Valkyrie Europa

Chapter 230 Returning Battleship

Spain, Madrid, Royal Palace of Madrid, Grand Ballroom.

The hall is very luxuriously decorated, with thick cashmere carpets, walls covered with paintings by famous masters, velvet embroidered upholstered chairs, and a large long dining table covered with red velvet and placed with vases.

The attendants came in and out, removed the vases with flowers in them, put several pairs of exquisite sterling silver tableware on the table, and then, all kinds of delicacies and mellow wines were continuously brought up.

After a while, the dining table was filled with all kinds of delicacies, and the aroma of the food permeated, reverberating and dissipating in the hall.

King Philip II of Spain is not a person who likes extravagance and waste. He has always been very restrained in food. Usually, there are only a few dishes for three meals on weekdays.

The reason why the grand banquet hall was opened today and such a sumptuous banquet was set up was naturally to entertain guests.

Directly opposite him, at the other end of the large long dining table, sat a blond middle-aged man who was dressed gorgeously, with gold thread stitching on his body, embellished with gemstones, and a few thick gold necklaces.

That was the King of Portugal, Louis I.

This is a double king meeting!

Spain and Portugal live next to each other and are two very closely related countries.Although there have been some unhappiness for hundreds of years, most of the time, the relationship is very close. For example, now, the two countries have been in the honeymoon period, and various cooperation and exchanges between the two countries have never been interrupted.

Speaking of which, King Philip II of Spain and King Luis I of Portugal even have some relatives, and they can be regarded as distant cousins ​​with a distant relationship.They also communicated frequently with each other.

However, it was not until today, in this hall, that they really saw each other for the first time, sitting face to face.

Louis I came to Madrid in person, of course not to taste Spanish food, and the two kings sat together, of course, not to chat about family affairs or to build relationships.

After making a show and tasting the food, the two unanimously set down their knives and forks, and got straight to the point.

"Haven't you arrived yet?" Louis I crossed his hands and put them on his chin, and spoke first.

"It should be soon, the guards have already gone to invite them." Philip II took a sip of the wine, put down his glass and said.

"Actually, when the Holy See approached me, I refused." Louis I leaned back and let his whole body fall into the package of the soft chair: "You also know that maritime trade is very profitable now, even in winter, There are quite a few people who are willing to go to sea to make a fortune, after all, there are fewer pirates at this time."

"Then why did you agree in the end?" Philip II fiddled with the wine glass with his fingertips: "There are so many ships in one winter, and the taxes alone are not a lot."

"Money comes next. After all, I'm not too short of money." Louis I picked up a wet towel and wiped the oily sweat from his head: "How should I put it, our Portugal is no better than yours. Our country is small and mostly foothills, suitable for growing food There are not so many good fields in the country, and they are all maintained by foreign trade. Although you can buy everything, but if you have money, it is useless if others don’t sell it to you.”

"There are no churches in all the continents and seaports? After all, we can't reach out so far. We have a good relationship with the Holy See. When the ship is in trouble outside, the Holy See will be able to help." He paused: "At that time, I thought so. After all, what they want are merchant ships. There are not many warships, and it is winter. If you give it, you will give it. It will be a good relationship."

"Then regret it now?" Philip II smiled, but the smile looked a bit bitter.

"I can still come to you without regret?" Louis I put down the towel: "That's okay, most of mine are merchant ships, but yours is a real warship! Don't you regret it?"

"Hey, what's the use of regretting it now?" Philip II sighed, "I've already gone out, just leave it to fate."

"To tell you the truth, I really underestimated you before. It's so quiet that I managed to create such a big fleet for you." Louis I stuffed the beef into his mouth again: "It's not easy to save food and clothing all these years. "

"Don't be so eccentric, I didn't build the fleet to beat you." Philip II waved his hand.

Louis I intersected his hands again, and smiled: "Then who to fight? England? I heard that they are in trouble in the country now, and they can take advantage of it. Or go to France for revenge? But France is not easy to fight now, isn't this Napoleon A simple role, if he had led the army back then, you would have been the king.”

"Of course not France!" Philip II interrupted him: "Of course I have my own ideas, let's wait until the fleet returns."

"I also hope that everyone can come back safely." Louis I touched his chin: "But it's already spring, no."

"Lord Patriarch Trigo is here!"

An announcement interrupted the conversation between the two.

The door of the grand banquet hall opened slowly, and a strong man in a red robe with a beard strode in.

"Oh, my old friend, have you eaten yet? Why don't we have some together?" Philip II greeted with a smile.

