I will be crowned king

Just as the cold wind howled at midnight, the Beluga Harbor Council's dinner was barely halfway through.

A dazzling array of delicacies filled the long tables on both sides of the hall. The colorful waiters held cups of colorful wine on the trays. Musicians who stepped on the beat played cheerful tunes in the corner. Countless butter candles Packed in an exquisite glass container, the star-like light makes the shadows invisible.

In a blur of dreams, the guests in bright clothes exchanged glasses and danced on the carefully polished floor... The carnival appearance made it impossible for people to imagine what kind of disaster this city had just experienced a dozen days ago. There are still nearly a hundred homeless families setting up tents in the square to receive relief food.

But no matter what happened, even if death was announced in the next second, it would not prevent the colonial "nobles" from enjoying this decadent carnival at the beginning of the new year.

As for the food shortage, the upcoming taxation, the independence war that has not yet been completely ended...these things that really matter life and death have been completely forgotten.

Of course, when they are drunk, they will still talk about some "important" things, but they will definitely add a tone of disdain, full of ridicule, jealousy and resentment.

"I heard that Reinhard Roland has agreed to a marriage alliance with the Frey family and is planning to hold a formal wedding after the New Year... It's really shameful. That poor lady, she's not even fourteen years old this year!"

A very drunk Hongshouwan representative took advantage of his drunkenness and shouted loudly at the dining table: "Could it be that this is an ancient tradition of wealthy families, preferring young girls?!"

"There is also the Ysel female elf with pointed ears and a slender figure, and the head of a wealthy family with a noble temperament that does not match his age." The MP from Black Reef Port raised his glass and smiled: "Don't forget our great Governor of Sail City, And the great savior, the Commander-in-Chief of Beluga Harbor!”

The two looked at each other, were silent for a brief moment, and then laughed wildly.

"Look at them, this is our amazing alliance, so vulgar!"

Looking at the figure who was laughing unbridled, Long Lake Town Speaker Hollande shook his head and walked to Polina Frey: "I know my words may be a little offensive, but compared with this kind of person, I am more Tends to be loyal to the Empire."

"Not at all, I understand your mood very well." Polina, who was holding the wine, said with a bitter smile:

"Fortunately, the Confederacy has some more upright friends."

"For example, Anson Bach." Speaker Hollande looked at the Frey girl with a thoughtful look: "You know, I have heard some rumors about the relationship between you and the Commander-in-Chief..."

"You also said that they were all rumors."

Polina rolled her eyes and interrupted the speaker of Long Lake Town mercilessly: "Commander-in-Chief Anson Bach is the benefactor of the Frey family, Gray Pigeon Castle and the entire Free Confederacy. For him, when my sister and I were at the end of our rope, Frey can’t repay the helping hand he extended!”

"Yes, of course I know this, but..."

Speaker Hollande paused deliberately, and his expression became more and more meaningful: "Promoting Beluga Port as the capital of the Free Confederation...even if it is to repay a favor, it is a bit exaggerated. What do you think?"

"Not to mention some religious rumors that have been very popular recently. I personally have no comment at all, but if a small group of caring people hear it, they will probably think that this is... a foreshadowing of what is about to happen, right?"

Hollande leaned down slightly and gradually moved closer to the girl as he spoke.

Facing those disgusting eyes, Polina tried her best to maintain her demeanor and asked pretending to be ignorant: "What exactly do you want to say?"

"What I want to say is clear to you as smart as you." Speaker Hollande smiled and raised his glass:

"It is more appropriate to resolve matters within the Free Confederacy within the Free Confederacy; do not let certain family relationships and heavy favors affect your judgment... regarding the flag of the entire Free Confederacy."

Polina's face darkened.

The other party obviously wanted her to guarantee that she would not agree to that ridiculous suggestion, which she certainly didn't want to do, but if it was really what Anson Bach wanted, what should she do?

The current status of himself and Gray Pigeon Castle is entirely dependent on the support of the Storm Legion. It is not an exaggeration to call them "vassals"; if a conflict of interest really breaks out, it will obviously be very detrimental to the Frey family.

