From Prisoner to Si Chen..

Chapter 417 Duke
"I'm a border prosecutor. You can call me Mahas Dele."

The bearded man spoke in pure Stuttgart.

This language is similar to Doro, but is more orthodox and closer to ancient Hiru.

The members of the envoy group were all elites from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, proficient in multiple languages, so they would naturally be able to understand.

The middle-aged bearded man put his hands behind his back and came to the front of the envoys. He said to the purple-eyed young man who was leading the group:
"I guess... you are Mr. Gillan Iros, who is known as the youngest and most outstanding foreign minister in Bremen's history?"

"It's just a compliment." Gillan replied modestly.

He reached out his hand.

But Mahas lowered his eyes and took a look, but just smiled and remained indifferent.

Seeing this, Jilan still kept smiling and silently withdrew his hand without any anger or embarrassment.

But behind him, Lanis, Moody and the other members of the envoy group all frowned.

They were envoys from Bremen who had come from afar, but the other side did not even observe the most basic etiquette... They turned a blind eye to the proactive goodwill shown by Foreign Minister Gillan.

There is something a little weird about this.

"Dear foreign guests, the higher-ups have recently issued a written order that border inspections will be stepped up for outsiders."

Mahas said expressionlessly.

"Even though you have special identities, you are no exception. Therefore, please cooperate with our work and follow the staff to the secret room for inspection."

"Heh." Moody sneered and said calmly, "I have never heard of such a high-pressure inspection of the envoys during a diplomatic visit between two countries...Are you deliberately making things difficult and humiliating?"

"Oh, sir, you misunderstood."

Mahas raised his hands in surrender.

He looked surprised and innocent.

"We definitely don't mean that. In fact, not only you, but all outsiders will undergo such inspections... This is by no means targeted, and it is certainly not meant to make things difficult or humiliate you."

Jilan noticed the dissatisfaction and resistance of the envoys, so he chuckled and said:
"Prosecutor Mahas, what if we refuse?"

"Then I can only say sorry."

The bearded middle-aged man shook his head.

Jilan leaned on his gray cane, adjusted his hat, and said calmly:
"This trip was a diplomatic protocol that Bhutan and Sri Lanka had negotiated in advance. It was delayed only because of a border inspection. Is Mr. Mahas willing to take responsibility for this?"

"No need to threaten me, Mr. Gillan."

Mahas shrugged.

"I am only following orders from above...How about this, I'll ask for instructions, and you guys wait here for a moment?"

"That's fine," Gilan said calmly. "Prosecutor Mahas, please hurry up."

The bearded middle-aged man nodded, turned around and led his men away, leaving the envoys looking at each other in bewilderment.

"The border officials in Stuttgart are too old-fashioned and don't know how to adapt."

At this time, a male member of the envoy group wearing glasses spoke up with an indignant tone.

But Moody on the side shook his head and said:
"It's not pedantic... He did it on purpose."

"Mahas can't be a fool to be able to serve as a border prosecutor. He also represents the noble power of the 'Iron Blood Royal Court'."

Lanis adjusted her glasses and said calmly.

"I'm afraid this is not his personal intention."

"We sent an envoy to Stuttgart right after Bremen and Owena went to war. The Eugene royal family and those noble forces could naturally see our urgent need for allies."

Jilan glanced at everyone and said softly.

He leaned on his cane and sat on the cold metal bench with a deep look in his eyes.

"Lenice is right. This is unlikely to be Mahas's personal attitude... but the power behind him wants to intimidate us."

"They said they were asking for permission from their superiors, but I'm afraid they were just leaving us hanging here on purpose."

"Sir, what should we do next?"

Another female member of the envoy group asked with a frown.

Gillan shook his head.

"Let's wait and see what happens. After all, we need help from others and are in a passive position."

Everyone fell silent.

As envoys of the Bremen Empire, they rarely suffered such a setback. But facing Stuttgart, one of the three major hegemons, their past glory and status had lost most of their effect.

The other party has enough confidence to take a tough attitude.

More than an hour passed quickly.

Mahas never came back after he left.

Everyone was getting impatient, but there was nothing they could do.

However, Commander Jilan was lying on a bench with his eyes closed, looking calm and peaceful. The members of the envoy group secretly admired him and were deeply moved, gradually calming down.

