Chapter 312: Report to the Palace
The dawn sun finally shone across the city of Orlando.

The streets in Xicheng District where the riot broke out were filled with royal guards who had imposed martial law and blocked entry and exit.

The entire city is still under lockdown, and thousands of soldiers are still hunting down the fugitives who are causing the riot.

The surviving rebels were all thrown deep into the underground prison beneath the royal city.

The brief riot caused thousands of casualties on both sides, even without counting the civilians affected. The bloody smell of humans and horses lingered on the streets for a long time. This was probably the bloodiest, most brutal knight competition “team competition” ever held in the royal capital.

After the riots subsided, martial law lasted for three full days and has not yet ended.

The knights’ tournament was naturally forced to be temporarily suspended, and the atmosphere in the city suddenly changed from lively and jubilant to tense and dangerous, causing hundreds of thousands of residents to panic.

As “advisers” who have a certain understanding of the Atias Empire, Leon and Corvis accompanied the commander of the Royal Guard, Masques, to thoroughly investigate all the resident offices in the aristocratic post area in the west of Kantadar for three days.

After carefully identifying the bodies and persuading the Kantadar noble witnesses to cross-verify, Leon discovered that among the hundreds of noble knights from Velozar and Magya, the identities of more than a hundred people did not match.

Not to mention the army of squires and servants that accompanied these fake Kantadar knights.

What’s so coincidental is that these hundreds of Kantadar families form a network with each other. Their emblems, clothing, and origins are all traceable. However, they are not well-known and have little friendship with most of the nobles in the area.

At the same time, they also had a dozen minor nobles in western Kantadar who knew the truth and helped cover their identities.

These dozen or so accomplices of the Atias were identified from the real nobles of the Verozar Territory through mutual recollection after everyone had thoroughly investigated the social activities of the deceased rioters before their death.

The Kantadar nobles who did not participate in the riots are now trying to clear themselves of suspicion and get out of house arrest as soon as possible to leave Orlando, a place of trouble, and return home. They are not shy about identifying their fellow countrymen who have openly or secretly proved the identities of the rioters.

In their view, these bastards almost caused them, who had only come to the meeting to participate in the competition, to die meaninglessly in a foreign land. They were almost implicated and had no intention of shielding their fellow nobles.

Although Leon didn’t know whether there were more Kantadar nobles pretending to be innocent and unaware hiding in the crowd, it was a big gain to capture these dozen or so Atiyas accomplices.

After finally finishing all the assistance he could provide, Leon returned to the Avalon team’s post from the high-ranking official of the kingdom who was in charge of the investigation.

On the second floor of the inn building, Leon heard from Ines some of the information that the interrogators had extracted from the dozen or so Kantadar assistants in recent days.

It is said that the impoverished nobles of Kantadar who assisted the Atias were persuaded by the coercion and inducement of the Falcon family in the west to participate in this gamble and provide identity guarantees and cover for the men in black.

According to them, not only were they bribed with huge sums of wealth in advance, but they were also promised that if the action was successful, these small families would be able to obtain vast lands and power that were unimaginable in the past.

Even if they fail, whether they can escape back to Velozar with the Atias people or not, Falcon will help their family to seize the lands of the western lords of Kantadar who were executed by Orland in anger.
The risks are huge, but the rewards are equally huge.

“.I have learned clearly from His Majesty Casso that the nobles from western Kantadar who did not participate in the rebellion were almost all former political enemies of the Falcon family and members of factions with whom they had little relationship.

The White Bird family in the west is probably helping the Atias people because they think that if the Atias conspiracy fails, they can use us Orlanders to help them get rid of dissidents in the Western Alliance. “Inis lazily leaned back in the soft armchair, put down the teacup, tapped the velvet folding fan in her left hand on her thigh wrapped in the dress, and looked at Leon leisurely while speaking.

Leon leaned back in a chair and nodded, roughly understanding the whole story.

