sunset.
Originally, the days of this winter were short, and the sky darkened early. Accompanied by the cold wind, there was the sound of the thick bugle from far outside the city.
In the north of the empire, in times of trouble, everyone knows that the country's fortunes seem to have come to an end. Everyone also knows that in this chaotic world, it is a great blessing to be able to earn a life, and in the midst of suffering, there is not much for him to ask for.
It's just that in this small town, there is still one side of safety, and there are troops stationed in the city, and the adult who went from "city guard" to "gun guard" and finally called "marshal" seems to be quite popular. Military heart, in this city of Denzel, it is rare to be able to survive the turmoil of war and survive in peace in one day.
Especially every day, in the morning and evening, the horns of the military drills came from the barracks outside the city - this familiar bugle, at first, some people found it noisy, but after a long time, they gradually got used to it. On the contrary, I felt that hearing the horns of the military outside the city every day has become a kind of comfort.
At least, there are still some troops stationed outside the city. There are people guarding this land, which is always a symbol of safety...
That Mr. Xia seems to be a person with great ability. I heard that he once worked in the Rodriguez cavalry, made great achievements, and was appreciated by the emperor. He was also blessed by the army. So many troops have repelled those fierce Odins. Everyone can see with their eyes, the army around Denzel City is getting stronger day by day, and it can be regarded as a strong army. In addition to the control of public opinion, there are many gimmicks such as the "Dodoro White-clothed Archmage" who recently made a statement.
Here, it seems that it has become the safest place in the north of the entire empire.
I heard that in the south, Syltan County was ravaged by the Odins. The land was occupied, the city was destroyed, the villages and towns were burned down, the men who dared to resist were slaughtered, and the rest were slaves, women They were all dragged and ruined by the rude and savage Odins, and in this winter, the Odins in the south heard that in order to save food, large numbers of old and weak were pulled out and directly slaughtered and buried...
All kinds of terrifying legends have made the tranquility of this small piece of land in the north of More County especially precious in this chaotic world. Even every day, looking at the soldiers patrolling the city, those civilian passers-by cast a grateful and respectful look.
…
The sound of the horn outside the city was distant and solemn, but the sound gradually subsided. This was the last exercise before sunset at the barracks outside the city.
After the horn is over, Denzel City will close its gates and enter the curfew.
During the war, the army set off a few days ago, and Denzel City, as the rear, naturally raised its alert by several levels.
As Char's old lair, in the barracks outside Denzel City, there is also the Second Corps of the Northern Theater. Although this Corps is far from the elite of the First Corps, no matter it is equipment training, it is somewhat unsatisfactory. After all, there is a shortage of supplies. You must know that Xiaya's current site is only a place as large as Moore County, and almost all the financial resources and physical resources have been squeezed out. Relying on such a small place, but raising the strength of two corps, if it is replaced in On weekdays, it has long been overwhelmed, and the only result is collapse.
Thanks to the strong support of the Zaku natives, and during the war, Xia unceremoniously adopted the rationing system, levied almost all the materials that could be levied, grain, iron, and distributed to the public... Although this kind of order is somewhat It is cruel, but in this period, the people still endure it silently. After all, everyone knows that it is a great blessing to be able to struggle to survive in this troubled world. Although the marshal was a bit ruthless in asking for money and food, he raised such an army in order to have the ability to protect himself. So despite the hard times, I can always endure it.
In order to build ordnance, almost all the iron items were looted. During the expropriation, the kitchen knives and iron pots in the homes of the common people were also included in the expropriation.
At the end of the day, the scene of several households gathering together to use a pot for cooking can be seen everywhere in the city.
I heard that in order to gather iron, even the iron cladding on the gate of the county governor was stripped.
If it was in Taiping, this approach would be to resort to military force, but at this time... there is no choice.
endure, endure silently. Life can be more difficult, the food can be improvised, iron tools can be omitted, and grain can be saved to supply the army.
As long as... you can really keep your peace, that's enough.
At least, living in this city of Denzel, with food in the pot and a roof over one's head, is better than that of Syltan County in the south, which is occupied by the Odins. The experience of being ravaged, the old and the weak being slaughtered is already tens of thousands of times stronger.
