Imperial Crown.

Chapter 420 Golden Tree Saliva
"Huh...huh..."

Raven's eyes were getting darker and darker, just like the future he could see.

My heart was pounding.

The chill came from nowhere, like a winter wind blowing into Raven's bones, taking root and seeping into the smallest corners of his body.

His ribs twitched and his body trembled.

Even though it was so cold, sweat suddenly broke out, instantly draining Raven's strength and making it difficult for him to even move his fingers.

"We can't do this, we can't do this..."

He is the head of the Griffith family, with elderly parents and young children to take care of, and he cannot expose his weakness in front of anyone.

He must point out the direction for the entire family, even if he has to grit his teeth and hold on!
Grabbing the handrail, Raven struggled to stand up, but the next moment he felt a tearing pain in his thigh, and then he became numb and knelt down involuntarily.

He struggled to stand up, but his legs were out of control and a warm current surged up from his chest.

"puff--"

Blood gushed out of his mouth and nose.

咚

Raven's body fell to the ground.

……

When Raven regained consciousness, he felt boundless coldness and weakness, as if he had sunk into the boundless starry sky or drifted in the vast ocean.

I can't tell the direction and I can't see the end.

He wanted to open his eyes, but he couldn't control his body.

Am I...

I'm going to die! ?

But am I not the protagonist?
I was born into this world, mastered the power of the Eyes of Truth, and became an earl from a baron, achieving a feat that many people cannot achieve in their lifetime!
Are we going to die like this... worthlessly?

I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die…

I don’t want to die!!!
Raven roared and shouted in his heart, screaming at the top of his lungs, and was hysterical, but to no avail.

Fear, panic, despair...

The rationality that I was proud of was shattered into ashes at this moment, and my soul was trembling.

suddenly
A gentle touch appeared in the palm of my hand.

Just like a drowning person who suddenly has someone to lean on, Raven grasped this tenderness tightly and refused to let go.

help me……

Nancy...

"Nancy Fox—"

Raven roared.

The darkness receded, light appeared before my eyes, and the figure in front of me gradually became clear.

Her golden hair seemed like condensed sunlight, her forehead was full, and her eyes were blue, revealing worry and concern that could not be concealed.

"Lacus!?" Raven opened his eyes wide and was a little embarrassed for a moment.

But the embarrassment was soon overwhelmed by joy.

The last time we met was in a dream.

He looked at Lux carefully, refusing to look away for even a moment, fearing that if he wasn't careful, Lux would disappear and all this would be just another dream.

Lux asked softly, "Are you feeling better?"

"Of course, I'm fine." Raven tried to get up from the bed, but his legs were still a little weak.

"Don't be so stubborn." Lux patted the back of Raven's hand: "Your body is more fragile than a 70-year-old man. What you need now is rest."

After saying that, Lux stood up and was about to leave, but she didn't go far.

Because Raven was still holding her arm tightly.

Although he knew it was embarrassing, Raven still refused to let go:

"... Will you leave this time?"

"If you want to leave, I won't come back." Lux said softly.

Raven smiled.

Just then, the door suddenly opened and Raven quickly let go of his hand.

Patty at the door didn't notice this detail, but she couldn't hide the surprise on her face:

"Master, are you awake?!"

"It's just a nap, don't make it so serious." Raven said lightly: "Prepare a room for Priest Lux on the 6th floor, and arrange for a maid."

"Yes, sir!" Patty nodded vigorously.

Lux left, the door closed, and the room returned to silence.

Raven's emotions also calmed down.

He had little time left to live, and he had to accept the reality; Keynes XVI's order was already an fait accompli, and no amount of complaining or fear would help.

What we need to do now is to survive on this dead line.

Isn’t this what Raven is best at?

As his mind relaxed, fatigue came over him like a tide. Raven closed his eyes and fell asleep peacefully.

That night, Raven woke up once, ate some soft food, and fell into a deep sleep again.

The next morning, in the small restaurant on the 6th floor of Eagle City.

Raven had recovered some of his strength and sat at the head seat at the long table. Denise sat on Raven's right, Lux sat on her left, and Fiona was present.

The breakfast was simple and light, and Raven ate in silence.

I don’t know if it’s because of his physical condition, but he is now enjoying the warmth of family dinners more and more.

He didn't say anything, but the women couldn't keep quiet.

Denise wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin and looked at Lux: "If you hadn't testified in court last time and proved Raven's innocence, he would not have been able to leave Samuel Palace."

