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Chapter 461

My Villains Episode 461

66. silver prince(16)

After a private meeting with Prince Ulkar, I decided to give up trying to persuade him..

The light in the prince's eyes was something more than stubbornness - what is commonly called faith. There is no way that it will be easy to change the hero's strong will, and I am not confident that I will find a way to do so in a short period of time..

I'm worried that someday there will be trouble over something related to Princess Yuril. This was because it seemed like if something was wrong with her and the prince heard the news, it would be a trigger. This is the trigger for the birth of the Six Kings..

The only comforting fact is that certain measures were taken immediately after hearing that Princess Yuril was almost assassinated or kidnapped. Although I don't know how long that measure, the secret protection of Ian-Baptiste, who was the favorite concubine of Duke Buheil, Hayla's grandfather, and is now a high-ranking priest in the royal capital, will remain in effect..

Well, anyway, I don't have much choice now..

Breaking the prince's will right away - let alone the fact that you have no confidence in breaking it in the first place - is never a good choice. I want to avoid the classic tragedy of a hero losing his faith and becoming corrupted..

In the end, my judgment was that it would be better to quietly add to Prince Ulkar's plan..

On the other hand, the really fortunate thing was that my lord was not a foggy-minded idealist..

Rather, he was a very realistic person and knew what was needed to achieve his goals..

So, before negotiating with the emperor, the prince checked the cards in his hand..

First, completely occupying Obdorf and Angst was not as good a hand as expected. It would not be that difficult to conquer the two provinces even if only by mobilizing the thousands of advance troops sent by King Ruilix II one step ahead..

However, when we remember that we have Princess Theodora, the words become a little different. The current situation, where the land is occupied by a successor with a legitimate cause, was a good enough deal..

It would have been a very attractive proposition to the emperor as it would immediately restore the territory that was considered lost and split the strong rival, the Strom family, into two..

Capturing Prince Savellard, the next viceroy of Alzenburg, a legion of pagan slaves, and magic soldiers was also a useful move..

His successor has been captured and his father, Burcard, who has lost much of his power, will not be able to sit at the negotiation table at all. Even if he were to stand at the negotiating table at the Emperor's mercy, his right to speak would not be meaningful..

In addition to recognizing Princess Theodora's rights as a neighboring elector, he will be able to get his heirloom back only after paying a huge ransom..

Having several strong allies was also an undoubted advantage..

First, Count Aines is still stationed in Aisbowald. Not only the army of the Milgrester family led by her, but also various minor nobles in the Abidden region are still full of morale..

Not surprisingly, the Count himself was recognized for his contribution in crossing the Gulf of Blades with me and stabbing the enemy in the stomach, and acquired some shares in the two cities, Froshafen, a prominent port city, and Eisbowald, a trading center in the eastern part of the empire. In addition to gaining great fame, other nobles, including Viscount Cirillo, were granted various privileges for trading with the occupied territories after the war ended..

There is no need to explain the two boy counts who would have conquered the plateau by now - Margrave Garwin and Count Ost..

Although Margrave Landry was killed, his son Garwin and the Axodbrook family regained all of the family's territory and enhanced their honor as protectors of the frontier..

‘Count Ost, who earned the nickname 'Arriaga's Little Fox', completely overturned the world's assessment of him as weak and timid..

He captured the hearts of the military by showing unexpected strength and cunning, and was recognized by the Knights of the Golden Age, who were considered the core royal family of the Ariaga family. He proved that he was a suitable successor to the four most powerful figures in the kingdom..

The Margrave of Prix, who joined at the end of the war, owed the prince a great deal just for protecting Fast and Unfast, and the army and other nobles of the Odenloc region led by Lord Daylecid took compensation from the electors and distributed some of it. plan to give.

Thanks to this, many allies, including the five counts, are lending their strength to us. At this level, there would be no shame in presenting it to the emperor..

The occupation map, justification, and prisoners were important, but the most powerful card the prince held was none other than the army itself. The army of the Silver Prince who achieved legendary victories against powerful electors..

Of course, its size was greatly reduced due to the massive damage caused by the successive battles. However, the most core forces - knights, guard cavalry, and battle wizards - were still in good shape..

Probably, if you count the troops stationed in Angst and Obdorf, as well as the wounded soldiers who returned after receiving treatment from the priests and the troops left behind on the plateau, the number would be approximately 3,500..

It was of course impossible to deal with the imperial army with this force. However, considering his elite status, it would have been quite embarrassing for the emperor if Prince Ulkar had even joined Prince Zacharis to fight him..

After confirming many other details, Prince Ulkar decided to leave for the west two days after arriving at Eisbowald. On the way to meet the emperor of the empire, the number of people he had with him was only seventy, including me..

The reason the negotiation team was organized so simply was because there was no need to upset the emperor by bringing a large number of troops. The size of the opponent was at least 40,000, so it was obvious that if a few hundred people showed up, they would only be laughed at..

If we look at this simple composition, Princess Theodora, the claimant to the succession, was naturally included..

‘Twelve knights, including Sir Ariad, the 'Blind Adder', Sir Lyam, the 'Arrogant', and Sir Gisella, the 'Bird Knight', several wizards and priests close to the prince, and twenty royal guard cavalry follow as guards..

‘Some knights, such as Sir Langbolt, the ‘Shouting Wave’, and Sir Ankir, the ‘Giant Knight’, remain in Eisbovald. This is to prepare for an unexpected situation by preparing the posture with other allies, including Count Aeneas..

