards that belonged to both of them came forward. These professional soldiers, who were agile and attentive to their surroundings, took note of every corner in the dark. Even if this was the Palace, these Guards who were used to being nervous would not relax even a bit.

”Old friend!” Marshal Alan suddenly stopped the Chief of Staff who was about to board the carriage. ”Won’t you let me send you back? It's been a long time since the last time we have a chat!”

Marshal Valier Cypress looked at the Silverfox that fought with him for many years strangely. It could be said that… They had never chatted before! What was wrong with this old dude today?

”Alright!” The Chief of Staff nodded with a smile. ”But there’s wine in your carriage?”

”Hehe! All ready for you!” Silverfox pushed Valier by his shoulder and brought his old rival who worked for more than 20 years with him on his carriage.

Looking at the reversed road and taking note of the dim light of the roadside lamp, Valier was obviously a little impatient. He had already had four shots of hard liquor. If he continued to drink, he would end up doing something improper!

”Old friend! What is this? Inviting me to your carriage and not saying a word. Do you plan to just let me drink by myself?”

Marshal Vann Hewitt Alan smiled coldly in the shadows of the carriage that the other person could not see. Just now, facing his old rival whom he competed with many years, this Marshal of the Guards thought about a lot of things. He thought of the lively young adult time and the depressed middle-age scenes. Then, he had entered his old age now. After getting used to the materialistic of Dulin, the fakeness of humanity and the ugly side of the world, except to defend the Empire’s gate during the remainder of his time, Alan could not think of anything more.

”Old friend!” After being silent for a long time, the Silverfox finally spoke, ”I was thinking just now that both of us are already old! We don’t have much time left! It’s time for us to sit down and get a boost!”

”Yes! Yes!” Even though he did not understand what the Silverfox was on about, Marshal Valier Cypress still showed a rather plaint expression, ”You are absolutely correct! My energy is not as high as before. After taking up the pen, I realized that nothing is in my brain! Hehe, thinking about the little Prince that won that ugly war at Saijo Mountain. I must admit! The age for the young men is about to come. Old guys like us should retire soon!”

”Guess what more I have thought about?” Alan leaned forward. He put himself under the light of the lamp of the carriage.

”Who can guess the thoughts of Silverfox?” Valier asked him back.

”Hahahahahah!” Marshal Alan laughed happily. He still remembered that the name ‘Silverfox’ first came from this old friend, ”I was thinking that how I can get a good name after retiring.”

Valier avoided the gaze of the Silverfox. He was already beginning to feel guilty. He knew that the Silverfox would not do anything illogical.

”The Marshal of Guards that had served the Empire and the Imperial Family with all that he could for more than forty years! What more do you want other than this?”

Alan was still taking note of his old friend’s expression without going back! ”Of course! Of course, I want more! I want my children to grow up in an honored and peaceful environment. I want them to remember that I am not only a sneaky military strategist but also a stubborn patriot!”

Valier set his gaze out of the window again, ”What is wrong with you? You earned those names, without a doubt. But, why are you saying this?”

Marshal Alan leaned in the dark. His voice was extremely cold, ”I said this because I feel it is not worth it for the guy that sold out the country’s highest confidential information, Valier!” Alan said as he touched his old friend’s arm. He successfully attracted the attention of the Chief of Staff.

”The Chief of Staff of the Guards, I am afraid that even you don’t know about this matter. It was Alfa III His Majesty that told me this! Even if Deiss is successful in their attack towards Area 21, they still can’t bring anything back because the Empire’s gold reserve had already followed the previous Emperor’s squander to hell! Except for Paladin, there is nothing more in Area 21!”

”You… What did you say?” Valier shouted in surprise, but he quickly noticed his rudeness. He quickly covered it up with his husky laughter. ”Hehe… Hehehe, I can’t believe this. Our Emperor is actually out of money!”

Alan did not laugh at his old friend’s joke about the Emperor. He only stared worriedly at Valier.

”Some things… I did not want to say at first!”

”Such as?”

”Such as the things I talked about just now!” Alan knitted his eyebrows, ”I said we are both old! We should think about having a good name after we retire! How good you are! You know how people of Dulin describe your goddaughters?”

Upon hearing about this, Valier’s expression became dark.

”Alan! I can’t believe you actually believe those dirty remark on the newspaper…”

”Old friend! Listen to me!” Alan interrupted the defense of the Chief of Staff, ”You did have a few young and beautiful goddaughters. Did you forget about it? I have seen them in your house! Also, I heard that the faces of these ladies keep on changing. They hang around high-class venues and buy all sorts of valuable jewelry. The upper society of Dulin calls them Money Killer. It means that they spend money as if they have a grudge against money. They can’t wait to use the money…”

”Enough!” Valier threw away his wine glass in a sudden movement. ”Alan! Did you invite me here to talk about this? I admit I am sponsoring these female students! Are you questioning my source of income? Are you doubting that I am the traitor? You are doubting a Marshal of the Imperial Guards, right? Tell your driver to stop the carriage. It seems that we need a duel!”

”No! No! No! No!” Alan waved his hand desperately, ”Oh god! Oh God of Light! Look at how bad I angered my old friend! But… You are too sensitive. I am not what you said I am!”

Alan poured a glass of liquor for himself and picked up the wineglass his old friend threw on the floor.

”Valier! Obviously, you misunderstood my words! I am talking about getting a good name after retiring. How did you relate that to the traitor?” Alan looked at the furious Chief of Staff of the Guards playfully, ”Your Goddaughters already let your name suffer some serious damage. Oh god! What are you thinking? You have sons and daughters. They will not be happy to let their father get pointed fingers at behind his back!”

