"I'm not helping him, sir. I'm helping you and the entire Iveyland."
"This expedition may allow you, the great Lord Marius, to rule the Sylvania region again."
Brandi Otto said with confidence.
The envoy's impassioned words made Marius frown. He really couldn't think of any connection between the attack on Sylvania and the rule of the Iveyland.
Is it possible that Rhodes wants to give him the territory he has worked so hard to conquer? As long as he agrees to send troops to support?
"Sylvania belongs to the imperial province. If, I mean, if the vampires really disappear from that land or are driven away, then the ownership of that land will also belong to the Mutt Territory and the Stir Territory.
, the Iverland has no right to rule it."
"Honorable Lord Marius, do you think the Stirland and the Mutland are capable of ruling that dark land full of blood?"
"They can't even take care of themselves."
Brandiotto winked, indicating that what he was going to say next was quite important. I'm afraid there were too many people talking, and it wouldn't be convenient for so many people to be present at the scene.
Marius reacted quickly.
He glanced at the attendants and soldiers around him and motioned for them to stay away.
Then he stared at Brandiotto, the envoy from the Northern Kingdom, with a strange look.
Just like an eagle staring at its prey, he concentrated on it. This kind of gaze made Brandiotto feel uncomfortable, but he still tried to adjust his mentality and slowly delivered the speech he had prepared in advance.
"Sylvania is an imperial province in name, but we all know that it is a vampire's lair. The people there have been ruled by vampires for hundreds of years and have become their servants and slaves."
"Stirland and Mutt Territory are adjacent to this land of the dead. In terms of administrative planning, it should be under their jurisdiction. However, Stirr Territory and Mutt Territory have become weak in recent years, and Mutt Territory even has to rely on
Mercenaries come to defend the border. Within the territory, a group of halflings have no fighting power at all. The only advantage is that they are rich in delicious food, but can the delicious food stop the invasion of vampires? Obviously not. As for the Stiir Territory, it is even more difficult. The strength
The weak Stirland even needs the support of external forces to barely block the vampire invasion. Earl Stirland once asked you for reinforcements, didn't he? "
"So among the southern provinces, your territory is actually the richest and the most powerful in terms of military power. Only you have the real strength to protect the security of the border."
"Go on, I like to hear it."
Marius leaned back as he sat, with a long-lost smile on his face.
"Actually, both Lord Rhodes and you understand that once Sylvania is captured, the only one who is truly capable of ruling and managing it is the Ivey Territory, and only you, the elector of the Ivey Territory, can control it.
"
"Do you regard Steele, Mutter and Ostermark as decorations?"
Marius asked with a smile.
"They are indeed decorations."
"Ha ha ha ha……"
Marius' hearty laughter came from the throne.
"I like your straightforward nature."
"However, I still have to warn you, this is the empire, not Kislev. You have no right to comment on these empire provinces, although they are indeed trash."
"But you are indeed different from them. Your strength is in front of you. This is an objective fact."
Brandiotto bowed and said seriously.
"Tell me, what does Rod want?"
Marius interrupted Brandiotto's rambling nonsense.
"Lord Rhodes wants to sign a secret treaty with you."
Brandiotto stood up straight and answered calmly.
"What treaty?"
"Mutual non-aggression treaty. At the same time, once Sylvania is captured, Kislev will automatically give up the large towns in the south and only retain the two towns of Ostrog Fortress and Thunder Castle in the north, because those two towns are
An important transportation hub for trade with the dwarves, Lord Rhodes means that as long as those two cities, the remaining towns jointly captured by Kislev and Aviland will be under your jurisdiction, the great Lord Marius.
.”
"This is a big cake. Are you willing to give up? I don't think he is such a generous person."
The elector Marius changed his posture, narrowed his eyes to a slit, and once again stared at the Northern envoy as if he were staring at prey.
"There's nothing you can do if you don't give up."
Brandiotto answered seriously and solemnly——
"Sylvania is very far away from the center of Kislev, but it borders a few small towns in the south. If we take Sylvania, it will be very difficult to rule it with Kislev's current strength.
.The land is polluted, and the air is filled with the wind of death. It requires the most powerful life mage to heal, and at the same time, a large number of clergy are needed to purify the beliefs of the local people. These are difficult for Kislev.
It can be done. And a strong empire can do it.”
After listening to the messenger's explanation, Marius nodded slightly, indicating that he could accept this reason.
But, soon, he changed the topic again——
"So, Rhodes' request is only for two small cities?"
"Of course it's more than that..."
Brandiotto pretended to be embarrassed and stammered -
"Lord Rhodes hopes that once the capital of Sylvania is captured and the agreement comes into effect, the Ivey Territory can support the construction of the Great Wall in the north of Kislev. You know how important the Great Wall is to the long-term peace and stability of Kislev. Construction
It requires financial and material resources that Kislev alone cannot afford."
"Ha ha ha ha……"
Marius laughed heartily again, this was already the third time he laughed suddenly.
"Indeed, it is really difficult for a small and poor country to build the Great Wall that even the empire cannot build. It is difficult for your Lord Rhodes."
Although there was a bit of ridicule in his words, Brandiotto still endured it. He kept in mind the words Rhodes gave him - ignorance and ignorance are not sins, pride and arrogance are.
Let these self-righteous gentlemen dream of their spring and autumn dreams in a comfortable hotbed, Brandiotto said to himself.
"Obviously, your request is reasonable, but in the end, I still have a question."
Marius stood up and asked slowly——
"Rhode, maybe what is the intention and purpose of Kislev launching the vampire war? Just for the few small cities connected to the dwarf kingdom? The threat of vampires to Kislev is not great."
"That is your misunderstanding, sir."
"In fact, Mrs. Kislev has a deep hatred for vampires."
"Just twenty years ago, Kislev was ruled by a vampire queen. Even half of the Ice and Snow King's Court were vampires. The bloody Katrina brought about the terrifying and dark years. Later, Rhodes united with the northern forces.
, only after the vampire queen was eradicated did Kislev achieve the stability and prosperity it has today. In that land, the struggle to expel the undead has never dissipated."
"This time, one of Lord Rhodes's closest comrades, the witch hunter Diego, died tragically in Sylvania. This was a huge blow to Lord Rhodes personally. No matter where he stands personally
In terms of emotions and the stability of the kingdom, Kislev has sufficient reasons to attack the Land of the Dead."