My Players Are So Fierce

Milian herself felt that Murphy must certainly hold a grudge against Marshal Loren, after all, it was under his orders that Cardman City was destroyed.

However, in reality, Murphy held little sentiment towards a city that had never truly welcomed him.

As for the destruction of Cardman City, while he mourned on humanitarian grounds and felt sympathy for the innocent victims, his attitude towards Marshal Loren contained not just hatred, but even a bit of guilt…

After all, the Calculating Pearl he had seized in the Smuggler’s Forest was a “private property” of the Marshal.

Didn’t this amount to the victim initiating a dialogue with the robber?

Moreover, given the current importance of the Calculating Pearl within the Crimson Castle’s system, rounding off, Marshal Loren could practically be considered Murphy’s “angel investor”.

What if right when this “Spiritual Energy telephone” gets connected, the Marshal were to immediately ask about the whereabouts of his bead—how awkward!

However, thinking about it, given Marshal Loren’s status, he would presumably not bring up this face-losing matter in a formal “diplomatic setting”, would he?

Murphy’s thoughts raced.

He cleared his throat a few times and said:

“I have no problem, but concerning this conversation itself, getting the Golden Flower Kingdom to acknowledge the existence of a governorship will not be easy.

The Golden Flower Kingdom is not Nordtoff.

The ongoing reform in that country makes it as ambitious and hungry as a ravenous wolf, ready to gobble up Transylvania.

If it were not for the impending Black Disaster, I think that the peace between the two parties could not even be maintained for a few years.

So, do you and your deputy have any political advice for me?”

“Yes!”

Milian handed a manuscript to Murphy and explained:

“This is the advice that Professor Malcolm has put together, as well as his understanding and description of the Golden Flower Kingdom on various levels; he thinks this will help you have a clearer picture of that country and its system.

As for strategies during tomorrow’s conversation, the Professor advises you not to fuss over the details.

Marshal Loren has a strong military character; he might prefer straightforward confrontations, even verbally.

According to the information provided by Major Fraser, Marshal Loren has already been appointed by King Louis as the commander of the kingdom’s eastern front to deal with the Black Disaster, thus, from a power perspective, he is entirely qualified to determine whether you can be appointed as the Governor of Transylvania and to provide a political recommendation to King Louis.

Moreover, according to some rumors circulating in the Golden Flower Kingdom, Marshal Loren is one of King Louis’s most trusted military personnel, thus his attitude can basically be considered as King Louis’s attitude on this matter.”

Maxim did not understand the deeper meaning in Milian’s words, but Murphy did.

He raised an eyebrow, put on a straight face and asked:

“So, the advice my Crimson Regent is giving me is to try my best to please the Marshal of the enemy country?”

“Yes.”

Milian seriously nodded and said:

“This is a usable strategy, and from my experience in history and administrative subjects, it is often very effective.”

“That can’t be!”

Loyal Maxim immediately rejected it:

“How can our Lord be pleasing to the enemy?

This would cause unnecessary havoc if it was known to our people.

Currently, our people hate the Golden Flower Kingdom and especially their Exploration Corps, down to their bones.

Milian!

When you are making suggestions, you need to consider the attitudes of our own people instead of always seeing yourself as an outsider.

This is also your hometown!”

“Sigh, can’t they just not know about it?”

Milian sighed:

“Even though this may not sound good, concealment is also one of the essences of politics.

The Lord has to lead the people rather than be led by the people’s opinions.

Mark, you know as well that there is no harm to Transylvania in having a good relationship with the Golden Flower Kingdom at this stage, right?”

Maxim kept a stern face and said nothing, but his silence was more than clear enough as an answer.

“I won’t please him!”

Murphy shook his head:

“Leaving aside what I truly think about this, and just focusing on my other identity—being someone who has been recognized and granted the position of Acting Governor by Her Majesty, the Wolf Queen, of the Nordtoff Kingdom—if I were to bow and submit to the Border Marshal of the Golden Flower Kingdom, it would mean that the support I had painstakingly obtained from the Northerners would be wasted.

I must complete the dialogue with Marshal Loren on equal terms, but this, in fact, is also an opportunity!”

Murphy narrowed his eyes and said to an attentively listening Milian:

“The appointment document given by the Wolf Queen is already in my hands; the royal seal on it that belongs to the King of the Winter Palace can be used as my ‘weapon’.

Marshal Loren and his King Louis may not care about the views of the Transylvanian villagers, but they cannot ignore the majesty of the North Wind Castle.

Milian, you are right, this matter concerns national honor.

But not our honor…

Trust me, if you now expose this appointment document to the senior dwarf you mentioned, I believe that by tomorrow, the dwarf marshal won’t be too presumptuous!”

“Exactly!”

Maxim immediately perked up.

He clapped his fists together and said:

“Master Murphy can surely leverage our position, just like finding a subtle balance in a sword fight, using the authority of the Wolf Queen to suppress that damn marshal.”

“Besides, the Golden Flower Kingdom needs us too!”

A light shown in Milian’s eyes as she pondered:

“Just as the Northerners of the Nordtoff Kingdom need us to be in the front line of the Black Disaster instead of their soldiers, the nobles of the Golden Flower Kingdom would also not be willing to send their own children to the dangerous front lines.”