Gently holding the hilt of the sword, the friction of the sharp blade in the sheath made a subtle sound like flowing water, and the bright mirror-like sword body was still incomparably simple and elegant under the light, and even the refracted light could not be detected, but it could still make people feel the cold air of the forest, and the hideous fangs were hidden under the simplicity.

The black eyes scrutinized the knight's sword in his hand, though its hilt had been replaced: the gauntlet was a silver-plated cross, the grip was wrapped in fine black sharkskin, and the sapphire was set in the glorious cross on the suffix. But Edward could still tell that the sword was the one he had lost at Hornkee.

"How does it feel?" Landzel asked in a very kind whisper with the scabbard in his hand, "I'm sure you remember this sword, and any knight of Turin will surely cherish such a top-notch weapon." ”

"How did you fix it like this. Curious, Edward looked at the blade in his hand as clear as a touch of moonlight: "It looks like it's freshly forged—I remember there were a few gaps in it." ”

"If I'm not mistaken, this sword must have been forged with the help of some alchemist—otherwise it wouldn't have been so sharp. Landzel couldn't help but sigh in admiration, and then said with a little sarcasm: "But now Bright Star City has no shortage of wizards who want to flatter and curry favor with the Turines, so there is no difficulty in reforging. ”

"My herald found it near the ruins of the gates of Fort Horn - it was buried under a pile of dead men, and it took a great deal of effort to get it back, but it was your sword. He tugged at the corners of his mouth: "It was originally intended to be stored as a souvenir, which is really surprising." ”

"I'm pretty sure it's not an accident. Edward sneered and took the scabbard from Landzel's hand. He put the sword back, "But thank you for keeping it for me for so long." ”

"Either way, I hope this 'gift' will satisfy you, Viscount Edward Witwood, the news of your becoming Lord of Hornfort has spread throughout Shining Star City. Landzel didn't say anything more, shrugged his shoulders: "The thought of becoming a neighbor with you right soon is really scary!"

"For me. All this Hornfort can bring me is a title. Edward casually placed the sword on the table, "It's like the title of 'Guardian of Bright Star City' brings you only a title, Lord Landzel. ”

"Have you ever thought of a name for this sword?" said Landzel, who had not answered the question, as he raised his wine to the north, "It would be a shame that such a good sword did not have a resounding name." ”

Saying this, Landzel, who took a sip of the bright red wine, touched his chin excitedly: "How about the Wrath of the Horn? Or the Sacred Tree Warden - after all, you are still a Sacred Tree Knight; Ghoul Howl seems to be good, but if it is changed to Winterwood, it seems to be more ...... with your last name."

"I think it's best to call it 'Bright Star'. Edward put down the sword in his hand, looked at him meaningfully, and whispered.

The smile on Landzel's face faded: "...... What do you mean exactly?"

"I'm not Trist's fool, and you and I both know very well that Bright Star City will be in your pocket sooner or later. Edward's voice was very low: "But if you think that the Kingdom of Turin is something you can use at will, then we don't mind destroying you again!"

"I see...... Landzel nodded thoughtfully, "You think I planned all this: from surrendering to you Turineites to completely controlling the entire Bright Star City, it was all a conspiracy hatched by me Landzel Ottovic - to overthrow and kill Cosimo." And then become the ruler of this ancient city-state?"

"Are you going to tell me that all this is just idle speculation - that Landzel Ottovic, who went to great lengths, just wanted to keep the peace in Star City?"

"Of course not, you're right—I've been planning it from the moment I found out I couldn't defeat you. A smug smile appeared on Landzel's face, "And I'm sure you know all of this too, but still choose to work with me - I believe it shows how deep our understanding is." ”

"In fact, just before you met me today, the young master of the Minest family had talked to me about something, and he had made a very subtle statement that the Minest family was willing to support me in becoming the ruler of Bright Star City, and that they would provide a lot of assistance - our city-state had just been reduced to ruins. It will take a long time to recover, and who could be more generous than the Minests?"

"It's a pity...... This stay-at-home boy doesn't know at all. Sooner or later, Bright Star City will be my stuff - not to mention anything else. Landzel curled the corners of his mouth mockingly, and looked at Edward's eyes more and more eagerly: "As for the Minest family's assistance, of course, it is very rich, but it also has to pay a price. ”

Edward, who was silent for a while, raised the corners of his mouth, smiled very calmly and with a little curiosity: "For example, ......"

"Let our Lord of Fort Horn die in a shipwreck and disappear from this world forever. Landzel laughed similarly: "Or rob all the cargo ships that go to Fort Horn and dock there, a nail." Not a bag of wheat, not a barrel of pear wine can be transported to your territory!"

"I'm sure these things won't be difficult for you. Edward looked at him very calmly, and said in a deep voice, "Then why are you telling me this?"

"Because I don't want to work with the Mineste family, I don't know about them, I don't know what the conspiracy is, and I don't know if I'll end up like Cosimo one day. Landzel poured a full glass of wine. Then he handed it to Edward: "The Minest family is an unavoidable behemoth to you, and they can also strangle me, the little mercenary leader, at any time, and I would rather cooperate with you if I want to serve them!"

"Knock knock!" a very polite knock came from outside, and the two people who were still talking stopped talking very tacitly. Pushing open the door, little Goodwin, dressed in a new bloat, poked his head inside the door.

"Sorry to bother you, Lord Edward. Probably at the door I heard the voices inside, and little Goodwin bent down apologetically: "But there are a few people who insist on seeing you, and I have already told them that you are busy, but they still ......"

"It seems that you are quite busy, Viscount Edward. Landzer joked, "Then let me retire first—we can wait until later!"

After saying that, he turned and walked out the door, and before leaving the door, he did not forget to say hello to little Goodwin, who was standing there, as if he had known him for many years.

"This guy was going to kill us before, and now he's looking like this again. Little Goodwin muttered to himself, "Lord Edward must not really believe what this guy says, does he?"

"I'll never trust someone like Landzel, no matter what time it is. Edward's voice suddenly came from behind him, startling little Goodwin, twisting his head and widening his eyes as if he was overly frightened. Edward, chuckling, patted him on the head, "That's not what you should be worried about, my dear little Goodwin - what is it that has made you so hurried here?"

"Uh...... Actually, it's nothing, it's just that a few mercenaries from the Crow Mercenary Group want to meet you. Little Goodwin hesitated, but decided to hide the little maid Angela, and twitched his throat in a panic: "I surrendered those guys to you at Fort Clarifolia, and now they are standing outside, are you going to meet them?" (to be continued......)

PS: Thank you to joinwinter and Sredgermir for the monthly pass!