Imperial Crown

Viscount John looked calm, and it was obvious that he had thought of the same thing with Raven: "Baron Raven, you have a keen judgment of the situation. We have discussed what you said before, but now is not the best time to leave."

Raven frowned: "...Why? Even if there may be troops of the Death Hand Cult ahead, we can completely retreat a distance and wait until the war here is over before making a choice."

Viscount John shook his head slowly: "Because...we can't retreat, at least not now."

After a little thought, Raven understood the logic.

He had told Eberron before that he had no morals, but that could only be kept secret and could never be made public.

Fighting the Death Hand is itself moral and righteous.

By the same token, Morgan is now leading a group of nobles to stay here. Although they are living a life of debauchery, they can also be said to be deep in the dangerous place.

At this time, whoever retreats will be branded as a "coward" and "deserter". They clearly sent troops but ended up with the same fate as those nobles who lost their land.

Raven felt a little regretful. If he had known this was the case, he might as well have acted alone, and the target would have been smaller!

However, the problem was not that big. He had many war horses anyway, so he could just run away first. There were dozens of nobles present, and no one would necessarily pay attention to him.

Viscount John smiled slightly, implying: "Little guy, you are very sharp-minded, but you should pay more attention to the level of 'morality'. It may not help you, but sometimes it can ruin you."

"Okay, an old guy like me can't stand the cold, so I won't walk with you." As he said that, he turned and walked into the big tent.

The cold wind blew, lifting a corner of Viscount John's dress, revealing a piece of bright enchanted plate armor.

Looking at his back, Raven shook his head slightly: "This old fox!"

The fourth-level ice knight is afraid of the cold? What an international joke!

The atmosphere in the big tent was really unbearable, but Raven didn't want to be known as a "loner". He took a few breaths of fresh air and returned to the tent.

The socializing of the nobles was always so boring, and their conversations were meaningless. In comparison, even Judra began to look good in Raven's eyes.

But Raven didn't want to talk to him, so he took a glass of wine and sat in a corner in a daze.

Unexpectedly, Judra took a glass of wine and sat next to Raven, asking in a deep voice:

"...Ms. Denise, how are you doing recently."

Raven's mouth twitched, he smiled, turned his head away, and really didn't want to answer such a meaningless question.

Judra's face sank, but he didn't get too entangled, and directly changed the subject: "What did you say to Viscount John before?"

"It's what you discussed before." Raven said concisely.

"...I don't agree with his opinion." Jude stared at the wine glass: "Waiting here is too passive, and we also need military merits. Why don't we set out directly tonight and explore inward?"

"I said Romney and Kate looked at you in a wrong way." Raven frowned and asked: "You didn't encourage them like this?"

Jude's face was a little gloomy, but he nodded silently.

"Since you are so anxious, why didn't you go with Fisher at the beginning?" Raven asked.

"Viscount John is more generous." Judea told the truth: "I have too few soldiers, and I can only be used as cannon fodder if I follow Fisher."

"Then you shouldn't make such a suggestion." Raven said: "I know what you think. You see that it is difficult to inherit Angel's title, so you want to make merit in this war and win a fiefdom for yourself."

"But Kate and Romney are not you. They are not so eager for merit, so they follow Viscount John. Your idea will only make people feel dangerous and difficult to get along with."

At this point, Raven sneered: "Speaking of which, you don't really think that making some merit in this war can change your situation, right?"

Judea acquiesced to Raven's statement.

"Give up your fantasy." Raven took a sip of wine: "If this is really possible, why would Angel hold all the elite troops in his hands and only give you more than 200 serfs?"

"He just treats you as cannon fodder and wants you to die here!"

"He sits on the fence and observes from behind to see which of the Slater and Fox families can gain the upper hand."

"If Slater survives, then you will give the best explanation to the Slater family; if the Fox family is strong, then he can completely say that you sent troops privately!"

Listening to Raven's words, Judela's face became more and more gloomy, and water could drip out. He gritted his teeth to suppress his voice, but he couldn't suppress his anger: "Don't say it! Baron Raven, you are provoking the relationship between us father and son!"

"I just want to wake you up." Raven said coldly: "This war is too dangerous. If you want to survive, the nobles of our Xuefeng County must stick together. Your previous mentality can only kill everyone!"

Judela felt so depressed. He had to be scolded by Angel every day at home, and now he was taught a lesson by Raven again.

But he couldn't refute it, because what Raven said was the truth, and he had a vague feeling about it for a long time. He just didn't want to, or didn't dare to face it.

