In the afternoon of the same day, the sharp-toothed Hart and the knight's squire Exa led the horse and camelled the unconscious, red-faced young master Iris back to Harlengosburg.

At about the same time that Iris was quietly carried into the bedroom by Hart, an important party was being held in the Duke's study on the second floor of the castle.

The guests here are not clowns, rich people, or the local elites. The people gathered in this study were all mid- and high-ranking military officers from the southern province of Svadia. They were all valiant knights and noble lords loyal to the Harengus family.

Officers in heavy armor sat around Duke Harongoth's desk, Gylrenwell sat beside him, and a young man of good manners stood on the other side of the Duke with a parchment and quill.

Most of the people in this room were knightly officers of the major columns of the Knights of Sanctions, including the generals of the equally famous Black Hawk Infantry Legion, as well as the high-ranking commanders of the fearsome Thunderbolt Crossbow Battalion.

These soldiers were all engaged on the southern front, determined to hold the Rhodoks south of the Umeya River, and not to set foot in the southern border of Swadia. Nearly ten years of life on the front line have honed everyone here into an out-and-out patriot.

In recent decades, the long Umeya front has been the scene of at least dozens of wars of aggression, whether the Swadias crossed to reclaim territory independent of the Empire, or the Rhodoks coveted the rich lands of the vast plains to the north.

Baron Dane, the lord of Nimeca, said in a dissatisfied tone, "For Your Majesty's personal expedition, the royal family will not only use our place as the front-line position, but also requisition our free and lovely lords to participate in labor, and later our army will also participate in the war as a vanguard. ”

His anger was justified, as every time the king waged a war to regain the Rhodoc region, the frontier town of Nimega would become a camp for his army. And those noble lords and soldiers will always cause a lot of trouble in his domain, even the dead.

A young knight stood up and said, "That is our duty as vassals, and it can be glorified for us." He was wearing a burqa with a black falcon tattooed on a white background, and his expression was clear. It was evident from that look that he was eagerly looking forward to war.

"If they have won a battle here," Baron Dain emphasised sharply, "I have to admit that these excessive demands are acceptable to us, for we are the people of Svadia, and have the duty and duty to fight for the king. ”

He had a face the color of ore and the ruggedness of a hunter: the arches of his eyebrows protruding like a rocky shore, the eyes that were as deep as a hungry tiger, his cheekbones slightly high, and his muscular moist face, all of which were the embodiment of strength.

Royce Dane was not only a noble lord, he was also a powerful warrior. He is a natural melee attacker with strong offensive and defensive abilities. Whether you're facing a single enemy or a group of challengers, he can overwhelm them with his ferocious weaponry.

"They only know how to shout for the recovery of Djerkhara, Viruga, and Aaron," continued Baron Dain, in a loud voice, "but they are reluctant to send a decent army, and only know how to pay for mercenaries who work for money. ”

"Perhaps the nobles had no hope of reclaiming the rich cities from the Rhodocs. "And your King Haraus is always hoping that he will be able to bring the region of Rhodok back into the kingdom during his lifetime." ”

Tormund is called 'your King Haraus' because he is a pure-bred Virgian. His hometown is in Fesdena, near the 'Mountains to the North', which is a cold and barren village. But at the moment, he was the commander of the Black Hawk Infantry Corps.

In the territory of the Harungus family, there is a law: as long as a person has the ability, he can obtain the corresponding status in the territory of Harungas. And that's why the Harongoth family was able to absorb wandering swordsmen and freelancers from all over the world.

"Yes, yes, we have to admit the eagerness of our valiant and intimidating king, but it is a battle with no chance of victory, even if we had defeated the army of Count Richson a week earlier. ”

The conversation was serious and tense, and everyone did not drag on in the slightest, standing up and putting forward their opinions concisely and quickly sitting down, the tone and attitude of the conversation were full of the rigorous and rapid style of the local Harongoth soldiers.

Duke Eddard Harongoth, the commander who had repelled four Rhodoc invasions, was in the right position. He listened to the suggestions and opinions of his officers with a grim expression, and his two gray eyebrows were condensed together, and he didn't know why he was worried.

At this moment, an old man of the same age as Duke Eddard wearing the Iron Eagle Cross stood up and proposed a toast to the health of Duke Harongoth. This old man, who is nearly half a hundred years old, is the baronial lord of the harbor town of [Elbel], and is also the head of the Knights of Sanctions.

This glass of wine immediately drew everyone's attention to the frowning Lord Harongoth, and everyone immediately raised their glasses and stood up to raise their glasses to express their blessings. The Duke lifted the wine glass that was placed aside, nodded slightly in thanks, and then took a sip of red wine.

