Rise of the Empire Total War

King's Hill, in Brandenburg, Richard is sitting at his desk reviewing documents as always, and only some important government affairs in the territory will be sent to him, otherwise they will be sent to the city hall of Nuremberg and handed over to the officials there However, these major issues are really not a major issue, and they can be dealt with with a little care.

At this moment, the door of the study was pushed open from the outside, and a series of hasty footsteps sounded in the room. Richard subconsciously looked for the sound, but it was just a guard.

What's the hurry? Richard asked, frowning. His four-year reign gave him dignity in every move, although compared to his grandfather, King Harlaus, he was still thrown out by more than a dozen streets.

Speaking of grandfather Harlaus, the old king who loved him very much, after four years of torture, his body is no longer as strong as before. It is said that he has recently contracted a disease and coughs violently every day. It doesn't look very good.

Your Majesty Caesar, news from the Kingdom of Ravana, King Harlaus...

What? Seeing that the guard was hesitant to speak, Richard stood up abruptly, staring at the other party, breathless, and hurriedly asked: What's wrong with King Harolds?

King Harolds is ill in bed and has been unable to get up for several days to manage the country's government affairs. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Lawrence is now taking care of him.

And then? Richard asked again.

King Harlaus sent an envoy to inform you to meet him in Ravana City. The guard bowed his head and replied.

Hiss—— Richard had an ominous premonition in his heart, and couldn't help taking a breath. He wasn't worried that King Harolds would deceive him and do the trick, but he was more worried about Harolds. physical condition.

Harlaus was already very old, and now he is still suffering from this disease. Combined with the medical situation in the Middle Ages, I am afraid...

I'm afraid calling in a trained doctor will be useless.

You let people go down and get ready. I'm leaving for Ravana City tomorrow. Richard propped up the table with one hand and rubbed his temple with the other, and ordered the guard.

Yes, Your Majesty Caesar.

The guards took orders and left Richard alone. It took the latter a few minutes to sit back again. He put aside all the documents in his hand and worried about the future of the Ravana Kingdom—no, rather than worrying about the future of the Ravana Kingdom. Worry about your future.

During the period when the old king was getting weaker and weaker, the faction headed by Earl Bandac posed a great threat to Lawrence's succession to the throne. Compared with Lawrence, they are much taller. Those nobles who support Bandarke are mostly field nobles who have fought alongside him or advocate force, and their military strength is slightly better than that of Lawrence.

And Lawrence's supporters are mostly princely aristocrats in the capital, the merchant class, and local nobles near the capital. Although they are rich, their military strength is empty.

In addition to these two factions, there are nobles like Richard who are currently neutral. Although these nobles are small in number, they are the targets of the two factions. Even Bundak is enduring the hatred of seizing the island four years ago. , trying to win over Richard, but he didn't get any satisfactory reply.

Why didn't Richard accept it? The reason is mostly because of Stephanie who has been by his side for the past four years (Sophia finally succumbed to her father and married the heir of an earl who is loyal to the royal family). Richard, who was burdened with the revenge of the restoration of the country, felt a little bit touched, and there was no previous resistance to the idea of ​​marrying Lawrence-of course, it was still impossible for Richard to have a family before the restoration of the country.

His mentality is almost like what Huo Qubing said: Why should the Xiongnu be a family before it is destroyed.

...

the next day,

Richard took Stephanie and the general's guards to Port Bell by boat. They first landed in Port Bell, and after a rest, they boarded the carriage to Ravana City and drove straight all the way.

The city of Ravana is still so magnificent and prosperous, but the dignified atmosphere of the king's serious illness has completely enveloped the whole city. Not only has the number of guards guarding the city gate doubled, but even the review of entering and leaving the city gate has begun to be strengthened, even if Richard is King Harolds informed the local nobles who came to see him that they would be strictly checked.

Entering the city of Ravana, the pedestrians on the street are also in a hurry. Even after walking a certain distance, Richard will see a group of heavily armed patrols patrolling the street, staring at the gathered crowd vigilantly—the first time I can no longer see the scene of the Lambardenists gathering and dancing when I came to Ravana City, because once they gather, they will soon be dispersed by the patrol team who heard the news.

Seeing all this, Richard's face was solemn. Such a degree of martial law probably meant that King Harold's physical condition was really failing.

Soon, Richard and his party finally arrived at the third city wall. After being inspected by the Guards, they were allowed to enter, and they were led to King Halaus' bedroom by a special person.

Strolling in this familiar Trizzi Palace, Richard couldn't help but feel a little sadness in his heart. The scene when he saw King Harolds for the first time four or five years ago seemed to be still yesterday. At that time, His Majesty the King was strong and healthy , but now he can only lie weakly on the bed, like a poor creature waiting for death to come.

Outside the king's bedroom, Richard saw his two uncles, Lawrence and Burris, both of whom looked sad. When Richard asked about the old king's condition, Lawrence said in a low tone: Your Majesty's physical condition Very bad, I'm afraid...

I'm afraid what? Richard didn't ask this sentence, even if Lawrence didn't say it, he could vaguely guess the content behind it. He just stood there quietly, like a statue, and asked in a trembling tone for a long time: I, can I go in and see him?

This... Lawrence and Burris glanced at each other. After a while, Lawrence nodded and said softly, Go in, but please be careful. What His Majesty needs most is silence.

I understand. Richard nodded, then slowly pushed open the door of the bedroom under the eyes of the two, and walked straight in.

King Harolds was lying there quietly, but the plump face in his memory had become much thinner, his face was pale, and the blood could not be seen on his lips, only the ups and downs of his chest covered by the quilt when he breathed proved that he still had life breath.

King... No, Grandfather... Richard walked to Harlaus's bed and shouted softly. His tone was trembling, so trembling that even he couldn't hear what he was saying clearly.

I'm here...my grandfather.