Raymond Duchy hinterland, Albert Family ancient and fortified castle.
Mills·Albert, the old count with frost-stained temples frowned and tapped his knuckles lightly on the heavy oak handrail.
The news that Scale-Earth Rift Road was captured and occupied by the monster clan has been firmly placed on his desk.
What made his heart even more heavy was that intelligence showed that those ferocious monsters were most likely the descendants of the dragons that killed his brother - Ironthorn Viscount Horato Albert more than 20 years ago!
The real names of Horato·Albert, Ironthorn Viscount.
He and Count Mills are blood brothers.
Although Albert Family has gradually faded out of the core of the military, its foundation is built up of numerous military achievements.
The best proof is that the marquis ancestor of their family, who was once famous and made great contributions to Raymond Duchy, once served as a general in the army.
Therefore, the family has always retained the tradition of sending its children to dangerous places for training.
Ironthorn Viscount Horato and Count Mills are not only brothers connected by blood, but they also fought side by side in the bloody storms on the border, and in countless fights on the verge of life and death, they forged a friendship that transcended ordinary brotherhood.
There are often discords among aristocratic blood relatives due to interest disputes, and their feelings are often weak.
However.
The kind of comrades-in-arms friendship that lives and dies together in the light of swords and trusts each other is hot and strong.
Count Mills was able to finally take the position of count, and it was indispensable that Ironthorn Viscount Horato's full support and mediation behind the scenes.
When he heard the bad news that Ironthorn Viscount died tragically at the hands of Evil Dragon in the wilderness, Count Mills was furious and sent his family's private army deep into the wilderness more than once, vowing to avenge his brother.
However, the vastness of the wilderness and the ferocity of the monsters thwarted his plans time and time again, and in the end he could only return without success.
As the years go by, the deep-seated hatred seems to have been swept away, and the thought of revenge gradually fades away.
But I never thought about it.
Just when he thought the past was over, news came that the suspected Evil Dragon family members were back.
Moreover, this is not just about personal vendetta.
The other party brazenly robbed the territory under his name and trampled on the honor and dignity that Albert Family had inherited for many years and was forged with blood! This was tantamount to giving Albert Family a loud slap in the face in front of all the nobles of the principality.
He must respond as quickly and forcefully as possible.
Otherwise, if he falls in shame twice in the same pit, his face will be disgraced, and Albert Family will become a joke and a byword for cowardice in the aristocratic circle of the principality.
However.
The reason why Earl Mills was able to stand out among many brothers who were equally brave and skilled in fighting, and finally took the position of earl, was precisely because he understood the value of calmness and reason in the game of power better than anyone else.
Anger can ignite the blood, but it can never burn the mind.
He was not dazzled by the surging rage of revenge. He still kept a heavy and regular rhythm with his knuckles, tapping the solid oak handrail, thinking quietly, weighing the pros and cons.
"Send the core private army of the family to Scale-Earth Rift Road."
"No matter whether the entrenched monsters can be successfully expelled or even annihilated in the end, fighting in a ghost place like the wilderness, the family's most precious force will inevitably suffer unbearable heavy losses. The cost of cultivating and arming an elite private army is extremely high, and every loss is a heartbreaking loss."
"Besides, it is the bounden duty of the Federation garrison to eliminate threats in the wilderness."
"The best solution to this matter is to prompt the Federation garrison to come forward and eliminate those damn monsters for us."
Albert Family started his career through military exploits, so he naturally has an intricate network of connections that has lasted for generations within the principality and even the Federation military system.
Mills Count quickly contacted a senior military officer with whom he had a close personal relationship.
After some necessary pleasantries and promises of generous benefits, he made his request tactfully.
He hoped that the other party could find a way to mobilize the Federation garrison in the Ser Wilderness area to deal with this "little trouble" of Scale-Earth Rift Road, save Albert Family's face, and at the same time avenge his brother.
The result was beyond Earl Mills's expectation, and things went extremely wrong.
In less than ten minutes, the other party's response was sent back through encryption Communication Stone.
--Ser Wilderness The situation is corrupt, monsters and beasts are raging, wars are everywhere, and documents requesting help are piled up in various strongholds. Scale-Earth Rift Road The priority of affairs in remote and fringe places like this is extremely low, and it will not be scheduled until several years at the earliest.
Mills Count was unwilling to give up and his brows were knitted into knots.
He didn't believe that the other party's position and friendship with him would not be able to handle even this trivial matter.
He successively contacted several other former military veterans who held different positions in the military and had also received favors from the Albert Family or had beneficial dealings with him.
The answers they received were exactly the same, and they all used the excuse that "the situation in the wilderness is turbulent and the troops are stretched thin."
"Federation's attention has decreased, so that the situation of Ser Wilderness has deteriorated to such an extent? Can't even recruit a team?"
Mills Count's brows furrowed even more tightly, as deep as a ravine.
However, he did not think deeply about the possible strangeness and tricks in it. He just thought that the chaos in the wilderness was far beyond his expectation, and his personal connections seemed powerless and insignificant in the face of such a big situation involving overall defense.
He couldn't imagine it anyway.
The existence far away in the wilderness, which he regarded as a savage monster, was actually related to Princess Lothern Kingdom.
What's more, I didn't expect that Her Royal Highness the Princess had already taken care of everything calmly.