"We are all family, so it's hard to express gratitude, but no matter what problem you encounter, whether it's Raven or us, we will definitely do our best to help you."

Although she didn't know much about the inside story of the church, Denise knew that it was abnormal for Lux to appear here in such a low-key manner. She must have been retaliated by the church.

Helping Lux is helping Raven.

Lux smiled. "It's not difficult. Although I did lose my position in the church, I told the truth during the trial. The church is not so corrupt that it will erase me because of this."

"Besides, I have been too focused on church affairs before. After unloading the burden, I have more time to live my own life. During this time, I have traveled across half of the continent, which can be regarded as a kind of rest."

Fiona's eyes sparkled with curiosity. She had always dreamed of traveling, but she had too many responsibilities and things to do to make it happen:
"Ms. Lux, where have you been before?"

Lux put down her fork, folded her fingers in front of her, and recalled:

"I started from the Papal States and went north to Insa."

"As you know, in the context of the Empire, Insa is equivalent to barbarian. They have thick beards and look like a mix of giants and dwarves."

"But in fact, as a great country that has been in opposition to Keynes for a thousand years, they have their own unique and excellent civilization and culture, and their local beliefs are even more stubborn. It was not until I arrived in Insa that I learned that the priests of the church must rely on the rituals of the local shamanism in order to preach and gain people's trust."

"After crossing Insa, I took a boat in Langqing Province, first to Slave Bay, then went up the Monen River to Monen City, and then returned to Eagle Territory."

Fiona also had some knowledge about Slave Bay, and she was even more surprised when she heard this: "Aren't women never allowed to board ships in Slave Bay?"

"I bought one," Lux said. "It's a three-masted galley called 'Gallen'. It's still docked at the port of Mon'en City."

Fiona was stunned.

Just for a trip, you bought a ship?
That is not a cheap vessel for sailing in calm inland rivers. The minimum cost of any sea vessel is 3000 gold coins, and a galleon costs at least 5000 gold coins!

And looking at Lux's nonchalant look, it seemed as if she didn't take the money seriously at all.

How rich are you?
"By the way, I also bought gifts for you." The ring on Lux's hand flashed, and several boxes appeared on the table.

When you receive a gift, you naturally have to open it on the spot.

Denise opened the gift box and smiled in surprise.

Lying inside was a pair of silver earrings.

Different from the increasingly complicated and elaborate craftsmanship in the empire, this pair of earrings is very simple in workmanship, with a crescent-shaped shape and inlaid with two pure white pearls.

"This is what I picked in Insa." Lux said, "Are you satisfied?"

“Very satisfied!”

Although the earrings are simple in design, they fit Denise's temperament very well and will not steal the limelight from the Heart of the Forest necklace. Instead, the simple and elegant color makes the emerald green Heart of the Forest even more dazzling.

Fiona also couldn't wait to open the box in front of her. This box looked much bigger than the one in front of Denise.

A thick book appeared in front of me.

This book obviously has a long history. The original red cover has turned mottled and dark yellow, and it also has the silver rose pattern unique to the First Dynasty of Keynes.

"The Road to Glory: The Nobles Who Became the Cornerstone of the Empire..." Fiona read out the title of the book. "This is a biography of the nobles in the early days of the empire. Hasn't it been lost for a long time?"

"This is too valuable. I can't accept it!"

"I found it at a thrift store in Slave Bay." Lux said, "Don't worry, take it. I've checked it out."

Having said that, without waiting for Fiona to refuse, Lux walked over to Patty and placed the last box in her palm.

Patty was touched but also a little surprised. She didn't expect that a maid like her could receive a gift from Lux!

"This is the formula for the Oil of Light, a secret version kept by the Vatican." Lux whispered, "Write it down and remember to burn it. If someone finds it, it will be a big deal."

The Oil of Light is a special potion that is usually used to maintain weapons. Any weapon coated with the Oil of Light can avoid corrosion from the environment and some magic and fighting spirit, and it also has an additional killing effect on creatures with chaos and dark attributes.

Raven is about to attack the Orc Empire. Most of the orcs are natural chaos creatures, so the value of this formula is self-evident.

Lux's gifts are not only precious, but also very much in line with everyone's interests and characteristics, fully realizing the meaning of the gifts.

So everyone in the restaurant was happy.

Except Raven.

Because he was the only one who didn't receive a gift.

