With a long chant from the giant dragon Mirasis pouring into the sky, the "Horn Fort" Floating City finally landed slowly under the watchful eyes of everyone, and stopped on the square facing the gate of the Heavenly Dome Palace.

Almost as soon as they landed, the legionnaires standing guard around them immediately swarmed up and surrounded the entire floating city, blocking even the exit with a parapet wall, as if they were afraid that the assassins would rush out of it.

In the Heavenly Dome Palace, the alarm bell is even louder, and in the distance, you can see legionnaires with bows and arrows rushing up the city wall, and you can faintly see many heavy crossbows and torsion trebuchets, which have been aimed at the towers of the floating city.

At the slightest command, Hornfort will be covered with countless arrows and cannons... The premise is that she won't resist.

Just by looking at this battle, you can probably guess what the nobles of the imperial capital, especially the imperial cabinet and the royal family, think of His Royal Highness Brandon.

Looking at Brandon, who was still palpitating behind him, but pretending to be normal, Loren couldn't help but sigh... His choice was correct, if he really ordered a raid on the imperial capital, the result would probably be that he was declared a rebellious minister and thief before he could take the city gate.

It seemed that he had long been accustomed to this palace, and Milasis, who had spread his wings, did not land, but hovered at the top of the Heavenly Dome Palace.

According to the information that Loren obtained from the remnants of the Imperial Capital's night watch, it seems that there is still some kind of void barrier in the Heavenly Dome Palace, which is similar to the Dragon King City, which is used to defend against the dragon's air attack......

The "gates" of the floating city opened, and the legionnaires who stood in front of them immediately divided into two sides, forming a passage with shields and halberds, and at the end of this passage stood the smiling Metternich Leopold.

"The Minister of the Seal personally greeted him, which was really flattering. ”

With a hint of a smile, the black-haired wizard slowly walked down the stairs towards the other party: "I thought that the night watchman and the jailer of the black prison were waiting for me. ”

"Whereever, you like to surprise people, Your Excellency the Duke of Turin. The Minister of the Seal did not smile, and his old face was very indifferent:

"The floating city from Byrne landed in front of the gates of the Sky Dome Palace with the roar of the dragon... With such a legendary story, in the next year, the nobles of the imperial capital will no longer lack banquets and salons to talk about. ”

The black-haired wizard shrugged and didn't make any comments.

"It may be in vain, but the Duke of Loren Turin... Do you really understand the consequences of doing this?" Metternich Leopold said softly, "With such a show of power, you are almost single-handedly provoking the nobles and the church in the imperial capital. ”

"I'm just using the fastest way I can think of to get to the imperial capital. A formulaic smile appeared on Loren's face: "As for why it stopped in front of the door of the Heavenly Dome Palace... You know, this new stuff is generally not very stable. ”

Such an "official" reply made the Minister of the Seal, who had long been familiar with this kind of cliché, laugh dumbly.

Not very stable... In other words, if she is "unstable", she is very likely to fall from the top of the Imperial Capital Cathedral, right?

"Since you say so, you must be ready to face their reproaches. The Minister of the Seals turned his gaze behind the black-haired wizard:

"His Highness Brandon de Salion is also in this floating city, right?"

Loren raised an eyebrow and continued to play dumb: "I'm sorry, but I don't know what you're talking about. ”

Look up at the dragon Milasis above your head, and dare you repeat this to me?

Or is there a second dragon rider in this world besides Brandon... If there is, it is a great blessing for the Empire.

Of course, the veteran Metternich Leopold would not say such a thing, and since the other party did not want to admit it, then everyone knew it.

What's more... The next thing, it is better for His Highness Brandon not to come forward.

"Duke Loren Turin, you are a man of understanding, and I believe you must have your own considerations for things. The Minister of the Seal bowed slightly, turned sideways and waved his hand behind him:

"Ladies and gentlemen, there is a place for hospitality in the Heavenly Dome Palace, and Lord Duke, please go with me alone—there can be no one else where we are going. ”

The sound of footsteps sounded as the legionnaires on either side immediately moved out of the way, and the main entrance to the Celestial Dome Palace was opened with the sound of heavy chains and gears turning.

