Disciple of the legendary magician Gandolf, the youngest bachelor of magic in the magic union of Roland Continent, the eldest son of an important official in the imperial military, and the legal heir of the Roland family of the martial arts family (although he has been ignored, at least the Earl has not officially announced his abolition.
His news) On top of this series of already dazzling titles, now he will add an even more awe-inspiring aura: the first committee member of the Imperial Academy of Magic. And from a position perspective, he is still the most important.
One person!
If nothing else, although he, as a committee member, does not have the power to directly issue orders, if there is a conflict between the opinions of the imperial official and the magic union in the committee, or if there is any official order document or the like, Du Wei's position will be
On the topic, his words can almost have the final say.
One vote to affirm, or one vote to veto!
Once the Magic Academy is established, it will completely change the thousands-year tradition of monopolizing the power of magicians on the mainland by magic unions, promote magic culture, and increase the number of the entire magician group (although the improvement of quality is still a question), but that's all.
, it was enough to push the young Master Du Wei to a position at the forefront of the limelight.
"I just want to know why you told me the news now." Du Wei looked at his silent father: "I know that before today, you originally planned to wait until after the summer festival to tell me the news, right?
Oh, no, no, let me guess, maybe you have never thought of telling me in person. Such a big news will probably be announced by His Majesty the Emperor himself in public at the summer festival ceremony. This will be sensational enough. What I said
That’s right? My father!”
"That's right." Earl Raymond nodded. Looking deeply at his son, he saw the trace of indifference in his son's eyes. In fact, this trace of indifference was reflected in his son's eyes when he returned in triumph.
Li noticed that this time his son returned to the Imperial Capital from Luolin Plains, this indifference had been carefully hidden in the depths of his eyes, and at this moment, it was finally revealed again!
Earl Raymond sighed: "I won't answer your question yet. My son, before that, we need to have a frank talk! Real frankness!"
"As you wish." Du Wei shrugged his shoulders and smiled with a hint of sarcasm.
Earl Raymond appropriately "ignored" the ridicule in Du Wei's tone. He looked at Du Wei with a solemn expression, and then suddenly said this: "You are my son, this cannot be changed."
The fact is that no one can change it: you are a member of the Luo Lin family!"
"...Yes." Du Wei was silent for a while and nodded.
"The establishment of the Magic Academy this time involves the ownership of such a huge force in the future, such a major event. What you have to understand is that now you are not only pushed to the forefront, but also in an embarrassing situation.
, and the entire Luo Lin family. And myself!" Earl Raymond said in a serious tone: "Yes, as the Emperor himself, or the Chairman of the Magic Union, they have recognized you as the most suitable candidate to buffer the conflicts between the two parties.
Because of your status as a magician and as a noble child, you seem to be able to represent the common interests of both parties and are the most suitable middle candidate. No smart politician will try to intensify the contradiction, because that is too dangerous. Without enough people
Before we were sure, we would not be insured to bear huge losses and turn against our opponents! But now, His Majesty the Emperor and the Chairman of the Magic Union have this idea. In this case, everyone needs the existence of a person like you. You can
Appropriately ease everyone's conflicts and create a delicate balance point in the conflict. In this way, your position will not be shaken in the short term. This is a good thing for you. But..."
Du Wei was very smart, and he immediately understood what his father meant. Before Earl Raymond could finish speaking, he already sighed and said: "But this is a very bad thing for the Luo Lin family. What do you mean?
How about this?"
"That's right!" Earl Raymond said with a gloomy face: "Because of your existence, your family has been dragged into an extremely dangerous situation!"
Du Wei was silent.
"You are my son. No matter what happens, you represent a member of the Luo Lin family! Now you should remember that on the day you came back, right here, in this room, I said to you at that time
What words?"
After hearing his father's question, Du Wei did not hesitate and replied immediately: "I remember that when I was here, you said to me, 'Starting today, you have returned to the imperial capital, and every move you make will represent the Luo Lin family.' I also
Remember, the kindness you showed me that day is something I have never experienced in my fourteen years of life."
At the end of the sentence, Du Wei took a deep look at his father. The look was not sharp, but it made Count Raymond couldn't help but turn his face slightly, as if to avoid his son's gaze.
