"Ladies and gentlemen, raise your glasses, Cheers to Lord Li Lin, Cheers to victory!"

"Cheers!!Cheers!!"

The fifth toast was as warm and cheerful as the previous four, and the various juices in the cups splashed on the bodies of the elves, on their clothes, and on the floor, and the marble floors and luxurious carpets rendered in rough tones.

The Earl's Mansion was filled with the laughter and singing of the elves, and the bright magic chandelier illuminated the palatial hall as bright as day, and the toasts finally cured the depressed mood of the uncles who could not enjoy the wine to their heart's content because they were in a human city. The girls and boys holding the juice high were so excited that tears were about to fall from their eyes.

After more than half an hour of meaningless struggle, the bishop finally nodded in agreement to a new contract, signed his name on the piece of paper that had left him humiliated and depressed, and pressed the blood-red handprint.

The new treaty reads as follows:

First, the Bishop of Capelle and the Diocese of Agen Toraton recognized the autonomy of the elves of the Niforheim Valley and the right to self-arms;

secondly, the elves were not stationed in the Agen Toraton, but they had the right to pass in an emergency;

Thirdly, the elves have the right to seek terra nullius land in the territory of Agen Toraton to build a city, and to continue to enjoy the rights provided for in paragraph 1 of the treaty after the construction of the new city is completed;

Fourthly, the Count's Mansion was taken over by the Elves, and the Elves sent Alphonse de Sade to administer it, and seventy percent of the late Earl's property and fifty percent of the land under his name were assigned to the Bishop of Capelle;

Fifth, the elves' commercial activities in the Argent Toratong region are exempt from the burden of customs duties, foreign exchange exchanges, transaction taxes, and other aspects;

Sixth, the church has the right of first refusal to sell porcelain and cotton to the southern part of Charlemagne's kingdom, and the bishop enjoys 20% of the shares and year-end dividends;

Seventh, the elves signed a contract with the free peasants of Agen Toratong for the supply and marketing of crops, and the Church did not interfere;

Eighth, the captives of the raiding party sign a labor contract with the elves, work in the mine or cotton field for 3~5 years, and the income except the basic salary is used to offset the ransom;

According to the above terms, the elves of Niforheim enjoy some of the treatment of sovereign states at the practical level, although not all of them, and the scope is limited to the region of Agen Toraton, but this alone is enough to make the elves go crazy with joy.

On the other hand, through the peace of Guò, the elves not only gained a windfall to continue to expand their industry, but more importantly. The economic lifeblood of the Argentoplaston region was completely unsuspecting to the elves. In addition to the lack of sufficient technical and labor participation in public utilities, basic agriculture and manufacturing will be infiltrated and annexed by the elven monopoly capital in all directions, albeit insignificant, and the outline of a monopoly organization is gradually taking shape.

In the end, the captive laborers who entered industries that urgently needed a large amount of cheap labor, such as cotton spinning, smelting, and construction, the peasants who were completely independent of the planting and supply of crops, and the churches that enjoyed the profit sharing of consignment goods, were all bound to the elven camp in a strong chain of interests. At the moment, they are still a little uncomfortable and unwilling, but with time and experience, as they realize the benefits brought to them by the state monopoly capital economic system led by Li Lin, the small complaints and dissatisfaction will disappear, and if anyone questions the cooperative and symbiotic relationship between them and the elves in the future, this group of shared interests will never put on a good face for the sake of interests and face.

The economic base determines the superstructure, and within a few years, the Argent Toraton, which is accused of being the lifeblood of the economy, will become a political vassal and a large factory under the control of the elves. To describe its status in the corresponding political terms is "semi-colonial". ...,

With the exception of Bishop Capelle and the Knights Templar, who still had a little administrative power, magistrate's jurisdiction, and a fiscal tax on the common people, the elves could engage in commercial activities in the land without paying the taxes of a single son. At the same time, human farmers who join the elves' agricultural supply and marketing cooperatives also enjoy tax exemption. Because that's also a business activity. Under the preferential terms of purchasing agricultural products instead of paying rent, it is foreseeable that a wave of peasants will automatically provide land for the elves to annex, but the church can do nothing about it, after all, the independent land purchase and sale is allowed and recognized by law. There is no violation of the law and morality.

