The Journey of the Demon Hunter

Chapter 158

"Friend of the Dragonborn." Master Ain Gal, who tied his long beard with a rope, looked at the Demon Hunter, "Welcome to the Hogarth Peak."

"Thank you for tolerating my interruption, Master." The demon hunter respects these hermits. They are powerful, but they only concentrate on meditating and follow the way of howling, instead of using this power to bring something to themselves, or Satisfy selfish desires. Although the demon hunter is not a person who can be a recluse, but the mood of the gray beard is worthy of admiration for Zelin.

The architectural style of the Greybeard Retreat is similar to the ancient Nord ruins. If the legend is correct, this will be the only one that has been completely preserved since the war between humans and dragons. A huge pile of black stones built this retreat. There are not many rooms here, perhaps because the number of gray beards has never been many. Ain Gail arranged a place to rest for Zelin, just watching With these gray beards spreading his hands and sitting on the ground meditating on his knees, he really couldn't fall asleep on the cold, hard rocks.

As if an appointment had been made, on the morning of the third day, Ulfric Stormcloak, the leader of the rebels, came to Hogarth Peak, and he stepped into the Roar of the World with his most trusted general. In the near evening, General Turius took his most powerful assistant, Governor Ruiji, and a gorgeously dressed female high elf into the retreat of Greybeard.

Chapter 310 Another Battlefield

When the war is most intense, the leaders of the two camps can sit at the same round table to discuss a truce. I am afraid that only Greybeard can do it in the entire sky.

But it can only do this. Let these people who are thinking about **** each other all the time sit face-to-face, without carrying any swords or weapons, and without leading soldiers to guard, it is almost the limit that Graybeard can do. No one can expect Ulfric to have a peaceful chat with Turius, or to let Governor Reggie and Gamal Stonefist lay down their camp and talk about the traditional habits of the Nords.

If the Imperial Legion and the Stormcloak are in a stalemate, perhaps the negotiation of a peace agreement or truce agreement will not be so difficult. But now, the war on the northern front has fallen into a stalemate, and many residents outside Morningstar either enter the city or fled to Mosar and Winterhold to escape the war. Although Turius, the professional general from Cyrodir, is gaining an advantage on the frontal battlefield, there is also a storm cloak that shrinks most of his troops from the vicinity of the morning star, and begins to move on the mountain pass between the East Territory and the Snowman. Assemble related.

Obviously, Ulfric is not a reckless man who can only fight alone. He has the ambition to become the Supreme King of Skyrim, and he also has the power to support his huge ambitions. The storm cloak’s strategy hit Turius’ weakness. Even if the Imperial Army seized the Morning Star, once the Snow Man fell, the Imperial Army occupying the Morning Star would fall into an anti-encirclement situation.

In the current situation, the key is time. Whether the Imperial Legion first captures the Morning Star, and then goes south to confront the storm cloak attacking Xueman, or the Storm Cloak first captures Xueman, and then goes north to encircle the main force of the Imperial Army.

"In general, we should try our best to make both parties think that they get enough benefits in the peace conference." Standing in front of that map, Zelin said to the dragonborn girl "Don't want them to sign a peace agreement, it's just An exchange agreement, and a method of delaying time."

"It's a pity that you don't go to the Blue Palace in Solitary City to be a baron. Queen Alicia would definitely be willing to listen to your suggestions."

"But I will give advice to Dragonborn, not a queen."

Forty years ago, King Vivery of Covind defeated King Mandell of Tamoria and took control of the Fortress of Haji. When Zelin heard the news while sitting in the city of Brenner, he began to consider whether to go to the Pontal Delta. The war would bring corpse-eating creatures, and monsters would require demon hunters. But when he arrived in Island, he heard the news of peace. When Vivery captured Haji, Mandel gained the approval of the Mahakam dwarves and moved the border of Temoria to the border with Aden.

War, or peace, are different means for some people. Ain Gal had privately expressed his dissatisfaction before the arrival of the leader of the Imperial Army and the Stormcloak. This hall was built for peace, but now it’s full of people who are fighting for the power and fighting.

"Don't worry, the negotiation will not be completed overnight, I will help you."

