After the blond knight came in through the window, the chaotic atmosphere in the bedroom was finally lifted.
Tal ran back, carefully and gently closed the door, locked it, ran back, and sat upright on the seat, looking up at his house with an 'I'm a good baby' expression. Your Highness.
Also sitting upright was the dark-skinned battleship general Seth.
He sat up straight, straightened his body, put his hands on his knees, a straight face, and looked solemn.
Compared with these two people, Kaihos seemed much more casual, leaning leaning on the soft sofa with one hand supporting his side cheeks, the corners of his eyes glanced at the two people who were seated, and a smile appeared on the corners of his lips. .
Garlan, who had changed clothes in the side room, came out, so Seth, who was sitting upright, tightened his shoulders, looking a little nervous.
Garland walked over and held out his hand to him.
He was startled for a moment, and then he heard Garlan speak.
"Give me the note."
"Yes, it is!"
Seth immediately got up, stood at attention, took out a small note from his side and presented it to Garlan respectfully.
This afternoon, after he was interrupted by the prince who was going to report to the death, and was reprimanded, he returned to the room where he was dealing with official documents in a lost spirit.
He sat there blankly, not knowing how long he had been sitting, only that his mind was blank, and he had no idea what to do next.
Just then, he suddenly heard a creaking sound.
He lowered his head subconsciously, and saw a little mouse covered in pitch-black swooping from the ground onto the desk, standing in front of him, squeaking at him non-stop.
He took a thin copper tube from the little mouse and got the note.
When he saw the words on the note, Seth's eyes, which were like ashes, suddenly lit up.
His whole person was like a dying person who suddenly came back to life.
For the next time, he locked himself in his room, didn't say a word, didn't even go out to eat, and he didn't pay attention to someone knocking on the door.
In the eyes of others it looked as if he had completely despaired and gave up.
Seth waited patiently until late at night, when the black mouse ran back to find him, and then he led him down to the residence of Prince Gallan.
Garlan, who took the note, turned around and put the note in the light, watching it burn to ashes.
Seth looked at the prince's side face illuminated by the fire, and opened his mouth with some doubts.
He said, "I don't know how you found me?"
The blond knight, who was lounging on the sofa, chuckled, and raised his right hand to Seth, who turned to look at him.
"The prince gave me a wink before he left, so I put something on you."
As soon as he finished speaking, the little black mouse, which had already climbed onto his shoulders with a small head sticking out, squeaked, as if asking for credit.
Seth was stunned for a moment. He remembered the scene in the afternoon when Kaihos stretched out his hand and almost pressed him to the ground, making him look extremely embarrassed, and suddenly realized.
He thought it was Kaihos's punishment for his disrespect to the prince, but he didn't expect it to be...
"Seth, you're acting recklessly."
The one-eyed knight raised the corners of his eyes, and his gaze on Seth suddenly became sharp.
"To act rashly on such occasions will not only harm yourself, but also affect Your Highness."
Even if he just sat there languidly, the man known in the world as the knight of the scorching sun exuded an overwhelming power.
"Don't you know that doing this will bring a lot of trouble to Your Highness?"
The man fell to one knee again.
He bowed his head deeply and put one hand on his chest.
"His Royal Highness, please forgive me for my reckless behavior."
He gritted his teeth.
"However, I really can't think of any other way. Taka has been sending people to monitor me, and he won't let me get close to you, so the afternoon is the only chance I can talk to you."
"Taka? Admiral of Tozes?"
"Yes, that's him," said Seth, "and he's the brother of Bertola, the merchant."
"Bertola..."
"It's the owner of the house where you are now."
"...Brother, no wonder they look a bit similar."
Garlan's words made Tarr, who was sitting there honestly, startled, and immediately remembered what His Highness had asked him in the afternoon.
At that time, His Highness asked him, did he think that person was a little familiar
He suddenly called out softly.
"His Royal Highness, did you say you look familiar this afternoon because you think that Taka looks like the businessman Bertola?" The little fat man scratched his head and said, "I really didn't see it."
Kaihos next to him laughed.
"Have your eyes moved from His Highness's face to someone else's?"
"His Royal Highness looks good, of course I have eyes to look good!"
Tarr answered confidently.
Kaihos, who was rarely choked by Tarr once: "..."
It made sense and he couldn't refute it.
Garlan ignored his two subordinates and pondered.
"... Collusion between military and businessmen, it's really something that happens often."
"It's not that simple, prince, and I won't risk my death to report to you just at this level."
