After three rhythmic knocks on the door, Captain Edus' voice came, "Lord Mace, I'm Edus." ”

"Oh, please come in. "Mace, who was dazed and drowsy, was awake by a knock on the door.

Edus walked into the room and closed the door behind him.

"Sorry to disturb your rest. Eddes seemed to notice the lord's tired countenance, "But I think you'd be the first to hear the report, so ......"

"It's okay, I wasn't asleep either. Mace swayed his stiff cervical spine slightly: "Dr. Ennis came here an hour ago, and he had to ask me to drink a dose of decoction of unknown ingredients, saying that it would help me recover faster...... But it always makes me sleepy for a while. ”

"I'm afraid the news I've brought won't help your physical recovery. Edus grimaced and sat down in the chair next to Mace's bed.

"Didn't get the two hunters under control, did they?" asked Mace, after a moment's silence.

"Yes, sir. After a moment's hesitation, Eders continued: "I went separately with Adjutant Prague to the two hunters' quarters, but we both saw a terrible scene. ”

After listening to Edus's description of the massacre scene, Mace felt his heart flutter: "How can this be...... The Corrupt I know are not in the habit of eating corpses. ”

"No one has been able to confirm this habit, after all, the Corruptor was originally a legend. Eders shook his head, "I've already asked Master Nadia, and he's no less surprised than you...... The Bachelor seems to believe in the book's description of the Corruptor, and he decides that the monster that eats corpses is not a Corruptor. ”

"Wait, can you really be sure that those two hunters have become Corruptors or something?"

"We can be sure, my lord. Eddes fiddled with his bare forehead, "All the mutilated corpses have been put together as much as possible and buried in the East City cemetery...... Sam and Nader alone don't even have heads. ”

"The worst thing happened......" Thinking of the bloody slaughter, Mace was disgusted as if he smelled a strong smell of blood: "Captain Edus, is there still no news of the patrol?"

"Still not, my lord. And ......" Edes stopped talking.

"Hmm, is there anything you want to say?" Mace heard what Eders was trying to say.

"My lord, I'm thinking...... Should a ban be issued from now on, including a ban on leaving the city without permission?" Eders finally made up his mind and said, "The whereabouts of those two hunters are still unknown, and I don't know where they are hiding at this time, waiting for an opportunity to corrupt more residents and expand their power......"

"Makes sense. Mace closed his eyes and thought for a moment: "In particular, it is necessary to expand the frequency of patrols, strengthen patrol routes and intensity...... Captain Enis, the patrol strength after dark should be adjusted to three times that of the day. Choose the most astute and cautious soldiers, and make them fully armed and ready to fight. ”

"Understood. Eders nodded calmly.

"Besides, I have a request for you. Mace pondered for a moment, but decided to prioritize his own safety: "Captain, I think it's time to get a guard." I need you to help me pick a few suitable candidates. ”

"Guards?" the captain was slightly surprised, "No problem, lord." You really need a reliable guard...... So, do you have any requirements for this candidate?"

"He's got to be someone who can keep silent. Mace thought for a moment, then added, "That being said, I don't need a dumb guard. ”

"Dumb?" Eddes smirked, "Why do you think I'll find a dumb man to be the lord's guard?"

"It's not like you haven't done this. Mays was amused and amused at the thought of the good things Eders had done before: "Is your memory also falling out with your hair? Don't tell me you forgot that mute Pierce - I was whimsical and decided to find a guard." I made the same request to you, and it turned out to be a dumb one. ”

Eders touched his head in embarrassment: "Ah, is there anything else...... Forget it, Mistress Mace. That's when it happened. ”

"Okay, as long as you don't make a dumb guy this time. Mace tried to laugh, but choked back with a sharp pain in his chest.

"Mistress Mace. Increasingly embarrassed, Eddes tapped on his helmet, "Maybe you'd be willing to talk about the Corruptor?"

"Corruptor......" Mace couldn't help but be a little afraid, "that biting cold and incredible strength...... And most importantly, their eyes. ”

"Eyes?"

"That's right, those eyes that glow with a cold blue light......" Mace shuddered suddenly, "Tell all the soldiers...... When confronted by the Corruptor, don't look them in the eye. That makes you feel like your mind is frozen. ”

"Understood, sir. Captain Eders was silent for a moment, and then said, "There is still no news from the missing posts. Not even the letter crows sent out flew back to Snowcastle...... The wagons sent to the eastern outpost and the fifty-eight hunters did not return. ”

"They're already ...... a lot of bad luck," Mace shook his head, "If the Cold Death manipulates all of this, then Eternal Winter is in a shrinking encirclement...... However, if Black Ice is truly unstoppable, then why would it do it, and it would be even more incomprehensible if the purpose of assassinating me was just to plunge Eternal Winter into chaos......"

"I don't understand the meaning of all this either. Eddes replied in confusion: "Maester Nadia once expressed his opinion...... He believes that the reason why Winter's Breath did not directly engulf Neverwinter was not because it took time for the black ice to spread—but because the city was protected by some kind of mysterious barrier, and the black ice could not directly invade the towering walls that surrounded it. ”

"Enchantment?" Mace paused for a moment, "Doesn't Master Nadia think...... That's why they need to gather the army of the Corruptors to take the city. The assassination was also strategic. ”

"Or infiltrate the Corruptor and destroy the barrier. The captain lowered his voice, "The maester said that the ancient power that protects Eternal Winter City is likely to come from the ruins underground...... A land that was sealed tens of thousands of years ago. ”

"If there really are ancient ruins that provide an enchantment...... Mace couldn't help but have a series of questions, "So who built it, and how did it hide deep underground and never see the light of day?, does it have anything to do with the Ice Dragon God?"

"These bachelors don't know either. Eders shook his head blankly.

"We need to verify something...... Mace tried to clasp his palm, the pain had eased slightly, "something we have to know...... Someone still has to go to the eastern outpost to see what happened. ”

"Captain Eders. Starting tomorrow, the order was given to the three posts that still had contact...... To be on the safe side, two crows are to be sent back to Winterfell every day to make sure they are still safe. ”

"Yes, sir. Eders touched his forehead uneasily: "But my lord, about the eastern outpost...... We can't afford to lose people again. ”

"I understand. Mace struggled to decide, "If it's possible, I don't want to put the honored guests of Neverwinter City in danger. But now...... Edus, you know that Aya is immune to the erosion of black ice......"

Realizing what he meant by what he said, Mace himself was suddenly stunned.

"What?" Eddes choked up a little, "My lord, don't say anything else for now...... Miss Lusa was still in an unexplained coma, no matter what—"

"She woke up last night, and my wife, Elena, went to see her. A wave of guilt came over Mace, and Mace forced himself to continue: "Of course, it's up to them to help us or not, and I can't impose my will on those two children...... All you have to do is help me invite them here. ”

"I ...... Got it. Eders staggered to his feet: "Perhaps...... I should ask for a Nadia bachelor. The two children had visited him, which would make it easier for them to accept. ”

Nodding, Mace watched Eders walk out the door.

Guilt still haunts her chest, and Mace suddenly regrets her decision.

However, the order has been given...... The lord closed his eyes sadly, suddenly feeling that he was a complete hypocrite.

It depends on their pretty words that they say or not, and in the end they still want to take advantage of them, and they don't want them to refuse - Mace faces his heart sadly: ugly face...... What's the difference between doing this and the lords of the Land of the Warm Sun playing with power?