"Auntie, how is my dress?"

"It's beautiful."

"Auntie, how is my makeup? The eyebrow line seems to be a little crooked. ”

"Nothing at all."

"Auntie, I ......"

"Alright, Ji'er, my little angel. You are the most radiant girl in the whole of Flaires today, and any man will be captivated by your beauty. So don't panic and show confidence. ”

Veronka gently stroked her niece's brilliant blonde hair, and couldn't help but sigh at her beauty. This girl, who combines the best genetic traits of the Phoenix family, is even better than her long-dead mother.

"Alas, the little girl at the beginning has finally grown up and come to the season of love." A hint of sorrow rose in Ms. Veronka's heart. She looked at Ji'er, who was sitting on the sofa looking a little cramped and nervous, and couldn't help but sigh. She knew that the lovely niece was so because the young earl was about to arrive at the estate.

In Veronka's opinion, it's called Gordon. Freeman's young aristocratic mage is very talented and has a good character, although there are some indelible shortcomings of men, such as not being dedicated enough to the relationship between men and women, and always surrounded by many girls. But if you really want to choose a husband for Ji'er, he is not the most perfect choice, at least the least the worst choice.

But it's a pity that although Ji'er is beautiful, her appearance does not have any advantage compared to the other girls around that man. What's more, Ji'er's eldest lady's temper and unfrank personality are also a big obstacle to the relationship between the two. And compared to those who are attracted to the power of the Phoenix family. Gordon is not too enthusiastic about marrying the Phoenix family.

Perhaps this young man wanted to build a business with his own hands. Perhaps he was worried that after the marriage of two families with great disparity in strength, the weaker party would be swallowed up.

"Forget it. Why do you want to think so much. Young people's affairs, young people solve on their own. What I need to do is to keep the Phoenix family name alive. Thinking of this, Ms. Veronka smiled slightly, showing a hint of relief.

At this time, the sound of horses' hooves and wheels running over the road could be heard outside the window.

"That villain is finally here?!" Miss Ji'er swooped to her feet from the couch. She wanted to lift the hem of her skirt and run downstairs immediately, but she was glared at by her aunt Veronka, and immediately stopped her steps.

"Ji'er. Be reserved. You are the eldest lady of the Phoenix family, the first in line to the throne. You are neither a servant nor a relative of the Freeman family, so there is no need to go downstairs to meet you yourself. ”

"Got it. Aunt. Ji'er walked to the window. Looking at Xie Ona, who was standing downstairs with a happy face, she had a complicated feeling of envy and jealousy for this friend.

"It's just a goodbye brother and sister, what am I thinking......" Shaking her head, Ji'er played with her hair boredly and left the window.

"Let's go, let's talk to their brother and sister first. There's a formal meeting between the Freeman family and the Phoenix family, and your father will be there, so we'll have to get ready for it. ”

At this time. Gordon, who came out of the carriage, looked up casually and saw just in front of the window on the second floor. The flickering golden double ponytail.

"That eldest lady has evolved into a voyeur?" Gordon smiled.

The Red Maple Estate, located on the shores of Lake Cardoka outside of Freiris, is an important asset of the Phoenix family. The lakeside has a humid and warm climate all year round, allowing the plantations near the estate to produce many valuable alchemical plant materials. And the beautiful scenery here is also a good place for vacation and leisure.

The Phoenix family used this place as a residence to receive Gordon, which was considered to give him a very high standard of treatment.

After disembarking in the morning, Gordon went to meet Renas first, while Venia arrived at the Red Maple Manor with the rest of her entourage. And Xie Ona, who got the news, came to the main gate of the manor early, waiting for her brother's arrival.

Gordon glanced at his surroundings and found that the Red Maple Manor was in harmony with Rob. The Rainbow Springs Manor, where Archduke Antello lived, was completely comparable, and belonged to the top manor that only the highest nobles of Ferreton were eligible to own. Compared with the Sea Cliff Fort where I live, the gap between the two is as big as the gap between low-rent housing and sea view villas.

