"Don't be afraid, it's not a formal meeting today."

Spreading his arms, the dark shadow of the city lord gestured around the hall: "It's not the members of the Twelve Thrones sitting here, it's just my best friend, you just need to take a deep breath and answer my question truthfully." ”

"Sounds great." Duan Qing, who was looking at those idle thrones, pressed his forehead and replied, "But...... The number of your best friends seems a little small. ”

"It's an honor for us to be able to thank the Lord of the Castle for his kindness."

A dull, beast-like woman's voice rang out from the other end of the row of thrones on the right-hand side, between the simple and hideous iron armor: "As for you...... Guy named Moshang Qingshan, are you despising the majesty of the city lord? ”

"I think I heard that voice that night...... Let me guess, you're Fenya the Barbarian, right? The guy who can reach the fourth place in the throne power ranking......"

"I've been paying attention to you for a long time, kid, since you can defeat Galo, it means that you still have two skills, if you don't mind, we can have a discussion on the spot......"

"Alright, alright, put down your swords."

In the figure standing up at the top, the young and calm voice of the city lord sounded again: "You warlike fellows, do you want to tear down my beautiful hall?" If there is any personal entanglement, please go out and solve it later, now...... What we need to solve are some public issues. ”

"Things always have to be done one by one, don't they?"

"Humph......"

The slight sound of metal rubbing sounded on one side of the throne with a cold snort from Fenya, and then there was no movement, but the trace of murderous intent that Duan Qing had felt since he was first questioned disappeared with the entanglement of this female man. He smiled helplessly, wiped off a little cold sweat oozing from his face, and then changed back to his usual smile, and looked at the vague black shadow at the end of the carpet again: "Forgive me for being stupid, but ...... Did the lord of the castle make a mistake, and where did the so-called investigation come from? ”

“…… You are dishonest, adventurer. ”

The black shadow on the tall seat shook his head and turned his gaze back to Duan Qing's body, and the slightest killing intent also descended on Duan Qing's side again with this small change: "I am the city lord of the Free City, and your every move is invisible in my eyes, so ...... Of course, I know what you've been running around for all this time. ”

"Including your approach to several throne holders, as well as ...... Investigate the matter of intelligence. The city lord's voice became gloomy: "As an adventurer...... Isn't it a bit inappropriate to meddle in the internal affairs of the Liberty City in this way? ”

"I'm not just an adventurer, I'm an envoy from the Duchy of Elnifia."

Duan Qing cleared his throat: "Since coming to your city, my envoys and I have never been treated as we deserve, and not only that...... When we were somehow drawn into the strife, you and your 'best friends' did not say anything, leaving us to fend for ourselves in the so-called War on the Throne...... That doesn't seem like an acceptable thing either, does it? ”

"It's not a War of the Thrones, it's just a civil strife caused by the impulses of a few young men down there, and Reiner must have explained this to you before." The dark shadow of the city lord was silent for a moment, and then replied again: "As for offense...... Forgive me for being rude, but are you little adventurers really some envoy from the Principality? ”

"I have a letter of appointment written by Pamir himself! And the nobility of the Duchy Baron! In the filing of the Tania Adventurers' Association, there is also a power of attorney entrusted by the principality to our adventure group! Qiang withstood the chill that seeped into his bone marrow, Duan Qing replied loudly: "If it weren't for those unscrupulous merchants in your city, there would still be countless treasures to be offered to you by my side!" But now...... Not to mention those gifts, even our people are fighting to death in the city, is this the hospitality of the Free City? ”

“……”

"Don't underestimate us just because we're adventurers, the abilities of adventurers in Liberty City...... I'm sure you've already experienced it firsthand. ”

Looking at the city lord who was speechless and the owners of the two thrones next to him, Duan Qing's tone became low: "We have the iron will to challenge everything, as well as the courage and determination to defy death, we can sit at the negotiating table under all conditions, and never grovel in the face of any form of threat!" Treating us differently as adventurers has long been a thing of the past, because we have already proved our strength with the Battle of Tania......"

"Tania may really need you to save it, because the Duchy is indeed a weak country." The voice of the city lord sounded slowly and deeply: "They are already weak to ...... Adventurers have been sent to lobby for the job. ”

"We're not here to lobby, we're here to ...... Investigated. ”

Putting away his determined face, Duan Qing pulled the corners of his mouth slightly: "I have a slight difference in thinking from Lord Pamir, because in the eyes of adventurers, all the investment and reward ...... They all need to be compared with each other. ”

"Oh? So what's your idea? ”

"The city of Liberty is not in a good place right now."

Looking around at the vacant thrones around him, Duan Qing's voice rose again: "The people are vicious, the law and order are chaotic, the living environment is not friendly, there are strong enemies outside, countless people die every night to grab land, and every year there are chambers of commerce and organizations that die because of this, you people in power not only turn a blind eye, but also fight for the throne, and even bury the fate of countless families...... From the eyes of an adventurer, this is a treasure trove of opportunity and killing, but no one wants to see their allies like you if you look at them through the eyes of a ruler. ”

"You can't even solve your own internal problems, so why should we expect you?"

