Chapter 213 You may have seen it before
A huge bomb has been buried in the center of the power tower of the Principality of Campbell.
It will not only sink the tacit understanding between the upper class and the lower class since the first era, but also set off a huge flame that will engulf everyone who stares at it or is in it.
After experiencing this catastrophe at the cost of a generation, the people of the Principality of Campbell will finally be saved.
But just like Luo Yan and his followers said, they have to experience despair first.
In the following time, Luo Yan did not talk to Edward about the things he liked to hear or the things he was worried about. Instead, he used his "knowledge" in the academy and the empire to change the topic, thus leading Edward to talk about the courts of the Principality of Campbell and the Kingdom of Lane.
Luo Yan skillfully controlled the social distance between them, and while entering into each other's spiritual world, he left a sense of mystery to the other party without completely penetrating into it.
If you don’t explore the other person’s spiritual world at all, you will not truly gain the other person’s trust, but going too deep can easily arouse the other person’s vigilance and suspicion afterwards.
He will return the initiative to the other party at the appropriate time, just like when he got along with Irene.
In Demon King Academy, this course is called "Etiquette of the Human Empire".
The two chatted happily for the next time, and it was not until lunch time that Edward left with unfulfilled feelings.
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, but just when 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 behaved like a noble and said solemnly.
"Thank you, your suggestion is very important to us, both for our Majesty and for us, the vassals who serve him."
Luo Yan smiled and nodded.
"It's my honor to be able to help you. I like this place very much."
Baron Gus also had a smile on his face, and he spoke again immediately.
"Same for me, after all, this is my hometown. It's only recently that I discovered that I actually don't understand the people I rule at all. They are not kind at all, let alone simple. On the contrary, their cunning is beyond my imagination."
"I have never thought about this issue until recently. Only recently did I suddenly realize that those guys do not deserve the protection of the Gus family at all. It is just that we have always been bound to this land by traditional honors and responsibilities."
"I was vaguely thinking that something was wrong, but I couldn't tell what was wrong. Thanks to your words, it woke me up... In fact, we can be richer, as long as we put down a little bit 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 to solve the big trouble in the territory, but they turned around and ran away without hesitation when I needed them most. I think it's time for them to learn a lesson. Only in this way can they, the villains, remember who is the best person for them!"
Luo Yan looked at Gus in surprise, not knowing whether to be surprised at his defiant logic or his shamelessness.
Indeed.
In an inconspicuous corner of the blueprint he unfolded for Archduke Edward, there is indeed such a devil's whisper -
When these feudal lords put down their feudal obligations and collude with the power of capital, they can make unimaginable wealth, like eating a 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 Smile" to Archduke Edward. Everyone, including the Archduke, saw a smile, only his eyes looked down at the ditch.
This guy may have been born to be a devil.
Shocked for a long time, Luo Yan coughed slightly and said.
"I'm surprised that you can interpret it this way. I think maybe you should teach them a lesson, but not too extreme."
Baron Gus raised his eyebrows at him, indicating that he fully understood.
"I understand that although they are cunning and cunning, I am a decent person after all, and I will only take what I deserve."
Is this really the case?
Luo Yan expressed doubts, but didn't say anything.
At this time, Mrs. Marina walked in from outside and looked at her husband with complaining eyes.
"That's enough, you've been talking for too long, and the banquet will start if you delay it any longer."
She has been preparing for this all morning.
After scolding her husband, Marina looked at Mr. Colin again, her eyes suddenly softened.
"Please come with me, dear sir, you must want to prepare before the banquet begins."
Although Luo Yan felt that it was not necessary, he still nodded respectfully, and then looked at Baron Gus to say goodbye.
"Then I will 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?
After being married for such a long time, he has never seen her love to dress up so much...
……
The luncheon was held in the restaurant of the manor.
The table here is exquisitely and elegantly decorated, with linen tablecloths covered with sumptuous dishes, including roasted squab, honey-glazed venison shank, fresh vegetable salad, and liqueur made from wild berries, a specialty of Silver Pine Forest.
On both sides of the wide restaurant, there were musicians holding musical instruments to accompany them.
Archduke Edward was sitting at the head seat of the banquet, with his sister Irene on his left, and Mr. Colin, the most distinguished guest of the Duke of Campbell, on his right. As for the owner of this manor, Gus himself, he was squeezed to the fourth position.
However, Gus himself had no complaints about this arrangement. After all, it was already a great honor for him to have the Grand Duke dining with him.
What's more, the eldest son of a certain prince in the empire is accompanying him.
Since the beginning of the banquet, Gus has been trying his best to please His Majesty the Grand Duke, either bragging about his achievements in the barony, or using every opportunity to offer compliments.
