"I shouldn't have joined forces with you, a liar, in the first place. Without you, Sylvania would have been taken back by the empire sooner or later. There is no way you and your Yankees could become the masters of this land."
"Then, let's put it another way. If we can't reach an agreement on the territory issue, then in terms of resource allocation, I want to get my share."
"Your share? Huh..."
Marius sneered.
"Yes, my share. I want to get 80% of the iron mines in Sylvania and the right of way to the river."
Rhodes calmly stated his conditions again. These were all plans that had been thought out in advance. Rhodes knew that with Marius's proud character, he would not give up Sylvania, so he would do the next best thing.
It is also acceptable to seize the mineral resources in Sylvania. After all, heavy industry requires the investment of a large amount of iron ore resources. Although food cannot be grown in Sylvania, there are rich mineral resources, so this is a way.
As for war, Rhodes doesn't want to start a war with the empire... Even if there are only three provinces, their strength cannot be underestimated. If you are not careful, Kislev's family fortune will be lost. Also, after just experiencing the vampire war,
The soldiers were all exhausted and wanted to return to their homeland as soon as possible. At this time, it was actually the last choice to waste time with the empire.
"Don't even think about it."
Unexpectedly, Marius rejected the proposal directly.
"I say it again, you have no right to bargain with me! I am the master here! The original plan has been cancelled. You can receive at most one-tenth of the loot from here, and the rest must belong to the empire."
Marius's face darkened. He was like an eagle, staring at the northerners in front of him with sharp eyes. But in his opinion, these ragged Yankees dared to negotiate terms with him. If he had to use
The superiority will be determined by force, and the firepower of the Empire's regular army will crush them all, just like crushing vampires and undead.
"Then there's no need for us to talk any more!"
Rhodes whispered, stood up and left the conference room.
The candles on the table dimmed again, leaving only Marius and Otto sitting silently in the dark room.
Otto, the leader of the knights, turned to look at Marius, and saw that the Elector of Iveyland was still sitting on the chair with a livid face, "Damn Yankee, how dare you talk to me like this!" Marius was so angry.
Trembling, he cursed loudly.
"But, are we being too domineering?"
Grand Captain Otto asked with a serious face——
"Aren't you worried about what kind of trouble will be caused after Rhodes leaves? He is not a person who will give up. As far as I know about him, this person is definitely not a kind person. He can charge into battle like a lion, or hide behind the scenes like a snake.
In the corner, waiting for the opportunity for revenge. Back then, there was civil strife in Kislev, and there were so many people who resisted the Blood Queen, but he was the only one who survived in the end and replaced the Queen's throne. I don't believe that this was all due to his barbarism.
force."
"I know better than you what kind of person Rod is. This grandson is extremely treacherous, but what can he do now? Have you seen those Yankee soldiers? Every one of them is either wounded or sick, a group of sick people
What threat can the calamity Maozi pose to us?"
"Mrs. Kislev traveled a long distance to the south and fought with vampires in the land of the dead for several months. She was already exhausted. Even if they are dissatisfied, what can they do? Is it possible that they still want to be my enemy? Be the enemy of the empire.
?What kind of strength do they have? A barbarian army that can't even gather together a siege artillery, what qualifications do they have to negotiate terms with me here?"
"The truth is only determined by the caliber of artillery! Backward nations are never qualified to negotiate terms."
Marius said confidently.
…
Outside Duncanhof, Kislev base camp.
Under the dim light of the fire, Rhodes had been staring at the large map of Sylvania for two full hours. Just like countless times in the past when he stayed up late to contemplate, Kislev once again reached the crossroads of survival or death.
It is impossible to withdraw the troops like this. The entire Kislev has been operating at full strength to maintain it until now, and finally ended this vampire war. Now, without getting a single trophy, they have returned the same way. Not only did the expedition
If the soldiers are dissatisfied, a fierce wave of rebellion will erupt in Kislev. Once the situation is out of control, it is not impossible for him to be overthrown.
Even if he is not overthrown, if he retraces his steps like this, his reputation in the country will plummet. Rhodes can already guess that in such a scene, he will go from being a guardian of Kislev respected by everyone to becoming one.
A weakling with no power and ready to be slaughtered.
Moreover, if Marius's conspiracy succeeds this time, then the other electors of the empire can bully Kislev arbitrarily. Where can the road to recovery of the Northern Kingdom begin, let alone the chaos that will come at any time?
Invasion.
Rhodes felt exhausted both physically and mentally, and his plans could never keep up with the changes. The actual situation was far more complicated than imagined.
Fortunately, there is still a legion...
Even if it is tired, suffering from illness and pain, at least it is still there.
Under the weak light of the candle, Rhodes stared at the map of Sylvania over and over again.
It's like a huge tomb...
Celta's unintentional joke lingered in my ears.
grave……
Rhodes thought, thought... stared at the map over and over again. Gradually, the swamps, rivers, and mountains on the map turned into concrete objects. They were like the walls of a tomb, trapping Sylvania within it.
.And Duncanhof Castle is the heart of this huge tomb.
No matter how many years it has passed, that decayed ancient heart that is still beating still needs external supplies to maintain. And the trade routes extending from the empire to Sylvania are the ones that supply this huge
The capillaries of the heart.
The terrifying dark forest, the poisonous death swamp, and the steep and tall mountains are natural walls. It is difficult to enter this decadent land of the dead, and it is equally difficult to get out.
Then, let this city of the dead, filled with the aura of death, become the burial place of Marius and his imperial troops.
A bold plan quietly formed in Rhodes' mind.
The wrinkled map of Sylvania was once again full of life at this moment. In Rhodes' eyes, the map had been stained with various colors. Wherever Kislev's army would appear, the Empire's reinforcements would be possible
Wherever it appeared, it turned into balls of wantonly dyed ink in Rhode's eyes.
Sylvania, as hard as it was when you came in, then let’s say how hard it is when you go out...