Heart of the Castle

Chapter 484
Li Wei never thought that he could be so supported by the nobles of the royal capital, and it was not the case.The reason why these nobles loudly responded to Li Wei's will to promote Li Wei as an important minister of the kingdom was that the accusations made by Earl Leonardo just now were too terrible.If Li Weiston is really a traitor who colluded with the devil, then it means that all his achievements in the two disasters in the northern border county are false, and the demon army may attack the glorious capital of Philippines from the north and the south at any time. Ermeyer.This is tantamount to a fatal blow to the already precarious Arthur Kingdom.

But the king's decree happened to deny this possibility, and when they were on the verge of extinction, they found that everything was better than imagined.

Amidst the cheers of the nobles in the royal capital, the two royal servants who supported Earl Leonardo hurriedly let go, as if his body was covered with deadly poison.However, Count Leonardo, who was in a state of extreme confusion and panic, didn't notice this. He even forgot that he should pretend to be weak.He stood blankly among the important officials of the kingdom and the wealthy nobles, as if he had been isolated by the two.

"Earl Leonard Stilwell, His Majesty's will speaks for itself. You have violated the oath you just made." Queen Lilaya's tone was heavy and straightforward. "Now, in the name of the queen regent, I announce that I am dismissing the important ministers of your kingdom and the head of the Lightning Knights, and order you to return to your mansion, shut your doors and think about your mistakes, and do not leave without the king's order! Now step down!"

Lei Knight stood still, his whole body seemed to have shrunk in size. If he hadn't just made a false oath, his despairing eyes and distressed and desolate expression could at least win some sympathy.But now even these cheap comforts are nowhere to be found, and none of the eyes cast from all directions contains even the slightest kindness, either disgust or hatred, it seems that he is the chief culprit of the royal army's fiasco, and those dead knights and nobles should be blamed Children are responsible for the same.

"Your Majesty the Queen Regent." He finally said with a stiff neck, his voice was like a moan, his face was so pale that it seemed that he could be buried directly in linen, "Those hypocritical villains blinded His Majesty's eyes, and the king Your Majesty was seriously injured, and his mind is not so clear. Everything I said is true, and I guarantee it on the honor of the Patriarch of the Nine Pillar Family and the Earl of the Sword!"

"May I ask which one of the Nine Pillars family is it?" Bamilian, the court steward, said softly, "Is it the Sebasta family? Or the Hull family? Oh, my dear Thunder Knight, don't you think You want to guarantee the reputation of the Pamiliyan family? Then there is something more between your legs now."

The audience hall was filled with the sound of laughter. No matter the important officials of the kingdom or the wealthy nobles, they all laughed together. The Crown Prince Ken Adams who was standing next to the throne laughed very loudly. front of red lips.

Count Leonardo trembled with rage, fear took the blood from his face, but anger gave it back to him, and it seemed to increase a lot of interest.He opened and closed his mouth to say some rebuttal words, but his voice was drowned in the louder and louder laughter, and finally he grabbed the hilt of the saber suddenly, and drew the sword out of its sheath!

Exclamations replaced laughter, and Queen Regent Lilaya stood up in surprise, stretched out her hand to pull the crown prince, and then protected her behind; several ashen knights hurriedly formed a horizontal formation under the golden throne, and the halberds pointed at Leon Count Nadeau.However, Thunder Knight didn't make any crazy moves, he just turned around and pointed his sword at Levi Stone.

"In front of the supreme Father God, whoever speaks the truth and who speaks lies will be known at the first test!" His roar contained three parts of despair, three parts of resentment, three parts of madness, and a trace of imperceptible fear, " I, Count Leonard Stilwell, demand a duel with Viscount Levi Stilwell!"

