"The families of the Creed cannot intermarry. This was a rule established when the Holy Empire was founded. Has Your Majesty forgotten this?"
Earl Hall stood in front of Dolores, blocking Augulas's view.
"Rules are dead, but people are alive. This rule should have been amended long ago," said an elder of the Frank family.
"If the Hall family is worried about this, then there is no need. We will propose amendments at this year's Creed Families Council to abolish this covenant," said another elder.
"Enough. I will not force Dolores to do anything she doesn't want to do."
Augulas stopped the two elders from continuing.
"Dolores doesn't want to get married yet, and I can understand that. Earl Hall's loyalty to the Empire is clearer to me than anyone else. Since Dolores wants to fight for the Empire, then so be it."
Dolores was slightly stunned, not expecting Augulas to agree so easily.
"Dolores Hall, the Rose of the Empire, I, Augulas Frank, the 11th Emperor of the Holy Empire, officially initiate the War Covenant for you. Dolores Hall, you are now the Empire's War Witch, and you will dedicate your life to the Empire's wars. Are you willing?"
Augulas was obviously acting out of spite.
Once the War Covenant is activated, Dolores Hall, as the War Witch, her fate will only be eternal battle, either dying on the battlefield or winning every battle and expanding the Empire's territory.
If Dolores regrets it now and wants to marry him, it's not too late. He will let Dolores be his queen in peace.
"Your Majesty."
Earl Hall wanted to say something, but Augulas interrupted him, "Earl, I am now asking Dolores Hall, the Empire's legendary witch, not you."
Earl Hall frowned again. Even as an Earl, he could not resist the highest authority in the Empire.
"Father, I can decide for myself."
Dolores's eyes revealed determination and courage. She stood in the center of the magnificent hall, her eyes like torches, staring directly at Augulas.
Those deep eyes seemed to be able to see through people's hearts, making the powerful Augulas tremble.
Dolores looked at himself with such eyes for the first time. Augulas's Adam's apple bobbed, and he swallowed subconsciously.
Under everyone's gaze, Dolores took off the hairpin from her long purple hair. One end of the hairpin was sharp, like a dagger.
Her purple hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, setting off her porcelain-like skin.
Even in the extravagant palace, she was still the most beautiful scenery.
Dolores's fingers gently slid over the hairpin. With a flick of her wrist, the hairpin shot out like a silver meteor, pointing straight at Augulas.
The air seemed to freeze, and time lost its meaning at this moment.
The servants in the hall, some had already knelt on the ground, holding their heads in their hands, while others widened their eyes, unable to believe what they were seeing.
Their breathing became rapid and shallow, as if afraid that their breathing would break the deathly silence.
Without the slightest hesitation, Dolores's sharp hairpin, carrying her determination and anger, cut through the hall's hanging crystal chandelier, bringing up a string of dust and tiny crystal fragments, which scattered in the air like fragments of time flying in chaos.
The hairpin brushed past Augulas's left ear, less than 2cm away from him, and deeply embedded itself in the throne made of gold and gems.
The atmosphere was extremely tense, and everyone in the hall could hear their own nervous heartbeat.
Dolores's actions took everyone by surprise.
Augulas's eyes flashed with horror, fear, and disbelief.
"Augulas, I am Dolores Hall. No one can order me. It is my freedom to do what I want. If you want to force me, the Frank family should not forget that the cornerstone of the Holy Empire is the seven Creed Families, not just the Frank family."
Augulas was completely stunned.
Earl Hall also reacted. His eyes couldn't help but become a little moist, and he sighed in his heart that it was good to be young.
If he were 20 years younger, he should be the same as Dolores, right?
The Hall family had been enslaved by the Frank family for too long, making Earl Hall forget the pride of being a Creed Family. Today, Dolores made him regain his confidence.
"Presumptuous, Dolores Hall, do you want to assassinate the Emperor?"
An elder of the Frank family stood up and looked at Dolores angrily.
The knights had already rushed forward, surrounding Augulas.
None of them had thought that Dolores would attack His Majesty, and they only realized it later.
They drew their swords and shields, looking at Dolores as if facing a great enemy.
