in the name of the queen.

Formal documents inviting peace talks were passed back and forth between the countries.

With the end of the Battle of White Mountain, the countries tacitly agreed to a ceasefire on the spot and wait for negotiations.

In some places, people even couldn't wait to take to the streets to celebrate the arrival of peace.

Not everyone is so optimistic.

Negotiations do not always have good results. The breakdown of the last Continental Congress negotiations laid the groundwork for this war, which did not last too long but was extremely harmful. Who can guarantee that this will be a good outcome?

People long for peace, but peace is elusive.

Paradoxically, peace must be watered with the blood of war in order to thrive.

Countries are also scheming over the timing and location of negotiations.

Sophia's suggestion was to discuss the matter in Fort St. Rurik, or if that didn't work, then they could discuss it in Var City. No other places would be considered.

The Sussex Empire’s opinion is that the talks should be held in the imperial capital, or if that doesn’t work, then Val City can be held. Other places will not be considered.

The Golden Kite Republic’s opinion is that the talks should be held in Xidai City. If that doesn’t work, then it can be held in Wal City. Other places will not be considered.

Taking the intersection of these options, Vaal City seems to be the best choice.

However, the final negotiation location was chosen to be Francis.

This city can be considered the sister city of the Franks Fortress.

The Franks Fortress guards the Hanseatic gateway and the gateway to the northern plains.

Not far away from her, there was a similar fortress called Francis in the Kingdom of Pruden.

In peacetime, Franks and Francis are the forefront of trade; in wartime, it becomes the feeding hole of the meat grinder.

The reason for the Kingdom of Pruden is simple: the war started here and will end here.

If the Wend Empire heard this reason, they would definitely slowly raise a question mark, but they have already been divided and their opinions are not important.

The Kingdom of Pruden proposed using this place as the negotiation site, and was also making its position clear to other major powers. They believed that there was no dispute over the division of the Wende Empire and there was no need to talk.

Their attitude was firm and even a little tough. King Otto VI of Prudentia bluntly warned other countries that if the negotiation venue was not Francis, he would refuse to negotiate and continue to wage war.

The Kingdom of Tyrol firmly supports the Kingdom of Pruden.

Although he didn't quite understand where Otto VI got the courage from, Roland intended to refuse based on his principle of not fighting in the enemy's preset positions.

Just as he was writing his own reply, which was tactful but firm in tone, Sophia appeared.

"talk."

She doesn't say much, but she brooks no argument.

Since Sophia had made the decision, Roland shrugged and saved the trouble of writing a letter.

He called the Foreign Minister and asked him to express his protest in standard diplomatic language before accepting the other party's arrangement, and finally added that this was an insult to the empire.

Since the result cannot be changed, just get more. This is diplomacy.

If Sophia agreed, Roland would naturally agree.

Roland agreed, and Sif and Alina had no objection either.

It was thus decided that peace talks would take place in Francis City.

The dispute over the negotiation location is indeed important, but if there is a huge disparity in strength, it doesn’t really matter where the negotiations take place.

Roland couldn't understand why the Prudens were so arrogant that they dared to resist Sophia.

The huge crack that extends from the White Mountains to the Rodinia River is still lying there quietly. How could someone be so impatient to seek death so soon?
Before the arrival of the God's Punishment Legion, Roland really couldn't think of anyone who could defeat Sophia by force.

He even thought that Sophia could be invincible all the way until the God's Punishment Legion was annihilated.

Roland, hugging his big thick legs tightly, was full of confidence in the negotiations.

Until Sophia sent someone to inform him, "I am very disappointed with the rudeness of the Prudens. I will not go to the negotiation this time. The Cardinal will make the decision on my behalf."

Roland: "."

This is a national event, and even a major event that will determine the future of the mainland. Why don’t you go?
Roland stared at Angelina who was delivering the message. After a moment of silence, he smiled and said, "It's time to show the charm of diplomacy."

Angelina breathed a sigh of relief.

Roland couldn't understand why Sophia didn't go, and she couldn't understand it either.

The official reason Sofia gave was a response to the Prudens, and the private reason given to her was to go to the Arctic Glacier to repair the Azure Fury.

Angelina wanted to say that the artifact could be repaired at any time and negotiation was the most important thing, but when the words came to her lips, she turned into "Yes, sir."

She was used to following Sophia's orders, and this time was no exception.

But what was different this time was that she had different ideas in her mind.

