Traitor, die.

The Duke of Angmar was not the first to say this. If we go back further, the first person to say it was Emperor Conn who unified the Kingdom of Cullen.

"Zero tolerance" for nobles who betray the kingdom has been one of the tenets set by this country since its establishment.

So when Viscount Juan's head was placed quietly on the dining table, the deterrent it caused far exceeded all the nonsense.

The entire banquet scene fell into a strange atmosphere: the ladies who were stimulated by the bloody scene screamed and ran away; the younger ones did not see clearly what it was because they were far away, and were curiously moving this way.

However, the lords who really held the real power had cold sweat on their foreheads and stood motionless, their brains thinking rapidly about the next countermeasures...

Juan's territory was not wealthy, and his power was not top-notch, but the reason why the nobles were able to unite to fight against Angmar was that several of the highest-ranking lords knew that he was the "stringer" between them.

In other words, it is an indisputable fact that this viscount harbors evil intentions - Juan is one of the biggest masterminds behind this incident. Once Angmar compromises, Juan will definitely be the lord with the most resources.

However, no one expected that Angmar would kill Juan so cleanly before all arrangements were made...

What about the agreed upon plan? How about sharing the agreed upon resources among everyone?

A moment ago, the nobles were still excited about slapping Angmar one by one, but the old man's counterattack was no longer a slap, but a clean sword!

This sword has always been in Angmar's heart. Even if he is dying, even if he knows that his time is numbered, when he draws the sword, he is still invincible.

"This...this..."

The several lords who had been "exerting good words" just now were speechless at this time. Their eyes wandered back and forth between the head and Angma, completely confused.

"Colluding with the undead, collaborating with heretics to destroy the territory of Efta, and raising an army to wait for an opportunity to rebel. The evidence is conclusive and the crime is unforgivable... kill." Angmar's eyes slowly swept over the lords in front of him, and slowly closed the wooden box again.

, covering up the strong smell of blood, "Of course, I believe that many lords here do not have the same thoughts as him. Since you have come to Holier City, you should enjoy the joy brought by fine wine and food, right?

?”

His words did not receive any response, because the shock brought by the bloody head cannot be digested in one or two minutes, especially those women who were pale and even covered their mouths and staggered away - I am afraid that they will never be able to digest it in one or two minutes.

It will leave a psychological shadow.

But why does Angmar care about the feelings of these people?

"What Juan wants has nothing to do with us. Since he is treason, he deserves it." Viscount Mursa, who narrowed his eyes, was the first to react. He said in a deep voice: "But can violence solve everything? The border plan

It’s time to adjust, Angmar, this is not just my opinion, you are hollowing out the Ever Tower, and if this continues, no matter whether there are enemies appearing at the border, we will be finished!”

"We don't have to bear the consequences of going your own way with you."

They immediately distanced themselves from the relationship with Juan, and the lords, whose momentum had weakened by three points, did not take a step back - they understood that Angmar was "killing the chicken to scare the monkeys," but few of the nobles present were fools.

, Angmar cannot kill them all just because of "disagreement", because such a method itself means "crossing the line"!

"I know - in your eyes, I have been squandering the gold coins that should belong to you, so you can't accept it, right?"

Angmar also spoke directly and openly, with a somewhat sarcastic expression on his face, "Or do you think that the village under my rule is your own? So you don't want to pay taxes?"

At this time, the butler John came to Angmar. After whispering a few words, the Duke smiled and said to everyone around him: "Because of some things, our Bishop Nova came a little late, but he obviously

There is some good news to be announced... John, please invite the bishop."

Several lords were completely left aside, and their faces turned red and white for a while. If they wanted to fight Angmar, they naturally had more than just Juan's plan... restricting economic trade, restricting taxes, military measures, etc., could threaten Lu.

The Sifron family had many methods, but Angmar showed no intention of accepting them. They had no choice but to watch the new bishop come to them and take out a gorgeous card in his hand.

The conspicuous golden scroll…

"This is…"

The eyebrows of several lords suddenly rose because they recognized that the scroll with the wax seal with the cross key was an "oracle" from the Pope.

Within a year, the Everta Territory has received the "Oracle" from Pope Rosicrucian for the second time. Among the lords present, many people remember clearly - the owner of the first oracle... is exactly

The "dead" Captain Roddy!

