Chapter 1376 - 1292: Unexpected Turn in the Plan

Chapter 1376: Chapter 1292: Unexpected Turn in the Plan

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Following the South Nao’an River downstream, this time Horn came straight to Orange County before disembarking.

In the springtime Orange County, small white flowers were already blooming on the trees.

Outside the gates of the royal private garden, guards wielding axes, spears, and long halberds were waiting early.

The area within several miles had been cleared, specifically awaiting Horn’s arrival.

The ceremonial officer even specially prepared a hunting ground, so that His Holiness the Pope could go out deer hunting during negotiation breaks if he felt inclined.

However, this set up would work for a regular monarch, but it was like batting one’s eyes at a blind man when it came to Horn.

Sure enough, when Horn walked up the gold-bordered red carpet in the evening, the first thing he said to Lorenzo was: "How long can you stay? How many topics? I’m planning to visit Red Leaf Hill in three days."

A nearby ceremonial count froze and hastily apologized: "Did we not entertain you well enough? Is that why you’re eager to leave?"

"The hospitality is great, I’m asking how many days you plan to stay?" Horn was baffled, babbling nonsense.

Lorenzo, having interacted with Horn many times, knew his pragmatic nature and waved the ceremonial officer away: "Three days should be enough."

"Good, when do we have dinner? What’s on the menu?"

"Now, just follow me, we’ll have a brief discussion before dinner."

"That’s wonderful."

Accompanied by a group of guards, the two walked down the long white stone path and onto the flower corridor paved with brown wood.

The Pope and the Prime Minister, walking side by side, strolled along the long corridor.

"You’re aware of the situation in Falan, right?" Lorenzo started the conversation.

"I am, it’s not optimistic. You’re still lacking professional military personnel. Falan people coming to study in Saint Danji are still too late."

"Who could argue with that, those old nobility are not adapting to new warfare..."

At this point, surviving and ensuring Falan’s continuity had already become the first priority for many Falan nobility.

Of course, the goal for many Falan nobility is their own continuity, preferring the downfall of the country over the downfall of their family.

When they learned the King was planning to sacrifice their families to sustain the Falan Kingdom, large groups of "peasant uprising armies" emerged everywhere.

This forced Falan to fight external wars and internal battles simultaneously.

Clearly, Falan was also racing against time, and achieving land and military reform before vampires breached Huaqiu City would count as victory.

"Have you considered sending us another batch of Holy Favor Seed, clockwork cannons, and grenades?"

"Certainly, it’s going to cost more."

"Isn’t it inappropriate for His Holiness as Pope to ask for money from worshipers?"

"Why wouldn’t it be? You are compensating for the misuse of Holy Alliance patents."

"Falan has no patent laws." Lorenzo scoffed, "Besides, didn’t you take craftsmen and techniques from us?"

"You failed to retain people, what does that have to do with me," Horn asserted confidently, "As for the techniques, their patent rights aren’t protected, so they’ll have to come to me, won’t they?"

Lorenzo paused, his cold laugh transformed into brief helpless amusement: "That’s indeed correct... I ended up being the deplorable bastard."

"...Don’t admit it just like that, making me seem like a bully." If Lorenzo were firm, Horn would have to respond firmly.

Since the Prime Minister backed down, the Pope felt embarrassed instead.

"You’re absolutely right, Falan just can’t keep people." Lorenzo continued forward with his hands behind his back, "People always pursue safety and strength, yet Falan unfortunately doesn’t offer these."

In politics, the Holy Alliance granted elites from all fields the right to participate in politics, regardless of being representatives or model laborers.

In Falan, many nobles still perceived artisans as mere serfs.

Economically, the Holy Alliance offered universal banks for grassroots entrepreneurs, patent protection for workshop masters or inventors, alongside diverse financial products and a highly reputable central bank.

The Falan Royal Family’s credit didn’t warrant mention, not paying money even if they had it; Falan’s royal agents couldn’t secure a penny in loans from the Holy Alliance’s universal bank.

In business and industry, the Holy Alliance minimized stringent regulations and complex noble relations to cultivate uninhibited creativity.

Meanwhile, Falan nobility’s various rules and guild traditions, became tangled like enigmatic regulations, frequently subject to modification.

