Lord Malbert...
In fact, this actor did not show anything suspicious, but Li Ang intuitively believed that there was a high probability that it was him.
Because only Malbert is the leader of Dusk Knight Order, all this is logical.
King Ulrich adopted Malbert as his adopted son a few months ago - that was right after Ulrich held the simple wedding for Alanric.
He sent Alanric to Lion Lake City to marry Alma's eight-year-old grandniece, and made Lion Lake City Alanric nominal territory, but did not give any troops to Alanric - this obviously does not intend to make this biological son with a genetic disease as the heir, but only uses his son's marriage to take back Lion Lake City.
And Malbert went to Lion City at that time and became the cupbearer of the Royal Council and the secretary of the throne room, assuming the exclusive position of the king's heir.
In other words, Malbert could have inherited the throne - the formally adopted adopted son would have full inheritance rights, but he would just have to change his surname.
But not long after, Ulrich found a very beloved princess...
Obviously, Malbert is a spare tire that Ulrich is looking for, which is also the last helpless choice.
If the princess really creates a little Prince, then Malbert, the godson, will definitely not be able to inherit the throne - so Malbert will not really cooperate closely with Three Prophets. He needs to master more strength and be able to suppress Three Prophets's strength...
So he wants Li Ang to join Dusk Knight Order, or control Li Ang alone in other ways.
Only then does it all make sense.
In this case, Li Ang decided to add a person to his list of major customers - Malbert.
In fact, Li Ang is not sure whether it is this guy, but no matter whether his guess is correct or not, it will still have an effect - even if he guesses wrong, at least Dusk Knight Order can help him attract firepower.
He planned to use the phrase 'Brigi established Divine Kingdom on Toba City with the support of Dusk Knight Order' as an experiment.
Brigi is definitely controlled by Dusk Knight Order. Li Ang can be sure of this, and Three Prophets must also know this.
So, if Brigi and Dusk Knight Order established the so-called Divine Kingdom in Dexia, this would definitely not be in line with Three Prophets's wishes - the power of Three Prophets has not penetrated into Dexia, a place where Vata is worshiped.
They will definitely think that Dusk Knight Order did it behind their backs.
At the same time, this also allows Li Ang to sell Toba City...
"Risadiran, go to Xingar, ask Ramon to find Brigi, and have someone introduce him to Emil Xixis. I know that Emil Xixis must already be at Xingar..."
Previously, Li Ang made a show to induce Windrider, who was under Kadan, to spread the news that Brigi had "usurped the throne", and Ramon had also cooperated to spread the news.
Now that Brigi has become Dexia's 'usurper', his only choice is to defect to Emil Xixis, otherwise there will be no place for him in the entire Dexia territory.
If someone can introduce him to Emil Xixis who has been claiming to share Dexia equally, that would be Brigi's lifesaver.
And Emil Xixis, who has been recruiting followers, should also be happy to get a capable person like Brigi.
Originally this was just for Kadan to have a dog-eat-dog fight with Brigi, but now, Li Ang decided to really sell Toba City to Brigi.
To be precise, it was sold to Kadan's younger brothers Emil Xixis and Brigi – making Emil Xixis become 'Bahad Khan', let Brigi be 'Desert Prophet', and jointly establish a new Divine Kingdom at Toba City.
Behind Brigi is obviously Dusk Knight Order. Once the news that Brigi 'established Divine Kingdom' reaches Three Prophets, what will Three Prophets think?
Moreover, there is Alistair, the leader of Twilight Knight, as 'evidence'...
While Li Ang was thinking about it, he glanced at Alistair who was still in autistic state.
"Eric, go find Ryman..."
Ryman is indeed in Li Ang's army now. He suffered heavy losses in Sava Fortress, and has been controlling merchants with Eric since then.
After the Li Ang army went south, Ryman has been fighting with the army, trying to get some credit to make up for the loss of Seven Forks Fortress.
But he didn't have many soldiers and horses, so he couldn't serve as the main force, and Li Ang didn't treat him any differently. However, Ryman did have a lot of credit when he attacked Toba City - he led a dozen of his men to defend a military station on the city wall, which was considered a great achievement.
And now, the lord has decided to give Ryman a huge credit...
"Lord Li Ang, are you looking for me?"
