Imperial Crown.

Chapter 215 Love is fleeting

Raven stood there in a daze, not quite believing his ears: "What did you say?"

"Promise Montreal to marry his daughter." Crouch said it more clearly this time, and his tone was more serious.

"Why?" Raven frowned. "You still don't believe in my feelings for Lux?"

A trace of helplessness appeared on Crouch's face: "It is precisely because of belief that you have to separate."

He pointed to the table in front of him and said, "Please sit down. I will explain the reason to you slowly."

Raven sat down at the table and looked Crouch in the eye.

The old divine magician sighed and said, "It all started from the letter I received last year."

Last year, Lux wrote a letter to Crouch, telling of her admiration, appreciation and love for Raven, as well as her inner confusion.

That's why Crouch came to Eagle Territory.

This is not only to test Raven's character and ability, but more importantly, he has to protect his students.

"But you are already a seventh-level great divine magician." Raven asked puzzledly: "Who can threaten Lux in front of you?"

Crouch shook his head slightly and asked, "Have you heard of the Inquisition?"

The Inquisition is the Vatican's unique law enforcement agency. It is responsible for investigating corruption and disloyalty within the Vatican, and will also hunt down cults hiding in the dark.

In countries where the Holy See of Light is powerful, they will even replace the lord's law enforcement power.

This should have been a pure institution, but like the entire Vatican, it became increasingly corrupt over time, turning a blind eye to corruption within the Vatican and even colluding with it, becoming a thug for the Vatican to amass gray wealth.

Raven knew this, of course. "If it's them, I still have some gold coins, which should be enough to shut them up."

"It's useless." Crouch said, "Because the core of this is not Lux, nor you."

"Whose?"

"I!"

Crouch couldn't stand the absurd behavior of the Vatican today.

Almost all priests are greedy. They exploit believers on the basis of tithes to satisfy their own selfish desires and do not care about the life and death of believers!
They have everything that nobles have: concubines, mistresses, children, and the extravagance and corruption they lead are even worse than those of many nobles!

It was because he had seen too much of this kind of ugliness that Crouch chose to retire and become an ascetic monk.

No one expected that he would retire at the age of 47, but it only took him 16 years to grow from level 63, seven stars to level 5, one star at the age of , becoming one of the only five level masters.

Among these powerful men, he was the only one who chose to give up wealth and glory and focus on hard practice.

Although the Vatican is corrupt nowadays, there are still a group of people who uphold the idea of ​​hard work and simplicity. They are dissatisfied with the current practices of the Vatican and naturally regard Crouch as their spiritual leader.

Now, Crouch, who has grown to the seventh level and five stars, is only 71 years old and has become a strong contender for the next Pope.

Although the current Pope, Saint Urban, has the strength of a seventh-grade, eighth-star, he is already 97 years old, and is at an age where he could return to the Kingdom of the Lord of Light at any time.

Saint Urban did not want to see Crouch succeed him, because according to the philosophy upheld by Crouch and his followers, after taking office, he would definitely be held accountable for his actions.

At that time, his illegitimate children, his mistresses, and the property he left to his descendants will all be wiped out.

So Saint Urban was constantly monitoring Crouch through the Inquisition and strictly reviewing his every correspondence.

Crouch did not reveal any of these dirty secrets to Lux, which led to Lux sending the letter without any preparation.

Lux is Crouch's only disciple and his only weakness. For Saint Urban, this is a great opportunity.

If Lux could be captured and she and Raymond could be brought to justice, it would be a huge blow to Crouch's reputation. It would also be an opportunity to punish Crouch and disqualify him from competing for the next Pope.

Raven said, "But I don't think you are someone who is greedy for power."

"The Pope rules the Papal States, and you are also a lord." Crouch looked at Raven. "Does it matter whether I have ambitions or not?"

Raven remained silent.

Indeed, Crouch's very existence was a threat to the Pope.

"During this period, I have intercepted four groups of people from the Inquisition." Crouch said expressionlessly.

"But I can stop it for a while, but I can't stop it forever."

"So, the only way now is to let you marry into the Fox family. This way, the relationship between you and Lux ​​will be clear."

