Blood Dragon

festival promise

So what can he do if he is not good enough to let it go?The best thing is to find another witness and make another accusation!Irina thought a little angrily.Why is everyone expecting her to make a fool of herself?Want to see her slap herself?Did no one understand her predicament?

"How do you know?" Irina tried to change the subject.She has been studying with the old man in black for a long time, and her potential has been squeezed out, just like a washerwoman wringing out the moisture in her clothes.For a moment she thought she would be squeezed to the last drop and hung up to dry.

"Although I'm in poor health, I'm neither deaf nor blind!" The black-robed old man replied with stern words. "As you already know, Thomas was badly wounded before the war started - it was actually Ashuruffat who helped you defeat the Paro. People like him are hard to come by. If you want his If you are loyal, then you must give him justice and kill Ryan. From my point of view, exchanging that boy Ryan for Ashurfat is a very good deal, and it can be regarded as a huge profit."

"I will give him enough compensation." Irina replied.

"Compensation? What kind of compensation? What kind of compensation can appease such a man?"

"I will transfer Thomas' territory to him." Irina gritted her teeth.Thomas's territory is an extremely wealthy territory, Ashurfate should be satisfied. "And I... made him the captain of the palace guard and let him attend the imperial meeting."

Such a reward is enough, enough to smooth out any dissatisfaction - no one can refuse such a generous reward.If that doesn't work, Ashurfate can be promoted to Marquis.

"Is Ryan really worth your effort to protect?" the old man sighed.

"I just made him 'temporary' Grand General and immediately arrested him for treason and murder? What will my knights think of me? What will my people think of me? What will other nations think of me Me?" Irina finally called out. "Do I have to look like a fool who keeps making mistakes for you to be satisfied?"

"The king is never afraid of making mistakes, what he is afraid of is that his subjects will lose confidence in him." The old man in black robe replied a little lonely. "Irina, you are really not suitable to be a queen. You are just an ordinary girl. Although I try my best to change you..."

"Why am I not fit to be a queen?"

"If you do that, you've lost Ashrufat."

"Impossible, no knight can refuse such a generous reward!" Irina replied.Ashurfat didn't know if he stayed in Loren City, but he didn't see him at Thomas's funeral today, which shows that he didn't care much about Thomas' death.This should be.The one who really cared about Thomas, Knight Leo, was dead.Although this is not a happy result, it is barely acceptable to all parties.

"You won't believe what you say now." The old man in black robe replied, this time he didn't even have the strength to get angry. "But you'll find out soon. Do you think Ashuruffat was born as a mercenary but pretended to be a knight, making you think that he can be bought casually?"

"Is not it?"

"Hmph... In your opinion, is it true that all knights are noble and brave, and other people are humble and humble. Even if they have occasional talents, they are also vulgar? The theory of blood... hum... the theory of blood. The monarch can put Put the theory of blood in your mouth, but don't take it to your heart." The old man suddenly let out a chuckle. "Irina, let me tell you a secret. A secret that only Thomas and I know...Thomas is actually an adopted son! His biological parents were probably just beggars or bums or something. They abandoned him , and he was lucky enough to be adopted by a knight. Our noble blood, bravery and wisdom, everyone admires and loves General Thomas, but he is actually just an outcast whose parents don't know who he is!"

"Irina, you don't understand people's hearts, you don't understand what kind of person is a potential danger, what kind of person is worth relying on, you don't know how to choose between the two, and you don't know what a king is at all. It's not your fault, you only have half a year to learn, and right now I can only hope that this lesson will make you remember forever. I hope you will always remember what I taught you, and then rely on time to slowly Master them."

The old man picked up a whistle with trembling hands and blew it to his lips.The two servants appeared immediately, helping the old man in black to leave.

Irina returned to the castle (the castle was next to the cemetery, where she lived temporarily), and went into the room alone.When she came out of the room, there was an extra letter in her hand.

"Come here," Irina called, and several attendants and guards appeared immediately. "Does any of you know where Count Ashurfate is?"

The followers looked at each other, and finally a well-informed person spoke.

"I heard that he temporarily lives in the town of Belaron, which is very close to here, but I didn't see him at today's funeral." The man said. "It's strange, why did he come here and not attend the funeral?"

"Help me deliver this letter to Earl Ashuruffat." She handed the letter to the man. "Give it to him personally."

She had written her promises of land and office in this letter, and clearly hinted that the matter of prosecution should stop here.If Ashuruffat was smart, he should stop there.Is not it?If he is really her knight, then he should consider her more instead of acting recklessly.

Ryan was content in his room.