But if he refuses, Chang Lake Town will definitely publicize this matter, suppress the status of Gray Pigeon Castle in the Confederacy, and further marginalize himself, who is already a low-profile person.

So...what should I do?

Just when the girl who was pretending to be calm was in a state of confusion, the words of Clerk Alan Dawn suddenly sounded in the hall:

"Commander-in-Chief of the Ice Dragon Fjord Legion, Army Brigadier General, Sir Anson Bach is here!"

The moment the words fell, the entire hall fell silent.

The congressmen of Beluga Port, the missionaries of the Promise Keepers League, wealthy businessmen from other places, representatives of various colonies, military officers... everyone seemed to have heard the most incredible thing in the world, and tacitly turned their shocked eyes towards the howling cold wind. The door crashed open.

Before Speaker Hollande could react, Polina, who was feeling anxious, breathed a sigh of relief and quickly hid in the crowd next to her. She pursed her lips tightly and looked up at the figure standing in the center of the door, clenching her hands in excitement. Got the pink fist.

In the quiet air, only the melodious music is still echoing in the hot air.

Wrapped in the cold wind outside, Anson Bach, dressed in a general's military uniform and a military coat, walked into the hall as if there was no one around, looking leisurely at a pair of eyes that were either shocked or excited.

The crowded guests seemed to be receding from the tide, automatically making way for him; even Paulina Frey, who originally planned to step forward, was squeezed away by the surrounding crowd, and could only watch Anson walk to the center of the hall.

When the crowd dispersed, only the lonely figure of Baron Akers remained in the center of the hall.

The colonial treasurer knelt down on the hard and cold floor with a "Plop!", his trembling hands slowly stretched out towards the figure who was getting closer to him, his expression was like that of a fanatical believer praying to the gods.

The next second, a faint smile appeared on his "god" face, and Baron Akers burst into tears with excitement; the entire hall held its breath, waiting for the moment when the savior embraced his followers.

Then...he walked over.

As if he hadn't seen the figure crying with joy at all, the smiling Anson walked straight past Baron Akers without even looking at him.

The fanatics who were kneeling on their knees froze immediately, motionless in place like sculptures; the melodious music also came to a rest, and even the temperature in the hall seemed to be a bit colder.

Walking to the podium, Anson, with his hands behind his back, smiled at the musicians. The latter immediately understood and quickly cleared the place to make room for the Commander-in-Chief.

A few minutes later, Anson slowly turned around and faced the people who were still at a loss as well as Baron Akers, who was still kneeling with his back to him. He took a deep breath:

"Dear gentlemen, and beautiful ladies, I have exciting news to announce to all of you here."

"But before that, I must clarify an important truth to everyone, a truth that has been circulating in Beluga Harbor for a long time and there are still various rumors today."

"That's what happened during the long night that made us all anxious more than ten days ago!"

At this moment, the already petrified Baron Akers body trembled violently.

"In the past three weeks, I have heard many rumors - evil gods, demons, rings of order, saviors... From word of mouth, Beluga Harbor seems to have experienced a terrible catastrophe, almost in the pagan and the terrorist existence they believed in were destroyed in one fell swoop!" Anson shook his head:

"But the truth is not as rich and exciting as everyone imagines. On the contrary, the truth is actually very simple."

"A large-scale indigenous tribe took advantage of the snowstorm to launch an attack on Beluga Harbor. Unprepared, we almost caused the entire city to fall completely overnight."

"At the same time, Ice Dragon Fjord also encountered a very rare severe storm. The huge waves not only completely destroyed our port, but even left indelible marks on the cliffs on both sides; the two men stationed at the port The infantry regiment also encountered attacks from sea creatures - scary, but not 'invincible' monsters."

Anson deliberately emphasized the wording: "The brave soldiers of the Second and Third Corps can prove that those 'monsters'... let alone shooting, it is not difficult to eliminate them even with bare hands - Alexey Dukas Lieutenant Colonel Ji, is that so?!”

