Imperial Crown.

Chapter 509 Life is like a play, it all depends on acting skills
“Earl Raven, we have finally met.”

Inside Bloodstone Castle, Rudolf lifted his black robe, revealing a gold tooth, and said with a forced smile.

Link stood guard outside the door. The entire Bloodstone Castle had been emptied, and Lux ​​had been sent away by Raven. The entire hall was empty except for Raven and Rudolph.

"I am deeply sorry for not welcoming you properly, Your Excellency." Raven said, holding his cane in front of him with both hands, his tone slightly flattering.

"hehe"

For someone like Raven, who lives a life of political intrigue, they are all extremely hypocritical. Rudolf naturally wouldn't take his flattery seriously. He chuckled and said, "Enough of the small talk, Earl Raven. When do you intend to fulfill your promise of 2000 virgins to me?"

"What virgin?" Raven asked, feigning ignorance.

Rudolf shook his head. "I knew you wouldn't keep your promise." With that, Rudolf flipped his hand and took out a badge that emitted a fluorescent glow. "Fortunately, this trip was worthwhile because I absorbed more than 8 souls."

Raven glanced at it; in fact, he had seen the Soul Reaper's Emblem twelve years ago—the very one he had Margaret bring back after she killed the Soul Reaper, Pallihil. The Soul Reaper's Emblem was circular, about the size of a serving dish, with a lifelike skull hand carved in the center. The thumb had three joints, while the index, middle, ring, and little fingers each had four. The top joint of the middle finger was connected to a skull, as if they were one! The skull's eyes were crimson, blinking incessantly as if alive. The entire circular emblem was divided in two by the skull above and the wrist bones below, forming two crescent-shaped edges. The grooves within these edges contained intricate magical runes, emitting a fluorescent glow as if breathing.

"What? Interested in the Holy Symbol?" Seeing Raven staring intently at the Holy Symbol of the Dead Soul, Rudolf chuckled, a smile appearing on his withered face. "Don't rush, Raven. There will be a time when you need my help." Raven's life was nearing its end; as long as he had even a sliver of will to live, he would definitely contact the Holy Church. This was likely one of the reasons why Raven would so readily ask the Holy Church for assistance!

"Ahem," Raven coughed lightly, looking away. "It's not that I'm interested, I'm just wondering, there are probably around 14 orcs who died on the entire battlefield, how come you only absorbed a little over 8 souls?" He deliberately didn't mention the casualties of the Eagle Army. If those were included, the number would be more than 14, probably over 15.

After this decisive battle, the Eagle Army, mercenaries, werewolves... all combined must have suffered at least 20,000 casualties!
Raven's eager rebuttal was so weak and feeble that Rudolph didn't point it out. Instead, he said with a sharp edge, "Although flesh and blood are fragile, the soul is not eternal either. In time, the soul in the corpse will turn into energy and return to the astral plane." After saying that, Rudolph paused deliberately before continuing meaningfully, "Raven, all mortals must die."

Raven let out a heavy sigh and remained silent for a long time.

“Alright, to avoid putting you in a difficult position, I'll take my leave now.” Rudolph saw through Raven's thoughts, put away the Dead Soul Saint Insignia, and draped his black robe over his head again. Raven had deliberately cleared the hall of servants and had Link keep everyone outside, only letting himself in, precisely to prevent others from seeing him and causing arguments and disputes. But having just supported Raven in his final battle, as an earl, he naturally couldn't just dismiss him on the spot.

"You're leaving already?" Raven's face showed a hint of surprise. "There's no need to rush. Before I leave, I still need the Venerable One to help me finish one last act."

"Acting? What kind of acting?" Rudolf asked, puzzled, his eyes filled with curiosity. But after hearing Raven's whispered explanation of the "act," his curiosity turned into a strange light, and he said with great emotion, "Raven, Raven, you have such a cruel heart! But I must say, you're practically born for the Holy Church. I'm sure we'll become great partners someday." Rudolf then burst into laughter.

Raven chuckled, "You don't know this, but there's a saying in my hometown: 'Life is like a play, it all depends on acting skills!'" He clapped his hands, and immediately, the crowd that had been blocking the entrance began to file in. Lux and her maid also emerged from the basement.