Ryman has always been very polite to Li Ang. This is not because Li Ang has defeated him in the arena, but because Li Ang has climbed from a small role in Mistveil City to the position of marshal of the kingdom. Ryman has watched all the way.
He once regarded Li Ang as a competitor, but now, he can only regard Li Ang as a goal - and it may still be a goal that cannot be achieved in his lifetime.
"Sir Rayman, our army has basically achieved the goal of sending troops. We have invaded Toba City and captured some of Kadan's relatives - I think this result is enough, so I plan to withdraw our troops."
Li Ang is also very polite to Ryman. After all, Ryman is already a rare loyal and brave man among the lords Lion Territory. Oden still has some discernment in choosing his son-in-law.
"Are we going to withdraw our troops now?"
Ryman seemed a little unwilling. "I also know that just as you did not occupy Aishikeman, it will definitely be difficult for the kingdom's army to rule Toba City, and they will have to leave sooner or later. But at least for now You have occupied Toba City, you have to force Kadan to pay compensation and seek peace before we retreat? Just like Agasong occupied Seven Forks Fortress before..."
Of course he was not willing to give in. His achievements in this battle were far from being enough to offset the guilt of losing Seven Forks Fortress. He also wanted to try to snipe Kadan at Toba City.
"Ryman, as you said, it is difficult for us to truly rule Toba City, and there is no need for the kingdom's army to face Dexia's counterattack thousands of miles away. The lives of brothers are precious. Anyway, now Kadan's relatives are in my hands. No matter whether we withdraw our troops or not, he can only pay compensation and seek peace."
Li Ang stood up and explained, "I plan to sell Toba City, and by the way, Kadan, the position of Bahad Khan, will also be sold. I believe you can understand that this is the most beneficial choice for both Lionheart Kingdom and us."
Ryman was silent for a while and nodded. "You are right. But in this case, His Majesty the King may not be satisfied..."
Ryman can understand what Li Ang said, which is to divide Dexia into two - Emil Xixis has been claiming to split Dexia equally. If Li Ang supports him to become Bahad Khan, this is legally defensible.
In this way, Dexia will always be in a state of division and endless civil war, which is indeed more in line with the Lionheart Kingdom's interests.
However, this method of operation does not seem to be as face-saving as "beating Kadan to compensate for the sum". With King Ulrich's temperament, it is estimated that he will not be satisfied.
"King Ulrich? Ha... If you bring some Toba City souvenirs back to His Majesty the King, he will definitely be satisfied, and it will definitely make His Majesty the King forget your crime of throwing away Seven Forks Fortress."
Li Ang took Ryman outside and walked to the place where the prisoners were held - those prisoners were the so-called souvenirs, that is, dozens of captured Dexian people.
These prisoners are not soldiers, but Dexia's 'nobles', the family members of Kadan.
These include Kadan's many concubines, as well as the children born to several concubines.
In fact, this is the biggest gain after capturing Toba City. Kadan probably took away his wife and legitimate children, but these unappreciated concubines stayed in Toba City and were captured by Kloze and Jocelyn.
The status of women in Dexia is not high, and Kadan's concubines actually have no status - for most Dexian people, all concubines other than the head wives are equivalent to maids, have no status at all, and are often transferred to others.
But Kadan is Bahad Khan after all, so it is naturally not convenient for him to give his woman away, and those children are indeed his - they just have no status, and a child born from a concubine is actually equal to an illegitimate child.
But in any case, these people are indeed the highest-grade souvenirs. If these women and children are sent back to Lion City to be sacrificed in a high-profile manner, it will certainly be a first-class achievement.
"This...Lord Li Ang, these prisoners are very valuable. These are all your military exploits and should be dealt with by you..."
Ryman obviously did not expect that Li Ang would arrange such a welfare task for him, and he felt quite flattered.
"My military exploits are of no use... You know, my reputation is not very good. Lion City Many people say that I am a 'slutty and shameless person'. If I take them back to Lion City, it may not be my military exploits, but all kinds of suspicion and slander..."
Li Ang said somewhat helplessly.
This is actually true. This reputation of being "shameless and dissolute but always giving up" spread when Long River Town was beaten by Godric. Even Amy who was far away in Eagle Claw Fortress at that time heard about it.
"... Thank you for your kindness, Lord Li Ang, I will repay you. However, how should I report military information to His Majesty the King? Tell the truth?"
