Sword of Dawn

"And if you consider his effective means of controlling public opinion and attracting people's hearts, boy, do you still think that a mere rumor about the 'resurrection of evil spirits' can shake Gawain Cecil's rule? As far as I know , Since the day he was resurrected, rumors similar to it have never stopped, have these rumors had any effect?"

Matilda pretended to be open-minded, listened carefully to Rosetta's words, and asked after the other party finished speaking: "But... this is still a very important handle, isn't it? For us , this 'secret' is a great windfall."

"That's right, a very important handle... but it's also a handle that doesn't have much effect, and as you said, this harvest is just an 'accident'." Rosetta Augustus nodded lightly, "So if we really want to do something with it, then we must not do it 'in person', it's not worth it, Gawain Cecil and his department dedicated to controlling intelligence must have done a good job of countering public opinion Be prepared, if you are a little careless, our losses will be greater than his; secondly, don't expect too good results, just like the swordsmanship you have learned, there will be no one-stroke victory in the battle against a strong enemy The trick is that advantages need to be accumulated slowly, and many times what we accumulate is not even an advantage, but a little time for the accumulation of advantages.”

Matilda listened quietly, with a thoughtful look on her face, she heard her father say to herself in a meaningful tone: "Matilda, to govern an empire requires more than It’s iron fist and swift and resolute, and more often, you need patience and caution.”

Matilda nodded subconsciously, but suddenly realized something, and looked at Rosetta with wide eyes: "Father, you..."

"I don't mean anything else," Rosetta said quietly, and suddenly changed the subject, "Actually, if our information is correct, we might even owe Gawain Cecil a favor."

"Owing him a favor?" Matilda couldn't help asking in surprise, "What do you mean?"

"...Since the end of the cold moon, how many times have you experienced nightmares?" Rosetta asked.

"...Only twice," Matilda thought for a while, and replied seriously even though she didn't know why, "The power of the curse was strengthened before, but after the end of the cold moon, the influence of the curse returned to its original state... Maybe even a little bit more nerfed, my nightmares lasted less."

"The curse that entangled our family came from the Throat of Orendelle, from the collapsed old imperial capital, and now we know that those fallen dream priests have not gone anywhere for the past two centuries, they have been in the depths of the ruins , continuing to study taboo things—the information provided by Lord Bommier showed that it was the Eternal Sleeper's own research that caused a disaster at the level of a divine disaster, so they had to seek help from the 'Extraterritorial Wanderer', and all of this The timeline coincides with the recent fluctuations in the power of the curse."

Matilda's eyes gradually became serious.

"According to the analysis of the royal advisor, if the disaster caused by those dark priests erupts, the entire Augustus family will suffer huge losses, but none of this erupted in the end..." Rosetta said slowly, and used her scrutiny His eyes fixed on Matilda's reaction, "Gawain Cecil has his own purpose, what he provided us is not 'free help', but in fact, we owe him a favor."

Matilda's expression was a little weird, as if she didn't know how to respond to her father's words, but after a few seconds of silence and thinking, she shook her head: "Favours can be repaid with favors, and the interests of the empire are different."

"This is your best answer today." Rosetta's serious expression softened, "Go and do your own business—you must be tired after talking with my nagging father for so long. "

"I will always gain a lot from talking with you," Matilda stood up and bowed deeply to Rosetta. "Then I will step down first, Father."

Rosetta waved her hand lightly, and Matilda left the small hall shrouded in sunlight and the fragrance of flowers.

The room was quiet, only the bright sunshine in the morning accompanied Rosetta Augustus, who was no longer young. The ruler of Typhon sat quietly for a moment in the quiet atmosphere, and then slowly turned His eyes fell on the round table in front of him.

A large book, beautifully printed and gilded, lay there quietly, bathed in a bright sunshine that was not common in Aldernan.

This was a gift Matilda brought back from Cecil, and it was given to herself by that "Gauvin Cecil".

"You're so lucky," Rosetta suddenly smiled softly, reaching for the book and muttering to herself, "the whole of Aldernan is sunny to welcome you."

His eyes swept across the pages of the book, and lines of neat words came into his eyes——

"...a country is an orderly collective, a collection that includes the people and the land, and is bound by a consistent cultural identity and interest demands...

