The Lord of the Rings: Lords of Middle-earth.

Chapter 940 How can you change your expression without getting a bean?

"These are the people of the Empire?" Nyx watched as the numb figures helped each other across the ice bridge and walked toward them.

"He doesn't seem to be in particularly good condition..." Roland nodded. After all, how could he be in good condition after traveling day and night?

"I hope there won't be any civilian casualties..." Nyx clutched the pendant to her chest, tears glistening in her eyes.

"..." Roland glanced at the silver light in Nyx's cleavage, whom he was holding in his arms, shook his head and remained silent. How could there be no casualties on such a long journey? Even the Imperial Army would suffer losses.

"Your Majesty, these people need emergency treatment!" Caslo landed and said anxiously to Roland.

“I’ve already ordered the camp to start preparing food and hot soup! They should be just in time!” Roland nodded to Caslo.

“No, I feel they need medicine. Even the soldiers have frostbite, so the civilians are probably in even worse condition!” Caslo explained.

"...Hmm?" Before Caslo could finish speaking, he saw Roland slowly pull a golden scepter from his robes, with a huge sapphire embedded in it... What's this? What kind of design is this?

“Darian, inform Lord Charlie Pross to come over! His Dragon God Glory now has someone to promote it to!” Roland said slowly to the void behind him.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The air behind Roland rippled slightly before settling into stillness.

"Hopefully that charlatan won't let us down!" Roland sighed softly, tilting his head back.

"So what do you mean by this?" Nyx nudged Roland's hand, gesturing towards the flashy, unusually flamboyant golden scepter, and asked in confusion.

“The exercise of divine power must appear professional!” Roland’s opening remarks immediately carried the air of a charlatan and a pie-in-the-sky.

“…” Nyx frowned, only then realizing that Roland was also a paladin. In a sense, this guy holding the scepter and cosplaying as a priest was a perfect match for his profession!

……

"Come this way! Don't crowd! There are hot meals and warm tents! In family units! Don't push!" Soldiers from the kingdom, holding high the imperial dragon flag, guided and diverted the numb crowd, settling them into the pre-prepared tents.

"Pay close attention to epidemic prevention and disinfection! Sprinkle more quicklime! Let the priests cast more purification spells when they have nothing else to do! If a plague breaks out, you will all have to atone with your deaths!" Duke Joelsteria, wearing the Grand Duke's Dragon Armor, moved through the crowd at midday, exuding the aura of a high-level professional. The commoners looked at him with fear and hurriedly walked around him.

"There's hot porridge ahead, don't rush, everyone stay calm!" Duke Joelster directed the large crowd to disperse and enter the camp.

"Why not let them into the city? Lagrange City isn't far from the camp, is it?" Weiss asked Roland, puzzled.

“If these people have an epidemic, the whole city will be engulfed in plague. Why take such a huge risk if it can be avoided in advance?” Nyx smiled.

"I see..." Weiss nodded in understanding. After all, a plague is no small matter in the extraordinary world! When a plague spreads, magic is not omnipotent!

"...Your Majesty!" Darion Nightblade whispered.

"Has the notification been sent?" Roland asked, looking at Darian Nightblade.

“Lord Charlie Pros is on his way, he’ll be here soon!” Darian Nightblade nodded.

“Alright, go find the person in charge of this group! Tell him to come see me! I’m quite curious about this Grand Duke of the East!” Roland said to Darian Nightblade. He was very curious about what this so-called Grand Duke of the East was all about, after all, he was one of the Electors! Apophis Breo was quite sensible, but he didn’t know what the situation was about this Grand Duke of the East.

“As you wish, Your Majesty!” Darian Nightblade bowed to Roland with his hand on his chest and then withdrew.

Watching Darian Nightblade's departing figure, Roland grinned helplessly. Logically, a country is composed of a large number of commoners, a majority of minor nobles, and a small number of major nobles.

……

"You are the Grand Duke of the East? The Gale family?" Darion Nightblade glanced at the family crest on Grand Duke Okrian Yasuo's chest; the soaring wind dragon shone brightly, exuding nobility and elegance! After all, this crest symbolized a powerful Grand Duke's family!

“I… am Grand Duke Okrian Yasuo, and you are…” Clearly, the sudden appearance of the Creed assassin Darion Nightblade startled Grand Duke Okrian Yasuo.

“I am Darion Nightblade, a member of the King’s Guard! I have summoned you to an audience!” Darion Nightblade nodded to Grand Duke Oakrian Yasso.

“Very well! Please introduce him!” Grand Duke Oakrian Yaso nodded knowingly. After all, with the return of the Gale family, Grand Dukes of the East, the current rulers of the Empire would certainly pay attention. Whether in name or by blood, Grand Duke Oakrian Yaso was one of the Empire's shareholders and electors. Although he didn't have the original shares like the Twin Fists family, as a long-standing shareholder, everyone had to give him face! After all, he had dined at the same table as the royal family back in the day!

“Your Highness…” Oakrian Ryukin, standing behind him, tugged at Archduke Oakrian Yaso’s cloak, his eyes questioning, indicating that he would go with Archduke Yaso.

"Alright, this hero can come along too!" Darion Nightblade casually remarked after noticing the subtle movements of the Golden Sword Saint behind Grand Duke Okrian Yasuo. After all, two sixth-tier heroes couldn't possibly cause any trouble for King Roland! The assassination expert was right in front of them, and with the high-level combatants beside Roland, they would be guaranteed to be killed if they made a move!

"Um... this is Oakrian Ryukin, the Sword Saint of the Gale Clan!" Grand Duke Oakrian Yasuo explained. Sword Saints are so prestigious! Heroes are everywhere, but Sword Saints are few and far between!

"I see! My apologies!" Darian Nightblade nodded apologetically to the Golden Sword Saint. He'd initially thought this guy was incredibly powerful, but well, this fellow really did have something! The Sword Saint's lineage was no ordinary one, especially those sixth-generation members of the Gale Clan…

"Norman! Go and summon Marquis Al-Tegran Franz to come with us to see His Majesty!" Archduke Oakrian Yaso ordered the knight commander behind him.

"Al Tegrand Franz... Marquis? The Franz family is with you too?" Darian Nightblade was clearly aware of that family's reputation; after all, the Franz Bank was a name known throughout the empire! One of the few legendary merchant families who could squeeze money out of nobles!

Before we could even grieve for the Gale family, next up before us is the Franz family: Imperial Grandet, Business Genius, Middle-earth Banker, Nightmare of the Minor Noble, Royal Dog, The Emperor's Walking Will, The Human Emperor's Iron Abacus, Grand Commander of Expeditions, Inventor of Nine Exits and Thirteen Returns!

“A beggar… a beggar?” When Darian Nightblade saw Marquis Al-Tegran Franz’s gray-black cloth outfit, he could not hide his shock. Darian Nightblade remained silent, only babbling incoherently!

"Huh? How rude! I am a hereditary marquis personally recognized by the emperor! How dare you insult me?" Marquis Al-Tegran Franz's expression changed.

“This is the King’s Royal Guard…” Archduke Oakrian Yaso whispered behind him.

"Oh my! It's like a flash flood has swept away the Dragon God Temple! I've heard so much about you!" Al Tegrand Franz suddenly smiled and shook Darian Nightblade's hand.

To make up for yesterday, another update will be posted tonight.