Similarly, since the laws of human countries do not limit all kinds of stimulants or hallucinogens, the production, pinching and sale of such special commodities are completely legal. As for whether it is ethical...... In line with the thinking of [patriotic and reasonable, XX is not guilty], this question was gorgeously ignored by Li Lin and the elves......

"Although it is not an official founding of the country, we do not have a country name, and we do not even have our own city, but we are here! We have seen it! Toast to the shining star that pierces the dark night! Long live Your Excellency Li Lin!!"

"Hooray!!"

"Hooray! Hooray!"

After the toast of Tyr's over-excited worship, the taste of the celebration had completely changed, and the hall of the audience had been transformed into a hall of three long lives, men and women, young and old, all of whom were dominated by feverish passion, and the most excited people jumped on the table and cheered with wooden wine glasses held high, even the emir patriarch, who had always been dissatisfied and resentful of Li Lin, could not say anything about it, and stayed in the corner of the hall from time to time to sip a small sip of juice to quench his thirst.

The old Thunder Lion was ousted from the throne, and most of them were looking at the people who touted the new lion king with such a depressed mentality.

The old patriarch thought like this, and said nothing. An outdated patriarch who denigrated the new leader of the sun who was worshipped by his people as if he were a mother goddess - such an act would not help to prolong his life, and he would either stay in a corner and be silent, or he would have to live alone.

[Anyway, you can't resist, and there's nothing wrong with accepting it.] 】

took out the self-abandoning rape response thinking, and the smiling face that was forced out appeared with bitterness.

The mood is in the gloomy trough of loss and despair, and the noise gradually decreases and disappears. The laughing men and women beside them fell silent, retreating to the left and right to make way for a passable path, the marble floor knocking on the ethereal and solemn young footsteps, and the center of power moving closer to the old lion.

[To show off your strength? to my ugly, useless old bones......!!!]

Anger and humiliation poured out from under his feet, his long beard like a waterfall of ice and snow trembled slightly, and the old elf subconsciously closed his eyes, ready to endure the bitter ridicule.

-- Biting an aging individual to death can be said to be the etiquette of the younger generation of carnivores who won the battle for the throne. The old patriarch was ready to endure the harsh etiquette of eliminating the old and weak.

"I am very sorry for the previous rude offense, and I beg the Emir Patriarch for forgiveness. ”

The clear, without a trace of fraud and hypocrisy poured into his ears, the old eyelids opened, the eyes were soaked with surprise, and the black-haired young man in front of him lowered his head and said sincerely:

"In order to respond to the changes in the world, for the sake of the ideals that everyone agrees on. Change must be made, but that doesn't mean we have to abandon noble traditions, and you, who are the guardians of ancient traditions, are still our esteemed patriarchs. ”

The title of "Patriarch" may be very attractive to the uninformed young man, and it can also attract the coveted by the lust for power. Li Lin has little interest in having a limited range of reputations, and he is more concerned with grasping actual dominance.

An old patriarch who resembles a shrine can play a simple role in the use of a simple signboard, and the attitude and words of respect for the emir patriarch can envelop the elves, and it can also play a positive role in gathering other elves in the future. ...,

Listening to the old patriarch's excited snort, the background sounds of the other elves' approvals, exclamations, and cheers were automatically filtered out, and the sincere and harmless smiles were raised again, and the old faces in front of him were leaving cloudy tears of emotion.

- It can be determined that it is the result of positive feelings, as planned.

The cheering and admiring toast was deafening again, and the elves who had drunk the juice were busy taking out a small felt hat with feathers pinned to their clothes and putting it on their heads, and Thor, who had been prepared, took out a black hat of the same style and handed it to Li Lin.

"Do I want it too?"

It is indeed necessary to participate in the current occasion to strengthen the connection, but Li Lin felt that this was a problem for the first time.

Among the materials related to assassination missions are waltzes and ballroom dances, and the aristocracy of this world seems to be inclined to wear formal clothes inlaid with gold and silver, and the long tables are spread out with snow-white openwork tablecloths and lavish dishes. The men and women on the dance floor dance to the slow pace of the band.

