In this way, the twelve-year-old Martha lost everything overnight—lost her hometown, her parents, and seemed to have lost her hope for the future. The parents spent too much time in the fire scene to rescue Martha herself who was unable to act due to fear and confusion caused by the fire, and the parents who had been suffering from lung disease because of the frequent lack of heating in winter had to stop their lives.

Martha didn't know how she got out of this desperate dilemma afterwards. When she regained her memory, she seemed to be lying in the snow, rescued by nearby residents who saw the fire burning. The corpses of the parents have been buried hastily along with the other villagers. As for the arsonists, they knew that they had caused a disaster and had been scattered as birds and beasts. In this case, where is Martha who has no relatives to go to?

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"I don't want to stay in the new orphanage in the capital of the autonomous prefecture... I don't think there is any way to get along with them. Besides, when I think of this, the future will be controlled by others, and I am somewhat resisted." Martha was indifferent. He said, explaining his thoughts at the time, "I want to gain a foothold in the world with my own strength... So, I took the money and went to the slums of the autonomous prefecture."

"Slums?"

"The autonomous prefecture government does not allow the existence of hunting groups in name, but they also know that without these people, the residents of the villages around the cities would starve to death because they have no money. Therefore, the two sides actually reached something This kind of tacit understanding is that the hunters keep their own territory in the city, while the rest of the area is the result of the autonomous state government's efforts to administer the "Northern Hunters". "

"So that's it... You found out where they are, right?"

"Yeah. Originally, they were unwilling to accept me...because I seem to be too young, and I'm still a girl..." Martha said, "But, I told them the story that happened in the village, they There seemed to be no way, so I had to agree to this. However, the hunting regiment still maintained a considerable size and the overall composition was quite young. Therefore, I got along fairly well. They didn't teach me the skills of fighting, they just taught me. Give me some simple wound treatments, simple ways to distinguish some drugs, and some logistical miscellaneous work."

"So, in the end, how did you get to Vulcan?" Heliga was curious.

"From the result, it might be considered that he was poaching me." When the incident was mentioned, Martha's cold face also added a little smile. "Although I didn't say it clearly, I can see that the hunting group was mixed up. It doesn’t seem to be good... Funds and finances are quite tight. Although I didn’t ask for any salary from them, I just hoped that I could help them with work and have a good meal... But it seemed that they even provided for me. But everyone who didn't need to write was hard to write. Therefore, when Volkampber said that he wanted me to join his group, my original group had almost no objections, and agreed."

"So..." Heliga understood.

"After the story, you will also understand... After Uncle Vulcan did that kind of thing, Erlengum fell apart. I became attached to the Qi Yao Church, and since then I have been acting in friendship with the church. You should also understand the position of the company?"

"Yeah. Hometown No. 1... Isn't that the policy?" Heliga nodded.

"Yeah. So, since you brought me here, you must already know what I mean... Frankly speaking, I am not sure about this. Although you and I met, but... I have to use this kind of suspicion Try to figure it out. If you really are..."

"Don't worry about it." Heliga sighed softly when he saw Martha hesitate to speak, "Tell me your own thoughts. I will tell you the truth, the address here, the address of your hometown, is also Ain. The chief contacted me specifically and told me. She was also worried that you might cause a misunderstanding with me, but I think there should be no real conflicts between us."

"Then... I'll just say it directly. Heliga, what is your purpose? You are an imperial nobleman and have a good relationship with the prince of the imperial prince... Anyone with a discerning eye should see that if you follow this path, add The influence accumulated during the Civil War...you will have a strong power in the basic empire. But under this premise, you have shown a strong interest in Northumbria...and the empire has a strong interest in me The attitude of his hometown has always been the worst on the entire continent. Ereponia is also the only country where the official government has expressed support for the existence of the "Northern Hunter" organization. Am I right? "

"Yeah." Heliga nodded.

"Under this premise, when Northumbria was destroyed by the "pile of salt" thirty years ago, all countries on the mainland, except the empire, extended a helping hand to us. The empire just refused to recognize the legitimacy of the autonomous state government, and the various annexations by force carried out by the imperial government before the "Iron Prime Minister" came to power, as well as the various diplomatic communications carried out after that, always kept Northumbria only The remaining trading allies were stripped away and the autonomous prefectures were isolated...From the countries of the western islands to the city of Julai...The empire is always targeting Northumbria, right? "

"..." Heliga just nodded without speaking.

"Since you know this, then presumably, Chief Ain also told you that I have a deep understanding of the "Salt Pile" incident before and after. I know that the empire has always maintained the chaos in Northumbria, and one of its purposes is to better keep the autonomous state in chaos, so as to detect the "salt pile". Even after knowing that the church has recovered the ancient relics of its core remains... I judge that it must have been done by some people in the empire, some forces. And your various behaviors, it is hard not to make people doubt, why do you care so much about things that have nothing to do with you? "

After a pause, Martha continued: "I think there are no more than two kinds. First, you and the imperial government are opposed to each other, so you want to use this kind of action as capital for resistance; either you and the imperial government The government is a kind of raccoon. On the surface, it has good relations with the prince, but in fact it is doing things for the government-the relationship with His Royal Highness Olibate is just a cover.

