Chapter 213 Maybe I've seen it

An enormous bomb has been buried in the very center of the Campbell Principality's tower of power.

It will not only sink the tacit understanding between the upper and lower classes since the First Age, but will also set off a huge fire, engulfing all those who are staring at it or are in it.

After experiencing this catastrophe that cost a generation, the people of the Principality of Campbell will finally be redeemed.

But as Luo Yan and his followers said, they have to experience despair first.

In the following time, Luo Yan no longer talked to Edward about the things he liked to hear or the things he was worried about. Instead, he changed the subject by talking about his "experiences" in the academy and the empire, thus leading Edward to talk about the courts of the Principality of Campbell and the Kingdom of Ryan.

Luo Yan skillfully controlled the social distance between them. While entering into the other's spiritual world, he also left a little sense of mystery to the other party without completely going deep into it.

If you don't explore the other person's spiritual world at all, you will never truly gain the other person's trust, but going too deep will easily arouse the other person's vigilance and suspicion afterwards.

He would give the initiative back to the other party when appropriate, just like when he was with Irene.

In Demon King Academy, this course is called "Etiquette of the Human Empire".

The two of them had a pleasant conversation in the following time, and it was not until lunch time that Edward left with a feeling of reluctance.

As the monarch of this country and the host of all banquets, he has to tidy up his appearance before the banquet begins.

Luo Yan actually had this plan, and just as he was about to leave the tea room, Baron Gus stopped him with a serious face.

Just when Luo Yan was curious about what he was going to say, Baron Gus performed a noble etiquette and spoke solemnly.

"Thank you. Your advice is very important to us, both to our Majesty and to us, his vassals, who serve him."

Luo Yan smiled and nodded.

"It's my honor to help you. I love this place."

Baron Gus also smiled and spoke again.

"It's the same for me. After all, this is my hometown. But I just realized recently that I don't really understand the people I rule. They are not kind at all, let alone simple. On the contrary, their cunningness is beyond my imagination."

"I never thought about this problem until recently when I suddenly realized that those guys don't deserve the protection of the Gus family at all. It's just that we have been bound to this land by traditional honor and responsibility."

"I vaguely felt that something was wrong, but I couldn't tell what it was. Thanks to your words for enlightening me... In fact, we can be richer as long as we let go of our obligations as lords. In other words, I have actually sacrificed too much for them invisibly!"

"And how did they repay me? I took them with me to solve the big trouble in the territory, but they turned around and ran away without hesitation when I needed them the most. I think it's time to teach them a lesson. Only in this way can these villains remember who is the best person for them!"

Luo Yan looked at Gus in surprise, and for a moment he didn't know whether to be surprised at his incredible logic or his shamelessness.

really.

In the inconspicuous corner of the blueprint he unfolded for Archduke Edward, there was indeed such a devil's whisper:

When these feudal lords put aside their feudal obligations and colluded with the power of capital, they were able to make unimaginable wealth, just like eating the same fish twice.

What Luo Yan didn't expect was that he could accurately find this whisper and ignore everything else.

It was as if he was showing the Mona Lisa to Archduke Edward, and everyone, including the Archduke, saw the smile, except for him, who looked down and saw the groove.

This guy might be born to be a devil.

After being shocked for a long time, Luo Yan coughed lightly and said.

"I'm surprised you interpreted it this way. I think maybe you should teach them a lesson, but don't be too extreme."

Baron Gus winked at him, indicating that he fully understood.

"I understand that although they are insidious and cunning, I am a decent person after all. I will only take what I deserve."

Is this really the case?

Luo Yan expressed his doubts, but didn't say anything.

At this time, Mrs. Marina walked in from outside and looked at her husband with resentful eyes.

"That's enough. You've been talking for too long. If you keep dragging it on, the party will start soon."

She had been preparing for this all morning.

After scolding her husband, Marina looked at Mr. Colin again, and her eyes softened immediately.

