Chapter 502: Countdown to Destruction (Subscription Request)

Although she didn't show it on her face, Grand Duchess Aphra was filled with emotion at this moment.

She had her own selfish motives when she brought Roy back and even pushed him to the position of Earl Raymond.

It may be that he was seeking a future for his son or that he did not want the Raymond family to be cut off, but in the final analysis, it was still to maintain the balance of the situation in the Norman Duchy.

The two powers are fighting for supremacy, with swords flashing and arrows hurled openly and covertly. How can these principalities like them get involved?

Carefully maintaining balance is the way for a small country with a small population to survive.

But who would have thought that in just two or three years, before she could even react, the Flower Territory had become so powerful that she had to look up to it.

He even dared to show his claws to the overlord of the continent and defeated the coalition forces of three families.

When she heard the news, she sat there for an unknown amount of time. In her dreams at midnight, she even began to doubt her own decision.

If, just if...

If Roy had stayed in the Norman family, if he had been allowed to control the Norman territory,

So now, could it be that the powerful one is not the Flower Territory, but the Norman family?

But as soon as this thought came to her mind, she suppressed it with her reason. After all, it was impossible, and no matter how much she regretted it, it was useless.

However, when the balance is broken again and the gap in strength is exposed, how to get along in the future has become a problem that must be faced.

The current duchy is still named Norman, but what about the future?

If the three major marquis families were gone, there would only be three families left on this land. Could they still get along on an equal footing?

These things are what these two people are most worried about!

Luo Yi was silent for a moment before speaking: "You can probably tell that I don't have much desire to expand my territory, nor do I think about dominating the continent."

"You don't have the final say on this!"

Old Marquis Floyd jumped out again and said loudly: "Besides, you just admitted that the reason for the attack was to obtain more resources and raw materials.

How do we know that you won't covet our territory for its resources in the future?"

Grand Duchess Aphra also spoke up: "I believe you don't have such ambitions, but what about the people under you?"

“Yes, you almost wiped out the traditional knight class, but the emerging merchants, former nobles, and rising poor families also surrounded you and formed a new ruling class.

If Flower Territory grows to a certain size, do you think they will push you forward for their own benefit?

Or, push your son onto the throne?"

These words left Luo Yi speechless. There were too many variables in the future, and who would believe empty promises?

After thinking for a long time, Luo Yi finally said, "How about this, I can give up some of my higher-end technologies and profits to help you take a big step forward in the magic energy industry.

At the same time, shape your industry into a part of the Flower Territory."

"So, from an industrial and economic perspective, we are part of the same industry chain. If I were to touch you, I would suffer huge losses.

Or, if you cut off my supply, Flower Territory will also suffer a heavy blow."

"Words are empty, and covenants can't bind people's hearts. Only interests can prevent us from betraying each other."

As soon as these words were spoken, the eyes of Grand Duchess Aphra and old Marquis Freud lit up. They looked at each other and saw the great surprise on each other's faces.

To be honest, the goal they most want to achieve this time is to sign an alliance.

Although the Covenant is not trustworthy, this is all they have to fight for!

As for directly turning against Xianhualing?

Or send troops to help the three marquises stabilize the situation?

This is something they never thought of.

Just kidding!

What if the Royal Guards drove magic tanks into their territory?

Even the three giants couldn't stop that kind of steel monster. Are they going to die now?

Therefore, it is impossible to fall out with each other, but relying on the original affection and relationship, striving for a non-aggression pact is the best they can think of.

But they didn't expect that Luo Yi was willing to give more.

Compared with a written covenant, a union of interests is of course more reassuring.

Luo Yi also thought that this method was feasible, and he was the one who was doing it originally, but now he had given up some of the benefits.

However, after thinking about it, he frowned unconsciously: "However, this is not easy to accomplish!"

Grand Duchess Aphra asked directly: "Why?"

Old Floyd also spoke up: "How long has it been? Have you changed your mind?"

Luo Yi said: "It's not that I don't want to, but it's not easy for you to do it.

The development of the magic energy industry does not end with me giving you the technology, or even helping you build the factory and install the machinery.

You also need a large number of mature workers."

"At the very least, they need to learn magic, learn to read and write, and accumulate the necessary knowledge. This involves universal education, which is too troublesome to implement."

“How about we just sign the alliance directly?

