The glow of the unquenchable flame dispelled the shadows in the room, and Baron Boreham, who sat at the other end of his desk, looked at Barrett with interest. His smiling expression combined with his identity gave people a sense of unpredictability. Even though Barrett knew that this was just part of the royal way, his heart beat faster.

Fortunately, after a short silence, the Earl of Boram, who had put down the teacup, finally spoke: "Immediately in the period after Ulrique, your boy's life is really wonderful!" First he got involved in the war of the Northland Federation, and then he made a disturbance in Cruze in the south. After going all the way to the north and south, do you have any own views on the current situation on the mainland? ”

Although Barrett has experienced much more than that in the previous period. But in the eyes of the Earl of Boreham, these two are worthy of his attention. The rest of the adventure is just a child's play, as long as nothing happens, you don't have to pay attention to it.

"The war in the Northland city-state will not end for a while. Despite the fact that the Council of Nobles and the Mammoth Dynasty still have the upper hand, they are holding on to the advantage they had gained at the beginning of the war. Barrett paused. After confirming that Earl Boreham's expression had not changed, he continued: "On the contrary, the Seven Cities Alliance has accumulated a lot of its own strength, coupled with the material channels brought by unimpeded shipping, and it is more likely to win the final victory. However, due to the particularity of the Seven Cities Alliance, even if they win this time, it will be difficult for them to tear a piece of flesh from the noble council and the mammoth dynasty. ”

"Oh! Tell us your reasoning? It was only then that the Earl's expression finally changed. He reached out and tapped the leather cushion on his desk, motioning for Barrett to continue.

Hearing this, Barrett understood that he was right: "The characteristics of the Northland city-states determine that it is difficult for them to ensure the combat effectiveness and cohesion of the army after the existential crisis is resolved. The destruction of production by war is too deadly for the commercial city-states. Not to mention the few merchant families that ruled there, even ordinary citizens were probably looking forward to a truce and resumption of production. What's more, even if there are individual city-states who want to take advantage of this opportunity to completely destroy the noble council and the mammoth dynasty. The relatively loose political relationship in the Seven Cities Alliance, as long as one has a negative attitude, it will definitely cause a chain reaction. Therefore, as long as the Council of Nobles and the Mammoth Dynasty are willing to make appropriate concessions at the negotiating table, eighty percent of the Seven Cities Alliance will accept it when it meets the ......"

In a society with the wisdom and enlightenment of the people, there are more people who die in wars, and **** trends of thought must appear. War-weariness and anti-war culture will naturally rise to the top. The more people in society die in military action, the faster war-weariness spreads. In addition, the more affluent the society, the better the living conditions, the more obvious the reaction to the war.

And the situation of the Seven Cities Alliance just meets the criteria in this regard. First of all, in the Northlands, they have a good economy, and a considerable number of people are engaged in commercial trade, and they live comfortably. At the same time, the literacy rate there is relatively high in the western continent, and there is no strong tradition of the Songjun itself. When the enemy's soldiers were in danger of being overwhelmed, they naturally had to join the army and fight to the death. But when the crisis is gone away and the security is safe for the time being, perhaps those who come will be more likely to be unwilling to pay for the war - the more people in society die in military action, the faster the war-weariness will spread.

This situation is a bit like the Netherlands in the European Middle Ages, when the Netherlands was equivalent to the **** of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in Europe. Not only was it rich, but it was the first industry in Europe at that time - England did not catch up until the advent of the steam engine. It is precisely because everyone's life is very good that the people are reluctant to continue to fight for hegemony.

The same tens of thousands of people died, the French peasants could bear it, but the Dutch citizens couldn't. According to the point of view of a certain game, the commercial city-state recruitment war accounts for too much of the tax base. Even if a sufficient standing army is maintained during peacekeeping, the impact on the lives of wealthy citizens is too great, and even if the ruler wants to carry out the Songun policy, it is difficult to effectively implement it.

On the other hand, there is the question of whether the classical republican government will change its order overnight. Because it is not a centralized state, it is difficult to unite forces and act in unison. Unless there is someone who has both skills and strength and prestige to preside over the overall situation. Otherwise, once the crisis is over, I am afraid that we will fall into a situation of fighting on their own - and so far, there is no news that such heroes have emerged in this war on the part of the Seven Cities Alliance.

Listening to Barrett's story, the Earl of Boreham nodded and shook his head at times. Finally, he crossed his hands in front of his mouth: "It is indeed a bit of an insightful opinion!" Those guys from the Seven Cities Alliance are now a group of dogs who are guarded, and it is indeed difficult for them to take this opportunity to change the existing situation in the Northlands. Of course, it would not be in our interest for them to do so. ”

"Then Lord Earl, the family won't simply give aid to the Seven Cities Alliance this time, right?" After finding that the leader in front of him affirmed his ability, Barrett plucked up the courage to ask.

The Earl of Boreham smiled, "We never do business at a loss. It is likely that a stable supply of goods in the event of a war is far more important than a low price. ”

"It looks like you can make a lot of money." Barrett muttered deliberately as he nodded.

The reason why the Bolim Lords support the Seven Cities Alliance is not only for economic benefits, but also to ensure the security of the northern frontier of the kingdom. A loosely infighting Northland city-state would be in the interests of the Norhan kingdom. If the other side were to unify into a centralized state, it would inevitably lead to the kingdom having to deploy a large number of troops on the borders adjacent to them. At that time, Norhan will become a land surrounded by three great powers, and it will not be a good thing to look at it.

