Karen City, the only large city in the Cullen Realm, the political, economic, and cultural center of the western territory of the Locke Empire, was built on a small crater, leaning on the flanks of the Esbo Mountains that straddle the Sook Plain and the Karen Territory.

Around the crater, the quietly flowing waters of the Nixdeor River act as a natural barrier to the city.

The Nixdor River, the source of life for the Karen, flows down from the Lordan Mountains, through the Karen, through the underground rivers of the Esbourg Mountains, through Lake Temic near Fort Norma at the southernmost point of the Suker Plains, through Mount Feeter near Fort Passy, and then to the sea.

The city of Karon was built like a boxy fortress, with massive walls on the mountainside of the circular hill obscuring most of the city's buildings, and the blackened, moss-covered base of the walls shows the city's rich history.

There is only one gate in the whole city, in the north of the city, and the secret gate is naturally unknown to outsiders.

At the very top of the crater, and at the very center of the city, a majestic castle can be clearly seen from miles away, with a statue of an eagle at the top of the castle looking down on the entire Karen collar.

Château d'Eli, is the name of the castle.

Now, in the hall of the castle, built by the dwarves and the Cliff family, Bradidley Cliff, the first order of the Cliff family, and his mother, Lady Irma, personally greet the messenger of Duke Bow, Viscount Crelens.

After a brief moment of politeness, Madame Irma saw Viscount Clerens' anxiousness, and she waved her servant away, and after glaring at her son and the castle keeper, Sir Hilbert, asked, "Viscount, you seem to be in trouble, can you tell us about it?"

"Of course, ma'am!" Viscount Clerence was suddenly shocked, he quickly glanced at Bradidley and then looked at Lady Irma and said: "I am here to ask for help on behalf of Duke Baoge, the orcs are attacking Anku Fortress with all their might, according to the latest news I have received, this time the orcs may gather more than 200,000 troops!"

"Two hundred thousand?" said Sir Hilbert, the Superintendent, "are you sure?" After a pause, he added, "Of course, I don't doubt your words, I mean, can the news be confirmed?"

Viscount Crelence looked at the chief steward, he thought for a moment and said: "This is the answer obtained by the Anku Fortress Staff Group after analyzing the logistics and materials of the orc territory and the movement of the orc tribe army, I think, this will not be wrong." ”

"Although the staff members have nothing to do all day, they are sometimes very reliable. Braded said in an evaluative tone, "We..."

"Viscount," Irma interrupted her son, "the long journey can be tiring, so you can rest in the castle for a day, and my steward, Sir Hilbert, will arrange it for you." ”

"Madame, I..."

"By tomorrow afternoon at the latest, you'll get the answer you want. Irma replied promisedly, softly but with irresistible majesty.

The Superintendent, Sir Hilbert, walked briskly over to Viscount Clairence after the hostess's voice had landed, "Please follow me, Viscount. With that, he walked briskly towards the side door of the hall.

"Viscount, if you don't want to get lost, you'd better keep up with our castle steward... Because, the dwarves designed the interior structure of this castle very complicated. Lady Irma looked at the indifferent Crellens and reminded in a joking tone.

Perhaps it was the hostess's words that worked, or perhaps Viscount Crélens sensed the hostess's resolute attitude, and he could only stand up and salute, "Thank you for your hospitality, ma'am." ”

...

"We should promise him that it is our duty, Mother. Braderidley whispered as Viscount Crelence disappeared into the side door hallway, "No nobleman can escape the duty of fighting orcs. ”

"Of course, if it's true. Lady Irma nodded.

"What do you mean?" Bradidley looked at his mother in confusion.

"Son, your father is in the imperial capital, you should know why the emperor on the golden throne held the so-called duke's meeting at this time..."

Lady Irma's face showed a look of worry, "Because, our Emperor His Majesty has no money now, and we, it is he who gets the bank, and you, my dear son, your lover Ferrola, will become an important bargaining chip for the Emperor to negotiate with your father!"

"The Emperor of the Empire is like a robber, and the merchants' comments are apt!" said young Bradidley with resentment on his face.

"It's his right. Lady Irma whispered, "As they say, the whole empire belongs to the emperor. ”

"How much money does His Majesty the Emperor want this time?"

"It's easy to just ask for money," Lady Irma sighed to herself, "Emperor Laubert is more stingy than you think, your marriage to Ferrora will not be blessed by her uncle, you must be mentally prepared, perhaps, our Emperor His Majesty will ask your father to hand over Ferrora." ”

"You—" The Duchess looked at her son and stopped.

"Even if I die, I won't hand over Ferrora!" Bradidley knew what his mother wanted to say, and he said with a stubborn face, "I swore that I would protect her for the rest of my life, she is my love, I can't betray my love, I can't betray my vow." ”

"So, as for Duke Baogue's request for help, it must be ascertained whether it is true or not!" Lady Irma looked at the side door where Crellens had left and said, "You should know better than I do what it means if neither our army nor your father is in the territory!"

Braderidley was stunned for a moment, then said angrily: "The Cliff family has ruled the Cullen Territory for more than three hundred years, and no one can shake our rule, and we have the help of the dwarves. ”

Lady Elma's wise gaze flashed, "No one's rule is immutable, and when your enemies find you weak, they won't mind making amends... Our friendship with the Dwarves isn't as good as you might think, they want to dominate our alliance at all times, and they have the power now, all they lack is an opportunity!"

Hearing this, Bradidley slowly woke up from the anger just now, and he asked a little impatiently: "Then what should I do now? What if what Viscount Crelensian said is true? Although I have confidence in Anku Fortress, I am worried about letting Crann Leader face the 200,000 orc army alone..."

"This is the matter of the Third and Fourth Legions of the Empire..."Lady Irma whispered, she looked at her son's expression and added, "I know that we have the same responsibility, then, send our people to inquire about the information on the Anku Fortress as soon as possible, and you can do it yourself." ”

Bradeley nodded suddenly, "Understood!" He saluted his mother and walked away quickly.