Imperial Crown.

Chapter 254 He did it!
Many thanks to Qidian Dad [Book Friend 20221227210635589] for the 6 reward!

……

Howell's sudden appearance caused a pause, and everyone focused their eyes on him with strange expressions.

Raven looked at the young man in front of him and suddenly smiled: "Isn't this Howell? What's wrong? Are you not satisfied with the food today? Then I'll ask the kitchen..."

"Stop changing the subject!" Howell was fearless and said, "Raven, you are too overbearing. Not to mention that you are just the county governor of Xuefeng County, even if you are the governor of Nord Province or the emperor of the empire, you have no right to interfere in other people's marriages!"

"Oh, you really misunderstood. We were just chatting." Raven looked at Kate and Seleva: "Are you right?"

How could the two of them say no? They nodded one after another, and the other nobles around them also agreed with them with a smile.

This performance made Howell extremely shocked. When did the nobles of Xuefeng County become so spineless?
"Don't pretend to be so approachable. Who knows how you threatened them?" Howell stiffened his neck. "But they are afraid of you, but I am not! I want to ask you today, why did you send people to intercept our cargo transport team?"

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar around.

Raven's eyes showed a trace of surprise: "I don't quite understand what you mean. What do you mean by...intercepting your freight transport team?"

"Don't play dumb!" Looking at Raven's expression, Howell was furious: "Do you dare to swear to the ancestors of the Griffith family that you didn't do this?!"

"Kid, you need evidence when you speak." Raven's face gradually became serious: "You said I did it, where is the evidence?"

Howell said, "What kind of evidence do you need? You have reason to suppress our family. And the one who attacked the freight troop was a third-level knight. Who else could it be except Eric?"

"Oh, don't be so excited." Raven shook his head and laughed.

It has to be said that Howell is also a bit scheming. No matter whose name Raven points out at this time, there will be suspicion of framing and shifting the blame.

But of course Raven would not fall for such a trick: "When and where was your caravan robbed?"

Howell immediately said, "The afternoon before yesterday, not far from Minai Territory!"

As soon as this was said, someone nearby laughed out loud. Howell turned around and glared at him: "Is there anything funny about this?"

"Howell, you forgot." Raven couldn't help but explain with a smile: "Eric was still participating in the competition the day before yesterday morning. How could he cross a hundred miles to kill people outside the Minai Territory in the afternoon?"

Howell was stunned.

"In the entire Griffith family, apart from Eric, my wife and I are the only two third-level magicians." Raven continued: "You don't want to say that it was me or my wife who disguised ourselves as knights to commit the crime, right?"

"This, I..." Howell's face flushed and his train of thought was interrupted for a moment.

He didn't expect Raven to be so cunning that he actually arranged the time to rob the caravan in the afternoon of Eric's game!

"Okay, I know you came to me because something happened at home and your mind was confused for a while." Raven patted his shoulder: "As the county chief, I have the obligation to find out the truth of this robbery. I will assign someone to handle this matter later."

"As for you, go to the Crystal Palace later and have a drink, rest and relax."

Howell twisted Raven's arm away: "Who asked you to be so hypocritical!"

After saying that, he turned around and walked out angrily.

"You are really magnanimous. If it were me, I would definitely discipline him on behalf of his parents." Kate raised her glass and shouted, "Let's toast to Baron Raven's broad mind!"

Seleva was the first to raise his glass.

If he was really dissatisfied with Raven's behavior of forcefully interfering in the marriage between him and the Kate family a few minutes ago, he no longer had such thoughts and dared not to have them now.

Judging from the attitudes of Howell and Raven, it was most likely Raven who did it, but Seleva had to consider the implications behind it.

Regardless of whether Eric finished the competition in the morning and appeared a hundred miles away in the afternoon, or whether Raven was secretly raising another third-level strongman, the conclusion was the same.

In Xuefeng County, if Raven doesn't want something to be done, then it won't be done!
The night gradually darkened.

Howell rushed out of the auditorium, feeling that the surroundings were in chaos and everyone seemed to be laughing at him. However, he did not want to face his father, so he walked out of the town.

When they reached the edge of the forest, Howell kicked the grass hard.

Thinking back on what happened today, he became more and more angry.

He didn't understand. It was obvious that Raven was interfering in other people's affairs. It was obvious that his own caravan was robbed by Raven. This was something that everyone could see.

But why does no one support him? Why does everyone have to put on a smile in front of Raven?
Kate and Seleva are both imperial barons, but they don't even have freedom in the marriage of their own children, and they dare not resist. This is a disgrace to the nobles!

