What's wrong with building a steel torrent in a dungeon?

Compared to the elves, the dwarves have done just as many dirty and bad things.

"Hello, guests from afar." Fran asked her subordinates to bring a special chair for the envoys, and then said, "I wonder what news the ambassadors have brought."

"First, I want to present a gift to the beautiful Lord Fran."

As he spoke, the dwarf messenger handed a painting to Fran, and then said: "This was made by a master from the Dwarf Kingdom. It depicts the scene of a hero ascending to heaven after his death."

Fran took a quick glance and saw that it was just an ordinary oil painting, a hero bathed in holy light, a dark earth, and a bright sky. However, when Fran's eyes swept over the hero, her face changed instantly.

Behind the hero were countless white petals floating in the air. However, when she looked closely, she discovered that these petals were not painted on, but rather white feathers that were carefully curled into the shape of petals.

The dwarf messenger seemed to have seen Fran looking at the white petals, so he said, "It seems that the city lord has noticed that these petals are made of feathers! These are not ordinary feathers, each feather comes from the wings of a feather girl! In order to express their piety to the Lord God, these girls offer their most beautiful wings, and then they will be burned by fire to purify their sins."

After hearing this, all the guards, including Catherine, glared at the group of dwarves.

There are more than a thousand feathers in this painting...which also means that so many Feather Clan girls died in the flames.

Presenting such a painting at this time, the dwarf's warning is very strong.

"It's a very interesting gift." Fran's face turned cold, and she said, "When did the dwarves learn the elves' roundabout ways? If you have anything to say, please speak directly, Mr. Ambassador!"

"With the wisdom of the city lord, he should be able to understand the meaning of this!"

"I don't understand! I don't like guessing riddles!" Fran said, "If you don't explain your purpose, I can only thank you for your gifts! I still have official business to attend to, so I'm sorry I can't continue to entertain you."

Fran never liked having a conversation that was influenced by someone else, especially when that person had bad intentions.

"City Lord! The dwarves can make concessions on other matters, but not on matters concerning the Feather Tribe!" The messenger said, "Any sympathy or support for the Feather Tribe will be regarded as hostile behavior towards the dwarves."

"The dwarves are so overbearing!" Fran said, "Why... do we need the consent of you dwarves before we can form an alliance with any race? You, the Huameng, keep saying that you want to break the hegemony of the elves, but how come you have become part of the hegemony?"

"Uh... this!" The dwarf was speechless for a moment, then quickly changed the subject and said, "The Feather Tribe is a filthy race! They rob fleets in this sea area and do all kinds of evil! In order to obtain supplies, they even burned merchant ships and strung the bodies of the crew members on the sails. Such a race must be killed by everyone! We dwarves are just maintaining peace in the sea area! I hope the city lord will not go along with the Feather Tribe."

"Going along with the crowd?" Fran snorted coldly: "If you hadn't forced the Feather Tribe to this point, do you think they would plunder? Besides! The Feather Tribe was indeed very cruel to merchant ships in the past, but aren't you dwarves also cruel? What you did to the Feather Tribe is probably even worse than that!"

"Humph! We are fighting violence with violence!" said the dwarf.

"I have no hatred against the Feather Tribe! I only know that whoever caused the tragedy will be punished! I will not target all men, women, old and young!" Fran said: "Besides, I took over this part of the Feather Tribe and transformed them into my own laborers, which also reduced the number of looting! If you dwarves sincerely want to maintain peace in the waterway, shouldn't you thank me! Instead of being like this now! Tell me! What are your intentions?"

"It seems that the city lord is determined to make things difficult for us dwarves?" The dwarf messenger said, "City Lord Fulan, you are now fighting fiercely with the elves and the hypocrites of the Northern Alliance! We dwarves could have formed an alliance with you to fight against the elves together! Don't reject our goodwill for the sake of a dirty race!"

"When have the dwarves ever shown us kindness?" Fran said, "You intercepted the ships of Orila in public waters. Is this kindness? You made things difficult for the Chamber of Commerce of Orila and charged extra tariffs. Is this kindness? We Orila people will not accept any threats!"

"City Lord, do you want to fight against the Northern Alliance and the Chinese Alliance at the same time? You must think twice before doing anything!" The dwarf said, "Just relying on you and your alliance of forces that can't even protect themselves?"

