I will be crowned king

South of the Dawn Mountains, in the Grand Duchy of Thun, is the Golden Stone City.

When the Ethel elves and the Clovis people were still fighting to the death for the control of fortresses outside Eagle Point City; while they were fighting in the hills east of Eagle Point Pass, this city just around the corner was hosting an event. A grand welcome party.

The roaring salute exploded on the city wall, and the melodious bells accompanied by white pigeons flying in the sky spread throughout the city; on both sides of the newly cleaned main road of the city, there were fully armed Grand Duke's Guards serving as guards of honor; behind there were There were specially arranged enthusiastic people who were responsible for shouting "Welcome" and "Long Live" with flowers and colorful banners...

Under the noon sun, the gate of Jinshicheng Palace slowly opened, and a brand new red carpet crossed the square and garden from the gate, leading directly to the banquet hall; the walls and sculptures that had been specially painted in advance were all brand new, and the garden was full of life. Four marble Fountains pour out cider and wine.

Amidst the solemn music and ceremony, Claude Francois, the Grand Duke of Thun, stood in front of the palace steps with a smile on his face. Surrounded by a group of Thun nobles, he welcomed the ambassador from the Yser Elf Court.

As the northernmost country in the Seven Cities Alliance and also bordering the elves of Yser, Thun and Yser have a very complicated history. They are in a situation where there is hatred but also friendship, and each is using and relying on the other.

For Iser, Thun is the bridgehead for their expansion south of the Dawn Mountains. In history, they crossed the Eagle Point Pass to attack Thun more than once. After the failure, they began to try to recruit and infiltrate, so that there was one person under the command of the Grand Duke of Thun who was not a member of the Ethier family. A count with elven blood, a branch of the François family.

For Thun, the existence of the Yser elves ensures that they do not have to worry about threats from the north and east and can focus on developing their economy. Sacrificing some territory and interests for this purpose is also a last resort choice for weak countries.

Especially in the past two years, the strength of the Yser elves, which rely on the support of the empire, has continued to rise, so that their voice in the Seven Cities Alliance has become much stronger. There are faint signs of turning the alliance into a vassal relationship, and it has begun to penetrate continuously. and win over, and strive to build the "Eight-Nation Alliance" with Israel as the core.

Of course, the premise is that Israel can stop Clovis' invasion and turn defeat into victory.

In the splendid banquet hall, luxuriously dressed men and women danced under the dazzling crystal lamps, and the tables on both sides were filled with countless fine wines and delicacies.

As distinguished guests from afar, everyone in the entire Iser mission was assigned to a separate area. Each elf was surrounded by a charming and pretty person of the opposite sex, and a humorous gentleman exchanged cups with them; If you do something, you will immediately get a round of compliments and applause.

As for the Ambassador of the Yisel Elf himself, he was placed next to the Grand Duke of Thun, enjoying meticulous service that was no less than that of the Grand Duke, and all requests would be met 200%.

Even after the banquet that lasted all afternoon, the elf ambassador was personally invited by the Grand Duke to go to the smoking room next door to taste the top wines in the François family collection.

Faced with the host's hospitality, the elf ambassador as a guest certainly could not refuse and accepted the invitation with a glowing face.

"This is a wine made in the sixty-first year of the Apostolic Calendar when my grandfather was still alive to celebrate his seventieth birthday."

In the quiet smoking room, Grand Duke Thun personally poured two full glasses of wine and handed them to the elf ambassador sitting in front of the fireplace:

"Cheers to Thun and Iser's everlasting friendship."

"cheers!"

Clinking the glasses gently, the slightly tipsy Elf Ambassador drank the wine in one gulp, and looked at Grand Duke Thun who was slowly sitting down with a slightly sober look:

"Archduke François, thank you for your warm hospitality, but you must already know the reason for my visit."

"Is it finally starting?"

Grand Duke Thun's expression did not change, he just nodded vaguely.

"I'm afraid so." The elf ambassador's expression became serious:

"The Clovis people have already begun to attack the Eagle Point Fortress. They broke through the outermost fortress in just seven days, and established artillery forts at the original site and the surrounding highlands, gradually encroaching; at their current speed, they can attack the city in just one month at the fastest. The troops will arrive at Yingjiao City!"

