Fort Duncan, the commander's lounge.

Six arm-thick butter candles on the stone-walled candlesticks illuminate the 50-square-meter room, and the exquisitely crafted iron-cast desk precipitates the historical afterglow of the Iron Mountain Empire, which is incompatible with the simple style of the lounge. There are no smooth wooden floors, no wall carvings, no fine crystal chandeliers, and the greystone bricks make up the most modest tones of the room.

It was originally a room for the knights to rest, the Bronze Horseman's lounge.

Duncan Fortress has more extravagant lounges, and successive monarchs of the Frederick family have stayed in their dedicated rooms every time they visit Duncan Fortress. Today, Emperor Frederick and Grand Duke Frederick are trapped hundreds of kilometers away in the City of Light by centaur invaders. The Duncan Fortress, which guards the eastern gateway of the Sassan Empire, has a new commander, Duke Ussain Baselius.

Most of the secular lords of the Sassan Empire were descendants of the great nobles of the Iron Mountain Empire, and they preferred to recognize Barcelius's legitimacy than Frederick. Because no one likes the Paladin family to ride on the head of a secular lord and point fingers. Of course, bloodline is also an extremely important factor. Detached from the mark of light, except for the blue hair that symbolized the ancient bloodline, the Frederick family only possessed the top-level silver bloodline, while the noble bloodline of Barcelius was unquestionable.

Barcelius throughout the ages was happy to be called His Majesty by the Lord of Sassan. Usein was an exception, he was known for his low-key modesty, and he opposed His Majesty's title, even if he entered Duncan's Fortress, he did not live in the exclusive lounge of Frederick's royal family, and chose this ordinary small room as his temporary residence, and the iron desk placed in the center of the room was only because of his usual handiness, so he ordered people to move thousands of miles from the west of the empire to Duncan's fortress in the east of the empire.

Andrea Wimbledon was a critic of Usein, and although his modesty earned him the friendship of Patriarch Friedes and the tangible benefits of the Lord of the West, keeping a low profile was not what the Iron Mountain royal family should be. The highnesses of the Sassan Empire began to draw closer to Frederick's royal family because of some of Usein's practices. This time, 9 of the 11 royal highnesses of the empire were trapped in the front line of the frontier with Emperor Frederick, which is the most powerful proof of this.

After all, Patriarch Friedes is also a Testier, and he will only side with the Knights of Radiance. The Patriarch's kindness and justice towards Barcelius always had a bottom line.

Usein would not fail to understand this, but he remained low-key and modest at this critical moment, sending a signal of submission to the usurper, which would only discourage the noble descendants of the Iron Mountain Empire.

Andrea sometimes wondered if her allegiance, the heir to the Iron Mountain Empire, Usein Baselius, had lost her ambition to restore the glory of her ancestors.

Spit out, Andrea said in a cold voice: "His Royal Highness Wimbledon did not let me participate in the battle of Greyhound Village, and I don't know the specific situation. But His Highness Wimbledon has declared to me that the vanguard of Cambys will come to Duncan Fort the day after tomorrow to meet with His Majesty. ”

Duke Baselius, who was sitting behind the iron table, pondered for a moment and asked in a gentle tone, "The Ogre Overseers killed by His Highness Randall are in a state of rage?"

Andrea raised her sword-thin eyebrows, correcting the mistake of Usein's title, "It's His Highness Wimbleton." ”

Usein was stunned, looked up at the countess with amazing beauty, and saw that she looked very serious, so he couldn't help knocking on the table, and said jokingly: "If the Earl of Golden-Eyed is His Royal Highness Wimbledon, then how can you call Wimbledon orthodox in this vein?"

Andrea said lightly: "My lineage was not originally the direct descendant of the Sword Saint Draven, since His Royal Highness Wimbledon has reproduced the supreme bloodline of the Sun Elves, he is a matter of course Wimbledon orthodoxy." ”

Usein smiled and exclaimed, "Andrea, it turns out that you can accept reality. ”

"It is also an indisputable fact that Your Majesty is a direct descendant of Empress Barcelius and Prince Wimbledon, with noble golden blood, and the heir to the Iron Mountain Empire. Andrea said coldly.