The lord of Elbel, Baron Parochu, had stern and fierce eyes, and although he was fifty years old, he still seemed to be in good spirits. The prestige of this resolute-looking old man even surpassed that of the Duke of Harongoth, whom they had sworn allegiance to, in the minds of the knights.

"Just like the last time, the last time, the last time, the last time, the kingdom's army was driven all over the hill by the Rhodoks, and the retreat is so that we have to wipe their butts!"

In the room, no one responded to him with that unique loud voice, he looked around, and the old man only then realized that the 'undead knight' who was very angry with him was not present.

At this time, the Duke of Harongoth asked the young man standing beside him with a thick and torn roll of parchment that kept writing, "Alan, didn't the order to assemble be sent to the barracks of [Elbel]?"

The young man named Alan did not raise his head, and wrote an endless answer in his hand, "Yes, my lord, none of the barracks of [Elbel], the watchtower of [Nimeca], the outpost of the Rochester Bridge, and the pass of the Gangt Bridge have been missed." ”

"In short, my lord!" said the old man Parocu in a firm tone, "I do not approve of our sending troops, it is completely unnecessary. He spoke to the Duke's heart, and perhaps this was what made him so special, he was always able to read the true thoughts of the Duke of Harongoth.

The old man was the only one of all the people present who wore the Iron Eagle Cross on his chest. And this medal of glory and power is the trust that the old man personally bestowed on him after spending half of his life, at the cost of countless blood and pain.

When Paroku Red was young, he won seven consecutive sword fighting championships in the royal capital [Paraven], and the winner of the last two sword fighting championships, Gylornville, and the "Undead Knight" Barron, who also won the sword fighting championship in [Paraven], once served as his attendants.

"But we as vassals of Your Majesty cannot justify the repeated disobedience to the royal decrees," said the young knight, "It is said that some of your close ministers have spoken before Your Majesty that we have a strong army, despise the royal family, and have an ambiguous relationship with the Rhodoks and intend to rebel. ”

He was a handsome young man with a ruddy complexion, blonde hair, pale blue eyes, a straight nose, and a tough jawline, but he barely grew a beard. The young knight was able to sit here because he was extremely agile and agile, and he was not an ordinary person.

Old man Parocu took a sip of his glass and said casually, "Forget it, Edward, this kind of thing is not once or twice. ”

"That's a wonderful point, old man Parocus. Several knights seated at the long table raised their glasses to the old man.

"Gylorenwell?" said Duke Harongoth, turning his gaze away from the crowd to a young man to his left with the iconic five-foot greatsword on his back.

Gylornville owes a debt and replied respectfully, "Everything is at your disposal." That was the only thing he said in this study.

"Alright," said Duke Eddard, standing up, "let's make an agreement! At the very least, we must contribute more or less to this lost war, and let the gossips see it. ”

"I'm in favor of what adults do. Baron Parocus chimed in.

Master Harongoth's tone paused, and then raised his voice to emphasise, "Remember, you have strengthened patrols and security in the territory, and the royal army will intrude on the civilians in the territory every time they come, and they will not do any more harm to the civilians than any foreign invader, which is why I want you to guarantee their safety and interests with your lives." With that, he took the document that Allen handed over and looked at it, "Just like I promised everyone here. You must keep in mind our mission, and if any soldier or lord dares to repeat what happened last time, you will be arrested immediately and sent to the prison in my castle, and Your Majesty will take care of it for you!"

"Yes, sir!" replied all those present.

"Okay, Alan, remember the names of those good-tempered lords, and let the local patrol soldiers pay more attention to them. "Others, go back to your posts." ”

After everyone saluted Duke Harongoth and left the study, the Duke rubbed his forehead with a little headache and asked the clerk beside him, "How many people has Your Majesty gathered this time?"

"Plus the mercenaries, and the soldiers from the front line of the Hedrim Heights, about 40,000 people, my lordship. Alan replied without looking up.

"How many lords are here?"

"Seven, my lord, oh! by the way," said Allen, looking up suddenly, "your nephew, Baron Rutgers, is among them." ”

"Got it!" the Duke waved his hand in a bit of a trance, stood up, and went upstairs.

As he passed the staircase, the old duke's eyes inadvertently swept over the bracket by the window, "What about the armor?" he asked.

Gylrenville, who was immediately behind him, was stunned as if someone had put a dagger against his back, and he hurriedly said, "That treasure given by the former king has been sitting here for some time, and I see some rust at the junction of the wrist armor and the shoulder armor, and let them be sent to old Lemon for maintenance, sir." ”

"Send someone to check on the situation on [Elbel]'s side," the Duke said, nodding and handing him his trembling left hand, "Let Alan draw up a proclamation and convey the news of the king's march south to the people of the realm by noon tomorrow, so that the civilians can be prepared." ”

Gyloron Willow squeezed the old man's hand, lowered his head slightly and said to the old man beside him, "Please rest assured!"

