Winter City at the end of October can clearly feel the approach of winter.
Biting rain fell on the ground for three days, and finally turned into snowflakes on the fourth day.
On the fifth day, when the sun, which had not been seen for a long time, finally got rid of the entanglement of the dark clouds and emerged, Winter City had already become a world of ice and snow wrapped in silver.
But in the face of such a beautiful scenery, the residents of Cold Winter City have no intention of appreciating it at all.
Because most people are running out of food.
"Are there still no signs of falling food prices?"
In the study in the courtyard of Lion's Roar Castle, Duke St. Hilde asked while adding firewood to the fireplace.
Behind the Duke stood a middle-aged man with an amiable temperament.
He has a pair of sea-like blue eyes, with waves of wisdom rolling in them.
The low gray ponytail was carefully combed and blown behind her head. His clothes are elegant but not gorgeous, with a roll of old letters around his waist and a white glove on his left hand.
Dawn White.
The people of Lion's Roar called him Maester Dawn.
Although the title of "Bachelor" is not a title, it is also extremely precious.
Only those who have studied at the Imperial White Tower Academy and successfully graduated are eligible to use the title of bachelor.
And the number of people graduating from White Tower Academy every year can be counted on one hand.
Therefore, every bachelor is the best candidate for a courtier, and naturally becomes the target of the major lords.
"No." Bachelor Dawn shook his head, his expression full of worry, "In the past three months, the price of food in the northern border has increased more than twenty times!
It's definitely not just a crop failure caused by a troll invasion earlier this year.
But there are still people who are hoarding food on purpose and manipulating food prices! "
"It's just some merchants who want money and life." The Duke of St. Hilde was disdainful, "Issued a duke decree to the major lords in the northern border, asking them to manage the merchants in their territories.
If food prices remain high within half a month, don't blame me for killing people myself! "
"Yes." Maester Dawn nodded.
"Is there enough rations for the Golden Lion Army?"
"If there is no large-scale war in the future, it is barely enough." Bachelor Dawn hesitated for a moment, but reminded again:
"However, my lord, I still suggest that you purchase another batch of military rations, just in case."
Hearing this, Duke St. Hilde frowned.
He obviously understood what Maester Dawn was worried about.
Famine is the most likely factor to cause rebellion.
So, the Duke of St. Hilde immediately nodded and said, "Then go buy another batch."
"Okay. But the current food prices in the entire empire are a bit high, so this time I'm afraid..."
"No matter how high the price is, buy it back for me!"
"yes."
The Duke of St. Hilde threw a few more logs into the fireplace.
Looking at the constantly jumping flames, he suddenly asked, "Where is the Black Cavalry Army now?"
Maester Dawn carefully looked at Duke St. Hilde's face, but he didn't see any obvious emotion from it.
"The latest news just came yesterday that the Black Cavalry Army has left the northern border and entered the half-elven kingdom."
"En." The Duke of St. Hilde nodded, but did not give any instructions.
The tumbling flames were reflected in the duke's deep eyes, as if showing that his heart was not peaceful.
Seeing this, Bachelor Dawn was about to leave and leave when he heard a majestic and majestic voice outside the castle:
"Duke St. Hilde, Otto Volkin, Prince of the North of the Troll Empire, in the name of revenge for His Majesty Murdoff, hereby challenge you to a duel!"
boom!
Suddenly a fiery flame exploded in the fireplace.
The Duke of St. Hilde suddenly got up and looked up out of the window.
A troll warrior exuding a terrifying aura was standing at the highest point of Lion's Roar Castle, looking down at the guards who were constantly gathering below.
Seeing the Duke of St. Hilde who was about to leave, Bachelor Dawn hurriedly stepped forward to dissuade him: "My lord, it is said that this Prince Otto has just been promoted to the sanctuary!"
"So what?" The Duke of St. Hilde didn't show any sign of flinching. "Could it be that I just hid in Lion's Roar Castle and let him show off outside?"
After finishing speaking, the Duke ignored the stunned Maester Dawn and strode out.
———————
Half-elf kingdom, southwest border.
The black cavalry is camping here.
Marquis Garcia finished drinking the broth, wiped his mouth casually, and asked Marquis Dawson beside him, "Thirty miles ahead, we should pass the Shadow Canyon, right?"
"Yes, Lord Marquis." Marquis Dawson's attitude was as respectful as ever.
Even now he has been granted the title of marquis and has sworn allegiance to the Duke of St. Hilde.
However, when Marquis Garcia summoned the Black Cavalry to march into the Half-Elf Kingdom, the former "Big Steward" of the Black Cavalry also came to help without hesitation.
"Send someone to investigate carefully." Marquis Garcia ordered.
Marquis Dawson smiled, with some disapproval in his words: "My lord, this is the half-elf kingdom, what danger can there be?"
"It's always right to be cautious."
"Okay, I'll make arrangements now." Seeing that Marquis Garcia insisted, Marquis Dawson quickly nodded in response.
…
After the rest, the army set out again.
Marquis Garcia rode his horse through the Shadow Canyon, but there was some worry on his brow.
"Dawson, have you sent someone to investigate this canyon carefully?"
"Lord Marquis, please rest assured. I have sent someone to investigate thoroughly. It is safe here."
Marquis Garcia nodded and continued on his way.
But the further he walked, the more the Marquis Garcia felt something was wrong.
That terrified feeling enveloped him all the time, as if something bad was about to happen.
"Stop advancing!" Finally, Marquis Garcia ordered.
"My lord, what's the matter? We're only halfway there." Marquis Dawson hurried forward and asked.
"It's too quiet here!" Marquis Garcia's eyes were cold, as if he realized something.
The next moment, he decisively ordered: "Turn around! The rear army becomes the front army, and the front army becomes the rear army. Withdraw from the Shadow Canyon the same way!"
"My lord..." Marquis Dawson was puzzled, "You are..."
The Marquis of Garcia ignored him and insisted that the military commander go to pass the order immediately.
And just as the black cavalry army began to change formation, there was a loud noise in the canyon.
Boom!
The Marquis of Garcia suddenly turned his head, and saw a burst of dazzling flashes suddenly erupting from the cliffs on both sides behind him.
The terrifying arcane energy, like the mighty power of heaven, blasted off the hills on both sides of the canyon center.
Countless shattered boulders rolled down and smashed towards the Black Cavalry Army!
Bang bang bang!
The screams and neighing of horses instantly resounded through the canyon.
Marquis Garcia's face instantly turned extremely pale.
But at the moment of stupefaction, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his waist.
As soon as he turned around, Marquis Garcia saw his most trusted subordinate inserting a dagger into his lower back.
"Fran Dawson! You traitor!"
Facing the angry gaze of Marquis Garcia, Marquis Dawson took a step back, smiled calmly and said:
"Sorry, Lord Marquis, when my men explored this canyon, they may not have been too careful."
(end of this chapter)