Now, after a careful search by the security teams of all sizes in the royal city, they have found five strange machines that have been assembled but not yet set up in several inconspicuous houses in the streets leading from the Colosseum to the Palace Avenue.

Although the shape was somewhat different from the standard giant crossbow of the Atias Legion that Corvis had seen, after comparing it with the magic crossbow arrows, it was found that these things were the magical devices used to launch guided crossbow arrows.

Even though the Atias people who were being tortured in the royal prison were very stubborn, the magical devices found in the city could still provide indirect evidence that the target of their conspiracy was Redwin III.

The scale of the knightly tournament in the royal capital was too large and the duration was too long. It was impossible for Ledwin to be present every day from the beginning to the end. Therefore, according to the traditional tradition, only after half of the competition had passed would the king and the royal family come to watch the most exciting knightly tournament of the strongest knights, and then award the title of “Champion Knight” and corresponding rewards to the winner.

The city-breaking crossbows hidden between the Palace Avenue and the Colosseum were obviously carefully prepared for King Orlando to pass by there when he left the palace.

In the past three days, it was found that there were as many as two hundred magic crossbow arrows transported into the royal city. If the Atiyas people really succeeded, those powerful magic crossbow arrows would cross and fire in turns. Leon felt that it would be enough to make Redwin’s end even more miserable than that of the imaginative Melo Sect in his previous life. He was caught off guard and “sniped” by hundreds of big and thick arrows. I’m afraid that in the end there would not be a few intact pieces of good meat.

But Leon couldn’t figure it out. For the time being, he could just assume that the Atias people had traveled thousands of miles, sometimes causing trouble in Serian, sometimes causing trouble in Orland, with some clear purpose that he himself was not clear about.

But how much benefit would killing Ledwin bring to the Falcon family in the west of Kantadar?

King Orland was assassinated by the “Knight of Cantadar” during the tournament. When Crown Prince Eric ascends the throne as the new king, will he let go of the nobles of Velozar who killed his father?

Once the war breaks out again, how many people will have to die in the now fragmented Kantadar to stop the revengeful army of the new king of Orland?
Orland has experienced victory in the “Southern Expedition” and the “War of the Undead”. Now the domestic nobles are much more united than in the past, and the political situation is quite stable. The authority of the Hecha Dynasty of Redwin is far greater than it was two years ago.

Simply killing a king would not cause the Northern Kingdom to fall into chaos.

unless
Ines unfolded the fan and swung it gently, “Unless the Atias people can assure Earl Fercon that they can kill all the heirs to my father’s throne if he encounters an accident, it will be possible to convince him to take such a risk to provide assistance.

Or maybe the initiative of the matter is not in the hands of Count Fercon. He can either help the Atias people as much as possible or passively bear the unpredictable consequences of the Atias people’s actions. “

With a thought in his mind, Leon suddenly remembered the suspicious attendant that Olivia discovered at the Royal Academy nearly half a month ago.

“By the way, have you caught the guy who is suspected to be an assassin around your second brother?” Leon asked.

Ines shook her head helplessly: “After receiving your warning that day, my people immediately went to capture him, but they were still a step too late.

According to my brother, when he left the library of the university that day, his attendant disappeared without any warning. Now it seems that the man must have something to do with the Atias people.”

After saying this, Ines closed the folding fan in her hand and smiled bitterly:

“That’s why I’m staying here with you now. Those Atias people are too good at hiding people. King Rickto said that the attendant has been with him for five years. He has always treated him as a friend and servant. Such confidants are all assassins hiding evil intentions.”

The girl sighed. She had already warned her father and two brothers, and the royal court was now investigating any suspicious people who might have sneaked in, but Ines was still a little worried.

Ines said helplessly: “For someone like me who is prone to overthinking, I feel like I am being watched all the time in the palace. Only by staying by your side, who has repeatedly thwarted the Atias people’s plots, can I feel more secure.”

“Thank you for your trust. If you don’t mind my simple accommodation, you can stay here. Olivia and I will do our best to protect you.” Leon said with a smile.