This shameless proposal immediately caused the nobles in the audience hall to scream unbelievably. It is rare to use a sword to decide right or wrong—as well as life and death—in a duel before the gods. And most of them are conducted among knights of the same level, and occasionally there are low-level knights who are forced into a desperate situation to challenge the high-level knights, and most of them will get the double punishment of guilt and death at the same time.As for the majestic sword-wielding earl challenging a high-ranking knight five ranks behind, I am afraid that there has never been a precedent since Father God created this world.

"As the Earl of the Sword, you demanded a duel with a high-ranking knight. Earl Leonardo, being able to do this kind of behavior shows that you are indeed not worthy of being a knight. I am afraid that the ancestors of the Stilwell family will do it for you." You are ashamed!" Grand Duke Raul was the first to speak among the important ministers, and his tone carried the anger that was rarely heard from the mouth of a powerful grand duke.

"Count Leonardo, which devil whispered in your ear, giving you the idea of ​​blaspheming the Father?" Cardinal Enoch Sebasta's tone was even harsher than that of Archduke Raul , "You have lost your reputation and position in the secular world, do you still want to give up your soul's place in front of God the Father?"

Earl Leonardo couldn't hear anyone's sarcasm, warning, or sarcasm at all. His eyes were bloodshot, and he stared fiercely at Levi Stone. Every word he said was accompanied by the sound of gnashing of teeth. "Lord Griffin! Accept my challenge, do you dare? Dare?"

"Queen, I...I want to watch the knights duel..." Crown Prince Ken Adams said in the quietest voice in the ear of Queen Regent Lilaya, who was probably the only person in the audience hall who supported Knight Thunder's proposal up.

"It is the duty of an important minister of the kingdom not to accept the request for a duel casually, Mr. Leviston, but you can appoint a knight as your agent for the duel." Bamilian Yang, the head of the palace, made a suggestion with a faint smile.

Li Wei's eyes flickered for a moment, and then he shook his head slightly.He believed in the strength of Cursed World and Black Sun very much, but Earl Leonardo was also an extraordinary sword-wielding earl after all, and the gap between the two was not so big as to be sure of victory.And no matter whether he accepts the duel before the gods or not, the patriarch of the Stilwell family has already lost his reputation, and there is really no need to let the cursed world take risks.

However, before the Griffon Lord could make a refusal reply, Sir Rodriguez had already strode out from behind him, raised his star iron giant sword, and pointed at Earl Leonardo's head. "In this case, let me, Rodriguez, send you to the Sleeping Instructor to confess!"

Earl Leonardo's yelling came to an end, the corners of his eyes and mouth were trembling nervously, his eyes fixed on Sir Rodriguez like a frozen flame, "Okay, okay, very good!" He snorted , Li Wei swore that he saw the Fiendfire of hell burning between the exposed teeth of Count Leonardo, and he also smelled the smell of sulfur at the end of his nose-this was the breath of the devil, but when Count Leonardo turned to go to the audience Outside the hall, the Griffin Lord realized that all this was just his own illusion.

Enoch Sebasta, after asking Sir Rodriguez's opinion, agreed to preside over the duel before the gods.The cardinal naturally has a more solemn and sacred procedure, but it is not fundamentally different from the duels that Li Wei experienced and witnessed. It is also the result of a sword confrontation by asking the Supreme Father God and the gods in the sky to testify , to decide which side the truth lies in.

The duel before the gods did not start right away, because the two sides in the duel this time were not ordinary knights, but the head of the long-established Stilwell family and the dueling agent of the new important minister of the kingdom.Once the former is killed in battle, the Stilwell family, which has been hit hard in succession, may not even be able to maintain the qualifications of an ordinary wealthy family; and if Sir Rodriguez loses, Levi will not only lose a powerful support, but also because of God. Due to the particularity of the duel, he suffered a great loss in reputation.

No matter what kind of result comes out, it is something that needs to be explained by each of them, so after a short discussion, the two sides decided to have a duel in two hours, and then left the audience hall separately.