Not to mention militarily, Falan repeatedly lost on the front lines while facing vampires, whereas the Holy Alliance was undefeated in major campaigns.

The Holy Alliance had already driven vampires west of Silver Mountain Fortress, while Falan had lost Storm Cape, with defensive lines continually retreating.

The only military capable of facing vampires without falling behind remained the fifteen-thousand-strong foreign legion.

Trained within the Holy Alliance, the foreign legion composed entirely of civilian officers who worshipped the Holy Sect.

In the past, the church wouldn’t allow officers to believe in the Holy Sect, nor would nobles allow officers to be civilians.

But now, none of this mattered.

Survival was the utmost priority.

At some point, the Holy Alliance had already loomed over Falan, managing to gaze down on the Falan people.

This was truly a disgrace for Falan, whose national consciousness had only begun awakening.

As the saying goes, shame breeds change, which is why Charles asserted that it held both peril and opportunity.

"What are your plans next?" After an uneasy silent stretch, Horn was the first to ask.

"Thanks to the troops bravely fighting, we’ve reclaimed half a county of Storm Cape, currently retaining thirty percent of the territory overall."

Opening the villa’s door for Horn, Lorenzo motioned invitingly: "Once the Third Foreign Legion completes dealing with the largest rebel groups, they will proceed to the front line to rotate personnel.

The relieved troops will undergo intense training according to the Holy Alliance Battle Group’s model, only then considering counterattacks in the direction of Golden Fleece Beach.

Hence, I wish to apply for a batch of Holy Favor Seed from you."

"We’re replenishing our Holy Alliance as well, surplus Holy Favor Seeds are limited." Horn pondered for a moment, "I will try to gather a batch for you, will summer work?"

"Of course it will. We’ll transfer the advance payment ahead, make sure to prevent the Norn people from snatching it away."

"Rest assured, there’s no major war happening over there, they don’t need it right now. Besides, regarding White Sandlands, Cheka can assist as well."

Lorenzo chuckled, waving his hand to guide Horn to the main seat: "No need, we Falan have our kingdom’s spies."

Horn smirked and whispered into Lorenzo’s ear stealthily.

Midway through his explanation, Lorenzo was startled enough to recoil: "You can achieve such things? Wait, how?"

Horn, retaining an enigmatic yet composed smile, didn’t elaborate.

Lorenzo gazed at him skeptically: "Those Holy Sect monks infiltrating White Sandlands?"

Horn’s smile stiffened slightly but remained intact.

Lorenzo was correct, Cheka accomplished those outrageous tasks thanks to the maintenance councils in White Sandlands.

To say nothing of other places, the coexistence zones of the Holy Sect and vampires in White Sandlands now occupied more than fifty percent.

Excluding areas directly governed by armies and governors, most followed a dual-regime model.

On the surface, vampires held the reins, but in reality, the Holy Sect was in charge.

Life finds a way; the Royal Court was unable to manage the grassroots, so the Holy Alliance stepped in to help manage, didn’t they?

"Did I guess correctly?" Lorenzo leaned in closer.

Horn still remained silent, lightly coughing instead: "Oh, what is this?"

"Appetizer, creamy lobster bisque, Your Holiness." An enthusiastic chef brought the first dish.

Horn’s attention was immediately captivated, while Lorenzo silently cursed the chef’s insensitivity, but raised his glass, swirling the green liquid (apple cider): "Come, let’s toast to His Holiness’s arrival!"

The dinner was an occasion of genuine delight for both host and guest.

After the dinner, the Pope, Prime Minister, and strategists resumed simulations of the battle.

Until past ten p.m., when Lorenzo became tired and ceased.

Early next morning, after Horn finished freshening up, he was ready to find Lorenzo to continue discussions, but was met with an unexpected response.

"Gone?" Horn couldn’t believe receiving such news from Petier.

"Yes, Your Holiness." Petier uncharacteristically refrained from his professional smile, "Lord Lorenzo left overnight by carriage."

"What happened? Did something go wrong with Storm Cape again?"

"I’m afraid the trouble is far worse than that." Petier grimaced, "Latest reports indicate that due to the surrender of a Falan noble, the front line at Flower Hill was torn apart, the thrust of the vampire forces now directly targets Huaqiu City."