Imperial Crown.

Chapter 451 The flesh and blood are weak and bitter

Chapter 473: Flesh and Blood, Weakness

After putting away the Bone Chewing Badge, Raven found something else in his space belt.

They were four parchment scrolls, which had obviously been carefully maintained and had no signs of insect infestation, but the dry, jagged edges of the pages showed that these four scrolls had quite a history.

Untie the ribbons on the scroll one by one, unfold the scroll, and the contents will be clearly revealed in front of Raven.

Each scroll records a combat skill.

"Huh?" Raven showed a hint of surprise.

Combat skills were rare, and getting 4 of them was a big reward, but Raven didn't have too many expectations.

After all, Chewing Bone uses Shadow Fighting Qi.

Shadow Dou Qi is suitable for assassination, but it is too rare. Not to mention the four most common Dou Qi of earth, water, fire and wind, even the popularity of light Dou Qi and dark Dou Qi is much higher than it.

Now Raven has more than 370 people under his command, and there are only 6 people who have mastered the shadow fighting spirit. The strongest one is Mantheni who did not come with them and stayed in Eagle City to protect Denise.

Even if one acquires the bone-chewing skill, the improvement in overall strength is extremely limited.

But Raven didn't expect that the four fighting skills collected by Juegu were not specifically for shadow fighting spirit.

The 2nd level Azure Wave Dou Qi fighting skill "Whale Binding Rope", judging from the last description, seems to be a fighting skill that uses Azure Wave Dou Qi to condense into a rope to control the enemy rather than kill the enemy.

The effect described for the 2nd-level Fiery Fighting Qi skill "Jinghuang Zhan" is not as drastic as the destructive range of fire fighting skills in people's impression, but the preparation time is very short and it is relatively sudden.

The tier 2 Storm Fighting Qi skill "Song of the Mist Night" only describes in detail the route of the fighting qi and the method of attack. Combined with the ambiguous name, it is difficult to see the specific effect. However, referring to the first two fighting skills and Juegu's own tier 4 status, the effect should not be bad.

The tier 3 steel fighting skill "Steel Addiction" is similar to the Song of Stormy Night. It only records the extremely complex routes and changes of the fighting spirit, with no description of the effects.

But the smile on Raven's face gradually became more intense:

"What a great gift..."

Even though the grade seems not high, 3 types are level 2 and 1 type is level 4, but these combat skills are all “secret combat skills”!
Almost all Dou Qi users will claim to have mastered several combat skills.

However, in reality, most of the "combat skills" mentioned by the extraordinary people are nothing more than an advanced application of fighting spirit.

Just like the "Iron Giant" form that Eric and Thor have both used, it can also be said to be a combat skill. Anyone who uses iron fighting spirit can almost figure it out by instinct, with very little difference.

Truly valuable combat skills are extremely rare, such as the "Mirror Shield" mastered by Eric; or the three combat skills used by Chewing Bone before.

This kind of combat skill is called "secret combat skill". It is usually mastered by major forces and passed down in an orderly manner. It is much more powerful than ordinary combat skills and will never be allowed to leak out easily.

Over the years, as the number of extraordinary people under his command has increased, Raven has been collecting various combat skills, but most of those that can be purchased through public channels are common goods.

This is the first time I got the "Secret Combat Skills", and I got 4 of them at once!
This can be regarded as a slight improvement in the military equipment of the Griffith family.

After putting away the bone chewing stuff, Raven went back to sleep.

Silent all night.

The next morning, Raven summoned Doug, a captured member of the Death Hand:
"Contact the Sanctuary of the Wraith."

Doug was very curious why it was at this time, but when he saw Raven close his eyes tiredly after speaking, he didn't dare to ask any more questions and quickly set up a magic circle to activate it.

The cold aura of death spread like a spider web, and a gray-white light curtain appeared in the tent.

Elder Rudolph's skull-like old face appeared on the screen. He opened his mouth to reveal a golden front tooth, and spoke with a hint of sarcasm:
"…Count Raven? I remember saying last time that the Holy Church would not agree to any of your requests."

"Or have you changed your mind and are willing to devote yourself to the Holy Church and contribute to the coming of our Lord?"

Raven looked at Rudolph and said calmly, "This time I want to ask, do you really want to break the tacit understanding between us and enter a hostile state again?"

"Last time we agreed that even if we don't cooperate, we can just not invade each other in the future."

"I was prepared to fulfill my promise, but you crossed this bottom line."

As he spoke, he showed the badge that he had obtained from chewing bones, which represented the identity of the Shadow Brotherhood.

"This is...!" Rudolph frowned.

There was a hint of anger in Raven's words: "The Shadow Brotherhood is a subordinate organization of your church. Now they have sent people to assassinate me. Elder Rudolph, are you still going to say that you didn't know about it?"

"Count Raven, please be patient." Rudolf looked calm, but he was cursing in his heart.

The last time they contacted each other, Rudolph did not agree to trade with Raven because he did not trust Raven.

After all, Raven is too close to the Church of Light.

