Skeleton King

The reception banquet at the Pansy Palace was unprecedentedly grand.

Even in the memory of Aachen, there is seldom such extravagance in the royal palace. The dishes are served on the long table by the waiters, and the end can't be seen at a glance.Every golden plate will be brought to His Majesty Ludwig IV first for him to take it first; and then to Aachen, everyone knows that he will be the sure crown prince when he comes back this time.

Aachen has tasted a lot, such as roast venison, wild bear paws, browned roast duck, chicken soup stewed with mushrooms, potato cakes, and leek pies, but he only loves apple pie, which is golden in sauce and fragrant on the lips and teeth.Even though Aachen didn't like sweets, he ate two pies, because this cloyingly sweet taste was the only familiar thing he found in this strange palace.

The music played by the musicians and the songs performed by the singers are all newly popular in recent years.Even the courtiers on both sides of the long table, most of their faces are strange to Aachen.During the regency of Prince Nishiben, the dignitaries who fell to him did not die in the rebellion, and now they all hid in their hometowns.

The atmosphere in the imperial capital these years is really abnormal.

Since the departure of Prince Xiben, His Majesty Ludwig IV has become more and more authoritarian, and no one knows the movements of the major knight orders in the empire except him.At the same time, the empire's annual military expenditure and demand for food and grass have increased significantly, but where did the money go?

Still no one knows.

Could it be that His Majesty Ludwig IV wanted to attack the Finger Empire?To unify this continent?

Many people have guessed so.

The Finger Empire has undergone many changes over the years. The Finger family seems to have been cursed. After the death of the old king, Princess Muse began to be lingering and sick when she became regent. Instead, an unknown boy named Phil Finger boarded the throne.

Many nobles in the Pansy Empire are extremely jealous of Phil Finger, but they gloat over neighboring countries. They all think that the political situation of the Finger Empire will be shaken for a long time due to the change of power.Unexpectedly, with the help of Princess Muse's confidant, Princess Eugenia Black, Phil Finger quickly took over the government affairs of the Finger Empire, and the transfer of power in the empire was much smoother than everyone imagined. pass.

Even so, the national power of the Pansy Empire is far superior to that of the Finger Empire, and this battle is not impossible.

More than three years ago, Prime Minister Colvin, the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of the Exchequer moved into the palace successively to assist His Majesty in governing because of their busy government affairs.The other ministers in the court didn't even know what they were busy with. Several ministers lived and boarded in the palace, and they rarely even went home. They really couldn't send a spy.

Therefore, the atmosphere in the imperial capital is becoming more and more imminent.

In recent years, the environment in the imperial capital has been like this, and Prince Nishimoto has learned from the past. Even though everyone present knew that Prince Aachen, as His Majesty's only son, had a bright future, no one dared to be too enthusiastic at this time.

The location of His Majesty Ludwig IV is not far from Aachen, but except for the first meeting, Aachen sent him sincere greetings in front of the ministers and dedicated the islands of the North Sea to him, and they did not talk to each other during the whole banquet .

His Majesty Ludwig IV was as majestic as he remembered in Aachen, but his temples were stained with hoarfrost, revealing a trace of oldness that he shouldn't have in his pampered life.

Only halfway through the banquet, His Majesty Ludwig IV left first, lacking in energy.

Aachen had very complicated feelings for Ludwig IV.When he was young, his father was the great hero in his heart, the greatest and wisest king in the history of the empire; when he was a little older, he found that his father and his mother seemed to be at odds, and he was also somewhat dissatisfied with his father's neglect of his mother; There is his elder brother, Prince Xiben, who likes to mention the interesting things his father taught him about riding and archery from time to time.

In Aachen's heart, His Majesty Ludwig IV is aloof and unsmiling, but why can he teach Nishimoto to appreciate calligraphy and painting, horseback riding and archery?Could it be because the father had not ascended the throne at that time, but was just a small nobleman on the border of the empire?

In that case, he would rather be the son of a minor nobleman.

Aachen dared not say this to his father, he only dared to whisper it to his queen—Queen Celia always told him that they were the closest people.

As a result, the gentle mother in the past became strict and taught him, Aachen, you are a prince.

