Can't I develop my own character?

Just this afternoon, the Northern Alliance's army retreated.

After a day of debate, the coalition army seemed to have finally reached a consensus. Since no one dared to lead the attack, they decided to retreat.

After all, even the Moonlight Knights were defeated. Who could have foreseen this outcome? If Elvian wanted to place blame, she would first have to criticize her own people for their incompetence, and then share the rest of the responsibility equally.

In fact, Elvian had obviously given up the offensive plan. She seemed to have no expectations for the remaining coalition forces, so she did not even issue a support order after the defeat in the frontal battle.

The main reason is that Wildea is quite far away from the Kingdom of Lot, which has become Elvia's biggest pain point. Otherwise, at her command, the main force of the Moonlight Knights would have come to avenge Kosol.

At this time, 'Xia Li' was leading the 3,000 Holy Blood Army forward, apparently preparing for a pursuit battle.

"Xia Li is already level 48. After killing this wave, she will probably reach level 50 and start the advanced quest."

Ryan thought secretly.

The Blood Knight's leveling-up setting by killing people is too buggy. The battlefield is simply her leveling point, and the stronger the opponent, the more experience she will be given.

However, after the level went up, the upgrade speed slowed down noticeably. I used to think killing 888 or 8888 was incredible, but now? It would take at least five Eight Lions to be a little shocked.

"Once this coalition army is destroyed, Elvian will surely attack, so Lot must immediately form an alliance with Augustus. However, this will only protect Lot. Advancing eastward and taking down the Northern Alliance won't be that easy."

Ryan glanced at the certificate of the Turbid Heart Knight in his backpack and considered creating a small account to fight in Wildya. However, he had no foundation in Wildya, and it would be very troublesome if the small account had a bad start.

Want to gamble?

Hmm...it sounds like I have a choice.

Ryan shook his head secretly. He was the Earl of Augustus, not the Earl of Wildea.

"Wow! Is that Grand Duchess Maganna?!"

A cry of exclamation was heard.

The carriage came out of the camp and turned into the main road. There were more people on the street. Ryan came to his senses and found that the civilians on both sides were looking at them.

The carriage was semi-open and quite high. Ryan and Maganna sat side by side with no curtains or other obstacles in front of them, so outsiders could see them just by looking up.

Then, Maganna's appearance immediately caused a burst of surprise and exclamations.

Although the Grand Duke had attended the Imperial Conference in casual clothes last time, she had not appeared in public, so most people still remember her as wearing iron armor and a blood-stained battle axe.

"Hey, hey, is that really Magna?"

"Fake! It must be fake!"

"This must be some mysterious alchemy. I don't believe it at all!"

"Magna? Isn't she the pervert covered in blood, laughing wildly, and killing people with a battle axe?"

"Bang bang bang! Iron Blood Army, open the door!"

Ryan saw the white-haired loli sitting next to him and his fists hardened.

"Grand Duke, don't bother with these people. They are just jealous of your beauty."

Although most of the exclamations were not very good, there were still some sincere praises.

"Grand Duchess Maganna is so beautiful."

indeed.

Apart from those guys who were afraid of the Grand Duke's name and were talking nonsense, in fact, many people were stunned by Maganna's first appearance. Ryan's task now was to try to appease the Grand Duke, otherwise she would definitely stand on the carriage with her hands on her hips and curse.

When the Grand Duke is angry, blood flows like a river!

That would completely ruin the image.

Amidst a wave of shocked gazes, the carriage finally arrived at the castle.

Then, as expected, the Grand Duke stepped out of the carriage and amazed a group of nobles.

"Oh my god, that's Magna?!"

"Looks like a doll."

"What are you looking at? If you keep looking, I'll dig your eyes out!"

Maganna snorted unceremoniously.

Immediately, the nobles quickly looked away.

"Hey, Ryan!"

Not far away, Jonathan was standing at the castle gate, where he was stopped by the guards.

"Over here! Help!"

"Old Joe can't get in?" Ryan was a little surprised.

"Why? Is there a problem with me not being able to enter because I don't have a title?" Jonathan said. He was startled to see Maganna following him. "Grand Duke, you are truly the most beautiful girl I have ever seen!"

Maganna had a blank expression and was not moved by Jonathan's sweet words.

"I remember you. It was you who stopped that old man Kahn's blood sacrifice, right?"

"It's just a coincidence." Jonathan laughed wryly. "I'm lucky to have run into it."

"If you relied on luck alone, you would have died long ago. You Sons of the Sun rarely speak the truth."

"Uh... Ryan knows me. I never tell lies."

Ryan thought to himself that this was the most fake thing you said.

However, few people knew Jonathan's identity, not even Maganna knew. They only knew that Old Joe was quite capable, but they had no intention of recruiting him.

Jonathan was invited by Ryan, and he also brought some investigators from the Fire Covenant to deal with today's emergency. He also told Ryan about what he had talked about with "Vene" before.

Ryan asked the Grand Duke to go to the banquet hall first.