The smile on Usein's face turned into a wry smile, shook his head, and said, "You're right, but I don't like His Majesty's title, which makes me feel embarrassed that it doesn't live up to its name...... Well, as long as the Earl is pleased, whatever you call me...... Ahem, so Wimbledon slew the badly wounded and furious Ogre Overseers?"

"Yes. Andrea's face softened slightly, and she said with a bow. A magnanimous and humble lord makes it difficult for her to be angry.

"Do you know what that means? Crush ...... The strength of His Highness Wimbledon completely crushed the gold-level ogre overseers. Usein said excitedly, "He can crush the Ogre Overseers, and he can crush most of the gold-level orc leaders." With His Highness Wimbledon suppressing the Eastern Frontier Line, we can save many deaths...... Alas, I used to doubt his legendary prowess, and I was clearly wrong. ”

Andrea pursed her lips lightly and asked, "Can Your Majesty slay the Gluttonous Ogre Overseer?"

"It's not the same. Usein shook his head with a smile and said, "Even the two legendary knights of Nakhtigar and Neowest can't do it to the level of Count Goldeneye. They must lead a storm on Greyhound Village while facing the Ogre Overseers and their orc slaves. Both Tournans and Tystiel could ambush the Ogre Overseers on their own, but they would have to wait patiently for each other to be left alone, whether to wait a day or a month, it would be difficult to say. ”

He paused and asked, "You don't seem to be very happy?"

The Countess's inner worries were written on her delicate face, and she frowned, and asked rhetorically, "Do you think this is worth rejoicing?" His Royal Highness Wimbledon is clearly going to take over the command of Duncan's Fortress, which is located at the center of the Eastern Defense Line, and has extraordinary political significance, almost symbolizing the imperial capital of the Sassan Empire. ”

Ussein shrugged his shoulders and teased, "I thought that Wimbledon's help would make you admire." ”

"This joke is not funny!" Andrea's sharp eyes stared at Barcelius's blue eyes, and said coldly, "I have a husband." ”

"Andrea, I don't mean to offend. Usein said, "But I still have to say that Ecre is ready to be promoted to the Silver Rank, and you can't drag him all the time." I don't want to see you and Ackery Barcelius turn against each other....... we have to accept reality. ”

Andrea has a husband and an heir, but her peerless beauty does not allow her husband to stop pursuing the way of knighthood, and one day, they must choose to separate, pursue their respective partners, and spread the noble bloodline, so as to strengthen the family.

"Your Majesty doesn't have to worry about the matter between me and Ekley, Your Majesty should face the reality in front of you first. Andrea said displeasedly, "The lords are eager for Barcelius to lead them to victory and glory. ”

"Good. Usein smiled and nodded, and then said, "The reality is that the church is not prepared to spare the centaur army when it lights the red smoke beacon. The command of the war has always been in the hands of Grand Master Testil, while the command of the Eastern Frontier Line is actually in the hands of Patriarch Friedes. In this war, which affected the entire human kingdom, Fort Duncan was only a fortress of the Eastern Frontier Defense, and had no political significance...... The reality is that we only have 40,000 cavalry at our disposal, they come from the major families of the Sassan Empire, and the lords have entrusted me with the most elite cavalry, and they do not want me to treat them as worthless victims...... The reality was that the garrisons holding the eastern line of defense were the militia of the respective families and were deployed by the commanders of the respective theaters, but Siegfried Frederick was fully responsible for the garrison...... All this was agreed between Patriarch Friedes and me in advance, and no matter how many garrisons died in the eastern line, we could not be involved...... Frederick's eldest son, who bears the greatest responsibility, and Patriarch Friedes, who is in charge of logistical supplies, troop replenishment, and magical powers, asks us to abandon the Duncan Fort war zone, why should we refuse? ”

"Andrea, don't let the glory and pride of your ancestors cloud your eyes...... Well, that's my advice to you. ”

The countess was stunned for a moment, then hesitated and said, "But...... But we have spent our energy and sacrifices in the Duncan Fort War Zone......"

