Roddy left the Duke's Villa in the afternoon, said goodbye to Miss Nicole, and returned to the military camp.
As soon as he walked into the military palace, he felt the strange eyes around him. The soldiers looked at him with a bit of smile. Several people with higher military ranks had already walked over and slapped Rody vigorously. Shoulders, after everyone pulled him into the big tent in the military camp, cheers were waiting for him.
Rody couldn't help but laugh bitterly. The cheers of these people seemed to be a victory. The last officer shouted loudly, which meant that his general had pursued the most beautiful flower in the aristocratic circle of the empire. What a proud thing it was.
Although alcohol is prohibited in the army, under the strong request of everyone, Rody took everyone out to a tavern for a drink. These excited officers and soldiers did not know how many wine glasses they broke and drank. After drinking several barrels of strong liquor, he returned to the military camp shouting victory slogans.
What happens next is relatively simple.
Rody and Nicole made public appearances together every day. They attended various events and banquets held in Xiqiu's aristocratic circles together, and they looked like a couple in love in front of everyone. It’s just that now that his relationship with Nicole has just been made public, he can’t go to see Miao Ge—otherwise, if someone discovers that Duke Tulip’s sister’s lover actually has another woman, that would be big news! !
As the news gradually spread, the relationship between Viscount Rody and Duke Tulip's sister became known to everyone, and even people as far away as the Imperial Capital got the news.
Some people couldn't help but suddenly realized that His Majesty the Emperor's proposal to Miss Nicole was rejected last time, presumably because Miss Nicole already had a lover. It's just that the identity of Viscount Roddy is really strange, as if he appeared out of thin air - could he really be just an ordinary low-level officer...
After receiving the news, the Empire's Minister of Military Affairs, Marquis Caroline, fell into deep thought...
Roddy and Nicole
The old Marquis sighed: It seems that His Majesty the Emperor is still trying to win over the Tulip family. After a war, the Tulip family's position has become extremely solid. The power of the first family in the empire is deep-rooted, and they even have the sworn loyalty of the strongest legion in the empire, the Thunder God's Whip. The Tulip Duke was named Marshal of the Empire again...
And that Roddy should be His Majesty's illegitimate son. His relationship with Miss Nicole... Hum, do you still need to ask? Of course it was His Majesty the Emperor's order.
It's just that this thing is a bit strange. First, I pursued someone but was rejected, so I asked my son to take action...
But the old Marquis didn't care too much. It was normal for things involving power and weird and complicated things.
It is impossible to win over the Tulip family. The only one who can revitalize the Lionheart family is probably that boy Rody, right
Could it be that... Your Majesty is interested in making that illegitimate son the crown prince? ?
With various complicated thoughts, the old Marquis shook his head - no matter what, he had to build a good relationship with that boy Rody.
Fifteen days after Duke Tulip was recuperating in Xiqiu, a group of strange guests came to the military camp in the east of Xiqiu City.
These people were dressed in neat warrior uniforms, except for a middle-aged man in the middle who was dressed in ordinary aristocratic clothing. The middle-aged man introduced himself as Baron Gardar from the imperial capital and asked to see Lord Viscount Rody of the Royal Guards. He also claimed to be Lord Rody's friend in the imperial capital.
The officers of the Guards had a strange smile on their faces and told them that Lord Rody was not in the military camp at the moment and that they could go to the hunting ground in the northern suburbs of the city. Lord Rody had been ordered to take people to protect Miss Nicole this morning and was at the hunting ground in the suburbs today. Above, the nobles of Xiqiu held a hunting party.
The hunting ground in the northern suburbs outside Xiqiu City is an industry belonging to the Tulip family. This is a dark forest. The outer perimeter of the forest is surrounded by simple thick wooden fences. Naturally, the local auxiliary officer sends people to take care of it on weekdays, and a team of soldiers take turns to guard and guard here.
The hunting ground is specially used for hunting activities by nobles - hunting, an activity only spread among noble circles, is very popular in the empire. The empire's martial ethos and title inheritance law have enabled the nobles of these empires to retain their martial habits, and hunting is the best sport to practice their martial arts, swordsmanship, and riding skills.
It was approaching late autumn, the leaves on the trees were gradually falling, and a dozen ornately decorated carriages were parked outside the hunting ground. Seeing that it was already noon, the drivers on the carriage were lazily leaning on the seat cushions to rest.
On the road leading to the hunting ground, groups of armored Royal Guards and Thunder God's Whips guarded the road. Dozens of Royal Guards soldiers stood at the door of the hunting ground.
Baron Gardar and his party encountered many obstacles. Finally, after he showed something that could prove his identity, the soldiers let him in - but his accompanying warriors had to stay outside. According to regulations, each nobleman entering the hunting grounds can only bring a maximum of two guards.
This is an old tradition for the imperial nobles to go hunting - since they go hunting for the purpose of practicing their riding and archery skills, if they go in with a large number of guards and followers, and a large group of people cheer in front of them, what else is it called? hunting? How is it different from a picnic
The reason why this kind of activity is popular in aristocratic circles is because it brings a bit of excitement and adventure - what's the point if it's protected by a large number of people with different body shapes
Baron Gadar took his two accompanying warriors, took three sets of bows and arrows and several quivers, and then rode into the hunting ground.
