Once the war is on the agenda, the work of preparation is like a wild horse that has taken off its reins, rushing forward. Tonigel entered the state of combat readiness early, the White Lion infantry began to enrich the organization, and since Metisa returned to the territory, the training of the wind archer was also on the agenda.
Under the instruction of the princess, the lords adjacent to Tonigel also began to recruit private armies of the nobles, most of whom were originally hostile to the firs. But since Count Denell became the opposite of the kingdom, the number of followers has also increased day by day.
For these people, Brando doesn't wait to see him, but he doesn't turn it away.
The moon of Xia Hazy passed by, and before the moon of scrolls came, there was an aura of flowing fire on the earth. The rising temperature burned the leaves, and the scorching sun licked the ground in the southern border day after day.
The troops of Frada and the Southern Legion finally arrived as scheduled, but before the last festival of the summer, Brando still appropriately calmed his people from a kind of nervous restlessness. In the last few weeks, he asked Fir Shanling to hold the Fire Sacrifice Championship as scheduled.
This kind of competition corresponds to the winter hunting festival, and has a slightly less formal meaning, but because of the open supply of alcohol, it attracts lords and knights of all sizes nearby.
The competition arena is set outside the fir castle, and the hustle and bustle of the competition has almost ignited the entire territory for the past few days.
But for some quiet places, it still maintains relative independence.
The thin wooden wall separates the noisy ocean from the quietness of the bar, but the whistles of mercenaries occasionally invade this relatively independent space. The hall is filled with the unique taste of boiled meat and spices. Although it is pungent, Dang has a strong sense of home.
There are several wooden tables with unique names written on maple cards: such as Brando, Roman, Antitina, etc., which belong to the owner or a close friend. The sign outside the hotel seems to be brand new. There is a three-masted sailing ship with the design of'Roman's Smuggling Anchorage'. Such a vulgar name is naturally exclusive to someone.
However, the layout of the bar is relatively cozy. Qian sits at a wooden table near the southwest corner, and sees more and more people outside—those who are mostly young people from the White Lion Corps or local leaders. Farmers—Since the refugees began to pour into Tonigel, the re-enrollment of the White Lions has been far more than the thirty or forty people when Kargris joined. In addition, with the increasing number of settlers in the territory, tenant farmers, merchants, and handicrafts also began to flood the countryside of the firs.
At this moment, the open space outside the bar was staged in the previous championship competition of the Summer Festival, and now it was the turn of the archery competition. There were many beautiful tree elf girls on the field, so the crowd of onlookers also maintained an unprecedented scale.
She turned her head and saw a girl in silver armor put a bunch of daisies next to the wooden plate, then folded her hands together, closed her eyes and prayed silently. Such a picture was reflected in Qian's eyes. She watched it quietly, and then asked, "Is her name Beth?"
Freya opened her eyes, her brown eyes showed a sad look, and she nodded silently: "Beth likes lively, this kind of archery competition must be her favorite. It can be compared with the legendary tree elves. Up and down..."
"Please don't be sad, Miss Freya, the living always have to move on. In the past... Veterans often warn us that death is just a stone monument without a name, but the living have to cross it and carry more things and continue to trek. , So we have to be strong." Qian comforted.
"I'm sorry, I also understand, but I don't consciously think of things in the past, especially at this time." The young girl from the Buche countryside blinked her eyes slightly, and sighed: "Sometimes I really want to go back to that time. , Let time come again, no war, how good..."
"I, can understand..." Qian replied with some caution.
"Um?"
Qian looked at Freya, thought for a moment, and said, "Because I have experienced many battles since I was a child. In every battle, almost all of my companions die. Some are new people who have only met for a short time, and some It’s a close friend day and night. When I was a child, every time I cried and made a lot of jokes about it. But gradually, I became familiar with life and death."
"Why...?" Freya was slightly startled, and looked back at the girl next to her in a somewhat unbelievable way-Akane looked a little smaller than her, but the experience seemed much more mature.
"I am a mercenary, working for money and survival. People like us will die in the next battle sooner or later. This is like a natural ending to us. I have never been dissatisfied. "Qian seemed to think of her past too. She was holding the wooden cup and shaking the golden liquid inside, and said quietly: "But because of an accident, Lord Lord will change me from this kind of life, let me know There is another life."
"I... I don't know if I should thank Lord Lord. I can more or less understand Lord Lord's thoughts and what he wants me to pursue.... But what else can I do besides fighting?"
