Traitor, die.

This sentence was not the first to be uttered by Duke Angmar, if you go back in time, the first person to say it was Emperor Conn the Great, who unified the kingdom of Karen.

"Zero tolerance" for the nobility who betrayed the kingdom was one of the key tones set by the country from the very beginning.

So when Viscount Juan's head was quietly resting on the table, the deterrence was far greater than all nonsense.

The whole banquet scene fell into a strange atmosphere: the ladies who were stimulated by the bloody scene screamed and ran away, the younger ones didn't see what it was because they were far away, and were curiously moving their steps in this direction, while the lords who really held the real power were all standing motionless with cold sweat on their foreheads, their brains thinking about the next countermeasures...

Juan's territory was not rich and powerful, but the nobles were able to unite against Angmar because several of the highest-ranking lords knew that he was the one who "threaded the needle" in it.

In other words, it is an indisputable fact that this viscount "harbors evil intentions" - Juan is one of the biggest masterminds behind this incident, and once Angmar compromises, Juan will definitely be the lord with the most resources.

However, no one expected that before all the arrangements were made, Angmar would cut Juan so cleanly...

What about the good plan? What about the good resources?

A moment ago, the nobles were still excited about slapping Angmar one by one, but the old man's counterattack was no longer a slap, but a neat sword!

This sword was always in Angmar's heart, even if he was in his last years, even if he knew that his time was short, when he drew the sword, it was still invincible.

"It's... This..."

The few lords who were still "persuading each other with good words" just now were already speechless at this time, and their eyes wandered back and forth between the head and Angmar, completely confused.

"Collusion with the undead, coordination with the infidels to destroy the territory of Evta, raising an army and waiting for an opportunity to rebel, the evidence is conclusive, and the crime is unforgivable... Kill. Angmar's gaze slowly swept over the lords in front of him, and slowly closed the wooden box again, hiding the strong smell of blood, "Of course, I believe that many of the lords here don't have the same thoughts as him, since they have come to Hollier City, they should enjoy the joy of wine and food, right?"

There was no response to his words, because the shock of the bloody skull was not something that could be digested in a minute or two, especially the women who were so pale that they had staggered away with their mouths covered—they were afraid that they would be left with a psychological shadow for the rest of their lives.

But where does Angmar care about how these people feel?

"What Juan wants has nothing to do with us, since he is treasonous, he deserves it. Viscount Mursa, who narrowed his eyes, was the first to react, and he said in a deep voice: "But can violence solve everything? The plan for the border should be adjusted, Angmar, this is not just me, you are hollowing out Ivta, and if it goes on like this, whether or not there is an enemy on the border, we will be finished!"

"We don't have to share the consequences of going your own way. ”

Leaving aside the relationship with Juan for the first time, the lords, who had already weakened by three points in momentum, did not take a half step back - they understood that Angmar was "killing chickens and monkeys", but few of the nobles present were fools, and Angmar could not kill them all just because of "disagreement", because such a means itself already meant "crossing the line"!

"I know- in your eyes, I've been squandering gold coins that are rightfully yours, so you can't accept it, right?"

Angmar also spoke directly, with a slight sarcastic expression on his face, "Or do you think that the village under my rule has long been your own, so you don't want to pay taxes?"

At this moment, John the butler came to Angmar's side, and after whispering something, the Duke smiled and said to him, "Our Bishop of Nova is a step late because of something, but he obviously has some good news to announce... John, I would like to invite you, Bishop. ”

Several lords were completely left aside, and their faces turned red and pale for a while-if they wanted to fight Angmar, they naturally had more than Juan's plan... There are many ways to threaten the Roussifron family by restricting economic trade, restricting taxes, military measures, etc., but Angmar put on a posture of not accepting the offer, but they have no choice but to watch as the new bishop comes in front of him and takes out a gorgeous and conspicuous golden scroll in his hand...

"This is..."

The lords' eyebrows suddenly raised, as they recognized the scroll with the wax seal of the cross key as the "oracle" from the Pope.

Within a year, the territory of Everta had received the "oracle" of the Rosicrucian Pope for the second time, and many of the lords present remembered very well - the owner of the first oracle... It's the "dead" Captain Roddy!

