"So, did the rebels retreat under the cover of night?"

Looking at the camp that was still flying the flag of the rebels not far away, Richard's face was calm, and he said calmly, as if this incident was just a trivial matter.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I'm sorry, our sentry neglected to discover all this. I have ordered them to be arrested and imprisoned, and they will be punished by military law later."

"No, it's not their fault." Richard waved his hand, and then said: "No one would have expected that the rebels would be so cowardly and retreat in the dark, but this is not harmful. They can only withdraw to Athos Castle. , Otherwise there is nowhere to go."

"Let the soldiers pack up and prepare to march towards Athos Castle." Richard added: "I want to suppress the rebels before November arrives and end this war completely!"

"Yes."

...

The next day, the legion set out and went straight to the castle of Athos along the paved road. The cavalry defeated by the crossbow cavalry had spread the news of the defeat to the capital of the region, causing great panic, and the prince of Jairo When the army retreated, they deliberately did not retreat here, but bypassed the castle and retreated directly to the west. Therefore, the residents of Athos Castle did not know the news that the main force was still alive despite the defeat. I think the main force has been wiped out.

With such pessimistic thoughts, Athos Castle only held on for less than half an hour before surrendering. In fact, when they announced their surrender, the not-so-sturdy wooden wall had been breached, and a large number of Wins Special soldiers poured into the castle from the gap. Seeing that they were unable to return to the sky, the defenders finally put down their weapons and surrendered in despair.

After entering the city, Richard learned from the defending commander that Prince Jairo and his army did not return here. No wonder the resistance of this castle is so weak. Richard suddenly realized that, but in the next second, it was related. Jairo's question lingered in Richard's mind-where did Jairo and his army go?

At the same time as he was surrounded by doubts, Richard's heart also gave birth to a deep anxiety. Athos's country is not big. There is no place where the rebels can escape except this Athos Castle. If he didn't escape Back here, I am afraid there is only one possibility left-they left the Athos leader and went to a foreign country.

Thinking that Jairo might escape abroad, Richard’s anxiety deepened again. Several countries west of the Principality of Lasik have joined the mutual defense agreement against the Kingdom of Winster. If Jairo tells them to provoke them The flames of war, which triggered the entire War of Vadacia against the Kingdom of Winster and its alliances, that is over. You must know that Richard’s First Army is still far away on the Osa Peninsula, and is now being launched against a city-state with saltpeter mines. war. If an all-out war breaks out at this critical moment, I am afraid it will suffer a big loss.

"No, you can't let this happen." Richard frowned and said, this matter cannot be solved by war, the only way is diplomacy, so he hastened to revise a book to send to Nord, and ordered the Director of Foreign Affairs. Ornus von Frank was in charge of sending messengers to negotiate.

After letting the messenger leave, Richard was still uneasy. He hurriedly appointed a few local nobles to assist in the management of Athos Castle, and then returned east with the army. The army merged into one and returned directly to the city of Rostas.

In Rostas City, Richard told Freya the news of Prince Jairo’s escape, and also told her his worries. This really scared Freya, who was driven off the shelf by the duck, and she hurriedly Asked: "Your Majesty, then what should we do?"

"Let's prepare for war, but the Principality of Lasik has just experienced a war, I am afraid that not many troops can be assembled." Richard sighed and said.

"That……"

Richard knew what she wanted to say. He gently held Freya's hand and comforted: "Don't worry, I will leave two infantry units in Rostas. They will protect you faithfully. Security. In addition, I will also increase the garrison in Audelberg. Once the Principality of Lasik is attacked, the garrison in Audelberg will join the war."

Hearing what Richard said, Freya's fearful heart slowly settled down. She felt the big warm hands holding her little hands, covered with rough calluses, she knew that it was a long-term experience. Only the battlefield will stay, because her father Felicias’ hands are covered with such calluses. Whenever he touches his delicate face with his hands, he will avoid the rough calluses. .

"But..." Freya said suddenly, her eyes fixed on Richard, as if looking at him, "I think it will cost us a lot to get such assistance."

Freya’s words made Richard a little stunned. He never thought that Freya would say such a thing. He fixedly looked at Freya for a long time before he smiled slightly and clicked under Freya’s gaze. Nodded, and said: "Yes, you do need to pay some price."

"What is it?" Freya continued to ask.

"Become my vassal, become Winster's vassal, and stand firmly on my side when the war breaks out."

"Sure enough, it's almost what I thought." Freya smiled bitterly, shook her head, and said helplessly: "But do I have another choice~lightnovelpub.net~ Since I was pushed into this position by you, I have no choice."

"No, you can choose not to accept it, and then my soldier will break in in the next second and put you under house arrest until you accept it, but if you refuse to accept it, then this country may soon return. It's a new lord." Richard said flatly in German, as if only telling a trivial matter.

But in Freya's ears, this was already a threat of nakedness. Her small face turned white, and she looked pitiful. Richard couldn't help but grinned, squeezed her face, and said: "I Knowing that you will make a wise choice, right, my dear Freya."

After the words, he released the hand holding his cheek, slowly got up, walked outside the room, leaving Freya alone in the room to consider. After walking out of the bedroom, Richard glanced at the guards standing outside the door like two green pine trees. Without saying much, he pulled his legs towards the direction of the barracks. The two guards hurriedly followed, one left and the other right, and Richard Well protected.

Just in case, let's order the armament to prepare for war. Richard thought to himself that if diplomatic negotiations fail, once the war breaks out, it is likely to evolve into a full-scale war spreading across the entire Valdasia Peninsula. He hopes that the improved musket can be successfully developed before then. In this case, Richard will Have the opportunity to reverse the battle with advanced gunpowder weapons.