Count Leonardo rode back to the luxurious mansion of the Stilwell family in Xicheng District on horseback, but Li Wei felt that he had nowhere to go. The Mermaid Hotel was really far from the palace, and it would take two hours to go back and forth.But before he hesitated for long, a strange royal servant appeared in front of him.

"Lord Levi Stone?" The royal servant seemed quite surprised by Li Wei's youth, and asked somewhat uncertainly.

"I am, what's the matter?" Li Wei replied simply.

The royal servant hastily bowed deeply, his posture was even a bit too humble, "Lord Li Wei, this is a letter from Her Majesty the Queen Regent, please open it yourself."

Li Wei took a letter with a sealing wax stamp from the royal attendant in a strange way, but he didn't open it right away, but frowned and asked, "Has Your Majesty the Queen said, do you need my reply?"

"Ah, no, no need." The royal servant rubbed his hands anxiously, his expression seemed a little confused, "His Majesty the Queen Regent asked me to hand this letter into your hands, and then return immediately... Ah, my lord, please forgive me." sin, I dare not delay any longer."

As soon as the royal servants left, Bamilian, the head of the palace, walked over with a scent of roses all over his body. His soft-soled shoes would not make any sound when walking on the bluestone floor. It's hard to notice that the eunuch is coming.

"Master Li Wei, about Earl Leonardo, Sleepless Eyes has seen some unusual clues. Of course, I will be the first to think of you as an ally." The smile on Bamili Yang's face is still That kind of indescribable softness of sincerity.

"My lord, thank you very much for your help." Li Wei nodded towards him. Regardless of whether the eunuch was showing his favor on purpose or really wanted to find an ally, Li Wei decided to maintain the necessary politeness and distance with this unknown person... . "I hope that the clues you get can also be heard by my dueling agent."

"Of course, Sir Rodriguez, as the Earl with a sword, should have seen more things than my spies and eyeliners." Bamilian nodded briskly and said, without any embarrassment on his face.Seeing Sir Rodriguez approaching with the great iron star sword on his back, the steward smiled and nodded to him, and then took out a roll as thin as a bee's wing from the wide sleeve with many gorgeous patterns outlined with gold thread. The parchment was carefully unfolded in front of the two of them. "Count Leonardo didn't intend to arrange his own funeral after he returned, but immediately went to the treasure house of the Stilwell family to take out this weapon."

The appearance of a long spear was outlined with very thin black lines on the parchment paper. It can be seen that the painter had a deep knowledge, although with a few strokes, he fully captured the sharpness and charm of the long spear.This spear seems to be shorter than the infantry spear. It is about [-] meters long. It has neither decoration nor banner. dripping down.

"What is this? A long gun? Or the bloody spear emblem of the Stilwell family?" Levi frowned a little strangely, "Is Leonardo going to use this thing to compete with Sir Rodriguez?" ? That’s not bad, if the spears form an array, they are enough to stop the heavy cavalry’s violent charge, but what can only one handle do?”

Sir Rodriguez looked dignified, shook his head slowly and said, "It's not that simple, Master Levi." His fingers slid along the spear on the parchment, and his eyes followed closely, "Blood spear, blood drip Spear... Hehe, Lord Bamilian, it seems that among the twelve blood knights in Arthur I's era, there was one named Manticore Stilwell, right?"

The expression of the palace chief was a little startled, "That's right, Lord Rodriguez, your knowledge is really extensive."

"It's just a little personal hobby." Sir Rodriguez said lightly, and then looked at the parchment with a contemptuous smile. "Manticore Stilwell was the weakest among the knights of the twelve blood alliance, probably between the baron with a sword and the viscount with a sword, and died at home in a strange way shortly after the founding of the country. Many studies on Arthur I Scholars and masters in the history of the founding of the country believe that he was assassinated by a shadow assassin. However, among the knights of the twelve blood alliance, the manticore Stilwell is the most troublesome and unwilling to confront, because of this long spear .”

