Chapter 157 Chapter 141 Heart Like an Abyss

Disciple of the legendary magician Gandolf, the youngest magician in the Roland Continental Magic Union, the eldest son of an important military official of the empire, and the legal heir of the Roland family of martial arts (although he has been neglected, at least the Earl has not officially announced the abolition of it. His news)—on top of this series of already extremely dazzling titles, an even more awe-inspiring halo is now added: the first committee member of the Imperial Academy of Magic.And from the position point of view, it is still the most important one! If nothing else, although he as a committee member does not have the power to directly order, but if there is a conflict of opinion between the empire official and the magic union in the committee, or if there is any official order document or the like, he will stand in Du Wei's position. In fact, his words can almost play a decisive role.

One vote yes, or one vote no! Once the Academy of Magic is established, it will completely change the thousands of years of tradition in which magicians on the mainland have been monopolized by the magic union, promote magic culture, and increase the number of magicians in the entire community (although the improvement in quality is still a question), but only this , It is enough to push the young Master Du Wei to a position where the wind and the waves are the cusp. "I just want to know why you told me this news now." Du Wei looked at his silent father: "I know, before today, you originally planned to wait until after the summer festival to tell me this news, right? Oh, no no, let me guess, maybe you haven't thought about telling me personally, I am afraid that such a big news will be announced by His Majesty the Emperor in person at the summer ceremony, which is enough to cause a sensation. I said Right? My lord father!"

"Indeed." Earl Raymond nodded, looking deeply at his son, he could see the indifference in his son's eyes.This trace of indifference, in fact, was noticed from his son's eyes when he returned triumphantly back then. This time his son returned to the imperial capital from the Luolin Plain, this trace of indifference had been carefully hidden deep in his eyes, and At this moment, it was finally revealed again! Earl Raymond sighed: "I won't answer your question first, my son. Before that, we need to have a frank talk! Really frank!" "As you wish." Du Wei shrugged his shoulders and smiled mockingly.

Earl Raymond appropriately "ignored" the mockery in Du Wei's tone. He looked at Du Wei with a solemn expression, and then suddenly said this sentence: "You are my son, and this cannot be changed. In fact, no one can change it: you, a member of the Rowling family!" "...Yes." Du Wei was silent for a while, then nodded. "The establishment of the Magic Academy this time involves the ownership of such a huge force in the future. For such a major event, you have to understand that it is not only you who have been pushed to the cusp, but also those who are in an embarrassing situation. , as well as the entire Luo Lin family, and myself!" Earl Raymond said in a serious tone: "Yes, as His Majesty the Emperor himself, or the Chairman of the Magic Union, you are recognized as the most suitable candidate to buffer the conflict between the two parties. Because of your status as a magician and a nobleman, you seem to represent the common interests of both sides, and you are the most suitable middleman. Smart politicians will not try to intensify the conflict, because that is too dangerous, and if there is not enough Before you grasp it, you will not be able to bear huge losses and turn your opponent against you! Now, His Majesty the Emperor and the chairman of the Magic Union are holding this idea. In this case, everyone needs you as a person, you can Appropriately ease everyone's conflicts and create a delicate balance point in the conflicts. In this way, your position will not be shaken in the short term. This is a good thing for you. But..."

Du Wei is very smart, he immediately understood what his father meant, and before Earl Raymond finished speaking, he sighed: "But it is a very bad thing for the Luo Lin family, what do you mean? How about this?" "That's right!" Earl Raymond said with a gloomy face, "Because of your existence, the family has been dragged to an extremely dangerous situation!" Du Wei was silent. "You are my son, no matter what, you represent a part of the Rowling family! Now you should remember that on the day you came back, here, in this room, I told you What words?"

