Dust of History Chapter 6: Shuffle
In the study room of the Duke's Mansion, the Prime Minister, Duke Mrak, is happily and busy dealing with affairs.
Although so many important things have happened in the past two days, His Majesty the Emperor still remembers to give him the position that was already prepared for the Duke. But to be honest, the Duke didn't really care about that.
The title of prime minister is not so much that you can get it easily, it is better to say that you have to get it if you don't. It is no more difficult than eating a small piece of bread. The eldest daughter is already the Minister of Finance, and the younger daughter is about to become the imperial concubine. The military ministers have been turned around by his exquisite tricks, and the Erni family is almost completely ruined. Who is not allowed to take this position? So the Duke was not happy about this, but about something else.
The door of the study opened, and the shrewd and capable Minister of Finance walked in with a stack of documents in his hand, dressed in an official uniform.
Xiao Yi put the document in front of the Duke and said: "This is the loss report of the battle to kill the spirit mages the day before yesterday. The pensions of the soldiers and mages who died in the battle were reselected from all over the place in a short period of time. The cost of adding high-level fighters to the Holy Knight Order... After calculating the various expenses, a total of 2,359 gold coins are needed."
The Duke glanced at the document, and the categories of expenditures and budgets on it were clear and detailed. He nodded and sighed in satisfaction. Thinking of the big battle two days ago, he really hasn't been so surprised and happy for many years.
More than 50 members of the Holy Knight Order, four captains died in the battle against the Necromancer the day before yesterday. This is his surprise, and it is still a big surprise.
This is the largest and most astonishing loss since the establishment of the Holy Knight Order. It was just to deal with a necromancer with the help of nearly a thousand priests and magicians.
The duke knew a long time ago that this weird old man who actually had a relationship with the bishop was definitely a master, and after the incident with the prime minister last time, he was already sure that this old man was indeed a dead man. Spirit mage. Probably because of some other unknown secrets, he lived here in seclusion under the bishop's private shelter.
It is definitely a big secret that the Bishop actually intersected with a necromancer. However, because he was unwilling to expose himself, the Duke never revealed the news. In the end, it finally proved that this is indeed a very wise choice.
What is the relationship between this strange old man and that priest boy, and what is the relationship with the bishop? These dukes don't want to get to the bottom of it. It's just that the bishop is already dead, and this person who knows the real culprit will never be the priest boy must be a huge hidden danger, not to mention that he is also a friend of the bishop, and a necromancer who makes people fearful.
Although his strength should be unfathomable, the Duke has already experienced a little bit of it a long time ago. A mage who can overwhelm himself as a swordsman in terms of murderous aura and aura so that he dare not fight, is absolutely comparable to Bishop Ronnies in strength, and the ending of the prime minister's son also illustrates the problem very well.
But under the duke's means, even if he is ten times stronger, it will be useless. It's just an unidentified necromancer, and it's only natural to use the Paladins and the Academy of Magic to get rid of him.
It's just that the Duke never expected that the battle would be so difficult and huge. It was just killing him alone, and the killing was so thrilling that the sky was dark and the sky was dark. The battle was short, but the flames, explosions, poisonous gas, holy light... the storm of frantic magic elements and sword energy, and the powerful self-destruction of the last dozen or so corpses and the Necromancer himself was even more unimaginable. Even with the duke's self-cultivation, he was completely shocked when he saw it.
Fortunately, the big house was in the most remote place on the edge of the capital, only a few insignificant streets were damaged, and more than a hundred people were injured.
However, after being shocked, the Duke was ecstatic, especially when he saw the small captains of the two holy knights and a dozen or so swordsmen who were directly torn apart by the huge explosive force because they were too close to the necromancer. It was almost time to applaud that necromancer.
"What's the budget for rebuilding that neighborhood?" the Duke asked.
The Minister of Finance immediately took out another inch-thick document, which also described all the expenses in detail. "The total is about 2,300 gold coins. There are too many items, and the budget can only be accurate to this point."
The Duke nodded. Clean up the streets, clean up the corpses, let the priests clean up the effects of the horrible toxin magic, repair the damaged buildings... such a complicated job can budget funds to this point, no other official in the empire has such strong ability. The post of Chancellor of the Exchequer is truly well-deserved.
"With these two expenditures at the same time, the national treasury will inevitably be stretched. We can only reduce expenditures in other areas... The recruitment and supply work of the Holy Knights will be temporarily delayed...."
The clear and clear voice of the Chancellor of the Exchequer continued to read the official document lightly: "No matter what the situation, the integrity and combat effectiveness of the Holy Knights should be guaranteed. Change the system. And if the reconstruction cost is not allocated immediately, the military ministers will also give me advice.”
