Martyr's Fortress.
This is a hastily built fortress located in the oasis on the south bank of the Wusu River in the south of Dexia.
This oasis is the only way to connect Toba City and Narda. It is also the fiercest battlefield for Dexia to resist Bacchus Empire in the past two years.
This is the fortress built by Sarah's father, Sarafan Shaikh, and it is also the place where he committed suicide.
Sarafan, the rebel leader who once betrayed Bahad Khan Kadan, used blood and sword to resolutely maintain Dexia's final dignity in the last days of his life.
He spent all his life's savings in Martyr's Fortress, so that Emperor Marius's expeditionary force stayed under this fortress for a whole year, until Bacchus Army ran out of food and withdrew.
Emil Xixis, who was besieged in Toba City at that time, and Kadan, who escaped to Narda, also got a chance to breathe. With the contact of Sarafan, they put aside their mutual hatred and formed an alliance.
Duchy of Dexia's last southern border was thus preserved.
But it is a pity that after the two 'Bahad Khan' formed an alliance, they had no intention of regaining the lost ground.
The two brothers simultaneously sent an agreement to Martyr's Fortress admitting defeat, hoping that Sharavan Sheikh would negotiate peace with the Bacchus Empire on their behalf and accept Bacchus Empire's occupation of most of its northern territory.
The two brothers Kadan and Emil Xixis probably have neither the courage to fight to the end nor the courage to personally admit defeat...
Perhaps Sarafan's idea all along was correct - the Holy Hall warriors who were brave and fearless in the desert would indeed become weak once they lived in the city for too long.
So weak that he doesn't even have the courage to admit defeat himself.
So Sarafan Shaikh signed a defeat contract with the Bacchus Empire on behalf of the two 'Bahad Khan', and then - he committed suicide.
Sarah can now understand her father's obsession - although she still disagrees with her father's abandonment of his wife and daughter.
Sarafan Shaikh is a person who truly loves Desha deeply. For Desha, he can give everything... whether it is his family or himself.
He committed suicide because he could no longer see Dexia's future...
Gazi Holy Mountain was burned, God Vata was 'killed', none of those noble monks were martyred, and noble people like Kadan and Emil Xixis did not have the consciousness to sacrifice for Dexia...
For Sarafan Shaikh, his Desha was dead.
Therefore, this fortress is not called 'Jihad Fortress', but 'Martyr's Fortress'.
Sarafan was the last martyr of Desha.
But this martyr did not get the respect of Dexian people-because he was the one who admitted the defeat on behalf of Dexia, and he was the one who signed the defeat contract...
Most people are ignorant.
Those Dexia young people who still retained some blood, including some of Sarafan's subordinates, were gnashing their teeth and cursing Sarafan, the 'coward' who admitted defeat, but Kadan and Emil Xixis did not suffer any criticism...
They would only look down at the signature that took the blame, but never looked up at the king who gave the order.
In other words, they will just follow the trend and curse the people everyone else is criticizing, and ask anyone who has the courage to tell the truth to shut up.
Probably, this is because cursing Sarafan will not have any consequences, but cursing Kadan is likely to result in death.
Only Sarah can curse Kadan and Emil Xixis loudly in Martyr's Fortress--and in front of them both.
Sarah, as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pande, made an appointment with Kadan and Emil Xixis at Martyr's Fortress, two 'Bahad Khan'.
The two brothers took a long time to arrive at Martyr's Fortress, and each brought many guards...
Maybe he was afraid of being assassinated.
But Sarah was actually just waiting for them in the fortress alone.
Neither Kadan nor Emil Xixis dared to speak loudly to Sarah...
They may have some guilt towards Sarafan Shaikh.
Kadan had met Sarah when he was a child, and some of Sarafan's subordinates who stayed with Martyr's Fortress also recognized Sarah. They didn't have the confidence to embarrass Sarafan's daughter - of course, they didn't dare to embarrass her. They couldn't afford to offend the current New Kingdom of Pendor.
Sarah is the Minister of Foreign Affairs. When he is on a mission, he represents the entire country. If he is disrespectful to Sarah, he might have to recruit Li Ang again...
"... I came here originally just to pay homage to my father... but here I heard my father's curses!"
Sarah sat on the main seat and glanced at the two 'Bahad Khan' on the left and right with an expressionless face. "What's the 'shame of Dexia', what's a 'coward and scum', and some people say he is a 'traitor'... I want to know now, who is the shame of Dexia! Who is the coward and scum! He dares to be a bastard who dares not to be, and he is spineless and shameless. He is simply a maggot!!"
Sarah didn't name anyone, but everyone knew who she was scolding...
Kadan kept silent, Emil Xixis lowered his head and looked at his feet.
Neither of them spoke.
"Didn't you two form an alliance? Who has the final say between you two brothers now? Who is Bahad Khan?"
