Imperial Crown.

Chapter 64: Second Order Magic (Part )

Eric hesitated for a long time, but finally succumbed to Nancy's "tyranny".

After all, he really couldn't think of how to stop Nancy's plan. Both publicly and privately, speaking up was the safest option.

They were just some basic military arrangements, so it was no big deal to tell Nancy about them.

He advised himself like this.

"…Miss Nancy, I say."

"Haha! It would have been better if you did this earlier. You have to make me waste my time." Nancy propped up her chin and said, "Tell me quickly, what did he say to you?"

Eric gave a brief account of Raven's arrangements, and Nancy asked about some of the details repeatedly.

After listening to Eric's story and his confusion about Raven's decision to place Weston in the army, Nancy showed a hint of contempt: "Tsk, you can't even figure this out. You deserve to be a crude warrior your whole life. If it were me, I wouldn't let you be a knight!"

As she spoke, she shook her head and sighed, "Raven is really a born noble, just like all nobles, insidious and despicable!"

Eric said gloomily: "Miss Nancy, please don't slander the Baron!"

"I slandered him?" Nancy sneered and said, "You can't tell what he's thinking, but I know it clearly! I've seen this kind of drama many times. He looks harmonious but is actually thinking of stabbing you at any time. He's the kind of person who is two-faced."

"Ms. Nancy, you need to provide evidence when you speak!" Eric was a little angry.

"Evidence? How could he leave any evidence behind?" Nancy looked down at Eric and said, "That's right. You definitely can't figure it out with your poor intelligence."

"I have received an aristocratic education since I was a child. I have been exposed to all kinds of aristocratic conspiracies since I was a child. You have to know that men will do anything to fight for the title!"

"Raven wants Visdon to join your team and proposes to divide the troops. It's obvious that he has long disliked this brother and wants to push him to die! And yet he even pretended to be harmonious before. Ha, he is so hypocritical!"

Eric's pupils trembled: "Impossible, absolutely impossible! Miss Nancy, you think too highly of the Baron..."

"Okay, okay, whatever you think Raven is like, he is like that, it has nothing to do with me!" Nancy jumped up from the window and threw the potion to Eric: "Hey, I finally caught you!"

"This time, I will make you convinced!"

Having said that, she walked towards Raven with excitement.

Looking at her back, Eric felt mixed emotions. He didn't want to question the Baron, but Nancy's voice lingered in his mind.

He turned around and walked out, his mind was in a daze, until the biting cold wind blew in his face, which made his mind a little clearer.

"Lord Baron...are you going to let Master Weisdong die on purpose?"

This was something he could never have imagined, but when he thought about it along this line of thought, everything made sense.

Vesdon had no military training, was young and impulsive. Such people were most likely to die in battle, especially in an unprotected field battle.

Moreover, Baron Raven specifically emphasized that he should wear the baron's chain mail and the battle flag should be erected behind Visdon, so that he would be the most conspicuous point on the battlefield.

The easiest way to win a battle is to defeat the opponent's leader and seize the opponent's battle flag.

By then, Visdon will become the target of all enemies!

Eric suddenly felt that today's north wind was colder than ever before. It blew into the gaps between his nails, penetrated his skin and melted into his blood vessels.

"Could it be that the Baron had already made preparations when Weisdong just came back?"

At that time, even Eric felt that Raven was too lenient towards Visdon.

But he didn't expect that behind those tender and tender expressions, there lay such a bloody plot!
I didn't expect that the Baron's thoughts would be so deep, so...

cruel.

He thought again of the night Raven had earned his allegiance.

Only then did Eric realize that the Baron's insanity and cold-bloodedness had never changed.

At the same time, Nancy had already pushed open the door of Leiwen's office. Leiwen put the book in his hand on the table and glared at her: "Miss Nancy, I have already said that I will never take you to Bloody Heights..."

"No, this time, you will!" Nancy said with a confident smile, "Because I have already caught you!"

"My weakness?" Raven chuckled and stretched. "Oh, I'm really curious."

"You can only be proud now." Nancy curled her lips: "In a minute, the smile will disappear from your face!"

"Yeah, well, I'll wait and see." Raven said with a casual smile on his face.

"I've heard it all from Eric," Nancy said. "You're going to let Weston go with you to Bloody Heights. In fact, you want him to die, right?"

Raven's heart sank at first, then he raised his eyebrows: "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Stop pretending, Raven." Nancy walked to Raven's desk, leaned down and looked him in the eye. "Wesdon doesn't have the blood of the Griffith family, and he's ugly and stupid. You must have disliked him a long time ago. If you didn't want him to die, there's no reason to take him with you!"

