The cold wind swept across the sky, making the clear sky a little more solemn, and the endless sky was as clear as a mirror, far away from the mountains in the distance. Pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info

In this winter season, the sun hanging high in the sky is no longer as hot and dry as before. Pure as a jewel, the golden morning light sprinkled on the already slightly depressed land.

Between the wilderness and the dense forest, a small team walked through the dusty road, and the golden coat of arms composed of crossed blood-colored swords fluttered slightly in the cold wind.

This is the northwestern part of the Sakran Empire, a land covered in wilderness and forests, and the border of the Duchy of Lothair under the rule of the Frid family is also the frontier of human civilization.

After living in Wimpal Academy for half a year, Loren finally had a vague understanding of the world - at least he already knew where he was, and he also had a little understanding of the current situation of the Duchy of Lothair.

The Senna family, which owns the county of Deepwood, rose almost at the same time as the Frid family, but it was difficult to expand their power because of their proximity to the border, so the ancestors of the Frid family snatched the title of duke.

But their strength is unquestionable. Also because of the proximity to the border, it was difficult for the dukes of the past dynasties to control this unruly vassal, and contradictions and conflicts also occurred from time to time.

Until this generation of dukes, that is, Leuwen's father, chose to marry the Senna family, and because this generation of Earls of Deepwoodburg who died prematurely did not leave a son, the duke seized the opportunity to completely bring this county under his control.

But will the Senna family really be taken to the mercy of the castle and the domain? Loren was very suspicious, and perhaps the Duke was only thinking of giving it a try, and was ready to settle the conflict peacefully.

Otherwise, it would not be his own wizard and a team of knights who would be followed by him, but a heavily armed army.

Dressed in wizard's robes, Loren rode a pony given to him by Levan and slung his wand across the saddle - it must be said that this horse was much stronger than Leonardo's old horse before him, and he didn't have to take two steps to catch his breath.

"What are you thinking, look at the way you look preoccupied!"

There was a sudden slap on the shoulder, and Lu Wen's figure broke into Loren's line of sight, and his bright smile looked extremely sunny: "I will be in Shenlin Castle one day, I don't want them to think that my wizard advisor is a sick man!"

You can rest assured of that. Loren smiled. This Lord Earl is obviously the kind of person who has no scheming, which is somewhat a good thing.

But what...... The afterglow under the hood glanced at the knights behind him, although it was not obvious, but the other party did not deliberately hide it, and a pair of disgusted eyes swept from behind him from time to time.

The knights who accompanied the young count were obviously quite dissatisfied with the young earl's concern for himself as a wizard - but because they were more reserved, they never said it.

And Lu Wen himself didn't seem to notice this, and still chatted with him happily. Asking questions like a curious cat, he seems to have a great interest in the wizarding profession.

As a result, Loren became very embarrassed by the whole team - the reputation of wizards was not very good, and the excessive attention of the earl made him almost a standard "demagogue" in the eyes of knights.

This is really a man sitting at home, and woe comes from heaven......

"I've known a few wizards before, but most of them are the kind of people who hold books and are thin as if they will fall to the ground when the wind blows. Lu Wen raised his eyebrows: "It's the first time I've seen someone like you who can defeat a vampire one-on-one!"

“...... I've already explained that it's not me who defeats vampires. Loren pulled the corners of his mouth a little embarrassed, and the eyes behind him that looked at him became more and more unkind: "It was the Holy Cross that saved me!"

"If the Holy Cross can defeat the enemy, then we don't need knights and armies. Lu Wen still didn't believe it, and his expression was a little helpless: "Humility is indeed a virtue, but if you go too far, you will let others look down on you." ”

"But then again......" Glancing back at the knights behind him, Lu Wen said with some amusement: "These knights of mine are really not convinced by you, they don't quite believe that a wizard can be so powerful." ”

"Especially my Captain of the Guard, Sir Aaron - he still thinks you're lying, there's no such thing as a vampire, it's just a trick played by your wizards at Wimpal to cover up the truth!"

Well, he's almost right...... Loren smiled bitterly in his heart, and his eyes "inadvertently" glanced at the black feathered eagle on his shoulder, and the red eyes were looking at him "innocently".

"He slandered you and your academy like this, aren't you angry at all?" Seeing that Loren's expression had not changed, Lu Wen asked with some confusion: "If it were me, I would have drawn my sword and duel with him a long time ago!"

"It's just not worth it. Loren smiled humbly, and considered the words he used, "What's more, Sir Aaron is the captain of your guard, and I'm just a wizard, so I really shouldn't do such an offensive thing." ”

"Of course, as a wizard from Wimpal Academy, I should have stood up when she was slandered, but this level of complaint should not be ......"

"That's right, now is the time for you to stand up!" said the young earl excitedly, omitting his preceding sentences: "You should fight for the honor of Wimpal!"

"Everyone, stop!" Without waiting for Loren to answer, Levin had already shouted out first, and happily stopped the knight who was walking in front: "Aaron!"

The marching knights stopped their horses one after another, looked at Sir Aaron, who was stopped by the earl, turned around like a stone statue, and bowed their heads neatly: "Please command, Earl." ”

"After some conversation with me, our Excellency the Wizard of Loren Turin, ready to fight for the dignity of his academy and for his own sake, proposes a formal duel to you. ”

At this time, Lu Wen immediately lost his original casualness, and his upright posture and expression on the red war horse all showed his authority: "If you can retract the previous slanderous remarks, this duel can be avoided." ”

"I'm not going to take back what I've said. Sir Aaron narrowed his eyes slightly, "Moreover, it is also an honor for me to be able to duel with the man who defeated the vampire. ”

"Very well, Aaron has accepted the challenge!" the Count looked back at the black-haired wizard behind him, "What about you, Loren?"

"It's also my own pleasure. Lifting his hood, Loren politely bowed to Aaron in the saddle: "May the Holy Cross bless you, sir!"

"You'd better ask the Holy Cross to bless you, wizard. Sir Aaron said with undisguised sarcasm.

It was not yet late when the knights set up camp and campfire by the nearby stream, and then formed a circle in the surrounding clearing, and even Levin stood beside him, silent and silent.

Sir Aaron, armed with a two-handed broadsword, was already waiting for him in the clearing, and Loren, who had taken off his wizard's robes, put his wand aside and took out his sword. As soon as he looked up, he saw the black-feathered eagle on the saddle staring at him.

Although the bird has no expression, those eyes are definitely caring for the eyes of a fool.

"I'm not crazy...... Well, it's really a contingency situation. But if I don't agree, the young earl will never take me seriously again. Loren shook his head a little helplessly: "Considering that I am still working under him in the short term, this situation must not happen!"

Still incomprehensible, Asrael turned his head and flew away. Shrugging his shoulders, Loren, who drew his long sword, shook his sword flower casually, and bowed gracefully to the expressionless Sir Aaron, with a silver edge pointed at his cheek.

"So, can we begin?"