Hearing his father's question, Du Wei replied without hesitation: "I remember, when you were here, you said to me, 'Starting today, you returned to the imperial capital, and your every move represents the Luo Lin family'. I also Remember, the kindness you showed me that day is something I have never enjoyed in my fourteen years of life." At the end, Du Wei took a deep look at his father. The eyes were not sharp, but Earl Raymond couldn't help turning his face slightly, as if avoiding his son's gaze. After pondering for a while, the earl sighed: "That's exactly the reason! The Luo Lin family is loyal to the royal family. No matter what the situation, the Luo Lin family is a military family that protects the Roland royal family. The glory of our family, all The power, the foundation of the whole family, are all tightly relying on the thorn flower flag of the Roland Empire! And now, a fringe figure like you has appeared in our family... Indeed, your appearance is due to His Majesty the Emperor and the chairman of the Magic Union An existence recognized by everyone. But this kind of recognition is helpless and has to be done! Therefore, you have been acquiesced by everyone. But... under such circumstances, do you think His Majesty the Emperor will continue to trust me as before? ? Will you still trust the Luo Lin family as before?"

Du Wei didn't think too much about this question, and he quickly shook his head. The answer is obviously no! The Luo Lin family has a guy like himself who is deeply imprinted with the "enemy camp", so as the emperor of the empire, that headstrong old man who loves to do his best will definitely have a little suspicion and even disgust towards the Luo Lin family . What do leaders want?What I want is the absolute loyalty of my subordinates to myself, the absolute unreserved loyalty!Such subordinates are liked by most leaders, and such subordinates are trusted by most leaders!

But now, Luo Lin's family came out with himself. Although he was a "double-faced character" who had been tacitly accepted in desperation, he had already caused the emperor a little doubt about the loyalty of Luo Lin's family. Even if the emperor trusted Earl Raymond again, and now Earl Raymond actually raised such a son who "leaved" towards the hostile faction, it was enough to make the emperor feel a little disgusted with Earl Raymond. Your own son has become a member of the Magic Union, do you still want to continue to gain unreserved trust from me? Perhaps, unless you are a leader of that great man level, you can have that kind of tolerance.It's a pity... the current emperor Augustine VI doesn't seem to be such a person!

"There are other things you don't know... Your Majesty, his health has deteriorated greatly in the past two years, and sometimes his temper has become very irritable and withdrawn. In recent years, no one has dared to provoke him anymore." Earl Raymond There was a trace of worry hidden between the brows: "What's more unfortunate is that you must have read so many history books, and you should also know that every emperor will consciously suppress some powerful figures in the military before he dies. On the one hand, it is deterrent. On the one hand, it is also to prevent the strong ministers and the weak from appearing after his death. This is a practice of the emperor's art. Unfortunately, after this incident, our Luo Lin family has been ruled by His Majesty. 'Looking differently', think about it, when the emperor wants to suppress an important military official to demonstrate, who will he choose?"

Du Wei replied in a deep voice, "It should be us." "That's right, that's not right." Earl Raymond smiled wryly: "According to the current situation, to be precise, you will be recruited or even promoted by His Majesty... and the entire Luo Lin family will be faintly suppressed. You belong to the Academy of Magic The thing is, the emperor didn't dare to offend you, and he was worried that you, a double-faced character, would completely fall to the magic union, so you might get some benefits, but the Luo Lin family would suffer some losses. Political matters, the reason is this This is not what I am worried about. After all, as long as you are still a member of the Magic Academy for a day, the emperor will not go too far. After all, it depends on your face. What I am worried about is the long-term!"

