I will be crowned king

Northern Chamber of Commerce, Clovis Branch, VIP Reception Room.

As evening approached, Philippe Rolland, who was standing by the window smoking a cigar, looked at the street scene that was about to sink into darkness, frowning slightly.

Well, mostly because there really isn’t much to see.

Thick gray fog enveloped the sky, and snow mixed with dust dyed the streets black. Pedestrians passing by in a hurry walked on the straight and dirty streets without any twists and turns. There was almost no difference in style or even color in their clothes. The clothes are mainly dark-colored, and the carriages that occasionally pass by are all manufactured by the factory. Even if they are not the same brand, the difference is just the signage and some decoration.

Such a scenery... let alone the emperor's Xiaolong City, any manor inherited by a certain earl for two or three generations can leave it far behind.

Obviously, once the Clovis people could not copy the excellent and ancient culture of the empire, they immediately lost the ability to create beauty, and could only use their wealth to roughly pile up the simplest shapes; what they called "township apartments" and "high-rise buildings" "Hotel" is one of them, like a toy house made by an ignorant urchin with a few cardboard boxes - even more crude.

However, this extremely rough nation has created wealth that far exceeds that of the empire... Philip Rolland, who has lived in Clovis for many years, knows very well that the wealth created by this dirty and crowded city in one day is very small. It may be something that Snapdragon City cannot match even in a year.

It was for this reason that he finally decided to put his chips on Anson Bach, or the New World Company behind him: Compared with his enemy the War Department, this young brigadier general who returned from the colonies obviously knew this place better. The real source of vitality of the city can also bring greater benefits to the Northern Chamber of Commerce.

On the other hand, this is the benefit of being the president of the Northern Chamber of Commerce and a strong competitor for the next generation heir of the Roland family.

There is a small problem with doing this: no matter how much wealth they have, he and the Northern Chamber of Commerce are still a group of foreigners in the eyes of the Clovis people; as foreigners who interfere in the politics of other countries, the fate and consequences of those who are from the Roland family Of course he knew it.

What's more important is that as the heir to the Roland family, Philip, who has been in charge of the Chamber of Commerce trade all year round, has accumulated a lot of contacts, but he has few allies within the empire.

As for wooing the Clovis forces to compete for family inheritance... Philip could only dare to think about this kind of thing. Even if the Osteria royal family really nodded in agreement, he would never dare to accept it.

If you want to compete with your brothers one day, you will almost certainly suffer a loss, until...

"Mr. President, your guest is here."

"Please come in quickly!"

Phillip spoke without any hesitation, threw the cigar out of the window with his backhand, closed the window, and took the initiative to greet him with an enthusiastic expression.

Accompanied by the respectful summons, Alexey Dukaski walked into the reception room with an uncomfortable expression on his face, and very impatiently pushed away the waiter behind him who wanted to take his hat.

Looking at the military boot marks left by the young officer on his high-end carpet, Philip did not show any concern. Instead, he poured wine and smiled at the other person: "Please sit down, Lieutenant Colonel Dukaski - you're welcome." , just like at home.”

At home... The other person's words and names brought back many not-so-good memories for Alexei, but when he thought of his responsibilities and mission, he restrained himself.

"With the blessing of the Ring of Order, it is a great honor for me, an incompetent person, to meet such an outstanding person as you." Philip, holding two glasses of wine, almost had flattery written on his face:

"When I was outside the court today because time was too urgent, I could only exchange a few words with Brigadier General Anson Bach. I actually forgot to say hello to you. It is really rude - I have asked the chef to prepare a dinner. I'm a bit apologetic."

"Uh...ahem...well, there's no need to apologize or anything like that."

Pushing away the wine glass offered by the other party, Alexei puffed up his chest and said, "President Philip, you should know the reason for my visit today, right?"

"Of course it's very clear." Philip, with a slightly raised corner of his mouth, placed the wine glass on the table without any care: "I have abided by the agreement and will do my best to help the Storm Legion clear their names."

