Age of Arcane

Luke smiled and drank the wine in the glass. At this point, he was sure that although Augustine wanted to kill himself, he had to endure the big pie he drew for him, no matter how uncomfortable he was psychologically.

At this time, there was a noisy voice outside the door, and someone shouted: "His Royal Highness, Your Majesty has ordered that no one should disturb his dinner with Lord Meteor."

"I have something important to report to my father, get out of the way!"

"I'm sorry, Your Royal Highness, you can't go in..."

The door was pushed open, and Agatha broke in regardless of the guard's obstruction.Seeing that Luke was safe and sound, she immediately breathed a sigh of relief, and then saluted Emperor Augustine: "Father, I'm sorry to disturb your meal!"

The guards also saluted and apologized.

Augustine looked at Luke and Agatha, and then said to the guard: "I don't allow anyone to disturb me, except my daughter. You go out, and don't allow anyone to break in."

The guards retreated immediately as if they had received amnesty and closed the door again.

Emperor Augustine said to Agatha: "You haven't eaten dinner yet... Sit down and listen to Meteor's views on the administration of the empire."

The atmosphere at the table was so harmonious, which was beyond Agatha's expectations.She came to rescue Luke just because of the bad news, and he didn't expect him to be very high.

There is a plate full of food in front of you!
The puppet waiter brought a chair for Agatha, set a set of tableware, and poured wine into the glass.

Emperor Augustine asked Agatha: "You said you have something important to report to me. What is it that makes you so anxious?"

Agatha, who hadn't figured out what was going on now, glanced at Luke first, and got a very relaxed smile.Agatha, who was even more puzzled, said to Augustine: "The Imperial Secret Service has just received information that a mission from the Tedgar Hills has arrived in the west. The annual harvest festival will be held in the Harmut Basin. During the festival, Minorities and lords in the west will bring caravans to the Harmutu Basin for trading.

Emissaries from the Celtic dukes would then meet with the chiefs of the parties.

In order to prevent changes on the western front, I think the empire should also send envoys to the west to participate in the harvest festival to appease the lords and minority groups. "

Emperor Augustine thought that Agatha was looking for an excuse to save Meteor, but he didn't expect the excuse to be so hardcore.

The western part of the empire is vast and barren, and the large grasslands and deserts make it difficult for the empire to manage this territory effectively.Therefore, the entire west is scattered with small aristocratic territories that even Augustine cannot determine, as well as nomadic minority groups.

Barbarians, orcs, goblins, sub-elves, halflings, dwarves... Sometimes they do business with the empire in a proper manner, and sometimes they turn into bandits and loot villages and towns in the west of the empire.

A mess of scattered sand cannot threaten the core area of ​​the empire, and Alec sits in the western region as a prince, so there is no need to worry about the threat from the west.

But the Duke of Celtic sent people to visit the western border of the empire at this time of the Harvest Festival, he must be trying to make trouble.

The empire must respond!

Emperor Augustine thought about it, and said to Agatha: "The Brotherhood of Blades still has great influence in the Western Region, and some nobles are even more conservative than the Celtics. It is only because their strength is too weak that they have been holding back." .

The envoys sent not only have to face a group of stubborn old men, but also uncivilized barbarians, and their lives are threatened at any time.

Any mistakes will affect the awe of the western tribes and lords to the empire, allowing Celtic to seize the opportunity to seek a breakthrough in the western part of the empire.

Do you have a suitable candidate for a visit? "

The direction of the war will not conform to the wishes of any party. While the empire is generally optimistic about the war on the southern front, the Celtic Duke of Tedgar Hill is also actively playing his own chess.

For a time, the not-so-important area of ​​the western border of the empire became a place that both sides wanted to fight for.

Although the second prince, Alec, was supervising the war on the western front, it would be too flattering for him to visit the clans in his capacity, and as a strong contender for the crown prince, he shouldn't take such a big risk.

Agatha, who had been prepared for a long time, faced Augustine's question and replied: "It is more appropriate for members of the royal family to deal with the noble leaders in the western region.

The emperor's grandson Sinclair should be the most suitable candidate, but the eldest prince Fania is unwilling to let him go to the southern front, and he certainly will not be willing to let him go to the more dangerous western border.