But the elves ...... The spirits of the Niflheim Valley in feathered felt hats sang yodelsan songs during the festivities and danced around fir trees and campfires, with no idea of the dance moves.

"Siegfried!

His academic performance was not very good, but at this moment, Thor, who was particularly good at observing Li Lin's thoughts, was busy coaxing. I can't tell if it's thick-skinned enough, or if the honest big boy directly calls Li Lin's name.

"Siegfried! Come one! Siegfried! Come one! Siegfried! Come one! Siegfried come one!"

The elves, whose emotions and interest were aroused, were making a fuss together, and their narrow but innocent eyes were focused on the black-haired boy. A much more fanatical wave than the fans cheered.

The servants of the Earl's Court cowered uneasily as the pointy-eared barbarians shouting in different languages almost toppled the roof, and several young maids held their ears in horror, peeking into the noisy living room, and praying to the Mother Goddess that the barbarians would not do anything to them.

"Yes...... Would you like me to dance with me?"

Just as he was about to use the made up rhetoric to prevaricate the group of noisy guys watching the excitement, the girl with a wreath on her head walked to the side. The plaid skirt swayed with the dexterous steps of the dance, and with the etiquette of bending down to lift the skirt, the open collar blouse had a faint view of the curves of the girl hooking the men's lustful hearts.

"Bu Lun Hill, little girl, please dance with His Excellency Li Lin. ”

"Okay!!"

All the elves let out a wolf-like howl together, and under the deafening cry, Brunhill approached Li Lin and whispered quickly, "Please cooperate with my dance steps. ], the bright elf girl winked at her red pupils.

Except for a few people in Lapland, there are not many yodels who can sing, and the only ones who can sing and dance to the brisk rhythm are the elves who can sing and dance.

Looking at Li Lin's extremely brief trance when he raided Thor, the girl immediately understood. This Excellency, who seems to be omnipotent, has finally encountered something that cannot be handled.

"It's an honor. ”

The innocent boy who seemed to be the son of a god showed a innocent smile, and the girl, who didn't know what expression to use, skipped a beat of her heart, and her slender wrist that matched the lace sleeves that had been trimmed overnight hooked Li Lin's arm. The musicians holding the national musical instruments began to play relaxed and lively music, and the good singers of the village showed off their voices neatly

"One day a long time ago I went to the valley,

Try to learn my yodel tune.

On a sunny day, I met a yodel singer,

In a small cabin, she taught me to sing yodele songs.

yodel－oh－ee－dee

diddly－odel－oh－ee－dee

diddly－odel－oh－ee－dee

The yodel song she taught me to sing...,

Now, I'm going to teach you how to sing the yodeir songs,

Just like me. ”

In the midst of countless laughter and the high-pitched singing of the singers, they clinged to the boy's body, allowing the dance partner, who rarely showed his clumsy side, to cooperate with his body movements, watching the smart boy gradually become flexible from stiffness. The elf girl who had not drunk wine smiled happily, indulging in a little satisfaction and happiness, Brunhill, who had never experienced the taste of love, filled her vision and chest with a radiant smile in front of her, and the girl who was bumping into the fawn decided that she was the happiest female elf in the whole world.

############

The unlit room shone in a pale moonlight that was too bright from the window, and the light of a cold flame covered the room with a dark and weak veil.

Locke, with his head bowed, had a sturdy and haggard aura, and the knight's boy with a wooden expression listened to the clamor of singing from far away from the Earl's Mansion and into the window, and his empty heart could not feel anything about the unintelligible rap ballads.

[Of course it is. 】

From afar, there was an incomprehensible cacophony of Elven language from the brightly lit mansion—the reward of the victors, the victorious enemy in a hedonistic celebration or a heretical ritual. Between the joy that comes from the bottom of my heart and the self who fled back to this place like a lost dog, all that exists is the mark of humiliation in the depths of my soul - such a relationship.

How about taking advantage of the other party's laxity to kill this group of complacent intruders in one fell swoop?

