Night Crow Master

Melodious and long music came from the magic props on the wall behind Earl Durard. It looked like an accordion-like instrument, and it seemed to be played by an invisible pair of hands.

An exquisite tablecloth is placed on the long dining table. The round family crest is located in the center of the dining table. White and smooth shell porcelain tableware and alloyed knives and forks are placed in all positions.

"I don't have silver and copper tableware here." After seeing that Yate's eyes were on the knife and fork, Earl Durard said with a smile, "They have reached a pathological level in pursuit of blue blood, and after they can't improve their strength. They used a lot of sapphire gems for the final struggle. After discovering that sapphire gems could not improve their strength, they even began to devour silver and copper products and tried silver and copper tableware."

His tone was slightly ironic: "Make your blood look bluer?"

Yate's complexion did not change, and the night phantom that had taken off his mask was completely a black image formed by a shadow.

However, compared with Shadow, the facial features are very obvious.

"After the wizard's power reaches the limit, there are only two ways to increase the title and make the territory more prosperous." Yate said in a leisurely tone, "but not everyone can increase the title, right?"

Count Durard nodded: "Yes, that's right, not everyone is eligible."

"Military merit, contribution." He leisurely cuts through the food with a knife and fork. "Without corresponding contributions, how can one get a higher title?"

From baron to earl, the Durard family completed this process, but it took more than five hundred years to complete the process of elevating the status from viscount to earl in his father's generation.

And he also used the means of continuously fighting for the Duke of Scala and accumulating military merit. If there were no accidents, he would be able to become the "Marquis of Durard" in more than ten years.

But now everything has changed.

Earl Durard sighed. The Durard County now belongs to Duke Rose, which means that he is no longer under the Duke of Scala.

The previous military exploits are not counted, and the real gains from the decades of fighting for the Duke of Scala are only the territory he has won.

It’s not bad if it’s just a change of lord. The problem is that the Rose City of the Duke of Rose is in Durad County, and half of the original Durad County has become the direct jurisdiction of the Duke of Rose.

The improvement of strength has temporarily slowed down.

Fortunately, during the previous discussions, several little earls did not choose Duke Rose's camp, but were still on the side of Duke Scala.

If he could choose, he would not choose to stand on the side of Duke Rose. Although he is the legendary Duke, under the current situation, it is a new force after all, and it is too risky to stand on this side.

But he has no choice. Durard County is too close to Duke Rose’s territory. If he chooses to stand in another camp, he has no doubt that he will be killed the next second he makes such a choice. .

But okay...

If there is no accident, after the end of Winter, Duke Rose will start a war against the Southern Duke or the Northern Duke.

He is good at fighting, he should be able to become a good player under Duke Rose, not to mention other things, the chance of gaining military exploits and becoming a Marquis is even greater.

Originally under the command of the North Duke, the Marquis was already saturated. Now that the situation is completely disrupted after the re-division of the forces, it can be said to be a good thing for him.

If he worked hard enough, he might be able to gain enough military exploits within ten years to become the first Marquis of Duke Rose.

At present, the power closest to Duke Rose is Earl Red Rose. According to legend, the opponent is the heir of Duke Rose, but the other party has just advanced to the Apocalypse. Compared with him who has been in the Apocalypse Level 2 for many years, It is completely different. According to the situation, the other party will not be promoted to Level 2 in the short term, at least 20 years.

Apart from this, there is only another...Earl of Mercury.

The Earl of Mercury has always been a fan.

"In front of me, the Venus of Mercury."

A character who suddenly emerged.

Although the two territories are directly adjacent, he has very few dealings with each other. Every time the North Duke summons the lord, the other party does not appear at all, and he does not regard each other as a marginal figure like other nobles.

Through some clues and the attitude of the North Duke, Earl Durard has always had a conjecture—

The other party may be a secluded person or have a strong background.

I don't know who the other party is.

And last time when I went to Rose City to negotiate with Duke Rose, the Earl Mercury seemed to be one step earlier. In other words, the other party knew about the appearance of Duke Rose earlier, and seemed to have a close relationship with Duke Rose.

This situation also made him feel that his conjecture was close to the fact that Fast, Earl of Mercury, was not an ordinary Earl.