The second most suitable person... is me. "

Augustine the Great approved Agatha's proposal.

The nobles in the western region are old and stubborn. They guard the land left by their ancestors and live an unchanging life for hundreds of thousands of years.If an important minister of the empire like Gabriel is sent to visit, they will not care how powerful the chief minister of the empire is, they must first ask, "What is your title? Which ancestor has done any legendary deeds?"

They would only feel humiliated if they heard that it was a lord who had come and had paid for it.

Therefore, the best way to deal with those extremely conservative nobles is to talk family to family.

The Augustine family thought highly of them when they sent their princes, and sent a royal princess, who was also a conferred princess...the status was enough, and the deterrence was enough.

"Since you are ready to go to the western region, then select members of the mission to leave as soon as possible to represent the Augustine family to participate in the Harmutu Harvest Festival.

Let the barbarians and lords in the western region feel the grace and power of the empire, and let them not have delusions of fighting against the empire. "

Agatha replied: "Obey, father! I will set off for the west as soon as possible."

Emperor Augustine nodded and asked Luke, "How long will it take to prepare for the decisive battle against Leo at sea?"

Luke replied: "The Raging City Fleet and Cape Anti-Smuggling Fleet have received the first batch of first-class all-metal warships, and all warships have two sets of crew members alternately trained.

Three months later, the second batch of first-class all-metal warships was launched, and various war materials were also in place.At that time, the integrated fleet of Raging Waves City can mobilize 200 ships of various types to attack the Leo Navy.

Baron Jeff of Brilliant Island can also gather a sea mercenary fleet to impose a naval blockade on the Leo Republic. "

Agatha added: "The Imperial Secret Service has stepped up its intelligence collection on the Leo Republic. Leo has already sensed the threat from the sea and is hurrying up to rectify the navy.

However, Leo's all-metal warship technology is still not perfect, so it can only upgrade the existing warships defensively and strengthen the coastal defense system of important coastal cities.And because of the Restoration War launched by the Watchers, the funds that Leo can use for the navy and coastal defense are very limited.

Three months later, the strength of Raging Waves City's comprehensive fleet has a generational advantage over Leo's fleet.If the other fleets of the empire allocate warships to participate in this war, the empire can destroy all of Leo's achievements in the sea in one fell swoop, and will not have the strength to challenge the imperial navy for a long time. "

Emperor Augustine had read Luke's document, and obtaining the right to speak at sea was the basis for monopolizing trade.Whether the Golden Shield Empire can become a giant empire that has never appeared in the history of the world depends on whether this battle can cleanly defeat Leo, a sea competitor.

Even to deal with the imminent crisis, the Leo Navy needs to be defeated, so that the eastern part of the empire can be freed up to support other battlefields.

Emperor Augustine said to Luke: "During the time you were in the imperial capital, Rage City can still operate well, which shows that the Rage City Council and the Office of Government Affairs are an efficient and responsible team.

It will take about a month to visit the various ethnic groups in the western region.Take a look at your work plan. If there is no conflict with important events, you can follow Agatha as a deputy envoy to Harmutu's Harvest Festival! "

Augustine's sudden assignment takes Luke and Agatha by surprise.

Agatha immediately said: "Halmutu is far away and the traffic is not smooth. Many things in Raging City require Meteor to make timely decisions. It is not suitable for me to visit the Western Territory."

Augustine the Great asked Luke, "What do you think?"

Luke analyzed Augustine's intentions in his heart.

One month, whether it is long or not, is not short.It can let Emperor Augustine see that the timely decision of Raging Waves City without meteorites will affect the operation of the entire system; and avoid major problems that affect the overall situation.

If Raging Wave City continues to run without the meteorite, then Emperor Augustine can kick the initiator of the plan, and he will do it by himself.

If there is no Meteor in Rage City and there is a malfunction, then he can only continue to endure the unhappiness in his heart and let Meteor go to the abbot to implement the plan.

After figuring it out, Luke also wanted to investigate how the gang in Raging City would stand in line at critical times.The Innovation Society is expanding too fast, and sometimes it needs to clean up the white-eyed wolves hiding inside.