After pondering for a while, the Earl sighed: "It is for this reason! The Luo Lin family is loyal to the royal family. No matter what the situation, the Luo Lin family is a martial arts family that protects the Luo Lan royal family. The glory of our family, all
Power, the foundation of the entire family, tightly relies on the thorn flower flag of the Roland Empire! And now, a marginal figure like you has appeared in our family... Indeed, your appearance is the result of His Majesty the Emperor and the Chairman of the Magic Union
An existence recognized by everyone. But this kind of recognition is helpless and has to be done! Therefore, you are tacitly approved by everyone. But...under such circumstances, do you think His Majesty the Emperor will continue to believe in me as before?
?Will you still trust the Luo Lin family as before?"
Du Wei didn't think much about this question, and he quickly shook his head.
The answer is obviously no!
The Luo Lin family has a guy like him who has a deep mark of the "enemy camp" on his body. As the emperor of the empire, that headstrong old man who loves success will definitely have a suspicion of the Luo Lin family, and even disgust.
.
What does a leader want? What he wants is the absolute loyalty, absolute and unreserved loyalty of his subordinates to him! Only such subordinates are liked by most leaders. Only such subordinates will be liked by most leaders
trustworthy!
But now, the Luo Lin family has a guy like him. Although he is a "double-faced character" who was reluctantly accepted, it has made the emperor have some doubts about the loyalty of the Luo Lin family.
Even if the emperor originally trusted Count Raymond, now that Count Raymond actually raised such a son who "inclined" to the hostile camp, it was enough for the emperor to have a certain dislike for Count Raymond.
Your own son has become a member of the Magic Guild. Do you still want to continue to gain unreserved trust from me?
Perhaps, only a leader at the level of a great man can have that kind of tolerance. Unfortunately... the current emperor Augustine VI does not seem to be such a person!
"And what you don't know... His Majesty the Emperor, his health has deteriorated greatly in the past two years, and sometimes his temper has become very irritable and withdrawn. In recent years, no one dares to anger him." Earl Raymond
There was a trace of worry hidden between his eyebrows: "What's even more unfortunate is that you must have read so many history books and you should know that before every emperor dies, he will consciously suppress some powerful figures in the military, on the one hand, as a deterrent.
On the one hand, it is also to prevent the situation where the ministers are strong and the master is weak, and the new emperor is ignored by the powerful ministers after his death. This is a common practice of the emperor's art. Unfortunately, after this incident, our Luo Lin family has been replaced by His Majesty.
Think about it, if the emperor wants to suppress an important military official to demonstrate, who will he choose?"
Du Wei replied in a deep voice: "It should be us."
"Yes, that's not right either." Count Raymond smiled bitterly: "According to the current situation, to be precise, you will be attracted or even promoted by His Majesty... and the entire Luo Lin family will be suppressed in a subtle way. You are from the Magic Academy.
The emperor does not dare to offend you. He is worried that you, a double-faced character, will completely fall to the Magic Guild, so you may get some benefits, but the Luo Lin family will suffer some losses. This is the origin of political matters.
.This is not what I am worried about. After all, as long as you are still serving as a committee member of the Magic Academy, the emperor will not go too far. After all, it depends on your face. What I worry about is the long term!"
Du Wei understood that his father's worries were correct.
The image of the Luo Lin family has always been that of a core aristocratic family tightly united around the royal family, a martial arts family trusted by the royal family, and one of the pillars of the empire... But all of this is based on a fine tradition: hundreds of years
To show allegiance to the royal family.
But now, Du Wei, a "semi-traitor", has appeared, and in such a major matter, it has greatly damaged the Luo Lin family's image of absolute loyalty and turned it into a stain.
"Actually, the emperor doesn't have to do anything else. He just needs to wait for the Magic Academy to end... After all, you can't hold this position forever. As long as you leave this position, the Luo Lin family will really be in trouble. There is no need for an emperor.
Deliberately suppressing us, as long as the royal family hates us and no longer trusts us...Without the trust of the royal family, the decline of the Luo Lin family will not be far away!" Count Raymond smiled bitterly: "This is what I am most worried about.
"
Du Wei looked at his father: "Since you have understood it so clearly, you must have thought of a countermeasure, right?"
"Yes." Earl Raymond's face was ugly: "To gain the royal family's trust again...or in other words, to gain the emperor's 'renewed' trust, there is only one way, which is to make meritorious deeds! We will make great contributions and let the royal family be grateful to us.
, trust us again! But now that the mainland is peaceful and without any wars, it is impossible for a Wu Xun family like us to make military exploits. Therefore, if we want to make meritorious deeds, there is only one way..."