"No, no, no!" Fran smiled and said, "We don't actually have any irreconcilable conflicts with the Northern Alliance or the elves! If they knew we were about to declare war on you, do you think the elves would join forces with you to deal with us, or would they join forces with us to deal with you?"

The dwarf was immediately stunned by this. After a long while, he said disdainfully, "Didn't the Vienna Alliance claim to be independent? Why do you want to be a fence-sitter?"

"Those without strength are called fence-sitters! If we have strength, we can do whatever we want." Fran said, "Since you want to kill all the Feather Tribe, then we in Orila City can only accompany you to the end! I think the elves also hope to regain the control of the route with the Inya Continent! I hope your emperor will think twice!"

"Really? Then it depends on whether you in Orila City have the ability to do so!" The dwarf messenger stood up and said, "Goodbye!"

After saying this, he left the reception hall without looking back.

"Lord! What should we do with this painting? Burn it?" Catherine asked.

"Burn it! But not now! When we capture Wall City in the future, we will burn this painting in front of Valhalla!" Fran said.

It seemed that their dispute with the dwarves was inevitable.

I just don’t know how this dispute will eventually evolve.

Chapter 238: Fran's Ambassador

Fran and Christina stood on the top of Bieson's administrative palace, watching the dwarf's iron battleship slowly go away into the distance.

"Sister, didn't you always say that we should keep a low profile and avoid disputes with the dwarves?" Christina said worriedly, "Why are we suddenly going to fight with swords?"

"Perhaps I was too impulsive..." Fran said, "According to the behavior of ordinary diplomats and politicians, no matter how angry they are inside, they will not resort to such violent conflicts on the surface. But... when I saw that painting, I really couldn't stand the anger in my heart. If I had been more tactful at the time and calmed the dwarf first, perhaps it would have been better."

"But this is probably why my sister can accomplish so many things." Christina said: "In the past, no one would offend another more powerful force for a race with a bad reputation and little say! In the main plane, diplomacy is interests, and interests are diplomacy. All morals and bottom lines are meaningless in the face of interests... Only my sister is different in this respect?"

"I?"

"You are the only one who keeps your word! Even if it means sacrificing your own interests." Christina said: "You said you would break the shackles of the gods, you said you would save the Feathered Tribe and come to their aid. You promised Nerte and Petreksi, so you will do your best to fulfill your promise."

"My sister, you praise me so much that I feel embarrassed!" Fran's face blushed slightly.

"But that is indeed the truth." Christina said, "In the diplomatic world controlled by the Northern Alliance and the Chinese Alliance, things like bottom lines and principles have long since disappeared!"

"But people with principles and bottom lines often suffer losses." Fran said

"Of course you will suffer in the short term." Christina said, "But your persistence is seen by other allies! They know that you are different from elves and dwarves. You keep your word! You are willing to do everything you can to protect your allies! Instead of selling out like the elves. I think more forces will join the Vienna Alliance in the future and choose to fight against the Northern Alliance and the Chinese Alliance."

Fran didn't say anything else, but leaned into Christina's arms.

"But... my sister shouldn't have been so impulsive." Christina smiled and said, "In this situation, the best thing to do is to play it safe and deceive the dwarves while continuing to send troops to support them."

"Sure enough, what you really want to say is hidden behind the but." Fran smiled at Christina.

"Sister is good at deceiving people financially... er... she is good at talking, but why is she so straightforward when it comes to diplomacy?" Christina said, "It seems that you really need someone to help you with diplomacy! Sister is not very good at this either. I wonder if little Catalina can do it!"

"If Catalina can really get things done, it proves that she is competent enough for this matter." Fran said: "There are too many things to do in Orila City now! Even if I have the will and ability, I don't have the energy to be a diplomat. I have too many things to do, and I haven't practiced with my sister for the past year. Why don't we practice here?

"Here?" Christina looked around in horror.

This place overlooks the entire Bieson Harbor. In a place like this...

Catalina and Gustav finally arrived at the border of the Principality of Habsburg, where Grand Duke Habsburg was already waiting for them.

"Welcome, sister! And Miss Gustave!" Grand Duke Habsburg welcomed the two of them off their horses and replaced them with a spacious carriage.

"Long time no see, brother!" Catalina had a faint smile on her lips.

"Did Lord Fran order you to be released?" Grand Duke Habsburg asked with concern.

"Yes." Catalina said, "I am here as the ambassador of the Lord of Fran! Your Excellency the Duke of Habsburg."