After all, in addition to residence, Seacliff Fort also has a great military purpose, and in terms of comfort, it is certainly not as good as a manor built specifically for the enjoyment of nobles. Besides, with the current situation on the Haiwen Peninsula, although his lordship's ruling power is constantly consolidating, it is still not stable enough. It is more secure to live in a castle with thick stone walls and lookouts.

After casually examining his surroundings, Gordon focused his gaze on the dark-haired girl standing at the gate of the manor.

Although we haven't seen each other for some days, my sister still hasn't changed. If you have to say it, it is probably that Xie Ona has become more mature, and the little pale cyan astringent temperament that belongs to the girl is slowly transforming into a bright red that exudes a fragrant and mature atmosphere.

"Brother!" Sheona, who was chatting with Venia, immediately rushed over impatiently when she saw Gordon get out of the carriage.

Gordon spread his arms, expecting his lovely sister to pounce on him like a milk swallow. But it's a pity that with Xie Ona's character, she would never do such a shy thing except in extreme circumstances. So the girl just ran to Gordon, looked up, and looked at her brother with black eyes full of water.

"Brother, you're here."

"Hmm." Gordon reached out and gently touched his sister's head.

"What the hell is going on between you and Miss Venya, you must tell me in detail!"

Gordon didn't expect his sister to become such gossip one day. In his previous reply to Xie Ona, although he revealed his marriage to Vinia, he did not elaborate on it.

While the Freeman siblings were talking about their parting, Veronka led Ji'er to the third floor of the mansion.

For today's meeting, Veronka even broke the convention. Didn't patrol his fleet as usual. The cornerstone of the Phoenix family is maritime trade, and the family fleet is the foundation of maritime trade. For many years, the strict admiral patrolled her ships every day. See if there are officers deserting, there are sailors drinking and brawling. It is precisely because of this extraordinary rigor and diligence that the private army of the Phoenix family has more discipline and combat effectiveness than the regular navy of Ferreton.

Today, however, Ms. Veronka's focus has shifted from the sea to the land. Because within the Phoenix family, there is a huge crisis that is gradually brewing and fermenting. If you don't deal with it again. It will be like a tumor, rapidly deteriorating and spreading, endangering the survival of the giant Phoenix family.

The two women came to the end of the hallway, one after the other. Ms. Veronka pushed the door open. Step into the reception room. The walls, doors and windows of this house are all specially treated, and a magic circle is applied to block the transmission of sound and light to the outside world, so there is absolutely no need to worry about secrets leaking out of here.

This isn't the first time Vilonka has been to this mysterious meeting room. But Ji'er is here for the first time. She had long heard that this reception room was often the place where the Phoenix family made important decisions, but as a delicate flower that was carefully cared for and raised by the family. She was before that trip to the Northland. I had never been in contact with anything that involved family interests and aristocracy, so it was impossible for me to come to this reception room.

And today, Ji'er was able to come to this place with her aunt, who she had longed for since she was a child, which shows that she has truly been recognized by her father. She knew that although she still had many shortcomings, she was able to grow to this point because of that man.

If it weren't for the encounter with Gordon on that adventure in the Northlands, Ji'er knew she couldn't have changed so much. She rediscovered herself and the world. The delicate flowers growing in the greenhouse gave you a taste of the cruelty of nature for the first time.

"Sister. There you are. Sit down. In the room, a man who had already sat down said to the heroic female admiral of the Phoenix family.

"Brother." Veronka is the father of his elder brother and the current head of the Phoenix family, Ambrom. The Marquis of Phoenix bowed his head and sat down at the other end of the couch.

Ji'er also nodded to her father, and then sat down silently. Usually, although she can be coquettish to her father, but in today's strict atmosphere, she doesn't dare to show that little daughter posture.

There are four people in the conference room now. Sit across from Ms. Veronka, next to Ambrom. Phoenix's side is a middle-aged man who is not much different in age from Ji'er's father. Unlike the Phoenix lord with a dignified face and an aristocratic temperament exuding from the inside out, this man has a bit of a prodigal vibe, like a wandering bard who is drunk in a tavern with his maid in his arms.

He's Ji'er. Miss Phoenix's Arcane Teacher Savi. Langdon.