Before entering the negotiation hall, Zelin whispered to the dragonborn girl. In any case, the initiator of this negotiation is Greybeard, and the reason is that the dragonborn needs peace to solve the dragon disaster. The two sides will definitely try their best to win over Gnaiya, at least they will not push the Dragonborn to the opposite side in the negotiation.

After all, there are two ways to reach peace, negotiation, or a complete victory for one party. The Dragonborn will need peace to fight Alduin, and Greybeard will guide the Dragonborn’s path, but it doesn’t matter how peace is achieved.

In this room made of huge stones, the oval stone table was just enough for Turius and Ulfric to sit opposite each other. Master Ain Gail sits on the half-arc side of the oval table and sits opposite to the dragonborn, acting as an intermediary and avoiding contact between the empire and the people in the storm cloak. It was because of the gray beard that Turius agreed to sit at the same table with Ulfric.

After all, the Supreme King died of Ulfric's roar in only a year.

The guests at the meeting were silent. General Turius, the commander of the Imperial Legion, leaned forward with one hand on the stone table in front of him, his eyes fixed on the rebel leader opposite, his face stern and wrinkled. It seemed to cover his face. The lord of Windhelm City, the heir of the East Territory, and many people called him the real Sky High King. Ulfric was close to the back seat, and he either showed a majestic appearance, or he has always been like this.

Somo's ambassador to Skyrim, the female high elf is looking at the ruby ​​ring on her slender finger, a pair of small but keen eyes twirling in the slender eye sockets, she seems to be observing everyone, but it seems to be about it. Dismissively. For a while, her gaze was mainly on the Dragonborn, a look of confusion and anger flashed in her little eyes, and then she ordered two Blade Warriors---the proprietress of the Sleeping Giant Inn, Delphine. And Ispen.

Gnaiya once infiltrated the Somo Embassy in order to collect intelligence on the return of the dragon, resulting in the death of several Somo guards. Zelin had heard of this in Solitary City, and the ambassador made a solemn representation to Queen Alicia. However, considering that neither the Empire nor the Nords had a favorable impression of the former enemy Somo, the matter would naturally not be stopped.

The most unremarkable of all was the lord Balgruuf of Snowman City. He was surprised and happy to see the Demon Hunter again, and at the same time congratulated Zelin for solving a Demon Artifact. In the peace conference, he was just a witness, because he neither joined the empire, nor did he support Ulfric. He came here to witness the signing of the peace agreement, and then he could return to Xueman, relying on the ancient hero Olaf to help Ganya capture a giant dragon.

Everyone is trying to stay calm and restrained, even the uninvited Blade Club fighters. Greybeard directly indicates that the Blade Club is not welcome here, perhaps because Delphine claims to be a follower of the Dragonborn---in fact, she did so---so that she and Ess instinct could get Zhang on Ulfric’s side. Chair. Only Ulfric and Gamal arrived in the storm cloak, and the Blade Warrior sitting there would at least not make them look too thin.

The only thing who didn't conceal her feelings was Queen Alicia who came with General Turius. She glared at Ulfric. After all, this was the culprit who killed his husband and turned her into a widow.

Since the death of her husband, the young widow has become the acting supreme king of Skyrim. Although Alicia has not stated that she has the throne, people always call her the title of queen. When the king is murdered and leaves no heirs, the queen closest to the king sits on the throne of the blue palace without any objection. Moreover, the young and gentle queen can get the support of some Nords, and this is also the empire. At least the young and gentle queen is definitely more suitable than the ambitious Ulfric to become the leader of the empire's sky province.

"Now that we are all here, let's get ready to start."

Graybeard Ain Gal looked at the people standing on the side of the empire. Although Lord Balgruuf did not join the empire, he was sitting on the side of Queen Alicia. Then Ain Gail looked at the person on the side of the storm cloak again, holding his hands together and nodding.

"Very well, I hope we can follow the principle of pursuing peace..."

"No!"

Ulfric interrupted Greybeard's words, he stood up, his eyes could not read any emotion, maybe this Nordman was like his inherited eastern collar, covered with frost. He moved his gaze from Balgruuf to the High Elf Ambassador Alan Wen, opened his mouth, and his voice was as cold as his face, full of power and majesty.