Raven is really abominable. He is only 23 years old, only 6 years older than me, but he calls me a child all the time.

This Raven really seems to think of himself as a respected old aristocrat!

Thinking of this, Howell slapped his shoulder hard: "Damn Raven! What a creature! How dare you touch me!"

Suddenly, a neutral voice came from behind his ear: "Mr. Howell, I advise you to be more respectful to others. You should call him 'Baron Raven'."

Howell turned around in shock, and when he saw the person's face, he sneered: "I was wondering who it was, it turned out to be Raven's dog."

"Manson, you are neither male nor female, and you dare to lecture me?"

Mansene put her hand on her chest and bowed respectfully: "I dare not, I am just reminding you that the dignity of the Baron cannot be violated. He can let you go with a broad mind, but we servants are very vindictive."

"Oh, really? How are you going to hold a grudge?" Howell shook his neck and said disdainfully, "Kill me here?"

He rubbed his wrist and started moving his feet: "I just feel really angry today, just stand there and let me vent my anger!"

Howell's fist burned with bright fighting spirit and he stabbed it fiercely at Mantheni's throat.

I have to say that Jia Peng is a qualified instructor and Howell is a qualified student. This was a fairly standard downward punch, and there was nothing wrong with it in terms of speed, strength or angle.

It's a pity that he is only at level one.

Manson leisurely took a step sideways to avoid the fist, then grabbed his wrist and stretched out his right foot and swept it outward. Howell's foot loosened and he immediately fell to his knees.

He pressed Howell's wrists against his back, and the intense pain made his facial features begin to twist: "Let me go, you damn lackey!"

"Hush..." A dagger was placed on Howell's neck. The cold blade made his hair stand on end. Mantheni said slowly, "Mr. Howell, I advise you to calm down."

He struggled hard but couldn't break free. Howell snorted coldly: "Okay, you've restrained me, then what? You dare...you!!!"

His tone suddenly rose, because Mantheni had dragged the dagger and gently cut the side of his neck. The skin was cut, blood flowed out, and the smell of blood filled the air.

Howell pretended to be calm: "...If you have the guts, go ahead and do it. I don't believe you dare to kill me!"

"You are really brave, and you dare to say that even with a sharp blade on your body. You are worthy of being the son of Brocka." Mantheni stopped the dagger and said, "Yes, I dare not kill you, but besides killing you, there are many other ways to deal with you."

"Have you ever heard of Wami?"

Hearing this, Howell's pupils shrank: "You did it!?"

That story had already spread.

Wami's fertility was cut off, but he did not make it public, nor did he have any intention of looking for the murderer. He ran back to his territory in disgrace, and became a laughing stock in the aristocratic circle.

Everyone was guessing which big boss this pervert had pissed off to deserve this retribution.

Howell originally thought that it would be the Fox or Slater family who took action, but unexpectedly, it was Raven's work!
Cold sweat ran down Howell's forehead and he felt his lips were a little dry.

You know, Wami was also born in a viscount family, and did not belong to Xuefeng County. Was Raven really so powerful that he had to let a viscount suffer this loss?
Of course, the truth is not like this. The Pintson family behind Wami is afraid of the Church of Light, so they dare not speak out. But Mansene certainly won't explain the inside story to him: "So, although I dare not kill you, I can still make you lose two parts. Do you want to be like Wami, or do you want to try another way?"

Howell could almost feel Mantheni's cold gaze lingering on his hand, and a chill suddenly came over his heart: "...I, I know I was wrong, and I will never speak ill of Baron Raven again!"

"Really?" From an angle where Howell couldn't see, Mantheni smiled.

This kind of young master is really not easily scared.

"Really, really!" Howell nodded repeatedly, fearing that if he responded a little slower, he would be missing something.

"Well, your attitude is good. I will trust you for now." Mansene nodded: "But I can't not teach you a lesson at all."

"Ah?—ah!"

Before Howell could react, Mantheni turned the dagger around and stabbed it into his buttocks: "I'll leave a mark for you so you can remember it in case you forget it."

After saying that, she kicked Howell on the back. The latter staggered a few steps, holding his buttocks and wailing: "Ouch——"

After a short while.

Howell limped back to his residence, opened the door, and found his father, Viscount Broca, sitting there waiting for him.

In the dim room, Brocka's eyes flashed with a hint of pity, but he still calmed his tone and said, "Have you thought it through?"

"Think it through." Howell slowly lay down on the bed, his voice trembling: "The freight team was hijacked...it was Wesassin..."

"He did it!"

"You!" Broca shook his head and called someone to help Howell treat his wound. He didn't leave the room until his son fell asleep.