"Maintaining social stability and development is one of the basic missions of the country's ruling class..."

In the quiet small hall, slowly only the sound of pages being turned was left.

After a long time, a sigh full of inexplicable and complicated emotions resounded in the small hall: "I can understand what you want to say..."

……

"Sir Golosh, Ms. Azalena, I hope you are still used to living in the Autumn Palace." In the reception room of the Cecil Palace, Gawain looked at the Dragonborn Ambassador in front of him with a smile and said, "We are very grateful to you. I have limited understanding of the customs and habits of the Holy Dragon Principality, if there are any poor arrangements, please feel free to speak up."

"No, your hospitality has satisfied us very much," Sir Golosh smiled relaxedly, "We can feel Cecil's sincerity and friendliness—as a first contact, this is a very good start."

"That's good," Gawain nodded. Yesterday's pleasantries and courtesies are over, and today is the time to talk about serious business, so he quickly got to the point, "Then let's start directly—Cecil Empire Hope Establishing a closer relationship with the Principality of Shenglong is not just a single business, not just sending more envoys. We hope to establish a relatively stable commercial channel between the two countries, which will affect the living standards of the two peoples and the country. The economy is all good."

Sir Golosh obviously appreciated Gawain's straightforward way of speaking. After realizing that this new "Cecil Empire" was not as full of red tape and outdated rules as described in the information about the human kingdom, his attitude also changed. To be relaxed and direct: "Frankly speaking, this is exactly the wish of Grand Duke Baloger-although the Holy Dragon Principality does not often communicate with the outside world, this does not mean that we are closed and stubborn, and we are also open to the outside world. I'm curious, and I'm also very interested in your country's magic technology. But I don't know what kind of idea you have for the "commercial channel" between the two countries? Or, to be more straightforward, what do you plan to sell to us?"

The corners of Gawain's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a sincere and happy smile.

When facing business partners, he always smiles sincerely.

"Sir, you used to ride on our magic train when you came here-are you interested in it?"

Sir Gorosh and Azalena glanced at each other.

"Ah..." Two seconds later, Golosh blinked, nodded and said, "It's a very magical thing, with very obvious uses, and we are naturally interested."

Gao Wen smiled, and signaled to the attendant at the side to bring up some materials: "Then we have a complete investment plan for your interests."

Chapter 0847 The Wheel of History

Railway investment and aid construction, transnational business cooperation plan, settlement area concept, new ambassador program...

The Cecilians obviously attached great importance to this exchange with the Holy Dragon Principality, and had prepared enough plans and plans for it.

It was even so much that Sir Gorosh was a little uncomfortable.

This dragon descendant realized one thing—although the Holy Dragon Principality has always believed that it is paying attention to the changes in the situation on the mainland, and that it just has not opened the country, rather than completely self-enclosed, but in the face of this rapidly rising new empire, Dragonborn are still too closed and slow.

If the things that Gawain Cecil brought out were placed in front of the parliamentarians and elders of the Principality, most of them would be confused and bewildered.

But fortunately, Grand Duke Baloger has always been fully prepared. At least in this mission led by Sir Golosh, everyone has done a lot of "homework" in advance. I have done a basic understanding of the new things that came out, and I am not ignorant of these things that Gao Wen brought out.

The documents were divided into everyone's hands. Sir Golosh quickly glanced at some of them, and after getting a general understanding of its contents, he raised his head: "This seems to require a serious discussion-I hope you can understand, this There are many things in it that are more sensitive."

"Of course," Gao Wen nodded with a smile, "Today is just an initial meeting, mainly to exchange some ideas, and all these business plans are only Cecil's opinions. It is more important to establish stable diplomatic relations between the Syr Empire."

Sir Golosh smiled when he heard the words: "That's exactly what I think."

……

This closed-door meeting lasted almost the entire day, from morning to afternoon, during which Sir Golosh and several dragonborn representatives accepted the invitation and had lunch with Gawain in Cecil Palace. When it finally ended, the huge sun had gradually sunk to near the horizon.

After amicably ending the almost whole day's discussion, even Gao Wen felt a little tired.

"We need to have an internal discussion after we go back," Sir Golosh stood up with a smile on his face, "Many of the business proposals you proposed are very...meaningful, but we can't do it right now." Give an answer - we will try to discuss a preliminary outcome before our meeting tomorrow."

