Game of the World Tree

Sophia didn't wait too long, and was welcomed into the noble district by the guards, and with the guards came a gorgeous carriage.

The carriage stopped in front of the girl, and an elderly gentleman jumped out of the car and performed a standard noble etiquette to Sophia, and said in a gentle and enthusiastic tone:

"Miss Sophia, I am Baron Scott, the steward of the Rosen family. The Duke has already known about your arrival. He is very happy. He is waiting for you in the city lord's mansion. Please get in the car with me."

Sophia cautiously glanced at the sign on the carriage. When she saw the double lion family emblem belonging to the Duke Rosen family, she nodded slightly and boarded the carriage with the help of Baron Scott.

The interior of the carriage was equally gorgeous and extravagant, showing the wealth of the duke's family. After the girl was seated, she slowly drove into the hinterland of the noble district.

After entering the aristocratic area, it seems like a world has changed. The streets here are spacious and straight, the buildings are gorgeous and exquisite, and the magic lights on both sides of the road are crystal clear, reflecting the bright lights of the houses, and you can also see teams wearing Guards in shiny silver armor patrol the streets to maintain law and order...

It can be said that as a wealthy area of ​​an important city in the Western Territory, it is no worse than the central city of Zeroland where the girl lives, but looking at this familiar scene at this moment, Sophia has only an indescribable sense of irony in her heart.

I don't know why, but looking at the prosperous scene in front of her at this moment, the ruins that Hewan Town saw and the miserable dead baby in the gully of the city gate always appeared in her mind...

The carriage traveled for about ten minutes before arriving at the current residence of Duke Rosen, the lord's mansion in Morningstar City.

Unlike Zerolan, the lord's mansion in Morningstar City is not a castle, but a huge manor. There are many carriages parked in the manor. Each carriage has the family emblem of the nobles. Nobles, high-ranking officers and waiters are in the manor. Coming and going, it was very lively.

"Why so many people?"

Sophia asked curiously.

"After the lord's mansion became the residence of the duke, it became the temporary headquarters of the imperial crusade. Now countless nobles come to visit the duke every day, so it will be busy, especially now that the banquet is still being held in the mansion of the city lord. ."

Baron Scott explained.

"Have a banquet? Now?"

Sophia was stunned.

"That's right, but it's a pity that Zeroland has now become a traitorous area, and your identity is more sensitive. Otherwise... you can be introduced to the coming nobles."

said Baron Scott.

Sophia was silent for a moment, then frowned and said:

"I'm not interested in banquets right now."

"That's such a pity. The young masters of the duke's family are here today. However, because the duke is busy at the banquet right now, you may need to wait for a while."

The old butler apologized.

After listening to the old housekeeper's words, Sophia patiently shook her head:

"Then I can wait in the waiting room. I won't go to the banquet. I haven't prepared a suitable dress, and I don't want to meet other people for the time being."

"Well, it's all up to you."

Baron Scott was not reluctant.

Under the guidance of the duke's butler, the girl quickly entered the lord's mansion.

The lord's mansion is magnificent, and the hall decorated with magic lamps is playing melodious dance music. A noble noble in noble clothes is gathering in twos and threes in the hall, either talking or dancing.

Delicate and complicated food and expensive drinks were placed on the dining table, and bursts of tempting fragrance wafted out of the hall, causing the girl's stomach to growl unsatisfactorily.

Only then did she realize that she was in a hurry and hadn't eaten for a day.

"Miss Sophia, please wait in the waiting room later. I'll go to the Duke soon. It may take a little longer. You can have dinner first."

said Baron Scott.

After he finished speaking, he led the girl to a noble lounge next to the hall.

The actions of the two were very low-key, and they did not directly enter the hall where the banquet was held.

But even so, many sharp-eyed nobles in the hall also noticed the carriage of Duke Rosen's house, and the half-elf girl who got off the carriage and was introduced into the lounge by Baron Scott, the duke's housekeeper, thus in a A curious discussion arose among a small group of nobles.

"Countess Isaac, who is that female mercenary? You came here in the Duke's carriage?"

"No, it doesn't look like a mercenary. Judging from the manners, it looks like a noble lady dressed as a mercenary..."