Aachen knew that if the father was still a small nobleman on the border of the empire, the mother would never marry him.She did not marry her father, but the most powerful man in the empire.

She married to that throne.

It's the crown.

So the father doesn't like her.

Aachen likes Queen Celia because she is her mother, as she said, no matter what happens, she will stand by his side.But as a man, he wouldn't like a woman like that either.

He likes Dorothy.

Aachen liked her from a very young age.

Dorothy is a very special girl, she is like a white rose under the moonlight, beautiful, but not enchanting, gentle and demure.Her attitude towards a prince is no different from that of a commoner or a beggar. When she sees a handsome knight, like Captain Sykes Heinrich, she will not scream with excitement like other silly girls.

She just stayed there so quietly.

But as long as she stayed by his side, Aachen's heart would become calmer than ever.

Aachen vaguely noticed that Dorothy didn't like him, otherwise Dorothy must treat him differently from other people.

But he still told Queen Celia that he liked Dorothy.

He had asked Christian in detail. Apart from painting at home and chatting with maids, Dorothy was not even interested in knightly contests and palace banquets.Aachen thought, Dorothy always wants to marry, since she has no one she likes, she might as well marry him instead of marrying a hideous nobleman.He will be good to her forever, and she will always fall in love with him.

Queen Celia often called Dorothy into the palace, making her reputation popular in the imperial capital.

Aachen knew Queen Celia would do this because Dorothy was the daughter of Prime Minister Colvin and sister of Christian Colvin.If they married, they would be able to tie the Colvin family completely to his chariot.

In fact, Aachen understood some truths very early. For example, his father and king were indifferent to him and Nishimoto. He didn't particularly like Nishimoto, but he didn't intend to abandon the tradition and take Nishimoto's heir.His queen's little actions may not be clear to his father, but he just doesn't pay attention to them.Furthermore, the Jowett family has made great achievements in support, so he will inevitably be accused of killing the donkey when he uses the Jowett family. That's why he has been tolerant of them—it's not that Aachen hasn't persuaded Queen Celia, it's just that people He is always so stubborn about what he believes.At that time, Aachen was too unstable.

and also……

A black diary appeared in Aachen's hand, with a blue rose bookmark pinned inside.This is the diary that Queen Celia has used since she was a girl. She will record the important things that happen around her every year in it.On the night Aachen fled the imperial capital, Queen Celia gave the diary to Aachen.It wasn't until Aachen gained a firm foothold in the North Sea that he began to read it, and he also learned many secrets that His Majesty Ludwig IV didn't know.

He went to the red rose grove in the pansy palace.

His Majesty Ludwig IV was indeed here, and he also noticed the arrival of Aachen, "You have done a good job these years."

Aachen did not expect that this would be the first sentence his father said to him.Children are the weakness of their parents, and parents are the softest part of their children's hearts.With such a simple acknowledgment, Aachen felt that the deep-rooted dissatisfaction with His Majesty Dewig IV over the years would disappear.But he wanted this dissatisfaction to last longer.They came from the pansy family, and from the very beginning, they were not purely father and son.

"I called you back twice and you refused. I think you have a lot of opinions on me." His Majesty Ludwig IV was calm. This was the first time he spoke to Aachen like this in so many years. Like a child, "Don't rush to refute. I came here in the same way back then, and the late king is not my biological father. It's time to tell you some things."

His Majesty Ludwig IV narrated a piece of the past, "This matter has to start many years ago, at the beginning of the founding of the Pansy Empire, when astrologers had not completely disappeared..."

……

Aachen opened his mouth wide in shock. He thought of many reasons why His Majesty Ludwig IV asked him to let go of his grievances, but his most wild thoughts were not as bizarre as the truth he heard at the moment.There are many things he didn't understand in the past, all of which have been answered. No wonder the two empires have provided so many resources to the magic island for free for hundreds of years. No wonder the strong people who enter the magic island will never leave there again. The gate of a plane is responsible for protecting the plane.

"Then now?" Aachen couldn't help asking.

His Majesty Ludwig IV said: "The war ended two months ago. Those crazy people who fled around the Prine Mountains were the last fugitives from that plane, and they were all executed."