"The system is dead, but the situation is alive. Now that the diplomatic relations with neighboring countries are harmonious, and there is no war, it is natural to be able to slow down on this. As for how long..." Naturally, it was about time when he thought it was appropriate, and the corner of the Duke's mouth unconsciously pulled a smile. "You don't have to worry about the military ministers, I will naturally go and explain it to them. This matter is very important, and I will personally assist Captain Roland to handle it... Hehe."
If there is anything in this empire that he has to worry about, it is the Holy Knights. Under normal circumstances, the staffing of this group is extremely strict and demanding, and almost all of them are taken care of by Captain Roland, so no matter how thoughtful and resourceful the Duke is, he can only sigh. But now the loss of personnel caused by that respectable and lovely necromancer is undoubtedly a great opportunity. It couldn't be easier to delay the funding and find an opportunity to stuff some of your own people in.
"Yes." The Minister of Finance replied lightly, flipping through the documents.
A sound of footsteps came from far and near. The sonorous and powerful, the knight's special metal boot soles and the master's unstoppable movements knocked on the floor, just from the sound, one could feel the young and energetic of the rider. And the interval between each step is exactly the same, which shows his extraordinary self-control, strictness, precision and meticulousness.
The study door opened, and a young knight walked in. Just like the sound of his footsteps, he is dressed in impeccable knightly attire, every movement and even every expression shows a perfect knightly demeanor. He is not Clovis, but he looks like Clovis, as if he was born to be a good assistant to the Duke. Although his appearance was equally handsome and upright, he didn't have the rigidity and murderous look of Clovis, but looked very soft and easy to get close to. He is the Duke's new assistant, Rod Hart.
Two days ago, the news that Bishop Ronis was assassinated by the spy priest of the Necromancer Guild had just spread throughout the capital, and Lord Duke had just gone to wipe out the necromancer. Shortly after returning home, Rod Hart came to him up.
"My lord duke, I'm here to be your assistant." Rodhart said in a straightforward way that surprised even the duke.
The Duke smiled and said in a tone of fear: "Where is it? Lord Rodhart is now a rookie specially trained by the military. I don't have the face to ask you to be my deputy."
"My lord duke, I'm here to rely on you." Rodhart once again expressed his intention of coming in a very sincere, humble but definitely not servile tone. "My future in the military is very good, and I am also a squad leader in the Paladins. I am smart and know how to advance and retreat. With my help, you can manipulate the military more easily. I will definitely be better than Clovis Do better."
"You mean that you are more useful." The Duke's smile was a little mocking, but more of admiration.
"Yes. I can help you more." Rod Hart nodded.
"You are a smart man." The Duke looked at him meaningfully and nodded. "Really smart, a person who does great things."
Bishop Ronnies is dead, and the big backer he had hoped to be taken care of by the Duke is no longer there, and his friend is about to become the most wanted criminal in the mainland. The duke who covered the sky with one hand would never let go of this person who once consciously wanted to establish his own family, had the potential, brains and ambitions, and knew a lot of things.
It is undoubtedly extremely unwise to confront the Duke. Regardless of power, means, or status, the gap is unreasonable. And fighting is always the most mindless last resort. So Rodhart immediately chose a path that seemed almost insane to others—returning to the Duke.
To be able to see such a situation requires an extremely brilliant vision and mind. To make this choice, you must have the mind to do big things without sticking to small details.
People like the Duke will never care about what you have done. He only cares about one thing, that is whether you are still useful. Whether your previous actions were good to him or bad to him, they are just a reference to explain your xinxing ability. As long as he analyzes your ability and use value, is sure to control you, and believes that you are useful to him, that's fine.
"I don't know how long it's been since I've had such a straightforward conversation with someone." The Duke sighed with emotion. Smiling and looking at the young man who volunteered to surrender in front of him, he was really moved. "I believe you must be very capable. At least when I was your age, I definitely didn't have your vision and bearing, let alone your city."
Rod Hart remained silent, and stood with his head bowed, waiting for the Duke's decision.
The Duke still had that smile on his face, looked at Rodhart and continued: "But I also know that you are very ambitious. Don't you think that I will put such a capable, intelligent, ambitious and scheming person in a deeper danger? The character stays by my side, waiting for when he will stab me in the back?"
Rod Hart did not speak, but still stood there humbly.
"But since you are here, it means that you are judging that I will definitely accept your refuge? Guess now, is your judgment right or wrong?" The Duke narrowed his eyes and bent up. His fingers tapped slowly on the table. "Also... if it is wrong, what will be the result?"