Sarah looked at the two brothers with mocking expressions on their faces - these two people were scolded like maggots in front of their faces and they didn't even reply. They were indeed Khan-level figures.
"He..." "He..."
Both brothers pointed at each other.
Then, they "hum" at the same time and stopped talking.
"Okay, it seems that you are all self-aware and know that you are not worthy of this title..."
Sarah stood up. "Since you know that you are not worthy of being the ruler of Dexia, then I will give you a chance... Surrender to New Kingdom of Pendor and accept the rule of His Majesty Li Ang. This may ensure your safety..."
"What?" "Surrender?"
Kadan and Emil Xixis stood up at the same time. They really did not expect that Sarah would make such a request so suddenly.
"We are not fighting New Kingdom of Pendor... and we have not offended His Majesty Li Ang..."
Emil Xixis looked at Sarah strangely.
"Yes, you have not offended His Majesty Li Ang. But you have offended me!!"
Sarah slapped his hand heavily on the table. "My father's reputation will be washed with your blood or with your reputation. You choose for yourself!!"
After saying that, she took out the long sword from her waist and used the blade as a mirror to look at her face.
"Ms. Sarah... Isn't this an order from His Majesty Li Ang? You are making your own decisions..."
Kadan frowned and looked at the sword in Sarah's hand. "If we don't accept it, can you still declare war on us on behalf of New Kingdom of Pendor?"
"I can't declare war. I'm the Minister of Foreign Affairs, not King's Hand... I don't have an army, so I can't personally lead the troops to fight."
Sarah spoke slowly, with a cold and calm voice. "However, I have the friendship of His Majesty Li Ang - if I die in Dexia, I can guarantee that His Majesty Li Ang will lead his troops to defeat Dexia and kill you all..."
Kadan and Emil Xixis looked at each other, with real panic in their eyes.
They knew that what Sarah said was true, and that she indeed had the courage to die here.
Not to mention the friendship between Sarah and Li Ang, Sarah's status as Minister of Foreign Affairs alone means that nothing can happen to him in Dexia - let alone die in Dexia. Even if Sarah is slightly injured in Dexia, New Kingdom of Pendor will fight to the death with Dexia.
Moreover, both brothers Kadan know that Li Ang is probably willing to do this...
"Ms. Sarah, if His Majesty Li Ang is willing to restore Duchy of Dexia's territory, I am willing to surrender to New Kingdom of Pendor!"
Kadan responded quickly and accepted the offer, and paid the price back.
"Bah...Duchy of Dexia? You actually plan to become a subsidiary principality of Kingdom of Pendor? You have already ceded the northern territory and admitted that most of the northern areas are ruled by Bax. The ink on the defeat agreement has not yet dried. How to restore it?"
Sarah smiled sarcastically, "Your current territory is just equivalent to a Earl territory... I don't mind asking His Majesty Li Ang to let you both become Earl. However, there is only one Dexia, but you have two people - let me ask again, who has the final say in Dexia?"
Kadan and Emil Xixis were silent again.
That's right, New Kingdom of Pendor and Bax are now allied countries, and Li Ang and Xingar's Ramon are partners. It is impossible for him to let the territory occupied by Bax and the independent Xingar return to Dexia...
Who has the final say in Dexia?
Now I'm afraid it's Li Ang who has the final say... or in other words, it's Sarah who represents Li Ang.
"Of course, you can also commit suicide or flee - this way you don't have to be embarrassed, and I won't force two dead people to clear my father's reputation..."
Sarah threw the sword in his hand on the table, and the crisp sound of "Clang Langlang" shocked the two "Bahad Khan" into cold sweats.
Suicide? Are you kidding...
Escape? Escape to where? With the attitude shown by Sarah, if he really escapes, I'm afraid he will be followed by Scorpion Assassin Brotherhood, right?
The two brothers thought about it for a long time, then had a fight, and finally took their time writing a downgrade.
Those who know the current affairs are heroes. Being a Earl is much better than being dead. Besides, it is an uncle country, at least it has the right of autonomy.
This time, Emil Xixis did not compete with Kadan for the dominance of Dexia Boguo, but the two brothers still had a fight over who would sign the surrender form - but they were not fighting for the signature, but fighting for the other party to sign...
Because whoever signs will be scolded. Those who sign the surrender will definitely be called "cowards" and "traitors".
In the end, the two names "Bahad Khan" were signed on the surrender document.
This is what Sarah asked for--Sarah said to see their sincerity.
When Sarah returned to Long River City with Dexia's surrender letter, Li Ang had just finished handling Fletcher's matter.
What Sarah brought back to Li Ang was of course an unexpected harvest - this was indeed Sarah's own initiative, but she did better than anyone imagined.
The next command of Li Ang is actually more cruel than Sarah.