"Please follow me, my dear sir, you will surely wish to make some preparations before the banquet begins."

Although Luo Yan felt that this was unnecessary, he still nodded respectfully and then looked at Baron Gus to say goodbye.

"Then I'll leave first. See you later."

"See you later, sir."

Baron Gus smiled and nodded, watching Mr. Colin leave the tea room.

But when his eyes fell on his wife, he frowned in confusion.

Why did this guy change his clothes again? He had never seen her dress up so much in all the time they had been married...

…

The luncheon was held in the manor's dining room.

The dining table here is decorated exquisitely and elegantly, and the linen tablecloth is filled with sumptuous dishes, including roasted pigeon, honey-glazed venison legs, fresh vegetable salad, and sweet wine made from wild berries, a specialty of the Silver Pine Forest.

On both sides of the spacious restaurant, there were musicians playing musical instruments.

Archduke Edward sat at the head seat at the banquet table, with his sister Irene on his left and Mr. Colin, the most distinguished guest of the Duchy of Campbell, on his right. As for Gus, the owner of the manor, he was squeezed to the fourth seat.

However, Gus himself had no complaints about this arrangement. After all, it was a great honor for him to dine with the Archduke.

What's more, he was accompanied by the eldest son of a prince of the empire.

From the beginning of the banquet, Gus had been doing his utmost to please His Majesty the Grand Duke, either by boasting about his achievements in the Barony or by offering compliments whenever he could.

However, it turned out that his flattery did not hit the horse, but only flicked the straw next to the horse's hooves.

The respected Archduke Edward was thinking about something, and was obviously not concerned about the achievements he boasted about. He was not even as interested in them as he was in the honey-glazed deer leg.

As for Luo Yan, he looked at Princess Irene, who seemed to have just recovered from a serious illness, and expressed his concern.

"Your Highness Irene, are you feeling better?"

"I feel much better, thank you for your concern." Perhaps because her brother was next to her, Irene acted very reserved, as if she was back to the time when they first met.

But a person's eyes don't lie.

Luo Yan could clearly feel that she would always steal a glance at him from time to time, so that Youyou, who was eating watermelon nearby, giggled non-stop.

Edward seemed to be annoyed by Baron Gus and finally interrupted his chattering.

"Mr. Gus, I'm not interested in how you personally stacked two frigid cows together. You should tell me about your experience yesterday, such as what you saw in the Demon King's castle and how you were rescued."

"No problem, Your Majesty!" Seeing that Archduke Edward was not interested in his topic, Gus immediately switched the topic from his "hard work and efforts to govern the country" to his "heroism and bravery".

As for why he didn't win, he attributed the problem to the incompetence of the tenant farmers in Silver Pine Town, who were frightened by the demons in North Peak City.

He briefly mentioned his experience as a captive, and then he talked about his experience after being captured. However, when he talked about the Demon King's Stronghold at the foot of Beifeng Mountain, a hint of hesitation appeared on his face.

This was a topic he had been studiously avoiding since returning from northern Silverpine Forest.

That is, those refugees who lost their lords actually lived well in the devil's territory.

They were not starved to death.

On the contrary, they even began to doubt the majesty of Saint Sissi, which is often what people who have enough food will start to do.

He was certain that His Majesty would not like to hear such words, so he had to change his angle.

"Those demons are using strange machines."

"Strange machine?" Archduke Edward raised his eyebrows, a strange expression appeared on his face, and he even stopped the knife and fork in his hand.

Seeing that His Majesty seemed interested, Baron Gus immediately spoke vividly.

"Yes, those are some machines I haven't seen in Thunder City! There are discs that can quickly cut wood, and iron hands that can lift stones to the roof. They are a bit like the craftsmanship of the dwarves, but completely different. I can't help but suspect that they have colluded with the followers of the God of Machinery!"

As Archduke Edward listened to Baron Gus's description, his expression became more and more surprised, and then he frowned.

"Really? That's a serious question."

