Skeleton King

Aachen Koauser stood on a black reef. He had excellent hearing. He could hear the sound of the waves beating against the reef, as well as the sound of the oars passing by the waves and the white sails of the sailboats flapping.He watched the sun dip below the horizon, turning the ocean a brilliant orange in the afterglow.The sky gradually darkened again, turning a deep purple.

This is what Antonio Hurd saw as he approached.Antonio sighed, and greeted Louis Finger——Louis Finger is a follower of Aachen and the strongest in the North Sea Islands. He just broke through to the Juggernaut years ago—he stood beside Aachen Lateral position.

"Do you remember? We took a boat from there to the North Sea, and this is the first island we landed on." That night, Christian and Antonio stayed on the boat, and he couldn't sleep and walked out alone. Meet Louie here.Aachen's eyes were full of memories, he laughed at himself, and said to himself: "At that time, I really thought I would die under the sword of Louis."

Antonio turned his head and looked at Louis Finger reproachfully. If he hadn't taken the initiative to swear allegiance to His Highness later, he would have hunted him down to the ends of the earth.

Louis shrugged helplessly at him. His Highness didn't care about that past anymore, but Antonio and Christian still treated him like a stepmother.After all, the two of them grew up with His Highness, and Louis was usually unwilling to argue with them.

"I will never forget that time, Your Highness."

Not to mention that Aachen Koauser was born in the pansy royal family, and Antonio Hurd is also the only son of the deputy head of the Royal Guards.In the past, in the imperial capital, he was also a rare young talent, with a noble family background, straddling horses and parading through the streets, and being extremely romantic.

Five years ago, they were exiled from the imperial capital to the island thousands of miles away, and they were hunted and killed one after another on the way, and they all suffered a lot.

But today Antonio Herd had to interrupt Prince Aachen to reminisce about the past, "Your Highness, Master Colvin will be on the island at noon. He has been waiting for you, are you going to meet him?"

The young master Colvin that Antonio was talking about was naturally not the Christian Colvin they grew up with, but Christian's elder brother, Esmond Colvin, the eldest son of the prime minister.

He came to Beihai this time as an envoy of the Pansy Empire, representing the will of His Majesty Ludwig IV.

Many complicated looks flashed in Aachen's eyes.Over the years, he has already changed his evasive character, becoming more determined and confident.

He did not speak, made a gesture, and led Louis and Antonio towards the center of the island.

What can be changed in five years of spring and autumn?It can make a well-known swordsman break through the natural moat and become a saint, and it can also make a down-and-out prince who has fled can become the king of the North Sea islands.

When Aachen walked towards the center of the island, all the fishermen who met him knelt down to him and cast their bodies on the ground. In their eyes, their love for Prince Aachen was undoubtedly sincere and from the heart.

Antonio Hurd watched this scene, his heart was sore and his eyes were red.

Are they easy these five years?

Antonio is the one who accompanied Prince Aachen step by step to today.It is precisely because he is well aware of the difficulties involved that he can better understand the dissatisfaction of Prince Aachen and his reluctance to return to the imperial capital.

The people of the North Sea Islands are tough and far away from the mainland, just like the Chaos Territory of the Prin Mountains, it has always been a three-way zone.

The Pansy Empire and the Finger Empire can take it down, but it takes a lot of money and money to build sea ships and train the navy, just for such a place that doesn't shit and doesn't create much tax in a year. He is a king who will be scolded by scholars for being overjoyed and stupid.But any monarch who caresses his feathers can muddle along with the North Sea Islands. The monarchs of the two countries just mark the North Sea Islands as their own country's territory on the map and let it go.

It was also for this reason that Princess Fenfur suggested that they come to Beihai.

It is difficult to find someone across the vast ocean, let alone assassinate.

Adding up the North Sea Islands, the area of ​​the islands is not small, but there is very little land suitable for farming.Most of the fishermen go out to sea to fish for a living. When encountering merchant ships from inland, when the enemy is weak and we are strong, they also work part-time as pirates.

