Imperial Crown.

Chapter 561 Long live Griffith!

Nord Province, Snow Maple County, Snow Maple Territory.

Inside Eagle City.

“Sister, Sister Denise, please, please…” Lady Doreen pleaded tearfully, then knelt down at Denise's feet, clinging tightly to her legs. “It really has nothing to do with me!” “I only heard about it from someone else.” “Others may not know, but you do.” “I… I… Raven and I…” Lady Doreen bit her red lips, “How could I possibly do such a thing?”

"Alright, alright." Denise looked at her stockings, which had been scratched by Lady Doreen's fingernails, with heartache, and pulled Lady Doreen up from the ground. "I told you, Raven knows that this has nothing to do with you."

"Then why did he send me an invitation, telling me to come to Eagle City as soon as possible?" Lady Doreen asked, still shaken.

Denise rolled her eyes. "It's not just you. Raven has sent invitations to all the nobles in Snowmaple County."

"Phew!" Doreen let out a long breath. "Oh, that scared my sister to death!" "I thought Raven was going to blame me for the lost gold coins."

"Go touch up your makeup, everyone's almost here, let's go down in a bit," Denise said.

Lady Doreen was filled with joy at surviving the ordeal. Looking at the increasingly radiant Denise, she said with flirtatious eyes, "Sister, your complexion has improved a lot lately. Looks like you've been taking good care of yourself." As she spoke, she even reached out and, half-jokingly and half-jeally, pinched Denise's incredibly full and round buttocks.

"Get out of here!" Denise was startled, her cheeks immediately turning red. "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll tear your mouth apart, you slut."

"Hehe," Mrs. Doreen said, slightly annoyed, "I'd love to, but unfortunately, he wouldn't even look at me." She then headed towards the washroom. Whether a woman is sexually active or not is actually very obvious, especially since Doreen is a woman herself. What good is Denise's stubbornness? Any woman could see through it with a glance. Doreen considered herself quite attractive, but unfortunately, the women around Raven were all exceptionally beautiful. She had been back for a while and had come several times, but had never seen Raven. He seemed to be deliberately avoiding her.

"Oh, right," Denise suddenly remembered something, "Did you bring all the people from the Broken Finger Tavern?"

"Of course he brought it. He's being held in the dungeon beneath Eagle City," Doreen's voice came from the washroom.

……

The conference hall was packed with people.

Baron Pwan of Pinkerland, Viscount Broca of Scorpionland, Baron Moss of Eckling, Baron Zei of Minailand, Mark of Ironforgeland, Baron Kate of Moerling, Lady Doreen of Shatterstoneland, Baron Vessin of Kojaland, Baron Sereva of Tedaland...

A number of other people were sitting not far away, including Thor, Turo, Baido, Magde, Severin, Hervey, Lamb, Donkey Face... Hoaz, Henchton, Pip, Moas, Beta, Grand, Freckles... Pind, Husha, and other second-generation members. Julia had also come along this time.

Seated to the side were Denise, Margaret, Patty, Ernada, Fiona, Simon...

Even Judera, who hadn't been seen for a long time, was among them.

It's fair to say that all the prominent figures in Xuefeng County have gathered in this small conference hall in Xiong Ying City.

The entire conference hall was noisy and bustling, like a vegetable market, with many people gathered together chatting enthusiastically.

"The Marquis has arrived."

But soon, as Eric's voice rang out, the hall gradually fell silent.

Raven walked in front, followed by Eric, and then Link and Hyena.

"Please sit down," Raven waved his hand.

Today, May 5th, it has been almost three months since Raven returned, and nearly half a month has passed since the robbery of the Giant Dragon Gold Shop.

However, this was the first time most of the people present had ever seen Raven. When they saw that Raven had regained his youthful appearance, Sereva, Broca, and the others exchanged subtle glances. Their expressions were quite solemn.

"Gentlemen," "You all should know why I invited you here today, right?"

Raven, seated in the main seat, cut to the chase: "A few days ago, 30 gold coins of mine were stolen, and the Eagle Army escorting me was almost wiped out. I'd really like to know if anyone can provide any clues?" After Raven finished speaking, the room fell silent. A short while later, whispers began to circulate among the passengers.

“This happened on Lady Doreen’s territory, so why don’t you let Lady Doreen speak first?” Raven said, frowning.

