I will be crowned king

As the venue for the celebration feast, the Black Reef Harbor Council was extremely luxuriously decorated, and was completely renovated from the inside out: exquisite crystal lanterns reflected the exquisite stained glass and red carpets, and silver candlelight filled the long tables. The rare delicacies are particularly tempting, and the Adlan musicians who came all the way from Changhu Town played soothing music in the middle of the dance floor...

Although as long as you walk out of the parliament, you can see the mess that has been ravaged by the war, the craters that have not been filled, and the blood stains that have not been wiped clean.

When the worried Anson walked into the scene, the atmosphere of the banquet happened to be reaching its climax... Probably the scars were really healed and the pain was forgotten. These Confederate high-level officials had completely forgotten the tragedy of almost being dumped in the Winter Torch City. They pushed the cups and changed the cups, enjoying the victory that almost fell from the sky.

However, it is not incomprehensible to a certain extent. For these colonial rulers, the empire is almost a completely invincible existence in their imagination. At the beginning of the rebellion, even the Gray Pigeon Fort liberals, the staunchest allies of Port Beluga— After all, they have become refugees - even if the Clovis join, they don't think they can really defeat the empire's counter-insurgency army.

To put it bluntly, it is unknown how many of these people are still in contact with the empire privately, and how many of them have repeatedly jumped over the wall to hook up with each other; otherwise, why would there be hundreds of mercenary assassins sneaking into the Winter Torch on the day the Confederacy was established? The city was almost completely destroyed by the group?

Winning over Beluga Harbor and the Storm Division is just a bargaining chip for them to have with the Empire; of course, the same is true for Anson, who is also using these colonies as a bargaining chip with the Clovis Privy Council and the Empire. Everyone is very naive. mutual utilization relationship without any impurities.

But after the siege of Black Reef Port ended, the mentality of this group of people immediately changed.

The invincible empire turned into a seemingly vicious paper tiger, as if it would collapse with just one hard kick and turn into a messy shabby house... It's a bit like the change of mentality of fanatical believers when the myth is disillusioned before their eyes.

The empire was still that arrogant empire, and the rabble in the colonies was still a rabble; but after witnessing the empire's disastrous defeat in front of them, these rabble suddenly felt that they were capable.

The senior Confederacy officials who were originally still wondering where to flee if the Imperial army uses Black Reef Port as an outpost and tear apart the defense line like bamboo, have now begun to discuss what kind of status they should be given when Sail City is recovered. Is it a matter of suppressing and weakening... It seems that killing the imperial army and conquering Sail City has become a matter of course and will definitely happen.

The commander-in-chief, who always has a high position, will certainly not think about such ridiculous questions. In his opinion, the question is not whether the city of sail can be captured, but whether the city still exists.

With the strength of the "Elf Queen of Yisel", if Louis Bernard is even slightly injured during the rebellion organized by the Faithless Knights, the probability that the entire Sailing City will fly away on a ground plane will be at a loss. It is possible to wander wildly to infinity.

Therefore, he has made up his mind and will definitely not send troops to Yangfan City - this kind of thing is not afraid of ten thousand or just in case. The female elf spell caster who relies on emotions to gain power can do things that he, an ordinary human male, can't imagine. of.

"Dear Anson, you have been gone a little too long."

Holding a glass of attractive wine, Thalia left the crowd behind her and smiled at him with a spreading gaze: "As a host, it is very rude to be absent for a long time."

"I just went to see the situation of the troops stationed... With the noble and elegant head of the Luen family sitting in charge, what do I need to worry about?" Anson asked with a slight smile:

"What's more, this is Black Reef Port. Wouldn't it be a bit inappropriate to call it the 'host'?"

"can you?"

Thalia tilted her head slightly: "But the guests I just met are all saying that Anson is the host here."

Guests?

Raising his eyebrows, Anson took the Tirpitz Rum from the girl and subconsciously glanced at the crowd behind her.

"Yes, Miss Thalia is absolutely right!"

Just when he was still confused, Pushwood, the member of the Black Reef Port, suddenly came closer and said in a voice that everyone wanted to hear:

"Commander-in-Chief Anson Bach, you not only saved Black Reef Port, but also gave her a second chance to rise from the ashes; to the people living in this kind of city, you are no longer an outsider, but a family member - since We are family members, so the position of host of today’s banquet belongs to you!”