At the beginning, that scroll gave Roddy a huge backer of the "Rosacercus" - and because of this, he was able to enter the field of vision of these lords as a "non-noble", and became their extremely feared "henchman".

Now that the hidden danger of Roddy has disappeared, the appearance of the "Holy Oracle" still makes them feel a little nervous... Mursa and the others glanced at Angmar, only to find that they could not discern any emotion from the old duke's face at all.

Bishop Nova was fifty-nine years old, an age at which it was difficult to "rise one step further", and he was dressed in a bishop's robe, and his face was still tired, but he was still in good spirits.

“... Due to the importance of the territory of Ivota and the outstanding contribution made by the Rusiflon family in the war against the undead, the Church has decided to support 5,000 Templars, 1,000 Templars and supporting equipment within half a year, and cooperate with the Rusiflon family to defend the border in case of a possible crisis..."

“... As long-time supporters of the Church, the Roussiflon family will receive no less than six in-kind aids in the next three years..."

In just a few words, the lords were completely stunned as if they had collectively received a sledgehammer.

What is the concept of "Rosicrucius" to supplies, troops, equipment?

To put it simply, the core armed forces of the Rusifron family are only Titus and Wellington's troops of less than 300 people, so the lords can take advantage of the advantage of the number of private soldiers to have more confidence - but the additional 6,000 armed forces sent by the church directly broke this situation, so that Angmar has no worries about the "strength" of the army!

Not to mention the "material aid" involved in the ensuing, in other words, this is completely out of common sense!

In this way, the original strategy of "economic domination" of the lords is equivalent to a complete nullification, because Angmar will not be short of money at all from now on!

And the "oracle" did not end there, and the reading of Bishop Nova continued:

“... At the same time, in recognition of Roddy's outstanding contribution in the battle against the undead, the 'Ring of Pardon' is hereby presented..."

Compared with the previous two messages, the subsequent announcement surprised the lords even more - is the church crazy? Send something to a dead person? Is this just a symbolic reward like a "medal of honor"?

But the "Ring of Forgiveness" is by no means a trivial thing! Nobles who know a little about the "Rosicrucifix" know that there are twelve rings so far, and it is made by the "Molochi", the only one in the Church who is qualified to wear gold and red robes other than the Pope, and since 12 years ago to the present, only one has been made every year, specifically to recognize members who have made outstanding contributions to the Church.

The nobles in the hall whispered about the meaning behind the news, and Quentin, who couldn't find Roddy, was not far away, and when he heard the news about "Roddy", he squinted at Basta very defiantly, the latter did not know the predicament his father was facing at this time, and snorted disdainfully at Quentin: "What's the use of rewarding a dead man? It can only bring you a little psychological comfort." ”

Quentin wanted to say something, but remembering what Roddy had just said, he suddenly felt that there was really no point in arguing, so he simply ignored the fat man, hugged his shoulders, and continued to listen to Bishop Nova read the oracle.

However, for the other nobles, the reading of this "oracle" already meant that their plans were almost completely ruined—except for the direct use of force, they could hardly have any counterbalance to Angmar in all respects.

In other words, when Angmar has received all the support, a duke with a heavy army and plenty of money... It's easy to clean up the dissenting nobles in Ivotah.

If there is any way to crack it, it can only be to directly use force during the "vacuum period" when all support has not yet arrived.

The lords exchanged glances, but they didn't agree—but before they could negotiate in a low voice, Nova took out another letter and a dagger after reading the oracle:

“... Overseer Rubens, who is about to be promoted to Cardinal next year, has given the magic dagger as a thank you to Captain Roddy for his help in Evta's territory. ”

Bishop Nova's words made almost everyone present frown...

"Can't the church spend any money, why do you give all these things to a dead man?"

Viscount Mursa couldn't help but curse in a low voice, Duke Angmar looked up at him, but he didn't speak, just a slight smile on his face...

"What's so ridiculous about him? That Roddy can't be resurrected!"

The depressed Viscount Mursa turned his head to ask Grull beside him, but before he could get a response, a slightly unfamiliar voice suddenly sounded behind him-

"What if... Are you wrong?"