Although his surname is Langdon, this mysterious mage who is said to have the strength of the eight rings but has never been revealed in front of people is actually from the Phoenix family and is Ambrom's own brother. However, compared to his brother, who was called "born noble", Savi had no interest in the glory of the nobility and the interests of the family.

At the age of eighteen, he fell in love with a young girl from the Great Wilderness, and because of this, he opposed the family's political marriage. In the end, he even did not hesitate to give up the surname "Phoenix" and join the woman's family. However, although the surname has been changed, the family affection that blood is thicker than water still exists after all. Later, in the early days when Ambrom took over as head of the Phoenix family, Savi. Langdon resolutely returned to the family he had abandoned to help his brother stabilize the situation and save the Phoenix family from collapsing under the double blow of internal and external enemies.

Then, he stayed in the family and personally took care of the education of his brother and daughter.

Ji'er knew that although her uncle looked unreliable from the outside, he was actually a very capable person. At the very least, his arcane attainments were among the best of all the spellcasters Ji'er had ever seen.

But today, this Mr. Mage, who is relied on by the Phoenix family, is pale and wandering into the world.

"Savi, did you fool around with the Rose Mask again last night? I really don't know what's good about those Learya believers? I advise you to find a serious woman and settle down. I know that there is something important today. But I still don't know the severity. Veronka said with a straight face.

In terms of age, although Wilonka is only a month older than Savi, she is also his half-sister. So she is naturally qualified to reprimand this unorthodox younger brother.

Operates a high-end entertainment club. It is one of the pillars of the temple of Lilya. And the Learya believers will always give these entertainment places the name "so-and-so mask". For example, the Amber Mask in Clear Water City, the Rose Mask in Freiris City, and the Moonstone Mask in the Imperial Capital are all very famous Gentle Township and Golden Grottoes. Savi had visited the Rose Mask more than once before, and had been so obsessed with the warmth of the Riarya's devotees that he had lost sight of his brother's pale and spirited face, and thought he had gone to the Rose Mask again.

"Dear sister. You're mistaken. Savi smiled bitterly, "The way I look now has something to do with the sudden source energy tide this morning...... Alas. The world is really getting more and more peaceful. ”

For the source energy tide, the general person's understanding of the process has always been at a very rudimentary level. Even Veronka only knows that the Source Tide will affect all casters within its radius. Cause a certain mental impact. And it has the potential to trigger derivative natural disasters. However, she was not a spellcaster, and she didn't have any intuitive feelings about the small source energy tide this morning. And Ji'er is not an orthodox mage, and her arcane attainments are not high, so she has not been affected too much by the source energy tide.

"That's exactly what Savi said." Ambrom nodded, "This morning, he was checking on my injuries when he suddenly fainted. I found out later. It turned out to be caused by the source energy tide. ”

"Father, are you hurt?" Ji'er was taken aback.

"An assassination attempt a month ago." The head of the Phoenix family waved his hand. Calm your daughter. During that assassination, Ambrom was stabbed in the chest with a dagger inflicted a dark curse, nearly killing him instantly. But now when I talk about it in front of my daughter, I look indifferent. That kind of temperament that is not shocked at all times has to be admired.

However, even if the assassination can be faced with a calm and indifferent attitude, the consequences of the assassination cannot be solved by this attitude alone.

With the Phoenix family's resources, as long as Ambrom is not killed on the spot - no, even if he dies on the spot, as long as the death time does not exceed twelve hours, the Phoenix family can also invite a high-ranking priest who has mastered the resurrection technique to turn the tide and save the head of the family. However, after Ambrom received the dagger, his body was in a very fragile state because of the curse attached to it, and he needed to rest in bed for most of the time. So in the past month, his control of the Phoenix family has been gradually declining.

"It will take at least half a year for my injuries to fully recover. And now the family is facing a big crisis. So I need you, my daughter, to take up your duty and help the family through this difficult time. Ambrom stated his purpose for calling Ji'er today.

"Father......" Looking at the other party's stern expression, Ji'er knew that this was not a joke. But does he really dare to suddenly put the burden of the family on himself, a little girl who doesn't know anything?

