The vast starry sky hung diagonally above the highlands. The starlight shone on the gray-brown rocks, the sparse withered grass, and the bare branches of the trees. It was as if this picture had never changed since the Age of Chaos. For thousands of years, the old constellations in the ancient starry sky dimmed, but they would burn brightly again. The new and the old kept replacing each other until the gods left the world. But the starry sky was still as bright as before.
The cold wind howled from the highlands, and the grass and trees drooped. The sound of horse hooves came from afar. Soon, they could see the Knight on the horse. He was wearing a gray battle robe, and a magic light ball was floating not far from his shoulder. These border fortress cavalry were not uncommon in this area. Since the Toquinin Lion Beastmen's invasion, routine patrols had become more frequent. But on the Rokezi Highland's side of the Broken Sword Mountain Range fortress group, such patrols were more or less overstaffed.
The Knight let the magic light ball fly around the road and then returned to his side. The light ball swept across the grassland and there was nothing unusual. It was unlikely that there would be anything unusual. This was the Empire's territory, and the Lion Beastmen were far away on the other side of the Broken Sword Mountain Range.
"Nothing unusual."
"Nothing on my side either."
"Well, to be honest, I still don't understand the purpose of our work. Those stinking lions are still far away from here. Why do we have to brave the cold to look at these rocks? In this godforsaken place, there are only rocks and rocks. Sometimes I even wonder if even a lizard would want to stay under these damn rocks."
"Rock lizards will build their nests under these rocks, brother."
"So the enemy of the Empire is those rock lizards?"
The Knight chuckled.
"Enough, you idiot," the captain of the knights scolded: "Don't ask a question you already know the answer to. Our main mission is to guard against the bandits and cultists within our borders. Don't be greedy. I heard that the Rogerians couldn't even defeat the Aouine's people, and were chased away by a bumpkin from the south."
The Knight burst into a roar of laughter, which gradually faded away into nothingness.
As the light of the magic gradually faded away, a pair of shining eyes appeared under the shadow of the rock. It was a pair of prismatic pupils, like a cat's eyes in amber. The owner of the eyes stood motionless beside the weathered rock, staring at the direction where the imperial Knight disappeared. Its scaly skin was almost the same color as the grayish-brown soil. It waited until the imperial Knight was far away before it moved slightly, revealing a triangular head.
This strange creature was wearing simple leather armor. There were some metal pieces on the leather armor, but the surface had been specially treated, as if it could blend in with its skin. It carried a longbow on its back, which was obviously its main weapon. It made a hissing sound as it turned around and walked behind the rock. After crossing a large grassland, a cliff appeared. It stood at the edge of the cliff and looked down. Below the cliff, on a steep narrow path, there was a creature that was almost the same as it, looking in this direction vigilantly.
It immediately raised its hand to the other party and hissed a strange word.
The latter immediately turned its head and used the same voice to pass down the cliff. Then, three or four of the same words were answered in the canyon.
After a while, one, two, three, and four similar creatures separated the fog in the canyon and appeared from the bottom of the cliff. Behind them, there was a long tail. It was obviously an army, which was almost entirely composed of these lizard creatures. They were well-trained and silent. When they received the command, they immediately began to climb up the cliff. At first, there were only a few of them, but soon, dense black spots covered the entire cliff.
A few more black spots quickly rose from the bottom of the canyon. They were a kind of monster with a human face and a bird's body. They were flying through the fog, flapping their wings and flying out of the fog. These harpies whistled over the lizardmen's heads. The lizardmen standing beside the cliff turned around, and the moment it turned back, countless harpies were flying out of the fog, one after another towards the southern sky. It seemed that in an instant, these monsters covered the entire night sky.
The lizardmen began to climb up the cliff, and soon, more strange creatures appeared behind them.
Cavemen, Minotaurs, Nest Lords, Manticores, Cave Giants, and finally, a Medusa wearing a white linen robe with snake hair and a human face.
Medusa came to the lizardmen's side and said something with a strange accent.
The lizardman turned around to look at her, nodded, and said something in the same language.
Medusa smiled and spoke again, but this time, she spoke in the ancient Toquinin language, "Praise the Holy Earth, praise Martha!"
At this moment, beside the two of them, an army that was hidden in the darkness, hidden from all history and legends, and hidden from everyone's expectations was stepping onto the stage of this era.
They all had a common name — Jorgendy Ridge.
… …
The night was quiet in the hills, and in the valley surrounded by mountains, the diplomatic group's camp was divided into two. Most of the tents and carriages were the captives of the nobles of the empire. Brando did not have to worry about the tents and carriages because they were prepared by the nobles of the empire. These nobles who were once arrogant but now became hostages were not mistreated in any way. Other than not being able to freely enter and leave the camp, Brando allowed them to buy all kinds of luxuries — except for women, of course.
