The viper is dead.

It was in the face of his two "allys" that he was cut open in a coma.

The reason is very bright and just-the head of the Viper Mercenary Corps is suspected of holding a rebellion between the members of his mercenary regiment and the other two mercenary regiments, trying to betray the empire and his principality at the time of the invasion of foreign enemies.

Fortunately, "Duke Byrne and the Ebden Chief Executive joined forces to stop in time", the two heads of the involved mercenary regiments also promptly chaosed anyway, joined the justice side, and became an indispensable force in Ebden's defensive battle ... …

This is how the incident was recorded in the parliamentary archives of the Ebden Freedom Council.

For Loren and Corona, it was this disaster caused by "arrears of salary" and "malicious wage collection" that finally reduced the impact and danger to a minimum.

The Viper Mercenary Corps, which had lost its leader, was also forcibly disbanded. About half of the professional mercenaries were gathered into the city defense of Ebden and became a force directly controlled by the consul; at the same time, the remaining city defense The army was also directly or indirectly controlled by Corona through the wizard tower and the family.

After the military chaos, the veterans of the wizard tower finally understood how important it was to have an army held in their hands; and the escape of a large number of nobles gave them a very good opportunity.

The rest of the dismissed were secretly recruited by the two mercenary regiments, Silver Blood and Black Blade, to expand their strength.

For this matter, Loren chose to turn a blind eye, and still paid the two mercenary regiments a full commission at the originally negotiated price; in addition, he did not forget to promise to give each of the two regiments fifty. Ten thousand silver coins "compensation".

In fact, it would be better to say that this was originally the purpose of Loren-at the moment to defend Eboden, who is defending the emptiness, of course it is impossible to leave more than 3,000 professional fighters to leave at this time; even if the other two mercenary regiments did not move at all He would certainly find a way for Earl Eckert to detain these people.

At this time, someone is willing to bear the extra expenses of thousands of fighters for him, of course, it can't be better.

As for the "compensation" of the 500,000 silver coins ... The head of the Black Blade was cheerful and accepted, but the head of the silver blood was directly pushed away, and it was clearly stated that he had received a commission and would meet Ebden The defenders fought side by side until the last moment.

Obviously ... the experience at the negotiating table made Loren leave a very bad impression in his heart; he would rather not have half a million silver coins, but also keep a certain distance from Loren.

A little not very social, but will stick to his promises, very principled guy.

Loren likes such a guy.

At the same time, in order to boost morale (inviting people to buy people)-with the assistance of Corona, Loren found a large number of local sweet wines and good-quality ales from the manor and warehouse of the fugitive nobility. "The name was sent to mercenaries and city defense troops. It was the last celebration and carnival before the war.

They do not yet know what kind of enemy they are about to face, thinking that they were just fighting the water pirates or bandits in the past, and the few elite who have fought the ice werewolves in East Sakland are also fighting the upcoming battle. Very confident.

So they swallowed cheap, sweet, and greasy wine; they cheered all night to thank their commander, a knight from the wine country.

Not knowing their lives at all, it is only worth this glass of wine.

"You didn't kill him?"

Pushing the red blood wine off the table, Corona smiled and turned her eyes to the dark-haired wizard across the table: "At the moment you pulled out the knife, I really thought you would kill him and force the two men to follow. "

The noisy shouts and footsteps outside the door kept going forever, and the Bion Knight carrying boxes of wines and Ebden's city defense troops fought together. Rude mercenaries and rigorous legionnaire soldiers mingled together.

"Of course he can't die-not only can he, but also have to live safely until the Azore Elves actually appear." Loren picked up the glass, and the blood-red wine swayed in the glass:

"The silver blood should have been discovered; he thought I would force him to kill the venomous snake to prove the‘ sincerity ’of cooperation, but in fact the opposite is true. The living venomous snake is more useful to me than the dead.”

"The person who betrayed the viper and divided his mercenary group is not me, but his two good partners; as long as he is still alive, as long as there are people in the viper mercenary group ... these two will not want to sleep peacefully, all the time. In the fear of being visited by former partners. "

"As for the poisonous snake-he carried the crime of" treason "on his back, and he is already a blind" dead man "; if he wants revenge, the only thing he can rely on is me ... so not killing him is to leave the last one To ensure foolproof cards. "

Prudence may not be enough to fill all the mistakes, but at least no more mistakes will be made.

Corona pondered for a long time. He silently looked at the dark-haired wizard with a dull expression. That leisurely expression was no longer like the child who asked for advice in the carriage on the streets of Ebdon.

In the Red Blood Castle, the strategy was to retreat. At the Imperial Capital Sword Knight Conference, the tacit agreement with Connold broke up the differentiation of the three mercenary leaders and broke them one by one ...

"Awesome." Corona's stern voice gave Loren a little stunned voice: "Although I have high expectations for you, your growth rate is beyond my expectation."

"No, no, you're too exaggerated." The dark-haired wizard shook his head with a chuckle, and took a sip of red blood wine: "I have learned all of this from you."

Well, there are Dalton Kander, Rut Infinite, the Bellini family, Brandon and Connold de Salion, Fanesis, Charlotte Turin ...

Plus two "Asriel" evil spirits, and a ghostly black cross.

Thanks to these friends and opponents (killing thousands of knives) for pushing themselves to the edge of life and death on the cliff again and again, using their wonderful performances and layouts to give themselves the experience of being "immersive"; When faced with other people, you can be as comfortable as you are now, and you will never be surprised.

Well, if you have a chance, be sure to thank them face-to-face, one by one, and thank them for not forgetting to give yourself such "care and care" guidance and training in various ways for so many years.

for sure!

