Realm of Power

The ocean wind in May has become full of warmth, and the desolate limestone has been covered by a large expanse of emerald green. The blue waves hit the cliff, making bursts of roaring sounds and speckled marks, which are gaps in the cliff. The seabirds rise and fall in the sky, the summer atmosphere is full, and the sea breeze blows on the face, giving people an intoxicating feeling.

This is Castle Rock in the Barrow region of Central Europe

Castle Rock was originally a prison on a cliff by the sea. Thousands of years ago, the Feiya dynasty suddenly fell apart overnight, and various forces rose up. All the prisoners and guards of the prison on the cliff escaped, and as a result, this building was completely destroyed. The prison built of solid stone gradually became the center where local people lived. As more and more people gathered, Locke Prison became Rock City, in order to resist the plunder and oppression of nearby forces, built its own local garrison. Over the next three hundred years, as the forces of the Barro countries in Central Europe gradually took shape, Rock City in order to express its own history It has a long history and has existed alone thousands of years ago, so it was changed back to its original name, Castle Rock, and this was the name of the force.

Different from other Barro monarchies in Central Europe, Rock Castle is too small, only thirty or forty miles away, with a population of only more than 200,000. Rock City is controlled by the Locke Condominium, and the core of the Condominium is a group of people. Known as the Medici family, the Medici family has always been famous for their generosity. The management of Castle Rock is not harsh, and they encourage commerce and vigorously develop trade. The armaments are also complete. Castle Rock, with a population of more than 200,000, has three A standing army of ten thousand people

Therefore, although Castle Rock is quite inconspicuous among the Barrow forces in Central Europe, it cannot be ignored. But now, someone has sent a threatening letter to Castle Rock.

Looking away from the white seabirds rising and falling on the cliff in the distance, La Prentas, the contemporary patriarch of the Medici family, stood on the white marble balcony and handed a document in his hand to the butler behind him, his eyes sharp and captivating. , asked angrily and funnyly, "What is the origin of this Sunrise Chamber of Commerce? How come I have never heard of this chamber of commerce in the big chamber of commerce of the Business Alliance? I am so crazy that I sent someone to send a letter." They say that our Fort Locke owes them 1.5 million imperial gold. If it is not repaid, extraordinary measures will be taken. What does this Sunrise Chamber of Commerce think of Fort Locke? At the beginning, the Hungarian cavalry did not dare to invade our Fort Locke. It’s just a Sunrise Chamber of Commerce. What a big tone. Go check this chamber of commerce immediately. If you don’t punish it properly, even cats and dogs will be able to bully us in Castle Rock.”

"Sir, although I have never heard of the Sunrise Chamber of Commerce, if what is said above is true, then we may really owe them money!" The butler took the unknown letter, glanced at it, and his pupils He couldn't help but tightened up, his face hesitated, and he hesitated to speak. "Wally, do you know what it means to say this?" Laprince's face sank slightly. "Sir, we seem to have come from the empire." The bank loaned a total of 1.5 million imperial gold. "The butler whispered from behind with an ugly face, sweat beads on his forehead. "Of course I know that we owe the Imperial Bank 1.5 million imperial gold, but that's The Imperial Bank is not the Sunrise Chamber of Commerce!" Laprince snorted and interrupted the butler. He narrowed his eyes into a line and looked at the undulating white waves on the blue sea in the distance. Come on, he said with a sneer, "So what if the Imperial Bank transfers this debt to the Sunrise Chamber of Commerce? We don't admit it. I want to see what the Sunrise Chamber of Commerce can do to us! This is Castle Rock! Back then, even Hungary No one dares to cross the border of Fort Locke. What kind of business chamber is this cat and dog like Sunrise Chamber of Commerce? ""Spread my words, if the Sunrise Chamber of Commerce is When people come, throw them into the sea, once, twice, and twice. Don’t they want money? Then come up to me and say it first!” Laprince’s mouth turned up. With a slightly stern look, he is very domineering. After all, he is also the head of the Medici family. He still has this momentum. A small chamber of commerce that does not know the so-called also wants to regard itself as an existence like the Imperial Bank. It is really crazy! "Yes, sir!" Butler Wally frowned slightly and lowered his head to answer. Although he felt that there were some problems in his heart, it would not be a good thing for the Sunrise Chamber of Commerce to take such a debt from the Imperial Bank, but The head of the house has said so, so let’s do it this way. The head of the house is going to show off to that Sunrise Chamber of Commerce!

