The Collection of The End

——Marvel, 2015——

Ocean planet, Cyrodiil Empire.

This is a small country sandwiched between the East China Sea Empire and the South China Sea Empire. Its race, culture, and customs are exactly the same as those of the four major empires. When its residents call themselves "empires", almost no one can tell the difference.

Its territory is divided into two parts by the "Great Rift Valley". Its capital and only city, "Epiclotheia", is located at the angle between the coast and the rift valley. The terrain is steep, easy to defend and difficult to attack. The only road into the city was under the firepower of the siege equipment on the city wall.

No matter how talented a commander is, if he wants to capture it, he must be prepared to suffer ten times or more battle losses, and these losses are enough to make his family's influence in his own camp plummet.

However, the citizens of the Cyrodiil Empire do not see it that way. When someone asks whether they are not safe enough to be caught between the two empires, they will say -

"We are the orthodox ones! The four great empires are all traitors and traitors! Cough cough cough!"

The shouting and cursing came from a small two-story building that looked like a clinic in a civilian area of ​​the city. Several passers-by who were startled by the sound turned around to look. After discovering the direction from which the sound came, they shook their heads and turned away.

"Oh, mother-in-law, please don't be so excited. Do you want some water?" In the small building, Donna Strange, who was wearing a brown sarong and a yellow scarf, quickly supported the old woman in blue robe who kept coughing, and gently Pat her back.

"I think that I did not inquire about the origin of this thing in the empire, but came here to look for you, which has made my position clear." Stephen Strange, or Xia Xia, who was wearing Nord chain mail Locke continued in a gentle tone.

"Oh, if you do that, you won't have a chance to see me. Those traitors have been looking for it for a long time." The old woman snorted and looked at the things on the table next to her.

It was a roll of thick cloth with a black and gray background and an invisible golden pattern painted on the corners. One side of its edge was smooth and flat as if it had been cut by a sword, while the other side seemed to be torn apart by violence and exploded. The burrs and threads make it difficult to tell what it is at first sight.

"I heard it's called the 'Certificate of Overlord', and there are seven of them in total," Sherlock responded: "If you get one of the seven, you can become the overlord of a party."

"Do you still need it to support yourself as an 'overlord'?" The old woman touched the roll of cloth and looked up: "The reputation spread throughout the East China Sea Empire, and even other surrounding countries heard about it, and they all offered olive branches." Sir Stephen Strange?"

"I'm just an adventurer, and my subordinates are just a group of volunteers," Sherlock said, "and I don't intend to join any of them."

"Oh? Why?" the old woman stared at him and asked.

"I have studied the 'code' of this continent and found..." Sherlock touched his chin: "The interests of the common people under the same rule of the king and the lord are in conflict."

"Does it still need to be studied?" The old woman sneered.

"No, I'm not talking about tariffs, taxes and conscription, but there is something wrong with their behavior." Sherlock waved his hand and continued: "The king will enact laws that are harmful to the long-term development of the towns and villages under his rule, but can increase the short-term interests of the nobles. decision-making, and the city lord will ignore the security and development under his rule, forcibly build urban facilities that are only beneficial to himself, and will not replace them no matter how slow the progress is."

"...Please continue." The old woman was silent for a few seconds, then raised her hand to signal.

"The most incredible thing is that at this time, Tamriel was experiencing frequent wars. Border cities were occupied by other countries, and it was common for villages to have control of villages taken away. However, the lords would not hesitate to plunder a few days ago. The villages, caravans and villagers still belong to their own country, as if they had wanted to do so for a long time, but were restricted by the right of ownership." Sherlock spread his hands: "Without exception."

"So, if you are the king, what solution do you have? Issue a decree to prohibit these behaviors?" The old woman's expression became more serious, but she still disagreed.

"This matter cannot be solved. The rules agreed between lords should be like this. As long as there is a reason and as long as there is an opportunity, we will not consider history or worry about the future." Sherlock replied: "I can control myself, but there is no way. Change their minds.”

"Then what else-"

"But," Sherlock interrupted before the old woman tried to raise her hand to chase Donna away: "I have a way to prevent this situation from happening."

The old woman stopped and waited for him.

"As long as there are no 'other lords'," Sherlock said: "If a kingdom only has the king's family and the mercenary family, then it will not promulgate strange policies because of the game between the king and the lords, nor will it rob Take away the people who have belonged to you in the past or will belong to you in the future.”

"Naive," the old woman commented: "Although those trash are always bad, their combat effectiveness and the army they lead are real. No matter how strong a family is, they cannot fight against a country alone."

"I can," Sherlock replied.

"..." The old woman wanted to refute reflexively, but seemed to remember the overall combat effectiveness of the "Strange Family" and hesitated again.

"Hey, Xia...Stephen," Mycroft Strange walked in wearing a complete set of imperial plate armor but without a helmet: "Your reputation is really great, King of Cyrodiil. Martin Septim just sent a messenger, saying that he wants you to be his vassal, and you will be given a castle and two attached villages when you join the office, what do you say?"

Although he was asking what to say, he seemed to have no intention of answering, as if he already knew the result.

"It seems that Cyrodiil only has three castles in total? If you give it to me, you will deprive the other lords of it, right?" Sherlock shrugged: "To avoid conflicts between their monarchs and ministers, refuse His Majesty's kindness for me."

"okay"

"...You have great ambitions," the old woman looked at Sherlock: "This choice will be very difficult. Have you really thought about it?"

"Otherwise I wouldn't have come to you," Sherlock looked at the old woman: "The former emperor of the Kalad Empire, the only female member of the Tiber Septim family army, 'White Willow Bark' Instiana Miss."

"Huh... this title..." The old woman, or rather, Justina, shook her head sadly: "Unfortunately, now I am just a verbose old woman who treats the neighbors."

Sherlock remained quiet, waiting for her to collect herself.

"'Cyrodiil' is the capital province of the Kalad Empire, and 'Epiclothea' is the royal city of the empire, and what you brought is the earliest part of the Kalad Empire when it was founded. "A corner of the dragon flag," Instiana said slowly, "It's not that the person who obtains it can become an overlord, but only by becoming an overlord can he be qualified to obtain them. Those who obtain them through opportunism will not end well."

"So, what is its specific use?"

"When you occupy a city and are willing to restore the glory of the Kalad Empire, you can send your adjutant to come to me." Instiana straightened her back: "We will let those traitors and rebels know that in the beginning, The old guys who have gathered under this flag to accompany Tabor to conquer the world are not done yet!"