Caucasus, in the wilderness.
Among the thousands of hectares of fertile fields that sprouted and matured overnight, Paganini tallied up the specific figures in his mind and asked Charles: "It's almost done here, right?"
In the wheat field, Charles held a handful of wheat seeds in his hand, and seemingly endless seeds flowed out from the gaps between his fingers and fell to the ground. After his footsteps stepped on them, they took root and sprouted...
The people behind quickly followed, pouring water and fertilizing, and in just a quarter of an hour, another acre of wheat field with terrifying yields matured.
Ciel took a short rest.
Under the scorching sun, Charles wiped the sweat on his forehead with a wet towel, took out his water bottle and drank it all. He took a long breath and answered Paganini's question.
"It can't stop yet."
He shook his head and sighed: "The current production is enough to supply the frontline operations, but there are still many people in the country who do not have enough to eat."
Paganini looked down at the insects at his feet and suddenly asked:
"Can you hold it?"
"... As long as you survive this period, you'll be fine, and you'll be able to eat and drink a lot in the future."
Compared to the past, Ciel's face looked a little paler, as if he had lost too much blood. He smiled reluctantly and coughed violently, choking out the congestion in his lungs.
The injuries left by the Blue King have not yet recovered.
Paganini said no more.
In silence, he stared at Ciel's mutilated little finger and his skin that was white from excessive blood loss, and his eyes became a little complicated and gloomy.
After a long time, Paganini made a voice:
"Ciel."
"Huh?" Charles turned around and saw Paganini's silent expression.
"No, it's nothing."
Paganini shook his head, smiled, and said nothing.
Just raise your head and look up at the sky.
He was just thinking, if the nihilistic god enshrined in the Holy City had half the kindness of Ciel, would his choice be different
No, after all, I would still betray you, right
For a person like me, who is naturally rebellious, he will do anything for the sake of strength and the mystery of music theory. But now, he has the strength... but finds that there is nothing worthy of his loyalty.
He sighed softly and lowered his eyes.
Besides, does this world... really need such unreasonable things as gods
…
…
A few hours later, Golden Palace.
In the darkness of the night, candles were lit, illuminating the entire huge palace like day. After rejecting the light source provided by the ether, it was illuminated by pure flames, making this palace of steel a bit more solemn and cold, and overwhelming.
On the throne, the emperor tapped his cane and looked down at the Burgundian envoys in front of him.
"An alliance?"
"That's right."
The young man named Don Juan smiled: "The relationship between Asgard and Burgundy has a long history, and they can be described as neighbors separated by a narrow strip of water. Now that Asgard is in trouble, our country is determined not to sit idly by. As long as we can form a Alliance, our country is willing to dispatch the phantom fleet to share the maritime pressure for Asgard. For the southern offensive in the Caucasus, the Burgundians are also willing to dispatch foreign legions as mercenaries to fight on Asgard's behalf."
The emperor looked indifferent and unmoved. Don Juan's expression did not change and he continued to add weight:
"Not only that, when necessary, our country can awaken the holy sword left by the original king - Jiavayus..."
Hearing that name, the emperor's eyebrows raised slightly.
Jivayus…
The Sword of Gold, the Sword of Victory, and the Sword of Glory were also the swords worn by the King of the Sun, known as the Sword of the Burning Sun. Before dying, the King of the Sun bestowed all his power on the sword, transforming it into a divine weapon.
In terms of pure power, it is in no way inferior to the Sword in the Stone, and in terms of destructive power, it is even stronger.
After all, this is the crystallization of destruction of the purest faction of change!
"The emperor of your country is really willing to spend a lot of money."
The emperor chuckled softly, whether in ridicule or anticipation.
For hundreds of years, Juvayus was sealed in the temple beneath the palace, drawing the power of the entire kingdom day and night. Its importance is even higher than that of "Archangel and Artificial Saint".
It's a pity that for hundreds of years, no one has been able to gain its recognition and become a master who can match it.
If you want to activate him, you can only pay the price of the emperor's blood and lifespan.
Burgundy's willingness to make such an important investment was beyond the Asgard emperor's expectations. It's a pity that the idea is great, but the appetite is a bit exaggerated.
The emperor lowered his head, stared at the alliance letter in his hand and sneered.
It is true that "timely rain" is good, but unfortunately, it sounds good, but the price is too high, it is simply wishful thinking.
As a condition of the alliance, Asgard not only has to pay Burgundy a huge fee, but also transfer dozens of forbidden technologies and plant more troubles.
If the alliance is successful, Asgard's decades of savings may be poached by the Burgundians so easily.
The emperor chuckled softly and threw the alliance letter aside: "You want too much. Don't you think the price is a bit excessive?"
