Once war is on the agenda, preparations are like a wild horse unreined, galloping forward. Toniger was in early combat readiness, the White Lion infantry began to be reinforced, and since Metiza's return to the territory, the training of the Wind Shooters was on the agenda.

At the Princess's behest, the various lords adjacent to Tonigel also began to recruit the noble private army, most of whom were originally hostile to the fir lords. But since the Count of Denel suddenly became the opposite of the kingdom, the number of people who are inclined to the flames has also increased.

For these people, although Brando is not welcome, he is not to be turned away.

The summer moon flickered by, and before the moon of books came, there was the breath of flowing fire on the earth. Rising temperatures swept the leaves, and the scorching sun licked the ground of the south day after day.

Vlada and the army of the Southern Legion finally arrived as expected, but before the last festival of the middle of summer, Brando managed to calm his people from a sense of nervous restlessness. In the final weeks, he had Fir Collar hold the Rite of Fire Championship as scheduled.

This kind of competition corresponds to the winter hunting festival, and the formal meaning is a little lighter, but because of the open supply of alcohol, it attracts the lords and knights of all sizes in the vicinity.

The arena of the tournament was set up just outside the fir castle, and the hustle and bustle of the arena for days had almost set the entire territory on fire.

But for some quiet places, they still maintain relative independence.

Thin wooden walls separate the hustle and bustle of the ocean from the silence of the bar, except for the occasional whistle of the mercenaries to invade this relatively isolated space, and the hall is filled with the unique smell of boiled meat and spices, which is pungent but has a strong sense of home.

There are several wooden tables with maple cards with unique names written on them: Brando, Roman, Antitina, etc., which belong to the owner himself or close friends. The signage outside the hotel looks like it's brand new. There was a three-masted galleon with the words 'Lord Roman's Smuggling Anchorage', and such a vulgar name was naturally someone's own.

However, the interior of the bar is relatively cozy, with Akane sitting at a wooden table in the southwest corner. Seeing more and more people gathered outside—mostly young people from the White Lions, or local lords, farmers—ever since the refugees began to pour into Tonigel. The re-recruited White Lions were far more than the thirty or forty men they had when Cagris joined. In addition, as the number of settlers in the territory increased, tenant farmers, traders, and craftsmen began to flood the countryside of the fir territory.

At this moment, the open space outside the bar is playing out the championship match before the Summer Festival, and now it is the turn of the archery competition, and the field is full of beautiful tree elf girls, so the crowd of onlookers has maintained an unprecedented size.

She turned around and saw a girl in silver armor placing a bouquet of daisies beside a wooden plate, then clasped her hands together and closed her eyes in silent prayer. Akane's eyes reflected such a picture. She watched quietly, then asked, "Is her name Beth?" ”

Freya opened her eyes, and there was a sad look in her brown eyes. Nodded silently: "Beth likes to be lively the most." This kind of archery competition must be her favorite, and she can compete with the legendary tree elves......"

"Please don't be sad. Miss Freya, the living must always move forward, and the ...... The veterans also often tell us that death is just a stone monument without a name, and the living have to cross it to carry more things and continue to trek, so we need to be strong. Akane reassured.

"I'm sorry, I understand, but I don't consciously think about the past, especially at times like this." The girl from the countryside of Buchi blinked slightly, and she sighed: "Sometimes I really want to go back to that time, let time start again, how ......good it would be if there was no war"

"I—I understand......," Akane replied with some caution.

"Huh?"

Akane looked at Freya's appearance, thought for a moment, and said, "Because since I was a child, I have also experienced many battles. In every battle, almost all my companions died, some were newcomers who had only known each other for a long time, some were close friends day and night, and when I was a child, every time I would cry about it and cause many jokes. But gradually, I became familiar with life and death. ”

"How could it be ......?" Freya was slightly stunned, and looked back at the girl beside her in disbelief—Akane looked a little younger than her, but her experience was much more mature.

"I'm a mercenary, I work for money and survival, people like us, sooner or later, they will die in the next battle, it's like a natural ending for us, and I've never been dissatisfied." Akane also seemed to remember her past, she held the wooden cup, shook the golden liquid inside, and said quietly, "But because of an accident, Lord Lord will change from me from this life, let me know that there is another life." ”

"I ...... I don't know if I should thank the lord, but I can more or less understand the lord's mind and what he wants me to pursue. …… But what else can I do but fight? ”

"So I'd rather die in peace with myself than others."

"I'm sorry." Freya said suddenly.

