As soon as the convoy composed of Geer and Ingrid Church entered the city, they said goodbye to the caravan and drove to different destinations.
The streets of Hiawatha are very clean, with no dirt or garbage on the ground. Both sides of the street are densely packed with small shops, selling various specialty spices, tea, silk from the Gant Empire, porcelain, pottery and Kona from the Kiluffey Federation.
Common items such as Tarth's industrial products can be seen here, as well as many strange items that Gal has never seen before.
From time to time, customers and shopkeepers could be seen bargaining and even making loud noises on the street. The carriage Geer was riding in was traveling on a specially designated carriage lane, and he looked at the busy scenes on both sides with some novelty.
"Sir, do you want a newspaper? There is the latest news."
Just as the carriage was driving slowly, a voice suddenly came over. Geer turned around and saw a little boy holding a pile of newspapers. He was trotting quickly with the carriage and looking at it with expectant eyes.
By Geer.
"Newspaper? Here's one." Geer thought for a moment and handed over a few dollars in change.
"Thank you, sir." The boy took the coin, pulled out a newspaper and handed it to Geer. Then he flexibly shuttled between the carriages and continued to find the next customer to sell.
Geer shook the off-white newspaper and unfolded it with a clatter. The pungent smell of ink suddenly came out, and a line of bold and enlarged black headlines appeared in front of his eyes.
"The Kilufian Federation and the Gant Empire face off against the Fermorio Strait! The trigger for another world war?"
There is also a picture below the title, which is a picture of a ship driving on the ocean and firing cannonballs.
Geer read the content carefully. It turned out that the two countries were facing off again in the Fermorio Strait. This was not the first conflict between the two countries over the competition for this waterway. Since the end of the Thirty Years War,
, almost every once in a while the two sides would try to make some tentative moves, and everyone was used to it. It was just a sensational headline used by the newspaper owner to increase sales.
Look further down.
"The seventh trade consultation meeting of the Principality will be held on October 10th."
"The Lake Yes massacre has been solved! The serial murderer has been arrested and key evidence has been obtained."
“A vicious excavation accident occurred in the tourist resort Mosio Stone Forest.”
…
Reading newspapers all the way, Geer and others followed the convoy for about an hour, passing through several busy markets, walking into a relatively quiet street, and stopped at the intersection. On the side of the road was a large square that occupies a large area.
It is a large building made of stone and wood, with a dark blue color as a whole, and the large signboard has the words "Lillian Hotel" engraved on it.
The entire convoy will stay here for two days to rest and recuperate.
As soon as the car stopped, all the female relatives rushed into the hotel as if they were going to the market to buy something. Even Carmelita's pace was a little faster, and the hotel was extremely busy for a while.
By the time everyone was settled, the sun had already hidden behind Mount Mira, leaving the stage to the moon goddess.
…
"Ingrid, the nickname of the moon, shines coldly on the men. How many pairs of eyes are looking at her, but no one can touch her..."
On the second floor of the hotel, a handsome harpist sang poems written for the Moon Goddess to a group of people from the Ingrid Church. The beautiful music and simple and catchy lyrics attracted everyone in the church.
Notice.
The somewhat empty second floor is paved with brown wooden boards. Various oil paintings and decorations are hung on the surrounding walls, mainly the reindeer skulls that are a specialty of the Principality of Hastings. It is full of a different kind of atmosphere.
Exotic style. At the bar, an old man with a white beard was quickly wiping the dust on the counter, and then placing bottles of wine and drinks on it.
Compared with the lobby on the first floor of the hotel, which is full of people, talking loudly with wine glasses held high, and wandering geishas constantly shuttled back and forth, the lobby on the second floor seems smaller and deserted, but it also attracts some guests who like quiet to stop here.
.
Geer is one of them.
However, the Bryan brothers in the team did not like this environment. Sharing drinks with a group of men and teasing girls was how they wanted to relax, so they naturally chose to stay in the lobby on the first floor.
The newly changed Geer was wearing a refreshing summer dress, sitting quietly in a corner seat, eating his grilled fish set meal.
This is a kind of fish that can only be found in the Andalu River Basin. It has a large size and few spines, and the meat is fresh and tender. With its unique cooking method, it is a unique delicacy of the Principality of Hastings. It is also combined with rich beef soup and soft white meat.
Bread, Geer was extremely satisfied with this dinner.
Thump thump thump…
Suddenly, a young woman in black robes, dressed like a traditional monk, came up the stairs. It was Iona who was sent to the contact point before.
"Boss, let's have another grilled fish set meal." Looking at Iona's hurried look, she probably didn't eat anything, so Geer directly ordered a meal for her.
"Okay, I'll be here right away." The old man with a white beard at the bar said in a very loud voice.
"Thank you, boss, this is the information you want." Iona took off her black robe and hung it behind the chair, revealing her body in a refreshing purple hunting suit. She took out a scroll from her arms and handed it to Geer.
"Boss, do you have a refreshing drink to quench your thirst? It's extremely hot outside."
"Meidiqi flower dew wine is guaranteed to be refreshing and relieve the heat. Would you like a cup?" the boss responded loudly.
"Then have a drink."
Geer took the scroll and turned the oil lamp on the table a little brighter before opening the scroll and reading the information on it.
The information is very short and can be read in just a few minutes.
Geer carefully placed the note into the flame of the oil lamp and did not take back his hand until it was completely burned to ashes.