Antonio Hurd used to be an aristocratic young man with a little flamboyance. He thought that the overseas islanders were uncivilized, so he was very deceived. How did he know that all the people on the island are soldiers, and they cannibalize people without spitting out their bones.He thought the fishermen were simple and simple, but in fact, the fishermen on all the islands regarded them as big fat sheep with oily hoofs, or big fat sheep who were innocent and easy to deceive.In the past, every time they visited an island, it was like entering a wolf's den. It took a lot of effort to take down the islands one by one.

In the beginning, they just wanted a place to settle down. When they came to their senses, they had already unified the North Sea Islands.

Even so, it was not until the past two years that their life got better.

Aachen was really lucky. A sack of potatoes he had brought with him on the ship germinated, but he casually threw it in the field.Later, they accidentally discovered that the island is particularly suitable for the growth of this crop.Aachen gave potatoes to families without young adults and unable to go fishing, so that they could live on potatoes.He also summoned several traveling scholars to the island to teach the children how to read and write, and told the women how to heal their wounds.

Christian Kervin left the imperial capital and lost the protection of his family, and quickly grew up.He threw away the shy side of his character and gradually became independent. For a long time, Prince Aachen was wanted in both empires.Christian replaced the prince of Aachen and went to sea several times, went to the coasts of the two empires, negotiated with local caravans, and carried out trade.

Antonio Hurd rounded up the pirates on the island.He grew up in the Knights of the Royal Guards since he was a child, and he is familiar with the training methods of the Knights.Antonio used to think that he was the most sophisticated of the three, but the experience of the past few years really gave him a blood-and-tear education.At first, he was ambitious and wanted to train everyone to be knights. After being stabbed several times by his subordinates, he had to go to the islands to clean up the mess for them. He gave up this idea a long time ago.

He sincerely hoped that they would just stop looking so pirates.His original goal was to become the head of the Royal Guard Knights, and now...

At least he doesn't look like the head of a pirate group.

Fortunately, after his long-term training, these soldiers also looked like dogs.As for what they were like in private, Antonio refused to think.

The most important change was last year when Louis Finger broke through and became a Juggernaut——that night, countless islands in the North Sea could see the sky-high blue dou qi, which was shockingly beautiful, but no one would doubt its power.

No matter how many conspiracies and schemes, wolfish ambitions, they are paper tigers in the face of absolute strength.

Aachen itself has outstanding talents and knows how to use them well. With a resourceful strategist like Christian under his command, the knights under Antonio's command are also well-known, and there is also Juggernaut Louis, and the position of King of the North Sea is naturally more and more secure.

At this time, Aachen received a letter from the imperial capital of the Pansy Empire—His Majesty Ludwig IV summoned his youngest son to go home and promised to make him the crown prince.

This is the impermanence of fate. After being completely given up, the once unattainable things will come back to you in circles and become within reach.

No one can tell whether this decision is right or wrong to abandon the existing foundation and return to the stormy imperial capital.Be it Christian or Antonio, no one can make this decision on behalf of Prince Aachen.

Under the erosion of sea water and the raging cold wind, even the softest heart will become hard.

If Aachen still looked forward to the protection of his father far away and begged him to give him strength, he would not be where he is today.

It is also impossible for him to become the king of the North Sea.

The experience of becoming king overseas in these years also made him understand that if His Majesty Ludwig IV really wanted to help him, he would have sent the Knights to sea; It is impossible for the soldiers to have an impact on the empire, but it is definitely a timely help for them; or as early as when his rebellious brother's soul returned to the world of death, his father should have called him back instead of waiting until now.

Now that Queen Celia has passed away, he is just an insignificant prince to His Majesty Ludwig IV, and there is no need for him to go back to the Pansy Empire.

Furthermore, after what happened to Prince Xiben, His Majesty Ludwig IV will inevitably be wary of his son again and again.No one knows better what it's like to be a puppet crown prince without real power.Those meltdowns are nothing compared to the freedom of the North Sea.

He led the islanders to look for crops suitable for farming on the island, sent a fleet to bring back silk and satin, taught them poetry and songs, and began to write the history of the North Sea Islands himself.The North Sea Islands are not as vast and have a long history as the Pansy Empire, but the people here are sincerely grateful to him and love him, and this land is enough for him to display what he has learned all his life.

Naturally, Aachen did not come and go as soon as some people in the capital of the Pansy Empire thought.Otherwise, Prime Minister Colvin's eldest son wouldn't be in Beihai today.