"It's understandable." Gao Wen was not surprised by today's results. He was able to successfully communicate those business plans and future diplomatic prospects in a complete manner. He has achieved his goal today. "Then, I hope everyone can rest well tonight." , let us look forward to meeting tomorrow."

The Dragonborn left with a pile of business plans thrust upon them by Emperor Cecil.

Gao Wen sat back on the high-back chair that belonged to him, and rubbed the center of his brows in the afterglow of the sunset that gradually turned orange.

The window on one side of the room was open, and a breeze blew into the room from the window, circling around Gawain twice, and then amber precipitated from the air, standing beside Gawain with a smile.

"I saw those dragon descendants leave - I thought you were going to hold the meeting until night!" The elf's shame said with a smile, "After all, you seem to have prepared a lot of materials..."

Gawain raised his eyelids and glanced at the half-elf: "It's spring, it's warm, the cold north wind has turned to east wind, you can come in through the window again, right?"

Amber immediately crossed her arms, and raised her neck proudly instead of ashamed: "Don't tell me, I haven't been there all winter. When I jumped off the window sill just now, I missed the touch..."

Gao Wen: "..."

If he hadn't been worried about causing misunderstandings in front of foreign envoys, he would have filled every window sill of Cecil Palace with mouse traps yesterday! !

It seemed that seeing Gawain's helpless expression would make her happy. Amber played the trick of jumping through the window over and over again without getting tired of it. Today, after jumping to death in front of Gawain again today, she felt satisfied, and then put it away when she saw it. Changed the topic in a hurry: "So, is there any progress in today's meeting? How much consensus do you think we will reach between us and the Holy Dragon Principality?"

Gao Wen smiled, tapped the armrest of the seat with his fingers, and said casually: "If old Mr. Godwin were here, he would write this: the two sides had fruitful consultations, fully exchanged opinions during the meeting, and finally The conversation ended in a friendly atmosphere."

Amber nodded knowingly: "Oh, that means there's no consensus at all...it sounds like there's no progress."

After all, she has held an important position in the government affairs department for a long time, and she is quite familiar with these "technical terms" now.

"It can't be said that there is no progress," Gao Wen shook his head, "at least we did have a full exchange of views-I believe that those business plans, new technologies, and new products have fully aroused their interest, and that Grand Duke Balogar The letter also expressed the willingness of the Holy Dragon Principality to open the country and establish diplomatic relations with Cecil, but on the other hand, the dragon descendants are also very cautious. They are not dazzled by all kinds of new things, even in front of the railway system, that Ser Gorrosh is very calm."

"How about it, the 'prosperous and advanced new world' is not as effective for the dragonborn as it is for the Typhons, right? Although they came out of the mountains, they look at the human world with pride and reserve," Amber challenged. Eyebrows, "This time I'm right - you owe me five pounds."

"Accurately judging the psychological tendency and possible actions of the target is the basic ability of you, the intelligence minister..."

Amber simply stretched out her hand: "Five gold pounds."

Gao Wen casually slapped Amber's paw off: "I didn't say I wouldn't give it to you."

"That's fine, I'll remember, five pounds," Amber withdrew her hand contentedly, and then suddenly rolled her eyes, "By the way, I have something to tell you——I've already talked to Maggie. Now, she will meet with Ser Gorrosh."

Hearing Amber's words, Gawain was silent for a second, and then said softly: "Actually, I don't like to treat family affection as a card, and I don't want to turn the relationship between Maggie and Sir Gorosh into a diplomatic one." Part of the event..."

"Of course I know, but sometimes the card isn't in your hand—it's on the table from the beginning," Amber curled her lips, "Your arrangement is very close to humanity, and that Mr. Jazz should feel it .And to be honest, after talking with Maggie, I can feel her ambivalence——she is not against her father, she is just against her former living environment. She is very happy to meet Sir Golosh."

"That's good." Gao Wen breathed a sigh of relief, suddenly smiled and shook his head, "Actually, I was really shocked when I first learned about the relationship between Maggie and the 'Dragonborn Ambassador' from Victoria's letter... No one expected that Maggie, who is usually very low-key, would have such an identity..."

