With the death of Archduke Kunstein, this battle that should have been celebrated with victory has once again become a new “Battle of the Fall”
There were two wars before and after, and two generations of Grand Dukes were killed, which cast a heavy shadow on the future and destiny of the Shadow Flame Grand Duchy.
“This time, it is more difficult to choose the successor to the throne of the Grand Duke than it was twenty-one years ago.” Count Osclo Shuiliu frowned in the camp and said, “There is no suitable direct bloodline of the Shadow Flame Dragon Blood Family. Heir.”
No one responded immediately. The nobles present were all deep in thought.
The direct bloodline of the Shadowflame Dragon Blood Family has never been strong enough, especially since Quentin III Shadowflame, it has been declining from generation to generation.
Quentin III Shadowflame had two daughters and one son, but his son Quintero Shadowflame had a difficult delivery when he was born, causing brain problems and was unable to inherit the position of Grand Duke. He could only be canonized as a Marquis. Fortunately, he finally married Princess Anxia and gave birth to a son and a daughter.
For this reason, the Grand Duchy of Shadowflame has been governed by the Council of Elders for twenty years, waiting for Grand Duke Kunstan to come of age.
Everything went smoothly. After the Grand Duke Kunstein came of age, he quickly ascended to the position of Grand Duke and quickly took charge.
But he never expected that in this battle, Archduke Kunstein, who clearly only needed to boost morale in the rear, would rush to the front line of the battle, and then be attacked by a blue-skinned horseman, and he would die suddenly.
He never married, and naturally he left no heirs.
As a result, the Shadow Flame Dragon Blood Family now only has one little princess, Kunlaya. Unfortunately, women cannot inherit the title.
“Osclo, we won’t discuss this issue now.” Viscount Major said, “We’ll wait until Princess Anxia arrives and bury Grand Duke Kunstein before returning to the Red Castle to discuss it carefully… Don’t be discouraged, you can always find a suitable solution. “
“This problem will be solved sooner or later. It is impossible to avoid it.” Count Osclo said, “I want everyone to be mentally prepared.”
“In this situation, do you think it is appropriate to discuss this? The bones of Archduke Kunstein have not yet been burned!”
“A country cannot live without a king for a day!”
“Twenty years of Senate rule has just ended, what nonsense are you talking about!” Viscount Major retorted unceremoniously.
Count Osclos scolded angrily: “How dare you talk to me. In terms of blood relationship, I am your brother-in-law and brother-in-law. In terms of title, I am the hereditary earl of the Grand Duchy. Major, you’d better show some respect in front of me!”
“Okay, okay, let’s stop arguing!” Baron Quimbieff tried to persuade her, “On this matter, we still have to listen to Princess Anxia’s wishes.”
The Horn Baron Gervaidas Bajiagan said worriedly: “Princess Anxia rarely participates in politics. We have always respected her. However, please don’t forget that this time, the torrent dragon is supporting us, and Arnold is also coming with her. Marquis… The Kingdom of Fiery Torrent is not easy to deal with.”
“Yes, I have a family, Princess Anxia…”
“So what I mean is that we should agree on our opinions now.” Count Osclos squinted his eyes, and there seemed to be some small thoughts hidden under his rough appearance. “Which bloodline will the future Grand Duke be selected from?”
“Isn’t His Highness Yingyan’s opinion the most important?” Baron Roman saw everyone arguing and pointed out the key point.
Hearing this, the nobles who each had their own little thoughts stopped talking.
Princess Anxia’s opinion is very important, so is Earl Merlin’s opinion, and even the opinion of Marquis Arnold Lieyang must be considered.
But in the final analysis, we still have to get the approval of the Shadow Flame Dragon first.
The so-called Shadow Flame Dragon Blood Family, naturally, whoever can be recognized by the Shadow Flame Dragon can become the direct bloodline of the family. Otherwise, no matter how authentic the bloodline is, without the approval of the Shadow Flame Dragon, he will not be able to inherit the position of Grand Duke.