"Ah..." "Me, me?" Lady Doreen was clearly not expected to be called out by Raven. She was stunned and frightened for a moment, and stood up tremblingly. "Lord Raven... Marquis Raven, I really don't know anything! The weather has been very strange lately, and it was snowing heavily that day, so I was playing at home with my three children." "I learned about this from my knights." "However, I interrogated the people at the Broken Finger Tavern, and they all insisted that it was the Razor Gang who did it."

"Very good." Raven praised expressionlessly, "This clue is very important, and it matches the results of my investigation." He knew, of course, that this matter had nothing to do with Doreen. Even if Doreen was stupid, she wouldn't act on her own territory. Moreover, this madwoman's motives and interests didn't quite fit. "Sit down. Now that we know it's the Razorfen Downs, things are much easier! I've been in the Orc Empire for the past few years. Gentlemen, can anyone tell me in detail what this Razorfen Downs is all about?" "Don't tell me it has nothing to do with you." "I don't believe that all of you nobles here can't even wipe out a small gang." "And a small gang actually has the money to buy divine potions and support a second-tier transcendent." "That's quite beyond my expectations."

Even with his current rank of Marquis, Raven couldn't possibly purchase large quantities of divinely bestowed potions. He might be able to buy lower-ranking or smaller quantities by paying extra. This is why Raven later clearly realized that large-scale deployment of a superhuman force was impossible. Even with the divinely bestowed potion formula given to him by the elven saintess Daiyunyi, how many years would it take to cultivate the various magical plants of the relevant types? And how much money would it cost? Besides, alchemists aren't gods, and they can't succeed every time. Destroying alchemical equipment and magical cauldrons is a common occurrence. Otherwise, Bloodstone Territory wouldn't have only produced a mere six bottles of Doumu potions after all these years.

"The esteemed Marquis Raven."

After a period of silence, Viscount Broca spoke first. This viscount, who had wholeheartedly supported Raven when he was still a baron, now displayed the same unwavering loyalty and shared destiny with Raven. Broca stood up and gave a standard bow. "I know about the Razorfen Downs." "Here, I also sincerely apologize to you for my mistakes." "I was once deceived and even funded this gang." "They deceived me under the guise of business, but unexpectedly, they were aiding and abetting their evil deeds." "Therefore," "I am willing to bear one-third of your losses." "10 gold coins!"

Raven's return, not only restoring his youth, but also rumored to have broken the Blood Curse, completely extinguished any remaining lingering doubts in Broca's mind. His immediate offer of 10 gold coins was both an attempt to mend relations and a second pledge of allegiance!
Broca's actions caused a huge stir, sparking widespread discussion. Some were shocked, some were confused, some supported him, and naturally, some opposed him. But the most anxious of all was Sereva. Fortunately, Broca didn't betray him, which eased Sereva's anxiety slightly. Even if he had been betrayed, he wasn't afraid. Everyone had signed and sealed the agreement during their secret meeting; at worst, they could just self-destruct and die together.

Sereva simply couldn't understand why Broca would be so foolish! Raven was clearly at his wit's end, with the Razor Clan they had trained wreaking havoc in Snowmaple County from within, and the Marquis of Tyron constantly reinforcing his troops and about to attack from without. Raven's demise seemed inevitable, so why was Broca so eager to jump out and tie himself to Raven's death?
"I also have something to say!!"

Seeing more and more people preparing to submit to Raven, Sereva could no longer sit still. He stood up and roared. The meeting hall fell silent. "Raven," "Uh," "Marquis." "We understand your feelings about the stolen gold coins." "But what does this have to do with us nobles?" "You seem to be saying that we nurtured the Razor Claws?" "Then I'd like to ask everyone here, who hasn't suffered at the hands of the Razor Claws? Who hasn't had their territory ravaged by them?" "Over the years you've expanded the Orc Empire, and we've provided you with provisions and weapons from the rear. Even if we haven't done anything meritorious, we've certainly put in the effort, haven't we?" Sereva became more and more agitated. "And what about you?" "You've conquered such a vast territory..." "You have a territory, yet you don't share a single inch of it with us." "Over the years, you've bestowed many titles, but have we outsiders received any?" "The only viscount you ever granted was a woman!" "Don't even mention us outsiders, even your own retainer Eric is dissatisfied! He just doesn't dare complain to your face!" "Raven," "You failed to fulfill the Emperor's orders, and now the Governor of Tyrone has raised an army to punish you." "Among us here, is there anyone who has betrayed you?" "The Razor Fist is a scourge that everyone should eradicate. I know of one of their strongholds." "But," "I need a title!"

