Imperial Crown.

Chapter 626 Unshackled from the Shackles of the Past, Only Today Do I Realize Who I Am

Alas--

Standing atop Drogon's back, Viston spread his arms wide and let out a long, resounding roar. For most, this was indeed his first time riding a dragon. Furthermore, the end of his undercover career and the complete removal of the "Sword of Damocles" hanging over his family filled him with an overwhelming sense of excitement that no one else could comprehend.

In just five days, Raven and his party arrived in the province of Slihag. This was the territory of the Gustav family, to which Hamilton belonged.

The reason for deliberately taking this route is that Raven plans to cross the Red Valley Province to investigate the Reef Coal Province.

I've heard that the people of Jiaomei Province take a nap every day at noon, without fail. And they can't do anything without a group of four. For example, they need four people to go out, soldiers need to be in groups of four, and meals need four people to form a group; if there aren't four, they can't speak. Even the local dogs need to be in groups of four to be allowed to walk in the streets.

Such a captivating allure is something Raven yearns for.

“Hahahaha,” Thor said confidently. “That’s how the people of the Coal Reef Province laugh.” “No matter how funny something is, they won’t laugh more or less.”

Goblin Chirp Linga, Little Wolf Girl Baiyue, and Eagle Man Igni stood in a circle, listening with great interest and marveling at the scene.

Meanwhile, there was no one on Renilla's back. Only a huge carriage, almost identical to the one Raven and Hamilton had shared. It seemed the little bee, after all, had shamelessly accepted Hamilton's gift.

Raven had his reasons. How could a saintly man like him stand idly by and watch four beautiful young women perish? Given Hamilton's old-money aristocratic nature, if these four maids witnessed his heartbreaking weeping, they would surely kill them. Raven could only protect their lives in this way. What could he do? After all, Lord Raven was inherently kind and elegant.

Snapped! !

A resounding slap echoed through the carriage. Raven slapped the maid hard across the face, leaving her bruised, swollen, and bleeding. "Take good care of the child! Treat him like your own lives, understand?!" "Otherwise, I'll feed you to the dogs, starting with your feet." Raven finished speaking with a ferocious expression, then roared, "Did you hear me?!"

"Yes, yes, yes." "Mr. Raven." "I heard you."

The four maids were so frightened that they knelt on the ground, trembling like leaves. They had just escaped one tiger's den and had no time to feel relieved before they entered another wolf's lair.

"Humph"

Raven gave a satisfied hum. "Get up."

Eric stared at the infant, barely a year old, in disbelief, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Master," he exclaimed, "Is this really your illegitimate child?!" "When did you get this child in the capital?!" "How come I had no idea?" Link, standing beside him, also craned his neck, looking around like a turtle stretching its head out.

"Tsk," Raven said, somewhat displeased. "Do I need to explain when I sting like a bee?" "Go away," Raven waved him away. "You're all like bulls without milk, what are you doing here?!" Then Raven gave Melissa a fawning smile. "Hey, isn't this carriage nice?" "I was worried my two nephews wouldn't be able to withstand the cold wind on the dragon's back, so I specially asked Lord Hamilton for one." "I owe you a favor, sir."

Melissa was about to cry, and said pitifully, "Brother, I really... I really have no milk left."

"Let the baby suckle harder." "Maybe it's causing reflux?" Raven rubbed his chin. "If it doesn't work, call Veston over and let him suckle."

Melissa: ...

Her large, wavy eyes were already filled with tears. As a princess of a ducal family, Melissa, who had grown up with a silver spoon in her mouth, was truly struggling to bear Raven's torment and the lingering shame it inflicted. However, she could somewhat understand Raven; the child was crying incessantly from hunger, and was becoming increasingly emaciated. Perhaps the slap he had given the maid earlier reflected Raven's inner turmoil.

"Ugh"

Raven sighed. He'd bought a cow and a ewe, but the child wouldn't eat them. He shouldn't have left so hastily. He should have found a wet nurse for the child. Youth is timid; one shouldn't be so thoughtful.

The little brat still has the strength to wail, all thanks to Raven's occasional infusion of a drop of Demonic Qi. But Demonic Qi can't be eaten. "Perozius, Perozius!" "After you die, please don't blame your aunt!" "Your aunt really has no more milk!" Raven covered his eyes with his arm, sobbing, "And you mustn't become a vengeful ghost, haunting your sister Winry and brother Conger!" "They're still young!" "They don't understand anything..."

"That's enough!" "That's enough, brother!" "I'll try again."

Melissa quickly interrupted.

"Thank you for your hard work." Raven lowered his arm, tears still glistening on his face.

Seeing Raven's crocodile tears, Melissa couldn't help but shudder. She quickly picked up Perozius and rushed into the bedroom.

"I really..." Raven shook his head, muttering to himself, "Too kind..."

Eric: …

Link: ...

Maids: ...

