The clear and clear flowing water was rhythmic, and the sparkling waves were like a uniform army, stepping on the drums and marching forward. Suddenly, there was a 'snap', and the horse's hooves falling from the sky smashed the bright and shimmering pale green, and the splashing white waves rushed to the ground. Then it was as fleeting as the morning foam of a mermaid's incarnation.

The continuous horse's hooves waded into the small stream, causing ripples on the gentle surface of the water that had been smooth for several years. Players on horseback watched as the splash jumped onto their feet, some swinging and dodging, others letting it go. And when the leading horse, which was slightly thin, stepped back on the ground, Barrett touched its neck and whispered, "This time is hard for you, and when you get to the next town, I will prepare good horse food for you immediately." ”

Rieli, who was following her, let out a long sigh after coming ashore: "It's safe now." Those guys in the Cruze Kingdom shouldn't cross the border to attack us! ”

"I can't tell. Looking at the situation here, Lily, you should also understand that this so-called border is mostly undefended. The third Clematis, who had left the stream, turned his head to look at the land of the Cruze Kingdom, "If that Viper Cavalry Regiment is fast enough, it is not impossible to have a chance to return in time after finishing us off." And the local garrison may not even find out that they have been there. ”

Before the mage could open her mouth to argue, Claudia preemptively asked, "No! Isn't the army of the Norhan Kingdom a model for the Western Continent? How could this happen? ”

"No matter how powerful an army is, it can't handle something it doesn't know." As an expert in this area, Barrett, who had just begun to look for a way, could only look back and explain: "The standing army of any country is precious, and unless it is a fortress such as a canyon, it is impossible for the superior to place them directly on the long border." That would only result in an easy attempt to be easily eaten by the enemy at the beginning of the war with superior forces......"

Generally speaking, the official border guards of Nohan are stationed near the nearest towns to the border. Because in the eyes of the aristocracy, the empty no-man's land outside the settlement (whether it is a forest or a steppe) is a wild land that can be abandoned if necessary. Only the settlements with their populations and the surrounding work areas are the best areas that cannot be abandoned in any case.

Like a clenched fist that hurts a person, a heavily defended army can be transformed into a hard bone that any intruder will be hard to bite. What's more, relying on the towns, they can also recruit people when necessary, and it is more convenient to repair fortifications and obtain supplies on weekdays. The military towns on the border are like a series of nails, a problem that no intruder can avoid.

If they were to be uprooted one by one, it would take time and effort, and they might be attacked by the main force of Nohan because they were stuck in their tracks. But if they let it go, they will be like a fish in the throat - the forces in the stronghold may at any time mess up their supply lines.

So from another point of view, only when you get there can you be considered under the protection of the Nohan Kingdom. The not-so-small open space between the two countries is a buffer zone set aside by both sides. Although Norhan would send rangers to patrol the vicinity, they could only guard against the movement of large armies, and they also leaked like a sieve when facing the infiltration of small detachments.

"I thought it could be like Brandenburg Fortress! Once you pass through the gate, you will feel a sense of security. Claudia said with a little disappointment.

Barrett, who had already found his way in the wilderness with the map in his hand, replied without looking back: "It is a line of defense that has been built with the help of the mountains." Moreover, although the natural danger is good, it also restricts the expansion of the kingdom. It can only be said that the pros and cons are mixed! ”

After the two horses behind the team, loaded with goods, followed, Barrett waved the whip in his hand: "In this direction, we will be able to see the town in about 4 hours." There is no bad news about Baron Brosnaan in this generation, and the environment under his rule should not be much worse. ”

Unlike the northern side of the empire, the eastern front in the south had no natural dangers to defend, and the western front did not have a strong marquis that could hold the border passes. There were just loose baronies and a handful of relatively strong viscounts. Therefore, in addition to the private army of the local nobles, there were also garrisons belonging to the royal family of Norhan and the noble council.

However, as the friction between the royal family of Nohan and the local powerful faction grew, the way the two armies got along naturally became delicate. Add to that the fact that the Cruze kingdom has long been a decent threat to the enemies they have to face, and in the absence of external pressure, you can imagine how well they work together.

How to deal with the relationship between the two sides in such a situation often depends on the attitude and skill of the local lord - whether it is a superficial contrived appearance, or a saber rattling that smells of gunpowder, or a close cooperation after being completely infiltrated. All of this will affect the environment and atmosphere of the territory, which in turn will affect what happens to the players.

Of course, now that they have set foot on the land of the Norhan Kingdom, players naturally don't need to run as desperately as before. Although the kind of threat that Clematis spoke of does exist. But in Barrett's opinion, most of the time those guys can't get their way in a short period of time. Coupled with the fact that Barrett was carrying a flare that was still conspicuous in the daytime, if the Viper Cavalry Regiment really dared to chase after him, it was completely an excuse for Norhan to go to war.

However, Barrett's flare is not the type used by the Norhan military. It's an ordinary flare that I purchased privately. Fortunately, in line with the duty to defend the territory, once this sudden signal is discovered, the nearby garrison will always send scouts to find out. At that time, as long as the Cruze royal family's troops are discovered, 'own people' like Barrett will naturally be able to serve as an excellent background board.

It is precisely because he already has a complete response plan in his heart that Barrett can continue to move forward so unhurriedly. In his opinion, he didn't take the risk to play fishing law enforcement, which is already a very honest performance.