"Only in this way can we clear Lux of suspicion and get her out of danger."

"It's the best choice for both you and her."

Silence, long silence.

Crouch knew this was unfair to Raven, but the world was never fair.

If Lux were told the details, the burden would crush her, and given her personality, she would rather die than be separated from Raven.

Raven knew this, of course.

Crouch had no need to lie to him, but he really didn't want to: "Is there really no other way?"

Crouch raised a question: "The Fitun city-states have existed for hundreds of years between the Insa Empire and your Keynes Empire. Why haven't they been annexed?"

There was a hint of realization in Raven's eyes.

Yes, both the Insa Empire and the Keynes Empire have the desire to expand their territory. The reason why there are constant minor frictions but they have never launched a large-scale attack on the Fitun city-states is because the Fitun city-states are strong enough.

The cost of destroying them far outweighs the benefits of conquering them.

Therefore, if Raven wants to be with Lux, he must be strong enough, so strong that even if the Church of Light bites him, they will break their teeth!

But how long do we have to wait and what is considered strong?

Earl, Marquis, or Duke?
Level 5, level 6, level 7! ?

How many years will it take, how much time will be wasted! ?

"I've said everything I need to say. Take your time to think about it." Crouch stood up and walked to the door. "Just remember, the longer you delay, the more dangerous the situation will be for you and Lux."

Raven sat there, silent and motionless, like a stone statue.

Time passes slowly, from dusk to night, and from night to dawn.

When the first ray of morning light illuminated Raven's fingers, he finally moved. He swallowed a mouthful of saliva in his throat, only to feel bitterness in his mouth.

Leaving the room, and ignoring Petty's questions, Raven made his way to the Eagle Town Church.

It is time to pray.

Raven walked into the church from the side door and saw believers prostrating themselves on the ground, praising the Lord of Light.

And Lacus stood under the statue of Apollo, holding the holy book in her hand, leading the believers.

The sunlight shone through the holes in the wall, enveloping Lux in light and making her the only focus in the church.

She was wearing a light brown priest robe that completely covered her body. She held a heavy holy book in her fair hands, and her expression was serious and solemn.

Her hair was combed neatly and softly, gently draped over her shoulders, letting the sunlight scatter into a golden halo.

It seems to be integrated with the church.

This reminded Raven of the first time they met.

She is just as charming as she was then, and has never changed.

Lux's eyes glanced at Raven, and her sapphire-like eyes moved and fell on Raven, instantly bursting with surprise. The corners of her mouth unconsciously curled up, and her tone was a little more cheerful. "Praise our Lord, He has granted us happiness."

“Praise be to our Lord, He has granted us peace.”

“Praise be to our Lord, who has given us the whole of all.”

Looking at Lux's face with a gentle smile, Raven could no longer hear any sound in his ears. He only hoped that time could stop at this moment and let this picture last forever.

But time must flow after all.

The believers gradually dispersed. Lux ran to Raven in small steps, put her hands behind her back, lowered her head, and said with joy and shyness: "Why are you here?"

Raven suppressed the twitching of his mouth: "...I think you should have heard recently that the Fox family intends to marry me."

Lux smiled: "Yes, I heard it, but I have already told the teacher, he promised to help you solve it, don't worry..."

Raven couldn't bear to listen any longer, and said in a hoarse voice: "I have already agreed."

Lux slowly raised her head, and Raven could clearly see her eyes change from joy to confusion, and then from confusion to surprise.

"What?" Lux asked.

"I said." Raven took a deep breath, "I have promised Montreal to marry Nancy."

Lux's pupils began to tremble, and a trace of pain that could not be concealed spread out: "You... are lying to me, right?"

Raven used all his willpower to keep his eyes from wandering. "I am a noble. Marrying Nancy will allow me to have connections with the Fox family."

"The Griffith family may also become an earl family."

Lux looked at Raven as if it was her first day meeting him.

Suddenly, she turned around so that Raven wouldn't see her face, but her voice had become distorted: "I understand. I'm leaving now, and everything that happened in the past will be treated as if it never happened."

"I wish you a bright future."

"Raven... Baron..."