"I am the Empire's only legendary witch. I hope you pay attention to your words. I am confident that there is no one else in the Holy Empire who can defeat me, and even His Holiness the Pope must respect me."
Dolores was right. As the Empire's only legendary witch, although Dolores had never shown her combat power to outsiders, the wise men's evaluation of her was: never anger her, extremely dangerous.
This was enough to prove that Dolores's strength was very strong, and even the strongest artificial witch could not match her.
In addition, Dolores also had a real dragon.
"Has the Frank family been the contract master for too long, thinking that the Hall family should be enslaved by you?
Have you forgotten the covenant that the Creed Families have supreme rights in the Empire? If you don't remember, I can help you review it.
Augulas, I have no interest in your throne or your queen's position.
This time is just a warning. Don't try to order me or control me again. Next time, if you anger me again, I don't mind letting the entire Holy Empire bear the wrath of a legendary witch."
Dolores's speech made the entire hall silent.
The servants' legs were already weak.
They wished their ears were deaf and they hadn't heard anything.
The knights also had beads of sweat on their heads. They nervously gripped their weapons, feeling the pressure from the powerful witch.
The elders of the Frank family and Augulas only reacted at this time. The person standing in front of them was not just a noble girl from the Hall family, but a real witch with great power, not an artificial witch created by them,
who had been brainwashed from childhood.
If Dolores was willing, she could of course become Augulas's bride. If she was unwilling, even if the entire Guardian Bureau was dispatched, they wouldn't be able to trap her.
Seeing Augulas's pale face, Dolores knew that her shock effect had been produced.
She said lightly,
"Five years. I will fight for you for five years. After five years, no one can stop me from doing what I want, but these five years will offset our past 18 years. Augulas. From now on, you are neither my friend nor my family. You are just the Emperor, and I am just the witch. We have nothing to do with each other."
Dolores took her old father Earl Hall's hand, turned and left. When she reached the entrance of the hall, Dolores turned around and looked coldly at the three Franks in the high position,
"If anyone dares to harm the people of the Hall family, I will make them regret being born into this world.
The Frank family elder, who was planning to use the Hall family's clansmen to restrict Dolores, had a gloomy face as if he could wring out water.
Augulas stood up, looking at Dolores's departing back, and suddenly felt that something was missing in his heart.
Five years as the War Witch offset all the childhood friendship.
He wanted to reach out and save it, wanted to call Dolores back, but found that his throat seemed to be blocked by something.
Every breath carried a trace of trembling, as if bearing his heavy mood.
He knew that he had forever lost Dolores.
When Earl Hall and Dolores left the palace, night had already enveloped the entire Yalong City.
Even though Yalong City was still brightly lit, darkness was the background color of the night, and elongated shadows could be seen everywhere.
"Father, was I too willful?"
Inside the carriage, Dolores looked at Earl Hall apologetically, completely without the sharpness and arrogance in the hall, and turned back into the well-behaved daughter.
Earl Hall smiled and shook his head, "My Dolores has always been my pride. You did better than Father today."
"Father, thank you."
Dolores leaned her head on her father's shoulder, "Thank you for always supporting my decision."
"Dolores, you have grown up, and I am old."
"No, Father is not old at all. The entire Hall family still needs Father."
Noticing the low mood of Earl Hall, Dolores comforted him.
Earl Hall smiled and nodded, turning his gaze to the outside of the window, looking at the gradually shrinking palace castle, wondering what he was thinking.
That night, all the servants and knights who witnessed Dolores attacking Augulas were executed by Augulas.
Augulas returned to the Frank family, and the elders held an emergency meeting.
To discuss the matter of the witch Dolores.
"Dolores is too powerful and must be restricted."
"Yes, since she cannot become a member of our Frank family, she should be subject to restraint."
"Today she can threaten Augulas, and tomorrow she can overthrow the rule of the Empire."
"The wealth of the Hall family, the power of Dolores, if the Hall family wants to rebel, Augulas, you will be in great danger."
"The Hall family must be suppressed."—
The family elders and heads were discussing.
But Augulas was always absent-minded.
He was still recalling his childhood, the way Dolores stood up to protect him, the lovely girl, unknowingly had grown up and turned into a legendary witch.
