Skeleton King

The sun shines through the gaps in the leaves and turns into dots on the ground.At this time, the autumn is crisp, and it is suitable for traveling, but Ace feels that this day is too cool, and even the mottled sunlight marks on his body can't bring warmth.

In the distance, there are horses galloping away, and the spirit dogs sniff under the tree from time to time, and then run quickly again. Today is the third day of hunting.

The other two level [-] monsters were still missing, and some people even worried that the two level [-] monsters escaped from the forest blockade, risking the anger of Prince Nishimoto, and asked, "His Royal Highness, is it possible that the knights did not pay attention? Let the two monsters escape? Although the sixth-level monsters are nothing to His Highness, it is a great disaster for the people in the villages near the imperial capital. If something happens, it will not be good for His Highness's reputation."

Prince Xiben closed his eyes and concentrated, with a flat attitude and firm words, "They are still in this forest, but you have not found them."

Although many people felt dissatisfied, the people who had advised them before got the words of Prince Xiben, as if they had the magic needle of calming the sea, and they no longer worried.Even if other people had some thoughts in their hearts, they would not dare to touch Prince Nishimoto's fate at this time.

Neither Nou nor Ace had much interest in hunting.There are other native monsters in the forest. Nou shot two little three-level spirit foxes as a task, and Ace even caught a group of rabbits that were not leveled, and gave them extra meals the next night.

It was the third day of hunting.Ace noticed that Nou was much more silent than usual, as if he was preoccupied.Ace didn't wander around the camp alone this day, but offered to accompany Noou to hunt.

But Ace never expected that what Nou was worried about was actually the rumor.

After Noel and Ace took Bernadette away from Rose Castle, they lived together in the Duke Green's mansion.On weekdays, Nuo Ou would try her best to rush home for dinner.

In Pansy Empire, the dining table is a very important occasion for communication.When the hosts are eating, the waiter will pass each dish to the hosts in turn, and the hosts will take it as needed.The dinner will last for a long time. On formal occasions, the hosts will communicate with the guests around them. The topics of communication range from the political affairs of the empire to the interesting things in the circle; ordinary family dinners are to talk about interesting things at home.

In the Duke Green's mansion, it is often Bernadette who speaks, and Noah and Ace listen.Bernadette has a ladylike manner and impeccable appearance, but it may be that she spent most of her life in Rose Castle. She has the lively, rebellious atmosphere of Rose Castle, and a lot of gossip factor.

Once Bernadette chatted with Nou and Ace about Prince Aachen. Both Nou and Ace were very interested in Queen Celia's only son, the biggest variable in the future of the empire.

Bernadette: "Brother, Ace, do you know the characteristics of the royal family?"

Nuo Ou: "Black hair and green eyes."

Ace: "Pansy fighting spirit."

Everyone in the royal family has hair like night and mysterious green eyes, from His Majesty Alexander I thousands of years ago to His Majesty Ludwig IV now.

Another example is Princess Mary, who has long black hair and passionate green eyes.

"Yes, but there is an exception in this royal family, Prince Aachen." Ace raised his eyebrows, and Bernadette continued: "Prince Aachen has black hair and blue eyes."

Nou: "Queen Celia has blue eyes, and it is normal for Prince Aachen to inherit his mother's eyes."

Bernadette said unconvinced: "How strong is the blood of the royal family! There are only a few times in the thousand-year history of the empire. Children with the blood of the royal family did not inherit the appearance characteristics of the royal family, and these people have not awakened the pansies. Dou Qi! There have been such gossips in the imperial capital for a long time, and the bloodline of Prince Aachen is doubtful!"

Nou: "Bernadette! Can you talk about the royal family?!"

Since Bernadette returned to the Green Duke's Mansion, Nou has been obedient to his only sister. He not only gives her a lot of gold coins every month for pocket money, but also wants to buy jewelry and equipment for the knights around him. Nou Also agreed one by one.Nuo Ou was worried that Bernadette's money was not enough, and it would be difficult to get it from him, so he asked Bernadette to keep the account in the shop in the imperial capital, and the shop would send the bill to the Duke Green's mansion at the end of the month.

It was the old housekeeper who doted on Miss Bernadette very much, and when she saw the big bags that Bernadette brought home every day, she secretly persuaded Nuoou.

