Chapter 249 You are not allowed to attend the salon!

Amidst the deafening cheers, the Golden Lion King slowly walked towards the front of the platform.

As if there was an invisible aura filling the air, the entire arena became quiet.

Everyone stared at him closely.

Next to King Lionheart, a ferocious giant as tall as an iron tower and with scars on his face handed a longbow to Richard.

"That is Colin the Barbarian, one of the most powerful knights in the entire Golden Lion."

Crane introduced him in a low voice: "Although he is rough, he has strategy and is known as the Hand of the King."

The giant is clearly taller than the Lionheart King, but in the eyes of everyone, the Lionheart King is even taller and more muscular. This is not an illusion, but the aura of the Lionheart King surging in the field of creation has been condensed enough to create an illusion.

Some time ago, it was reported that King Richard the Lionheart was seriously ill and bedridden, but at this time Richard seemed more majestic and wise than when he was young.

At this moment, Richard was holding a long bow, looking into the distance with a sharp gaze.

On a high platform in the distance, there is a brazier, exquisitely carved with lion totems and ancient portraits, and the fire is waiting to be lit.

The god of fire and forging, the supreme true god worshipped by the dwarves. Some people call the god of fire the savior who saves mankind from darkness, while others call him a false god full of lies and deception.

Carved on the brazier is the story of the God of Fire stealing fire for mankind: He deceived the giant of the Fire Kingdom, obtained a cluster of sparks from the body of the fire giant, and finally brought fire to the human world.

From this background story, Yeats can at least see the stitching together of the Greek god of fire Hephaestus, the Norse god of fire Loki, and the Greek Titan Prometheus.

Although Loki is often regarded as a god of fraud, he is a legitimate god with the authority of fire.

"If you tell me 'The God of Fire has struck the Rainbow Bridge' one day, I will believe it."

Yeats secretly complained: "Just sew it and it's done!"

The whole audience held their breath and stared at the figure of King Lionheart. They saw him draw his bow and arrow, tighten the bowstring, concentrate for a moment, and aim at the brazier.

Suddenly, an arrow cut through the sky and fell into the brazier, and the flames immediately ignited!

The whole audience was boiling.

Yeats sent a message to June:

"Did you find anything?"

"Of the six dukes of the Golden Lion, only the Duke of Alba was not present. The Duke of Suffolk, who suffered from leprosy, was present wearing an iron mask."

June said, "You may not know what a leper's iron mask is. The whole body is covered with chain mail, a hood and a mask, just like the famous leper king in history."

The Leper King, the guardian of Jerusalem and a talented military strategist, once led 3,000 troops to defeat 20,000 desert cavalry. He suffered from leprosy since childhood and often appeared in public wearing a silver mask.

Ye Zhi said: "With the iron mask on, you can't even tell if it's the real person."

June asked, "Do you suspect Suffolk is the Blood Spider Lord? A leper?"

Yeats said: "What you see may not be true... Has the Duke of Cornwall arrived?"

June sighed, "The Duke of Cornwall is only eight years old. I just saw him being held in his uncle's arms. He can't possibly be the Blood Spider Prince, right?"

Ye Zhi said: "Then everyone is clear of suspicion."

"Where is the Duke of Alba?" June pondered, "He was not present, and he is known for his piety. Could his so-called piety be a means of deceiving others?"

Yeats thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps the Duke of Alba didn't come because he didn't want to see people cheering for the fire of the God of Fire... In the eyes of the Holy Light believers, the arena is bloody and the fire is given by God. His absence is in line with his character."

June's tone was somewhat frustrated: "I am beginning to suspect that your source of information is inaccurate. Do the vampires really have such great power that they can control a duke?"

Ye Zhi frowned slightly.

At times like this, he couldn't help but miss Gray who was far away in the Land of Dragons.

With Grey's amazing wisdom, she can easily guess who the real murderer and the mastermind are with her little head.