Loren gladly accepted, nodding to the Byrne knights and counts behind him, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

Don't eat soft and hard, don't eat oil and salt... The minister in charge of the seal, as always, is really good at pretending to be stupid and stunned, and resolving the contradiction invisibly.

According to the script "written" by Loren and Brandon, they should make a big fuss as soon as they get out of the Floating City, show off the force of the Floating City, and by the way, give Connad's supporters a little color - since they want to show off, of course, they must show off thoroughly.

But the minister in charge of the seal in front of him seems to have realized this a long time ago, and not only "drove away" Conod in advance, but also forcibly fulfilled all his lies.

Passing through the main gate of the well-fortified Heavenly Dome Palace, the Byrne knights and earls who came with them, and even Loren's personal guards (Lus's strong protest, to no avail) were "forced" by the guards of the Heavenly Dome Palace to the side hall.

On the bluestone path to the depths of the Heavenly Dome, only Loren and Metternich Leopold remained.

Although it experienced the turmoil of the "Night of the Assassination", there was no trace of it in the entire Heavenly Dome Palace - the pillars in the main hall were still towering, and the bluestone slabs under their feet still exuded a solemn atmosphere.

According to Peter Fasha, one of the elven assassins of that night was good at area attacks, using both fire and ice to "the way of the samurai", and almost destroyed the gates and halls of the Heavenly Dome Palace.

But now... The black-haired wizard couldn't even tell which pillar, which slate, old or new—except for a slight difference, wasn't the slightest difference.

The only difference is probably that the guards and lockdowns around him are much stronger than the last time I came.

Is this the essence of the dragon king family, De Salion, who has been glorious for twelve generations and is above the top of the empire?

There was a question on your face. The Minister of the Seals said slowly as he walked leisurely, "Is it because there are more guards around you than you saw last time you came?"

The black-haired wizard shrugged.

"I think it's understandable, last time, I was a little-known little wizard summoned by the emperor. Loren chuckled and said, "This time I'm Duke Byrne who brought the army and the counts to the Heavenly Dome Palace as a guest. ”

"The duke is joking again, for the Heavenly Dome Palace, the duke and the wizard are the same, and the addition of guards is only a necessary warning after that assassination, otherwise the imperial cabinet and the military minister will not look good." ”

It's still not oil and salt.

Loren, who maintained a formulaic smile, smiled a little stiffly.

"But... Since it was the night of the assassination, I heard that His Excellency the Duke not only allowed the Azorean elven assassins to return in vain, but also managed to capture a captive?"

Metternich changed the subject again, focusing on the Azorean elves: "It's been some time since that terrible night, and you must know everything about the Azorean kingdom?"

The Minister of the Seals... He was still constantly avoiding the topic of Brandon and Conrad.

But it's okay, it just coincides with me... Maybe you can take the opportunity to win over the Imperial Cabinet.

"That's right, that's why I wrote the 'Imperial Manifesto'... I don't know if the Imperial Cabinet and the De Salion royal family of the Sky Dome know it, but the Azorean elves are a formidable enemy. Loren said:

"You may think I'm exaggerating, but the truth is that even if we are united and united, we will not always succeed in repelling their invasion......"

Loren's words came to an abrupt halt, as Metternich Leopold, who was beside him, suddenly stopped, staring at him with a complicated gaze, motionless.

"Master Metternich Leopold?"

"Loren Turin, I've always been curious about you, constantly studying you, really. The Lord Keeper of the Seals suddenly spoke, "Not from the Imperial Trial, but from the time of Ebolden." ”

"yes, maybe it came as a surprise to you... But in reality, your presence was noticed by the Heavenly Dome Palace much earlier than you think—I guess Your Majesty knew about your existence, maybe even earlier. ”

The black-haired wizard was about to say something, but was stopped by Metternich Leopold with a raised hand.

