I will be crowned king

"boom!"

The flash of gunfire startled two sparrows on the roof of the Green Valley warehouse, and they flew away as if fleeing for their lives.

After dealing with the two elf spellcaster assassins, Anson quickly left the warehouse attic, sealed the entrance, put on his coat hanging behind the door, and returned to the deputy commander's room expressionlessly as if nothing had happened.

Walking into the room, Carl Bain was sitting across from his desk, processing documents and waiting for him to come back. When he heard the footsteps behind him, he silently stopped writing and looked up at Anson who was sitting in front of him:

"solved?"

"That's right." Anson replied vaguely:

"He didn't dare to tell the truth, and the other party was still holding back, so I didn't continue to ask any more questions - although I had almost asked all the questions I needed to ask."

Karl nodded imperceptibly, picked up his pen and continued to process the documents:

"Those two...collections of yours?"

"I don't want it anymore."

Anson said calmly: "Find an opportunity and let the people from the security company dispose of them. Try to keep them as clean as possible without leaving any traces."

Karl was silent for a few seconds, then twitched his throat and said:

"Okay, then I'll ask them to clean the attic again later; oh, by the way, do you want to leave you some souvenirs?"

What?

Anson's expression was startled, his right hand reaching for the coffee box stopped in mid-air, and he looked inexplicably at the chief of staff with whom he had always had a tacit understanding:

"…Do I look like a pervert?"

"Uh..." Karl first widened his eyes, frowned and hesitated for ten seconds, and then said slowly: "Well... I mean there may be some other clues about 'them two'. If so, Do you need me to stay for you?"

"Oh~" Anson suddenly realized:

"Is that so?"

"That's right." Karl nodded matter-of-factly:

"Then... I think the fact that you ask this proves that you are not a fake, you are a real pervert."

Anson Bach: "...Is there anything else?"

"have."

Karl nodded lightly, with a calm expression as if nothing happened just now, and continued following Anson's abrupt "change of topic":

"Duke Eden's people are here again - it's still a matter of discussing their retreat time. I told them that you are very busy now and don't have much time to deal with these trivial matters."

"Special Envoy Aydin deeply regrets this and said that the supply of Ayden's army is about to be exhausted, so the withdrawal cannot be delayed any longer, and a rough time acceptable to both sides must be determined immediately."

"Then?" Anson motioned for him to continue.

"Then we agreed that two days later, that is, tomorrow afternoon, the Aiden Army will officially withdraw from Green Valley, station outside the city for one night, and leave Carindia within a week." Karl continued:

"During this period, both sides must strictly guard the border. The Storm Division must wait until the Aiden Army has completely withdrawn from the Green Valley before sending troops to take over the remaining half of the town... This is the request made by the Aiden envoy, and I agreed."

Anson thought for a second: "So we won't be able to receive the entire Green Valley until the morning of tomorrow?"

"right."

Karl stopped the pen in his hand: "The Aiden envoy confirmed this with me several times. He seemed to be particularly worried that once Aiden retreated, the Storm Division would immediately control the entire Green Valley and cut off their retreat. road."

"Is there a problem?" Anson took a sip of hot coffee.

"That's not a big deal, it just seems too deliberate." Karl said casually:

"Well, maybe I'm thinking too much, or maybe it's because you, the deputy commander, always don't show up, making them a little worried?"

Anson frowned.

To be honest, Duke Eden's reaction cannot be said to be beyond Anson's judgment. In a sense, it was even too in line with his expectations.

But it was precisely because it was so consistent that it made Anson a little nervous.

Of course he "pretended to be dead" at the beginning to lure the assassins into being exposed, and by the way to test whether the Aiden people would renege on their word, and take the opportunity to sneak attack the Storm Division to capture the Green Valley and march to Carindia Port.

Now it seems that Aiden and the Council of Thirteen are really on the same team... This is a bit difficult to handle.

Although Anson is quite confident in the combat effectiveness of the Storm Division, the Aiden Legion on the opposite side, which is said to be "very capable of fighting" according to the Carinthians, is already at the end of its game; even if they really go back on their word and want to defeat the Storm in one battle Being a teacher is not that simple.