"So by comparison, I would rather be myself than someone else and die with peace of mind."
"I'm sorry," Freya said suddenly.
"Huh?" Qian was shocked.
"Sorry, Akane, I never knew your life. I think I want to go back to the past. Maybe it's too selfish. Brando is right. If you don't fight for it yourself, no one can give us what we want. Quiet and peaceful life." Freya replied quietly, "Eruin is far from enough to covet ease."
The mercenary girl looked at her blankly.
Some things Freya has gradually begun to understand, but in front of her is still a cloud of fog.
At this time, cheers like mountains and tsunami erupted outside the house, and the door of the bar slammed open. Roman rushed in with a big basin flying in, yelling: "Medissa took the first place again! The ale is sold out, come and help!"
"Be careful!" Freya hurriedly reminded.
"I know I know," and there was a scream from the kitchen: "Ah, my barbecue!"
Brando shook his head helplessly and walked in from the outside, but he looked in a good mood. He looked at Freya and Akane and smiled: "Two beautiful ladies, don't you go out and celebrate with everyone, our little Her Royal Highness won the title of number one in archery."
The future Valkyrie glared at him, "Brando, you, what are you wearing!"
"Military uniform, how about Eruin's cavalry uniform, it looks like it?" Brando raised his hand holding the barbecue. There were just a few obvious greasy marks on the dark blue uniform—it was someone at first glance. Wiped the traces of hands on it.
"You... how can you wipe your hands on the military uniform. The military uniform represents the majesty of the kingdom and is the greatest glory of a soldier. Brando, you... You are too much!" Freya was about to get angry, and for a while, I forgot about it. Sad thing.
"Oh, this... It's just easy for a while." Brando replied somewhat innocently.
"Soon, smoothly!"
"Ha, Freya, you'll be busy first, I'll go out and take a look." Brando saw that the future Valkyrie was about to happen. Obviously, what this young lady learned at the Royal Knights Academy made her sense of honor a little too much. Yes, I hurriedly made a haha, ready to flash people.
"You stop me, Brando!"
At this time, who is standing and who is a fool, Brando understands this deeply. He originally came to show off this cavalry uniform to Freya and Qian, but he did not expect that the purpose of showing off was achieved, but the final result was a little bit It was beyond his expectation.
Fortunately, this little thing can't destroy his good mood at the moment.
The cavalry uniform on his body came from the firing collar's own cotton spinning and dye workshop production. Except that the cotton was shipped by Ampersel, this uniform came almost entirely from Tonigel.
This once barren and barren territory produced almost nothing but silver.
The root of the change comes from the increase in population, because in the previous wars, a large number of refugees were influxed or transported into Tonigel, and the food reserves from Ampereur quickly converted the increased population into usable labor. .
Two months ago, a cotton spinning workshop, dye workshop, blacksmith workshop, copper shop, clay and pottery, and even weapons and armor bureaus were also established under the auspices of Berlu. After nearly half a year of careful management, Tonigel is no longer that remote wilderness, on the contrary, it has gradually begun to self-sufficiently produce some necessary products.
The first is food and weapons, and a small amount of luxury goods.
After the storm season, commercial activities with the north gradually became more frequent. Sailboats with snow-white sails from Greywind Harbor and Amperexel are moored in the newly built deep-water pier in Port Gris. The sensitive businessmen have also begun to discover the potential of the local area. Since entering the moon of the flower, they have lived on a monthly basis. There are more and more merchants in the port.
Together with this is a large number of handicraftsmen. Just a few days ago, Brando also met with a group of dwarf enchanters from the Montenegrin region. Most of these people were also refugees from the war. It is said that the war between the North and the Golden Mane Toquinine has begun to affect normal business activities. The eldest son of Wang It seemed that under the persecution of the temple, he had to choose to fight the lion man head-on.
But this is just an opportunity for the South to develop and grow.
Brando looked around, and the carriage carrying goods was walking along the avenue near the fir castle. The fields on the forest border were no longer barren, but working farmers could be seen everywhere. As early as a year or even half a year ago, all of this was undoubtedly impossible to see in Tonigel.
And all of this is brought about by the joint efforts of him and everyone.
He raised his head and watched the knight with a tall horse in the distance holding up the winner's pennant and galloping around the crowd. The silver flag with lilies embroidered on it was flying high in the wind. A thousand years ago, it was flying like this, and a thousand years later, it was flying above the earth again.
The people cheered like a landslide.
Brando saw the silver elf princess being held high by the tree elf girls, she also looked at the banner from a distance, and there seemed to be something gleaming in her eyes.