But yes, the owner of the family has been holding this breath for a long time! When you find an opportunity, how can you not send it!

The Barrow countries in Central Europe finally seized the opportunity of the Empire's annual meeting to force the Empire to agree to return the port, but they were still persuaded by the Empire that they could return the port, but they must buy back all the facilities in the port. This can be regarded as a plan. The Barrow countries in Central Europe are in a terrible situation. The value of a port's facilities ranges from hundreds of thousands to millions. , and the period given by the empire was extremely short. Even the famous Medici family could not come up with such an amount of money at one time. In the end, they sold off several large properties and sold iron and steel to collect 1.1 million. gold, and borrowed another 1.5 million imperial gold from the Imperial Bank to buy back the two large docks in Castle Rock.

The wealth of the Medici family was almost wiped out at once, which hurt their vitality. Not only did the recovered ports not make money back, but because the empire vigorously developed the Feishan area on the sea, a large number of merchant fleets and cargo merchants were snatched away. Seeing that the port's trade volume had been reduced by half in a month, the head of the family, Laprince, ordered on the spot that the subordinate who signed the agreement in the Imperial Capital be arrested and thrown into prison, which somewhat calmed the dissatisfaction within Castle Rock.

As the head of the Medici family of this generation, Laprince's talents are definitely not bad, and Barro's reputation in Central Europe is quite high. Not only is he connected with the royal families of various countries, but the Medici family is known for its generosity. Namely, under the Golden Bullet Offensive, it also attracted powerful countries such as Rilla and the Kingdom of Ebers as a military alliance.

Even the Hungarian Rebellion that convulsed the entire Central European Barro, most of the Central European Barro was a bloody mess, with refugees everywhere. However, Locke Castle was unscathed and prosperous as usual. It was a miracle. It was not that the Hungarians did not come, but that When he came, he just passed by quietly without disturbing Castle Rock in the slightest, not even his name. The Hungarian military prime minister, who can scare people to death, also gave Castle Rock more than 300 pieces of valuable art, royal portraits, etc. collected from royal families of various countries. Everyone's glasses were shattered on the floor. In Hungary, In the eyes of the Italians, these are all worthless things, and the Medici family likes to collect art, which is well known throughout Central Europe.

This is all due to the power of Laprence, even the Hungarian military minister is willing to make friends with him. This Medici family head, who is not outstanding in appearance, does understand the survival of a small country. Under his management, Castle Rock is Among the Barrow countries in Central Europe, it was the only region that was willing to treat the Hungarians as equals. It was also a neutral force that was willing to give considerable protection to Hungarian merchants during several turmoils.

Although Castle Rock is not big, it has two ports to the sea. The Kingdom of Hungary is a landlocked country with no outlet to the sea. A large number of exports of specialty products and imports of iron ore and other war preparation materials rely on the port of Castle Rock. With this, the Hungarians will not embarrass Castle Locke. Otherwise, taking Castle Rock would only gain some wealth for Hungary, but it would lose most of its income from trade. Therefore, although everyone knows that Castle Rock has a military alliance with the Hungarians’ old enemy, the Kingdom of Rila, Hungary also deliberately ignored this point

The Hungarian military minister even issued a strict order: Anyone who steps on the edge of Fort Locke will die!

The plundering Huns pried away the proud golden walls of the Anthea Palace north of Castle Rock, but they didn't even kill a single sheep in Castle Rock, which was just around the corner. It can be seen that Castle Rock's position in Central Europe is not strong, but it is not a country that can be easily provoked. It belongs to that kind of hornet's nest. If you fight it, it may lead to the existence of a bunch of allies.