Grand Duke Habsburg smiled and said, "Lord Fran actually appointed you as ambassador. Isn't she afraid that Margaret will be angry? Alas, this is a dispute between your two forces, and I don't want to get involved. But it is indeed a good thing for you. At least you won't be buried in Vienna for the rest of your life. The girls of my Habsburg family are all amazing. It would be a pity if they were buried."

"Your Excellency the Duke is joking."

"But..." Grand Duke Habsburg changed the subject and said, "Since you are an ambassador, I will not talk to you about family ties."

"Of course." Catalina nodded.

Grand Duke Habsburg said, "I'm afraid the ambassador is here for the railway. If so, you'll be disappointed. I've already made it clear to Lord Fran that the Principality of Habsburg is unwilling to open its borders to allow the railway to pass through. This concerns the safety of the Principality of Habsburg, and sovereignty is not negotiable."

"Do you really think, Duke, that closing the country to the outside world can guarantee the internal security of the principality?" Catalina asked bluntly.

"What's the meaning?"

There was already a strong hostility in Catalina's words. If Catalina was not his sister, the warlike Principality of Habsburg would have served tea and sent the guest away.

"If the Duke used this method before the advent of railways and firearms, he could have indeed ensured the country's independence. But now... times have changed." Catalina said, "Now Lord Fran has built railways to the north and south ends of the Principality of Habsburg. If she really wants to go to war with the Duke, she can send soldiers to the border of the Principality in less than half a day."

"That's better than sending it to the core area of ​​the principality." Duke Habsburg said.

"In my opinion, there is no difference between the two! It's just a minute before destruction and a second before destruction. And most importantly, the geopolitics of the Habsburg Principality is now completely different from what it was before."

“As before?”

"Before the Undead Scourge... the Principality of Habsburg was a shield to stop the Fruman Empire from moving southward. In this situation, it was not difficult to maintain independence, and it was necessary... But now." Catalina said, "The north and south ends of the Principality of Habsburg are all under the influence of Lord Fran. The Principality of Habsburg has become a veritable country within a country. What's the point of opening the border or not? It's like me frantically piling up walls in my manor in Vienna. It's meaningless."

Duke Habsburg frowned.

Of course, he also knew the current situation of the Habsburg Principality, but after all, he had been baptized by traditional thinking for so many years. Facing the ever-changing changes, the Duke of Habsburg could not adapt in a short time. Of course, the most important thing was that if the border was not opened, he knew what to do in the future, but if it was opened... no one knew where the Habsburg Principality would go in the future.

The unknown is mankind's eternal fear

Catalina obviously couldn't convince Duke Habsburg with just these words.

Chapter 239: Forever Poverty?

The carriage sped through the territory of the Principality of Habsburg and soon arrived at a military camp. Duke Habsburg specifically ordered people to stop and then ordered the soldiers in the camp to practice firearms.

The soldiers moved in unison, and they could easily form various formations to the beat of the drums. Gustave was secretly shocked. Afterwards, they conducted live ammunition shooting, and the shooting accuracy of each soldier was amazing.

If we talk about the training level of this unit, they can be considered as the best in Orila City. The only difference is the weapons and equipment in their hands. If their firearms equipment is replaced with the same equipment as Orila City, it is likely that most of the Orila soldiers will not be their opponents.

While other powers were still adapting to firearms, the Principality of Habsburg had already developed such an elite firearms unit. It can only be said that it was worthy of being an army of the principality.

As an officer, Gustave knew very well how difficult it was to achieve this. This required a lot of effort in training and the active learning of various new tactics and methods.

However, Catalina on the side was unmoved. She picked up a musket, loaded the ammunition skillfully, and then fired.

boom!

The bullet did not hit the target, but went far to the side.

The soldiers around them smiled unconsciously.

Duke Habsburg patted Catalina on the shoulder and said, "These guns have a lot of deviation in accuracy, so you need to practice shooting constantly to understand the deviation of your guns, and then calculate the deviation in actual combat. So it's normal to not hit the bull's eye the first time."

"Your Excellency the Duke does not need to comfort me. Instead, I should be the one comforting Your Excellency the Duke," said Catalina.

"Comfort me instead?"

"These guns should be imitations of the second-generation muskets produced by Aurora. That is, the generation that the Lord Mayor sold publicly in Vienna."

Duke Habsburg nodded.

