"We just want to know, when can everyone leave? We have to go to the theater at night, so we can't miss the time."
Mr. Mayor's courtesy was not accepted by everyone, and the girls complained that their actions were restricted.
"The neighborhood near the city hall is still being checked for danger, but it will be over soon. Do you need tea and refreshments? We have prepared some, please be patient."
Mr. Mayor is also very helpless. After all, he is also the highest official of Beldylan in name. If it is not for the special status of this group of people, the higher authorities will not force him to play such a despised role.
This somewhat humble attitude is not shown to the girls, but to their families. Although nothing happened, but if you don't show a good attitude, maybe you will push someone to take the blame for this matter. Compared with losing their jobs for a group of people, the temporary damage to a person's dignity is quite worth it.
From the window of the conference room, it could be seen that the street below had been blocked by the Beldyran police, and this situation would probably continue for at least another hour. But fortunately, the girls are reasonable. Although they are dissatisfied, they also know that safety is the most important thing. Therefore, after thanking the mayor for visiting them in person, they asked for some books and cards, and waited for the end of the matter here with peace of mind.
It wasn't just the mayor who came to visit everyone. When Jenkins was talking with Hathaway and Britney about the identities of the gangsters, the door was knocked again. This time, an old man in a formal suit walked in with a cane.
"Duke Douglas Gerald!"
After seeing the person coming, almost everyone in the conference room stood up stiffly. This old gentleman, Jenkins, knows that this is Her Majesty's personal butler. She has served the royal family for 20 years after the death of the previous king and is the most trusted person around the queen. Jenkins has met him many times. When he was made a baronet, it was this gentleman who rushed from Beldyland to Nolan's old man's antique shop to confer the title on Jenkins in place of the queen.
It was a surprise that he was here, so the group stood up to show their respect. Like the grandfather next door, the Duke greeted everyone familiarly. The girls were flattered that he could name all of them and know their family backgrounds quite well.
"Long time no see, Baron William."
Because Jenkins was standing at the far end of the conference room, he was the last to greet the old Duke.
"Long time no see, Duke. I am really glad to see you again and to see you in good health."
Jenkins responded with standard social etiquette, and then saw the Duke take off his glove and extend his hand, so he shook it. He was the only one who shook the Duke's hand, and he didn't know if it was because of gender or status.
The two hands were clasped together, and Jenkins noticed a note in the other's palm. He was startled, but still shook hands with the Duke calmly, but when he withdrew his hand, the note had already reached him.
After the Duke left after visiting the crowd, Jenkins claimed to go to the bathroom and left here too. But instead of turning to the left, he went straight to the opposite door.
The guards with serious faces nodded at him, then opened the door to let him in.
The duke was sitting inside waiting for him.
Judging from the sign, this room should be the office of the minister of the Environmental Protection Department of Belduran City Hall, but at this time there is only the Duke in the room. Seeing Jenkins coming, he nodded kindly to Jenkins, motioning for Jenkins to sit on the sofa with him.
"What happened just now... that group of people all entered the country from Cheslan a week ago."
Without hypocritical greetings and greetings, the Duke talked about today's affairs.
"What does this have to do with me?"
"I know you already know."
The Duke looked into Jenkins' eyes and said, the old man's eyes were a little cloudy, so the reflected Jenkins was even more illusory like a shadow.
"You know what I know?"
"You know what I'm talking about, Mr. Williamette."
The Duke didn't call Jenkins a baron any more. Seeing that Jenkins stopped talking, he continued:
"Just as there are factions with different attitudes towards war in the country, there are also different ideas within Cheslan, and the domestic conflicts of the group of southerners are stronger than ours."
This statement Jenkins understands that the Cheslan Kingdom is the most backward country in steam industrialization and modernization among the three major human kingdoms in the material world. Not only the coexistence of feudalism and capitalism, but even in the southern provinces of the kingdom and overseas islands, there was a certain form of slavery openly.
Although it seems that the Fidetictli Kingdom, which seems to be facing the problem of the extinction of the royal family, is full of conflicts, but in fact Cheslan is more like a powder keg that explodes at a single point. If this were not the case, Cheslan would not have declared war so quickly after Fidetictli unilaterally declared war. Both sides have the idea of diverting domestic conflicts to a certain extent.
"The king of the generation of the Alessio family of Cheslan's royal family is a cowardly and incompetent guy. The domestic power has basically been emptied by the old-school nobles and new wealthy businessmen who manipulate the seats in the parliament. But unfortunately, the arrogant king Tarquin didn't want to fight with us, so he sent his own envoy in private... "
"I understand. The group of thugs today were sent by forces opposed to the king's decision to intercept the envoy. It seems that this is really an unwarranted disaster, but have the conflicts in Cheslan really reached this level? The so-called The king of the proud, actually wants to use this method to end the war? Is he so seriously emptied?"
Jenkins asked, and the cat on his lap meowed, wanting Jenkins to stroke its back.
"I appreciate you understanding the situation so quickly."
"But... sorry, I still don't understand what this has to do with me?"
Jenkins is telling the truth. He is still an unrecognized heir, and these political storms have nothing to do with him, at least for now.
"Tarkovin the Proud has had enough of the current situation. He is eager to make a change, which will implicate the whole world to make a change. Mr. Williamette, you really have nothing to do with this matter, and this conversation is not what I want. What I want to do with you is what His Majesty wants me to do with you."
The Duke paused to let Jenkins digest what he had heard, then continued:
"Before meeting with His Majesty, we all want to know whether you have the most basic political literacy, and also hope that you can understand some international forms and contradictions. It happened to happen that I came here directly. Now it seems that this It's not going to be of any practical importance, but it shows that you're at least a smart guy, if you haven't learned and practiced."