A Tale of Strategies For the Throne

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 joltingly, sat upright on the seat, looked up at his house with an expression of 'I'm a good baby' Your Highness.

Seth, the dark-skinned battleship general, was also sitting in a state of distress.

He sat upright, straightened his body, put his hands on his knees, and had a face in block letters with a solemn expression.

Compared with these two people, Keyhos seemed much more casual. He leaned on the soft sofa, propped his side cheek with one hand, glanced at the two people who were seated, and smiled .

Garlan, who had changed his clothes in the side room, came out, and Seth, who was already sitting upright, tightened his shoulders even more, and seemed a little nervous.

Garlan 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 waist, and presented it to Garlan respectfully.

This afternoon, after he was interrupted by the prince to report to the death and was reprimanded, he returned to the room where he handled official documents in a daze.

He sat there blankly, and he didn't know how long he sat there. He only knew that his mind was blank, and he didn't know what to do next.

At this moment, he suddenly heard a creaking sound.

He lowered his head subconsciously, and saw a little black mouse slithering up from the ground onto the table, standing in front of him, squeaking at him non-stop.

He removed a thin copper tube from the little mouse and got the note.

After seeing the words on the note, Seth's eyes that were as dead ashes suddenly lit up.

His whole body was like a dying person who suddenly came back to life.

For the next time, he locked himself in the room, didn't say a word, didn't talk or even go out to eat, and he didn't answer anyone knocking on the door.

In the eyes of others, it looks like he has completely despaired and given up.

Seth waited patiently until late at night, when the little black mouse came back to look for him, and then, led by the little black mouse, he arrived at Prince Garland's residence.

Garlan who took the note turned around and put the note in the lamplight, watching it burn to ashes.

Seth looked at the side face of the prince illuminated by the fire, and opened his mouth with some doubts.

He said, "I don't know how you found me?"

The blond knight lounging on the sofa chuckled, and he 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 that had already climbed onto his shoulder with only a small head sticking out squeaked, as if asking for credit.

Seth was stunned for a moment, and he remembered the scene in the afternoon when Keyhos almost pushed him to the ground and made him look extremely embarrassed, and suddenly realized.

He thought it was the punishment that Kyhors had imposed on him for his disrespect to the prince, but he didn't expect it to be...

"Seth, you acted recklessly."

The corner of the one-eyed knight's eyes raised, and his gaze on Seth suddenly became sharp.

"If you act rashly on that occasion, you will not only harm yourself, but also your Highness."

Even if he just sat there lazily, the world-famous man known as the knight of the scorching sun exuded a kind of coercive power.

"Don't you know that doing so will bring a lot of trouble to His Highness?"

The man knelt down on one knee again.

He bowed his head deeply and put his hand on his chest.

"Your Highness, please forgive me for my reckless actions."

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 approach you, so this afternoon is the only time I can talk to you."

"Taka? Admiral of Tozeth?"

"Yes, that's him," said Seth, "and he's also the brother of the merchant Bertola."

"Bettola..."

"It is the owner of the house you are in now."

"...Brother, no wonder they look a bit alike."

Garlan's words stunned Tal, who was sitting there obediently, and immediately remembered what His Highness had asked him in the afternoon.

At that time, His Highness asked him, did he think that person looked familiar?

He suddenly called out softly.

"Your Highness, did you say that you looked familiar this afternoon because you thought that Taka looked like the businessman Bertola?" The little fat man scratched his head and said, "I really didn't see it."

Kayhors next to him chuckled.

"Have you ever moved your eyes from His Highness's face to someone else's face?"

"Your Highness is beautiful, of course I have eyes to look good!"

Tull answered with confidence.

Kayhos, who was rarely choked by Tal once: "..."

It was so reasonable that he couldn't refute it.

Garlan ignored his two subordinates and muttered to himself.

"...A military-business collusion is really a common occurrence."

"It's not that simple, Prince. I wouldn't risk my life to report to you just to such an extent."