"Huh?" Akane Yileng.

"I'm sorry, Akane, I never knew about your life. I think I want to go back to the idea of the past, maybe it's a little too selfish, and Brando is right when he says that no one can give us the peace and tranquility we want without fighting for it ourselves. Freya replied quietly, "The Eruin are far from being able to covet comfort. ”

The mercenary girl stared blankly at her.

There were things that Freya had come to understand, but there was still a fog in front of her.

At this time, there was a tsunami of cheers outside the house, and the door of the bar was slammed open. Roman rushed in with a large basin in his arms and shouted, "Medisa has won the first place again!" The ale is sold out, come and help! ”

"Be careful!" Freya hurriedly reminded.

"I know I know," and then a scream came from the kitchen: "Ah, my barbecue!" ”

Brando shook his head helplessly and walked in from outside, but he seemed to be in a good mood, looked at Freya and Akane and smiled, "Two beautiful ladies, why don't you go out and celebrate with everyone?" Our little princess has won the title of number one in archery. ”

The future Valkyrie stared at him with wide eyes. "Brando, you, what are you wearing!"

"Military uniforms, Eruin's cavalry uniforms. How's that, it's a lot like that, right? Brando held up his hand to grasp the roast meat, and there were a few obvious oil marks on his dark blue uniform—the marks of someone wiping his hands on them.

"You...... How can you wipe your hands on a military uniform. The uniform represents the majesty of the kingdom and is the greatest glory of a soldier. Brando, you ...... You've gone too far! Freya was about to get angry, and for a moment she forgot about her sadness.

"Oh, this...... It's just a matter of getting your hands on it for a while. Brando replied with some innocence.

"Smooth, easy!"

"Ha, Freya, you're busy first, I'll go out and have a look." Brando saw that the future Valkyrie was about to have a seizure, and it was obvious that what the eldest lady had learned at the Royal Knight Academy had made her sense of honor a little excessive, so she hurriedly snorted and prepared to flash.

"Stop. Brando! ”

Brando knew this very well, and he had come to show off the cavalry uniform to Freya and Akane. Unexpectedly, the purpose of showing off was achieved. It's just that the final result is a bit unexpected for him.

Fortunately, this little thing can't spoil his good mood at the moment.

The cavalry uniform he wears comes from Fir Ling's own cotton spinning and dye workshop. With the exception of the cotton, which is shipped through Guò Ampesel, this uniform comes almost entirely from Toniguel.

This was once a barren and barren territory, producing little but silver.

The root of the change came from the increase in population, which had been well prepared for the previous war, with a large influx of refugees or being transported into Toniguel, and the food reserves from Ampesel quickly converted the increased population into a usable labor force.

Two months earlier, under the auspices of Berau, a cotton mill, a dye mill, a blacksmith's workshop, a copper shop, a clay and pottery shop, and even a weapons and armor bureau had been established. After nearly half a year of careful care, Tonyguel is no longer the middle of nowhere, on the contrary, it has gradually begun to produce some necessary products on its own.

First of all, food and weapons, and a small number of luxury goods.

After the storm season, commercial activity with the north gradually became more frequent. Sailboats with snow-white sails from Grey Wind Harbour anchored in the new deep-water docks of Port Griss, and merchants with a keen sense of smell began to discover the potential of the area, and since the beginning of the New Blossom Moon, more and more merchants have been living in the harbor on a monthly basis.

Along with this is a large number of craftsmen. Just a few days ago, Brando had met with a group of dwarf enchanters from the Black Mountain region, most of whom were also refugees from the war, and it was said that the war between the north and the golden-maned toquinine had begun to affect normal business activities, and the eldest son of the king seemed to be forced by the temple to choose to go to war with the lionmen head-on.

And this is exactly the opportunity for the South to grow and develop.

Brando looked out as he could see horse-drawn wagons carrying goods along the avenues near Fort Fir and the fields on the forest border were no longer barren, but peasants could be seen at work everywhere. As early as a year, or even half a year ago, this qiē was undoubtedly an impossible sight to see in Tonigel.

And this qiē is brought about by the joint efforts of him, everyone.

He looked up and watched in the distance as the horseman galloped around the crowd with the winner's pennant held aloft. The silver, lily-embroidered banner fluttering high in the wind, a thousand years ago it fluttered like this, and a thousand years later it flew over the earth again.

There was a landslide of cheers.

Brando saw that the Silver Elf Princess was held aloft by the Tree Elf Maidens, and she also looked at the flag from a distance, and there seemed to be something sparkling in her eyes.

