The Noble District is not far from Raging Bear City, and it takes less than fifteen minutes to ride through the city to reach it. After passing the moat of the east gate, there is a straight and wide avenue leading to the central lake of the Noble District not far away. On both sides of the avenue are lush green grass and fruit trees full of fragrant flowers.
Due to the shortage of supply, the four aristocratic districts that were originally planned to be established have now been expanded into eight special districts, making this aristocratic district a real estate development industry with the highest profit and the fastest absorption of money for the Norton family. Earned no less than six million goldfords. What made Fatty Shi and Director Speer a headache was whether to carry out the construction of supporting facilities according to the original plan or to expand one or two noble districts...
In the planning arrangement finally approved by Lorist, the Noble Special Zone centered on an artificial lake dug into a gourd shape, with eight areas set up around it. Four of them are special zones for nobles, which provide homesteads for nobles to buy and build manor villas by themselves. Among the remaining four areas, two are high-end residential areas, one is a boutique business area, and the other is a comprehensive area for nobles. and its family provide education, fitness, entertainment, gourmet food and leisure venues.
At present, all the homesteads in the four noble districts have been sold. Except for half of the manor villas in the fourth special district, which are still under construction, the manor villas in the first, second and third special districts have all been built. Many nobles brought their families as live. The rest are the employees of the special zone who are decorating some public facilities for finishing work. For example, the greening on both sides of the road, the oiling device of the street lamp, the trimming of the evergreen shrubs used as the wall, and the setting of swing chairs and canopies on both sides of the road, etc.
In the other four areas, a high-end residential area has been built. This high-end residential area is a five-story boutique apartment building structure, and the property is also sold in the form of a set of three bedrooms and two living rooms. The people who buy houses here are the managers of the chambers of commerce run by the nobles, the senior managers of the production workshops and accountants, and other people of the same class. Compared with the manor villas in the four aristocratic districts, the status of people living in high-end residences seems to be lower.
The boutique business district is the most attractive place in the entire Noble District. All the stores here belong to the Norton family, and they are only rented and not sold. Whether it is clothing, shoes and hats, ingredients, spices or exotic flowers and herbs, etc., they are all here. Everything you need. Fatty Shi once told Lorist that there are a total of 200 large and small registered chambers of commerce in Northland, and more than 100 chambers of commerce have rented shops in the high-quality goods business district to sell the high-quality goods among the goods operated by their chambers of commerce. . Of course, this price is twice as expensive as the general goods sold outside.
The comprehensive area is much larger than the boutique business district. Because a standard racecourse is to be built, there are also some fitness facilities such as a fencing hall and a rattan court, as well as places such as bars, libraries, and restaurants. Therefore, the progress of the project is not fast. At present, only about half of it has been completed. It is estimated that it will be basically completed in July and August next year.
The headache for Fatty Shi and Director Speer is whether to change another site that is going to be built into a high-end residential area into the fifth aristocratic arrondissement for sale, so that there is no need to spend family funds to build boutique apartment buildings. If you sell the homestead, you can immediately get a lot of cash back, but the construction of a boutique apartment building requires the family to invest a lot of construction funds, but the selling price after completion is much higher than the income from selling the homestead. Judging from the demand of the market, there are still many nobles requesting to provide homesteads. For a while, the two couldn't make up their minds.
Lorist led Schwader and Genorio to the outside of Earl Lawwell's manor in the Noble Second District. At this time, the outer area of the Nightingale Manor, which was named by Earl Lawwell, was already surrounded by soldiers from the Guard Battalion, and many spectators gathered outside the manor. Groups of three or four watched and whispered. Lorist also found that the balconies of the adjacent manor villas on the left and right sides of Nightingale Manor were also full of people, and many of them even held Mycos or green tea in their hands. Do these guys take today's hostage-taking incident as a drama
Lorist got off his horse at the gate of Nightingale Manor, and found the blushing thick-necked Fatty Shi and the angry Ovekis who were surrounded by a group of people.
"Shut up, tell me what's going on, what were you arguing about just now?" Lorist said to suppress the noisy crowd.
Discovering that Lorist, the Grand Duke of the Northland, came in person, the crowd all around saluted Lorist one after another, and at the same time kept their mouths shut.
"Your Highness, Ovekis wanted to attack forcefully just now, but I stopped him, and he was very unconvinced." Fatty Shi said.
"Why force the attack? Where are the hostages?" Lorist turned to Ovekis.
"Your Highness, it's like this. Those mercenaries are really rude and don't take our Norton family seriously, so I can't help but get angry and want them to see how well our family is armed..." Ovekis Quickly explain.
"Do you understand the situation of the hostages?"
"Your Highness, there are seven hostages in total. Earl Lawwell and his wife, two sons and a young daughter, and two maidservants were all taken hostage. Thirteen mercenaries entered the manor. They killed They killed the servants of two manors, and the rest of the servants and servants have already escaped." Fatty Shi replied.
Lorist was a little annoyed: "What I want to know is that this is a special zone for nobles. Why did thirteen armed mercenaries enter here without hesitation? Ovekis, how do you explain this?"