Thomas built four castles on his territory - because he was indeed rich, and there was no use for more money.Ryan is now one of them.Her Royal Highness and her entourage lived temporarily in the castle of Belarion, and most of the nobles who came to attend the funeral were staying in the town of Belaron, living in the wooden houses of farmers or hunters.

It was noon, and the smell of lunch floated into people's noses from time to time, which made people feel very comfortable.

He had to appear as a defendant in the court of honor in the morning (according to custom, the trial of the court of honor always takes precedence), but in fact he was not informed at all to stand trial.And his servants soon brought him the good news he was expecting—Leo was dead.It is said that under unprepared circumstances, he was shot several times in the chest and died on the spot.

The musket is really a good thing, no wonder the Paro people quickly accepted this new weapon, and even let the knights pick up the musket.

Once the accuser dies, the court will naturally not be able to continue the trial.There is no doubt that this is a solution with great side effects, but at this moment he really has no other choice.

Someone pushed the door open, and it was Luke who came in.Since yesterday, Luke has been busy.

"Uncle, what are you preparing for?" Ryan asked.

"A small reception for all those who have helped in this great trouble." Luke replied.His expression also looked relieved. "This is very important, dear nephew, and while we have finally settled the matter, your reputation is at rock bottom. Anyone will suspect that you have anything to do with this murder."

"Reception? Thomas' funeral just ended...inappropriate..."

"No, it's just right. The nobles have been unable to participate in any entertainment activities for a long time because of Thomas' affairs. They have come to this poor valley again. Holding a suitable reception at this time is an extremely tricky way to please. ’ replied Luke. "And I've already sent someone to send a letter to Ashrufat."

"Send a letter?"

"Jing report. I have already listed his charges. If he does not compromise, it will immediately become an accusation." Luke replied. "Leo was assassinated, fools know that you are the most suspect. We try not to do any sensitive things in the near future. But Ash Rufat is a smart man, he should know how to advance and retreat. Humph, we will wait for the wind to die down Go down and deal with him!"

There was a commotion outside.Luke and Ryan looked at each other and walked out the door together.The source of the uproar came from a wounded man with a bloody head - Luke recognized this as his messenger.

"What happened?" Luke separated the crowd and asked. "Has the letter arrived?"

The servant's face was full of pain and grievance. "The letter was delivered, but Ashurfat... the count, after reading the letter, grabbed me by the collar and threw me out of the door. My head hit a stone..."

"What?!" A solemn expression appeared on Luke's face.He casually comforted the servant a few words, and then returned to the room with Ryan.

"How many guards do we have?" Luke asked as soon as he entered the room. "Is it reliable?"

"More than ten, all of them were brought by me from Cassilos, they are absolutely reliable."

"More than a dozen... not enough! Immediately use your position as the acting general and transfer another batch of knights."

"what happened?"

"That guy Ashurufat... It seems that I underestimated him. I thought he was an outsider with no connections and no foundation, so he didn't dare to do anything. It seems that that guy... No, it's possible I was thinking too much." Luke's face was uncertain. "He is a smart man, he shouldn't do such a stupid thing! Besides, what's the benefit of killing you? Only by making a public trial and making a gesture of revenge for Thomas can he gain fame..."

His brow was furrowed tightly.For the first time in such a long time, he was unable to see through a person, unable to judge the other party's next move.

"Anyway, strengthen your guard. Don't go out this afternoon. Ryan, at night, when the nobles gather in the castle, he will have nothing to do. Princess Irina will go back tomorrow, and you must join her team!"

He continued to meditate for a long time before looking up to the window. "Maybe I'm thinking too much... This is just his negotiating gesture... Ryan, I have a very bad feeling..."

However, Luke's worries seemed to be superfluous.All afternoon was uneventful.At dusk, when the nobles attending the reception arrived one after another, Luke finally put aside his uneasiness.

Delicious food and wine, goblets and toasts.Because of the absence of social activities for a long time, almost all the guests of Ryan's reception were present.Luke and Ryan's uncle and nephew entertained here hospitably and got a lot of goodwill.A group of nobles gathered together to talk and give advice.

"Ah..." A scream outside the gate broke the peaceful reception.

The host and guest looked at the door together in surprise.Accompanied by a muffled sound, the door was suddenly pushed open, and a guard covered in blood stumbled in, took a few steps staggeringly, and finally fell to the ground.Then, Ashuruffat walked in through the gate, fully armed and holding a long sword.

"Everyone, I'm sorry I came here uninvited." Ashuruffat's words were very polite, but the cold killing intent in his voice pierced people's hearts. "But I have a promise to honor to Duke Lane."