"Don't doubt yourself, Ji'er. You may be young, but you are not useless. At least what you and that little girl from the Freeman family have been doing lately, isn't it? Last night's commotion in the ghetto was your masterpiece, right? Ambrom looked at her daughter with a smirk.

"Father...... So you know that. Ji'er didn't expect that in order to help her friends, she would make a small fuss in private, but she would always be seen by her father.

"Of course I do. If I don't even know anything about the sudden dispatch of my own family's guards to conduct covert operations, am I still qualified to sit in the position of head of the house? Ambrom ignored her surprised daughter and continued, "The little actions that you little girls have done to hide from me may seem a bit childish, but the results are very good. At the very least, it caused great trouble for the Death One Zhi Sect. That's why I've decided to leave this matter to you. ”

"Father, do you also know about the Death One Zhi Sect?"

"Of course. Now the Phoenix family has been deeply infiltrated by this cult. My assassination was related to these people. Ambrom's voice suddenly sank, "Now in the family, there are only people in this house, you can trust." As for the others, even if they have the surname Phoenix, they must be careful. ”

The head of the Phoenix family took off one of the rings from his hand and handed it to Ji'er with his own hands.

This yellow gold ring is engraved with a lifelike phoenix motif, which is the authority and symbol of the family.

Ji'er didn't expect her family to fall into such a grim situation. The head of the family was assassinated, internal divisions were divided, and there was a threat from a cult. Any one of these things alone is a big deal. Now they are all together. What the eldest lady didn't expect was that her father would hand over such a heavy burden to herself.

Ambrom has watched Ji'er grow up since she was a child, and she naturally knows what her daughter thinks. When he saw the girl's expression at this time, he felt pity in his heart. No father wants to let his lovely daughter shoulder such a burden and face such a situation. But he was forced to make such a decision.

Although it seems to outsiders that the head of the Phoenix family is fine now, in fact, just sitting on the sofa has consumed almost all of his energy. This body corrupted by the power of the curse is no longer able to support the family for the time being.

"Don't worry, Ji'er." Ambrom reassured, "You're not alone. Both Veronka and Savi will help. And, I've found a good helper for you. ”

"Right-hand man?"

"Yes." Ambrom pointed to the door and said, "Look, he's just here." ”

Ji'er turned her head to look, just in time to see Gordon push open the door and enter the living room.

No matter how rich her imagination is, Ji'er didn't expect that the right-hand man her father said would be the man she had been concerned about.

Because no matter how much she thought that Gordon was very special, very different, and much better than ordinary peers, she would not be naïve to think that this young noble mage could solve the crisis that the Phoenix family is facing today. In her opinion, unless there are a few more high-level mages like Teacher Savi, the Phoenix family can safely survive the crisis.

In fact, not only Ji'er, but even Gordon himself has the same idea.

He walked into this unusually strict meeting room, and then heard that the majestic and calm middle-aged man, that is, the head of the Phoenix family, explained the real purpose of inviting him to Frysis City, and he had only one thought: Are you kidding?

He felt that although he had a small amount of strength, he was far from being able to help the Phoenix family resolve the crisis and turn the tide on his own. It was unbelievable that the other party invited himself to participate in this secret family meeting so solemnly, and told some secret information about the Phoenix family without reservation.

"Don't be so strange, Count Freeman." Ambrom glanced at Savi beside him, "To be honest, I have also heard of your deeds and achievements, and I think you are a very good young man. And thank you for helping my daughter twice. But your abilities, either on your own or on the Freemans, are not enough to solve the problems the Phoenix family is facing. But my younger brother, who is also Ji'er's arcane teacher, highly recommends you. He believes that with your help, the Phoenix family, and the entire city of Freireth, will be able to survive this crisis. ”

Gordon looked at the middle-aged man with a stubble, prodigal look next to the Phoenix family owner. It was only just now that he learned that his name was Savi. Langdon, who had never met before. And his name has only been heard once. When they were separated at the Danze Ruins, Miss Ji'er gave him a magic book called "The Learning and Application of the Four Rings Spell". By Mr. Langdon.

It was also thanks to him that Gordon learned the four-ring spells of Heavenly Light and Shining Net, which played a great role in the battle against the demon army later. (To be continued......)