Sereva's words were quite blunt and direct, but the underlying principle was sound. Everyone had witnessed Raven's rise to power, and each feared becoming the next target of conquest! Moreover, over the years, everyone's titles had remained virtually unchanged, while the nobles under Raven's command had sprung up like mushrooms after rain. If this continued, they would be the ones to suffer sooner or later.

“Baron Celeva is right.”

Baron Kate, standing nearby, also rose. “While we couldn’t be promoted to a noble title, we could have sent people to the Orc Empire to carve up their territory. It was Viscount Denise who ordered our obstruction, preventing us from going.” “And who should compensate us for these losses?” “Marquis Raven.” “I must say, under your leadership, the Griffith family has truly regained its former glory!” “We admire it and sincerely wish it well.” “However,” “your current situation is probably not so good.” “You need our help, don’t you?”

“Yes.” “That’s right.” “We need titles.”...

After Kate finished speaking, a chorus of agreement immediately filled the meeting room. Although the voices were not loud, they were clear enough to be heard.

"I have a different opinion."

Broca stood up again, looked around, and said, “Gentlemen, everyone wants a title, but think about it: what is usually accompanied by a promotion? Isn’t it accompanied by an expansion of territory?” “But whether Lord Raven became an earl or a marquis, did his territory expand?” “No!” “It was just an empty promise from His Majesty!” “I understand your desire for titles, and frankly, I, Broca, also yearn for a promotion!” “But you are all imperial nobles, which one of you has ever publicly knelt down and sworn allegiance to Marquis Raven?” “Whether it’s Viscount Denise, Baron Eric, or Baron Simon, they all swore allegiance to Marquis Raven!” “And the territories they acquired were all Marquis Raven’s own!” “You are all loyal to other families on the one hand, and on the other hand, you want titles from Marquis Raven. What kind of logic is that?”

With that, Broca picked up the Angel's Tears and drank it all in one gulp, clearing his throat before continuing, "Let's talk about the division of the Orc Empire." "It's true that Viscount Denise has ordered that we are not allowed to go to the Orc Empire." "But you're not blind or deaf, are you? You've all heard what happened to those who went to the Orc Empire these past few years, haven't you?" "Do you really want your sons and loyal subordinates to die in the Orc Empire, their blood spilled on a foreign land?!"

"As for Governor Tyron attacking our Snowmaple County because Marquis Raven didn't get the Titan cub, that's utter nonsense!" "I ask you, who can actually storm the Mountain and Sea Court and obtain the Titan cub?" "Does anyone here have the ability?" "Can Tyron do it?" "It's nothing but a trumped-up charge! They can always find a pretext."

"Today, all of you here are witnesses!"

Broca walked step by step to Raven and knelt down with a thud. "I, Broca Ota Leon, hereby swear allegiance to Raven Vanya Griffith before all the nobles of Snowmaple County! From this day forward, the Leon family swears to be loyal to the Griffith family to the death! We will never betray this oath! If we break this oath, may our family be cursed for generations, never to die a good death, never to have a peaceful end, and never to be reincarnated!"

"Crazy!" "Insane!" "Foolish!"...

The hall immediately erupted in chaos, with many muttering curses. Clearly, no one had expected Broca to pull such a stunt. Everyone had assumed Broca was only siding with Raven because of his intimidation. Who would have thought that this esteemed Imperial Viscount would so utterly disregard for dignity and honor, kneeling before Raven in public to pledge allegiance! This had crossed the line for nobles! Compared to this, Raven's life-threatening pleading seemed less shameful and humiliating!
"Get up."

The theft of the gold coins was merely a pretext used by Raven to test the attitudes of the various nobles in Snow Maple County. Having observed everyone's reactions, Raven had achieved his goal and calmly said, "The matter of the title was indeed something I hadn't considered carefully. You may all leave now; I won't keep you here for lunch." "This afternoon?" "I will give you all a satisfactory answer this afternoon."

"Long live Griffith!" Broca roared. Only then did he stand up.

……

(End of this chapter)