Before dawn, Ebolden was shrouded in a thick mist, and it was not until the sea breeze blew away that the lonely city on the coast was revealed.

Contrary to what the free nobles expected, His Majesty Eckhart's mission did not come with great fanfare, only informed in advance, and even the Imperial Legion, which was in charge of martial law in the whole city, did not make any preparations in advance.

Without the letterhead and notice delivered to the council in advance, they did not even know that the wagon of the mission had arrived outside the city, waiting to be greeted.

Such an excessively "low-key" really made the nobles a little abrupt, and even at a loss - in order to maintain absolute authority in vassals and vassals, the royal family of de Salion never missed any opportunity to show the strength of the empire, and the current blockade of the entire city of the Imperial legions and the dragon still soaring in the sky are the best evidence.

Many of the nobles of Eberden have read about the official establishment of Eberden as a vassal of the Empire: the banners of three legions, and six dragons at the same time!

And their ancestors, one by one, fell to the ground at the roar of the dragons, shivering and kissing His Majesty's ring, swearing eternal loyalty to the Sakrand Empire and the House de Salion.

Every time the Emperor's mission visited Ebolden, it was as grand as a Midsummer Festival celebration – unsparing rewards, extravagant pomp, four days of revelry, and a grand ceremony at the cathedral......

The whole process was aimed at one goal: to make the city's subjects and nobles never forget their "place", that they were the courtiers of the empire and that the emperor was their master.

For loyal courtiers and servants, the empire will not be stingy with rewards.

Because of this, such an "unusual" low profile made many of the free aristocrats of Ebolden panic, worried that this would be some kind of "omen", and waited in the hall of the Free Council with anxiety, staring nervously at the door blocked by two legionnaires......

“...... In the name of His Majesty Eckhart II, the Supreme Emperor of the Empire, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to you and to Ebolden, and it is a pity that such a terrible catastrophe has occurred. ”

Crowe Seyith, who was sitting opposite Corona, looked sad and bowed slightly: "I hope this ancient and vibrant city can be restored as soon as possible, otherwise it will be a heavy blow to the trade and wizard class of the empire." ”

The emissary of the empire looked to be in his early forties, his delicate dark robe decorated with dark blue satin, an opal sterling silver pin on his collar, and dark green pupils that seemed to be able to speak.

In the most common way of saying it in the Empire, this is a "pure-blood" Sakran who was born in the Prince of Sakran and raised in the imperial capital of Golovin.

"The sincere affection between you and Your Majesty has touched the whole of Ebolden deeply – and I ask you to tell Your Majesty that Ebolden will pay a small amount of this year's taxes and royal tribute. ”

Corona nodded, and replied, "The gold ship is ready to be dispatched, and it can go to Golovin......, the imperial capital, with the members of the mission; The ocean-going fleet is on its way home, so please wait a few days. ”

"However, I think Your Majesty sent an envoy to Ebolden for more than just these things, right?"

"I also bring your Majesty's congratulations on becoming the Archon of Ebolden, Lord Corona. ”

The sadness on Crow Seyith's face was fleeting, and turned into a smile like a spring breeze: "Your Majesty has always respected the traditions of the various vassal principalities, and for the consuls elected by the Free Council, I assure you that they will definitely be recognized by the Empire!"

The firm tone, and the unquestionable sincerity - if it weren't for the first time we met, I am afraid that I would have been regarded as an old friend of Corona.

If someone else is not impressed by his "sincerity", they can't help but wonder if this messenger has ulterior motives.

But Corona was different, the old man only chuckled, and he couldn't even see much change in his expression: "Then I don't know how much we need to pay to get the approval of 'Your Majesty'?"

"For example...... Accept a permanent garrison of an Imperial Legion and bear their military expenses?"

"There is absolutely no need for this, not to mention that the Imperial Legions have more important missions - you can rest assured that the Legions will naturally withdraw when order and stability are restored to Ebolden. ”

Crowe Seyth smiled implicitly and put her hands on the table: "Of course, we also have to face reality. This turmoil did have a big impact on Ebolden, and it also changed a lot - for example, making the Nine-Pointed Star Wizard Tower the de facto control of Ebolden. ”

"The Wizard Tower is one of the components of Ebolden, which is recognized by the Freedom Council. The old man calmly retorted, "It's not surprising that a councilor wizard has become an archon. ”

"Yes, but that's only theoretical, but in practice we all know very well that you are the first wizard consul since the founding of Ebolden. ”

The Imperial Emissary looked at Corona meaningfully: "This is a very remarkable achievement, and it will definitely make the wizard academies and wandering wizards of the entire empire feel incomparably shocked and inspired. ”

It will also provoke strong opposition from the Church of the Holy Cross and all the faithful. Corona certainly knew what he was trying to say.

"You must know how much pressure His Majesty Eckhart II has put on for the sake of Ebolden. "As the defender of the Holy Cross, Your Majesty must respect the opinion of the Church and keep the faith of the Empire from collapsing. ”

"So, at what cost?"

"This matter can be discussed later, when the Holy Cross Church will send a special messenger to meet with you. The Imperial Emissary waved his hand slightly, half-shirking, indicating that this matter had nothing to do with him:

"As for this visit, it is only a matter of routine, and according to Your Majesty's instructions, Eborden is not to be extravagant at present, so please do not cause any trouble to your lordships for some reason. ”

"In that case, can you answer a little question for me, an old man, Lord Crowe Seyth?"

Corona, who suddenly spoke, made the imperial envoy who had originally stood up sit down again, smiling and bowing: "Of course, what's the problem?"

"We've said a lot about Ebolden. Corona raised her head slightly, her eyes met the middle-aged man in front of her: "Why... Didn't even mention His Royal Highness the Prince?"

Crowe Seyth was still smiling, but the smile was getting colder.

"Ahh Does this bother you, Lord Corona?"

"Please tell me why. "The old man acquiesced.

Without Brandon's guarantee and bringing the Imperial Legion to Ebolden, the Wizarding Tower could have taken power from the Bellini family, but it would not have been as smooth as it is now, at least not easily acquiescing to it by the Empire and the Church.

And it was also because of the presence of a prince that the Wizarding Tower reached a consensus and united to elect Lorenz Corona as the consul of Eboden - otherwise the city would still be in chaos right now, let alone restore stability, and even a consul who could be trusted by the majority of the people would not be elected.

With twelve senators in the Wizard's Tower, and many supporters behind the Bellini family, plus those neutral free nobles and small merchants, it will be a situation of chaos between several parties.

But now, the empire is desperately trying to get Brandon out of this matter, which is really suspicious and worrying......

"The only thing I can tell you is that His Highness Brandon de Salion has nothing to do with the whole thing, and His Highness and Her Highness the Eldest Princess are just passing through here by accident and are not involved. ”

The expression of the Imperial Envoy was solemn, and his words were earnest: "Please also keep this in mind for you, and the adults of the Free Council!"

At the same time, in the Silver Hall where Brandon and Fetronay were staying, Loren Turin, who was guarding the door, looked at the "entourage" who had come "on the orders of Lord Crow Seis" to explain matters to the two Highnesses, and his left hand had already clenched the hilt of the sword at his waist.

"It's... Long time no see, Lord Loren Turin. The "entourage" in front of him greeted him in a tone like an old friend.

"yes, it's been a long time. The black-haired wizard muttered in a low voice:

"Rutt Infinit!"