In the snowstorm, the Ducal Palace was unusually quiet and solemn. When the Holy Guards and the private soldiers of the Ducal Palace escorted Roddy's team to the front of the mansion, the entire square was filled with people.
As for the welcoming party, seven to eight barons and viscounts donned in thick cloaks stood beside the mansion expressionlessly, faintly highlighting the Dukes Of Angmar and Bishop Benjamin in the middle.
Since the two powerful elders had mobilized so many people, Rody naturally could not wait for the carriage to stop in front of him before getting off. Although he felt dissatisfied and helpless, he had to choose an appropriate attitude to deal with such a 'show of extravagance'.
Roddy, whose "political IQ" was passable, jumped off the carriage from afar. While cursing the two old farts for scheming against him in his heart, he put on a "flattered" expression and greeted, "Lord Duke, Lord Bishop, I'm glad that I didn't disappoint you this time, but I really can't accept such courtesy."
Roddy thought he would see a satisfied or even proud smile from the two old men, but when he got closer, he found that the Dukes Of Angmar did not look well. His face was pale and his lips were purple. Although his eyes were still sharp, his eye bags were swollen. It was obvious that he was ill.
"This is …"
"Let's deal with it first. I'll explain to you tonight."
Duke whispered to Roddy. He then smiled and said loudly, "The Lucifron family is fortunate to have a member like you. I have seen all your hard work. As the captain of my guards, you have contributed to the territory and the kingdom. You have not let me down!"
Roddy immediately realized that Angmar's gesture was for the nobles to see. Although he did not know how he had become the captain of the guards, he still made a prompt decision. He respectfully bowed and whispered through his teeth, "What do you want me to do?"
"I'll be fine after this meal …"
After Bishop Benjamin finished his sentence, he raised his hand and released a Holy Light Spell. With a pious expression, he said, "Captain Rody led the team to fight bravely and killed Magda the Witherer. His meritorious service is outstanding and he has cleared another evil existence from the world for the Rose Cross …"
As he spoke, he took out a piece of parchment that emanated a holy aura. There were two wax seals on the parchment, which meant that it was an oracle from the Rose Cross Cathedral. The nobles who were looking at Roddy with disdain slightly changed their expressions. They couldn't help but straighten their bodies.
"From today onwards, Captain Roddy will forever be a friend of Rose Cross."
The Imperial Edict was not limited to that short sentence. However, the meaning of the edict was enough to make the ordinary nobles gasp. With such an official 'Imperial Edict', Rody would have the backing of the 'Rose Cross'!
In the midst of the discussion, the Dukes Of Angmar coughed a few times and announced that everyone would attend the banquet.
To Roddy, it was not difficult to wear a fake mask and talk nonsense with these nobles for two hours. He was more concerned about the "specific reason" that the two old men told him.
Could it be that they had other difficulties?
The luxurious banquet ended in a hurry after two hours because the Dukes Of Angmar was not feeling well. The nobles expressed their understanding and politely bid farewell to Roddy. The Ducal Palace finally quieted down.
Suren and Natha did not have the right to attend the banquet, but Roddy was not worried about their treatment. He believed that Angmar would not mistreat his people. After the last baron left the dining hall, Roddy was quickly led by a maid to the spacious study on the second floor of the mansion. Once again, he met the Dukes Of Angmar and Bishop Benjamin.
And this time, it was a "candid treatment".
At this time, the atmosphere in the study was not as "festive" as at the dining table. The Dukes Of Angmar's cough was very ear-piercing, and Bishop Benjamin's face was slightly worried. When he saw Roddy coming in, he raised his hand and handed the precious and sacred "Holy Edict" to Roddy with both hands. He said, "The main purpose of the banquet in the afternoon was to convey a kind of attitude to the outside world, and at the same time to confirm your identity. There is a reason for this, and I did not inform you in time. I hope you can listen to a few words of explanation from Angmar."
This was actually very polite words. The difference in status between Roddy and Bishop Benjamin was like the clouds and the mud, but Bishop Benjamin put himself on the same level as Roddy. Of course, Roddy understood the gravity of the situation. He quickly took the "Holy Edict" and said, "I'm just a little surprised, and I hope to understand what happened as soon as possible."
"Cough … Cough …" The maid heard the coughing and quickly brought hot water for Duke. But after Angmar grabbed the cup, he waved his hand and said, "You can leave first."
When the door closed, Angmar did not bother with small talk and said to Roddy directly, "The deaths of Magda and Ansadin are public information, but no one knows that you were the one who did it. I also tried to arrange people to spread some information to mislead and downplay your existence. But a few days ago, something unexpected happened. Someone made your identity public."
"Public? Mine? "
Roddy was very surprised, and his eyebrows immediately raised. "What happened?"