The leader of the storm cloak pointed to Ambassador Somo. "The imperial people brought her into this negotiation to humiliate us?" He looked at the imperial general. "Turius, your chief Talos disciple hunter? If she is here, just Without any negotiation, I will leave or let Somo get out."

Chapter 311 Who Holds the Rage Fist

Ulfric's words were like sparks that ignited a cannon, or the first crack that destroyed the ice on the lake in the early spring, and the venue that was barely calmed down instantly fell into controversy.

Turius is still frowning. He is a general. What he has to do is to find the enemy's flaws strategically. Ulfric is by no means just a brave man with passion. Everyone of Nords in Skyrim can shout Talos. Many lords are dissatisfied with the empire’s prohibition of Taros belief, but they can gather storm cloaks. Only Ulfric was the one who won the support of Half Skyrim and confronted the empire.

Garma, the most powerful general in the storm cloak, seems to be on the battlefield. When Ulfric gives an order, he will rush ahead and charge for the true Supreme King of Skyrim in his mind. The sturdy Nord man is not wearing a helmet, but a decoration made from the head of a brown bear. Being able to kill a bear with his own hands is enough to prove his power.

"I agree! This is a matter for the Nords and Taros believers. The peace agreement is a matter between Taros believers and the empire, and has nothing to do with Somo!"

Ulfric stared at Turius with expressionless face. Although his words were aimed at Somo Ambassador Alanwen, not the Imperial General, there is no doubt that Turius was the only one who could respond. Governor Rui Ji, who was sitting on the left hand of the imperial general, sighed, "I know you will not maintain peace. We are here to discuss how to provide a peaceful environment for the dragonborn to solve the dragon disaster, not a quarrel."

Supervisor Zelin glanced at Governor Ruiji. Her words were calm. Compared to Garma, her words were easier to get the favor of Dragonborn and Greybeard. In two simple sentences, the people of the Empire are placed on the side of the Dragonborn. They came here to help the Dragonborn. In contrast, the behavior of the Stormcloak seems to be unreasonable, to prevent the Dragonborn from solving it. Dragon blight. Perhaps Richie is not as powerful as Garma, but she must be smarter and wiser than the officer in the storm cloak.

The demon hunter's hand hidden under the table was temporarily released.

Ulfric didn’t say a word. It was a wise decision. He stared at Ambassador Alanwen, who seemed to have suddenly become interested in the cup provided by Greybeard. Rick’s gaze remained indifferent until everyone stopped arguing and turned their gazes on Somo. The ambassador put down the cup, put one hand on the ruby ​​ring of the other, and raised his chin. It's not like speaking to a group of people with the highest authority in Skyrim Province, just simply narrating why he came here.

"I have the right to participate in this negotiation, and I want to make sure that the agreement reached here will not violate the terms of the Platinum Agreement." She deliberately emphasized the words of the Platinum Agreement. It is precisely because of this agreement that the high elves forbid the existence of Talos faith in the empire, and this is one of the reasons for the storm cloak to resist the empire. After all, Alanwen looked at Turius, she was forcing Turius to speak.

Zelin squinted. The High Elf was very cunning. She was sabotaging the peace talks. The Platinum Agreement was an important reason for tearing the sky apart and leading to the civil war. Due to the existence of the treaty, Turius could not agree to Ulfric's request and drive Yawen away, but this would undoubtedly seriously deepen the barrier between the storm cloak and the empire. If they remain deadlocked on this matter, then peace negotiations will undoubtedly drag on for a long time, let alone sign an agreement as soon as possible.

Negotiations on how to negotiate are mostly to no avail. The High Elves seem to be willing to see the empire fall into a conflicting sky instead of a peaceful sky province. Alanwen does not need to express her position, just a short sentence and a look can make the negotiation deadlock right from the beginning. As if satisfied with the effect he made, Ambassador Somo continued to study the wooden cup in his hand and the lifelike dragon carvings on it. But another voice interrupted her appreciation of the artwork.

"Everyone, I don't think we will question Master Greybeard as the master of this place."

