Feiliu Castle, as the capital of Hotam County and the central city of the entire Thousand River Valley, is located on the most bustling river channel of the Nao'an River.

At the same time, it is also the only river mouth pass leading to Leia.

As long as here is controlled, whether attacking outward or inward, a convenient transportation line can be established relying on the river.

Five hundred years ago, a group of nomads from the Northwest Kush Grassland migrated here and had to follow the local natives to learn farming.

In the following two hundred years, centered around here, these nomads gradually spread to the surrounding areas, expanding their territory over the entire Thousand River Valley Region through intermarriage and war bit by bit.

After the last native tribe of North County presented the water and soil symbolizing submission to the King of Nomads, the Duke named Kush established the capital here.

In commemoration of Saint Joan who guided them to Thousand River Valley, the place was named Joan of Arc Castle.

From then on, the concept of the Kush people for the Thousand River Valley people was finally established.

It not only encompasses the initial group of nomads from the Kush Grassland but also includes the merging of native bloodlines and culture.

During the early stages of the Hundred Years' War, to gain the support of the inland Thousand River Valley, the Church actively compromised with him.

The power of the Duke Kush reached its peak, almost claiming the crown.

Back then, Joan of Arc Castle transformed from a small fishing village into a big city with a population of 150,000, a number that hasn't been restored even today.

Unfortunately, in the later stages of the Hundred Years' War, the Church began its crackdown on this region known for its heretical Perssian sects.

During the war, a unified religion, the Miseran Church, quickly isolated Thousand River Valley by mending the split between the Monastery and the Church.

Besieged, several generations of Dukes of Kush resisted and compromised but ultimately moved from Joan of Arc Castle to Canal Town, only to "relocate" back to Joan of Arc Castle again.

Feiliu Castle, after several renovations, relocations, and flooding, has entirely changed from the former Joan of Arc Castle.

The only legacy left by this Kush Duke family in Feiliu Castle is probably just the Summer Palace in the southeast of the city.

Had the coronation proceeded smoothly, this place would have been the future Royal Palace of the Thousand River Valley Kingdom.

Today, it has become the location where Prince Kongdai of Leia summons his vassals from Leia and Falan.

Adjacent to the Purple Fox Hunting Ground lies the Kush Palace, with walls and domes formed by countless slender pillars, embodying the early Gothic style of the Hundred Years' War period.

Count Gelinon strode across the porch, the emerald and ruby-inlaid bronze animal face hanging on the wall stared intently at him.

Every time he passed by, he felt a chill running down his spine.

Entering the council hall, seated around the long table were the key figures from various places in Hotam County.

Including four Village Hall Bishops, three Metropolitan Cathedral Priests, seven Abbots of Great Monasteries, two local Titled Knights, and five local Counts.

Gelinon was among them.

"Gelinon, you've arrived." Sitting at the head, Prince Kongdai with long blonde hair flowing down his shoulders, tied it behind his ears with a crown-like band, "Come over here and sit."

As the lord farthest from Feiliu Castle, after taking his seat, Gelinon hung his head like an aged monk, his eyes fixed on the carved oak table in front of him.

The floor below, covered with a greenish-blue gold-fringed Beilo carpet, was likely a masterpiece of the Beilo Clan from the Norn Kingdom.

The whole room hummed with a low, buzzing sound as maids and servants moved in and out, handing glasses of red tea and alcohol to the nobles.

"It's almost noon, have the two Abbots still not arrived?" Despite waiting for the two Abbots for quite some time, Prince Kongdai did not show much anger.

This blood lion from the battlefield was unexpectedly calm and tolerant in everyday times, which surprised everyone.

But no one dared to challenge his authority because he unpredictably would occasionally bite, and a single bite could be deadly.

One moment he might be joking with someone, the next he'd order them taken out and executed.

This trait became particularly evident after he returned from High Castle.

"Abbot Cui Anni has yet to reply, while Abbot Valerio tore up the letter and stated emphatically not to collude with executioners," Banifus whispered an alert.

Over seventy percent of the nobles present bore classic Falan or Leia names, although more than half of them had Kush bloodlines.

The organized expulsion and genocide of the Kush people have only arisen in the last century, and to completely replace the bloodline might take another hundred or eighty years.

However, regarding the cultural and spiritual eradication, it may only take another fifty years and about two generations.

Probably only this Kush person, Abbot Valerio, genuinely speaks up for the Kush people. In contrast, Abbot Cui Anni typifies the state of barring the gate and remaining uninvolved.

"Well, I suppose they're not coming then." Prince Kongdai merely nodded slightly without any particular expression, "Let's start now."

The nobles stopped their private conversations immediately and sat upright, awaiting Prince Kongdai's speech.

"According to the Pope's seal and recognition, my tax-farming rights have been converted into hereditary rights, so I may be stationed in the Thousand River Valley more frequently from now on." Prince Kongdai announced to them.

"This is enormous good news indeed."

"Having you stay in the Thousand River Valley is truly wonderful."

Immediately, two Abbots began flattery, while the other nobles remained silent.

They indeed needed Prince Kongdai.

Whether it's the Salvation Army to the south or Duke Hemashi's Army to the north, or even the internal Saint Sun's Army, they found handling them somewhat challenging.

If Prince Kongdai hadn't come to Thousand River Valley, Feiliu Castle likely would be under Duke Hemashi's siege today.

Their flood-like army almost instantly overwhelmed Shangruifo County, pressing directly into Hotam County, otherwise, Mizam wouldn't suggest Prince Kongdai head north first.

The Salvation Army and Hotam County were still separated by Lower Reif County and Kasha County; if Duke Hemashi's army in Shangruifo County were not dealt with first, the north might fall before even the south began to fight.

But judging the current achievements, Prince Kongdai had lost twice, surrendering four decrees in total, which wasn't ideal.

Although he severely wounded the northern Hemashi Army, forcing them to retreat, Kasha County and Lower Reif County were lost, with half the territory owned by the Salvation Army.

Currently, nearly a thousand knights from the two regions are stationed outside Feiliu Castle, living by robbing merchants and suppressing the Saint Sun's Army on order.

According to the current situation, the pressing matter is to ensure the cutoff between Lower Reif County and the Salvation Army and the Duke's Army to prevent them from merging.

Three unpleasant options lie before the nobles in Thousand River Valley: Prince Kongdai, Duchess Hemashi, and the Saint Sun Pseudo-Emperor.

Duchess Hemashi is notoriously known for terror rule and bloody slaughter, especially the reckoning of the Blue Blood Orphan Incident, which they absolutely cannot allow.

As for the Saint Sun Pseudo-Emperor, it's even less possible, judging by their habit of eradicating nobles and burning churches.

They had been under cruel lordship before; enduring until the lord died was just a part of life before returning to peace.

But the Salvation Army was different; their savagery could not be allowed, as they were not something to be tolerated.

Among the three, Prince Kongdai appeared to be the most tolerable, with perhaps a little effort they could swallow it.

Gelinon, realizing the lack of funds and men, thought, "Without money and manpower, how to counter-attack?"

Simply had no choice but to stomach it and pay up.

"Due to the expected immigration of about twenty thousand Leia and Falan people, including those knights, we will need approximately a population of 21,000." Prince Kongdai expressed calmly, "So I might need some 210,000 worth of Leia and Falan immigrants."

The teacup in Gelinon's hand shattered on the floor, leaving a horrible stain on the expensive carpet.

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