Imperial Crown

Manseni was depressed for three days, but Raven had put the incident behind her.

He still has many things to be busy with.

The day after the dance, Raven issued a draft order through the Chamber of Commerce - any male between the ages of eighteen and thirty can come and sign up to join the army, and the military pay is the same as that of the Eagle Army. Of course, they must also be included in the Eagle Army sequence.

Originally, Raven did not have high expectations for this. After all, the Eagle Territory was a remote place on the border of the province.

In a big city like Meng'en City, even the residents of the lower city have a better life than most serfs, and few people are willing to leave here and go to the backcountry.

Raven would not have made such an attempt if it had not been just after the war.

The result was somewhat beyond Raven's expectation.

Maybe it was because the Order of the Death Hand had done too much damage to the economy, or maybe the riot made young people realize the importance of force, and registrations were so enthusiastic that Raven had to open additional recruiting points on top of the original two. Three.

At the same time, as the riots in Monn City subsided, Dean Nightingale was unwilling to continue to stay in the Silver Hand Brotherhood, even though it had now become the headquarters of the Protective Hand Corps.

Unlike when they came, the children had to carry their luggage on foot. Members of the former Silver Hand Brotherhood and now the Protective Hand Legion called a carriage for them, and the narrow alley was bustling for a while.

Nightingale stood at the entrance of the alley, looking at the scene in front of her, sighing in her heart.

Less than a year after leaving Munn City, Raven had already brought the entire lower city under his control when he returned. Even the gangs, a chronic disease of the city, had been properly dealt with.

If before, Raven was still a negative example in the orphanage, now he has become the idol of all the children.

"Dean, when are we leaving?" a little girl asked crisply.

"Don't worry, wait until Sister Lux comes out!" Nightingale said with a smile.

As soon as she heard Lux's name, the girl who was still a little anxious immediately calmed down: "Okay!"

Although they didn't get along for long, Lux left a very deep impression on Nightingale and the children.

She is gentle and kind, and takes pains to answer every question of the children in the orphanage. She listens to everyone's troubles and pains, and sincerely praises every child.

In children's minds, if there is an image of an angel, it must be the face of Lux.

"Sister is here!" The little girl pointed to the entrance of the alley, and Lux ​​had already walked out.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting." Lux said softly.

"No, I just packed up my things." Nightingale smiled, and then felt a little strange, because in her opinion, Lux was not a person who liked to dress up and procrastinate: "What did you just do?"

"Wash your feet." Lux said.

"Washing feet?" Dean Nightingale was stunned for a moment: "What are you doing at this time?"

Lux thought for a moment and said seriously: "It will be useful in a while."

Nightingale: "...?"

The convoy first drove to the Mercy Moon Orphanage, and most of them stopped for a while. Only Lux's carriage continued to move forward and arrived at the Chamber of Commerce headquarters.

The arrival of Lux made Raven's eyes brighter and his spirit became much more relaxed.

Today, Lux is wearing a gauze skirt with a plain white main body and soft green like spring grass on both sides. Combined with her golden waterfall-like hair, it is filled with youthful atmosphere, just like the legendary girl in the lake.

A smile appeared on Raven's face: "Sit down first, I have something on my hands that I need to deal with."

Lux sat on the chair obediently, picked up a book and started reading.

After lowering his head to deal with official duties for a while, Raven raised his head and focused his gaze on Lux, showing a hint of surprise.

What Lacus held in her hand was actually a "Chronology of Major Events".

They are said to be big events, but most of them are trivial things, such as the opening date of a certain store, the birth of an heir by a certain noble or wealthy businessman, or the time and place of a certain murder.

Everything was written in one stroke, making it boring, but it was difficult for Lux to read it and get immersed in it.

Under the sunlight, her sapphire-like eyes showed a clear texture. As her eyes fluttered, her eyelashes also trembled.

Slender fingers brushed the pages of the book, and the girl's brows gradually furrowed, her lips opened and closed slightly, and she let out a slightly annoyed sigh.

Raven asked: "What problem did you encounter?"

"Hmm..." The tip of Lux's nose wrinkled slightly, and her finger fell on a line on the page: "You are twenty-one years old this year, so you should have been born in 1172, but why is it not there?"

"You forgot, I was not born into a noble family, so of course it won't be recorded on it." Raven blinked: "Why did you suddenly think of this?"

Lux said seriously: "I asked Dean Nightingale, and she didn't know your birthday, so I wanted to see if she could find out."

"I also want to give you a birthday present."

Hearing these words, Raven felt warm in his heart: "You can give a gift anytime you want, and besides, you have already given me the best gift."

Lux was a little confused: "What gift?"

"After we rescued Viscount John." Raven said with a smile: "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be able to deal with so many second-level bone cavalry."

"That's different." Lux said stubbornly, "It's different!"

As he said that, he lowered his head again, trying to find some details between the lines.

Seeing her persistence, Raven smiled lightly, no longer entangled, and lowered his head to continue processing documents.

Time passed bit by bit, and soon it was noon.