As they walked, the dry yellow and yellow land finally appeared in front of the players' eyes, and it didn't take long for the simple road inlaid with stones to appear. Now that the autumn harvest has passed, the power of the sun has been greatly reduced. The daylight had long since dissipated the superfluous fire, and in the days when the autumn tiger had returned to sleep, there was not much burning sensation shining on the players.

I don't know if it increased the speed on the gravel road, but the time when the town appeared in the player's sight was actually much earlier than expected. On top of the tall stone tower, a guard with a bow and arrow on his back also cast a wary look at the player after they appeared.

When the players reached the town gate, a guard in inlaid leather armor quickly stopped their way: "Please indicate your intention and show your identification." ”

"I'm Barrett of the Boreham family, and this time I and my friends from the 'Bloodstained Gray Flower' mercenary group finally came back from that ghost place in the Cruze Kingdom. Now I just want to find a good place in the town to take a break, and then continue on the road to get back to Boreham Territory as soon as possible. With that, Barrett rolled over and dismounted, and then handed over his paperwork.

After receiving the paperwork for preliminary confirmation, the guard looked Barrett up and down a few more times: "Are you Mr. Boram who participated in the Karada subsidence incident?" It's been a long time since I've heard from you, so I'm looking for a new adventure in the Kingdom of Cruze? ”

Barrett's smiling facial muscles suddenly stiffened, and then he brushed his hair a little embarrassed: "Ahem! I didn't expect anyone to know my name? Are we famous in Nohan? ”

"It's alright! You are the only one in the tavern who was involved in the story of the demonic invasion. On the contrary, I have heard from the Lord's attendant that you were also very useful in Ulrique. There's not much news since then, but I think you'll have some big news in a while. The guard blinked, apparently a little secret that no one else knew about it.

In the face of this alternative 'otherworldly star chaser', Barrett's performance immediately calmed down a lot. Because from his words, Barrett learned that the experience of his party in the game was not fully exposed. Rather, it is merely disseminated in a targeted manner, as the prestige statement given by the system.

And for the 'star chaser' Barrett in front of him, he also said with a smile: "There will be no big news, we offended a red dragon in the territory of Nohan, but we were crushed enough by that big lizard." Although I don't know why it suddenly disappeared the other day. But if it continues to entangle. We may not be able to set foot on the land of Nohan so soon. ”

"The red dragon suddenly disappeared? If that's the case, I think I probably know what's going on. The guard looked at Barrett with a slightly adoring gaze.

Barrett, who felt a little puzzled, was stunned for a moment, and then touched his chin: "I didn't expect that we didn't get any news in the Cruze, but you in Nohan knew it first." Then we really need to hear what is going on. ”

"I don't think the ladies and gentlemen have passed through the big towns since the red dragon disappeared! Only then is it possible not to know the cause of the matter. The soldier who heard this straightened up and said.

Then Barrett's eyes lit up: "In other words, what happened to the Red Dragon?" Otherwise, you wouldn't say we haven't been in a big town since. ”

"I also heard from a friend at the temple. But according to his big-mouthed virtue, I'm afraid there is no one in Nvidia Town who doesn't know about that matter now. The soldier scratched the back of his head, "It is said that the Church of the 'Queen of Dragons' has successfully discovered a large ruin in the Kingdom of Cruze, and now they are firmly in control of it along with the black skins underground. If it weren't for the internal instability of the Cruze Kingdom, the official would have sent troops to them a long time ago. ”

"Found a relic in the Kingdom of Cruz?" Barrett, who was nagging this, suddenly frowned: "It shouldn't be!" If there really was such a thing, it should have been discovered a long time ago. That round got the current 'After the Dragon' church? ”

"I don't know, but that's what the temple of the god of war in town says." Although the guard wanted to argue something, it turned into such soft words on his lips.

Hearing this, Barrett nodded: "If that's the case, maybe it's an anchored half-plane or something!" Can you tell us about any suitable places to rest in the town? ”

"A resting place? If it were anyone else, I would recommend them to the tavern. The soldier's voice changed suddenly, "But Mr. Boreham, you can take your friends to the Boreham Chamber of Commerce in the town." ”

"The office of the Boreham Comptoir. It's Barrett's turn, and you're in the driver's seat. "Clematis, who has been in charge of similar work several times along the way, finally has a feeling of seeing the moon at this time.

Barrett, who heard this, was not angry at all: "Thank you! We'll be here for another 1 or 2 days. If you have time, you can come to us. ”

"Thank you! If I'm free, I'll definitely go over. And it's been a trading day in our town for the past two days. I hope you all have fun. The soldier blessed him with all his heart.

At this moment, on the square in the center of the town, people came and went. In addition to hawkers with baskets, there are many stalls with wooden poles and tarpaulins to shade the sun, and boxes and wooden tables to hold goods. And the bards had already taken their place and began to sing their best songs.

"Sell meatloaf - sell meatloaf - delicious meatloaf in the shape of a raccoon!" At a stall on the east side of the square, a middle-aged man with a round face was shouting vigorously. Thankfully, his linen-colored clothes looked clean and tidy, otherwise his greasy black hair would have been enough to stop diners.

The middle-aged man held an ancestral template made of cast iron in his hand, and brushed it with a wooden stick with a strip of cloth dipped in unknown grease. Then use a wooden spoon to pour the slightly grayish-brown batter into the template in turn. It looks like it's a mixture of wheat, oats, and other grains. Then stuff in the minced meat and pour in the batter again, closing the template. Turning upside down, the two sides were roasted in turn, and the sound of 'zi-zi-' came from the iron plate. After a while, the man lifted the template, and a slightly sweet aroma spread. (To be continued.) )