"Master, everything has been done." The housekeeper stepped forward and glanced into the house: "Master, what is this...?"

"Hey." Brocka rubbed his temple with a bitter smile, feeling distressed and helpless:
"People can never teach people..."

……

at the same time.

In Lei Wen's office, Viscount Hyde crossed his legs and asked, "You really didn't do that?"

"What?" Raven blinked innocently.

"Tsk, if you don't want to say it, forget it." Hyde picked up the wine glass and took a sip: "The semi-finals are coming soon, how are you going to arrange it?"

"That depends on the situation." Raven looked into Hyde's eyes: "For example...what is the Slater family's plan?"

"It's boring. Every time my father asked me to pass on a message, you always guessed it." Hyde stretched and said, "Then I'll just tell you straight away."

"My father meant that he didn't want to get involved in the conflict between the Anthony and Fox families, and he didn't have any requirements for the ranking in this competition."

Raven nodded slowly.

Raven had thought of this beforehand. It's not that he could see through people's hearts, but the Slater family had been keeping a low profile since the beginning of this competition.

Not only have they never promoted their own players, but even on the SkyEagle platform, once there is a discussion about their family players, Hyde will take the initiative to contact Raven and remove the message.

This resulted in many people who did not come to the scene not having much impression of the third-level knight "Sanjif" who made it to the semi-finals.

After all, the Slater family has deep roots and is more stable than the Fox family. Moreover, they took a very good stand in the previous incident, with no internal or external troubles, so they don't care about temporary fame.

But the Slater family doesn't care, but if outsiders really look down on them, they will inevitably suffer.

Raven certainly didn't want to suffer a loss: "I understand. Then, if I arrange Eric and Sanjif to play together, it should be okay, right?"

"Well, as the organizer of the competition, you certainly have the freedom to do so." Hyde said meaningfully, "But competition is competition. If the anger on the field spreads, it will not be beautiful."

Raven rolled his eyes and continued, "So, we need mist and iron to put out the fire?"

"Haha, really smart!" Hyde clapped his hands: "And, it has to be the kind that brings magic."

The conditions are very clear. If you want Sanjif to let Eric go and let him advance to the finals smoothly, you will have to pay a price of a set of second-level misty iron armor.

"Of course, we are old friends. I will not let you suffer any loss. We will pay for the cost."

Raven thought about it for a moment and agreed: "No problem, 32000 gold coins for the armor and enchantment."

Hyde immediately said, "Deal!"

This is not because the Slater family is kind, nor is it because Hyde and Raven have a good relationship.

Firstly, the price was quite affordable; secondly, Sanjiv couldn't guarantee victory against Eric.

After all, Eric was wearing a second-level misty iron armor, and he might also have a hidden third-level combat skill as a killer. As long as it was not a fourth-level skill, no one dared to say that they could defeat him.

The deal between the two was not so much about deciding the outcome in advance as it was about allowing Eric to save some energy so that he could better prepare for the finals.

"Then I'll go tell my father the good news." Hyde stood up and walked out with a smug smile: "Hey, I told you, you can't always get the upper hand!"

After he left, Raven also smiled.

The Slater family obtained the second-level enchanted Mist Heavy Iron Armor, and Raven also made some money, but not as much as before.

What's more, Hyde still has a set of unenchanted armor in his hand!

Raven drummed his fingers on the table. "Next time you beg me to come up, I'll make you spit it all out!"

Time flies, the two-day offseason is over, and the semi-finals officially begin.

Portraits of the four semi-finalists can be seen everywhere on the streets of Eagle Town, and people are enthusiastically discussing who will make it to the finals and who will win the championship.

The first match is the most talked-about duel between the two players, Akori vs. Gul'dan.

Ever since the list was announced the day before yesterday, everyone from the Eagle Platform to Eagle Town has been arguing over who would win between the two, and the argument is intense.

From the growth environment, to the historical record, to each person's fighting habits and fighting style, supporters of both sides argue their own advantages and the other side's disadvantages from various aspects.

No one can convince anyone.

There are many cases where quarrels break out over this and eventually turn into fights.

Even now, sitting in the spectator seats beside the arena, there was no way to stop the quarrel between the supporters of both sides. Before the duel even started, they were already fighting passionately, one side borrowed war drums, the other borrowed orchestras, both trying to suppress the other side with volume.

It seems that this will give the player they support a better chance of winning.

But the atmosphere in the box was much more harmonious in comparison.

Everyone knew that the outcome of this battle was not in suspense, and Raven was no exception.

But, will this really happen?
……

(End of this chapter)