Skeleton King

The stars at night are as bright as ten years ago.

In the grove by the edge of Purin Canyon, Ace lit a bonfire and roasted some little monsters.Beside Ace, a swordsman was swinging an epee, stabbing, chopping, crossing, and he did each movement thousands of times. No one doubted that he would continue to practice in such a silent manner.

But some people can't see him being so diligent, Ace lazily said: "Alter, be careful of the wind on your epee, the fire will go out."

Although Ace's words were unreasonable, Alter silently put away the epee and walked to Ace's side.

Ace pulled Art's sleeve and asked him to sit down, "Don't stand so high, it's too oppressive." When Arter sat down, Ace handed him the grilled meat skewers.

"Thank you, sir." Art said.

It never occurred to Ace to expect to meet Art on the territory of the Finger Empire.

The last time Ace met Alter was in the village of Bad Soden. He told Alter that he was going to the training camp of the Georgia Provincial Knights. The training camp of the Knights of Tefalun Province.After that, Ace only went back to the village of Bad Soden twice, both of which happened to be missed with Art.

If Art hadn't been 15 years old when they parted, and Ace's memory was particularly good, he couldn't have recognized Art right away.

Ace took out two jugs of wine from the space wristband, and threw the jugs to Art.

Ace was half lying on the grass, he was not very wary of Alt, not to mention that they had practiced sword together for three years, Ace knew Alt very well.Even Alter's firm mind and excellent character left a deep impression on Ace.

If it were another person, they would not have the relationship between monarch and minister at all.

Ace asked Art: "How have you been these years?"

Alter replied: "The head of the Knights of Westphalia treated me like a son and taught me a lot. After I left the Knights of Westphalia, I was entrusted by him to go to Chaos collar."

Ace said in surprise: "The Territory of Chaos? Didn't you say to go to the World of Warcraft Forest?"

"I spend most of my time in the World of Warcraft Forest, and sometimes in the Territory of Chaos." Alter explained: "The people in the Territory of Chaos are very vague about this boundary."

Ace sat up suddenly and asked, "Have we seen it in the World of Warcraft Forest?"

Art smiled.

Alter is tall and taciturn, and it is difficult for outsiders to see his emotions, but he is still easily happy when he is remembered by adults.

Arte said: "Yes, at the magic circle in the magic swamp, I am very grateful to my lord for being merciful to my subordinates. Please forgive me, my lord was always surrounded by people at that time, and I didn't find a chance to meet with my lord alone."

Ace said: "I didn't see it, you still care about other people's opinions."

"I don't mind, but I'm not sure if my lord wants others to know about our relationship." Art said.

Ace thought of something else, and he said: "At that time, if you hadn't told the Georgia Knights about the oath at the beginning, you should also enter the Royal Guards now. Maybe you can succeed Sykes." Location."

As soon as Alter appeared, Ace discovered that Alter was also an eighth-level swordsman.It happened to be the level of swordsman when Sykes became the head of the Royal Knights of the Royal Guards. I think Alter has worked hard all these years.

"I'm very sorry, my lord." Art said.

"No." Ace waved his hand and said, "You're not suitable for this." Ace looked at Alter. Although Alter's expression couldn't tell what he was thinking, Arter was not Sykes. With such a thing hidden in his heart, if his thoughts are not clear, he will never achieve today's achievements in cultivation.

"I just didn't expect you to change so much." Ace said.

Alter suddenly hesitated. Under Ace's puzzled eyes, he explained: "I didn't think of it myself, Angelica told me."

Ace asked with interest, "Do you still have contact?"

Ace still remembers that at that time Alter refused to accept his magic potion, and Angelica helped Ace fool Alter so that he picked up an eighth-level swordsman for nothing.

"Yes, Angelica will tell me about my lord from time to time." Arte said: "Before my lord left the imperial capital, Angelika also sent me a letter. I originally planned to go to Prin Canyon to find my lord, but later I learned that you changed Got it."

"I don't even know your exact address, but Angelika knows how to contact you." Ace thought, if it weren't for his broad-mindedness, people like Angelica and Art would definitely be suspected.

Ace looked at Alter suspiciously again, and asked, "You have nothing to do with Angelica, right?" Is there any affair?