But now that Gray was not around, Yeats could not help but ask for help from Crane beside him, "Mr. Crane, what do you think?"

Clan's eyes moved slightly, and he asked, "In your opinion, who is the least suspicious?"

Ye Zhi thought for a moment and said, "Duke Thomas, he and I were attacked by the vampires together, and he killed a vampire marquis with his own hands."

Clan's eyes were deep as he said, "Prince Blood Spider has only been known in the Golden Lion Kingdom in recent years, which happened to be the time when Thomas was showing his prowess in the North. Why can't he be Prince Blood Spider?"

Ye Zhi was slightly startled, and Thomas's simple smile appeared in front of him. He said helplessly:

"Even if Thomas and I were the only suspects left, I would not suspect him, but I would be the one to suspect Lord Blood Spider."

Crane was stunned and asked, "Why?"

Yeats said seriously: "Because I will not doubt my friends. Although Thomas is my enemy, he is also half my friend."

Crane thought for a moment and said, "If the murderer is among these dukes, we may have overlooked a possibility."

"What?"

"The mastermind may not be the Duke, but someone who exercises the Duke's power. Only he could have such tremendous power to make hundreds of lives disappear silently. Even extraordinary people will leave clues when they commit crimes, but power can erase these clues."

Clan paused, then said, "For example, the Duke of Cornwall's uncle, the Duke of Suffolk's wife."

Ye Zhi's eyes were filled with surprise.

"In the coming period of time, I will try to contact the Duke of Cornwall's uncle, and your task is to find a way to get clues from the Duchess." Clan arranged.

"Why is it arranged like this?" Yeats asked.

"Because no one is more suitable than you to deal with this Duchess." Cran took it for granted. "I have heard that the Duke of Suffolk's wife admires talent and often invites young talents to hold salons at home. You are the God-chosen one of the goddess of art. Who is more suitable than you?"

The so-called salon refers to the luxurious reception room in the residence of the upper class. The ladies of the Kingdom of Roland often turn the living room into a famous social place, and most of the people coming in and out are novelists, poets, musicians, painters, etc.

Cran warned, "But you'd better not attend that salon. It's held in the living room by the young wife of a leper. I won't be surprised by anything that happens."

Yeats said: "This salon had better be a real salon."

"The poetry festival at the competition will be watched by the goddess of art. You will definitely participate?" Clan asked with a sidelong glance.

Yeats nodded and said, "I will definitely win the crown of poetry!"

Crane smiled and said, "That's the best. If my guess is correct, after you win the crown, you will receive an invitation to the Duchess's banquet in the evening."

Yeats was surprised and asked, "Is this duchess so thirsty?"

"She has always had the habit of entertaining poets. Most of the poets in the Golden Lion Kingdom have received her invitations."

Cran patted Yeats on the shoulder and said in a lenient voice, "It's just a dinner party, not a salon. It's fine for you to attend."

Ye Zhi: “…”

The more you talk, the more curious I am! *At dusk, the opening ceremony of the competition ended, and the setting sun enveloped the high-walled Lion Palace.

In front of the tall French window, the old man stood with his sword in his hand. His golden cloak looked dim in the setting sun, and a lot of dust covered his brocade robe.

King Lionheart, who had looked so majestic at the ceremony, now looked pale and listless. He looked at the lion outside the French window with the cloudy eyes of an old man in his twilight years.

"Colin..." the Lionheart called in a low voice.

"King, I'm here."

The Hand of the King stands in the shadow of the Lionheart.

Please...collect 6...9...books...!

He was obviously a giant man over two meters tall, but he walked without making any sound, and flashed from the shadow in the corner to behind the king.

The scarred face was drooped, and there was deep sadness in the eyes.

"Even the King of Lorraine will fall one day. The kingship is not eternal. Why do you have to feel sad for me?"

The Lionheart spoke calmly, as if he was describing something that was no longer a daily occurrence.