"Then where does that plane belong?" Aachen asked.

A new plane naturally means a lot of wealth, not to mention that the two empires have invested a lot of money in this war.

"All the pensions for sacrificed soldiers and knights will be paid by Magic Island. After the matter of the small plane is resolved, neither we nor the Finger Empire will allow Magic Island to have such a detached status." Ludwig His Majesty Xi IV said: "You can go to the Prime Minister for specific matters, and he will tell you."

Aachen has not recovered yet.

His Majesty Ludwig IV spoke softly and said with a pleasant face: "Aachen, I haven't sent knights or high-level swordsmen to help you for so many years. One is that almost all the troops of the empire have gone to the small plane. , the empire is strong outside but capable in the middle, except for the guards of the capital, there are only a few old, weak, sick and disabled left in all parts of the country."

In fact, after knowing the truth of the matter, Aachen is no longer dissatisfied with His Majesty Ludwig IV.

Compared with the war of planes, the disputes on several islands in the North Sea can only be minor bumps.Also, his vision is very different now from before, and he also understands that the empire is not as peaceful as it appears, and in fact, the dark tide is raging underneath.If the Keoser family really shows signs of decline, those who don't know the truth can take advantage of the weakness of the empire to take advantage of the situation and rebuild the dynasty.

At that time, internal and external troubles will be the real end of this plane.

His Majesty Ludwig IV said: "Furthermore, I also want to train you. If the magic island falls and people from the small planes flood here, you still have a chance of survival in the North Sea. There are some astrologers in the palace. The handbook, which records that countless planes are floating in the galaxy, and very occasionally, the edge of our plane will intersect with other planes. As long as you go to the sea and face north, you have a chance to enter other planes."

"The Prime Minister took this letter home and read it to Christian Colvin. If the worst happens, it's better than we all stay here."

"The king guards the city gate. I must never leave the empire. You have left the family, but you don't need to take this responsibility anymore."

Aachen lowered his head with tears in his eyes.

he's so scared...

He was really afraid of crying in front of His Majesty Ludwig IV.

"I also told Fenfur about this. I want her to go to Beihai to find you. Unfortunately, she doesn't want to. She said that no matter whether she lives or dies, she will never leave the Northwest." His Majesty Ludwig IV sighed, Said: "She has changed a lot in these years."

"I heard that my sister was named the Goddess of Light in the Northwest." Aachen said carefully, "There have been many caravans in the Northwest to do business in various parts of the empire. It is said that the Northwest has changed a lot, and the Goddess of Light is also very popular among the people. Love. The knight Jonah who followed her has also become a sword master."

His Majesty Ludwig IV noticed the concern for Fenfur in Aachen's tone, and the worries in his heart dissipated a little.

He said: "Your siblings have had a good relationship since childhood, and I also hope that in the future, you will not forget your concern for her at this moment."

Aachen said: "I will never forget."

Aachen is actually a very special person.He has no great desire for power.He wants to be the crown prince. Apart from wanting to get the approval of his father and stand up again in this place where he has failed, he also really wants to do something for the empire and the common people so that they can live better.

On the way to the imperial capital, he naturally heard some rumors - it is said that the Northwest now only recognizes the Temple of Light and not the imperial court.

But Fenfur was able to build a temple in the northwest so smoothly because of her surname, her surname was Koorser.

Five years is a long time, but it doesn't change a person completely.He still remembered that when he escaped from the imperial capital, he met Fenfur in the hunter's hut on the outskirts. She let him go to sea to escape from the pursuit, and she herself went to the northwest instead of him to take on the responsibility that should have been borne by him.Even for that time, he would not meet Fenfur in battle.

Even if the situation has to be like this in the future, the future of this empire belongs to him, and he is willing to share the world with his sister.

As for the future, Fenfur probably won't have any heirs. He will discuss the Northwest issue with his sister before they die, and will not leave hidden dangers for the empire.

"In this case, you are ready to go to the Finger Empire. When you come back, I will officially make you the crown prince." His Majesty Ludwig IV said.

"Thank you, Father."

