The blizzard was still ongoing, and it was getting more and more intense. The cold northern wind, which could already be described as a gale, carried snowflakes and icicles as it whistled and swept across the snowy plains. The world outside was frighteningly dark. Other than the blizzard that was right in front of them, visibility was almost zero.
Snowfrost City stood between heaven and earth like an island about to be swallowed by cold and darkness. The lights in the city were dim and tottering in the wind. The lights that represented human civilization emitted a little bit of insignificant warmth as they guarded the city in this seemingly frozen world of darkness.
Even the thick walls could not stop the all-pervasive blizzard. The wind and snow blew into the city through every gap between the walls, causing every street in the fortress city to gradually freeze. The soldiers at the sentry post looked uneasily at the outside world through the observation window. No matter how much liquor they drank, the ominous aura that was so thick that it was almost tangible could not dissipate from their hearts.
However, in the hostel on top of Snowfrost City, Rheia's eyes pierced through the darkness and snow outside. She seemed to be able to see straight into the rising evil aura in the distance. As far as her eyes could see, there was a clear blank space in the blizzard, and both the wind and the snowflakes avoided her sight in awe.
"What is that direction?" Hao Ren was also looking in the same direction as Rheia and tapped the MDT on his shoulder.
"Comparing it with the map … The Dragon Empire is in that direction. Also, the high-altitude probes have sensed abnormal energy fluctuations in the imperial capital at the same time, and the energy readings are still rising. "
"Yes, it's the reaction of the Mad Lord. It's very little, but its level has reached the 'origin' level." Rheia suddenly turned her head, her eyes glowing with a faint golden glow. "It's in the capital of the Dragon Empire. Just as we speculated, the so-called Dragon Soul Emperor has something to do with this. He … hmm?"
Rheia frowned, and at the same time, the sudden burst of aura disappeared as silently as it appeared.
Vivian did not react for a moment. "The aura of the Mad Lord … is gone?"
Hao Ren knocked on the MDT's shell and said concisely, "Track it."
"Already doing it … No tracking results. The probes have focused all sensors on the imperial capital, but no sign of the Mad Lord has been detected."
Everyone in the room looked at each other.
Rheia turned her head and looked out the window in confusion. The blizzard that seemed to freeze the entire world had now calmed down and gradually weakened into a harmless ordinary snowstorm. The howling of the cold wind from the plains had also gradually turned muffled and lost its deterrent power.
"It's all because of this damn weather … I don't like it," Rheia muttered irritably.
The blizzard stopped in an instant, and the night became crystal clear. While there were no stars in L 'Haronne's night sky, there was a gentle light from the divine barrier that shone upon the land.
Lily whined in disappointment as she returned to the sofa and curled up between a few warm cushions. She closed her eyes and pretended as if she was dead.
Hao Ren glanced at Rheia. "You used divine words in this kind of place?"
"Coincidence, it's just a coincidence …" Rheia smiled a little awkwardly before her face turned serious. "What do you think … about what happened just now?"
"It's the aura of the Mad Lord. Just as we expected, there is a small part of the power of the Mad Lord left in this world, but it suddenly disappeared. This is a bit hard to explain." Hao Ren frowned. "Could it be that there is some remnant sealing system at work? The power of the Mad Lord was temporarily freed and then controlled again? "
"I don't know, but we have to go to the imperial capital," Rheia said seriously. "Let's leave early tomorrow morning, okay?"
Lily pulled her head out of the cushion. "What about Charlemagne and his sister?"
"We can't wait for them." Hao Ren waved his hand. "We have sent them to the north anyway, and they can walk the rest of the way by themselves. And we can go to the imperial capital to check first. If we can't find a starting point, we can just come back. "
Vivian nodded. "I agree. All in all, let's all have a good rest today and adjust to our best state. If we really have to deal with the Mad Lord … even if it's just a little bit of the remaining power, we have to be very serious. "
Everyone agreed on this point, and after saying goodnight, Hao Ren and the rest returned to their rooms to rest and prepare for the next move.
Early the next morning, Hao Ren woke up and met up with Lily, Vivian, and Rheia in the hall of the posthouse.
"Did you all have a good night's rest?" Hao Ren greeted the rest. "Let's eat first, and then say goodbye to the siblings. No matter how rushed we are, we still need to be polite."
Lily stretched as she looked at the few servants and maids in the posthouse and said, "Let's eat first. Oh, by the way, Mr. Landlord, I was out for my morning jog, and when I passed by the castle, I heard people running around in panic. Do you think something happened?"
"Something happened? What could happen? " Vivian blinked. "Princess Constance dragged the Duke of the North to the south to fight, and I heard that the Duke's sons are stationed further north in the fortress. Who could be in the castle?"
Hao Ren scratched his chin as he guessed. "It can't be that someone set fire to the castle at night, right?"
