Iron Axe closed his eyes and could feel the smell of being surrounded by yellow sand.
This was the fourth day he entered the desert, and the third week that the First Army had left Neverwinter. After this week, winter will be two-thirds of the way through and into the coldest winter twilight. However, compared to the western part of Greycastle, which is always snowing, it is much less affected by the evil moon. Although the sky has always been a depressing gray, at least there is no biting north wind, and enough to freeze the whole Desert ice and snow.
Since Yinchuan does not converge with any river, and most of the water flows through the ground, the army can only advance on foot. Iron Axe did not follow the original plan, waiting for the 500 recruits stationed in the cliff city to be ready to march, and then mixed into a large force to act together, but threw those people to Brian, one step ahead, and strive to catch up as soon as possible to Iron Sand City.
Recruits might be okay with standing still and pulling the trigger, the continuous march on foot will only get them buried in the sand. And even if there are five hundred more people, it will not help the situation much.
He knew in his heart that if he wanted to achieve His Majesty's goal, he couldn't get it by attacking with artillery.
The Mojins have a traditional set of solutions.
As for the five hundred recruits, it was enough to do the simple task of seizing the Yinchuan Oasis and ensuring that the vanguard troops would not be attacked by others.
In the extreme south, an oasis means a lifeline. Whether it is attacking or fleeing, it is inseparable from the supply of the oasis.
Facing the veterans marching neatly, even if they have not seen the power of muskets, the tribal sand people can feel the power emanating from them. No one stood up and questioned the army from Greycastle along the way. Only when they filled their water bags and refilled their food and set off again, would the sand people whisper behind their backs.
At this speed, the First Army should be able to reach the Iron Sand City before nightfall today.
"I don't quite understand. Can the so-called sacred duel be launched at any time in any season?" A woman with beautiful blond hair approached the echo, her fair skin and the princess of the Aosha clan formed a distinct In contrast, "Even if it is an honor challenge between nobles, it is allowed to refuse, after all, everyone has a bad time. In such cold weather, everyone wants to sleep by the warm fire all day, rather than come out. Fighting and killing, right? I mean... what if the family doesn't agree to a holy duel?"
Iron Axe remembered that her name was Andrea, and she was a battle witch who often followed His Royal Highness Tilly. According to His Majesty, there was only one other foreign aid, Ashes, but for some reason, she eventually followed.
"When someone else picks up an axe and rushes into your house and kicks your stove over, it's not enough even if you don't want to fight and kill." Ash curled his lips, "You think this kind of thing determines the life and death of a family to some extent. The contest will follow that set of hypocritical rules among nobles?"
"That's called a sneak attack or a massacre, not a duel," Andrea said dismissively. "Even if the Morjins were barbarians, they wouldn't be indistinguishable from that. Do you think everyone is as ignorant as you are? "
"When you say this in front of the echo, you are truly a learned man."
"Don't misunderstand me!"
Iron Axe didn't care about the barbarian race. He didn't ask about his background in Border Town. This was what His Majesty said to him personally. Compared with Mojin, he has a more important identity, that is, a resident of Neverwinter City.
He didn't cough twice until Echo cast a look of help at him, and took the initiative to explain, "Miss Andrea's worries are not too much to worry about, even though the sacred duel cannot be refused, and it must be done when both parties are well prepared. , will be recognized by the three gods, but a duel is not something that can be initiated if you want, first of all, the challenger must be qualified for a duel."
"What kind of qualifications?"
"First of all, it must be a complete Mojin clan." Iron Axe briefly introduced, "One person cannot represent the clan, even the patriarch or the princess. This rule is to prevent the victors from being only a few dozen people, but It is determined by occupying one-sixth of the territory of Iron Sand City. In addition, it excludes foreigners from the duel range. Iron Sand City allows foreigners to fight on behalf of the clan, but does not allow them to occupy the core power."
"Doesn't that mean we don't have the right to initiate?" Ash raised her eyebrows, "Echo has been exiled for several years, and the Osha clan no longer exists, or should we start by looking for her surviving clansmen? ?"
"No one can survive in the Endless Cape," Iron Axe shook his head, "but we can change the way, such as making Lord Yinyue the patriarch of a new clan."
"This is also... ok?" Andrea said in surprise.
"Mojin people don't value bloodline as much as you do. Compared with bloodline inheritance, strength is the most important thing." The commander-in-chief of the First Army said calmly, "After meeting the previous condition, any small person who can live in the iron sand city. The clans that stand on their feet in the oasis are equivalent to having duel qualifications. There are four small oases in total, and new clans usually fight around them. There are no rules and no restrictions, so these four places are also called blood-stained places. ."
"They are equivalent to admission tickets, right?" Ashes didn't care.
"It can be thought that, in fact, these clans are generally divided into two categories," Iron Axe paused, "Challengers... and Watchdogs."
"Watchdog?" the blond witch asked curiously.
"It's the obstacle set up by those top clans who don't want to see a big change in the order of Iron Sand City." This time, the answer was Echo, "With their huge resources and influence, they recruited a large number of warriors to form a mixed clan, Rooted in the small oasis. The watchdog will not issue a sacred duel to the master, but it occupies the position of the challenger. Although it cannot enter the iron sand city, it can still live well with the water and food provided by the small oasis. "
"It sounds like a hound willing to eat leftovers," Ashes sneered. "That's an apt description."
"Because the sacred duel is full of variables, all the big clans will win over or bribe potential challengers stationed in the blood-stained land. My father was unwilling to act as a watchdog back then, and insisted on launching a sacred duel against the Iron Whip clan. ..." Echo's voice fell, obviously thinking of something sad.
"They will pay the price for their sinister actions back then, Lord Yinyue," Iron Axe comforted. "Now, death is not far away from them."
"So we have to find a challenger first, and then let the echo replace the other's patriarch, and then initiate a duel request to the six clans?" Andrea asked.
"Once people settle down, they will lose their motivation to move forward. Therefore, those who occupy a small oasis and do not challenge immediately will become the new watchdog in all likelihood. Afterwards, whether it is to persuade them with words or persuade them with strength , it won't be so easy." Iron Axe said slowly, "We are here under the order of His Majesty the King, carrying thunder and gifts, there is no need to be so troublesome. No matter how inconspicuous the clan is, with the support of the First Army, it will also change. Unstoppable. If anyone dares to stand in front of His Majesty, crush them all to powder."