The palace is the center of the imperial capital, and in a general sense, it is the residence of the emperor, but in fact, the palace covers a very wide area, and is mainly divided into interior and exterior.

The interior is of course the emperor's bedroom, and the minister Earnest is also cowering here for the reason of assisting the emperor's office, which is protected by the three layers of the Guards Legion led by Bud, and is the most heavily defended place in the imperial capital, even the famous killer organization "Night Raid" in the imperial capital cannot be invaded, which can be described as leaky.

The exterior is a mixed place, which is not only the office of most officials, but also the residence of generals and other generals stationed in the imperial capital, although it is not as strict as the interior of the palace in terms of defense, but it is also a rather dangerous place for assassins.

……

The next morning, after having breakfast, Javier took Arrowen to the General's Palace, which was located outside the palace.

As the head of the military attaché of the empire, the mansion of General Bud is naturally quite magnificent, and its luxury can basically be compared to a prince's castle.

After explaining the intention to the soldiers guarding the door, one of the soldiers hurriedly went to deliver the message, and the two stood at the gate and waited quietly.

Arowen stared at this castle-like mansion, and suddenly sighed: "It's really rich, should it be said that he is worthy of being the head of the military attaché of the empire?" ”

"The generals have been close ministers of the royal family since ancient times, and at their peak, almost all the positions with a lot of oil and water were contracted by them, and in the long run, they are naturally rich and noble." Javier said lightly.

Arowen smacked his lips: "Hey, these damn rich people!" ”

After a while, the messenger returned, and informed Havel that the general had invited them in, and the two of them went to a reception room led by the soldier.

When Javier and Arrowen walked into the reception room, the room was already occupied, and he sat upright in front of him, his eyes slightly closed, as if he were sleeping.

It was a man forged of steel, he was dressed in gray-white Mithril heavy armor, a pair of delicate hand armor that shimmered with gold on his arms, and a bright red tiger-striped cloak behind him, coupled with his tall and straight body, he looked majestic.

He was about forty-five years of age, with a resolute countenance, a calm expression, and lightning-fast golden hair.

He just sat there, but he seemed to exude an aura like a mountain.

He is the head of the Empire's military attachés, the Great General of the Empire, and the only general of the Empire - Bud Elliott!

Javier and Arrowen immediately straightened their postures, raised their right hands up, and aligned their middle fingers with their temples in a standard military salute.

"It's been a long time, General Bud." Javier said respectfully.

Bud slowly opened his eyes and nodded at Javier: "It's been almost five years, and you can see that you have changed a lot." ”

"People change, and time is the best catalyst, and in five years, nothing will happen." Javier said.

"That's right, and I think this change is not a good thing for you, time has worn away your former immaturity and innocence, and you have fully grown into a qualified soldier."

Bud showed an expression that seemed to be both reminiscing and feeling, and he must have been quite impressed by Javier back then.

"Yes, I have already broken with the past, and now I know that I can't do anything just with empty ideals."

Javier's eyes were buried deep in the shadows, making it difficult to see his expression.

"Well, it's good that you can see that."

Bud bowed slightly, satisfied with Javier's realization.

After a pause, he said again: "Since you have come to the imperial capital, then the problem on the barbarians' side has been completely solved, right?" ”

Although he had read the report submitted by Havel more than once, Bud still could not believe the fact that the barbarians had been exterminated if he could not listen to him admit it himself.

You know, that's a stubborn force that has plagued the empire for thousands of years, and I don't know how many ancestors have wanted to conquer this place for thousands of years, but all of them have been defeated, and it seems too unreal to be suddenly told that this force no longer exists.

"Yes, the eighteen tribes of the barbarians were all wiped out, and not a single fly was released."

Javier's voice was low and steady, without a trace of ups and downs, but the meaning of his words was murderous and awe-inspiring - not only those defeated barbarian soldiers, but even the group of old and weak people who had no combat effectiveness, he killed them all without leaving a trace!

Bud was silent, relieved at the same time, but also slightly frightened by Javier's ruthlessness.

Killing them all is easier said than done!

As long as it is an individual, there will be some compassion, and the heart will be more or less shaken to kill people who are not guilty, this is human nature, and everyone will have a good side in their hearts.