This is indeed the responsibility of Ovekis. As the head of the Third Guards Corps responsible for the defense of Bear City and the southern part of the Northland, the safety of the Noble District is also the top priority. There is a Guards battalion stationed here Responsible for patrolling and vigilance.
"Your Highness, these mercenaries entered the Noble District in three carriages with Earl Lowell. The soldiers guarding the entrance of the special district thought they were brought in by Earl Lowell to carry something. They never thought that Earl Lowell had already Being held hostage by them... is my fault, and I will take responsibility." Ovekis honestly admitted his mistake.
Lorist frowned, and asked again: "Why did Earl Lawwell know these mercenaries, and what happened to the dispute between them? Now that the mercenaries are taking hostages, what exactly do they want?"
This Fatty Shi already understood it very clearly, and he replied: "Your Highness, it is like this, these mercenaries belong to a mercenary group called Chihuo, there are nearly a hundred of them, they registered with our family seven years ago, and have been active in two The mountain town also haunted Beihai City later. They often went to the Demon Dragon Mountains, the Barbarian Plains and the Black Mud Swamp to hunt monsters and gather medicinal herbs, and they also helped people escort goods and escort caravans. Three-star swordsmen, this mercenary group has a total of twenty-three silver mercenaries, and they are considered to be at the top level in our family territory."
Lorist nodded. This mercenary team called Chihuo is actually similar to the mercenary team that his confidant, family knight Jim, was in back then. However, such a mercenary combination in the Northland is already considered to be powerful. There is no mercenary group in the Norton family territory.
Fatty Shi continued: "The boss of this mercenary group is called Linde. He used to work in the imperial capital, and he was an old acquaintance with Earl Lawwell. Five years ago, Earl Lawwell moved to our family territory to look for business opportunities. When they met, they funded their mercenary group and hired them to work for their own chamber of commerce. Because the Westland Chamber of Commerce opened by Earl Lawwell also deals in furs, and at the same time opened a store in the boutique business district to sell high-end leather goods, so it is very convenient Some high-grade Warcraft furs are needed to make high-end leather goods.
The Scarlet Fire Mercenary Group and Westland Chamber of Commerce have cooperated for five years. Because the boss Linde and Earl Lawwell know each other and trust each other, the Red Fire Mercenary Group put the provident fund it has accumulated over the years in Earl Lawwell's authority. Invest in the Shide Chamber of Commerce, hoping to have a good harvest. Last year, Earl Lawwell received an order to make a batch of high-end vests from the skin of the Ironback alligator in the Black Swamp. This task was also entrusted to the Scarlet Fire Mercenary Group to complete.
The red fire mercenary team went deep into the black mud swamp to hunt down the iron-spine crocodile, and the result was a bit heavy. They finally completed the task. There were only fifty-seven people left in the team of nearly a hundred people. When they returned to Beihai City, they heard the news that Earl Lawwell's investment had failed. Now they panicked, fearing that their provident fund would also be taken in, they rushed to Earl Lawwell to settle the score.
Unfortunately, their premonition came true. Their provident fund was gone, and it became a backlog of daily necessities in several warehouses. Earl Lawwell told them that the investment did not fail, but the discount date was a bit longer, and it may take more than ten or twenty or thirty years. At the same time, they will have to wait for a while to get the bounty and pension for completing the task of hunting the iron-backed alligator. At least they have to wait until the order is completed and the payment for the goods can be paid.
Earl Lowell thought that with years of friendship, the Red Fire mercenaries would understand his current predicament, but unexpectedly, the mercenaries became angry. They kidnapped Earl Lowell and forced him to take them into the Noble District and occupy it. Nightingale Manor. After rummaging through the box and finding that Earl Lowell really didn't hide the money at home, he took their family hostage and killed two servants to threaten Earl Lowell that he must take money to redeem people. "
"How much do they want? Have you sent someone to negotiate with them?" Lorist asked.
"Let's talk. It seems that the provident fund that Earl Lowell owes them plus the reward and pension for this mission is a total of more than 4,000 goldfords. Several partners of Earl Lowell have expressed their willingness to pool this money to redeem people. , but these mercenaries have changed their minds again..."
"Changing your mind? Why?" Lorist asked.
"Those mercenaries asked for 10,000 goldfords with the addition of interest. When several partners of Earl Lawwell said that they would mortgage the shops in the boutique business district to make up the 10,000 yuan, those mercenaries would only agree to another 20,000 yuan." Let them go. And told us to go, saying that this is a financial dispute between them and Earl Lawwell, and it has nothing to do with our Norton family. Let us go away and ensure that they can safely leave the Norton family territory after receiving the ransom... That's why I want to order the soldiers to prepare for a forceful attack to eliminate these daring bastards, who dare to treat our Norton family as nothing..." Ovekis said angrily.
"Where are those hostages?" Lorist asked again.
