Avram wanted to say something more, but when he saw Brendel staring at him coldly, he quickly shrunk his neck and swallowed the rest of his words back into his flabby stomach. The convoy continued to move forward, passing by the Empire's soldiers and refugees. Everyone's gaze swept past the trembling men, women, and children, but most of them did not say a word. Eenid and the Duke's daughter from Viero felt that the atmosphere in the convoy was a little strange. The little girl from the Grinoires family held tightly onto her wet nurse's hand, looking a little timid. Eke, who was following closely behind Brendel, looked like he wanted to help the refugees. He kept looking at Brendel's direction, but did not get permission to do so. The sergeant from Yanilasu followed behind him, one hand on the hilt of the sword hanging at his waist. His eyes were fixed on the imperial soldiers.
Kiara, on the other hand, looked on coldly from the sidelines. This little girl with an extremely uncoordinated large scholar's hat stood beside Enid and watched all of this with a cold gaze that was far beyond her age. Occasionally, her expression would reveal a mocking expression towards Avram and the others. The Shire, Hipamira, and Metisha had their own thoughts, but they stood behind Brando, waiting for orders. Jutta looked at the refugees and frowned slightly. She had seen too many of such scenes in this kingdom.
Brando didn't even look at the refugees. His eyes didn't even linger on the imperial soldiers. He pursed his lips and led the convoy through the chaos with a cold face. The imperial Knight who passed by him was ignored as if he didn't exist. Although the people in the diplomatic party had been together for almost two weeks, they still weren't familiar with the temperament of their commander. They only knew that he was a close vassal of Her Highness and that he was as powerful as Duke Arreck in the past. Whether it was Avram or Duke Viero's daughter, most of them were warned not to offend this count who was bound to be powerful in the future. Therefore, if Brando didn't say anything, they didn't dare to act on their own. The convoy remained silent as they approached the towering gate of Ebon Rampart step by step.
The diplomatic party quickly passed by the caravans. The refugees who were detained had long been left behind. For a moment, only Eke was still looking at the back of the convoy reluctantly. He frowned and didn't try to hide the anxiety on his face, as if he didn't understand why the count, who he had always respected and was full of Knight spirit, didn't let him do anything. However, Brando's image in his heart had already reached an unattainable height. Since Brando didn't say anything, although he was anxious, he could only stay in the convoy. He turned around and found that the little loli from the Grinoires family was also looking at him. She tilted her head and looked at him, her light brown eyes full of confusion. She didn't seem to understand why those people were arrested. She was only seven or eight years old. The world of nobles was still too far away from her.
The scouts in front of the diplomatic party had already reported to the people of Cruz, so at this time, the people of Cruz also knew the origin of this noble convoy. The convoy slowly arrived at the Black Sword Fortress. Brando raised his hand to stop everyone. Not long after the convoy stopped, three Knights of Cruz riding on land dragons came in front of them. The leading knight was wearing a silver-gray ceremonial breastplate full of shining medals. Brando saw the color of his ribbon and the long mane on his helmet and knew that this man was a Knight Captain. Behind him, the Grand Duke of Viero's daughter had a slight change of expression. According to the normal etiquette of the Holy Cathedral of Fire to communicate with the subordinate countries, the Empire should at least send the deputy of the highest official here to verify the identity of the official envoys and welcome them into the city. Now, Cruz sent a mere Knight Captain to replace them, which was blatant arrogance.
This was not the first time such a thing happened. As early as three years ago, when Cruz's envoys went to the Empire to meet the Emperor to celebrate the New Year, they were treated like this. Perhaps even earlier than that. Long before the Year of Frost, the kingdom's envoys seemed to have been used to this kind of disrespect. But in the past, when the Grand Duke's daughter read about this from the history books, she only felt that Erouine's national strength was weak and that it was natural for a behemoth like the Empire to be superior in front of him. But now, when it was her turn to experience Cruz's disrespect, she could not help but feel a sense of resentment in her heart.
But she was sensible enough not to say anything.
The others in the convoy more or less felt that the atmosphere was a little strange, but except for Chiara and The Shire, the others had limited understanding of diplomatic procedures, so they could only wait silently for Brando to make a decision. Brando had already expected this. He gently patted the still ignorant Avram's shoulder and asked the meatball to submit the document. It was only then that the latter reacted. He quickly took out the document and the Seal Ring, and respectfully presented them to the Knight of Cruz with both hands.
He was so humble that even the sergeant behind Eke could not stand it and showed a look of dissatisfaction. But the Knight of Cruz did not appreciate it. He impatiently took the document, glanced at it, and then threw it back to Avram. These few movements made even the most ignorant Avram realize that the document in his hand was Erouine's letter of credence. If the other party was a marquis of the Empire's border, he would not dare to say a word even if the letter of credence was thrown back in his face. But the other party was just a small Knight Captain. Strictly speaking, he was not a real noble. He could not help but stare at the other party with his mouth agape. He did not understand where the other party's confidence came from.
