Imperial Crown

After two days of vacation, Julia returned to her post as a Hawkeye guard.

In the next ten days of patrol, there were no serious emergencies. I just heard that Baron Wessassin had recovered his health.

On February 19, 1197, Bright Calendar, Broca led his son Howell and 50 guards to officially visit the Eagle Territory. Julia, as the Eagle Eye Guard, was responsible for maintaining order.

It has to be said that Broca's men are indeed very elite. They are fully armored, holding long axes and large shields. They have just experienced the baptism of blood, and their steps are steady and high-spirited, full of confidence.

Julia stared at the troops closely and slowly moved her eyes away until they left.

"I said, what are you thinking about?" Thor came up.

"It's nothing." Julia shook her head: "These people are very strong, and they can't be taken down by the same number just by guarding them with eagle eyes."

Thor was stunned.

At the same time, Broca had no idea that a young girl wanted to try to rely on a group of patrols to have a chance with his elite.

He was riding on a horse, wearing a formal dress, and whispered to his son beside him: "When you see Baron Raven become more energetic later, you should bow and bow. Don't say the wrong thing."

Ever since the massacre, Howell had been a little distracted, as if he was not interested in anything.

Hearing his father's words, Howell smiled and said, "Don't worry, Father."

All the way to the foot of Eagle City, Howell's originally slightly bent back slowly straightened up.

He had to straighten his body, because only in this way could he barely see the entire Eagle City.

"This...this is..." Howell rubbed his eyes: "Snake Castle and Fox Castle are not this big, right?"

Spring is approaching, and the river slowly begins to thaw, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds.

The entire Eagle City is surrounded by rivers, like a palace built in the sky.

Only an earl can live in a castle of this size, and only an earl is worthy of living there.

Howell followed Broca as he dismounted under the stairs and walked to the door of the hall, where Raven and Nancy were smiling.

According to imperial practice, when a baron invites a viscount, he needs to meet him outside the town and wait at least 4 hours in advance to not be considered rude.

But neither Raven nor Broca cared about this.

"Viscount Broca is willing to honor him. It's an honor for me." Raven stepped forward and held Broca's hand, then turned to Howell: "The young master in your family is also very mature and stable."

"Baron Raven, Lady Nancy!" Howell bowed.

Broca chuckled: "This all depends on Baron Raven as your example. It's a pity that my son hasn't even learned anything from you."

After saying that, he nodded and saluted Nancy: "Mrs. Nancy, long-awaited greetings. My wife is not in good health and is coming here. Let me greet you on her behalf."

Howell twisted his shoulders. The pleasantries among the nobles made him feel a little idle.

Mrs. Nancy was indeed beautiful, but he didn't dare to look at her. It was extremely rude to stare at a married lady.

The name Fire Rose is not for nothing, and Nancy is not only a magician, but also Raven's wife. No matter from which point of view, it is not a good idea to displease her.

The pleasantries ended quickly, and Howell followed his father to the restaurant on the second floor, led by the Ravens.

There was no shortage of banquets in the interactions between nobles. Howell also attended the Slater family's family banquet with his father, but the luxury of Eagle City still exceeded his expectations.

There are no candles, only magic lamps. These lamps are not fixed on the wall or ceiling, but float in mid-air, like river lanterns on a summer night. Walking among them is like walking in the Milky Way. .

After all, Howell was a young man at heart, so he couldn't help but raise his head and pick one off. He felt as if it was as light as nothing. If he let go a little, it would float into the air again.

What made him a little embarrassed was that the knights and their families who came to accompany the guests were not surprised, and they were obviously used to it.

Raven and Nancy sat at the top of the long table, Broca sat on Raven's left side, and Howell sat next to his father.

Like all young people, for Howell, attending banquets with his elders was cumbersome and formal.

Fortunately, the food in the Eagle Territory is very delicious. Every time he eats it, Howell wants to kidnap the chef here. This also allows him to temporarily give up a lot of worries and concentrate on eating.

After the main meal, the banquet officially entered the buffer banquet stage.

The lights began to change and flicker, making the whole room overflowing with light, making people feel like they were in a dream; the music sounded, and Raven and Nancy held hands and entered the dance floor.

