Game of the World Tree - Chapter 658

Chapter 658: The Nobles of the Empire

Sophia did not have to wait too long before she was welcomed into the noble district by the guards. Along with the guards came a gorgeous carriage.

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

“Miss Sophia, I am Baron Scott, the butler of the Rosen family. The Duke has already known your arrival. He is very happy and is waiting for you in the City Lord’s Mansion. Please get in the carriage with me.”

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

The decoration inside the carriage was also gorgeous and extravagant, which showed the wealth of the Duke’s family. After the girl sat down, it slowly drove into the heart of the noble district.

After entering the noble district, it was like a different world. The streets here were wide and straight, the buildings were gorgeous and exquisite, the magic lights on both sides of the road were crystal clear, reflecting the bright lights of every house, and you could see teams of guards wearing shiny silver armor patrolling the streets to maintain law and order…

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

I don’t know why, at this moment, looking at this prosperous scene in front of her, her mind always emerges from the dilapidated Hewan Town and the miserable dead baby in the gully of the city gate…

The carriage traveled for about ten minutes and arrived at the Lord’s Mansion of Morning Star City, where Duke Rosen is currently stationed.

Unlike Zeroland, the Lord’s Mansion in Morning Star City is not a castle, but a huge manor. There are already many carriages parked in the manor, and each carriage has a noble family emblem. Nobles, high-ranking officers and servants come and go in the manor, which is very lively.

“Why are there so many people?”

Sophia asked curiously.

“After the Lord’s Mansion became the Duke’s residence, it became the temporary headquarters of the Empire’s expeditionary army. Now there are countless nobles coming to pay homage to the Duke every day, so it seems a bit busy, especially now that the Lord’s Mansion is holding a banquet.”

Baron Scott explained.

“Holding a banquet? Now?”

Sophia was stunned.

“That’s right, but unfortunately, Zeroland has now become a rebellious area, and your identity is also sensitive. Otherwise… I can introduce you to the nobles who come.”

Baron Scott said.

Sophia was silent for a moment, frowned and said:

“I am not interested in the banquet now.”

“That’s a pity. Several young masters of the Duke’s family are here today. However, because the Duke is busy at the banquet now, you may need to wait for a while.”

The old butler said apologetically.

After hearing the old butler’s words, Sophia shook her head patiently:

“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.”

“Okay, everything is up to you.”

Baron Scott did not force her.

Under the guidance of the Duke’s butler, the girl quickly entered the lord’s mansion.

The lord’s mansion was magnificent. The hall decorated with magic lights was filled with melodious dance music. Nobles in noble and gorgeous clothes were gathering in the hall in twos and threes, either talking or dancing.

The dining table was filled with exquisite and complicated food and expensive wine. Waves of tempting aroma wafted from the hall, causing the girl’s stomach to growl unconvincingly.

Only then did she realize that she had not eaten for a day in her hurry.

“Miss Sophia, please wait in the waiting room. I will go to see the Duke. It may take a while. You can have dinner first.”

Baron Scott said.

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

The two of them were very low-key and did not go directly to the hall where the banquet was held.

But even so, many sharp-eyed nobles in the hall noticed the carriage of the Duke of Rosen and the half-elf girl who got off the carriage and was led into the lounge by Baron Scott, the Duke’s butler, which caused a curious discussion among the small groups of nobles.

“Countess Isaac, who is that female mercenary? She actually came here in the Duke’s carriage?”

“No, she doesn’t look like a mercenary. Judging from her demeanor, she is more like a noble lady dressed as a mercenary…”

“Huh? Her ears are pointed. Is she an elf?”

“No, elves’ ears are more pointed and longer. She must be a half-elf.”

“Can half-elves enter the lord’s mansion?!”

“She must have a special status. She looks like a distinguished guest of the Duke…”

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

“Forget it. Looking at her shabby appearance, she must be a noble who fled from Maple Leaf Territory. Maple Leaf Territory is very close to the Forest of Elf, so it’s normal for her to have some elven blood.”

“A noble from Maple Leaf Territory? There is really no need to meet him. The Border Earl has rebelled and Maple Leaf Territory is over. I’d better go and meet Master Joseph later. I heard that he is already a Silver Knight! He is not even 20 years old yet! If I can have the chance to talk to him, it will be worthwhile to attend the dinner this time. I heard that Master Joseph is quite loved by the Duke.”

“After all, he is the proudest child of Duke Rosen, the future heir to the Duke of Rosen, and the fiancé of the Second Princess…” “

Yes, in comparison, Master Lukaz is far worse. They are both children of the Duke’s family. One is the rising star of the Empire, a genius with extraordinary power, and the future commander of the Third Guards Corps of the Empire, while the other is an idiot with intellectual problems…”

“Be careful! The Duke hates others discussing this matter the most. Let’s change the subject.”

“Countess, you are too cautious. No one can hear it now…”

The nobles whispered in the hall.

Sophia, who was sitting in the lounge, heard their conversation clearly.

As a half-elf with elven blood, the girl’s hearing was originally inherited from the elves, far better than that of ordinary people. Even with the interference of music, some of the nobles’ conversations could still get into her ears.

Their conversations were mixed and chaotic, but they were either guessing Sophia’s identity, or talking about the scandals and secrets of some nobles, or boasting about each other, or satirizing the stupidity of some civilians and the greed of mercenaries. The girl was quite annoyed…

When she was in Zeroland, she rarely attended banquets. As the master of the territory, all the lower nobles who approached her praised her beauty, the prosperity of Zeroland, the long history of the Wells family, and their great achievements in building the territory…

At this moment, Sophia was sitting in the lounge, listening to the nobles’ intrigues and ridicule, the comparisons and boasting in their words, and the occasional arrogance and complacency, but her brows were getting deeper and deeper.