The island where Aachen and the others are now is also the first island they occupied, their base camp.

In the center of the island, there is a stone palace that occupies a large area. The whole body is made of gray stone, with a rough style, and some walls have sharp corners that have not been smoothed.Looking at the center of the island from a distance, it looks like a ferocious monster.

In the Pansy Empire, only precarious mercenaries would live in such a place.

But here is the abode of the King of the North Sea.

Esmond Corvin was waiting for Aachen just outside the Temple of Stone.

Seeing Aachen from a distance, he knelt down on one knee and saluted, "See Your Highness."

"Get up." Aachen walked past him without stopping.

He noticed that Christian was by his brother's side, his eyes were red, and he knew another meaning of His Majesty Ludwig IV's sending the eldest son of Prime Minister Colvin to the North Sea Islands - Christian was his confidant, and he was with him Growing up together, they have a very close personal relationship.Christian was also the most favored youngest son in the family, but he betrayed the empire and the family in order to follow him - he understood His Majesty Zludwig IV's emperor's mind, but he didn't like it, he didn't like it very much.

Louis Finger followed Aachen into the Stone Palace. He was Aachen's most trusted guard and was always inseparable from him.Christian and Antonio both withdrew.Whether His Highness Aachen returns to the Pansy Empire is related to their interests, even if it is to avoid suspicion, they should not stay.

Seeing that Esmond Corvin wanted to salute him again in a polite manner, Aachen said bluntly: "I'm very busy, so you have something to say."

Esmond Kervin was startled, and instantly understood that this errand was difficult to handle.

Even if he was mentally prepared before coming to Beihai, the prince of Aachen could grow to such a height that the group of nobles in the imperial capital would be impressed, and His Majesty Ludwig IV would prefer him to be the heir of the empire. Prince Aachen would definitely It is not what it used to be, but it has become good enough.

But because of Christian Kerwin, Esmond had not seen the Prince of Aachen infrequently before, and only when he actually met did he really understand that the cowardly little prince had completely disappeared.What he didn't expect was that the Prince of Aachen was clearly aware of his purpose, but he still acted indifferent.

Esmond is also a fine person, he can tell whether the Prince of Aachen really doesn't care, or just putting on a show.

In his opinion, it is obviously the former.

But thinking of the cards his father promised him this time, Esmond Corvin felt a little more at ease.

Esmond Korvin cut to the chase and said, "Your Majesty has decreed that His Highness be crown prince. I hope His Highness will return to the imperial capital as soon as possible."

Aachen sat quietly on the stone chair, silent.

Esmond continued: "You have been away from the imperial capital for many years, which is not conducive to the relationship between your majesty and your father and son, and it is not conducive to your majesty's desire to teach you about government affairs. After your highness returns to the imperial capital, you can participate in the discussion of government affairs and understand the affairs of the empire. Sykes · After Mr. Heinrich returned to Magic Island, no suitable candidate could be found for the post of head of the Royal Guard Knights. I heard that His Highness has become a ninth-level swordsman after awakening the Pansy Dou Qi. His Majesty intends to make this A glorious knight order is handed over to you."

Aachen remained unmoved.

"As for the candidate for the deputy head, His Majesty has decided to recall Lord Hurd and restore him to his original post. But it also depends on your Highness's wishes." Esmond Kervin said.

Lord Heard is the father of Antonio Heard. Because Antonio had a close relationship with Aachen, Prince Sibben sent him to the Prine Mountains during the regency; after the death of Prince Sibben, His Majesty Ludwig IV did not call him back to the imperial capital. .

Esmond Kelvin came on behalf of His Majesty Ludwig IV, and he brought enough sincerity, but it was not only sincerity.Under the cover of the nest, countless eggs were broken.

Aachen looked at him with a cold gaze, as if looking at a corpse.

Esmond Kerwin's heart trembled, but if he was so easily defeated, Prime Minister Kerwin and His Majesty Ludwig IV would not have sent him here.

"There is also the Jowett family. Presumably they are also waiting for His Royal Highness to go back in the northwest, right? There are also Antonio, Christian...the old parents at home also miss Christian very much." Esmond Kelvin was completely displeased. Dare to look into Prince Aachen's eyes, he was sweating coldly, and continued to bite the bullet, "Your Highness, you grew up together, and you are brothers and sisters, so you have the heart to separate them and not return home?"