……

"Having broken free from the shackles of the past, I now know who I truly am."

More than two weeks ago, thanks to the little one's tireless efforts and Melissa's hard work, Melissa finally refluxed milk. Now, all three children have something to eat.

Raven has finally gotten rid of a major worry.

Feeling so happy, I couldn't help but hum a long, melodious song.

Raven carried Eric and Link onto Drogon's back, leaving Melissa, four handmaids, and three children on Rhaenyra's back. Although the carriage didn't take up much space on the dragon's back, it was surprisingly heavy.

More than half a month later, Zhuogen had already flown away from the Slihag Province and entered the Red Valley Province. Another half month would bring them to the Reef Coal Province. Seriously, having a dragon is so awesome! Raven exclaimed almost constantly. Although it was slower than a teleportation array, how many tens of thousands of gold coins did it save! Besides, not every city had a teleportation array. Many who used teleportation arrays still had to travel on land for a while. So, in reality, the time spent was no faster than riding a dragon. And with a dragon, there were no obstacles to soaring through the skies. Upon arriving in the Reef Coal Province, Raven planned to rest and recuperate. Otherwise, drinking cold water and eating dry rations all day… he'd become useless. He'd heard that the food in the Reef Coal Province was quite good, even presentable!

In the distance, Bai Yue and the others sat in a circle, listening to Viston boast about his exploits in the capital. Although Viston sat cross-legged, he gestured wildly and spoke with great enthusiasm, his words flowing like a torrent. When he recounted his victory at the wedding, where he, a third-tier, one-star, defeated Jeffrey, a fourth-tier, one-star, his face flushed red with excitement, and he slapped his thighs loudly.

With the addition of the talkative Lin Ga, the atmosphere became even more lively and vibrant.

Thor, listening intently, was itching to show off. He especially wanted to boast about his heroic deeds in the Orc Empire, such as "severing the right wing of a fourth-tier Igni with a single strike" or "single-handedly defeating the dragon Zor'thas to save his lord's life." But with the main characters around, he felt a little ashamed and embarrassed, afraid of ruining the harmony.

"childish"

Raven glanced at him and shook his head slightly. Then, looking at Eric and Link behind him, he coughed lightly and said solemnly, "In my life, I started from scratch, smashing through bare walls with my bare fists; a kind and compassionate person, I wouldn't even step on an ant... Through diligent cultivation, I am invincible below the sixth rank, and above the sixth rank, I can trade one for one!!!!!!!!!!"

"..."

Eric, Link.

Ouch——

Just as everyone was engrossed in their own self-entertainment, Zhuo Geng suddenly let out a powerful roar that resonated in his chest!
Immediately afterwards, Raven passed through layers of clouds and saw a horrifying scene before him.

It was a "mountain," a "mountain of flesh." Or perhaps a "mountain of palms."

A colossal hand, reaching for the heavens, blocked Zhuogeng's path, grabbing at him. The massive dragon Zhuogeng appeared disproportionately large compared to the palm of the hand, like an ordinary person's hand next to a sparrow. The palm was meticulously positioned, its thumb and middle finger interlocked, forming a delicate, orchid-like gesture as it reached for Raven, to avoid harming others. "Raven," "colluded with the Hand of Death," "murdered the Bishop of Light."

"How could we possibly escape this calamity?!"

Above the clouds, golden light shone brightly! A vast, boundless pressure descended upon the crowd like a mountain crashing down. At the same time, a statue, seemingly carved from stone, emerged from the golden light. Towering into the clouds, it resembled a deity descended to earth. It inspired reverence and awe, inspiring no disrespect. Mysterious music resounded from all directions. The sound was like thunder, majestic and powerful, each word like the voice of a god, cleansing the soul.

嘎叽
Raven was caught completely off guard and pinned between the thumb and middle finger. The overwhelming pressure left Raven utterly unable to resist.

Even using the Eye of Truth and the Battle Demon Primordial Qi, there was still no solution.

"Bitterness"

This had always been Raven's worry, and the real reason he was so eager to go home. He knew that the letter demanding his presence in the capital wasn't simple. But his inherent madness made him decide to take the gamble. Fortunately, everything had gone smoothly, and he thought he had escaped unscathed. He never imagined the Pope would be lying in ambush here. "He had already foreseen that I would come to Red Valley Province?!" Raven was increasingly shocked. He had even changed his route, avoiding the province of Mantaien.

Drogon was flung away, Raven was caught in mid-air, and then countless chains appeared out of thin air, binding Raven to a cross, hanging him like Jesus.

"Kill!" "Kill!" "Kill!"

Suddenly, a chorus of shouts erupted from all around. From nowhere, rows of perfectly aligned, heavily armed, and solemn-faced knights of light appeared in the previously empty air.

Some rode flying horses, some had wings on their backs, and some simply stood in the air...