Another while passed.

There was a sudden knock on the door in the closed room.

Tuk Tuk.

"Finally back." Moody sneered and shook his head. "What takes so long to make a phone call?"

He made a gesture, and one of the emissaries stood up from his chair and went to open the door.

However, the person who came was not the bearded prosecutor Mahas, but a strange middle-aged man wearing a white silk robe and a round hat.

This man had a stubble beard and was holding a white jade cane. He had a noble temperament and was obviously a nobleman.

"My name is Hawkes Barbaroche."

The man walked in with two tall and strong servants and bowed humbly to Jilan and the messengers.

“It’s a pleasure to meet all of you friends who have come from afar.”

Gillan opened his eyes and slowly stood up from his chair.

There was a flash of surprise in his eyes, and he took off his hat in return.

"Hello, Duke Hawkes."

"I didn't expect that my name would be known by Foreign Minister Guillen. I feel really honored."

Hawkes smiled and took the initiative to extend his hand and shake hands with Gillan.

Of course Gillan knew this man.

In the intelligence files on Stuttgart, the 28 elders and 10 chief prosecutors of the "Iron Blood Court" are all recorded in detail.

He knew all this information clearly.

Hawkes Barbaroche is one of the elders and also a duke of the Stuttgart Empire, holding a high position of power.

The moment the other party showed up, Jilan instantly understood.

In fact, the two kings of the "Iron Blood Court" are not as harmonious as rumored by the outside world.

They may maintain a consistent stance when dealing with external parties, but internally, they restrict and oppose each other.

As a result, the "Iron Blood Court" was divided into two factions: the moderate faction led by "Sky King" Russell, and the hard-line faction led by "Ocean King" Amur.

According to intelligence, the hardliners currently hold the upper hand in Stuttgart. The subordinates of "Ocean King" Amur have the support of 18 elders and 6 chief prosecutors.

The Duke of Hawkes in front of him, however, is a member of the moderate faction and a loyal minister of "Sky King" Russell. "It seems that... the reason why Mahas responded indifferently to the arrival of the envoys may also mean that the hardliners behind him are resistant to Bremen's solicitation."

Ji Lan secretly thought.

At this time, Duke Hawkes, who had just shaken hands with him, looked apologetic and said, leaning on his cane:

"I am truly sorry, Mr. Gillan, and everyone else. Prosecutor Mahas did make some mistakes in his work and neglected you all. Please forgive me."

As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and pointed behind him.

"On behalf of His Majesty Russell, I cordially invite you all to enjoy a dinner in my territory as an apology. Afterwards, take a good rest and go to the royal city of Klein tomorrow to meet and discuss with my king. How do you think?"

"Thank you for your hospitality, Sky King, and thank you Duke Hawkes for coming to receive us personally."

Gillan smiled and spoke gently.

“We are happy to accept this invitation.”

"That's great, haha."

Duke Hawkes laughed heartily.

Soon, he held up his white jade cane, led the way personally, and led everyone out of the border inspection room.

The group walked out, but there was still no sign of Inspector Mahas.

Gillan asked casually, intentionally or unintentionally.

Duke Hawkes tilted his head slightly and replied:
"I have ordered Mahas to be detained temporarily. His dereliction of duty has seriously affected the image of Stuttgart and damaged the relationship with your country..."

After hearing this, the envoys' originally bad mood eased a little, and they also had a better impression of the Duke of Stuttgart.

However, Jilan thought of more in his mind.

Although the Duke's move can win their favor, it will intensify the conflict between the two factions within the "Iron Blood Court".

Gillan always felt that the next action would fulfill Miss Menis's divination.

It won't be so smooth...

...

...

The group boarded the carriage specially prepared by Duke Hawkes and headed northwest along the cobblestone main road towards the urban cluster.

Gillan noticed that the horses pulling the carts were taller and stronger than those in Bremen, with long manes, shiny black bodies, and powerful movements.

Through the description of the "Guidelines", he learned that this breed of horse was called "Iron-Blooded War Horse" and was a unique horse bred by the court breeders of the Stuttgart Empire through mysterious means.

Just from this glimpse, Gillan can see that although Stuttgart's technological level is not as good as that of Owena and Bremen, it is extremely unique in other fields, especially in the mysterious side.