Two unmarried young men and women who are equally outstanding, who communicate all the year round, cannot possibly be confidants.

Although in the eyes of outsiders, Arter's age and strength are more than enough for a famous lady, but in Ace's view, Angelica is smart and comprehensible, with a calm mind, which is not bad.

Ace believed that Art would not feel that Angelica was not good enough for him.

Alter said: "Angelica and I are both loyal to adults."

Ace glanced at Alter fiercely, maybe Alter's face was too dark, and Ace couldn't see the flower head after looking at it for a long time.Ace could only say: "If you are interested, just tell me." He smiled again, and said: "I am a scholar, and I can personally marry you."

Arter was not surprised at all when he heard this. Angelica had already told Arter in the letter that Ace was a scholar.Although Angelica did not marry any of Ace's subordinates, as Nou said, Angelica has been silently helping Ace win people's hearts.

With Alte, Ace was not in a hurry to go to Eiffel Province from the Dead Realm, and they spent the night together on the side of the road.

Alter talked a lot about the Knights of Westphalia, including Graf, the Governor of Westphalia, the head of the Knights, and important figures in the province.Although Ace didn't intend to go back to Westphalia, he still listened quietly.

Alt was entrusted by the head of the Knights of Westphalia Province to go to the Territory of Chaos. In fact, it was because there was a smuggling route there, which was jointly controlled by powerful figures in several southwestern provinces.

Alt said: "The Territory of Chaos has changed a lot in the past few years. The province of Westphalia would send some swordsmen who have not passed the examination and have no relatives there to occupy two hills, and then smuggle businessmen You only need to pay homage to your own mountain, and you don’t need to charge other people for tolls.”

The swordsmen who have been in the Pansy Empire's regular knights for six years are unselected, and they are incomparable to swordsmen from third-rate mercenary regiments.

Smuggling has always been profitable, and many things restricted by the Pansy Empire can get 1000% profits in the hands of the Finger Empire.Originally, he had to bear the risk of losing items and being intercepted and killed by the people of the Territory of Chaos. Like the joint practice of several provinces in the southwest, the money earned has gone to sea.

No wonder I can't stop now.

"But we are located in the southwest and do not directly border the World of Warcraft Forest. The Green family in Louisiana Province has other ways and will not join us. The Richter family has kept a low profile these years and has not participated in these matters. Therefore, the chaos It will take a few days for the news of the collar to reach us."

Alter explained in detail how they learned about the civil war in the Territory of Chaos, the two hills were occupied, and Governor Graf came to ask the head of the Knights of Westphalia, how the leader persuaded Alter to agree .

"At that time, I wanted to go to the imperial capital first to find the Lord. But it was a rare opportunity to report back to the leader, and when the leader persuaded me, I accidentally learned that Lord Viscount Neumann also participated in this activity." Art said.

"My father?" Ace thought for a while, and said, "It's not surprising. Governor Graf's younger sister has reunited my father. Based on their friendship, my father may indeed participate."

Ace thought that Viscount Neumann used to hunt in the Warcraft Forest in his early years, and wondered if it had something to do with it.

Alter continued: "After I arrived at the Territory of Chaos, I gathered the local people first..."

Alter continued talking for a long time, but Ace stopped responding.

Only then did Art realize that Ace had fallen asleep.Alter finally understood the mood of the person opposite when he didn't respond for a long time after other people talked a lot to him.Although the two are fundamentally different.

Art silently hugged the epee in his arms and leaned his back on the tree trunk. He will take good care of the adults.

……

Eiffel Province of the Finger Empire.

The ancestral estate of the Black family in the countryside.Eugenia Blake walked quickly through the corridor in a long black silk dress, ignoring the salutes of the passing maids, and walked directly to the door of the master bedroom on the second floor.

The Black family has a long history. Their ancestors once followed the Finger family to fight on the battlefield of Purin, resisting the army of the Pansy Empire, and stopping them west of the Purin Mountains.

The Black family was granted the title of duke due to their illustrious military exploits, hereditary succession, and a large piece of land west of the Eiffel province.They established manors here, brought good seeds, and protected the farmers here to have enough food and clothing.

