Chapter 1: Mercenaries
The road from Salesburg to the Duchy of Ron is already very dilapidated. Benjamin knew the terrain well, so each wagon only loaded two tons of cargo. Even so, such roads were a severe test for the wagons of the caravan. Fortunately, this time the caravan entourage was full of masters, and when they encountered a really impassable area, four people carried a car and passed.
After more than two days of arduous travel, the huge caravan finally made its way safely through the desolate and rugged mountainous terrain.
After crossing the last hill in the Duchy of Bavaria, everyone's eyes suddenly lit up. A huge, beautiful, verdant basin quietly awaits them ahead. At this time, few plants sprout in the cold mountains of Sellersburg, and all you can see along the way is a bleak scenery. Separated by a mountain range, dark green, emerald green, tender green, goose yellow and other colors have embellished this basin so vibrantly.
A gentle slope runs down the hill to the basin, and the silky meadows are dotted with unknown wildflowers. Several wild deer were frightened by the crowd and jumped lightly into the distance. A gentle river runs through the basin, and on both sides of the river there are many neat farmlands, and the green seedlings sway gently with the wind. In the distance of the basin, there is a lush forest, faintly blending with the mountains of the sky.
In the middle of the basin, a medium-sized city is built against the river. The fortified walls stand tall and the numerous turrets indicate that it was a fortress with a military surname. However, numerous farmhouses were built around the fort, and many even formed villages, and there was peace everywhere. It is clear that this land has been free from war for a long time.
The convoy began to slowly drive towards the basin, and the leaders were still stationed on the top of the hill, admiring the picturesque mountains and rivers.
Benjamin twisted his beard and said with fascination: "This 'Basin of the Fallen God' has been the storehouse of fish and rice for the entire Duchy since the founding of Ron, and it has never experienced turmoil and war since ancient times. This is originally a mountain range, and legend has it that in ancient times, during the war between gods and demons, a god fell from the sky and crashed out of this basin among the mountains. Its veins have turned into a river of 'jue', and its skin has become fertile soil. And its heart is still beating, bringing the basin a warm and moist spring all year round. β
He stretched out his hand and pointed ahead, pointing to a small village in the distance, and said leisurely: "That village is the old man's hometown." It is also the place where the old man chooses to die. β
In such places, even laypeople like Rogge are relaxed, not to mention others.
Floazze immediately stepped forward and asked, "A legend is a legend after all. But there must be other reasons for such a big difference in climate across the mountain, right?"
Benjamin replied with a smile: "Her Royal Highness is indeed very clever, this basin is surrounded by mountains on three sides, and only the southwest is a plain. The warm winds from the Caspian Sea can travel unhindered, while the cold winds from the north and east are blocked by the mountains. So it's always humid and rainy. In addition, the remnants of Mount Ron extend all the way to this area, so there are hundreds of hot springs in this 'Rakujin Basin'. The gentle wind and drizzle and the humid atmosphere of the earth have created such a basin that is like spring all year round. β
Floya nodded and said, "Ron Volcano? Everywhere you go, the underground volcanic mountains are naturally indispensable for all kinds of rare mineral deposits. That's why the Duchy of Ron is known as the 'Land of Mines' because of its abundance of rare minerals, and it's no wonder that some dwarves have taken a fancy to this land. But it's also strange that Ron has everything, just no iron ore. What is that city?"
"Your Royal Highness Princess, that city is named after this basin, and it is called the City of the Fallen Gods. The city is garrisoned by the 'Night Mo' mercenary group. β
Before coming to the Duchy of Ron, the young nobles made up for the customs of the Duchy of Ron. I know that the 'Night Mo' mercenary group is the first of the four major mercenary groups, and the scale has reached 15,000 people, which is almost more than the entire army of a small country, including active duty or reserve.
The Duchy of Ron is extremely tolerant of mercenaries, and almost half of the famous large mercenary groups on the mainland are headquartered in the Duchy of Ron (Duchy of Ron), so it is also known as the 'Land of Mercenaries'. The Duchy of Ron covers an area of only 3,000 square kilometers, has a population of more than 5 million, and has a total of 150,000 standing troops and mercenaries in the country. With the help of the well-developed smelting and weapon manufacturing industry, the regular army of the Principality of Ron, the 'Feitian' Knights, is extremely well-equipped, with a number of up to 20,000, and its overall combat effectiveness has ranked among the top ten knights in the mainland.
At the same time, the Duchy of Ron was strong. Since the founding of the principality, the founding lord has set the strategy of hiding troops from the people, advocating the practice of martial arts, and encouraging the development of mercenaries. So the Duchy of Ron can almost be said to be a national soldier.