Prince Aachen's eyes trembled slightly, but it was not obvious, and Edmonds didn't notice it either.

Esmond Corvin said again: "Also, His Majesty has chosen a lady for you, and I hope you will return to the Imperial Capital as soon as possible to get married."

Aachen frowned slightly, not understanding what Esmond was talking about.

"No, it's my younger sister, Dorothy Colvin." Esmond Colvin said.

"Dorothy? She's not married yet?!" This was the first time Aachen's expression changed, and he stood up in shock, "If I remember correctly, she is already 22 this year."

Of course Aachen will not be mistaken.

Dorothy Colvin was the sister of Esmond and Christian, only one year younger than Christian, and grew up with Aachen.

When she was a child, Queen Celia liked her gentle personality and beautiful appearance, and often invited her to play in the palace. Aachen would always see her when she went to the prime minister's residence to find Christian.Childhood sweetheart, childhood sweetheart.He had indeed liked Dorothy for a long time.

Originally, Queen Celia had asked His Majesty Ludwig IV to give them two marriages, but she didn't think about Prince Xiben, and Aachen also left the imperial capital.

This is five years.

Aachen was in the vast open sea, so it was difficult to find out about the imperial capital, not to mention a noble lady like Dorothy Colvin who was raised in a deep boudoir.

He only heard that she was named the White Rose of Rose Castle a few years ago.He thought at the time that White Rose really matched her well.

He didn't think about anything else.

He thought she was already married.

Is she waiting for me?Such thoughts could not be restrained from popping up in Aachen's mind.

"Before I went to sea, I asked my younger sister. My younger sister also agreed to marry His Highness." Esmond Corvin's suspended heart finally relaxed a little.This trump card is indeed useful.

Constantly increasing the weight, the balance in my heart finally fell heavily to the other end.

Prince Aachen looked at the blue sky and white clouds in the distance through the gate of the stone palace.

Pansy Empire, is he finally going back?

……

Aachen and the others are the capital of the empire on horseback.He doesn't like carriages, even if they are inlaid with magic gemstones, spacious and comfortable carriages, he will feel oppressed and dangerous - carriages are easier for people to manipulate, and indulging in comfort will make people relax their vigilance.

A horse is like the wind.

They passed hunters' cabins, lush forests, and long, winding lines at the city gates.Aachen stared deeply at the city wall of the imperial capital. For countless years, many princes were turned into dust, but it stood for thousands of years.

The soldiers guarding the city of the imperial capital had changed several rounds, and no one recognized Aachen. They could only enter the city directly after Esmond Corvin issued a warrant.

Not long after they entered the city, a team of knights came to Esmond and whispered something in his ear.After that, Esmond's expression became awkward, and he walked to Aachen anxiously, "Your Highness, Your Majesty has gone hunting in the countryside. You can go back to the palace first. The palace is already preparing a welcome banquet for you."

Aachen thought it was funny, even the cooks in the royal palace knew to prepare a welcome banquet for their highness, but his father went hunting in the countryside.

"Your Highness, would you like to take a nap at my house?" Christian invited like many years ago.

"No." Aachen smiled calmly.He missed Dorothy very much, but he was not ready to see her so soon because he was too close to home.It was rare that Christian came back and their family was reunited, so he couldn't bother.

Mr. Hurd was not in the imperial capital for many years, and Aachen also sent Antonio Hurd home to tidy up the mansion.

He didn't want to go back to the palace for the time being, so he took Louis Finger for a stroll around the imperial capital.

The past is vivid, but things have changed.

Aachen took Louis Finger into a small alley and into a tavern.He smiled and said, "I used to come here often, and even Antonio and Christian didn't know about it."

Who can say about the questions that have plagued him in those years, about the pansy mark, about the rumors about his life experience.

There were only two oil lamps in the tavern, which were not very bright. There were only three low wooden square tables placed against the wall, and there were people sitting on the edge of the tables.Aachen and Louis had just walked in, when the owner of the tavern saw that he recognized Aachen unexpectedly, "Young man, you haven't been here for many years."