The Hungarian Rebellion was a catastrophe for other Central European Barrow countries, but it was a windfall for Castle Rock. Refugees from all over the world poured into Castle Rock, including many skilled craftsmen and artists. Castle Rock For a time, it was regarded as a safe haven in the turmoil, and a large amount of money also poured into Castle Rock. The Medici family took this opportunity to soar into the sky, although Castle Rock was not. Royal system, but the Medici family’s property accounts for more than one-half of Castle Rock. It is not an exaggeration to say that Castle Rock belongs to the Medici family. After the Hungarian rebellion was put down by the empire, Castle Rock suddenly became The economic and artistic center of the Barrow region in Central Europe, with a population of more than 600,000, is proudly called the art capital by the Barrow people in Central Europe. The construction of it by various countries requires the financial support of Castle Rock.

Just ten days ago, a letter was delivered to the Medici family. After reading the content of the letter, even Laprince's good temper almost made him angry.

Laprince's rule of Castle Rock was lenient, but laxity did not mean weakness. On the contrary, the Medici family's armaments were not bad, and the soldiers in the army were all professional soldiers. Now, a company named Sunrise Chamber of Commerce The small chamber of commerce actually claimed that Castle Rock owed them 1.5 million in imperial gold! Castle Rock is required to repay the loan after ten days as agreed, otherwise special measures will be taken!

How come Castle Rock is a force, a kingdom-level existence that even the empire must recognize, and it also has a well-equipped standing army of 30,000 people. A small chamber of commerce dares to jump out and say that special measures will be taken against Castle Rock. He, Laprince, really wants to Look, how the other party takes special measures against you!

In the port of Castle Rock, large and small ships rise and fall with the waves. Although it is not half as good as it was in its heyday, as the first commercial port in the Barro region of Central Europe and also the capital of art, it is still attractive to merchants and nobles. , the white sails are densely packed together, as if the dense white clouds in the sky are reflected on the sea, without any gaps.

The Coral Sea, which was originally turquoise and transparent, now turned white. Merchant ships were docking in an orderly manner, unloading large amounts of materials, and then transporting large amounts of raw materials or works of art. Especially those merchant ships from the distant southern Europe, carrying the precious metals of southern Europe, use this place as a must-stop stop. Because of the neutral status of the Medici family, even the enemies of the empire will not After being investigated, heading west from Fort Locke and over the mountains is the southern area of ​​Congo, so that they can avoid the close inspection of the Imperial Navy.

Among the densely packed merchant ships, some larger merchant ships were very eye-catching. Following the order from the Medici family, the port also stepped up inspections. Although Laprence was full of contempt for the Sunrise Chamber of Commerce, he also A large number of guards were deployed at the port to prevent the Sunrise Chamber of Commerce from making small moves.

These soldiers were wearing white mail and were distributed in straight lines, patrolling the port back and forth. They carried knight's swords and carried shields on their backs, exuding a biting chill under the sunlight. Among the soldiers standing guard, there were several mobile sentries, all with the Medici family coat of arms on their shoulders. "What's going on today, so many guards?" The merchants on the port also noticed Something was wrong with the situation. The Medici family's loose rule meant that the army was usually stationed outside the city. Unless there was unrest within the city, the army would not enter the city. "Sunrise Chamber of Commerce... what is that?" "This ridiculous little chamber of commerce really doesn't know how big the sky is, and it actually threatens the Medici family of Castle Rock." "Do they know what threatening Castle Rock means? It's said to threaten the entire Central Europe Barro." It's not an exaggeration! ""You probably don't dare to come, you will be thrown away if you do. "Into the sea!" As some inside information leaked out, the merchants on the dock all looked sarcastic, weird, and talked in low voices. Everyone thought that the Sunrise Chamber of Commerce was crazy. Compared with the Medici family, Sunrise The Chamber of Commerce is simply a little ant clamoring to challenge an elephant, which is as ridiculous as

