After returning to Crossbell, Fang Zheng got the news from Ellie as soon as possible.
And his answer was...
"Don't worry about it."
“…Eh? Don’t worry about it…?”
"The Empire would not be stupid enough to do something that would push Crossbell to the Republic at this time. You think those idiots in the Crossbell Parliament - well, your grandfather is not among them, why do those idiots think they can drive away the wolf and swallow the tiger? That's why. Crossbell is wavering between the two major powers, but if either side goes too far, it will push Crossbell to the other side without any room for maneuver. Moreover, when it comes to commercial trade, the Republic is better at it. Now the Empire is in a state of internal distress, and a civil war may break out at any time. How can they have the time to provoke a second battlefield with the Republic here, so they just said it casually to scare people."
"So that's how it is... Sorry, I was just too nervous earlier."
After hearing Fang Zheng's answer, Ellie finally breathed a sigh of relief, but soon she couldn't help but look towards Fang Zheng's side.
"But, Mr. Fang Zheng, who is she?"
"This is Miss Rufina, the Knight of the Star Cup Knights."
Fang Zheng casually introduced himself, but when Ellie heard Fang Zheng's introduction, her face froze.
"The Knights of the Star Grail? They are not from the Seven Lights Church..."
"Yes, that's right. Just before I came back, I went to the headquarters of the Seven Lights Church and had a discussion with the King of Dharma. The Seven Lights Church supports the independence of Crossbell in principle."
"Really?"
Hearing this, Ellie screamed immediately, and she couldn't help but jump up with excitement.
"The Seven Lights Church is willing to support us? Then we will also be recognized by the Seven Lights Church in the future..."
"No, Miss McDowell."
However, before Ellie could finish her words, she saw Rufina speaking with a smile.
"Indeed, after hearing about what happened to Crossbell, the church supports Crossbell's independence in principle, but we will not become Crossbell's suzerain like other independent territories."
"Eh? Isn't that right?"
Ellie was a little stunned by Rufina's answer.
In the continent of Semlia, in addition to sovereign and independent countries like Liberl, Erebonia, and Calvard, there are also some similar independent territories, such as the Principality of Remifilia, the Autonomous Prefecture of Northumplia, the District of Julet, and the Autonomous Prefecture of Orled.
The reason why these independent territories were not annexed by the Republic and the Empire was that they signed an agreement with the country of the Seven Stars Church, the Artria Code State. They regarded the Artria Code State as their suzerain state, and the Artria Code State would use its own reputation and power to safeguard their sovereignty and independence.
If the Empire and the Republic declared war on them, it would be equivalent to declaring war on the Church of the Seven Stars. In Semria, where the faith in the Goddess of the Sky spread across the continent, doing such a thing would undoubtedly be a suicidal act.
In Ellie's expectation, being able to sign a suzerain agreement with the Seven Stars Church and become an independent country like other independent territories is the best option.
But Rufina's answer made Ellie a little confused.
"You'll know in a moment."
Fang Zheng stood up and walked out of the room.
"Let's go, we have to go somewhere."
"Where are you going?"
"Tangulam Gate."
Tangguram Gate is the border gate between Crossbell and the Empire. Naturally, the Crossbell Guard is stationed here, and Fang Zheng brought Ellie and Rufina here. Soon, after Fang Zheng gave their names, they passed through the security area and came to the office inside.
When Fang Zheng pushed open the door and walked in, Ellie found a serious-looking woman with short dark blue hair wearing a military uniform sitting at the desk. This person was no stranger to Ellie. She was Sonya Belz, the deputy commander of the garrison.
"To be honest, I never thought that the president of Starlight Technology would come here to see me."
Putting down the documents in her hand, Sonia stared at Fang Zheng. Although her expression was indifferent, it revealed a sharpness like a sword drawn from its sheath.
"Excuse me, what brings you here from so far away?"
"I won't say any more nonsense."
Fang Zheng pulled a chair and sat down, then looked at Sonya.
"I am here to inform you that Starlight Technology will dissolve the Crossbell Council at the beginning of next month and declare the entire Crossbell independent."
“……!”
Hearing Fang Zheng's words, a cold light flashed in Sonia's eyes, and then she stared at Fang Zheng.
"This is such a bad joke."
"I'm not here to joke with you."
Fang Zheng took a stack of documents out of his briefcase and threw them on Deputy Commander Sonya's desk.