"That's right. Especially since those guys have enslaved the refugees of the kingdom and forced them to help them make weapons," Baron Gus said hurriedly. "Your Majesty, I suggest you take this opportunity to get rid of them once and for all before they grow stronger!"

Edward pondered for a long time and gave an ambiguous answer.

"Let's discuss this later."

To be honest, this is indeed a hidden danger, but the Wanren Mountains are outside the borders of the Principality of Campbell after all.

Moreover, rather than taking the initiative to attack, it would obviously be more in his interest to wait for those demons to come and kill him.

Wait a moment.

Seeing that Archduke Edward had little interest in his instigation, Baron Gus did not dare to mention the matter again, but he became more determined to sell the land use rights in his hands.

He won't wait until the demons come to kill him before running away.

He never wanted to experience what happened yesterday again in his life...

…

After lunch, Archduke Edward left the manor and went to the military camp stationed near the manor.

Due to the cancellation of the military operation, the purpose of this assembly was changed from rushing to the Barony's aid to an exercise for the purpose of deterrence.

The 20,000-strong army formed into a square formation and conducted drills in the unique style of the magical world.

Including but not limited to the joint spellcasting of the choir, the griffin knights flying low over the positions, and the heavy cavalry holding light spears charging under the protection of the holy light.

Luo Yan saw Charles in the crowd, but the other party didn't seem to notice him. Instead, he was concentrating on commanding his troops.

Luo Yan was not the only one watching the fun. Farmers living near the manor and servants in the manor were also standing in the distance watching, admiring the knights who were showing off their might.

There were also those adventurers who came all the way from the town, their faces filled with envy.

It was not until this moment that they fully realized the gap between themselves and the regular army.

The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!

The bravery they boasted about, and the magical beasts they claimed to have defeated, were probably only on the same level as the mounts of the Griffin Knights.

In front of the rushing torrent of iron and steel of the sacred blessing, the daggers and muskets in their hands were like toys, and they could only bully the monsters on the surface of the maze or in the Silver Pine Forest. On the battlefield, they were at most a group of high-level cannon fodder...

Just as Archduke Edward was reviewing his army, Irene Campbell, who had changed into casual clothes, brought Theresa to find Luo Yan who was watching the fun, and spoke in a shy voice.

"Mr. Colin, I would like to invite you to visit a nearby town. Are you free now?"

It just so happened that Luo Yan was a little tired of seeing Archduke Edward showing off, so he spoke happily.

"Of course, it's an honor to travel with you."

"That's great! Well... I mean, I'm glad you're willing to accompany me." A happy smile broke out on Irene's face, but she quickly hid the joy from her heart behind a reserved cough.

Looking at the helpless Princess, Theresa couldn't help but reveal a helpless smile on her face.

Although she understood that Her Highness Irene wanted to remain reserved in front of the person she liked, she couldn't help but remind Her Highness that her thoughts were almost written on her face.

Since even an inexperienced and crude person like me could see it, Mr. Colin must have seen it a long time ago.

The carriage soon stopped at the gate of the manor.

Seeing Irene's expectant eyes, Luo Yan gentlemanly helped her into the car, although after seeing her heroic figure, he actually seriously doubted whether this was necessary.

If she used all her strength, it shouldn't be a problem to lift the carriage.

"Set off!"

Theresa rode to the front of the team, shouted to the guards, and then led the team towards Silverpine Town.

Looking at the scenery passing by outside the car window, Irene gently shook her legs and suddenly spoke.

"I had a dream last night."

Luo Yan said casually.

"May I have the honor of knowing?"

Irene's cheeks felt slightly hot, she turned her face away and whispered.

"Anyway, it has something to do with you..."

Is it related to me?

Luo Yan couldn't help but be curious about what she dreamed about. However, when he saw the awkward expression on her face, he knew that he probably couldn't ask her.

Time passed silently in silence, and Irene suddenly spoke in a low voice.