However, it turned out that his flattery did not hit the horse, but just dusted the straw next to the horse's hoof.
Honest Lord Edward was thinking deeply, and was obviously not interested in the achievements he boasted about. He was not even more interested in him than in the honey-glazed deer legs.
As for Luo Yan, he looked at Princess Irene who was recovering from a serious illness and expressed concern.
"Your Highness Irene, are you feeling better?"
"I feel much better, thank you for your concern." Perhaps because her brother was beside her, Irene acted very reserved, as if she had returned to the time when they first met.
But a person's eyes can't lie.
Luo Yan could clearly feel that she always peeked at him from time to time, which made Youyou, who was eating melon next to her, giggle non-stop.
Edward seemed to be extremely annoyed by Baron Gus, and finally interrupted the latter's chatter.
"Mr. Gus, I'm not interested in how you personally went into battle to make two cold-blooded cows stack up. You might as well talk about your experience yesterday, such as what you saw in the Demon King's stronghold, such as how you were rescued."
"No problem, Your Majesty!" Seeing that Duke Edward was not interested in his topic, Gus immediately changed the topic from his "working hard" to his "bravery".
As for why he did not win, he blamed the problem on the incompetence of the tenant farmers in Silver Pine Town and being frightened by the demons in Beifeng City.
The experience of being a prisoner was briefly mentioned by him, 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 trace of hesitation appeared on his face.
This is a topic he has been deliberately avoiding since returning from the northern part of the Silver Pine Forest.
That is, those refugees who have lost their lords are actually living a good life in the Demon King's territory.
They did not starve to death.
On the contrary, they even began to doubt the majesty of Saint Sith, and this is often something that only people who are full will start to do.
He could be sure that His Majesty would not like to hear such words, so he could only change his perspective.
"Those demons are using strange machines."
"Strange machines?" Archduke Edward raised his eyebrows, with a strange expression on his face, and even stopped holding the knife and fork in his hand.
Seeing that His Majesty seemed interested, Baron Gus immediately spoke vividly.
"Yes, those are some machines that I have never seen in Thunder City! There are discs that can cut wood quickly, and iron hands that can lift stones to the roof. It is a bit like the craftsmanship of dwarves, but it is completely different. I can't help but suspect that they have got together with the followers of the God of Machinery!"
He hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I suggest you take this opportunity to get rid of them once and for all, before they have grown up yet!" Edward thought for a long time and gave an ambiguous answer.
"Let's discuss this later."
Honestly, this is indeed a hidden danger, but the Wanren Mountains are outside the borders of the Principality of Campbell after all.
Furthermore, rather than taking the initiative to attack, it is obviously more in his interest to wait for the demons to kill him.
Just wait a little longer.
Seeing that Archduke Edward was not interested in his instigation, Baron Gus did not dare to mention it again, but he became more determined to sell the land use rights in his hands.
He will not wait until the demons come to kill him before running away.
In this life, he never wants to experience what happened yesterday again...
...
After the luncheon, Archduke Edward left the manor and went to the military camp stationed near the manor.
Due to the cancellation of military operations, the purpose of this gathering was changed from rushing to rescue the barony to a shock-and-awe exercise.
The 20,000-strong army formed a square formation and conducted drills in a style unique to the magical world.
Including joint spellcasting that is not limited to the choir, griffon knights flying over the position at low altitude, and heavy cavalry holding light spears charging under the protection of the sacred light.
Luo Yan saw Charles' figure in the crowd, but the other party didn't seem to notice him and concentrated on commanding the troops.
It was not just Luo Yan who was watching the excitement, the farmers near the manor and the servants in the manor were also watching from a distance, admiring the knights who were showing off their skills.
There are also those adventurers who specially came from the town, their faces are full of envy.
Until this moment, they were completely aware of the gap between themselves and the regular army.
The prowess they brag about and the monsters they claim to have defeated are probably on the same level as the mounts of the Griffin Knights.
In front of the torrent of holy blessings, the daggers and muskets in their hands were like toys. They could only bully the monsters on the surface of the maze or in the Silver Pine Forest. On the battlefield, they were at best a group of high-level cannon fodder...
While Archduke Edward was reviewing his army, Irene Campbell, who had changed into casual clothes, took Theresa to find Luo Yan, who was watching the excitement, and said in a shy voice.
"Mr. Colin, I would like to invite you to a nearby town. I wonder if you are free now?"
Luo Yan happened to be a little tired of seeing Duke Edward pretending to be cool, so he said happily.
"Of course, it's my honor to go with you."
"Great! Cough...I mean, I'm very happy that you are willing to accompany me." A happy smile broke out on Eileen's face, although she quickly hid her heartfelt joy behind a reserved cough.