The Tulip family's hunting ground covers an area of more than ten square kilometers. There is a dense black forest in the hunting ground, and in the center of the forest is a small lake.
It means that the season is approaching late autumn, and many animals have begun to come out to look for food to survive the winter. It is undoubtedly the best time to go hunting.
The person responsible for leading Baron Gardar in was a cavalry member of the Royal Guards. The news they received just half an hour ago was that Miss Nicole and a group of nobles were currently operating near the lake in the middle of the forest - the nobles would meet every hour. The guards outside contact each other once. The method of contact is a special firework tied to an arrow and shot into the sky. Sparks will appear in the sky to show the direction of the archer.
After all, hunting is always a bit dangerous, and although the hunting ground is guarded, it is inevitable that some random people will occasionally run in, or some large beasts will appear in the area of more than ten square kilometers.
After riding a horse on the road in the forest for a while, we finally came close to the lake they called the center.
I heard a sharp whistle coming from the direction of the lake in the distance. It was a whistle that people blew to drive the prey away when they were hunting. In this way, they drove the frightened prey into a pre-arranged ambush, and then surrounded and annihilated them. This is a common method for dealing with some larger prey.
In the dense woods between them, go up a short slope. More than a dozen people formed a circle on horseback, and Gadar and others immediately moved closer. Before they even got close, two horses crossed over and blocked their way.
Gadar looked at the two knights blocking his way and immediately became energetic!
These two cavalrymen wore standard Thunder God's Whip armor and uniforms! Thor's Whip is responsible for protecting Miss Nicole, so the Roddy he is looking for must be ahead!
The two cavalrymen of Thunder God's Whip are obviously elite men. Although he was just riding a horse and standing in front of him, Gadar felt a biting murderous aura - this kind of aura is a temperament that can only be honed after going through the most thrilling baptism of life and death on the battlefield!
The cavalryman of the Royal Guards who brought them in went up to negotiate with the two Thunder God's Whips. The two cavalrymen looked at Gadar warily, and then slowly moved out of the way to let them pass, but Gadar noticed , their hands are always pressed on the handle of the knife! Gadar can be sure that if there is anything wrong at all, the opponent's famous Thunder God's Whip Scimitar will be drawn out!
The two Thunder God's Whips moved out of the way, but still followed them closely behind. Gadar's face was calm, but his two accompanying warriors couldn't help but have a somewhat indignant expression. One of them couldn't help but whispered: "You are so arrogant, what's so great about the Thunder God's Whip!"
Gardar immediately turned back and glared at this subordinate fiercely, and couldn't help but steal a glance at the two Thunder God's Whips following behind - the two cavalrymen obviously heard what their subordinates said. But the expressions on their faces didn't show any annoyance. The expression on his face is still resolute and indifferent, with a firm pride and confidence. There was just a hint of disdain in the eyes that drifted over.
Gadar could feel that the other party's confidence and pride were not fake, but the true dignity that came from the heart after being tempered by wind and rain. And he could even feel the way the other party looked at the warrior under his command who had just uttered arrogant words. The disdain inside was like a tough wolf looking at a local dog that was baring its teeth and claws at him!
Suddenly there was a burst of cheers from the front, and someone shouted loudly: "Master Rody is good at archery!"
Finally approaching the circle, they saw three wild boars with a radius of more than ten meters. The crowd had driven them into the center of the circle. A group of nobles and their guards surrounded the three wild boars. The bows and arrows in their hands were ready. Okay, there are still people roaring loudly, intimidating the prey in the circle.
One of the wild boars was hit by an arrow and fell to the ground struggling helplessly. Hearing the cheers just now, it was obviously Roddy who shot him.
Although the guards were sitting on their horses, they had already prepared their spears and pointed them at the beast in the circle from a distance, fearing that the beast's last attempt would hurt the master it was responsible for protecting.
The three wild boars made a sharp cry, their manes standing on end, and they bared their teeth to reveal their sharp fangs. Lying on the ground, they watched vigilantly at the hunters who had surrounded them, as if they were preparing a strike at any time.
Gadar rode his horse slowly and approached the surrounding circle. From a distance, he saw two people sitting on a tall white horse standing opposite the circle!
Sitting in front of the horse is a woman wearing a thick fur coat. She has long golden hair and half of her beautiful snow-white face is exposed behind the high collar of the fur coat. This face has a few... With a very nervous and frightened expression, she looked at the wild boar with its fangs in the field from a distance, and she snuggled tightly into the arms of the man sitting behind her.
Rody held Nicole tightly in his arms with one hand and held the reins in his hand, while holding a spear in the other hand. He had already put down his bow and arrow, and at this moment he was just speaking softly into Nicole's ear. His eyes were no longer looking at the prey in the field, his eyes were gentle, just looking at the lover in his arms.
Gadar only took one look and was immediately sure that this blue-haired man with an angular face was the person he was looking for on this trip.