"It's a good gun, but it's a pity that the guns your men are equipped with are outdated!"

"It's not that behind the times." At this time, an officer beside him said, "It's only been more than two years since Lord Fulan launched the musket. How could it be outdated so quickly?"

Catalina did not speak, but took out a new-style musket from the carriage, loaded it with lightning speed, and pulled the trigger for the last time, and the bullet hit the target accurately.

The loading speed was so fast that the smiles on all the soldiers' faces froze in an instant.

Catalina said, "This is a musket I randomly picked from the Orila City Arsenal before I came here. This is also the first time I fired it."

"First time firing? How is it possible...

“Don’t you need to adapt to the error value?”

The soldiers present immediately began to whisper to each other.

Several soldiers immediately wanted to try out this new type of firearm, and every soldier who tried it out performed very well, which stunned Duke Habsburg.

Catalina said: "This is the fourth generation of muskets produced in Orila City. Whether in terms of accuracy, firepower or loading speed, it has already far surpassed the previous muskets."

"This is impossible! Why is the innovation of muskets so fast in such a short period of time?" Duke Habsburg said, "We have just understood the principles and manufacturing processes of these muskets, and we have to make new ones in the blink of an eye?"

"Have you really understood the principle?" Catalina said, "Being able to imitate does not mean that you understand it."

"What's the meaning?"

"In the city of Orila, there are nearly a thousand scholars working day and night to design and improve muskets! Upstream of them, there are more than 20 different research fields, covering mathematics, mechanics, materials science, chemistry, and a total of more than 3,000 scholars. Downstream of them, there are more than 300 supporting workshops and factories, more than 10,000 workers producing, and more than 80,000 soldiers experiencing. Behind every tiny change, there are countless debates and experiments."

Hearing these numbers, the Duke of Habsburg was stunned with astonishment. There were more than 3,000 scholars, and it was not easy to find 3,000 people who could write among the Duke of Habsburg.

"The Duke can still barely imitate firearms now, but what about in the future?" Catalina said, "Fifth and sixth generations! The accessories of new firearms require special metal materials. The Habsburg Principality is simply unable to master them, nor can it establish a corresponding production line. The Duke also knows that when there is a generation gap in weapons,

It takes a lot of manpower to fill it.”

"This is too much of a weapons-only theory!" said an officer on the side. "Weapons are only one aspect of an army's combat effectiveness! Even if there is a generation gap, it doesn't mean we can't win a battle."

"Indeed! But the training of the Aurora City army is comparable to yours. In this case, it's a competition of weapons, armaments, and supplies!"

“That’s right…”

"Let's talk about firearms training!" Catalina said, "Firearms are different from bows and arrows. Every time a bullet is fired, it is gone. There is absolutely no possibility of recovery! In a sense, every training session costs real money! The army using firearms is much more dependent on supplies than before."

"Of course I know that!" Duke Habsburg said, "But the roads within the Principality of Habsburg are solid, and we have an extremely efficient supply route. This is why we can stand out in the War of the Undead."

"But... efficient supply is one thing! There must also be enough productivity to produce ammunition. Is there such efficient productivity within the principality?" asked Catalina.

Now not only Duke Habsburg, but other officers were also completely silent.

"If Orila City goes to war with the Duke, how long can the gunpowder and bread production in the duchy last?" Caterina asked, "Half a year, four months? Or two months?"

"How long can the city of Orila hold out?" asked Duke Habsburg.

"There are six open ammunition factories in Orila City, and they mainly supply ammunition to the outside world. The ammunition they manufacture is of good quality and low price. The Duke is a frequent visitor there. In other words, most of the ammunition stocks in the Principality come from Orila City, right?"

"You're right... " Duke Habsburg said helplessly.

They also wanted to increase the production of gunpowder, but the Principality of Habsburg did not produce saltpeter, so they could only scrape it from the toilet! But Fran was different, he had countless mines in the entire underground world to provide him with raw materials.

"These six arsenals are only made public by the city lord!" Catalina said, "In fact, the factories that supply internal ammunition are all deep underground, and outsiders have no idea of ​​their exact scale. It is precisely because of the huge production scale that the cost of both research and development and production in Orila City has dropped sharply. If it is a matter of consumption, the Principality of Habsburg will not be able to fight at all."

"It is no longer the era where victory can be achieved by relying on one army alone." Gustav added at the right moment: "The current war is about to enter a competition of comprehensive strength and systems."