"Ivan, do you like riding in this carriage?" Miss Fanny asked with a hidden meaning."I like those four horses. They are Lord Juan's most beloved treasures," Ivan replied, answering beside the point.From the Maidin family's mansion in the suburbs to the cathedral in the center of Thorsburg.
Ivan had already traveled this road before, but the last time it was a narrow escape from death. As for what dangers awaited him this time, Ivan had no idea.This carriage was quite conspicuous as it traveled alone on the streets of Thorsburg. What's more, there were teams of knights escorting it both in front and behind, which added a touch of nobility and grandeur.
The streets of Thorsburg had obviously been controlled. Along the way, there were few carriages in sight. Even those few carriages were clearly occupied by nobles heading to the cathedral. From a distance, the nobles sitting in those carriages opened the windows and greeted them respectfully with bows.Before long, the carriage arrived in front of the cathedral.Today's cathedral was crowded with people.
Countless nobles, dressed in their festive finery, were standing on the square in front of the cathedral.Around the square, there were guards posted at intervals.The soldiers were also wearing ceremonial military uniforms, with shiny silver breastplates on the outside. The long spears they held in their hands were decorated with gorgeous silk.On the two tall towers of the cathedral, colorful silk ribbons were also tied. Blown by the wind, the ribbons fluttered and swayed joyfully, presenting a truly beautiful scene.However, Ivan, who was from Southport, also knew very well that the amount of gold coins spent to create this beauty and grandeur must be astonishing.
The escort knights formed two crescent-shaped teams, and Ivan's carriage was just surrounded by them in the middle.As soon as Ivan got off the carriage, a chorus of cheers rose from the square.In return, Ivan waved to the nobles standing around.All of this was just a customary ceremony. No matter which lord it was, whether the lord was loved by the people or not, it could always draw such cheers. Ivan was well aware of this, of course.
Under the protection of six escort knights, Ivan and his party walked up the steps in front of the cathedral.On the way, Ivan noticed a glare from the crowd. It was Viscount Theodore's dissatisfaction at his daughter being lured away. Obviously, he was extremely reluctant to see his only daughter walking with him, this little rascal, in full view of everyone.Ivan was in no mood to think about such things at the moment.
He walked straight into that magnificent cathedral.The inside of the cathedral always looked the same. In the face of the supreme authority of the gods, ordinary people were just a tiny and short-lived spark.The powerful nobles of Thorsburg had already been waiting there. Standing in a row at the front of the cathedral were those high-ranking clergy.
These pious servants of the gods, who served the gods devoutly, were wearing white clergy robes, with golden ribbons hanging from the neckline all the way to the waist.On the left and right corners of the robes were embroidered with golden spirals, which were the symbols of the supreme Father God.
In their hands, they were each holding different vessels. Some were bottles, some were boxes, and some were basins. In the hands of the Archbishop was a golden cup, and the liquid inside the cup seemed to be shimmering.Behind Ivan, the nobles followed and entered the cathedral.They stood on both sides of the church respectively.Baron Lipper and his wife and those nobles who had a good relationship with Ivan stood in the front row, while Viscount Theodore pulled his wife and stood in a corner far away."Ivan, you're finally here," the Archbishop said.Ivan knew very well that he was the protagonist today.
Ivan straightened his clothes and walked forward with big strides."Elder, are all the people here?" Earl Kenneth walked over and asked. Beside him was Earl Levy."Earl Leonard hasn't arrived yet," Elder Monr glanced and said."I hope he won't be too late. Let's wait for another half an hour.
If Earl Leonard still hasn't come after half an hour, then we'll start the ceremony," Earl Kenneth said."We don't need to waste this time. Let's verify those documents first. Half an hour is just enough," Miss Madin said from the side."Alright," the elder nodded in agreement. With a wave of his hand, several clergy immediately carried a lightweight, delicate and exquisitely crafted folding long table.