“Then it depends on you. I’m afraid I’ll have to rely on you before everything is over and I return to Magya.” Ines joked.

After that, she turned and looked at the other man’s wife with some concern: “Mrs. Olivia, is the wound on your face better?”

Olivia, who was sitting on the side, raised her hand and touched the bandage on her face. She saw that the lower half of her face from the bridge of her nose down was wrapped in white cloth, with only her mouth and nose exposed. It looked like some kind of half-face mask, which was really funny.

Leon looked at the girl beside him calmly. If it weren’t for the eyebrows and forehead of the upper half of his face, his little lion would almost make him dress up as “Shishixiong”.

“It still hurts a little, and it’s not convenient when I eat, but Leon and Corvis used magic to stabilize the wound and prevent it from getting worse. It will heal in about a month or so. I just hope it won’t leave scars.” Olivia blinked and glanced at Leon out of the corner of her eye. She threatened Ines against her will.

In fact, she no longer felt the scratch on her face, and maybe even a trace wouldn’t be found in two days, but she still remembered to exaggerate it to others.

“Lord Leon and your cousin’s magical skills can reconnect severed limbs. Such powerful healing magic will definitely not leave any marks on your face. If you need any special potions or herbs, just let me know.” Ines said with concern after hearing this.

Three days ago, when Ines heard that Olivia was pierced in the face by armor fragments during the battle with Wizard Atias, she couldn’t help but feel a phantom pain in her heart just by listening to it.

If such a pleasing face had a shocking scar, even Ines, who is also a woman, would feel heartbroken and regretful. Fortunately, her husband and cousin both have superb magical skills.

Ines glanced sideways at Agatha who was standing beside her. If her captain of the guards had not insisted on keeping the scars on his face for many years, she would have asked Harvey to contact the master sorcerer in the relevant field.

I heard that some sorceresses who studied magic were not very smart, and they waited until they were in their eighties or nineties and looked very old before they mastered the power to change their bodies, allowing themselves to return to youth from the body of an old woman. If they can achieve rejuvenation, it should not be difficult for them to remove scars and marks.

Seeing that Ines had no doubts, Leon finally asked after a few days of thinking, “Your Highness, I have something I want to ask you for help with. Olivia is in such a state now that it is difficult for her to attend public events. I don’t want her to be looked down upon and humiliated by others.

As a lady, you should understand how embarrassing it is to meet people like this, but three days ago, when His Majesty Redwin personally went to the scene to suppress the riot, he praised Olivia’s bravery and ordered her to follow me to the palace to receive the reward.

If the king’s order is difficult to refuse, at least I hope to be allowed to wear a veil for Olivia to cover up her embarrassment. Such a disrespectful act, could you please help me explain it to His Majesty Redwin in advance and ask for permission? “

After hearing this reasonable request, Ines agreed without hesitation.

“It’s a small matter. Although my father is not very reasonable, he will not deliberately embarrass an injured lady. I will explain it to him when I return. It doesn’t matter if Miss Olivia doesn’t attend. As her husband, you can accept the canonization on her behalf.”

After receiving Ines’s reply, Leon quickly expressed his gratitude.

A huge weight fell from his heart. It would be best if Olivia didn’t go, especially since the one who came to explain for him was Redwin’s own daughter. No one would make any strange associations.

The riots in the royal city gradually subsided after a few days, and the city lockdown was gradually lifted. In taverns inside and outside the city, people were talking about the recent riot of the Kantadar Knights.

Not many people know the truth about the Atias rebellion, and even fewer people in the public understand the process. All kinds of rumors and gossips have made people no longer care whether the suspended martial arts competition can continue.

On the day before the senior nobles were to enter the palace to attend the royal meeting, Leon was fortunate enough to enjoy the treatment of the highest-ranking nobles in the kingdom and could enter the palace in advance to wait for the meeting. So he left Olivia to look after the house, and then took Lohak, Corvis and others to follow Princess Ines’ team to the palace.

