Imperial Crown.

Chapter 272: Thunder, Rain, and Dew, All God’s Grace

There is a terrace on the roof of the Eagle City Tower, on which is a glass-roofed four-corner pavilion with a stone table and stone benches inside.

It is now morning, and although the sky is a little gloomy, there is no wind, which is perfect for viewing the scenery.

Raven was wearing a thick black velvet cloak and sitting on a stone bench. In front of him on the stone table was a red clay stove cooking a pot of hot tea, with white steam rising and bubbling sounds coming out.

Brocka sat on the seat to the right of Raven, wearing a cotton hat, looking at the endless silver land and exhaling a breath of hot air: "Baron Raven really knows how to enjoy himself."

"There has to be something to pass the time." Raven smiled and picked up a small pot of hot water to rinse the cold tea set.

Footsteps sounded, and Versacim had also arrived. He paused for a moment not far away, as if he was calming down his thoughts. After a while, he stepped forward and saluted: "Baron Raven, Viscount Broca."

Broca acted as if he didn't exist and said nothing.

"You're just in time. Please sit down." Raven greeted him and grabbed the teapot to pour the bright yellow tea into the cup.

The Eagle Territory does not produce clay, so it can only produce pottery. However, the Gravel Territory has excellent raw materials. This set of tea sets was fired in the kiln in the Gravel Territory.

Although it is impossible to be as thin as a cicada's wing due to technological limitations, the naturally occurring ice cracks on the bluish-white glaze are quite attractive, and combined with the amber tea soup, it has its own beauty.

Placing the teacups in front of Broka and Versacine, Raven raised his glass and said, "This is the blood tea produced by the orcs. Would you like to taste it?"

Bloka picked up the teacup, blew on it lightly, took a sip, and kept it in his mouth for a while before swallowing it. He looked like an expert: "I heard that this kind of tea was picked by a young girl from the orc tribe. It is indeed rich in flavor and layers. It is a first-class tea."

Versacine also agreed: "It is indeed good tea."

Raven took in the two people's postures, smiled and took a sip of tea, raised his head, and looked past the fish-scale houses nearby and fell on the desolate wilderness: "The tea is good, and the scenery is beautiful, but if you don't have the mood to appreciate it, then all you can do is suffer."

Versacine smiled awkwardly, knowing that Raven was talking about him. He couldn't taste any blood tea, let alone blood. "Baron Raven, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."

Waving his hand, Raven interrupted Visassin's words and said, "I know what's on your mind, and Viscount Broca knows it too."

Brocka snorted.

"Now that things have come to this, there is no need to pursue right or wrong." Raven did not care about Brocka's attitude: "Besides, we are nobles in the border areas. We eat snow and drink wind. When things happen, we use fists to speak and use force to make things right. This is also our duty."

Versacin's face was gloomy, his fingers were grasping the corner of his clothes so hard that his knuckles had turned white. Raven's words were like rubbing salt into his wounds.

But now he could only rely on Raven, so he endured it without saying a word.

Seeing that Versacem didn't get angry, Raven nodded secretly in his heart and continued, "I heard that the reason why Viscount Broca was invincible on the battlefield was related to the enchanted crossbows produced in your territory. Do you have any samples for me to see?"

"That's not difficult." Brocka touched his belt and then held a crossbow arrow in front of Raven.

Reaching out to take it, Raven shook it in his hand and nodded, "It has a uniform texture, an excellent center of gravity, and the enchantment magic it applies is also quite stable. It is indeed a good thing."

"However, it's a pity to use it in Xuefeng County." Lei Wen changed the subject: "After all, we are all family. If things get to this point, it will only make outsiders laugh at us."

"When loved ones are in pain, enemies are happy."

"Viscount Broca, no matter what Baron Versassin did wrong before, you have already breached his castle and occupied his territory. This punishment is enough."

"In my opinion, why don't you take the initiative to withdraw from Kogar Territory and end this war here?"

Versacine's dim eyes lit up.