"But, my king... the borders of the kingdom are still calling for you." Colin was already choking with sobs. The barbarian's hands were stained with countless blood, but at this moment he was as sad as a child. "My king, you are still young and have the strength to fight!"

The Lionheart smiled and said, "Compared to Harald the Ironbone, I am indeed young, but it's a pity... Anyway, go and call Renee over."

"Yes, sir."

Soon, a beautiful girl with blond hair and blue eyes, about fifteen years old, with tearful eyes, stood in front of King Lionheart.

Facing Richard, the girl seemed extremely frightened. Her thin body trembled slightly and she couldn't stop wiping away tears.

King Lionheart looked at the face that looked so similar to his beloved wife, a trace of pain flashed in the depths of his eyes, and he sighed.

Renee's biological mother was executed for adultery, just like the story of Lancelot, the Knight of the Round Table, and the princess.

Renee, who was originally destined to be a princess, was deprived of her inheritance rights, but King Lionheart remained heirless afterwards, and the Lannister and Wick families had their eyes on the throne.

"Leni... I don't have much time left..." The Lionheart looked at his daughter, his majestic eyes flickering with tenderness, "There are some things I must tell you."

Renee mustered up her courage and looked at the face of the Lionheart.

"I have always regarded you as my own daughter. After I die, you will inherit the throne of the Golden Lion."

"But fighting is inevitable." The Lionheart King said gently, "So, I will send you out of the palace for a while and choose a suitable husband for you."

"Father, I don't want to marry." Renee choked up and said, "I have vowed to live a pure and poor life."

Richard was silent for a long time, then sighed:

"That man may not be your husband, but he will definitely be your most reliable ally after you ascend the throne, just like when my father ascended the throne, the Duke of Brondi helped my father a lot."

"I don't understand..." Renee said tremblingly.

"You will understand sooner or later." Half of the Lionheart's face was hidden in the shadow of dusk, and his voice was a little cold. "Go down first."

Standing in the dusk, King Lionheart looked deep in the eyes. He waited until his daughter's back disappeared before he took out his handkerchief and started coughing violently.

When the barbarian Colin caught a glimpse of the scarlet color, his eyes grew sadder.

"I will not attend tomorrow's poetry festival."

The Lionheart said with a little tiredness: "I will attend in full force when the riding and duel sessions begin."

"Yes, sir." Colin said hoarsely.

"Have you found out the identity of Lord Blood Spider?" Richard asked.

"Not yet. The Duke of Alba did not attend today, which is very suspicious." Colin whispered.

"Then continue investigating. I want to chop off that man's head myself!"

The Lionheart seemed to have regained his vitality, his tiger eyes were sharp, and he said in a deep voice: "I am not dead yet, but there are always insects causing trouble!"

"The Scarlet Society has infiltrated the upper echelons of the nobility. Among the six dukes of Golden Lion, it is very likely that one of them is the Blood Spider Duke." Colin paused for a moment and said, "Based on the existing intelligence, the blood clan seems to be looking for clues about the sword in the lake in the Golden Lion territory. This is a provocation to the Golden Lion monarchy."

"Even I can't find Lorraine's sword, how can these vampires find it?"

The Lionheart King narrowed his eyes and said, "Colin, remember my decree. Keep it secret for the time being. Whoever can kill Lord Blood Spider will be made an earl!"

"As you wish!"

*August, midsummer.

The poetry festival is held open air on the grassy grounds of the Thames, not far from London's art collections.

The sun was warm, the water was sparkling, and wild swans were pecking their feathers in the lake.

Yeats arrived in a carriage and immediately caused a sensation in the conference hall.

"Baron Yeats has arrived!"

"The chosen one of the goddess of art and poetry?"

"It doesn't give anyone else a chance to win..."

"Fortunately, I have received an invitation to the Duchess's salon."

"You're not allowed to attend the salon!"

(End of this chapter)