Imperial Crown.

Chapter 572 The death notice arrived before the letter home.
"Giddy up!! Giddy up!!!"

Tommy rode his Blood-Eyed Warhorse, braving the cold wind and snow, and sped toward the south gate of Eagle City.

Today, there are three major cities in the entire Nord province: Eagle City, Marquis Raven's city, located in Snowmaple County; Monne City, Governor Tyrone's city, located in Hodges County; and Howe City, formerly owned by the Fox family, located in Feldorro County.

If we're talking solely about the economy, then Eagle City is naturally the dominant force.

This is also why Tommy loves coming to Eagle City the most. Every time he comes here, he can buy Angel Tears and other items very cheaply, take them back, and resell them, making at least a profit of 1-2 gold coins. Therefore, every time Tommy comes here, he can't help but feel envious and sigh at how fortunate the people living in Eagle City are.

There's a long-standing saying: "I'd rather be a stray dog ​​in Eagle City than a free citizen in another territory."

Even the dogs in Eagle City eat better than the free citizens under the jurisdiction of other nobles! This is true; Tommy witnessed it firsthand. He saw employees of the Wallace Hotel dumping leftover hot pot from guests' meals into the pigsty, and what accidentally spilled outside naturally benefited the stray dogs. The thought of this made Tommy feel a pang of sadness. He'd been to Eagle City so many times over the years, but he'd never even eaten hot pot once. It was simply too expensive; someone like him couldn't afford it. Tommy had even observed that those who could afford hot pot were generally either nobles or merchants.

In fact, Tommy was a mercenary. Oh, to be strict, he was just a poor wretch who was affiliated with a mercenary guild, not a superhuman, who got into the guild through nepotism, and who could only deliver messages in the snow!

Aside from the noble lords who could afford to keep flying magical beasts, most people still relied on mercenary guilds to deliver their letters. This included even some fallen viscounts and the vast majority of barons and nobles. Naturally, they couldn't afford to keep flying magical beasts.

This time, thanks to his uncle being the guild leader, Tommy was almost certain to obtain the letters destined for Snowmaple County. These were all letters from home, sent back from the Orc Empire. Although these orders were often very urgent, requiring a journey through snow and wind from Mansa County to Snowmaple County, they were undeniably lucrative opportunities that everyone wanted. After all, any product under the Angel series was guaranteed to sell! Angel's Tears aside, even potato chips and soap… once they left Snowmaple County, their prices skyrocketed. As the Angel series gained widespread fame throughout the Middles Continent, Eagle Territory's production couldn't keep up, resulting in a shortage in the market. However, Tommy had heard that Marquis Raven had returned, so he figured the situation should improve soon.

Eagle City truly lived up to its reputation as the largest city in the Nord Province; even with such harsh and extreme weather, it remained bustling with activity. Tommy discovered a secret: along the way, while snow was knee-deep in other counties, only in Snowmaple County were large numbers of people clearing the snow from the roads—a testament to their willingness to venture out and play. With the snow no longer an obstacle, the Blood-Eyed Warhorse galloped even faster. Tommy dared not delay; once he delivered the letter home, he could return and spend a few days there.

The vast majority of these letters were sent back by soldiers of the Eagle Army, so most of them are concentrated in Goldshire and Eagleshire.

"A letter from home has arrived! A letter from home has arrived!!!"

The roads of Eagle City were wide, straight, and interconnected. Soon, Tommy passed through the North Gate and entered Eagle Town, the ancestral home of the Griffith family. As usual, Tommy swung the bundle in his hands, calling out excitedly. In the past, his arrival was like a triumphant hero's return, attracting crowds along the way. Some would even offer him bribes in hopes of getting their letters home faster.

This time, however, Tommy's expression gradually darkened. Not only did no one come to greet him, but he also saw many people embracing and weeping. Every face was etched with deep sorrow.

Tommy spurred his horse forward and saw an old man kneeling in the snow, weeping bitterly. Tommy recognized the man; he was Wood, the village chief of Holy Soul Village, a former member of the Eagle Army, who had been wounded and left lame on Bloodstained Heights. Wood was surrounded by a crowd, kneeling in the snow, wailing helplessly like a child. He held a long, black envelope in his hands, on which were written four striking red characters—"Death Notice."

Tommy's heart sank when he saw this. In his package, there was also a letter from the other party's son, Chauvin.

It is the pain of parents outliving their children; there is no greater suffering in the world than this.

……

Braving the wind and snow, Savannah, who had traveled all the way from Ferdorro County, finally arrived at Eagle Castle.

Even though many years had passed and she had visited before, Savannah still couldn't help but admire the grandeur and solemnity of the new Eagle Fortress.

