Chapter 159: Eighteenth Episode: Chapter 5 (2/2)

”Your Highness!” Geo suddenly stood up. ”Things are not as simple as you think. I definitely have some influence amongst the businessmen. But it is not enough to influence the whole business system. Moreover, the cooperation between the local government in all southern provinces are important. I still encounter issues when it comes to Vielonna's local government!”

The doorbell suddenly rang! Everyone looked at the late one strangely.

”Sorry. Sorry! The carriage had a little problem when going uphill!” Alfa III His Majesty's confidential secretary Count Philip Goolean said as he took off the cape that he was wearing

.

Oscar reached out his hands to the confidential secretary while Philip held it quickly with respect. ”Your Highness, I send my regards from the Goolean family!” The confidential secretary kissed the back of the Prince's hands after saying this.

Oscar finally smiled with satisfaction. ”You missed lunch. I am not going to repay you for that!”

”Of course, it's my fault after all!” Philip smiled bitterly. This master was no less easy to deal with than Alfa III His Majesty. ”I must tell you that His Majesty...”

”Wait, Philip!” Oscar interrupted him. ”If Geo needs the help of the Goolean family in the local administration area…”

”I understand!” The confidential secretary immediately understood. He turned to Young Master Verones, who wore a face full of anticipation. ”I will introduce you to my brother. He is in charge of the finance department in Burton Province. If you need more help, I believe my father will be able to provide aid to you.”

Geo quickly thanked him. He was naturally confident with the influence of the Goolean family.

”Say it! What is with Alfa III His Majesty?”

Philip raised his head at his own pace after drinking one cup of hot tea. ”You won't believe it! Marshal Alan just came back from Riel and was sent to the north to deal with the military arrangement even without seeing His Majesty once!”

Oscar laughed coldly. ”The Northern Army was in such messy state due to Alan's attack against the Deiss twice. He should get a taste of his own fruit now!”

The people laughed. Only the person-in-charge of the Secret Action Unit in Military Intelligence Bureau Baron Chevinne frowned deeply. Oscar, who saw this change, immediately shot him a glance.

Chevinne spoke slowly. ”I think... Marshal Alan's northern journey only shows that our Alfa III His Majesty is still extremely conscious!”

Oscar fell into deep thought while Chevinne continued his words.

”The fall of the Hagrid family caused a new wave of opposing voices in the noble circle in the Capital. After the defeat of Deiss last spring and that public case, it is not difficult for the people to guess what Alan has done! But Alfa III His Majesty did not alter Marshal Alan's position. Instead, he pushed the important responsibility of rearranging the Northern Army to Alan…”

”This means that His Majesty still trusts Silverfox!” Oscar spat these words out with gritted teeth.

”I knew Alfa III His Majesty will not give up on Alan. Alan's leave is to avoid the political situation in Dulin and to deal with the Big Three in the north again! Who knows what he will do this time?”

Chevinne bowed to the Commander. ”Be rest assured. I will take note of this.”

Oscar turned to Philip, slightly bitter. ”Was there only news on Alan from Dulin?”

The confidential secretary of the Emperor was stunned.

In the Church Calendar Year 799 17th day of the 3rd month, a news that excited the ancient Empire came to the Narcissus County of the east. The Narcissus Knights had successfully defeated the last Persian Prince in the Great Plains of Anatolia. This Prince, along with his clan and the map of his land, surrendered to the Andrew family. Following that, Chief Commander of this expedition, General Figg Andrew Nedgabel, announced the ownership of Titan Emperor towards the Great Plains of Anatolia. This caused the Titan's land to expand once again after so many years.

In Church Calendar Year 799 21st day of the 3rd month, the head of Boustead family, the leader of Titan's free businessmen, announced an open letter at Faran Kingdom to apply for a political refugee status from the Faran King. The palace representatives of the Faran Kingdom accepted the request of the Boustead family. The free organization of the southern businessmen began to divide since then. Boustead has been listed as the most wanted criminal in the Empire by the Titan Emperor. Alfa III His Majesty even said that he would not mind waging a war with Faran due to this.