Aachen smiled and said, "I haven't been in the imperial capital these years, and I can't come here."

In this familiar tavern, Aachen's vigor suddenly disappeared.Louis Finger looked around, wondering what kind of place this was. The Prince of Aachen was also a proud son of heaven, and he wanted to come to such an unknown tavern without any kind of delicious food and wine.

"Young, it's better to go out for a walk more." The tavern owner said, and patted Aachen on the shoulder.He said to the guests at the innermost table: "Can you share a table? I have a child who has been missing for many years."

It was only then that Aachen noticed that the guest at the innermost table had brilliant blond hair that was rarely seen among ordinary people, and he was wearing a sword, so he should be a swordsman.At this moment, the guests at that table looked up at them, and he realized that this person had an extremely good appearance, with sword eyebrows and starry sky, and a high spirit.Aachen traveled across most of the empire and traveled overseas, and had never seen such a character.

He only heard the human say: "Of course." The voice was unexpectedly deep and sweet.

"Thank you." Aachen and Louis sat down at the two seats beside the square table.

The boss asked them, "What do you want?"

Aachen smiled, "Have a watermelon bar."

Louis had never heard of this, so he said, "Same."

Soon, the watermelon wine was served.It turns out that watermelon wine is to cut the top of a small watermelon, scoop out the pulp inside, then pour white wine into it, and brew it with a secret method.Louis took a sip and exclaimed, "This wine is delicious."

The alcohol content is not high, but the aroma is rich, and the lips and teeth are fragrant.

Aachen smiled, "Aren't you wondering why I like to come to this tavern? Even the fine wine in the palace is not as far away as here."

What he didn't say was that he was deeply disturbed by rumors when he was young, and Queen Celia only told him not to take it to heart, but did not explain it carefully to him.He was upset and didn't want anyone to follow, so he got rid of the guards of the palace and found this tavern in a small alley.He directly took a gold particle and gave it to the tavern owner to give him the mellowest and strongest wine, but he got a watermelon wine.And the words of the boss, "Drink this. It smells good too." He likes it here.Not only because it is quiet here, but also because of the care from strangers.

Watermelon wine is originally a wine for children.

Hearing his words, the tavern owner laughed and said, "That's bullshit. It's as if you live in a palace every day." They recounted a few more words, and the tavern owner left.

Even if Aachen was his regular customer, they just met by chance.

Aachen sipped the watermelon wine quietly, and also thought about what might happen when he went to the palace in the evening.

Suddenly, his eyes fixed on something.

The blond-haired young man sitting across from him had a pocket-sized doll, the size of a palm, exquisitely crafted and cute, vivid, like a real person shrunk down year-on-year.Even the clothes on it are extremely exquisite, probably only the best embroiderers in the palace can make them.But who would make clothes for such a little doll?

The weirder situation is yet to come.

The blond young man held an extremely small spoon, filled some wine from the wine glass, and brought it to the little baby's mouth.Just when the little baby's lips were about to touch the spoon, his hand suddenly stopped, and it was raised a little higher.

The little baby instantly changed his face and glared at him angrily!

Aachen even rubbed his eyes subconsciously, he was right, the little baby's expression really changed!

The blond-haired young man smiled at the corner of his mouth, he seemed to be in a good mood, and finally returned the spoon to the little doll.

At this time, Louis Finger's voice sounded directly in his mind - this is a secret method inherited from the Finger family, the holy steps can force the voice into a line, and tell the content to a specific person without speaking.

"Your Highness, that doll is an astrological doll."

Aachen was startled.

He was born in the royal family, so he naturally knows many secrets that ordinary people don't understand.Thousands of years ago, astrologers had an absolutely lofty status in this plane. However, the decline of astrologers was also due to the continuous pursuit and confinement of the two empires.At the same time, a branch of the astrologer escaped and hid quietly. After one of them broke through and became an existence beyond the holy rank, the magic island was established.

After thousands of years of development, Magic Island surpassed the two great empires and became a place beyond the mundane world.

The person in front of him has an astrology doll, and he is probably an astrologer, so he is from Magic Island?Or is it a descendant of the astrologer who was hiding in the Pansy Empire?

Aachen is unknown.

