"Lord Lamar protested to us. Their team left many accompanying items because they were traveling too fast. After two camps, their remaining supplies were no longer able to support all the retainers they carried..."
"Incompetent! I didn't see anyone during the battle, but when it was time to eat, they jumped out in a hurry... With what kind of face did they make these requests to me? Let him fend for himself!"
"Sircado's team also made suggestions. Their team seems to need repairs. The reason explained by Lord Sircado is that there was insufficient preparation in the early stage, which resulted in their carriage being in a semi-damaged state..."
"Then leave them here and build your own! Really...how did these guys, who usually only know how to enjoy flowers and hunt, and have no grace or glory when going on expeditions, become the nobility of the empire? "
The medium-sized rose-colored carriage stayed quietly in an open space outside Zaraha City. Next to it was a spacious and neat camp, where royal soldiers and Zaraha City Imperial Guards were constantly coming in and out. At the entrance of the camp, the ruthless rebuke of the eldest princess was heard, as well as the apathetic figure of the princess walking back and forth in front of several imperial nobles: "Although I may have some feelings for these nobles that my father has given me. We were prepared for their poor quality, but we didn’t expect that they couldn’t do these most basic things well... If we just get in front of the people of the principality, our empire will lose all face!”
"If it works, we can choose to leave these uneven accompanying nobles here." Pointing to the city gate not far outside the white tent, a middle-aged noble named Diploma pressed his Top Hat responded in a low voice: "Zaraha City's defenses are strong enough, and with the existence of Sky City... even if they keep us all, they should not have any problems."
"That's not possible. Their names are still on the appointment documents of the Frey Empire." On the other side, an imperial nobleman with a long face and a mustache retorted mercilessly: "And Wouldn't it be better to leave this group of incompetent people here to enjoy their happiness? Wouldn't it be more appropriate to at least wait until the negotiations with the principality begin and let them serve as cannon fodder first? "
"Devil! You devil!" Before the middle-aged noble could finish his words, Field Pamuir, who was sitting next to him, propped up his fat body: "What is your attitude? You actually want to You want to sacrifice our compatriots to die in the principality? What are your intentions?"
"Useless imperial nobles are naturally not qualified to be called imperial nobles - is this something that the finance minister wants to oppose? Oh, I'm sorry, I should call you the 'former' finance minister."
"Randnall! You bastard! Are you provoking me?"
"You think that's it - what? You want to duel with me? Do you have the courage commensurate with your size, dare to throw your own white handkerchief in front of me?"
"you you--"
"Okay, stop arguing."
Dropping these words coldly, Her Royal Highness Princess Reina, who was standing in the center of the camp, said in a low voice. Her body that had stopped pacing back and forth also put on an indifferent expression and spoke with a cold expression. He looked at the two nobles who were about to fight and calmed down: "We are here to discuss the next step of the investigation team, not to find a place for you people to quarrel. The Pamuir family and Rand You’d better resolve the dispute between the Nar family at another time and another place.”
"Which of your Excellencies still has any difficulties, please report them immediately." Her voice paused for a moment, and her majestic gaze swept over the faces of the other silent nobles present: "Marquis of Rhone? What else are you doing over there? Is there a problem, Count DiPloma?"
"If there are no other questions, let's start discussing the next action plan." She withdrew her gaze, and at the same time, with the support of two accompanying maids, she slowly sat back on the felt seat in the center of the camp: "Luo special."
"……exist."
Still wrapped in large bandages, the sword warrior named Lott stood up slowly from the corner of the tent upon hearing the sound: "What are your orders, Your Highness?"
"You don't have to be so polite. You are the guard captain of our convoy." Rena's voice softened significantly, and her eyes were twinkling. She slowly pushed her long blond hair away from her forehead: "Considering what happened recently, A series of things have happened, and there should be no one here who has more say than you."
"Don't dare to take it seriously."
Still maintaining the salute of stroking his chest with one hand, Lott hid his expression deeply: "His Highness is the leader of this investigation team, and all actions of this general follow His Highness's will. "
"As the heir to the Gloria family, General Lott is simply a role model for the imperial nobility." Princess Rena's expression became a little softer: "But what we need now is not your military character, you Now you are also one of the imperial nobles invited to participate in this regular meeting. I hope you can stand in the position of helping this investigation team and speak freely in front of us."
"Then...thank you for your kindness, Your Highness."
Slowly raising his head, Lott's voice also relaxed slightly: "What do you want to ask, Your Highness?"
"Concerning the culprit who attacked the investigation team, and how we will respond afterwards... I wonder what General Lott thinks?"
Her Royal Highness the Princess leaned back slightly and put her fingers on her chin, inadvertently showing off her mature body: "Should we continue to move forward according to the original plan, or should we follow the advice of Her Excellency Diploma? How many days are you going to rest here?"
"The purpose of the Imperial Investigation Team is to go to the Principality of Elnifea to investigate the attack on His Royal Highness Prince Chris." There was no change in his salute. Lott, who ignored the change in the atmosphere in the camp, replied calmly: "The current news Three days have passed, and the safety of His Highness Chris is still uncertain..."
"It seems that the General supports the side that leaves for Tania as soon as possible." Count Diploma, who was sitting aside, said in a low voice: "It's really strange... I heard that you and His Highness Chris were in Tania. There seemed to be some conflicts when you were in Sangcheng, which indirectly led to the result that you were eventually escorted back to the imperial capital. Why are you starting to think about Chris now?"
