A knight wearing heavy armor and masked like Gray walked out of the main hall, walked up to Gray step by step, knocked his breastplate hard, and said, "Your Majesty, please enter the temple. ”

After speaking, he stepped aside sideways and stood quietly.

Gray stared at Cedric V from afar, and stepped forward, stepping on the black carpet.

"He's so old. This is the first comment of the black cat when he sees Cedric V.

Yes, old, is the greatest characteristic of Cedric V. The bloated and fat figure, the beard and white hair that have grown to the ground, and the flesh on the whole body seems to have collapsed in layers. Even those eyes, like cataract patients, were hazy and not half bright. It was a terrible old age.

A black crown studded with red gemstones, a black robe, and a hand halfway out of the sleeves are also covered with gemstone rings. This is nothing, after all, the emperor of the largest human empire, his financial resources will never be worse than that of the Holy See. The strange thing was the nails of the hands, all five fingers were ten centimeters long. With such hands, Gray even doubted that he could live a normal life, and whether he could hold a knife and fork with both hands to eat normally.

The Black Dragon Hall is a dark place, with lifelike mural sculptures, exquisite totems, and its details are too good to be staggering. However, in such a place, almost all the decoration is gray or black, like a black hole, swallowing all the light. Even the armor of the emperor's close guards present was black. The only warm color in the whole hall is the jewel on the emperor's body.

Walking along the black carpet, Gray finally came to the throne of Cedric V, stopped, bowed his head slightly, and reverently drew a cross on his chest.

"Honorable Emperor Gustav, His Majesty Cedric, Paladin Gray has come to meet you!

"Your Excellency the Paladin. A hoarse, old voice rang out. It seemed that because of the special design, the voice slowly echoed in the main hall: "Three years ago, I invited you to Black Dragon City. But you didn't come, it's been three years, and this is the first time you've stepped into the Black Dragon Palace. To be honest, I'm quite disappointed. I've always thought we could be good allies. After all, you hate the Holy See, and I need more power. ”

The hall was silent.

"Greater 'power'? The black cat muttered under its armor.

Cedric V suddenly laughed: "Hehehehehe, you also brought a cat here." A ghost cat. There is also a succubus. ”

All of a sudden, the black cat's fur exploded: "Can he see through the armor?"

Even Vivien, who had disappeared from her figure, was stunned, her eyes widened, and she stared blankly at Cedric V, who was like a lump of fat on the throne.

Gray unconsciously tried to grasp the hilt of his sword, only to find that his sword had already been handed over.

"Miss Succubus, you better come out. There's no point in hiding like this. Cedric V said softly, "And Your Excellency the Paladin, I took the initiative to break it, just to make us more honest with each other. Please don't be nervous. ”

Gray looked silently at Cedric V.

Slowly, Vivien appeared behind Gray and knelt down on one knee: "Vivien see His Majesty the Emperor." ”

"Get up. Cedric V waved his hand slightly: "You do not belong to the Holy See sequence, nor do you belong to the human race. You don't need to bow to me. ”

Vivien froze and slowly stood up.

The Emperor's guards around Vivien didn't react at all to Vivien's sudden appearance, as if they had expected something.

"Gray, I think there's something wrong with this emperor. Vivien whispered in Gray's mind, "Not only the emperor has a problem, but this hall also has a problem, and these guards. I think there's something wrong with all of this. ”

"I know. Gray replied softly.

"There is no one else here. Cedric V coughed dryly twice and said softly, "Let's just leave it open." I don't like the Holy See because they have too much control. I hope...... A little more freedom. That's why I wanted you to come in the first place. I am not on the side of the Holy See in the conflict between you and the Holy See because the Papal Hill is actually my territory. The other nations, they fear you, and they fear that your clergy will threaten their royal power. But I'm not afraid, because the Gustavian empire is unique. I don't think the standards of other countries can be applied to the Gustav Empire. ”

Taking a deep breath, Cedric V continued: "But you rejected me. Of course, when you made an agreement with the Pope, you were useless to me, so I didn't continue to urge you to come to Black Dragon City. However, you and the Holy See seem to be at odds again. I think the basis for our cooperation is there again. That's when I heard something unbelievable. You're a lich? That's what the two cardinals who escaped from the Papal Hill told me. They have nowhere else to go but to look to me for protection. So, they told me the news, swore by it, and even dared to vouch for their own lives. Originally, I didn't believe it, but they were already in my hands, and even if I wanted to lie, I didn't think they would pick such a lie that could be exposed at any time. So, I chose to trust them for the time being, and began to verify. As a result, the dragon god told me that you are indeed a lich. ”

"Ryujin?" Gray was stunned.

"Yes, Ryujin. The royal family of Gustavus has always been protected by the dragon god. Cedric V smiled and continued, "The dragon god not only told me that you were a lich, but also told me many interesting things. For example, you have a pact with the Holy Spirit that if you are attacked by humans because of your Lich identity, the Holy Spirit will also abandon you. Also, there is a contract between you and the Demon Lord, and through the contract, the Demon Lord lends you his power. I know all of that. ”

Gray listened quietly, looking at Cedric V, the fire of his soul burning wildly in his eyes.

Vivien's eyes widened and she held her breath.

The black cats were already frozen.

Cedric V laughed softly, his eyes downcast, drowsy, but his voice was exceptionally clear. He said leisurely: "I will tell you this first, I hope you will be cautious in the next conversation. Avoid having some unpleasant experiences. After all, we all hope that this meeting will have a pleasant outcome for both of us. Isn't it?"

"What if I refuse?" asked Gray rhetorically.

"Gray, are you going to refuse before they can ask?" the black cat screamed in fright.

Vivien was also frightened and hurriedly looked at Gray.