The long table was placed right in the middle of the church, and the sunlight shining down from the ceiling directly hit the table."Miss Fanny, please put the documents in your hands on the table," the elder instructed.Fanny complied with the Archbishop's request and put down the box."Ask the appraisal experts to come here," the elder instructed again.
Five people dressed in black robes, who looked like prosecutors, walked in."Abide by the teachings of the gods and be an honest and just person. May the Father God bestow upon you sharp eyes and rigorous wisdom," Elder Monr prayed solemnly.After the brief prayer, the five appraisers rolled up their sleeves and walked to the table.
In full view of everyone, they opened the box, took out the documents one by one, and carefully appraised them.After each document was appraised, it was put aside, waiting for another appraiser to look at it.All the documents had to be separately appraised and approved by all five of them to be valid.
As time passed bit by bit, finally all the supporting documents were confirmed to be error-free, and the five appraisers solemnly signed their names on the notarization certificate."It's almost time. Half an hour has long passed. Since Lord Leonard hasn't come, we can just consider him as having voluntarily abstained," Earl Levy said."
Does anyone have any objections?" Earl Kenneth asked loudly."In my opinion, it's better to wait until Lord Leonard arrives before starting," a young nobleman standing beside said.Everyone turned around to look. Most of them didn't recognize him. He should be an insignificant fellow.However, at such an important moment, at the moment of deciding the heir to the lord of Thorsburg, no one's voice could be easily ignored.
Earl Kenneth regretted a bit. Why did he ask this unnecessary question?"Sir, you mean that we should stand here and wait for Lord Leonard's arrival. But may I ask when will it end? Or should we keep waiting like this forever?" Another nobleman said.Ivan actually recognized that person. He remembered that he was a descendant of the Relta family."I don't mean that. It's just that Mr.
Leonard has a significant influence in Thorsburg and even in the entire southern part of Francois. If Lord Leonard doesn't come to participate, I'm afraid it won't be good," As soon as this person said these words, everyone understood his stance.Earl Kenneth began to worry.This guy Leonard was really boring playing such tricks. He let an insignificant person stand out and make trouble.
If his side tried to suppress him with all their strength, it would be making a big deal out of a small matter and would unavoidably give Leonard an excuse to argue, as if his people were bullying others and not giving the opponents the right to speak.However, if he let this guy continue to stir up trouble, it might get more and more chaotic. Anyway, this person wasn't famous, and he could play dirty tricks in public and use any low-level means at will, while his side wouldn't be able to put aside their dignity easily.
Earl Kenneth couldn't help but feel worried, and he looked at Earl Levy.Earl Levy certainly understood what Earl Kenneth meant, but he also had no way to deal with it, so Earl Levy turned his face away as if he hadn't seen it.Just when everyone was at a loss, Miss Madin said coldly beside them, "The confirmation ceremony for the heir to the lord of Thorsburg today had already been notified to the Leonard family half a month ago. Lord Leonard couldn't have been unaware of it.
Since he knew the time and he's still late, there's only one explanation. He's giving up his right to vote. I'm sure you all think the same way. Of course, there's another explanation, that is, Mr. Leonard doesn't take all the nobles present here seriously at all. However, I don't think Mr. Leonard is such a person.
"Elder Monr, you are so knowledgeable. You should know how to handle this situation according to the convention."
"Miss Madin, just as you said, according to the legal procedures, the nobles who don't arrive within half an hour after the ceremony starts will be regarded as having abstained," The elder nodded repeatedly and said.
"Wait. In my opinion, the confirmation of the heir to the lord is a very important matter. It won't be good without Lord Leonard's participation. Moreover, Mr. Leonard might be busy with something and might come to participate soon. Let's wait a little longer. We've already waited for half an hour. It's not too much to wait for another half an hour," That nobleman said again.