"You know, for His Highness Brandon... Or to many people, you are a person who is good at 'surpriseing' others, and I have to commend you for this, indeed, from the civil strife at Eboden to the Centaur War, and even the Azorean Elves incident this time, your performance has been perfect. ”

"Why, do you behave so perfectly?" said the Lord of the Seals, as if asking himself, "I have pondered for a long time that I have not been able to understand - perhaps you will think that this is the pedantry of an old man, maybe, but at my age I no longer believe in any savior." ”

"So, the answer is you and all of us... Including two His Highnesses de Salion... It's all different. ”

"For us, faith in the Holy Cross, even if it is only superficial, to follow the laws and customs of the Empire, even if it is only for pretense, to stick to tradition and pride, to do what is appropriate to our identity... These are the things that are instilled in our bones and souls. ”

"But for you... I'm not slandering you for anything, but judging by what you've done, all this is for you... It's like the background of a saga, you, completely following another set, don't have the same 'cognition' as we do. ”

"From the Ebolden rebellion to the 'Imperial Declaration', what you did seemed to tell me that this empire could be saved not only by the emperor, but also by anyone - this is a rebellious idea that not even the 'Black Duke' had!"

Metternich de Salion frowned, his expression solemn: "So now I tell you - if a new emperor of the thirteenth generation is elected, then he will be your monarch, this is a sacred oath and not some kind of 'contract', and you cannot disobey your own emperor unless it is irretrievable, let alone turn your back on him!"

"You are swearing allegiance to your Emperor, not making an agreement with him, even if it is Roland Turin, even if his prestige almost surpasses that of the Dragon Empress... In the end, he used death to prove his oath and loyalty. ”

"In the Sakran Empire there is only an emperor, there is no savior, and if there is, then it must be our emperor!"

The sonorous words echoed in the ears of the black-haired wizard.

The black-haired wizard nodded, indicating that he understood.

I see... It turns out that this is why the nobles of the imperial capital are so repulsive to themselves and Brandon, but now they are trying their best to resolve the conflict between themselves and Conod.

Traditions, rules, customs, classes...... These things they hold on to have become the "Sakran Empire" itself in their eyes.

So while trying their best to exclude themselves, they also tried their best to ensure the order of the empire and ensure that Conod could not do anything to himself.

Such contradictory actions are not because they have any "consensus" with themselves, but because in their opinion, this is "in line with the rules and traditions".

That's all.

Seeing Loren nod, Metternich Leopold's face finally reappeared - like an old man who saw the prodigal son turn back: "Then, I wish you to establish a great cause no less than that of the 'Black Duke'." ”

"For today's empire, there are not many heroes who can turn the tide. ”

That's right, the hero who turned the tide ... And not a savior.

Loren chuckled, not paying attention to the other party's words: "By the way, what kind of place are you going to take me to-the Imperial Cabinet, it seems that we have already walked through just now." ”

"That's right, so we're not going to the Imperial Cabinet; It was not a place to entertain the dukes. ”

The Minister of the Seal smiled lightly, his expression a little mysterious: "The place we are going to was established by the Supreme Emperor of the second generation, Eckhart I, the Hall of the Knights of the Edgeworth!"

Edgeworth?

The black-haired wizard knew a little about the organization, except that it seemed to involve a council between the emperor himself and the dukes, but it hadn't been used for many years.

By the way, it is worth mentioning that the ancestral Mithril greatsword "Dawn" of the House of Turin is a token of the members of the Edgeworth Order, and the rest of the dukes, including the Prince of East Sakland, have their own swords.

Hey, he said... Dukes?!

"That's right, as you think. The Minister of the Seals' smile deepened: "Except for you, all the dukes, including the Archon of Ebolden, have already arrived at the Heavenly Dome Palace yesterday. ”

"Duke Loren Turin, you seem to be late. ”