Just as Atalanta and Baron Rujan joined the negotiation team with a number of personal guards, I also chose a group of my most elite subordinates, including Fritz and Kol, to serve as my bodyguards. My hidden card, Moongchi, will be taken separately from this, and due to some kind of intelligence, Hayla will also be included..

Utekwai and Iopiya remain on Eisbowalt. It was to take care of Alzenburg's slave soldiers..

There were three methods used by the Altenburg royal family to control the slaves belonging to the pagan slave army and the magic army. These are spells, drugs, and brainwashing through illusions, which Iopiya called ‘the leash of the soul.’.

After seven days of captivity, the slaves began to have seizures, perhaps because the effects of the spells and drugs had worn off. They screamed incomprehensibly, writhed in place, or banged their heads against the fence of the prison camp..

Although I rushed to receive a message from Grania, the 'shield maiden' who guards the camp, and suppressed the chaos using the spirit leash, it was clear that I needed to pay more attention to management..

“Gilkun marts- I'm rather glad. It means that there is still some strength left to resist these people. Maybe one day I will regain consciousness, free from the influence of witchcraft and evil drugs..”

We'll have to wait and see if what Iopiya says, muttering like a prayer, is true, but I hope so..

Isn't it possible to feed more than 3,000 soldiers for free forever? My hope is that he will come to his senses as soon as possible and either settle down nearby and work or return to his hometown..

Whatever my wishes, Alzenberg's slaves imprisoned in the concentration camp needed care and protection..

As I hold the leash of the soul, it would be best for me to stay where I am, but with the power of Utequai and the magic of Iopiya, there will be no shortage..

Meanwhile, Ellen had planned to accompany me, but that became a little difficult. This is because the Landmaster Aktufir Ol desperately opposed it..

“That's absolutely not possible.!”

The large old wizard blocked Ellen and threatened her..

“Just casually interfering with the battle and killing the Elector Prince's soldiers was reckless enough, and it was a difficult thing to deal with. But you want to meet the emperor with Prince Silver? The High Master of the Palace?”

“Ugh, yeah. That was a little too much.”

Nashal Anwei, who was preparing to lead the disciples of the palace to the royal capital, also sighed and patted his waist as he stood next to Aktufir..

The two grandmasters were ready to use force to stop Ellen..

“How dare these insolent old men-”

Ellen gave off a bluish eye glow, and the mana that flowed out made her golden hair and the hem of her robe flutter..

Unlike Aktufir, who clucked and adjusted his ring-covered hand with a nervous look, Nashal muttered with a slight expression of admiration..

“How come I get so upset every time? Is it because I'm young??”

I had a hard time suppressing laughter at her envious voice. And then he walked up to Ellen and patted her shoulder..

“Hey, hold on..”

“Step back. This is palace business.”

““What’s going on in the palace?” I spun the guy around and looked into his angry eyes..

“It was only a few days ago that we agreed to stay behind to investigate Asag's magic. Of course it's unreasonable for you to come forward like this..”

“Is it too far-fetched? You......

A sense of betrayal suddenly filled his blue eyes, so I giggled and ruffled his hair..

“You're not a child or a child, but a high master. Don't you have to keep your word?.”

“I'll be back soon after negotiating, so just wait patiently. I'll come back and give you a reward..”

“What, what‘?”

“You tried to force me to follow you. Then I should get a prize.”

Only then did Ellen understand what I was saying and closed her mouth with an open face..

He eventually gave up trying to join the negotiating team. This may be thanks to the late recovery of reason and judgment worthy of a High Master of the Palace of La-Palais..

maybe.

The negotiation team, consisting of about 70 people, traveled for an entire day and reached a riverside village in Angst..

It was a lucky village that escaped the ravages of war thanks to its exquisite departure from the advance route of the star army I was leading..

While looking for the village chief, a priest suddenly came forward, trembling. Because it was a very small village, there was no official or high-ranking official, and the priest who managed the shrine also served as the village chief..

From the old priest's story, it seems that things have been peaceful all along, except that a few days ago he encountered some Nudein warriors who had come out of Frosha Fen to occupy the area..

Prince Ulkar got off his horse to show respect to the priest and smiled after a short period of thought..

“Would it be okay to be indebted to the village for a while? If you can use an empty barn or vacant lot, that's enough..”

“…… Well, that’s… … “We too are those held in the arms of the Lord, so we have nothing to fear. Also, you pay a fair price for everything you use in the village. Please look into the situation..”

The old priest hesitated to answer, his lips quivering. Then, when the prince took out a handful of shiny gold coins, the village elders who were hiding behind opened their mouths the size of a gourd and glared at the bride. The old priest, who was peeking at the cavalrymen with fearful eyes, soon nodded..

After conducting a reconnaissance around the village, the imperial army's advance guard camp was still in the same place. It was about 20 or 30 kilometers away from the village..

After sending a messenger to convey his intention to negotiate, Prince Ulkar ordered a short rest in the village..

It was unlikely to happen, but if the imperial army attacked without any questions or answers, whether it was negotiations or something else, they would have to flee immediately, so enough guards were deployed. Perhaps due to frequent rains recently, the river flowing around the village was quite swollen, so even if the light cavalry made a surprise attack, there was no need to worry about being caught..

How long had it been since we unpacked our bags in the village? The messenger who returned around sunset delivered completely unexpected news..

There was news that Emperor Ruilix II of the Mitergeland Empire was staying at the imperial military garrison just a stone's throw away..