"What was said just now is clear enough. According to the legal procedures, being late for half an hour is regarded as abstaining. What else is there to argue about? Did Elder Monr say something wrong? Or has the legal procedure lost its authority? You, sir, have repeatedly obstructed the normal legal procedures, and your reasons are so absurd and ridiculous. Something happened to Mr. Leonard? Is this also a reason? All the nobles present here, do you think this is a reason? All you noble and noble-minded nobles, do you think this gentleman is making trouble for no reason?" Miss Madin said sternly.As soon as her words fell, a chorus of voices rose in the venue.
"This is not a reason." "This person is indeed making trouble for no reason." "Drive this person out."... The voices came one after another.Miss Madin tried very hard to suppress these voices. She ordered in her trademark cold voice, "Guards, please escort this gentleman out of this solemn and sacred place. None of the nobles here welcomes such a troublemaker."The guards immediately obeyed the order and escorted that nobleman out of the venue.Earl Kenneth took a look at Miss Madin and secretly praised her in his heart. She was really brilliant. Only a quick and decisive way like this could solve this kind of problem.However, on second thought, only Miss Madin was the most suitable to step forward. She was the younger sister of the old lord and had a blood relationship with the heir to the lord. At the same time, she was a woman. For those despicable opponents that men couldn't deal with, women were just their nemesis.If he had made such a decision, that guy Leonard would definitely hold on to him and claim that he was trying to manipulate the heir to the lord.Leonard had the court's support behind him.
Even if he was in the right, he wouldn't be able to explain clearly.But Miss Madin was completely different. Her identity as a female made it certain that she would win the lawsuit in the council of elders. Because she had conclusive evidence and it was a lawsuit between a woman and a man, the council of elders would always side with the woman.Earl Kenneth was secretly happy when he didn't expect to hear Lord Leonard's voice from outside the church."Sorry, sorry.
I'm a bit late,"As the voice rang out, Lord Leonard's thin figure appeared in front of people, and two people were following behind him.On the left was a young man, around twenty-seven years old. He had a clean and smooth chin with no beard, and his curly hair was styled in small waves and hung down behind his head.In terms of appearance, this young man could indeed be described as handsome, but his handsomeness was different from Ivan's good looks.
He had an heroic air about him, giving a sense of masculinity.His eyebrows were thick, his forehead was broad, and paired with his bright and piercing eyes, he really had an extraordinary charm.Looking at the young man's build, although he wasn't particularly tall, his proportions showed that he was agile.There was nothing particularly remarkable about his clothing and attire.
He was dressed like a merchant, just an ordinary merchant at first glance.However, no one would think that this young man was an ordinary merchant because the aura he exuded was definitely not something a merchant could possess. Earl Kenneth even felt that in the face of this aura, he had the urge to take a few steps back and was a bit unsteady on his feet.
It was only then that Kenneth noticed that he had already taken a few steps back without realizing it.Moreover, not only him, but most of the people around also backed away. Among these people were even the clergy standing in a row and Earl Levy.Earl Levy obviously also realized that he had been a bit too flustered.He straightened his expression and said, "Lord Leonard, you're really too late. You've made so many of us wait for you alone.""Haha, I'm sorry. I apologize to everyone here.
It was really unfortunate. Just as I was about to go out, some important guests arrived. They are these two gentlemen. I'm really sorry to have kept you all waiting," Lord Leonard said with a laugh."Who are these two gentlemen? Could you introduce them to us?" Earl Kenneth asked."For those who can't even stand firm in front of us, they don't deserve to know my name. Besides, I'm just here by chance.
I came to this grand event because of Leonard's invitation. I'm not interested in your affairs. I'm just here to play the role of an impartial judge," The young man said. Although each of his words was extremely arrogant, his tone didn't give people a sense of arrogance at all, as if everything was normal.Earl Kenneth was about to say something when he didn't expect that the young man completely ignored his existence.
The young man's gaze fixed on the people behind him and asked, "Leonard, you once told me that 'Windbreaker' died at the hands of your young lord heir and his companions. That young man must be your young lord heir. If I'm not mistaken, this old gentleman and the two people standing beside him are the brave men who killed 'Windbreaker', right?""Yes, yes.
