Knight with Wand

The loud horn sounded as a warning signal from the top of the watchtower.

Along the winding road under the hillside, the team with the thorn flower flag slowly entered Selva under the welcome of Leon and others.

Although they were informed in advance from the letter and prepared for the arrival of Baron Elliver, when the marching team of the Farolis family arrived in Selva, the scale was still much larger than Leon expected.

Several thorn flower knights led a hundred heavy cavalrymen, followed by hundreds of red-robed soldiers from Farolis wearing pot helmets and nose helmets and chain mail.

At the end of the team was a long caravan of civilians and baggage.

At first, Leon was still worried about how Selva could accommodate this mighty army of thousands of people.

Fortunately, most of the soldiers and civilians did not stop, and directly passed through the village road of Selva and continued to the Thorn Flower family baggage camp in the east.

Baron Elliver, who knew about Leon's hair color change in advance, was not too surprised. He, a nobleman, had seen many strange phenomena related to magic. After a brief greeting, he went to the ceremony hall with his accompanying knights and guards.

Leon saw a completely unexpected guest from the team of the feudal lord.

Lady Adelina, wearing a robe and a hood, actually came here with her husband.

Looking at the baroness who took off her veil under the hood and nodded to him with a smile, Leon hurriedly called the servants and planned to add a chair for the lady of the feudal lord to the right side of the upper part of the meeting hall.

But he was stopped by Elliver himself in time.

"Don't make it public, Adelina will not attend the ceremony." The baron shook his head at Leon.

Leon had to temporarily suppress his doubts.

Then, according to the formal procedure, everyone did not hold a banquet first.

Instead, they started the ceremony of conferring titles directly.

Inside and outside the open gate, the guards wearing the black robes of Selva sword wings and the red robes of Faroris City, holding weapons, stood up and guarded the entrance of the hall to prevent any accidents from disturbing the ceremony.

The baron sat down in the hall with open windows.

The knights and servants from Faroris stood on the right.

The people of Selva stood on the left.

The knights did not have no seats, but in the solemn ceremony of conferring, most people had to stand to witness the process.

Not only Azerien and Lohak were beside Leon, but Corvis and Old Brian were also qualified to be present.

Even Olivia followed Corvis and looked at the solemn ceremony curiously.

Because everyone did not have enough formal clothes, they replaced them with clean armor. The six people wore armor. Although they all looked very young except Old Brian, they were not much inferior in the battle.

Leon still remembered that the girl regretted not witnessing the canonization of the three of them in the past. This time, the canonization ceremony did not leave the girl behind.

Now that he knew her identity, Leon was not afraid of Olivia appearing in front of Elifer. The current Thorn Flower Baron, who had never seen the girl's biological parents, would basically not have any associations with the girl.

Leon's eyes swept across the Thorn Flower Knight opposite him. He didn't pay much attention to him when he was with familiar people day and night. Now standing in a crowd of strangers, the contrast was obvious. He suddenly realized that he had grown much taller than before without realizing it.

Secretly sideways, Leon glanced at Azerien and Lohak beside him.

The comparison with Lohak was not clear yet. The boy was still tall and strong, making Leon think that he had not changed much.

But compared with Azerien carefully, it turned out that he was half a head taller than the noble boy.

Leon silently measured in his heart.

It was estimated that this 17-year-old body, who had already passed the year, had grown amazingly and was already more than 1.8 meters tall. No wonder the plate armor felt more suitable than before.

His height is now close to those of the strong knights, and his physique is still developing rapidly. I don't know whether it is because he eats well and drinks well, or because of the constant circulation and stimulation of magic elements during this period of torture and training.

According to the arrangement, the servants of the Farolis family unfolded the flag of the Thorn Flower family beside the baron.

"May the ancient gods watch, on this land, you gather here to witness the sacred moment when a loyal knight is honored by me."

Eliver announced the start of the ceremony loudly, looking at the Selva team led by Leon with appreciation.

I didn't expect that I would have to give this senior title of a man with great military exploits to a young man who had only been canonized for more than three months.

Such a class promotion speed from a civilian to a lower-level knight, and then directly jumping to a square flag knight, is rare in the history of Orland.

But Eliver did not think his decision was hasty.

On the contrary, he even regretted that he could not give this young man who seemed to have endless treasures more generous gifts. If he had not been reminded by his wife, he would have wanted to choose a sensible one from his daughters to marry this child and firmly bind this young man who was favored by fate to the family.

Unfortunately

Eliver looked at the beautiful girl wearing armor hiding behind everyone.

After the wise lady stopped him, he realized that the boy might have a girl he liked.

