You and me under the world tree

At the time of the trial, thunder flickered in the sky, and then the thunder stone sword, which symbolized the god of thunder, was bestowed.

This scene is enough for witnesses to remember, even miss for a long time.

Also because of this, many people feel that Siegfried should build temples and sacrifice to the gods, which can also expand his influence and unite the people.

This is not some random nonsense, but it is also true in a sense.

In Midgard, the belief and worship of the gods penetrates to the bone.

If the wind does not adjust and the rain does not go well, or even a natural disaster occurs, people's first reaction is definitely not a natural change, but a punishment from the gods.

In the same way, if one encounters something lucky, or the harvest in a certain place is excellent, people's first reaction is the protection of the gods.

Even the strong ones who have made great achievements are the same.

People don't even care how hard they try.

It may be because of various thoughts in their hearts, but instead they put more attention on the "adventures" and "favors" that the strong, heroes and brave get.

The general public is not necessarily priests of the gods, but they must be potential believers of the gods in private.

Because the influence of the gods in this human world has already penetrated into every corner.

There may be some people who are dissatisfied with the "inhumanity" occasionally displayed by the gods, but deep down they have no direct disobedience.

And as long as you please the gods, you can let the gods give their favor, protect the kingdom, and make the Netherlands better.

Generally speaking, the courtiers' thinking is definitely correct.

However, Siegfried is obviously not an ordinary person.

So for such a seemingly ordinary proposal, it must be rejected.

As for the reason, he also decided after thinking for a while.

"It's not that time yet." He said, "We only assisted the Goths some time ago, and a few months ago, the plague made the people of our kingdom miserable."

Siegfried wouldn't be stupid enough to just refuse or swear.

There is only one method for him, and that is to drag.

"In fact, for now, the funds of the national treasury have been flowing, and a considerable part of it must support the construction of the Burgundy region."

This is indeed the case.

Because now, although the books of the entire Kingdom of the Netherlands are not beyond their means, there is very little money that can really be saved.

Because it is necessary to cultivate monsters and train the army of monsters.

It is also necessary to support the palace minister Hagen to build Burgundy.

Coupled with the odds and ends of disaster relief, the Netherlands really couldn't come up with any other extra money.

"Let's talk about these things later."

"Yes!"

After hearing Siegfried's order, the courtiers who stood up before also returned to the ranks.

And looking down at the courtiers in front of him, Siegfried finally just sighed.

Now is not the time...

As much as he wanted to say those things directly, he wanted to say publicly: We don't need to fear the gods.

But now is not the time.

After the court meeting dispersed, Siegfried also got up directly from his throne.

Then, he walked slowly towards his own inner hall.

However, when he returned to his study, he saw a figure that surprised him.

"Ha, long time no see, kid."

An elderly man with blue skin was holding a wine glass and laughing there.

"Lakin! Why are you here?"

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_(:з」∠)_

The second is probably at night, when I wrote

Chapter 20: Alberich's Surprise

In Siegfried's short life, there were two people who had a profound influence on him.

One is the sage Huoder who comes and goes without a trace now, and although he has a fixed residence, he is often away from home.

And the other was his dwarven adoptive father.

The former taught him ideas and knowledge, and subtly established his current main thinking and cognition.

The latter used practical actions to tell him that he cannot simply use so-called hearsay and traditional cognition to measure others.

dwarf……

This race known as 'greedy' and 'cunning' in Midgard is also willing to sacrifice everything for their love.

Siegfried will never forget that in the underground world of the Jura Mountains, this dwarf was willing to use his small figure to block him.

At the same time, he will never forget the origin of his adoptive father.

Dwarf Lakin.

He comes from the kingdom of Gurnita Hyde, which was destroyed a hundred years ago.

He knows the truth about the ruined dwarven kingdom and the heavy responsibility that rests on the dwarven royal family of Gunitahide.

However, excluding the meaning behind the experience and the known stories, for Siegfried, there is a layer of identity that will not change no matter what.