Du Wei understood that his father's worry was correct. The image of the Luo Lin family has always been a core aristocratic family closely united around the royal family, a military family trusted by the royal family, and one of the pillars of the empire... But all of this is based on a fine tradition: hundreds of years Come to pay your allegiance to the royal family. But now, Du Wei, a "semi-traitor", came out, and on such an important matter, it was enough to greatly discount the absolute loyalty of the Luo Lin family and turn it into a stain. "Actually, the emperor doesn't need to do anything else, as long as the matter of the Magic Academy is over... After all, you can't be in charge of this matter forever, as long as you leave this position, then the Luo Lin family will really be in trouble. There is no need for the emperor even Deliberately suppressing us, as long as the royal family hates us and no longer trusts us... Losing the trust of the royal family, the decline of the Luo Lin family will not be far away!" Earl Raymond smiled bitterly: "This is what I am most worried about. " Du Wei looked at his father: "Since you have thought so clearly, then you must have thought of a countermeasure?" "Yes." Earl Raymond's face was very ugly: "There is only one way to gain the royal family's trust again...or, to put it another way, to gain the emperor's 're' trust, and that is to make meritorious service! Make a great contribution and let the royal family appreciate us , Trust us again! But now the mainland is peaceful and there is no war. It is impossible for a martial arts family like ours to make military exploits. Therefore, if we want to make meritorious service, there is only one way..." "...Hold up." Du Wei sighed again. He has figured it out. For an emperor, what is the greatest contribution?What subject do you like best? The biggest credit is to support!The favorite courtier is the courtier who supports him as emperor! "For the current emperor, that old guy, I have no hope. My greatest hope is on the prince. As long as we successfully support a prince to ascend the throne and win the battle for the throne, then You will be able to win the gratitude and trust of the new emperor! This great achievement will guarantee the long-term development of the Luo Lin family!" Earl Raymond looked at his son with deep eyes. Du Wei didn't know that this was the first time he sighed today, but he still looked at his father helplessly: "Holding Li is indeed the best way at present, although it is a big gamble, but if you gamble If you win, the benefits you will gain will also be huge... It's just that I don't know, which prince did you bet on?" "Elder Prince." After hearing his father's answer, although Du Wei had already guessed it, he still couldn't help feeling a little sad. The eldest prince should be the one who sent someone to assassinate Prince Chen last night. But it seems that he and Prince Chen got together again last night. In this way, it seems that I am really "wrong".At this moment, Du Wei suddenly felt a little guilty.It seems that my own existence has really brought a lot of trouble to the Luo Lin family. If they didn't have their own existence, then the Rowling family wouldn't be caught in the middle of the establishment of the Magic Academy.If it wasn't for his own existence, the Luo Lin family wouldn't be supporting the new emperor... From this point of view, I am really a scourge to the Luo Lin family. It was his own existence that made the family fall into this embarrassing situation. "Father, in your opinion, in the battle for the heir apparent, does the First Prince have an advantage over Prince Chen? I spent the night with Prince Chen last night, and I think this person..." Du Wei hadn't finished speaking yet. , Earl Raymond had already interrupted him: "Prince Chen is young and intelligent. He was born ten years earlier, and I will definitely place my bet on him. It's a pity...he is too young!" Earl Raymond shook his head: "The Eldest Prince is His Majesty's son who was born in his twenties. He is already fifty years old this year and is one year older than me. Before Prince Chen was born, His Majesty always kept him He was raised as an heir! Prince Chen has only emerged in recent years, but the first prince has already been deeply rooted in the empire. After decades of meticulous arrangements, his power and influence in all aspects far surpass that of Prince Chen. Now In the empire, many important ministers at my age are almost all close friends or old acquaintances who grew up with the First Prince, and there are even many friends who have been friends since childhood! And Prince Chen is really too young Yes! Even in the Northwest War more than 20 years ago, the eldest prince participated in the preparations for the war, and even went to the front to parallax himself. In the military of the empire, his influence is far deeper than that of Prince Chen Much more. Especially the control of the Royal Guards in the imperial capital! The eldest prince's efforts in the past thirty years are not in vain. Although Prince Chen has obtained the court magician and inner court secret guards, his overall strength is far behind .” Du Wei stopped talking.Although he admired Prince Chen very much, he believed in his father's vision. This important minister of the empire who had spent half his life in the political arena must be a hundred times better than himself with a half-knowledge of the situation. Du Wei thought for a while, then glanced at his father, his eyes were calm: "Father, I think I