"You must have seen the movements during the day today. It is no exaggeration to say that if the police on Whitehall Street and the royal family had not intervened, the momentum outside the court would have been even greater that day."

"That, that's true..."

Thinking of the scene he saw at that time, Alexey couldn't help but twitch his mouth; he must admit that once he decides to cause trouble, the power of the Northern Chamber of Commerce cannot be underestimated, and it is no less powerful than Clovis like Franz. The wealthy family in the city - even more terrifying.

"In addition, more than a dozen newspapers invested and sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce have also written many articles that are beneficial to the public opinion of your army." Philip looked at the other party deeply: "As for the specific effect, I think this is a little subjective. The concept is not easy to calculate, but at least it won’t have any effect at all.”

"Now...it's time for you to fulfill your promise, His Excellency Alexey Dukasky."

Under the meaningful gaze, Alexei pursed his lips tightly, with a tangled expression as if he was in a state of war between heaven and man.

Seemingly seeing through the other party's unspeakable secret, Philip smiled: "Actually...if you don't want to do it, I won't force you. After all, this is a deal with the Storm Legion. Even if you want to find someone to repay the debt, Anson "Brigadier General Bach is far more suitable than you, so..."

"No need!"

Alexey directly intercepted the opponent and took a deep breath: "I have made sufficient preparations. You can send someone to contact the Dukaski family now and say..."

"...I...well, I've figured it out."

After the words fell, Phillip could no longer control the smile on his face.

Yes, that's what he wants.

Alexei hopes to win over the support of the Northern Chamber of Commerce for the Storm Legion, but the problem is that the New World Company already has shares in the Roland family, and pure trade can no longer win over the other party, so greater benefits must be provided, or in other words ...What you can give is what the other party wants.

What Philippe Roland wants is an ally, to be more precise, an ally within the empire... The Dukaski family, and the Fire Knight Archduke Wolf behind it, are his targets.

Successfully brokering the marriage between the heir of the Dukaski family and Grand Duchess Lilith of Wolfe... Such kindness was enough to gain Philip a Grand Duchy as an ally in the competition for the family heir.

……………………………………………………

Putting on the coat given by the maid, Anson anxiously walked through the west corridor of the living room and came to the door of the smoking room. When he saw the nameplate on the door, he even doubted whether he had gone in the wrong direction.

As a private place for the upper class of Clovis to entertain guests, the owner of the house usually reserves the most remote small room on the inside of the house for use. The reason is of course that it is private enough, and the smaller space can also give people a sense of security. , more suitable for two or three people to put down their guard and devote themselves to the conversation.

As for why it is a smoking room... basically all Clovis nobles, or male nobles, are addicted to smoking. According to their origins and family background, they are divided into two camps: pipes and cigars. A few people like to smoke cigarettes in order to please the middle and lower classes.

The Imperials despised this and regarded their addiction to smoking as a unique bad habit and symbol of barbarism of the Clovis people - they usually entertained distinguished guests in their wineries in the countryside.

The location of the smoking room in Franz's residence is quite secretive, but according to Anson's own observation and estimation, the room is almost the same size as the living room - could this be the uniqueness of the Franz family, who like to hold meetings in the smoking room? An important meeting with more than a dozen people?

If this is the case, we can understand why Sophia Franz is so keen on power and titles: Smoking rooms are usually not open to women, and it definitely feels bad to be the target of rejection by the whole family.

While complaining in his heart, Anson knocked on the door, and soon the voice of the Archbishop came: "...Please come in."

The voice was slightly breathy, as if he was busy talking to someone at the same time... Ansen couldn't help but frown slightly, and after a moment of hesitation, he pressed the handle.

The moment he opened the door, a vast expanse of darkness came into view.

As expected, the smoking room was very empty, so empty that it looked like a corner of a library; at the end was a round table with many chairs crookedly arranged, and the walls on both sides were covered with black curtains. Completely covered behind the wall.