"Metissa!"

"Metissa!"

The leaders shouted, raising their glasses. With the help of the Red Bronze Dragon Mercenary Regiment and the workers under Oldum, a smooth street was built along the fir fort, and on both sides were neatly wooden houses, and the people and children standing on the sides of the houses were full of satisfied smiles.

As he passed through the streets, he was recognized, and a large crowd of the people bowed to him sincerely. Brando also casually returned the salute. Let's be honest. He had grown accustomed to this kind of life, and he no longer felt cramped and uneasy about being saluted.

Those modern understandings seem to be fading. But the depths of the soul. The pride of advanced civilization still supports his words and deeds, at least he will never think that this respect and pride are innate.

He placed a copper coin in the hand of a little girl beside him, and this copper coin meant the blessing of the lord before midsummer. The little girl's face was flushed with excitement, and she ran to a woman with copper coins in her hands. Perhaps it was her mother, the woman, who paid tribute to him again and again because of the money in the little girl's hand.

"Your Lord!"

"Your Lord!"

The shouts quickly changed to another, and the inhabitants of the fir Lords paid their respects from the bottom of their hearts to the new lord who had brought them this qiē.

Brando's eyes narrowed, he understood that such satisfaction was illusory and temporary for everyone, and even earlier, people were anxiously asking about the upcoming war.

In these turbulent times, everyone. are trying to keep their temporary stability around them.

There's nothing wrong with that, it's just that Eruin is far from at peace. Some people must shed their blood, even their lives, to protect others. But at least. He wanted to protect such an Eruin.

He made his way through the crowd and walked over to Her Royal Highness. Griffiin was silently watching this qiē. The female knight stood beside her, one hand pressed to her sword. But Brando felt that the other man was looking at him blankly, and in fact Nimesis gave him a feeling that was nowhere near as tense every nerve in his body as he had been at Ampesel.

In such an atmosphere, how can people be nervous?

"They like you very much, Mr. Brando. If there is anyone else in Eruin who can be called a model of ancient aristocracy, then you will definitely find such qualities in you. Princess Griffine's eyes sparkled and she said with a little feeling.

"This is the ideal of Her Royal Highness the Princess. All of Eruin can no longer be plagued by poverty, war, and disaster. The tragedy of Buchch will not be repeated. Brando replied.

Princess Griffiin blinked. "Mr. Brando, I understand that this is a bit too idealistic, but I at least hope to change the kingdom from the current situation. …… In the north, even in Jean Denel, Vieiro and many other places, wars and the scourge of the nobility themselves continued, while the sons and grandsons of the former monarch Ecke did nothing. ”

"Yes, so Tonigel won't settle down for long. Everyone must fight and sacrifice for their own future. ”

"Is Mr. Brando ready?"

"Just wait to convince the Grand Duke Viero."

……

Metissa was tossed by the enthusiastic elven girls for a while before putting it down. The little princess of the silver elf had never experienced such a scene in her life and in her previous life, and she was disheveled, and her little face was so red that she could almost drip blood.

As soon as she landed, probably out of fear of reprisals, the tree elves whistled and immediately dispersed, and the winner of our archery contest was almost thrown to the ground. Fortunately, Antitina hurriedly grabbed her, "Those dead girls." The staff lady shook her head and handed over Métisa's silver bow.

"Thank you, Sister Antitina." Medisa said with a sigh of relief.

However, she raised her head and glanced at the flag belonging to the Silver Elf royal family fluttering high in the distance, and her eyes showed a gleam of satisfaction. I don't know how many years, this flag has not appeared so brilliantly in people's field of vision.

The moment she held the bow, her body and mind seemed to return to a bygone era, above the wilderness, silver horses galloped, and the sound of trumpets rang for a long time, as if resonating with the vast earth.

Antitina saw that the little princess of the silver elf was a little distracted for a moment, and guessed what she was thinking, sighed, and gently put a cloak on her. Although it was the height of summer, she was just as easy to fall ill after a hot sweat and a cool breeze, and she was so used to doing such small things for Brando, and for a moment she forgot that Medisa was just a heroic spirit.

Medisa was slightly stunned, and glanced at Antitina with some emotion: "Thank you so much, Sister Antitina." ”

"This is the second time." Antitina shook her head, unimpressed.

"No, because I remembered my sister." Métissa replied earnestly.

"Really?"

"Well, maybe it's a little gentler. Same as my imaginary sister, eh. That's it......" the little silver elf princess smiled sweetly.