"If you want to be a noble, you must be a living person first." Raven stood up:

"Don't play yourself to death."

After saying that, he slowly walked away, leaving only Jude's back.

Night soon came, and there was constant singing in the big tent. Raven returned to his own barracks under the guidance of Volaf.

Raven was very satisfied with the place Eric chose to camp.

The location was on a high slope, not far from the camp. Although the wind was a little strong, after cutting down the surrounding trees and erecting a simple wall, the vision was very wide, and dangers could be seen in advance, and roadblocks could be removed at any time and horses could be ridden away.

At this time, it was clear which nobles had really fought in the war, or had enough experience and awareness, because not far away was Viscount John's camp, and Judra, Kate, and Romney were also nearby.

Back in the tent, Lux was still praying in a low voice. Raven did not disturb her, but took out two unfinished maps.

One was recorded on the way, and the other was sorted out later. What Raven had to do was to adjust the content of the first to the second.

Maps played an important tactical and strategic role in this era. Since this business trip was a business trip, it must be convenient for both public and private affairs.

Lux went back to her tent and slept. Before leaving, she added some more lamp oil for Raven.

When the map was copied and proofread, Raven rubbed his stiff shoulders, slowly stood up and walked out of the tent, looked up at the gloomy sky, and took a deep breath.

"Baron, please." Volaf handed over a warm water bag.

Raven took the water bag and drank a sip: "What time is it now?"

"About one o'clock in the morning." Volaf said.

"One o'clock in the morning..." Raven stopped and frowned: "Where is Simon, has he come back?"

Volaf shook his head: "Not yet."

A sense of foreboding surged into Raven's heart. Simon had been away for more than ten hours, but he had not reported back yet...

"Pass the order down, double the sentry tonight!"

"Yes!" The camp was not large, and the order was quickly passed down.

Volaf turned back to Raven and asked softly, "Baron, would you like to rest for a while?"

Raven shook his head gently, "Let's talk about it when Simon comes back."

About four or five hours later, Simon came back.

He rode a half-demonized warhorse and stopped at the entrance of the camp. Then, without caring about his image, he staggered into Raven's tent.

The half-demonized leather armor on his body was tattered, and bone arrows were hanging in some places.

"Baron, east, northeast, northwest, three directions! Large-scale undead creatures are gathering here!"

"At most, there is another hour!"

Raven was not very surprised, but relieved.

The other boot finally landed.

"Take a break first." Raven threw his water bag to Simon, and turned to order: "Volaf, wake up all the soldiers, light a fire and cook, and be ready for battle at any time."

"Then send someone to inform Viscount John and tell him everything Simon found out."

"Yes, Baron!" Volaf saluted and asked, "Aren't you going to inform Viscount Morgan in the main camp?"

"No." Raven shook his head: "If Viscount John asks about my decision, you should let him decide, and be polite."

Volaf withdrew, and Raven began to check his armor and move his hands and feet.

Not long after, Volaf personally went to Viscount John's tent. Like Raven, this noble did not rest.

After listening to Volaf's report, he nodded slowly: "What about Viscount Morgan?"

"The Baron said that he dared not act without your order." Volaf replied respectfully.

"This little guy..." Viscount John smiled slightly and shook his head slowly.

He knew what Raven was thinking. On the surface, Raven felt that he was insignificant and would not be taken seriously even if he brought out the news.

But in fact, he might have some crooked thoughts.

No matter how capable Viscount Morgan was, he brought half a legion of private soldiers with him. Together with other nobles in the camp, the total force was more than 20,000, the size of four legions.

Given their previous drunken appearance, if they really heard this news, they would probably be frightened and lose their composure immediately, and it was not impossible for them to escape from the battlefield.

Only when the army of the Death Hand Cult came to kill them and completed the encirclement, they would be able to gather together and have to fight!

In this way, they can attract the main force of the Death Hand and share the pressure of the people in Xuefeng County.

John seemed to see Raven's face, with a hint of teasing on his face: "Didn't you say that morality is important? Now, it's time to test your morality."

John slowly got up from the camp chair and said, "I know, you can go back."

Next, no one left Viscount John's camp.

Raven's camp was located at a high altitude, and the wind was strong. Even if he made a fire to cook, he did not attract the attention of the main camp.

When the first rays of morning light splashed, a wave appeared on the horizon!

Waves made of bones!

"Enemy attack--!!!!"

The sentry of the main camp finally found the enemy's trace, and the heart-wrenching shouts pierced the sky.

The next moment, heavy drums and horns sounded at the same time!

...