Your Excellency has sharp eyes. How did you figure it out?" Lord Leonard flattered from the side."It's simple. Just now, most of the people present were intimidated by my aura and couldn't help but take a few steps back. Only a few people didn't have this reaction. Those people are your young lord heir, the Archbishop, that old gentleman, and the person on the left behind him.
Although the person on the right also took a small step back, he was the first to come to his senses among all of them, and it can be seen that he is with that old gentleman," The young man explained."Just based on this?" Earl Levy said awkwardly."Humph, what do you know? People who can resist my aura must have extremely strong mental and willpower. With such powerful mental and willpower, they are outstanding and rare remarkable figures no matter what. This young man is said to be a magician. Because among the magicians I know in the capital, few can turn a blind eye to the aura I deliberately released. But this young man did it.
The same person who had no reaction was the gentleman behind the old man. Sir, what do you do? Could you satisfy my curiosity?" The young man asked.Herbert had never been interested in answering other people's questions.
He just stood there unmoved.The young man had to shake his head and sigh, "It seems that I'll have to find the answer to this question by myself later. By the way, who is that old gentleman? I can fully understand that the Archbishop can withstand my aura, but who is this gentleman?""Look at his hands. This is Lord Juan, a famous explorer and diplomat.
He was once awarded the title of Lord by His Majesty the King for mediating the war between Francois and Delizhi," Lord Leonard introduced from the side."Oh, I've heard of you. Mr. Juan, according to rumors, your martial arts skills are extremely superb, your archery is incredibly accurate, and you can shoot arrows while on horseback. Moreover, you can use your left and right hands alternately, and there is basically no blind spot for you when shooting.
How do you manage to do that?" The young man asked."It's the skills of the Easterners. In the Eastern countries, this isn't such an amazing skill. I've seen many women who can easily do this too," Mr. Juan replied."Eastern? You are indeed an outstanding explorer," The young man nodded and continued to ask, "Mr. Juan, you were attacked on your way here.
I've surveyed the site of the attack. It was really an extremely fierce battle. I can completely imagine the danger you encountered at that time. However, as far as I know, there was another group of people who were also attacked at that time. There was also a carriage at the scene not far from your resting place. Did you notice anything unusual?""Unusual?
There were indeed some unusual things. Those people were also very powerful. At least half of the attackers were killed by them. And after killing the bandits, they attacked us again," Mr. Juan said."I can completely guess that. I found traces of a fight at the scene, but it seemed that only one person from the other side was attacking.
There were no marks left by a second type of attack at the scene. That person's skills were extremely superb. How did you deal with his attacks?" The young man asked."Magic. Ivan is a magician. There are many ways in magic to deal with such a person with extraordinary martial arts skills. We just needed to make him display his powerful sword skills towards the trees far away from us," Mr. Juan explained."Illusion magic?" The young man asked Mr. Juan.
Seeing that Mr. Juan had no reaction, he then asked the middle-aged man who was always silently standing there with a cloak on and hadn't said a word."The simplest way is indeed to use illusion magic," The middle-aged man said. "However, there are many other ways. The world of magic is really vast and boundless."By this time, there was no doubt that everyone present already knew that the second uninvited guest was a magician.What was going on? In Luxembourg, which was a remote place, two magicians suddenly appeared.If Ivan's teacher was also considered, then there were at least three magicians in the southern part of Francois.This had never happened before because magicians were really rare, and there were even fewer magicians outside the capital.What kind of wind had brought so many magicians to the south? People couldn't figure it out at all."Who is your teacher?" The magician asked.Ivan looked at Mr. Juan. Because he didn't know whether he should tell that person the truth or not.
He got an affirmative look from Mr. Juan.Ivan said righteously, "Magician Lavash. My teacher is Magician Lavash.""Lavash?" The magician repeated. His face became a bit unnatural.The young man also seemed a bit uncomfortable.