But the Knight of Cruz ignored him. He looked at the meatball with disgust and waved his hand. "Come with me."
Avram stood there and did not dare to move. He subconsciously turned to look at Brando. This was no longer the etiquette that the Empire should use to welcome other countries under the rule of the Holy Cathedral of Fire. Or rather, there was no etiquette at all. No matter how stupid he was, he knew that if he acted on his own initiative, the crime of a diplomatic breach would fall on his head. But the meatball found that Brando did not seem to see him and stood there motionless.
Helpless, he could only tremble with fear and said to the Knight of Cruz, "Sir Knight, this … doesn't seem to be in accordance with the rules?"
He hoped that it was a moment of carelessness on the part of the people of Cruz and forgot about diplomatic etiquette. But to his disappointment, the Knight looked at him coldly. "It's a time of war now. We can't open the Knight's Gate to welcome you. If you are not satisfied with anything, you can choose to take a detour or go back the way you came."
(Note: The Knight's Gate was the name given by Duke Sempli to the front gate of the fortress in honor of the soldiers of Cruz who died in this fortress.)
Go back the way you came?
Avram was sweating profusely. At this moment, he had really seen the arrogance of the Kirrlutzians. He used to think that this was natural. This world respected strength, and the Kirrlutzians' fists were big and hard enough, so showing such an attitude was tolerable. But when he enjoyed this arrogance, he realized how hateful it was. If he could, he wanted to punch the guy in front of him in the face and then throw a punch at the damn Count Tónigel's face.
Of course, this was just a thought. Even if he had ten times the courage, he wouldn't have the guts to do it.
But when he was in a dilemma, Brando finally opened his mouth. "Avram, tell him that we can't go back."
Avram's voice was holy. He hurriedly looked back at the people of Cruz. The Knight seemed to have expected this. He couldn't help but smile contemptuously. "Then please follow me, Sir Envoys." He deliberately emphasized the word 'Sir Envoys'. Coupled with his heavy Cruz accent, his words were full of sarcasm. This sentence made Avram's heart tremble. He was afraid that the arrogant commander would not be able to hold back his sarcasm. Other than him, the other people in the envoy group also frowned, especially Count Janilasu's right-hand man behind Eke. As a soldier, his right hand was already tightly gripping the hilt of his sword.
Although Avram was famous for being a hedonistic aristocrat in Karsuk, he still had the ability to observe people's expressions. Naturally, he could sense the tense atmosphere. He wiped his sweat and kept glancing at Brando. He wanted the Count to make a statement, whether he was dead or alive.
But unfortunately, Brando still stood there motionlessly as if he didn't hear the words of the Knight of Cruz.
This time, the Knight of Cruz finally realized that something was wrong. He directly ignored the fatty in front of him and raised his head to look at Brando strangely. He realized that this was the leader of these Erouine people. Although he didn't know who the other party was, it didn't stop him from speaking. He replied with some arrogance, "What's the matter, everyone? Are you going to stay here forever?"
Brando glanced at the guy. He had already gotten used to the arrogant faces of these Cruz people in his previous life. Central nobles like Veronica, Lenarette, and Brund were slightly better, but these Cruz soldiers at the border had more chances to interact with the Erouine people. It was as if the trembling refugees and the Erouine nobles had already spoiled their temper. Therefore, this group of people was almost the most arrogant group of people in the Empire. In their eyes, the Erouine people were only a little higher than beasts. This attitude became especially obvious after the first War of the Black Rose. Later, during the period of Erouine's resurgence, it even affected the Cruz players. Dealing with the Cruz Empire of that era was simply a matter of infuriating for the Erouine players.
Compared to the past, this attitude was still considered good. At least, he did not openly mock and ridicule Roland.
But Brendel did not feel the slightest bit of gratitude just because of this' better 'attitude, because he was here to look for trouble. To other people, going to the Empire as an ambassador was to participate in the mobilization ceremony before the Holy War, but to him, this purpose was actually dispensable. He stared at the Cruz Knight and could not help but curse in his heart. However, he still suppressed his emotions and replied faintly, "We came here to go to the Empire, so naturally, we will not stay here, nor will we go back the way we came. Mr. Knight, do you understand?"
"Very well, then what do you mean?" The Cruz Knight seemed to have heard the funniest thing in the world. He looked at Brando's group as if he was looking at a group of idiots. He thought that this group of country bumpkins must have come from some remote place and had never seen the world before. Otherwise, how could they be so dumb?
