Efram wanted to say something more, but suddenly found that Brando was staring at him coldly, and quickly shrunk his neck, swallowing the second half of the sentence into the fat belly. The convoy of envoys continued to move forward, passing the imperial soldiers and refugees, and when everyone's eyes passed by the shivering men, women and children, most of them did not say a word, Enid and the daughter of the duke from Viero noticed that the atmosphere in the procession was a little strange, the little Lori of the Golan-Elson family held her nurse's hand tightly, and she looked a little cowering, and Eco, who followed closely behind Brando, looked eager to try, as if she wanted to help the refugees, He kept looking in Brando's direction, but he didn't get permission. The non-commissioned officer from Yanirasu followed him, one hand resting on the hilt of the sword dangling from his waist, his gaze only on the Imperial soldiers.

Kiara watched coldly, and the little girl with the extremely incongruous scholar's square hat stood beside Enid, looking at Qiē with a cold gaze beyond her years, except for the occasional sarcastic look at Ephram and the others. As for Charles, Hipamela, and Métisa, they all had their own ideas when they saw this scene, but they all stood behind Brando, calmly waiting for orders; And Yuta looked at these refugees, and only frowned slightly, she had seen such scenes too much in this country.

Brando didn't even look at the refugees, and his gaze didn't stop for a moment on the Imperial soldiers, he pursed his lips and led the convoy through the chaos with a cold face, and the Imperial knights who passed by him ignored them as if they were air. Although everyone in the envoy group had been with each other for nearly two weeks, they were still not familiar with the temper of the head of the regiment, and only knew that he was a close minister of Her Royal Highness the princess, and he had no less strength than the former Grand Duke of Anlek. Most of them, whether it was Ephram or Viero's duke's daughter, they were reminded before they traveled to try not to offend the Count, who was bound to be powerful in the future, so Brando did not speak, and they did not dare to act on their own, and there was silence in the convoy. Only step by step approached the towering gate of the Black Sword Barrier.

The envoys soon passed through the caravans, and the detained refugees had long been left far behind, and for a moment only Eco was still looking at the back with reluctance, and he frowned with an undisguised look of anxiety on his face, as if he did not understand why the chivalrous Lord Count, whom he had always admired, did not let him make a move, but Brando's image in his heart had already reached an unattainable height, and the latter did not speak, although his heart was like a cat's scratch, but he could only stay in the team peacefully. He looked back. The little Lori who found the Golan-Elson family was also turning her head, and she tilted her head to look at him, her light brown eyes full of incomprehension - as if she did not understand why those people were being arrested, she was only seven or eight years old, and the aristocratic world was too far away from her.

The scout cavalry in front of the envoy had already informed the Cruz people, so at this time the Cruz people also knew the origin of this noble convoy, and the convoy slowly arrived under the Black Sword Fortress before Brando raised his hand to stop everyone. Not long after the convoy stopped. Three Cruz knights rode in front of them on the Earthwalking Dragon, led by knights wearing a silver-gray ceremonial cuirass. The breastplate was covered with bright medals, and Brando knew by the color of his ribbon and the long mane on his helmet that this man was a chief knight - and behind him, the daughter of the Grand Duke of Vieiro had changed slightly, according to the normal etiquette of the Flame Temple's dealings with its subordinate nations, the Empire was such a formal envoy to them. At the very least, the deputy of the highest governor of the land should verify their identities and welcome them into the city, and the Cruz now sent a mere knight chief to replace them, which is already naked arrogance.

This is not the first time this has happened, as early as three years ago, Cruz's envoys went to the empire to meet the emperor and celebrate the new year. I've been treated like this before. Or even earlier, long before the Year of Frost, the kingdom's envoys seemed to have become accustomed to such contempt. It's just that in the past, when the duke's daughter read these contents from literary history, she only felt that Eruin's national strength was meager, and it seemed to be a matter of course that such a behemoth as the empire was superior in front of him, but now when it was her turn to experience the contempt of the Cruz people herself, she couldn't help but feel a resentment in her heart.

But she sandidly didn't speak.

The rest of the team more or less sensed that something was wrong, but with the exception of Chiara and Charles, the others had limited knowledge of the diplomatic process, so they could only wait in silence for Brando to make a decision. Brando, on the other hand, expected this, and patted the still ignorant Averam on the shoulder, telling the ball to hand in the paperwork. Only then did the latter react, hurriedly took out the documents and seals, and respectfully came to the Cruz knights, presenting them with both hands.