"Raven! You have to give me a reasonable explanation!"

The first to rush in was naturally Savannah. No one could stop her from being furious. Her golden armor accentuated her explosively voluptuous figure. Her helmet had been removed, and her chestnut-colored wavy hair was casually draped behind her armor. Holding her helmet, she roared at Raven, "Otherwise I will..." But she froze before she could finish her sentence, because she saw Raven standing with the necromancer.

A look of pain appeared in her beautiful eyes as Savannah finally gave up and said, "I was so stupid to still hold onto such an unrealistic hope!" For some reason, Savannah hoped that Raven could give her an explanation, that he could tell her in person that the arrival of the Death Hand Order was just an accident, and that the necromancer's help was just a smokescreen.

But the scene before her now shattered everything she had imagined, including her trust in Raven.

“Raven, I’m leaving with the Knights right now! And I will report everything I’ve seen to His Holiness the Bishop.” Savannah said in a low voice, disappointed, but with an unwavering determination in her tone.

Seeing the goddess so heartbroken, her large, sparkling eyes even brimming with tears of grievance, Hume felt a pang of anxiety and blurted out, "Yes! Earl Raven, you must give us a reasonable explanation! Colluding with the Hand of Death is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of your family! The Griffith family will be forever condemned because of your actions!" However, although he shouted fiercely at first, his voice grew softer and softer as he silently shrank behind Savannah. "I suppose you've been threatened? If so, please reveal the truth."

"You saw that?!" Raven shouted from afar, his aged voice carrying a powerful force. "The people here don't welcome you! Please leave immediately! I, Raven, have always lived an upright life and would never have anything to do with a cult like the Hand of Death!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the room turned to look. A glimmer of hope rekindled in Savannah's eyes, and Hume suddenly jumped out from behind her, whispering, "I knew it! Earl Raven would never collude with the Hand of Death! Miss Savannah, you can rest assured!"

"Raven!!!" Rudolph roared, equally enraged, "You were the one who contacted me, offering me 5000 virgins! Now you're going back on your word? Don't you think you're utterly despicable?!"

"Hmph!" "What a joke!"

Raven scoffed, "Even these ignorant marquis's sons know that colluding with the Hand of Death is a capital offense punishable by burning at the stake! How could I, a dignified earl, not know this?! Saying I contacted you first and offered you 5000 virgins! That's utter nonsense! Ridiculous! Anyone can spout empty words, but what evidence do you have to prove that I personally contacted you and offered you 5000 virgins?!"

Hume glanced around and noticed the strange looks people were giving him. A chill ran down his spine. Could it be me, the good-for-nothing marquis's son that Earl Raven had mentioned? Hume thought sullenly.

Rudolph, standing beside Raven, froze, realizing he had absolutely no evidence that Raven had personally contacted him and reached the deal. All the terms had been relayed to him months earlier by Doug on Raven's behalf! And who was Doug? Doug was a member of the Death Hand Order! Even if he testified, who would believe him?

"Damn it, Raven, he was just putting on an act!" Rudolf thought to himself, extremely dissatisfied, but he could only grit his teeth and accept it, continuing his act: "Earl Raven! I am a dignified fifth-tier necromancer, are you sure you want to offend me?!"

"So what if I offended you?!"

Raven straightened his hunched back, his aged body seemingly radiating an incomparably powerful aura. "I have dragons, magic crystal cannons, and the fearless Eagle Army… most importantly, I have the Holy Knights of the Holy See of Light and the beautiful and powerful Knight Savannah! I have absolutely no need for the help of your Death Hand Order! You want to reap souls for free, yet you try to frame me! I, Raven, absolutely cannot accept this! Now, I solemnly say it one last time: please leave! Otherwise… I will fight you with this cane! Even if it costs me my life!" With that, Raven actually picked up his cane, swaying unsteadily, and said, "I must prove to everyone present that I, Raven, will absolutely not collude with the Death Hand!" "Well said! I believe Earl Raven!"

As the leader of the mercenary platoon, Sollingxi naturally had the right to enter the Bloodstone Castle's hall, and upon hearing this, he immediately shouted loudly. Among those present, only he had the most distant relationship with Earl Raven, and being the first to jump out and express his stance would greatly help to improve his relationship with Earl Raven; Sollingxi understood this basic social etiquette.

