The Elvwan family is not very old, and it is not an exaggeration to call it an upstart compared to a family like Ultok that dates back to before the time of the human city-states. But it's old enough compared to the little families that rose to prominence after the empire was built - and of course, the proud and proud Elfwan never had the idea of comparing himself to these unruly "little guys".

However, this "ancient family" did rise to prominence very early - when the city-state of Issos was founded, they were already the descendants of the Pendragon family, and one of the most important subordinate families. This family is very peculiar, no matter how turbulent the situation is, their interests will not be harmed in the slightest, they will always be lucky to escape from misfortune like rabbits, and there will always be all kinds of good luck to fall on their heads.

Their most glorious fortune was to secure a knighthood for Aragorn in Issos, when the Emperor was just a minor mercenary. When Aragorn failed to steal incense and was hunted down, the Elfwan family was unlucky for the first time, but soon some people envied their good fortune - after Aragorn was crowned Emperor, Elvwan was immediately rewarded handsomely - Aragon gave them a small dowry from Artoria, which was enough for six estates around the city of Issos, plus nearby woodlands.

Such good fortune is enough to be eye-catching in the eyes of outsiders, but the descendants of Elfwan know that the truly valuable treasure is the friendship of the emperor and not the harvest of those estates. After the rise of the Holy Empire, with this layer of relationship. The Elfwan family and the royal family formed a deeper marriage bond, and their heraldic banner became the "Black Cross", and it is easy to see why.

Throughout the Imperial era, the Elfwan family was an important dignitary of the Holy Pender Empire, always holding important positions in the imperial council under the emperor's majesty, and even served as prime ministers on several occasions. And in the north received a huge fief - the most fertile, prosperous Laria as a family fiefdom. The Elvwan family is indescribably noble, and the only thing that will be criticized is that this family has hardly had any famous knights, and has no achievements on the battlefield. Martial arts are weak. It seems to have become a flaw in this bloodline. But not enough to shake their position.

Duke Taylor Elfwan, known as the best "Black Cross" of all time, was given the position of chief advisor to the Imperial Council even after the emperor's efforts to suppress the increasingly powerful Elfwan family. He also successfully took advantage of the distrust of His Majesty the Emperor to drive the Brennus family to the north to "hold the outpost". Even Salald's father, Ultok the Elder. He also had to return to his own territory and avoid the political strife in the imperial capital in order to protect himself.

The little Duke, Bran, still remembers his father. When the fine Duke Taylor Elfwan looked at himself, it was not at all like he was looking at a last son, a lowly bastard—the kind of gaze that Bran had seen so much that he was completely numb.

A useful tool, a toy, in short, it was definitely not looking at a person's gaze, an inexplicable sense of humiliation and fear enveloped him, as if he would be completely abandoned in the next second—in a way, in Taylor's eyes, he and all his children were equal, just handy tools, but the degree of cherishing and the value of use were different from each other.

Contempt, gloomy and cold...... Bran, who was both the last son and the bastard, was not even as tall as his cousins in the Elfwan family, and lived in a family where interests were paramount, with only his aunt, a very simple woman, who occasionally treated him gently. But for Bran, the real spring came on the day he met Helena in the Sacred Palace of Issos.

Bran will never forget that smile like a saint, without the slightest difference in status, was regarded as a "person" by others for the first time, and was willing to play with him. But when Zhilu revealed Helena's identity, the extreme sense of humiliation and inferiority immediately made him understand that there is no chance, such an angel is not something that an illegitimate child can try to touch, it will cost a huge price, and the end is definitely worse than death!

And what hit Bran even harder was the bastard that his aunt gave birth to - a real mongrel, a monster with orc blood, Ashina!

When he first saw Ashina, Bran felt an indescribable disgust, he didn't notice that this was actually a feeling when he saw another self, the same was the last son and illegitimate child, both mongregs, although Ashina was quite friendly to him at that time, but the kind of eyes that seemed like an older brother looking at his younger brother (Ashina was indeed older than him) made Bran full of disgust for him.

But this is not the most painful for him, his aunt is obviously more gentle and cherishing to this monster than she is to herself—Bran, who seems to have been robbed of something, is completely angry, and her hatred for Ashina grows day by day. He cried, and that night, for the first time, he cried, and cried, but no one would come out to comfort him.