Rashly seeking marriage may easily backfire

Leon, who had no idea that he was almost recruited by Eliffer, turned his head and looked at the flag unfolded beside the feudal lord.

He found that the baron seemed to have only prepared the family's coat of arms, but not the king's flag.

According to his understanding, strictly speaking, it seemed that it was not legal to confer a square flag in Orland.

However, those present were all trustworthy people of the Farolis family, and no one cared about the details of the ceremony that the feudal lord intended to change.

Elifer stood up from his seat and pulled out the thorn blade that had been lost and found again after more than ten years.

"Leon Pendragon of Selva, come forward."

Leon rectified his face, the knight's plate armor on his body clanged, and he walked heavily to the center of the hall. On the clean carpet, he knelt on one knee with his hand on the hilt of the sword and waited for the conferment in front of the feudal lord.

"Leon, are you willing to accept the honor of the square flag and assume its responsibilities and obligations?" Elifer asked.

"It's my honor, sir." Leon replied with his hand on his chest.

The baron's servant then unfolded another square flag that had been prepared beside the lord.

On the black background, the flag was embroidered with thorns on all four sides, and in the middle was a winged sword emblem.

After getting the answer, Elifer raised his sword and patted his knight's shoulder.

"You killed the snake to protect the people, showing your bravery."

"You selflessly sacrificed the city, showing your loyalty."

"You protected my wife, showing your gratitude."

After reading the other party's qualifications in the ceremony, Elifer sheathed the sword.

The attendant beside him quickly lifted the tail of the flag and folded it neatly to present it to the lord.

"You will get this square flag as a symbol of being able to lead the army and command the knights alone." The baron took the rolled flag and solemnly gave it to Leon.

"I will live up to your expectations." Leon took it with both hands.

"Very good, get up, my glorious knight." Elifer helped up the first square flag knight who had been canonized in the family for many years.

He then looked at the people in the hall: "Bless him, may the name of Pendragon glorify Farolis and bring victory to the thorn flower!"

The thorn flower knights standing on the right side held their swords to their chests and shouted in unison: "Glory and victory! Square flag knight, Leon Pendragon!"

The people in Selva on the left side immediately repeated loudly.

Leon stood up and looked at the square flag in his hand silently.

He noticed again that even in the usual oath of the coronation ceremony, there was no mention of Orland and His Majesty Redwin III.

After the ceremony, Elifer immediately announced the start of the celebration banquet.

The servants who had been prepared long ago brought the long table and arranged seats for the noble knights to sit down. One by one, the sumptuous food and drinks that Selva had prepared as much as possible were brought in, and the atmosphere in the hall became relaxed.

After the meal, Leon was left alone again.

"Today, this is a reward for your great contribution to the Thorn Flower Family, Leon.

But this is not my thanks to you for saving my wife. Just like the promise in my letter, this gratitude will definitely give you a satisfactory reward." Elliver patted Leon's arm seriously.

Leon shook his head modestly: "It is also my duty to protect your wife. In addition, Mr. Marcelo has made great contributions. If he hadn't reminded me in time, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to find my wife's room. What's more, it was another friend who accompanied me who really broke the conspiracy that day."

Elliver admired the boy's modesty: "Is it the little girl in armor just now? I heard Marcelo and Balf mentioned that you have a golden sword maid with extraordinary martial arts. I don't know where you got such a beautiful gem."

Leon smiled helplessly, without making unnecessary explanations, but felt that Olivia should change her identity as soon as possible.

Always letting others mistake her for a maid, whether in terms of past partnership or current engagement, it is a bit unfair to her.

"I will not be stingy with my thanks to the girl. She should be called by my wife to chat now. Adelina likes the child very much." Elifer was not worried that his wealthy and generous wife would treat the girl badly.

As he said that, Elifer sighed and continued: "This trip is not just to grant you the flag and title. Without me leading the way, except for a few warriors, most soldiers and craftsmen dare not step into the Nightmare Forest.

So I must personally raise the flag in front of them and lead people to the city in the forest. If you have nothing to do, you'd better go with me."

Leon immediately agreed. He wanted to find Miss Lola, and now they happened to be on the same road.

"By the way, my lord, why is Lady Adelina here too? Is she going with you?" Leon couldn't help but wonder.

"I kept you because I was going to talk about this." Elifer shook his head.

"After receiving your letter, I read it carefully. I have never heard of the distant country you mentioned, which may have formed an alliance with Kantadar. I have no idea about it.

But since the three of you came into contact with the so-called Atias when you went deep into the south last time, I am willing to believe your judgment on the origin of the drug for the time being."