Even though Lothern Kingdom has declined, it still has a profound foundation, huge influence and penetration. The means of a princess cannot be compared and competed by a small Raymond Duchy count family.
Seeing that the road to the Federation garrison has been completely blocked, it is absolutely impossible to pass through it in the short term.
After repeated consideration, in order to defend the honor of the family, Count Mills finally decided that he would have to use the power of the family's private army to go to the wilderness to resolve the matter in person.
However, he did not put all his chips on this private army.
After thinking deeply, he picked up the magic Communication Stone used for remote communication again and activated one of the specific spiritual marks.
"Xia'er, it's me, Mills."
The earl's voice was full of fatigue and expectation.
"I have encountered a very difficult matter and I hope to get your help."
Xia'er·Hines--Raymond Duchy is the most dazzling hero in recent years, rising like a comet, a famous brave man with great reputation and high hopes from countless people!
Since the beginning of his adventure, he has been surrounded by countless praises, flowers and girls' screams.
He will win every battle, whether the opponent is a vampire entrenched in an old castle, a herd of Troll beasts ravaging the village, or a Evil Dragon entrenched on a dangerous peak, he can always kill them with his gorgeous posture, powerful strength and impeccable combat skills.
When he was only nineteen years old.
He then achieved the shocking feat of single-handedly tracking and hunting an adult Blue Dragon of his own class, escaping his family's pursuit, and bringing his head back to the capital. From then on, he became famous all over the world and was sung by Bard.
Everyone firmly believes that he is destined to achieve great things for the Legendary Realm and become the pillar supporting Raymond Duchy's backbone in the future.
Because of his extraordinary handsome appearance, many beauties around him, and his extreme care and respect for women, he is also affectionately called - Flower Knight.
When this Flower Knight was just starting out, he had just emerged in several small conflicts on the eastern border of the principality.
The discerning Count Mills noticed this new star.
He invested it long and generously.
When Xia'er encountered financial difficulties, he provided just the right support; when Xia'er offended local dignitaries due to his mission, he used his family influence to quietly resolve the trouble; even when Xia'er needed some rare equipment or information, the Count's channels could always provide timely convenience.
He provided all kinds of convenience and support without asking for anything in return, but never asked Xia'er to do anything for him.
It is worth mentioning that.
Albert Family There are many more talent investments like this.
The family allocates a special budget every year to support young people who show extraordinary talents in the fields of military, magic or adventure. Whether they are civilian geniuses from humble backgrounds or temporarily destitute nobles.
Although most of these investments have gone to waste, either because they were entrusted to someone else, or because the other party has selectively forgotten the past favors after becoming prosperous, Albert Family has never stopped this kind of investment behavior.
It's like sowing countless seeds of hope in a vast field.
Even if most of them fail to germinate, as long as you are willing to devote time to management, you will be able to achieve a certain harvest sooner or later.
Among the very few that have been successfully harvested, Flower Knight Xia'er·Hines is undoubtedly the most valuable one.
Now, it's time to reap the rewards of this investment.
"What's the matter? Please tell me."
After receiving the response, Count Mills took a deep breath and put aside the reserve and pride of the nobles.
He faced the rising heroic warrior at the other end, almost bursting into tears, and complained every word with blood.
"Xia'er, those Evil Dragon who are entrenched in Scale-Earth Rift Road, their atrocities are too numerous to describe!"
"Not only did they brutally kill my only brother Horato, but now they are coming back, trampling on the territory that I, Albert Family, have guarded for generations, trampling under their feet the glory that my family's ancestors bought with their blood! They treat us like nothing!"
"I'm old, Xia'er. I've seen my family be humiliated, my brothers' blood feud has not been avenged, and my territory has been occupied by monsters, but I, the Earl, can do nothing. I hate my own incompetence, and I feel ashamed of my ancestors Heroic Spirit!"
The voice paused, and he sincerely requested. "Xia'er, I have no choice but to contact you. Now you are the only one who can help me. Please help me, help Albert Family."
The other end of Communication Stone.
The young adventurer Xia'er·Hines listened silently to his benefactor's accusations and pleas.
He is in the golden age of his life when he is most passionate and eager to make achievements and prove his worth with glorious deeds. He is full of passion and dreams and believes in the concept of repaying revenge with hatred and repaying kindness with kindness.
Over the years, he has been giving himself various key benefits like a loving father without asking for anything in return - from precious potion supplies, rare equipment clues, to settling difficult political troubles - the kind earl has silently supported his adventure.
At this moment, he actually put down his body so much, begged himself so sincerely, and placed all his hopes for family revival and revenge on himself.
What a heavy trust this is, and what a huge honor.
This heavy trust and entrustment instantly ignited the spirit of bravery and the feeling of repaying kindness in Flower Knight's heart.
Flower Knight's heart was full of pride, and he felt it was his duty to do so.
And in addition to repaying kindness, the story of a brave man fighting Evil Dragon is everlasting. Dragon slaying is also the fastest way to become famous. Even without the old count's request, if he hears that Evil Dragon is raging somewhere, he will try to fight against it.
"Mr. Mills, please rest assured."
Communication Stone heard the resolute response of the young knight. "I promise you that I will solve this matter for you and give Albert Family the dignity it deserves!"