I will be crowned king

Thirty-six gun salutes shattered the darkness of the city of Clovis. The sun slowly rose with the open door of the Osteria Palace. They put on brand new uniforms and the royal guards with rifles on their shoulders came from both sides of the door. They filed out, lined up, turned around, and with a shout of "Salute!", the red carpet rolling forward from the inner court stopped just in front of the last soldier.

Almost at the same time, every household in Clovis City, both inside and outside the city, hung the King of Clovis flag and the Ring of Order flag outside the door. Wearing their most decent clothes, they went out happily to the markets, taverns, shops, and priests along the street. They also put on their uniforms early and rang the big bell on the top of the church...The noisy and lively atmosphere announced to the world the arrival of the New Year in the 103rd year of the Saints calendar.

Although it has actually been four days since the "real New Year".

When it comes to treating the New Year, the Clovis people have shown the same persistence as the empire. Even though the aftermath of the mutiny has not yet ended, the city has not yet emerged from the severe food shortage, and public security and production are in an extremely poor state... It still cannot stop people’s enthusiasm for celebrating the New Year.

Not only did the militias in various communities accept the temporary ceasefire and put aside disputes to maintain public security during the festival after the intervention of the Ministry of War, but the people also expressed great tolerance for the legionnaires who braved the wind and snow to help clear the railway tracks and transport supplies. , instead of "treating" them with stones and bottles of wine, they burned, killed, and looted a few days ago. Today, they sent them food and fuel... but they couldn't say thank you.

Relying on the world's leading logistics system of Order and the generous donations from various provinces, Clovis City finally survived the initial famine; in addition to the wheat, oats, potatoes, and dried pickled fish uniformly distributed by the royal government, In addition, butter, cheese, a small amount of vegetables and a variety of sausages have also begun to appear on store shelves, but the prices are much more expensive than in the past.

As for the core of Clovis City at this time, it was also the political center of all Clovis, and the Osteria Palace was no less lively. Although there were regular banquets in previous years, many wealthy families also held their own For dinners and parties, low-status officials and lower-class nobles were only allowed to enter the palace gates, and were not allowed to enter the throne room to toast to His Majesty.

But this year is an exception: the king's funeral, the new king's enthronement ceremony, the alliance with the Free Confederacy... all the things were crowded together, resulting in most of the nobles in Clovis City, and decent people with a little respect were able to enter the palace, and this became a... An unprecedented number of partygoers.

Realizing this situation, Ludwig immediately mobilized armed forces - in addition to all the royal guards, there were also two thousand Whitehall Street policemen, plus the Grenadier Regiment of the Storm Legion to maintain law and order inside and outside the palace. At the same time, troops have been deployed in all important areas, commanding heights and traffic arteries in the city, ensuring that no less than half a battalion of troops can be assembled for emergency response in any area within ten minutes.

As for why a standing legion could be specially approved to enter the inner city and even join the team that defends the palace, of course Sophia requested it.

Ludwig's indifference when clearing Anson's charges, and the deliberate distance between family members within the Whitehall Street Police, gave Sophia a great distrust of the Whitehall Street Police, and she did not think that this armed force was anything. Loyal "subordinates"; plus it is such an important occasion, of course, no matter what, you have to put in some "own people" to feel at ease.

When Anson personally escorted the Minister of War, who had not slept all night, to the palace, the square outside the palace was already crowded with people, separated by rows of soldiers' human walls and temporary sheds, entering the palace in batches.

Ludwig, who immediately recognized the Franz family logo on the carriage at the palace gate, frowned slightly and waved his hand to let the soldiers pass quickly. Finally, the dignified Minister of War was not forced to line up and wait until evening to enter the palace to see him.

When the carriage was about to pass the palace gate, the door suddenly opened. Anson, who was dressed in a general's uniform, jumped out of the car under the attention of the royal guards on both sides. He looked at a certain major general who seemed to have expected it and was waiting there.