Therefore, he gave the order to the Shadow Brotherhood to send someone to investigate whether Raven was really as old as the rumors said.

If so, then there is a reasonable explanation for Raven's motives - he is afraid of death and wants to use the hand of death to gain a longer life.

But the idiot chosen by the Shadow Brotherhood turned espionage into assassination!

He didn't even think about it. If Raven was so easy to kill, how could he have survived until now?

"Calm down, Elder Rudolph, if you were assassinated, how would you feel if I said this to you?" Raven sneered, "I want to remind you that Doug is still in my hands."

Doug was once responsible for the liaison of the Death Hand's activities in the three northwestern provinces of the Keynes Empire. Raven was making a naked threat.

There weren't many places suitable for necromancers to hide. Raven's threat was indeed effective. Rudolf had to suppress his displeasure:
"I really didn't know about this, but it is undeniable that it was my negligence that caused this to happen... I don't know what I should do to resolve this misunderstanding?"

Raven drummed his fingers on the table and licked his lips. "…Earl Palmer, it seems that he has made a deal with your church?"

Rudolf sneered inwardly.

Sure enough!

Ordinary magicians who want to prolong their lives usually have to transform themselves into liches, but that is unacceptable to a noble - because no human force will allow an undead creature to serve as a lord.

Palmer used the secret method of the Hand of Death to prolong his life. Although he would be eroded by the breath of the undead, at least he still looked alive.

"Indeed." Rudolf smiled and said, "Originally this was a secret only open to members of the Holy Church, but since I was at fault first, I can make it public to you, Lord Count, as compensation."

"As long as you hand over 500 virgins."

"Impossible!" Raven's eyelids twitched. "Elder Rudolf, I'm writing to you this time because I know peace is hard-won, and I don't want to have a conflict with your church during the expedition."

"I am writing to you this time to see if you are sincere."

“I didn’t expect that Elder Rudolph would see this as a weakness on my part.”

"In that case, we don't need to talk any more."

As he spoke, Raven glanced at Doug, who immediately cut off the supply of magic power, and the gray-white light curtain in the air suddenly disappeared.

At the same time, Rudolph looked at the pale wall in front of him, a smile appearing on his lips.

Raven hurriedly initiated the conversation and couldn't help but talk about Palmer, which shows that Raven has developed a fear of death, and this fear has affected Raven's reason.

If Raven could remain calm, he would know that only by keeping Rudolph skeptical about his life expectancy could he avoid being put on the defensive in subsequent negotiations.

The reason why he was in such a panic was probably because Raven really didn't have much time left.

"This is the sorrow and weakness of flesh and blood," Rudolph sighed.

He believed that it wouldn't be long before Raven couldn't help but contact him again.

"After being soaked in the breath of the dead for too long, my brain has become rigid." Raven said to himself leisurely after seeing Doug off. When Rudolph the Lion opened his mouth and asked for 500 virgins, Raven knew that his goal had been achieved.

Originally, Raven thought that it would take a lot of effort to convey the message that he was actually very weak but had to pretend to be healthy to the Hand of Death, but he didn't expect the process to be so simple.

Raven doesn't plan to contact Rudolph again in the short term.

Being too eager will only make people feel fake, and even a person with a dull mind will doubt whether Raven is actively "showing weakness".

After staying in Changxia Province for another 6 days, the Eagle Army set out on a rare morning without rain.

On July 7, we arrived at Mangtali, which is located on the border of the empire and next to the Miracle Mountains.

……

Chapter 474: Strange Kindness
Although the Mangtailide Province also has a lot of rain in summer, the marching experience is much better than in the Changxia Province.

This is all due to its fertile soil, superior climate, and three harvests of grain a year, making it the largest granary in the empire and also creating its prosperity over the past thousand years.

In order to be able to transport the grain here without any hindrance, the empire built wide, solid and straight roads. The roadbed was at least 2 meters deep and the drainage was excellent. No matter how heavy the rain was, the road surface could not be flooded. As long as the sun came out, the road would become extremely dry.

Therefore, the marching speed was quickly increased.

It took only 20 days to travel from the western border of Mangtailide to the "Red Salt City" in the southeast.

Going south from here is the Miracle Mountains; after crossing the Miracle Mountains, you will reach the territory of the Orc Empire.

In order to prevent the invasion of orcs, the entire Hongyan City implemented strict militarized management. The land outside the city was completely barren, leaving no trees or even any houses.

Originally, Raven was not planning to enter the city. He wanted to stay here for a few days, sort out the logistics, and then directly cross the Miracle Mountains and enter the Orc Empire.

However, Baldwin, the Lord of Red Salt City and Marquis of the Empire, sent an invitation.

If you refuse once, there will be a second time; if you refuse a second time, there will be a third time.

In order to reassure Raven, Baldwin also took the initiative to invite officers of all levels of the Eagle Army, as many as several hundred people.

At this point, it would be rude to refuse.

Moreover, Red Salt City is located on the only way between the Keynes Empire and the Orc Empire. If Raven plays some tricks, it will be easy for him to get in but difficult for him to get out.