"Haisting is in chaos now?" The information Iona brought was mainly about the recent situation of the Principality of Haisting. Geer just wanted to know the general situation of this country that he had to travel for more than ten days, but he was very surprised.
I learned that this seemingly peaceful and prosperous city was already in turmoil.
"Absolutely. The contact person here has specially reminded me that if you want to return home, you'd better do it as soon as possible. Otherwise, if chaos breaks out, the way back will be troublesome and may be cut off." Iona said.
Geer nodded and started thinking.
We learned from intelligence information that Avery II, the ruler of the Principality of Hastings, is seriously ill and unconscious. He has suffered two long-term fainting spells in the past month. The news that the king is about to die has been revealed.
It is no longer a secret among the senior officials of the principality.
If it is a country like the three major kingdoms, because it has a complete succession system, even if the ruler dies, the foundation will not be harmed, and stability can be restored with a small chaos at most, but this is not the case in the Principality of Hastings.
This starts from the founding of the Principality of Hastings.
The Principality of Hastings was originally part of the Principality of Philipian and became independent at the end of the Thirty Years' War. Because the country is located at the junction of the three major countries, 75% of the country is mountainous and the land is barren.
Water conservancy does not have any other resources. Both food and minerals need to be imported in large quantities. It does not have the foundation to become a powerful country. Therefore, since the founding of the country, it has implemented a strong armed neutrality policy of all people as soldiers.
Only with the mutual restraint and absolute neutrality of the three major powers, the Principality of Haisting was successfully established. Of course, none of the three major countries would allow a powerful force to occupy this golden passage that is so important that it can be called the lifeline of the continent. In addition, the Principality of Haisting
The population of the Ting Principality is very low, so the standing army is very small. However, one of the principalities has been strengthening the military training of the domestic people and implementing all the people to serve as soldiers to deter neighboring countries. On the other hand, it encourages the development of mercenary groups to develop domestic armed forces in a curved manner.
As a result, there are a large number of mercenaries in the country, and the city defense of some cities is even handed over to mercenary groups. Therefore, the Principality of Haisting is also known as the country of mercenaries.
Of course, if you want to survive among the three major powers, a qualified heir is very important. In order to cultivate qualified heirs to the throne, everyone who is qualified to inherit the throne must go through trials to exercise their abilities. The most common among them is
One way is to join or form a mercenary group.
This method is indeed very effective. Avery II was a wise monarch selected through this method. He has made outstanding achievements in foreign affairs and domestic affairs. He has led the Principality of Hasting to prosper over the years, although it is not as good as the three major powers.
It is a powerful country, but it can be considered the best among second-rate countries.
But when it is the next generation's turn to grow up, the problem arises. It's not that there are no qualified people, but that there are too many qualified people. Among them, the eldest prince Fromien, the third prince Flanagan, and the seventh prince Astu
Virtue is the most outstanding, each has a powerful mercenary group and a large group of supporters as its backing, and the eldest princess, fourth prince, ninth prince and others who are not far behind are not bad in strength. For example, they met at the city gate today
The Dragon Flame Knight is the direct subordinate of the Ninth Prince Ursula.
This situation has made it difficult for Avery II to decide on a successor. Originally, with Avery II here, this matter could be delayed until the most suitable successor was finally found, but now Avery II has nothing to do with it.
Suffering from a serious illness without warning and obviously having no chance of recovery, all those who have the opportunity to sit in this position are a little bit ready to move. Coupled with the participation of foreign forces, the current Principality of Haisting is like a ignition.
A huge explosion may occur at any time in the powder keg.
Now what Geer is thinking about is whether he needs to continue walking or simply return to San Rotalo to get away from this place of right and wrong.
Logically speaking, after the incident at Blossom Castle, Gale has gained a lot from this trip. After all, what he is pursuing is the energy contained in the Femis ritual stolen by the Holy Spirit Cult, and the rune sword Effie
Rose has provided far more than expected, and there is no need to risk any more to pursue the Femis Ritual.
But Geer always had a vague feeling that this trip to Emrock would be very important to him, as if something was calling him, and it would be difficult for him not to go.
If it was just him, he would just let it go. After all, Geer was not alone now, but represented a team. He could not put his companions into danger because of his willfulness, so he was a little hard to make a decision for a while.
.
"Iona, do you think it's better for us to return to San Rotalo now or continue to Emrock?" Geer decided to ask his companions for their opinions. Now Brother Bryan is having a carnival and relaxing downstairs, and Lucaline is in her
He was catching up on his sleep in his room, and the only one he could ask was Iona in front of him. But looking at the order of the two choices in Geer's words, you knew which side he preferred.
"Ask me? You are the boss, you just have to decide." After hearing Geer's question, Iona took a drink and swallowed the food in her mouth, then looked at it in surprise.
Looking at Geer, he smiled with some understanding for a long time: "You have proven that you are a qualified leader these days, so no matter what decision you make, I will support it. I believe others will consider it the same way. By the way, I also
There is a saying, it is really interesting to follow you out this time, this is purely my personal opinion."
Iona stretched herself: "Okay, I'm going to bed. Just let me know if there are any results."
After getting up and leaving her seat, Iona turned around and left the hall on the second floor without looking back.
The oil lamp that was shaken by the wind caused by Iona stood up left mottled shadows on Geer's face, and the corners of his mouth covered by the shadows were vaguely curved...