"What we mean is that you must follow the etiquette and open the main gate to welcome the delegation into the fortress. This is related to the dignity of the Empire, and also to prove to the world that you Cruz people are at least not ignorant of etiquette." Brando replied concisely.
The Duke's daughter opened her mouth in the back. This time, not to mention the Kirrlutz knight, even she felt that her commander had suddenly become so rigid. The Kirrlutz people made it clear that they wanted to belittle them and give these 'country bumpkins' a show of strength; these diplomatic etiquette did not need the Count to remind them. Obviously, the Kirrlutz people were already well aware of it, but they did it on purpose. However, if Brando did not expose this last bit of embarrassment, then both sides could still save some face. However, after Brando exposed this last bit of embarrassment, if the Cruz people still insisted on doing this, then the delegation would lose all face.
Of course, she did not believe that the Count of Tónigel was that simple. She faintly felt that Brando seemed to be deliberately forcing the Count into a dead end.
At the same time, the Cruz Knight's face also changed.
"What are you talking about?" He could not help but shout in anger: "I said that it is a time of war, and it is impossible to open the Knight's Gate. Don't you understand, sir?"
"This is the border between the Erouine Kingdom and the Cruz Empire. I have never heard of any war." Brendel ignored the knight's reprimand, and replied nonchalantly, "You're right. You're right.
"Is that so?" The Knight could not help but sneer: "Then you can go and convince the Marquis that this order is given by him. If you can convince him that there is no threat of war here, then I will personally open the Knight's Gate to welcome you into the city."
Brando looked at him and replied: "Well, I will convince your Marquis, but according to etiquette, you are not qualified to welcome us. This honor was originally reserved for your Marquis' deputy, but if I go and convince him, then I am afraid that he will have to personally come and welcome us as an apology."
The Cruz Knight could not help but stare at him as if he was looking at a madman.
"In your dreams." He finally said: "Well, if you don't want to go in with me, then you can wait here. Of course, you are welcome to persuade our Marquis at any time."
After that, he left Brando's group and returned to the fortress with his men. It seemed that he really did not want to bother with these Erouine country bumpkins.
After the Kirrlutzians left, Avram, the Duke's daughter, and the others subconsciously looked at their leader. Avram only thought that the Count wanted to show off his courage so that he could advance in order to retreat, but the young lord obviously did not expect the Kirrlutzians to never fall for this. The Duke's daughter was silent, but she obviously had the same thought in her mind. But the problem was that now that the Kirrlutz people had left, they couldn't stay here forever, but whether it was going back or going to the Marquis, it would be a humiliating thing. This matter was obviously caused by their leader, so if someone had to come out and clean up the aftermath, it would naturally be the leader who should come out first.
But Brando did not seem to care about this matter at all. He looked up at the towering wall, then turned back and said to The Shire behind him: "The Cruz's men are stubborn. Sixty years ago, sixty years later, and even today, this has never changed. The Shire, go to my carriage and bring me my sword. "
Avram did not understand the meaning of this sentence, but the duke's daughter, who was more astute than him, had already reacted. She stared at the leader of the envoy group, dumbfounded. She seemed to have just remembered that the leader of the envoy group was a Sword Saint.
"No," she quickly objected: "Count, you can't be so impulsive!"
Brando looked at her and asked: "How am I impulsive, Miss Eugenie?"
"He actually asked me why I was impulsive!" The Duke's daughter almost pulled her hair out. She originally thought that Brando was just a little young and impetuous, but now it seemed that he was completely crazy. She could not help but shout: "If you are going to threaten and kidnap the Marquis, it may cause a war."
Brando could not help but be stunned: "Who said that I am going to threaten and kidnap a real noble? Miss Eugenie, you can't wantonly slander my reputation."
"You don't plan to do that?" The Duke's daughter was stunned.
"Of course."
"You swear?"
"Miss Duchess, although it's not that I don't like to joke, this joke of yours is a little too much." Brando replied sternly.
This time, the Duke's daughter was a little suspicious. She could not help but stare at Brando suspiciously.
But Brando really did not plan to kidnap that bullshit Marquis. First of all, he did not know where the Marquis was. He could not go in and out of this fortress seven times. But at this time, The Shire had already brought his sword. This sword was not the black Halran Gaia that he was used to using, but a crystal-like sword that seemed to be carved out of ice.
Brando took the sword and weighed it in his hand, then raised his head and stared at the fortress that had a history of nearly four hundred years.
"You have to understand one thing, Miss Eugenie." Brando replied: "I never do such troublesome things."
After saying this, he raised the sword and waved it at the gate of the fortress.
A bright silver line seemed to rise from the ground, and in an instant, it slanted and pierced through the clouds —
… …
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