"I've brought everyone here and arranged them around. Is something really going to happen today?" Jonathan was a little confused. "Are you going to die again?"

It was the place for our last engagement party. Are you coming again this time?

"That's not the case, it's just in case. I'll leave it to you when the time comes."

"Okay, I'll keep an eye on this... By the way, that thing I mentioned last time."

Jonathan said that he would stay in Barron temporarily to lead the Fire Covenant, but he would not reveal his identity openly, and he would be just an ordinary investigator.

How Ryan will manage it in the future will have to wait until "Weine" takes office and reforms the Tribunal.

"...You're really awesome, kid." After finishing his business, Jonathan gave a thumbs up. "You've done everything that all the men in the Augustus Empire want to do but would never dare to do."

Ryan was speechless: "Old Joe, don't talk nonsense. The Grand Duke is just fulfilling his previous promise."

"I understand, I understand. The disciple surpasses the master. Back in Berman City, you were a bit of a fool, but now you dare to climb into Maganna's bed. Fate is really an amazing thing."

"What the hell, the Grand Duke and I are innocent!"

"Don't worry, I'm not saying it's bad. Some people might be born to do this." Jonathan stroked his stubble and chuckled, "You have the charm of me when I was young, hahaha! Keep it up."

Old Joe patted Ryan on the shoulder, then swaggered off to chat up those single aristocratic young ladies.

Tsk~

"I was born to do this? I was born to do this."

Walk to the hall.

Many nobles were already present.

But Holman, who was in charge of the Imperial Army, was not there, and the Holy Blood Legion had already been mobilized. Ryan looked at his pocket watch. It was still early for the banquet, but it was almost the time he had agreed with Karkat.

"Earl Ryan, congratulations."

The nobles around him cast 'friendly' glances at him.

"Earl Ryan, you truly have a good master." A noble said jokingly, "Your heroic deeds have spread throughout the noble circle."

"Marquis Lusen?" Ryan's eyes lit up. "What a coincidence to meet you here. Didn't you tell me last time that you wanted to plan something big together? Come on, let's discuss it again today if we have a chance."

Lu Sen was stunned for a moment, then flew into a rage: "When did I ever discuss this kind of thing with you? Don't slander me!"

Ryan smiled and said, "Don't worry, Marquis. Even if that woman Wei Nei finds out about this, what can she do? Our Western Territory is now strong and powerful, and even the new emperor would be wary of us. Don't worry, after this is accomplished, I will ask the Grand Duke to make you a Duke!"

"Marquis Lusen, you..."

"Marquis Lusen, this is treason, you actually..."

The nobles following Lucien all distanced themselves from him.

Lu Sen was anxious: "Don't listen to his nonsense! He is slandering me. This guy is a traitor!"

Ryan sighed softly: "Alas, Marquis, it's boring when you say that... Forget it, since you want to hide it, I won't force you. Let's go to your house for team building later."

Lu Sen was confused: "Team building?"

"Search your house."

Ryan turned and left after accomplishing his mission, leaving Lu Sen standing there in confusion.

Huh~

You idiot, how dare you mock me?

I am now the villain leader's favorite. I have to say that whoever I say is an accomplice is the one!

No?

Who would believe that?

The new emperor will definitely step up efforts to rectify the situation. Anyone with even a hint of suspicion will not be reused even if it is not dealt with.

Huh... Ryan suddenly found that his identity as the villain leader's favorite was quite useful. He went back to dig out those suspicious people and try to win them over.

Realizing this, some nobles who had just wanted to say hello to Ryan ran away as if they were avoiding the plague.

Well, now I am just like the Grand Duke.

"That guy Wei Nei should take action."

In the corner of the hall, Maganna sat by herself with a glass of red wine.

Ryan sat down across from her.

"There should be news soon."

After a while, Casradi and Heino came over.

"Mind if I sit down?"

Maganna glanced at it without paying any attention.

"Please sit down, Your Highness," Ryan said.

"Thank you."

Casradi smiled and nodded. She was wearing a white dress, with her long, smooth golden hair spread out behind her. She had a smile on her face, and she looked elegant and noble.

Hainuo was wearing a dark blue dress. As he sat down, he glanced at Ryan secretly, then looked at Casradi, and seemed a little guilty.

Ryan was speechless. The vice-president's psychological quality was not very good. No wonder a seventh-level transcendent was forced to sprint.

Casradi was just bored and sat here to kill time. She didn't have to worry about what others would say to her. Although Maganna didn't give her a good look, it didn't matter. She just wanted to chat with Ryan.

After chatting for a while, a cry of surprise suddenly rang out in the hall—

"Carcart and his men are coming to attack!"

wow~

The originally harmonious atmosphere was broken in an instant.

"Karkat?!"

"what happened!"

"He's leading the Imperial Army!"

"Flare! I saw the flare launched from the city!"

"Could it be that someone is colluding with him?!"

Swish!

Almost everyone in the hall turned their attention to Ryan's table.

Maganna (oへo╬): "What are you looking at? If I were the one who did this, I would kill you all right away!"