"Where were you yesterday and why are you here now?" Ludwig, who had an ugly face as soon as they met, asked unceremoniously:

"Did you know that yesterday there were rumors everywhere that the Minister of War was missing in the outer city? Viscount Bognar and several conservative old nobles took the opportunity to go ahead of us to meet with His Highness Nicholas, just in case they..."

"You look very relaxed."

As if he didn't hear the other party's complaints at all, Anson smiled and waved to the departing carriage: "I still have time to care about His Highness Nicholas. It seems that there is nothing to worry about the security of Osteria Palace today."

"Qingxian, these words are really ironic coming from the mouth of a guy who has been missing for a day and a night." Ludwig's face suddenly darkened a few times:

"I have been preparing since the night before yesterday. It took me four hours to finalize the preliminary plan. I transferred countless information from the files of the old Guards and the Royal Guards to make emergency plans. The detailed arrangements for the garrison were down to the platoon. Let all soldiers become familiar with each other and try to ensure that each other can cooperate in emergencies..."

"And all of these things were done without anyone's help!"

"Yeah, and it sounds like there's no need for anyone to do anything else." Anson praised without hesitation, as if the whole thing had nothing to do with him: "You now have the entire Army Department to help you get things done. It’s definitely more comfortable than it used to be.”

"Whatever you say, anyway, no matter how much I ask, I probably won't be able to make someone feel even a little ashamed."

Ludwig, who narrowed his eyes slightly, sounded quite helpless: "The first thing this morning is the funeral of His Majesty Carlos. No matter what you are paying attention to, it is best not to interfere with the normal progress of this matter. "

"I understand this, but..." Ansen's expression remained unchanged: "In the palace?"

"Well, it will be held at the Osteria Palace."

Ludwig nodded: "Normally, you should go to Clovis Cathedral, but...then there is the enthronement ceremony of the new king, and the formal conclusion of the alliance with the Free Confederation...it needs to be at Clovis Cathedral. Going back and forth with the palace will seriously delay time."

"And no one wants these three things to be done separately, so..."

"That's right, because Clovis really can't wait any longer." Ludwig sighed: "The death of His Majesty Carlos is a tragedy, but Clovis must now let the new king ascend the throne to stabilize people's hearts, and with freedom The Confederate Covenant has been delayed for too long, and if it is not finalized quickly, something may happen."

It is indeed the case. It is already January. In less than forty days, the ice floes on the rough sea will thaw. If this matter is not finalized before the route is restored, many merchant ships who are waiting for the news are likely to Will suffer losses as a result, and Clovis will lose a large amount of tax revenue plus a share of the New World's raw material trade.

This is also an important reason why the various forces in Clovis City have not broken up at the moment: the alliance and trade with the Free Confederacy are profitable to almost everyone. Before this matter is completely settled, if anyone dares The last Army Department that just caused trouble and was completely wiped out is the best example.

"In my father's words, the more important the matter, the more important it is to be as understated as possible and to do it at the end when everyone is exhausted; at the same time, let the newly enthroned king regard this matter as his first priority. This political achievement will also allow all forces in the Free Confederation, the Empire and even the Ordered World to see Clovis’s attitude and determination.”

Ludwig sighed: "This is the Archbishop of Clovis... Even the funeral of the king with whom he has the best relationship and the enthronement ceremony of a new king have become tools for him to achieve a certain goal. "

"Then...will the Archbishop come today?" Anson could only follow his words and continue: "Although it is somewhat inappropriate for the Archbishop who has ordered not to interfere with the secular world to appear in public in the throne room, but..."

"He's already here." Ludwig's expression was somewhat complicated:

"That's what I say, but the relationship between him and Carlos is indeed very good. No matter how much he is criticized, he will not miss this ceremony - this is the funeral of the king. No matter how good the Holy See is, it is impossible for him to miss this ceremony. It is really forbidden to have an archbishop personally officiate."

The two were still talking here, when four shellings suddenly came from the palace behind them.