Seth, who was kneeling on the ground, looked up, his face was not pretty.

"The warships you saw this afternoon are only part of the fleet, and there are more..."

Having said this, he paused.

"You didn't see it."

"what do you mean?"

"According to the configuration of the Aaron Landis Navy, each fleet must have at least 30 warships and more than [-] naval sailors, but the current situation is not the case. Take my Eighth Fleet as an example, now it only has [-] Many warships, and less than [-]% of the sailors."

Kayhos, who was lazily leaning on the sofa, sat up and stared at Seth sharply.

"If the military resources and personnel are insufficient, it must be reported to the Military Affairs Administration immediately."

"No, Your Excellency Kehoes, whether it is the list of warships or the list of soldiers, the number is sufficient."

There was a trace of coldness in Keyhos's eyes.

"You mean, the commander of Tozes, Taka, 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 the most is the despicable behavior of eating empty salary and drinking the blood of soldiers.

"As you said, those warships that have been abandoned are registered. As warships that are still in use, many soldiers are also forged lists..."

Seth nodded.

"Your Highness, my fleet and I were transferred here from Port Alwan two years ago. Because I refused their offer, I and my fleet have been excluded. Although I tried my best to ensure The fleet under his command is complete, but their power is too huge... I have to give in and keep silent about it."

A look of shame appeared on the man's dark face.

Garlan thought for a while, then asked: "In other words, the other fleets are also the same, and the number of warships and soldiers are faked by [-]-[-]%?"

"No, Your Highness, as the price for my silence, I managed to guarantee [-]% of my fleet's manpower, but the other two fleets... they are guarding against me. I don't know the specific status, but I have seen it visually over the past year. Yes, I am afraid that the number of real warships and soldiers is less than half."

As soon as the brown-haired general finished speaking, the whole room fell silent.

Even Tal showed a look of shock.Although he doesn't understand military affairs, he has a high talent in mathematics, is very sensitive to various data, and has a good memory, so it is often found that Shemuer, who has this talent, is doing financial calculations. Catch and help.

Therefore, he vaguely remembered how huge the tax revenue of Tozes, the largest seaport of Aaron Landis, was.

And of the one-third of the tax revenue left to maintain the navy every year, nearly half is actually embezzled.

After being quiet for a while, Keyhos sneered.

"This residence is really magnificent. I'm afraid it is already comparable to the castle of the Lord of the City."

Garlan lowered his eyes, his thin eyelashes cast shadows on his fair face, he seemed to be thinking about something.

After a while, he raised his eyes to look at Seth again.

"Seth, the power you mentioned that even you have to succumb to...does it refer to the owner of this house, and several other big businessmen from Tozes?"

"Yes, Prince."

"Impossible, it's just a mere merchant, how could it be possible to have that ability."

Tal couldn't help but interject.

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 merchants with the same status as ordinary people could control such a large city.

"That's the truth, Prince, those few big businessmen almost take over [-]% of Tozes's business, they are rooted here, and their power is all over the city."

Seth continued, "I have heard rumors that Taka's brother Bertola spent a huge amount of money to get him to sit in his current position. As for the truth of this rumor, I'm not sure. But, Among the navy, most of them are probably their people. Bertola and several other big businessmen often let the navy escort their caravans."

Garlan raised an eyebrow.

"In other words, the city of Tozes spent the country's tax revenue to help those merchants raise a private fleet?"

Although it was in a joking tone, the meaning in those words made Seth's heart tremble, and he lowered his head and dared not say any more.

After another moment of silence, Garlan nodded.

"I know for now, Seth, you go back first, it won't be good if those people find out after a long time."

Seth raised his head sharply, staring at Garlan closely.

"Prince, we can't let them go on like this anymore! Please do whatever you want—"

"I see."

Garlan reached out and patted the loyal general on the shoulder.

He smiled at it.

"Seth, it's been hard for you for the past two years."

