Duke Levi and Leah sat across from each other, with a brown coffee table in front of them.

The quaint sofa always reveals a heavy wood incense.

Leah looked at the visitor and subconsciously beckoned the maid to serve tea.

"No, I'm just out of curiosity and I'll be leaving soon."

Duke Revie softly refused.

Leah nodded, a slight glance in her eyes, and motioned for the maid to step aside.

Now, apart from Leon, only she and Duke Levi are left in the hall.

Lia didn't directly mention the envelope, but instead asked about other matters related to the royal capital:

"Is there something important that the Duke came here today?"

"Do we need more manpower for the renovation of the royal capital? I can send someone to assist if needed. ”

Duke Revie shook his head slowly:

"No, it's not."

He said in a calm tone and with a firm look in his eyes:

"Let's make a long story short."

"Actually, it was I who proposed to promote your family from earl to marquis, because your family needs this marquis."

To put it simply, it's still that reason.

The marquis fell to the head of the Clavenna family, which was able to effectively curb the undue ambitions of other nobles.

Now that the old emperor has abdicated, many nobles want to use their position and influence for personal gain.

In the face of an underage empress, some people seem to feel that they can easily control everything.

What's more, the character of Duke Levi, a good old man, has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the nobility circle.

Even if he openly supported the empress, it would not help.

But the Cravina family is different, and their family strength is obvious to all.

Even in Victor's absence, the Clevina family still has plenty of power.

With the title of Marquis, which can overwhelm many ministers, it can overwhelm those with bad intentions.

Therefore, the empire needed the power of the Cravina family, especially during the period of the empress's accession to the throne.

As for the outside?

There are only a few countries next to the empire, and the only one that can touch the empire is the kingdom of Kanter.

As a result, the strongest person in the Kingdom of Kante is still the grandfather of the current Empress.

To sum up, I want to make this empress sit firmly enough on the throne and convince others.

Then only one Cravina family is enough.

"It's good for your family too."

Hearing Duke Rivi's words, Leah nodded in approval.

Because now, Leah has to think about a most realistic problem.

After Victor's disappearance for too long, will the other nobles take the opportunity to secretly retaliate against the Cravina family?

Although to put it bluntly, Liya is not afraid of the retaliation of other families at all, and even wishes to have a few more.

When the time comes, they will all be buried.

But she also knew that such an act would undoubtedly cause damage to the family's reputation.

It will also indirectly lead to a negative impact on the dominance and credibility of the royal family.

After all, if the courtiers saw that the empress could not even restrain the Clevina family.

Let them set fire to the mountain and attack the other families wantonly.

Over time, their loyalty and trust in the royal family may be shaken.

And once you accept the royal reward, it means that the Clavenna family and the royal family are of the same mind and work together.

At that time, if anyone dared to provoke the Clavenna family, it would be disrespectful to the royal family.

If Leah wants to bury someone, it is also a justified burial.

But thinking of this, her brows furrowed, the expression on her face became serious and deep, and even the tone of her words became a little heavier:

"I'm still the same."

"I can receive the reward, that's what our family deserves."

"But I will never be able to take the title of Victor as the temporary head of the family."

With that, Leah raised her head carefully and looked firmly at Levi in front of her.

She found that the other party did not show a look of displeasure because of her refusal, but was a little satisfied.

After listening to Leah's words, the Duke of Rivi smiled and said to her:

"Of course, Miss Leah, I respect your choice very much."

"It shows that you always believe that Count Victor will return."

"In this respect, you are undoubtedly the best family member I have ever met."

He praised Leah again and again, as if he wanted to pour out all the praise in his heart.

Leah felt a little shy under this frequent compliment, and she gently reached out and scratched her cheek embarrassedly.

Although the praise makes Leah happy, her sanity is still on the line.

Although Levi's praise made Leah happy, her sanity was still clear.

Feeling a little puzzled, Leah raised her concerns with him:

"But it won't make anyone else feel ......"

Let the other families feel that the Kravenna family is already a little arrogant.

It is probably inappropriate to dare to refuse the title of empress.

But hearing Leah's question, Levi just smiled and shook his head.

"No, it won't."

"This title has always been placed there, it belongs to your family, even if you don't receive it, it's fine."

To put it simply, you Clivener family can not receive this title, but the royal family can't refuse to give it.

Given, it means that the royal family obeys the will of heaven and the people.

If you don't receive it, it is a sign of respect for Victor, after all, he is the real head of the family in Kravenna.

Moreover, it is only necessary to receive the reward, as it means that the Cleviner family is willing to continue to support the current empress.

This in itself is equivalent to accepting a knighthood.

Only nominally, the Clavenna family is not a marquis for the time being.

"And, with all due respect, I'm going to say something that may not quite be nice."

Levi's gaze lingered on Leah's face for a moment, as if to gauge how to speak, and Leah's expression was solemn.

She understood what Levi meant.

If Victor really can't come back, Leah will still have to take the place of the head of the family.

In the end, this title still has to be received.

Speaking of this, Leah's brow involuntarily furrowed slightly.

His lips were pursed, and there was a hint of gloom in his eyes.

She had always believed that Victor would eventually return, but the reality of being unheard from for a long time still left a sting in her heart.

It's like a constant torment of hope, and the subtle but ever-present pain makes Leah feel tired all the time.

"Don't worry too much about Count Victor's safety, Miss Leah."

Levi sat across from her and smiled, comforting Leah.

Hearing the other party's comfort, Leah's expression still did not improve, and her eyes were still full of worry and uneasiness.

"But ......"

"To be honest, maybe I'm just as anxious as you are."

Levi continued. Leah looked up in confusion and stared at him in bewilderment.