The Dolores in his memory overlapped with the current Dolores.
Augulas seemed to see the hairpin stabbed into the throne again.
He was still holding this ornament in his hand.
Augulas didn't even remember how he returned to the palace bedroom.
Xenobia hugged Augulas from behind, "My Emperor, why do you look so sad?"
"Me? Sad?"
Augulas turned around, looking at Xenobia, "What are you talking about?"
"Look at your tears, who can make my eagle cry?"
Xenobia gently wiped the tears from the corners of Augulas's eyes.
Augulas didn't react, he was actually crying.
"I lost Dolores."
Augulas said in a low voice.
Xenobia seemed to have expected this day, she held Augulas in her arms,
"It's okay, I will always be with you."
"Will you be my queen?"
"No, I am your family."
Xenobia kissed Augulas's lips.
Soon, sounds of depravity came from the bedroom.
In fact, Augulas also understood that from the moment he wanted Dolores to give birth to a strong army for him, his feelings for Dolores had already deteriorated, but he was unwilling to admit it.
Until today, everything was clarified.
He realized that he was completely in two worlds with Dolores.
His tears were both unwillingness and regret.
Dolores returned to the tower and rushed into her lover's arms.
Before Li En could react, Dolores tiptoed and kissed him.
Ignoring everyone else.
Emma coughed twice, covering her eyes,
"Cough cough, I'm still here, I can't look, I can't look."
"Emma, why aren't you resting yet?"
Dolores looked back, looking at her best friend dissatisfied.
Emma was even more dissatisfied, pointing at Li En,
"It's not that I don't want to rest, it's that you're not here, I can't sleep at all, I'm afraid this guy will harm me."
"So you have been waiting for me to come back?
Dolores asked with a smile.
"What's so funny about this, it's not funny at all."
Emma pouted.
She was actually super envious of Dolores, who could kiss her lover so wantonly.
She also wanted to kiss Constantine like this, but unfortunately Constantine never gave her a chance.
She would be predicted and avoided if she had a little bit of this action.
Constantine seemed to be deliberately keeping a distance from himself, not knowing what he was afraid of.
"Will you harm her?"
Dolores looked at Li En.
"I won't do anything that makes Dolores unhappy, at most I'll use her as bait."
Mainly because she can't be killed either.
Li En added in his heart.
"See, he won't harm you."
Dolores looked at Emma seriously.
Emma rolled her eyes, "A woman in love is simply hopeless."
"Emma, get along well with Li En, you will find that he is a good person."
Dolores said with a smile.
"Oh oh."
Emma walked over, took Dolores's arm, and then pulled Dolores away, "Let's go to sleep,
I'm so sleepy."
"Ah?"
Dolores looked at Li En regretfully.
Li En raised his eyebrows, patted Alexander's little head, "Go find Mom to sleep."
"Okay, Dad."
Alexander came closer, "Mom, I want to be with you too."
"Ah, no."
Emma didn't want to sleep with Alexander, fearing that she would be bitten by this little ghost in the middle of the night.
In the end, Emma reluctantly went to the guest room, and Alexander didn't sleep with Dolores either. She was surrounded by a group of magical creatures, and she wanted to play all night. The little dragon was energetic, and sleeping for 2 hours a day was enough.
Li En pulled Dolores into the bathroom.
The two exchanged life experiences while bathing.
Until Dolores couldn't argue and began to beg for mercy.
In the latter half of the night, the two left the bathroom and lay in bed to rest.
"You seem a little different today."
Li En said softly.
"Different? How so?"
Dorothy looked at Li En curiously.
"Well, you weren't this proactive before."
"Because you helped me gain freedom, I need to reward you. It seems like you don't like it."
"I like it, I like it very much. Since it's a reward, why not give me more?"
"Ah, there's no more. Really, there's no more."
As the two were playfully teasing each other, they suddenly noticed a sneaky figure pushing open the door, sneaking in, and burrowing under the covers.
"Dorothy, I can't sleep alone. I have so much to say to you."
Emma nudged Li En, "Can you make some space?"
Li En was completely stunned.
This girl was still afraid of me during the day, but she's so bold at night. Who gave her the courage?
