Chapter 56: About a pair of monarchs and ministers

Chapter 56: About a pair of monarchs and ministers

Chapter 56: About a King and His Ministers

"A man tries every possible way to distance himself from the killings of his old age, using pollution, madness and necessity to escape..."

"The other one confessed all his blood debts and didn't care at all: Yes, I will repeat the accusation you made against me, it is absolutely correct. One million and four hundred thousand lives, I like this number."

"Isn't it obvious who is truly humane?"

"...You are full of humanity, Your Majesty. But Huang Tao is not what the gods need. How long will you continue to play Huang Tao, the Archon, the Caesar, the Tyrant, the Slaughterer, the Black Emperor, the great Roselle Gustav?"

----

Before we start talking about the greatest emperor and the craziest earl in the history of Intis, we must know a premise: the two kings are hostile to each other, mock each other, but trust each other more than anyone else under certain circumstances. When you can pay enough, the devil is the best trading partner in the world. Roselle never doubted that Edward would betray him, unless the devil had never been loyal from the beginning. Edward never believed that Roselle would reject Him, because his great cause and purpose had long surpassed the scope of mortals. Only He could put on the shelves the products that matched his ambitions in time, and their relationship seemed so close and inseparable.

Of course young people are full of pride, just like what is written in all the time-travel novels in the old era. Even though most readers think that they will die in various ways if they travel back in time, Huang Tao Russell, who was young and unsuccessful in his previous life, is so confident.

He was indeed confident. With the help of the "Universalist" potion, he gradually turned the great crystallizations of human civilization in the old era into reality. If most inventors and great men on Earth stand on the shoulders of giants, then Russell stands on the heads of a group of Jenga giants. The books he has read, the dramas and music he has listened to, the models he has played with, the hot weapons and mechanical illustrations he has studied for his hobbies, have all become the ladder for him to gain status in this era. He acts as he pleases, full of enthusiasm and knowledge, for his own fame and a better life, and dreams of laying the mark of the earth in this foreign land.

And the devil also came at this time.

The god walking on the earth found the breath of life in the dead civilization, so he found Huang Tao. Which god took the trouble to send this incompatible soul to the present world across tens of millions of years? What benefits can this soul bring to himself?
Before Roselle started running on the road of destruction at three times his own speed, He had no good feelings towards him. There were many reasons, such as their personalities were totally incompatible, and He had no expectations or interest in the human race. Of course, the most important factor was that He had never used His true face to get along with him. Who would be interested in a person who was deceived by Him in the early stage, coveted His power and the huge benefits that could be brought to Him in the middle stage, and began to restrict and suppress Him in the late stage?

If Edward Vaughn was a real angel, he would have been angry for a long time. Given the devil's character, it would not be surprising if he suddenly went crazy and fought back one day. But the Decayed King did not care. Just like Roselle, who had become Sequence One, began to mention the devil's name in a somewhat contemptuous tone in private meetings that excluded him, the Decayed King also enjoyed Roselle's performance and this farce from a higher perspective.

But to say that I care a lot would be a complete lie.

Hobbies and work must be counted separately.

Roselle couldn't possibly find the source. The path of the universalist had no interest in him. He was just an excellent employee who helped him hone his acting skills. He would no longer be needed after he had honed his acting skills. However, he really didn't expect that Roselle would be so brilliant after becoming the Black Emperor. If his capital to become the Archon was 40% political talent and 60% plagiarism, then the Black Emperor was basically his innate courage, cruelty and selfishness that a ruler should have.

As we all know, the Blood Duke wanted the title of Duke, but the Black Emperor only gave him the title of Earl. The position of the Earl of the Palace is a wonderful irony beyond words. The Emperor does not trust you, but He needs you.

Now let's go back to before their breakup - it's as if their relationship was originally very good. No gambler would make a million-dollar bet the first time he enters a casino. The deal between Russell and Edward was just a pen at the beginning: Russell was tired of writing with a feather pen, so he "invented" a fountain pen. Edward happened to see it and invested in the fountain pen industry, allowing Russell to make a little money.