Raven's eyes were gloomy: "Is this what Eric told you?"

"Him? Oh, he's not much smarter than Weston. I just used a little trick to pry open his mouth!" Nancy said proudly, "Don't try to change the subject. Just one sentence, are you willing to take me to Bloody Highlands?"

"If you dare to say no, I will immediately make this known to everyone!"

Raven put his hands under his chin, his brows slightly knitted.

He hadn't expected Nancy to be able to pry words out of Eric, let alone that she could see the secret.

It seems that I have underestimated this woman from the Earl's family.

Seeing Raven's "gloomy face", Nancy felt more relieved: "But, I also know your character, I won't let you take me there for nothing."

"As long as you agree, I will also give you a second-level magic, how about it?"

Raven raised his brow.

Second level magic? ?
Taking a deep breath, Raven's face showed an extremely conflicted expression.

But the twitching corners of his mouth were a little difficult to suppress.

The price of a second-level magic spell on the market is usually between 800-2000 gold coins, and some rare spells may reach 3000 or even 5000 gold coins, and they have always been in short supply.

The only conventional way to obtain magic is through the Church of Light. Unless you are a wizard affiliated with the church, it is extremely difficult to obtain the spell you want. Even if you hand in the gold coins, it is still unclear whether you can get it.

After all, it is a "donation" in name only. Since it is a donation, isn't it normal that there is no return occasionally?

So Raven was very clear about the preciousness of second-level magic. If Nancy had made this "excessive" request earlier, why would she have waited until now?
In his inherent concept, he believed that magic could not be taught privately.

After all, doing so might affect the interests of the Magic Guild, the Holy See of Light, and... some unspeakable major forces.

He almost wanted to agree immediately, but considering Nancy's personality, a completely opposite expression appeared on his face.

After all, since one has already taken advantage, one must let the air out of this "pressure cooker".

Just as Raven expected, Nancy was indeed feeling more and more happy.

Getting Raven to take her to Bloody Highlands was a process full of twists and turns, with many obstacles along the way.

No matter what means Nancy used, they were all rejected and resolved by Raven. Even her charm, which she was most proud of, didn't work. She had already accumulated a lot of anger in her heart.

The more Raven struggled, the happier she felt. She twitched her nose and said, "Hehe, you were so proud before that you ignored my pleas. Now you know how powerful I am, right?"

"Tell me quickly, do you agree or not?"

"Ah..." Raven sighed, "If that's the case, I have no choice but to agree."

"Great!"

Nancy showed a cheerful smile on her face, her two canine teeth flashing with excitement. She touched her left index finger with her right hand, and an ancient scroll appeared in her hand: "Here, it's for you!"

She actually also has space equipment, and it is in the shape of a ring.

Raven took the scroll and unfolded it, reading its name: "Burning Embers." "Yeah, that's right, second-order magic!" Nancy said proudly: "You are also a fire mage, although only first-order, but if you practice for half a year, maybe there is a 10% chance that you can cast it!"

But Raven did not react to this sentence, he just read the scroll word by word.

"Okay, don't look at it yet!" Nancy put her hand on the scroll: "I won't fool you with fake things."

"You must remember to take me with you when you go to Bloody Heights!"

Raven nodded. "Of course, Miss Nancy, but combat is not a game after all. You must obey my command and you cannot bring any servants with you."

"Tsk, do I need you to tell me? I'm not a child anymore." Nancy rolled her eyes at him, turned and walked out the door. As soon as she opened the door, she paused.

Eric was standing in the doorway now.

Nancy patted his shoulder and walked away quickly.

At this time, the retainer's face was full of guilt and embarrassment. He stood there at a loss as to what to do, neither advancing nor retreating.

"Come in." Raven said.

But Eric still couldn't move, the guilt in his heart was too heavy.

"Come in!" Raven raised his voice: "Do you still want me to invite you?"

"I dare not!" Eric shuddered, and hurried into the room, holding a bottle of potion in both hands and kneeling on the ground with a thud: "Baron, I have betrayed your trust, informed Miss Nancy of your arrangements, and accepted her magic detection reagents as a bribe. Please punish me!"

With his head lowered and his eyes filled with determination, he reported every detail of his conversation with Nancy.

Indeed, Baron Raven's actions were too harsh and too cold-blooded, but he was not plotting against him after all, and what he did was undoubtedly a betrayal of Baron Raven!
This Nord man couldn't face the pain in his heart, so he could only come here, tell the truth, and leave his fate to Raven to decide!