Alberich, the former dwarf blacksmith Lakin and now the leader of the Nibelung Kingdom who chooses to hide from the world, will always be his adoptive father.

Because he was the one who raised him up, and he was the one who carefully took care of all the problems for him who didn't know anything.

He protected him, who was sensitive about his identity, and let the extremely sensitive "descendant of Volsunger" spend the first 20 years of his life as an ordinary blacksmith apprentice.

But at this moment, when Siegfried saw Alberich, all the boredom and depression that had been accumulated in his heart were naturally swept away.

Although in the palace, what he felt was the kind of helplessness that was almost impossible to move.

Because he needs to try his best to appease his courtiers.

On the throne, he did not appreciate the pleasures of the power that a king possesses.

In order to fulfill his purpose and responsibility, he gave up too much fun that he could have enjoyed.

However, after seeing the people he knew, trusted, and familiar with, the sense of security he had forgotten came back just like that.

Because at this moment, he realized again that he was never alone.

And beside him, there are many people supporting him.

"You look very ill, boy."

"Just a little tired."

Subconsciously stroking his cheek, Siegfried replied.

But soon, he realized something.

So, he reached out and closed the door, then found a chair and sat down.

"Those people out there think differently than we do."

At this moment, the young Lord of Hosts in the Netherlands just sighed.

He didn't show much majesty, and in Alberich's eyes, this expression can only be described as tired and helpless.

"Feeling stressed?"

"right."

"Then have a drink."

At this moment, Siegfried saw the dwarf jump off the chair.

A chair that fit Siegfried's height seemed too much trouble for the old dwarf.

Fortunately, Alberich is quick.

After landing firmly on the ground, he took out the wine and the cup.

"I can only have one drink."

Seeing that Alberich quickly filled a large glass of mead, Siegfried couldn't help but speak.

In fact, after becoming king, he put a strict limit on his drinking.

But at the beginning, I just confirmed a measurement by myself to ensure that my mind was in a sober state.

But later, he found that this limit was too broad, and finally set a specific amount for himself.

On occasions other than regular banquets, he would never drink too much.

Always drink only one drink.

"Well, Huo De told me about this point, your life as a king does not seem to be as good as when you took the risk."

Siegfried couldn't help shaking his head for the outspoken attitude shown by his adoptive father.

"This……"

At first, he did have such a subconscious hesitation.

But soon, he laughed himself.

Some helpless.

"Well, from a certain point of view, this is true. I used to be able to drink to my heart's content because I was with you and my uncle. I knew that he would take care of everything for me, so it was a little bit easier to do things. A feeling of... unbridled."

whispered the young Lord of Hosts.

"But it's different now. He needs to think about more important things, and I must inherit my father's position and control the kingdom."

That supreme power was in his hands.

But he completely suppressed it, not letting the desire in his heart be confused with this power.

"People's hearts are complicated, so it's very hard." He sighed, "Sometimes, I always think, if the Netherlands is as pure as the Nibelung."

Siegfried wasn't flattering, because he really had such thoughts in his heart.

"Then you have to reduce the territory and even reduce the population. In fact, the reason why the Nibelung is pure is because it has experienced a catastrophe, and everyone wants to live a good life."

Just like that, Alberich reached out and patted Siegfried's muscular thigh.

"Speaking of which, Lakin, what are you doing here?"

After slowly drinking the mead, Siegfried asked.

He still hasn't forgotten the extremely sensitive identity of his adoptive father at the moment.

For now, after all, the Nibelung Kingdom remains a shadowy, unknown realm.

For their own safety, the dwarves living in it should not often run outside.

But such a king as Alberich came out.

"Are you in a hurry to find your uncle?"

When he thought of something, Siegfried couldn't help asking.

And just before he was about to get anxious, Alberich shook his head.

"No, you're thinking too much. What can happen to the Nibelung Kingdom? We're still living a happy life now."

Then, he suddenly laughed.