But no matter how strong their current strength is, the number of people in street fighting in this era is still a huge advantage, especially in the early stages of the battle. The side with sufficient cannon fodder can often gain a crushing advantage, relying on a steady stream of reserve troops to encroach. Advantageous position.

Next, as long as the opponent's commander is not confused, he will make full use of this advantage to occupy and control one street after another, and divide and surround the enemy who can only defend one stronghold due to lack of troops... Then there will be no suspense about the outcome. .

There are still spellcasters hidden in the opponent's army. In the street fighting that is destined to be chaotic, it is hard to say whether the Thirteen Council will take the opportunity to intervene.

The Storm Division, which had less than half the strength of its opponent, was undoubtedly at a disadvantage.

At this moment, Karl, who was lowering his head to deal with the documents opposite, suddenly handed a letter to him.

Anson, who frowned slightly, opened the letter, glanced at it briefly, was stunned for a few seconds, and then was shocked:

"Ah?! This..."

……………………

At 2:30 in the afternoon on June 19, the hundredth year of the Saint's Calendar, the Aiden Army officially withdrew from the Green Valley; this marked an unsatisfactory end to the Battle of Carindia that lasted less than a month. period.

Accompanied by rapid drumbeats and melodious bugles, the high-spirited Aiden soldiers lined up in neat columns and retreated from the streets full of craters and rubble; and before retreating, each army had to face the opponent's The Stormtroopers fired three shots into the sky to show their military might.

The grand gesture seemed as if they were not retreating, but holding a grand entrance ceremony.

For the proud Aiden people, they do not think they lost to the Storm Division. At most, they were one step too late for the Clovis people in this "Battle for Calradia" and failed to capture Carlin in time. Porto Dia, but they were still the victors.

Since he is a victor, of course he must act like a victor; several artillery pieces that had fired all their shells a few days ago were pulled out again, and every time a troop passed the city gate, eight cannons were fired... The Stormtroopers half outside the city showed off their force, trying to use the impact of this grand ceremony to make the Clovis collapse without a fight.

In response to this, the officers and soldiers of the Storm Division who stayed half outside the city to "watch the show" expressed that they were emotionally stable and even very happy.

As a late-developing army power after the Empire, Clovis almost completely copied the Empire in various cultural fields, especially etiquette, tradition, history, mythology, etc. and spared no effort to advocate it; it is obvious that there is no knightly tradition. In the country and the aristocracy, everyone is proud to be a knight, and even more proud to be a knight recognized by their old enemy, the emperor of the empire.

As for the empire's various ceremonies, the Clovis people also highly respected them from top to bottom, even to the point of copying them mechanically regardless of the occasion and age, and the more rigid they were, the more respected they were.

Although Ayden is a Hantu Principality, because it controls the western foothills of the Dawn Mountains and borders the southern border of the Empire, various traditions and customs have been greatly influenced by the Empire, especially military rituals, which are full of tradition, which makes the Clovis people I am very envious of the envious "knight style".

Therefore, the grand withdrawal ceremony used by the Aiden Army to intimidate the Stormtroopers, and the strict steps, for the bumpkin-like Stormtroopers, are almost the same as the classic scenes of the classic TV series that TV fans see, except for the excitement. Still excited.

Some officers who were well-born, well-educated, and well-educated officers could still point to the other side and talk endlessly to the friends gathered around them, saying, "This action came from **year BC, and was thought of by Duke **." , "The gun salute just now was first used by the Japanese Emperor in the Battle of Japan"...attracting countless exclamations and envious eyes.

In order to allow every unit to leave the city with great fanfare, the entire ceremony lasted for more than two hours, and there was a small episode... Because the deputy commander of the Southern Army was "ill and unable to show up", the originally planned "handover" The "key to the city" link will no longer be possible.

Although it was just a small and innocuous link, it also made the officers and soldiers of the Storm Division feel a little bit regretful.

However, the "caring" Duke Eden immediately made up for this regret - after the entire army left the city, he held another investiture ceremony under the north wall of Green Valley, which was no less than the previous one!

Accompanied by another rapid roar of artillery, nearly 10,000 Ayden soldiers held their rifles high, heads held high, and lined up in a neat queue amidst the falling raindrops to accept the review of the Duke of Ayden and many nobles and knights.