After the last horn ended, the gates of Denzel City were slowly closing.
The soldiers patrolling the city began to be on alert everywhere, and every household closed their doors and windows. After sunset, no more pedestrians were allowed on the streets.
The bustling scene of trade in the former border county is no longer seen.
…
The county governor's mansion has now become the marshal's mansion. In the backyard, Adeline stands in the yard, standing so quietly, her eyes looking at the south sky, the cold wind blowing on her tender face , drilled in from the gap of the collar, biting cold.
Adeline waited for the last ray of light to fall before she sighed softly, and a hint of disappointment flashed in those bright eyes.
Behind her, at the door of the room, Daphne, the woman who is now the Queen of the Byzantine Empire, stood by the door, watching Adeline quietly.
She wrapped a shawl on her head, covering up her splendid blond hair. She had a gorgeous face that was all over the country, but after the continuous torture before, she became a little haggard and her chin was pointed a little. The eye sockets are also deeper, and the skin on the face lacks a bit of blood, but there is more of a soft beauty.
Seeing Adeline standing still in the yard, the queen didn't say anything to dissuade her.
She's used to it.
Since Xi Ya's expedition, Adeline would stand in the yard and stare at the south in a daze almost every night, and would not go back to her room until sunset.
For the first two days, Daphne would also persuade him a few words, worried that this friend who he had known since childhood was like a sister, and he was really cold. It's just that every persuasion was ineffective. Standing in the cold wind and looking south every day until sunset, it became a strange psychological comfort for Adeline.
Two days later, in Daphne's heart, he saw that his good sister was so worried and worried. In her own heart, the original worry has gradually changed. I don't know where to start, but a trace of envy came out of my heart, and I couldn't hide it anymore.
Yes, it is envy, really envy.
Such emotions, even Daphne himself could not understand.
Maybe it's just pure envy.
Worry or worry.
At least, this little sister of my own still has someone to care about.
She looks south every day, at least, there is a man in the south that she looks at.
In contrast, he seemed to be in a daze.
Are you concerned
In your heart, what other people or things do you care about
Father? family
There is a thought hidden in Daphne's heart, for many years, I am afraid that even her own heart may not be willing to admit it. Since that year, for political purposes, my father married himself into the royal family and became that honorable crown princess, who seemed to have a noble appearance, but actually pushed his own woman into this icy whirlpool.
Probably, from that moment on, hatred for my father has grown in my heart!
Well, it's hate.
What about the veterans of the military? How about a generation of famous players? What about all-powerful
In the end, he couldn't even hold his own daughter, and pushed his woman out like a piece of goods. As a bargaining chip, as a capital in exchange, it was exchanged for the royal family, in exchange for the safety of the family
What about the husband
Thinking of his titular "husband", Daphne seemed to have no strength to smile bitterly.
It seems that in the entire empire and the entire noble circle, he is simply a big joke.
What about the stunning face, and the first beauty
That husband... how could he ever look at himself once
Every woman, every girl, probably starts from the age of flowers, who has not been pregnant with spring, and who has not had fantasies about the future? Who has not imagined that there will be such a person in the future, who treats himself as a treasure and loves him like a treasure
But his dream, probably from the beginning, has been cut off!
what about others
Forget it, forget it.
Sometimes, in Daphne's heart, he couldn't help but think: What if he really died
It seems... that's it. In this world, I have nothing to worry about, living and dead, my heart is blank.
A person who does not care, no matter how noble and beautiful - living and dead, what is the difference.
Holding the door, while Daphne sighed, Adeline finally turned around and smiled at her.
"It's very cold, let's go in." The poor worm seemed to worry about his own worries and not enough, but also worried about this sister: "Your body has never recovered, you accompany me here to blow the wind for a while every day, in case the disease recurs again. Well, what should I do?"
Saying that, she came up and hugged Daphne lightly, her soft body leaned on this friend who she regarded as her own sister, and her face was hanging on Daphne's shoulder and pressed against her neck. , but suddenly whispered: "I... I'm so worried."