"Anyway, I just have a feeling that those dragon descendants are good at everything...what do you mean by that word, 'hardcore'," Amber twitched in her mind, "Emperor Gawain Cecil's holy coquettish words", said with a slightly strange face, "jump off Longyue Cliff and glide all the way to the north, just to 'run away from home', and use a wooden barrel to roll all the way from the top of the mountain to the foot of the 'children's game'...

"Ah, I also found information. It is said that Ms. Azalena in the Dragonborn Mission also ran away from home when she traveled in the human world, and the process of her running to the south was faster than Maggie's journey to the north. The process was even more astonishing: that Ms. Azalena sold herself to the bandit, tricked the bandit into "free transporting" her to the southern border, and then sold the bandit backhand to the lord of Carroll at that time. I spent five years as a mercenary to buy a long sword... That guy Anton was dumbfounded when he collected all the information."

Gao Wen stared at Amber dumbfounded: "...you even investigated this?"

"My monthly salary is not for nothing," Amber spread her hands, "I have also investigated something even more astonishing. That Ms. Azalina was a mercenary under Byron..."

Gao Wen: "..."

He looked Amber up and down, even though he had seen the other party's intelligence capabilities more than once, at this moment he still couldn't help feeling a little amazed at his intelligence chief.

Some investigations don't really need to go that deep—he wanted to remind Amber that.

But this thing sounds too interesting.

He moved his upper body closer: "Tell me about it in detail..."

……

After returning to the Autumn Palace, Sir Gorosh summoned several advisors from the mission - including the Dragonmark Witch Azalena, of course.

In the spacious room with a style completely different from that of the north, the brilliance of the magic spar lamp dispelled the darkness, and the cool night wind blew from the window. The red-haired Azarena walked slowly around the four corners of the room, followed by As she walked past, the invisible magic power surrounded it and formed a barrier, and the shimmering "Dragon Seal Rune" flashed in the air.

"The 'secrecy' of this room has been completed." She returned to Sir Gorosh and several other advisers, and nodded slightly.

The dragon descendants believe in the sincerity and enthusiasm of the Cecilians for this "diplomatic activity", but they also believe that what humans have relied on to stand on this continent for so many years must not be just sincerity and enthusiasm-the necessary caution when going out Never superfluous.

"The Cecils came up with a lot of interesting things." Sir Golosh sat on a leather-wrapped chair, looking at the several consultants who were also seated, "I would like to hear your opinions on these things .”

"These things are valuable, there is no doubt about it," a middle-aged man with short brown hair said after pondering slightly, "it is true for us, and it is even more true for the Cecilians—they deal with us, It is necessary to seek certain benefits, but as long as the benefits are within a reasonable range, we can consider accepting them. After all, whether it is magic technology or alchemy potions, they are all good things, and commercial flows... In the long run, the Principality is also open An inevitable step behind the gate."

"Since His Majesty Balogar has decided to open the door to the human world, it means that he is ready for these exchanges. I think you all have no objections to this point," Azalena said, looking around My compatriots, "but what I want to remind is that when conducting transactions, human beings often do not expose all their expected profit targets. When you deal with a human being, he expresses that he wants to earn a copper plate from you. , then you have to be prepared that he has his eye on all the coppers in your pocket."

Sir Golosh frowned slightly: "You mean, what the Cecils want to earn from us in these business plans is not just money?"

"It's obvious—there are long-term plans behind these investment plans," Azalena shrugged, "They have invested money, people, and technology to open a factory on our land, which means they have already done a good job. In order to prepare to earn ten factories back, I have dealt with human 'businessmen', Sir Gorosh - magic technology and investment companies are new things, humans are not. But then again, who would How about dealing with a country that is forever shrouded in wind, snow and mountains without profit motives? So we only need to judge one thing: whether these plans of the Cecilians are worthwhile for Dragonborn.

"As for my personal opinion ... I have a lot of unease about all projects that involve resource development and engineering construction."

It's not the first day Sir Golosh and Azarena have known each other. He heard the meaning of the other's words, stroked his chin and said thoughtfully: "You mean..."