"But Greyhound Village is not something we have breached. ”

Usein stood up and said, "Andrea, I have released the letter crow and asked Orokshia to rush to Duncan Fortress and meet with the two Highnesses of Gambis. You might as well arrange a reception...... Oh, by the way, Patriarch Friedes and the eldest son of Emperor Siegfried will also be in attendance. ”

The Duke of Barcelius gave the order to expel the guest, and Andrea reined in her thoughts, got up and saluted.

When the sound of the countess's crisp footsteps faded away, Usein shook his head with some amusement. Andelia is haughty by nature, but lacks patience and political prowess, but it is the sharpest sword that makes enemies fearful, makes her master cautious, and always gentle and gentle.

Whoever marries her suffers guilt, poor Acrey, may you have a good night...... Ussain prayed for his distant cousin, opened the door, and walked alone towards the fortress's dungeon.

The spiral staircase leading to the ground was dark and cold, and Barcelius's boots treaded silently on the damp stone steps, as if he were at one with the underground environment.

The prisoner was unaware of the Duke's arrival, until the door creaked open and slammed shut, and the awakened prisoner sat up slowly from his hay-paved nest, two dim red lights lit up deep in the sockets of his eyes, like the legendary eyes of the dead.

"I am very happy to meet the two Highnesses. The prisoner stroked his chest, his voice old and dry, completely out of proportion to his muscular burly appearance.

Beside Usein stood a tall lady, whose face was obscured by darkness, but the prisoner's eyes seemed to have the ability to see through the darkness.

"Your Excellency?" asked the lady, her voice as light and melodious as a stream, as if it could flow into the hearts of men.

"Your Royal Highness Barcelius, you can call me a 'prisoner'. The prisoner gave the lady a salute to her breast.

This lady turned out to be the guardian of the Barcelius family, the Golden Knight who guarded the northern part of the Eastern Frontier Line, Oroksia Barcelus.

"Prisoner?" Usein looked the prisoner on the other side up and down, and said with a smile, "Talking to us through the body of a death row prisoner is a magical witchcraft...... There are many priests in Duncan Fortress, aren't you afraid of revealing your witchcraft?"

The red light in the prisoner's eyes flickered, and he replied slowly, "This ritual is complicated and costly, but it will not be noticed by the priest. ”

"So, Your Excellency admits that you have a relationship with the Radiant Church?" Orokshia asked faintly.

"Hehe, since the Pantheon turmoil, there has been no wizarding organization in the human realm. The wisdom of the two highnesses was extraordinary, and they could naturally think that the church had secretly cultivated a wizarding organization. The prisoner nodded and said calmly, "That's right, we have something to do with the church. We are devout followers of the Most High Lord, outwardly the Council of Shadows, and inwardly Priests of the Shadows. Our mission is to bring together the awakened witchcraft in the human realm and prevent a pantheon-like catastrophe from happening again. ”

Usen and Oroksia seemed to have expected this answer, or that no change would have swayed the Golden Knight's will. The two glanced at each other, and Duke Baselius bowed his head and said: "Of course, the church should guard against similar disasters, controlling wizards is the consistent practice of knights and nobles, since the Pope's line has lost power, it is reasonable for the Knights of Radiance to secretly cultivate shadow priests." ”

"I have a question, the Council of Shadows has helped Barcelius train bloodthirsty warriors, we have been dealing with each other for three years, and His Excellency the Prisoner has always refused to contact us, why did you suddenly choose this time and ask to meet with us?"

The prisoner said, "In times of danger for the kingdom of mankind, as servants of the Most High Lord, as transcendent beings among the human race, we Shadow Priests also have our own strength, and we also have our own demands. ”

"Oh, what does the Shadow Priest want in this war?" Orokshia asked faintly.

