Chapter 20 Mondy III (Part 1)

The formation that my father traveled with was not huge, with only a few dozen guards, some servants from the palace, cooks, translators and scribes.

The four of them were swaying in the carriage. They had been traveling for a week, heading north from Madkarin, passing through the Empire's Midel City and Empty Tide City along the way.

"Did you tell her?" Mother asked father.

Dia was wearing a silver velvet robe with gold embroidery, her hair was braided in a low bun, and her long pale golden hair was draped behind her shoulders. She has the same blue eyes and elegant nose as Allen.

"With whom?" asked Viglic.

"My sister." Dia said.

"Of course," Viglic said lightly, "the messenger I sent should have arrived at the Hall of Ashes a few days ago, and the Queen knew we were coming."

"I'm referring to the proposal of engagement," Dia looked outside the carriage, where Zhuo Ke, wearing a dark brown leather jacket, was riding a horse, "Have you told her?"

"Not yet," Viglic shook his head, "I want to see her first."

"Isn't this decided yet, father?" asked Monty.

Ever since he learned of this from his father, Mundy had felt pity for the Queen of Vivalia.

Although he knew that this was a political marriage, just like his father and mother, the queen was like a lily on the throne, trapped there and unable to escape, but the fragrance of the flowers attracted more and more bees and butterflies.

and flies.

She was elected as ruler by the nobles with evil intentions, not because of her ability, but because of her incompetence.

Looking at this kingdom with a short history, the seven kings all ruled under the shadow of powerful nobles, and the actual scope of control was only the two territories of the Hall of Ashes and the Black Castle.

There were also kings and nobles like Narsiz I who were unwilling to be manipulated at will and resisted, but in the end they only got themselves deposed and exiled.

"They're going to get married," Viglic said. "I just haven't decided what the terms will be."

"Conditions? What conditions?" Dia asked.

"The weaker Her Majesty the Queen is, the more opportunities we can take advantage of." Allen said to her leaning on Dia's shoulder.

Dia looked in disbelief, "She's just a little girl!"

"A little girl cannot be the leader of a country on her own," Viglic said. "We are helping her."

"Turning my sister into a puppet? Is this what you call helping her?" Dia asked angrily.

In fact, Rozalia has become a puppet from the moment she ascended the throne, Monty thought. She originally used herself as a bargaining chip when choosing her husband.

"Every noble wants to take advantage of the weak queen. She is not safe now." Viglic argued.

"So we have fallen to this point?" Diya was not convinced, "Using a little girl?"

"You can't be a fragile little girl and a qualified queen at the same time." Viglic sighed.

"Have you heard from Ludomir Korva, father?" Monty interjected.

"The Queen's brother? No." Viglic shook his head, "He doesn't seem to be in the Hall of Ashes."

"I heard he was a good warrior and leader," Mundy said.

"That's right," Viglic agreed, "his 'Black Army' is the best army in Vivalia."

"So he is a threat to us?" Allen asked. "As the eldest son, he will not be satisfied with his aunt's succession."

"No, Ludomir is not that kind of person," Dia touched Allen's head, "He loves her little sister, just like he loves me."

Seeing how close his mother and Ellen were, Monty felt like an outsider.

"Love doesn't conquer everything," Allen said, "especially the desire for power."

"Don't be so pessimistic," Monty said to Allen, "They are a family."

"Of course, brother." Allen smiled.

——

That night, Emperor Hastza's troops arrived at Ernoburg.

As the entrance to the Kingdom of Vivalia and the Great Plains, Castle Erno is located on the Igomel Road, which is the only way for the empire to go north. It is one of the earliest fortresses built by "The Steady" Litcher I.

During the "Apostasy" one hundred and twenty-three years ago, the nobles of Vivalia supported Leon of the Kovar family and declared independence as the king.

The empire, which was trying its best to resist the offensive of the rebels in the east, was unable to fight on two fronts. Coupled with the existence of a castle such as Erno Castle that was difficult to capture, the cabinet of the young emperor Igomel V had no choice but to accept Vivalia's request.

.

Alnor Castle has two gray curtain walls composed of limestone bricks. The outer wall is connected by more than a dozen towers. The inner wall has four taller and larger towers distributed in the corners, each of which is a shooting platform with a ballista.

.

Its outer wall is surrounded by dug trenches. The only entrance to the front is the suspension bridge and gate at the main entrance. It is protected by dense arrow gaps and killing holes.

Flying on the high tower is the family flag of the local nobles, which is a standing red bull.

"This castle looks indestructible." Monty sighed.

"Starfall City was also indestructible," Vigrich said, "but it was still captured, but a different approach was needed."

"Who is coming?" the guard guarding the gate shouted to the procession in front of the suspension bridge.

"You are fighting with the Emperor and Guardian of the Hastza people, the lord of the city of Madkarim, the reviver of the Hastza Empire, the pacifier of the south, the patron of the Amber Knights, and the defender of the faith of the stars and gods.

Please speak to His Majesty His Majesty King Vigrych I, Lord of Starfall City!" Vigrych's guard Edgar Dorman shouted to the gate, "We look forward to your master's reception!"

The guards exchanged glances and then moved aside on both sides of the gate. "Lord Yarus is waiting for your arrival."

After passing through the drawbridge and two city walls, Viglic's team arrived at the square courtyard inside the castle.

The whitewashed walls and stained glass windows of the hall face the courtyard, and servants in the castle are running around.

The grooms led their horses to the stables on the left. When the servants saw Monty, they stopped what they were doing, bowed and stepped aside.

"Welcome, the emperor of the Hastza people!" the leading noble in the courtyard said in Hastza language. He looked to be in his fifties or sixties, with a bald head and black hair with white. He had brown eyes and a high nose bridge.

, with a mustache.

"I am Jarosz Perk, the Duke of Erno Castle and the lord of this castle." The nobleman bowed deeply.

Yarus wears a dark green high-collared silk coat, with a red cloak on his left shoulder tied diagonally across his chest. On his legs are brown trousers and black pointed-toe shoes.

"These are my sons and daughters, Albin, Suelin, and Otilia." Yarus introduced, and his children bowed deeply to Vigrych.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Yarus." Vigrich said. "As written in the letter, we will stay in your castle for one night and leave for the Hall of Ashes tomorrow."

"You can stay as long as you want, Your Majesty." Yarus smiled flatteringly. "I invite you and your noble family to dine in the hall."

"Of course," said Viglic, "Vivalia's venison has always been my favorite."
Chapter completed!