"Huh? Her ears are pointed, could it be an elf?"

"No, the elf's ears will be more pointed and longer, it should be a half-elf."

"Can half-elves also enter the lord's palace?!"

"It should be a special status, it seems to be a distinguished guest of the Duke..."

"Countess, do you want to go say hello and see what's going on? I'm still curious about half-elves."

"Let's forget it. Judging from her broken appearance, she must be a noble who fled from the Maple Leaf Collar. The Maple Leaf Collar is very close to the Forest of Elves, and some elves' blood is normal."

"A noble from the Maple Leaf Collar? There's really no need to meet. The Border Uncle rebelled, and the Maple Leaf Collar is over. I'd better wait to see Master Joseph. I heard that he is already a Silver Knight! Obviously not yet. Twenty years old! If you are fortunate enough to catch up, this dinner will be worth it. I heard that Master Joseph is quite popular with the Duke."

"After all, he is the proudest child of Lord Rosen, the future heir to the Duchy of Rosen, and the betrothed of Her Royal Highness the Second Princess..."

"Yeah, in comparison, Lord Lucas is too far behind, they are all children of the Duke's family, one is a new star of the empire, a genius with extraordinary power, and the future commander of the Empire's Third Guards Corps. , while the other is dementia with intellectual problems..."

"Be careful! The Duke hates others discussing this matter the most, let's change the subject."

"Countess, you are too cautious, and now no one hears..."

The nobles whispered in the hall.

And Sophia, who was sitting in the lounge, could hear their conversation clearly.

As a half-elf with elf blood, the girl's hearing has inherited the keenness of the elf family, far exceeding that of ordinary people. Even with the interference of music, some of the nobles' talk can still penetrate into her ears.

Their discussions were messy and messy, but they were either guessing Sophia’s identity, or talking about the scandals and secrets of which nobles, or touting each other’s bragging rights, or satirizing the stupidity of some commoners and the greed of mercenaries. The girl is quite bored...

When she was in Zeroland, she seldom attended banquets, and because as the owner of the territory, all the lower nobles who approached her praised her beauty, touted the prosperity of Zeroland, and praised the long-standing Wells family. History, as well as his great achievements in building his own territory...

But at this moment, Sophia was sitting in the lounge, listening to the intrigue and sarcasm of the nobles, the comparisons and show-offs between words, as well as the occasional arrogance and triumph, but her brows became deeper and deeper.

In particular, the Yingge Yanwu at the banquet formed a stark contrast with the desolation and dilapidation that the girl had seen along the way, making her even more disappointed with the nobles here...

She never imagined that the nobles of the empire would look like this...

"What a bunch of imperial worms!"

She pursed her lips, indignant.

If it wasn't for her mission to save Zeroland and the Wells family, if it wasn't for the fact that even in the Maple Leaf Territory, she knew Duke Rosen's prestigious name, Sophia really wanted to leave.

But thinking of the possible help in the future, she finally endured.

And just when the girl became more and more disappointed with the imperial nobles at the banquet, Baron Scott, the butler of the Rosen family, finally returned.

"Miss Sophia, please come with me, the Duke is already waiting for you in the back room."

he said gently.

Hearing this news, Sophia was relieved, she took a deep breath, then tidied up her clothes, and followed Baron Scott out...

The back room was not far away, and after walking with Baron Scott for about a minute, Sophia arrived.

There are two tall guard handles in front of the door. They are wearing full-face helmets and full-body armor. They are powerful, and they are probably high-level professionals.

The old housekeeper came to the door, stood respectfully, and then said to the room:

"My lord the Duke, the Viscount Countess of Wells of Zeroland has arrived."

"Please come in."

The girl heard a majestic male voice coming from the room.

The heart beat suddenly, and Sophia's mood became inexplicably tense.

To be honest, this was the first time she had met a great imperial aristocrat outside the border uncle.

And this meeting will also determine the future of the Wells family!

After taking a few deep breaths to calm her mind, the girl boldly walked into the room.

The decoration of the back room is as gorgeous as the hall.

On the vertical backrest chair in the main seat, there was a man who looked to be in his forties or fifties.