"Why do you think so?" Heliga couldn't help but smile-he himself didn't expect to be so suspicious, "Although I am also wondering, why did the imperial government survive the regime after the destruction of the Grand Duchy of Northumbria? Strictly contain the autonomous prefecture government, and heard people say about the disaster area of ​​the "Pile of Salt"... But anyway, it seems that I should not be suspected. "

"So, why on earth? Why do you value Northumbria, a land that has nothing to do with you?" Martha was shocked, but still asked, "I just think it's weird... Isn't the sense of violation too heavy?"

"... That. Martha, I don't know if you know this story... But this is a story that is very famous in the empire and well-known to every family." Heliga pondered for a moment, "You know that the greatest emperor in the history of the empire is Who?"

"The King of the Lionheart" Drekers the Great... 250 years ago, the final victor of the Empire's civil war. "Martha thought for a while and said.

"Hmm...do you know who was around him when he raised troops and announced that he was going to fight for the throne?"

"This...I don't know." Martha shook her head. "Does this have anything to do with the topic between us?"

"When Emperor Drekers invaded the imperial capital, he had already received the support of almost all local nobles at that time. But when he first started his career, he had only seventeen Nord's warriors. It was just because he was before him. In getting along, they have forged a deep friendship with the residents of these plateaus. With this, they dare to declare war on the princes who each declared to rule the empire and were supported by the great nobles."

"This is...very...risky behavior." Martha said unnaturally after being silent for a long time. She originally wanted to say that this was really a stupid approach-but in connection with the reality that Dreykells did eventually unify the empire, she changed the more pertinent wording.

"Actually, I also think it's stupid to do this... Even if the seventeen people of Nord are able to be masters of one hundred, even in that era, the modern weapons in war did not have such a powerful force that could make mortals use the force. It’s not worth mentioning in front of the torrent of steel rushing on the battlefield... But in any case, these people are the power to help him gain a foothold. As for the subsequent encounters with "the saint of guns" and helpers from all over the world, Later things happened. Heliga turned her head. "Before that, the Empire had never said that "the people of the Empire and the residents of Nord Plateau are eternal friends." Whether the empire was before Osborne’s prime minister, when the aristocratic council was in power, or after he came to power, the empire had many outright aggressive behaviors against neighboring countries, but only for the Nord Plateau, the empire There has never been any unfriendly behavior. "

"Could it be... you mean that if Northumbria is also behind, copying Nord's actions..." Martha seemed to vaguely understand what Heliga meant. "Could it be that you... Your Highness Libat, he thought..."

"No... Your Royal Highness and I have no further thoughts on this. His Royal Highness has told me long ago that his ideal is only to hope that the empire can become a country in his ideal, not that he must become an emperor. He is a conquered prince, It is not the only choice for the emperor, nor does he possess the personality charm that can make the imperial nobles ignore the tradition and choose him to become the emperor." Heliga shook his head, "If he wants the throne, it will inevitably cause a round of real blood and blood. However, in reality, this civil war in the empire is nothing more than an experiment, an experiment initiated by the "association" using Duke Kane. "

""Association"...? "Martha became more and more confused, "What does this have to do with association...?" "

"The plan of association and the actual tricks of the "Project Illusion Flame" are actually the two treasures of the empire. "Heliga said, "The political turmoil on the surface is actually insignificant. What is really important is the undercurrent surging here. However, if you want to develop the strength of the Anbe, you also need a strong surface force as a cover. I don't want to grab territory from the great nobles of the empire...I hope that these matters can be controlled by their own people, among them who are close to and trust me. And myself, I need a territory that I can truly control. "

"So... Northumbria is... the necessary goal for you to achieve your goal?" Martha seemed to understand part of it, but he still had doubts about the choice itself, "but why is it here? Crossbell is not better Do you choose? You have connections there and you have ample understanding. The previous actions of Closbell have provided the empire with an excellent reason to declare war..."

"Because there is actually the site of the Kuroys family." Heilijia happily, "I already said that I don't want to rob others. Moreover, although Clos Bell is economically developed, it does not have the ability to develop into a real The potential of a powerful country...Even if it gains an independent status from the Empire and the Republic later, it is still a **** without its own political stand, swinging from side to side, and going from side to side. But Northumbria is different...this It’s a territory that has never been compromised by any conspirators because of poverty and famine. But it was once a rich country. Even if one-fifth of the country was destroyed by the pile of salt, it still has a large amount of industrial foundation needed. "The seven Yao veins." Heliga said, "For the Northumbria investigation, I have entrusted your hunting regiment to do it very clearly... Now I am extremely sure that I can use it to achieve the purpose I want. Except. In addition... that pile of salt is also closely related to the two treasures of the empire."

"this is……"

"This is the information provided by the association and some people in the secret part of the empire. The information provider is credible." Heliga said, "but I haven't figured out the specific reason. I understand your main concern, I Knowing my remarks cannot convince you to sit back and watch me let your hometown become a **** for my purpose. Therefore, what I prepared to convince you is actually this."

Heliga took out a thin stack of papers—and handed them to Martha.

The latter had a puzzled expression, and he half-trusted what Heliga had handed in the wind and snow-her face changed suddenly after only reading half a page.

"This... is this...?"

"Yes. This is what I use to convince you... Do you think I don't know what you really want?" Heliga smiled, "You hope that your hometown can become a "pile of salt" before the catastrophe That way, a peaceful and prosperous country. For my own purposes, I need your help, and the reward is to leave you with everything that is enough to change this country back to its original state when I retire! "