Ryan.

Gregory IV stood at the head of the city, holding the pheasant in his hand and looking out of the city. Dozens of flags on the plains hung silently in the not strong sunlight, and under each banner were tightly organized legions. A long supply line of pack horses and ox carts connected to the rear of the legion, like a bloated tail, zigzag eastward. All the resources that Livingston was able to muster in the East in the short term were confined to this supply line, enough for 30,000 men to fight a protracted war, but at the cost of total military martial law and resource control within the territory, as well as the near-complete undefence of the three major towns of Raven, Shendefu, and Ryan.

"Back then, in Raven City, the Salionian army outside the city seemed to be like this." Gregory IV turned his head and said with a smile to Duke Alexis beside him.

"If you're going to give a motivational speech, don't put this bad analogy in it." Duke Alexis was indifferent, "And I wasn't in Raven City at the time, my father grounded me in Ryan's Knights' Hall, and the command of the army was in my brother's hands. ”

"Yes, it's good you're not here," Gregory IV tapped his fingers rhythmically against the rough surface of the pheasant, "or you would have died like the Earl of Eisenville who came to your aid, and would never have had the chance to ambush Archduke Brenus at Swan Lake." Too many people died in that terrible battle of guards......" he paused, repeating: "A lot of people. ”

"Yes, a lot of people." Duke Alexis whispered.

"I always remember the figures of their deaths. The old Duke of Aldemar was dragged off the city by the struggling Sarionians in order to push the ladder open; The elder of all, the elder Count Stephen Sr. led the Ranger Regiment to suppress Sarion's troops day and night, unfortunately died suddenly at the front line, and after his death, no general was old enough to suppress Sarion's longbow troops to the point that he did not dare to fight back, and his loose array of arrows was simply an elegant work of art......" Gregory IV said to himself, while Duke Alexis listened quietly from the sidelines. Many years ago, when the two were still Eldo Gregory and Frost Alexis, there had been many conversations like this, in which one man was a walking chatterbox, and Gregory III had more than once criticized him for being "unstable" and for learning more from his eldest sister; The other is a silent tree hollow, rebellious and unreasonable, and it is common to be punished and confined by the old Duke Alexis. But the two can often find a lot of common language, perhaps because they are both the second sons of their respective families who are not valued, and they are suppressed by a radiant first heir to the family so much that they can barely raise their heads, so they have a tacit understanding of sympathy for each other, or sympathy for each other. But no one in the north knows for sure why Eldo and Frost are close friends, so no one knows why Gregory IV trusted Duke Alexis unreservedly, "Oh, by the way, and the old Count Bogdan, when the west gate was breached, he took the initiative to snipe the troops entering the city, but was trampled into flesh by the lion thunderstorm, but he has bought us enough time to lay out the defense-" Gregory IV sighed deeply, "He is really a very heroic and brave warrior, How could she give birth to such a wreck as Falken? ”

"He's a great fighter, but he's not a good father." Duke Alexis shrugged, "The old guy spoils his little son too much. ”

"My lord, the lords have gathered around the round table." Lista walked up behind the two and gave a military salute, "The hourglass and snow tray are ready." ”

"Hasn't our lady returned yet?" Gregory IV asked casually.

Lista hesitated for a moment: "Not yet, several reconnaissance teams sent out to find have also lost contact. To date, not a single scout or raven has returned, and the Vaal Snow is still shrouded in mist. ”

"What a terrible ......" Gregory IV fell silent and once again turned his gaze to the army outside the city. The wind blows, and the banner hunting ground flutters, as if several rolls of banners are spreading in the sky at the same time, and the ripples of water ripple layer by layer on the blue background of the cloth, and those delicate coats of arms suddenly take on a three-dimensional texture: the Ice Cliff of the Aldemar family, the golden harp of the Alaric family, the silver-white blade of the Carolus family, the Iron Feather Falcon of the Clovis family, the Ice Wine Cup of the Otto family, the hunting bow and arrow of the Stephen family, and the cloud falcon of the Ivanles family. He recognized the coat of arms on each banner, as well as the name behind the coat of arms, for he had personally stamped them on the lifeless, scarred bodies of old and young people in Raven City. Gregory IV's hand subconsciously spasmed, every muscle in his fingers seemed to collapse into his bones, the corners of his eyes twitched slightly from the intense pain, and a few drops of transparent liquid rolled in his sockets, holding on to the reluctance to slip off. Lista stepped forward worriedly, but was stopped by Duke Alexis.

"It's not a big deal, it's the same as my ice bone disease, it's the root cause of the first dragon and lion battle. Scholars at the Royal College call this 'post-traumatic stress disorder'. ”

"Frost, this wolf hunt, show me!" Gregory IV took a big gulp of cold air and smashed his fist on the battlements, "And to win the pretty!" Win the hearty! How many flags are there on the plains today, and I will see the same number of flags in front of me after the battle! ”

"As you wish, Your Majesty." Duke Alexis bowed slightly.

"Let's go, let's go to a meeting!" Gregory IV strode away from the city, a dark blue wind swirling behind him, embroidered with black ravens flying in the sky.