"…That's it, my Lord!"

After he finished telling the story, the study fell into a long silence, and Eric became more and more uneasy.

Suddenly, there was the sound of a chair rubbing against the carpet, and Eric heard Raven's footsteps approaching.

His heartbeat was getting faster and faster, he closed his eyes, ready to bear all the consequences.

He could accept any punishment.

Snapped.

Unexpectedly, Raven's hand fell on his shoulder and patted him gently: "Get up."

“Uh…” Eric looked up in surprise and saw Raven’s angular face: “My Lord Baron, I…”

"If you hadn't come today, it would have been a big deal." Raven said with a gentle smile, "But you came and told me everything without hiding anything. This is enough to prove your loyalty."

Eric came, and not only that, he also handed over the potion that Nancy gave him with both hands.

Either Eric was cunning enough to understand what it meant to "survive from death", or he really realized his mistake and still remained loyal to Raven.

Raven could tell what kind of person he was.

Although it was only one sentence, Eric felt a heavy trust from it. Compared with his previous selfishness, he felt more ashamed and grateful, and tears welled up in his eyes:

"... Baron, from today on, I am willing to obey your orders forever. I am willing to give you everything I have!"

"My life, my soul!"

"I believe you, and this time, it's not just your problem." Raven nodded heavily: "Starting today, let your family move to Eagle Castle as well."

"We are destined not to be trapped in the small Eagle Territory. In the future, we will have more and more enemies. We cannot let your weak points always be exposed."

Eric took a deep breath and nodded vigorously: "Thank you for your kindness and magnanimity!"

Raven said softly, "Go ahead. Don't let what happened today affect your mood. The battle of Bloody Highland cannot be separated from you."

Eric stood up and saluted, then turned and left.

Looking at Eric's departing back, Raven's eyes gradually became deep.

Then he sat back in his chair, looked at the magic scroll in his hand, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Nancy, Nancy, I really have to thank you!"

Second-level magic, priceless!
And it is the most destructive fire magic!

In fact, Raven knew from the beginning that Nancy would never give up.

The reason why I didn't agree to Nancy's request was that I didn't want Nancy to take this matter too lightly.

Only if she has worked hard for it herself will she cherish this opportunity and willingly obey Raven's orders and commands.

But what he didn't expect was that Nancy would actually set her sights on Eric, almost leaving an unbridgeable rift between the two of them.

Fortunately, Eric withstood the test and explained the facts to Raven in detail. Not only did the relationship between the two not break down, but Eric's loyalty was further strengthened.

"Huh..." Raven let out a long breath and went over his schedule again.

Strengthening subordinates, completed; purchasing war horses and pack horses, completed; strengthening war horses, completed; making Warcraft leather armor, completed; purchasing enchanted equipment, completed; proficiently using two first-level magic, completed...

He has made all the preparations he can think of!
Next, we just have to wait for departure in half a month!
A relaxed smile appeared on his face, and then a look of fatigue crept onto his cheeks.

Raven felt a sense of relief that the matter had come to a temporary end, but he also felt a little empty.

dong dong dong.

There was a knock on the door.

"Enter."

The door opened and Petty came in with a tray: "Baron, dinner."

"Dinner?" Raven looked out the window and realized that the sky was completely shrouded in darkness. "It's already this time."

Patty placed the food on the table. "Since you didn't go to the restaurant for dinner, Mrs. Denise asked me to bring it to you."

Raven tied his napkin and asked, "Where is she?"

"After dinner, I have returned to my room to rest." Petty replied respectfully.

"Got it, back off," Raven said.

"My Lord Baron..."

Suddenly, Patty's voice, as thin as a mosquito's, was heard.

Raven looked up and found that Patty's face had turned red at some point.

Her head was also bowed tightly, looking like a young girl in love.

Lei Wen was a little stunned. For a moment, he couldn't tell who was whose forbidden lover...

"Okay, okay. I'm too busy right now. Let's wait until the Bloody Highlands incident is over before we discuss anything else."

Raven said in a nonchalant tone.

"Yes..." A hint of disappointment flashed across Petty's face, and he took the order and left.

He took a few bites of food casually, but his appetite became less and less. Finally, with a clang, Raven threw his fork on the plate and untied his napkin and threw it aside.

After tidying up his clothes a little, he opened the door and walked towards Denise's room.

He was indeed too busy and hadn't properly greeted his aunt for a long time.

……

(End of this chapter)