Ryman bows and salutes Li Ang. This kind of task is really a wonderful job, and you really need to be sincerely grateful.
According to convention, the people captured by Li Ang's troops should be disposed of by Li Ang, and usually the enemy lord will pay to redeem them.
But Li Ang asked Ryman to transfer it to Ulrich. Naturally, the king would not be dissatisfied anymore, so Ryman also very wisely planned to cooperate with Li Ang.
"You can truthfully tell His Majesty the King that there is a usurper named Brigi in Dexia, and he is supported by Dusk Knight Order. In order to avoid losses, I quit Toba City, let Sir Alistair of Dusk Knight Order occupy this place - His Majesty will definitely understand that waiting for civil strife in Dexia is the best way to serve Lionheart Kingdom's interests, and the king will be satisfied."
Li Ang thought for a while, sat down and started writing a military report in front of Ryman. While writing, he added, "Tell His Majesty the King that Brigi and Dusk Knight Order jointly established a Divine Kingdom, which is said to be called 'Desert Twilight'..."
Ryman nodded while listening, bowed to Li Ang again with sincerity, and accepted the task.
After sending Ryman away, Eric, who had been standing next to him, asked Li Ang with an unnatural look on his face, "Sir, what is Desert Twilight...?"
"Oh, that's a name I randomly named... Eric, go and dress up Alistair. I plan to make him the Lord of Toba City - anyway, he wants to be a great lord, so that's what he wants."
Seven days later.
Lion City Throne Room.
This is the day after Ryman returned to Lion City.
"... Meritors with meritorious deeds... consecrate Sir Rayman as Great Baron... command Royal City Guard..."
Malbert stood in front of the steps of the throne room, reciting a lengthy imperial edict. The object of the imperial edict was Sir Rayman.
Just as Li Ang expected, Ryman brought Kadan's relatives back to Lion City, and after publicly offering prisoners to King Ulrich, only the next day, he received a reward that far exceeded his achievements.
Not only did the king not mention Ryman's guilt for losing Seven Forks Fortress at all, he instead let Ryman command Royal City Guard - using Kadan's relatives to present prisoners was indeed very useful, and Ulrich was obviously very satisfied.
But getting greater power usually comes with greater responsibility, and Ryman also got two extremely troublesome tasks at the same time...
"Baron Ryman, His Majesty hopes that you can manage your fiefdom Seven Forks Fortress... At the same time, I also hope that you can manage Royal City Guard into a strong army that is not inferior to Lion Knight Order."
After Malbert finished reading the imperial edict, he also handed over two "duty matters" to Ryman.
Speaking of which, this is really Ryman's job. Seven Forks Fortress was his fief, but it was burned down by Agasong. It must be rebuilt - as a lord, it is natural to rebuild your own fief.
And now that Ryman has served as the commander of Royal City Guard, it has become Ryman's regular job to supplement the strength of the royal guards...
These are all errands that require a lot of dinars to complete... Ulrich is trying to get a job in the name of promotion again, and it seems that the state treasury can't come up with any money for subsidies - anyway, there is no mention of money or food.
But after Malbert finished talking about the edict and the king's task arrangements, he returned to the position of secretary. His expression also looked a little gloomy, as if he was not in a good mood.
However, King Ulrich himself did not come forward when the decree was announced - on this morning, the palace medical officer diagnosed that the princess was pregnant. The king was in ecstasy and did not want to leave the princess' side for a moment.
That night, the Adventurer Hotel.
This is the second floor of the tavern where Li Ang once met Sarah, in the room where he stayed.
Malbert was wearing a hooded black cloak and was having a fierce argument with a beautiful woman.
"I said, I don't know! I haven't heard of any damn Desert Twilight!"
At this time, Malbert seemed a little crazy. "Go tell the three prophets, I have no idea what Brigi did! He is out of control, do you understand!"
"Then you also tell your Grand Commander that the Dusk Knight Order leader he sent to capture Li Ang, Alistair, became the Toba City lord! He should explain this! Otherwise... hum!"
The beautiful woman was also tit for tat and had a bad temper.
Moreover, after saying that, she climbed out of the window and disappeared into the night.
Malbert looked at the woman's disappearing back, and the corners of her mouth twitched unconsciously. "You want me to explain... how the hell do I explain? You are already 'pregnant', and you still want me to explain? Humph... Fortunately, I didn't let you know my identity..."