Brocka snorted coldly: "Lord Raven, war is not a fight between children. It cannot be stopped just by saying so."

"I was negligent." Raven slapped his forehead, and suddenly took out a crossbow, pointed at the wind chime hanging on the pavilion and said, "Then let's use this as a bet. If I hit it, both of you will stop fighting. If I miss, I will not interfere in this matter. How do you think?"

Having said that, without waiting for Brocka's response, Raven finished loading the crossbow, raised it, and pulled the trigger.

The pavilion was not big, and even though Raven was sitting in the middle, the distance was only three or five meters, so there was no reason for him to miss.

But just so happened, this enchanted crossbow arrow with a light blue magic halo just brushed past the wind chimes with a whizzing sound. The wind it created blew the bells, causing a series of crisp tinkling sounds.

Versacine stared and swallowed.

He was very grateful for Raven's action. It was clear that he was using his personal reputation as a gamble to force Brocka to stop. He was just short of tearing his face off.

But it would be really embarrassing if I couldn't hit the target at this distance!
Just as he was thinking about how to smooth things over, he suddenly heard the sound of flapping wings.

Visasi looked up and saw a group of horned hippogryphs flying from afar, with a total number of no less than 50. With a mixture of blue and white, they looked like a cloud filled with thunder and lightning!

They were in neat formation, forming a V-shape in the air. It seemed slow, but in just a few breaths they had overtaken Eagle City, drawn an arc in front of the castle, and stopped in mid-air.

Versacin's breathing stagnated, because those were not just horned beasts, but a group of wind kings.

And on their backs were cavalrymen wearing leather armor!
There was an air force of more than 50 wind kings, and Vissaxin couldn't even think of a way to fight against it.

Could this be a soldier from the Slater family?
But they were clearly wearing the Griffith family emblem in front of them!
The knights were not very big. They all stood up on the hippogryph's back and raised their right hands to their chests to salute: "The first squad of the Eagle Army's 'White Feather Guard' greets the Baron!"

Raven smiled and nodded, waving his hand gently.

The leading horned eagle cavalryman whistled, and the entire team suddenly took off into the air, flew high, and disappeared into the clouds.

The horn sounded.

The doors in Eagle City were opened one after another, and the heavy footsteps shook the entire castle. Even the tea in the cups on the stone table was rippling and shaking.

Soldiers in dark leather armor rushed out of the castle like rolling mud and sand. They were clearly running fast, but there was no sign of chaos. Their formation was as neat as a swarm of bees.

Soldiers carrying crossbows rushed onto the city walls, while spearmen and sword and shield soldiers flowed out from the three city gates and gathered in front of the castle. They first formed small teams and then arranged themselves into large squares, neatly lined up in front of the castle.

This is not the end.

In the distance, the snow was blown up like a storm, and the dull sound of horse hooves was like thunder, getting closer and closer.

Eric, wearing misty heavy iron armor, rode on Claw Yellow and broke through the snow curtain at lightning speed. Behind him were the heavily armored cavalry arranged in the shape of sharp arrows!
White mist spewed out of the mouths of the war horses, and the dark spears in the hands of the knights were held flat, leaving no doubt that they could easily tear apart any enemy that blocked their way!
"This--" Visasi screamed, because the heavy cavalry's charge was so fast that there was no time to stop before crashing into the phalanx.

But just as he screamed, the Eagle Army formation moved, like dominoes, or as if by some kind of magic, it separated to both sides in a very orderly manner, making way for the heavy cavalry.

"1, 2, 3..." Vissaxin counted the number silently, and his heart suddenly skipped a beat.

11 battalions, at least 5500 people.

Baron Raven, quietly raised an entire legion.

But the problem is that Visasi has lived here for a full half month and has been out and about a lot during this period, but he has never noticed any signs of the legion's mobilization.

This meticulous thinking and careful arrangement even reached the point where Visasi felt terrified.

For the first time, he realized that Raven's mind was so unfathomable.