Although Duke Rivi's expression was still calm, there was also a hint of worry in his eyes.

Leah was confused, but suddenly, she stiffened in her seat.

Lia didn't quite understand, she froze in her seat, not knowing what to say for a moment.

What!? What's the situation!?

Victor is missing, why is Duke Rivi so anxious?

Are they ......!?

When the hell was that!!

At this moment, Leah felt a mess in her head.

Her eyes were dark, and she couldn't accept this obscure thing at all.

But soon, Duke Rivi's next explanation relieved Leah.

"My daughter, Erica."

"She said she knew Victor's whereabouts and wanted to find him, so she left the day after Victor disappeared."

"To this day, my daughter has not returned."

Hearing this, Liya's whole person fell into extreme shock, her eyes widened, and she stood up from the sofa with a pout:

"What...... What!? ”

Victor's whereabouts?

Leah may not believe this in anyone's mouth, but right now it is the Duke of Levi himself.

Listening to Leah's shocked question, Duke Levi nodded.

Actually, when Erica asks for his opinion to go looking for Victor.

Although Levi was reluctant, he agreed.

Because, when Victor defeated the last of the Calamity, Levi realized something.

His daughter, Erica, is no longer possible to leave Victor.

So he agreed to Erica.

Moreover, there was always a hunch in Levi's heart.

Maybe it's really possible for Erica to bring Victor back.

The gloom in Leah's eyes swept away, joy and excitement welled up like a spring, and her body trembled involuntarily.

"Victor...... Where the hell is Victor? ”

Levi didn't answer directly, but looked around, as if looking for something.

Finally, he looked at Leah with an inquiring gaze and asked a seemingly unrelated question:

"Did your father leave anything behind?"

"Like armor or something?"

……

Soon, the heavy red armor rested on top of the cart and was pushed over by Leon.

They were neatly placed together, except for a large hole in the helmet.

Leah looked at the armor that came in, her eyes full of excitement, and she looked up and looked at Levi expectantly.

Riah's eyes flashed with excitement, and she looked up at Levi expectantly.

Because she knew that Duke Rivi was a terrible collector of antiques.

His collection of antiques ranges from thousands of years to last week.

Perhaps, he knows a thing or two about this mysterious piece of armor.

Leah remembers that when Cerberus bit the helmet to pieces, her entire body became even larger and more terrifying.

So she thought that maybe this armor could be used to find the whereabouts of Cerberus, and then trace Victor's traces?

At this time, Duke Levi carefully looked the armor up and down, and then nodded slowly:

"Sure enough......"

Hearing Duke Levi's thoughtful voice, Leah's nerves suddenly tensed.

An indescribable sense of tension permeated his body, and even his hands trembled slightly.

"Duke, do you see something?"

Duke Rivi kept looking at the mysterious armor, frowned, and said to Leah:

"Do you know where this armor comes from?"

Leah shook her head.

Levi went on to explain:

"Its origins date back a long time ago, to the time when the gods were just emerging."

"And this armor, from hell."

Liya's heart sank suddenly, as if soaked in ice water, and her heartbeat seemed to have stagnated for half a beat.

Earth...... Hell?

Leah's mind flashed with the shadow of Cerberus, which Victor said was the janitor he had brought back from Hell.

The connection between the two seems to be becoming more and more apparent.

"It is said that armor like this is the reward that hell gives to those brave and fearless warriors who successfully fight their way out of the underworld in trials."

"It has great power, so if you can wear it, you can walk in hell at will."

Dumbfounded when she heard this, Leah stood beside Duke Rivi and asked hesitantly:

"So...... You're telling me. ”

Victor...... In hell?

Levi nodded, silently confirming Leah's guess.

Then, his gaze gradually fell on the helmet of the armor.

Seeing the conspicuous hole in his helmet, Levi was stunned for a moment, and his eyes blinked.

Then his eyes were firmly fixed on this deep hole, and he asked suspiciously:

"What's wrong with this helmet?"

"Ah, this."

Leah looked at the broken helmet and smiled a little awkwardly:

"Before it...... I was bitten by a dog. ”

"Huh?"

……

In the huge hell palace, the blue souls of the dead are surging like a tidal wave.

They were neatly arranged, and long cyan queues encircled the palace like a river, extending beyond the gates.

The surroundings are also full of wandering ghosts.

They gathered curiously in the corners of the palace, looking at the deaths of the dead in line with curious and frightened eyes, whispering.

And then......

"What !!"

An angry roar suddenly rang out from the center of the palace.

The deafening sound frightened many of the souls so intensely that they dissipated in an instant.

It took a long time for them to regroup, trembling and turning their gaze to the source of the sound.

At the end of that gaze, standing in front of the desk, a panting Hades stretched out his fingers.

The huge cyan finger hovered above Erica's head, pointing at the human girl in surprise:

"You want to have a trial?"

"Hahahaha, what are you kidding!"

The crimson cloak behind Hades flicked violently, creating a crimson arc in the air.

He sat back in his chair and said in a cold voice:

"A mere human girl, but delusional that she can pass that cruel trial?"

Hearing Hades' mocking voice, Erica nervously closed her lips and clenched her fists tightly.

But soon, her nervousness turned to calm.

His lips relaxed, his shoulders fell, his fists slowly stretched, and there was even a hint of arrogance in the corners of his eyes.

At this moment, Hades, who had long been unwilling to deal with Erica, suddenly turned his gaze back and looked at her with great seriousness.

Because he knew that they had changed again.

In the face of Hades' deep gaze, 'Erica' put her hands in her pockets and her posture was straight.

With that indifferent voice slowly sounded:

"She really doesn't necessarily make it."

"Do you dare me to try it once?"