Seth, who was kneeling on the ground, raised his head, his face was not good-looking.
"The ships you saw this afternoon were only part of the fleet, and more..."
Having said this, he paused.
"You didn't see it."
"what do you mean?"
"According to the Aaron Landis naval configuration, each fleet must have at least forty warships and more than 10,000 naval sailors, but the status quo is not the case. As for my Eighth Fleet, it now has only three There are more than ten warships, and less than 80% of the sailors."
Kaihos, who was leaning against the sofa lazily, sat up and stared sharply at Seth.
"If the armament resources are insufficient and the personnel are insufficient, it must be reported to the Military Affairs Administration immediately."
"No, Lord Kaihos, whether it is the list of warships or the list of soldiers, the number is sufficient."
There was a hint of coldness in Kaihos's eyes.
"You mean, Taka, the commander of the Tozes, is on empty pay?"
When he said the last few words, the blond knight's face sank.
Although he belongs to the cavalry army and has nothing to do with the navy, as a military commander, what he hates most is the disgusting behavior of eating empty wages and drinking soldiers' blood.
"As you said, those warships that have been abandoned are registered. As warships that are still in use, many soldiers are also fake lists..."
Seth nodded.
"His Royal Highness, my fleet and I were transferred here from the Port of Alvan two years ago. Since I refused their solicitation, my fleet and I have always been excluded. Although I tried my best to ensure that The fleet under his command is complete, but their power is too huge... I have to surrender and remain silent about it."
A look of shame appeared on the man's dark face.
Garlan thought for a while and asked: "That is to say, the other fleets are the same, and the number of warships and soldiers are faked by 20 to 30%?"
"No, Your Highness, as the price of my silence, I barely guaranteed 80% of my fleet's manpower, but the other two fleets... They are guarding me. I'm not very clear about the specific state, but as far as I have seen this year. , I am afraid that the number of real warships and soldiers is only half."
As soon as the brown-haired general's words fell, the whole room suddenly fell silent.
Even Tarr showed a shocked look. Although he does not understand the military, he has a high talent in arithmetic, is very sensitive to various data, and has a good memory. Therefore, he is often found in the gifted Xie Muer when he is making financial statements. Catch to help.
So, he vaguely remembered how huge the tax revenue of Tozes, the largest seaport in Aaron Landis, was.
And of the one-third of the tax that is left for the maintenance of the Navy every year, nearly half of it is embezzled.
After a long silence, Kaijos sneered.
"This house is really magnificent. I am afraid it is comparable to the castle of the Lord of the City."
Garlan lowered his eyes, his fine eyelashes cast shadows on his fair face, and he seemed to be thinking about something.
After a while, he looked up at Seth again.
"Seth, the force you are talking about that even you have to surrender... Do you mean the owner of this house, and a few other big businessmen from Tozes?"
"Yes, prince."
"Impossible, it's just a mere businessman, how could he have that ability."
Tal couldn't help but chime in.
In the royal city, the status of the royal family and nobles is unquestionable, followed by officials, and the status of merchants is similar to that of commoners.
It was hard for him to imagine that a businessman with the same status as a commoner could control such a big city.
"That's the truth, Prince, those big businessmen have almost taken over 90% of Tozes' business. They are rooted here, and this city is full of their influence."
Seth continued, "I have heard rumors that Taka was his brother Bertola who spent a huge amount of money to get him to his current position. I'm not sure if this rumor is true or not. However, In the navy, most of them are their people. Bertola has several other big businessmen, and they often let the navy escort their caravans."
Garland raised an eyebrow.
"That is to say, Tozes City spent the country's tax revenue to help those businessmen raise a private fleet?"
Although it was a joke, the meaning of those words made Seth's heart shudder, and he lowered his head and did not dare to say more.
After being silent for a while, Garlan nodded.
"I know for the time being, Seth, you go back first, it will be bad for those people to find out after a long time."
Seth raised his head sharply, staring intently at Garlan.
"Prince, you can't let them go on like this any longer! Please do whatever—"
"I see."
Garlan reached out and patted the loyal general on the shoulder.
He smiled at it.
"Seth, in the past two years, it has been difficult for you."
"I… "
Seth opened his mouth, his throat seemed to be blocked by something, he stared blankly at the prince's gentle eyes, the bitterness, forbearance, anger, and struggles that had been suppressed for too long in the past two years all flooded in an instant. His heart, blocked in his chest, made him speechless.