That scroll gave Roddy the huge backer of the "Rose Cross" - and because of this, he was able to enter the field of vision of these lords as a "non-noble" and became a "big trouble" that they were extremely afraid of.

.

Now that the hidden danger of Rody has disappeared, the appearance of the "Oracle" still made them feel a little nervous... Mursa and others glanced at Angma, but found that they could not see the old Duke's face at all.

No emotion can be seen on it.

Bishop Nova is fifty-nine years old this year, which is an age where it is difficult to "step up". He is wearing a bishop's robes, his face is still tired, but his energy is still strong - he came to the Duke and gave a simple blow

After greeting him, he opened the "Holy Edict" without any nonsense and read out its contents:

"...Due to the important location of the Ephta territory and the outstanding contribution of the Luciferon family in the war against the undead, the church decided to support five thousand Templars, one thousand Templars and

Equipped with supporting equipment, cooperate with the Lucifron family to defend the border to prevent possible crises..."

"...As a supporter of the church for many years, the Luciferon family will receive no less than six times of material assistance in the next three years..."

After just a few words, the lords were completely stunned as if they had been collectively hit by a sledgehammer.

"Rose Cross" provides materials, troops and equipment. What is the concept?

To put it simply, the core armed force of the Luciferon family is Titus and Wellington's troops of less than 300 people. Therefore, the lords can have more confidence by taking advantage of the number of private soldiers - but

The 6,000 additional armed forces sent by the church directly broke this situation, allowing Angmar to have no worries about "troops"!

Not to mention the subsequent "material assistance" involved. In other words, this is completely out of line with common sense!

As a result, the original "economic control" strategy of the lords is completely invalid, because Angmar will no longer be short of money from now on!

The "Oracle" did not end here, Bishop Nova's reading continued:

"...At the same time, in recognition of Rody's outstanding contribution in the battle against the undead, the 'Ring of Pardon' is hereby presented..."

Compared with the previous two messages, the subsequent announcement surprised the lords even more - is the church crazy? Giving something to a dead person? Is this just a symbolic reward like the "Medal of Honor"?

But the "Ring of Indulgence" is by no means a trivial matter! Nobles who have a little knowledge of the "Rose Cross" know that there are twelve rings in total so far. It is the only ring in the church except the Pope.

The "Moloch" who is qualified to wear the gold and red robes is made. From 12 years ago to the present, only one is made every year, specifically to recognize members who have made outstanding contributions to the church.

The nobles in the venue discussed the meaning behind the news in low voices, but Quentin, who couldn't find Rody, was not far away at this time. When he heard the news about "Rody", he squinted provocatively.

He looked at Basta, who didn't know the predicament his father was facing at this time, and snorted disdainfully at Quentin: "What's the use of giving a reward to a dead man? It can only bring you a little psychological comfort."

Quentin wanted to say something, but thinking of what Rody had just said, he suddenly felt that there was no point in arguing. He simply ignored the fat man, hugged his shoulders, and continued to listen to Bishop Nova's reading of the oracle.

However, for other nobles, reading this "Oracle" already means that their plans are almost completely ruined-except for the direct use of force, it is difficult for them to have any measures to check and balance Angmar from all aspects.

.

In other words, after Angmar received all kinds of support, it would be very easy for a duke with a large number of troops and sufficient funds to deal with the disloyal nobles in Efta.

If there is any solution, it can only be to use force directly during the "vacuum period" when all support has not yet arrived.

Several lords exchanged glances, but did not reach an agreement - but before they could negotiate in a low voice, Nova, who had finished reading the oracle, took out another letter and a dagger:

"... Archbishop Rubens is about to be promoted to Cardinal next year. In order to thank Captain Rody for his help in the Everta territory, he specially presented this magic dagger."

Bishop Nova's words made almost everyone present frown...

"Does the church have money that it can't spend? Why are all these things given to a dead person?"

Viscount Mursa couldn't help but curse in a low voice. The Duke of Angmar looked up at him, but he didn't say anything, just with a smile of unknown meaning on his face...

"What's so funny about him? There's no way that Roddy can come back to life!"

Viscount Mursa, who was depressed, turned to ask Gruul beside him, but before he got a response, a slightly unfamiliar voice suddenly sounded behind him--
Chapter completed!