At the end of June, the Ilya Peninsula is already in the hottest season of the year. The sun was shining hot, and there was not even a cloud in the sky, and even the seabirds, unwilling to forage under the scorching sun, hid in the shade under the cliffs of the sea.

"Father, is this where we are going to live in the future?" a childish voice sounded behind Locke, with a childlike curiosity.

Locke squeezed out a smile, picked up his ten-year-old son from the deck, and said in an uncertain tone, "Stay for a while, and if it's suitable, stay here." ”

"Is it really okay here?" Locke's wife, holding her five or six-year-old daughter, also came over. The woman's face was full of anxiety.

As they were about to reach their destination, the ship's passengers flocked to the deck to see where they would be staying in the future. There were more than forty people, mostly old and weak, women and children, and the small deck of the Cobblestone was packed.

"Don't worry, I've inquired, the Carolingian Baron has a good reputation, and I've heard that his people are well fed. Locke reluctantly pulled himself together and said, "If Hydra isn't good, we'll continue north." ”

said so, but the phrase "reasoning with the nobles" was already regarded as a joke in Thousand Sails City. In the eyes of the burghers, the "free people" who lived under the aristocracy were nothing more than enslaved cattle and horses. If given the choice, none of the people on the Pebble would want to leave their homeland.

But the reality no longer allows them to stay in their hometown.

As Griffith predicted, the Pebble returned to Thousand Sails City and was immediately targeted by the Osbornes. One of the hapless sailors was abducted from his home in the middle of the night by a hired professional of the Osborne family, and after a day and a night, he was found in a secluded alley in the ghetto, and his whole body was tortured and bruised and dying.

If Locke hadn't been righteous enough to spend a lot of money to hire a middle-ranking priest of a wealthy lady, the sailor's life would not have been saved. Although he had been recuperating for more than two months, the sailor was still unable to get off the ground, and was now confined to the cabin. According to the pastor, it will take at least half a year to fully recover.

Locke also tried to find someone from the Raven Guild, after all, it was the union that carried Griffith and his party in the first place, but what chilled Locke was that he didn't get the safety guarantee he hoped for.

"The Osborne family just wants to find out the ins and outs of Sir Kyle's capture, although the methods used are a little more intense, but you don't have to be a mustard, cooperate well, people will not embarrass you. Hearing the union leader who usually called him a brother and sister say such things, Locke knew that Thousand Sails City would not be able to stay any longer.

Who knows if Kyle Osborne will hold a grudge against his little minions?

Locke didn't dare take the risk.

Although Locke was determined to leave Thousand Sails City, after all, it had been busy for two months to finally make the trip, as well as the other shareholders who had to sell the property and settle the Pebble.

When the Pebble entered the port, it found that there were several more trestles in the original small fishing port, and a huge siege crab was constantly digging sand and gravel with its big claws and long feet under the command, apparently dredging the port. In addition to the somewhat familiar fishing boats, there was also a large cargo ship parked in the harbor, which Locke could not have imagined before.

When Locke saw Griffith again, it was in the newly completed New Lord's Mansion, which was a small three-story building with no great features, and the traces of the rush could still be clearly seen on the outer wall, not even the fence, and a large courtyard was temporarily fenced with a wooden fence, planted with some herbs that Locke did not recognize.

"Welcome, Mr. Captain. Griffith was very face-saving, and even deigned to walk to the door of the lord's mansion to greet him, which made the apprehensive Locke very moved.

After a few pleasantries, Griffith invited Locke into his study, and a thirteen or fourteen-year-old maid clumsily served milk tea to the two. Locke took a sip respectfully, the milky aroma mixed with the aroma of tea, and the quality was obviously higher than what he had drunk before at a large merchant's house.

"These subordinates have just been recruited from the village, and they make you laugh. Griffith had a sincere smile on his face, and it was clear that he was pleased with Locke's defection. "Your family, I have all arranged to stay in the 'Dragon and Beauty Tavern' for the time being, which is the new house at the entrance of the village, I believe you have seen it when you came. I've set aside a piece of land for you near the dock, and when the house is finished, you'll move in. ”

Ever since Griffith came to Hydra, he has been building on a large scale.

The first to be built was the Lord's House, which originally belonged to Old William's house, and Griffith gave it to Hansen as a reward for the newly promoted Level 2 Ranger to formally pledge his allegiance to him.

Built with a tavern larger than the Lord's Palace, Griffith wanted Hydra to become a supply port between Thousand Sails and Grey Island, so he went so far as he could to attract merchant ships and sailors, and he even sent a troubadour and a few barmaids to the Thousand Sails.

The Dragon and Beauty Tavern is now under the control of Bailey, and there are not many guests for the time being, so it is more than enough to house Locke and the others.

"I heard that your ship is full of grain?" Griffith took a sip of milk tea and couldn't help frowning, there was too much sugar. When he is alone, he always drinks brewed tea, but when he is a guest, it is not appropriate to use tea, a mage drink.

Milk tea is a compromise choice, with the addition of high-quality milk and enough sucrose, it can almost be regarded as a primary nutrient, which is acceptable for both war and law professions, but Griffith himself is a little unaccustomed to drinking it.

"Yes. Locke said very simply: "I can't repay you for your take-in, Lord Domon, I have heard that the village of Hydra is short of food, and this boatload of food should be regarded as a gift to you, Sir Sir." "After being a captain for many years, Locke's family is not small, if he can find stability, he doesn't care if he has some blood.

"Haha, I appreciate your kindness. Griffith waved his hand, "After all, you offended the Osborne family because of me. Morally, I have a duty to protect you. The food on the ship should be counted as much as the golden dragon is counted, and you must not be allowed to suffer. ”

The Cobblestone has a limited load, and this time there are dozens of people on board, but in fact, there is not much food to be transported, where can Griffith see it.

"I beg your pardon for being presumptuous. Locke plucked up his courage, "I wonder what kind of identity we will be in the future?"

That's the most important question. For example, the citizens of Thousand Sails City, although they are under the management of the city hall and have to pay statutory taxes, are completely free, do not need to serve, and no one will stop you if you want to move. The "freedmen" in the aristocratic realm were actually attached to the lord and bound to the land.

"I'll give you two options. Griffith is still the same as when he recruited Hansen: "First, you will be loyal to me, and I will pay for the Pebble, and I will provide your residence and salary in the future." The second is to maintain the current cooperative relationship, and I will pay the market price for the goods transported by the Pebble, but in this case, you will have to pay the rent for your residence. ”

Locke did not hesitate at all, and immediately chose to maintain the relationship.

For a person like Locke, who is used to being the head, to be able to maintain autonomy is really unwanted. Moreover, the situation here is unclear, and Locke does not want to sell himself so soon. Griffith's ability to be so considerate made Locke feel a little more fond of the young knight.