Ovekis pointed: "Your Highness, it's in the living room on the second floor of the building facing the courtyard door, where there is a big balcony over there, you see, those mercenaries even sent two people to stand on the balcony Just now, when Lord Baron Schrader went in to negotiate, they dragged the hostages to the balcony and put swords around their necks. Threatening Mr. Baron Schrader and us if we act rashly, they will kill the hostages first...
Just now I have circled around the manor, and found that the mercenaries have sent guards on the roof and back, as well as on the left and right sides. No matter which direction they attack from, they will be noticed. Maybe we'll have a chance to sneak in and rescue the hostages at night. "
Lorist glared at him, "You're not in the right mind, so why were you so anxious to order the soldiers to attack just now?"
Ovekis lowered his head: "I, I can't get mad at those bastards, just now they openly spoiled the two hostage maids in front of us, in the living room on the second floor, all the windows are open, They stripped the two maids and knocked them down in front of us, their cries were heard by everyone, while those bastards were laughing wildly..."
Lorist was startled, and patted Ovekis on the shoulder: "I see, I'll go talk to them right away. You all stay here, don't let anyone follow me..."
Entering the gate made of black iron fences is an avenue big enough for three carriages to drive side by side. On both sides of the avenue are flower gardens. In front of the avenue is a semicircular open space where three carriages are parked. In front of the open space is the four-story luxury villa building veneered with off-white square granite. The first floor of the villa is a prominent gatehouse, and above the gatehouse is a large balcony that can accommodate two tables of people enjoying afternoon tea while enjoying the scenery.
At this moment, the two mercenaries standing on the big balcony saw Lorist approaching and stopped him while picking up two hunting bows and aimed at Lorist. Thirty meters apart from top to bottom, which is the most powerful shooting range of hunting bows.
"I'm Norton Lorist, Grand Duke of the Northland, call out your heads." Lorist continued to approach, his voice was very soft, but everyone in the villa could hear it very clearly.
There were five or six more people on the balcony, and the leader was a tall and thin man with long hands and feet. He seemed to know Lorist, and he was a little dazed when he saw him: "Really, it's really Duke Norton, His Royal Highness, you, you, You are not allowed to come over!"
Lorist ignored him and continued to approach.
The tall and thin man panicked, looked left and right and hurriedly kicked his companions: "Hostage, hostage, quickly pull the hostage here..."
There was a flurry of panic, Earl Lawwell and his wife, son and daughter were all dragged to the balcony. Well, there was a naked maid who was crying beside her, holding a tablet in both hands. Torn pieces of cloth trying to cover his body...
The tall and thin mercenary grabbed Earl Lawwell and put the sword across his neck: "You, you stop, if you don't stop me, I will kill him..."
Lorist was already less than five meters away from the gate, he stopped, raised his head and sighed: "Your name is Linde? You are the boss of the Red Fire Mercenary Group. As a former free mercenary, I sympathize with you. What happened to you. It is a pity that you chose the wrong way to retaliate, and even harmed innocent people.
As the Grand Duke of the Northland, I will give you two choices. One is to abandon your weapons and surrender, and I promise to give you a fair trial. The second is to continue to resist, but I guarantee that you will die without a place to die. "
"I, I don't choose anything! You, you can't fool me..." Linde emotionally grabbed Earl Lowell and shook him desperately. Earl Lowell, who had a bruised nose and a swollen face, probably suffered a lot, groaned in pain* Groan. The blade on his neck cut several bright red sword marks while shaking up and down...
"This bastard is greedy for the hard-earned money we have earned through life and death. I want our money back. You, you can't threaten me, or I will die with this bastard's family! You, you swear in the name of your Norton family ancestors, Guarantee that we can get the money back and leave the Northland safely! Otherwise, if something goes wrong with you, your Norton family will become everyone's joke because you can't protect the nobles under you! You, you dare to take our lives Are you betting on the family's honor!" Linde yelled wildly.
Lorist laughed, with a calm expression: "Of course I dare..."
The distance from top to bottom is seven meters, and the height is about 3.5 meters, which is the best distance that can be affected by the field of blood killing. Within ten meters, I am a god! Blood red in front of my eyes for an instant...
"You, what are you talking about?" Linde thought he didn't hear clearly, but he couldn't speak anymore. A streak of fire swept across the balcony from below, the sky and the earth went dark instantly, and the whole world turned blood red. Linde only heard his own heartbeat, and then felt his body was like a water bag with countless openings, and all the energy in his body was drained...
Those soldiers in the tavern were not bragging... what they said was true... the Lord of the North is really a swordsman... invincible... Linde thought of the Norton family soldiers who heard in the tavern before talking to Luo Rist's bragging and adoration, only he didn't believe it at the time...
Lorist put his sword back into its sheath, smiled at Earl Lawwell's family who stood dumbfounded on the balcony and couldn't believe that he had been rescued, and waved to the crowd gathered at the gate. Schwader rushed over immediately and jumped onto the balcony.
Lorist pointed into the room: "Go, don't let the other one go."
There was the sound of Earl Lawwell's family crying as if they had just woken up from a dream...
"Yes, Your Highness." Shi Huade drew his sword and rushed into the room.
…