Therefore, although the Duchy of Ron, which is rich in all kinds of rare minerals, should be a piece of fat in the eyes of the great powers. However, in the more than 200 years since the founding of the country, due to the flourishing military force and the prosperity of the mercenary industry, the Duchy of Ron has dealt heavy losses to the invading enemy several times. One of the most famous battles was the 'Great Patriotic War' thirty years ago. A total of 60,000 people from the 'Feitian' Knights and the four major mercenary regiments completely annihilated 10,000 heavy cavalry and 30,000 infantry of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in a battle, and finally forced the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which was in full swing, to pay reparations.
After this battle, the 'Feitian' Knights officially entered the list of the top ten knights.
The Duchy of Ron gave some cities and even some of the more important military fortresses in its territory to the mercenary group as a residence place, and used a part of the tax revenue of the place as the mercenary group's funds. In return, the mercenaries must swear allegiance to the Duchy of Ron and defend themselves against foreign enemies in the event of an invasion of the Duchy.
Most of the high-ranking figures of large and small mercenary groups will also serve as officials in the Duchy of Ron, and the leaders of large mercenary groups will often accept the canonization of the Duchy and officially become hereditary nobles. As a counterweight to the power of the mercenaries, the royal family of the Duchy of Ron controls most of the weapons manufacturing industry in the principality, and the strong combat power of the 'Feitian' knights is enough to ensure the safety of the royal family of Ron .
Over the past two hundred years, the royal family of Duke Ron and the mercenary group have formed a strange and unique situation of mutual dependence, mutual penetration and common prosperity.
"Yemo, how many cities do they manage in the Duchy of Ron, as if their headquarters aren't in this city? Floya asked.
"Your Royal Highness Princess, Yemo is the largest mercenary group in the Duchy of Ron, and manages a total of three cities for the Grand Duke. There are a total of 6,000 mercenaries stationed in this Fallen God City. The heavy dragon lancers who are proud of the 'Night Mo' are the main ones. As far as the villain knows, there are two brigades in the city, with a total of 2,000 dragon lance infantry, 2,000 hoplites, 1,000 knights, and 1,000 light infantry. "Benjamin simply knows everything, he can't say anything.
"Dragonlancers, what kind of class is that?" Kate interjected.
"This dragon lancer is probably the most hated thing for Lord Kate. The dragon spear infantry of the 'Night Mo' mercenary group are all equipped with heavy armor and three-layer fine iron tower shields. In battle, every two dragon lance soldiers carry a seven-meter dragon lance, and the entire dragon lance array can be divided into three layers. This dragon lance has a rear seat that can be propped up on the ground in wartime to increase its resistance to impact. Hehe, speaking of which, Lord Kate must have understood that this dragon lance infantry is used against the hoplites. As far as the villain knows, these dragon lancers have only been transferred here in the last three months. Benjamin replied with a smile.
Rogge secretly thought to himself, the significance of this Fallen God City built here is self-evident, and the ** of the Ten is to resist the possible invasion of the Rhine League. As for sending dragon lance infantry infantry, it was naturally to deal with the three major knights of the Rhine Alliance, led by the Lionheart Knights.
Floya continued, "So, the Duchy of Ron is ready for war against the Rhine League?"
Benjamin respectfully replied, "Not really. As far as the villain knows, the people of the Duchy of Ron are still very peace-loving. The current situation is that the call for war against the Duchy of Ron in the Rhine League is very high, so the Duchy of Ron has strengthened its war readiness. It's also just defense-oriented. β
Lance interjected: "Why do I think that the military strength of the Duchy of Ron is stronger than that of the Alliance? In such a large place, there are actually 70,000 regular troops and 80,000 mercenaries! The 'Feitian' Knights are still one of the ten major knights! The Rhine Alliance seems to have only a hundred thousand troops in total, and this still counts those light infantry." He scratched his head and continued, "When you were in Lille City, how could it be said that the Alliance could easily destroy the Duchy of Ron?"
Floya sighed softly and said, "This started twenty years ago. At that time, the Grand Duke of Ron was so strong that he led an army of 50,000 to fight against the Alliance. As a result, he met the Archduke of Bavaria, who was still a baron at the time. At that time, the combination of Baron Reinhardt and Grand Karcist of Lhasa was hailed as a golden combination. With the command of genius and the absolute superiority in the comparison of the power of magicians, the baron fought with 10,000 Lionheart Knights against 50,000 Ron mercenaries, but he won four battles and four victories. In just two months, the 'Feitian' Knights, who were known as Zhongtian at that time, lost more than 10,000 people, while the Lionheart Knights only lost more than 1,000 people. The Duchy of Ron had to withdraw its troops. Later, Archduke Ron was unwilling, and attacked the Rhine League several times, but was defeated by the Archduke Reinhardt, and Archduke Ron finally died of depression. β
Floya sighed: "When these battle reports were transmitted back to the dynasty, it became that the alliance took the initiative to send troops, and the Duchy of Ron was unable to fight back. Slowly, the lie became the truth. For decades, my father and his courtiers thought that the Duchy of Ron could go down in a fight. But no one thinks carefully about why the Grand Duke of Reinhardt has been so strongly opposed to war with the Duchy of Ron over the years. But now, the Grand Duke of Bavaria ......"