But in this generation, things have subtly changed.

The old Duke Black had no son, and the Duchess Black bore him only a daughter.It doesn't matter, the old Duke Black also has a younger brother. After his death, the younger brother will inherit the title, and then the title will be passed to the younger brother's eldest son.

According to the custom, the nephew of the old Duke Black inherited the title and most of the property of the old Duke Black. He will marry the daughter of the old Duke Black and continue to provide Princess Eugenia Black with a wealthy and respectable life.

Unfortunately, the cousin of the old Duke Black rejected the advice of his father and his uncle that he did not want to marry the Duchess Eugenia Black.

He not only publicized the ugly appearance of Princess Eugenia Blake, but also listened to the slander of friends, and firmly believed that Princess Eugenia Blake lost her virginity before marriage.

Although the folk customs of the Finger Empire are open, they are still very particular about the reputation of girls, especially noble girls.

Occasionally, when something unseemly happens, the family will cover it up for them, and at most marry far away.Little Black spoke recklessly, because of his cousin status, few people would not believe it, and the reputation of Princess Eugenia Black was completely ruined.

During the social season, Duchess Eugenia Black no longer received invitations, and it was difficult for her to marry into the right family.

As for the last heir of the family, no matter how much the old Duke Black hated him, he had nothing to do with Little Black.

Regardless of his younger brother's visits and apologies for several days, the old Duke Black completely cut off contact with his younger brother's family, and even asked several notaries to make a will. Both will be inherited by Duchess Eugenia Black.

These things will become the dowry of Princess Eugenia Blake, and the old Duke Blake hopes to find a husband who matches her status and even better in this way.

However, before Princess Eugenia Black was engaged, the old Duke Black was lingering on the hospital bed.Before the old Duke Black died, people had to find the old Duke Black's nephew, hoping that he would organize the funeral for his uncle.

Ok.

Very unfortunately--

The old Duke Black's nephew had died in a brawl in a tavern half a year ago, and his younger brother was too sad for the death of his only son, so he passed away.The two heirs to the dukedom did not even outlive the old Duke of Black.

The title of duke fell to another lucky guy.

Eugenia Black stood at the door of the master bedroom. She took a deep breath, knocked on the door of the master bedroom, and then opened the door and walked in without waiting for the person inside to respond.

The master bedroom in the Black Manor was lifeless, with only snow-white curtains, a snow-white sofa and a bed. A middle-aged beautiful woman in black mourning clothes was sitting beside the bed. Her long light blond hair was haggard and her expression was haggard.

Eugenia Blake walked quickly to her mother, and she squatted on the ground on her mother's lap.

Unlike the beautiful old Duchess Black, Duchess Eugenia Black is ordinary in appearance. She looks like the dead old Duke Black, with a slightly elongated horse face, jet black hair and emerald green eyes.

To be honest, this is the iconic face shape of the Black family, and Little Black looks similar to Princess Eugenia Black. I really don't understand why he dislikes Eugenia.

The old Duchess Black stroked her daughter's hair slowly and asked, "Eugenia, what happened?"

Princess Eugenia Black said softly: "Several uncles who have justified their father's will have come to the manor. They received a letter from a young man who called himself Phil Black."

The old Duchess Black was a little worried about her daughter's attitude. She knew that the incident about Little Black had dealt a great blow to Eugenia, but several notaries appeared at the same time, and this Phil Black was probably not a fake.

But Eugenia...

The old Duchess Black sighed in her heart. It would be great if the heir had a good character and was willing to marry Eugenia.But the old Duchess Black didn't say much. She helped Princess Eugenia Black stand up and said, "Let's go and have a look."

……

The gate of Black Manor.

Ace and Alter stood side by side on the lawn. Ace didn't wear a scholar's robe. He was dressed in the usual aristocratic youth outfit of the Finger Empire, wearing a beret, a shirt, and a fancy bow tie around his neck. .However, in order to fit his personality, although Ace's clothes are trendy, the materials are not very good.

Alter was carrying an epee, like an ordinary mercenary.

Ace asked Alter one last time, "Remember what I said?"

Alter said, "Remember, Master Phil Black."