Behind the few walls that had only been pulled open were bookcases piled with countless books, folders, and cardboard boxes of various sizes, and the Bishop was still trying to open the rest - yes, that's why Anson listened. There was something strange about his voice.

"Find a seat and sit down first. Don't worry too much." Luther Franz said lightly, but his voice was obviously rough, and beads of sweat could be seen on both sides of his temples.

Obviously, the Archbishop of Clovis Cathedral does not often have the opportunity to exercise in person.

After hesitating for a second, Anson gave up the urge to step forward and "help", walked to the round table, picked a chair on the outside and sat down, his eyes still cautiously locked on the back of Luther Franz.

As more and more curtains were lifted, some "interesting" things began to appear on the exposed bookcases; with the body strengthened by the blood of the Holy Grail Knight, Anson, who was sitting in his original position, could clearly see List of book titles above: "Answers on the Principle of the Difference Engine, Twenty Years Before the Saints", "Firewood, Whale Oil, and Coal", "A Public Lecture on Mathematics, Eighteen Years Before the Saints", "Reply from the Saints Ten Years Ago: Why Boiling Water Is a Creative Deed"...

After a quick glance, he found that the contents above were basically related to the research of difference engines or steam cores; and the naming methods above immediately reminded him of something.

Drafts and Autograph Letters of St. Isaac.

Anson's heart thumped. Since the forty-seventh year of the Saint's Calendar, any act of privately collecting documents and materials related to Saint Isaac is tantamount to apostasy; even if you are an archbishop...

No, it should be said that just because he is the archbishop, if he is found to be secretly collecting these things, it is almost equivalent to the diocese openly provoking the Holy See; if not, it is not impossible to trigger a sectarian schism war again.

So, why did Luther Franz specifically “show” his collection to himself?

"call--"

Heaving a long sigh of relief, the old man wiped the sweat from his forehead and walked slowly towards Anson: "I haven't taken these things out for so long that I have forgotten how much exercise it is - the last time I did this , it seems that I didn’t come in person.”

Ansen laughed twice and did not dare to speak.

"Okay, now you must be wondering and cursing me why I want you to know the existence of these things." Luther Franz said in a deep voice: "It doesn't matter, you don't have to admit it, it just involves certain things. There is no need to pay too much attention to rituals that have been passed down for a long time."

"...ritual?" Anson raised his eyebrows and asked tentatively:

"Something to do with...Saint Isaac?"

"So you have also found Isaac Rand's notes. From the tone of his voice, it seems that there are more than one." The old man narrowed his eyes slightly, and sat on the chair opposite Anson slightly tiredly, resting his right hand on the chair. Sitting at the table: "With your personality and the way you do things, it's not surprising that you can do this."

"Yes, this ceremony has some connection with Saint Isaac, but after more than fifty years of vicissitudes, there is only a slight connection left; what Isaac Rand spent his whole life doing Research has come to an end at the moment of his death; so far, the so-called 'progress' and the so-called 'development' in the ordered world are just the inheritance inherited by unscrupulous descendants."

"But...at least his spirit, the spirit of breaking authority and unwilling to accept the status quo, has not completely died because of the end of the second public order meeting; there are still some people who are tirelessly pursuing the future imagined by the fanatic, the one he himself It cannot be accurately described in words or words...'the fourth way'."

Luther Franz said expressionlessly, word by word: "Some of these people pursue wisdom and are eager to turn theory into reality; some are eager for change, so that the world will not remain in an unchanged tomb. Meet your own end.”

"They gathered because of confusion, were united by ideas, and were firm by faith... They were just a group of angry and confused voices at first, but after having their own unique program, they gradually found the direction they wanted to move forward."

Along with those words without any emotion, Anson's expression gradually changed from stunned to shocked, and he continued to move rapidly towards disbelief.

But Luther Franz did not stop, he continued:

"Anson Bach, welcome to the chaotic center of the world of order..."

"Welcome to the Truth Society!"