Imperial Crown.

Chapter 441: Lord Raven is seriously ill
Chapter 453: Lord Raven is seriously ill

early morning.

The sun had not yet risen, and there was only a cold white light in the sky.

The night wind has just died down.

The road outside Xiongying Town is covered with a layer of frost-bitten red leaves.

Click, click...

A war horse came galloping, and the wind it brought blew the branches on the roadside and rolled up the dead leaves on the ground, as if stirring up dried blood.

Vesdon tightened the reins and used spurs to stimulate the horse's physical strength, his face full of tension.

Three months ago, Weisdon received a letter from Raven.

Although the royal capital Mingnagar was extremely prosperous and had many pleasures, Visdon had long been bored with it.

Especially after hearing that Raven was going to attack the Orc Empire and Keynes XVI was forcing Raven to get the Titan cub, he found it even more unbearable.

He wrote repeatedly, requesting to return to Eagle City so that he could fight the orcs with Raven and do his part, but was rejected by Raven every time.

Now that he has received the news and is asked to go home, he can no longer stay there.

It took him several days. He first asked for leave from the Royal University of Cairns, then prepared a gift for his mother, and then set off to return to the Nord Province with the guards that Raven left for him.

However, you have to take a detour.

As for why they had to take a detour, Weisdon didn't know the reason.

However, Raven told him in the letter that he must avoid the province of Mantain and be especially careful of Sir Darnay of the Hainholtz family.

Sir Dane lost a 7th level magic core two years ago.

So Weston set out from the royal capital, left the West Guard Province and headed south, passing through Sliheg and Red Valley Provinces, and then headed north, passing through Semprons and North Sea Province, and returned to Nord.

Along the way, Weisdon collected a lot of novel gadgets with local characteristics as gifts for his niece.

But after returning to the Nord Province, Visdon's originally expectant mood began to become heavy.

"Lord Raven will not live long."

At first, Weisdon thought the news was groundless.

After all, when we parted last time, Raven was still very energetic.

In the correspondence, there was never any mention of anything wrong with Raven's health.

But as they gradually went deeper into the Nordic province, more and more information came out, and after cross-verification, Visdon had no choice but to believe it.

Especially since he heard that Raven's health had deteriorated to the point where he couldn't even attend Meroviev's birthday party in person!

This made Visdon feel uneasy, so he left the main force behind and rushed to Eagle City day and night.

Finally, the gate of Eagle City was in sight.

In the morning light, it looks like a sleeping giant.

"Open the door!" Vesdonlema shouted, "I'm back!"

The drawbridge was slowly lowered, and the gate opened. Vesdon rushed into the city, dismounted, and handed the reins to the hyena guarding the gate:
"How is my brother?"

"I'm very happy to hear that you are coming back. I'm waiting for you now." The hyena replied respectfully: "Please follow me."

Weisdon felt more and more worried.

It was still dark, but Raven was awake, which was not a good sign for someone who was seriously ill.

He followed the soldier all the way to Raven's door, but he still couldn't sort out his feelings. He didn't know what expression to use to face Raven, so he could only push the door open.

"Brother!"

"You're back?" Raven's hoarse voice came from the inner room.

Weisdon was so distressed that he almost cried. He walked inside and said:
"Brother, you don't have to be so anxious to see me. Take good care of your body. You can't lose Meroviev before she grows up—"

The sound stopped suddenly.

Weisdon rubbed his eyes and looked at the scene in front of him, his expression becoming a little strange.

Raven doesn't look like he's seriously ill, does he?
Still as energetic as when we last parted.

No, he even looks younger than he did then.

At this time, Raven was wearing a loose pajamas, sitting behind the desk, holding an oak bottle in his right hand, teasing the child in his arms.

"Ahem!" Raven cleared his throat and his voice became normal: "Sit down first. This child is too energetic and has no time to sleep or wake up. Only someone like me who has free time can take care of him."

Although the content was a complaint, the tone was quite relaxed and it was obvious that the person was enjoying it.

Seeing that Raven was fine, Weisdon felt much more relaxed. He walked to the table and looked over:

"Is this my little niece?"

Melovief is now four months old, with fine black hair on her head and a pair of big, bright black eyes. She is now nestled in Raven's arms, eating her bottle hard while looking at the uninvited guest curiously.

After finishing feeding, the little guy yawned, pursed his lips, and his eyelids slowly drooped, making him look even cuter.

Patty walked up, held Meloviev in her arms, and turned away.