Floya sighed faintly, momentarily melancholy.
Rogge and the others looked at Floya's melancholy and beautiful back, and infinite tenderness suddenly surged in his heart, and he just wanted to hold her in his arms and take care of her. He then woke up and was secretly amazed by Floya's charm.
The convoy moved slowly.
The huge convoy had already been discovered in Falling God City, and the soldiers on the city head were scratching. After a short time, the gates of the Fallen God City were opened, and a small group of black-armored knights galloped towards the convoy. Far away, a young knight at the head shouted loudly: "Which chamber of commerce's convoy is it? I am Gail, the leader of the knight squad of the 'Night Mo' mercenary group! I am going to inspect the convoy on the order of the city lord!"
An old man from the Clark Chamber of Commerce stepped forward and said loudly: "This is the convoy of the Clark Chamber of Commerce! We have just returned from the Rhine League! How is the Lord of Card? On behalf of Elder Benjamin, I extend my most sincere wishes to the Lord of Card!"
Gail was taken aback. As he approached the convoy, he jumped off his horse and said to the old man, "Is it really the Clark Chamber of Commerce's convoy?
Benjamin rode out and said kindly, "Young knight, I am Benjamin. The 'Night Motor' mercenary group and the Clark Chamber of Commerce have had a friendship for more than fifty years. Since when did the 'Night Mo' mercenaries no longer recognize their friends' flags?"
Gail's face was swollen and red, he didn't dare to look directly at Benjamin, and said crampedly: "Lord Benjamin, it's not my intentional offense. I've just joined the 'Night Mo' mercenary for less than half a year, so I'm ...... So...... A lot of things are not known. β
Benjamin nodded and said, "You're not even twenty years old, aren't you?" You've only been a mercenary for half a year and you're already the captain of the knight squad, which is amazing!"
Listening to Benjamin's praise, the young knight's face turned even redder. But he still stepped forward and said, "I apologize for the offense just now." But, Lord Benjamin, even if it's a convoy from the Clark Chamber of Commerce, I'm going to unpack and inspect it. This is the responsibility of the next place, please understand!"
An old man from the Clark Chamber of Commerce was a little displeased, and said coldly: "In the past ten years, the 'Night Mo' mercenaries have cooperated with the Clark Chamber of Commerce no less than a hundred times. This is the first time I've heard that we have to open the box and inspect the goods of our Chamber of Commerce. Hmph!"
Gale looked even more nervous, beads of sweat oozed from his young and immature face, and he stuttered a little when he spoke, but his tone was extremely resolute: "I'm really sorry! But as a knight, I was entrusted by the lord to check the passing caravan pedestrians. Duty, I have to do it!"
Benjamin glanced at the fifty 'Night Mo' knights in front of him. These knights were young and capable, and their skills were not bad as you could tell from the way they rode their horses. The young knights looked resolute and showed pride in their knightly status.
Benjamin suddenly smiled dumbly, and said to the old man beside him: "Let them check! Don't embarrass the young man!"
The old man was surprised: "Elder Benjamin......!
"It doesn't matter. β
Under the strange eyes of everyone in the Clark Chamber of Commerce, the young knights of the 'Night Motorcycle' began to inspect the wagons one by one. Seeing the steel ingots of the whole vehicle, Gail became more and more surprised. Although he is immature, he also knows what this batch of high-quality steel ingots means in the current situation of frantic preparations. As for the refined iron ore, he couldn't recognize it, and the people of the Clark Chamber of Commerce deliberately embarrassed him, so naturally he wouldn't say it.
The young 'Night Mo' knights were all uncomfortable. This caravan has an outrageous number of guards, but it is no wonder that this batch of steel ingots is now in short supply, and the quantity is large enough to make the largest knights blush. What unsettled them was that some of the strange-looking people in the guards always kept their eyes on them, consciously or unconsciously. There were dozens of other people who were silent, looking unfathomable, but all of them exuded a powerful momentum. The rest of the guards gathered together, and at a glance they were all veterans of a hundred battles, but this kind of person was the most terrifying on the battlefield.
The young knights are like chickens shuttling among wolves, trembling and carrying out their duties. However, the honor of the knights did not allow them to back down. In a moment's effort, these knights were already sweating through their heavy clothes in the steep spring cold.
What made their faces blush even more was the stunning beauty who was watching them with interest! Her every move was so graceful that raising her hand and pulling her hair made the blood boil in the blood of these boys. The young knights struggled to straighten their chests, overcome their fears, and perform their duties with what they considered to be the most graceful and graceful manners.