Otherwise, it would not be possible to be listed as one of the three overlords.

The most crucial point is that Stuttgart’s military strength is particularly fierce.

It is recorded in the intelligence documents that the number of troops under the control of the "Iron Blood Royal Court" exceeds tens of millions based on what has been revealed.

And the overall quality of the soldiers is the best in this era.

The honor of the "Warrior Kingdom" has been passed down from thousands of years ago to the present day and has been well inherited by Stuttgart.

Moreover, the "Iron Blood Court" has another trump card in its hand, which is the "Temple".

The "Temple" entirely serves the Eugene royal family. It is an institution dedicated to the "Gladiators" of the March Hour, as well as the March Apostles and the ancestor of the empire, "The Invincible" Tessell Eugene.

Within it exist an unknown number of elite warriors, whose powers generally surpass those of mortal men.

Newborns are strictly selected and then intensively trained. They receive mysticism and special training to gain strong physiques and mysterious powers.

The executive force of the "Temple" is also known as the "Blade Hall Warriors".

The "Temple" only obeys the two kings, thus establishing the royal family's supreme status in Stuttgart.

Of course, one point that was highlighted in the intelligence also surprised Gillan.

That is, although the "Temple" obeys the royal family, it also has the right not to execute them... This confidence comes from the otherworldly superiors who have already ascended.

The priests of the "temple" have special means to communicate with their ancestors and listen to the voices of those above them.

The entire Stuttgart Empire belongs to the earthly kingdom controlled by the "Gladiators" of Sichen.

The will of the ancestors is naturally higher than that of the king.

These are the secret information that Jilan knows.

It's evening.

Everyone successfully arrived at the Dukedom of Hawkes.

This land is not far from the royal city of Klein and is guarded by Hawks's forces.

This system still follows the city-state system of Gudoro. The noble forces are like the Dukedom of Hawkes, surrounding the royal city like stars surrounding the moon.

Gilan led the envoys down from the carriage and was personally led by Duke Hawkes to a huge mountain manor.

"Mr. Gilan, emissaries, please follow me."

Duke Hawkes, leaning on his cane and accompanied by his servants, led the delegation onto the cobblestone path surrounded by flowers and bushes.

Not far ahead, there stood a rather magnificent stone villa.

The tall stone walls were covered with green ivy, the bronze gate was inlaid with exquisite patterns, and on both sides there was a row of statues of armored warriors wielding sharp weapons.

A team of fully armed guards, with swords on their waists, stood upright beside the cobblestone path and saluted Duke Hawkes with their hands on their chests.

Gilan and his companions saw lawns, gardens, sculptures, and fountains along the way. They also saw servants numbering no less than a hundred people, all wearing uniforms, and their gestures and movements revealed an aura that was not that of ordinary people.

"They all have the ability to be teachers or above..."

Jilan glanced at it and said to himself.

These servants are very likely to have received professional military training, and may even be directly recruited into the army to serve as squad leaders.

It was not until they entered the villa that everyone was amazed by the magnificent hall.

It can be seen that Duke Hawkes' family must have a long history in the Stuttgart Empire.

The Duke arranged for everyone to sit in the living room, and the servants served them snacks and tea.

But it didn't take long before the dinner carefully prepared by Duke Hawkes began.

The two sides ate and talked, and their relationship continued to grow closer.

"…Our Barbaroche family has been following the royal family in battles since six hundred years ago, and has made countless contributions."

Duke Hawkes sat in the main seat and toasted Gillan.

He had taken off his round hat, revealing his gray hair, but his weathered face still had a friendly smile.

"And our family, like other nobles, believes in the 'Church of Scars' and strictly abides by the Seven Commandments."

"Duke Hawkes, have you ever heard of the 'Tian Nie Cult'?"

Jilan returned the toast with tea instead of wine.

He asked the Duke casually while eating the fried meatballs with unique flavor.

"Of course..." Hawks said, sighing. "This is a cult organization, with the same roots as our beliefs. But they are too extreme and have tampered with the gospel scriptures without authorization. We do not approve of them."

After some casual chatting, Gillan got a lot of useful information from the Duke.

What surprised him was that there was a doctrine within the "Scar Church" called "The Sacrifice of the Firstborn"...

(End of this chapter)