Minna stood on the high wall of the East District, holding a telescope to look at the Noga army station in the distance. She vaguely saw a figure that looked like Jedda emerging from the main tent, followed by an attendant, who should be Sargent.
Jada is really here...
She put down the telescope with some sadness, and happened to see a few people riding horses towards the military camp over there. She was really wondering who they were, and then she heard Mallory say next to her: "Those are a few people from the North District." Chief, I will arrange for them to try each other's tone."
Minna asked in surprise: "Aren't you worried that they will tell Jedda what's going on here?" For example, the number of East troops, their garrison locations, etc., as well as the newly built city walls, and the fact that Mallory is presiding over the overall situation here. These things are no longer a secret to the residents of Xiko Town as time goes by.
Mallory smiled: "It's okay to tell him, but...will those people really help Nuo Jiajun?"
Ming Na blinked: "Why not? They are Nuojia people."
"Even the Nuojia people have their own ideas. They have accumulated wealth and power here. Whether in the North District or in the entire West Coast, they are leaders. But... if the Nuojia Army If they really occupy this place, who do they think they are?”
Ming Na understood and raised her binoculars again to see what they were doing.
Soon, those people came back with the words of Commander Noga, which was said by Duke Jedda: "We are here to protect the personal safety of our citizens. Please don't guard against our troops and let us enter the town for rescue." Noga National.”
Will listened and frowned: "Didn't you tell him that the turmoil has subsided? There is no need for them to come here!"
One of the leaders said: "I have told the Duke about this, but he is not at ease. He said he is worried that some of us will be harmed in the turmoil, and he also wants to protect our property from infringement and assist the West." Coe regained his composure and insisted on getting involved. But..." he glanced quickly at Mallory, "he said he had no intention of invading East territory."
Mallory smiled. He said to them: "Thank you for passing the message. I hope... you know what should be done." The few people looked at each other. Then he solemnly said goodbye and left.
As soon as the person leaves. Minna asked Mallory what to do. He said: "Wait. Let's see who loses his composure first!"
The first one to lose his composure was Nuo Jiajun. Wait until the evening of the next day. They haven't seen any reaction from the people in Xiko Town. The spies also reported that the Istrian army took no special action. People in the town still live as usual. Jada lost her temper when she saw this. After discussing with several generals under his command. Then he led his troops into the northern district and stationed them. Then a large group of troops was sent to advance to the right. Occupied the western area of Vanadi and the surrounding plains. The few families who stayed there were driven out. then. They moved towards the central area again. But after Nuo Jiajun occupied the northernmost street in the central district. Can't go any further. Overnight. A high earthen wall was suddenly built on the street. Block the way of the army. These earth walls are very strong. Just use the sharpest knife to slash at the wall. It can only leave a slight trace.
The local leader of East District went up to the city wall and shouted. It means that Nuojia's army wants to protect the people. There is no need to enter residential areas in other countries. Ask them to leave as soon as possible.
Jada signaled a veteran to come forward and said: "Our citizens were greatly harmed during the turmoil. We demand that the murderer be severely punished! Let us in!"
The leader rolled his eyes secretly. Said: "The murderer has been punished a long time ago. And he is from your country. If you want to find him, go to them!"
The veteran didn't know how to answer for a moment, so Jada raised her voice and said: "Who knows if they are the real murderers? I heard that it was the East people who did it. Let us go in and find the truth!" After saying that, with a wave of his hand, the soldiers started To attack the earth wall.
The leader quickly retreated, replaced by a general sent from East, and directed the soldiers to throw rocks, boiling oil and other objects at each other. Jada attacked for a while and found that Eastside was well prepared. She thought of someone who had escaped and felt resentful in her heart. Seeing that his soldiers were burned by oil or injured by stones, in order to maintain their combat effectiveness, he had to order a temporary retreat back to the North District.
Mallory stood at the foot of the city wall. With a face as dark as water, he winked at a young officer next to him, and the latter left knowingly. Ming Na saw this and asked him curiously what he wanted to do, but he just smiled and didn't answer.
But after a while, Minna knew the answer. The young officer came from behind with a young man. The young man was only about sixteen or seventeen years old. He was dressed entirely in black and was obviously in mourning. His face was a little pale and his lips were tightly pursed. He looked very tired. But the waist is very straight.
Minna recognized his identity, Alben Heda. The fourth son of the once-prominent Heda family and the current heir of the family, a few months ago, he accidentally fell into the hands of a trafficker. It was she who rescued him and his female companion. But when did he come to Xico
Behind Elben, there was also a middle-aged man who looked like a housekeeper and a mother and daughter. The mother was about thirty years old, and the daughter was eleven or twelve years old, but she was very thin. Minna vaguely remembered that they seemed to be Estero's wife and daughter. Minna guessed Mallory's intention and couldn't help but frown slightly. She felt that it seemed unethical to threaten the enemy's family
She called Mallory gently, but the latter waved his hand and said, "I know it well, you don't need to say more." She had no choice but to shut up. But this little episode made the housekeeper look at her a few more times, with suspicion in his eyes. Mingna was worried that she would be recognized, so she hurriedly shrank behind Mallory.
Alben didn't notice this at all. He walked forward quietly and waited for the city gate to open. Mallory looked at him from the side and smiled: "Count Hedda, you should know what you are going to do, right?"
Alben said calmly: "You don't need to remind me." Then he got on a horse led by a soldier.
Two knights in full armor rode up and escorted him out of the city wall to the entrance to the northern area. When he was still thirty or forty meters away from the Nuojia army's blockade, Alben shouted his brother's name loudly, asking him to come out to see him.
Esparo stood behind the queue of soldiers and was very surprised to see his younger brother: "Aren't you in Mayate? What are you doing here?!" Seeing his younger brother wearing mourning clothes, he felt sad in his heart: "Father and Aix Has the matter... been done?"