The dinner knife was scraping on the empty plate, and Raven looked at Lux with a hint of resentment in his eyes.

But Lux acted as if she didn't see it. Raven had no choice but to remind her, "Luxury, did you forget someone?"

Denise chuckled and lowered her head. Only in front of Lux would Raven show such a pitiful expression.

Lux was just stalling on purpose.

When they separated that year, it was Raven who first asked to drive her away.

9 years have passed, Lux has grown a lot, and she also figured out why Raven did that at that time.

Under the circumstances at that time, the church's law enforcement agency, the Inquisition, had already locked onto Lux. If Raven did not draw a clear line between himself and Lux, then both of them would be ruthlessly crushed by the Church of Light.

But thinking it through doesn't mean you can't feel resentful.

Raven once expressed regret for not being able to accompany Lux. Didn’t Lux feel the same way towards Raven?

If they had not separated back then, perhaps the trajectories of their destinies would have been completely different.

But seeing Raven's appearance at this moment, Lux couldn't help but feel a little soft-hearted. With a flash of light, she placed a crystal box in front of Raven.

"I knew it would be my turn." Raven smiled smugly.

He doesn't care what the gift is as long as there is a gift.

But when he saw the gift in front of him, Raven couldn't help but be stunned: "What is this...?"

In the palm-sized crystal box, there is a green leaf.

The leaves are thick and full, like the texture of jade.

And at the tip of this leaf, rests a drop of crystal dew.

Golden dewdrops!
It is oval in shape and stuck to the leaves, as if it will slide off at any time.

The golden light flows and blooms, like nebulae that appear and disappear.

“Golden tree saliva…!?” Raven stared at Lux in surprise: “Where did this come from?”

Golden tree saliva is the best among the sap of the tree of life. Just one serving can extend a person's natural lifespan by at least 150 years.

It is now Raven’s life-saving remedy against aging.

"Like I said, I've been to the Elf Empire." Lux said casually:

"After paying such a high price, we must find something back."

Raven's fingers were shaking.

Mountain darkly, vista!
The fact that he had regained his composure did not mean that he could face death calmly. He was just trying not to face it for the time being and was just avoiding it.

Now that I see the golden tree saliva, how can the word "joy" describe it! ?

Lux opened the crystal box and pushed it towards Raven.

Raven picked up the leaf with two fingers, placed it to his lips, stuck out his tongue and gently rolled the drop of golden tree saliva into his mouth.

Rumble, rumble...

My internal organs began to move like thunder.

Raven felt as if a sun exploded in his chest and abdomen!

Fiery and warm energy swept through the body.

The head that had been aching slightly suddenly became clear, the blurry eyes gradually became clear, and the ears could hear the slightest sounds again.

A tingling sensation came, and strength gradually returned to the body.

The whole world is brand new!
Compared to Raven’s subjective experience, the changes in his appearance were even more astonishing!

Patty could clearly see that Raven's originally hunched body had straightened up again, and was rapidly becoming stronger, with clear muscle contours visible through his loose clothing.

The white hair that was originally very sparse and could only be covered by a wig became black and thick, the wrinkles on the face disappeared, becoming smooth and bright, and the complexion also changed from gray to rosy.

Patty was stunned, and the gift box in her hands fell to the ground.

As Raven's personal maid, Patty knew too well how weak Raven was and felt too sorry for him. Now seeing Raven recover his health and vitality made her happier than if she could remain young forever.

Fiona held the ancient book given to her by Lux tightly in both hands, her nails almost digging into the spine of the book, but she was unaware.

Although Fiona couldn't understand, didn't comprehend, and wasn't used to many of Raven's actions.

But after her grandfather's death, the only support in her heart was Raven. Raven's worrying physical condition made her confused about the future.

Now that Raven was able to recover, she no longer had to hesitate.

Denise heaved a long sigh of relief and slumped in the chair without caring about her image.

If there is anyone who is most concerned about Raven's health, besides Raven himself, it is Denise.

Raven is the backbone of the entire Griffith family. Once Raven dies, Denise will be unable to support the family alone, and the entire Griffith family will inevitably be destroyed in the constant strife.

Or have to rely on a political strongman.

Neither of these things was what Denise wanted to see.

"Huh..." Raven slowly opened his eyes.

These eyes finally regained their clarity and sharpness, as captivating as a sword unsheathed!
A flash of silver light passed by, and Raven used the Eyes of Truth to observe the condition of his body again.

it is good,

very good,

Better than ever!