"I haven't said what I want, Lord Paladin, are you going to refuse me?" asked Cedric V softly.

"I just want to know the outcome of the rejection. Gray said undauntedly, "The way you talked, and the means, made me feel that what you wanted was not going to be an open agreement." ”

"Why do you expect this to be an agreement above board?" Cedric V smiled, coughed lightly, and said, "I will not ask for anything, promise to keep it secret for you, and then post this agreement to the gates of the city." Do you think this is an open and honest agreement?"

Gray looked silently at Cedric V.

"No, it's not an open agreement, it's an invalid agreement at all. Cedric V shook his head, and continued: "Because when it is made public, this agreement will no longer be meaningful." You are a lich, and your agreement is not above board. ”

Before Gray could open his mouth to refute, the black cat was already screaming again: "Gray! I think you should listen to what he has to say! Listen first! If you can't, then deny it! Forget it, I beg you! Don't refuse directly!"

Vivien chimed in: "Gray, he knows the specifics of your agreement with the Holy Spirit, which is different from the cardinals...... Moreover, the Gustav royal family has the protection of the dragon god! I think what he said is true!"

The two sides were at a stalemate, and Gray looked at Cedric V, the soul fire burning in his eyes.

Cedric V smiled, sat on the throne, and looked at Gray.

Both Black Cat and Vivien trembled with nervousness.

After a while, Gray replied softly, "Tell me, what agreement do you want?"

"I want you not to interfere with any of my policies, remember, is any. You, and the Holy See you control. I don't really need your support, but I ask you to be neutral in everything. ”

"Even if you do evil, am I going to be neutral?"

"'Evil'? hehehehehe, this word is a bit harsh. I'd love to embellish it with other words, to beautify it. But objectively speaking, yes. I ask you not to interfere in any of my affairs, and to give me the clerical authority in Gustav, including the appointment and dismissal of bishops, as well as the power to 'do evil' and the right to declare war freely. Exactly, I want to be the common emperor of mankind. I think you know what I mean. ”

The corners of the black cat's eyes were already twitching.

Gray replied in a loud voice, "Paladins don't sit idly by. ”

"But your Lich status requires you to be blind to some things. Cedric V spread his hands.

"This is against my oath. Your request is a violation of my faith. ”

"Everyone's faith is compromised, and you are a lich, and you should not be an exception. ”

"But I refuse this discount. If I had accepted, I would not have demanded myself with an oath, I would not have clashed with the Holy See, and I would not stand before you in my current capacity. It doesn't give you what you want. ”

"So, is this a breakdown of negotiations?" Cedric V slowly closed his eyes.

"I think so, we can't agree on the direction you want. Looking at Cedric V, Gray replied softly.

All of a sudden, the atmosphere in the entire hall quickly became oppressive.

Both Black Cat and Vivien were stunned.

......

In less than an hour, the negotiations were over. There are usually only two possibilities for this. One is that the negotiation is very smooth, and the negotiation is completed at once. The other is that the negotiations are very unsmooth, and there is no way to negotiate at all.

It is clear that the negotiations between Gray and Cedric V belong to the latter.

When Gray walked out of the main hall, the black cat was disorganized: "What should we do? He knows everything! As soon as he declares war on you, we are finished! The Holy Spirit will immediately join the crusade! What should we do?"

"Gray, can you communicate with the Demon Lord?" Vivien's breath was short, "You'd better ask the Demon Lord what he means." If the Holy Spirit crusades us, will he immediately abandon us? After all, you will no longer be a paladin, and you will not be able to do what he wants......"

Gray, however, remained calm as if nothing had happened.

A black-armored knight blocked Gray's way and said softly: "Your Excellency Paladin, Your Majesty thinks that it is rare for you to come to Black Dragon City, it is best to stay for a few more days, and you can also take this opportunity to temper each other's views." I've sent someone to help you and your men find accommodation. ”

Looking back, Gray saw Cedric V, sitting on the throne, holding a glass of wine and smiling at Gray.

"Okay. Gray replied softly.

"Great, he's ready to continue talking, which means there's still a chance!" the black cat finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Vivien was stunned: "Did he just talk to the squire?"

"What do you mean?" the black cat froze for a moment.

"No! That means he's using the same magic sense as me and Gray!"

"He's a magician?"

"But there are no magic fluctuations on his body!"

"What's going on?"

"I don't know, I'm already starting to wonder what is under the mask of these emperor's close attendants!"

"It's not all dragons......"

Black Cat and Vivien discussed.

Gray calmly followed the black-armored knight down the steps.

Bishop Gustav had already left and was not waiting for him at the foot of the steps.

The black-armored knight and Gray continued along the long, wide avenue of Gustav's Palace.

......

At this moment, in the Black Dragon Palace, two shadows had emerged from the huge dragon totem mural behind Cedric V, surrounding Cedric V, like a black mist.

The picture was extremely weird, but the attendants around the emperor were still standing quietly like a stone statue, as if nothing had happened.

"This lich is not a good negotiator. A female voice said.

"No lich is a good negotiator, we've known that for a long time. It's just that I didn't expect that the reason why this one is not easy to talk about is actually because of faith? Faith is the most troublesome thing. It seems that he has really transformed himself into a saint from the inside out. "It's a male voice.

Cedric V raised his head, completely devoid of the majesty of his genius, and asked in confusion like a poor old man, "What should I do as your servant?" ”

"How? It's very difficult. The male voice said, "I thought he would give in, but now it doesn't seem to be." Try to talk to him. Compared with exposing him, his cooperation is in our greater interest. Of course, if he is less willing to cooperate than the benefits that can be brought by exposing him, then we can only choose to force Heaven to crusade against him. After all, discrediting the Holy See is another good for us. ”

"Yes, honorable dragon god!" replied Cedric.

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