A biscuit, a serving of cabbage and pork dumplings, and a plate of stir-fried pork with green peppers.

The victory of a conflict war, the survival of a city of 400,000 people, and a major economic crisis that will bring down countries other than Intis.

Edward can always find the goods that Russell needs most and give the right price. For him, this is as simple as giving a glass of water to a thirsty person or a pillow to a sleepy person. You can choose not to win a major war, but only to defeat your opponent in an important turning point battle. The devil will not laugh at your stingy behavior, but will happily accept the soul and life of the dead. So you seem to have paid nothing, but you have won the final victory. All books repeatedly emphasize that the devil cannot be trusted, because no one can refuse the frosted poison from the devil.

"One hundred thousand casualties in one go? You're such a glutton." Russell crossed his legs and flipped through the battle report, smacking his lips. "You're not lying to me, are you actually a cold-blooded murderer on Earth?"

Edward replied: "After traveling through time, do you have to be a human?"

Roselle: "Did you travel through time and space and become a demon? That's really cool."

This result was exactly what Edward wanted. Benefits were the strongest chain that bound them together, and their common origin was Roselle's lifeline. When Roselle was in his twenties, the customs and practices of Earth rarely appeared in their conversations. He would occasionally complain about the backward technology and the pitiful number of entertainment activities here. When Roselle was in his forties, his children appeared in the conversation, mostly Bernadette and Charles, and Bonois, who would frown in dissatisfaction whenever he mentioned him.

At this time, judging from their appearance alone, they are already the same age.

Roselle likes to fantasize, and she keeps talking about how many fun and delicious things she would buy for her children if they were born on Earth. Sometimes she says she would buy the best for her precious daughter Bernadette, and sometimes she reflects on whether she is not fair enough or too partial. Every time Charles looks at her sister, she will show a lost expression. It's not that she doesn't want to stay with them, but she is really busy. As the eldest son, Charles should be more sensible. Like Bernadette, Bonois never complains that his father comes home too late or doesn't play with him... As he talks, Roselle gets angry again. He throws down the wine glass in frustration and walks around in the garden.

Edward watched him spinning around, and then Roselle turned to him again. Half drunk and half awake, he asked him, "Bonova was born as a Sequence 5. When he reaches the right age, the Steam Church will definitely send someone to make him a demigod. My son is about to lose part of his humanity before he even has a chance to understand what a human is. The God of Steam is really calculating! Do you have any ideas?"

"Yes, I have."

The demon said, "I can make his powers weaken, his ego stronger, his intelligence precocious and more like a normal child. What can you give me?"

Mr. Gustave was silent for a moment, then he sat down again and looked at the blood-red moon in the sky. The drunkenness on him gradually disappeared without a trace. He narrowed his eyes and answered in a very calm tone:

"You haven't had much chance to digest the potion since the Fifth Epoch."

The conversation ended here. Both of them understood each other's meaning immediately without further communication. Roselle wanted his young son to become ordinary, so he chose to sacrifice the lives of countless children and their parents to exchange what he wanted with the devil, and used their bodies to build the stairs he wanted. This is naturally making the best use of everything. Politics is like a novel. The death of some people will make the world a better place. Since people are destined to die, let the dead take on the role of promoting the development of the plot, so that their death will not seem useless.

The next day, Russell saw that Bonois had changed his cold and distant behavior and became a little friendlier. He approached the playmate he had arranged for him, and the two children played with building blocks together.

Bernadette stood at the door and peeked in from a distance. Charles' eyes widened, unable to believe that this was his brother. When he approached, he heard his youngest son timidly call him, "Father?"

Russell's eyes became hot and he almost cried.