"As expected of you with Griffith's blood flowing in your veins." It was not until Meroviev disappeared from his sight that Weston withdrew his gaze: "Meroviev is really well behaved."

"That's when you didn't see her making a fuss." Raven looked at Weisdon.

His physique was still stout, but he was no longer as fat and stupid as before. Instead, he looked more capable and steady, and his every move was more composed. It was obvious that he had gained a lot of experience in dealing with people during his two years in the royal capital.

He was also completely accustomed to the prosthetic limb. If he hadn't known that Visdon didn't have a right hand, Raven would never have thought it was a prosthetic limb.

"Brother, I heard that you had health problems since I returned to Nord." Weisdong asked, "What's going on? Do you have any plans?"

Raven was not surprised that Weisdon asked this question.

When he suddenly aged, he thought it was the result of the blood curse. In order to prevent the fact of his weakness from being spread, he concealed it as much as possible and even pretended to be healthy.

At that time, only a few people including Thomas and Tyrone could see that he was weak. Keynes XVI must have known about it, but it was not spread too widely.

It's normal that Weisdon doesn't know.

Later, after obtaining the golden tree saliva and regaining his health, Raven needed to create the illusion of an "old man trying hard to pretend to be young", so there was no need to tell Visdon.

"It's a long story..."

Then, Raven briefly told Visdon how he aged and how he regained his youth.

Weisdong was delighted: "That's great, brother!"

A long time ago, Weston secretly hoped that Raven would die soon, because then he could take over the Griffith family with full legitimacy.

But later, as time went by, Visdon gradually matured, and his feelings towards Raven gradually changed from hostility to admiration. He also realized that he had no ability to protect everything of the Griffith family.

Raven is the one who can truly guide the family towards prosperity and strength, and the one who can protect the family from wind and rain.

Vesdon was happy to reap the benefits.

Raven's expression was very serious:

“Everything has its pros and cons.”

"That's why I called you back at this time."

"Next, I'm going to give you a mission, a top-secret mission."

"Whether it can be successfully completed is related to the survival of the entire family!"

……

Chapter 454 Top Secret Plan

Raven's voice was calm and majestic:
"I need you to betray the Griffith family!"

"What?" Weisdong was stunned, not daring to believe what he heard. He swallowed his saliva and said, "Brother, what does this mean?"

Raven sighed:

"The Griffith family seems to be prosperous now, but in fact it is in crisis."

"I can say that I started from scratch in my life. I went from being a hoodlum and a 'little bee' in Mon'en City to becoming an earl of the Empire."

"Although Griffith became more powerful along the way, he also made many enemies."

"The Slater family, to which Marquis Tyrone belongs, has long dominated the Nords, and is extremely wary of the newly rising Griffith." "The Death Hand Cult, first I thwarted their plans in the Nords, I subdued the Bone Dragon, and I pulled out the nail that Earl Palmer had buried in the Principality of Eivor.

They hate me too.”

"Although Thomas is cooperating with me in the Church of Light, their attitude towards me is not generally friendly."

"All of the above are just minor matters. The biggest problem lies with our King, His Majesty the XVI Cairns."

"I killed the little skinner first, and then Anthony. I'm afraid that the king has already sentenced me to death in his heart!"

"But why didn't he attack me directly?"

Weisdong frowned and thought for a while before saying, "Is it because my elder brother still has value to him?"

"That's right, but it's not just that." Raven pointed at his head.
"The most important factor is that I am entangled in a blood curse and my life is coming to an end."

"Once I die, the Griffith family will naturally be at his mercy. No matter how I act, he will get the ultimate benefit."

Weisdong's brows relaxed, a hint of understanding emerged in his eyes, but his voice was a little hoarse:
"So, if he finds out you've lived longer than he expected, then..."

Raven said calmly, "He can't tolerate this any longer."

"Of course, there is also a possibility that before King Cairns XVI finds out that I live longer than expected, he will die first. But I can't bet the fate of my family on this."

"That's why I let you betray me."

Weisdon nodded woodenly.

As the ruler of the empire, if Keynes XVI wanted to take action against the Griffith family, there were too many options available to him.

Just the options that Visdon could think of right now included framing them with charges and depriving them of their titles; imposing heavy taxes and plundering them; or simply sending people to assassinate them like they did with the Fox family.

And if Visdon took the initiative to betray the Griffith family, it would give Keynes XVI a clear entry point and allow Raven to take the initiative in this game.

"But, brother." Weston swallowed and said, "What if His Majesty the King doubts me?"