In Church Calendar Year 799 11th day of 4th month, Titan, Deiss, Faran, Hoilland, West Percy, and Italia organized the fifth round of Seven Countries Meet of the highest level to discuss the Guards' actual control over Riel Kingdom. Marshal of Guards of Tian Vann Hewitt Alan's strong attitude was finally accepted. His Highness Crown Prince of the Empire Lobble Alfa Morisette signed on '799.4.11 Seven Countries Meet Summary'. Titan acknowledged the status of Westland Kingdom Alliance Army Group over Riel Kingdom while the Alliance forgave and respected the area under control of Titan. This was the first time in history that signaled the division of a monarchical country.

In Church Calendar Year 799 19th day of 4th month, in Vielonna, the Capital of Burton Province of Titan Empire, the Commander Unit of the Fifth Region of the Empire organized a grand yet depressing flag-lowering ceremony. The 'Hercules' flag that represented the Hagrid family was brought on the carriage by the depressed ex-General of the Guards. The golden lion flag of the Morisette Imperial family once again flew high in the sky on this land. This meant that the Dynasty actually disbanded the strongest noble army in the south that has the longest history. Hagrid became a pronoun in history from now onwards.

In Church Calendar Year 799 7th day of 5th month, Marshal O'Neil Andrew Morisette organized the most important secret meeting in his life at Honwarren Castle at Silure Mountain of the Westria Province in the south of Empire. It was after this meeting that Prince O'Neil began to snatch the actual control power of the south step by step.

At the observation deck in Honwarren Castle, Prince O'Neil gathered all his colleagues.

This included General Gondol Abassia, who was just made the Commander of the Fifth Region of the Empire, Lieutenant General Murat Bedoya the Commander of Red Tiger Cavalry Corps, Lieutenant General Tantalus Piche, who was just made the Chief of Staff of the Southern Army Group, Baron Messier De Quixote of the Military Intelligence Bureau, Major General Janin Sherman the Vice Commander of the Military Intelligence Bureau Southern Office, Brigadier General Luke Citel, who was the Commander of the Special Combat Brigade, and Brigadier General Tove Van Sukhoi, who was the Commander of the First Cannon Division of the Guards.

Except for these people, there were also Major General Krapitch Drake, who was the commoner born infantry commander, Colonel Payne Lubelly, the Hercules Mendez Blane, and Georgio Verones and Paurol Jawock of Vielonna.

To be more specific, there were only two unfamiliar faces. One was Baron Chevinne, who was the person-in-charge of the Secret Action Unit in Military Intelligence Bureau, and the other was Colonel Sandinand of the Guards, who was small but capable. There was also 'Devil Sandy'. This guy has been complaining that the Prince moved him out of the war arrangement. Except for this, he was extremely quiet. No one has seen him utter more than a few sentences in a week.

The most memorable one is Baron Chevinne. As the person-in-charge of the Secret Action Unit, Chevinne controlled all the work of the Military Intelligence Bureau agents. When the Bureau was just established, Chevinne was the Head of the Deiss office. It was Oscar who promoted him to his position today.

”Alright! Sirs! Do you already miss this place so much you don't want to leave it?” Oscar stood at the highest point of the castle. The spring wind blew at his military uniform and caused him to have an urge to go into the green plains in front of him.

”It's beautiful!” Georgio Verones exclaimed. He looked at the castle of the Honwarren family with envy.

Oscar could not help but smile at Master Geo, who looked longingly at this place. ”Hey Geo. I heard the castle of your family is already under construction! When it is done, I must be a guest there!”

”Don't even mention that, Your Highness!” Geo said in a low voice. ”My old father may be a little crazy. He chose the design that needs at least 20 years to finish. I don't even know if he'll live to see that castle.”

”This is the intelligence of an old man!” Oscar laughed again. ”What your father gives to the next generation is something that they will remember in their heart. This is most important of all! The castle is not the main point!”

Geo nodded.

Oscar pulled him into a seat. ”Tell me about those businessmen. What are they on about lately?”