Before Turius spoke, the Demon Hunter said first. His eyes drifted past the two representatives of the storm cloak, and at the same time he looked at several people on the side of the empire. If the negotiation is really deadlocked, if you want to continue, you must make the dragonborn girl speak. At that time, she will inevitably be involved in the battle of different camps anyway. Zelin knew that Gnaiya did not want such a thing to happen.

He knows what the people present are thinking, how to speak when, and what they want to hear. Anyone who has not lived in isolation for more than 100 years can understand this truth.

"In Skyrim, according to Nord's tradition, the owner has the power to explain to us who cannot enter this place, and then those who cannot enter should leave according to the tradition." How could Zelin know what Nord's tradition is? He came It has only been a few months in the sky. Of course, many Nords present know what the demon hunters are talking about. How can there be such a strange tradition, but they are silent, as long as the high elves don’t know what the tradition is. Enough.

Zelin understood Balgruuf's attitude towards Somo. When he heard him interrupting Turius' statement, Balgruuf scratched his cheek, took off the ring on his left hand, and observed it carefully with the help of candlelight. Governor Ruiji took the opportunity to lean in to General Turius’ ear, as if talking in a low voice, avoiding Ambassador Alanwen’s sight, but the demon hunter’s hearing told him that Ruiji and Turius hadn’t said anything. They were just pretending to speak. As long as Turius did not express his position, the Empire would not be tied to Somo. Queen Alicia glared at Ulfric as always, turning a blind eye to any other glances, and Alanwen would not ask herself to be boring to seek help from this symbolic queen.

"I know that in places like this, there are some places in the Temple of Dibela that men are not allowed to enter." As if to verify the credibility of the Demon Hunter, the Blade Club member Ispen added.

"Since the building was built and before the Civil War in Skyrim, the Nords have entered this place since ancient times." Master Aingel did not agree with Zelin's words, although his language seems to be confirming the view of the Demon Hunter , But no matter a word, he did not lie. In addition to Ulfric, the Snowman Lord Balgruuf once went to World's Roar to learn how to roar when he was young. He nodded to show that Master Greybeard was right.

"Turius is from Cyrodir." Ambassador Alanwen squinted at General Turius. "What do you say about this tradition, General?"

Turius sat upright. He coughed a few times and his voice became serious, as if he was reading something sacred. "Skyrim is the province of the empire. I represent the emperor's authority in the province of Skyrim. The roar of the world is located in the territory of the empire." Under the authority of the emperor, his majesty’s representatives have the right to enter any imperial territory. Traditions cannot override the laws of the empire, including the eastern territory temporarily stolen by Ulfric."

Master Ain Gal kept a spring-like smile, and said nothing.

Ambassador Alanwen scanned the people present, and it was obvious that she could not stay here any longer.

"I will make a report of everything here and send it to Summerset, and enjoy your short victory, Stormcloak." She seemed to be speaking to Ulfric, but it seemed to be aimed at General Turius. Although she was kicked out of the venue, her attitude was still so arrogant. "No matter what kind of government Skyrim has, the ancestor Shenzhou will get what he wants. We will not interfere in your civil war." Her mouth evoked a hint of malicious intent. Smile "Surely not, don't worry, Ulfric Stormcloak."

Ambassador Alanwen turned and left the room. The Demon Hunter could clearly feel it. General Turius and Governor Ruiji were relieved, while General Garma of the Stormcloak laughed as if he had won a battle. Master Iingel clapped his hands again. "Since the person who got in the way has left, let's start."

The next negotiation went very smoothly, without courtesy or any fair reasons. Ulfric directly put forward his request, and the storm cloak must get Markas City, the city located in the southwest corner of Skyrim Province, and the giant mine that Richi leads the famous Skyrim. The number of storm cloaks is increasing, so they need enough ore to arm their soldiers, and Markas City is an excellent place.

During the period, Queen Alicia was extremely dissatisfied with General Turius for trading with the rebels in cities loyal to Solitary City, but she was only a nominal queen, a banner that could be used as an empire to rule Skyrim, and her protest was eventually left behind. General Si simply dismissed it in three words----I know.