The rays of the sun became more and more intense as the time passed, and by the middle of the day it was as hot as a furnace set up in winter. The stagnant and immobile air also mixed with the sweaty dust of the soldiers on the ground, until the smoke and dust rolled up as he walked irritated the Grand Duke of Sebstan. The warlock picked up a cherry from the silver carved tray held by the maid, and after biting down the sweet flesh down his throat, he said with some dissatisfaction: "It's a terrible weather, the sun is so strong and there is no wind, I feel like I'm being choked by the throat." ”

"The soldiers are on the verge of losing their strength, Your Excellency. They needed water, and the constant rain kept us from stockpiling buckets of clean water. The Count of Congris threw up his head and poured a mouthful of honey-filled water, and with all his strength he plugged the leather cork and wiped the pearl-like glittering droplets from the curled short stubble.

"It's five o'clock in the sun? It's time for the soldiers to rest. The Grand Duke lifted the silk cloth next to him with his fingers, glanced at the sky casually, and said with his moist lips coated with cherry juice. "How far are we from the nearest water source? ”

The Count of Congris immediately beckoned two squires with cowhide cylinders on their backs to come and spread out a huge pale yellow parchment map on the backs of the three kneeling slaves. After some discussion among the scholars with metal ornaments, they finally determined the current location of the army—the town had been about seven miles north-east, and there were no rivers or springs nearby, but two miles further there was a small mountain village with a huge grove of fruit trees that had existed for hundreds of years.

"I probably know that place. One of the attendants opened his mouth after receiving permission. "I grew up in that village before I was eight years old, and there was a huge wild fruit forest near it, and I couldn't eat enough raspberries, dates and figs. The nobles, who were not short of fruit and water, didn't care much about this, but the soldiers and noble attendants were about to glare eagerly. Thirst and fatigue that afflict the body everywhere are more frightening than death.

Although the Grand Duke of Longinus retains all the characteristics of aristocrats—arrogant, cruel, and tough—he is not a man who does not listen to opinions. He soon had the loyal cavalry run along the roadside with the red dragon badge banner that belonged only to the Grand Duke, and roared loudly to give the order for the army to go to the fruit grove. The soldiers and peasants knew nothing but quenching their immediate hunger and thirst, so the army immediately rushed to the praise of the gods and the Grand Duke, and rushed loosely to the village two miles away.

The earth trembled under the trampling of leather boots. Dark yellow smoky sand rolls up into the sky from the ground. The Dragoninus arrived at the small enclosed village in less than an hourglass and rushed to the ancient fruit grove in fear of the villagers. Since it was just summer, there were only a few wild fruits in the woods. The blue-red raspberries hung from the foliage, the slightly bitter figs were embedded in the trees, and even Riga could find berries and wild strawberries from the dense grass and bushes, although some of them were eaten by insects first.

"O Shirag, this is a fertile land! I have dreamed of living here, and I can get food every day with my arms outstretched. Garr, who was also stuffing his mouth with fruit, opened his mouth, and the excitement made him squirt out some crushed pomace and saliva juice. The Quaids, with their fast-paced horses, arrived first, and they immediately took possession of one of the best groves.

After a time of prayer. The whole army arrived here. Even if it's already a mess. Thirsty farmers burst into the orchards with weapons. Climb onto trees that have been covered in moss from age or that have just grown, delicate and can be cut by the soles of your boots. They stuffed the wild fruits, which were barely palatable, into their mouths and threw the unripe young fruits on the ground.

"It was a looting. The village elder muttered as he peered out through the wooden lattice window, staring at the forest where the branches had been broken and the fruit had been plucked. However, a group of soldiers soon broke open the door and tied him up and dragged him to the Grand Duke of Sebstan. "This old fellow doesn't want us to pick the fruits of the land. Your Excellency. They cultivated the land, and the fruit was larger and more ripe. ”

"Who are you, old goat?" Tapping his staff to the elder's beard, a young warlock stepped out of the carriage beside him. "The land of Longinus belongs to the Grand Duke, not to you mud-stained peasants. The roar was accompanied by a flame of fire, but although the flames that poured out of the Warlock's Staff only burned a white beard, it caused the village elder to collapse to the ground in fear, and could only whisper a prayer to the dragon god.

"I'm the elder of this village, sir. The poor old farmer, who would never be able to put on a new coat for the rest of his life, shuddered. "Now please pick up whatever you want, we'll be happy to help you. ”

The soldiers rested in the forest for a while after eating the wild fruits, after all, the nobles were more like lying down, and it was difficult to find the next place with shade during the march. The glare of the sun was obscured by layers of leaves. Preventing them from suffering pain also allows a group of Harrison Rangers to discover their whereabouts. The faint yellow smoke left behind by the galloping of tens of thousands of soldiers had not gone away, and it was pointing along the road towards the forest and revealing the army's whereabouts to the Harrisons.

"The army of the Dragoninus is here. They are numerous, but they are also slowing down the speed because of this. The Harrison Ranger officer with the long feathers on his head said. The guy who brought the captives back to the barracks was trusted, so he reappeared in the land that still belonged to the Dragonianus. "The rainy season that has just ended has caused the weather to change drastically, coupled with the laziness and stubbornness of the aristocracy. They will surely finish their food before they find our army. ”

"Then we will be able to wipe out the entire army of Dragoninus at once!Occupy this fertile soil and let the light of the water god shine on the land!" another light-leather-helmeted ranger shouted feverishly, but this drew disgruntled glances at him. "What are you talking about? Hillbillies of the West. Two distinctly taller and stronger cavalrymen with bronze helmets scolded. "The servants of the God of Divine Radiance will herd the land and the people who live on it for the true God. ”

"Traitor to the East with honey in his mouth! Even the pure, sweet Moriah sugar could not hide the stench that came from it. If you turn your backs on the glory of the god of water, you will be cursed by the gods. ”