Geo shrugged. ”Actually... There's nothing much to say. They are still yelling about rebuilding the glorious southern commerce system, but these guys are still used to holding money in their hands. After all, the south is not that peaceful. Instead, some nobles are investing a large amount of money into new products and old manufacturing departments.”

”Oh?” Oscar was a little confused. He had never foreseen this before. ”Tell me... What is this all about?”

Geo pointed to the map of the Southern Five Provinces on the square table. ”It's none other than fighting over mining spots and raw materials! These nobles have the land. They are self-sufficient. Using the free money to attain minerals and rights to mine is the best way to produce wealth.”

”The distribution of land revealed some mining resources that are not owned by anyone. The businessmen no longer dare to think about getting the special business permit from the Empire. These mining resources are then divided by the noble families.”

Oscar frowned. ”Is there a chance for us to work on this?”

After thinking about this for a moment, Geo the con businessman finally nodded. ”Yes, there is! The mining spots that the nobles fought over are mostly without proper checking and investigation. We can let the local government get this done for these family, then carry out a public auction for the ownerless mining resources. After this... The businessmen who see an opportunity will get themselves involved in this…”

”In the end, the mining resources will be more divided. The competition will become more intense!” Oscar continued Geo's words.

”That's right!” Master Geo nodded. ”If we properly manage the competition, I believe the last one standing will be us, the taxing department!”

”Then, go all out and do it!” Oscar gave his final order.

Geo agreed.

”What about you guys? Satisfied with your new job?” Oscar turned to the quiet General Abassia and General Tantalus.

The first to give his response was Gondol who only has one arm. He just took over the soldiers who used to belong to Hagrid family, but this war hero did no look up to the Hercules warriors who had a long history. He called them a bunch of slow-moving thugs who did not have a strong will in battle. As a conclusion, they needed to be trained.

”There will be training! Aeolia is still busy. After this, she will send in a letter with a personal stamp on it. Alfa III His Majesty's instruction to you has been written down in the letter. Then... This letter is for Marshal Robin.”

Oscar kept the letter properly and Philip talked into his ears.

”What did you say?” The Prince widened his eyes!

”You heard it!” Philip spread his hands innocently.

Oscar shook his head in disbelief. ”I don't understand! I don't!”

”What is wrong?” Messier came forward.

Oscar used his fingers to knock on the table. ”At first, it is our Second Prince Lobmus Alfa Morisette who was found sleeping in the same apartment as Marquise Erdogan Vas Ferdinand. Now, Her Majesty the Queen actually attended the Secretary of State, old Duke Kachev's birthday party!”

Messier frowned. ”Second Prince and his father's lover? Queen Rolyn Kate attending the Ferdinand family's birthday party?”

”How old is he?” Oscar suddenly asked.

”70!” Baron Chevinne was the first to answer.

”Yeah!” Oscar nodded. ”Ten points for you! It seems that Kachev wanted to quicken his pace to achieve his family dream!”

”This is possible!” Messier nodded. ”Since the problem of an illegitimate child has been circulating in the House of Lords and weighing on the Imperial family, Alfa III His Majesty has not given much attention to Marquise Ferdinand! Old Kachev may have used his daughter to seduce the second son of the Emperor. But... With what condition will he use to ask for forgiveness from Her Majesty the Queen?”

Baron Chevinne looked at the young Prince with worry. ”Maybe it is my misconception. About her second son, the Queen seemed to be... very protective of him. Usually, she would scold the First Prince relentlessly, but towards the Second Prince…”

”What do you want to say?” Oscar felt something fishy.

”It is just my guess. It seemed that... Queen Rolyn Kate wishes more for her second son to take over the Empire!”

”Second son?” Oscar spat out his cigar with distaste. ”Don't tell me about that overdosed guy. He has a problem in his head. Except for having a healthy physical state, he has no brain juice or whatsoever at all!”

Chevinne immediately shut his mouth once he saw that this topic was getting on Oscar's nerves.

Oscar finally pulled Count Philip Goolean over for a private talk. The confidential secretary of the Emperor kept nodding as he listened to the Prince's words.