Even the most hard-hearted fanatical Templars would honestly carry out the bishop's order not to act rashly after seeing the barely assembled corpses of the dead and listening to the exaggerated and altered descriptions of the battle situation of the defeated soldiers who had been released, let alone the common people.

- As long as that Li Lin is still there, fighting with the pointed ears is a terrible nightmare that all Agen Toratong humans cannot afford to face, and it is no different from suicide.

This is the monster's purpose, to make everyone realize how stupid it is to go against him, to plant a seed called "Terror" in people's hearts, and to stretch vines to bind everyone's minds to resist.

The people of Alsace will then come to the same conclusion, and Charlemagne will recognize this sooner or later...... When everyone realizes and is suppressed by terror, the world will also fall into the control of the black-haired demon king.

Even if things turn out this way;

Even if Li Lin's strength is so strong that people are desperate;

Locke believed that he was still in his brain, and he was still screaming angrily.

"Today I was defeated, and I saw my defeat. I see you leading the elves to begin a revival. As your opponent, as a warrior knight, I can look at it without complaint. But ah! black-haired inhumans!!"

The man who greeted death smiled from the bottom of his heart—the free and flowing smile of the traveler at the end of the journey.

The grim reaper who looked directly at the person who spoke the dying words was silent, and the blade wings reflected a chilling silver light. The expressionless delicate face waited patiently for the man to finish speaking.

"Sooner or later, those who trample and trample on others will be trampled on by others. Whoever kills with a knife and does evil will one day die by the sword. No blood and no tears, if you have the strength, you can do anything, but I am a knight with manly backbone and pride! What kind of end will you usher in, I can't see it as a dying person, how you will end up challenging the laws of the world, my heirs will take a good look. ”

"You......"

The mask-like cold face spat out words that were as light as breathing.

"What a stubborn and rotten good guy who always suffers because of it. ”

"Don't say the kind of sympathy for the old man! O Death! Whether it's sour or sympathetic, you're far behind. ”...,

With a cheerful smile, he turned to his back. The knight's thick fingers dug deep into the bushes of Locke's hair, stroking his head like a puppy. In the eyes filled with tears, the figure of a tall knight and the gentle appearance of a man who replaced his deceased father at a young age became a picture of hot light.

"Don't cry, a man can't just cry. ”

Knight Pierre smiled at himself, and somehow that heavy smile made Locke feel ...... Very cunning.

The strong and warm hand that conveyed the man's hand trembled, and the slender spikes pierced through the heart and burst out from under the armor behind his back, and in Locke's desperate cry of despair, like the collapse of the world, the smile of pleasure that was not eroded by sorrow and pain said something like a daily teaching, and the deep voice was difficult to distinguish in the noise of exclamation, and only the original meaning of the words could be read through the shape of the lips.

[Live well, watch the ...... for me]

I can't remember how I was knocked unconscious, how I was escorted with the other captives to the north gate of Argentolaton, and how my ghostly self returned to a house stripped of its breath of life and empty of bitter memories like a grave.

Only that message will not be forgotten.

I can't forget it, and it's firmly engraved in the depths of Locke's soul and a part of life.

――Look.

Watch them rise, watch them go mad, watch them perish.

Jean Locke's knight-in-waiting looked at the Earl's Mansion, which was as noisy as a city that never sleeps, and stared at it without saying a word.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Interpretive small theater

Brunhill: I'm so happy to finally dance with His Excellency Li Lin...... But it's a pity that I couldn't say [Auntie washes the railway]......

Li Lin: The Japanese transliteration is too bad, so let's quickly explain to you how to sing yodele.

Brunhill: Okay, yodeling, also known as yodeling, is a form of singing with a wide span of scales that accompanies rapid and repetitive chest-to-attack transitions. Produces a string of high-low-high-low sounds. This technique of playing using the human voice can be found in many cultures around the world.

Li Lin: Yes, the name of the song that appears in this episode is She.Taught.Me.How.To.Yodel, and it was sung by a young man from Chongqing in a recent Chinese talent show.

Brunhill: Now that the first part of the book is over, a new chapter of the story "The Brave's Minuet" will begin, so please look forward to it. Okay, so today's quiz is about Alphonse de Sade, what is the origin of the name of this human magician and the related allusions?