"yes!"

An extremely loud voice immediately sounded from the crowd in the audience: "Your Excellency, Commander-in-Chief, you are absolutely right."

Facing the pairs of eyes that suddenly turned to him, Alexei's expression was unparalleled and firm, making it impossible to see any trace of lying: "Those 'marine creatures' are very fragile. Our soldiers only need to pull the trigger, and they can easily A pine tree can kill dozens or hundreds of them.”

But if there are tens of thousands or even billions of fragile creatures, that's another matter... The commander of the Second Infantry Regiment complained in his heart.

"So, the only real threat to the safety of Beluga Harbor is the terrible indigenous people." Anson, who cooperated with his subordinates in a tacit understanding, smiled lightly and changed the topic back:

"The bad weather caused the army to lose its command. Although the soldiers of the Storm Legion were fighting bravely, it was still difficult to resist such a large scale of indigenous warriors - because Beluga Port is a large port colony with a population of tens of thousands, and the colony The legion only has five thousand people.”

"If it's a frontal battlefield, we don't need to be afraid of any enemy, but in such a chaotic situation, quantity is the key to everything."

"Fortunately, we survived and prevented Beluga Port from falling into the poisonous claws of the indigenous tribes." Anson said expressionlessly:

"There are no evil gods, no legendary devils, no monsters that prey on people...there are just a massive attack by indigenous people and unimaginably bad weather."

"What saves you is not the glory descended by the Ring of Order, nor is it a savior with a special mission, but our soldiers - our loyal soldiers and the officers who led them, who heroically defended this place. A city!”

"This...is the truth of the whole incident."

There was silence.

The guests looked at each other, then at Baron Akers who was completely stunned, and at the expressionless Anson Bach on the stage, not knowing what to say.

"So...what's the good news?"

Just when the entire hall fell into deathly silence, a graceful figure walked out of the crowd.

Holding the wine glass that was still warm, Polina Frey, who seemed to have realized something, raised her eyes and looked up at the new figure that seemed slightly different from her memory:

"Your Excellency, Commander-in-Chief, you just said that you have some good news to announce. What is it?"

"This good news is exactly related to what happened just now."

Smiling Anson looked around and punched, and shouted loudly: "The reason why the colonial army was able to resist the attacks of the indigenous tribes, in addition to the brave soldiers fighting bravely, there is another key factor - that is, the soldiers who were in the city at that time In the foreign military camp, there are 10,000 shooting soldiers who are being trained and on standby!"

"It is precisely because they were the first to discover the enemy and blocked the main force of the indigenous tribes, buying enough time for the Storm Legion to assemble, that the losses caused by this catastrophe did not exceed our ability to bear."

"Everyone, this fully proves one thing, that is, when the indigenous people accept our culture and our beliefs, they can also fight for us, fight for the colony and the Ring of Order!"

"More importantly, their ability to endure harsh environments is far beyond ordinary people, and they are better able to adapt to the terrible climate of the new world than our soldiers; in weather conditions like that night, they can also insist on fighting as usual. This is It’s something that an ordinary army would never be able to accomplish.”

"Frankly speaking, I had doubts about this in the past; but now, the ironclad facts are before us." Anson said solemnly:

“If we want to completely conquer the New World, it is not enough to just colonize more land, stuff the indigenous people into farms and mines, and humiliate and enslave them at will; our conquest should not just stay at the substantive level, but should extend to beliefs. ,culture!"

"Open your arms to the indigenous people, persuade them to give up their heretical beliefs, join the Free Confederation or other colonial rule as a free person, and worship the Ring of Order - this is what we should do."

"The Shooting Army... they will not only be part of the Storm Legion, but also a force that defends the entire new world and changes us all. They will be the sentinels and walls of freedom in the new world!"

"The bell of the 102nd year of the Saint's Calendar has sounded. Let us abandon the noose imposed on us by the old world in the past and create a new world that is different from the past and belongs to us!"

Went out for a drink with friends and just came back - luckily, still relatively sober.