"Please inform the Marquis that Savannah has urgent business to attend to." Savannah dismounted, crossed the square, walked up the steps to the outer gate of the fortress, and spoke to the soldiers guarding the gate.

While waiting, Savannah approached Chavi. "Now that we're here, shouldn't you let me know what it is?"

Chawei gave Savannah a cold glance. "You'll find out soon enough."

Savannah rolled her eyes, somewhat speechless.

Fortunately, they were soon summoned. Savannah followed the soldiers into the castle hall and finally saw Raven. Raven had indeed regained his youth. Savannah had only heard rumors before, but seeing him in person, she was shocked. What puzzled her was that, besides Raven, the hall was crowded with people. Eric, Hyena, Link… even Lux was there.

"When did she become so important? Does Raven need to give her such a grand reception?" Savannah muttered to herself. "Hmph," she thought, "He must be feeling guilty, that's why he brought so many people." Savannah was seething with anger, unable to contain her rage. Even so, she wanted to confront Raven directly about why he had done what he did! But what puzzled Savannah was the strange look in these people's eyes, a coldness about them. Especially Raven; his dark eyes seemed to be churning with… murderous intent?
Well! She hadn't even settled accounts with him yet, and he was already turning the tables on her! This made Savannah even more dissatisfied.

"Marquis Raven, Archbishop Thomas sent me to deliver something to you," Savanna said curtly, not even bothering to bow. Since the other party showed no gratitude for her help in his expedition against the Orc Empire, why should she bother trying to win him over?
Raven sat in the main seat, narrowed his eyes, and remained silent.

The hyena strode forward and extended its paw.

What does this mean? He doesn't even want to talk to me anymore? What have I done to offend him? Savannah grew increasingly angry. Turning back, she said, "Chawei, leave your things here! Let's go!"

The ring on Chawei's hand glowed, and then he placed something in the hyena's hand.

Savannah was taken aback; it wasn't a letter, but a recording crystal! Savannah glanced at Chawi with a complicated expression. She felt deceived; she hadn't expected even her own people to deceive and use her! However, in front of so many people, Savannah chose to remain silent. She didn't want others to see the Holy See make a fool of themselves, and she certainly didn't want Raven to witness her embarrassment.

Raven nodded, and the hyena immediately channeled its fighting spirit into the recording crystal.

The crystal immediately shone brightly, projecting a clear image.

"So, Raven?" "I believe that when you see this image crystal, you've already received the gift I gave you, right?" "Surprised? Unexpected??" "Huh?" "Hahahaha—"

The figure in the image is none other than Cardinal Thomas. He is dressed in the cardinal's uniform, wearing a small round red hat, sitting upright in a chair, with an arrogant expression on his face... and a hint of madness.

“Raven.” “I have to admit.” “You are the youngest and most formidable opponent I’ve ever faced.” Thomas said through gritted teeth, “Before recording this commemorative crystal, I sat alone for two days and two nights.” “I thought about it for a long time.” “I thought about a lot of things.” “I thought about my own past.” “And I thought about your life.” “Looking at your experiences, the only word to describe them is ‘madness.’” “A hundred men dared to launch a surprise attack on the Bloodstained Highlands.” “Ten thousand men dared to send troops to Eivor.” “Thirty thousand men dared to launch an expedition to the Orcish Empire.”

"Now, you're going to go head-to-head with Habs again, aren't you?" "You're really crazy... I'm no match for you." "For the title, you'll stop at nothing." "To protect yourself, you first tried to bribe and win me over, then turned against me and threatened me..." "Brilliant!" "Hahahaha!" "Truly spectacular!"

"However," "I'm already 72 years old this year..." "Really, I really don't want to admit defeat to someone as old as you, who's only 36..." "We're going to have a crazy contest, right?!"

*Thud!* Suddenly, Thomas's eyes flashed with ferocity, his face contorted in a grotesque grimace. He thrust his right hand into his own chest, then, roaring, ravaging, and in agony, ripped out his own heart, holding it up before the recording crystal. "This—" "This is my answer to you!" "Raven!" "You! You dare to hinder the great cause of my Holy See?!" Thomas, holding his crimson, thriving heart, laughed maniacally, "It's easy to die a heroic death," "It's difficult to face execution with composure," "My heart is offered to my Lord," "May the light shine for a thousand years."

After finishing his soft chant, Thomas slowly lowered his arm and said in a weak voice, "Raven..." "I'll be waiting for you in hell."

The scene abruptly ended, and the hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Raven finally understood why the Holy See's army stationed in Howe City dared to attack the Wind King's forces. He had calculated everything, but he never expected Thomas to be so ruthless! He also never expected that Thomas would be willing to sacrifice his life to get the Holy See involved in Keynes' internal strife.