Howell stood at the edge of the restaurant with a glass of wine and yawned.

Howell was a little tired all the way to the Eagle Territory; and for him who had been in various social situations since he was a child, once he got used to the environment here, he slowly began to feel bored.

His eyes were wandering around, looking for a dance partner or an affair.

Then, he noticed a woman who was dressed exquisitely and charmingly.

She was standing on the edge of the dance floor at the moment, wearing a light blue silk dress, her hair was combed into curls on her back, covering her fair shoulders, and her lips were painted with dark red lip gloss, making her look extremely beautiful and matching. The constantly dancing light and shadow behind her is like a classical beauty in an oil painting.

Howell was stunned for a moment, and then he remembered that this man's name was Petty, and he was said to be an alchemist.

In his impression, alchemists were all wizened old men with a strange smell who stayed in their huts and never came out. He never expected that there would be such a glorious existence.

It's a pity that she is Baron Raven's personal maid.

It's really a luxury to have an alchemist as your personal maid.

However, Baron Raven is a third-level magician, so it is normal to think so.

After rubbing the spot where Manson stabbed him last time, Howell suddenly remembered that he did not see Manson at this drinking party.

That's right, Mrs. Denise has returned to Munn City, and it is natural for Manson to follow her back as her escort.

Only by entrusting Lady Denise to the protection of such a man and woman can Baron Raven rest assured, right?

Howell smiled narrowly and continued to look for his "prey."

He looked around, but did not find a suitable target. Just when he was thinking about leaving first for an excuse, he suddenly noticed a girl in the corner.

Her hair was a rare silver color, and she was obviously not dressed up too much, just hanging casually around her back. She was wearing a blue-gray silk dress that, although not impolite, was a little too plain, and it almost blended with her hair. Melt into one.

In addition, she had been huddled in the corner, looking down at something, no wonder Howell didn't notice her at first.

Perhaps feeling Howell's gaze, the girl raised her head and glanced at him quietly.

Just this look made Howell's heart suddenly tighten.

She wears thick glasses on the bridge of her nose, and the pupils behind the lenses are as calm and deep as ancient wells. The bridge of her nose is not very high, but it fits her melon-seed face very well, and her thin lips are slightly pursed.

In this noisy environment, she is so different. She is obviously a young and immature girl, but her temperament is peaceful and calm, like an ancient book, full of intellectual feeling.

The girl's eyes immediately retracted, but Howell's thoughts were aroused. He walked to her side and bowed slightly: "Howell Leon, the son of Viscount Broca, I don't know this What should I call Miss?"

The girl raised her head, but her eyes were a little disrespectful and did not fall on Howell's face. She said softly: "Fiona, Fiona Ramsay, the granddaughter of Sir Gordon."

Howell was a little surprised. He had heard of Fiona's name and knew that she was a newly minted magician. He thought that even if he was not as flamboyant as Nancy, she would still be a little arrogant, but he didn't expect that she would be like this. Reserved and shy.

"Can I sit down?"

Although it was a question, Howell sat directly opposite Fiona.

Fiona gave him a dissatisfied look.

Howell smiled: "If you don't look me in the eyes, if I sit down without permission, it's all disrespectful. How about it be considered as offset?"

Fiona was noncommittal and lowered her head.

According to her true nature, she would rather study magic in her room than attend such an event. But who knew that her grandfather asked her to come and let her get used to social activities?

Seeing that his usual conversational skills were not working, Howell smiled awkwardly, but was unwilling to stop there. He changed the topic with his eyes: "Miss Fiona, what are you looking at?"

Fiona raised the book in her hand.

Howell couldn't help but be surprised when he saw the text on the mottled spine: "'History of Imperial War'? Was it written in 879 by the famous scholar and mage, Mr. Jotun Culler?"

Only then did Fiona react: "...Have you seen it too?"

"I haven't read much." Howell became more interested in her: "I didn't expect that a woman would be interested in this kind of book."

Fiona rolled her eyelids and sighed slightly. She was already used to such comments.

Howell waved his hand quickly: "Well, I didn't mean to look down on women."

"That's right, I think a lot of knowledge can't be learned from books."

