Boos erupted in the arena, and the spectators broke off the icicles hanging from the shed and threw them into the arena to express their displeasure and anger, and the person in charge stood in the center of the arena with a crushed ice ballast at his feet, his unfounded voice was quickly drowned out, and then he himself could only use his arms to protect his face and flee in the artificial hail. No one cared about the reasons he gave, far-fetched or reasonable, the audience just wanted the tenth duel to continue, and it wasn't every day that you could see such a fierce battle in the Raven Arena. But the parties didn't care, and they ascended the East Stand through a hidden passage to the door of the box where Gregory IV was.

"What are you doing here?" General William looked at Adessas with a frown.

"Where's my pay?" Adassas asked rhetorically.

"Go to the person in charge and tell him that the five hundred gold dragons will be deducted from the royal family's share."

"It seems that Chief William has been in a high position since he defected to the Gregory family, when did he take off his armor and become the Minister of the Interior in Livingston?" Adassas chuckled and quickly disappeared from the staircase before the other's expression swirled with anger. "This man's mouth is so cheap." Setanda patted General William on the shoulder, "Don't take a mercenary's words to heart. ”

"I understand." General William said flatly, but Esher on the side saw him clenching his fists, and the green tendons protruded from the back of his hand.

"It's not a formal occasion, so you don't need to be too formal." Setanda said to Estheus, "But don't be too scattered. Then he pushed the door open, "Second brother, I'm coming up." ”

"I've been wondering, what will happen if William doesn't go down to stop it, and let you keep fighting?" Behind the chair stood a middle-aged man in plain clothes, looked at Setanda and asked with a smile. After shedding his fine dress and crown, the King of Livingston looked no different from a traditional northern man, tall but not prominent, strong but not imposing, and his eyebrows rugged and not presumptuous; However, the noble and majestic temperament naturally flowed from his inquiring demeanor and tone, and it was clear that he was not only a well-educated nobleman, but also a sophisticated ruler.

"I'm going to win in the end." Sertanda replied.

"So what do you think?" Gregory IV looked at Esher again.

"I'm going to die, he's seriously injured." Esher said.

Gregory IV's gaze turned back to Setanda, who was silent with some disdain and resentment, and his thick eyebrows drooped a little in frustration—he also agreed with Estheus's judgment, but he did not want to admit it. Gregory IV smiled and turned his gaze to Estheu: "Report your name, warrior. ”

"Esher Baranduk."

Gregory IV was first surprised, and then suddenly burst out laughing: "So you are Esher Balanduke, who came to Raven City, and instead of coming to me first, you were fighting in the Raven Arena?" He laughed and patted the back of his chair, and there was no blame in his tone, "I'm still thinking about how this year's super-first-class warriors are like Spring Mai, who emerge after the winter, and it turns out to be the same person." Why, Livingston's baronial title is not as good as the prize money of 250,000 dinars in the arena? ”

"I just want to raise some funds for the management of the future territory, not to mention that the deadline set by His Majesty has not yet expired."

"You haven't sworn allegiance to me yet, and you're thinking of administering a village in the north for me?" Gregory IV raised his head and looked at the sky, "It's not early. Balanduk, although this is not a good place to take an oath, is still here. There are many things that are more important than meaningless ceremonies in the beginning of spring. ”

"No, I'm also disgusted with long and boring rituals. And the strength of the oath does not depend on the venue. "Estheu knelt down on one knee before Gregory IV. It depends on whether he pulls out another black cross, he thought to himself. Fortunately, Gregory IV did not do this, and he seemed satisfied with Estheau's answer, nodded approvingly, and then drew his sword and placed it on Estheux's shoulder. A cold chill sank into his skin with the weight of metal, and a strange, shivering urge suddenly emerged from the depths of Esso's spinal cord, which seemed to echo the chill. Ai Xiu forcibly suppressed the urge to fight a cold war, and the corner of his eye unconsciously glanced at the long sword on his shoulder, which was a half-hand sword, and the material of the sword body was very strange, both as thick as gold and iron, and like ice and snow to refract a clear light. The edges of the blades were violently undulating serrated teeth arranged irregularly, like savagely growing fangs, and it was hard to imagine what kind of scabbard could hold such a monstrous sword without rubbing against each other. Estheu's gaze fell covertly on the scabbard at Gregory IV's waist, it was indeed very wide, so wide that any long sword inserted into it would jingle in the sheath, and the opening of the scabbard bounced off the delicate spring, which should be a fixed device, presumably the creation of a scholar of the Royal Academy.

"Repeat after me," said Gregory IV, the blade of the sword tapping Esher on the shoulder, "I swear allegiance to you, rightful ruler of the kingdom of Livingston......"

"I swear allegiance to you, rightful ruler of the kingdom of Livingston......" Eshur began to feel a tingling sensation in his shoulder.

"As long as I have a breath left, I will be a loyal vassal to you......" The blade of the sword slapped a second time.

"As long as I have a breath left, I will be a loyal vassal to you......" The tingling sensation intensified, and the accumulated chill began to boil, bringing a strange burning sensation.

"I will fight your enemies to the end when you need to......" the blade of the sword struck a third time.

"I'll fight your enemies to the end when you need to......" The burning sensation suddenly faded away, taking away any sensation on the shoulder. The chill began to spread, an invisible layer of frost spread along the veins, and soon Esher felt that his body was gradually becoming stiffer, and it became extremely difficult to confide every word.

"Finally, I will defend your rightful kingship and your rightful heir." The blade of the sword landed on Essho's shoulder for the last time.

"Finally, I will defend your rightful kingship and your rightful heir." The chill disappeared suddenly, and Esher felt the warm blood flowing through her body again.

"Very well, you have made your solemn oath, Esher Balanduk. May you keep this vow and show courage and faithfulness. "Gregory IV put the sword back into its sheath, and the reeds were gathered together to hold the sword in place." From this day forward, you are a vassal of the Ravenston Oath. In the name of the king, I grant you the title of baron and the right to call up the army. I will not deprive you of your life, liberty, or property, except by the lawful judgment of a person of your equivalence, or by the laws and customs of the land. At the same time, I will grant you a fief of Ismolola, along with her debts and income. ”

"It is my pleasure, Your Majesty." Esher said.

"Excellent, Baron." Gregory IV said, "Please have lunch with me, my son has always wanted to see you." He was filled with gratitude for the hero who saved Poynbru, as he would go to the Royal College after the beginning of spring to study with Dean Brochette. After lunch, I have a task for you, of course," he said, "and at the same time I will give you a prize of 128,000 dinars to be used on the blade!" ”

"In accordance with Your Majesty's will." Esher said.

"William, help Barandoke find a good horse."