At this moment, there was a burst of noise in the field. The beleaguered prey finally made its last stand.
The two wild boars that were still able to move ran out in the north direction one after the other...
These cunning prey seem to have discovered that the people in the north seem to be the least!
And Roddy and Nicole were riding a horse, just in the north!
Seeing the prey rushing towards her, Nicole couldn't help but let out a low cry. The nature of a woman made her forget for a moment that she was also a powerful magician! The natural feminine weakness makes her only reaction is to lean tightly into her lover's arms.
The hunters around who had been preparing for a long time shot their own arrows - this shot made a difference. Many nobles obviously lacked exercise on weekdays, and the arrows they shot also deviated from the target. However, the guards were not allowed to release arrows without permission due to prior orders.
So after a round of arrow rain, there was only one wild boar with two or three arrows stuck crookedly in its body. But the soft force caused the arrow to only penetrate its thick skin. It cannot cause fatal damage to prey at all. And in a desperate battle, the prey has already become crazy!
Rody held Nicole with one hand and smiled in a low voice. He waved the spear in his hand casually. He saw a cold light and a muffled sound. The wild boar in front of him was knocked away by his spear. After being smashed for several meters, it fell to the ground and was unable to move. It was just trembling all over and its mouth was full of blood. Rody's casual blow had broken the beast's internal organs. If he hadn't dared to use his fighting spirit, even a rough-skinned and thick-skinned beast like a wild boar would have turned into a mass of flesh and blood.
Another wild beast's howl was heard, but Rody threw the spear out at some point. The spear was accurately inserted into the running wild boar, pinning the behemoth to the ground!
Amidst the cheers, Roddy didn't even look at the field. Turn the horse's head and head slowly towards the back. Because he clearly felt that Nicole was a little disgusted by the bloody scene just now.
The cheers behind him gradually moved away, with only two cavalrymen carrying the Thunder God's Whip following behind. Roddy looked at Nicole, who had an unnatural expression in his arms, and couldn't help but smile bitterly.
This woman obviously didn't like this kind of bloody scene, but she wanted to follow him out to hunt. After half a day, she clearly encountered a few antelopes, hares, etc., but she couldn't bear to take action and had to force herself to let the prey go. But she was asked to go to the camp in the middle of the lake to be with the noble ladies, but she didn't want to. Yes, just be with yourself.
The two of them were acting extremely intimate now, and they looked like they were inseparable in front of others. Although it was originally a bit of a show, the purpose was to make everyone accept this fact as soon as possible, but later on, this kind of intimacy became more and more show-stopping. No matter what they say or do, the two of them are completely sincere - this is the nature of men and women who have just fallen in love.
The two of them rode a horse and gradually arrived at the lake.
The lake in the forest is exceptionally clear and clean. I heard from local people that this lake is not a stagnant pool. It is unfathomable under the surface. There are underground undercurrents that flow all year round and can reach far into the mountains in the distance. .
On the edge of the lake, some noble ladies who came to hunt had been waiting in the camp. Several barbecue racks were erected in the simply built camp, and several guards were cutting and cleaning the prey with knives. The aristocratic ladies in fur coats were resting by the lake. There were also two or three young men who had not participated in the hunt just now and were chatting up the aristocratic girls next to them. They were obviously using the hunting activity to pick up girls.
With the sound of horse hooves behind them, the crowd behind them had quickly caught up. The entourage had already transported the three wild boars that they had beaten. Several knights picked up the wild boars with spears, and several people carried the horses at the same time. gallop.
When Nicole saw the bloody animal carcass, she still frowned and closed her eyes.
There are already some game meats that have been roasted for a long time on the barbecue rack, giving off the slightest aroma. Roddy turned over and dismounted, then hugged Nicole down with his arms, and reached out to gently brush away the leaves on her hair. Everyone around looked at him with envy. Rody was already used to this kind of gaze.
Hearing a cough from behind, Rody turned around and saw a middle-aged man walking over with a smile.
This man looked to be in his late thirties or early forties. He was dressed in simple aristocratic clothing, but it was different from the hunting attire worn by most men today. It was just a simple robe. There were two beautiful moustache under his breath, and he looked friendly when he smiled. It just looks a little unfamiliar. It seems that I haven't seen it in Xiqiu.
"Hello, His Excellency Viscount Rody." The man stretched out his hand and said with a smile: "My name is Gadar, Baron Gadar." He smiled gently, even with a hint of respect: "I From the imperial capital."
Rody was a little confused, but he still stretched out his hand and shook it.
Nicole said: "Baron Gadar... Well, you are Baron Gadar of Ruijinfang, right?"
Rody didn't know the other party at first, but when he heard the name "Ruijinfang", he immediately thought of it.
Ruijinfang... That is the largest weapons manufacturer in the empire! Many of the weapons of the Imperial Army were purchased from the 'Ruijinfang'. Speaking of which, it is a very powerful family. Because it provides weapons and equipment to many armies of the empire, the relationship between this family and the empire is said to be very close.
Baron Gardar bowed gracefully to Miss Nicole, then looked at Rody and smiled softly: "Your Excellency Rody, can I talk to you?"