He named Kadan as 'Count of Narda' and Emil Xixis as 'Count of Toba'. He divided the two brothers' territories into two Earl territories, and only allowed them to retain troops that fit the Earl status - no more than a hundred fully armored knights, or a thousand light armored soldiers.
If the armor or army exceeds the standard, it will be directly regarded as treason.
And Sarah...Li Ang also made her Earl, and the name given to her was 'Count of Dexia'.
The title of the Minister of Foreign Affairs is of course higher, and Sarah has indeed achieved merit worthy of this title.
Her fiefdoms are Martyr's Fortress, Gahar Village and Holy War Fortress. This is the former territory of Sarafan Sheikh, which just cuts the territories of Kadan and Emil Xixis in half.
Sarah is still serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and her fiefdom will be handed over to another person to manage it - her fiancé, Sigismund who was just named Oath Knight by Li Ang.
For a king, he must be calm and calm in everything he encounters, and his priorities must be clear.
Even if you encounter close subordinates colluding with foreign enemies, you must suppress your emotions, deal with the threats posed by Gatu people rationally first, and arrange all government affairs, and then deal with the betrayers.
Li Ang has always been a rational person.
Now, everything inside and outside has been arranged, Li Ang then set off to White Deer Fortress to see Charles.
--
Pendor Calendar 358 October 16.
This day is Blessing Day of Goddess of Order.
It was also the day the war ended.
One day ago, His Majesty Li Ang returned to White Deer Fortress to inspect the material reserves and announced that the entire New Kingdom of Pendor was lifted from war preparations.
Gatu people has completely returned to the grassland, and Lion Territory and Noldo Forest have returned to calm.
Dexia has become New Kingdom of Pendor's three Earl collar.
Bacchus Empire is currently an ally with New Kingdom of Pendor, and they cooperate in many aspects.
Fieltzwe has also fully withdrawn from the land of Lion Territory, and is said to be requesting His Majesty Amy to sign a non-aggression agreement.
Except for the brother and sister Raven Territory who are still fighting for the throne, there is no longer a war in the entire continent.
I can finally do my job - serving as the Imperial Guard commander of His Majesty Li Ang.
This year I have been leading troops to fight, and it was originally a good and comfortable thing to be able to lift the war state.
But His Majesty Li Ang is in a very bad mood.
This is because Charles.
I can imagine how sad His Majesty Li Ang is - Charles is not only the son of Count Oden, whom His Majesty Li Ang regards as a good friend, but also his first Oath Knight.
It is truly unimaginable that such a person would collude with a foreign enemy.
I tried to comfort His Majesty Li Ang, but His Majesty said that he had seen many conspiracies and betrayals in recent years, and he would not be bothered by the conspiracy between Charles and Gatu people.
His Majesty simply told me that he encountered an unsolvable problem and that no one could help him.
I have thought carefully about the situation on the entire continent, but I don't see any unsolvable problems existing now...
His Majesty Li Ang has actually taken control of half of the continent, and the new legion trained by Jocelyn has almost taken shape. Ms. Baudess also trained a female army at Eagle Claw Fortress. Today New Kingdom of Pendor has strong soldiers and horses, and no country in the entire continent can pose a fatal threat to New Kingdom of Pendor again.
The construction of Long River City has also continued, and Long River Express has been continuously transporting mutton from Fletcher to various places.
In the area of Lion City and Deerheart Lake, it is said that His Majesty Amy has successfully cultivated millions of acres of fields in the past few months.
Noldo Forest is being reafforested, and the fire isolation belt is also being maintained. His Majesty Li Ang plans to build the isolation belt into a road in the forest so that Bax materials can also be transported to the forest market.
The country seems to be prosperous, people are very confident about their future life, everything seems to be going well, and everyone praises His Majesty Li Ang.
The only person who was dissatisfied was Lord Aldarian. Because His Majesty Li Ang did not kill all Gatu people, but started a business with Gatu people. Lord Aldarian felt that His Majesty Li Ang was feeding a tiger.
Of course, in fact, Lord Aldarian also knows that if some ordinary goods can be used to exchange for temporary peace on the border, the deal will definitely be a good deal - as long as New Kingdom of Pendor is allowed to develop with peace of mind for a period of time, Gatu people will no longer have anything to worry about. Everyone is confident in this.
But His Majesty Li Ang is still very anxious.
Especially today, after His Majesty saw Charles, he asked me to imprison him in White Deer Fortress Bank.
Moreover, His Majesty also ordered me not to let Wendy out until he comes back...
I don't understand this order. Why does Your Majesty want to lock himself up?
But I must carry it out - Li Ang His Majesty almost never shows an anxious look. In my impression, he can always solve all problems with a smile.
But this time, he kept frowning.
I'm very uneasy.
--Excerpted from <New Pendor Battlefield Diary>, Risadiran Aino.