The servants also brought new chairs and cutlery.

"No need." The red-robed middle-aged patriarch waved away the attendants: "I know what you two are looking for me for, let's get straight to the point."

"Oh, Patriarch Trigo is really as fast-talking as the rumors say, simple and direct." Louis I admired: "I don't know how much better than that old man in my family."

"His Majesty Louis came to Spain specially for the same thing." The strong Patriarch turned his head and motioned.

"Of course, you know our old man. You know that he is hiding in the church to clean up. He can't make a fart after three poles. He asked several times but failed. He had no choice but to come to Spain." Louis I directly admitted.

"Then I'll talk about it together." The red-robed Patriarch looked at the two of them and said seriously: "In fact, the information I have received here is not much, not much more than what you have. After all, that It’s at sea, unlike land, and it’s winter, so it’s more difficult to transmit information.”

"We understand this, so you can just say it." Philip II looked a little eager.

"From the intelligence point of view, the wolf shepherds have indeed gone out to sea, and our Holy City Classics Institute has also provided detailed sea charts, so there is no situation where we can't find them at sea. And this time the host Richelieu He is not a reckless person. He has always been thoughtful and never impulsive. He was born as an ascetic monk. He has strong willpower and a tenacious personality. He should not do stupid things. He will definitely wait until he is at sea and make complete preparations. I will fight those wolf herders." Patriarch Trigo analyzed.

"As for why they haven't come back now, there are two possibilities. One, the wolf herders haven't returned home yet, they are still on the island. Lord Richelieu and the others are still waiting for the opportunity! The second is that they have defeated the wolf herders , and now we are chasing and sweeping away the defeated soldiers! After all, what our Holy See wants this time is to wipe out the gang of werewolf herders in one go. Master Richelieu wants to make things perfect, and it is understandable for him to do his best in one battle. .”

"We have also thought about these situations." Philip II frowned: "However, if you pursue the pursuit, you will not need so many ships. It should not be difficult to send a few ships back to pass on information. And, no Is it the end of spring? It’s already spring, isn’t the festival of the werewolf herds over yet?”

"We don't know about this, but you don't have to worry, Your Majesty. It is recorded in our ancient books that in the past, it was always spring, and the wolf herders here came home one after another to recuperate. According to the records in the ancient books, they should still For a while." Patriarch Trigo comforted.

"How much time is there? Didn't you say that it will not affect our Portugal's spring trade? It's been two weeks now!" Louis I spoke a little unkindly: "These are ships that were originally intended to transport grain. If this continues, we Portuguese will not be able to eat.”

"Actually, our Holy See has been paying attention to this plan. The cardinals have always asked about it." Patriarch Trigo assured: "In this way, the two majesties will wait for another two weeks, and there will still be no If there is news, our Holy See will find a way to organize a second fleet to support the past. How about it?"

"Well, this is a way." Philip II thought for a while, and said: "However, can't you share the charts with us? You don't need to send them. We will send a few ships to find out the situation, at least , let us rest assured."

"This..." Patriarch Trigo was silent for a while: "This is not something I can decide. It needs the approval of the Holy City. Moreover, I don't have this chart in my hand."

"Then what's the information you said?" Louis I asked directly: "The ones just now were all analysis."

"Oh, this information comes from Denmark. Everyone knows that the wolf herders went to sea from Denmark. But not all of them went to sea. Some old, weak, sick, women, children, and most of the wolves stayed behind. Yes, after all, these people can't bear the turbulence at sea." Patriarch Trigo introduced.

"Ah, so what, are you going to attack them?" Louis I couldn't help interjecting, "However, it's going to be difficult for those Danes."

"The elimination is of course to be eliminated. In fact, we have already made a plan." Patriarch Trigo paused: "It's just that someone took a step ahead."

"What do you mean?" Philip II sat up straight and leaned forward: "What do you mean by taking the lead?"

"As the name suggests, someone wiped out the remaining werewolfers before our Holy See took action!" Patriarch Trigo said, "But we don't know who they are yet?"

"It's impossible." Louis I said in surprise: "According to your description, there are quite a few people left behind here, how could they be wiped out silently? With so many people and such a big action, your Holy See will Haven't received any news?"

"Yes, according to our estimates, there are more than 2 wolf herders left behind. Although they are divided into tribes and scattered around different ports, they are actually very difficult to eliminate because of the huge wolf pack guarding them. In order to eliminate them, our Holy See even persuaded the five northern countries to send troops together." Patriarch Trigo's face was a little gloomy: "However, someone still took the lead."