Alben nodded: "It has been buried in the family cemetery. Brother, Aloy and I are here, as well as my sister-in-law and my niece. The third brother is also on his way here."
"Really?" Esparo looked delighted, "That's great! Come over here and live with me! It won't be long before the glory of our Heda family will return to us!"
Alben shook his head and asked with a wry smile: "Brother, do you really know what you are doing?"
Esparo's face darkened: "What? Did I do something wrong? East took away the power of our family. He also killed our father and brother. What's wrong with what I did?!"
"That's not the case. His Majesty the King did not order the execution of my father and second brother. This is completely a rumor!"
Esparo's face became even more ugly when he heard this: "You have been deceived! Who else would give such an order besides Valfred III?! I have reliable information channels and know the inside story. Do you think Don’t you even believe me?!”
"That's not the case!" Alben was a little excited. "I was in Ito during that time! Just the day before my father and second brother were unfortunately killed, I went to visit them! My father was already regretting it. He said that if there was If I find you by chance, I must persuade you to come back. When I saw His Majesty, Your Majesty also promised me. When my father celebrates his birthday, he will let me see him. Then my mother can follow me in! If he wants to kill his father and Brother, there is no need to say such things!"
After hearing this, Esparo narrowed his eyes: "Are you... here to be a lobbyist today?" He snorted coldly, "Are you being coaxed by your queen aunt, or are you blinded by wealth and power? Have you forgotten the name of our Heda family?!"
"You are the one who forgot the name of the family!" Alben took a deep breath, "Brother. Our Heda family is one of the eight founding dukes. Our ancestors, following the first generation of kings, built this country with blood and sweat. country, and now, you, the descendants, are going to lead the armies of other countries to attack it?!"
"That's because this country betrayed Hedda!"
"But as Heda, you betrayed this country first!"
The two brothers were a little excited and looked at each other. Panting heavily, after a while, Esparo said softly: "You don't need to say anything, I already understand what you mean, and I will do it according to my own wishes, and you..." He smiled coldly. , "Go hug the lap of Alfred III and become his powerful slave, but when I conquer this country and restore Heda's glory, don't say you are my brother!"
Alben stared at him: "You must do this?" Seeing his brother nodding. His eyes turned red suddenly, and he quickly regained his calm expression: "You may have forgotten one thing, I am the head of the Heda family! Before my father passed away, he had already given me the token." He showed his hand Wearing an obsidian ring: "Since you insist on violating the ancestral precepts of the Heda family, then... From now on, I think you should no longer have the surname Heda."
Esparo was furious: "Don't go too far! Do you want me to completely abandon brotherhood?!"
Alben smiled self-deprecatingly, but his face became even paler: "You have abandoned all your family members long ago." After saying that, he ignored his brother and rode back to the South District.
Esparo was so angry that his whole body was shaking. He turned around and took the bow and arrow from the soldier behind him. He was about to teach his hateful brother a lesson when he suddenly heard someone calling "Dad", and the voice sounded familiar. He was stunned for a moment, and then he saw his wife and daughter standing on the opposite city wall, and her daughter waved to him vigorously. Looking at his wife and daughter who had lost a lot of weight, his heart softened and he shouted loudly: "Come here! Come here and be with me!"
The youngest daughter was still waving, but his wife suddenly burst into tears and turned away to hug her daughter. The daughter was stunned, hugging her mother and whispering comfort. When she heard her father yell again, she was about to wave in response, but was stopped by her mother. He dragged himself down the city wall and could no longer see his father. She kept asking her mother why, but her mother just kept crying.
Esparo watched his wife and daughter disappear behind the city wall, but never appeared again, and his brother had already returned to the other side's camp. He couldn't help but feel a little stunned, and then became furious: Since you have all betrayed me, don't blame me for being cruel. Got it!
Sargent walked up behind him gently: "Are you okay? Are you soft-hearted?"
He suddenly turned around and said, "Impossible!" Then he strode back to his tent. Upon seeing this, Sargent carefully paid attention to the situation on the other side. Seeing that they made no move next, he turned back with relief, only to see Jada standing in front of the tent with a frown on her face, staring in the direction of Esparo. He walked over and asked, "What's wrong? Do you think there's anything wrong?"
Jada said in a deep voice: "Is a person who can even abandon his family really reliable? How can we trust that he will really be loyal to Noga? Sargent, although I have always trusted your judgment, this person...I Really can’t be trusted.”
Sargent hurriedly said: "Use it if you can. As long as we can give him what he wants, he will naturally listen to us."
Jada shook his head: "I'm afraid he will waver in the middle." After a pause, he changed the topic: "By the way, what is the secret weapon you mentioned? I only saw it being pulled by a big carriage, and it was floating all the way. It's scented, even if you have to keep it a secret, you should at least let me know, right? Is it a new type of artillery? I think it looks a bit similar in size."
A meaningful smile appeared on Sargent's face: "Don't worry, the secret will be revealed sooner or later. That thing is heavy and will not be shipped until tomorrow, but as long as we have them, let alone this small town of Xico, Even a big city like Ito cannot resist it.”
"Oh?" Jada raised an eyebrow, "Really? Then I really want to take a closer look to see what kind of weapon is so powerful. Will it arrive tomorrow? Let's go inspect it together then. If it's really good, we'll do it right away A thick wall that could be used to attack Siko!…Sargent, what’s wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell?”
Sargent's hands trembled slightly, and his left eye kept blinking. He quickly lowered his head, then raised his head and smiled after a while: "It's nothing, maybe he's too tired, just take a rest."
(Normal updates were resumed ahead of schedule, although it was a little too late...)