At this time, the old man lowered his voice, as if he was afraid of being known, and asked, "How is Iris? I didn't see him in his bedroom today." ”

Gylornville also replied in a low voice, "Lord Iris has been invited to a hunting tournament organized by Duke Michod's son, and will be back in a few moments." ”

Duke Harongoth asked in a concerned tone, "Did anyone go with him?"

A servant named Hart and a cavalry attendant accompanied him. ”

The old duke, with the support of Gylrenville, walked up to the bedroom on the third floor, at this time he was in a trance, his face was pale, cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and his whole body leaned on Gylrenville's body.

"Your Excellency!" exclaimed Gyllenwell, "is it okay for you, I'll get your medicine!"

"Be quiet," said the duke, weakly, "listen to me!"

Gylornville hugged the Duke tightly and said, "Everything is at your command!" he looked at the pale old man in horror, Duke Harongoth's voice was like a gossamer, his lips were white, and his body trembled slightly.

"My dear friend," said the Duke, "as you knew this secret two years ago, please keep it a secret for me! Believe me, it's not a big deal, Gylornville," the old man sighed as if he remembered something, "and help me back to my room while I still have some strength." ”

The Duke of Harongoth's serious illness was a disaster for the entire empire, and although Gylrenville had seen the Duke fall ill several times, he could not bear the pain in his heart, so he picked up the poor old man, helped him into his bedroom, and immediately laid him on the bed.

"Thank you!" said the old man, as if he had only exhaled his breath.

"Where's the medicine!" shouted Gyloronville, holding the Duke in a panic, "My lord!"

The old man slowly moved to his chest with a trembling hand, and Gyloron Weller immediately found a small cloth bag in a pocket on the chest of the Duke's Gebu robe, he immediately found a pottery bowl, and poured some water into it, and used the sword behind his back to cut a gap in the small cloth bag, slowly stirred the medicinal powder with a wooden spoon, and picked up the weak old man and fed it.

After a while, Duke Eddard's pale face gradually turned a blush, consciousness returned to those majestic and calm eyes, a slight sigh came out of his mouth, and the Duke smiled weakly at Gylrenville, who was guarding him.

The old man smiled weakly and laughed at himself, "I felt terrible just now. ”

"How many times has this been since I'm gone?" asked the young knight, "and it will not work like this, my lord!"

"I now have a rough idea of the timing and pattern of the onset, Gylrenville, just as you saw me just announcing the disbandment—I've already calculated. ”

Gylrenville was a little at a loss, this fearless knight was so afraid of losing the old man in front of him, he had not yet freed himself from the fear just now. "I know now!" he said tremblingly, "why did you reduce the number of guards in the castle when the Assassins attacked you!"

"It's best if you can keep this secret for me. Duke Ed said, "With my body can last for a while, but for now, this news cannot be known to anyone, although you have promised many times, but I know that you are worried about my body, in order to appease an old man's suspicious mentality, now please swear again on this matter." ”

Under the Duke's earnest gaze, Gylornwell stood up obediently, stretched out his left hand, and said slowly with a sad expression: "I swear by the honor of knighthood and my humble surname that I will keep this secret without your permission!"

Duke Ed Harongoth looked at this young man, he was so loyal, so simple, and so noble. The old man saw faithfulness, sincerity, respect, and perseverance in that always gentle and calm face.

"Very well," said the old man, holding out his pale and trembling hand, "I thank God for having such a faithful and excellent young man by my side. ”

Gyloron immediately knelt in front of the duke's bed and clenched the cold hand of the old man in front of him.

"Alright, Gylrenville. The Duke paused and said, "Now go and help me see how Iris is doing, and whether his blanket is properly covered." He has a habit of kicking the quilt, and you have to tuck the corner of the blanket into his left shoulder. I can't go to see him tonight, so you can go in my place, and if he hasn't slept yet, let him read his poetry first, and let him sleep when the moon hangs on the top of the second tree of the castle. ”

The old man suddenly remembered something, and added, "Also, I asked the servant to buy some bear meat from Mount Manterina in [Poravon], and put it in Marco in the stable, and you told him to make a broth over a low fire tomorrow and send it to Eris's room." Okay, go, go and rest when you're done with what I've told you! You don't have to come and watch over me tonight, but tomorrow you'll get ready and follow me to Nimega to make an inspection." ”

Gylrenwell stood up and took the duke's hand and shook it tightly. The old man gave him a smile of "don't worry".