Unlike other envoys, who were solemn and generous, Rhodes's envoys were already in disarray when they arrived in Heidelberg, with two wounded soldiers still wrapped in bandages and listless, and only one war horse, carrying the veteran Khufu and moving forward slowly.

Except for Rhodes and the priest, everyone else in the group felt like they had come to flee. So much so that the guards in Heidelberg at first even thought it was a begging refugee coming into the city...... Until they saw the war bear flag above Rod's head. It was the banner that belonged to the Lord of the North.

"Hello, Lord of the Black Hammer. Please wait, I have already reported to my lordship. ”

Heidelberg, located about a hundred kilometers south of Blackhammer Castle, like Blackhammer Castle, did not have a large garrison here, the land was barren and the climate was cold. Baron Varell, Lord of Heidelberg, guarded the area, which, like Rod, was his ancestral domain. It's just that it's slightly better than Blackhammer, and Heidelberg is located further south, so it's less attacked by strange beasts. But that doesn't mean they won't be invaded by beasts and werewolves.

Rhodes knew that the key to convincing Baron Varrell was to convince him of the threat posed by the Beastmen this year. Otherwise, although the northern territories are nominally part of the Kislev border barrier, in fact they have not crossed paths for many years, so everyone is actually fighting on their own, and it is very implied that each family sweeps the snow in front of their own door, regardless of the frost on the tiles of others.

If the only thing about Heidelberg that is better than Blackhammer is that it has slightly more people. There are two small farms here, with a larger population and more soldiers than Blackhammer. However, its castle is no stronger than the Black Hammer Castle, at least in terms of construction and materials.

Due to the close proximity, the beliefs of the two places are almost identical. From the moment he entered the castle gates, Rhodes noticed the statue of the bear god standing in the castle square. The huge god of Ersun came to life and stood in the square, as if it could really shock the enemy and protect the people.

A natural connection made Rhodes look at it a few more times, in a sense, most of the power in his current body was given by this god he had never met.

"Ah, Lord of Blackhammer Castle, what wind brought you here? It's been a long time since we've seen each other. ”

In a few moments, the lord of Heidelberg, Baron Varell, strode from the city. In Rod's memory, he had seen this man. However, it was already two years ago. Baron Varrell was as bald and slightly chubby as he had remembered. He was wearing a thick cotton coat. Although the body looks fat, it is a little weak, and it belongs to the fat type. But the greasy side meat shows that this guy doesn't usually eat less delicious. In the north of the kingdom, animal husbandry is more developed than agriculture, so if Varel wants to enjoy it, he can eat three meals a day without meat. Of course, this is not what Rhodes is interested in.

"Brother, it seems that you are strong again, and you are probably in good spirits lately. ”

Rod complimented. Although I know what kind of person the other party is, I still need to be polite. After all, unlike his true brothers, the Baron of Varrell in front of him, although he called himself a brother on the surface, was a dime a die behind the scenes. In Rod's memory, this guy traded with Blackhammer Castle and never lacked oil. It's just that Rod's father has something to say first, don't have to compete with these lords around him, which makes Rod always turn a blind eye to the matter of trade.

"Haha...... It's ok, the main farm harvest this year is not bad. ”

Varel squinted his eyes and smiled back. Only then did he notice the "old, weak, sick and disabled" entourage soldiers behind Rhodes.

"What's the matter? Blackhammer has been attacked by those wildlings again?"

Varrell asked, pretending to care.

"No, the Evil Moon hasn't arrived yet. We were ambushed by the beastmen on our way here. ”

Rod replied briefly. His gaze rested on the young woman behind Varell, and in his memory, he seemed to have no impression of this woman. Of course, it is also possible that after the fusion of the memories of the two lives, some memory fragments are missing.

The woman in front of him looked much younger than Variel, blonde hair and blue eyes, looking just past the age of development, fair and delicate skin and delicate facial features were quite aristocratic, but she did not look like his lover or wife, of course, it was not ruled out that Varel had found a young and beautiful girl as a sexual partner. However, this role is generally not present in public.

"Beastmen? huh...... These mutated wildlings are often found in the forest, and I guess you didn't take the road. Instead, take a shortcut. ”

Just when he was in doubt, Varel once again brought the topic back on track.

"Hmm. Indeed, we took a shortcut. In order to get here as soon as possible. ”

Rod said, drawing his gaze back to Varrel. The glory on the old friend's face at this moment had long since dissipated, replaced by worry. However, this worry is not about the beastmen, but about the worries that Rhodes has something to ask of him. Although Rhodes hadn't spoken yet, Varrell, who was good at reading words, had already guessed what was going on.

"Sit down and talk. ”

He made a polite gesture.

Rod walked inside, and several guards, including Lawrence the Ranger, stood outside consciously.

Stone columns rise from the base of the second floor to support the castle superstructure. The light here was darker, and the rough stone floor stretched all the way to the fortress lord's room. On the left is the conference room.

Rod and Varel walked inside, and before entering, handed the cold iron sword in their hands to the guards. Although Varel didn't ask for it, Rhodes knew it was a necessary etiquette.

"Brother, if you rush to Heidelberg in such a hurry, you must have something urgent to find me, tell me, what's the matter? As long as I can, I will do my best to assist you. ”

Entering the conference room, Varrell sat down. The dim daylight shone in through the window, casting a white glow on the tabletop.

"Blackhammer Fort, Blackhammer Castle may be in trouble. The Scholar has observed that this year's Evil Moon will last longer than any previous year, and brother, you know, the longer the Evil Moon lasts, the greater the number of beasts and werewolves. They will collectively move south from the boreal forest and sweep across the north. ”

"It's all the norm. As soon as the evil moon passes, they will disperse on their own. ”

Varrel's eyebrows jumped.

"No, you didn't understand what I meant. This year's evil moon is likely to last for more than a week. ”

Rod returned earnestly.

But Varrell didn't say anything more, and the atmosphere was suddenly a little awkward.

"So, your Excellency is here to deliver information to us?"

The young girl behind Varel said suddenly. You can see Varrel's displeased expression, as if to say - you shut up. But the words are out, and there is no room for retraction.

"It's not just about passing on intelligence. In the name of its ancestors, Blackhammer asked Heidelberg for reinforcements. ”

Rod turned his head to look at Varrell and said seriously.