……

The mission of the Pansy Empire set off again. They followed the lakeshore, climbed over the mountains, and arrived at the Prin Mountains.After the protracted war between the planes, the two empires will also enter a long period of recuperation, and the Prin Mountains should also usher in a long period of peace.

"Are we going from the Warcraft Forest?" Aachen asked.

There are not many people in their group, but all of them are elites. As long as they don't go to the core area of ​​the Warcraft Forest, they will be safe and sound.The Purin Mountains are a natural barrier. Although it is safe, it will take a lot of effort.

There was joy in Antonio's eyes, and he suggested enthusiastically, "Your Highness, haven't you heard of the city that never sleeps? It is said that the city that never sleeps is built deep in the Purin Mountains. I have longed for it for a long time, and finally we all arrived in Purin How can we not go and see the mountains?"

"The city that never sleeps?" Aachen has naturally heard the name of the city that never sleeps. It is said that it is the most beautiful flower that blooms on a sinful and barren land, but in his imagination, the city that never sleeps is just a larger black market.

Aachen thought so, and naturally said so.

Christian Kervin disagreed, saying: "A few years ago, I followed a caravan to the city that never sleeps. It is an unparalleled city."

"An incomparable city?" Antonio became more and more curious, "Compared with the imperial capital?"

Christian said: "When it comes to commercial prosperity and the number of strong people, the Night City is the best in the mainland, but the historical background and sense of the imperial capital are not comparable to the Night City. It can only be said that each has its own merits."

Unlike Antonio's escape, Christian has always been a safe person. He has such a high evaluation of the city that never sleeps, and Aachen is also more curious about it.

The Pansy Empire asked the prince to go to neighboring countries before succeeding to the throne, but it was only for the children of the Pansy family to read thousands of books and travel thousands of miles.It is said that his father had traveled across the Prin Mountains to the Finger Empire when he was young, and maybe his father had also been to the Territory of Chaos.

Antonio and Christian watched Prince Aachen, waiting for him to make a final decision.

"Then let's go to the city that never sleeps."

Only when you really set foot on this land can you understand its charm, which cannot be described in any words.No wonder Christian Kervin had been to the city that never sleeps, but he didn't say much when he returned to Beihai.

When they saw the city that never sleeps, the sun had already set and the sky was getting dark.Originally, the governor of the nearby province invited them to rest in the governor's mansion for one night.Hearing that they were going to the city that never sleeps, the Governor said again: "Your Highness, just keep going. Night is the real charm of the city that never sleeps."

Antonio asked curiously, "Aren't you admonishing Your Highness? It is said that the city that never sleeps was built on the Territory of Chaos."

The governor said: "There should be no place in this world that is safer than the Nightless City. Because the owner of the Nightless City prohibits killing."

Because the lord of the city that never sleeps forbids killing, is that the safest place in the world?Antonio was puzzled, and he wanted to ask again, but Aachen said, "I want to see this city with my own eyes."

At this moment, they have reached the foot of the Evernight City Master Mountain.The magic lamps have been lit one after another, and they meander up, illuminating the entire mountain road, until the city on the top of the mountain.Christian Kervin, the weakest among them, is also a seventh-level swordsman, and the scenes in the extreme far away can be clearly seen in his eyes. Seeing this scene, all of this still fascinated him.

Not to mention Antonio, he was dumbfounded and asked a silly question, "Aren't they worried about someone stealing the magic lamp?"

Is it really good to put the magic lamp so carelessly on the side of the road?Even in the Pansy Palace, only the palaces of His Majesty Ludwig IV and Queen Celia can have such luxury. The magic lamp has always been an alchemy item that only magicians can use!But what about here?They are actually used to illuminate ordinary people!

Watching the caravans passing by, Antonio felt his worldview crumbling.

"They put the magic lamp here with confidence, so they have the confidence." Christian Kervin said.

Antonio carefully pulled down Christian's sleeve and asked, "Tell me honestly, whose power does the city that never sleeps belong to? The magic island?" He couldn't imagine that there are other powers besides the magic island in this world. Not controlled by the two empires.

