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

"Because... His Majesty doesn't want us to say it." Wallenstein said, "Don't forget the delicate relationship between you and Her Majesty. In the final analysis, you and her are in a competitive relationship! His Majesty is such a proud person, how could he ask for help from you?"

"So, you would rather be imprisoned by these nobles than ask me for help?" Fran frowned.

"My Lord, let me be frank with you." Wallenstein said, "Do you think these nobles can really hold your Majesty under house arrest?"

"Of course not!" Fran said, "No matter how heavy the losses of the First Army are, there is no problem in defeating these nobles. Your Majesty's prestige is so high. And don't forget that there is also a Principality of Habsburg in the north!"

"Yes! She is the only one who can put His Majesty under house arrest!" said Wallenstein.

"Okay, I understand." Fran said.

"I..." Wallenstein paused, then said, "Although I shouldn't say this, I still hope the city lord can persuade His Majesty! No matter what, I hope His Majesty can cheer up! We are willing to defend His Majesty's honor to the death."

"I'll try my best!" Fran nodded. "And I don't want my competitor to be defeated so easily."

"Please!" Wallenstein opened the door of Margaret's bedroom a crack.

Fran walked in, only to see the originally magnificent bedroom in a mess. The light-transmitting windows were tightly locked with curtains, filling the hall with darkness. At the same time, the hall was filled with a foul smell that made Fran frown.

As the emperor, Margaret leaned on her throne with her eyes narrowed. There were wine jugs at her feet, so she didn't notice Fran coming in at all.

Fran did not wake up Margaret directly. She walked to the window, reached out and pulled down the thick curtains.

Strong sunlight shone in through the windows, driving away all the darkness in the hall.

"ah!!"

Margaret instinctively felt uncomfortable being suddenly exposed to the light. She quickly covered her eyes with her hands in an attempt to block the light.

"Who is it! Who opened the curtains! Close them! Close them now!"

"It's me, Your Majesty." Fran moved a stool and sat in front of Margaret.

"Fran? Why are you here?" Margaret was stunned at first, then she remembered her own loss of composure and instinctively avoided Fran's gaze.

"I haven't seen you for a few days. I'm surprised at how much your Majesty has changed." Fran said

"If you want to laugh, just laugh as much as you can." Margaret sighed and picked up a wine jug from her feet, but unfortunately there was no wine left in it.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I'm not here to laugh at you!" Fran said, "I'm here to say goodbye to you."

"Goodbye? Where are you going?" Margaret was stunned.

"North!" Fran said, "You should also know that I built a fortress north of Vienna."

"Are you...really planning to fight Arthas to the death?" Margaret said in disbelief.

"Yes!" Fran said, "Otherwise, why would I work so hard to build a fortress? If we are going to sign a surrender agreement, Vienna is obviously more suitable."

"You... I really envy you." Margaret smiled bitterly, "You have never seen the horror of the Undead Army, and you have no idea how terrifying they are. Fran... We can't win. You can't win."

Fran smiled and said, "It's rare that your Majesty has lost confidence."

"You don't know! You know nothing." Margaret said, "The endless undead, the powerful demon army! With our strength, we can't resist it at all."

"I know." Fran said.

"No... you don't know." Margaret said, "Because your friends haven't sacrificed yet! If you sacrificed as many friends and relatives as I did, you would know how desperate it is."

Having said that, Margaret turned her gaze to an exquisite wooden box.

Fran was a little confused. She walked to the wooden box and opened it, but after opening it a crack, she closed it again.

The wooden box contained two human heads, and the rotting smell came from the box.

Although the two heads were somewhat deformed, Fran immediately recognized their identities as Duke Tilly and Duke Bieson. Their appearance meant that the lost Second and Third Legions had been completely annihilated.

Fran sighed heavily.

It is no wonder that Margaret was devastated. It is self-evident what Duke Tilly meant to her.

That is her greatest reliance, her most loyal assistant, and her most trustworthy partner.

But now Duke Tilly is dead.

It seems that Arthas's messenger Lilith went to Vienna not only to offer Arthas a surrender, but also to break Margaret's heart in one fell swoop.

And she seemed to have succeeded.

Sorry, I was exhausted from changing jobs the past two days. I will resume updating now. I will find time to make up for what I owed before.

Chapter 184 Goodbye, Your Majesty

"I'm sorry, Lord, I'm sorry to disappoint you." Margaret lowered her head and said, "I'm broken! Completely. I can't find any reason to continue fighting. I know that if I persist, more soldiers and civilians will die. Although those nobles are bastards, I admit that if I force them to fight,

If the enemy goes to war, it will only bring ruin to the entire Holy Roel Empire and cause the civilians to fall into hell one after another."