As he spoke, he saw Charlemagne and Awenna walking in from the corner of his eye. The siblings were in a hurry, and there was a worried look on their faces.
They saw Hao Ren and the rest too, and hastened their steps. Just as Charlemagne was about to speak, Hao Ren spoke first. "Ah, just in time. I was wondering where to find you. We have something urgent to do, so we have to go first."
Charlemagne could not help but speak the second after Hao Ren spoke. "There's an urgent news. The Army of the North is in trouble at the frontline. Last night, Duke Owen … Huh? Did you just say you were leaving? "
It was a little awkward.
Hao Ren coughed dryly. "Err … Ahem, it's not important. You go first. Did something happen at the frontline? "
Charlemagne composed himself and looked around the hall. After making sure that all the servants and maids were standing far away, he lowered his voice and said, "I just received news. The allied forces of Princess Constance and Duke Owen were attacked at the southern frontline. Duke Owen was seriously injured and was sent back to the castle through the teleportation portal last night …"
The Army of the North was hit hard in the south? Could it be that Princess Constance's rebel army was defeated by the Knights of the Ebon Blade?
Hao Ren and the rest were stunned. The news was indeed unexpected. They knew that the Knights of the Ebon Blade and the imperial army were powerful, and that Princess Constance would be under a lot of pressure. But they did not expect the situation to deteriorate to such an extent in less than half a month after the war began.
Awenna noticed the expression on Hao Ren and the rest and quickly explained, "Don't worry, the allied forces were not defeated. They just suffered a huge blow, and most importantly, their commander almost died in battle. That's the biggest loss."
Vivian felt that things were not going according to plan. "That's not right … As far as I know, the Army of the North and the imperial army have fought several battles since the start of the war. Both sides suffered losses, but they were basically evenly matched. How did the Army of the North suddenly suffer such a heavy blow, and even their commander almost died?"
Hao Ren nodded in agreement. He still remembered what Graeme had told him. Duke Owen was a real man who could tear apart a Gorgonian Demon with his bare hands after getting drunk. What kind of concept was that? It meant that the Duke tore apart a space warship with his bare hands! If such a man almost died in battle, did the Dragon Soul Emperor personally lead the army?
"We're not sure about that." Charlemagne frowned. "Graeme told me the news. It's still confidential and probably won't be announced for now. But I heard that a team of Knights of the Ebon Blade launched a sneak attack in the middle of the night. They had been discovered by the patrolling Knights of the Broken Blades, but they suddenly exploded with monstrous power and broke through the guards … "
"Monstrous power?" Hao Ren's eyes turned serious. "Wait, you said it was a sneak attack in the middle of the night … When did it happen?"
Charlemagne shrugged. "I don't know. In fact, I only heard the news by chance, so its credibility … "
"It's very credible. Believe me, it's very credible," Vivian interrupted Charlemagne. She knew that the reason the siblings were willing to share this information with them was not only because of the trust they had built up after going through thick and thin together, but also because they had something to ask of them. "If I'm not mistaken, you're telling us this because you want us to meet Grand Duke Owen together, right?"
Since the Grand Duke had been urgently teleported back to the castle for treatment last night, he must still be in Snowfrost City. Charlemagne and Vivian had rushed here early in the morning to ask Hao Ren and the others to meet the Grand Duke.
"Exactly." Charlemagne nodded. "Grand Duke Owen regained consciousness in the morning and met Graeme. Graeme told him about us. The Grand Duke is interested in meeting us, and if you agree, he would like to meet you too. "
"He's interested in us?" Hao Ren raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Why?"
"Because he heard about your ability to move freely in the Black Forest, and how you easily defeated the Gorgon Lord." Awenna said, "And I think the Grand Duke is also interested in the hidden 'Basilica of the World Tree' organization."
Charlemagne looked at Hao Ren with a probing gaze. "We know a little about the habits of the hidden organizations, so it's up to you to decide. You said you have something important to do, so … "
Hao Ren nodded in realization. He finally understood why Charlemagne would tell him so much first. He was worried that they would leave on their own if things were not made clear. After all, in most people's impression, mysterious organizations like the Basilica of the World Tree liked to come and go as they pleased, and if they did not make things clear, the Basilica would have gone far away, and the next time they showed up would be when it was time for the cast list …
But he was right to worry. After all, Hao Ren was ready to leave, if not for the sudden news.
Hao Ren and Vivian looked at each other, and the two reached a tacit understanding.
The Grand Duke of the North had come into direct contact with the Knights of the Ebon Blade and survived. If the Knights of the Ebon Blade were related to the power of the Mad Lord, then the Grand Duke of the North, Owen, would be the most precious person involved.
So Hao Ren smiled and nodded at Charlemagne and Awenna. "We would be happy to meet the Grand Duke."
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