The devil kept his promise so well, so he naturally couldn't break it. Tour speeches, mobilization meetings, private transactions and various actions were premeditated. Within a few months, the entire Kingdom of Intis was caught up in a frenzy of preparations for war, and the voices hoping that Roselle Gustav would become king were getting louder and louder. At the end of the year, Roselle launched a coup, completely overthrowing the Solon Dynasty, reforming the country into a republic, and personally ascending the throne to become the consul.

The following year, Archon Gustavus announced a campaign against Loen.

………………

Since Edward Vaughn took office as the Supreme Judge of the Republic of Intis, there have been fewer complaints in the national courts and prisons. He has an extreme pursuit of efficiency, and seems to have a pair of eyes that can directly tell whether a person is guilty or not. The interval between trial and execution is getting shorter and shorter, and finally it has even reached the point where the chief judge will announce the direct execution after just one look. He despises the law, but seems to have never made a mistake. He seems to have no mercy on anyone, and just mechanically executes the contents of the code.

Legend has it that Miss Bernadette once went to her father in person to ask for a prisoner, but received the head of her friend at noon that day.

After breaking a dozen guillotines on the execution ground, the Archon introduced the most efficient tool, the "guillotine". Its wide blade and the cold light made the officials present tremble with fear, and they couldn't help but imagine themselves being put on it and having their heads cut off by the blade. But the Archon and the presiding judge smiled at each other and whispered to each other, as if this was some fun toy. Their reactions were more frightening than the blade.

So the chief judge simply set up a table next to the guillotine and "worked" while flipping through the files. Heads of all sizes rolled to his feet, and the splattering blood splashed on his cheeks and collar. He remained calm, not even raising his eyebrows, and calmly read out hundreds of names one by one. In the end, the bright red blood stained the long street and his clothes.

In the Consul's office, Roselle met the Chief Judge and asked unhappily, "Why did you kill Bernadette's friend?"

Edward replied, "He heard our plans for the southern continent." "So?"

"He is the eldest son of a senior congressman and advocates the abolition of slavery."

Roselle nodded, and stopped talking about the kind young man. Instead, he began to think about how to comfort his sad daughter. There was a letter next to him. A new charity organization wrote to the governor, hoping to get some assistance. Roselle thought about it and decided to allocate some money. He quickly finished writing the note, turned around and saw Edward still standing in front of him. He couldn't help but feel curious: "Aren't you very busy? What else is there?"

"I'm thinking about the Southern Continent."

Edward asked, "Are you really going to colonize?"

Being asked this question by someone from an old capitalist country on Earth, Roselle found it very strange. This was what the British Empire was best at, but it had always been denounced in his own history textbooks.

"I thought you would hate this kind of behavior." Edward looked at Roselle. At this moment, Roselle felt as if he had become another person. He asked with a scrutinizing look and a condescending attitude. Because there was no disgust or affirmation in Edward's tone, nothing at all. "What's more, after you opened up a new route to the southern continent, a large number of merchants immediately went to this land to look for business opportunities. In addition to slavery... To put it bluntly, do you even want to replicate the triangular trade here?"

"What does it matter? This is the necessary bloodshed for the development of civilization." Roselle frowned, not caring at all. "The history of the Earth also developed in this way. Didn't the African people gain independence in the end?"

"Besides, Intis is full of martial spirit now. If we don't fight and capture cities and ponds, our preparations will collapse. War is so expensive, so it's okay to borrow gold and land from the southern continent."

Edward looked at Him.

The Decayed King looked at the human.

"What a brilliant idea, I like it very much." The devil said, "Of course I will follow your majesty's request. According to our plan, I have already raided most of the nobles' houses, and next year's military and administrative expenses will be more than enough. I have also almost eliminated all the voices opposing you, so you can fight whenever and wherever you want."

"That's right. Feynaport has already surrendered. After I defeat Loen and Feysac, the next step will be to conquer the southern continent."