Towards evening, almost at the same moment, two large merchant ships flying special flags appeared on the sea outside the port, and the pier immediately began to commotion, "Oh my God, it is really the Sunrise Chamber of Commerce!" It’s really hard not to recognize this sunrise The Chamber of Commerce actually came! "The people on the dock looked at the red sunrise on the flags of these two large chambers of commerce, and were suddenly surprised that the name Sunrise Chamber of Commerce was so clumsy that it was still used. They had such a dirty Chamber of Commerce flag, and what made the businessmen’s eyes twitch the most. , the silver Libra flag of the Business Alliance that should have been the main flag, was pushed to the third row. The one in the first row was the Sunrise East, and the second one was the golden Libra. The flag of the Imperial Bank, and thirdly the flag of the Commercial Alliance, if the Commercial Federation When the top leaders of the alliance see it, they will definitely criticize it severely. The Imperial Bank is indeed powerful, but it has not climbed to the top of our business alliance. What's more, if you put your own chamber of commerce flag above all other flags, what's the point? Why join a business alliance? If you have the ability, just go for it! "Notice above that the ship from the Sunrise Chamber of Commerce is here!" Port guard captain Yerusha's eyes were shining with excitement. He looked at the two merchant ships that had sailed into the dock, and a sinister smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. It said that everyone was going to be thrown away. To go to the sea, Fort Locke has not done this for some years. A large number of garrison soldiers rushed towards the docking position. As long as the people above came down, they would immediately arrest them.

The people on the boat seemed to be aware of this. They waited until the merchant ship stopped and the people on it didn't get off. "Ignore them, rush up and throw everyone down!" Jerusha ordered loudly with a fierce look, and a small merchant also Dare to provoke The Medici family, if they don’t let the sea turn red today, they will not do it. The soldiers rushed towards the merchant ship crazily, with long swords in their mouths, and they pulled the rope with agility and climbed up, "Long! Long! Long!" "At this moment, there was a heavy shock The sound of movement came from inside the two large merchant ships, as if something was moving. Then in full view, the window panels of the four middle cabins on both sides of the merchant ship's bow and stern were opened from the inside, and there was a sound of scraping iron chains. Then everyone saw black metal round barrel mouths exposed from behind the baffle. These barrel mouths slowly faced downwards. The luster of the black metal was full of mystery in the sunlight. "What is it?" Everyone asked I was stunned.

Are the people at Sunrise Chamber of Commerce crazy? Why launch something like this! Did he think we were rabbits? It’s so funny! "The crowd burst into mocking laughter. Everyone wanted to see this joke that was teasing the Chamber of Commerce. It was indeed a joke to tease the Chamber of Commerce. Do you think that showing off two merchant ships would be enough to make you feel confident! In front of the Medici family who control Castle Rock, What's this!

Suddenly, a businessman's eyes changed when he looked at the black iron cylinder. His face suddenly turned pale. He squeezed away from the crowd, turned around and ran away. He ran so fast that he even fell down and was covered in blood. He got up, without even wiping, and continued running forward, as if he had seen a ghost, "Rian Luoduo, you are crazy, why are you running!" The companion next to him looked puzzled,

I only heard a trembling voice coming from the distance, "It's the God of Thunder, that's the God of Thunder of the Imperial Navy!" "The God of Thunder of the Imperial Navy?" The smile on the corner of the companion's lips suddenly solidified, "God of Thunder!"

"Crash!" The surroundings suddenly exploded. Looking at the black downward-facing Thor cannon, everyone felt a chill rushing to their foreheads. They did not expect that the two merchant ships would bring out the Thor. Looking carefully, it was not That thunder god on the Imperial Navy battleship that makes people afraid to look directly at him! As businessmen, they have seen the God of Thunder, but not so close.

"Imperial Thor! Oh my god!" "Oh my god, run, I don't want to die!" There was a cry of exclamation and panic. It exploded. At such a close distance, they were right under the running mouth of the Thor. The onlookers were all shocked. It's a mess, rolling and crawling The crowds collided together, and some people directly chose to jump into the sea. These two merchant ships, each with four doors, were the eight-door Thors facing the port below. At such a close distance, one shot was enough to smash them to pieces. ! Not to mention these ordinary people, even the Medici soldiers who were climbing were so frightened that they dropped the rope and ran away. Yelusa, who looked proud just now, even twitched under the muzzle of the eight Thor cannons. paralyzed on the ground,