Imperial Crown.

Chapter 256 Borrowing Food
The rapier in Gul'dan's hand emitted green flames, breaking through the air and approaching Akori's throat.

The two swords in Akori's hands were about to cut Gul'dan's shoulders.

The spectators held their breath, watching round after round. Without Ingra’s explanation, they could see that if this continued, there would be only one outcome -

perish together!

The flames were burning, and Akori's heart trembled violently.

Almost instinctively, he retracted the two swords in his hands, suddenly stepped his feet to the left, and lunged to the right.

This time, he dodged the rapier that was about to reach his throat, but failed to avoid it completely. The sword tip scratched a mark on his left breastplate and then pierced deeply into it, penetrating the cloth soft armor without any hindrance, cutting the skin and penetrating the bones. Blood spurted out like a fountain and evaporated in the blink of an eye!

At this time, exclamations from the sidelines rang out!

"I won!" Gul'dan said loudly.

Akori trembled with his lips and looked at his empty hands in disbelief, then raised his head and followed the rapier to Gul'dan's face, but he could only see the cold fox face mask.

The sword only pierced his shoulder, and he was still able to fight.

But Akori himself knew that in this confrontation, his dodging had weakened his morale, and even if he continued to fight, the result would be the same.

Gul'dan won this battle.

As soon as the thought came to mind, the martial spirit behind Akori suddenly collapsed.

He relaxed his wrists, letting the two swords fall to the ground, and then he raised his right hand in surrender.

"The winner is Gul'dan Fox!!!"

Gul'dan drew out his rapier, and his fighting spirit disappeared along with his fighting spirit.

Screams, applause, and curses rang out almost at the same time. Some were cheering for Gul'dan's victory, while others were roaring for Akori's failure.

The chaotic sounds piled up on Akori, making his breathing difficult.

He fought on instinct, and it was this instinct that led to his defeat!

I value my life too much, so I avoid it instinctively, because as long as I am alive, there will always be a chance.

It's just a loss, just a game!
Akori tried to convince himself, but his mind was wavering.

He is Acore, the son of Duke Ferdinand, a genius knight who awakened his martial spirit at the age of 27!
Now, under the attention of tens of thousands of people, he lost to a 35-year-old dude!

The feeling of shame fermented in his heart, almost breaking it.

"Raise your head, young master." Gul'dan walked up to him and whispered, "You deserved to lose."

Thinking it was just a mockery from the victor, Akori sneered and bent down to pick up his weapon: "Save your energy and go show off to those girls."

Gul'dan chuckled and sheathed his sword. "Of course I will do that, but if you behave too shamefully, it won't make any sense for me to be the winner, right?"

After combining the two long swords into a wave blade giant sword, Akori asked impatiently: "What do you want to say?"

"I just want to tell you that you lost to me not because you are inferior to me." Gul'dan looked into his eyes: "It's because I have reasons to win."

"That's nothing, I..." Akori was about to argue, but suddenly stopped.

Yes, what is the reason why he will win this game?

Seeing him standing there in a daze, Gul'dan smiled and patted his shoulder, then turned and left the arena, with a smile on his face.

In this game, he defeated Akori and slapped Anthony hard in the face, which greatly boosted the momentum of the Fox Family!

He let everyone know that the Fox Family is still as prosperous as ever!
Of course, the only small gain besides this was teaching Akori a lesson.

It feels so good to be able to look down on others and educate them with reason and evidence!
At the same time, in the box, Montreal had an irrepressible smile on his face:
"Ah! Gul'dan is still not steady enough. He's already a father, but he actually fought with others. He needs to change this!"

"Gul'dan is very intelligent, but he doesn't like martial arts very much, so he is not well-known." Archbishop Thomas commented: "With this victory today, it seems that he is not far from breaking through to the fourth level."

Being still at the third level at the age of 35 is not outstanding in the Earl's family, but if he is at the fourth level at the age of 35, the situation is completely different.

And it was Thomas who said this.

Everyone present knew that since Thomas dared to say this, it meant that he would mobilize the resources of the church to support Gul'dan in breaking through to the fourth level.

This is a promise, representing that the relationship between the Fox family and the Church of Light will become closer!

Invisibly, another slap was given to Marquis Anthony in the face.

Count Jonah also stepped forward to congratulate: "Brother Montreal, your family is really becoming more and more prosperous. In comparison, my son is just..."

Snapped--

Before he finished speaking, the sound of glass breaking was heard. Everyone turned around and saw that Marquis Anthony's face was red as fire, veins on his forehead were bulging, and his stiff hands were shaking violently.

At his feet was a broken wine glass.

Noticing everyone's gazes, Anthony stood up, his cheeks twitching a few times, as if he wanted to say something polite, but when he saw Montreal's smug look, he finally said nothing.

He flicked his sleeves and walked away!

The atmosphere in the box became awkward for a moment, and finally it was Raven, the organizer, who spoke up: "Marquis Anthony may have something urgent. I'll go ask him."

