"Fresh vegetables and fruits are sold cheaply."
"Hey, the one over there, the one who looks strong, our engineering team is short of people, and the meal is provided and the treatment is favorable, so I can't come."
"Hey, the freshly baked bread, buy one get one free. Which knight brother, the knights are half price, do you want one? Okay, two copper coins."
"Tam? Your family is back! Great, just come back, just come back! Aren't you going to leave this time?"
Walking in Donglan City, I saw busy crowds, motorcades coming and going, construction sites under construction in various places, and I couldn't help but smile from the bottom of my heart.
Rome was not built in a day. Even if a large amount of money is invested without any return, the current urban reconstruction project is still in the cleaning and reconstruction of the old city, and the supply of materials has only slightly improved the living standard of the people. In fact, the living standard The improvement is not big, but what makes me happy is the mental outlook of the people that has begun to gradually improve.
The Principality of Donglan traveled all the way north, seeing all kinds of suffering and misfortune, and the mood became worse and worse.
After suffering misfortune, people always have a bitter look on their faces, and their eyes are even more distressingly numb and dazed. I know that when a person has no expectations for the future, when he is convinced that life will only get worse and worse. At that time, no matter how strong that person is, his mental outlook will still get worse and worse, he doesn't even have his own future, and naturally he will become more and more indifferent to others.
reason? It is probably just that this troubled country will encounter a new catastrophe.
That year, the country of Lan was overthrown, but they did not fall. In the nearly 100 years since they lost their homeland, they did not separate. Two hundred years ago, Donglan was gradually eroded by the war between the neighbors. They still insisted. More than 20 years ago, they lost They are still fighting for the last mining area to survive. A year ago, when the old emperor died in battle, they risked their lives to follow the fourteen-year-old princess in a desperate charge, and won a miraculous victory.
They are not supermen with iron wills, they are just mortals who miss their homeland. Maybe this deserted northern land is just a useless wild land in the eyes of outsiders, but for those who have lived here for generations, this land remains Too much nostalgia and sadness.
Outsiders cannot understand the nostalgia of these northerners for their homeland. Perhaps, they are as solid as the glaciers in the north, just because rooted here, the stubborn souls of northerners expect to stick to the homeland created by their ancestors.
"As long as we don't starve to death, but the flag doesn't fall down, we can grit our teeth and endure it."
But not long ago, they finally couldn't stand it anymore. In the year from the death of the old emperor to the return of Renee with supplies, many people finally left because of their choice.
I know it's not their fault, and they haven't broken their oath.
The people of Lan are never afraid of sacrifice and war, they are only afraid of not seeing the future.
When the shadow of the war fades away, the devastated farmland and villages turn into a desperate situation, the winter is approaching, the wolves look around, but there is no rice at home for winter, when the familiar neighbors starve to death, freeze to death on the street, when This winter's life-saving food has not yet been obtained, even those who are optimistic will also consider their own way back.
"It doesn't matter if I have a bad life, but my child, he is not wrong at all."
No one can watch their children starve to death in front of them, and the people of Lan who have left cannot be blamed at all. Even if they know that they will never be able to return this time, and most of them will die on a dangerous road, they can only Choose to leave in three steps and one look back.
What is even more cruel and ironic is that the departure of these people has made the originally insufficient disaster relief food play a greater role. Last winter, the number of deaths was the least in the past few years.
This cruel reality cannot be blamed on anyone. If you insist on finding someone to take the blame, I am afraid it can only be the royal family of Lan, who has not shouldered the responsibility of guardianship. If it is to be derived again, I will probably add the hidden dangers of me back then. that generation.
So, even though it has been guessed that Orlando is half malicious, Renee, the descendant of Lan, did not even hold the ceremony of becoming queen, and she still gritted her teeth and embarked on the journey. After all, if you do nothing, you will be dead. If there is a glimmer of hope, you can strive for it.
It should be said that there is no road to the sky... If I regain my body and return to the surface one year later at night, I am afraid that there will be no Donglan Duchy by then. If I hadn't been annoyed by the aggressiveness of the Oran Empire, I wouldn't have met Renee. .
At this time, after the lively and noisy handover day ceremony the day before yesterday, many things have changed. At least, everyone's eyes are less blank, and there are more expectations for a better future.
"Have you seen it? The old town in the west of the city has been converted into a barracks group, the army of His Royal Highness Roland."
"Back then, I was the first to arrive at the recruiting site, but unfortunately I was just a little short of qualified."
"Blow it, who doesn't know that although there are many legions and battle groups that have already started recruiting troops, the threshold is actually very high. The first level is the physical fitness test. You can carry a few sandbags, thin and monkey-style, the first level It's been brushed down, and it's almost blowing?"