"...Support." Du Wei sighed again.
He already understands.
For an emperor, what merit is the greatest? Which ministers like the most?
The greatest achievement is to support him! The ministers he likes the most are the ministers who support him as emperor!
"I no longer have any hope for the current Emperor, that old guy. My greatest hope is placed on the prince. As long as we successfully support a prince to ascend the throne and win the battle to seize the throne, then
You can win the gratitude and trust of the new emperor! This great contribution of support is the guarantee for the long-term development of the Luo Lin family in the future!" Earl Raymond looked at his son with deep eyes.
Du Wei no longer knew that this was the first time he sighed today, but he still looked at his father helplessly: "Supporting Li Li is indeed the best way at present. Although it is a big gamble, if the gamble
If you win, the benefits will be huge... I just don’t know which prince you are betting on?"
"The eldest prince."
After hearing his father's answer, although Du Wei had already guessed it, he still couldn't help but feel a little sad.
The eldest prince should be the one who sent people to assassinate Prince Chen last night.
But it seemed that he and Prince Chen were together again last night.
From this point of view, it seemed that he was really "wrong". At this moment, Du Wei suddenly felt a little guilty. It seemed that his existence really caused a lot of trouble to the Luo Lin family.
If it were not for its own existence, the Luo Lin family would not be caught in the middle in the establishment of the magic academy. If it were not for its own existence, the Luo Lin family would not be involved in supporting the new emperor...
From this point of view, I am really a disaster to the Luo Lin family.
It was his own existence that put the family in this embarrassing situation.
"Father, in your opinion, do the eldest prince have an advantage over Prince Chen in the fight for the right to inherit the throne? I spent the night with Prince Chen last night, and I feel that this person..." Du Wei hadn't finished speaking yet.
Count Raymond had already interrupted him: "Prince Chen is young and smart, his intelligence is admirable, he is friendly, and he has a lot of talent. He is already very impressive at a young age! I know all this. But it is a pity that if
If he was born ten years earlier, I would definitely place my bet on him. Unfortunately... he is too young!"
Earl Raymond shook his head: "The eldest prince is your majesty's son when he was in his twenties. He is already fifty years old this year, one year older than me. Before Prince Chen was born, your majesty had always treated him like a child.
He was trained as an heir! Prince Chen only rose to prominence in recent years, but the eldest prince has already been deeply entrenched in the empire, with decades of careful planning. His power and influence in all aspects far exceed that of Prince Dichen. Now
In the empire, many important ministers of my age are almost all close friends or old acquaintances who grew up with the eldest prince. There are even many who have been friends since they were young! But Prince Chen is too young.
Yes! Even in the Northwest War more than 20 years ago, the eldest prince had participated in the preparations for the war, and even went to the front line in person. In the empire's military, his influence was far deeper than that of Prince Chen.
Much more. Especially the control of the Imperial Guard Corps! The efforts of the eldest prince in the past thirty years are not in vain. Although Prince Chen has obtained the palace magician and the inner court secret guard, his overall strength is far behind.
."
Du Wei stopped talking. Although he admired Prince Chen very much, he believed his father's vision. This important minister of the empire who had been in the political arena for half his life must be a hundred times better than his own half-knowledge of the situation.
Du Wei thought for a while, then glanced at his father, his eyes were very calm: "Father, I think I understand what you mean."
"Just understand." Earl Raymond sighed: "The day you came back, I asked Alpha to tell you not to go out and walk around... Alas, it's a pity that you didn't listen. In fact, I should have said this to you myself.
But..." Having said this, Count Raymond's eyes flashed with an extremely complicated light.
Du Wei looked at his father. Although his eyes were calm, his calmness made people feel even more uneasy.
After a long time, Du Wei whispered: "Father, can I ask you a question? I hope you can tell me the true answer to this question. No matter what the answer is, I am willing to accept it!"
"... Just ask." Count Raymond's voice seemed a little bitter.
"On my way to the imperial capital." Du Wei's voice was steady, as if he was talking about someone else's business: "Those who assassinated me..."
Before Du Wei could finish speaking, Count Raymond's eyes flashed with determination: "No need to ask, I sent him."
Du Wei had already guessed this answer, but at this moment he was surprised to find that there was no anger or resentment in his heart. Looking at his father, the Earl, in front of him, Du Wei suddenly felt that there was only an empty feeling in his heart.