Therefore, the generals who can slaughter the old and weak without changing their faces are either crazy murderers, or they are talented generals who have excellent psychological quality and can calmly analyze the overall situation!

With what Boud knew about Javier, he would never be the former.

If you want to really eliminate the hidden danger of war on the southwest border, the only way to clear all the fires that may cause war is to clear this point better than anyone else, so he made such a cruel decision as exterminating the barbarians.

Although it was not his original intention, although it was against his original intention, but out of the duty of a general, and also out of various considerations for the overall situation and the future, he had to give such an order.

Bud also sees this very clearly, which is why he appreciates Javier more and more.

"Well done." A smile unconsciously appeared on Bude's face, "Sometimes when you look at you outstanding young people, you really feel that you are old. ”

"The general is in the prime of life, and it is not yet time to say these depressing words." Javier said with relief.

Bude shook his head, he knew his situation best, he was also almost fifty years old, and his physical fitness had begun to decline slowly, although it was not obvious for the time being, but there was no doubt that he was past his prime.

Even if he can still exert the "strongest in the empire" combat power now, in any case, it will no longer reach the height of his youth.

The strongest in the Empire is recognized as the strongest in the Empire, and they all possess terrifying strength and outstanding military exploits, winning the recognition of everyone in the Empire with the corpses of many enemies and victory after victory.

And looking at the entire empire, there are only three soldiers who can get such honors.

Pillars of the Empire, by Bud Elliott.

Ice of Death, Estes Barutes.

Spear of Judgment, by Javier Salmondo.

Bud was also a bloody warrior when he was young, and countless traitors of foreign nations and empires were sanctioned at his hands, and he was so high-spirited at that time, and there was no military general in the empire who could compare with him.

At the age of thirty, he was awarded the rank of general without objection, received the status of a great general, and reached the pinnacle of power in this life.

Since then, he has been stationed in the imperial capital as the guardian of the palace, protecting the safety of His Majesty the Emperor.

More than ten years have passed, Bude is slowly getting old, and his energy is not as good as before, but at this time, the empire is suffering from internal and external troubles, ministers are in power, and rebellions are everywhere.

But fortunately, a successor has emerged to continue to protect the country in his place, and this young man in front of him has a talent that he is also amazed by, and with his ability, he must be able to do better than himself.

"Then again, there's a face behind you that you've never seen before."

Bud glanced at Arrowin, who was standing silently behind Javier, and said suddenly.

"He is my adjutant, Colonel Arowen of the First Unit of the Southwest Military Region, and currently the commander of the Ten Thousand Cavalry." Javier replied.

"I've heard of this name and remember that he had a nickname in the army, which seemed to be ...... Black Fox? Bud's eyes flashed with a strange color.

Arrowin's fighting style and military methods are known for their cunning and change, and the barbarian soldiers who have fought against him on the front line do not know how much they have suffered from him, so they fearfully call Arovin "Black Fox", which means a cunning fox with a sinister heart and a black heart, and later this name gradually spread in the military circles and became the exclusive code name of Arrowen.

"I didn't expect the general to know the name of my pawn, it's really honorable."

Arowen bowed slightly, his attitude humble.

Although most of the time, Arowen was a hippie smile and had no shape, but at least in front of his superior, Bude, the head of the Imperial Military Attaché, he still didn't dare to be too presumptuous, and showed a serious face that he rarely saw.

"You're not a pawn, there shouldn't be anyone in the empire who hasn't heard of your name, and it's okay to have more confidence in yourself."

Bud looked at Arrowen with encouragement on his face: "Besides, he has already become the commander of ten thousand horsemen in his early twenties, and he has been awarded the rank of colonel, which is already quite a remarkable achievement, continue to work hard by Javier's side." ”

Arowen said in his heart, hehe, there is a bug-level figure standing in front of me who became a general at the age of seventeen, even if you praise me like this, I can't be happy!

But complaining is complaining, the general's words must be answered seriously, otherwise the impression points will be deducted.

"Yes, my subordinates understand."

Bud nodded, and looked at Javier again: "Then again, you came really fast, the southwest border is more than 3,000 kilometers away from the imperial capital, I thought you would have at least half a month to reach the imperial capital." ”

"I once tamed a flying danger species on the southwest border, so I came with Arowen first, and it will naturally take some time for the arrival of the large army." Javier said.