"Ah--" Raven shook his sore shoulders, put down his quill pen, looked at Lux and smiled apologetically: "Sorry for the wait."

"Not long." Lux put down the book in his hand and suddenly asked: "Raven, how did you do it?"

Raven was stunned: "What?"

"That is, to quell the riots in the lower city." Lux said: "I thought about it for a long time, and I don't understand why you can do it."

"This is the ancient wisdom." Raven said.

"What ancient wisdom?" Lux blinked.

"The classic two peaches kill three warriors."

Raven smiled: "Don't think about it, let's go, I'll take you to eat the best things in the lower city!"

Lux's eyes were filled with expectation.

In the next few days, in addition to handling official business, Raven took Lux to stroll around the streets and alleys of the lower city, which allowed Lux ​​to gain a lot of knowledge, and Raven had to answer many questions that he had never thought about.

For example, why do people call the city defense army "black-skinned bamboo shoots", why the prices in Monen City are lower than those in Shining Gold Town, and why Raven didn't let her help the poor girl begging on the roadside.

Fortunately, Lux sometimes just asks questions out of interest and doesn't get to the bottom of it.

At the same time, the conscription work is also in full swing. The Chamber of Commerce follows Raven's arrangements and begins to prepare food and grass for these soldiers on the road.

It took five days in total, and Raven recruited more than 2,300 people, all of whom were the youngest and strongest men in their twenties. It can be said that he selected the best from the best.

It's not that there are no more people signing up, but Raven still has to give the Slater family some face. After all, Monen City is still the territory of the Slater family. If too many people are taken away, Earl Tyrone will not tolerate it anymore.

More than 2,000 people, just stuck at the bottom line of Earl Tyrone.

After the conscription, Raven also completed all the things he had to do in the lower city, and announced his departure.

When he came, Baron Raven only brought more than 30 people with them, a hundred horses, and transported food and tents.

Now he set off to return, but there are more than 2,000 people, hundreds of carriages, loaded with enough wealth to make most nobles envious.

The team left the city of Monen in a mighty manner.

It is worth mentioning that even after such a long delay, Raven was one of the first to leave the city of Monen, and most of the nobles are still lingering in the upper city of Monen.

The marching speed of the two thousand untrained teams is not fast, and there are occasional lags, but fortunately the weather has gradually warmed up, and the journey is easier than in winter. Even if they fall behind, they can catch up with a little rest, and there is no need to worry about freezing to death.

Therefore, the return time is not slower than the time when they came, and it took about twenty days.

Raven's team was really big, with more than 2,300 people, almost half a legion, which caused a lot of jokes and misunderstandings along the way.

More than one noble family thought they were the remnants of the Death Hand Cult, or the defeated army who wanted to play thieves, and they were so scared that they stayed indoors. Some even gave Raven a "protection fee" in the hope that Raven would not attack them.

Raven was quite amused by this, but it also indirectly confirmed the bad influence brought by the Death Hand Cult, which simply scared the nobles into frightened birds.

If the gifts received from the hand were gold coins, Raven would turn them back. He still wanted to have a reputation, but if they were food, wine and meat, he would accept them with a smile.

After all, the Death Hand Cult not only destroyed half of the Nord province, but also made these areas miss the opportunity for spring ploughing. Barren land can be seen everywhere. It can be imagined that the price of grain will continue to soar this year.

On the way, Raven also encountered several small groups of undead, but they did not pose any threat under the iron hoofs of his personal soldiers.

When they returned to Snow Maple County, the traces of the dead had basically disappeared, but the overall atmosphere had not changed much.

When going out to fight, more than a dozen nobles in Snow Maple County split into two factions due to Viscount Fisher's radical attitude. Most of them chose to follow Fisher, and only Kate, Romney and Judra chose to follow Viscount John.

Viscount Fisher's team, including himself, had a total of twelve nobles. Now only three are confirmed to be alive, and even Fisher himself died under the dragon's breath of the bone dragon.

As a result, most families in Snow Maple County were filled with a sad atmosphere. Regardless of whether they were sincere or not, black silk and cloth were hung all over the castle.

Raven passed by Baron Romney's territory. Out of friendship for fighting side by side, Raven chose to go to mourn in person, and was pulled by Baron Romney's widow, Ms. "Dorine", and cried on her shoulder.

After that, there was no further communication, but Ms. Doreen brought her two-year-old son to Raven and recognized him as her godfather.

Raven readily agreed.

For the Griffith family, this was the first step to expand their influence; and for Ms. Doreen, it was to find a support for the orphan and widow. After all, the Nord Province was not safe now, and Raven was already the strongest leg in Snow Maple County.

After leaving Romney's territory, another two days passed.

Finally, on the morning of June 2, Raven returned to Eagle Territory.

After several months of absence, the winter scene has faded. Large tracts of new farmland have been opened up on both sides of the Jinsha River. Different from the abandoned fields seen along the way, the residents are working between the fields and ridges. On the fertile black soil, a field has emerged. The green wheat seedlings in Longlong.

Further away, on the land that has long been cultivated, the wheat has turned golden.