"The right to walk in the sun. The prisoner said in a deep voice, his voice filled with suppressed longing.

Oroxia chuckled lightly and said mercilessly, "Your Excellency's requirements are too high, no one will admit that the Shadow Priest is a part of the Radiant Church, and you are just the personal soldiers of the Trigovar family. ”

The prisoner was silent for a moment, and said in a hoarse voice, "This is the status quo that we are trying to change...... I can understand the fear of witches among mortal believers, 'walking in the sun' is our ideal, and it takes a long process to achieve this ideal, and it takes someone to take the first step. ”

Usein laughed: "Ideals may not be realized, survival is the most urgent." Where is the shadow under the sun? The shadow is always hidden behind the behemoth. Since the Inquisition is going to use the power of the Shadow Council this time, you will face a purge when the war is over, and only then will Trigovar be clean. Frankly, we may not be able to shelter you, but you can use the power of Barcelius to leave a legacy. What do you think, Your Excellency, the Mage Advisory Group of the Iron Mountain Imperial Family? At the very least, your descendants can become true nobles. ”

"Nope. The prisoner shook his head firmly and said, "A wizarding organization without faith will only slide down the abyss of desire and cause unimaginable disasters to this world...... In the words of your nobles, the Church is a bigger backstage than Barcelius, so why should we give up the patronage of the Church and choose a mere royal family?"

"I can't imagine that Your Excellency is so devout in your belief in the Most High Lord. Oroxia scoffed, "But at the end of the day, you just want to break free from Trigoval's control and become an independent body of the Church, so as to gain more power." ”

The prisoner shook his head and said, "I must remind the two Highnesses that we are also transcendent, and we have extraordinary powers that are beyond the reach of ordinary people, don't we deserve to have power?"

"But you are not bound by the Radiant Code!" Duke Baselius's eyes were like lightning, and his momentum rose as majestic as a mountain, and he said categorically, "We have differences with the Knights of Radiance, but we cannot allow the Chosen One to resurrect and rule the human kingdom again!"

"Why should Your Highness test my strength, this is just the shell of a death row prisoner. The prisoner said slowly, "What about Trigovar being bound by the Radiant Code? They sell people, kill innocents, and protect the blood marriages of knights and nobles, and these evil deeds are inextricably linked with you great nobles. More than half of the Friedriches' Esoteric Dead and Secret Knights came from the Eastern Alliance, which was controlled by Trigovar...... In addition, I would like to correct a fallacy of His Highness, the Radiant Code binds everyone, including wizards. Her binding force is to protect and redeem, not to punish and destroy. There is no law in the Radiant Code that exterminates wizards, because we are mortals, and the devil also covets the soul and flesh of wizards. Faith in the Most High Lord protects our souls from the temptation and persecution of the devil, and fallen sorcerers who turn away from the faith will be purified by the clergy and become part of the charism. ”

"When the first popes made the Radiant Code, they had left the way for wizards—a faith in self-redemption and overseer from the clergy. After all, His Majesty Enoch is also a great wizard. Since we can be healed by the Light, we will be loved by the Most High. ”

"Your Excellency the Prisoner has studied theology thoroughly, and has already laid the theoretical foundation for the Shadow Priest to come to the forefront. Oroxia sighed faintly, shook her head softly, and said regretfully, "It seems that it is difficult for us to reach a consensus...... So, what can we do for you, and what can you bring to Barcelius?"

The prisoner chuckled under his breath, "It's easy, try to get our people to meet with His Highness Randall. ”

Usein's eyes flickered, and he asked, "I'm very strange, the Shadow Priest has great powers, can't he contact Centaur Hills himself." ”

"For some reason, we can't go to the Centaur Hills...... And this sudden outbreak of the Orc War provides us with an opportunity to cooperate with His Highness Randall and His Highness Sylvia. We hope to have the support of the Southern Empire. ”

Oroxia's voice was cold, "And then, to resell the bloodthirsty warriors you sold to us to Centaur Hills?"