Dorothy glanced at Li En helplessly, "How about I keep Emma company tonight and chat with her?"
"Uh, okay."
Li En climbed out of bed and left alone, leaving his fiancée with her best friend.
Emma asked in surprise, "Have you two already slept together? Oh my god, Dorothy, you're progressing too fast. I think I just saw him without pants."
"You can't look at him, he's mine."
"Uh, then I won't look. How did you two get so fast? How did you win him over? Teach me."
"What do you want to do?"
"I also want to take things further with Constantine."
Emma looked at Dorothy excitedly, her face full of eagerness to learn.
"If you're stronger than him, you can force him. That's what I did at the beginning."
Dorothy stroked her chin and said seriously.
The conversation between the best friends was incredibly explosive.
Li En felt that he couldn't listen anymore after a while.
Otherwise, Dorothy's image in his mind would be equated with Anna.
When women get seductive, there's nothing for men to do.
However, Li En felt pretty good about receiving Dorothy's affirmation of his ability.
The next day, the bells of St. Luas Cathedral rang on time, announcing the arrival of a new day.
Morning mist, like smoke, gently permeated Yalong City.
The morning sun rose, and golden light shone through the mist, dappling the wide streets.
On the city walls, the figures of the guards were faintly visible, and the spears and armor gleamed coldly in the haze.
Teams of soldiers walked through the streets and alleys, their footsteps echoing in the silence, gradually awakening the sleeping residents.
Li En and Ophelia entered the palace early in a carriage.
With the expedition imminent, Augulas didn't want to be angry about Li En's disturbance at the Guardian Bureau for Sophia's sake. He had only two purposes for seeing Li En and Ophelia today: to warn and to encourage.
Li En seemed to be in a good mood, and he listened attentively to Augulas's words.
Ophelia also spoke many good words for Li En, glossing over the matter.
"Let's go, I'll see you off."
Augulas patted Li En on the shoulder.
Li En then realized that today was the day of the expedition.
"Your Majesty, I haven't changed into my armor yet."
"You can change on the warship."
"Uh, okay."
The second expedition.
The massive army slowly set off from the shadow of the castle. The heavy armor and crisp sound of horses' hooves intertwined to form a solemn and tense march.
The soldiers were clad in armor, holding long swords and shields, each with a look of tension and determination in their eyes.
The flags fluttered in the wind. The sound of military trumpets suddenly rang out loudly, breaking the silence of the morning. The sound was full of power and appeal, making everyone's blood boil.
People woke up from their dreams and came out of their homes, standing on both sides of the road to bid farewell to these armored guardians with prayers and blessings. Their eyes were full of admiration for the heroes.
The young emperor rode his steed at the front of the column, flanked by Duke Moria and Earl Hall.
Behind them followed Ophelia, the director of the Guardian Bureau, Li En, the new favorite of the empire, and Dorothy, the legendary witch.
Then came the many ministers and knightly orders.
Finally, the army.
The team marched mightily from the city to the docks.
On the sea was the brand-new Holy Empire fleet.
The fleet was like a solemn honor guard, arrayed in vast formation.
The sunlight shone on the ships, and the silver hulls reflected a dazzling light, like the most brilliant stars in the ocean.
The flags fluttered in the sea breeze, and the canvases embroidered with golden lions and blue shields seemed to declare the strength and majesty of the Holy Empire to the world.
Among the ships, sailors in uniform sea-blue uniforms, with ropes tightly gripped in their hands, had faces full of pride and determination.
Their eyes were firm and resolute, and even the waves crashing against their cheeks did not shake their loyalty to the empire. This fleet had a total of 10 warships and 20 supply ships.
Each one was a giant warship capable of carrying a thousand people, with a vast team and a population of 12,000.
The ability to build so many warships in a short period of time was due to the crushing defeat of the Burns Empire. The Holy Empire and the Burns Empire formed an alliance to jointly explore the Azure Dragon Court again. The Burns Empire sent the world's best shipbuilders to participate in the construction of the warships and the accompanying maintenance.
The Burns Empire's fleet will also meet the Holy Empire's fleet at sea.