The blond young man didn't seem to notice their words, and still played with the astrology doll on his own.It seems that for him, nothing is more important or more interesting than feeding his astrological doll a drink.

Louis Finger's voice sounded in Aachen's mind again, "Your Highness, don't underestimate the astrology puppet. Although its combat power is not as famous as the astrology puppet, it has higher intelligence and flexibility, and can accomplish many ordinary tasks. What no man can do. The astrologer who possesses it must be the most powerful."

Aachen didn't know whether he was lucky or unlucky. He met the legendary figure on the first day he just returned to the imperial capital.

The young man clearly moved gracefully, and the spoon he held in his hand was incredibly small, but for some reason, the wine in his glass quickly ran out.Seeing that he was about to leave after putting a gold particle on the table, Aachen followed him out of the tavern without waiting any longer.

"My lord, please wait a moment." Aachen called the young man.

The young man stopped in his tracks, turned to look at him, and said in a cold and pleasant voice, "What's the matter?"

Aachen took a deep breath and said, "I am Aachen Koauser, from the pansy royal family. I want to ask for your help. I would like to ask you, are you an astrologer?"

The young man looked even colder, "No."

Aachen was in a hurry. He didn't want to force the person in front of him, but the answer to this question was very important to him.He said: "You are carrying an astrology doll, how can you not be an astrologer?"

What Aachen didn't know was that the blond young man in front of him didn't lie to him, and he was indeed not an astrologer.

In the port of Nice, after Ace and Nou sent Nuo En away, Ace's body entered the depths of the sea of ​​undead to cultivate.Waiting for the whole body of flesh and blood to grow again, Ace will take out his body again.Before that, Ace repaired the astrology doll, and a ray of consciousness entered it, so that the astrology doll could accompany Noou.

Because some knights of the Pansy Empire are still stuck in the small plane, and the follow-up matters of the small plane have to be discussed with the two empires, they came to the imperial capital of the Pansy Empire and hit the road here Youngest son of His Majesty Dewig IV, Aachen Koauser.Aachen didn't recognize Nuo Ou, but Nuo Ou saw his image and recognized him immediately.But in Nuo's current state, he doesn't have to stand in line as he did when Prince Xiben was there, and he doesn't pay much attention to Aachen.

Therefore, the blond young man questioned by Aachen is indeed not an astrologer, but the astrological doll in his chest pocket.

Nuo Ou said: "This is a gift from someone else."

The astrology doll on Nuo's chest seemed dissatisfied with the idea of ​​the gift, and beat the little Duke Green's chest with his small fists.But the little Duke Green doesn't seem to care much.

Aachen frowned, as if he was hesitating about something.

Nuo Ou took the initiative: "If you have any questions, you can tell me, and I can pass them on to my astrologer friend. As for whether he will answer you, I'm not sure."

Aachen breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Thank you for that. I heard a rumor when I was very young about the curse of the Pansy family. I want to know if it is true."

Noou said directly: "It's true."

Aachen was stunned with disbelief.

"I don't need to lie to you. You can ask His Majesty Ludwig IV about this matter." Nou said lightly.

"I haven't heard of astrologers in the empire for so many years, so my father probably doesn't know about it." Aachen made up his mind and said, "If I want to escape this curse, is there any way?"

This time, Nuoou didn't speak, but the astrology doll on his chest said with a milky voice, "Leave here immediately and return to Beihai. You still have a glimmer of hope."

Aachen's complexion changed, he glanced at the astrology doll, and then stared at Nou carefully, "Do you know who I am?" He was even a little aggressive, "Why do you want me to leave here? Who sent you here?"

The royal family is seriously suspicious.

With such a few short conversations, Aachen's mind was already full of eighteen bends in the mountain road, and he had made up a lot of conspiracy and tricks.He thought, if he leaves the imperial capital at this time and does not become the crown prince, who can get the most benefits in the court.

"He won't lie to you." Nuo Ou held the astrology doll in his palm.He pulled Aachen out of his thoughts in an instant. His voice was flat, but it had a mysterious feeling, which made people think that what he said must be credible.

Aachen was in a trance, although the trance soon passed.

"I'm going to marry the girl I love. I can't leave the imperial capital now."

Nou shook his head and didn't speak again.

He disappeared directly at the door of the tavern.