The corner of Loren's mouth twitched a little unnaturally.

Corona, aware of the change in the expression of the dark-haired wizard, smiled slightly and didn't say much. Instead, she turned the topic away: "Now that the military chaos in Ebden has been resolved, are you confident of the next city defense?"

As the old man spoke, Loren's expression became dignified again.

"To be honest, no." With a sigh, Loren stood up and looked at the closed door, and said softly: "This should be the first time ... I am almost doomed to be impossible when I am totally uncertain. Winning war. "

Loren hates surprises, surprises, and any unexpected events.

That ’s right, I collected all the information about the Azores, and dug out all the information that could be dug out. I even used a few Connaught night watchmen to make chess pieces and figured out the assassination of the Sky Dome. The specifics of the night ... but still to no avail.

I don't know when the enemy will come, when they will attack, and in what way, how violent the attack will be;

Ebden ’s weak defense line seems to have enough city defense strength ... can it really block the enemy for a month.

Everything is still unknown.

Putting down the glass, the dark-haired wizard's eyes narrowed slightly.

For a moment, he suddenly began to understand Connor's feelings.

Staying in the Fortress of the Boundary Mountain for many years, waiting for the invasion of the northern monsters all the time, and even the slightest clues and the possibility may not be given up, otherwise it will be a complete loss and the city will be destroyed.

Even if clues are found and sufficient preparations are made, it is still unknown whether they can hold on-in the history of the empire, the Boundary Mountain Fortress is not an unprecedented example.

Because of this, he will be willing to compromise and understand his mood at the moment when he has been defending the mountain for more than ten years. Even if he is not willing, he will also come ... to fight a must-defense battle .

Because as long as the enemy is dragged ... not to mention one month, even if the enemy is dragged on for an extra week, a day, the empire can be strong.

"Oath Knight ..." The pensive dark-haired wizard suddenly looked back at Corona: "Since he will come to deliver the letter, it should be right in Eboden right now ... Where is he now?"

Corona looked at Loren and shook her head.

"I specially sent someone to find it, but without his whereabouts-Ebden's Cathedral also knew nothing about his current situation, and did not even leave any clues." Corona sighed and frowned slightly:

"Unsurprisingly, he probably left."

left?

Now this time?

Loren's expression was quite stunned.

"Is he still in the city, just hiding?" The dark-haired wizard still refused to give up. After all, the vowed knight is also an important combat force: "This was the case during the Centaur War until I arrived It was only when Silver Helmet Mountain appeared ... "

"It should not be, and IMHO ... Oath Knight, he also has his mission." Corona said softly: "Since he did not come forward, then it proves that in his judgment, there is more important than defending Ebden Things need him, isn't that the case? "

What is more important than keeping Ebden?

The expression of the dark-haired wizard was thoughtful.

For Oath Knight, only one thing in this world is important enough.

Black Cross, Serel.

That means ...

Looking at the dark-haired wizard in thought, Corona's expression was very delicate.

Looking at his expression, it seems that he has already come into contact with part of the truth ... This is not surprising. How can anyone who has visited the Dragon King City and once fought against the evil **** know nothing about this world?

More importantly, Asriel ... that evil **** ... why would he be so interested in him?

How much did he know, and to what extent? This is a problem.

Majesty Eckhart, should I tell him?

Me, Loren Turin ... What role do we play in your plans and expectations?

You promised me the future of the wizard, and let me abandon Ebden; is it really fulfilling the promise, or is it just me and the wizards as a victim of your plan?

Either way, I promise that the wizard will never fall because of Ebden. We are stronger than you and your decadent royal family.

Because ... you are the past, we are the future.

We will use our own hands to fight for our future.

Corona squeezed her lips tightly, and the right hand subconsciously supported the table.

"Master Corona?"

The dark-haired wizard raised his eyebrows and noticed something was wrong: "Why?"

"No, it's nothing ... It's just an old man who started to remember it habitually." Corona smiled indifferently, and said like a normal chat:

"Loren Turin, wait until the war is over ... wait until the war is over, I want to tell you something, but not now."

Loren was stunned.

"Now, Duke of Loren Turin, Lord of Byrne's Thirteen Lords." Corona raised his head and gently snapped his fingers at the door:

"It's time for the soldiers guarding Eboden to meet their commander."

The moment the words fell, the door of the Liberty Council "automatically" opened to both sides.

Under the dim sky in the evening, the scenery outside the door appeared naturally in Loren's sight.

The marble staircase, the spacious Eboden Square, the row of house towers, the fortresses and the city walls in the distance, the bright red sun hangs over the fortress ... until the end, the peaceful and quiet port, and the blue coastline.

This is Ebden, the city of wealth and wisdom, a city that is about to be soaked in blood and needs to do its utmost to guard for a whole month The torch turned into a camping ground; the Liberty Council even used thousands of fluorite lamps at all costs, illuminating the entire square like a day.

As the gate opened, the soldiers in the square naturally noticed the figure walking out of the gate.

Looking at those pairs of eyes, his stunned Loren raised the corner of his mouth, facing the whole square, and slowly raised the glass in his hand.

"Long live Duke Byrne ———— !!!!!!"

The crowd at the end of the square could not be seen, and the figures beside the bonfires also stood up excitedly, raising the wine glasses in their hands together. The atmosphere is also eager.

They ate large portions of delicious food, drunk mellow liquor, praised the generous and generous Duke Byrne, and hung their shoulders with anyone beside them.

As night fell, Eboden, which was getting colder and darker, enjoyed the last joy before the war came in this eager atmosphere.