“It’s gone.” Count Osclo rolled his eyes, opened the door curtain, and walked out of the tent.
Wait until the afternoon.
The knights have completely cleared the battlefield, and as a unit, they stand quietly around the coffin of Archduke Kunstein.
The Shadow Flame Dragon was sleeping soundly not far away, not dissipating excess heat. The place was still covered in ice and snow.
As a Lord, Russell stood at the forefront of the Knights of the Netherlight Valley. He could clearly see the coffin of Grand Duke Kunstein, as well as the nobles who were also standing quietly in front of the coffin, and the Marquis Arnold Lieyang.
There was silence, except for the occasional roar or two from the nearby wyvern.
Dark clouds were rolling in and it was snowing heavily.
At this time, a group of flying phantom beasts flew quickly from the horizon and landed in the open space in front of Archduke Kunstein’s coffin.
Riding on the back of the phantom beast were several knights, as well as Princess Anxia and little princess Kunraya.
The nobles headed by Count Osclo quickly swarmed towards the phantom beast, greeted Princess Anxia in armor, and little Princess Kunlaya wrapped up like small rice dumplings, and helped them from the back of the phantom beast. Down.
Both of their eyes were red and swollen from crying, and they walked towards the coffin step by step.
Earl Merlin, who had been standing in front of the coffin all day without dripping water, saw Princess Anxia walking over with a dead look on her face, and could no longer face all this calmly. When Princess Anxia approached the coffin, he knelt down in front of Princess Anxia.
“Old minister…Old minister…I am ashamed of Your Highness!” Earl Merlin burst into tears all of a sudden, and his white hair was messy in the wind and snow.
Princess Anxia did not look at Count Merlin. She just walked numbly to the coffin and leaned over to look at the fragmented body of Grand Duke Kunstein in the coffin.
Tears had been shed on the road, and now she just stretched out her hand, wanting to touch her son’s face.
“Your Highness, please do not touch.” A knight guarding in front of the coffin blocked Princess Anxia’s hand and explained seriously, “The touch of a stranger will cause your Highness’s body to transform into a corpse. The soul cannot rest in peace.”
Hear the words.
Princess Anxia retracted her hand. When she saw little Princess Kunlaya, she also wanted to step forward to take a look at her brother. She quickly covered Little Princess Kunlaya’s eyes.
He said in a hoarse voice: “Brother knows that you are here to see him off, that’s enough, don’t look at it.”
“Brother… I want to see my brother…” the little princess Kunraya pleaded.
But Princess Anxia never agreed, and instead handed the little Princess Kunlaya to the two maids who followed behind her.
Then she turned around and saw the sobbing Earl Merlin kneeling at her feet. Her numb eyes seemed to have changed, and she dug her eyes deeply into Earl Merlin’s eyes. His trembling body seemed to exude huge hatred.
“Why!” Princess Anxia asked hoarsely.
“I am ashamed of Your Highness.” Earl Merlin did not defend himself, but just repeated these words.
Russell looked at his grandfather from a distance, kneeling on the ground and suffering from Princess Anxia, feeling something inexplicable in his heart.
He followed two generations of Grand Dukes, both of whom died on the battlefield. The pain in Earl Merlin’s heart is unimaginable.
But the most pitiful one is Princess Anxia.
This was the first time that Russell saw Princess Anxia. Instead of seeing the beauty who was known as Shadow Flame’s most beautiful woman in the past, he only saw the pitiful appearance of a mother mourning the death of her son.
He also saw the little princess Kunlaya for the second time, held in the arms of the maid, shivering like a homeless puppy.
“Is this war…” Russell’s thoughts were confused, and he suddenly thought of his retinue, Knight John.
John also died in the snowfield.
“When I go back to the territory, I really don’t know how to announce this news to John’s family… Should I let Eric or Charles announce it on my behalf? Forget it, I should tell them in person… This is my responsibility.”
Suddenly, Russell felt that being a lord was not just about enjoyment, but also a heavy responsibility.
(End of chapter)