Taking a deep breath, Baron Bishop stepped out of the carriage. The guards stood outside the car and saluted him, and gave him a slight urge—His Excellency the City Lord personally convened a meeting and waited for him.

This winter has been particularly bleak, and the whole Northland has not had a good time. The guards leading the way were still wearing the same uniforms as they had been from last year, the exterior walls of the City Lord's Mansion had not been repainted, and even the servants in the palace had been cut by a third.

In normal years, successive patriarchs of the Buchi family would issue a new uniform to all the public servants in the city. Aristocrats don't care about a piece of clothing, but many low-level civil servants really need it.

In addition, some displaced people were hired to maintain the city, pave roads, repair sewers, etc. At this time, the wage is low, and it doesn't cost much, so it can be regarded as a cash-for-work job, so as not to be chaotic in law and order. Otherwise, the hungry outcasts will be able to do anything.

As for the dismissal of domestic servants, this is even more unprecedented. It often means the decay of a family - the patriarch certainly doesn't say that, and the butler only comes forward to declare that these damned servants don't work hard.

Bishop didn't know much about the specific situation in the city. This year's aristocratic annual income is quite normal, and many nobles in Banshee Castle have made a lot of money by doing business.

But the futile war half a year ago was too costly, and the family paid a heavy price.

Bishop later estimated that after more than 3,000 troops outside for more than half a month of fighting, half of the city's material inventory was emptied. The bereavement pension after the fact is also very fatal.

War is too expensive.

The guards of the City Lord's Mansion led Bishop to the inner mansion of the mansion, and the butler came out to greet him. The two sides met for a while, and Bishop asked in a low voice, "Who are you attending the meeting?" ”

"Broken Bridge City, Horn Castle, Spire City, Night Owl City...... "The butler revealed a series of city names, "Envoys from seven cities have arrived, and three more cities have sent summons to join us." ”

Bishop looked gloomy, "Is this the situation like this this year?" ”

"It's bad." The butler whispered, shook his head, and didn't want to talk more.

Half a year ago, Bishop led his team to evacuate Dense Mist without receiving any orders. If it sounds good, it is called 'saving the main force', but if it doesn't sound good, it is being driven back.

Friedman. Butche was furious at the rout retreat and fined Bishop a large sum of money. But afterwards, the lord of the city returned the money to Bishop in private, and encouraged him to continue to work faithfully and bravely for the family.

As the most powerful front-line commander of the Banshee Castle, Bishop was grateful, and his original grievances vanished. Looking back at other selfish nobles, his heart was full of hatred.

Now the market is depressed, and the family is in a difficult situation. But many middle and low-level aristocrats hid in their homes and continued to covet pleasure and live a luxurious life.

Bishop knew very well that many nobles did not speak on the surface, but complained to the lord in private. They hold salon meetings every day, hide and plan how to break through all kinds of prohibitions, and have no idea of loyalty at all.

Walking into the meeting room where the meeting was being held for discussion, more than a dozen people were already sitting at the table. Friedman. Buchgaard sat down at the head and introduced Bishop to the guests.

In addition to the envoys of the cities of the Northlands, Bishop actually saw Viscount Tarlac of Greyeagle Fort in the Duchy of Os. This handsome and tall southern aristocrat had a smile on his face, and he seemed very close to everyone.

"Bishop, let's talk about the situation in Coldwind City." Friedman gestured to the map hanging across the hall, "We can't tolerate any further deterioration. ”

Compared to the map drawn by Coldwind City, the map scale used for Banshee Castle is smaller, and the roads and towns appear crude, with only the main roads in general. The markers are even more abstract.

Bishop pondered in front of the map for a long time, and first gave his own judgment, "It's a pleasure to see you unite with the Butch family at this moment. But I will say that we may well have been a step too late. ”

Pointing to the Coldwind City at the top of the map, he continued, "According to the information of the past six months, Victor. Hugo has been expanding his military power, trying his best to recruit high-level forces in the Northland.

The hoplites of Coldwind City are likely to break through a thousand. The hussars have already reached three hundred. There are a hundred wizards above level 5. Hugo's own strength has also been promoted to level ten, which should have been exchanged for his collusion with the lower realm.

This kind of strength is already quite terrifying, and it is even more destructive than it was half a year ago.

We have once again blocked trade with Coldwind and hope to complete our mobilization for war in the spring of three months' time. But half a year ago, the monsters of the Black Forest took the initiative to run out to fight us, and he will not stay in Coldwind City obediently now.

I must warn you that the war is likely to break out early within a month. Hugo mobilized faster and maneuvered faster than we did. It is likely that he will gather a local superior force in a short time to attack one of our cities. ”

Bishop's words paused slightly, and everyone in the audience first talked left and right, and soon turned their eyes to the envoy of Broken Bridge City--half a year ago, Victor. Hugo picked a soft persimmon and pinched it, and cleanly defeated the Halton family in Broken Bridge City.

The envoy of Broken Bridge City turned pale and asked in surprise, "What should we do?" ”

"I don't know what to do?" Bishop shook his head.

"Unless the Northland families can speed up their mobilization and gather a powerful wave of military forces to make a threatening posture first, they can only watch Hugo make the first move. One of our families will probably not be able to handle it. ”

The envoy of Broken Bridge City hurriedly looked at the other envoys attending the meeting, and urgently appealed: "Victor. What Hugo has done in the past six months, you all know. He is to be the enemy of all the nobles.

Ladies and gentlemen, the future of the Northland is in our hands. There is no doubt that we will be the first to attack Broken Bridge City, and saving us is equivalent to saving everyone. If Broken Bridge City is finished, you'll be next. I hereby appeal to ....."

The envoys were able to come together because they saw Victor. Hugo's Menace. However, judging from the current situation, it is impossible for more than a dozen cities in the north to complete the mobilization before the early spring.

Even if only high-level combat power is mobilized, it will take time, and it will take time to adjust and cooperate with each other.

Friedman. Buchi had also made up his mind a long time ago that he would not go to war until he gathered enough troops. At this time, if Coldwind City takes the initiative to attack Broken Bridge City, the Buchi family will give strong verbal support, but they will not move.

Sure enough, the envoys gathered in the meeting room all stood up one after another, expressing their willingness to assist Broken Bridge City to defend against strong enemies, and reassured the envoys of Broken Bridge City not to be afraid, Baron Bishop said that the worst situation was the worst, maybe it was not so miserable.

Friedman. Buchi even made a solemn statement that the attack on Broken Bridge City would challenge the entire Northland, and it would inevitably be strongly condemned and retaliated against by all the noble classes.

It's just that the more comforting voices, the whiter the face of the envoy of Broken Bridge City becomes, and his head is covered with cold sweat.

Bishop himself stood in front of the map, looking at the envoy of Broken Bridge City, who was pitiful by everyone, and at the poor worm who thanked all parties for their support but hoped that each family would implement the support, and felt kinship.

Broken Bridge City is the bait that was thrown out. Everyone hopes that Victor. Hugo eats this bait to stop and stop, and it is best to have indigestion to give time for the mobilization of the nobles of the Northlands.