"What's even more frightening is that according to rumors, there are less than 10,000 people besieging the fortress; there are rumors that the main force of 30,000 people from the Southern Legion has crossed Eagle Point City and is advancing eastward at Eagle Point Pass to annihilate all those who are preparing for reinforcements in one fell swoop. The Imperial Guards march straight into the Royal Court of Yser!"

"No way?" Grand Duke Thun expressed shock:

"I mean...how did they cross the Morning Mountains? It's impossible!"

"But it's already true, Grand Duke Francois." The elf ambassador shook his head regretfully:

"Even if the rumors are false, the supply line to reinforce Eagle Point City has been cut off; indeed, a sizable Clovis army appeared behind Eagle Point City."

"If the situation is allowed to develop without taking any action, it will only be a matter of time before Eagle Point City is captured."

"This will never work!"

Grand Duke Thun stood up suddenly, his excited expression startled the elf ambassador:

"Eagle Point City is not only the gateway to Yser, but also a barrier to the Seven Cities Alliance and Thun! Once Eagle Point City falls, the entire land will be exposed to the Clovis troops; those crazy people War mongers, they will bring their terrible 'railway' all the way to Jinshi City for the sake of fertile land and access to the sea to the south!"

"Ambassador Matias, you must persuade His Majesty Israel!" Grand Duke Thun put down his wine glass, quickly rushed to the elf ambassador, "Pop!" pressed the opponent's shoulders and looked into his eyes:

"You must let him understand that this is no longer the Ysel Elf's own business. We are preventing a crazy kingdom from destroying the peace and prosperity east of the Order World for many years! The Ysel Elf must spare no effort to stop this and sacrifice No matter how much it is, it’s worth it!”

"Thun, as well as the Seven Cities Alliance, we will stand by the Yser elves and do our best to fight alongside you!"

"Of course, of course!" The elf ambassador nodded repeatedly, his expression a little panicked:

"Archduke François, this is exactly the purpose for which His Majesty sent me."

"In order to fight against the Clovis people, the power of the Yser elves alone is not enough. We need the assistance of the Seven Cities Alliance; not just to provide supplies, but to form a coalition with us to completely crush the Clovis in Eagle Point City. The ambition of the Uighurs!”

"If we join forces, we can build an army of 150,000 people, equivalent to five legions! If we cooperate with the empire's offensive, in three months... we can make Clovis subjugate!"

"well said!"

The excited Grand Duke Thun poured two more glasses of wine: "Let's drink to our future victory, Ambassador Mattias?"

"cheers!"

The elf ambassador was also very excited, and his cheeks turned red.

"Then what are you going to do next?"

After drinking the wine in one gulp, Grand Duke Thun's expression became a little more formal: "Although it is not appropriate to say this, it is not as easy as it seems to make the Seven Cities Alliance reach a unified opinion."

"Some countries in the north are better, but in the south...these people can't see the interests at all. They can only see that war will destroy trade. They won't agree without enough benefits."

"Of course I understand this." The elf ambassador sighed with a helpless expression:

"As long as the Kingdom of Clovis can be defeated, the Yisel Elf is willing to transfer some of its benefits to her loyal allies."

"For example?" Grand Duke Thun asked pretending to be casual.

"This matter is still under discussion, but His Majesty has basically made a decision."

The elf ambassador smiled mysteriously, came closer and whispered: "Your Majesty is ready to officially open the trade rights of Eagle Point City. From now on, the Seven Cities Alliance can share the profits brought by Eagle Point City with Iser; of course, the premise is that it must Take the Seven Cities Alliance as a whole."

"Oh, is it true?" Grand Duke Thun's eyes lit up, but he disagreed in his heart.

The Seven Cities Alliance spent everything they had on the Ysel Elf fortress, and even "formed a coalition". However, the benefits they were willing to commit were only a tiny bit, and the Seven Cities Alliance had to share them equally?

The Elf King Yser... the word "stingy" is no longer enough to describe him.

"certainly."

The elf ambassador nodded and smiled, completely unaware of the flash of expression on Grand Duke Thun:

"Thank you for your hospitality today, but I will leave Thun tomorrow and go to the next lord to tell them the news and let the entire Seven Cities Alliance take action as soon as possible."

"No." Grand Duke Thun said suddenly.

"no?"

"Yes, you can't do that because... it would be too inefficient."

Grand Duke Thun shook his head: "If it is those lords who have the same idea as the Thun people, maybe they will agree as soon as you arrive; but if it is someone else, it may not be possible, and they may use various reasons to delay .”