If the judgment is wrong and the duke does not accept this suggestion, the result is very likely that he will not even be able to walk out the gate of the duke's mansion. He has shown that he has such an understanding of the Duke's character, style and current situation, then the Duke will naturally not let him go, and he will not even give him a chance to escape. He used to get so close to the spies of the Necromancer Guild, but this reason can already kill him right away.
Rod Hart stood still silently. The only thing left in the room was the duke's dull knocking sound, falling on the rhythm of every heartbeat.
After a while, he finally spoke. His voice was steady and clear, without any emotional fluctuations mixed in it: "I won't guess, because this is my own judgment. And this matter is not just whether my choice is right or not," His eyes were a little bit He looked at the Duke incredulously. "It is also your choice whether it is correct or not."
Trust. The tapping of the Duke's fingers was terminated by an accent. "Then I'll tell you, your judgment is right." His smile was not only satisfied, but also carried something else, which was fighting spirit. "I'll just keep you by my side."
"Thank you, Duke." Rodhart bowed to the Duke. From this moment on, he has become his assistant, subordinate, partner, and ally from an abandoned son of the Duke, and an enemy.
"You're welcome. You also know that I keep you not for you, but for myself. Not only because you are useful to me, but also because you are a threat to me." The Duke stood up and looked out the window Looking at it, his eyes are full of ambition and ambition. "There is no one in this country who is my opponent. Without an opponent, there is no threat. And living in a world without a sense of crisis, no matter how ferocious and cunning a beast will slowly degenerate. So I let you stay, In addition to letting you do things for me, it also allows me to not forget to be vigilant at any time."
Walking into the study, Rod Hart gave a very standard salute first, and then presented a report: "My lord, this is the current personnel arrangement in the Holy Knight Order. What kind of people are needed for the vacant positions? It's all written on it."
The Duke took the report but put it aside, looked at Rodhart with a smile and asked, "What is your position in the regiment now? Has Captain Roland settled it?"
Rod Hart stood aside with his hands down, and replied: "Replace the former captain of the fourth team and lead thirty swordsmen and a fire magician."
The Duke smiled and nodded: "By the way, how is Captain Roland's injury?"
"Thanks to the timely return from the Holy See by the two great priests of the Academy of Magic, the leader is now fine."
"Oh, that's good." Although he was saying yes, the Duke's eyebrows, which were as slender as his eyes, twitched regretfully. If there was ever a small blemish in this surprise, this is it.
Fifty regiment members and four team leaders. This vacancy was indeed a great gift to the duke. But the Duke would rather that none of these regiment members die, or even five hundred more out of thin air, as long as one person can die honorably in the line of duty—Captain Roland.
If this is the case, maybe the Duke will be a hundred times happier than he is now, and maybe he will quietly erect a bronze statue for the respectable necromancer in the basement.
But since the old man is not capable of obtaining such an honor, His Excellency the Duke is not too anxious. The big deal is that you can take it slowly in the future, as long as there is a gap to allow your own people to enter the Holy Knight Order, then there will be opportunities in the future. The success of Bishop Ronis's matter has greatly encouraged his courage and fighting spirit.
With the death of Bishop Ronis, the Paladins suffered this damage. The entire power structure and distribution of the situation in the royal capital have all changed. This is a big reshuffle, some cards will disappear, some cards will change places and positions, and have other effects. And the one who controls the direction of these cards the most is naturally the Duke, the most outstanding player in terms of political power. Like the Rodhart card.
The duke asked: "Has the arrest warrant for the murderer been issued?" If this potential hidden danger is completely eliminated, it can be said that the cards for the entire capital of the kingdom have already been seized.
"His Majesty the Emperor is heartbroken, and in addition to the five thousand gold coins proposed by Bishop Ronnies, he has added a reward. Whoever can capture this person will be made a first-class viscount by the empire." Rodhart's voice was calm. , stable and concise. "The arrest notice has been distributed to every place in the empire as soon as possible, and envoys have also been sent to various countries to negotiate and distribute the arrest warrant."
"What about the church?"
"The arrest warrant from the Academy of Magic has been handed over to the Church. I heard that His Majesty the Pope was also extremely furious, and directly sent the arrest warrant to all parishes and subordinate institutions."
The duke nodded with satisfaction, and said with a little sigh: "Such an evil and crazy criminal really needs to be dealt with in this way. His Majesty actually offered such a heavy reward. Five thousand gold coins, although the Holy See has to share a little, but it is true It is not a small burden on the national treasury. I wonder who will get such an astonishing reward?" He looked at Rodhart and asked with a smile, "Do you want it?"