"Boom-boom-boom-boom-!!!"

The thunderous noise was deafening and echoed under the dome for a long time. The inner court that could still hear some noise suddenly became silent.

"here we go."

Looking at the royal guards on both sides who looked sad and pursed their lips, Anson said silently: "The funeral of His Majesty Carlos."

"Yes." Ludwig nodded silently and raised his right hand:

"Everyone is in position, guns raised - flags down!"

Following his sudden swing of his right hand, the soldiers standing guard on the palace wall and in the square raised the rifles in their arms and pulled the trigger.

Lines of bluish-white gunpowder smoke rose one after another, and the Clovis King's flags on both sides of the palace wall and under the city gate slowly fell; from the Clovis Cathedral in the distance, the melodious and solemn bells sounded.

The lively and joyful square gradually subsided. The crowd, regardless of gender, nobles or civilians... everyone silently stopped what they were doing, no longer chatting and laughing with the people around them; they took off their hats and pressed it on their chests.

Anson and Ludwig also stood upright, with their left hands behind their backs and their right hands clenching their fists and beating their chests, saluting in the direction of the palace.

Regardless of whether the relationship was good or bad, whether close or distant, the Clovis people had lost a king who could barely maintain the situation in the past. This is a loss that can never be recovered.

"Let's go, the funeral should have already started." Ludwig said expressionlessly: "Even if you don't know him very well, just treat it as a farewell to a... boss who you have worked for."

Anson nodded, of course he had no reason to refuse.

The two of them walked along the central avenue of the palace towards the main hall. Although there was still some distance, the solemn pressure could already be clearly felt.

"By the way, do you have a good relationship with Sophia and His Majesty Carlos?"

"That's out of the question. At most, we are closer than others." Ludwig waved his hand:

"You also know that my father is Carlos's teacher. The two of them are even closer than His Majesty and his father. For this reason, Sophia and I naturally have the opportunity to enter the palace and get along with each other quite a lot. .”

"To be honest, I am actually very jealous of Carlos. My father received the most careful cultivation and guidance from him when he was most young and powerful, but he is my king, plus he takes care of the Franz family. It’s really hard to feel any resentment towards him.”

"In the eyes of many people, he is a uniquely lucky man, but I know that is not the case. He is almost... another attitude of my father. He is cautious and careful, always allowing himself to have a way out, so as not to be forced to the point of helplessness. The situation of turning back.”

At this point, Ludwig couldn't help but laugh: "Speaking of which, you and him do have some similarities... Well, maybe this is why Carlos and father like you so much, right?"

Anson laughed twice and said nothing.

No, that's not the case.

Luther Franz...at least the Archbishop Clovis he saw was definitely not someone who was used to leaving a way out for himself.

If he was used to leaving a way out, he would never have directly acquiesced to his identity as the Old God Sect when they first met; he would never have directly acknowledged his identity as the Truth Society after his return; he would never have In order to break the situation, Périgord Jr. was allowed to kill Carlos II.

There is nothing wrong with being cautious...but the current Luther Franz is not someone who would leave a way out for himself; on the contrary, he is now making great progress on the road of "fighting against the Holy See".

According to Ludwig, Carlos, who had been carefully cultivated by Luther Franz since he was a child, is almost a replica of the archbishop; then the answer is very clear: he did have that kind of character and style, But something quietly changed at some point in time.

This change has contributed to his current decisiveness and decisiveness, and even his no-holds-barred behavior, being able to confront the enemy while also cooperating and negotiating terms with the opponent.

Well, it also contributed to the death of Carlos Osteria.

Anson raised his head silently, and could already hear the prayers. He looked up at the door of the throne room, and his eyes gradually revealed some clarity - he finally understood that Luther Franz was hearing the sound of him and Little Perigo. It was probably at that time that he made up his mind to give up on Carlos.

This was not only the funeral of Carlos II, but also the funeral of Luther Franz.