Edgeworth Knights... Or maybe all the guys in this empire who can swagger into the Heavenly Dome Palace and face the emperor in the imperial cabinet are good and bad, but Loren has basically dealt with all of them.

Among them, there are friends, allies, guys who look at each other and those who don't like each other, and the only thing to be thankful for is probably that there are no enemies Relying on Charlotte's flexible diplomatic skills, the strong rise of Byrne actually did not have no enemies in the empire, which can be said to be extremely lucky.

Boi to the north, Arles to the southwest, Ellemont to the northwest, Dwarves to the south... Charlotte used trade caravans to lay out her social network, while downplaying Loren's influence in several wars, making it difficult for most people to feel the changes in Byrne, and so that the Celestial Dome and the church did not even have an excuse to do anything to Byrne.

It wasn't until Bishop Byrne's battle that Charlotte revealed her claws and fangs as a golden lion.

The division between the Empire and Arles eventually forced the Duchy of Arles to fall to Byrne and form an alliance, formally establishing Byrne's absolute authority in the southern part of the Empire.

The Erde family, the lord of Arles, who played a decisive role in this process, is technically one of the most important allies of the House of Turin, and the intimacy of the relationship between the two sides is directly linked to Byrne's voice in the south.

Although the other party is a real hooligan, and it is precisely because of this that Charlotte can coerce and seduce this guy without any scruples.

But alliances are one thing, likes and dislikes are another thing entirely, and neither Charlotte nor Loren has a liking for Norlander, Grand Duke of Arles.

"Looks like our Duke of Byrne seems a little tired, huh?"

Surrounded by the knights of Arles, the smiling Norland Ade rode his horse and shook his head, but no matter how he shook his head, the wolf-like eyes always looked at the black-haired wizard:

"When I heard that it was raining heavily in Lothair, and His Highness Brandon ordered you to come within half a month, I was quite worried about you, who had just experienced the battle of Lothair, and the scarred and exhausted army was about to force its march in the torrential rain......"

"It seems to me that it is no different from letting you go to your death, and I feel guilty that I did not stand up for you at that time to make a change of heart. Although he was apologizing, the ruffian-looking Nolan Odd's eyes were full of playfulness:

"For there were a hundred men left in the tent at that time... Whether it's Bowie's Archduke of the Scimitar, Master Albert, or the Imperial Knight you saved in the Battle of the Imperial Capital... They were all quiet, and none of them stood up to protest to His Highness. ”

"I don't know what they think, but I think I have to apologize to you for this... Sincerely. ”

As the words fell, Nolan Elder put away his smile and bowed to Loren very solemnly.

"Thank you, Your Excellency Grand Duke of Arles, you are so kind. ”

Nodding, Loren also smiled very "sincerely".

"No, it's all as it should be. Shaking his head vigorously, Nolan Odd looked at the black-haired wizard very formally: "Now the whole empire knows that His Royal Highness Brandon de Salion is the banner of the empire, and you and Byrne are the pillars of the empire!"

"As long as Duke Byrne is here, there is no battle that the empire cannot win, and the Battle of Golovin is enough to prove that only when the Red Blood Castle and the Heavenly Dome Palace go hand in hand, the Empire... is a powerful and invincible empire!"

The unsparing praise made the Byrne knights behind the black-haired wizard very useful, and their expressions showed a little affection for the Grand Duke of Arles, while the female elf Lea on the side looked at the two of them strangely, full of confusion How could there be any fools in the world who worshipped this great liar?

Only the Grand Duke of Ellemont, Uli Wirtz, remained silent and expressionless, and his silver-gray pupils showed a hint of well-concealed disdain.

He remembered very well that the Grand Duke of Arles in front of him had said to him during the battle on the heights, such as "the fate of careerists", and he did not hide his hostility towards Loren and Byrne.

"And, of course, you... Forever loyal to the Empire, the Archduke of Ellemont!"