Now his energy and physical condition are even better than before he aged due to the blood curse.

Although the blood curse did not disappear, it quietly loosened some of the noose. Now Raven's upper limit of life has been extended from less than 5 years to 31 years!
In other words, Raven can live to 62 years old - far exceeding the average lifespan of humans on the continent.

And the golden tree saliva also brings an extra benefit, which is that it prevents Raven from aging.

His physical condition will remain youthful until his death!

The only pity is that if the blood curse had not suddenly erupted and the golden tree saliva had not consumed a certain amount of medicinal power to repair the body, the lifespan gained would have been even longer.

Looking at Lux, Raven felt a myriad of emotions running through his heart, a sense of guilt, a feeling of being touched...

He had a lot to say, so he stood up.

tear-

Raven's expression suddenly became stiff.

"Pfft..." Denise couldn't hold it in and laughed out loud with her head down.

His body had recovered so well that his pants became too narrow, and Raven's force directly stretched his crotch.

The cold wind blew, and it was chilly.

The words that were originally spoken from the heart were also gone with the wind.

"Ahem!" Raven said with a stern face, "Well... I'll go change my clothes."

After saying this, he secretly winked at Patty who was standing there stupidly.

Two hours later.

Raven and Lux ​​walked side by side in the garden of Eagle City.

"Are you addicted to pretending to be old?" Lux put her hands behind her back, somewhat dissatisfied with Raven's attire.

Although he has recovered his health, Raven deliberately makes himself look old, wearing loose clothes and using advanced makeup techniques to add many wrinkles on his face.

"I can't help it. It's because I'm too outstanding and so easy to be envied." Raven said with a smile: "If I suddenly become younger, someone will have trouble sleeping."

"For the sake of the greater good, it's better if I'm older."

"You only know how to brag." Lux wrinkled her nose and turned to look at the pond in the garden: "Next, what are you going to do?"

Raven said lightly, "Of course I am following the orders of His Majesty the King."

"But the Orc Empire is too dangerous." Lux bit her lip.
"Do you really have to go?"

Looking at Lux's sapphire eyes, Raven said seriously: "Since you were able to go to the Elf Empire, why can't I go to the Orc Empire?"

"But then..."

Lux wanted to say that was different, but when she saw Raven's determined eyes, she immediately understood what Raven meant.

Raven went to attack the Orc Empire just for her.

The poison in her body is extremely special, and the golden tree saliva is completely useless against it.

If one wants to be cured, one can only take the young shoots of the Tree of Dawn. Apart from the Elf Empire, only the Orcs in the Orc Empire live on the Tree of Dawn.

Raven had obviously done thorough investigation and preparation.

But Lux didn't want to see Raven take such a risk: "The orcs have been restless recently. The Church and the human nations all suspect that something big has happened inside, but they can't find any clues."

"Now is not a good time to enter the Orc Empire!"

"And once you enter the territory of the Orc Empire, if you don't get the Titan cub, you won't be able to come back and will be drowned in the endless sea of ​​orcs!"

"Don't worry, I'm not going to rush to my death." Raven smiled calmly: "His Majesty the King did ask me to attack the Orc Empire, but he didn't order me to set off immediately."

"Before that, I still have a lot of time to prepare."

Lux wanted to persuade her again, but Raven was unwilling to continue the topic. He stepped forward and stood in front of Lux: "You know I never listen to advice."

"If you really care about me, why not help me in other ways."

A blush crept up Lux's cheeks, and she stammered, "...What method?"

"Please relieve my lovesickness..." Raven's lips moved forward.

Lux's eyes widened and she almost collapsed into the long kiss.

Just as Raven was about to make the next move, Lux struggled to break free from Raven's embrace:
"Don't be in a place like this..."

After saying that, he looked around nervously like a frightened deer. After making sure that no one saw him, he saw the faint smile on Raven's face. Then he suddenly realized what he had just said. His face turned redder, and he turned around and ran away, feeling embarrassed and anxious.

"Ah--" Raven let out a long, relaxed breath, a hint of a smile on his lips.

Expedition to the Orc Empire and obtaining the Titan cub is indeed an unsolvable deadlock.

But that assumes that Raven himself doesn't have many years left to live.

And now, Raven still has 31 years to live.

There is still a long way to go!
……

(End of this chapter)