"And in addition to the traditional Thun people, there are also countries whose systems are republics or so-called 'equality'. Those small countries are the most difficult to deal with."

"I understand this too." A troubled expression appeared on the Elf Ambassador's face:

“Can’t we use the method of minority submission to the majority?”

"I'm sorry, but it doesn't work." Grand Duke Thun expressed regret:

"The Seven Cities Alliance's method of deciding things must be unanimous. Otherwise, powerful countries will easily use this system to control weak countries. This system was originally designed because we do not want to become a vassal of other countries."

"So I suggest that you stay in Jinshi City for a while. I will send messengers to notify the other six countries to hold a meeting in Jinshi City. You can convince them in person."

"Although we cannot use force, if most people in a room agree, the remaining people will not be able to express their objections due to face and relationships." Grand Duke Thun suggested:

"In the meantime, you can relax and rest in Jinshi City for the time being. There are good hunting grounds and wineries nearby; I estimate that we will get a response in ten days at the earliest."

"Ten days?!"

"This is just the worst estimate. If you're lucky, it might only take five days." Grand Duke Thun said with a smile:

"The Seven Cities Alliance follows tradition. Such a big thing as the sudden convening of the Seven Kingdoms Conference requires careful preparation and discussion."

"But the Clovis people are already besieging Eagle Point City!" The elf ambassador said with a big mouth:

"They can capture the fortress in a month at the earliest!"

"Ah...then I can only express my regret."

Grand Duke Thun took a sip of wine lightly: "Could it be that His Majesty Yisel's elite Guards Corps cannot defeat even a hastily formed regiment by the Clovis people?"

"No way? Ambassador Matthias, what do you think? No way?"

"This, of course...of course not! The Guards Corps was established completely in accordance with the imperial military system. Of course there is no problem in defeating the Southern Legion that appeared out of nowhere!"

The elf ambassador quickly denied it, and then changed the subject:

"But speaking of the Southern Legion, I have recently heard some unfavorable rumors about Thun, Grand Duke Francois."

"On the way here, some people told me that a Clovis army recently appeared in the territory of Thun and received your hospitality in Golden Stone City. It sounds like the Thun people assisted the Clovis people and crossed over. Just like the Dawn Mountains."

"This...is not true, is it, Your Excellency the Grand Duke?"

The elf ambassador's expression became a little solemn, and his drunken eyes stared at Claude Francois's every move.

"Of course not. How could we be in alliance with Yser and at the same time help the Clovis people?" Grand Duke Thun smiled calmly:

"Wouldn't that make you a shameless villain sitting on both sides of the fence?"

"So it's not true?" The elf ambassador was still asking.

Grand Duke Thun shook his head: "It's just a misunderstanding."

"Some distant relatives of the François family came to visit some time ago, and I entertained them and their party in Jinshi City; because the banquet was held very grandly, and because there were indeed several distant relatives who were nobles of Clovis, the result was false rumors. Became Clovis’s army…haha.”

"That's right." The elf ambassador said intently:

"Then where are they now?"

"Already left - they were just here to visit relatives and went back as soon as they heard the war broke out."

Grand Duke Thun said without any strange smile:

"It may have arrived now..."

"Dong dong dong."

A gentle knock on the door interrupted his words.

The Duke of Thun, who looked slightly cold, had no choice but to apologize to the elf master, and after seeking the other party's understanding, he stood up and walked away. After opening the door, the waiter standing in the corridor whispered a few words and handed over a bottle of Yisel. Sign of wine served.

The moment he saw the wine bottle, Grand Duke Thun's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure: "Okay, write a letter to tell them to pay attention to safety."

"As commanded."

The waiter turned and left and closed the door.

Grand Duke Thun returned to the room and saw the "curious" expression of the elf ambassador. He smiled and raised the Yser wine in his hand:

"The gifts sent by my relatives told me that they have entered the Elf Kingdom of Yser via a small road - so you see what a coincidence, you can see them by setting off one day later."

Looking at the bottle of wine, the elf ambassador who originally wanted to continue questioning had to give up. Then he thought about it and changed the topic to a lighter topic to lighten the atmosphere.

In the dimly lit smoking room, the unsuspecting elf ambassador did not notice that the cork of the bottle of wine engraved with the Iser elf logo was a wrapped flag.

A bloody Unicorn King banner of Clovis.