Raising his head suddenly, Nolan Edway smiled and looked at the cold Yuli Wirts, not embarrassed: "If there is any support force that is most reassuring to appear on the battlefield, it must be Ellemans." ”

"Time and again, the brave two-handed swordsmen have proved to the Empire with their blood that the sword in their hand is the strongest shield of the Empire, and it is no exaggeration to say that it is even more reassuring than the shield of the Sakran Legion!"

In the face of the compliments of the Grand Duke of Arles, Yuli Wirtz was simply indifferent: "You have an overreputation. ”

"Reputation? no... I just regret that we met too late, living in a country full of wicked people like Arles, and I always wish I could meet more good people like you. Nolan Odd said sincerely:

"For example... You shouldn't have told the honorable Duke Byrne our little secrets to each other instead of my uncle, he would have sold me all the time, hahahahaha......"

In the quiet atmosphere, only the sincere and undisguised laughter of the Grand Duke of Arles could be heard.

Yuli Wirtz's expression became a little ugly.

"Little secret... What's the little secret?"

The curious female elf suddenly spoke, interrupting his hearty laughter.

"Oh, this is ......"

Noranade's eyes lit up, staring at the emerald-like eyes of the female elf.

In the next second, he moved his gaze to the black-haired wizard next to him, revealing an expression of sudden realization: "I see, no wonder Duke Byrne would willingly shoulder the battle of Lothair, it seems that it is not only because of the scenery there." ”

"Or is it because of such a heroic appearance that the Duke will also be tempted by Miss Elf......"

The moment the words fell, Loren's expression froze.

For he had seen a dark shadow whistling in front of the Grand Duke of Arles!

"Bell!"

Before everyone knew it, the sword in Nolanade's hand was raised at the same time, blocking the tip of the spear in front of him at the last moment.

Exclamations exploded in all directions, and the knights of Arles, whose faces had changed abruptly, drew their swords one after another, and they were about to rush forward.

"Give me a weapon... Take it back!"

Nolan Ade, who was shouting angrily, desperately resisted the force from the tip of the gun, and there was still a playful smile on the corner of his mouth.

The knights of Arles gathered around them gathered their swords into their sheaths, but they still watched vigilantly at the elves' every move.

"I'm sorry, honorable Dame Lothair. The corners of Noland's mouth were raised, and he looked at the elf in four eyes:

"Just kidding, nothing else. ”

"Really?"

Snorted coldly, Liya, whose eyes narrowed into slits, snorted coldly: "Next time you dare to make this kind of 'joke', don't think that you can fool the past so easily." ”

"Bang Bang!"

The upward tip of the spear dragged a string of sparks from the blade, and almost at the same time, the Grand Duke of Arles, who could no longer hold the hilt, released his right hand, causing the knife to fall to the ground.

The trembling right hand seemed to freeze, "hovering" over his chest.

The female elf who snorted coldly glanced at the black-haired wizard very "inadvertently", and her little smug expression seemed to tell him something like "Look, I'm restrained enough".

Loren, who could faintly feel Charlotte's gaze behind him, could only laugh dryly without turning his head.

I really don't know what to say......

The Grand Duke of Arles on the opposite side had already put away his smile, pressed his chest with a solemn look, and bowed his head slightly:

"Honorable Archduchess Byrne, Lothair, and Ellemont, and all of you Excellencies, welcome you in the name of His Highness Brandon de Salion, Prince, Crown Prince and Sole Heir of East Sacraland!"

"Your presence will be a sign of unity, a sign of unity throughout the Empire, and we will do our best to fight the Azorean elves in an unending bloody battle until the last moment!"

The sonorous words and solemn expression were almost like the two of the Grand Duke of Arles just now, so that the face of the female elf was full of confusion, and she couldn't guess what kind of guy this Grand Duke of Arles was who looked like him for a while.

In contrast, the black-haired wizard is much calmer, as if he can understand the other party's change and pretend, which is the basic quality that every rogue and liar must have.

"In order to welcome you, Your Highness has prepared a large number of tents, food, drinking water and fuel for heating, and divided a new camp area for everyone, so that every warrior who is willing to fight for the empire will be provided with comfortable accommodation, hot food and clean drinks, and plenty of time for everyone to rest!"