So on August 8, Raven brought officers of all levels of the Eagle Army to Hongyan City for a banquet.

"Lord Raven!" As soon as he arrived at the city gate, Baldwin came out to greet him warmly:

"Ever since I heard that you were leaving, I have been looking forward to meeting you. Today, I finally got my wish!"

Although Baldwin is quite old, one can still see the sharpness and domineeringness remaining between his soft eyebrows and eyes, especially the scar on his chin parallel to his lips, which adds a bit of fierceness to him.

It was very rare for the Marquis to greet the Earl at the city gate. Raven got off the carriage with the help of Lux: "Marquis Baldwin, you are so polite."

"I should have been the one to visit you. Why did you go out of town to greet me?"

"Hey, don't say that." Baldwin stepped forward and gave Raven a warm hug. "Count Raven, you dragged your sick body thousands of miles to attack the Orc Empire. As the governor of Mantelid, how could I be reluctant to take these two steps?"

"The sun is too strong here, Lord Raven, let's talk slowly in the castle!"

Of course Raven couldn't refuse, so he followed Baldwin to the Red Salt Castle in Red Salt City.

Along the way, the roadsides were crowded with local residents who came to watch the fun, loudly cheering the names of the Eagle Army and Raven.

The scene was even more grand than when Raven went to Eivor.

From Baldwin to these civilians, the abnormal behavior filled Raven with doubts.

There is no hate without reason in the world, and there is no love without reason.

This reminded Raven of Sir Darnay's behavior after he left the royal capital.

At that time, after a warm welcome, Dane showed the 7th-order magic core, and made the magic core famous by saying "Even Earl Raven wanted it but couldn't get it".

Of course, in the end, the magic core was still obtained by Raven.

What is Marquis Baldwin planning this time?
When they entered the castle, a banquet was indeed prepared. Baldwin also took Raven's physical condition into consideration, so the dishes were mainly light, and there were also several specialties from the Nord province.

"Count Raven, there are not many nobles like you in the empire now." Baldwin took a sip of wine and exclaimed: "From the central government to the local governments, from the king to the barons, everyone is only considering their own interests, and no one cares about the overall situation."

"You are the only one who, even though you are sick, is determined to fight against the orcs and open up a future for our Cairns Empire and the entire human race!"

"Ever since you announced your expedition to the Orc Empire, I've been hearing all kinds of rumors. Some say you're just hyping yourself up and putting on a show, while others say you're just speculating and after a title."

"Any of these people who dared to say it to my face were scolded back by me!"

"They say you're putting on a show? How funny! If this is a show, then I wish all the nobles in the empire would do the show!"

Faced with such praise, Raven quickly said modestly: "Your Excellency the Marquis, you are really overpraising me. I just did what a noble should do."

"Besides, it's a good thing to have both praise and criticism. Now that they have criticized me, if I fail in this expedition and return in vain, then they won't be able to say anything more."

Baldwin shook his head and said, "Lord Raven, you don't have to be so pessimistic. In my opinion, the Eagle Army is magnificent, and those orcs will definitely not be your opponents."

"Besides, even if you really didn't win, as long as you did it, you're still a first-class hero!"

This was a bit too much praise, and Raven didn't know from which angle to be humble.

And it wasn't just Raven's side. All the officers who accompanied Raven to the banquet, including Eric, Link and others, were surrounded by local nobles and knights. Looking at their smiles that came from the bottom of their hearts, it was obvious that they were extremely happy to be praised.

This made Raven even more unpredictable.

What was the reason for Baldwin's abnormal enthusiasm?

After drinking for a while, Raven still didn't see any flaws, so he decided to take the initiative: "Marquis Baldwin, to be honest with you, the biggest headache for me in this attack on the Orc Empire is not anything else, but logistics."

"Although they are all within the empire, the journey from Nord Province to Mantelid is thousands of kilometers, and there is no canal to travel, so the loss on the way is really too great."

"I would like to ask you, Lord Marquis, to help me raise some food in Mantailide. I can pay in cash."

Baldwin nodded repeatedly as he listened. Just as he was about to speak, his son Hume suddenly stood up:

"Lord Raven, it's no problem for you to have food. The thing we in Mangtailide lack the least is food."

"But this food cannot be given to you for free!"

"We, the Mangtelid people, have been enemies of the orcs for generations. We worship the strong the most. If you want to take the food, you must first prove your qualifications!"

Baldwin's face changed and he scolded, "What are you talking about? Get out of here!"

"Father, please don't stop me!" Hume looked at Raven with a determined look in his eyes. He slowly took off his gloves and threw them in front of Raven.
"Lord Raven, I am here to challenge you to a duel!"

“Ah…?” Raven immediately started coughing. “Cough, cough, cough——!”

"puff!"

Spitting a mouthful of thick phlegm onto the ground, Raven raised his wrinkled pale finger and pointed it tremblingly at the tip of his nose. "Me?"

"me?"

Hume pursed his lips: "..."

……

(End of this chapter)