understand what you mean." "Just understand." Earl Raymond sighed: "The day you came back, I asked Alpha to tell you not to go out... Alas, unfortunately, you didn't listen. In fact, I should have said this to you personally. But..." Having said this, Count Raymond's eyes flashed an extremely complex light. Du Wei looked at his father. Although his eyes were calm, such calm made people feel even more uneasy. After a long time, Du Wei whispered: "Father, can I ask you a question? I hope you can tell me the real answer to this question. No matter what the answer is, I am willing to accept it!" "...you can ask." Earl Raymond's voice seemed a bit bitter. "On my way to the imperial capital." Du Wei's voice was steady, as if talking about other people's affairs: "Those who assassinated me..." Before Du Wei could finish speaking, Earl Raymond's eyes flashed with determination: "You don't need to ask, I sent you." Du Wei had already guessed the answer, but at this moment he was surprised to find that there was no anger or resentment in his heart. Looking at the father in front of him, the Earl, Du Wei suddenly felt that there was only an empty feeling in his heart. Feeling, even this kind of emptiness, made him unable to arouse even a trace of resentment! He didn't even ask "why". Hmph...do I still need to ask? When he came back that day, the Earl had actually explained the answer in a veiled manner. What Earl Raymond said at the time was: "Because of this robe on you!" This robe, the robe of a magician!Because you have become a magician!Your arrival will drag the family into a fierce vortex!Therefore, in order to avoid the difficult position that will be brought, and for the safety of the family, this son can only be sacrificed!As long as there is no Du Wei, the Luo Lin family will not be caught in the middle of the battle between the royal family and the magic union! What is a son compared to the future of the whole family? Seeing the calm expression on his eldest son's face, Earl Raymond suddenly trembled in his heart... The boy in front of him, the boy with calm eyes, is his son! Knowing the news that his father was planning to kill him, he was so calm? Is it hate?Or, hated to the extreme, already numb? "Du Wei." Earl Raymond suddenly mustered all his strength and said loudly: "There are two things, I did not deceive you... The first one is that I did prevent you from being summoned back to the imperial capital, and even I tried my best to procrastinate, but unfortunately I still couldn't resist the pressure from the royal family and the magic union! The second thing is... I told you, when I exiled you to the Luolin Plain, I really wanted to protect you, you are mine Son, even though I thought you were mediocre and incompetent at the beginning, I still hope that you can spend your whole life in peace and prosperity in your hometown! These words, I did not deceive you!" After a long time, as if a century had passed, Du Wei slowly raised his head and looked at his father's face. At this moment, this military hero who has dominated the imperial political arena for many years, and the giant of the imperial military, seems to be really old. Du Wei suddenly smiled, his smile was so calm, and then he looked at his father and said in a calm tone: "Then, father, let me tell you one thing. On the day I came back, I told You: I don't hate you. This sentence, now, still hasn't changed. I... don't hate you. " After saying this, Du Wei bowed deeply to his father, then turned around and opened the door to leave the study.Just when his foot stepped out of the study door, he stopped suddenly again. He didn't turn his head, but turned his back to Earl Raymond, and the voice floated slowly: "There is one more thing, I think although you are very fast I will also know, but it is better to remind you first. Prince Chen... He has a magical magic treasure in his hand, which seems to be able to summon a powerful magical creature. This is what I only learned last night. " These words made Earl Raymond's face change slightly! After saying this, Du Wei really left, and left his father's study without looking back. Leaving the gloomy courtyard of Earl Raymond's study, Du Wei felt as if his chest was blocked by something. When he breathed, he felt his chest was heavy. He walked slowly in the Earl's mansion, looking up at the sky. "This life is as lonely as snow... Hehe, but it's a pity that it's summer now. If you want to see snow, you'll have to go to the Frozen Forest." At this moment, Du Wei suddenly missed everything in the frozen forest! At least in that place where there are murderous monsters everywhere, it seems that they are the most fulfilling and happiest days since I came to this world. Whether it is the old magician Gandolf, or Hussein, as well as Dardanelle of the Lister family, those men of the Snow Wolf Mercenary Corps who live on adventures all day long... the harsh training there, the adventurous life there , the ice and snow there, camping in the snowy forest, drinking spirits to keep out the cold, riding monsters to run... At least there, there are a group of life and death companions who I trust by my side! ! Although the imperial capital is prosperous, it is not my hometown! ... Perhaps it is the nature of human beings to escape.When Du Wei felt lonely at the moment, he walked aimlessly, and when he raised his head, he suddenly found that he had unknowingly arrived at the inner house of the Earl's mansion. A tall girl in maid attire was walking in front of her. She was the maid of her mother, the countess. When