"Is there anything wrong with this spear? Is it a powerful magic weapon? Or..." Li Wei hesitated, because he really didn't want to be known as the "knight of knights" among the knights of King Arthur's Twelve Blood League , There will also be people with taint. "... quenched the poison?"

"Master Griffin Lord, you are still too kind." Director Bamilian took over the conversation, with a subtle sarcasm in his tone, "Master Manticore Stilwell's bloody spear... both Both. On the one hand, this cruel weapon has the characteristic of making the enemy bleed, and on the other hand, in order to increase the power of this weapon, Lord Stilwell tempered and strangled me on the edge."

"Strangle me?" The expression on Li Wei's face froze at this terrifying name, "What is that, poison?"

"It's not poison, but the nickname of a high-level alchemy potion. Its real name is Wei Shi Gang. It's usually a small blue pill, a pure natural plant product. Its effect... Anyway, you don't need to know about it now, Master Levi." Mr. Dish leaned over He explained, "This thing has no side effects if it is taken orally. However, there must not be any small wounds in the mouth and stomach, even ulcers, because as long as this thing comes into contact with blood, it will become very terrible and highly poisonous. It can make people's neck muscles convulse and tighten instantly, compressing the trachea, and finally die of suffocation. Because most of the deceased scratched their necks hard before dying, it looked as if they were strangling themselves, so it was named strangle me. "

This time, Bamili Yang looked at Mr. Dish with fear, "Frederick...Master, do you have such a deep knowledge of dark alchemy?"

"Dark alchemy? No, this belongs to the category of natural alchemy of the elves." Mr. Dish shrugged his shoulders and replied in a relaxed and cheerful tone, but the content was chilling. "Everyone thinks that natural alchemy belongs to the medical field , represents saving lives and healing the wounded, but few people can remember that if the medicine used to save lives is used incorrectly, it can also kill people, and often kills people invisible."

Bamilian shrank his neck, with a sincere and flattering smile on his fat face, "Then, respected Master Frederick, can you crack the vicious alchemical potion that kills me? One of the few things people fear the most."

"Crack the potion that strangles me? Oh, this potion is very common, and it is also made by elves using natural alchemy, because it is too easy to go wrong when using strangle me." Mr. Dish muttered, reaching for his sleeve The sleeves of the housekeeper's clothes couldn't hold much, but Mr. Dish finally took out a large handful of crystal clear beads and put them all in Bamilian's hands. "It killed me by taking it by mistake. After the symptoms of dyspnea appear, you can take one pill immediately to see the effect. This is called Kaiselu. Well, it originally had another purpose."

Bamili thanked her again and again, and then left quietly.Seeing the figure of the eunuch disappearing into the distance, Sir Rodriguez looked at Mr. Dish suspiciously, "Hey, old Dish, what...Kaiseru, why didn't you give me some, didn't I just deal with Count Leonardo with the poisonous spear?"

Mr. Dish glanced at Sir Rodriguez angrily, "Cursed World Black Sun, do you still need to breathe? Even if you swallow a barrel to kill me, it won't have any effect... Originally There are no effects or side effects."

"Then you can be prepared..." Sir Rodriguez was arguing, and suddenly Li Wei's voice came from behind, "It's simply unreasonable!" The Griffin Lord slapped the letter paper in his hand heavily, with an angry look on his face. expression.

"Master Levi, what is written in Her Majesty's letter?" Sir Rodriguez asked curiously.

"In short, it's not about asking the young master to go to the grove behind the Ash Castle for a tryst." Mr. Dish said while twisting his well-trimmed beard.Ever since he put on the butler's costume, the old magician's gags have improved every day.

"Of course not!" Li Wei smiled wryly and handed the letter to Sir Rodriguez, "Let's see, Her Majesty the Queen Regent asked us to put the overall situation first and be lenient to Earl Leonardo!"

(End of this chapter)