Angelina was shocked by her own bold idea and quickly said goodbye and left.

Faced with Roland's doubts, Angelina was also helpless.

She also didn't understand the Queen's arrangement and could only explain it to herself as not wanting to argue with the common people.

Angelina vaguely felt that Sophia seemed different from before, but she couldn't tell what the difference was.

She had no choice but to dispel her worries and discuss this diplomatic event with Roland.

Roland's arrangement was simple. Angelina would go first to test the other party's bottom line, and then he would go when the final showdown came.

This arrangement is also normal. After all, the foreign ministers of many countries are also the prime ministers. If the head of state is absent, the prime minister can take his place.

It would be somewhat rude if Angelina didn't go.

The reason Roland refused to go was because of his sensitive identity. He was the Vice Emperor of the Sussex Empire, the Prime Minister of the Golden Kite Republic, and the Cardinal Minister of the Vladimir Empire.

If the interests of these three countries conflict, whose side will he stand on?
It’s better not to go.

Angelina expressed her understanding, but she couldn't guess what Roland was really thinking.

How could a shameless guy like Roland be embarrassed by such a small matter? He just wanted to stay and persuade Sophia to change her mind and go there in person.

Diplomatic negotiations are really tiring. You have to stick to your own position, test your opponent's bottom line, make appropriate concessions, and compete with your opponent in patience.

Every step is a test of wisdom, skill and patience.

Every diplomat will do his best to fight for the interests of his country.

Although their job is to compromise, they will not compromise easily.

Negotiations can only be carried out in a country like the Wendish Empire, where the capital is surrounded by a large enemy army.

Angelina was always decisive in her work. Since she was asked to go, there was no need for hesitation. She quickly handed over the work to Roland and then embarked on her journey.

Feeling seven parts puzzled and three parts helpless, Angelina boarded the carriage and, surrounded by the diplomatic corps, headed westward to Francis City.

She has an indescribable feeling for this city.

The war to conquer the Wendish Empire was not a real war, as the corrupt and old empire quickly fell under the impact of three younger and more vibrant countries.

The Wend Empire's bizarre parliamentary system and complex local forces meant that the power the royal family could mobilize was less than a quarter of the country's overall strength.

The three powerful nations besieged the declining and aging Wend Empire for more than half a year, which shows the profound foundation of the Wend Empire.

The reason why I didn't attack with all my strength was that I didn't want to consume too much energy.

After all, their biggest enemy at that time was the Freedom Alliance and Roland.

In Angelina's opinion, Roland is the core of the Free Alliance.

Without him, the entire alliance would fall apart.

In fact, she was right. Without Roland, the Golden Kite Republic would continue to consume its strength in the civil strife. Without Roland, although the Sussex Empire would still be invincible on the sea, it would most likely give up on land.

At that time, it will be a showdown between the land power country that integrates the power of the entire continent and the sea power empire Sussex.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing.

Roland was there, constantly increasing the strength of the Free Alliance.

Angelina completely understood that Sophia didn't want to carry out the decapitation operation. Few normal people would find pleasure in crushing ants.

In Sophia's eyes, all life in the world is an ant, and she will not crush an ant for no reason.

Fortunately, Roland is her colleague now.

She has Sophia for military affairs, Roland for literature, and Sif and Alina for diplomacy. Angelina doesn't quite understand what the Pruden Kingdom is thinking?
A week later, Francis City.

When Angelina got out of the carriage, she was even more confused.

He was greeted personally by King Otto VI of Prudentia.

The de facto Prime Minister of the Empire may have more power than the King of the Kingdom, but his political status is slightly inferior.

No matter how small a king is, he is still the ruler of a country, and the prime minister is just an assistant minister.

What's more, the Vladimir Empire now has a cardinal minister, and she is only the third-ranking person.

According to diplomatic etiquette, it would be sufficient for the Kingdom of Pruden to send the Prime Minister or the Minister of Foreign Affairs to greet him.

In Angelina's understanding, since the Kingdom of Pruden wanted to take the lead, it would most likely send the Minister of Foreign Affairs to greet them as a formality.

However, Otto VI welcomed her as a state guest, which made her a little confused.

Although she didn't understand, she still maintained her composure and followed Otto into the carriage.

Unlike the carriages of other countries, the carriages of the Pruden royal family were built according to the standards of chariots.

The bulletproof metal shell, the crossbow launcher, and the somewhat ferocious Black Hawk logo make it look like it's prepared for the military.