"I……"

Seth opened his mouth, as if his throat was blocked by something, he stared blankly at the gentle gaze of the prince, all the bitterness, forbearance, anger, and struggle that had been suppressed for too long in the past two years surged out in an instant His heart was blocked in his chest so that he could not speak.

After a long while, he finally made a sound with 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."

Garlan smiled, then sighed slightly.

He said, "But, Seth, I'm sorry, I'm afraid I will wrong you next time, because of what happened in the afternoon, I'm afraid they will do something to you soon, but I can't help you, please forgive me."

"Please don't say pardon, Prince."

Seth leaned down again.

This time, he willingly dropped to his knees.

He bowed his head to the young prince, pressing his forehead to the ground.

"On the contrary, it was me who actually thought of questioning your impoliteness. I am extremely sorry for that..."

He said hoarsely,

"...and, extremely ashamed."

…………

After Seth left, Tar blinked and looked at Garlan.

"Your Highness, when did you realize that something was wrong with those guys?"

"last night."

"Huh? We just arrived in Tozes last night. Did you notice it at that time? What happened?"

"Last night, at the reception banquet of the executive government."

Garlan 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, at the dinner party I went out to get some air and saw something that made me really weird."

Garlan continued.

"The businessman named Bertola is giving orders to a clerk, and he is still in a habitual manner... Although the clerk is only a low-level official in the Consulate, this already makes people feel very wrong. "

"Later, I observed carefully and found that the attitudes of those merchants towards the consul were very casual, and even, in their relationship, it was Betola who played the leading role."

"Moreover, during today's inspection tour, the Consul continued to say good things for those merchants."

Having said that, Garlan stopped and looked at Kaihos.

"Kayhors, didn't the Supervision Bureau arrange spies or supervision history here?"

he asked.

Keyhos thought for a while and replied.

"Maybe it has already been bought, Your Highness, the Supervisory Office was established after His Majesty took office, and its main focus is on several big cities bordering the Gashu Kingdom in the north and the Islamic State in the east. I'm afraid it is more relaxed here. "

Because Aaron Landis faces the sea in the south and is a small country with only a few islands, there is no big country that can threaten the safety of Aaron Landis.

Because of this, in Aaron Landis, who is famous for cavalry, the navy has never been taken seriously.The main role of the navy is to prevent pirates and protect the harbor.

"I see, that's all for today, you should go back and rest."

Both nodded and stood up.

Tal suddenly touched his head.

"It always feels like we've forgotten something."

Keyhos snorted.

"Seems to be."

Garlan also pondered.

"That said, it seems that I have indeed forgotten 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 Tal at the beginning was still lying face down on the cold floor, motionless.

It looked really pitiful.

"Kayhors, how long will your drug keep her unconscious?"

"At least for 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 caught it when she fell unconscious and tore it apart."

At that time, he dropped the little pill that Keyhors had given him into the wine, and the girl leaned over after finishing her drink. As soon as she grabbed his clothes with her hands, the effect of the medicine broke down, and she naturally fell forward.

At that time, her hand was still tugging on the clothes on his chest, so, with a snort, his clothes were torn.

He was stunned for a moment, and Tal rushed over.

"I see."

Tal rubbed his head, and smirked a few times in embarrassment.

………………

The night passed, and the sky was already bright.

Because of the master's order, no one came to bother me when the sun was high.On the soft and wide bed, there were two people sleeping soundly.

Not long after, the black-haired girl opened her eyes. She had just woken up with a somewhat lazy expression, and her half-opened and half-closed red phoenix eyes added a bit of charm to the girl's pure face.

And her lazy sitting posture showed more and more beautiful body curves, and her lustrous and moist honey-colored skin, if there were others around, they would definitely look straight at her.

It's a pity that the only person in the room who can see this beautiful scenery is still sleeping.

The girl rubbed the corners of her eyes and became more awake. When she lowered her head, she saw the young prince lying on his side and sleeping soundly. His long golden hair was reflected on the snow-white bed, and his skin was as fair as a cloud. , with exquisite eyebrows and eyes, red lips and white teeth, she was so beautiful that she lost her mind for a moment.