Goldshire became a large construction site, and refugees were organized to build new walls.

The renovation plan of Eagle Town has also begun. Every construction site is dusty and there are lively scenes everywhere.

"Lord Baron, you really did it!" Eric said with emotion outside Goldshire.

"What did you do?" Raven asked with a smile.

"It was here that we accepted the serfs sent by the Fox family." Eric said: "At that time, I said that sooner or later you will become a viscount."

"But I didn't expect that this day would come so quickly!"

Recalling the scene at that time, Raven also felt a sense of relief in his heart: "I'm not a viscount yet."

"Already, sir!" Eric's gaze swept across the Snow Maple Territory adjacent to Goldsmith Town: "Only the Viscount can control such a vast territory."

"If any noble refuses to admit it, it only means they are stupid!"

"Haha——" Raven showed a cheerful smile:

"Remember, Eric, this is just a new beginning!"

"drive!"

The news that Raven was about to return had already been sent back and spread by Simon, and the more than 2,000 people he brought back did not cause panic.

Passing through Eagle Town and returning to Eagle Fort, you can see the completed monument from a distance.

This sculpture is ten meters high, only slightly shorter than Eagle Castle. It fully implements Raven's design concept, using swords as outlines. Viewed from different angles, you can see the heroic figures of warriors holding swords, shields, spears and crossbows. , it can be said that they are one and the same, fully demonstrating the heroic appearance of the Eagle Army.

Raven stood silently in front of the statue for a while, and the soldiers also stopped one after another. Although the recruits did not know the origin and significance of the statue, they all remained quiet.

Unlike the last time he returned from an expedition, Eagle Castle did not line up to welcome them with great fanfare this time. This was also what Raven had sent Simon back to inform and arrange in advance.

After all, there are still more than two thousand people following him, so pragmatism is more important.

Eric was asked to lead people to settle the two thousand recruits first, and then allocate some people to deal with the goods brought back. Lux said goodbye to Raven, but Raven insisted on sending her back in person.

After taking Lux's luggage into the church and taking a sip of water brought by Lux, Raven asked: "Would you like to come to Eagle Castle tonight and I'll treat you to dinner?"

"don't want."

"Then...I will accompany you tonight?"

"……don't want……"

Raven chuckled, turned around and left, riding back to Eagle Castle alone.

Everything in Eagle Castle is so familiar, the playground and targets in the yard, the fat horses with hooves in the stables, and the adoration in the eyes of the passing servants.

Almost as soon as he walked through the door, Raven felt much more relaxed. This was the feeling of going home.

"Lord Baron!" Fiona was the first to come forward.

She was wearing a sky blue dress and a contrasting black waistcoat, with her silver hair hanging freely, like a paper doll hanging under the eaves, the first to welcome her owner back.

Raven smiled: "Didn't I say you don't have to welcome me?"

"Mr. Simon said you brought back a lot of things this time." Fiona said: "My grandfather is a little unwell, so he asked me to come over and take someone to take inventory."

Raven was a little concerned: "What's wrong with Mr. Gordon?"

"It's nothing, it's just a relapse of the old disease. The doctor said it's nothing serious. I just need to lie in bed for a few days and recuperate." Fiona explained.

"That's good." Raven breathed a sigh of relief: "I'll leave it to you to count the goods."

Nodding, Fiona was about to salute and leave when she heard Raven say: "The monument is well built!"

Fiona froze on the spot, then a happy smile appeared on her lips, she clenched her fists and shook her arms vigorously.

As soon as Raven walked into the hall, Patty brought a tray with towels: "Baron, you are finally back!"

Raven pinched her fair chin gently: "Miss me?"

Patty lowered his head and his eyes wandered.

Back in the bedroom, Raven took off his armor and washed himself under Petty's service.

Before she could change into new clothes, Patty's fingers were already touching Raven's chest.

The work of the personal maid was not heavy, making her hands as delicate as milk, and her chin rested on Raven's shoulder, almost melting into Raven's chest like water.

"Where did you hide my maid?" Raven whispered: "I remember that Petty is a very reserved girl."

"Lord Baron..." Petty's teeth bit gently: "If not, it's all your fault...!"

"Okay, let's talk about it tonight." Raven gently pecked his forehead: "Go and help me call Vested and Link to the study."

Reluctantly leaving Raven's arms, Patty tidied up her clothes and walked out of the room gently.

After pouring himself a glass of angel tears, Raven walked to the window and took in the clear and bright sky with a smile.

A year, a whole year.

A year ago, he was a baron who had just succeeded to the throne. His territory only consisted of a small piece of Eagle Town. When he looked up, there were troubles everywhere, waiting for him to solve them one by one.

Now, not only did he take back Gold Shine Town, but he also took the Xuefeng Leader into his pocket.

Raven has become a force in the Nord Province.

Not to mention that he is of great importance, but after Viscount John leaves, the nobles of the entire Snow Maple County will be headed by him!

Opening the window, the breeze blew in, Raven happily raised his glass to the wind, and drank the wine in the glass.

"Baron, Master Weisdong and Captain Link are waiting for you in the study."

……