"I can't find out. That is what I feel is troublesome." Angmar shook his head, and after trying to calm his breathing, he continued, "The news suddenly appeared, and some of the things you have done in the past were made public. Your position, your current territory location, how many heretics you have killed, and so on …"
"This information immediately made you wanted by the 'Viper Cross'. In order to protect you, we had to do this."
These words made Roddy frown deeply.
This kind of explanation barely satisfied him, but he still felt a little unhappy. Because now he was tied to the 'Rose Cross' and the 'Lucifron family'. Not only did he have to bear the risk of being wanted by the 'Viper Cross', but he also had to bear the risk of being attacked by the enemies behind these two forces.
There were good and bad results like this. Roddy was silent for a moment. He did not really want to speak, but to avoid the awkwardness, he lowered his head and looked at the 'Holy Edict'. But after that, the notification that jumped in front of him made Roddy's eyes light up. This piece of parchment that was personally issued by the Pope actually gave Roddy a new 'title'!
[Devout]
'Rose Cross' reputation automatically increased to [Reverence]. When receiving divine blessings, the buff increased by 30% (Remains the same after switching).
Obviously, Rody's killing of the 'Blightcaller' Magda and Ansadin, the two archenemies of the undead, had done a great service for the church. The destruction of the 'Executioner' Kevin was also a great achievement. All in all, this title could be said to have been earned with a sword and an arrow. There was no luck at all.
A 30% buff was definitely a huge number. If it was the '+ 120 Strength' 'Blessing of Power', with this title, the effect could be increased to '+ 156 Strength'. And a priest who specialized in the 'buff' attribute could usually farm 5-8 similar buffs. If he had this title and farmed all the buffs, his strength might even double!
The most powerful thing is that the buff from the [Devout] title will not disappear after switching titles … Activating the [Devout] title, buffing the buff and switching to [The Last Witcher] title, the additional 30% buff will not be reduced by a single bit!
It was worth it!
Roddy was relieved. He raised his head and saw the Dukes Of Angmar coughing violently with blood seeping out of his fingers …
"This —"
He immediately realized that Duke's illness might not be that simple. He immediately looked at Benjamin who was beside him, but the bishop shook his head: "He has used too many divine spells, it's no longer effective."
This sentence made Roddy squint his eyes. The Dukes Of Angmar slowed down, and his body trembled. He looked up and said word by word: "I know you still have resentment in your heart … To be honest, giving you the title of 'Guard Captain' is because of my selfishness."
"… If the war really comes as you said, I only hope that you can use the resources of this family to protect Sally, and not let her suffer."
Helping Sally, and not the Dukes Of Angmar, this was already an obvious "last words".
Humans are selfish, but was Angmar doing this "selfish" or "selfless"? Roddy could not come up with a definition at the moment, but he felt that … such a "father" should be worthy of his respect.
Anyway, he did not plan to continue hiding behind the scenes. Such an unforeseen event was not something that could not be dealt with.
Roddy slowly exhaled, and the last trace of dissatisfaction in his heart disappeared. Seeing Duke using a handkerchief to wipe the blood, he asked: "Have you taken the potion?"
"I drank a dozen of the mid-level healing potion, but it's no longer effective."
Benjamin's voice was heavy, and it was obvious that he no longer had any hope for the potion.
"There are some rare potions in Ansadin's inheritance. I'll send someone to look for them, maybe … it can delay the time for a while."
Roddy was speaking the truth. Although the potions in the game were powerful, the law of "aging, sickness, and death" could not be ignored. The Dukes Of Angmar had been tormented by the "Soul Extraction Potion" for five years, and his body was like a candle in the wind. The only reason he could hold on until now was because he had a good foundation. If he was an ordinary person, he would have died long ago.
What was tormenting Angmar was his body's weakness and serious illness. If he remembered correctly, Roddy did have a potion that could slow down the symptoms. Although it could not be cured, it could ensure that Angmar could hold on for a while longer.
"How long?"
Ansadin raised his head slightly.
"It should be able to last through the winter." Roddy did not ask if he wanted it, and said directly: "Send someone to Paer Hill now, it should be here in a week."
Angmar nodded silently, and did not say any polite words such as "thank you".
The atmosphere was a little silent. He thought for a while and said: "I received a letter from Bishop Rubens the day before yesterday, it's a notice of a change in position … Next spring, I will be promoted to the diocese's archbishop."
"Eiferta Diocese?" Roddy raised his head slightly, recalled for a while, and corrected himself: "No, it should be Bodog Diocese."
Benjamin looked at Roddy with some surprise, and nodded: "It's Bodog Diocese."
"Congratulations, Lord Bishop. In another five years, you may be able to take over Lord Rubens's position."
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