"Medissa!"
"Medissa!"
The leaders shouted, raising the wine glasses in their hands. The thatched houses of the Grudin era can no longer be seen on both sides of the street. With the assistance of the workers of the Red Bronze Dragon Mercenary Corps and Oldham, a smooth street was built along the fir fort, with neat wooden houses standing on both sides. The masters and children at the side of the house have a contented smile on everyone's face.
As he passed the street, someone recognized him, and a large group of leaders bowed to him sincerely. Brando also responded casually. To be honest, he has gradually become accustomed to this kind of life, and he no longer feels embarrassed because of being saluted.
Those cognitions from modern times seem to be gradually diminishing. But in the depths of his soul, the pride of advanced civilization still supports his words and deeds, at least he would never think that this respect and pride is innate.
He put a copper coin in the hands of a little girl next to him. This copper coin meant the blessing from the lord before the midsummer. The little girl flushed with excitement and ran to a woman with the copper coin in both hands. Maybe it was her mother, the woman paid tribute to him again and again with the money in the little girl's hands.
"Lord Lord!"
"Lord Lord!"
The shouting quickly changed to another voice, and the residents of the fir-tree collar expressed their respect from the heart of the new lord who brought them all this.
Brando squinted his eyes. He understood that such satisfaction was illusory and temporary for everyone, and even in the early days, people were still asking about the upcoming war in an anxious manner.
In this turbulent era, everyone is trying to keep the temporary stability around him.
There is nothing wrong with this, but Eruin is far from stable. Some people must bleed and even give their lives to protect others, but at least, what he hopes to protect is such an Eruin.
He passed through the crowd and walked to her Royal Highness. Griffin was watching all this in silence, and the female knight stood beside her with one hand on the sword. But Brando felt that the other party was looking at him nonchalantly. In fact, Nimesis did not feel as tight as every nerve in his body when he was in Ampersel.
In such an atmosphere, how can people get nervous again
"They like you very much, Mr. Brando. If there is anyone in Eruin who can be regarded as a model of ancient aristocracy, then you can definitely find such a quality in you." Princess Griffin's eyes sparkled. Said slightly with feeling.
"This is the ideal of Her Royal Highness. In Eruin, everyone can no longer be trapped by poverty, wars, and disasters. But Buche's tragedy will never happen again." Brando replied.
Princess Griffin blinked. "Mr. Brando, I understand that this is a bit too ideal, but I at least hope to change this kingdom from the current situation.... In the north, even in Jeandner, Vieiro and many other places, The war and the calamities caused by the nobles themselves continued, but the descendants of the first monarch Ake did nothing."
"Yes, so Tonigel will not be stable for long. Everyone must fight and sacrifice for their own future."
"Is Mr. Brando ready?"
"Just waiting to convince Grand Duke Vieiro."
…
Metissa was tossed by the enthusiastic elf girls for a while before she let it go. The little silver elf princess had never experienced such a scene in her entire life, and her clothes were disheveled, and her face was flushed to the point of dripping blood.
As soon as she landed, she was probably afraid of being retaliated. The tree elves blew a whistle and immediately dispersed. The winner of our archery competition almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, Antitina hurriedly supported her with sharp eyes, "that bunch of dead girls." The lady of the staff shook her head and handed Medissa's silver bow to her.
"Thank you, Sister Antitina." Medissa said with lingering fear.
However, she raised her head and glanced at the flag of the Silver Elf royal family flying high in the distance, and her eyes showed a satisfying brilliance again. I don't know how many years, this flag hasn't appeared in people's vision so brilliantly.
The moment she held the bow, her body and mind seemed to have gone back to the past. Above the wilderness, the silver war horse galloped and the horns rang for a long time, as if resonating with the vast earth.
Antitina looked at the little silver elf princess in a moment of loss, guessing what she was thinking in her heart, sighed, and gently put a cloak on her. Although it was midsummer, it was easy to fall ill after the hot sweat and the cool breeze. She had long been used to doing these details for Brando, and for a while, she had forgotten that Medissa was just a hero.
Medissa was taken aback, and looked at Antitina with a touch of emotion: "Thank you so much, Sister Antitina."
"This is the second time." Antitina shook her head, indifferently.
"No, because I think of my sister." Medissa replied seriously.
"Is it?"
"Well, maybe it's more gentle. Like the sister I imagined, well, that's it..." The little silver elf princess smiled sweetly.