"kill!"

Just as everyone was stunned by the contents of the crystal, Chave and Tomshall, two third-tier transcendents, suddenly drew their longswords and charged toward Raven with a furnace-like aura emanating from their bodies!

Of all the people in the hall, Savannah was the most shocked! She never imagined that what she had delivered was the suicide note of her own Cardinal! And at this very moment, her two colleagues, who had been standing behind her, who had relied on her to enter Eagle Hold and get close to Raven, had actually played the role of assassins. Everything had happened so suddenly, so quickly, that Savannah's mind was completely blank. She was utterly stunned.

"court death!"

"Protect your lord!"

Eric, who was at the fourth rank, and the hyena and Link, who had broken through to the third rank by taking the Doumu potion, reacted immediately and attacked the two of them!

However, with a loud bang, Raven, who was sitting in the main seat, simply stretched out his right hand, and a huge palm suddenly condensed in the void in front of him, blasting Chavel, Tomshall, and Savannah, who was standing still, away!
The two Tier 3 Knights of Light were instantly reduced to a pile of mud! Savannah barely survived because she was farther away and Chave and Tangshel were in front of her to absorb a lot of the giant hand's power.

Enraged, Raven rose to his feet, took a single step, and stood before Savannah. He spread his fingers, grabbed Savannah's head, and lifted her into the air like a snake. Clearly, he had no intention of letting Savannah, this woman from the Church of Light, go.

"Raven, stop!" Lux shouted in panic from behind. Raven frowned involuntarily, but he also stopped his grip, refraining from crushing Savannah's head.

"Hmph," Raven snorted coldly, throwing Savannah out. "Take her to the dungeon. Once the body from Irene County is brought back, behead her in public! To appease the Eagle Army of the Wind King's forces!"

"Yes!" Hyena and Link shouted hurriedly, dragging Savannah away like a dead dog.

"I'm going to kill Savanna!" Lux's kindness had always been like this, and Raven really didn't want to disappoint her, but he also didn't intend to spare Savanna.

“It seems like she’s been kept in the dark all along.” Lux, naturally aware of Raven’s anger, gently took Raven’s hand and said, “We can’t kill innocent people indiscriminately.”

“Innocent??” Raven sneered, then let out a long sigh. “Thomas ruined my grand plan!” With Thomas dead, once the Holy See and Habs reached an agreement, he would almost certainly lose! He really didn’t want to argue with Lux, so he turned and left.

……

a few days later.

"Have something to eat."

A neutral voice echoed from inside the dungeon.

Looking at the newcomer with a disheveled face, Savannah gave a bitter smile. "Now, in the entire Xuefeng County, only you dare to come and see me."

Mansani shook her head. "The only one who can truly save you is Mrs. Lux." "Without her, do you think I would have been here?"

Savannah closed her eyes, tilted her head back slightly, and leaned against the stone wall behind her, two lines of tears slowly streaming down her face. "I never imagined things would develop to this point." "I can't understand why Raven forced His Holiness the Bishop to sign the magic contract." "I also can't understand why His Holiness the Bishop was willing to die to deal with Raven."

“If you can’t figure it out, then don’t think about it.” Mansani also sat down on the ground. “Those are things for adults.” “Haven’t you heard the saying—the wrath of heaven is unpredictable?” “Power struggles, intrigue, backstabbing, life-or-death battles, scheming and elaborate performances… have always been the main themes of this continent.”

These words made Savannah both laugh and cry. She was in unbearable pain. Why couldn't everyone unite to fight the Death Hand Order and the orcs? Instead, they had to fight amongst themselves?! What was the point of doing this? She had once believed in the Lord of Light, possessing incredibly lofty ideals. Otherwise, she wouldn't have gone alone to infiltrate the Bloodstained Highlands. But now, one event after another had completely shattered her beliefs. It was all a lie, a dirty political struggle disguised as a facade.

"I'm going to die in a few days. Can I ask you one last question?" Savanna wiped away her tears and said in a hoarse voice.

"You ask."

"Would you fall in love with someone you used to hate so much?" Savannah's voice sounded hesitant.

Mansani looked at her and smiled. "Yes, because the moon that you can't have is the most perfect."

"What if he doesn't love you? What if he never trusts you?" Savannah pressed.

Mansani remained silent for a long time, a look of disappointment flickering in her eyes. "You knew it all along." "Isn't this the day you've been waiting for?"

Savannah chuckled, "Yes," she sighed, "having ulterior motives, we've come to this point, damn it!" "Having no ulterior motives, we've come to this point."

"He deserves to die!!!"

……

(End of this chapter)