A strange world

Chapter 1103 Section 25. Fooling Girardi

"If you're so worried, why not help him more."

Annan shook his head: "I'm not a fool. If I interfere too deeply, I will be tied to the kingdom's chariot. When the rat men attack, we will easily be trapped."

Annan could accept alliances and some help, and even arrears, but he could not accept Liberty City being dragged into the quagmire of war.

Now there are more than 300,000 citizens, thousands of professionals, and schools in Liberty City. The school is expanding. The gains from the previous war are enough for them to digest for several years, and it is not suitable to start any more wars.

Speaking of this, Olmedo remembered something: "Archduke Girardi came to Liberty City again."

"when?"

"He came not long after we got back."

He is worthy of being the "Squirrel" Grand Duke.

Similar to Vitalig, the Grand Duke of the Duchy of Montaburlok, who was personally supported by Liberty City, didn’t know whether it was because of the shadow left by the Mad Dog Archduke, or because he liked Liberty City too much and ran to Liberty City all day long, wishing he could The duchy is annexed to the Free City

If Annan hadn't refused, he would have done it.

So much so that Grand Duke Girardi took the blame for Annan - the people of the Principality looked at the wealth and beauty of the people in the Free City on the other side of the city wall, and complained one after another about why the Free City was not allowed to include the Principality in its territory.

The nobles were not affected. They have money and bring their wealth to Gem Bay to buy a house, and they naturally become citizens of Liberty City.

Common people also have their little wisdom. In addition to various ways to sneak across, the most genius thing is undoubtedly the "Jewel Bay" boundary marker placed on the border between the two places. It is always found that it has been inexplicably moved several hundred meters towards the principality.

If a passing businessman hadn't discovered how the boundary marker had ended up in the principality, there would have been several more villages and towns in Gem Bay.

The principality of Montabloch complains about Liberty City, but the rest of the world is worried about Liberty City - other new star forces want to be like male dogs in heat, controlling all the forces around them. Liberty City is better, you can spit it out before you can even dodge it.

Because of this, the Empire did not take much precaution against Free City, and even sent an envoy to say sincerely that you are a member of Middle-earth and should shoulder the responsibility of guarding the border.

The implication is that Annan is asked to develop his territory so that when the ratmen and demons come from the northwest, he can stand in front.

Annan is not that stupid. If the Rat Man comes, he will be the first to run. Run, he was the first to run.

But the more than 300,000 new citizens are really troublesome...

Annan rubbed his chin and thought, "Would the Montabourlock Principality be interested in the Guardian?"

Olmedo slapped away Annan's groping hand: "You want to cultivate a principality?"

"They are to the north of us. If the rat people go south, they will either bypass Ruikan'er or capture Ruikan'er. Then there will be a flat old land, and then there will be the principality."

Aiding the Principality of Montable Rock is as important as aiding the Kingdom of Ruikanl, or even more important.

Liberty City is currently positioned as a trade capital. It has people and money, but development is not important. They fight for others and make money themselves, and they have to thank themselves for providing help in times of need.

"That's it, where is Girardi?"

"Morning Tavern."

…

I don’t know why, but the reputation of Chenxi Tavern is not well-known among the people, and its business is much worse than that of the nearby Morning Breeze Tavern, which does business, but many people who know Annan are willing to stay here.

Maybe it was because they heard that Annan started his career in the Dawn Tavern?

Noon on the seaside is always dazzling. Annan walked into the Dawn Tavern with wooden boards blocking the windows.

Store manager Wood wipes tables at the front desk, and assistant store manager Martin works the night shift. There is a card game on the left side of the tavern, and a card game on the right.

Annan walked to the counter first: "A glass of lemonade."

"Here it comes." Wood turned around happily and prepared.

Annan raised his head and looked around, pausing slightly when he saw the "Vampire Savior" banner hanging directly above the wine cabinet.

"How does it feel to be a hero?"

"very nice!"

Wood placed the lemonade in front of Annan, and the rising bubbles were as refreshing as summer. He continued: "I seem to have a group of relatives and friends. They care about me and talk to me about what is in their heart. I also help them... …”

Wood didn't become the master of those people just because he gave First Embrace's blood, which was good. For Wood, for those guys.

After catching up for a while, Annan asked: "Is Girardi here?"

"there."

He pointed to the card game on the right.

In the center of the wine table, Archbishop Giraldi in aristocratic clothing was playing cards happily with the people.

Annan walked over and patted Girardi, who still looked annoyed after losing the card.

"Let's talk?"

…

"I like it here. Only they don't care about my identity. They beat me unscrupulously, make me drink, and drag me to find charms..." Archduke Girardi spoke with a hint of alcohol.

In the corner of the tavern, Annan and Girardi sat opposite each other.

Annan pushed the lemonade over: "Don't care about the principality?"

Girardi froze and kept turning the lemonade glass, like an aggrieved boy: "I feel like they all look at me strangely... They think I'm a puppet..."

"So you gave up on yourself?"

Girardi lowered his head and Annan sighed: "You are still not confident enough."

"confidence?"

"That's right. If your enemies oppose you, it means you are doing the right thing. If your enemies support you, it means you are doing the right thing. If your friends support you, it means you are doing the right thing again. If your friends oppose you, it means he is actually an enemy. If a stranger supports you, it means you are doing the right thing. If a stranger does not support you, it means he is sent by the enemy."

"If enemies, friends, and passers-by all support you, it means you are on the right path."

"Is... is that so?" Girardi was confused.

"Why do you think I succeeded?" Annan spread his hands, "A few years ago, I was just a little... King of the North in the countryside of the North. But now, I am a guest of honor in the Empire, a future ally of the elves, and the victor of Rekanel."

Even though this statement has many loopholes, the fish that slipped through the net is standing in front of him.

Girardi likes to listen to others, and he believes it: "Can I... be like you?"

"Why not? Did you see it?" Annan pointed to the counter and said.

Girardi turned his head and saw the "Vampire Savior" banner behind Wood who nodded and smiled at him.

Turning back, Annan pointed at himself and said, "I am the enemy of cowards."

"Your problem is that the nobles of the principality are hypocritical and you can't command them. Then I will give you a group of golems that obey you completely..."

Annan praised the guardian as if whoever gets the golem gets the principality.

Girardi's desire represented half of his success, but the subsequent embarrassment represented the unsuccessful half: "I have not been doing official business, and I don't know how much money the principality has... It's probably not enough."

"It doesn't matter, those nobles have money. You can pick a few troublemakers and confiscate their homes, or exchange them for mineral resources, or even buy them on credit first..."

"You are so nice..." Girardi said with emotion.

Annan patted his shoulder: "After all, we are allies who are as close as brothers."