Roselle also relaxed, and as usual, he made jokes that only they could understand: "You are too young to call yourself Caesar. You should call me Napoleon or Alexander the Great! By the way, you are more knowledgeable about comprador companies and colonization, so I will leave the subsequent operation of this part to you... East India Company, Balam in the South Continent is located southwest of Intis, so how about establishing a West Balam Company? Lay gas pipelines for the locals, build houses and cities, open schools, and share some of the civilization of the North Continent with them. That should be enough."

"...They will be grateful to you." Edward said, "Just like the black tribes back then."

"I don't want to hear about triangular trade anymore." Roselle said this casually, and then beckoned Edward to come closer. He leaned back in the soft high-back chair and said with a relaxed look, "It feels like a strategy game. Have you ever played Paradox's games? Especially Hearts of Iron. Ding, a new continent has been discovered. Do you want to conquer their empire? Yes! Please select the personnel you want to send, choose the troop formation, and then wait for the news - the Balam Empire has surrendered to you and merged into the territory of the Republic of Intis!"

"Yeah." Edward also laughed, "It's really interesting."

Yes, it's like a strategic game. "The natives of West Balam Colony rebelled, killed the officers you assigned, and started an uprising. Should we suppress them?"

"Yes."

"Please issue the combat order: 'Clean up that place.'"

"Please select the fighter: Edward Vaughn."

So, two days later, the message was updated: "He has completed your mission. Now the city-state that revolted has completely calmed down. The surrounding city-states that had rebellious intentions have also calmed down and begun to accept your rule."

What an arrogant human being. The Decayed King thought. What an interesting human being. In the early days, for fame and influence, Roselle had to fight wars by himself and experience the hardships of people's livelihood. Now, the Archon, who is in a high position, will no longer bow his head to look at the straw under his feet.

As long as orders are issued, casualty reports are heard, memorial services and speeches are held in one go, who needs to know what happened in the process?

…………

Long, long time later, when wars broke out, the whole continent fell into decline, and everything seemed like heaven. The Black Emperor sat on his throne, and the devil stood at his right hand. Under their feet was a twisted black shadow, and the vast empire was shrouded in the shadow of the gods and the wings of the devil.

There were more and more followers and speculators, and at this time, Russell looked older than Edward.

A long time has changed many things. The weak Kingdom of Intis has become the king of the continent, and other countries tremble and surrender. The rich and peaceful southern continent ushered in war and destruction. Men are worth a horse, women are worth a piece of cloth, and children are cheap gifts. But there are always some things that remain unchanged, the high throne, and the words far away from the dust. Just like the study of the Archon hundreds of years ago, the Abyss Angel stood beside His desk, watching Him write and draw on the world map, listening to Him planning wars and coups in a calm but excited tone, and sentencing countless people to death with understated words.

The tyrant and his executioner, the black emperor and the angel of the abyss.

Hypocrisy, intrigue and deception, you don't trust me, I also deceive you, you are a human, I am a god, but we are both cold-blooded. Our perfect cooperation can bring the greatest glory and the most miserable fate of people.

But in all the desolate beauty, the vibrant Intis and its emperor are such an eyesore.

So the glory ended and the emperor died.

Then, He opened His eyes in the mausoleum and looked down at all living beings.

"Of all the sins in the world, betrayal of the emperor is the only unforgivable sin!"

"Both you and I have blood on our hands and have committed heinous crimes. We both deserve to die without a burial place! Come, come! My friend, my executioner! You cannot live alone. You must accompany me to the place of death!"

END
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As reminded by group members, the Sino-Sonia Company, which is located in the mid-latitude region and close to the Sonia Sea in the southern continent, was built by imitating Rune.

One shot finished.

Write about the fake friendship that everyone seems to like.

A dear reader liked the love-hate relationship between Lao Ai and Roselle (?), which made me determined to write this extra chapter that I couldn't get rid of. I finally connected many small details together. This chapter may be controversial (but I warned you at the beginning!!), so readers are free to discuss it. I wrote the Roselle in my mind, and I am very satisfied with this extra chapter.

(End of this chapter)