"I really don't know. At that time, I wanted to help His Highness purchase some very rare materials, which were not available in coastal areas. Someone told me that such rare items could only be collected in the City that Never Sleeps. That's why I came here. I just I stayed in the city that never sleeps for half a day, and I don’t know much more than you.” Christian shook his head and said, “However, the city that never sleeps should not belong to the magic island. On the contrary, they seem to be not very friendly to the magic island.”

The words of the two of them naturally reached Aachen's ears.He didn't say much, seeing the scene in front of him, he realized how big the world was, and how small he was.

The main mountain of the city that never sleeps has no walls, it is open to all directions, it seems like an undefended city.

Louis Finger, who had been unusually silent since entering the Prine Mountains, approached Aachen and said, "I can feel that there are many strong people in this city."

Aachen asked: "Many?" The ones that can be called strong by Louis Finger are at least holy ranks.

"A lot." Louis Finger said: "People who are about the same strength as me, and who can even kill me. There are all of them here."

Aachen's heart suddenly raised three points of caution.

He can be sure that the city that never sleeps must not have been like this before, and it must have undergone earth-shaking changes in these years, otherwise the stories here have long been sung by bards to the entire continent.So who made such a big change here?

The streets of the city that never sleeps are bustling with people, and from time to time there will be bursts of cheers, "Wow!"

Aachen and the others discovered the pattern not long after entering the city. Whenever there are crowds of people, there must be a spectacle.In front of their eyes, there are hundreds of beautiful girls carved on the wall, each girl is lifelike, holding bottles of different sizes in their hands, and water is pouring out of the bottles continuously, this is actually a Giant fountain.

Not only that, hundreds of magic lamps of different sizes and colors are placed under the fountain, and they are lighting up in sequence following the music played by the musicians on the side.There is also an orchestra beside the giant fountain. Each musician and singer has a hat in front of him. Many gold coins from the Pansy Empire, the Finger Empire, and even silver coins from the Millais Library have been thrown into it. Frost shells.

"Too extravagant." Antonio muttered to himself.This is the sentence he repeated the most after he came to the city that never sleeps.

Then they saw a waterfall made of liquefied chocolate. Every child passing by would get a small handful of chocolate beads. Many children lingered there, running back and forth, but the old man with white beard who divided the chocolate beads seemed to forget. Live, whenever a child passes by, they will give them a new handful of chocolate beads.

Antonio smelled the intoxicating aroma of chocolate, and said with a straight face: "You said, if I go over, will the old man give me a handful?"

"Excellent!" Aachen cursed.

He took some gold coins of the Pansy Empire from his pocket, and wanted Antonio to buy a handful of chocolate beads himself.

At this moment, Louis Finger said in a serious voice, "That's a wizard."

Aachen: ...

Antonio, Christian: ...

Aachen's movements stopped.

The smile on Antonio's face also froze.

There were so many children in front of them that Antonio didn't even dare to ask them to make way, he didn't dare to offend a wizard.He turned directly into the side alley. "Ah!" Antonio stepped back three steps in fright as soon as he entered the alley.

Aachen frowned at him, dissatisfied with his fuss, "What? There's a Juggernaut inside?"

"It's more terrifying than... Bibibi Juggernaut." Antonio stammered. "At least I can see the Juggernaut every day." The last words were muttered by himself, his voice was extremely low.

Aachen walked into the alley suspiciously.

Soon, he understood why Antonio was so surprised.

There are rows of crystal windows on both sides of the alley, and there are sexy girls in each crystal window, and there is a red bed behind them.It is self-evident where this alley is.

Aachen is where it belongs.Christian's family style is very strict, and he has always kept himself clean.Among the three of them, Antonio is the more romantic, and he also has several concubines in Beihai, but his few concubines are all timid and gentle, how can these girls be warm and hot.Although it is a small alley, it is also on the side of the street, which adds two points of excitement.

Aachen didn't even care about this, so he said, "Gather at the mountain road when we came tomorrow morning at the latest." He took Christian and Louis through the alley.Antonio naturally did not follow out.

Unlike most people in the Pansy Empire who work at sunrise and rest at sunset, the nightlife in the city that never sleeps is much richer.In the shops in the city that never sleeps, there are everything from alchemy items for magicians, weapons for swordsmen, silk and satin for ordinary people, and specialties from all over the world.