"At this moment, my views on His Highness Chris are just my personal opinions as a nobleman. Now that I have become the general of the Iwakuma Army and the escort leader of the investigation team, of course I must fulfill my duties. share the responsibility.”
"Your Majesty the General is indeed far-sighted and can distinguish between public and private affairs."
Looking away from the increasingly shining eyes of Princess Reina, Diploma shook his head again: "Then from the perspective of the guard commander, answer this question for us - —If we set out now, what are the chances of us being attacked?"
"I know what you are worried about, but this issue actually does not fall within the scope of my responsibilities." Slowly straightening up, Lott gradually shifted his gaze to the foreign minister: " My duty is to protect you. No matter what kind of enemy attacks, I am confident that I can repel them. However, if I am asked to analyze the possibility of an attack... I am afraid that I will overstep the rest of you."
"General, there is no need to refuse. I am afraid that among all of you present, there is no one more suitable to answer this question than the general." After waving her hand, Reina's eyes became expectant: "As a member of the investigation team, Chief, I also hope to be able to understand the possibility of this risk, and hope that General - I hope Lord Lott can spare no effort in assisting and maintaining the safety of me and the entire investigation team."
"It's not that I'm refusing, it's just that everyone has been deliberately ignoring it." After a slight silence for a while, Lott, with his hands raised, then turned around and replied: "To answer this question, you only need to find out the identity of the attacker. and what they want to achieve is enough, and this question—"
"This adventurer who just arrived should understand better than me."
He turned sideways, and then showed the figure of a certain gray-robed magician gradually approaching from the outside of the camp in front of everyone.
*******************************
"……call."
Time came to the evening of this day, and countless caravans and players kept coming in and out of the gate of Zaraha City. Gedman, who had been waiting for a long time at the edge of a small camp, then clapped his hands. , and at the same time smiled a little at Duan Qingzhan, who was walking slowly: "How is the situation?"
"It's best not to attend such meetings in the future."
With a deep look of exhaustion on his face, Duan Qing, who shuffled back to the camp, replied in a low voice: "If our dear Lord Lott hadn't been present, this regular meeting would have turned against me. ’s adjudication meeting.”
"There is no way, who made them identify you as a person directly related to the attack." Goldman shook his head: "Have you explained it to them properly?"
"I just described the attack we encountered yesterday, and told them the name Ivost by the way." Sitting on the edge of the camp, Duan Qing spread his hands and replied: "As for whether they know this Ivost Worster's identity and whether he can recognize the power behind him...that's beyond my control."
"According to our president, the target of that mysterious enemy's attack is us." Goldman lowered his crossed arms: "Ambiguous statements are sometimes a good thing for both parties, otherwise don't say anything It explains that our survival may become a big problem."
"Evost will definitely come back."
The voice became low again, and the eyes of Duan Qing, who was sitting on the ground, gradually became serious: "Her Royal Highness the Princess and the imperial nobles are considering the possibility of setting off immediately. Those hidden attackers are also the hidden attackers. Should we leave Zha immediately?" One of the key factors in Laha City is that if Ivost really brings reinforcements that can deal with Violet and attacks this convoy again... we may really be unable to withstand it."
"Then what do you want to do? Lead the team and leave this investigation team quietly?" Goldman rolled his eyelids: "What did Princess Reina say?"
"She asked me a bunch of questions, including our relationship with Qian Zhihe." Touching his nose, Duan Qing raised his eyebrows as if he noticed something: "Speaking of which, That guy is also one of the 'attackers'. Although I have not fully explained the relationship between us, at least Her Royal Highness will not find any other problems with that girl... By the way."
"Where is she?" Looking around the camp, Duan Qing's face gradually became confused: "You said you are severing your relationship with us, are you really severing your relationship? You won't even come back?"
"He is the boss of the Mage Council who claims that he must join our team. How could he give up so easily?"
Sighing slightly, Gedman then pointed in a certain direction in Zaraha City: "Don't forget that the City in the Sky is right above your head. She should also go back to the Mages Council headquarters to report on her work. It’s time…ah, there’s more.”
"She said that if you come back early, please be sure to report to the temporary station." After saying this, the big shield warrior showed a strange smile: "It is said that there is also a temporary meeting of theirs there... "
"Is it another meeting? Is it over yet?"
After glaring at himself, Duan Qing wailed loudly next to the small camp: "If I am tried again, I will really die!"
The complaint did not receive any response. The gray-robed figure belonging to Duan Qing then appeared with slow steps in the center of the crowd of people coming and going at the gate of Zaraha City. The shadow stretched by the evening sun also disappeared for a while. After wandering around, I came to an old hut that didn't look very lively. Some players and natives of the free world who were also wandering here were looking at the door of the cabin in front of them with tangled and expectant eyes, and then left shaking their heads with no gain, dragging their feet. Duan Qing, who walked up the steps with heavy steps, then ignored the looks of these people as if they were looking at fools, reached out and knocked on the ancient-looking wooden door: "Is anyone here?"
"Today's qualification distribution has ended." A vague reply came from inside: "We will no longer accept new business."
"Well...I'm not here to do any business." Duan Qing scratched his head in embarrassment: "Someone informed me that there was a rally here and asked me to participate..."
Buzz.
A subtle magical resonance then sounded in front of Duan Qing, accompanied by the scene of the wooden door suddenly opening inwards driven by magical energy. A magician stuck his head out and looked Duan Qing up and down. face, and then suddenly retracted his body wearing an orthodox magic uniform.
"come in."