Pushwood, who was crazily boasting, had an undisguised smile on his face, with a little nervousness in his eyes; he now finally knew that the "Captain Alan Dawn" he tried to intimidate and kidnap was actually the Stormtrooper. Commander in Chief!

This caused the already anxious Black Reef Harbor MPs headed by him to fall into extreme panic, fearing that the other party would take advantage of the military parade to retaliate against them and kill chickens and monkeys to frighten liberals in other colonies.

People are prone to irrational behavior when they are extremely fearful. Even if the behavior itself is completely meaningless, it will look like a life-saving straw when there is no choice.

“Not only that, because of Commander-in-Chief Anson Bach’s outstanding contribution to Black Reef Port, with the unanimous consent of all of us, the title of ‘Honorary Speaker of Black Reef Port’ was given to the Commander-in-Chief!”

Looking around, Pushwood raised his wine glass to Anson and bowed respectfully: "This is an insignificant gift of thanks from all the people of Black Reef Port!"

"Thanks to your kindness, this is also my personal honor." Anson smiled very cooperatively and also raised the wine glass in his hand.

After thinking about it for a moment, it is not difficult to guess what these people want to do - after more than ten days of siege, this group of congressmen and officers who were eager to escape and even fled in the face of the battle. Not to mention their outstanding reputation in Black Reef Port, they also completely stun the streets. Basically, he is at a level where he will be yelled at and beaten by everyone when he goes out.

In such a situation, if you want to escape the post-war liquidation, especially if you want to avoid being squeezed out by the Speaker of the Black Reef Port (who were attending the Confederacy meeting in Wintertorch City at the time), the best way is to bind to Anson, and you will both prosper and suffer.

To put it more bluntly, no matter whether the Speaker of Black Reef Port is a "pro-Clovis faction" or an "independent faction", they are all staunch "pro-Anson Bach faction", and everything must be based on the Rune family and the Ice Dragon. Fjord interests take priority.

Since there was a guide who came to the door, of course Anson would not refuse.

"Everyone, please raise your glasses and extend your most sincere greetings to the Honorary Speaker of Black Reef Port!"

As Congressman Pushwood shouted, the noisy banquet hall suddenly fell silent, and then a more solemn sound erupted: "Salute to the Honorary Speaker——!!!"

A flood of blessings resounded through the hall, and the guests raised their glasses and drank the wine in unison. Even the musicians on the stage played more passionately.

Just as promised, almost at the same time as the toast ended, the door of the banquet hall opened again; the herald guarding next to him became excited and immediately shouted loudly:

"David Jacques, a painter from Clovis City, has arrived with his apprentice Baekelan Wetzler!"

Um? !

Anson raised his eyebrows and subconsciously took out his pocket watch and quickly glanced at the dial - thirteen forty-five, exactly ninety minutes had passed since he left the studio, no more, no less.

This guy David...he, he shouldn't think that he is talking about painting, including the time it takes to deliver it, right? !

All the guests at the banquet turned their heads and looked at the two people walking towards them, holding an oil painting covered with red silk, one on the left and one on the right.

Not only did they stick to the agreed upon time - this is subject to dispute - the master and apprentice even changed into brand new uniforms; if it weren't for the messy hair and the unwashed paint on his face, Anson wouldn't have dared to Trust your eyes.

Under the gaze of the Confederacy's top brass, Storm Division officers and guests, David Jacques and his apprentice Baekeland, who were full of excitement, stopped under the crystal chandelier.

As the real host, Councilor Pushwood stepped forward very knowingly and asked knowingly: "Dear Sir David Jacques, what is this?"

"An oil painting!"

David, whose face was full of sunshine, gave the standard answer. Of course, he did not think that everyone present needed to be reminded of this: ""Freedom Leads the New World" - as a tribute to the birth of the Free Confederacy and the victory in the Battle of Black Reef Port! "

As soon as they finished speaking, before anyone else could speak, the two of them tore off the red silk covering it without hesitation, revealing the true face of the oil painting.

The entire hall suddenly fell silent.