"You know so well, are you also..."
"I made it to the third round at least! I, Aiken, don't plan to give up. As long as there is another legion formed, I will try again. It's really not good. It's okay to join the city defense army and be a leader! By the way, there is also the Law Church. , they also recruit people. It is said that they also teach combat skills."
Even though he was brushed down, the brawny Aiken showed off proudly, and the surrounding onlookers also exclaimed, as if seeing some great strongman.
The country is weak and the people are in danger, and the people of the weak country are humble. No nation knows this better than the people of the ravaged Lan country. Even after the establishment of the Church of the God of Law as the state religion, in a sense, Donglan has become a permanent neutral country. But everyone can understand the harsh reality. The northern orcs may go south at any time, and the neighboring countries around them are just around the corner. If you don't hit others, others will come to hit you.
In this world dominated by the law of the jungle, in order to achieve true neutrality, one must have the power to maintain independence and neutrality in the midst of chaos.
Now that every legion is established, it will become a reason for all the citizens to rejoice. After all, it means that the warriors who protect themselves are stronger and the country is becoming stronger. At the same time, these new legions can also give young people enough. Development opportunities.
Avalanche defender, long wind knight, one by one legendary names and occupations jumped out of history, those legendary heroic deeds are attracting every young person, and they also look forward to making history with their own hands.
In the past, although being a soldier was very active, it could only be said that it was just a meal, but now, it is under the premise of protecting the family and protecting the country to seek a future. The enthusiasm of the two is completely incomparable.
And when the citizens are proud of joining the army, it is enough to prove their confidence in this country. Of course, this is confidence in me, the legendary Paladin Prince Roland.
This is not the happiest, the most impressive, I am afraid that the people of Lan who have left have begun to return to their homeland.
And when the news of the legendary Prince Roland returning with his legion spread, when his homeland was revived, even though the situation was still unclear, the people of Lan still chose to return, and teams and individuals returned to their own every day. home.
Outside the city gate is already crowded with carriages and travelers of all shapes and sizes waiting to enter the city, and the streets are full of returnees with hard-working but happy faces, "How are you all, I'm finally back." "Back? Back It’s good to be back, it’s good to be back.” The reply came one after another, and the returning travelers were full of curiosity about every change, pointing at the flag of the legion, and it was not uncommon to catch acquaintances and ask to the end.
This is just the beginning. The only people who have time to return now are the immigrants from neighboring countries who have not gone far. As the news spreads, I am afraid that the people of Lan who have left this country in the past 20 or 30 years will consider whether to return. The battle flag is raised again, and the people of Lan who have been separated and far away will surely be reunited again.
And not far from me, a group of travelers who just returned, some with thick cotton hats, some with light feather hats, judging from their completely different dresses, they obviously returned from different countries.
Originally, it was probably just people who had just returned home to talk about their feelings in a foreign land, but in the end, it became a complaint meeting.
“…Even if you are lucky enough to not encounter beasts and robbers, and have completed a long-distance migration, and you are not pushed to the limit, who would want to leave their hometown. Is it good to live a completely unaccustomed life in a foreign language in a foreign language? That kind of local everyone Does it feel good to keep staring at you with the eyes of a thief or a barbarian? That feeling of isolation when you open your eyes and see all foreigners and foreign languages is sometimes really confusing. It makes you feel like you want to kill yourself."
It was a young man, but the dark bags under his eyes, his depressed face, his calloused hands and rough skin looked like an old man in his 40s and 50s. There is clearly a sense of old age beyond the actual age.
"When I was discriminated against and bullied because of my foreign accent, I didn't even dare to argue with reason. Who can understand the extreme anger. In the midst of the heavy work, I spent the lonely nights of my hometown festivals alone and missed my hometown. Who can understand the feeling of being torn up at night with family and friends, that kind of ups and downs. And as long as you show it, it will be a more obvious anomaly."
This middle-aged man, who should be the most capable and able to fight, is just average. As he talked, thinking of those past events, he angrily slapped the wooden table with a wine glass.
"I finally made new friends, and when we were chatting, I said unintentionally, 'Donglan? Oh, I know, it's the barbarian tribe that is about to destroy the country. Are you the legendary barbarian princess?', next to the savage tribe. Everyone laughed, and in order not to be isolated, they clearly wanted to fight with each other, but they only tried to laugh, pretending not to care. It's too aggrieved, too uncomfortable! "
The indignant girl said the same thing. Judging from her angry appearance, she seemed to have suffered a lot of grievances.
After complaining, the inexplicable silence caused everyone to suffer a lot, but after looking for silence, I don't know who took the lead in raising the wine glass and facing the west of the city, where is the direction of the military camp.