Oscar was glad that he was able to receive the acknowledgment of the Goolean family. This allowed him not only to have a strong aid in the south but also an acquaintance who was always ready in the Dulin's palace.

”It seems I am destined to be busy!” Philip let out a moan. ”You want me to go back to Dulin right away?”

The Prince quickly shook his head. ”Why so? Dear Philip! You can wait a little longer. I won't make you work as hard as Alfa III His Majesty did!”

”Thank god!” Philip then praised the God.

Oscar leaned on his sofa with satisfaction. ”Next! Mendez Blane, my Hercules! Hagrid family owns an elite unit. This unit is placed off service along with General Gondol. Are you interested?”

Mendez Blane quickly nodded.

Oscar rubbed his hands. He turned to Viscount Paurol Jawock, who was acting as the conference clerk.

”How is it? Have you gotten it all down?”

Paurol waved the notebook in his hands. ”I only noted down those that I need to note.”

Oscar laughed as he said 'Ola'. ”Everyone, I must thank you greatly! For I feel extremely relaxed when I see you.”

”Hey...” VIscount Javock poked at the Brigadier General of the Cannon Division, who slept as if there was no tomorrow. ”The Prince was talking about you!”

Torry immediately stood up. ”All hail the Guards!”

As a result, the men exploded in laughter.

No matter what, sleeping during the Prince's meeting seemed to have become the privilege of the Brigadier General of the Cannon Division, but no one usually disturbed him. According to the sayings, Torry beat Viscount Javock up seriously after this meeting ended. However, the next day, people saw the two noble youngsters with their hands on each other's shoulder, going off to the town at the feet of the mountain for some fun.

Therefore, the maxim of the eastern people is precise ---- Birds of the same feather flock together! As a future Queen or even the future Empress, that beautiful young master of the Honwarren Castle naturally loved to stick with the Prince.

Oscar taught Victoria to play chess and to use the infamous 'Chess of the Queen'. The people in the castle were astonished because no one could make Victoria sit at the table for a whole afternoon before.

Usually, the little beauty would lose terribly. Then, she would turn the chess plate over and use her own rules to win against Oscar! Once Oscar appears to be impatient, she would cry.

At one time, Oscar was truly frustrated. He snatched the eye drops that the little beauty always carried with her.

”A Queen would not do some petty moves!”

In the end, Victoria truly cried and she cried for a whole night. Then, this stubborn little girl was determined to not care about our Prince anymore even if the Marshal brought all his soldiers to apologize to her. At last, the troubled little beauty said, ”Love will not befall on the same person twice!”

Oscar was truly out of ideas.

Honwarren Castle was rebuilt in the middle of the ancient century, that was the fifth century in Church Calendar. Because of this, even though it has undergone refurbishment and expansion, it aged in these years. The theme of the outer part of the castle remained the normal characteristics of a Gothic building, but it has already lost its beautiful and fresh outlook in present time.

It was after Oscar saw the family hall in the Castle that he began to consider refurbishing the Castle. This was not related to his relationship with the little beauty. The family book of the Honwarren family was painted on a granite wall. It stated the complicated family tree just like a vine plant that kept stretching upwards. Every point recorded the name and age of the family members. It was also at this point that these people carried out matters that made a difference in the world.

Oscar found the point of the Queen Soolad Honwarren and saw that the points of this big family that have been powerful for hundreds of years immediately died out from this point. He suddenly had an unspeakable complicated feeling. He did not know what the people would say about him and Andrew in a hundred years.

Maybe it was due to this attitude. When Prince O'Neil was about to depart, he planned a refurbishment plan for Honwarren Castle. He even invited the engineers of the First Cannon Division of the Guards to design cannon bases because he knew fire cannons would decide the fate of fortification for the castle in the future.

After some years, when O'Neil Andrew Morisette was trapped in Honwarren Castle, he would be glad that he made this decision this day.

The last thing to note with Honwarren as the final destination: The ladies who accompanied the name of O'Neil Andrew Morisette on the page of history have all appeared at this point in time.