However, he was just curious. There was no doubt that Earl Mercury had a better position in the power of Duke Rose than him.

Without any doubt, he and Earl Mercury are currently the two most promising marquises.

Some information can be obtained through his apprentice.

Thinking about this, Earl Durard and Art began to talk--

...

At night, in the Duolun Tavern.

"Have you heard that the castle in the blizzard! It is spectacular!" A tall and thin mercenary raised his arm. "Someone really saw it! The castle in the blizzard!"

"Yes, yes, we know." The scowling mercenary who was drinking next to him shook the glass, "I said Andy, how many times have you said this thing? Have you a hundred times? "

The mercenary named Andy spread his hands, and a drop of sweat was drawn across his head: "Why, you are slander."

"I think it is. I remember that after Andy entered the mercenary guild that day, there was an extra mission to find the castle." Another mercenary said, "Although it was anonymous, I think the eight achievements were discovered by Andy. ."

"I remember, if this kind of exploration task is really certain, the first discoverer will have a high reward, right?"

"Yes, if you really find out, and the mercenary guild will gain something, Andy will develop." The ruffian-like mercenary hit him with an elbow.

"Ahem, I said it wasn't me." Andy turned his head guiltyly, "If I know, I must have explored it by myself, what a castle in the wind and snow, it looks like a big harvest."

His explanation also stunned the mercenaries who had originally suspected that he was the discoverer, and he was right. When encountering this kind of opportunity, as long as they are not too courageous, they will try to confirm by themselves, in case they can find any treasure. if......

"No, no, no, this guy was seriously injured and sent back, and then ran out by himself. He passed out in the heavy snow and almost died. It is estimated that he went to find him again."

The ruffian mercenary tut said: "Andy should be brave enough, but after he almost died twice, he dared not go anymore. Give the clues to the Mercenary Guild."

A reasonable and well-founded statement made the other mercenaries suddenly realize that the others who knew about Andy also connected the clues together. The discussion got closer to the facts, and the expression on Andy's face also changed from a guilty conscience to nervousness. To admit fate.

"Alright, alright, I'll tell you all." Andy scratched his head and sat down on the chair. "In fact, this is how things are..."

As he told the story, Yate's ontology had already acted.

...

Compared to areas cleaned by people, no one cleans them in the wild.

The snow has exceeded one meter in depth.

In the shadow of a big tree crushed by snow, a figure walked away.

The black tuxedo and black boots lightly stepped on the snow without sinking. The indifferent and calm face looked towards the depths of the forest.

"It's very difficult to shuttle through the shadows." Yate put the twisted lens on his right eye, "I originally wanted to be positioned directly next to the castle, but..."

This distance is offset by at least two kilometers.

Jumping through the shadow world is a good way to move quickly, and this mode of action can only be done by stalkers and shadow creatures. Other teleportation is either through the teleportation magic circle that requires complicated operations, or through wizards. The established astral world jumps.

If you want to cross the shadow world at will, even a marquis-level wizard of the fourth level of the apocalypse can't do it.

The shadow world only shelters shadow creatures and rejects all non-shadow alien creatures.

Yate can turn himself into a shadow creature through the ability of the Shadow Crow. He once tried to disarm the ability of the Crow Mage while in the shadow world, but at that moment, he felt a huge malicious attack.

The concealing effect of the Phantom Eye almost failed.

but.......

At that time, although he hadn't had time to activate the effect of the crow mage again, the thing that resembled the will of the shadow world stayed on him for a while, and the malice disappeared, and replaced by a suspicious and unfamiliar sight.

After much deliberation, only oneself is a complete dark attribute, which is more in line with the situation.

No longer thinking about it, Yate moved forward, the shadow crows hiding in the shadow of the crevices of his clothes, blinked, got out of the shadow behind the tuxedo, and jumped into the shadow of the top hat. Also happy.

"Although I don't want to say it, it's better not to play too crazy."

As he walked, Yate said to the crows:

"We are almost at our destination."

In the distance, in a castle built in a frozen forest, there is a room under the shelter of a warm fireplace.

As Yate walked to the castle, a figure walked to the window. The next moment, the fire went out instantly, and the warmth disappeared in a moment.

"Someone is here again... why do you always bother me."