Nuo Ou didn't take it seriously, in his opinion, girls should be well-off.No matter how good Rose Castle and Princess Mary are, Bernadette used to be dependent on others. If you don’t spoil Bernadette more now and tell her that the Duke of Green’s Mansion is her solid backing, Bernadette will always be courteous when she meets her. Playboy, still not dizzy?

Since the reunion, Nou has not even spoken loudly to Bernadette.

Bernadette was suddenly reprimanded, how could she bear it?

There were crystal teardrops rolling in Bernadette's eyes, those eyes exactly like Nou's were full of grievances, she pushed the plate in front of her forward, and said aggrievedly: "In Rose Castle, Princess Mary never cares about these things! Many people said, why can't I say that!" After she finished speaking, she ignored Nuo'ou, turned around and went up the stairs "thump-thump-thump" and went back to her room.

Nou didn't stop Bernadette, but he put down his knife and fork, and he didn't seem to have much appetite.

Ace asked the waiter to leave, and comforted Nou, "She is only 14 years old, she will understand in a few years."

"Many girls are married at this age, and some have even become mothers." Nuo Ou said indifferently: "She must understand that she is no longer in Rose Castle."

Because of Prince Andreas, His Majesty Ludwig IV would laugh at many things that happened in Rose Castle.However, Nuo Ou was not born in the royal family, and it is even less likely that he would be kind to His Majesty Ludwig IV.In the Duke Green's mansion, no matter who it is, they can't talk about the royal family, let alone in front of the waiters.

However, both Nou and Ace felt that Bernadette's words were nonsense.The purity of the blood of the royal family is so important, neither His Majesty Ludwig IV nor anyone else in the palace can allow such a thing to happen.

His Majesty Ludwig IV is not a persimmon, if someone really dares to cuckold him...

Nou doesn't think that person can see the sun of tomorrow.

……

In the forest on the outskirts of the imperial capital.

Ace didn't understand why Nou was still worried about that rumor.Ace said: "But a long time ago, didn't we all know the eye color of Prince Aachen?" It is ridiculous to use this to judge the blood of Prince Aachen.

Because Prince Aachen and Princess Fenfur were born on the same day, they are very rare twins, and they are the first two children of His Majesty Ludwig IV after he ascended the throne.At that time, the whole country was celebrating, and the appearance of the little prince and princess was well known throughout the country.In the southeastern province of the empire, Ace had never heard similar rumors.

Nou: "Yes, but there are two more things. You should know that not long ago, I went to see the foreign minister."

Ace nodded.

Although most of Prince Xiben's people are around here, Nuo Ou still lowered his voice, "The Minister of Foreign Affairs has already stood up for Prince Xiben." His voice was slightly cool, "The Minister of Foreign Affairs invited me to his house, it is not between relatives at all. He is looking for me instead of Prince Xiben."

Ace said incomprehensibly, "However, as one of the three ministers second only to the prime minister, the foreign minister has a high position and has almost reached the pinnacle of power. No matter who the new king is, he will not be easily moved. .he did that?"

What Ace didn't say was that the Minister of Foreign Affairs had passed his sixtieth year, but His Majesty Ludwig IV was still in his prime.His Majesty will not abdicate until the Foreign Secretary dies of old age.

What's the point of him making such a fuss?

Nuo Ou: "For the sake of heirs. The Harvey family has prosperous descendants, but there are not many outstanding talents. You also know that the foreign minister is not young. At this time, there are no successors. The end of the Harvey family is already visible. And only It is a great achievement, and after the death of the foreign minister, the new king is still willing to support the Harvey family, what kind of contribution is better than supporting the Harvey family?"

Ace: "Even if you fail, you have to pay the whole family?"

No matter which plane you are in, the battle for the throne is the cruelest and bloodiest.

"The Minister of Foreign Affairs has indeed mastered things that outsiders don't know." Nuo Ou: "After the emperor's wedding, for almost a month, His Majesty Ludwig IV ignored the government affairs and only approved government affairs in other courts. Diplomatic rumors , Your Majesty and Queen Celia are newlyweds, and they are like glue, so they don't want to see other people, and even some ministers are worried that Queen Celia's beauty will be a disaster, which will delay your majesty's political affairs."