Eric, Savannah, Thor, and others drew their weapons and surrounded Rudolf with murderous intent.

"Damn Raven, I won't let you get away with this! Including everyone around you!"

Seeing the situation was dire, Rudolf immediately transformed into a wisp of cold gray mist and flew towards the gates of Bloodstone Castle. However, before leaving, he not only uttered a threat but also flicked his wrist, sending a cloud of gray mist towards a superhuman mercenary maid dressed in black stockings.

"what--"

The first-tier transcendent female mercenary immediately let out a shrill wail, and before everyone's eyes, she slowly turned into a pool of pus and blood.

This scene caused everyone's expression to change drastically! "Protect the patriarch!" Eric shouted loudly. Lux had already conjured a light shield to protect Raven. Seeing that Raven's safety was guaranteed, Eric suddenly rushed out the door, and walked back in dejectedly a moment later, "He escaped, patriarch."

Raven nodded, relieved. "Now that he's gone, everyone doesn't need to be so tense! But you all heard what that necromancer said." Then, Raven turned to the numerous maids beside him and asked, "If anyone is scared, you can leave now. Don't worry, with so many people watching, I, Raven, will absolutely not pursue the matter afterward!" Raven looked at the dark, purulent blood on the ground, a deep sorrow on his face. "I don't want such a tragedy to happen again."

No sooner had these words been spoken than many female mercenaries hurriedly took off their black and white maid outfits and ran out of Bloodstone Castle.

Too scary!

I never imagined that being a maid to the Earl would be even more terrifying than going to war! Who knows if that fifth-tier necromancer will return and turn them into a pool of pus and blood in their sleep.

In less than half an hour, of the 17 maids, only 3 remained, still standing to the side.

"Aren't you three afraid?" Raven asked in surprise.

"afraid!"

One of the beautiful female mercenaries nodded vigorously and said, "But I have nowhere else to go! All the members of the previous mercenary team are dead."

The other two were in similar situations, so Raven nodded. "Alright then, the three of you can stay here."

No matter where or what social class, women are a resource—a sexual resource. While they may possess extraordinary abilities, their strength is limited. To join a more powerful team, they must first sell their bodies. Some are even long-term sex slaves within these teams; this is practically an unspoken rule in the mercenary world.

If you don't want to die faster on the battlefield and are unwilling to sell your body, then Raven's place is undoubtedly the best place to go.

Distrust of mercenaries is ingrained in almost everyone's genes, and Raven is no exception. The reason for staging this whole charade was twofold: first, to quell the anger in everyone's hearts, and second, because Raven needed to ensure the loyalty of these female mercenaries. Otherwise, they wouldn't even know how they died! The three female mercenaries selected weren't necessarily die-hard loyalists to Raven, but their circumstances meant they wouldn't have many ulterior motives, and keeping them around was always reassuring.

"We have won this decisive battle today, thanks to the bloody fight of all the brave warriors."

Raven waved to the food and wine on the long table, "These are all for you to treat yourselves. Enjoy them to your heart's content. After the banquet, we'll start rewarding you for your contributions! Now it's time to start exchanging merit points!"

The biggest benefit of becoming an earl wasn't the increase in territory or wealth! It was the larger number of men under his command, enough to allow Raven to avoid personally fighting on the battlefield! That's why he could feign old age without restraint. If he were still a baron, he would have been leading his troops into battle against those orcs long ago! This was the greatest advantage that his promotion brought Raven!

As Raven gave the order, everyone cheered and jumped for joy.

They all started looking for companions to sit down and drink, while Raven left with Lux's help.

At such a celebration banquet, people would be more relaxed without him, instead of crowding around Raven, who couldn't drink freely, and showering him with endless, pointless flattery.

Two or three hours later, Raven took a hot bath with Lux's help, then changed into his count's clothes, took out the world's number one sword that he had brought with him, and walked towards the hall.

In an instant
The entire hall, which had been bustling with activity, fell silent, quiet enough that one could hear their own heart pounding, because everyone knew that the real reward was about to begin.

……

(End of this chapter)