Li En didn't know this before, but only heard Augulas say it on the day of the expedition.
Although it was a collaboration, Augulas certainly wouldn't share the Azure Dragon Whip with the Burns people.
So he talked to Li En and Duke Moria for a long time in private.
As for Earl Hall and Dorothy, Augulas's temporary attitude was to use them but not to be close to them.
Augulas, like the last expedition, gave a passionate speech to the people and soldiers.
It was as if nothing had happened in the main hall yesterday. His pre-war mobilization ignited the enthusiasm of all the soldiers.
"Victory! Victory! Victory!"
The knights and soldiers shouted victory and began to board the ships.
Augulas and Ophelia, along with a group of ministers, saw them off at the dock.
Earl Hall and Duke Moria boarded the warships with their family flags, respectively, and Dorothy and Li En were also forced to separate.
The witch and the clergy boarded the ship together. They should have followed Dorothy, but Dorothy's actions yesterday made the Frank family feel resentful.
The black dragon Alexander hovered above the fleet, bringing hope of victory to everyone.
Sophia did not board the ship with Li En, but stayed on the shore with Diane.
"Will brother die again this time?"
Diane said in a childish voice.
When Sophia heard Diane say this, she prepared to board the ship without hesitation. If Li En hadn't stopped her in time, she might have gone with him.
"Sophia, remember what I told you?"
"Yes, I remember."
"Don't worry about me, I won't be in trouble. Thank you for your hard work, wait for me to come back."
"Okay."
Sophia, Ellie, and Cameron stayed in the royal capital to protect the Moria family members who remained in the royal capital.
After the last fierce resistance and Fiya's self-sacrifice, the Wise Men's Court would not attack Sophia and Ellie again for the time being, and even if they did, the two who had been educated by Li En would join forces to resist.
The combat power of the two was enough to overturn the entire royal capital.
Li En didn't need to worry about their safety for the time being.
Although this meant another brief separation from Sophia, Li En couldn't take her with him and get engaged to Dorothy, could he?
Li En's original intention was to take the army to the Azure Dragon Court and transform the Azure Dragon Court into a second territory besides the Green Shade Territory, and get engaged to Dorothy there. The wedding time could be delayed for another two years, first give Dorothy an explanation and make the title of fiancée a reality.
To avoid Sophia's sadness, it was better for her not to be present at occasions like engagements.
Li En knew that Sophia was actually very tormented every time she saw himself with Catherine or Dorothy.
To minimize this situation, the best way was not to let the three women get together.
Even if they looked harmonious on the surface, they must be very tormented inside.
As for the other women, they had to be hidden even more.
I'm sorry, I can only marry three at most, and the others can only be mistreated as lovers.
Li En planned his future like this, and after comforting Sophia, he boarded the ship again.
Augulas envied Li En, the relationship with the Ice Witch Sophia looked very good.
He even thought that Li En might abandon Catherine and marry Sophia.
After all, Sophia was almost better than Catherine in every way except wealth.
And the Moria family was not short of money.
At least that's what outsiders thought.
"I'm waiting for your triumphant return."
Augulas said to Li En at the end.
Li En nodded slightly.
The army boarded the ships one after another, and everything was in good order.
Mona Isaacson was also among the nobles who saw him off. Today she was wearing a simple light purple dress, without any accessories, but she stood out among the noble girls because of it.
She seemed to want to say goodbye to Li En, and hurriedly ran to the dock, accidentally tripped over a stone, and fell to the ground in a mess.
Augulas helped her up, and was stunned when he looked at her tearful appearance and the dress that looked very similar to Dorothy's childhood.
If you look closely, you will find that Mona Isaacson's eyes are actually somewhat similar to Dorothy's.
"Do you like Li En that much?"
Augulas helped Mona Isaacson up.
"Yes. Your Majesty, can you marry me to him after his triumphant return?"
Mona Isaacson asked, biting her lip.
"He won't accept you, there are too many women around him."
Augulas looked at these eyes, and suddenly a burst of inexplicable jealousy surged up.
But because of this, he became interested in Mona Isaacson.
This was exactly Mona Isaacson's purpose. She was different from other noble girls, she was not confused by Li En's appearance, she had a very strong sense of purpose.
