Green River Valley.

Since the withdrawal of the Holy See of Light, the external worries have been completely eliminated, and the struggle between the Grand Duke Oneisha and the great aristocratic coalition class has intensified, and a wide-ranging political storm seems to be slowly brewing. This increasingly tense situation has even spread from the top of the principality to the people, and the solemn atmosphere has also permeated the entire territory of the Principality of Anlan.

In the streets and alleys of Anfen City, there will never be a shortage of talkative idlers, who exchange secret information from various sources. Among them, the tavern, where people communicate most frequently, has undoubtedly become the center of discussion.

"Have you heard that the nobles have united to make a collective attack on His Royal Highness?" a man dressed as a merchant was talking with the other companions at the table about the recent turmoil in the principality.

"Of course," the middle-aged man in brocade embroidery next to him nodded, "Now that this matter is in a uproar, there are not many people in the entire Green River Valley who don't know the Tao, and besides, those big nobles look like they are determined to win." ”

"Determined to win?" another brown-haired young man wondered, "But now that the 'Flame Demon Knights' are stationed in Amphan City, what is the use of their trouble?" For these hot-blooded young men, every member of the "Flame Demon Knights" is a model among the warriors, an invincible hero, and with such a powerful army by the side, Archduke Onesa's position must be unbreakable.

"Ward, you're still too young," the brocade-robed middle-aged man stroked his short beard under his chin and glanced at him before explaining, "I have an old friend who is now a squadron leader in the Garrison. According to him, the vast majority of officers in the army above the middle level have already pledged their allegiance to the great nobles, or are themselves the children of the nobles, and if you say it yourself, the 'Fire Demon Knight' is no matter how powerful it is. Can it compete with all the armies of the principality?"

"This ......" the young man snorted, still a little angry, "but since the restoration of the country, His Royal Highness the Grand Duke has worked hard and made no mistakes, why should those great nobles embarrass her?"

"Well, I also think His Royal Highness the Grand Duke has done a good job," the merchant-looking man nodded beside him. Interjected, "Compared with the past, the taxes levied by the business and opening the port have been greatly reduced, and in addition, His Royal Highness the Grand Duke has also single-handedly opened up the 'Golden Trade Road', which has greatly developed the industry and commerce of the Principality. ”

"It's useless to just support us. The middle-aged man in the brocade robe shook his head and sighed. "Think about it, since the restoration of the country, from the resettlement of war refugees, to the distribution of unclaimed wasteland, and the requisition of noble private soldiers when war broke out, His Royal Highness has made all kinds of decisions. Of course, they are all in line with the times, but what they offend is precisely the interests of those nobles. Especially now, the royal family is weakened, and only one bloodline is left, His Royal Highness. How can they keep their ambitions within their control?"

In the market, there are also people who understand the situation. His analysis was all reasonable, but it was not in the slightest, and the brown-haired young man sighed involuntarily, and the others around the table all nodded silently in agreement. For a moment, everyone had nothing to say, and they all raised their glasses and drank their own wine.

"That'...... According to you, His Royal Highness really can't deal with it?" After a long time, the brown-haired young man asked again, looking a little worried.

"With such a huge disparity in strength, how can you deal with it?" The brocade-robed man thought for a moment and shook his head again, but there was still a slight hesitation in his voice, "Unless...... Unless ......"

"Unless what?" the young man asked urgently, and the eyes of the other companions also gathered.

"Nothing...... The general trend is so irreversible. He seemed reluctant to say any more, sighed lowly, raised the stoneware wine cup in his hand, and drank without saying a word.

Separated by a wall, the inner room of the tavern.

The drinkers outside were talking, but the two people sitting opposite each other inside did not speak, just drank and listened quietly. It wasn't until the conversation had changed outside that one of them stood up and pushed the window open, blocking out the noise.

"People in the market also have such insights. Watching the person pushing the window sit back down, the old man opposite said casually.

"Oh, what does the man think, is that man right or wrong?" The man who closed the window was about forty years old, dressed in a simple and simple adventurer's attire, with a mediocre appearance, and it was difficult to attract the attention of others in the crowd, but in his eyes, there was an occasional flash of light.

"The general trend is like this, can't it be reversed......" The old man shook his head slightly, the clothes on his body were very ordinary, but his skin was well maintained, his bearing was graceful, and he was obviously very human, he hesitated for a moment, but still said frankly, "That being said, this is the last step, but it is also undecided." ”

"The nobles have been united and occupy an overwhelming advantage, and now the Grand Duke can only support it, how can the adults be indecisive?" The middle-aged adventurer did not seem to be a subordinate of the old man, and although he was polite in his speech, he did not have a very deferential look.