Coincidentally, today is the monthly big auction in the city that never sleeps, and both Aachen and Louis want to see it.The consumption in the city that never sleeps is a bit high, but Aachen is not short of money.

Christian was a little embarrassed, "Your Highness, there is a school library in the city that never sleeps. You can borrow books with the silver frost shell. I want to go and have a look." Aachen waved him to go.

As soon as Aachen and Louis entered the auction, a girl in a long black dress greeted them and led them to the box on the top floor.There were too many things that surprised them tonight, and Aachen was not surprised at this meeting, and asked, "Do you know our identities?" Before they came to the auction, they heard that everyone had to pay a huge deposit .

"I don't know. It's just that the adults told me that there is a sword master coming, let me come to meet you." The girl in black has a beautiful appearance and a charming smile, but she doesn't look vulgar, she said.He speculated that the lord she was talking about might be the person in charge of the auction, or one of the few auras that Louis Finger felt after entering the city.

The girl in black continued: "As for your lord, he has a sword master as his guard, so he has a noble status."

Aachen asked: "Is there anything rare in tonight's auction?"

The girl in black replied: "The finale of today's auction is the alchemy item made by Ms. Angela herself. The specific effect has not been disclosed, but I think it will not disappoint you."

"Miss Angela?" Aachen asked.

"My lord, this is the first time I have come to the city that never sleeps," said the girl in black.

Aachen was noncommittal.

"Otherwise, you will not fail to recognize Miss Angela." The girl in black said clearly: "A few years ago, when the owner of the city left the city that never sleeps, Miss Angela temporarily took the position of the head of the magic academy in the city. Alchemist. Tonight, Miss Angela will marry General Arnold of Eternal Night City. As a celebration, she will take out a few precious alchemy items for auction. The gold coins from the auction will be given to the talented but poor magic apprentices in the city. You can continue to learn magic."

"That's not bad." Aachen praised.

"It's just that there are many young people in the city who are going to be sad tonight. Not only is Miss Angela extremely talented, but she is also one of the best in appearance in the entire city that never sleeps. From my superficial knowledge, even the princesses of the royal family can't compare. Miss Angela is enough to make any man I'm fascinated by her." The girl in black sent Aachen and Louis to the box and left with a smile.

Seeing the girl in black walking away, Aachen murmured to himself, "Beautiful and talented, but it may not be able to fascinate men."

Although his elder brother Nishimoto is rebellious, Aachen has to admit that Nishimoto is a rare hero in this era.Even so, Nishimoto still did not escape the curse of the Pansy family, and died on the enchanting wine handed by his beloved woman—his only princess.The entire continent knows that Xiben's princess is an ordinary-looking woman who was born as a maid, which is very unusual.

Aachen was still immersed in his thoughts, but Louis' words suddenly interrupted his thinking, "That woman has a dark magic element, which is very weak, but very pure."

Aachen was stunned, "Is she a necromancer?" The auction in the city that never sleeps is really hidden, even a little maid has such a background.

Louis Finger had a strange expression on his face, "I'm afraid she is not a necromancer. She is a real undead creature. Although I have learned the secret method of the Finger family, I can only confirm it through careful observation."

The perfect smile on Aachen's face also cracked.

"I just realized who the owner of this city is." Louis Finger said, "Does Your Highness still remember the Juggernaut who traveled to the North Sea a few years ago? That Juggernaut has a lot of friends, even in Magic Island." Young friends. He once told me that Magic Island suffered a big loss a few years ago. At that time, they gathered dozens of holy ranks and knights from two empires to besiege the city of Eternal Night in the Dead Realm, but failed. Go back. There are a few more Liches in Eternal Night City."

"Eternal Night City, Nightless City, twin cities built on two planes?" Aachen said thoughtfully, "I remember that after the Sword Master left, you mentioned to me once that there was a necromancer who died in a small way. With Linghai as the heart, twin cities were established. The other city corresponding to Eternal Night City is not in the Dead Realm, but here?"

Aachen said to himself: "It must be. Dragon Island, Magic Island, there can be no other forces that are not under the control of the two empires. Then do you know who built the Twin Cities?"

"It's the Skeleton King."