Daphne sighed, hugged the sister gently, thought and thought, but in the end she didn't say any words of comfort, she just said softly, "Go in."
The room is naturally warm. The burning fireplace, the warmth of the fire spread all over the room.
As soon as Adeline entered the room, she stomped her feet with the inside, then took a cup of hot water and handed it to Daphne, looked at Daphne, and said in a low voice, "After he goes on the expedition, you will move in here. Stay with me here, the wind has been blowing in the past two days, and your face is a little bad, it's all my fault, starting from tomorrow, I won't let you blow any more."
Taking the hot cup in his hand, Daphne flashed a daze in his heart, looking at Adeline in front of him.
A strange feeling suddenly appeared in my heart.
Over the years, the two of them have gotten along like an elder sister, and this friend, like a younger sister, always takes care of her everywhere by herself. But now the two of them are together, but it seems that gradually, this little sister who used to grow up has become more and more mature. Not only does she have concerns in her heart, but she also seems to know how to take care of people.
"That guy is really cruel. He went on expedition, but he never thought about it. If you care about him so much, and think about him, if there is an accident ahead..." Daphne shook his head and whispered: "Man, most of you think about it in your heart. It's all ambition, and this guy, it seems, may not be an exception."
Suddenly, his heart moved, and he said: "He disappeared for a long time before, and he came back in a hurry to go to war. Did he say anything about his marriage with you? You have come here to follow him, after so many days, even if it is a name, I should give you one, right? You are in this city, holding a wedding, even if it is a little rough, it is not impossible... so delayed... "
Adeline shook her head, her face was calm, and she said softly: "He naturally has something to do, so many burdens are placed on him, up and down, tens of thousands of troops, and hundreds of thousands of people's lives are placed on him. , his heart is full, how can I trouble him with this matter."
Daphne lowered his head to think for a moment, but suddenly changed color: "He has been dragging on to hold your wedding, is it because he is not sure? In a world of war, he is afraid that he will have an accident, and he will not dare to drag you down... If so If so, it can be considered that he is thinking of you in his heart, alas…”
"It's not." Adeline smiled softly and said softly: "If he really thinks so, although I will be moved, I will be even more angry. Since I have thrown everything and come here to follow him, it is naturally in my heart. I have no other thoughts. Whether he is a marshal or a groom, I always follow him. I don't care if he is a drag. Char is not the kind of indecisive person. If he is a person, if he does not understand Things are naturally hesitant, but once he wants to understand, he will act more decisively than anyone else. He has already told me clearly, saying... "
Speaking of this, the poor bastard blushed and his voice became a little softer, and whispered: "He said, I am destined to be his woman in this life, and even the gods can't change this. Never again. It will change, it will never change again! In the midst of war, there is life and death. He has thought about these things, and I have thought about these things, even if... even if something happens, even if I die, I am his woman. , he is also my man. It will never change. In fact, I told him before he went to war that if he had any accident ahead, I would never live alone in this world, even if I went to another place. A world, I always want to be with him! Follow him!"
Daphne's expression changed, and he exclaimed: "How can you have such a thought?! There is no eye in the war, in case... Even if it is the general and the marshal, who can guarantee that nothing will happen during the war?! In your heart Don't have such absurd thoughts!!"
The poor worm's face remained the same, but his eyes softened, and he said softly: "Well, you scold me... When I told him these thoughts, I was also worried that he would scold me. But you know what? Sister Daphne, he didn't scold me."
"... What?" Daphne sank in his heart: "He... he didn't scold you? What did he say?"
The poor worm seemed to smile and said softly: "He listened to my words, was silent for a while, and said to me: 'Okay! This is my Xiaya's woman! Even if you die, you are mine! No one's I can't take it away! For your words, how can I come back alive, don't worry, in this world, the guy who can kill your man has not yet been born! Even if God wants to kill me, I have to fight. In one breath, I will crawl back to you alive.'"
After saying this, the smile on the poor worm's face became even stronger, and the happiness in his eyes was undisguised. He looked at Daphne and said softly, "Sister, listen, this guy always talks and does things like this. It's messy, ridiculous and scary, but I just like him, I just love him!"