"Of course, these are all negotiable."
Don Juan smiled, "I can make the decision and cross out the technology transfer and national debt parts, but can your country make some small concessions in other aspects?"
The emperor's eyes became subtle:
"For example?"
"Let's say, 'relief'."
Don Juan lowered his head sincerely: "For a long time, Burgundy has been eager to have its faith recognized by the religious order. Now that Asgard has enjoyed the blessings of the gods for so long, can you consider sharing the Lord's relief with Burgundy? The first point?"
The emperor said nothing.
The atmosphere became solemn, and a faint chill spread from the throne.
After a long silence, the emperor laughed, his laughter full of coldness.
He didn't expect that the appetite of the Burgundians was greater than he imagined... They wanted more than just the small profits in front of them, they also wanted to directly dig into Asgard's roots and enjoy Asgard's presence in the world. Treatment received after the Third Amendment Act.
Even, welcome the sect into the country and master the sect’s background and secrets...
These bastards want to cut off Asgard's beard!
What's the use of having more lapis lazuli? Can victory and power be bought? No matter how many taboo technologies are mastered, if the religious order imposes a ban, shouldn’t everything that should be destroyed be destroyed
If you can get the support of the Order, if you can get a status like Asgard, with the support and technology of the Order, and by activating the state machine, everything will be at your fingertips!
Didn't Asgard become the behemoth it is today with the support of the Order
Although the sect is now weak and has lost its suppression and authority over other countries, its own heritage is still astonishingly rich. No one knows how many amazing secrets and powers are contained in this organization that has led the human world for hundreds of years...
For Burgundy, this is an eternal opportunity. Even if it pays a huge price, as long as it can get the favor of the religious order, then everything will be worth it!
"Do Burgundians like to dream so much?"
The emperor stared at the envoys at the foot of the steps indifferently, "Since you like talking in your sleep so much, there is no need to consider forming an alliance this time. After all, there is an old saying... "
He paused and his expression turned mocking:
"—War, let the Burgundians go away."
Don Juan was silent.
After a long while, he shrugged helplessly: "That's such a pity... I hope your majesty can change his mind soon. After all, our majesty's enthusiasm for boxing cannot last long."
After that, he saluted with grace and etiquette, turned around and left.
…
Outside the palace, the entourage who had been waiting for a long time hurriedly greeted him and put a heavy robe on him to resist the terrible cold even in the golden summer of the Golden Palace.
In the carriage, an old man named Richelieu asked: "Your Highness, how did the conversation go?"
"Either the Asgardians have gone crazy, or the Asgardians have not gone crazy yet. In short, they did not agree."
Don Juan picked up the hot tea and drank it in one gulp, sneezed and wiped his nose awkwardly: "However, this is also expected. Teacher Richelieu, have you contacted the people in the cult? "
"With some of my previous contacts, I made an appointment with a cardinal to meet the day after tomorrow."
"very good."
Don Juan nodded, gritted his teeth, and his gentle mask dissipated, revealing an irritated grin, "If Asgard doesn't want it, we'll talk to the Order directly."
"The Order will not agree to it either." Richelieu looked at him, "You are doing useless work."
"No, we're taking the lead."
Don Juan leaned back on the chair with a calm expression: "Whether it's the Asgardians or the cult, I want them to know the escape route we have prepared for them. However, after they refuse this time, the price next time will be Don’t think about such a discount.”
"Are you so confident about the situation of this war?" Richelieu looked at him with a complicated expression: "Why do you think Asgard will definitely lose?"
"No, I don't know if Asgard will lose. I just have confidence in my former friends."
Don Juan's eyes were lowered, as if staring at the past time:
"I believe he will win."
…
…
At this moment, the Golden Palace.
Only the emperor and the old musicians were left in the palace.
"Listening to them arguing all afternoon, it's been hard for you." The emperor seemed to be fully aware of the old musician's predicament, and he was in the mood to make a little joke: "Do you have any countermeasures?"
The old musician was silent for a moment and replied: "For the current plan, we can only launch a full-scale war in advance."
For Asgard, it is not difficult to face attacks from both fronts at the same time, and it is even said that it has enough power. But failure to win would be a shame for Asgard.
Especially since the ship has capsized in Angru, Asgard urgently needs a complete victory to inspire people. Instead of being stuck in the quagmire of war and having an awkward tug-of-war with the other side...
"Your Majesty, please authorize the awakening of the giants on land."
The old musician asked for help.
Awaken the current land giant, push all the way from Blanc Fortress, occupy Anglo's land territory within a month, and then counterattack the Caucasus...
"unnecessary."
The emperor flatly rejected this.
For some reason, the emperor's firm tone suddenly made the old musician feel uneasy...