But Raven was unable to get any information out of the room, as Marquis Anthony refused to see anyone.

However, when cleaning in the early morning, many broken porcelain pieces and furniture appeared in the trash can, and several limp bodies were quietly thrown into the cemetery.

The next morning, Anthony left Eagle Town with his personal guards and announced that the time had come and he would return to the capital to report.

On this day, there was also a match between Eric and Sanjif, with the tacit understanding between Raven and the Slater family. Although the battle was difficult and fierce, Eric won in the end with a "slight advantage".

It’s not that no one has speculated that the result was manipulated by someone, but at least the two knights performed flawlessly on the court, so it didn’t cause any waves.

The off-season is still three days as usual, and after three days, the finals will begin.

There are growing calls for Gul'dan to win the championship, but they are not the only voices.

Some people think that since Eric is the representative of the Griffith family and this is Raven's wedding celebration, it is reasonable for the Fox family, as in-laws, to be humble.

But some people refuted this.

Since they are relatives by marriage and Fox is from the earl family, wouldn't it be more reasonable and joyful for Gul'dan to win the crown?
There were many different opinions at the time, and no one could convince anyone else.

September 9st, the first day of the offseason.

Raven did not have time to rest, but stood at the gate of Eagle Castle with Nancy, leading a group of servants, waiting quietly.

The red carpet stretched from the castle gate to the hall without a speck of dust, and servants knelt respectfully on both sides.

The sun was shining brightly in the sky, but it was a little too much for Nancy.

She has been standing here for almost an hour!

Beads of sweat began to appear on my forehead, and I could only move my ankles constantly to relieve the pain from standing for so long.

"It's just a count, why do we have to wait so long?" Nancy grumbled a little dissatisfiedly, "And Jonah doesn't look like the kind of person who would care about small things. Even if we don't come to greet him, he probably won't be angry."

"Okay, you've already waited so long, you don't mind waiting a little longer, right?" Raven smiled and comforted Nancy: "This is etiquette after all." Etiquette, seemingly useless, cannot be ignored.

Jonah is an earl and Raven is only a baron. He sent the invitation five days in advance and is now waiting at the door in formal attire. This is a kind of respect for both parties.

Nancy sighed, fanned herself with her round fan, and nodded glumly.

As a lady from an earl's family, she had always been the one to have others line up to welcome her, but today she had to wait here to welcome others.

Fortunately, not long after, just over ten minutes, a heavy carriage slowly came galloping over.

The carriage had a distinct style of the empire's Midwestern provinces and was made of the valuable second-level material "black rhinoceros wood". It was heavy and solid, yet had a hidden sense of luxury.

The horse pulling the carriage was obviously of Warcraft descent, with distinct muscles, tall and strong, and well-trained. Even without the coachman scolding it, it still stopped steadily at the end of the red carpet.

Count Jonah stepped down from the carriage, having changed into an elegant suit with silver lines outlining the black background. He looked very elegant, and his protruding belly even made him look more majestic.

"Oh, this is really grand." Jonah said, "I am a guest from afar, I don't deserve such courtesy!"

Raven took off his hat and bowed, while Nancy beside him lifted her skirt, bent down and nodded, performing the curtsy reserved for female nobles; the servants around them all knelt down and addressed him as "My Lord Earl".

Although he was humble, Jonah waited until everyone had finished their formalities before he stepped forward to help Raven up. He glanced at Nancy and said, "Not only does Montreal have an excellent son, but his daughter is also beautiful and generous."

"Otherwise, how can I be worthy of a talent like Baron Raven!"

After praising three people in one sentence, Nancy's long-awaited unhappiness subsided a little: "Uncle Jonah, you are too kind. I heard that your daughter is known as the Pearl of the West!"

"It's just outsiders bragging," Jonah said.

After a few more pleasantries, Raven said, "I heard that you are not used to the local food recently, so I specially ordered someone to prepare a table of Molinier Province specialties. I don't know if it is authentic. Can you help me taste it?"

Jonah acted surprised and said, "That's great!"

Several people walked along the red carpet back to the hall and sat down at the long table. Soon, maids brought wine and food and set the table for everyone.

The dishes are mainly grilled meats, all cooked to medium rare, some even with streaks of blood; the real specialty is the wine, brewed with Warcraft milk, which after being poured into a bowl has a texture like thick rice soup, with a slight smell of wine and mutton.

Originally, Earl Jonah did not have high expectations. After all, he knew with more experience that it was difficult for outsiders to recreate the taste of their hometown. Even in the same province, the taste of food was different, let alone in the Eagle Territory.

But after taking a bite, his eyes lit up. After drinking another glass of wine, he narrowed his eyes even more and nodded continuously: "Baron Raven, you took the trouble!"

Raven chuckled: "As long as you like it."

He could also tell that Count Jonah was really enjoying his meal, because he didn't say much and just kept eating. Although he still maintained aristocratic etiquette, his eating manners were not elegant at all.