Fiona was also a little annoyed at being constantly interrupted while reading. She put the book on the table and looked at Howell: "If you want to find a dance partner, you can find someone else. I just want to stay by myself for a while. May I?"

As a magician, not to mention Howell is just the heir of Viscount, even if he does inherit the title of Viscount, Fiona is qualified to treat him without any pretense.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, but I'm not here to dance with you." Howell sighed, grabbed the wine glass and took a sip: "Actually, I have been reading this book recently, trying to solve my doubts, but... Couldn't find the answer."

Howell rested his elbow on the table, shook his wine glass and said, "You should also have heard that we recently attacked the Kejia Territory of Vesassin."

"Although it may be a bit hypocritical to say this, I have become more and more confused recently, why is there a war?"

"Not just this one started by our family, but many wars in history have been started without justification."

"There are many things that we can sit down and talk about!"

"War is not just a few lines or sentences written in a book. It is the bloody killings on the battlefield, the groans of wounded soldiers after the war, the destruction of villages and towns, families, and the death of every living person. die."

By the end, it had almost become Howell's soliloquy.

Feeling helpless about the fact that she had become an "emotional trash can", Fiona sighed: "I don't know what you have been through, but I can't figure it out. That's your problem, not the book's problem."

Howell looked up in astonishment and met Fiona's gaze. She gently pushed her glasses and said seriously:

"War has never been the goal."

The stunned expression was reflected on Fiona's thick glasses. She lowered her head, put away her book and left, leaving Howell sitting there.

"War... is not the goal." Howell licked his lips and was confused for a while.

If that's the case, why did his father start this war?

This problem is not only for him, but also for Wesassin, whose entire territory was occupied!

But for him, the key is not here. The key is whether Raven can help him to get justice?

After half a month of recuperation, Wesassin has basically recovered his health, and his armor has been repaired and placed in the corner of the room.

Touching the surface of the armor with his palm and looking at his reflection on it, Wesassin can feel the cold temperature from his palm, but this can't calm him down.

He began to pace back and forth in his room anxiously, gulping down cold water, but the fire in his chest continued to burn.

In a trance, he seemed to hear the music from the restaurant downstairs.

Reason told Wesacine that this was impossible, because the restaurant was on the 2nd floor, and he lived on the 5th floor, and the soundproofing measures in Eagle City were very complete.

But this did not stop him from thinking about what Raven and Bloka were talking about now, whether Bloka would belittle and ridicule him, and whether Raven would take this opportunity to sell himself!

"It shouldn't be." Wesacine said to himself, his voice was so hoarse that even he was a little surprised.

If Raven planned to sell him, he would not take him in and heal him, and the standard of receiving him would be no different from treating a baron.

However, Raven's grand welcome to Bloka did not mean that Raven himself had no confidence?

Can my territory come back?

This question kept echoing in his heart, and he could not forget it until he fell asleep in bed.

Recently, Versacim has always had dreams. Sometimes he dreams that he has returned to Koja Town and taken back his territory; but more often, it is all kinds of nightmares - being tied up in front of Brocka and having his head chopped off, being thrown down from Eagle City, or being tied to the stake and burned alive.

This time the nightmare was particularly vivid. He was tied up by Brocka and put into a large wooden box. Someone kept knocking on the box and torturing him, making it impossible for him to close his eyes.

He struggled and struggled, and suddenly a strong sense of weightlessness came. He opened his eyes and found himself falling under the bed.

The knocking sound came from outside the door: "Baron Versacim, are you awake? Baron Raven invites you to the rooftop terrace to enjoy the view with Viscount Brocka."

"I know, I'll be there right away." Versacim pretended to have a normal voice, turned his head and looked out the window, and then found that the sky had been completely bright without knowing when, but it was cloudy, which made people feel depressed.

He came to the bathroom and was stunned when he saw himself in the Angel's Glory.

His eye sockets were sunken, his eye bags were swollen, his cheeks were sagging, his face was pale, and his stubble under his chin was dense and eye-catching, just like an alcoholic who had been drinking for years.

After washing with cold water and shaving off his stubble, Wessacine changed into decent clothes, took a deep breath, and then opened the door with full of doubts.

Baron Raven, can you help me take back my territory? !

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