"Thank you, Her Royal Highness, who has held up this banner for so many years... At least, we are back, and there is a place for us to come back under that banner. So everyone, be happy, and cheers for our better life in the future."
Even though the burden of life has crushed his waist, the young man's heart has not died, and he is still looking forward to a better tomorrow.
"Thanks to the returning Highness Roland for giving us a reason to return... No matter what happens, at least I can die in the land of my ancestors. Probably, we just need a reason to return home."
Middle-aged people are more realistic, but the kind of consciousness that even sacrifice can make people feel extremely heavy and sad.
"grateful… "
The words of gratitude are clearly said, but the toast is more and more sad, so some people can't stand it anymore.
"Hey, don't say that it's like going to the execution ground right away. You didn't see the Day of Return ceremony that day. His Royal Highness Roland's legion is super powerful. Those undead knights are elite soldiers who have fought for more than 300 years. They are all of us. The heroic spirits of the country! Building a new army with them as the core will surely be invincible, our country will only get stronger and stronger, and our life will only get better and better."
The one who suddenly interrupted was not Aiken, who was still bragging about how he passed the test but unfortunately lost the election. At this time, he took the initiative to come over.
"You guys, think too much. Hehe, you don't know how powerful our new guardian is, the dragon knight's bone dragon is so huge, bigger than the city wall, do you know who that is? He is us The last dragon knight in the Land of Lan, the knights under His Royal Highness Roland are all so powerful, he himself..."
Aiken boasted about the celebration and appearance of the Return Day, which was more proud than his own glory. All kinds of rumors were mixed with real information, and all kinds of legendary stories were put on display. It didn't take long for me to become a waistline nine in their mouths. Chi, a demigod monster with nine heads and two wings that can breathe fire.
The returning travelers are full of curiosity about what happened these days. Even if there are obviously wrong boasting and nonsense in Aiken's words, they are still more and more interesting.
Under the constant questioning of the audience, Aiken said more and more vigorously. When he said too much, others interjected to correct him. You said, I said, the atmosphere in the tavern became more and more heated.
"Tell me! How difficult is this opportunity, so many ace knights to form their own legion, this is all taught by hand, you don't know that when the test, all the nobles from all over the country came, but they were all brushed. Come down. I'm Aiken, in fact, it's just a little bit worse every time. Maybe as long as you pass this level, you can also become a knight under His Royal Highness Roland. That will not only be my personal glory, but also my Edith family. The glory of the generation, if I can hear this news, I am afraid that the dead father will be happy to get up!"
"Go, you've lost the election so many times, and you still have a face. I think you have no hope. Go to the city defense army and become a leader."
"Hmph, just wait and see, I'll never give up if I'm not a knight! After I finish this cup, I'll try it at the newly formed Silver Cross Chapter. Do you dare to follow me?"
"What's not to dare! Let's go together!"
Well, these guys were blushing, getting more and more excited, dancing, and almost rushed out to sign up for the test on the spot.
"...The Silver Cross Chapter needs to learn to use elemental power. This guy's intelligence is less than nine, it is absolutely impossible to pass."
The Silver Cross Chapter is the Magic Sword and Magic Spear Chapter that Fendak and Lannie are building, and after my Silver Sword Chapter was ruthlessly rejected by everyone, the long sword and the staff that represent the parallel of magic and martial arts are crossed. The emblem became the origin of the name of this chapter.
I have long known the selection criteria for that chapter. Looking at the brawny Aiken who was still boasting in the crowd, I shook my head. While not optimistic that he could be selected, he left three on the table with a smile. A copper coin, ready to check out and leave.
"Aiken? Write it down first, at least he's very eloquent, but you can ask Kelly if there is a shortage of publicity talents."
At this time, I swaggered around freely, but I didn't have to worry about being recognized.
"Uncle, a glass of fruit wine is only two copper coins."
"Tip to you, I'm happy today."
Yes, that teenage brother actually called me big brother, but it was because of my appearance at the moment, that I really looked like a middle-aged uncle.
The age-changing ring of time warping is the best disguise, just changing the age, putting on a wig and fake beard, I don't believe anyone would associate a middle-aged knight with a stubble beard with Prince Roland.
Of course I'm happy, how could the lovely people of Lan be unhappy in front of me.
Walking in the streets, although it is not my task to observe the people's feelings, the thriving and positive spirit of the people in front of me has given me a little more self-confidence.
Even if the standard of living is still difficult, even if the future is likely to face war, as long as the people believe that the future is good and the country will become better, then no matter how hard life is, they can face it with a smile, as long as they trust me, I will We are sure to take them out of the quagmire.
"Well, let's make a private interview by the way. It's definitely not to escape the endless paperwork and administrative work. Damn, I have seen the army's logistics and farming in the next year. Are you going to exhaust me?"