Valier did not know what to think. His logic told him that the words of the Silverfox was definitely not as simple as it looked. However, the expression and action of this guy did not seem like the Silverfox was hiding anything from him.

”Valier, didn’t you just said? The age of the young man is about to come. Do you know how many people are fighting over a duty in Dulin every day? Do you know how many people are jealous of old guys like us who have taken the higher posts for many years?”

”What do you want to say?” The hard liquor burned in his stomach. Marshal Valier Cypress’ mind was already exceptionally confused. He shouted as he wiped the sweat dripping from his forehead.

”As your friend, I only wanted to tell you that if you don’t take note of your actions and daily lives, then sooner or later you will run into trouble. Do you know that? The Secret Service Department is investigating the background on your goddaughters. As compared to an old rival like me, Count Rudolf Hoss is the one that truly hates us!”

”Hahaha!” Valier suddenly laughed, ”As expected of the Silverfox, always acting as if you are the third party watching this drama. But, my old friend, don’t you think what you said is too fake and intentional? What is this that you said to me? Warning? Don’t think I can’t see it. Even though you remove your family members from those sensitive military posts, you still replace them with your own subordinates! It’s me who wants to ask you. What do you want to do?”

Alan smiled, but his expression showed hostility and coldness without reserve.

”As a friend, what I said to you is indeed simply advice. But if you want to hear the warning… I also have that!”

Silverfox looked at the wine in his glass that shone the color of blood. ”Valier, Sir Chief of Staff, if you don’t pull away from those 21 guys that caused trouble in which you arranged in the Military Intelligence Bureau in the shortest time possible, then I will not make any promises regarding their safety! Don’t you want to hear warnings? This is it!”

Valier took deep breaths. He did not understand and could not be sure! Why did the Silverfox end the balance that both of them had maintained for the past ten years all of a sudden? That old guy just broke it off with me, didn't he? Could it be that… The Secret Service Department truly found something? Could it be that… The Emperor’s coldness… The sudden opening of the Military Intelligence Bureau… The escape of Deiss spies… It couldn’t be…

Looking at Valier who rushed back to his own carriage, Marshal Vann Hewitt Alan made a goodbye hand sign in disdain. Even though he had already seen enough of this world, the old Marshal still sighed. Humans! They could never get rid of the devil’s temptations! What was the devil? The Devil was the heart that knew no satisfaction!

Dulin’s night was covered with star lights. The passionate galaxy poured down from the other side of the sky onto the sky above Dulin. Facing the brimming light of the universe, Dulin opened its embrace. It let every house and building be covered in this pure and bright light.

However, Dulin was not fair. It only provided light and blessing to the places it liked. In the dark alley, at the shanty area and the low slums, Dulin usually ignored the existence of such truths! In these places that were associated with darkness all year long, the great Dulin city seemed extremely cruel.

The carriage suddenly stopped! Alan suddenly awakened from his thoughts. He heard the noise of the guarding knights outside of the carriage.

The confidential secretary of the Military Affairs Chancellor, Colonel Payne Lubelly opened the door of the Marshal in a swift. Alan was a little surprised because the first thing he saw was a lady that was covered in blood and wore tattered clothes.

Colonel Payne hugged this unconscious lady in his arms. He was a righteous soldier. Moreover, no gentleman would leave a lady in distress at the roadside without care.

”Marshal! She was unconscious on the ground. She seems to need help!”

Alan rolled his eyes. Looking at Payne’s shivering limbs, could it be that this kid had never hugged a woman before?

”Don’t you know to put her down on the seat? Tell the driver to change course! Go to the nearest national hospital!”

”It’s okay!” Countess Aeolia who was just put down on the seat sat up in a sudden movement. The stagger in her hand was already placed at the neck of the Marshal.

Colonel Payne Lubelly was shocked by the sudden incident. He slowly retreated from the carriage. He wanted to take his sword out, but he could not find his hilt anywhere.

Aya closed the carriage door and separated the Marshal and her with the shouting guarding knights.

”Alright! No one can disturb us now!”

The Silverfox could not see the dagger, but he could feel the uncomfortable coldness. This Marshal of the Guards smiled bitterly.

”Miss, if this was forty years ago, I will be extremely honored to know the fact that no one will bother us. But…”

”Oh! You are humorous even now?” Aya exclaimed.

The old man rolled his eyes. ”Alright, Miss! You should know who I am and you should be clear what you are doing. Then let’s get this straight. What do you need?”

Aeolia exclaimed once again. ”As expected of the Marshal Silverfox! I truly need your help!”

Looking at the confused Marshal of the Guards, Countess Aeolia began to count the list she made.

”Sir Marshal, I need a spacious, safe and best closed off location within the Deiss' borders. I need an absolutely reliable contact person. Also, I need the guidance and aid of the agents of Military Intelligence Bureau based in Deiss. I need a detailed map that shows the army forces of Deiss. Also, I need to establish a safe and stable connection with Prince O’Neil who is held captive in the Lombardy Castle…”

”Wait! Wait!” Alan seemed to understand. ”You are… A follower of Oscar?”

”Aeolia Siva Wimmester! I have the title of a Count! Most respectable Sir Marshal, it is nice to meet you!”

The old man held the brave woman’s hand with a bitter smile. This Marshal kissed her hand without a choice.

”Countess Aeolia, there are a lot of ways to get to know an old man! Why did you choose such method that will let a person’s heart stop?”

Facing the joke of the old Marshal, Aeolia smiled embarrassedly, ”Sir Marshal, I only wanted to prove it to you that rather than those so-called elite agents under your command to secretly infiltrate the Deiss Kingdom, my people and I are much stronger than they were!”