"It's because we pressed too hard before, that's why Onisha is so careful now," the old man seemed to trust this person, and made his debut, "Although we do have complete control over the newly recruited soldiers, and have installed many cronies in the garrison armies, the army in the Green River Valley is already more inclined to Onisha, and she has the most elite warriors like the 'Fire Demon Knight' in her hands to guard her, although we have gradually grasped the power of the principality, we have not been able to do anything good with her. And as long as she remains in the position of the Grand Duke for one day, no matter how great our advantage is, it will be of little effect. ”

"Didn't you try to infiltrate the 'Fire Demon Knight'?" the middle-aged man said tentatively, "such as bribery, coercion, etc., adults shouldn't need me to teach them, right?"

"Sir doesn't know, it's not like we've tried, but the 'Fire Demon Knight'' loyalty to Onisha is simply unshakable," the old man glanced at the other and lowered his voice, "That's why I'm here to ask for some extra help." ”

"Of course, of course," said the window pusher, laughing, rubbing his hands, "otherwise, how could a noble marquis be in such a crude tavern?"

"Then, my request, I think Mr. should already know the way," the old man known as the "Marquis", staring at each other with a falcon-like gaze, "Moreover, Sir must be able to meet it, right?"

The middle-aged man closed his eyes, thought sideways for a moment, and nodded slowly.

"That's good," the old marquis breathed a sigh of relief, took out a small cloth bag from his arms, and put it on the table, and there was a sonorous sound of gold nuggets colliding inside, "These are deposits, sir, count them." ”

"It's okay, Lord Marquis is a high-ranking and powerful person, and he must not be a dishonest person," the middle-aged man stretched out his hand and took it casually, and the cloth bag completely disappeared between his hands when he flipped it, and he raised his head and said, "So, this matter is so agreed?"

"Hmm. The old marquis hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded.

Everything was agreed, and the old marquis was just about to get up, but he sat down again, and reminded with a cautious expression, "The soldiers of the 'Flame Demon Knight' are all elite in the army, and the Grand Duke's Mansion is heavily guarded. ”

Glancing at the old man, the middle-aged man secretly ridiculed in his heart, it seems that this marquis has also taken action, but he has touched the nail, otherwise it would not be like this expression. However, the other party was his patron after all, and for the sake of the bag of gold, he still nodded calmly, and admitted, "The killers in our organization are the most professional, please rest assured." ”

"When the deed is accomplished, I will definitely reward Mr. Dali," the old marquis stood up and admonished, "the price is not a problem, and the highest level of killers must be hired to complete this task." ”

"It just so happens that there is a high-level killer in the institution who is in Anlan's territory," the middle-aged man thought for a moment and said with a smile, "The name 'Ice Orchid Blade', adults should have heard of it, right?"

During this time, Allegri and Illo had already crossed the southern border of the Principality of Anlan in a horse-drawn carriage.

When they were in the holy city of Ranken, Allegri's seal and other things that proved their identity were stored in the Soul Box of Nilbergen, so they were not destroyed by the burning of the "Flame of Light", and they were able to pass all the way unhindered, and quickly rushed in the direction of the Herseus Valley.

The carriage slowly drove into the gate and pulled to a halt, and Allegri and Illo emerged from the carriage to be inspected by the soldiers at the checkpoint. The emblem of the white thorn flower on the wall of the carriage had long been picked off by the half-elves, and the horses pulling the cart had also been replaced, which was enough to support them until they rushed back to the mercenary group.

Ellen Elendil's corpse, with no signs of decay under the preservation of the divine arts, was like a living person who had fallen into an endless slumber. After discussion, the two took the opportunity to disguise him as a seriously ill and unconscious patient, and placed him in the carriage, and the soldier who came up to inspect him just glanced at him casually and waved him away.

"Brother, borrowed. ”

Allegri was just about to climb into the carriage when he heard a low, magnetic voice from behind him, and he turned sideways to get out of the way, and a man in a long black cloak walked slowly past him.

The long blade is upside down, the black hair is shawl, and at the wide cuffs, an ice-blue butterfly embroidery is lifelike, as if it wants to fly out. (To be continued......)

PS: (One more, I can only thank you for your support)