At worst, we can ask Thom, the god of justice among the Seven Gods, to testify for us. I will definitely not violate the divine punishment, and you probably won't either."

"That won't do!" cried the old Marquis Floyd.

"Why not?" Luo Yi seemed very surprised:

“Ahem, mainly, the situation is uncertain and it involves the Seven Gods, which is not good.

Yes, that's right. I'm a devout believer in the Sun God. Wouldn't it be a betrayal of faith if I let the Seven Gods witness it?"

"It's just a testimony. It's not as serious as you say, right?"

"Pretty serious, I said!"

Grand Duchess Aphra finally spoke: “Okay, stop teasing him.

Roy, I admit that what you said about the deep integration of economy and industry has moved us.

As for education reform and talent cultivation, rest assured, we are fully committed.”

Luo Yi said, "Determination alone is not enough!

Mother, please do not underestimate this educational reform. It represents the spread of knowledge, the liberation of thought, the awakening of serfs, and the end of the policy of keeping the people ignorant.

When mortals gain power and knowledge, they demand salaries and rights commensurate with their status.

This goes against the interests of the traditional aristocracy, and it's likely to cause a huge upheaval."

"In other words, if you truly want to promote education reform, you are shaking the original ruling order and the foundation of your rule.

My mother, Marquis Floyd, this is no small matter."

Old Floyd paused and asked, "Is it really that serious?"

“It’s more serious than you might imagine. Even in the Habsburg Empire, educational reform took many years to implement, and it wasn’t until the last two years that significant results were achieved.

The reason why Hohenzollern III did not care about the promotion of the magic industry and even seemed happy about it was because he knew it clearly.

If a force truly chooses to embark on this path, the first thing they will face is a backlash from the domestic nobles, and they might even end up being deserted by their friends and family.”

What Roy said was very serious, but it was the truth. However, he did not expect that Grand Duchess Aphra was quite determined.

“You are right, but the situation in the Old Continent is such that even the three giants of the coalition are actively developing the magic energy industry.

They are all like this, and we don’t want to fall behind, so we have no choice.”

Old Marquis Floyd also nodded and said, "As for what you just said about being deserted by friends and relatives, in fact, it can also be said in another way, that is, our thundering means.

If anyone refuses to obey, just kill them. Kill them until they are afraid, and the problem will be solved once they are all killed."

Luo Yi smiled and said, "It's not a good idea to talk about internal cleansing. Now, are there any other solutions?"

"What?"

“Since we are allies, I can’t help but share some of the benefits with you.

Are you really not going to get involved in the noble war started by the three marquises?"

"You actually want us to send troops to attack them?"

“Let me make it clear first: whoever occupies the land will own it, but we can discuss it later and exchange it to a certain extent.

If you agree, we can prepare to send troops.

As for how to do it specifically, that’s up to you.”

"Isn't this a bad idea?"

"So let's forget it?"

"No, no, no! What I mean is, we still need to sign a contract or something.

Otherwise, if we meet on the battlefield, I'm afraid your powerful weapon will be used to destroy my knights."

"That's easy, easy!"

…

The mediating lobbyist was instigated by Loy to become the main force of the attack. Things in the world are so wonderful.

Moreover, this time, the Norman family and the old Floyd family showed an astonishing mobilization speed that was not typical of a feudal dynasty.

Almost soon after the agreement was finalized, the Knights set out, bringing their long-trained army and marching into the territories of the three marquises.

After all, they were not far apart, and the fighting was fierce. The two major families were naturally vigilant and gathered their troops together early.

They absolutely did not want to get involved in the Flower Leader battlefield, and even less wanted to stand against the three giants of the coalition forces, but when it came to protecting their own safety, who had the right to say anything?!

At this moment, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise and came in handy.

After living together for dozens or even hundreds of years, it is impossible to say that there are no frictions, conflicts and hatreds.

Now is the time to take revenge and complain.

The fate of these two families also means that the era when the six major families divided the Norman Duchy equally has become history.

It also represents the countdown to the demise of the three major marquis families!

Of course, even so, the waves it caused on the Old Continent were not that big.

Again, the three major families have been abandoned by the entire aristocracy of the Old World, and almost everyone is ignoring their existence.

At this time, the curfew in Brussels had ended, and with the continuous arrival of news of victory, its prosperity and glory reached a new level.

However, there are still people who are unwilling to fail.

(End of this chapter)