"You won't be unfaithful, will you?"

As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly realized that she seemed to be in no position to ask this question, so she quickly changed her words.

"I'm sorry, is it strange for me to ask this question? I'm not guessing what you mean, it's just... I... don't feel safe..."

Her voice became smaller and smaller, and she reached out to cover her face, only to find that her brain, which had already subsided the fever, was burning like a stove.

Seeing her incoherent speech, Luo Yan couldn't help but smile and spoke in a gentle voice.

"How come? I am happy to listen to your troubles, although... this question bothers me a little."

"Sorry, please forget it..." Irene closed her eyes in regret and let out a small whine from her throat, like a hamster backed into a corner.

It seems that brave people are not always so brave.

Looking at Princess Irene who was about to A up, Luo Yan smiled gently and handed the steps to her.

"You may be tired. Just take a rest for a while."

"Sorry..." Irene lowered her head so low that her chin was almost buried in her collar.

"Please stop apologizing and take a look at the scenery outside the window. When I passed by here before, I didn't have time to appreciate it carefully."

As Luo Yan spoke softly, he looked out the window of the carriage.

He remembered that the last time he and Sarah passed by here, it was snowing heavily. Now, in the blink of an eye, winter is almost over.

The sun shone softly on the snow-covered fields, and a trace of warmth that seeped out of the soil began to melt the frozen earth.

If nothing goes wrong, this place will become an endless field in a few months.

But if something unexpected happens, the scenery of the past may never appear again.

All will be gone forever.

Luo Yan quietly admired the scenery outside the window until the smoke from Yinsong Town came into view.

Irene, who was sitting opposite him, seemed to have finally calmed down. She stopped digging her toes into the soles of her shoes and looked out the window quietly like him.

"…Winter is almost over. Looking at the melting snow, I feel my mood has become lighter."

Luo Yan looked at Irene. Her smile was peaceful and a ray of sunlight just fell on the tip of her nose, like a fluttering butterfly.

He thought for a moment and spoke softly.

"I feel the same way as you do."

Irene looked at him and winked playfully.

"If only time could stop right now."

Luo Yan smiled and spoke honestly.

"That might be a little difficult."

With the arrival of Irene's personal guards, Silverpine Town's sheriff Adlai and the mayor hurried to the town gate to greet them.

This was the second time in one day that the Campbell family banner had visited the town.

When Adlai saw Luo Yan sitting in the carriage, the expression on his face suddenly became as if he had seen a ghost. He froze on the spot and couldn't utter a complete sentence.

Irene did not blame him. After all, he was not the only one who stuttered and was speechless when he saw the royal family.

Instead, the mayor looked at Adlai strangely. This guy was fine when he saw His Majesty in the morning, so why was he speechless when he saw Her Royal Highness the Princess?

After dealing with the town officials, Irene's carriage went straight to the door of Silverpine Town Church.

It was Father Matt who came out to greet him.

Compared to Adlai who was making a fuss, the corpse priest was calm and flawless. He did not reveal any flaws even when facing the Chosen One and a group of knights.

"…I'm sorry, Princess, Mr. Flame King was not able to return in the end. The Bronze Pass is in danger, and the people there need him."

After hearing Father Matt's answer, Irene showed a lost expression on her face, but she was relieved in the end.

"Although it's a pity, I understand that he has his own things to do. Please tell him that I hope he is safe. Also, those refugees from Dusk Province are living well now. I will do my best to help them settle down in Thunder City."

"I'll tell that gentleman if I can get in touch with him. Besides, you don't have to feel sorry..."

Father Matt nodded slightly, glanced at the Demon King standing next to Her Royal Highness the Princess without leaving a trace, and then looked at Irene with a kind smile.

"Perhaps you have already seen him."

Irene looked at him in surprise.

"when?"

"Then I don't know," Father Matt shook his head slightly, "He only told me that you are a truly kind lady."

"May Saint Sis bless you."

(End of this chapter)