And looking at their equipment configuration, although they cannot be compared with the main legions such as the "Iron Legion" and "Blood Rage Legion" that the Empire has put a lot of effort into building, they can also be called front-line troops.

If he had previously doubted whether Raven had the ability to do him justice, then now this doubt had melted away with the appearance of this legion.

As excited as he was, was Eric, who was standing at the front of the formation.

As a knight and a veteran from the Iron Legion, how could he not have a dream of commanding a large army in battle?
Dreams are destined to be kept under your pillow and slowly rot with time.

However, after the age of 40, when life is destined to follow its own trajectory, Eric slowly realized his dream.

The cry of an eagle sounded from high in the sky, the dark clouds dissipated a corner, and the sunlight enveloped the Eagle Army formation.

Eric took the eagle flag representing the Griffith family from his attendant, held it high, looked up at the man who had changed his life at the top of Eagle City, and shouted loudly:
"——Griffith!!!" The voice swept across the open land.

The next moment, the Eagle Army's First Legion raised their weapons together:

“Invincible!!!”

The sound echoed and expanded, almost spreading throughout the entire Eagle Town.

Nancy did not go to the terrace. She lay on the windowsill of the room, looking at the Eagle Army, which was even more superior to the Fox Family Army. A happy smile slowly formed on the corner of her mouth.

This was Raven's army, and it was also her, Nancy Griffith's, army.

Her man is not just a baron, and he will not be a baron all his life!

Outside the window, the Eagle Army shouted three times in succession before they stopped, leaving only the sound of the silent wind.

On the terrace, Raven picked up the teacup and frowned slightly: "Tsk, I was delayed for a while, and the tea has gone cold."

As he spoke, he poured the tea and picked up the teapot to add new tea for everyone.

But neither Broca nor Versacin reacted at all. They just stared at the Eagle Army in a daze.

Visasi's mouth was wide open, ignoring the saliva flowing out of the corners of his mouth, with endless ecstasy in his eyes.

In comparison, Broca's eyes were more complicated and his expression was full of mixed feelings.

He knew that Raven was powerful, and he also knew that Raven would become stronger and stronger, but he never thought that he could have such a powerful army silently!
With this army in hand, how many people in the entire Snow Maple County, or even the entire Nord Province, can be a match for Raven?

"Where were we just now?" Raven scratched his eyebrows. "Oh, yes, I want to shoot the wind chime, and the two families will cease fighting."

"Unfortunately, I didn't hit the target..."

Brocka shuddered and said quickly, "Really? I remember it was shot."

Raven was stunned and asked in a playful tone, "Did he really hit it?"

"It must have hit the target, no doubt about it!" Versacine patted his chest and said, "If anyone says that Baron Raven didn't hit the target, I will eat the bell!"

“Hahaha…” Raven laughed out loud. “Well, since both of you said you hit the target, we should discuss a ceasefire.”

"It's a pity."

"I was thinking that if someone disagrees, I would take the Eagle Army to go to his door and make a circle."

Wesassin slammed the table and stared at Bloka with wide eyes: "Mr. County Governor is right. Those who disrupt the order of the county should be severely deterred!"

Brocka responded sharply: "That's true. If some people had known that the County Governor had such military power, they would not have dared to intercept my caravan and kill my soldiers."

"Are you still playing this trick? You may be able to fool others with this kind of words, but do you want to fool Sheriff Raven?" Wesassin vented his previous resentment, his face was surprisingly ruddy, and he began to speak with confidence: "If you don't want to be punished by Sheriff Raven, you'd better withdraw from Koga County immediately!"

Bloka glanced at him and said disdainfully: "Baron Versassin, don't forget your status. You must address me as Viscount!"

"Of course I will withdraw from Kojia Territory, but that's for the sake of the County Governor. You're a stray dog ​​without a home, why are you barking at me?"