He was so humble that even the officer behind Eco looked dissatisfied, but the Knight of Cruz did not appreciate it, he impatiently took the paperwork, glanced at it, and then threw it back into Averam's hand. These few light movements made even the most ignorant Ephram react - the document in his hand could be regarded as Eruin's letter of state, if the other party was a border marquis of the empire, then even if he threw the letter back on his face, he would not dare to say more, but the other party was just a small knight chief, strictly speaking, not a true nobleman - he couldn't help but look at the other party a little dumbfounded, not understanding where the other party's confidence came from.

But the Knight of Cruz didn't look at him like nothing at all, he looked at the ball of meat in disgust, waved his hand, and said, "Come with me." ”

Ephram stood there without daring to move, he subconsciously turned his head to look at Brando, this was no longer the etiquette that the Empire should have to welcome other vassal states under the rule of the Sanctuary of Fire, or there was no etiquette at all. No matter how stupid he is, he understands that if he makes an assertion without permission, the charge of diplomatic disgrace will fall on him today. But the ball of meat wanted to cry and found that Brando stood there motionless as if he didn't see him.

In desperation, he had no choice but to tremble and say to the knight of Cruz: "Knight, this ...... Doesn't seem to be in line with the rules? ”

He hoped that it was a moment of negligence on the part of the Cruz people, who had forgotten diplomatic etiquette. But to his disappointment, the knight looked at him a little indifferently: "It's a time of war, we can't open the knight's door to meet you, if you are not satisfied, you can choose to take a detour, or go back the way you came." ”

(Note: Knight's Gate.) The Duke of Sempley gave the name to the main entrance of the fortress in honor of the soldiers of Cruz who died in the fortress. ）

Going back the way you came?

Ephram was sweating profusely, at this time he could be regarded as having really seen the Cruz people's eyes, he used to take this for granted, this world is respected by strength, and the Cruz people's fists are big and hard enough, so it is tolerable to show such an attitude. But it wasn't until he enjoyed this arrogance himself that he realized how hateful it was. If he could, he would have punched the guy in front of him in the face, and then turned around and punched the damned Count Toniger in the face.

Of course, this is just a matter of thinking, even if he borrows ten guts, he doesn't have the guts.

But just when he was in a dilemma, Brando finally spoke: "Ephram, sue him." There is no way we can go back. ”

Ephram hurriedly looked back at the Cruz. As if he had expected this, the knight couldn't help but smile contemptuously: "Then please come with me, envoys. He deliberately read the envoy very heavily, and combined it with his thick accent of Cruz, which was full of irony. Hearing this, Averam was terrified, and he was afraid that the arrogant captain would not be able to resist sneering at him. Besides him, the rest of the envoys frowned, especially the right-hand man of Count Yanirasu behind Eco, who, as a soldier, had his right hand firmly on the hilt of his sword.

Although Ephram was a well-known nobleman at the time of Karasu. But the ability to observe words and emotions that was necessary in this circle was not lost, and he could naturally perceive this tense atmosphere, he wiped his sweat, and kept throwing his eyes at Brando, wanting to make the Earl say whether he was dead or alive.

But alas, Brando still stood there as if he hadn't heard the Cruz knight's words.

This time, the Knight of Cruz finally sensed that something was wrong, he directly put aside the dead fat man in front of him, raised his head and glanced at Brando a little strangely, realizing that this was the main person in charge of these Eruins, although he didn't know who the other party was, but this did not prevent him from speaking, he replied a little arrogantly: "What's the matter, everyone, you plan to stay here all the time?" ”

Brando glanced at the guy, he had been accustomed to the arrogant faces of these Cruz people in his previous life - the central nobles like Veronica, Lenarete and Brende were slightly better, but especially these Cruz soldiers on the border, because they had more opportunities to contact the Eruin on weekdays, as if the trembling refugees and the Eruin nobles who were weak at the sight of the Empire had long since become accustomed to their temper - so this group of people was almost the most empty group of people in the Empire, In their eyes, the Eruin were only more advanced than the beasts, and this became especially evident after the First War of the Black Roses, and later during the Eruin period, it even affected the players of Cruz, and dealing with the Cruz Empire of that era was something that would make the Eruin players crazy.

Compared to it, this attitude is pretty good now, at least there is no cynicism on the surface.

However, Brando did not feel the slightest gratitude for this 'better' attitude, because he had come to find trouble, and for others, the mission to the empire was to participate in the mobilization festival held before the jihad, and for him, this purpose was actually dispensable. He stared at this Cruz knight, and couldn't help but say in his heart that he didn't know whether he was alive or dead, but he still suppressed his feelings and replied lightly: "We came here to go to the empire, so naturally we won't stay here, and we won't go back the same way-Mr. Knight, do you understand?" ”

"Very well, so what do you mean?" The Cruz knight seemed to have heard the funniest thing in the world, and he looked at Brando and his party as if they were a bunch of idiots, and thought to himself that this group of hillbillies must have come from some poor and remote place, and had never seen the world before, otherwise how could they be like this?