"That's the case, but you came back at the right time, there are a lot of messes in the imperial capital now, and I'm worried that there is no suitable person to deal with these things, so I'm relieved that you're here."

With that, Bud pulled a few papers out of the drawer and handed them to Javier.

"See for yourself."

Javier took the document and scanned it carefully, and after a while, his brow furrowed.

"Bandits, bandits, gangs of illegal traders, and...... Night Raid? Do all of these need to be addressed? I didn't expect the imperial capital to become so chaotic. ”

Although this situation is not as good as saying it is in my favor.

Of course, the last sentence was not uttered by Javier.

"The other criminal gangs are not important, after all, they are just some small characters, and the most troublesome thing is the 'night attack', their activities have caused extremely serious panic in the upper echelons of the empire." Bud was rarely solemn.

"Oh? I would like to hear about it. Javier raised an eyebrow.

"They are a notorious killer organization, and they are called 'night raids' because they are good at night raids. It is speculated that there are nearly ten members of them, and each of them is an imperial envoy! Bud said in a deep voice.

Even though he was mentally prepared, Javier couldn't help but frown.

Nearly ten emperor envoys!

What is the concept of this number? There are only forty-eight emperors in total, and they account for almost one-fifth!

This shows that as long as they are willing to do it, there is basically no one in this world who they can't kill!

If it weren't for the fact that the general had been leading the Guards to guard the palace, even the emperor or the minister would not have been able to avoid their attacks, right?

"And according to reliable sources, the leader of the 'Night Raid' is the former Imperial General - Najeta Beldyne!"

Javier's face finally changed, even if he heard that the enemy had nearly ten imperial envoys just now, he didn't make him shake like this, but soon, he forced himself to calm down, and replied in a flat voice: "That's so, I understand. ”

"No problem? I know you have a close relationship with Najeta, and if you can't take the task, I can leave it to someone else. ”

"There's no need for that." Javier shook his head, his voice very low, "From the moment I knew that she had betrayed the Empire, I was ready to realize accordingly, no matter what kind of appearance she appeared in front of me in the future, as an Imperial soldier, there was only one thing I had to do - kill her!" ”

"And," said Javier, "Najeta's abilities are among the best in the Empire, and no matter how many men the General sends besides me, it will only be for nothing." ”

Bude bowed slightly, agreeing with Javier's words, Najeta was Bude's right-hand man before she defected, and Bud still knew how much she was capable of.

Although she is a female general, she is one of the most outstanding generals of the younger generation, and she is an imperial envoy herself, and she has terrible strategy and courage, and she is a rare general, but if she appears as an enemy, it will make people laugh.

"Okay, then please."

"It is an honor for my subordinates to share the worries of the empire."

……

After leaving the General's Mansion, it was still early, and the sunlight poured through the thin clouds in every corner of the imperial capital, giving people a warm feeling.

Occasionally, a cool breeze blew in from the north, shaking off the slightly yellowing leaves, which slowly drifted down with the wind and landed gently on the main road leading to the palace.

This is the exterior of the palace, so there are almost no pedestrians on the road, and only the occasional passing by is a squad of soldiers in charge of patrols.

Javier and the others walked slowly on the road to the palace, since they had returned to the imperial capital, it was reasonable to go and meet the little emperor once.

"Ahh......h Ten Emperor Envoys? I just want to say hehe, you uncle! ”

Arowen hugged the back of his head and muttered as he walked.

"Why, you have times when you're scared?" Javier had a mocking look on his face.

"Scared? How can it be! I don't think I'm going to lose to a bunch of rats who only hide in Tibet! Arrowen said in a contemptuous tone.

"Oh, it's a big breath, is Night Raid just a mouse?" Javier chuckled, "But one thing you're not wrong about, we're not going to lose." ”

"It looks like you're the one who has the right idea, do you already have a countermeasure?"

"I didn't even see the shadow of the enemy, where did I come up with any countermeasures, but I just had the confidence that I would never fail."

Javier smiled fearlessly, the confidence in his eyes that even Arowen was infected.

"Really, I don't know whose tone is loud......" Arowen smiled bitterly.

"Then again," he asked, as if suddenly remembering something, looking at Javier, "what is that Najeta's relationship with you?" It's the first time I've seen you shake like that. ”

"I didn't waver." Javier denied it.