Antitina gave her a curtive look. She had also heard some of Metisa's stories and knew that her relationship with her sister might not be so harmonious. She reached out and brushed the hair on the girl's forehead, and replied, "About the royal family." That's it......"

"The royal family?" Medisa thought for a moment and looked at Antitina: "That's right, Sister Antitina. Haven't you found the reason yet? ”

"Hmm." Miss Staff also remembered this, and couldn't help but shake her head: "Miss Aloz also checked for me, but I am not of the blood of the Golden People, that time, it was probably the blessing of Lord Martha." ”

"Martha's protection?"

Medisa looked at Antitina and suddenly asked, "Sister Antitina, where is your necklace?" ”

"Necklace ......" Antitina was slightly stunned, and subconsciously pressed her chest, "Necklace?" ”

"That's right. I always had the necklace I had with me. Didn't you always carry it with you before you went to Ampesel? I remember seeing it once when I was in the Sea of Flashes. Medisa replied quietly.

"That's it...... I lost it before. What's wrong? ”

"Nothing." The silver elf princess smiled slightly: "I didn't expect that the careful sister Antitina also lost things." If you tell your lordship, he won't believe it. ”

"No need." Antitina hurriedly replied, "Your Excellency is busy preparing for war with Count Jean Denel, so don't bother him with these little things." ”

"Really?"

The staff lady nodded slightly.

Medisa thought for a moment, as if she wanted to say something more. But it was at this time that there was a sudden commotion in the corner of the arena. The crowd over there seemed to be a commotion, and the attention of both of them was attracted for a while.

However, compared to Metisa, Antitina is just an ordinary person after all. The Silver Elf Princess quickly discerned what was going on over there.

"Huh," she whispered.

"What's wrong?" Antitina asked as she looked in that direction in vain.

"There's some weird guys coming."

Medisa muttered.

……

For Tosankade Forest, the rainy weather that lasted for many days seemed to be returning to Magitan and the surrounding area after a brief period of clearing.

For the inhabitants of the Misty Forest, it seems that there are not a few good days to live since the visit of Archduke Anlek. The gloomy sky that brings rain always hovers overhead, although April and May are the rainy season in the Tosankad region.

But since the beginning of this year, it has been too outrageous.

The wooden fence gate creaked and swayed in the pouring rain, and a pair of grim-looking eyes silently watched the rain slide down the fence gate, falling from the tip like a pillar with a broken thread, and then mixed into the muddy water.

The two squires held a cloak aloof to shield Count Denel from the rain, and the Earl of Privilege of the Kingdom watched silently as the carriage on the drawbridge drove out of the city under the guidance of the guards, and then he turned around and quickly disappeared above the city.

Archduke Anlek propped up the curtain of the car window with one hand, withdrew his gaze from that direction, and sneered softly. The carriage was plunged into darkness again: "This old fox is really careful and greedy, and his indecision and stubbornness are his greatest weaknesses. ”

"I'm afraid this is also a typical weakness of nobles, Lord Duke." A woman's voice replied, "But after finally convincing this guy, it's not a trip for nothing." ”

"There were times when he regretted 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 nobility who does nothing understand a more profound truth. Grand Duke Anlek shook his head.

"But Duke Cohen, this guy really can't be trusted, you'd better make plans." He reminded again.

"Be prepared." The hoarse voice replied grimly, "He's just a substitute for the lamb." ”

Anlek nodded, and glanced in that direction one last time with an inexplicable gaze - the towering walls of Magitan had long since left a faint shadow in the rain. Then he lowered the curtains, and darkness returned to the carriage.

And in the direction he did not see, the Count of Denel was walking down the spiral staircase of the castle accompanied by a knight, and the dim light in the spiral corridor reflected his mixed face, and the once invincible Count of the Kingdom seemed to be full of cold doubts in every wrinkle.

"Father, you're really planning to make an alliance with those things." A figure was already waiting below, and the aristocratic young man raised his head and asked a little impatiently, "If we agree, we will have no way out." ”

Jean Denel glanced at his second son: "Do we have a way out now, it seems that you haven't figured out your situation yet." ”

"No, I mean ......"

"That's enough." Jean Denel interrupted him a little 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 and contact the Cruz." ”

"Cruz?"

"There's always something you have to let them know."

The Earl was silent for a moment, and then replied faintly.

……

(PS: Day 3!) I went out to do something today, and I was a lot late! Woo woo, so be it~)