Margaret paused, then said: "I know this sounds like an excuse. But I really don't want to see my people and my comrades sacrificed. I am tired. Just think of it as my final contribution to the civilians of the Holy Roel Empire with my body."

As she said this, a tear slowly flowed from the corner of Margaret's eye, running down her smooth face to her chin.

As an emperor, she can only shed tears in front of her 'enemy', Fran. It's really ironic to think about it.

Fran didn't say anything to comfort her. Instead, she walked over and wiped away Margaret's tears with her hands. Then, she held her face and said, "What are you talking about, Your Majesty? How could you let me down? After going through so many setbacks, it's not easy to hold on. If you want to give up, just give up. No one will blame you!"

"You...but if I surrender, will you continue?"

"Of course!" Fran said without hesitation.

"why."

Fran took a deep breath and said, "Because the people of Orila City want me to continue to resist, I will resist! It's that simple."

"The people of Orila?"

Fran smiled and said, "Yes, although I am the mayor of the city, I am more of a spokesperson for the collective of Orila City, and the collective will. I know very well the honor and dignity of the common people of Orila. When facing a strong enemy, they have a strong belief in resistance! The belief in protecting their hometown! So I am naturally willing to stay!"

"How...how do you know what they really think?"

"Why don't you know?" Fran said, "During this period, I often go to the tavern in Orila City to give speeches and exchange ideas with them."

"Communicate... with them?" Margaret widened her eyes.

"Yes." Fran smiled and said, "Are they some kind of monster? Will I be eaten if I communicate with them?"

"But you are the city lord... they are civilians."

Fran smiled and said, "In my opinion, there is no difference between you and the nobles. It's just that they are weaker and more incompetent, while you are stronger and smarter! But in the final analysis, you are all the same. You are just using your own personal ideas to fantasize about the ideas of the common people! In the final analysis, you have always been

You keep saying that you don't want to see civilians sacrificed, but have you really walked among them, listened to their voices, and known what they really want? Do you know whether they would rather fight for their land and wealth, or surrender for the sake of temporary comfort? "

After hearing this, Margaret was stunned.

"You haven't listened to it!" Fran said with a smile, "I know it. Otherwise, I wouldn't have easily poached your craftsmen."

"Should I?" Margaret said, "No one has ever told me that I need to listen to their opinions. Naturally, representatives of public opinion will collect their opinions and present them. Besides, isn't their goal to survive?"

"Is that so?" Fran said, "If your Majesty were stripped of your background and title, what difference would there be between you and them? What do you think they would think?"

"I...what do they need?"

"I don't know." Fran said, "Your Majesty, you have to listen to it. But I am sure that civilians are people, not slaves, not machines. What they need is food and clothing, dignity, the right to live and the right to live decently! Don't impose your own lofty ideas on others. Don't use

"Your Majesty, come from the masses and go to the masses."

Margaret said nothing but fell into deep thought.

Fran saw Margaret's expression and did not continue the topic. Instead, she said, "Okay, Your Majesty, I have said everything I wanted to say! As I told you at the beginning! I am here to say goodbye to you! I am ready to leave! To my newly built fortress. I think I will stay in the fortress for the rest of the time until...

Until the war is over."

"What? You! Do you really want to fight Arthas alone? Against the demons? Even if the Holy Roll Empire surrenders to Arthas?" Margaret asked in surprise.

"Yes." Fran said: "No matter what choice your majesty makes, Orila City will firmly resist the invasion of Arthas! For us, our land can only be ruled by ourselves, and we will never hand it over to any outsiders! Moreover, I am not fighting alone. There are so many people from Orila City behind me.

The people and soldiers are my pillars of support.

Margaret remained silent, but when she saw Fran stand up and prepare to leave, she seemed hesitant and reluctant.

"Your Majesty! I have a suggestion for you!" Fran thought for a moment, then said, "Go to the Golden Dome Cathedral, the Prancing Horse Inn, the Frosted Sugar Dessert Shop, and the tavern by the Seine! Communicate with the most down-to-earth people at the bottom of the empire, and you will definitely get the answer you want. But at least, drinking here won't give you any answers.

Yes, the jug won’t tell you. Even the beheaded Duke Tilly won’t tell you!”

After saying this, Fran did not linger any longer and left the empty hall.

However, unlike when she came, the hall was now filled with strong sunlight, and darkness and haze were nowhere to hide. They could only find various corners to hide.

