Hearing the sound coming from inside, Duke knew there was no need to hesitate, so he walked straight inside.

Hera saw Duke come in, looked at him and said, "Little Duke, just say something." ”

What a terrible woman, Duke muttered in his heart, I don't know why, he always had a feeling that Hera could see through his inner thoughts, and Hera always had the upper hand every time he played a game.

"Because of the threat of monsters, I need more witches to control the magic array, so I want to ask for your help. ”

After hearing this, the corners of Hera's mouth rose slightly, different from the previous smile with deliberate and playfulness, Duke felt that this was Hera's real smile, although it was more like a wry smile.

"Duke, do you know anything about witches?"

Duke didn't expect Hera to ask that, but he replied honestly, "I don't know. ”

"Witches are ominous symbols of this world, ordinary people regard us as evil as the devil, and the Holy See judges us as heretics. As long as we are discovered, the slightest disobedience will not be killed, worse than slaves. ”

"So witches are the most miserable group of people in this world, but the witches of the Dark Witch Society can be said to be the lucky in misfortune, although they can only live in hiding, and even hide in the most dangerous and dark places on the mainland, but at least they have companions and can still live. ”

"Do you think you can hold Stormcastle? Can I, as their leader, lead them to a dangerous place that could be attacked by monsters at any time?

Hera asked three questions in succession, and even later became emotional. To be honest, Duke had always thought that Hera was fake, like wearing a mask, and you don't know what her true emotions were. So he didn't expect Hera to suddenly burst out of this side, even a rare excitement.

Perhaps sensing Duke's thoughts, Hera continued to smile wryly and said, "I know that you are wary of me, but this is a disguise that the Holy See has taught me, and those exposed witches have become miserable. Duke, so I can't let them suffer again. ”

It wasn't until this moment that Duke began to really understand Hera, she had too many things on her shoulders just like herself, and she had no way back than herself. He also remembered that the little witch Nicole, who was about the same age as Princess Gina, but the fates of the two were worlds apart. They are lucky to have survived, but can I guarantee that they will continue to be lucky?

This is a question that Duke couldn't answer, just like the three questions Hera had asked before. Because the last time he defended Storm Castle was already a miracle created by Gandalf, if it was really as Hera said, when Gandalf's magic didn't work, would he be able to carry an even more powerful army of monsters?

The answer is almost imminent, but this cruel answer is not easy to accept, and Duke also wants to create a miracle with his own efforts. At least he has a direction to work on now, and he is not as powerless as he was before.

But if they don't hold on, then these witches who come over will probably not survive, and Hera has no way to gamble with the lives of the poor witches.

Seeing that Duke didn't answer, Hera only shook her head slightly, wanting to say something of refusal.

But Duke spoke at this time: "Hera, I can't do anything to you to guarantee the safety of all witches, but I can assure you that even if Storm Castle is breached, I will never let any witches become victims, they will be treated equally, and they will be the first to retreat with the old and weak women and children, and I and the Storm Legion will personally help their queen." ”

When Duke said this, it was so loud that even Hera didn't expect that Duke, who had told her before that if Storm Castle was breached, everyone would run away together, would say such a thing.

But Hera didn't doubt Duke's integrity, as he had already done it once during the first Ice Demon attack. And he has never revealed any prejudice and discrimination against witches, and this kind of heartfelt equality cannot be disguised.

Hera just looked directly into Duke's gaze, but her heart was full of struggle, and finally Hera spoke: "Duke, if I bring the witches to Stormcastle, if Stormcastle can be kept, can you let them live in peace and tranquility forever?"

"Yes, as long as I'm Lord of Stormcastle, any witch in my realm will be treated equally. ”

Duke did not hesitate in the slightest in this sentence, because his life values were not discriminatory and prejudiced against witches. WHAT'S MORE, HE THINKS THAT THE CHURCH BLAMES WITCHES FOR NATURAL AND MAN-MADE DISASTERS, AND IT IS TOO LOW TO LET WOMEN BEAR ALL THE FAULTS.

"The witches of the Kingdom of Andorra are hiding in Mont Saint-Michel, and there are six witches in total, they have different levels of magic, probably one can directly manipulate the magic array, and the others are fine with a little training, because witches are born with a magical physique. If all goes well, you'll be able to make it to Storm Castle in two days. ”

Hearing that there could be six witches, Duke couldn't help but get excited in his heart, if there were enough people to manipulate the magic array, then he would be able to build another steel-making blast furnace, after all, the application of steel is not only in weapons, but also in civilian use.

"I will take care of them and make sure they feel at home. ”

After hearing Duke's words, Hera just smiled faintly: "I hope you can fulfill your promise and don't ruin their hope." ”

Duke also smiled and replied, "No, they are also my hope, and I will protect my hope." ”

Duke's words are not casually said, it is true that witches are the hope of "industrial" production at present, after all, Duke has limited ability, and can only forcibly improve the technology tree in this way, and the magic power has almost become a catalyst.

The problem of manipulating the magic array was solved, and Duke went to the hydro factory himself, and was busy with the expansion with Bruno. Moreover, Duke began to recruit migrant workers on a large scale, building canals and waterways, so that the hydraulic equipment could have a more powerful impact, and the repaired water conservancy measures could also provide irrigation for the fields of the Seine at the beginning of the next spring, which was a double thing.

The two days passed quickly, and the two days of Storm Castle were relatively peaceful, with no incidents, and as the Storm Knights' patrol line shrank, there were no more monster attacks. And the information detected, the monster did not continue to advance, and there was no obvious trace of the monster gathering, which is a good sign.

Duke was still preparing to leave the city early to build the Hammer Forge early that day, but as soon as he walked out of the city gate with the Storm Guard, he saw a group of dark shadows appear on the snow, and a group of young women in ragged clothes were walking in the direction of Storm Castle.