"How is this possible? Are you sure you were wiped out, instead of hiding back in your hometown forest?" Philip II was also very puzzled: "How could such a big action be hidden from you? maritime!"

"This is what we don't understand. However, after repeated confirmation, those wolf shepherds who stayed behind were indeed wiped out. The 28 tribes, whether they are taught by the sun or worshiped by the moon, all range from the elderly to children. Don't stay!" Patriarch Trigo confirmed.

"However, even if you don't understand, these mysterious people should be the enemies of the werewolf herders. They should have nothing to do with us. No matter how you say it, they won't help the werewolf herders attack our fleet." Philip II His brows furrowed.

"We think so too, of course, we won't give up on tracking them down." Patriarch Trigo emphasized again: "In short, if the plan at sea is successful now, then there will never be a werewolf on our mainland again! I hope that the two Majesties can be more patient and have some confidence in the fleet and our Holy See!"

"report"

Suddenly, a long sound of an alarm came from far to near, and came to the door of the banquet hall.

The door opened, and a messenger ran in crawling and rolling.

"Report to Your Majesty! A severely damaged warship has been found in the port of Gijon! It is a ship of our Armada!"

**********
The Port of Gijon was originally an unknown small port, but after years of vigorous construction and development, it has become the largest port in northern Spain, and also the most secret and unknown port in Spain.

There are countless docks, barracks everywhere, clusters of bunkers, and forests of sentry towers. This is the station of the Spanish Armada.

Of course, some of the officers' families also live here.

Kardashian once again climbed up the high cliff by the port, passed the sentry posts of a few young recruits, circled up, and came to the watchtower on the edge of the cliff, looking far into the distance.

In the past few months, she has come here once a day, waiting for her husband's return.

Her husband is the youngest captain in the fleet, but at the age of 30, he alone commands an entire Galen-class battleship, and is one of the most promising officers in the fleet.

And not long after they were newlyweds, when the cold winter just started, he set sail with the fleet and left here.

Kardashian didn't know what it was for, why His Majesty sent out the fleet that had been hidden for a long time in winter.

Kardashian only knows that her husband is a soldier, and the soldier can only obey orders, but she is his wife, and she can only pray for him every day, hoping that he will return safely.

But time passed day by day, the sea was calm day by day, and the blue sky was fickle, sometimes it rained, sometimes it cleared, but no matter how it changed, it couldn't change the returning fleet.

What was he like on board?It's hard work bumping back and forth, right?Is there any hot food to eat?If it's the captain, it should be there.It's so cold, will it be colder at sea?Does he swear when he is angry?Will he lead the way in battle?No, don't lead the way, just lead, and better yet hide behind other ships.After all, when going out to fight, there will always be damage, but with so many ships, as long as his ship is not damaged.As long as he can come back, it will be fine.
Thinking silently, praying silently, Kardashian leaned on the crenel, staring at the sea.

Huh, what is that?
that black figure
this long figure
This is not a merchant ship!This is not a fishing boat!This is a battleship!It's our Spanish battleship!

They are back!
The guards on the sentry tower jumped and cheered, and frantically pulled the rope to ring the big bell on the watchtower.

"Dang! Dang! Dang! Dang!."

Countless sentry towers and countless big bells rang, shaking the entire port and welcoming the returning fleet.

The black battleship was not sailing fast, but it also slowly approached the port, allowing everyone to see its appearance clearly.

It looks miserable!

It is full of holes, large and small, but fortunately they are all on the water level, so that it will not sink; its mainmast has long since disappeared, and it is difficult to move forward with only a short secondary mast and a small piece of sail. OK; on the side of his ship, you can clearly see the traces of the ax chisel, the huge breaches, and the blood spilled all over the deck; even the Spanish flag that was originally fluttering in the wind has become tattered and smoky. Burning appearance
What's going on here?Did you lose the battle?

With a "bang", the miserable warship stopped at the port with difficulty.

The crowd immediately surrounded them and walked into the cabin. People were constantly being carried off the boat, one by one the wounded, one by one who was yelling with fear, one by one who was extremely weak, and corpses one after another. .
Kardashian didn't go to the port, she was still on the sentry tower.

Because the ship was not her husband's, and her husband's ship hadn't come back yet, she was still looking forward to it, and if one came back, the big army would not be far away.

However, she didn't wait for the second boat until it got dark and the next day.
(End of this chapter)