The man was tall and mighty, with a handsome face, golden hair combed back, and emerald green eyes gleaming sharply.

The wrinkles on his forehead and the hawk-like nose made him look a little more serious, but the faint smile on his face made him look a little more approachable.

He was wearing the standard military uniform of the Imperial Marshal, with an exquisite double lion badge on his chest, which was the symbol of the Rosen family.

There is no doubt that this mighty man in front of him is one of the seven emperors of the empire, the patriarch of the Rosen family known as the lion of the empire, the rich ruler of the north, and the current Duke Franz of the Duchy of Rosen. · Von Rosen.

Unlike Uncle Border, Duke Rosen's strength is not strong. He is only a warrior in the middle of silver, but he has superb political skills and the allegiance of countless strong men.

Looking at the majestic and amiable Duke, Sophia pinched the corner of her clothes and bowed respectfully:

"Sophia von Wells, I have met Lord Rosen."

Looking at the girl carefully, Duke Rosen's smile became more gentle.

He nodded slightly:

"Sophia, I met your father once. You look a lot like your father. He is a real noble."

After speaking, he pointed to the seat on the other side:

"Sit down, you have worked hard all the way, taste the Baihua tea produced in the forest of elves, and calm down."

Feeling Duke Rosen's unassuming attitude, Sophia's nervousness gradually eased.

She nodded slightly and sat down on the chair.

Picking up the tea on the table and taking a sip, the girl's heart flashed a thought that this taste was not authentic.

Then, she mustered up her courage and said straight to the point:

"Lord Duke Rosen, the Wells family needs your help..."

Duke Rosen looked solemn:

"No hurry, what's the situation, take it slow, as the clan of the Wells family, the Rosen family will always be your backing."

Encouraged by the other party, Sophia's mood gradually calmed down.

She nodded gratefully and explained her intentions.

As the girl told about the current situation of Zeroland and the tragic situation she saw along the way, Duke Rosen's brows frowned sometimes, sometimes stretched, and at the same time nodded slightly from time to time, listening very seriously.

"Lord Duke Rosen, the Wells family is not a rebellion, everything is my half-brother usurping the power, please help us, after this, the Wells family will surely become a faithful one. A supporter of the Rosen family..."

Sophia got up, bowed deeply, and said.

After listening to the girl's words, Duke Rosen nodded slightly.

He looked serious and said in a solemn voice:

"I understand, as the head of the Wells family, we are indeed obliged to help when the family branch is in danger..."

"Thank you!"

Sophia looked happy.

"but……"

Duke Rosen's words suddenly changed:

"The battle situation is still unclear. The imperial crusade has not yet been formally assembled, and further preparations are needed for the preparations for the war. Therefore... even if it is help, it will take a while."

After listening to Duke Rosen's words, Sophia said quickly:

"Lord Duke, the Weimur River is fast in the Maple Leaf Territory, and it is difficult for the army to cross the river, so... If you can take back Zeroland, who has a stone bridge across the river, then you will have the initiative in the war!"

"I know the importance of Zerolan, but... the empire has other considerations... not to mention, the current situation of the Wells family is more embarrassing."

Duke Rosen pondered for a while and said.

After he finished speaking, he thought about it and said gently to the girl:

"Well, you live in Morningstar City first, take a good rest, don't worry, I, Franz von Rosen, should take care of the Wells family. Don't walk around freely these days, so as not to cause others The accident..."

With the promise of Duke Rosen, Sophia was refreshed.

She bowed again and said:

"The Wells Family...Thank you for your help!"

...

After meeting Duke Rosen, Sophia stayed in the City Lord's Mansion in Morningstar City.

That night, she finally slept for the first time in more than ten days.

It was not until noon the next day that the girl slowly opened her sleepy eyes and got up from the bed.

Putting on the new clothes provided by the maids, Sophia felt refreshed after having enjoyed the delicious meals brought by the maids.

At this moment, she finally had some hope for the future.

However, when she was about to step out the door, she was stopped by the guards.

"Miss Sophia, I'm sorry... The Duke has an order. Your identity is more sensitive now, so you shouldn't walk around at will for the time being."