"Heh, heh, he...... Don't be too greedy, noble and wise Your Highness Barcelius. The prisoner laughed in his throat and said, "The wizards we found in the Sassan Empire are only temporarily serving the Barcelius family, and they will eventually return to the Church to serve the Most High. I believe that the political enemies of political enemies are allies, and the Paladins are obviously the political enemies of the Barcelius family, and a Duke of Barcelius is not enough to help the Shadow Priest come to the fore, but His Majesty Barcelius can, and the Iron Mountain Empire can. We're willing to help the Barcelius family, and that's good for both of us, isn't it?"

Usein touched the back of his head and smiled kindly, "That's all, I thought there would be something more substantial." ”

The prisoner was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "When the Shadow Priest gets rid of the control of the Trigovar family and truly becomes a branch of the Church, we will remember the kindness of Baselius, and the two Highnesses will see the more valuable research results of the Shadow Priest, and the bloodthirsty warrior is nothing...... Even though the Barcelius family can't enjoy the extraordinary results of the Shadow Priest alone, it's better than nothing. At the very least, we guarantee the priority of the Barcelius family. ”

"Vague and general...... Be specific. Oroccia's voice was a full expression of dissatisfaction.

The red light in the depths of the prisoner's eye socket shrank and shrank, and after a while, he said, "The shadow warrior created with the paladin crystal has the ability to be ferocious, psychic fire, and bloodthirsty...... You'll see samples of the Shadow Warriors, but to get more Shadow Warriors, you need to give the Shadow Priest the power to deploy the resources of the Church. ”

Usein and Orokxia exchanged glances, smiled and nodded: "Deal...... How would you like to meet with His Highness Randall?"

"All Your Highness Barcelius needs to do is tell Wizard Luke of Randall's whereabouts, and we will meet him alone at the right time. The red light in the prisoner's eyes faltered, and he said hoarsely, "The time is coming, if there is anything else, contact us through Luke." ”

With that, the prisoner fell to the ground on his back, completely out of breath. Usein rubbed his chin, sensing the elemental changes at the maximum distance, and said with a smile: "Dead wizards always have strange skills....... but fortunately, their sorcery can't hide our elemental perception. ”

Oroxia glanced at the prisoner lying on the ground and said lightly, "He is already dead...... Except for the fire element, I can't feel the pulsation of the water element, which seems to be the legendary manipulating undead. ”

Usein clasped his hands, with a sarcastic smile on the corner of his mouth, shook his head and sighed: "It's also a group of guys who refuse to face reality......"

Oroksia turned her head and asked, "What do you think?"

"There will only be two empires in the human kingdom, Iron Mountain in the north and Gombis in the south...... There is an empire with golden blood, and Frederick and the Knights of Radiance are just making wedding dresses for us. Whether it's the Orc War or the Pioneer War that follows, I don't want problems within the Knights of Radiance. ”

Duke Usein Baselius looked at him with a clear gaze and said with a low smile: "I will swallow all those little wizards found by the Shadow Priest, along with the inheritance of the bloodthirsty potion." However, I'm interested in the Shadow Warriors, and when we get the Shadow Warrior training method, the Shadow Priest can die, and it's better to let Trigovar fall with him, and the Inquisition will henceforth fall under the name of the Cardinal. ”

He said with some distress, "The question is that it is appropriate to sell the shadow wizard to the patriarch? ”

Orokshia nodded slightly, frowned, and said, "I'm only worried that the Shadow Priest will be detrimental to His Highness Randall. Sylvia is on the verge of extinction, and like Verotica's ancestors, she has the power of omniscience. She wants to destroy Barcelius's golden bloodline, just in a thought. “

"Hmph, if you can't mobilize the power of the Elemental Sea, how can a wizard's sorcery hurt a legendary powerhouse? What's more, His Highness Randall is already close to the Sanctuary. Usein said disapprovingly, thought for a moment, and continued: "Big deal, we have a foster marriage with the York family. ”