"What we mean by this is that you must follow the etiquette and open the main gate to welcome the legations into the fortress. This is about the dignity of the kingdom, and it is also a proof to the world that you Cruz people are at least not ignorant of etiquette. Brando replied succinctly.

The Duke's daughter opened her mouth behind her, not to mention the Cruz knight, even she felt that she had suddenly become so rigid as a captain, and the Cruz people clearly wanted to despise them and give them the 'countrymen' a disgrace, and these diplomatic etiquette should not be reminded by the Earl. Apparently the Cruz people knew it, but they did it on purpose. But if Brando doesn't tear down this last fig leaf, then both sides will still have a little face, but after Brando does it, if the Cruz people still insist on doing so, then their envoys will not even have the last bit of face.

But of course, she didn't believe that this Count Toniger was really that innocent, and she had a vague feeling that Brando seemed to be deliberately driving the other party to this dead end.

The Knight of Cruz also changed his face at the same time.

"What are you talking about," he couldn't help but cry out with some irritation, "I said that this is a time of war. It's impossible to open the knight's door, don't you understand, sir? ”

"This is the border between the Eruin Kingdom and the Cruz Empire, and I have never heard of any war." Brando, as if taking the knight's rebuke as a deaf ear, replied only lightly.

"Really?" The knight couldn't help but sneer: "Then you can go and convince the Marquis, this order was given by him, if you can convince him that there is no threat of war here, I will naturally open the knight's door myself to welcome you into the city." ”

Brando glanced at him. He replied, "Well, I'll convince your Marquis." However, according to etiquette, you are not qualified to meet us, and this honor was reserved for your lordship's deputy, but if I come forward to convince him, then he will probably have to come forward to meet us himself as atonement. ”

The Knight of Cruz couldn't help but stare at him with wide eyes, as if looking at a madman.

"Daydreaming." He said. He finally dropped the sentence and said, "Well, if you don't plan to go in with me, then you can wait here, of course." You are always welcome to convince our Marquis. ”

With that, he left Brando's party behind and returned to the fortress with his men, as if he really didn't want to pay attention to these inexplicable Eruin hillbillies.

After the Cruz people left, the eyes of Ephram, the Duke's daughter, and the others subconsciously fell on their leader, and Ephram thought that the count was trying to show off his courage so that he could advance and retreat, but the young lord obviously did not expect that the Cruz people would never eat this set. And the duke's daughter was silent, obviously thinking the same thing in her heart. But the problem is that now that the Cruz people are gone, their envoy group can't stay here all the time, but whether they turn back or go to the marquis, it's a shameless thing, and this matter is obviously provoked by their captain, so if someone wants to come out to deal with the aftermath, then naturally this regiment leader should go out first.

But Brando, as if he didn't take it seriously, glanced up at the towering walls, then turned back and said to Charles behind him, "The Cruz people's obsession has never changed sixty years ago, sixty years later, and today. Charles, go to my carriage and get my sword. ”

Efram hadn't understood what this meant, but the Duke's daughter, who was more astute than him, had already reacted, and she looked at them in amazement, as if she had just remembered the other party's other identity, the Sword Master.

"No," she hastily objected, "Lord Earl, you must not be so impulsive!" ”

Brando looked at her and asked, "Why am I impulsive, Miss Ernie?" ”

"He even asked me why he was impulsive!" The Duke's daughter almost couldn't resist pulling her hair, she had thought that Brando was just a little young and vigorous, but now it seemed that the other party was completely crazy. She couldn't help but say loudly, "If you want to coerce and kidnap that Marquis, it may lead to a war." ”

Brando couldn't help but be a little stunned: "Who said that I was going to coerce and kidnap a real nobleman, Miss Oni, you can't wantonly slander my reputation." ”

"You're not going to do that?" The duke's daughter was stunned.

"Of course."

"You swear?"

"Miss Duke, it's not that I don't like jokes, but now you're too much of a joke." Brando replied sternly.

Now the duke's daughter was a little suspicious, and she couldn't help but stare at Brando suspiciously.

But Brando really didn't plan to go over and hold that bullshit marquis hostage, first of all, he didn't know where the other party was staying, and he couldn't kill seven in and seven out of this fortress. By this time, however, Charles had already brought his sword, not the dark and dreary earth sword he was used to, but a crystal-like sword that seemed to be carved from ice crystals.

Brando took the sword, flicked it in his hand, and then looked up at the nearly four-hundred-year-old fortress.

"You have to make one thing clear, Miss Ernie," replied Brando, "I never do anything so troublesome. ”

With that, he raised his sword and swung it at the gate of the fortress.

A bright silver thread, as if rising from the ground, in an instant, diagonally into the sky.

…… (To be continued......)