Counting the time, the palace should have noticed my escapade now, and remembered that Kelly, who often gave people "surprises", was probably doing endless official duties on my behalf.
Considering that Kelly would most likely take the initiative to find some "fun" after burying herself in a sea of misery full of resentment, I was considering the possibility of not returning home tonight.
"Well, I'm not acting as a boss, but trusting my subordinates to take the initiative to delegate power. Let's just say it when I go back... For safety's sake, let's bring some desserts to coax me. I remember there is a nice cake shop nearby."
Considering Kelly's greedy nature, I think it's better to bribe her a little bit, and according to past records, she should really like sweets.
But then, when I looked for a cake shop, I saw one first. Of course, I didn’t have a bad mood. Looking at the sign in front of me, I didn’t know what to say.
[The mercenary group of the Alliance of Absolute Gentlemen directly under His Royal Highness is recruiting people. Do you want to serve His Royal Highness? Want a chance to be a priority candidate for the Royal Knights? Welcome to the Gentlemen's League! We are His Highness's most trusted subordinate Chapter, we can directly talk to His Highness!]
Well, at that time, the mercenary group that was set up in the mood didn't care much when I arrived in Defende, and once I quit the management, it was naturally the deputy head of the mercenary who took over. Look at the mercenaries on the three floors. The situation of the regiment headquarters and people coming and going, obviously this inexplicable organization has been expanded by it!
As for recruiting people under my banner, I don’t have any opinion. After all, after all the calculations, this mercenary group is indeed still in my hands, but I’m not worried, but…
[As long as you can prove that you are also an absolute gentleman who understands true love, you can also become one of us without inspection.]
People don't know how to spit on this notice, don't they think there are not enough freaks and gentlemen, and when I walked in with righteous indignation, I heard even more speechless crying.
"Why, why did you refuse me to join? I'm obviously a real big breast control!! I'm not tolerated by the world."
"Hmph, superficial, just love for one characteristic? Isn't that anyone who fits the characteristic? Do you think a real gentleman is such a superficial thing? Your understanding of true love is too superficial!"
Momo's anger echoed back and forth in the corridor, but I had the urge to turn my head and run.
"Thus I heard: All appearances are false. If you see appearances that are not appearances, you will see the Tathagata. Young man, you have fallen into demons and have appearances, true gentleman, who loves the beauty in that false shell, We abandoned the virtual image and went straight to the real. But you have lost your heart because of that feature, and you have fallen into the inferior position."
Hearing the words of an eminent monk, I was immediately stunned, and it took me a long time to straighten it out, but Casio's explanation had already reached my ears.
"What big brother means is that you are just a fake gentleman who is obsessed with a certain characteristic. A real gentleman loves something only because he likes it from the bottom of his heart, not just for a temporary characteristic. True love comes from the heart, and Not appearance."
Not to mention the audience in the room, I was stunned for a moment.
"In love, people come and go alone, live and die alone, suffer and enjoy themselves, and have no substitute. Go, my way is different!"
"Big brother means that we live in this world, but we are lonely in our hearts, and what we long for is too special, because it is often difficult for us to have a close friend who can tell us our thoughts, but you are not our fellow, so Please go."
Finally, I can't stand it anymore, is this and that? Is this almost a gentleman's philosophy? If this continues, is it still necessary to engage in a cult of worshipping the wind
"Speak to me!"
But as soon as I roared and rushed in, I immediately regretted it. As soon as the door opened, Momo, who had been waiting for a long time, suddenly hugged me.
"Drink, Xiao Luoluo, I knew you were outside the door! I've been waiting for you for a long time."
While resisting the dark elf knight who was entangled, I heard that the explanation continued to make people angry.
"Everything with action is like a dream bubble. It is like dew and electricity. It should be viewed in this way! Good, my way is not alone!"
"Brother, what kind of Momo do you see? She doesn't need naked eyes at all. She can see through all the virtual images just by intuition, and she knows that the middle-aged man is her favorite wife! This is the real gentleman. Wait a minute. ... Sister Momo's favorite wife, isn't that ... His Royal Highness Roland!"
"The wind is screaming!"
"Brother, run away!"
Well, looking at these guiltless gentlemen, I have no chance of killing them. Except for the female elf who has entangled me like an octopus, it is a familiar figure.
"Roland!! Long time no see!"
"Amyra!"
"All dharmas are born due to fate, and all dharmas are destroyed by fate. Your Highness Roland, this female fellow has been here for a long time, and you are attracted by it. Great goodness!"
"Brother, you're in big trouble..."
This time, Casio's commentary was finally interrupted.
"Shut up!" "Shut up!".