chsdbacks #502 - The Eve of the Five-Party Alliance
#502 - The Eve of the Five-Party Alliance
Leaving the Morell estate located by the riverbank, Horn glanced at the candlelit windows, remaining silent.
After arriving at this mansion, he had discussed many things with the two elders of the Juanuo faction, but now, upon reflection, he couldn't recall anything at all.
"Your Grace, it's raining, please get into the carriage quickly," an attendant monk approached.
Horn nodded, patted him on the shoulder, and boarded the carriage.
The wheels turned with a rumbling sound, kicking up mud and rain, the weeds on both sides swaying as if to see him off.
After settling down Ludwig and the others, he paid a visit as previously mentioned.
According to the principle of holding large meetings for small matters, small meetings for big matters, and private meetings for important matters, Horn originally wanted to discuss the content of the meeting the day after tomorrow.
Including the status of Kasha County after conversion, the treatment of the monks of the Brago Monastery, and some legal content disputed by both parties.
After all, truly important matters shouldn't be discussed in public.
But during the meeting, Ludwig and the fat monk always talked more about doctrine and less about practical matters.
Every time the relevant content was mentioned, they would either be deaf, dizzy, or distracted, or pretend not to hear, and talk about the previous doctrinal topics with a calm expression.
It should be known that Horn's policies were quite favorable, even granting Kasha County a certain degree of autonomy and offering the position of Evangelist of the Gospel Court.
But they still evaded the issue, and after two or three times, Horn understood that these two people didn't want to talk about it now.
Horn certainly didn't believe that these two were just pedantic old clergymen who only knew scripture and doctrine.
Old foxes pretending to be pigs, were they taking him for blind?
Rubbing the stubble on his chin, his body swaying with the carriage, Horn gradually had a guess in his mind.
Their attitude was probably because of internal disagreements, and they were unwilling to put things on the table even in a private meeting.
The internal resistance within the Brago Monastery was greater than he had imagined.
Otherwise, he should retreat and seek the next best thing, not specifying a concrete alliance, but forming a nominal loose alliance.
When Ludwig took Horn's favorable Kasha policies back to promote them.
Then bring the important figures of Kasha County to visit, let them see the prosperity within the territory, and then use the threat of military unification.
If it takes more time, then so be it.
With Little Pool City as a base, even if they suddenly launched an attack, they would not be able to break through the Iber River defense line.
"If you don't raise a glass to accept a toast, you'll be forced to drink a forfeit," Horn looked at the map fixed on the carriage, "Then I'll have to feed you the Black Hand."
After thinking about it, Horn said to the attendant monk beside him, "Later, go to my study and get a book to give to Martin."
Martin must be literate, and wouldn't repeat the mistakes of the past.
Returning to his own mansion's courtyard by carriage, Horn ate a simple dinner, read a book for a while, and went to bed.
After all, he might have to get up early tomorrow to welcome the Black Serpent Bay delegation.
Half a day ago, the mayor of Black Pottery Town sent a letter.
Saying that a group of about 300 people of unknown origin were staying in the town, saying that they "didn't look like people", and after watching them, their "legs trembled and they almost ran away."
Horn could roughly guess that this must be the Black Serpent Bay delegation, after all, Black Serpent Bay has always been known for its freedom and unrestrainedness, and has its own understanding of aesthetics.
But the mayor of Black Pottery Town was also a bit of a fuss, what kind of thing made his legs tremble.
Blowing out the candle, Horn lay on the woolen mattress, his head resting on the soft feather pillow, and soon fell into a dream.
............
The next day, at noon.
Southern outskirts of Jeanne d'Arc.
Putting down the telescope, Horn frowned, he glanced in that direction, and after confirming that it was correct, he raised the telescope again.
"Are those people?" Putting down the telescope, Horn was silent for a long time before turning to look at Bussac beside him to confirm.
"Yes... probably." Bussac, who was in charge of reception, had sweat on his forehead.
Raising the telescope, in the dark field of vision around him, Horn could see a giant python-like road winding through the wheat fields, reeds, and thatch to the back of the hill.
Bypassing the hill were dozens of Kushi knights clearing the way and the carriage of Grandmother Alko.
When he got to this place, Horn could still confirm that they were people, and confirm that the delegation from Black Serpent Bay was behind them.
But when he saw the delegation, he was a little doubtful.
The Black Serpent Bay delegation consisted of a convoy of seven or eight large carriages, pulled by beasts of burden that were similar to hippos, but smaller and more agile.
Surrounding these carriages were groups of colorful Black Serpent Bay... people?
Horn picked up the telescope and confirmed again and again.
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Due to the backwardness of dyeing technology, all colored fabrics, especially fabrics with multiple bright colors, were very high-end products in the Shen'ai Empire.
Therefore, it was normal for knights to wear colorful clothes.
In modern times, simple and good-looking clothes were considered too plain in Horn's era, like those worn by servants.
For example, the solid-color clothes with similar patterned colors that Horn distributed to the soldiers were criticized by the knights as being old-fashioned.
For nobles, red, blue, and white checkered coats with saucy purple bloomers and green wool tights were more common fashionable outfits.
In Horn's opinion, more streamlined and close-fitting monochrome clothes conformed to the stereotype of old farmers.
After such a long time, he thought he had adapted to the spicy eye outfits of this era.
But when a group of people from Black Serpent Bay appeared in front of him, Horn was still shocked.
Looking around, bright red hair, purple-blue lips, fluorescent green skin...
Putting aside everything else, he initially thought that the fluorescent green color was a close-fitting garment, but only realized it was painted on when he got closer.
In other words, they were naked from head to toe except for the cloth skirts, trousers, and straw sandals around their waists.
But taking a closer look, Horn found that many of them wore decorative items similar to brooches.
To be honest, he really didn't dare to think about where those brooches were pinned.
"It's worn on your head, oh," Paslik said to Horn seriously, "You must be curious."
"Thank you, thank you!" Horn squeezed out a hateful smile at Paslik.
Seeing the astonished look on Horn's face beside him, Catherine coughed unnaturally and explained: "These are the indigenous tribes of Black Serpent Bay. They have the custom of smearing paint on their bodies during the non-rainy season.
The more important the person they meet, the heavier the paint they smear. They only do this on important occasions. You can understand it as their formal wear."
Does that mean they specially put on strange costumes before the cutscene?
Looking at the convoy approaching step by step, Horn finally understood why the mayor of Black Pottery Town would say that they didn't look like people.
The convoy slowly stopped by the side of the road, and Grandmother Vivian of the Alko family poked her head out of the luxurious carriage.
Her gaze scanned the crowd until she saw Paslik and smiled.
"Long time no see, Old Madam," Horn pulled Paslik, whose legs were trembling and almost running away, and greeted the female patriarch of the Alko family.