After a long while, he finally made a sound in a hoarse voice.
"Your Highness, don't you scold me? Because of my cowardice, I succumbed to them..."
"I will reprimand you, after this matter is resolved."
Garland smiled, then sighed slightly.
He said, "But, Seth, I'm sorry, I'm afraid I'm going to wrong you next, because of the afternoon thing, I'm afraid they will do something to you soon, but I can't help you, please forgive me."
"Please don't say excuse me, prince."
Seth leaned over again.
This time, he willingly fell to his knees on the ground.
He bowed his head to the young prince, his forehead pressed firmly to the ground.
"Instead, it was me who had the feeling of questioning your rudeness. I'm extremely sorry for that..."
He said in a hoarse voice,
"...and, incomparably ashamed."
…
After Seth left, Tarr blinked and looked at Garlan.
"Your Highness, when did you notice something was wrong with those guys?"
"last night."
"Huh? We just arrived in Tozes last night, did you notice it then? What the hell is going on?"
"Last night, at the reception banquet of the executive government."
Garland said, "A mere businessman can make the consul in charge of a city look at him and act."
At that time, the businessman just winked, and the consul immediately followed him to persuade him to accept the girl.
"Also, when I went out to breathe at the dinner party, I saw a very strange scene."
Garland continued.
"The businessman named Bertola was giving orders to a clerk, and he still had a habitual attitude... Although the clerk is only a lower-level official in the executive government, but this already makes people feel very wrong."
"Later, I paid attention and observed that the merchants were very casual towards the consul, and even Bertola was the dominant player in their relationship."
"Furthermore, during the inspection tour today, the consul also kept saying good things for those merchants, both openly and secretly."
Having said this, Garlan stopped and looked at Kaihos.
"Kaihos, doesn't the Ombudsman arrange for an undercover detective or an oversight history here?"
he asked.
Kaihos thought for a while and replied.
"Perhaps it has already been bought. Your Highness, the Supervision Bureau was established after His Majesty's appointment. The main focus is on the large cities bordering the country of Gaishu in the north and the country of Iss in the east. I'm afraid this is more relaxed. "
Because Aaron Landis faces the sea to the south, there are only a few small countries on the island, and no big country can threaten the safety of Aaron Landis.
Because of this, in Aaron Landis, famous for cavalry, the navy has never been taken seriously. The main role of the navy is to guard against pirates and protect the harbor.
"I see, that's it for today, you should go back to rest."
The two nodded and both stood up.
Tarr touched his head suddenly.
"It always feels like we've forgotten something."
Kaihos snorted.
"Seems to be."
Garland also pondered.
"Speaking of which, it seems that I forgot something..."
He suddenly turned his eyes and looked in one direction.
The other two followed his gaze and suddenly realized.
I saw that the girl who was pushed to the ground by Tarr at the beginning was still lying face down on the cold floor, motionless.
It looks really pitiful.
"Kaijos, how long will your drug keep her unconscious?"
"At least one night, and I won't wake up until tomorrow morning."
"Is that so..."
"Speaking of which, Prince, why were your clothes torn just now?"
"I was caught when she fell unconscious, and it was torn apart."
At that time, he put the small pill that Kaijos gave him into the wine, and the girl leaned over after drinking it, and just grabbed his clothes with her hand, the effect of the medicine was violated, and she naturally fell forward.
At that time, her hand was still tugging at the clothes on his chest, so, with a scoff, his clothes were torn.
He froze for a moment before Tal rushed over.
"I see."
Tar touched his head and smirked a few times.
…
The night passed, and the sky was already bright.
Because of the master's instructions, no one came to disturb him. There were two people sleeping on the soft and spacious bed.
It didn't take long for the black-haired girl to open her eyes. She had just woken up with a somewhat lazy look. Her half-open and half-closed Danfeng eyes added a little charm to the girl's innocent face.
And her languid sitting posture has developed into a beautiful body curve, and her lustrous, moist honey-colored skin will definitely look straight if someone else is there.
It's a pity that the only person in the room who can see this beautiful atmosphere is still sleeping.
The girl rubbed the corners of her eyes and became more awake. As soon as she lowered her head, she saw the young prince lying on his side sleeping beside him, his long golden hair scattered on the snow-white bed in the sunlight, and his fair skin like white clouds. , Delicate eyebrows and eyes, red lips and white teeth, she was so beautiful that she was lost for a moment.