Leon frowned slightly, wondering what this had to do with the lady leaving the castle. Was she worried about the safety of the castle?

The baron seemed to see Leon's confusion, so he asked back: "Leon, do you think the words of the traitor you caught are credible?"

Leon shook his head: "I don't quite believe the confession of that guy. The assassin may not be Baron Gunnar's men."

Eliver nodded: "The servant who betrayed me may not have the courage to lie under torture, but what he knows may not be the truth.

And if you hadn't saved Adelina, if you hadn't known the real foreign origin of the drug.

If Adelina really suffered a tragedy, I would be angry and couldn't find other suspects for a while, and maybe I would really be in trouble.

After all, whether Gunnar was the mastermind behind the scenes or not, I wouldn't mind cutting him into pieces.

At that time, it would not only be hatred, but I would also give a clear explanation to my wife's family. "

The baron leaned back in his chair, suppressed the new and old hatreds he had for Gunnar for many years, and turned to Leon and continued: "But now Adelina is safe and sound, and I also know that the drug whose origin is unknown comes from the allies of Kantadar. More importantly, my head is clear and not blinded by hatred, pain and anger.

Let me test you, Leon, the enemy obviously doesn't know what happened in the Nightmare Forest, and our grand plan can make me temporarily endure my anger no matter what.

And if according to the enemy's idea, I simply took my own troops from the front line out of hatred and really went to settle accounts with Gunnar, which side will benefit the most at the moment? "

"Sir, I don't know much about the current situation, and I don't know what enemies our Farolis family has made."

Leon touched his chin and hesitated: "But on the surface, if you send troops, you will have a conflict with Baron Gunnar, and even involve you and his allies.

Then there will be many troops from Kossos County besieging the city on the front line who will undoubtedly be involved in this conflict. So, it is the Kantadar people who benefit the most?

Is it the enemy of Mamor County who planned this conspiracy? "

Eliver nodded in agreement: "From the current point of view, especially since you recognize that the drug came from Kantadar's allies, this is naturally closer to the truth. "

"But it's not enough. "The baron stood up, put his hands behind his back and walked to the window, looking at the eastern part of Selva, which was under construction in the distance.

"The other party knew about the conflict between me and Baron Gunnar, and was able to bribe people around me and sneak into the castle. Such an action could not be just a temporary impulse because of this war. They must have planned it for a long time. The dead soldiers have not returned. They don't know whether Adelina is alive or dead. They must be observing my reaction. There must be their people in Farolis. "

Eliver turned around and smiled cunningly.

"So I took advantage of the situation. After receiving the report from you and Balf, I immediately pulled back the army from General Trosa, saying that my wife had been killed and the murderer must pay the price.

Of course, I didn't tell Trosa who the suspected murderer was, and as soon as I returned to Farolis, I held a grand funeral for the poor murdered guards, with the specifications of burying a noble lady.

At present, only a few people I trust know that Adelina is still alive, and I brought them all out."

Leon fully understood what Elifer meant: "You concealed the fact that the lady is still alive. Do you want the person behind the scenes to jump out?

Since there is no one to publicly suspect, only the real conspiracy planners will guess that you are going to make a big move against Baron Gunnar, who they framed!"

"That's right, but it doesn't matter whether those guys in the dark will further instigate Gunnar and intensify the conflict. What really matters is not only to expose the despicable conspiracy to the surface."

Elifer's eyes returned to the window and headed south.

"Fortunately, you saved Adelina. I got a blessing in disguise. Instead, I have a reason to withdraw the army from General Trosa, and I won't arouse the suspicion of other nobles because of the big movement of baggage and labor.

This means that I have twice the available troops of the original plan to go south, and I am determined to win Acherburg. "

After saying that, he returned to the table and sat sideways, looking at Leon again.

"But in addition to solving these chaos, it is still necessary to ensure Adelina's safety. I still have to lead the army to fight and cannot take care of her all the time, so now I can only trust two places, either send her back to her father, but that is too far, or... place her in Selva. "

"Selva?" Leon was stunned.

Baron Elliver smiled: "Yes, the origins of the team around you are very clean, otherwise I don't believe that such a big event as the disappearance of the cursed land has not been leaked until now.

So this is the place where I am most assured at the moment. After the expedition, Selva is also close to the south, so I can react to anything that happens. Don't worry, don't have any pressure. There will be a permanent army stationed in the baggage camp. If there is an accident, you can send Adelina to the east.

But it is better to let her live in Selva at ordinary times. The military camp is full of smoke and miasma, and I can't feel at ease to leave my wife among a bunch of rough guys. "