A bitterly cold wind howled through every inch of the Deepwoods' territory, every forest, and the snowflakes never stopped, day or night. Pen ~ fun ~ pavilion www.biquge.info

From the easternmost forest to the westernmost watchtower, white is the only color in the land. Vast expanses of snow filled the rugged ravines, and the meandering rivers and even some villages disappeared in the snow.

Outside the silver-clad deep forest fort, a series of shacks surround the city walls, and only a few bonfires can be seen. The refugees, in rags and hungry, shivered in their shabby shacks that leaked on all sides.

Only the guards who patrolled the vicinity of the shack camp from time to time, and the knights of the Earl's guard, gave them a little security, and the brown bread, barley, and potatoes distributed in the castle could give them a little comfort to themselves and their families.

Dressed in black wizard robes, Loren wore a hood and walked alone through the large and small shacks. Along the way, children in ragged clothes constantly gathered around him, frolicking around him.

Loren, who didn't care at all, curled the corners of his mouth slightly, and walked forward by himself. The old people were not as careless as children, but they also smiled at the dark-haired wizards who passed by, and folded their hands in prayer.

All of this is the result of nearly a month of busy work - in order to save supplies and ensure the life of every refugee as much as possible, Loren has exhausted almost all of his efforts, and even can only rely on meditation twice a day to restore his energy, so as not to be exhausted to the point of exhaustion.

Of course, even a few glances can detect the problem of these shacks - except for the old and weak, women and children, there is hardly a young man to be seen, and some are only a few old ones.

This was due to the fact that all the strong laborers had been taken by Loren to the castle, and a small number of them had become guards according to the division of labor, and the vast majority had been assigned some errands that were more light, but not so easy as to leave them idle.

Not only for the convenience of management, but also because if there are no young people, even if there is a riot among the remaining women, children and the elderly, it will be much easier to suppress.

What's more, those refugees also have their own families, even if it is for the sake of their families, as long as the castle has not run out of food, they will not easily make trouble.

It's not a glorious measure, but it's very practical and effective. And for Rubén Fried, he doesn't have much choice other than the advice given by Loren.

Although the "temporary residence" outside the castle seems to be presentable, it may even become a small market town in the future. But in reality, it's just duckweed without roots.

In a month's time, they would run out of food in the castle, and the refugees, who had sincerely praised Ruben Fried, would turn their fingers at themselves for the bread in the hands of the nobles.

Turning back to the gate, and after greeting a few of the knights of the Guard, Loren made his way to the castle's granary, which had now become the most heavily guarded place in the entire Deepwood.

Three knights of the guard stood guard outside the gate of the granary day and night, while two whole teams of castle guards patrolled in shifts to ensure that no one but Levén, Loren, and Aaron approached the place.

The young earl had been waiting outside the gate for a long time, and had fallen into it when he saw Loren coming. The knights of the Guard, who followed, closed the gate after the black-haired wizard.

The granary was a dead silence, surrounded by mountains of sacks and clay pots, and even candles could not be brought in to prevent open flames.

Loren snapped his fingers slightly, and the glowing white "Firefly Charm" flew to the roof, and he could finally see the figure of Reuven Fried for a moment.

"Do you know why I had to call you here?"

The young earl's face was completely devoid of his usual smile, and there was no impatience in sight. Some just frowned.

Loren nodded: "Because only here, it is impossible for the people of the Senna family to spy on you." ”

"I thought it was going to be easy, but apparently I was wrong, and I couldn't be more wrong - whenever I wanted to do anything, if I had any idea, they would do everything they could to stop me, even if it was for the people of Deepwoodhold to starve to death!"

"I'm so tired, and I'm afraid you are too. Sometimes I really want to walk away, and it's a big deal to wait until I become the Duke of Lothair, and then find a way to clean up these bastards!"

"But I'm not reconciled, I'm really not reconciled - Loren, you gave me a blueprint that could change the entire Deep Grove, and we are close to success, how could I leave at such a time, like a coward?!"

"There are some things that people can't change. A calm Loren confidently weighed his words: "But we are not yet at the end of the day, and there is still a chance to turn the situation around." ”

Loren is also a person who is not willing to admit defeat easily, and surrendering like this will be worse than death.

"Sir Aaron has already left, and it will probably take half a month to return at the earliest. Levin nodded and pressed Loren's shoulder very hard: "You are now the only person I can absolutely trust, Loren." ”

"No matter what the damned guys offer you, you must not betray me - you can ask for whatever you want, and I will fulfill anything, but if you betray me, the day I become a duke, the day all the wizards in this land are exterminated, I will do it!"

Although Leven was speaking harshly, Loren did not feel threatened in the slightest. I can only experience the last struggle of a person who is on the verge of despair.

"As long as I'm your wizard advisor, I won't betray you, Luwen. Loren smiled slightly, and looked at him with sincere eyes: "Only this is the only one you can trust me absolutely." ”

The earl, who chuckled, finally stopped his face and let out a long sigh: "You said before that you have a way to solve the problem in front of you, is it true?"

"I'm sorry. The black-haired wizard's face was calm: "...... I lied. ”

Levin turned his head abruptly and looked at Loren, who was still calm, in disbelief - even though it was only a few words, he was completely shocked.

"What did you say?!"

"I lied at the time. In the current situation, it is impossible to solve the problem peacefully. Loren sighed: "I've done my best, but if they weren't willing to bow their heads at the beginning, they won't be the same now." ”

"Then why do you say that?!"

"As you said, this castle is full of Senna eyeliner. They'll know what I've said to you, and that will be a great way to discourage them. ”

"Then what should we do now?" Levin asked rhetorically, "We only have one guard knight now, and at most we add the castle guards who are not very loyal, and it is impossible to fight against the nobles of the entire Earldom of Deep Forest!"

"But those nobles of Shenlin Castle will never dare to openly resist you, otherwise they will give the Duke an excuse to quell the rebellion. ”

Loren turned his gaze to the empty sacks and clay pots on the side: "Their plan is simple, as long as the food is exhausted, those refugees will not stand by your side, and will even rise up against you. ”

"You're not fighting against the armies and knights of the Deep Forest, but the refugees in utter despair. That's the trick of the aristocracy, and my advice is to do what they want. ”

"We give them what they want, let them down and show their fox tails - we will have plenty of evidence to catch the nobles, cut off their heads, and make the rest submit. ”

Loren, who gradually fell silent, his expression became more and more cold, and his deep eyes were like an abyss without a bottom. Even Ruben Fried, who was standing in front of him, couldn't help but swallow.

"What can I do?"

"There's only one. The corners of Loren's mouth slowly raised:

"I need your absolute trust in me, no matter what happens!"