"Your Majesty asked me to follow His Highness the Eldest Princess to go to the western region, and I will definitely obey His Majesty's will."

Agatha looked at Luke, unable to figure out how he would agree to this matter, as if the atmosphere at the whole dining table was strange after she came in.

Agatha, who had a dinner, was full of question marks.

After the dinner was over, Agatha and Luke left together, and Emperor Augustine sat in his seat for a long time without moving.

Millscombe sent a signal to evacuate the hidden killers, and then asked Emperor Augustine in a low voice: "I need to conduct a mental examination on you to determine whether you have been affected by mental spells."

Emperor Augustine said after a while: "I wasn't enchanted, I was just shocked by the grand plan Meteor showed me.

It is hard to imagine what the empire will look like when his plan is implemented.That must be an unprecedented prosperous age, and greatness is no longer a blessing. "

"Is there no need to kill him again?"

"It's a pity to kill him, it's a pity! I hope he can return to the position he should be..." Emperor Augustine said with emotion: "Meteor and Agatha went to the Western Region for a month, let Gabriel use Divide the cities for the expansion of Raging Waves City as quickly as possible, and let the Raging Waves City Administration Office send me work reports every day."

Milcombe replied: "Yes, I will immediately send someone to convey your will to Gabriel Chief Assistant."

"Also, and most importantly..." Emperor Augustine said a little excitedly: "I must buy myself time for the whole plan, and such an empire must be created from my hands.

What I asked you to do, have you arranged it? "

Millscomb replied: "During the floating period of the palace, the shadow parasite research team all moved to the underground of the palace."

"Very well, some research cannot be carried out outside. The son, daughter and minister don't want me to live well.

Starting tomorrow, all imperial meetings will be cancelled, and I will recuperate my body and fight for the final experiment.All issues that require me to make decisions in the future will be sent to my room. "

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

At this time, Agatha and Luke were strolling in the open corridor, and insects could be heard from the gardens on both sides from time to time.

A troop of patrolling royal knights saluted Agatha, and then marched in formation.

"I heard that my father had arranged a killer in the restaurant, so I went to save you. But obviously I was the one who was embarrassed. What did you say to him that made him change his attitude so decisively."

Luke stopped and took a deep breath, looking at the empty and dark night sky on one side: "Our emperor has a paranoid attachment to power, so I'll let him see what greater power is?
This is his strongest point, but also his deadliest weakness.Facing the temptation he couldn't refuse, he chose to endure me. "

"Greater power? What power is greater than what he has been holding in his hands now!"

Facing Agatha's curiosity, Luke didn't answer.He left the corridor and walked towards the boundary, standing on the suspended terrace facing the starry night.

"Agatha, do you understand how ancient wars happened?"

Agatha didn't show any strange emotions because Luke called her name directly. She came to Luke's side and stood with him looking at the dark night, trying to understand his current state of mind.

"The strength of the ancient Shuojin civilization gave the Shuojin people blind self-confidence, and they launched an attack on the other four ancient civilizations, but the enduring war brought about the decline of civilization.

So far, none of the five ancient civilizations has emerged from the shadow of that war. "

Luke looked forward: "Now the mainstream thinking is all reflections on that war, but some people have thought about... what will the world be like if the Jin civilization succeeds?"

Agatha thought for a while and said, "I don't know. After all, it didn't happen. All guesses are just guesses."

"Yeah, all speculation is just speculation.

In my opinion, that ancient war was actually a struggle for the right to define civilization.The Shuojin people initiated that war, but they were fulfilling the responsibility entrusted to them by that era of civilization.Integrate the knowledge and artifacts of the five ancient civilizations, and push the world to the next era.

It's just that the Shuojin civilization failed!
Now a new era is in our hands step by step towards the peak, and the problems faced by Shuojin people in the past will also be faced by our era in the end.

And because the knowledge system we have created is more complex, there is more uncertainty about the direction of the new era.

But one thing is certain, the unlimited demand for production resources brought about by industrial production will inevitably lead to disorderly expansion.The result of being eliminated in this competition is enslavement and exploitation.

Give up thinking about the destruction of ancient civilizations... Prepare to fight a new civilization war! "