The feeling, even this emptiness, prevented him from arousing even a trace of resentment!
He didn't even ask "why".
Huh... do you still need to ask?
When he came back that day, the Earl had actually given the answer in a cryptic manner.
At that time, Count Raymond said: "Because of the robe you are wearing!"
This robe, the robe of a magician! Because you have become a magician! Your arrival will drag the family into a fierce whirlpool! Therefore, in order to avoid the difficult position that will bring about, and for the safety of the family, we can only sacrifice
Get rid of this son! As long as there is no Du Wei, the Luo Lin family will not be caught in the middle of the struggle between the royal family and the magic union!
Compared to the future of the entire family, what is a son?
Looking at the calm, almost lifeless expression on the face of his eldest son, Earl Raymond suddenly felt a tremor in his heart... The young man in front of him, this young man with calm eyes, is his own son!
Knowing that his father was originally planning to kill him, he was so calm?
Is it hatred? Or is it that the hatred is so extreme that it has become numb?
"Duwei." Earl Raymond suddenly summoned all his strength and said loudly: "There are two things that I did not deceive you... The first one is that I did prevent you from summoning you back to the imperial capital, and even did not
I tried my best to delay, but in the end I couldn't resist the pressure from the royal family and the Magic Guild! The second thing is... I'm telling you, I exiled you to Luolin Plains because I really wanted to protect you. You are my land
Son, even if I thought you were mediocre and incompetent at first, I still hope that you can live a stable and prosperous life in your hometown! I am not deceiving you with these words!"
After a long time, which seemed as long as a century, Du Wei slowly raised his head and looked straight at his father's face.
At this moment, this military hero who had dominated imperial politics for many years and was a giant in the imperial military seemed to be really old.
Du Wei suddenly smiled, and his smile was so calm. Then he looked at his father and said in a calm tone: "Then, father, let me tell you something. The day I come back, I will tell you
You: I don’t hate you. This sentence has not changed now. I... don’t hate you.”
After saying this, Du Wei bent down deeply and bowed to his father. Then he turned around and opened the door to leave the study. Just as he stepped out of the study door, he suddenly stopped again and did not look back. Just
With his back to Earl Raymond, his voice drifted slowly: "There is one more thing. I think you will know it soon, but I still want to remind you first. Prince Chen... he has a magical thing in his hand.
The magical treasure seems to be able to summon a powerful magical creature. I just learned about it last night."
These words made Count Raymond's expression change slightly!
After saying this, Du Wei really left and left his father's study without looking back.
After leaving the gloomy courtyard of Earl Raymond's study, Du Wei felt as if his chest was blocked by something. When he breathed, he felt heavy in his chest. He walked slowly in the Earl's Mansion and looked up at the sky.
"This life is really as lonely as snow... Hehe, but unfortunately, it's summer now. If you want to see snow, I'm afraid you can only go to the frozen forest."
At this moment, Du Wei suddenly missed everything in the frozen forest!
At least in that place where there were murderous monsters everywhere, it seemed that I had spent the most fulfilling and happiest days since I came to this world.
Whether it is the old magician Gandalf, Hussein, Dardaniel of the List family, or the men of the Snow Wolf Mercenary Group who live on adventures all day long...the harsh training there, the adventurous life there.
, the ice and snow there, camping in the snow forest, drinking strong wine to keep away the cold, running on monsters... At least there, I still have a group of life and death companions who I can trust by my side!!
Although the imperial capital is prosperous, it is not my hometown!
Perhaps human nature is all about escaping. When Du Wei felt lonely at the moment, he walked aimlessly. When he raised his head, he suddenly found that he had arrived at the Earl's Mansion without knowing it.
's inner house.
A tall girl wearing a maid's uniform was walking towards her. She was the maid of her mother, the countess. When she saw Du Wei from a distance, she already bent down. Then, when Du Wei came in front of her, she raised her head and whispered.
He smiled and said, "Madam is asking me to find you. I heard that you didn't come back last night. Madam didn't sleep all night either."
Du Wei smiled and walked in.
The countess was born into a noble family. It is said that when she was young and unmarried, like many girls from aristocratic families, she received an aristocratic education since she was a child. She was quite talented in flowers and painting. After getting married, she had a good relationship with the earl. Favor.
Count Raymond, who doted on his wife, specially opened a garden in his inner house to satisfy his wife's hobby of playing with various exotic flowers.