Obviously, this answer was beyond his original expectation."Is that Mr. Lavash a very powerful magician?" Lord Leonard asked cautiously."You don't need to know these things," The young man stopped him without hesitation. "Alright, our time is extremely precious, and it must be the same for everyone present.
Don't let those stupid questions hinder the progress of important matters. Mr. Leonard, didn't you tell me that you had great doubts about this Mr. Ivan's identity? Didn't you say that you could completely prove that he isn't the real Ivan · Bestide, the only heir to the lord of Luxembourg? We were invited here just to play the role of impartial judges.
Please present your evidence. We will make a fair judgment. I'm sure everyone present is also waiting for this."Reminded by this young man, everyone then remembered that the real protagonist should be Ivan.The heir confirmation ceremony was the most important thing.Now Lord Leonard was in a bit of a dilemma. Before this, he didn't know what the real background of this Ivan was.Originally, in his opinion, Ivan was just a little puppet who was pushed onto the stage, a fake.That Mr. Juan had found such a child from who knows where and wanted to pretend that he was the heir to the lord of Luxembourg.
In fact, he was quite certain that the real Ivan · Este had already died long ago, either from the plague or poisoned by the cook he had bribed.All the plans had been made ten years ago, and the person who was to poison had already been found at that time.
Ivan · Bestide had extremely special food preferences, so it was really easy to poison him.Originally, according to the plan, killing Ivan was supposed to be done after killing his grandfather and two uncles. But unfortunately, a plague broke out in Southport seven years ago, which was a golden opportunity to make a move.When the plague happened, no one would investigate the cause of death if a child died.
It was precisely because of this reason that he ordered to poison Ivan · Bestide.The cook had once told him that the real Ivan had been poisoned to death by her, and that the child had already caught the plague before that, so he wouldn't have lived long even if he hadn't been poisoned.
The cook's words should be believable. It was a pity that the cook had been silenced back then. Otherwise, maybe more clues could have been found.Anyway, the Ivan standing in front of everyone now was definitely not the real one.Originally, he thought that this child was just a trained little liar.
Later, when he heard that this boy was also a magician, he still didn't care. Maybe this young man just had a third-rate magician as his teacher and could only play some tricks to deceive people at best.But the facts were showing more and more that it was not the case at all.
These two important figures who came from the capital hadn't come here for his business originally. They had other important tasks on their shoulders. Their coming to find him was completely an accident, and this accident was unexpectedly related to the heir to the lord.These two people seemed to be very interested in the fight that took place in the Bart Forest, which had left him feeling completely confused.That fight was definitely not instigated by him.
He originally thought that it was a ruse of self-harm directed by Mr. Juan.But now it seemed that there were other astonishing secrets behind it. It was better for him not to get involved in such things.After these two people arrived at the scene, the clues they found made his heart skip a beat.
According to what they said, among the attackers who were enemies of this young master Ivan and his group in that fight, there was at least one person with the strength of a paladin.Moreover, those attacked and killed were hit by magic in an instant. The magician who could cast such magic was quite powerful.This had already made him have to think carefully.
Maybe this young master Ivan was not that simple.And now it seemed that this Mr. Ivan had a magician teacher with a very high status. That Magician Lavash could even make these two important figures change their expressions when they heard his name. That was definitely not someone he could afford to offend.
Now he was in a real bind.If he couldn't settle this matter, losing his head would be a small thing.He wasn't even sure whether the Leonard family could be preserved or not.He knew all too well about the means of this young master Ivan. He was really ruthless.
The team of people he had painstakingly built up and the reinforcements secretly borrowed from the court had been wiped out in an instant by this seemingly gentle and refined young man. His methods were so ruthless and his actions were so swift that he couldn't even match them.Facing such a cold and ruthless killer as an enemy, Lord Leonard was deeply worried about the lives and safety of himself and his family members.