When the Saint comes, she does not collect food

#445 - Angel investment from France

Stepping down from the carriage, Cassani looked up at the palace supported by white marble pillars, its triangular pediment adorned with stone carvings of angels, saints, volcanoes, and vines.

This was the Apati Palace, the former Speaker's residence, and along with Megede's Uffizi Palace, it was known as one of the two architectural gems of Rapid Falls City.

Cassani couldn't help but curl his lip.

He had seen too many of these Thousand River Valley buildings, covered in straight lines and as rigid as if they were from before the Hundred Years' War, as an old Flower Hill City resident.

In his hometown, the royal capital of Fran, more free and unrestrained designs with domes, curves, spirals, and ellipses were already in vogue. A building like this in Fran would only be laughed at.

"Mr. Cassani, I think I hear banging sounds," Gigannon said with concern, stepping off the carriage using a small stool, without reacting to the building in front of him.

"What's there to be afraid of? It's just those watchmen who hit people with black iron pipes."

Remembering those lame watchmen with studded helmets who launched stone bullets, Gigannon had to admit that despite his limp, he was faster than the four-legged Royal Capital security knights when facing robbers and thieves.

He remembered last year in the central district of Flower Hill City, a security knight watched him get robbed by a pantless man from five meters away, still leisurely enjoying his afternoon tea.

Only when Cassani went over and questioned him would he stand up and pretend to chase after the robber on horseback.

But in terms of security, this district where the Uffizi Palace of Rapid Falls City was located was definitely better than any district in Fran.

After the other two Fran merchants got down, the four of them stood together again, with Cassani in the second position, right behind Gigannon.

Although Cassani was just a small intern notary, he had been authorized by the Fran Council of State to serve as the recorder in this secret contact with the Savior Army.

"This way, please."

Led by several servants, the four walked through the steps and saw the legendary Holy Grandson under the painted dome.

However, Cassani was slightly disappointed. He had thought that this hero who led tens of thousands of farmers to defeat the Decree Legion would be a "noble savage," a hero with a bold temperament, high morals, but little culture.

But that didn't match the slightly short, slightly dark-skinned youth in front of him, who was full of scholarly air and even a bit frivolous.

It seemed the Thousand River Valley had run out of talent.

After a brief introduction and awkward greetings, the group sat down one by one, led by Catherine and the servants.

The dishes were quickly served. At Horn's frugal request, this external banquet was considered grand, but for these Fran people who ate exquisitely, it was only at the level of a middle-class family.

Considering the Savior Army's background, they didn't say much, but mechanically ate their food, sweating profusely under the gaze of the two witches.

On the other hand, Cassani was relaxed, drinking and eating heartily, quickly filling his stomach.

Horn usually led by example, eating simple work meals, but now that he finally had a good meal, he was of course going to eat his fill.

In the first half of the banquet, the two people who should have been discussing serious matters were instead gorging themselves, delaying the discussion.

"Mr. Cassani, you seem to have been looking at my two female companions?" Without putting on any papal airs, Horn raised his silver goblet and toasted to Cassani.

"It's also my first time seeing a Saintess," Cassani said, raising his glass in return, pausing subtly. "Normally, I only see witches on the pyres in Fran. It's my first time seeing a talking Saintess."

"You hate witches?"

"They bring the witch disease to others, which is indeed hateful, I don't deny it.

But that's not their intention after all. Seeing young and beautiful faces being consumed by flames, I am equally saddened."

Cassani had properly taken etiquette classes, and his expression and movements were impeccable.

"The Holy Father will forgive enemies three times. I think if a witch is given a chance, she may be willing to convert to the Lord's faith," Horn said with a smile, picking up a piece of steak and putting it in his mouth.

Seeing that Cassani wanted to say something more, Gigannon interrupted him, after all, this was a sensitive topic, and there were two witches at the table.

If they were angered, this meal might be their last.

Wiping the grease from his mouth with a napkin, Gigannon straightened his body and finally mustered the courage to bring the topic to the main subject.

"Fran and Leia have always been friendly countries, with hundreds of years of historical friendship. As an opposition force within the Kingdom of Leia, in principle, we shouldn't be contacting you.

However, your pursuit of freedom and justice has deeply infected some scholars and nobles in our country of Fran, and they hope that we can extend a helping hand to you."