Coming to the magnificent inner city of the royal family again, the atmosphere was more solemn and tense than last time. Large numbers of armored guards were on guard and patrolling, with a sentry every three steps and a guard every five steps.

Having just experienced a special period, even the sword that symbolized the knight’s status was strictly controlled when entering the palace. Leon and others handed their weapons to the officials of the inner court for safekeeping.

He didn’t mind this. As a wizard, he always had the magic wand Gungnir with him, and three Neti cards hidden in his inner pocket for protection. The sword on his waist was just a symbol of etiquette.

After another bathing and changing experience that was neither good nor bad, Leon calmed down a lot and once again politely declined the overly enthusiastic maids’ request to turn over and scrub him.

Instead, I heard Lohak from next door screaming in shock at this scene for the first time, which caused the maids over there to exclaim and tease inexplicably.

After changing into a formal dress and going out, Leon saw Lohak waiting under the pillar with his arms folded, looking at him with embarrassment: “Leon, when you go back, don’t tell anyone that I have been to the palace. It would be too embarrassing if Sally knew.”

Leon raised his eyebrows: “Why do you think I never mentioned this to you last time I went back?”

Lohak was stunned for a moment, then he suddenly realized and laughed. Compared to his own weak Sally, the golden lion of Avalon was obviously more intimidating.

After getting dressed, they headed for a simple court banquet held in the hall in front of the palace, where they found Ines among the socializing nobles.

Leon felt relieved when he learned from her that Redwin had granted Olivia, who had a “serious injury” on her face, permission to not attend the imperial assembly tomorrow.

To those who are not aware of the situation, this may seem like a trivial matter.

“Mr. Pendragon, we meet again.”

Hearing a familiar and hearty voice, Leon turned around and saw Prince Eric, whom he had met several times, walking towards him with a man and a woman.

In fact, he had a good impression of Crown Prince Eric.

He has a straightforward and generous personality and is used to speaking directly. Perhaps it is because he is the Crown Prince of Orlando, a noble status second only to the emperor, that he never needs to beat around the bush with anyone.

Looking to both sides, the young lady holding Eric’s arm looked familiar. Leon remembered that when he first met Eric, he called her name “Julie” and wondered which noble family she was from.

As for the man on the other side, although he had never seen him before, he looked at his iconic blond hair and blue eyes, and his dignified demeanor as he walked beside Eric.

Based on his age, Leon guessed that the other person was probably Ines’s second brother, Prince Rickdo.

And Ines’ subsequent greeting proved that his guess was correct.

Leon followed suit and saluted one by one.

“Sir Pendragon, I have heard a lot about your deeds.” Rickto greeted politely and looked at the hero of the kingdom in front of him who had made many contributions. The other party’s handsome and tall figure was indeed worthy of the beautiful Miss Olivia.

Eric took his female companion and came to his younger sister and the snake slayer and said cheerfully: “You have made great contributions this time. Your father will definitely reward you handsomely tomorrow, especially your powerful wife. It seems that I have stayed in Roman for too long. After that day, I learned from the Kantadars that there is such a powerful female knight in Orland. The name of ‘Lioness of Orland’ and ‘Knight of the Golden Lion’ is really loud.” While Eric was speaking, he looked around and didn’t see Leon with his female companion: “Hey? Isn’t your wife here?”

“Olivia was injured in the battle and is still resting.” Leon explained simply.

“Oh, what a pity.” Eric didn’t care too much, and turned his head to Julie and said, “Since the female knight is recovering from her injuries, I will take you to visit Lord Pendragon after she recovers. However, you have long wanted to meet our ‘Snake Slayer’, right?”

Leon then looked at the young lady who had been sizing him up.

Julie leaned against Eric’s arm, her eyes flickering with gentle curiosity, and she said with an interested smile, “Sir, I heard my brother mention your name all day long, but now I see that my impression is quite different from what he said.”

“Your brother?” Leon was surprised.

“Well, didn’t you save my brother, Aurad Osdor’s life?” Julie explained with a smile.

(End of this chapter)