Soon the knights of the Night Motorcycle inspected the ten carriages belonging to Floya. Looking at Floya's car, which was not marked at all, but was obviously very expensive, Gail hesitated for a moment, but still ordered: "Come two people, get in the car and check it!"
How could the princess's carriage be inspected at will?' Floya's two maids stopped in front of the carriage, with no intention of making way for the two knights. Although they were dressed as men, their pretty faces made them instantly recognizable to the knights of the Night Motorcycle. Seeing his subordinates hesitate, Gail shouted, "Two young ladies, please don't hinder us in the execution of our official duties!
"These ten carriages are not within the duties of the 'knights!'" said a maid. She deliberately emphasized the four words of Lord Knight.
Gale blushed, and he was a little annoyed by the beauties' despises, and exclaimed, "My duty is to check all passing caravans and pedestrians!
"That's enough!" said Benjamin, who was frowning and silent. "Mr. Knight, these ten carriages belong to the most respected dignitaries of the Clark Chamber of Commerce. They're not in your purview!If you keep checking, I can only think that the 'Night Mo' mercenary group no longer values their friendship with the Clark Chamber of Commerce!"
"But, Lord Benjamin, it is my duty......" argued Gail.
"Maintaining the reputation and friends of the 'Night Mo' mercenary group is your more important duty, Mr. Knight! The convoy is ready to go, let's go to the next town and camp!" Benjamin ignored Gale and left.
The convoy changed course under Benjamin's command and slowly headed west. Gail followed Benjamin, anxiously explaining something, but eventually led his knights back to the city.
Franco suddenly said: "It's really surprising that the Night Motorcycle Mercenary Regiment would use the orthodox knight training method to train its subordinates!"
Lance shook his head and said, "These little guys are good, but it's a pity that they are too rigid." Hold on to those dogmas!"
"No matter how much they learn the etiquette, they can't learn the essence of it, and a country mercenary can never become a real noble knight. Franco commented with some viciousness.
"I don't think so! When these little fellows go to battle, their fanatical chivalry will make them extremely disciplined and fearless to death. In other words, these people are the best soldiers. Kate, who is familiar with the military, is not impressed by Franco's opinion.
Floya's maid rode over and shouted, "Your Excellency Rogge, Mademoiselle, please come over!"
Rogge was stunned, although he was reluctant, but in broad daylight, it was estimated that Floya would not poison herself, so she followed the maid.
Floya rode side by side with Rog, and the others were far away, lest they hear a word or a half.
"Rogge, David thinks highly of you. I didn't understand it at first, but after looking at your territory, I knew why. β
For some reason, the softer Floya spoke, the more cold sweat broke out in Rogge.
"Your Highness, the villain is just a laity who eats lustful things......"
Ignoring Rogge's desperate self-deprecation, Floya asked to herself, "You say, if the Duchy of Bavaria goes to war with the Duchy of Ron, what are the chances of winning?"
"Villains have always only made a little money, and these militaristic affairs are actually ignorant......"
Floya stared at Rogge with a pair of whimsical eyes, and suddenly smiled coquettishly. She reached out and grabbed Rogge's hand, stroking it gently on the back of his hand. Floya's little hands were smooth and cold, like a stream of milk flowing slowly over her skin, which made Rogge extremely useful. But no matter how reluctant this ** taste is, Rogge must also give it up. There were countless pairs of eyes watching his every move! No one dared to look this way, but the casual afterglow was enough to capture everything they wanted to see.
"If you dare to pull your hand back, I'm going to shout!" Floya threatened in a low voice.
"Your Royal Highness Princess, the villain must tell everything he knows, you, you can spare me!" If the slightest hint of the scene in front of him reached the ears of Opherok, God knows what would happen. Anyway, Floya is his fiancΓ©e after all, and she hooked up with Floya, no matter what the truth is, she is always joking with her head!
Floya chuckled twice and let go of Rog's hand. "Look, I've spared you once. Now you tell me honestly, if the current Duchy of Bavaria and the Duchy of Ron go to war, who will have a better chance of winning?
When Rogge heard the latter sentence, he was taken aback and asked, "Which little vixen?"
"Which one else could it be? It's the little goblin you rescued from the Otherworld that day, what is it called Elesis? β
"The villain has a low status, how can he know about Miss Elesis. β
The real little vixen Floya grabbed Rogge's hand again and asked with a smile, "You all already have a leg, how can you not know about her?"
Rogge was shocked and pleaded, "Your Highness the Princess, you can't talk nonsense! How can the villain have a leg with Miss Elesis....What does it have to do with it?"
"Well, do you want to have a leg with her?
"The villain will never dare!"
"So, do you want to have a leg with someone?"
Rog nearly fell headlong off his horse.
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