"The 'relationship' that the Cecilians want to establish has exceeded our expectations when we set off. We are only here to discuss the establishment of diplomacy and the opening of regular business channels, and they obviously want more-this part is not impossible to discuss , but I think it is necessary for us to report these details to Grand Duke Balogar first. Lord Gorosh, believe me, Grand Duke Baloger will be pleased with our timely report."

Sir Gorosh frowned slightly, but soon his brows relaxed.

He looked at the red-haired witch in front of him, and nodded slightly: "Then do as you said - use your ability as a 'Dragon Seal Witch' to contact Longlinbao."

Chapter 0848

Azarena came to a place in the room where no one would disturb her, and slowly opened her hands, releasing her innate ability.

Illusory flames emerged from the void, engulfing the figure of the Dragon Seal Witch bit by bit, the light and shadow in the flames swayed, and the imaginary rune imprints began to flicker one after another. Within a few breaths, Azalena seemed to have Merging with the flame, her red hair slowly fluttered, floating silently in the air like a fire, while a large number of illusory and deep voices appeared at the boundary between the fire and the world, and echoed more and more clearly in A In Serena's mind.

That is a "language" that ordinary people cannot understand, and it is a "spiritual energy echo" that only dragon seal wizards or dragon seal witches can understand.

Sir Gorosh and several advisors waited quietly, watching Azalena talk to another dragonmark witch far away in Dragon's Reach - when the flames stabilized, they knew that Barlow Grand Duke Geer is right next to the Dragon Seal Witch, and by now he should already know the "new things" that the Cecilians have brought out.

This process lasted for about half an hour, and then those illusory hovering flames gradually subsided.

Azalena exhaled softly, and fine beads of sweat rolled down her forehead. Obviously, it is not an easy task to maintain this kind of ultra-long-distance "spiritual energy echo", even the Dragon Seal Witch will wear it down. very big.

Sir Golosh waited gracefully for a minute, and took a step forward after seeing Azalena regain her spirits: "Duke Baloger responded?"

"It is correct that we reported in a timely manner. The Grand Duke affirmed this first." Azalena glanced at Sir Gorosh and the advisers, and nodded slightly. "The following are the original words of the Grand Duke:

"The Cecils are staring at our mineral resources, while we are staring at their magical technology and industrial products.

"The problem is that magic technology and industrial products can be continuously produced from academic facilities and factories, but steel and magic crystals will not continue to grow from the ground. Exchanging resources for industrial products contains huge risks and risks. long term loss.

"If the Cecilians open their factories to the Holy Dragon Principality, they will even use our ore to make machines and sell them to us at a higher price, which is not worth it.

"As for their many investment plans-it is beneficial to the Holy Dragon Principality from a certain angle, but if they are not properly controlled, the Principality will become a market and 'farmland' in the back garden of the Cecilians.

"In general, the Cecilians are both sincere and cunning. They may sincerely want to build a more prosperous and rich future, but in this future, they will be richer than others-a normal idea, and never In a sense, this instead shows that their diplomatic will is genuine and credible.

"Reject all investment proposals that are fully or highly controlled by Cecil, reject all projects involving basic industries, education, and resource development, and treat their railway investment with caution—we need railways, but they must be dragonborn railways .

"Dragonborn will agree to open regular business channels with Cecil, agree to send ambassadors and open civil exchanges. We can use magic crystal raw materials and magic knowledge to exchange their magic technology and industrial products. We are willing to use what satisfies them. Price Hire their technicians, everything can and must be clearly priced.

"On the basis of equality and sincerity, Dragonborn is willing to make Cecil a friend—including joining their 'Cecil Settlement Area'.

"The Cecilians will agree, Sir Golosh, the Duchy of the Holy Dragon is on the common border of Cecil and Typhon, and they value that 'settlement area' more than you think, as long as the Duchy of the Holy Dragon is willing to join them In the settlement area, many things are easy to discuss.

"In the end, every fortune the mountains bestow upon the Dragonborn has its value, use it wisely."

Azarena repeated the long passage, and finally took a breath after she finished speaking: "That's all, Sir Gorosh."

Gorosh listened to every word Azalena repeated with a solemn expression, and finally let out a long breath after the other party's voice fell: "Sure enough, His Majesty Baloger has a far-sighted and sharper vision than ours... "

"Human beings are more cunning than we think," a consultant couldn't help muttering, "I'm beginning to doubt their 'sincerity'..."