The Earl of Boreham, who saw Barrett's appearance, flicked the table with his hand: "Okay! Continuing with the topic just now, for the southern kingdom of Cruze. What's your opinion? As one of the few people in China who have recently fought against their regular army, what do you think of their army? ”

"The words of the army, at least with the Viper Cavalry Regiment detachment we fought against, are really exaggerated compared to the propaganda." Speaking of this, Barrett touched the minibus and frowned, "I wonder if the final elimination system of the Viper Cavalry Regiment still exists?" If it still exists, I can only say that this army is completely dead. If it is canceled, there may be other teams with stronger combat effectiveness! ”

"Go on! Go on! The Earl of Boreham nodded and urged.

Barrett, who took a deep breath, continued to speak: "As for the direction of the situation within the Cruze Kingdom, I am not sure. Because what I've seen is only the tip of the iceberg. However, judging from what they saw and heard along the way, the local nobles still wanted to have a very obvious advantage. But at the same time, it seems to lack the ability to make a final decision. On the plane, the kingdom of Lucia is eyeing each other, and the possibility of final peace talks is not small. ”

"There's a bit of a cliché here." Count Boreham immediately shook his head, "Forget it, judging from your age, it's good to have these views. The information you provide is somewhat one-sided, but it can also be used as a point of reference. Anyway, young man, you're doing a good job, how are you getting any reward you want? ”

"Reward?" After deliberately tilting his head and laughing for a moment, Barrett then shook his head again: "I don't have anything in particular for the time being. ”

"Then store it as your family contribution!" Earl Boram smiled, "Whether it's advancing the profession or upgrading the ancient weapon in the future, it will be useful." ”

"I would like to ask the Earl, what are the family's arrangements for my next move?" Barrett, who had never gotten the news he wanted from the Earl of Boreham, finally couldn't help but speak at this time.

"Oh! Don't you like to be stocked? Want to join the ranks of the regular army so soon. I thought that young people nowadays like to live freely? Only when you are old enough to fly fast, or if you want to make a home for yourself, will you return home. The Earl of Boreham asked, feigned surprise.

Then Barrett said very seriously: "I am naturally very satisfied with the free life. But I know that the help of my family is also invaluable to the reason why I am where I am today. With my humble knowledge, I also understand that the war in the Kingdom of Cruze will inevitably cause a chain reaction. In this case, it is impossible for Boreham to stay out of the situation, so it is good to have one more person and more strength. ”

"I am pleased with your loyalty. However, the family doesn't need a little guy like you to carry the burden for the time being. Count Boreham shook his head, "And don't you have a companion who hasn't solved the problem of his own path yet?" Let's go about our own business first! If the family really needs you, then the badge in your hand will react. Don't say no when the time comes. ”

"I'll be back as fast as I can." As Barrett spoke, he slammed his chest with a fist with his right hand.

Perhaps pleased with Barrett's words, the Earl of Boram waved his hand: "Stay safe!" Don't be stubborn in anything. As seedlings in the family, what you should do is to grow as soon as possible and not to take unnecessary burdens too early. ”

As he left the castle, Barrett let out a sigh: 'It's tiring! But it seems that there should be no problem with the Earl. Now it's time to focus on solving the problem of noodles. ’

Barrett, who returned to the hotel, waited while recuperating. But when the noodles came back for several days, they all looked listless. It can be seen that I haven't found any suitable tasks in the church stronghold.

It wasn't until three days later that a smile appeared on the face of the halfling wanderer: "Guys! I've received a new assignment. Although the distance may be a little long, it is a suitable combat mission for us. ”

"What task? Hurry up and share it. Claudia, who had been blindsided for many days, immediately came to her senses.

Immediately after that, "the 'Bloodstained Gray Flower' mercenary group undertook the task of 'crusading against the evil dragon'...... Quest Reward ......"

"Noodles, you're making yourself uncomfortable! Don't you see what the red dragon from before tossed us into? This time, I actually borrowed a mission to defeat the evil dragon, even if we are good at fighting, please find a suitable opponent, okay? Hearing this, Clematis immediately jumped up from his chair, "Or is it just a young dragon that we have to deal with in this mission?" ”

"Don't get excited, don't get excited!" Barrett stepped forward and waved his hand to reassure, "I don't think Noodle is the kind of person who doesn't know the importance of things, and there must be a good reason why he took on this task." If there is any dissatisfaction, I will wait until he has finished explaining. ”

Clematis, who was stopped by Barrett, had to sit back in place in a huff. And Barrett, who turned around, also urged at this time: "Hurry up and explain!" Otherwise, our money bags will blow up. ”

"This crusade against the dragon is a cooperative mission. We're not the only team involved. And the target of the crusade, judging from the situation, is also a white dragon that is no more than a teenager. The halfling wanderer sweated as he spoke, "It's a much easier target than the red dragons we've encountered before." ”

"If it's a white dragon that doesn't exceed a teenager, it's relatively easy to deal with." Rielly nodded at this time, "The beast nature of the white dragon at this age is higher than reason, and it should be easier to solve it if you set up an ambush in advance." ”

"But you just said this was a co-op mission? So who are we working with? Barrett immediately began to inquire about the key points of the mission. This suggests that he believes that the task is still possible.

Noodle shook his head: "This task has just been hung out, and I can say that I am the first to grab it." Therefore, in addition to the local mountain people, the rest of the cooperation objects are not very clear. ”

In other words, in this case, you can only try your luck there. This is not good news. Clematis rubbed his palms, "So where is the mission?" ”

"It's a bit far, but it's still in the country of Norhan!" Speaking of this, Noodle pulled out a map from his belt bag, "It's on this mountain!" ”

"Isn't that already on the border? And in those mountains, the Norhan kingdom did not establish any stable rule! Seeing the location indicated by the halfling wanderer on the map, Barrett shook his head repeatedly: "If you really want to say that it is domestic, it is actually almost the same as a foreign country." I don't think most of the mountain people's requests will be accepted by others. It's also because your church will take on such a task in order to deal with the white dragon! (To be continued.) )