Chapter 644 (1/2)

Chapter 644: Diplomacy in the New Era

Translator: TransN Editor: TransN

…

After lunch, Roland summoned Barov into the bedroom.

Barov, the Director of City Hall, who came to Roland’s bedroom for the first time, seemed more cautious than usual but looked very excited.

Seeing his behavior, Roland could not help thinking of a story that a celebrity in history ran out to receive his subjects with his clothes in disarray, which considerably touched the visitors. It felt like his lazy behavior unexpectedly aroused a strong feeling of trust in his Director of City Hall and he had not intended it to.

He had to say that male official had a unique advantage in loyalty. For example, he could talk with him overnight, share one bed with him, and so on. But if it was Edith Kant, those things would be regarded as gossip.

Roland smiled and shook his head, setting aside those distracting thoughts. “How many letters have you received during the time I fought and slipped into a coma in the Northern Region?”

“A total of 16.” Barov quickly reported. “Most of them are from lords of various domains asking for trade or visiting, and two confidential letters are from the Eastern Region asking for a peace negotiation. I’ve answered them all as you’ve required.”

They had concluded the arrangements in a council meeting before the war. When the king led the army and marched on war, Barov would temporarily deal with the administrative affairs of Neverwinter in the king’s absence. He would be responsible for reading all letters that were sent to the king. And the letters which were of particular importance and beyond Barov’s power to answer would be sent to the battlefront by carrier pigeon.

“Just for a peace negotiation?”

“Yes… They’re unwilling to surrender the right of enfeoffment. Moreover, they advise you to keep the tradition and honor of nobility.”

“Next spring, those people will naturally know what kind of choice they should make.” Roland shrugged. “Where are the letters for my attention? Where are they from?”

“One came from Astrology Association of the city of Dawn, the other from the Kingdom of Dawn,” Barov said, handing over two sheets of paper, “They arrived in the moment you were in a deep slumber, and it tells something that is a bit… weird.”

“Weird?”

Roland first spread out the parchment with the constellation pattern on it.

It was written by Astrologer of Dispersion Star. He had spent the first half page on greetings and gratitude. The astronomical telescopes Roland had sent to observatory had been put into use. Certainly, they should thank him for that, Roland thought, but the rest of the letter numbed him for a while.

“They’ve tracked the Star of Extinction in the sky?”

“A star that was sparkling red and was located in a permanent place?”

The first thing that came to Roland’s mind was a synchronous orbit.

Judging from his poor knowledge of astronomy, he knew that only objects that traveled on a synchronous orbit could remain relatively still with the planet.

“If Bloody Moon appeared on this orbit, it would definitely influence the planet. Plus the observation also showed that its size should be extremely small.”

“So Bloody Moon was not a natural celestial body, but a man-made satellite?”

After thinking for a moment, Roland denied his speculation. “If it was a satellite, how could it be descending to Earth?” According to Agatha’s view, the moment Bloody Moon showed up, the entire continent would witness it. It was greater and brighter than the moon, and its scarlet light dyed the walls of Holy City bloody red. Even on a bright day, one could see its outline.