Especially the singing and dancing at the banquet, which formed a sharp contrast with the desolation and ruin that the girl had seen along the way, making her more disappointed with the nobles here…

She never thought that the nobles of the empire would be like this…

“What a bunch of empire borers!”

She pursed her lips, indignant.

If it weren’t for her mission to save Zeroland and the Wells family, if it weren’t for the fact that even she knew the great reputation of Duke Rosen in Maple Leaf Territory, Sophia really wanted to leave directly.

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

Just as the girl was becoming more and more disappointed with the imperial nobles at the banquet, Baron Scott, the steward of the Rosen family, finally returned.

“Miss Sophia, please follow me. The Duke is waiting for you in the back hall.”

He said gently.

Hearing this news, Sophia breathed a sigh of relief. She took a deep breath, then tidied her clothes and followed Baron Scott out…

The back hall was not far away. After following Baron Scott for about a minute, Sophia arrived.

There were two tall guards in front of the door. They wore helmets and full body armor. They were powerful and probably all high-level professionals.

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

“Mr. Duke, Miss Viscount Wells of Zeroland has arrived.”

“Please let her in.”

The girl heard a majestic male voice from the room.

Her heart suddenly beat fast, and Sophia’s mood became inexplicably nervous.

To be honest, this was the first time she met an imperial noble other than the Border Earl.

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

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

The decoration of the back hall was as gorgeous as the hall.

On the vertical back chair at the main seat, sat 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 flashing with sharpness.

The wrinkles on his forehead and the handsome hooked 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 uniform of the Imperial Marshal, and on his chest hung an exquisite double lion badge, which was the symbol of the Rosen family.

There was no doubt that the mighty man in front of him was one of the seven electors of the empire, the patriarch of the Rosen family known as the Imperial Lion, the wealthy ruler of the North, and the current Duke of the Rosen Duchy – Franz von Rosen.

Unlike the Border Earl, the Duke of Rosen was not strong, just a mid-silver warrior, but he had superb political skills and the loyalty of countless strong men.

Looking at the dignified yet friendly duke, Sophia picked up the corner of her clothes and bowed respectfully:

“Sophia von Wels, meet the Duke of Rosen.”

After carefully looking at the girl, the Duke of Rosen’s smile became more gentle.

He nodded gently:

“Sophia, I have met your father once. You look very much like your father. He is a real noble.”

After that, he pointed to the chair on the other side:

“Sit down. You have worked hard on the way. Try the hundred-flower tea produced in the forest of elves to calm your mind.”

Feeling the unpretentious attitude of the Duke of Rosen, Sophia’s nervous mood gradually eased.

She nodded gently and sat on the chair.

Picking up the tea on the table and taking a sip, the girl had a thought that the taste was not authentic.

Then, she mustered up her courage and said directly:

“Lord Rosen, the Wells family needs your help…”

Duke Rosen’s expression was serious:

“Don’t worry, tell me what’s going on. As a member of the Wells family, the Rosen family will always be your backer.”

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

She nodded gratefully and explained her purpose.

As the girl told about the current situation of Zerolan and the tragic scene she saw along the way, Duke Rosen’s brows were sometimes furrowed, sometimes relaxed, and he nodded slightly from time to time, listening very seriously.

“Lord Rosen, the Wells family is not a rebellion. Everything is because my half-brother usurped the throne. Please help us. After this matter, the Wells family will definitely become a loyal supporter of the Rosen family…”

Sophia stood up, bowed deeply, and said.

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

He looked serious and said in a dignified voice:

“I understand. As the head of the Wells family, we do have the obligation to provide assistance when the family branch is in trouble…”

“Thank you!”

Sophia’s face lit up.

“But…”

Duke Rosen suddenly changed the subject:

“The war situation is still unclear, the imperial expeditionary army has not yet been officially assembled, and war supplies need to be further prepared, so… even if it is help, we need to wait for a while.”

After hearing what Duke Rosen said, Sophia hurriedly said:

“Your Excellency the Duke, the Vimur River in the Maple Leaf Territory is turbulent, and it is difficult for the army to cross the river, so… if we can first take back Zeroland, which has a stone bridge across the river, then we will have the initiative in the war!”

“I know the importance of Zeroland, but… the empire has other considerations… not to mention that the Wells family is in an awkward situation now.”

Duke Rosen pondered for a moment and said.

After saying that, he thought for a moment and said to the girl gently:

“How about this, you stay in Morning Star City first and have a good rest. Don’t worry, I, Franz von Rosen, have agreed to the Wells family’s affairs. Don’t move around casually these days to avoid causing other changes…”

After getting the promise from Duke Rosen, Sophia was refreshed.

She bowed again and said:

“Wells family… Thank you for your help!”

…

After meeting Duke Rosen, Sophia stayed in the City Lord’s Mansion in Morning Star City.

That night, she finally had her first good sleep in more than ten days.

It was not until noon the next day that the girl slowly opened her sleepy eyes and climbed out of bed.

After changing into the new clothes provided by the maids and enjoying the delicious meals brought by the waiters, Sophia felt refreshed.

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

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

“Miss Sophia, I’m sorry… The Duke has ordered that your current identity is quite sensitive and you should not move around casually for the time being.”

_(:з」∠)_

(End of this chapter)