she saw Du Wei from a distance, she had already bent down. Then she raised her head and whispered when Du Wei walked in front of her. She smiled: "Madam is asking me to find you. I heard that you didn't come back last night, but Madam didn't sleep all night either." Du Wei smiled and walked in. The Countess was born in a famous noble family. It is said that when she was young and unmarried, she received an aristocratic education like many girls from noble families. She was quite talented in flowers and paintings. Earl Raymond, who drowned his wife, specially opened a garden in the inner house to satisfy his wife's hobby of playing with various exotic flowers. At this moment, when Du Wei walked into the yard, he saw his mother standing beside a cluster of flowers. The countess, who had passed her age, was still as beautiful as before. The delicate flowers have lost some of their brilliance. The countess was quietly looking at the flowers in front of her, but she seemed to be in a trance. Du Wei walked over and said with a slight smile, "Mom, are you admiring the flowers? Or are you conceiving the meaning of painting in your heart? The summer flowers are so gorgeous, why don't you record their beauty on the drawing board, and wait When winter comes, wouldn’t it be more interesting to take it out for viewing?” The Countess turned around and looked at her son, with a hint of worry on her beautiful face: "Du Wei, come here. I heard that you came back and was called by your father... He was very upset last night, just now Are you being punished again?" Du Wei shook his head, just quietly smiling. The countess sighed, walked away from the flowers gently, came to her son, then gently put her arms around Du Wei's shoulders, and said softly: "Your father has been in a bad mood recently... I know, the burden of the family These decades have been on his shoulders alone. Although I seldom ask him, but after all, I am in the imperial capital, and I can hear some rumors on weekdays. It seems that the family has encountered some troubles recently..." As she said that, the beautiful Countess rolled her eyes, stared at her son quietly, then gently raised her plain hand, as if waving a trace of dust on Du Wei's forehead, and said with a frown, "Where did you go last night? Clothes are dirty." Of course Du Wei would not say that he almost died in a battle with a powerful undead black mage last night, but just smiled and said: "It's nothing, I just messed around with my friends." "Well, you finally have friends too. I'm relieved too." The countess smiled softly, and gently stroked Du Wei's face. Du Wei felt the warmth and delicateness of his mother's fingers, and he couldn't help but feel soft in his heart, and heard The countess whispered to herself: "You are my son, and also my first son. Although some things were said, it was unfair to Gabriel... But during the three years when your father went to war, you were the only one in the family Accompany me by my side, in fact, in my heart, I have always loved you more." Du Wei was silent, just looking at his mother. "Du Wei, can I ask you one thing?" The countess sighed lightly, and the sigh was like a grievance, which was faintly transmitted into Du Wei's ears, making people feel sorry for this beautiful woman. Sad and soft-hearted. "Mother, tell me." Du Wei smiled: "Any wish you have is the will of the Supreme God to me!" "Shh..." The Countess' complexion changed, and she quickly covered Du Wei's mouth with her soft palm, her beautiful eyes were full of gentle reproach: "You are not young, so don't say such blasphemy words, do you understand?" Oh... almost forgot, mother was a devout believer.Du Wei sighed inwardly. During his serious illness when he was young, his mother knelt down in the temple and prayed for him all night on a stormy night. After a pause, the countess looked at her son, with a plea in her voice: "Du Wei, I actually know that you are not what others say, you are my son, I love you, I love you, and I know you very well." .You are a very smart person, your ability is absolutely unimaginable by others! And your father... Although I don't know why, I know that your father and son have always been at odds. But now...you My father works hard every day, frowning, and I am very worried... Du Wei, at home, your brother is only eight years old, a young child. Only you can help your father share his worries. After all, you It's my blood, and the blood of the Luo Lin family. I just beg you, don't be jealous of your father for neglecting you for so many years, if possible...can you help him..." At the end, the Countess's voice was filled with pleading softly, and her kind eyes were full of expectations. Looking at the mother in front of him, Du Wei suddenly remembered that when he was young, she came to his bedroom at night with bare feet in a nightgown, and sang that beautiful and melodious song to accompany him to sleep. . "Mother..." Du Wei took a deep breath and said slowly, "For you, I am willing to do anything, even to challenge the gods! Don't worry, with me, the glory of the Luo Lin family will never fall! " The boy stood in front of his mother, his voice seemed calm, but extremely decisive! The beautiful countess was smiling, and she looked at her son with relief in her eyes.However, being gentle and kind, she didn't know what kind of burden and pain her beloved son was carrying in her heart.And under such heavy pain, this seemingly simple promise actually represents a pious oath! Summer is in the sky, but Du Wei feels like his heart is like an abyss!