Mona Isaacson believed that she was born to be a queen, and was willing to work hard for it.
"I don't mind, I just want to be his wife. Your Majesty, can you help me?"
"Why should I help you?"
Augulas found it a little funny.
"Because-because I, I, I can become Your Majesty's friend, and if Your Majesty needs help, I can also help you."
Mona Isaacson said pretentiously innocently.
The girl's eyes seemed to not lie, and crystal clear teardrops swirled in her eyes.
This was a side that Dorothy had never shown in front of her, grievance and dependence.
"Hehe."
Augulas did not agree to Mona Isaacson, and turned to leave.
But Mona Isaacson knew that she had successfully taken the first step, leaving an impression on Augulas.
It also created a reasonable reason to approach Augulas.
After that, she could use the identity of "friend" to approach Augulas, ask about Li En's information, and then gradually let the young emperor fall into the love trap she had carefully created, and step by step towards the high position of queen.
Mona Isaacson could perceive that subtle jealousy from Augulas's eyes when he looked at Li En. If she could use this appropriately to arouse Augulas's desire to compete, then he would fall in love with her madly.
Perhaps at first he just regarded himself as a substitute for Dorothy, but that didn't matter.
Mona Isaacson believed that Augulas would like Li En's things even more, and even more like the twisted pleasure and sense of accomplishment when he took Li En's things away.
Because Augulas never thought he would lose to his peers, this was the pride in the young emperor's bones.
If Dorothy and Li En fell in love during this expedition, then the probability of her success could be increased from 60% to 90%.
And, Mona Isaacson was 100% sure that Li En, Dorothy, and Sophia all had an unusual relationship, this was her unique female intuition.
The Holy Empire fleet set off again.
The young emperor got into his carriage and left the dock.
The dock was crowded with people, and the residents of the royal capital cheered to send off the warriors.
The foreign war was completely launched, and at this time, Mary, the southern overlord, had also completely occupied the Red Plum Territory.
She loaded the Adam family's cash and jewelry into trucks and sent them back to the royal capital by train, dedicating them to the Frank family.
And the nobles of the Red Plum Territory, they would become Mary's new money bags.
The new puppet had successfully ascended the throne. Without Li En's obstruction, Mary's speed of swallowing the Red Plum Territory was amazing, and the progress was extremely smooth.
Mary looked at the map of the southern empire hanging on the wall and fell into deep thought.
"Should I attack the Green Shade Territory first, or the Blue Moon Territory?"
The Blue Moon Territory must be prepared, and to attack the Green Shade Territory, you must first take the Quentin Territory, or pass through the White Bone Forest.
Well, this forest has been renamed the Golden Forest, which belongs to the outer territory of the Green Shade Territory.
Compared to that, the Quentin Territory is easier to take down.
They were unprepared, unlike their old opponent Catherine, who was already actively preparing for war.
Mary circled the Quentin Territory on the map with a pen, and the corners of her mouth rose slightly,
"Viscount Barton Leonard, I choose you. Quentin's horses are not bad."
"Lord Mary."
Melinda, who had replaced Nancy as the real executive of the Rose Thorns, stepped forward, "You're looking for me."
"Yes, I need to know all the information about the Quentin Territory now. Including everything about the Leonard family."
Melinda didn't expect that Mary would set her sights on another territory so soon after swallowing the Adam family.
Of course, this kind of Mary was very attractive to Melinda the Skinner.
After only a brief moment of surprise, Melinda said,
"The head of the Leonard family, Jacques Leonard, is 55 years old, greedy and lustful. He has 7 wives, 5 sons and 14 daughters. The legal heir, Jolan Leonard, is the eldest son, 37 years old—"
Inside the main hall, Melinda quickly told Mary all the information about the Leonard family.
Outside the main hall, there was a wail of grief.
Those nobles of the Red Plum Territory who opposed Mary were all beheaded by the Rose Knights, leaving none alive.
The streets of the Red Plum Territory were stained red with blood, and many people died under the hooves of warhorses.
But soon, this place would regain its vitality and become orderly again.
In Mary's eyes, commoners were like weeds, always growing wave after wave.