When Daphne heard this, his heart was dazed, vaguely, and seemed to be a little lost.
Such words seem to be absurd to the extreme.
These two guys, one bastard, one absurd, but the happiness and sweetness in those words... but...
But I am so envious of myself!
One said: I am willing to die for you.
The other said, "Okay, let's die together."
Absurdity is absurd to the extreme, but if there is no love to the extreme, how can you say such a thing
Is there really such absurd happiness when there is concern and love in the heart
The poor bastard looked at Daphne's stunned expression, walked up, took her hand gently, and said softly, "Good sister, you must not tell others about this. Especially... especially Xia Xia. Ya's adoptive mother, Lord Merlin. To be honest, I'm still very afraid of her in my heart."
Daphne was absent-minded, and said with a wry smile: "I don't even dare to see her, Mr. Merlin, if it weren't for her not in the city now, how would I dare to move here to accompany you... Don't worry, I never say that. Chance to tell her."
The poor bastard smiled.
The two girls just held hands with each other and looked at each other. Daphne looked into the poor man's eyes and didn't know what it was like, whether it was worry or envy, but for a while, he was speechless.
After being silent for a while, suddenly I heard a voice coming from overhead, which broke the silence in the room and shocked the two girls!
"Well said! Although your words are crazy, they actually fit the temper of that crazy woman in Merlin. You don't have to be afraid to let her know. If you let her know, you will like you more. That crazy woman's temperament has always been In this way, others don't know, but I know too much. Haha! You are an interesting girl, and you and that little bastard really are a pair!"
With this sound, there was a hula in the room, and a man appeared!
This figure seemed to appear in front of the two girls out of thin air.
He has silver and gray hair, his clothes are fairly neat, his beard is neat and tidy, and he looks quite old, but those eyes are sharp and bright, and they don't look like an old man should possessed eyes.
The old guy suddenly appeared, the two girls were stunned for a moment, Daphne was about to open his mouth and exclaimed, only to see the man raised his hand lightly, Daphne only felt that his breathing was stagnant, and he exclaimed, just so hard It was held in his mouth, and he couldn't call it out.
"Don't shout, I'm not a bad person... Well, my old man is not a good person either."
The old man scratched the hair on the back of his head and smiled bitterly: "I'm Merlin's old friend, I just came to visit. Speaking of which, I also have some friendship with that little bastard Xi Ya."
Merlin's old friend
This sentence made the two girls feel calm, but at this moment, the poor bastard seemed to be more calm than Daphne, she stared at the old man in front of her, and suddenly said: "You are a friend of Lord Merlin, since you came to visit, Why don't you enter through the door, but from the sky..."
The old man looked strange, but said: "There are those elves in the city, and if I don't deal with those elves, I'm afraid we will fight as soon as we meet. Since I'm a guest, I can't make the master embarrassed. I sneak in and avoid those guys. That's it."
The poor bastard nodded.
To be honest, after all, she knows Xi Ya better than Daphne, and naturally she understands the temper and temperament of Xi Ya's "adoptive mother" Merlin. Merlin behaves very abnormally, so if you think about it, her friends are naturally Acting weird
Although this old man looks weird, his brows are kind, and he really doesn't look malicious.
Daphne was still uneasy, and as he was used to it, he naturally pulled the poor worm to his side, took half a step forward, and protected his little sister in front of him.
Although she is also a weak woman, if the other party really has any malicious intentions, how can she be able to stand it, it is just a habit of many years, always subconsciously taking care of her little sister.
This move made the old man smile, but he took the initiative to take two steps back, found a place in the room to sit down at will, and raised his hand: "Okay, sit down, my old man said that there is no malicious intent. , then there is no malicious intent. If I come to harm people, even your entire city's soldiers and guards will not be able to stop my old man."
He said it arrogantly, but Daphne and the poor man did not dare to think that the other was bragging.
Since he can be an old friend of Merlin... It is naturally extraordinary to be able to call a top person like Merlin an old friend! !
The poor bastard suddenly lit up, looked at the old guy, and said tentatively, "Excuse me, is your name... Aslan?"