The Grand Duke of Arles, who did not pay any attention to the few mocking glances around him, still shouted solemnly: "There will be a grand welcome banquet tonight, when His Highness will personally welcome you!"

"Rejoice, warriors of the Sakran Empire, our victory will be passed down through the ages, and the deeds we have built will be a favor that future generations will never be able to repay, long live the Empire!"

"Long Live the Empire!!!"

With a burst of enthusiastic cheers, the soldiers of the three principalities who held high the battle flags all had a happy color on their faces, and after a succession of great battles and uninterrupted rapid marches, there was nothing more joyful for them than the news of rest.

The warriors marched happily and in order, led by the knights of Arles, who were in charge of the guides, towards the camp prepared for them.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Empire needs your help. ”

Until everyone walked away, Nolan Erd, whose expression changed again, raised his gaze solemnly and looked at the black-haired wizard: "Especially you, Duke Byrne, in a sense, the fate of the empire is in your hands right now!"

"What are you doing this now?" Before the black-haired wizard could speak, the female elf had already coldly snapped off.

Nolan Elder smiled indifferently, and raised his hand to stop the Archduke of Ellemont, who was still trying to say something.

"I know you don't like it, Lord Loren Turin... In fact, I'm pretty much the same, the Odo family has never had the slightest affection for the arrogant and arrogant Turin family. Norlander shrugged, "But you should know our Prince and Crown Prince of East Sachland better than I do, His Royal Highness Brandon de Salion." ”

"You must know that our Highness is not a person who can keep his sanity all the time and never act rashly, it should be the opposite, he is not careless almost all the time, and it is precisely because of this that he is so disgusted by the nobles of the Heavenly Dome Palace, because he is too casual!"

"To be fair, I actually have a very good opinion of His Highness Brandon, and if you think about it, what is the point of power if a person who has the supreme power cannot do what he wants, and if he can't use power to gain more power, then it is just a toss-up, and there is no end to it!"

"Because of this, His Majesty has always been loyal to His Highness Brandon, and dutifully fulfilled every order he gave to His Majesty, until ......"

"Getting to the point!"

The black-haired wizard interrupted coldly.

“...... Not long ago, His Highness asked me to skin two Azorean elven warriors alive. ”

Looking at the unchanged gazes of the three of them, Nolan Odd laughed at himself: "Of course, as you think, I have no scruples, and I have not hesitated to carry out this slightly cruel order." ”

"But what happened next made me realize that His Highness Brandon was not doing this entirely out of his authority and revenge, but purely out of whims. The Grand Duke of Arles's tone gradually became solemn:

"Three days ago, an Azorean elf was discovered by the Boi hussars while crossing the border, and after interrogation, it was discovered that he was an attendant of the elven prince, and he fled here desperately to deliver an information. ”

"Rodria Azores, he opened the underground passage under the city of Eberden and filled it with fuel, ignition agent, alchemy bombs and all sorts of terrible magical gadgets, and prepared to use this thing as a last resort, dragging hundreds of thousands of elves and the imperial army with him. ”

But even so, His Highness did not change his mind, and even regarded it as a provocation by the enemy, and prepared to go to war in a few days. ”

"Even if... At the risk of blowing Ebolden into the sky. ”

The heavy tone and the startled information made the three black-haired wizards with different expressions can't help but become serious.

After a while, it was the female elf who couldn't help but be the first to speak: "This may just be a disguise, a little trick used by the enemy to deceive us so that we don't dare to attack... No big deal. ”

In the face of doubt, Nolan Odd smiled slightly.

"That's right, you're right, in fact, I think so too, even if this bomb is real, eighty percent of it is just a means used by the enemy to blackmail, but ......" he changed his words:

"Can we afford to gamble, Empire... Can you afford to gamble?"

The Grand Duke of Ellemont's face changed.

"Whether it's true or not, or if it's just a lie, those who have already done everything in this war can't take such a risk, because this is our land, we are not barefoot and not afraid to wear shoes, we have concerns!"

"We... Can't afford to gamble. ”