She couldn't help but reached out and touched the prince's cheek, the skin was so tender and supple that she felt a little jealous.
Although she had seen a lot of men of all kinds by her father's side over the years, it was the first time she had seen such a young child.
When she thought that this young and beautiful teenager was her prey, and she was also a noble prince, she couldn't help but licked her red lips with her tongue with an indescribable excitement.
What a pity.
She looked at the sleeping Garlan and thought regretfully.
She probably drank too much at the dinner party last night, and then she drank a few more drinks after entering the room in order to create the atmosphere, and ended up getting drunk unknowingly.
What a waste of a rare opportunity to eat this little prince.
But she wasn't in a hurry.
Although the prince was young, he obviously couldn't resist her temptation.
Sooner or later he will be in his pocket.
The girl thought so confidently.
She looked at the sleeping Garlan, leaned over, her silky black hair fell on Garlan's shoulders, and her slightly raised red lips gently kissed Garlan's cheek.
At this time, playing hard-to-play is the best way to arouse men's minds.
So, after leaving a mark, the girl lightly got out of bed and left here quietly.
The room was quiet again.
After a long time, the sleeping Garlan moved and woke up.
Rubbing his eyes, he turned his head and looked around, but he didn't see the girl. Thinking that she was probably gone by himself, he left her behind, yawned and stretched, and then slowly descended. bed.
The sun is so bright.
Looking at the bright sunshine outside the window and the endless blue sea in the distance, he thought so in his heart.
There was a knock on the door, and Garlan casually fiddled with his messy hair, tucked it behind his ear, and walked over to open the door.
A tall, blond knight stood at the door with a smile on his handsome face.
However, as soon as he saw Garlan, Kaihos was slightly startled, and then the smile on the corner of his mouth became even bigger.
"Your Highness."
He seemed to be holding back a smile and pointed to Garlan's right cheek.
"You'd better go wash up, or Tal will cry again."
Confused, Garlan raised his hand and wiped his cheek. Looking down, he saw a tinge of crimson on the back of his hand.
He hurriedly went to the mirror to take a look, only to see a crimson lip print on his cheek that he had wiped off, making his fair complexion even more red.
He was standing still, a hand stretched out from the side and patted his shoulder lightly as if consoling.
"It's really hard for you, Your Highness."
Kaihos said with a forced smile.
"It's all subordinates who are incompetent and have bad looks, so I have to aggrieve you to go into battle to make beauty tricks."
Garland: "..."
Beauty plan
Who is that so-called beauty
Pooh.
You are the beauty, your whole family is beautiful!
The little prince ran angrily to wash his face.
…
…
At the same time, it was also at this time that the sky was already bright, and Chief Tapti welcomed a guest she knew all too well in the prince's palace.
Prince Garland went to the southwest port city, King Camos went to the east, and Prince Heimos stayed in the palace due to illness, just in charge of sitting in the royal city.
When a person who was not very sick in the past became ill, the disease became severe, so Heimos took a few days to rest before he got better.
"His Royal Highness Gallan is not in the palace now."
Chief Tapti looked at Heimos who had suddenly arrived at the palace this morning, and said so.
Generally speaking, Prince Heimos usually has only one purpose when he comes here, but now that His Highness is not here, why is he here
The female officer was a little puzzled.
Heimos stared at her and said.
"I'm coming to find you."
"what?"
"I want to ask you, before Garlan left, did you ask you to leave a message for me?"
"… No."
talk
What are you going to say
Tapti, who was puzzled by Heimos' question, shook his head decisively.
"… "
Huymos fell silent.
When he woke up, he learned that Garlan had suddenly left the royal city, and he didn't even say hello to him before leaving.
He kept thinking that maybe because he was too rushed, Garlan didn't have time to come to him, and maybe he would submit something related to himself to Tap.
result…
The fine black forehead hair scattered on the corners of Heimos' slightly sharp eyes and the bridge of his straight nose. The thin lips pursed, and he turned his face to the side, and the ends of his hair moved.
Eyelashes fell, covering half of his eyes, he said nothing, turned and left, walked past the fountain of the Goddess of Luck stone statue, and quickly disappeared into the courtyard.
In the courtyard, Chief Tapti stayed where she was.
The moment Prince Heimos turned around, she inadvertently caught a glimpse of his slightly turned eyes.
That look inexplicably gave her a kind of... uh... it seemed like... a little grievance
…
It must be because she was confused today because she was worried that the prince who was traveling did not sleep well last night.
Um.
That's it.