The content of the oil painting is very simple: on a battlefield filled with gunpowder smoke, a chestnut-haired girl holding high a blue star-ring flag and wearing an imperial classical dress stood among the ruins, with several corpses and corpses lying at her feet. Behind the enemy's flag are the soldiers who responded to her call, including colonists, fishermen, businessmen, old men, women, young people...

There was a knight lying next to the girl's feet, lying on the ground dying, his left hand reaching out to the girl, and his right hand making a fist in front of him, as if he was praying.

It looks like an ordinary group portrait painting, and the whole thing is very freehand.

But soon, the guests became aware of the mystery of the painting.

First of all, the battlefield in the painting is obviously Black Reef Port. The corpses and flags scattered around are all blue-white golden iris flowers; but the background hidden in the smoke behind the battlefield is actually Sailing City!

Not only that, the colonial attire behind the girl is obviously the style of Winter Torch City; the fisherman holding a harpoon and pistol wears the most common scarf and thick coat in Red Hand Bay; the businessman holding a Leyden rifle wears an imperial-style The three-cornered hat alludes to Lake Town... and the young man holding the stone and preparing to throw it looks exactly like Polina, the leader of Gray Pigeon Castle!

As for the imperial knight who seemed to be praying or begging for mercy, although his appearance was difficult to identify, the gorgeous ribbon and golden medal already indicated the person David wanted to refer to - Bernard Morweis, the steward of the empire.

After a brief silence, sighs and applause erupted from the crowd; the Confederate congressmen who had originally disapproved of David now looked at the great artist with unanimous appreciation in their eyes.

Anson even heard two councilors from Long Lake Town and Red Hand Bay arguing in the corner about where the elements of the girl holding the flag were, and which colony was more closely related to them.

As for himself... Although the girl in the painting looks very mature, her long chestnut hair, emerald eyes, and that familiar face all look like...

"She looks a lot like Thalia."

The girl holding the red wine suddenly said: "Is that guy David based on Thalia?"

"Oh... it's really like this!" Anson suddenly realized, as if he had discovered a new world:

"It turns out that the Statue of Liberty is my dear Thalia. No wonder...no wonder I always feel familiar!"

"real?"

The girl turned her head lightly and asked curiously: "Did you really just discover it?"

"……if not?"

"Otherwise, Thalia will think this is a surprise specially prepared by Anson." The corner of the girl's mouth raised slightly:

"Although not, Thalia is still very happy - because Ansem will not cheat on Thalia, right?"

"Of course!"

Anson said calmly and calmly, not nervous at all.

Just when he was worried that the girl would continue to ask questions, Fabian, the commander of the Grenadier Corps, appeared behind the two of them at some point. He came close to Anson and lowered his voice:

"The information sent from the front line has just arrived at Black Reef Port."

Anson's face moved slightly: "Where?"

"Sail City!"

………………………

"They're coming."

In the Governor's Mansion, Louis Bernard, who was wearing a white shirt and breeches and boots, had his back to the map of Sailing City, holding up a letter and looking at Sir Sado who had just entered the room:

"The messenger sent Uncle Bernard's final ultimatum, requiring us to surrender our weapons, open the city gates, and wait for interrogation. Otherwise, the eight thousand imperial army will march down the city wall and treat us as imperial traitors."

"Is it finally here?"

Sadow, who had a complex expression, took the letter and sighed heavily:

"I guess... you still haven't changed your mind."

"Negotiation is the best outcome for both parties, Sir Sado; if I can catch one person, thousands of people will avoid innocent deaths... This is a good deal."

The young knight looked very calm, with an understatement and calmness in his eyes: "The most important thing is that I already know why Uncle Bernard is so angry; so please believe me, he will definitely change his mind."

"Well, since you are so determined..." Sado showed a little helplessness:

"But I still insist that the city's defenses cannot be relaxed during the negotiations, and all the troops are on standby just in case... Lord Bernard Morwes, he is no longer what you remember, and the Battle of Black Reef Harbor had a profound impact on him. It’s a big blow.”

Louis nodded slightly, acquiescing, and both parties took a step back.

"Let's go and meet our colonial minister, the real Governor of Sail City!"