At the end of the meal, he patted his stomach and burped loudly: "Haha, I haven't eaten so comfortably since I left Molinier."

"I originally thought that Baron Raven, who had achieved success at a young age, would be a bit arrogant, but I didn't expect that you would be so thoughtful. If I'm not mistaken, Madam Nancy must have put a lot of thought into this, right?"

Nancy's pretty face turned slightly red, and she felt that she had neglected her duty a little - this meal was really arranged by Raven.

It seems that I really need to learn how to manage the household.

Raven said, "Nancy really helped me a lot."

"Come to think of it, you are the first noble from Molinier Province that I have met. Can you tell me about the situation there?"

Count Jonah did not refuse: "It's nothing strange. Our two provinces are adjacent to each other. There is really not much difference in culture. If there is any difference, it is the different terrain."

"Our area is generally higher than the Nordic provinces, with shorter summers and longer winters."

"If there is anything worth boasting about, it is the snow scenery. Every winter, when you stand on the castle and look out, the silver-white snow covering the mountains and plains is like looking at clouds in the sky."

"Baron Raven, the hot pot you invented is really a great thing. If it comes winter, eating this while looking at the snowy scenery will be really beautiful!"

Snow is not rare, and there is no shortage of it in the Nord Province, but there is a lack of plains. When both Raven and Nancy thought of the endless silver fields, they were fascinated.

Suddenly, Count Jonah sighed, "It's a pity that I can't invite you two to enjoy the snow this year."

Raven asked jokingly, "Why is that? Can't Lord Jonah afford to treat both of us to food and drink?"

"It was no problem in previous years, but I'm afraid I really can't afford it this year." Jonah sighed: "In fact, last winter was not quite right. There was too little snow, the soil moisture was poor, and there were many insects."

"It just so happens that there was not enough rain in the summer, and the drought was particularly severe. Many fields suffered reduced or even total crop failures. Not to mention other fields, in my territory alone, this year's autumn crops are expected to be 8-9% less than in previous years. I can't even support the serfs in my territory."

Raven suddenly realized.

No wonder the earl came all the way to Eagle Town. It seems that he came not only to watch the game, but the most important reason was probably to buy food.

But then, a trace of doubt crept into Raven's mind: "Count Jonah, it's not that I'm suspicious, but the southern province of Cartier has always been an important grain-producing area in the empire. Since you have a good relationship with Count Duna there, why don't you go to him to borrow grain?"

Jonah didn't expect that a small baron like Raven could have such a broad vision that could radiate the whole country. He was stunned for a moment, then lowered his voice and said, "I will only tell you this, don't let it out."

"Since the year before last, His Majesty the King has secretly transferred grain from the grain-producing provinces in the south, leaving only enough for their daily expenses. Even if I wanted to borrow, I couldn't."

Nancy was a little puzzled: "Your Majesty...what are you transferring grain for?"

Raven fell into deep thought. He had heard from Denise before that the food coming from the south had indeed become less and less in the past two years, and the price had also been getting higher and higher, which indirectly confirmed what Count Jonah said.

Large amounts of grain are transferred either for disaster relief or for war.

During these two years, no large-scale natural disasters occurred in the empire.

...A war is about to break out?
Raven had always heard that the current King was ambitious and wanted to expand the territory, so it was not new.

Where was the war starting? If grain was transferred from the south, the battle line would be in the north; and the Nord province had not received any news in the past two years, and Anthony did not seem to be planning to integrate the troops in the province.

If you can't figure it out, just stop thinking about it for now. Anyway, it seems that the fire will not burn you at the moment.

Raven didn't think for long: "How much food do you need? I'll do my best to cooperate."

"Great! You are worthy of being a northern man!" Earl Jonah rubbed his chest and said, "It doesn't take much. How about 800 million pounds, 1.3 times the market price?"

"This..." Raven frowned.

Count Jonah was a little nervous: "Why, is there any difficulty?"

In fact, he was a little worried when he heard from Earl Tyrone that the rainfall in the Nord Province was not very good this year. If he could not get enough food back this time, he was afraid that many people in his territory would starve to death!
Those are all his wealth.

"Eight million pounds is still too little for your territory. How about this? I'll give you 800 million pounds of food at a 1200% discount on the market price. How about that?"

Count Jonah was overjoyed and said carefully, "This is not a small amount. Baron Raven, are you really going to sell it to me like this?"

"You are an honored guest. Since you have come from afar, I must do my best to entertain you." Raven said with a smile: "Besides, this little food is not a big problem for me."

Count Jonah was secretly a little frightened. Although he had heard about Raven's business achievements during this period of time, he had never expected that he could mobilize such a large amount of grain!
1200 million pounds of grain, according to the market price, is worth about 1 gold coins, which is not a lot of money for the earl.

The problem is quantity.

You know, even he could not raise 1200 million pounds of food in a short period of time in a good year.

After calming down, Count Jonah asked the last question:
"So, Baron Raven, what do you need?"

……

(End of this chapter)