When Du Wei walked into the yard at this moment, he saw his mother standing next to a bunch of flowers. The Countess, who was over 40 years old, was still as beautiful as ever, wearing a light purple robe, standing next to the blooming roses. But she had already let go.
The delicate flowers have lost some of their luster.
The countess was looking at the flowers in front of her quietly, as if she was in a trance.
Du Wei walked over and smiled softly: "Mother, are you admiring the flowers? Or are you imagining the meaning of the painting in your mind? The summer flowers are blooming so gorgeously, why don't you record their beauty on the drawing board. etc.
When winter comes, wouldn’t it be more interesting to take it out and watch it?”
The countess turned back to look at her son, with a trace of worry on her beautiful face: "Duwei, come here. I heard that your father called you when you came back... He was very unhappy last night. Just now
Have you been punished again?"
Du Wei shook his head and just smiled quietly.
The countess sighed, walked away from the flowers gently, came to her son, then gently hugged Du Wei's shoulders, and said softly: "Your father has been in a bad mood recently... I know that the family is a heavy burden.
These decades have been on his shoulders alone. Although I rarely ask him, after all, I am in the imperial capital, and I can hear some rumors on weekdays. It seems that the family has encountered some troubles recently..."
As she said that, the beautiful countess' eyes moved, and she stared at her son quietly, then gently raised her hand, as if waving away a trace of dust on Du Wei's forehead. She frowned and said, "Where were you last night? You got it all over your body."
The clothes are all dirty."
Of course Du Wei wouldn't say that he almost died in a battle with a powerful undead black magician last night. He just smiled and said: "It's nothing. I was just messing around with my friends."
"Well, you finally have a friend. I'm relieved too." The Countess smiled softly and gently stroked Du Wei's face. Du Wei felt his mother's fingers, warm and delicate, and couldn't help but feel soft in his heart.
The countess whispered to herself: "You are my son, and also my first son. Although some words are said to be unfair to Gabri... But during the three years when your father went on the war, you were the only one in the family.
By staying with me, in fact, in my heart, I have always loved you more."
Du Wei was silent and just looked at his mother.
"Du Wei, can I ask you something?" The countess sighed softly. This sigh was like a resentment, faintly passed into Du Wei's ears, and people couldn't help but feel sorry for this beautiful woman.
Feeling sad and soft-hearted.
"Mother, tell me." Du Wei smiled: "Any wish you have is, to me, the will of the supreme god!"
"Shh..." The countess's face changed, and she quickly stretched out her soft palm to cover Du Wei's mouth. Her beautiful eyes were full of gentle reproach: "You are not young anymore, so don't say such blasphemies.
Do you understand what I said?"
Oh...I almost forgot that my mother was a devout believer. Du Wei sighed inwardly. When he was seriously ill when he was young, on a stormy night, his mother knelt down and prayed for him all night in the temple.
After a pause, the countess looked at her son, with a hint of pleading in her voice: "Du Wei, actually I know that you are not who others say you are. You are my son. I love you and know you very well.
.You are a very smart person, and your abilities are definitely unimaginable by others! And your father... Although I don't know why, I know that you and your son have always been at odds. But now... you
My father works hard every day and is frowning. I am very worried... Du Wei, at home now, your brother is only eight years old, a young child. Only you can help your father take care of his worries. After all, you have a
What is being talked about is my blood and the blood of the Luo Lin family. I just ask you not to resent your father for neglecting you for so many years. If you can... can you help him more..."
At the end of the sentence, the Countess' voice was filled with soft pleading, and her kind eyes were full of hope.
Looking at the mother in front of him, Du Wei suddenly remembered the scene when he was young, wearing a nightgown and barefoot, coming to his bedroom at night and singing that beautiful and melodious song to accompany him to sleep.
.
"Mother..." Du Wei took a deep breath and said slowly: "For you, I am willing to do anything, even challenge the gods! Don't worry, with me here, the glory of the Luo Lin family will never fall!
"
The boy stood in front of his mother. His voice seemed calm, but it was extremely decisive!
The beautiful countess was smiling, and she looked at her son with relief in her eyes. However, she was gentle and kind, and she didn't know what kind of heavy weight and what kind of pain was being carried in her heart by the son she loved most at this moment.
A kind of pain. And under such heavy pain, this seemingly simple promise actually represents an almost pious vow!
It was summer, but Du Wei felt like his heart was as deep as an abyss!