She couldn't help but reached out and touched the prince's side cheek. The skin was so tender and tender that she was a little jealous.

Although she has seen a lot of men of all kinds by her father's side over the years, this is the first time she has seen such a young boy.

When she thought that this young and beautiful boy was her prey, and she was also a noble prince, she couldn't help but licked her red lips with her tongue because of an indescribable excitement.

What a pity.

She looked at the sleeping Garlan and thought regretfully.

Last night, she probably drank too much at the dinner party, and then she drank a few more drinks to create an atmosphere after entering the room, and she passed out without knowing it.

What a waste of a rare opportunity to eat this little prince.

But she is not in a hurry.

Although the prince was young, he obviously couldn't resist her allure.

Sooner or later he was in his own pocket.

The girl thought so confidently.

She looked at the sleeping Garlan, bent 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 get is the best way to arouse men's minds.

So, after leaving a mark, the girl got off the bed lightly 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 didn't see the girl. Thinking that she probably left by herself, he left her behind, yawned and stretched, and then walked slowly down 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 somewhat messy sleeping hair, brushing it behind his ears, then walked over and opened the door.

A tall blond knight stood at the door with a smile on his handsome face.

However, when he saw Garlan, Kaihos was slightly taken aback, and then the smile on the corner of his mouth grew wider.

"Your Highness."

He seemed to be suppressing a smile, and pointed to Garlan's right cheek.

"You'd better go wash it, or Tull's going to cry again."

Confused, Garlan raised his hand to wipe his cheek, looked down, and saw a blush on the back of his hand.

He hurriedly went to the mirror to have a look, only to see that there was a scarlet lip print on his cheek that he wiped a part of, and it looked more red against his fair complexion.

He was just staying there, a hand stretched out from the side, and patted his shoulder lightly as if to comfort him.

"Thank you so much, Your Highness."

Keyhos stifled a laugh.

"It's all due to the incompetence of the subordinates and the poor appearance, so I have to wrong you to go to the battle in person to make a beauty trick."

Gallan: "..."

Beauty plan?

Who is that so-called beauty referring to?

Pooh.

You are the beauty and your whole family is beautiful!

The little prince angrily ran to wash his face.

…………

........................

At the same time, it was also at this time that the sky was already bright, and Mistress Taputi welcomed a guest she was very familiar with in the prince's palace.

Prince Garlan went to the southwestern seaport city, and King Kamos went to the east. Prince Heymos stayed in the palace due to illness, and happened to be in charge of the royal city.

Once a person who was not very sick in the past got sick, the disease would be fierce. Therefore, Heymos had to rest for several days before he recovered.

"His Highness Garlan is not in the palace right now."

Mistress Taputi looked at Heymos who came to the palace suddenly this morning, and said so.

Generally speaking, Prince Heymos usually only came here for one purpose, but now that His Highness is not here, why is he here?

The female officer was a little puzzled.

Heymos stared at her.

"I'm coming to find you."

"what?"

"I want to ask you, before Garlan left, did you leave any message for me?"

"……No."

talk?

What's your message?

Taputi, who felt puzzled by Heymos's question, shook his head decisively.

"........."

Heymos fell silent.

As soon as 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 it was 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 Heymos's slightly sharp eyes and straight nose bridge, his thin lips were pursed, he turned his face sideways, and the ends of his hair moved accordingly.

His eyelashes drooped to cover half of his eyes. He didn't say anything else, turned around and left, walked past the fountain of the statue of the Lady Luck, and quickly disappeared into the courtyard.

In the courtyard, Mistress Taputi stayed where she was.

The moment Prince Heymos turned his back, she inadvertently caught a glimpse of his slightly rolled eyes.

That look inexplicably gave her a kind of... er... as if... a little wronged?

.........

It must be because she was worried that the prince who was traveling did not sleep well last night, so her eyes were blurred today.

Ok.

That's it.