Countless flags fluttered in the wind and rain, symbolizing the Iron Fist flag of the Emmanuel family. They were surrounded by many flags of the Aiden family like a sea of ​​flowers in the center. The loud bugles and drums climbed higher and higher, adding to the atmosphere of the scene. Baked to its peak.

Riding on a tall horse with complex eyes, Duke Eden awarded tasseled military flags to companies one after another that had made meritorious service in previous battles amid the loud shouts of the soldiers.

This is also a tradition not only found in Hantu but in the empire - each company has its own flag, which will be decorated with golden tassels after achieving military merit; the more tassels, it proves that the company has achieved outstanding achievements. The more meritorious deeds.

The whole ceremony lasted until near evening, and then gradually came to an end amidst the heavy rain and wind.

The officers and soldiers of the Storm Division who were "watching the show" also had to hide in houses and tents in the garrison during the heavy rain; the Green Valley, which was once bustling a few minutes ago, suddenly became deserted.

………………

Outside the north wall of Green Valley, Aiden Military Camp, night.

Victor Emmanuel stood behind the tent curtain, pressing the handle of the knife at his waist, looking at the green valley not far away with an expressionless face.

The tent illuminated by kerosene lamps was filled with moist vapor, and everything in sight was blocked by darkness and rain; but even so, the young Duke could still see the broken walls of Green Valley and the towering towers. See the narrow and complicated streets, see the huge warehouse...

There is also Clovis' bloody unicorn flag flying at the top of the warehouse.

"Have you made up your mind?"

Matias, who had a gloomy expression, asked. Sitting next to the dim light of the kerosene lamp, he propped his elbows on the armrests and pressed his intertwined fingers on the back of his hands. The backs of his hands were slightly blue due to nervousness.

Duke Ayden paused, then slowly turned back to look at Mattias with a sneer:

"Do I have any choice?"

"Of course." Mattias said with a calm expression: "I have been in contact with Mr. Anson Bach. He is a man who keeps his promises; more importantly, he has no evidence to prove that the assassination is related to you; so you are still You have a choice, decide whether to start a fight with Clovis right away..."

"evidence?"

Duke Eden's laughter became even more disdainful:

"This kind of thing never requires any evidence! What's more, we are enemies in the first place. The only reason why we didn't fight was just that it wasn't worth it."

"As you said, whoever takes the port of Carindia will have the absolute initiative in the battle of Hantu; and now the initiative is in the hands of the Clovis people; it only depends on whether they want to strangle Aiden to death. Regarding the deputy commander’s personal thoughts.”

"And you gave him an excellent reason... to thank the great Council of Thirteen."

Faced with Duke Ayden's ridicule, Ambassador Matthias remained silent.

"I'm not here to ridicule you, Your Excellency Mattias." Duke Ayden noticed that the other party was not very good-looking, and quickly changed the subject:

"I just want to know one thing now, and that is whether you can send enough... wizards tonight, and will they reveal their identities?"

Matthias remained silent. After a long time, he slowly spoke:

"First of all, they are not wizards but spellcasters, loyal believers of the great Three Old Gods; secondly, due to some... oath restrictions, I cannot tell you their exact identity and number; I am not doubting that you will expose them, just It’s just a means of protection, after all, it’s really close to the cathedral in Carindia Port.”

Duke Eden nodded slightly to express his understanding.

"As for whether they will be exposed..." Mattias said hesitantly: "Rainy days and dark nights can indeed provide some cover. In addition, they have received death orders and will immediately kill those who know the information once exposed."

"So tonight...only tonight, the Thirteen Council will spare no effort to help you."

"For you, for Aiden, for the great Iser... take the Green Valley, take Carindia!"

So Duke Eden asked no more questions.

Thirty minutes later, the young Duke walked out of his tent, clutching the saber at his waist, and walked into the dark night shrouded in rain.

There, thousands of figures were kneeling on one knee on the muddy ground, hiding their weapons and flags in their arms, laying them down on the ground... only looking with bright eyes at the figure walking towards them.

Victor Emmanuel, who was under the spotlight, was silent for a moment, then drew his sword and shouted to everyone:

"Tonight, take down the Green Valley!"