Chapter 192

But even so, there were still many white maggots on his body gnawing at his flesh and blood.

"This...what is this..."

Sherlock looked at this extremely horrific sacrificial ceremony. Even though she boasted that she had experienced many battles, she couldn't help but feel disgusted when she saw this scene. She leaned on the wall and retched.

Phil was also pale.

Because at this moment, except for the person in the center of the circular array, six pillars were inserted around the basement, with corpses tied to them. It was obvious that these corpses had died recently, because they had not yet begun to Totally rotten.

Is this a cultist's sacrificial ritual?

Do they want to use this sacrificial ceremony to summon something in the city of Saint Laurent?

Phil suddenly shuddered at the thought of this possibility.

Chapter 105: Recruitment

On the other side, after returning to Imperial College, Orson was immediately called to the office by Luca.

Standing in front of the office, Orson adjusted his clothes and then knocked on the door.

"Please come in." Luca's voice came from inside the door.

Orson then pushed the door open and saw Luca sitting alone in the office. He was still as kind as ever.

"I'm sorry." Orson stood at the door, nodded slightly, and then walked into the room.

"Dean, what's your purpose of finding me this time?"

"Oson, I heard that you were injured outside?" Luka did not directly explain his purpose of teaching Orson, but first exchanged greetings with Orson.

"Um."

"Then...do you need the academy to organize a physical re-examination for you? After all, the other party may be a force that cannot be underestimated. It is very likely that they have done something in your body. It is reasonable that the quack doctors in the palace cannot detect it. "

"That's no need. I know my body best. I had already estimated whether there was a problem when I was injured. Look at me now, isn't my health still good?" Orson said with a smile.

He could also roughly guess the reason why Luka asked him to come here.

"That's good." Luka heard Orson say that he was fine, and

After feeling relieved and relieved, he was finally ready to explain his purpose.

"It's like this, Orson, the college council values ​​you very much and is going to give you an observer position. You can sit behind me and listen in on the council meetings in the future. After graduation, you can also become a standing member of the Imperial College Council. "Committee."

“If you perform better during your term as an observer, it is not impossible to be directly promoted to become an important member of the council.”

This condition was put forward, which really shocked Orson.

Of course he knew that Luca was preparing to snatch him away from Antica and the royal family, but he did not expect that even the entire academy's council would show unanimous will.

You must know that the reason why the Imperial College has been able to remain unique in higher education in the empire to this day is, in addition to the stable support of the royal family, also inseparable from the establishment of the council.

The College Council has gathered a group of the smartest brains in the world. Even if there is a problem with one person's decision-making, the others will correct it immediately.

Therefore, even as the dean of the academy, what Luca can do in council meetings is quite limited.

The decision to approve Lena's admission was made at the council meeting.

It can be said that being able to enter the Council of the Imperial Academy is, to a certain extent, better than working for the emperor or a powerful force.

Not to mention the seat that the council will give to Orson as a standing committee member in the future.

"Dean, are all these things you said true?"

Even for a determined person like Orson, he couldn't help but feel a little moved when he heard this condition.

It's not that the seats on the council are better than those of dukes or ministers, but because this is an area that traditional nobles cannot touch.

"Of course it's true." Luka smiled. "This is the result of discussion at our standing committee meeting. If you agree, Osun, we will hold a formal vote at the subsequent meeting."

For Luca, this kind of treatment from Orson is a matter of course.

Not to mention Orson's dual seventh-level strength at a young age. Based on Orson's current talent and time, I'm afraid it won't be long before he reaches the eighth level. There may even be a class that has already broken through the eighth level.

Considering Orson's reputation throughout the empire, it would be extremely cost-effective to include him within the Imperial Academy.

Moreover, Orson had previously managed the Duchy of Antica in an orderly manner and was also perfect in his work on the student union, which was enough to prove that Orson's abilities were perfect and comprehensive.

Such a person is suitable to be established as an idol and model, and to increase the influence of Imperial College.

Especially now that Orson has clearly given up his inheritance rights, his future is already unclear, so of course the Imperial Academy must fight for it.

Even if Orson doesn't stay at Imperial College in the end, Imperial College will still retain an honorary title for him, unless something very big happens in the meantime.

Orson lowered his head and pondered for a long time, which was also what Luka expected.

This kind of smart person will never deal with such a major matter in a confused manner, let alone agree hastily and hastily.

Luka had expressed the intention of recruiting Orson many times before, secretly and openly, in order to vaccinate Orson in advance so that Orson would have less worries until now.

Orson thought for a long time, and finally raised his head and looked in the direction of Luca.

"Sorry, Dean, I cannot agree to this matter right now. I think we should discuss joining the council after my term as student union ends."

"Ah, that's right."

Hearing Orson's answer, Luka felt a little regretful, but he could accept it.

After all, Orson's answer was "wait a little longer", not "I refuse."

That's enough.

"Then, I look forward to the successful conclusion of this term's student union work. When the time comes, Orson, you can serve for two more terms, and we will agree."

"It's hard to say." Orson said, smiling and shaking his head.

"Let's talk about the rest later. It doesn't seem necessary to discuss it that far now."

"What I'm saying is, it's me, an old man, who is more anxious than you, a young man." Luka couldn't help but laugh when he heard Orson say this.

Sure enough, he admired Orson's calmness and confidence in not being surprised at all changes.

…

At night, on a blocked street, Odysseus stood at the intersection.

Behind him was a group of mostly sixth- and seventh-level guards, with an eighth-level guard captain standing on each side. There were even many secret sentries posted in the dark.

In this case

, the previous situation will never happen again.

His eyes were fixed on the blazing fire in the night sky.

That was Milton's residence.