After Gigannon finished speaking, Horn was still slowly drinking his cream of mushroom soup, as if he had heard what he said, but also as if he hadn't.

Glancing at Cassani, who was touching his stomach and yawning, Gigannon bit the bullet and continued:

"To be honest, we have no right to comment on the actions of the Leia people, but we have heard of their crimes in the Thousand River Valley, and they are truly appalling.

I dare say that if the Thousand River Valley were under the rule of the Fran Church, I am sure that things like the Blueblood Orphans would never happen.

You know, everyone loves Grandiva, Grandiva supports everyone, he wouldn't leave those poor orphans alone."

"Tch."

Jeanne, with her arms crossed in front of her chest, snorted disdainfully.

"It seems that Miss Jeanne has a bit of prejudice against the Fran people," Cassani said with a light smile, perking up as he sipped his sobering red tea.

"Since you sympathize with us, why not just send troops?" Jeanne retorted, glaring at him.

Cassani smiled and shook his head: "The territory of the Kingdom of Fran is twice that of the pitiful bug that is Leia. If we send troops for everything, then a hundred thousand troops wouldn't be enough.

Moreover, we Fran people are born peace-loving. If a problem can be solved without bloodshed, we should never rely on bloodshed to solve it."

"I want to drink to that," Horn said, raising his glass and clinking it against Cassani's.

Cassani was very pleased, grinning as he looked at Horn, who was eating as heartily as he was. Putting aside everything else, this young Pope was much stronger than that mumbling Grandiva.

If Cassani could vote in the papal election, then the current Cassani would definitely vote for Horn.

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"For the sake of the Holy Lord, let's not beat around the bush and speak in riddles, I'll just say it straight."

Cassani gargled with red wine: "Lord Lorenzo wants to make some trouble for the Leia people. He doesn't mind paying to see the Leia people embarrassed, especially that Prince Condé.

In our estimation, the Thousand River Valley will definitely be divided into three factions in the future. Our Council of State think tanks have even given an analysis that the Thousand River Valley will split.

Prince Condé has the Leia people behind him, Melia has the North people behind her, who do you have behind you? Black Serpent Bay? They can't even protect themselves!"

"Can't we independently establish a country? Doesn't Black Serpent Bay exist?" Jeanne interjected again.

"Hahahaha."

Cassani laughed. This witch was, after all, from a village and didn't know the twists and turns behind the scenes.

In the Empire's hundreds of millions of people and millions of square kilometers of territory, either the three major kingdoms and the Church directly control it, or they indirectly control it.

All forces that break away from control will be attacked by the entire Empire. They will never allow any territory of the Empire to break away from the Empire. This is an unwritten rule.

As for Black Serpent Bay's independence, that's too funny.

They exist only because the Empire needs them to exist, and Black Serpent Bay even has the Flesh Court behind them. They don't exist independently either.

"The matter of insurgents occupying a place has not happened in the Empire's history.

Let me tell you a secret, the Bluepeak family, sitting on the throne of Leia in that Longsong City, falsely claims to be descendants of the Three-Headed Horse family.

But do you know? Their first ancestor was a peasant uprising leader who established himself as king during the Empire's great civil war. Didn't he later become a respected Imperial Earl?

As for countries that can independently break away within the Empire, frankly speaking, the number is zero so far.

I can't deny that there may be some in the future, but I don't think it will happen in my lifetime of the next sixty years."

"Can I ask why we should choose you instead of the North people?" Catherine stirred the red tea in her porcelain cup with a teaspoon, smiling faintly, making it impossible to see what she was thinking.

"We have allowed the Schielmatdi Peasant Republic in the Southern Frontier, and the Governor's Company of the Zealand Islands. Our vassals and territories are strange and diverse.

Our Fran is the most advanced, most civilized, most open and tolerant, and most relaxed kingdom in the entire Empire.

Leia and North would never accept a so-called Pope-chosen small kingdom, but we Fran can, as long as you claim to be a bishop to the outside world, we don't mind you being Pope behind closed doors."

Horn listened for a long time before asking: "But what's the benefit for you?"

"Of course there is, we want to weaken the Leia people and take back Windmill Land," Cassani raised his last finger, "Most importantly, we need your market. No matter what agreement we reach in the future, mutual market opening and unified tariffs will always be the top priority."

"Your Majesty, what do you think?" Gigannon stared intently at Horn.