It's obvious at a glance that he's either a sixth-tier priest or a fifth-tier divine mage...

A priest is a transcendent being who cultivates martial arts. A magician, on the other hand, is a mage who cultivates magic.

These people had practically formed an inescapable net around them. Pope St. Uban, on the other hand, resembled a mountain of flesh from the Himalayas.

"Your Holiness!" "Spare me!" "Spare me!" "I'm willing to pay the tithes!" "I really am!"

Raven struggled and shouted loudly.

"Shut up!"

The glowing stone statue slowly shrank, finally transforming into the image of an old man. He had fair skin and wore a pure white priest's robe, except that large golden vests covered his shoulders. These vests corresponded to the square headscarves in nuns' attire, symbolizing chastity and piety. The golden vests, in turn, symbolized divine authority and holiness.

“Raven, how dare you murder Bishop Thomas of my Church of Light!” “Your crime is unforgivable.”

Saint Uban pointed and shouted.

“He committed suicide! I have the recording bead to prove it!” “Your Holiness the Pope,” Raven said hastily.

"Hmph!" "I won't watch!"

Saint Uban flicked his wrist and lashed out with his whip, striking Raven. The whip instantly tore Raven's skin open, and he cried out in pain.

"Patriarch," "Raven," "My Lord"...

Drogon and Rhaenyra were trapped within the encirclement, just below Raven's cross. Seeing this, the people on the dragon's back roared in panic, but they were also immobilized.

"You old bastard! You want to kill me?!"

Raven, having lost all will to fight back, roared, "You disregard the facts and persecute the loyal and innocent!" "You are the biggest scum of the Holy See!" "The Holy See will ultimately be destroyed by your hands!"

"Oh?" Saint Uban seemed intrigued, a smirk playing on his lips. "Explain in detail."

Raven: ...

This pope is probably a masochist, but Raven didn't dare argue anymore; a whipping really hurts. On anyone else, this would have been far more than just a few cuts. "Your Holiness, I truly didn't kill Thomas. He colluded with the Hand of Death to curse me first, then broke the agreement and ambushed my Wind King's army." "He wanted to die; what could I do?" "If I truly wanted to deal with the Holy See, I would have wiped out the Papacy's army in Hove City long ago!"

"Glib-tongued." "Constantly spouting sophistry."

Saint Uban seemed in no hurry to kill him, but rather deliberately humiliated him, coldly snorting, "How could a cardinal of the Holy See of Light collude with a cult?!" "Speaking of the Hand of Death," "Then tell me." "About your collusion with the Hand of Death in the Orc Empire."

Raven's vision went black. "At the time, I was in a difficult situation within the Orc Empire." "I couldn't fight them, so I did deceive the Hand of Death into feigning cooperation." "In reality, I was using them." "Afterwards, I chased them away and never contacted them again!"

"Still trying to deny it!" Saint Uban roared. "I have a memory bead here, do you want to take a look?!" With that, Saint Uban threw out a memory bead, which spun around in the air and projected a phantom scene.

This is the scene of Rudolf coming to support the Bloodstone Wall and helping the humans slaughter the orc army.

"I also have evidence!"

Raven flicked his wrist, tossing out several memory beads. One displayed the image of Thomas's suicide. Another showed Raven and Rudolph's "mutual break" within Bloodstone Fortress. Only then did Raven realize that although his body was bound by the Demon-Sealing Steel Chains, preventing him from using his battle aura and magic, it didn't prevent him from drawing upon his internal Demonic Qi. However, his Demonic Qi was far too scarce; let alone fighting Saint Uban, even escaping was proving difficult.

"Snapped"

Without a word, Saint Uban lashed out with his whip again. "Do you really think I can't see through your act with the necromancer?"

Raven howled in pain, his eyes bloodshot! "I...I still have Rudolph's head!" "Rudolph and Fedorti's heads are proof!" With that, Raven hurriedly threw out the two heads. He had planned this all along. Otherwise, why would he have deliberately lured the two to the Tzeentch ruins of the Seven Deadly Sins' Tomb? Those two lashes had at least drained 10% of his Demonic Qi. But he had only refined 19% in total! If he hadn't used his Demonic Qi to heal the whip wounds, he would have been seriously injured!

"Ok?"

Saint Uban let out a soft exclamation, clearly not expecting Raven to have this trick up his sleeve. Staring at the two severed heads on the ground, he was momentarily stunned. After a moment of silence, he said, "Death is possible, but punishment is inevitable. Take him away and put him on the stake!"

No, it's not.

Raven was a little confused. "Put them on the stake?" "Didn't they say the death penalty could be waived?"

Saint Uban smiled faintly, revealing a devilish grin: "True gold fears no fire." "Little Bee," "If you can withstand the burning, it means you have an iron will!" "You haven't colluded with evil spirits or been possessed by them."

"Fuck your mother"

Raven roared.

……

(End of this chapter)