“…… What an envoy with a lot of personality, he dares not to take us seriously. ”

"My personal opinion does not change anything, because the Pamirs and other people in the principality still send me to such you, they still have trust in you, they still want to ...... In the midst of the chaos you can be a helping force. ”

"Strength? What do you want us to do? Help you fight the Restorationists? ”

"The threat of the Restorationists has become a threat to the whole continent, and even the Empire has to seek cooperation under such conditions, and enemies of this level will be in front of you sooner or later, not to mention ...... They are there for you now. ”

"Ha, don't underestimate our city, we are a country of freedom that has stood on the shore of the endless sea for hundreds of years, and we have watched the changes of the small countries in the territory of countless principalities, and finally became part of the principality, and now ...... You want to do the same thing against us? ”

"Recognize the reality, Your Excellency, haven't you and your ruler changed places countless times over the centuries? They are so reduced that even I can't defeat them, so how can they be able to defeat the insidious and murderous restorers? ”

“…… Watch your words, Your Excellency, you are provoking the whole City of the Free. ”

"Of course I hope not, Lord Castle, but ......"

In the ever-warming atmosphere, Duan Qing's hand rested on the hilt of the sword on his waist: "I have suffered so much on your family's territory for no reason, and labor and management have long had enough. ”

In the gradual chill, Reiner and Fenya, who had not spoken, still maintained their silence, and then sat up straight again with the killing intent that suddenly disappeared from their heads. The old hall, which was like a castle, seemed to become a little brighter with the relaxation of the atmosphere, and the young city lord, who had been standing still, also nodded as if nothing had happened: "Good courage, Your Excellency Mo Shang Qingshan, it seems that ...... Your professed adventurous spirit is not just empty talk. ”

"The lord of the castle can understand, and it is an honor to be here."

The tense strings in his heart relaxed again, and Duan Qing let out a long breath: "Please also forgive your offense, after all, you also came with sincerity......"

"I already know about the attitude of the principality."

Stretching out his hand to interrupt Duan Qing's words, the young city lord who turned his back said in a low voice, "But...... This is not a reason for you to investigate yourself in secret. ”

“……”

"Say what you think again." The black shadow on the high platform smiled slightly: "Why are you investigating me?" ”

“…… I have my own knowledge of the history of Liberty City. ”

Looking at the last seat representing the shadow mage Shanaiduo in the two rows of thrones, Duan Qing replied calmly: "I also know a lot about the secrets of the Free City now, and there is naturally curiosity as an adventurer in this, but I think ...... These secrets are still of some use in resolving the current tensions in Liberty City. ”

"I love hearing things like that, even though you've been impassioned before." The dark shadow of the city lord turned his head sideways: "Rambling talk often doesn't help solve problems, what we need is a solution that makes sense, doesn't it?" ”

"Hmm...... I agree with you, Lord of the Castle. ”

"Very good, then ......"

With a slight friction, the city lord sat down in his place again: "I don't think I need to explain the relevant situation to the envoy in person, since you have to do this at the risk of offending me, you must already have something in your heart, right?" ”

"Well...... this" Duan Qing hesitated and said, "There is a question, I want to ask it first......"

"You removed Tristan and Longall from the throne...... Why? ”

"Because of you."

This time, the city lord answered Duan Qing's question very quickly: "Because they messed things up, that's it." ”

"Because...... I? Duan Qing pointed to his nose: "Is it because of what happened when we came to the City of Freedom?" But I remember that the two adults did quite well on the way, and Lord Longall even stepped up to defend our convoy......"

"That's not important, it's important...... They didn't do what I gave them. The city lord waved his hand a little impatiently: "It will be very troublesome to explain the specific reason, and you must not want to hear ...... now."

"Okay." Sensing the other party's obvious prevarication, Duan Qing paused helplessly: "So...... Do you know Lord Oxon? ”

"Oxon? The owner of that auction house? The city lord thought for a moment: "Of course I know, what's wrong?" ”

"Well, I'm not talking about ordinary knowledge, I mean ......"

"Report—"

With the sound of a report that was so loud that it could reverberate three times in the hall, the door behind Duan Qing was pushed open again, and he turned his head, and what caught his eye was one of the several guards who were already extremely familiar with him when he was wandering around the City Lord's Mansion in the past few days: "Report to the City Lord, Lord Tielin asks to see you!" ”

"He? At this time? The black shadow on the high platform frowned: "What is he doing here?" ”

"I don't know, sir." The guard glanced at Duan Qing and then replied loudly.

"Hmm...... Forget it, let him wait outside for a while. ”

His eyes roamed back and forth between Duan Qing and the corridor outside the door for a while, and the city lord finally made such a decision, but before the guard could nod and turn around, a strong man's laughter came from the bottom of the steps: "Hahahaha...... What's the matter, my lord, have you found a new love, are you embarrassed to let me see it? ”

Tie Lin, who was wearing a black uniform, a gray velvet hat, and an iron hook on his hand, just pushed the guard away and appeared beside Duan Qing. As if he was a little surprised by the fact that the adventurer who had already met him was standing here, he glanced at Duan Qing deeply, and then responded to the city lord's displeased gaze with an even louder laugh: "Tie Lin, the owner of the throne, has something important to come to meet the city lord...... You guys seem to be very busy here, hahahaha! ”

"The lord of the castle is meeting with the envoy of the principality, and it is not the time to break in casually." The barbarian Fenya's characteristic deep female voice then sounded: "You must have done it on purpose. ”

"Hey, don't hold a grudge against me for what happened last time, little girl."

Striding in front of Fenya, Tie Lin waved his hand indifferently: "And such a deliberate and blunt accusation really does not fit your image in my mind...... Probably old Joel taught you, right? ”

"What do you say? Do you want to fight? ”

"No, no, no, I'm not here to fight."

With a big grin in the direction of the city lord, Tie Lin casually blocked Fenya's words, and then stepped over the strong woman's seat and sat on the only empty seat in front of her: "I heard that you all came here this afternoon, so ......"

He said casually in his own loud voice.

"I'm here to spy on you."