On the other hand, the diplomatic group's camp was much smaller in comparison. The carriages surrounded only a few tents, and the largest and most luxurious one was Nun Princess Magadal's tent, followed by Dilferi's tent, which was specially prepared by Brando for the daughter of Count Yanbao. As for the little prince Haruz's tent, it was not very eye-catching, and was even slightly inferior to Avram's, which was in line with his sister's teachings.
But at this moment, the little prince's tent was brightly lit, and there were even sounds of dispute from time to time.
"Your Highness," Baron Lutney's voice was not loud, but it was very powerful. He was an envoy from the Kingdom — an envoy sent to the diplomatic corps. It sounded very strange and unreasonable, but it also showed the Royal Faction's helplessness in a way. What Brando did was too shocking. Of course, Makarov and Oberwei could not guess how the emperor of the Cruz Empire would view this matter. But if they were to look at it from the worst perspective, the only way they could think of was to send an envoy to find a way to make the count control his actions.
The baron in front of them represented Makarov, but he was not Makarov's trusted aide, but a more fanatical member of the Royal Faction. Before he came, he had already made up his mind that he would not be able to convince the unruly count. But he did not forget that there was a crown prince in the diplomatic group. If the prince supported him, and the other nobles' descendants stood on his side, Brando would not be able to do it alone, right?
He had already planned it out, so when he arrived at the diplomatic group, he went to find the prince in the middle of the night. He picked a time when most of the others were present, and when Brando and Maynild left to investigate the battlefield. He looked at Haruze and continued, "These days, are you just going to watch the situation develop like this?"
Haruze looked at her in confusion, "Mister envoy, I don't understand what you're saying."
"I'm saying that since the Ebon Rampart, you have not expressed any opinions. What is going on right now, Your Highness? Can't you see it at all?"
Haruze lowered his long eyelashes and thought for a moment, "I think I understand," he said, "But I don't think my teacher has done anything wrong."
Baron Lutney looked at the future crown prince in astonishment, as if he had heard wrongly. For a moment, he almost wanted to go up and pull the prince's face to see if the young prince had been secretly swapped by his crazy teacher, or if he had been fed some kind of magic potion by that guy. "Your Highness …" He could not help but say with a dry mouth, "Do you know how dangerous what he wants to do is? He is gambling, gambling with the fate of the kingdom and the fate of millions of people!"
"Baron Lutney," At this moment, Dilferi finally couldn't help but speak. Although she still looked a little sickly and her complexion didn't look too good under the candlelight, she still frowned and replied weakly, "When you said that, did you really think about the fate of millions of people? Do you really think that it matters to you?"
Baron Lutney's face did not turn red, and his heart did not skip a beat as he replied, "Alright, I admit that it was just an excuse, but you can't let him do as he pleases."
"I think the count knows what he is doing, he is not such a selfish person." Dilferi thought for a moment and replied.
"You …"
The baron from Ampere Seale looked at these people, and for a moment, he could not help but feel a little confused. Are these people still nobles, where do they stand? Helpless, he could only ask for help from an outsider, "Princess Magadal, what do you think?"
"I am not Erouine's people, and it is not appropriate for me to interfere in your affairs. However, at the Black Sword Rampart, it was indeed the Empire's fault. When this matter reaches the Holy Cathedral, I will also stand on the side of justice." The Nun Princess smiled gently, "Besides, I still owe the count a favor, so it is reasonable for me to help him."
Baron Lutney was speechless for a moment. Now, only that damn fatty Avram was on his side. At first, he thought that there was also the duke's daughter who looked more rational, but Miss Eugenie bit her lip, and with a bitter look on her face, she refused to speak. He could not help but look at Ynide, who lowered her head and looked at her toes, not saying a word in this situation.
As for that guy from Lantonilan, needless to say, he was firmly on Brando's side. Ever since that guy saved those refugees at the Black Sword Rampart, he had stepped on the same boat as the count. As for that officer from Yanilasu, Baron Lutney felt that a mere officer might not be qualified to participate in this meeting, so he could not be bothered with him.
But in this way, he suddenly found that he could not persuade anyone, and this was quite different from his original plan. He stood there for a long time, and finally Haruz said to him thoughtfully, "Mr. Envoy, I think I understand what you mean, I will persuade the teacher a little. It is late, you should go and rest."
Baron Lutney looked at the little prince, speechless. He did not want a little persuasion, which sounded unreliable. If that lunatic could listen to advice, he would not have done such a heinous thing. When he walked out of the tent in a daze, he could not figure out what the problem was for a while, but he had a strange thought in his mind. It seemed that the little prince was a little different than before. In the past, this prince would not have dared to ask him to leave so 'tactfully'.