This is not surprising.

Other countries all established armies to maintain national defense, but only Prudence had its own national army.

The people of the Kingdom of Pruden, from top to bottom, from old to young, are all fanatical militarists.

Even the pigeons on the roadside like to fight.

Angelina was not surprised, but what surprised her was the other party's attitude. Since she couldn't figure it out, she simply said nothing and waited for Otto to express his opinion.

Otto, who was sitting on the cushion opposite her, was over sixty years old, but he was well maintained and looked only in his thirties or forties.

Angelina had the illusion that King Otto looked younger than he was three months ago, and his rosy smile made him look even more energetic.

She was a little curious, but it was not convenient for her to ask directly.

Just when she was in a dilemma, Otto was sincere.

"Ms. Angelina, this is the power of Alemanni technology."

"Not Otto, but Alemanni?" This time it was Angelina's turn to be surprised.

As we all know, there will always be some war-crazy races and countries in this world, who will even declare war on the whole world driven by fanatical beliefs.

The war-crazed nation of the Sixth Age was the Odin Empire.

The war-mongering empire of the previous era was the Alemanni Empire.

In the mainstream understanding of the mainland, the Odins are descendants of the Alemanni, or even the Alemanni themselves.

The Alemanni Empire offended almost everyone in the last era and was hammered to the ground.

Although the Alemanni have the best technology in the world, their population is the most educated, and their will to fight is strong, the whole world wants them dead.

The war maniac of the last era fell just like that.

Before their demise, the unwilling Alemanni sent countless weapons, equipment and books into the underground city, and then detonated a powerful super bomb.

There is not just one super bomb, but many.

The horrific chain of explosions not only sent away the powerful empire, but also made the enemies who besieged them pay the price of eternal nightmares.

Most of them didn't even have the right to have nightmares because they were reduced to ash in the explosion.

The Alemanni Empire fell, their history buried under the magical empire that dominated the first half of the Sixth Era.

The Magic Empire's technology tree revolves around magic crystals and is not interested in Alemanni's technological crystals.

They believed that mechanical technology could never be a match for noble magic, and did not deliberately persecute the Odins, descendants of the Alemanni. However, the Odins fired the first shot in overthrowing the magic empire.

History is so wonderful, it always draws irregular circles.

When Otto mentioned Alemanni Technology, Angelina was not surprised. She just responded to Otto politely.

Angelina's attitude did not exceed Otto's expectations. He chatted with Angelina for a few words and then found an excuse to leave.

It’s not that Otto is impolite, but there are new guests.

The order in which countries come to the conference is not positively correlated with distance, but is instead related to national strength.

Queen Sif of Sussex would rather set up a tent in the ruined Franks fortress and wait for the meeting to begin than enter the negotiation site in advance.

She is the monarch of the world's number one maritime power, how could she arrive before others?

The person Otto greeted was a representative of the Kingdom of Talia.

The Kingdom of Talia had already started fighting before the war on the continent began.

They first fought back and forth with the local natives in the southern continent, and later took advantage of the civil unrest in the Golden Kite Republic to secretly move the boundary markers, hoping to seize the territory for free through a sneak attack.

This almost clownish behavior aroused the anger of Marco, the then President of the Golden Kite Kingdom.

If I can’t cure others, can I cure you?

Marco, who was originally overwhelmed by internal conflicts, finally got a chance to vent his anger. He sent troops to counterattack without hesitation. Not only did he arrest the boundary marker thieves on the spot, he also took the opportunity to push back into Talia's territory. After Talia knelt down and begged for mercy, he took away three cities as punishment.

This is Talia.

A magical country where you can perfectly perform the clown without wearing a mask.

However, after the outbreak of the Continental War, they unexpectedly sided with the Liberal Alliance, which seemed to be at a disadvantage at the time.

Sometimes choice is more important than effort.

That's what happened to Talia.

They were qualified to be at the table, while the Weimar Confederation, which was previously stronger than them, and the Kingdom of Oden, which had similar combat power to them, became dishes on the table.

When the Kingdom of Otto saw the representatives of the Kingdom of Talia, they even froze in place and forgot about diplomatic etiquette.

Wait, what's going on?
The negotiating representative of the Talia Kingdom is actually Lisa?
Otto VI attached great importance to intelligence work and knew all the girls around Roland.

Lisa holds a special place in Roland's heart. Perhaps not as beautiful as Sif, who has a perfect appearance, but her status is not much different.