Margaret supported the throne and slowly stood up. She kicked the wine jug beside her away and came to the wooden box.

Seeing her old friend's tragic death, tears welled up in Margaret's eyes, but before the tears could fall for long, Margaret wiped them away fiercely with her hands. She bit her lips tightly and finally stopped the tears from flowing.

Then, she took out her wine-stained sword from the messy wine jug and wiped it carefully.

After all the dirt on it was wiped off, Margaret swung her sword and split the wooden table next to her in half, and the room was immediately filled with debris.

The servants waiting outside heard the sound and immediately pushed the door open in panic. However, when they saw Margaret holding a sword, they instinctively knelt down one by one.

At this moment, they suddenly discovered that the emperor who used to look down on the world seemed to have returned.

"Clean up here. Take the box out and find a place to put it first." Margaret said, "And prepare a basin of clean water. I need to take a shower and change clothes."

"As you command, Your Majesty!"

Chapter 185 Pedal

dusk.

Fran and Christina's carriage appeared at the north gate of Vienna.

After finishing the business in Vienna, Fran will go to the new fortress with Christina.

However, just as the convoy was ready to leave, a war horse suddenly rushed out from the north gate and came in front of Fran's carriage.

"Duke Wallenstein? Why are you here?" Fran was a little surprised.

"The city lord left in such a hurry! He didn't even say goodbye." Wallenstein said.

"There's nothing I can do. Time is tight. You see, I didn't hold any departure ceremony." Fran said.

"Well, we are comrades-in-arms now! In that case, let me see you off!" said Wallenstein.

"Great! Come in, please!"

Fran immediately took Wallenstein to the large carriage.

However, when Wallenstein entered the carriage, he found that there was another person inside besides Fran - Christina.

"Lady Saint? Are you planning to go to the battlefield as well?" Wallenstein asked in surprise.

"Yes!" Christina took a sip of tea and said, "Unlike the nobles of the Holy Roel Empire, we in the Holy Ros Church have no way out. And in order to resist foreign enemies, I, the leader of the Holy Ros Church, must lead by example."

This situation made Wallenstein's brain start to work rapidly.

If I think about it this way, I can see Christina every time I visit Fran. One or two times may be a coincidence, but so many times...

Is the relationship between Fran and Christina so good? The hatred between these two forces is simply incalculable, so how come they can bypass the Holy Roll Empire and become so close?

Or is it the personal relationship between Fran and Christina?

Wallenstein wanted to ask further questions, but reason told her that it would be better for her not to get involved in this matter.

"By the way, how is His Majesty?" Fran asked.

"Your Majesty ordered someone to give her a bath, and then she left the palace. I don't know where she went." Wallenstein said, "Although she still didn't express her position! But at least she didn't stay in the palace like before! Just for this, we have to thank the Lord of the City!"

"No, no, no! Why do we have to be so formal with each other!?" Fran said with a smile, "Besides, I just did a small job and didn't give anything. The key lies in Her Majesty herself. If she is determined to sink, no matter who comes, there will be no way to stop her."

"But at least it brings us hope!" Wallenstein said, "and your determination to fight Arthas to the end has greatly encouraged the people around Vienna!"

"It would be even better if Her Majesty Margaret could fight alongside us. Alas, let's not talk about Her Majesty! Duke Wallenstein, what do you think about this war?" Fran asked curiously.

"Me? Of course I want to fight with you! I don't want that weak-looking Arthas to be our emperor. But..." Wallenstein sighed and said, "It all depends on your majesty. If surrender is her plan, then I can only obey. But don't worry, if it really comes to this, I will

I will secretly mobilize the officers and soldiers of the Fourth Legion to help you!"

"It seems that Duke Wallenstein doesn't have enough confidence in me." Fran said with a smile: "You are not someone as loyal to Margaret as Duke Tilly! Otherwise, you wouldn't have secretly set up a slush fund and established a chamber of commerce in secret."

"You saw through me!" Wallenstein said with a smile, "I'm not very confident indeed! But I'm not as desperate as the other nobles! Because I know that even up to now, the city lord has not yet fully demonstrated the full power of the city of Orila."

"Oh? You actually think I haven't used my full strength yet?" Fran said, "I fought back and forth with Elendil! I didn't show overwhelming strength! If I had real strength, how could I hide it?"

"You can fool others, but you can't fool me!" Wallenstein said, "The power of Orila City is not on the battlefield! Behind the battlefield, those new weapons and brave soldiers are just appearances. The real power lies in production! It is your incomparable powerful productivity."

"Go on!"