"These are the criminal records and evidence of the members of the Crossbell Parliament. Fortunately, there is no death penalty here, otherwise they would have been sentenced to death ten times. Of course, this also includes the commander of the security team. This is why I came to you. Since you are unwilling to go along with those idiots, there is a basis for cooperation between us."
"Do you know what you are doing? Mr. Founder, this is a coup."
"so what."
Fang Zheng shrugged.
"I didn't put a gun to their necks. They should be punished for what they did. Do you think these guys should be allowed to go unpunished?"
"Given your behavior, isn't it ironic to say that?"
“No.”
Facing Deputy Commander Sonya's questioning, Fang Zheng smiled slightly.
"I am not a citizen of Crossbell. You should know that according to the laws of Crossbell, you can't do anything to me. This is the fault of the Crossbell Parliament itself."
"But as the deputy commander of the security team, I still have the power to arrest those who try to subvert Crossbell and bring disaster to it."
Having said this, Sonya stood up.
"Aren't you afraid? Or have you bribed all my soldiers?"
“Neither.”
Fang Zheng shook his head.
"I didn't bribe your soldiers, nor did I poison you. These are the actions of a weak person. There is only one reason why I came here today to discuss this with you directly."
Having said this, Fang Zheng chuckled.
"That means all the guards combined are no match for me."
"you……"
"If you think I'm talking nonsense, you can just ask all the soldiers here to come in and arrest me. I will just sit here and not fight back. If you can make me move even a step, I will lose. Then I will turn around and leave, and I will pretend that Crossbell's independence never happened."
Faced with Fang Zheng's calm answer, Sonya calmed down instead. She stared at him, then slowly sat down after a moment.
"To be honest, Mr. Fang Zheng, your words really sound like a drunk person to me, but you are not drinking, and if you were crazy, Miss McDowell would not be with you. Although judging from her appearance, your words also scared her. So, I would like to ask you, even if Starlight Technology obtains control of Crossbell, after you declare independence, you know what you will face, how will you deal with it?"
"Of course I have a plan. I also know what will happen once Starlight Technology takes control of Crossbell and declares independence. The Republic and the Empire will not sit idly by. They will rise up and use this as an excuse to completely attack Crossbell. It would be best if one of them could occupy this place once and for all to end the current co-governance of the two sides. In my opinion, under normal circumstances, the Republic has a higher chance of winning. But right now, the Empire is on the brink of civil war. If they want to divert internal conflicts, they may also respond to this, such as rewarding those who conquer Crossbell as new nobles, or upgrading the noble titles, etc., to avoid the increase and further outbreak of internal friction from this perspective."
"Such a war would be devastating to Crossbell."
Deputy Commander Sonya stared at Fang Zheng.
"Now that you know this, what are you going to do?"
"It's very simple. First, we have to resist the attacks from the Empire and the Republic. As long as we can repel them and maintain a stalemate for a while, the Seven Lights Church will take action."
"Yes, sir."
Hearing this, Rufina stepped forward, bowed respectfully to Fang Zheng, and then looked at Deputy Commander Sonya.
"Once that time comes, the church will give both sides a way out, call for peace talks, and hope that the two countries can sign an independence agreement..."
"Then Crossbell will regard the Code Kingdom as its suzerain?"
"No."
Rufina shook her head, then bowed respectfully to Fang Zheng again.
"The church will not sign a suzerainty agreement with Crossbell. We recognize Lord Fangzheng as the only legitimate ruler of Crossbell. That's it."
"this……"
Sonya and Ellie were stunned when they heard Rufina's decisive answer.
The Seven Stars Church acknowledged Fang Zheng as the only legitimate ruler of Crossbell?
How could the church do this?
If the Seven Lights Church wanted to expand its influence in this way, it would not be unreasonable. But Rufina's attitude was quite firm, and she was also very respectful to Fang Zheng. Could it be that Fang Zheng was a high-ranking clergyman in the church? But his style did not seem like that...
"You have a good idea."
Compared to Ellie, an idealist, Sonya is a realist, otherwise she would not have been able to become the deputy commander of the security force as a woman.
"However, the premise for this idea to be realized is that we can withstand the combined attack of the Republic and the Empire. I can tell you that the Guard does not have such power."
“Just because there wasn’t one before doesn’t mean there isn’t one now.”
Fang Zheng spread his hands and smiled.
"In fact, I brought you something, and this... is one of my winning weapons."
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