Visasi was a little angry. It was okay that I couldn't beat you on the battlefield before, but now we are in Eagle City, with a legion backing me up, and you still dare to treat me like this?
Standing up suddenly, Versacem pointed at Bloka's nose and cursed:

"Broca, fuck your mother!"

He pulled off his hat and threw it on the table: "If you are really a noble like the County Governor, I will certainly respect you, but don't you see who you are!?"

"Your damn father was so ambitious that he brought most of the nobles of Xuefeng County to their deaths. If he hadn't won in the end, you would no longer be a viscount!"

"Not only did you not reflect on yourself, you also bullied the weak and demanded my land. Did you remember that you were still a noble at that time?"

"If you want to gain my respect, it's simple. In addition to withdrawing your troops, you must also compensate me for the loss of serfs in my territory in equal proportion, and also compensate me for the losses of spring plowing and construction."

Brocka's eyebrows trembled after being scolded. He spread his hands and looked at Raven anxiously and angrily: "Mr. County Governor, you have seen it too. It's not that I don't want to accept your kindness, but this Wessacine clearly has no intention of stopping the war. He even insulted my dead father and my family!"

"I'm afraid I can only decline your kindness!"

Brocka crossed his arms, glanced to the side, and breathed heavily, obviously not intending to continue the conversation.

Wesassin became even angrier and was about to vent his anger again when he saw Raven's warning look.

Visasi's frenzy suddenly cooled down a lot, and he gradually regained his sanity.

After all, the reason why they have been able to reach this stage of negotiation is not because he is so capable, but because Baron Raven is thinking of him wholeheartedly.

If Raven had not created this opportunity, let alone taking back the territory, he, Vissasim, might not even have the chance to talk to Brocka face to face.

Now he is greedy and wants compensation. Isn't this putting Baron Raven on the spot?

Thinking of this, Vesasi snorted: "Okay, then I'll take a step back. You don't need the compensation. Just lead your army out of my territory."

"Too late!" Brocka looked at Raven, clearly still angry, his chest rising and falling. "County Governor Raven, I was convinced by your mediation. But he is a baron, and he was clearly in the wrong first, but he still refused to give in, and used... such dirty and despicable words. If I withdraw like this, where will the face of my Viscount family be?"

Raven gave Visasi an unhappy look, and the latter lowered his head like a child who had done something wrong.

Feeling happy in his heart, Raven retracted his gaze and tapped the table with his fingers: "Then Viscount Broca, what do you mean?"

"It's simple. Didn't Wessacine ask for compensation? I want to pay compensation too."

"In the past six months, I have suffered from the mobilization of my troops, the loss of food and fodder, and the casualties in battle. I don't want more."

As he spoke, he showed his palm and raised his thumb, index finger, and middle finger: "3000 gold coins, plus a public apology from Versacim, and I will withdraw."

"Okay, then 3000 gold coins." Raven did not ask for Visasi's opinion: "This matter ends here."

Vissaxin could accept this result.

After all, 3000 gold coins for the chance to scold the Viscount is not a loss: "...Okay, but I have to wait until I take back the territory before I can deliver it."

Almost all nobles have secret places where they hide their property, and Versacem is no exception.

Now, he just hoped that Broca had not found that place yet - it probably wouldn't happen, after all, he had kept the location a secret even from his wife.

Raven smiled and said, "Very good, then I will notarize it and both of you sign the armistice agreement."

The agreement was quickly reached. The general content was that Broca would completely withdraw from Koga Territory and would not send troops to attack again; and Vissasim also guaranteed that there would be no retaliation in the future, including at the military level.

In addition, Wesasi also signed an IOU for 3000 gold coins to Brocka.

Although he paid a price, Wesassin finally got his territory back as he wished. He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and stood up to bow to Raven: "My Lord, thank you for your justice this time!"

"I have something else to do, so I'll leave now."

He really didn't want to stay with Brocka.

Looking at Visasi's receding back, Raven and Brocka smiled at each other.

Then, Broca held up the bill with both hands:
"Please accept it, Lord County Governor."

……

(End of this chapter)