Imperial Crown

The weather in the Bloody Highlands is unpredictable.

It was sunny just now, but now it is covered by dark clouds and the north wind is biting.

The ground is red, and every time you step on it, you can squeeze out the smell of blood from the snow. Even flies will vomit because of the smell.

However, those who are still walking on this ground at this moment have no time to care, including Raven.

At this moment, he is standing in front of the body of an Eagle Army soldier with a solemn expression.

Raven knows this person. He is a soldier from the third squad of the first battalion. His name is Moore. He was praised by him for his outstanding performance during training.

Moore was lying on the ground with an angry expression on his face. His right hand was raised as if he wanted to hold something, but a scimitar nailed him to the ground and ended his life.

Reaching out to pull out the scimitar and throwing it aside, Raven closed Moore's eyes, grabbed his shoulders and tried to drag him out. With a click, Moore's body left the snow, and with it a large piece of red ice.

Breaking the ice, Raven carried Moore on his shoulders and walked silently to the back, until he came to a corner filled with leather and remains.

Gently placing Moore on a piece of horsehide, Raven closed Moore's eyes, which had opened again, and laid his body neatly on it. He held his stiff hands and began to pray in a low voice:

"The Lord of Light will forgive you for your bravery, fearlessness and sacrifice."

"May your soul rest in peace in the kingdom of the Lord of Light..."

After the prayer, Raven was silent for a long time, then slowly raised his head, put Moore's arm back on his chest, covered his body with horsehide, and then stood up and continued to collect the remains of the deceased.

Since he had brought the person out, he had the obligation to bring him back.

Margaret, who was roasting by the fire, suddenly froze. She opened her mouth, her dark pupils trembled, and two lines of tears suddenly flowed from the corners of her eyes.

Intense grief filled Margaret's heart, and this feeling made her extremely unfamiliar.

That was not her natural emotion, but came entirely from her master, Raven.

The curse brought a close connection, allowing her to clearly feel Raven's mood. Raven didn't want Margaret to peek into his heart, so he took the initiative to block this, which greatly weakened this feeling.

But at this moment, the blocking dam was still there, but the strong emotions were rolling and boiling, overflowing the dam and filling Margaret's heart.

Turning her head and looking around, Margaret's eyes fell on Raven, but she found that his steps were steady and his posture was upright, and there was nothing abnormal.

Margaret's heart skipped a beat, and she felt that Raven was more and more terrible. This baron could completely suppress such strong emotions without showing any.

At the same time, Nancy was huddled beside the fire, hugging her knees, staring at Raven without blinking.

Nancy has always known that Raven is different. He doesn't care about the so-called "etiquette" like many nobles. All etiquette seems to be just a tool for Raven. He is also not as licentious as many nobles. The title of "Little Bee" is simply unworthy of the name.

Raven also has a trait that many nobles don't have - self-discipline.

Since entering Eagle Castle, Nancy has hardly seen Raven indulge himself. His life is always full of regularity. He is either doing business or on the way to do business. Practicing equestrianism and magic can be regarded as a kind of relaxation.

And today, Nancy discovered another side of Raven.

She has been watching Raven for a long time, watching Raven carry the bodies back, then pray for them, collect the bodies, and tidy up their appearance, with meticulous steps.

The almost coagulated blood stains Raven's clothes, his hands, and his cheeks red.

But this did not disgust Nancy, who always likes cleanliness, but showed a different charm, making her watch more attentively.

Staring at Raven's somewhat thin back, Nancy felt a different emotion. She suddenly felt that Raven was so...

Lonely!

He always insisted on doing things on his own. Even if he did the right thing, he would never explain it to anyone.

Maybe he knew long ago that no one could understand him.

For a moment, Nancy was eager to get into Raven's heart, but she didn't know how to do it. She could only continue to sit there and push a water bag closer to the flames.

After carrying the last body of the Eagle Army back and tidying up his appearance, Raven's eyes swept over the bodies on the ground, and his cheeks suddenly twitched.

There were a total of 29 bodies, not counting the losses of the vanguard army.

A fire had been lit next to the wounded. Raven walked over and saw the Eagle Army lying on the ground.

Although Raven ordered to rest for only two hours, they still slept together, snoring like thunder, covering the crackling of the campfire.

Some people slept restlessly, kicking their hands and feet randomly, but no one woke up.

After tucking the blanket for Weisdong, Raven walked to Mosingan, stretched out his hand to touch his forehead, and raised his head again, with a trace of haze in his eyes.

Those in front of him were the remaining elites of the Eagle Army, a total of 31 people, all of whom were injured, nine of whom were seriously injured, and four of them, even if they were cured, could not participate in the battle.

More than 70% of the casualties!

In this era where more than 30% of the casualties will lead to the collapse of the army, the tenacity of the Eagle Army can no longer be explained by discipline and environment.

They are all good soldiers!

Raven clenched his fists, his breathing became heavy, with a trace of guilt and regret in his eyes.

Or I am too weak!

If I were strong enough, if I were a second- or third-level magician, I would not have to use the means of dividing troops to seduce Heleti, but could defeat him head-on on the battlefield!

If I were not a small baron, my territory would not be only the size of a palm, and I would not be forced to use only such a small number of people to expedition to the Bloody Highlands, causing such a huge sacrifice!

Stronger strength!

Higher title!

Raven's desire to become stronger was so strong for the first time.

At this moment, a warm water bag was handed to Raven. He was slightly stunned and turned his head to see Nancy tiptoeing to raise the water bag to his hand.

"Yes." Nancy raised her chin and blinked: "You have been busy for so long, take a break."

"Thank you." Raven took the water bag and took a sip, but he was unable to calm the anxiety in his heart.

He lowered the water bag, lifted the back of Mosingan's head, and poured the wine into his dry lips.

Nancy frowned, a trace of dissatisfaction flashed in her eyes, and she pouted her mouth and tilted her head to the side, but she didn't say much.

Mosingan didn't drink much, but when Raven saw that his throat had swallowed, he felt much more relaxed.

"Baron." Volaf also came over. Seeing the scene in front of him, a trace of worry flashed in his eyes, but he still saluted respectfully: "The war horses and pack horses have been gathered and can set off at any time."

Margaret didn't want to stay in this environment any longer. Raven's rich and real emotions made her feel a little nauseous. She came forward and said in a sharp voice: "Baron, look at the weather now. The blizzard is coming soon. If we don't move, we will have to march at night."

Eric hasn't come back yet, but the Eagle Army only has this little seedling left. Raven doesn't want them to survive the tragic battle, but be killed by the blizzard.

Taking a deep breath, Raven was about to give an order when suddenly, a sound of horse hooves came.

Turning his head, he saw Eric riding a warhorse, holding a human head and running wildly.

Raven finally showed a relieved and relaxed smile on his face.

Pulling the reins in front of Raven, Eric turned over and got off the horse, with a flash of excitement in his eyes:

"Baron!"

As he said, he was about to kneel on one knee to salute.

But before he knelt, Raven stepped forward and gave Eric a big hug:

"You are finally back!"

Eric felt warm in his heart, and he nodded heavily: "I made you worry."

"Don't talk about this." Raven stood up, took off his cloak and covered Eric's back: "Go get some clothes and put them on, and we can talk when we get there."

"Yes!" Eric nodded, saluted, and ran to the back.

It was because of the presence of the Baron that Eric could "willfully" chase Eugene, because he knew that Raven was the backbone of the entire army.

Looking at Eric's back, Raven finally breathed a sigh of relief and shouted loudly:

"Get ready to go--"

The next stop is the time to reap the rewards.

…