After Sherlock and Phil found the strange sacrificial scene in the basement, they quickly reported the matter to the security office. Of course, the security office did not dare to neglect and immediately called Odysseus.

Later, after making records and using the video magic stone to preserve the entire scene in the basement, Odysseus burned the residence to the ground on the advice of Pope Levi.

The smell of dust filled the air, making Odysseus frown.

"Captain of the Guard, tell me, did I do something wrong?" Odysseus looked at the Captain of the Guard. "For so many years of governing the country with benevolence, the result was that cultists held such evil worship rituals under my eyes."

"Your Majesty, you did nothing wrong." The captain of the guard shook his head. "The ones who are at fault are obviously the cultists. They are blind, greedy and want to gain power from the devil."

"..." This reply can be said to be the most trouble-free reply, but Odysseus was not satisfied. He closed his eyes and shook his head.

According to Levi, this evil sacrifice is to worship an evil god named "Blood Mother". She was a loser in the melee era long ago. Her title and name are not even worthy of being written into the history books.

However, He relied on His crazy followers and was recorded forever by the church people.

"The devil's servants can now bring this level of trouble to the empire. Is the empire really going to change?" Odysseus watched the dust drifting into the distance and sighed helplessly.

Chapter 106: Union

Based on the analysis of the clothing and mutilated appearance of the last corpse, the royal family quickly obtained information about several deceased persons.

There are seven deceased persons in total. Except for the unidentified deceased in the center, they correspond to the missing persons cases in Saint Laurent City in the past three months.

In such a large city, it is not uncommon for people to go missing. Perhaps they ran away from home because of conflicts with their families, or they were fleeing oppression. In addition, we are in this era of underdeveloped technology.

Not everyone can afford a magician, and even without a magician, one can definitely find the missing person.

Therefore, many cases are hastily closed after two weeks of investigation without results.

For example, when Susie disappeared before, it was only with the help of a doctor that she could be reunited with her brother.

Although there are tears from countless families behind this, there is nothing we can do.

As for the unidentified deceased person in the center of the magic circle, based on his clothes, he could probably tell that he was the cultist who caused this tragedy.

Today's Saint Laurent City is like a mansion with insufficient manpower. Although it looks bright and beautiful on the surface, a lot of filth has grown in various dark corners due to the lack of manpower to take care of it.

"You really have to take good care of this city from now on." Odysseus said, turned around, and left the scene with his guards.

…

Returning to the student union office, Orson saw Olivia sitting next to him, sorting documents for him.

Seeing this scene, his heart suddenly warmed up, and then he quietly came behind Olivia and hugged her gently.

He could feel that the body of the person in his arms stiffened, and then relaxed.

"You didn't even say hello when you came in." She said this with a mixture of anger and resentment in her mouth.

"You have worked hard these days. You have to worry about me and help me complete the tasks of the student union."

"If you know how hard it is, just stay with me honestly." Olivia complained.

"Yes, I understand." Orson agreed, then sat next to Olivia and completed her original task for her.

"By the way, Her Royal Highness Elsa should be returning to Saint Laurent City in the next two days." While the two were busy, Orson suddenly remembered something and mentioned it.

"Huh? Why?" Olivia looked at Orson in confusion.

It’s not that I think there’s anything wrong with Elsa coming back, it’s just that she came back just a few days after arriving in the territory, which seems a bit too fast...

If she wants to compete for inheritance rights, then Elsa's main area of ​​activity will definitely be in the city of Saint Laurent in the future.

If you stay in your own territory and can't contact the dignitaries of Saint Laurent City, you won't be able to accumulate connections.

Besides, although the current governance rights of those territories belong to Elsa, after all, Odysseus also said that he would take back the governance rights in the future.

If at that time Elsa was in Saint Laurent

The city is not powerful enough to change Odysseus's idea of ​​appointing a heir, so it loses the legitimacy of all the territories under its rule. At that time, she will either give up the fruits or use arms to divide the empire.

Even if the armed resistance succeeds and the army helps her to become the emperor, she will be regarded as a usurper after losing her legitimacy, and her future rule will be endless.

However, even if Saint Laurent City is to be used as the main area of ​​activity, her territory is also her most important base at present. In such a short time, can she arrange all the territories properly? How should she deal with it if she got mixed up with the spy planted by Alsace?

"Maybe it's because..." Orson paused, and then said: "The results from the south will be out soon."

"..." Olivia was stunned for a moment when she heard this.

Then he nodded clearly.

"Yes, the issue of Napoli's legacy is also an issue that needs to be resolved urgently."

Today, there are only three possibilities left in Napoli.

One is for Giovanni to step down and stand trial, allowing his son Donny to take over.

After all, Downey was still young when Giovanni was planning these things, and he was likely to be used by Giovanni later. As the only legitimate heir to Napoli, there is no doubt that he has a legitimate reputation after Giovanni's death. inheritance rights.

Another possibility is that both Giovanni and Donny would be put on trial, with a descendant of Florence's family inheriting the throne.

The mistakes made by the main family generally have little to do with the collateral lines. Selecting a highly respected person from the collateral line to inherit the family is a good thing if it can ensure the stable development of Naples.

The last possibility is to choose a man who can convince the people to rule the Duchy of Naples.

But this possibility is not high.

After all, the concept of “convincing people” is quite vague.

Even if someone from the current empire is selected according to very strict standards who can convince the public, that person may not be able to convince a small number of people.

And this is equivalent to punishing the entire Florence family. Although the other party has contacts with cultists and orcs, and the conspiracy to subvert the empire is enough for the emperor to cancel his family's nobility status, after all, this is the first in the history of the empire. Unprecedented.

To create this precedent, we must consider the possible consequences in the future.