After everyone left one by one, a graceful figure quietly sneaked into the little prince's tent. The newcomer was dressed in a white robe and sat down next to Haruz with a smile. She looked at the little prince with her slanted eyes and said, "They verbally support your teacher, but they may not think so in their hearts."
Haruz replied with some embarrassment, "Because no one knows what the teacher is thinking. After all, Erouine can't bear the thunderous anger of the Empire. Sister Lysmeka, what do you think?"
"Realistically speaking," Medusa smiled mysteriously, "the reason he chose is very naive. The Empire can have dignity, but small countries don't. In the eyes of the nobles, the reason for war should be more practical things, land, population, power, and money."
"But from an ideal point of view, for your kingdom, it does need a flag that can gather people's hearts and beliefs."
"But-"
Lysmeka looked at the little prince playfully, as if she found it very interesting. "Legitimacy and orthodoxy, these sacred words, what do they mean to a count? Why are those who support you and your sister so frightened and exasperated? You and your sister are really a pair of naive little cuties, and that count is also ridiculously naive. I'm really curious that the fate of a kingdom is in your hands. "
"Yes, this may be fate's arrangement. It's always so wonderful."
Haruz looked at Medusa in a daze. "Sister Lysmeka, but you know, I've never been interested in this. Teacher is very good to me. He is an upright person, and I like him very much."
"This is where you are naive, little cutie." Medusa approached the little prince, held his face with her hands, and breathed on his face like orchids. "What belongs to you will always be yours. This is the meaning of orthodoxy. As long as you are still in this world, he can never be His Majesty the King of Erouine. People gather around him because of justice, and they will leave him because of injustice. One day, I really want to see what he will choose in the end. "
"But," the little prince shook his head seriously, "I don't think Teacher is that kind of person."
She giggled. "Maybe. Maybe he'll surprise us all."
Lysmeka let go of Haruz and said to him with a smile, "You just asked me what I think. What about you, Your Majesty the future king, what do you think?"
Haruz frowned slightly.
"I think," he said, "I think my master is right in what he says. Ideals are of value to men. But my sister, Monsieur Makarov, Lord Oberwell, they have taught me the importance of ideals and convictions. Why, when it comes to matters as they are, do men always favour practical interests?"
"Ideals can't be eaten, Your Highness." After Lysmeka said this, she suddenly thought of something. Her eyes flashed slightly, and she patted Haruz's shoulder gently. "But maybe this is just a way for the weak to comfort themselves. Little prince, if you really want to know what your teacher thinks, you might as well let me see him."
"Sister Lysmeka, if you want to see Teacher, can't you do it at any time? No one in the camp will stop you?" Haruz asked, puzzled.
Lysmeka smiled mysteriously and looked at the little prince silently, as if the latter had said something stupid.
Haruz was slightly startled, as if he understood something, and replied, "I see. Then please go and see Teacher, Sister Lysmeka."
"Little cutie," Lysmeka gently kissed the little prince on the forehead, "Let me tell you a secret."
"What?"
"The magic that your teacher taught you is an ancient magic that has been lost for a long time. Even I have only seen a few records of it on some remnant stone tablets. I still don't understand the meaning behind his actions."
"I know," Haruz replied, "Teacher told me that my talent is better suited to learn this kind of magic."
Medusa looked at him with her prismatic pupils. "Then he must not have told you the other thing."
Haruz looked at her, puzzled.
"Ancient magic, through the hands of Tuman, was only taught to four people. Their names were the Sage of Earth and Tolerance, Ellanta. The Sage of Light and Justice, Fanzin. The Sage of Flame and Courage, Flame King Gretel. The Sage of Flowing Wind and Wisdom, Saint-ausol the Wind Empress. They were the Kings of Kings, the ancient Sages, the pioneers of the history of Black Iron. Since them, no one has systematically mastered ancient magic. "
The little prince opened his mouth slightly and sat there in a daze.
… …
Brando and Maynild rode side by side on the rolling hills. The starry night was gradually fading, and the sky in the east was pale blue. They could vaguely see the flashes of light on the horizon of Antrez. It was the Evergreen Walkway, the most prosperous area between the Floating Cloud Hills and the Flower Leaf Territory.
"Count Gideon chose a good battlefield." Brando looked into the distance at the continuous forest on the rolling hills and suddenly spoke.
Maynild looked back at him.
"The players of the Empire once wrote the most inspiring stories here and changed a part of history. Today we are going to do the same here. The stories that happened in this land are always so similar." Brando's vision suddenly reflected a sea of spears. The army of the Anzeruta nobles was entering the battlefield they had already booked. He took a breath, patted his mount, and said to Maynild beside him, "Let's go back, we have seen enough."
The Knight nodded silently.
… …
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