Looking at the helpless Princess, Teresa couldn't help but have a helpless smile on her face.
Although she understood that His Highness Irene wanted to remain reserved in front of the person she liked, she still couldn't help but want to remind His Highness that her thoughts were almost written on her face.
Even an inexperienced and vulgar person like myself can see this, and Mr. Colin must have noticed it already.
The carriage quickly stopped at the gate of the manor.
Looking at Irene's expectant eyes, Luo Yan gentlemanly helped her into the car, although after seeing her heroic figure, he seriously doubted whether this was necessary.
If she uses all her strength, it shouldn't be a problem to lift the carriage.
"Let's go!"
Theresa rode her horse to the front of the team, shouted at the guards, and then led the team towards Silverpine Town.
Looking at the scenery passing by outside the car window, Irene shook her calves slightly and suddenly spoke.
"I had a dream last night."
Luo Yan said casually.
“Am I lucky enough to know?”
Irene's cheeks felt slightly hot, she turned her face sideways and whispered.
"It's related to you anyway..."
It's related to me?
Luo Yan couldn't help but be curious about what she was dreaming about. However, seeing the unspeakable look on her face, he knew that he probably wouldn't be able to ask.
· Time flowed quietly in silence, and Irene suddenly spoke in a low voice.
"You won't be bothered, right?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly realized that she didn't seem to have a point in asking this question, so she quickly changed her words.
"I'm sorry, is it strange for me to ask this question? I'm not trying to guess what you mean, it's just... I... don't feel safe..."
Her voice became weaker and weaker, and she reached out to cover her face. Only then did she realize that her brain, which had subsided, was as hot as a furnace.
Looking at her incoherent expression, Luo Yan couldn't help but smile and said in a gentle voice.
∣ "∣∣ "Sorry, please forget it—— it shall be..." Erin closed her eyes in regret, and let out a little cry in her throat, like a hamster being cornered.
It seems that brave people are not always so brave.
Looking at Her Highness Irene who was almost about to come up, Luo Yan smiled softly and handed the steps in front of her.
"You may be tired, just rest for a while."
"I'm sorry..." Erin buried her head so low that her chin was almost buried in her collar.
"Please stop apologizing, how about taking a look at the scenery outside the window? When I passed by here before, I didn't have time to appreciate it carefully."
While Luo Yan spoke softly, he cast his gaze out the window of the carriage.
I remember that the last time he and Sarah passed by here, it was still snowing heavily in the sky. Now, in the blink of an eye, winter will be over.
· The sun shines softly on the snow-covered fields, and a trace of warmth drilled into the soil begins to melt the frozen earth.
If nothing happens, this place will become an endless field in a few months.
But if an accident occurs, the scenery of the past may not 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 no longer clenched her toes on the soles of her shoes, but looked out the window as quietly as he did.
...Winter is coming to an end, and looking at the melting snow, I feel 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 butterfly flying.
He thought for a moment and said softly.
"I feel the same as you."
Irene looked at him and winked playfully.
"It would be great if time could be suspended at this moment." Luo Yan smiled and said honestly.
"That may be a bit difficult."
With the arrival of the Eileen Guards, Silverpine Town Sheriff Adlai and the mayor hurriedly came to the town gate to greet them.
This is the second time in one day that the flag of the Campbell family has visited this town.
When Adlai saw Luo Yan sitting in the carriage, the expression on his face suddenly looked like he had seen a ghost. He was stunned on the spot and could not say a complete sentence.
Irene did not blame him, after all, he was not the only one who stuttered and became speechless when seeing the royal family.
On the contrary, the mayor gave Adlai a strange look. This guy was obviously fine when he saw His Majesty in the morning. Why was he speechless when he saw Her Majesty the Princess?
After dealing with the town officials, Irene's carriage went straight to the door of Silverpine Town Church.
The person who came out to greet him was Father Matt.
Compared to the fussing Adlai, the corpse priest was calm and flawless. Even when facing the Chosen One and a group of knights, he did not show any signs of weakness.
… I'm sorry, Your Highness Princess, Mr. Yan Wang failed to come back in the end. The Brass Pass is in danger, and the people there need him."
Hearing Father Matt's answer, Irene's face showed a disappointed expression, but she was relieved in the end.
"Although I'm sorry, I can understand that he has his own things to do. Please tell him for me that I hope he is safe and sound. Also, the refugees from the Dusk Province are living well now, and I will do my best to help them settle down in Thunder City."
"I will tell that gentleman for you, if I can contact him. In addition, you don't have to regret..." Father Matt nodded slightly, glanced at the Demon King who was standing next to Her Royal Highness, and then looked at Irene with a kind smile.
"You may have seen him before."
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."