Nuo Ou: "The Minister of Foreign Affairs told me that, in fact, His Majesty was not in the Imperial Capital at all that month. After His Majesty returned to the Imperial Capital, Queen Celia was pregnant. Even later, people in the Imperial Capital said that His Majesty and the Queen have a strong relationship, and it was mostly because of that Month. For many years, Your Majesty and the Queen have treated each other with respect and aloofness, and rarely accompanied each other. Many people also speculate that Your Majesty is still very affectionate in the palace because of the reputation of the Queen. How do we know?"

Ace felt a chill rising from the soles of his feet, "But even so, Prince Aachen and Princess Fenfur may have been there on the wedding night of His Majesty and Queen."

"Yes, Ace, I don't deny it." Nou said: "But even so, if Prince Aachen loses His Majesty's favor for the Queen, the biggest bargaining chip in his hand, and Queen Celia has no affection for His Majesty, they It’s just the most common noble couple in the empire. The two are married for common interests and a better future. I think there will be many fewer people who are still vacillating in the imperial capital. Those who decide will not choose the Prince of Aachen.”

Ace: "On the evening of the first day we participated in the hunt, we received a letter from the teacher. As Bernadette said, it is very unlikely that Prince Aachen will awaken Pansy's fighting spirit. I can't imagine that the monarch of this empire will not Pansy grudge."

Because the main branch of the Keoser family was extinct in history, there were heirs with other surnames but closer blood who inherited the empire, but they also had pansy fighting spirit and lived up to the name of the empire.

Ace: "You just suspect Prince Aachen, he will take part in the assessment of the Knights next year. Why don't you wait until you meet him before making a decision?" No amount of external conditions can compare to an outstanding one people.

The sun shines on Nou's head, creating a very beautiful halo.

Nuo Ou: "You know, because of my uncle and the things he brought, I can't possibly like someone who may have an illegitimate child."

The corners of Ace's mouth were slightly astringent, "Understandable." Ace didn't know what he was talking about, "I understand very well." But in the end, his voice was about to disappear into the wind.

A spirit dog wandered around them, suddenly barked again, and ran in the same direction.

At this time, many people followed the spirit dogs to the place where Ace and Nou were standing, and then roared away.

Ace and Nou still stood there, which would look very abrupt, and they walked slowly towards the crowd.

The yellow lion-shaped monster was found in the cave on the back of the mountain, where the rocks were so rugged that horses couldn't run up them, so people haven't found it yet.However, without eating for three whole days, the monster was injured again, so naturally it couldn't hold on.It had just gone down the mountain to hunt when it was spotted by spirit dogs.At this time it ran back up the mountain again.

The commotion was too loud.

Many people came to the foot of the mountain and surrounded it.

The monster probably also knew that it couldn't survive, so it ran out of the cave and onto the ridge. It paced slowly on the ridge, roaring down from time to time.How hopeless and powerful a dying monster is, the nobles who are willing to die naturally know.Horses can't climb the mountain, and swordsmen don't dare. It's cool to fight against level [-] monsters, but it's based on the danger of life.

That doesn't mean there's nothing left to do.

The nobles let the subordinates hold the arrow baskets, put the arrows on the bows and arrows, and shoot at the monsters on the ridge.

At first, the lion-shaped monster was able to dodge it dexterously, but gradually, arrows pierced its hind legs and hit its back, but because the distance was too far, some of the arrows were still surrounded by grudges. That can only stab the monster, not kill it.

But it was getting weaker and more painful.

It stared angrily at those despicable and timid humans, its eyes full of unwilling anger.In its heyday, those weak ants couldn't even break through its defenses, so it was going to die here, by the hands of these weak creatures.

Then it saw a ray of light.

A beam of blue light.

The blue arrow hit the monster's neck like a shooting star, and the monster suddenly stood quietly on the ridge. The nobles at the foot of the mountain were stunned, and then saw the monster slowly fall and roll off the cliff .

The subordinates hurriedly surrounded it, and the dazzling blue light was no longer on the arrow on the neck of the monster. This is a very ordinary arrow with the logo of the Green family on it.

"It's the prey of the little Duke of Green!" "It's the prey of the little Duke of Green!" Various shouts came and went.

At this time, everyone realized that there were two tall and straight teenagers standing some distance behind them.

But in the hustle and bustle, only Ace heard Noou's words, "Actually, Prince Xiben is not bad. He is resourceful and talented, at least he is not a stupid monarch."