Arrowen just looked at him silently and didn't speak.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

“…… Well, there was a bit of a waver, indeed. ”

Javier admitted defeat and sighed helplessly: "I just didn't expect the day of the sword confrontation with her to come so quickly, and in this form." ”

"She's your best friend?" Arrowan asked.

"It's not." Havel denied it.

"Is it your long-lost sister?"

“…… No, and she's older than me. Javier continued to deny it.

"Is it your cannon you?"

"Can you think with a normal human mind?" Javier's face darkened, and he couldn't bear to say.

"That's too hard, so you might as well tell me directly." Arowen said with a grin.

Don't you already deny that your head is not normal?

With a black line on his forehead, Javier reluctantly explained, "Najeta is actually my cousin. ”

"Holy! It's actually a sister-brother love that's so exciting! Arowen's face changed dramatically.

"If you really want to die so much, I can fulfill you right now." There was a dangerous glint in Javier's eyes.

"I'm sorry, I was wrong!"

Arrowin's knees weakened and he knelt decisively.

"Can you have any more dignity......?"

In the face of Arrowen's undisciplined performance and no lower limit, Javier could only cover his face and sigh.

Feeling that this would go on endlessly, he had to open his mouth to satisfy Arrowen's curiosity: "Najeta's mother is my aunt, and she has half of the same blood as me, although they are close relatives, but because of the different regions they belong to, we don't come and go very often, and it's not surprising that you don't know her. ”

"But judging by how you behaved just now, it seems that you are quite familiar with her?" Arrowen said.

"Five years ago, I received the rank of major general for my military merits, was awarded the rank of general, and went to the imperial capital to receive the ceremony of worshipping the general according to the imperial ancestors, and it was at that time that I had contact with Najieta for a period of time."

Javier quietly recounted the past, and Arrowen did not interrupt, listening silently.

"It was the first time I had met someone who could match me in terms of talent, so we had a very speculative conversation, and it didn't take long for us to get to know each other."

"She was quite an idealistic person, with a mind full of responsibility for the world and the well-being of the people, and I had so much in common with me at the time that I once thought I had met a confidant with whom I could confide. It was a really enjoyable time to be honest. ”

"Later, I caused that great riot in the imperial capital, but it failed. At the same time, the barbarians in the southwest also launched a large-scale invasion, and I had no choice but to leave the imperial capital and return to the fortress of Haysonam to participate in the battle. ”

Two years later, I heard that she had defected from the empire and joined the revolutionary army. At that time, I had already learned deeply about the darkness of the Empire, so I was not too surprised. It's better to say that Najeta, who has that kind of ideal, rebelling against the empire is only a necessity, and her ideal can only be realized in a place like the revolutionary army. ”

"However, I always thought that she would meet me on the battlefield, but I didn't expect that the person who appeared in front of me would be a killer, which really doesn't look like her style......"

"But," a look of determination and coldness in Javier's eyes showed, "no one can stop me from achieving my ends, and anyone who stands in my way, I will pierce him with a spear...... Even if that person is Najeta! ”

“…… It turns out that you still have such a cause. Arrowen's eyes rolled and he asked, "Since you said Najeta is your cousin, she must be pretty, right?" ”

“…… I don't know what you are basing your conclusions on, but it's true that she is one of the best in appearance and temperament among the women I have met. ”

"Oh? I didn't expect to get such a high evaluation from you. Arrowan was a little surprised, and then showed a smile that all men understand, "Hearing you say that, I really want to meet her." ”

"However, I heard that she was severely injured when she defected, and it is speculated that she was probably crippled or disfigured." Havel said terrible things with a calm face.

"Hey! Javier! It's rare that I've become interested in a woman, and you actually came to pour cold water on me again! Arowen said angrily.

"I'm just making a realistic guess, and to be honest, with Najeta's eyes, it's unlikely that I'll be able to take a fancy to you." Javier continued to taunt mode.

"Huh? Are you denying the charm of Uncle Ben? ”

Arowen raised his eyebrows, his tone fierce.

"Do you still have such a thing?" Javier looked dazed.

"Damn! I'm telling you! You can deny my temperance, but you can never deny my handsomeness! ”

…… Don't you need your festival!?