Lux ignored Raven's actions. She hired a carriage, but did not ask for anyone's help. She just moved things from the church one trip at a time.

Her books, her clothes, her pets.

Dark clouds covered the sky at some point, thunder rumbled, and the streets were soon empty.

When the last box of things was moved, Lux got into the car and said, "Let's go."

The driver hesitated and said, "But Priest Lacus, this weather..."

A gold coin flew out and landed on the carriage board. The driver picked it up, bit it lightly, and then whipped the horse.

Lux sat in the carriage with Xiaolan in her arms, as if she had lost her soul.

The vehicle began to shake, which meant that the carriage had left Eagle Territory.

Suddenly, there was a clang and something fell to the ground.

Following the sound, Lux found a small crystal bottle.

That's the bottle of Angel's Kiss.

Now there is still more than half of the solution left in the bottle. After all, she is only willing to use some when she meets Raven.

Lux didn't know how it got into her bag, so she picked it up and was about to throw it out of the window.

But the moment she held the bottle, she smelled the faint scent of jasmine, and all the memories of the past that had been suppressed for a long time came flooding back to Lux's heart.

From the first time they met, to every conversation between them, to every time they whispered to each other, Raven's face, Raven's smile, and Raven's words couldn't help but appear in her ears and in front of her eyes.

The more she recalled these things, the more she was reminded of the coldness of reality.

Tears fell quietly.

Lux huddled in a corner of the car, her hands wrapped around her knees, her knuckles gripping Angel's Kiss beginning to turn white.

She started crying, and at first it was just a slight sob, but when the curtain of the car was lifted and the cold wind blew on her white feet, the sobs finally turned into howls.

Rumbling--

Amid the thunder, heavy rain fell to the ground, covering up the helpless weeping.

The lightning illuminated the carriage in the heavy rain, and also illuminated old Gordon in Eagle Castle.

Not only him, but also Fiona, Volaf, Margaret, and even Eric were all standing outside Raven's office, with worry on everyone's face.

After the Baron came back, he locked himself in his room for a whole day.

With a creak, the door opened and Patty walked out.

Everyone gathered around him: "What happened!?"

Petty raised the plate in her hand: "... Only the wine is left. The lunch is not even touched."

Another thunder flashed, revealing a number of nervous faces.

"Why don't we go find Priest Lacus?" Eric suggested, "She will definitely be able to calm the Baron down."

"Priest Lacus has already left Eagle Town." Volaf said with an embarrassed look on his face: "The Baron has instructed us not to stop her."

At this moment, Margaret's face suddenly turned pale. She felt Raven's uncontrollable surge of emotions, grabbed her chest, and broke out in a cold sweat.

Raven's laughter echoed in the room.

Empty and dry, like an old phonograph.

There was no light in the room. Raven leaned over in a chair, holding the rim of the cup with three fingers, shaking it unconsciously.

With a crackling sound, raindrops shattered on the window, gathering together and flowing down in streams. Whenever lightning flashed, purple light also flowed through it.

Raven stared at the window, his eyes shining brightly enough to be frightening.

Another flash of lightning flashed by, outlining the outline of the black cat on the table. Raven raised his hand and took a sip of wine: "Where were we talking about... Oh, yes, it was on her birthday last year."

Raven had a faint smile on his face. "You hadn't come yet, so you couldn't see the brilliance in the sky - it was really beautiful."

"I held her in my arms and smelled her hair..."

Raven's voice choked as he poured himself a glass of wine, played with it in his hands for a moment, and then drank it all in one gulp.

He took a deep breath, then let out a long exhale, leaned forward on the back of his chair, stared at the ceiling, a smile on his lips, his voice hoarse and surprisingly calm: "I used to think that the so-called heartache was a lie."

“Now I know that the heart really hurts!

It was like a needle piercing into me without any reason.

Keep stirring and inserting it inside!
Then throw your whole heart into the abyss."

bang
Lightning flashes, illuminating everything.

Sikoret slowly wagged his tail and licked his paws, with a gleam of sober cruelty in his eyes:

"Love is fleeting"

"Raven"

……

(End of this chapter)