Rod Hart thought for a while, shook his head slightly, and replied, "I can't catch him."
"A lot of things don't matter strength, it's mainly a matter of method. I believe you understand this very well. Because you are a smart person who can do great things." His Excellency the Duke looked at his new deputy with a smile. "Have you found anything from the file of the spy in the Magic Academy? For example, where is his hometown and who is there..."
"No. Turns out those are all fake."
"Hehe, it really is a spy." The Duke nodded and asked Rodhart. "You and that spy were once friends, so do you know his details?"
"I don't know." Rodhart shook his head.
The Duke nodded, then turned to look at the Chancellor. "Then you must know?"
"No, I don't know." Xiaoyi's eyes met the Duke's coldly, and she looked down at the document again.
The Duke smiled. "It turns out that you don't know either. Then let me tell you. It happened that I got some clues from some places a long time ago, and now I suddenly recalled... The hometown of this spy should be in the Karondo Basin, probably The father of a blacksmith. The folk customs there are simple and simple, so it must be easy to find such an extraordinary person."
"I understand. I'll go to Calendor immediately." Rodhart nodded, turned and exited. The sonorous and rhythmic footsteps were the same as when they came, but they gradually faded away with his figure.
The Duke suddenly remembered the first time he chased and killed this man. But after going in such a big circle, the situation is completely different now. I no longer have to worry about anything, I can use whatever method I think of. With his profound and subtle means, the boy's end can almost be seen.
The Duke sighed a little for this person who took him so long to deal with. So many things happened in the middle, the changes in the agreement with Oufu, the actions of Bishop Ronnies... But in the end, he had the last laugh with a complete victory. Thinking that he was about to completely solve this opponent who had spent so much effort, experienced so many twists and turns and won so many victories, the Duke was really reluctant. Satisfied, he sighed a little sadly.
"Don't do this again, okay?" Xiao Yi said suddenly.
"No what?" The Duke was a little surprised.
"Let him go. Don't do this again." Xiaoyi raised her head and looked at the Duke with pleading eyes. "He won't tell what you did. He has no interest in these things. Why do you have to do this? You haven't killed enough people?"
The Duke frowned at his daughter and shook his head: "I thought you were a little more sensible. Why are you still so obsessed with your children's personal relationships? That's a cultist who murdered the Bishop."
"I know he will never assassinate the Bishop."
"I know you can't believe it, but at least a hundred pastors saw it with their own eyes..."
"Didn't that all be arranged by you, Father?" Xiaoyi's voice was already trembling. "Even the bishop was killed by you, isn't that enough for you? Stop it."
"What did you just say?" The Duke raised his head, his voice was not loud, but his eyes and tone were definitely not what a father could say. "Who do you listen to nonsense."
"I didn't listen to anyone. Who dares to speak of you now? But do you think I can't see it? Who else would dare to do such a thing except you?" The eyes that directly issued the Cone of Ice Technique did not appear to be frightened, and the trembling of her voice was not fear, but excitement to the extreme of despair. Such an expression was even more intense against the backdrop of her majestic and upright official uniform. "Have you ever thought about what will happen if you continue to do this? Are you going to kill everyone who stands in your way and become emperor yourself? After becoming emperor? Go to war with the surrounding countries? Stop it... "
"Shut up!" The Duke stood up abruptly and stared at Xiaoyi, the light in his slender eyes seemed to be so cruel that he would poke his daughter to pieces on the spot.
Xiaoyi is still looking at her father ~IndoMTL.com~ The two pairs of eyes that look the same face each other with completely different lights.
After a long time, the Duke finally sat down slowly by himself, looked up at the ceiling and sighed: "You go out first, let yourself think about it."
Xiaoyi exited the study silently. Back in her room, she also sat at the desk in a daze. She really didn't know how to deal with the current situation, or for her, there was simply no way to deal with it. The only thing she can do now is to hope that she can influence her father, and hope that the little father-daughter relationship will make him worry a little bit and turn around a little bit.
But not long after, when there was a burst of footsteps outside the corridor, Xiaoyi knew that she was wrong. Not only did my father not look back, but he took a big step forward.
"My lord, I now suspect that you have a relationship with the spies of the Necromancer Guild who murdered the bishop. Please come with us." The leader of the Guards walked in and saluted first, and then said politely to Xiaoyi.
Xiao Yi did not speak, but sighed in despair.
In another room, the Duke also sighed. Reshuffled the card, making him feel ten years older.