Otto suddenly realized.

Lisa is from Talia, and the Talia Kingdom needed a negotiator, so she came.

Everything that seemed unreasonable now made sense.

Damn, so cunning!
Otto VI couldn't help but curse the Talia Kingdom's speculative behavior in his heart.

The other countries at the table have fought their way out of the meat grinder with their own abilities, but Talia is different, they really rely on standing in line.

They asked Lisa to come out just to take advantage of the situation, but so what? Lisa is now their negotiation envoy.

Even if she didn't say a word, it would be enough.

In short, this is a magical world.

Lisa politely exchanged a few words with Otto and quickly got down to business.

"Your Majesty, have you met Roland? Which side does he stand on this time?"

Otto raised the corners of his lips slightly, and responded with a sense of humor that broke the stereotype of the Odin people. He shrugged and said with a smile:

"Probably in the middle."

"What does 'in the middle' mean?" Lisa was a little confused. Roland's position was her position, but this time Roland had no position. What should she do?
Lisa instantly wilted and didn't even feel like chatting.

By chance, she was connected to the Talia people.

After rigorous research (and fabrication), the Kingdom of Talia finally traced Lisa's roots, asked her ancestors, and found her family origins.

The Sara family, a noble family of Talia during the Magic Empire era.

In this way, Lisa became the de facto duke of the Kingdom of Talia and negotiated on behalf of Talia.

Although she left Talia when she was young, Lisa's heart is still in her motherland. Now that her motherland needs her, she is of course willing to stand up.

She thought it was a good job, but she didn't expect that she would have to think about politics?
After Lisa's brain froze for three minutes, she finally found plan B.

"What about Queen Sylph?"

"She lives in the ruins across the street and absolutely refuses to come to the conference area." Otto laughed at himself, hiding his embarrassment by adjusting his beard.

Lisa was even more confused.

Neither of these two guys came to the meeting, what on earth are they doing?

They are playing with letters.

After receiving Roland's letter, Sif immediately wrote back to him.

As the letter was speeding along thousands of kilometers away, Sif couldn't help but scribble on Roland's magic letter paper.

She even drew a picture to express her feelings.

She didn't know the special purpose of this piece of letter paper, and she was laughing and writing on the letter paper in a crazy way.

Just as she was playing happily, the words on the letter paper changed.

"Dear, this letter seems to be able to communicate remotely. Do you see what I said?"

"Yes, that's terrible. My cat seemed to be cursed by magic. It suddenly went crazy and grabbed the quill and scribbled something on the paper. Did you see it?"

Sif spoke nonsense as if nothing had happened, but her face turned red instantly.

Bad news: Roland saw what I just said.

Good news: no one else saw it except Roland.

Roland would definitely not laugh at her, but she just couldn't stand it.

In order to hide her embarrassment, Sif quickly continued writing on the letter paper:
"By the way, when are you coming over? I want to go to the negotiation area with you."

"I'm sorry, I'm the Cardinal Minister and I can't leave at will. It's Angelina who's leaving."

Sif was a little disappointed that Roland didn't come, and she wrote casually, "Where's the old woman? Did she go into hibernation again?"

"Sophia is only a few years older than us. Be careful she'll get angry if you talk nonsense like that."

Sif snorted, "Why are you afraid? She can't see it."

As if she remembered something, Sif's expression suddenly changed, "Wait, you mean that now only you and the old woman are in Fort St. Rurik? No, no, this is too dangerous."

Roland stroked his forehead and sighed as he reminded Sif, "We are friends, not enemies. What danger can there be? Besides, there are still 1.7 million people in Fort Saint Rurik."

"It's dangerous. An old woman who's almost thirty has strong sexual desires, like a hungry wolf. You must protect yourself when you're out there."

Sif put down her quill with some melancholy, and lost the mood to continue writing the letter.

She always felt something was wrong, as if something dirty was staring at her from behind.

This old spinster Sophia definitely has bad intentions.

Sif can accept Lisa because she is half Roland's relative; she can also accept Alina because she is in the right position.

Except for old women.

She is very bad.

Sif sighed wistfully and laid down on the velvet cushion, feeling the sharp touch of the small stones through the cushion, and her mood became even worse.

She didn't know, she was just in a bad mood, thousands of kilometers away in the Summer Palace, the old woman she mentioned was now so angry that she wanted to kill someone. (End of this chapter)