"He can't possibly trust you." Raven sneered, "Our Majesty won't trust anyone."

"So, your betrayal must not be aimed at gaining the trust of Keynes XVI."

"You have to make it known to everyone, leaving no room for doubt, so that everyone will think that you have completely broken off relations with the family!"

"When the time comes, someone will naturally come to you and join forces with you to fight against me - no matter if he is your Majesty's man or not, you can agree to it."

"It must be that His Majesty discovered that you can be used, rather than you voluntarily handing yourself over to him."

After Raven finished speaking, the room fell into a long silence.

Weisdon pinched his chin with his fingers, his eyes complicated and bitter.

Raven didn't push.

This betrayal was admittedly false, but only by pretending to be a real betrayal can the false be made real and the fake be mistaken for the real.

In other words, the plan must be realized only after the fake is put into practice.

Once the plan begins, Weston is doomed to endure the misunderstanding and hatred of his relatives, the disgust and contempt of his old friends, and the disdain and ridicule of his opponents.

This is an enormous pressure that is difficult for anyone to bear.

During the plan, Visdon has to walk on a tightrope, and be tested and watched by all parties. If he is not careful, he will fall off a cliff and die as a traitor and a clown.

No one will know his contribution, no one will understand his efforts.

Weisdon is no longer a child. He knows the difficulties involved, so he fell into deep thought.

Just as Raven was about to persuade him again, Weisdong took a deep breath and raised his head:
"I understand, Brother-sama."

"I am willing to carry out this plan!"

Raven nodded with relief: "Then the future of the family will rest on your shoulders."

"Only you and I know about this plan."

Weisdong asked: "Then, if there is an emergency, how can I contact you, brother?"

Raven clapped his hands and a black cat leapt onto the table.

It was his magical pet, Sikoret.

"She will then be responsible for the communication between you and me. The specific method is ..."

The sound became lower and lower, gradually disappearing into the darkness.

……

It's sunny.

Denise came to Eagle City with excitement.

Because her son is back.

Since Visdon accompanied Raven to the royal capital, Mingnagar City, four years ago, the mother and son have not seen each other again.

Although they exchanged many letters during that period, it could not alleviate a mother's worry for her child.

She had already thought it through. No matter what, she would let Visdon stay for a while longer this time, and it would be best if he didn't go to the capital.

For a mother, having her child by her side is more important than anything else.

suddenly.

Just as Denise reached the door of the study, Raven's roar came from inside the door:

"Get out! Get out!"

Then came the loud roar of Vesdon:

"Go away if you want. Do you think I care about this shabby place of yours!?"

"The entire Eagle City is rotten from top to bottom. Only the horse tie stone at the entrance is still clean!"

The door was slammed against the wall, and Weston's figure appeared at the door.

"Visdon!" Raven's voice was filled with rage:
"Think carefully, if you leave this door, don't even think about coming back!"

"Next time I come back, I will be your coffin bearer!" Weisdong turned around and said:

"I want to see if you, lying in the coffin, can still leave all your property to your lowly daughter!"

Denise was completely confused. She didn't understand why Weston would quarrel with Raven as soon as he came back.

Fighting for the family property? Weisdong is not that kind of kid.

When he walked out the door, Weston saw Denise and was suddenly stunned.

After not seeing my mother for 4 years, she still looks so young and radiant, and it’s obvious that she’s living a very happy life.

"Son, what happened?" Denise stepped forward and held her son's hand. "If you have any questions, you can sit down and talk slowly."

"Speak slowly!" Feeling the warmth in his mother's hands, Weisdong suppressed the tenderness in his heart and sneered: "You and Raven are talking about me together!?"

After saying that, he shook off Denise's hand and strode out.

The force was too great and Denise lost her balance and fell to the wall, holding onto it and screaming in pain.

Denise's personal maid Anqi quickly stepped forward to support her: "Master, how could you do this? Madam's hand is bleeding!"

Weisdon's heart was torn, but he had to condense his words into the sharpest sword:

"Then let Raven give her a good lick."

"But I think he might lick more than just the wound!"

Denise's eyes revealed an undisguised pain, and her voice was filled with a hint of pleading:
"Visdon!"

With a tremor in his body, Weisdong almost turned around and rushed back immediately.

After not seeing each other for 4 years, he had a lot to say.

But now, he could only put on a stern face, and walk away without looking back, carrying the gift that he had never given away, with longing and guilt for his mother.

Embark on a road of no return that is destined to be full of thorns and blood.

……

(End of this chapter)