Antitina took a close look at her. She had also heard some stories of Metisa, and knew that the relationship between her and her sister might not be so harmonious. She stretched out her hand to straighten the hair on the girl's forehead, and replied: "About the royal family, it's like this..."
"Royal family?" Medissa thought for a while, and looked at Antitina: "By the way, Sister Antitina, has the Lord still not found the reason?"
"Yeah." The lady of the staff also thought of this, and couldn't help shook her head: "Miss Aloz also checked for me, but I am not of the blood of the golden people either. At that time, it was probably the blessing of Master Martha. ."
"Blessed by Master Martha?"
Metissa looked at Antitina, and suddenly asked: "Sister Antitina, where's your necklace?"
"Necklace..." Antitina was taken aback and pressed her chest subconsciously, "Necklace?"
"Yeah, I have always worn that necklace before. Before I went to Amperexel, didn't I keep it on my body? I remember I saw it once in the Sea of Glitter." Medissa whispered. Replied.
"That... I lost it before, what's the matter?"
"It's nothing." The silver elf princess smiled slightly: "Unexpectedly, when sister Antitina also lost something, he would not believe it when she said it to the lord."
"No need," Antitina hurriedly replied, "Lord Lord is busy preparing for the war with Count Jean Dnell. Don't bother him with these little things."
"Is it?"
The lady of the staff nodded slightly.
Medissa thought for a moment, and seemed to want to say something more. But it was at this time that suddenly there was a hustle and bustle in a corner of the arena. The crowd over there seemed to be in a commotion, and the attention of both of them was attracted to the past for a while.
But compared with Metisa, Antitina is just an ordinary person after all. The silver elf princess quickly recognized what was happening over there.
"Huh." She whispered softly.
"What's the matter?" Antitina asked in vain while looking back in that direction.
"Some strange guys are here."
Medissa murmured.
…
For Tosan Ghat Forest, the rainy weather that lasted for many days seemed to have begun to visit Maggie Tan and the surrounding area after a short period of clearing.
For the residents of the Misty Forest, there seems to be no good days to live after Duke Anlek visited. The gloomy sky that brings rain is always hovering overhead, although April and May are the rainy seasons in the Tosan Ghat area.
But this year, it has been too outrageous.
The wooden fence gate was raised creakingly in the heavy rain. A pair of cold eyes in the rain curtain watched the rain slide down the fence gate like a broken string from the tip. Falling down, and then mixed into the muddy water.
The two attendants held a cloak aloft in order to hide the continuous rain from the Earl of Dnell, the privileged earl of the kingdom silently watched the carriage on the drawbridge driven out of the outer city under the leadership of the guards, and then he turned his head back. , Quickly disappeared above the city.
Grand Duke Anleck put up the curtain of the car window with one hand, looked back from that direction, and sneered slightly. The carriage carriage plunged into darkness again: "This old fox is really careful and greedy. Indecision and stubbornness are his greatest weakness."
"I'm afraid this is also a typical weakness of nobles, Lord Duke." A woman's voice replied: "But I finally convinced this guy, it's not a trip in vain."
"Sometimes he regrets it." The hoarse voice smiled coldly.
"He just doesn't have a choice, but he may not really get on our ship. Then again, how can such a mediocre nobleman understand more profound truths." Grand Duke Anlek shook his head.
"But Duke Cohen, this guy is really not trustworthy, you'd better make plans." He reminded again.
"Already prepared." The hoarse voice replied grimly: "He is just a lamb for death."
Anlek nodded, and took a last look in that direction with an inexplicable look-Maggie Tan's towering city walls had long been left with only a faint shadow in the rain. Then he lowered the curtains, and darkness returned to the carriage.
And in a direction he couldn't see, Count De Nell was accompanied by a knight down the spiral staircase of the castle. The dim light in the spiral corridor reflected his mixed face, the once powerful kingdom. The earl now seemed to be filled with cold doubts in every wrinkle.
"My father, you really intend to form an alliance with those things." A figure was already waiting below, and the noble youth raised his head and asked impatiently: "If we agree, we will have no way out."
Let Denell take a look at his second son: "Do we have a retreat now? It seems that you haven't figured out your situation yet."
"No, I mean..."
"Enough." Let Denel interrupted him impatiently: "I know what you want to say, of course I will prepare early. Madara... At least Madara's side..."
He sighed: "Forget it, you go contact the Cruz people."
"Cruz people?"
"There are always things that they need to know."
Lord Earl was silent for a moment, and replied quietly.