The next morning, he followed his father's instructions to Marions, who needed to receive preferential trade with the Gatu, and Bran was the perfect hostage, as a testament to the Alfwan's sincerity and observance of the contract.

Bran followed his fate, knowing that the strength of his father and family was impossible to resist, and embarked on a journey destined to be full of humiliation. It is hard to imagine that the brave and savage Cato would have a good impression of a weak boy and maintain a certain respect for him.

But Bran was also lucky, not long after he arrived in Marions, the terrible bloody plague began to wreak havoc in Issos, and after the most lu, this bastard son became the most surviving and the most orthodox heir of the Elvwan family - no matter how humble he was, he had the direct blood of Duke Taylor!

The real turnaround began when he met the knight, Sir Ludwig Ahart, the young Bran, who returned to Laria as a duke............

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"I hate Taylor Erfwan, but I can't deny that he's so good that it's never easy to figure out – maybe he'd guessed it even today, even if it sounds incredible. Bran smiled and pulled out a small pendant from his coat pocket, a cross carved from obsidian: "He didn't really admit my identity until I left for Marions, not a bastard with no name or surname." A seemingly boring move, but it kept the Elfwan family alive. ”

That is, you intend to ...... your father Is Tyler Elfwan a target?" Theodore noticed that the little duke frowned slightly when he said that word, so he had to change his tone and ask, "Shouldn't I start worrying now, that I have such a cunning minister by my side?"

"You are not Pendragon, so you are destined not to have a retainer surnamed Elfwan beside you—at least, not until two or three generations later, and the dead will not have a headache for the living. Bran chuckled, and Theodore had to smile wryly and acquiesce to the other party's statement.

Caesar, who is a Roman, can become the core family of Caesarea within at least three generations is only those Roman magnates, even Ultok and Brenus, no matter how close they are to themselves, it is difficult to be immediately accepted by the Roman family next to them. The real headache is also my grandchildren, who may even have turned their bones to ashes at that time.

"So, even if you can trust my loyalty, if you want to cut down the territory of the Elfwan family, you can do whatever you want, just take it as a congratulatory gift to congratulate you on your coronation as emperor, and the military power of Laria can also be handed over to your military minister, Mehemus, I have a good impression of that guy. Bran stared into Theodore's eyes: "However, I want you to hand over to me the three provinces around the province of Laria, and I will become the governor of the four provinces!"

"Governor of the Four Provinces?" Theodore raised his right eyebrow: "Should I say that you spare no effort, or are you too greedy, aren't you afraid that you will be crushed?"

"I'm Elfwan, and I've been learning these things since I was born, and the power of the Elfwan family can help you deter the stingy lords. Bran smiled slyly: "Besides, I think you also need me, and if you want to raise an army of 100,000, it's not an easy thing to do!"

With that, Bran turned and left. Then the senators walked in through the gates on both sides, bowed down and saluted after seeing Theodore, and then walked to their respective positions, without the slightest panic, only the voices of whispered discussions, the spacious Senate chamber, and even many echoes.

"Hail to you, my Caesar. Herodotus stepped forward with a solemn face, bent down deeply towards Theodore, and said respectfully: "I didn't expect you to come so early. ”

"Virgil guy lied to me and said that the senators are already waiting for me, hehehe......" Theodore smiled: "I really can't believe this guy, cunning fellow!"

"As you say, a cunning fox. Herodotus, who had been fooled more than once, immediately said with empathy: "This guy has no characteristics that a traditional Roman should have!"

"Hehehe......" Theodore looked at the old man beside him, and suddenly remembered what Bran had asked just now, and said with a little sly smile: "My dear Herodotus, there is a question I have always wanted to ask you......"

"Are you interested in being a powerful minister?"

(Thank you for the lack of moon bow (this name can be true text * art ~) children's shoes for the true reward, in other words, there are so few people who have rewarded recently, so I don't even have the opportunity to complain about the name~ Hehehe.)

Messi is Messi, and it doesn't matter if anyone touches it...... That's all my manuscript fee!) (To be continued......)