The north is the northernmost frontier of Kislev, and further north, what will it look like? At least most people don't know, but Rhodes knows that he's been here before, and he's alone.

The situation is much better now than it was then, when he had to go alone to the Frozen Forest and the Troll Mountains in order to accept the trials of the bear god Urson, where there was no grass and no grass to grow after years of ice and snow. The situation is much better now, with large forces advancing along the coastline and ample supplies. Since they were there to plunder and occupy territory, excitement and excitement were written on everyone's faces, and the exhaustion had long been forgotten.

The sky to the north is pink at the horizon and light gray above. Since it was winter, there was hardly any sunlight shining on the earth. Some are just overcast and cold weather.

To Rod's surprise, he had expected the Norscans to live in a very cold and harsh place, but as the march deepened these days, Rod discovered that this was not the case. The climate along the coast is not so cold, and according to the captives, there are even short summers of the year. It's the kind of picture of lush greenery. It's the interior of Norsca, but also North Norsca.

South Norsca, close to the coastline on this side of the Empire, is not as harsh as the Empire and the Lady of Kithrie imagined. Rod speculated that this was due to the warm and humid air currents blowing from the Talon Sea, and the sea brought rain and warmth to the land, so the coastline had abundant rain and a relatively warm climate. However, when the warm and humid air currents meet the steep mountains of the interior of Nosca, they can no longer go deeper, warming the entire continent. As a result, the mountainous areas of the interior become very cold and dry, and the climate is harsh. This is also a place where all kinds of giant beasts are haunted.

Further north, it is estimated that it is more difficult to obtain warm and humid air currents from the Talon Sea, and North Norska is close to the Chaos Sea, what kind of sea it is still not known to many people, but it is certain that it is even more unsuitable for human habitation. Even if there are human beings, they are some mutated people. in order to adapt to that extreme climatic environment.

The whole of Noscar is like a peninsula jutting out of the mainland, but this peninsula is huge, and the territory is even larger than the whole territory of Kislev. So, compared to Kislev, Noscar is more sparsely populated.

Based on the information provided by the captives, Rhodes could roughly guess the distribution of the Norskas throughout the continent, probably the largest number of people living along the coast, and the largest number of tribes. They live by plundering and fishing. The inland areas are inhabited by relatively few people due to the very cold climate, and these people also gather in the form of tribes to live by hunting, and various giant beasts are also one of their hunting targets. As a result, the Norscans living in the interior were stronger and more aggressive due to their long struggles with nature's largest creatures, as well as their ability to survive in harsh climates.

The area that Rhodes wants to occupy belongs to South Norsca, near the coastal strip of the Talon Sea. It was a precious piece of gold, the one that the captives called a short summer. This is understandable, otherwise, Rhodes had always thought that Norsca was an area covered by wind and snow for many years. If so, how do humans survive?

Now it seems that it was just a misunderstanding. A continent is divided into many regions, each with a different environment and climate, some very cold, others suitable for human habitation. That's why people can survive. Otherwise, it would be absolutely impossible for an area with no grass to feed a tribe with such a large population.

......

Half a month later, the Kislev coalition arrived at the settlement of the first Norsca tribe. According to the confessions of the captives, here was the settlement of the Hague clans. A tribe that specializes in pillaging and fishing.

But when Rhodes arrived with his army, the area was deserted. The fishing village has been emptied, and all that remains is dilapidated tents and crooked country lanes. These roads are not paved with stones, but by human feet. Based on the number of tents, Rhodes initially estimated that there were at least two or three thousand original residents here. In other words, in Kislev, it is the size of a medium-sized castle.

The soldiers went from tent to tent to scrape, hoping to find something useful. But a bunch of poor ghosts have moved away en masse, what valuable things can be left? Of course, Rhodes is mainly here to occupy the territory, and he didn't intend to really plunder anything in the first place.

The distraught soldiers found only a few old people left behind and a few young orphans.

"What about the people here?"

An old man with a wrinkled face was brought to Rhodes by the soldiers.

In the face of questioning, the old man was silent, looking loveless. Rod could probably guess why they were here. Either their relatives are dead, and it's not interesting to live in the world by yourself. I don't want to leave this place I've lived in for the rest of my life. Either that's too old to live or not. Fleeing is a coward. Stay here to keep your reputation for the rest of your life.

"Our lord asks you, what about the people here?"

Virgil roared.

But the old man still did not speak. The egg hurts

"Forget it, I know where they went. Rod stopped his men's rudeness, and he deliberately walked up to the old man, "They all ran and fled. Like a bunch of cowards, they fled with their tails between their legs. ”

The sarcastic words made the old man's face look a little gloomy. However, he still did not speak.

"You must be hating us, hating us for slaughtering your people and occupying the place where you have lived for generations. But make no mistake about who started the invasion first? Your tribesmen joined the horde of terrorists and then marched south with butcher knives and blades to try to destroy my castle and slaughter my people. ”

"No, that's not our will!" the old man finally spoke. "Grettier killed our chieftain and forced my people to do so. ”

His gaze suddenly became intense, and Rhodes suspected that this guy might not be an ordinary tribal old man either. He cared about the reputation of his clan, and he cared about his dead chieftain. However, if you are an ordinary fisherman, who cares who your chief is?

"But Gretil is dead. He was crushed to death by a corpse in the chaos of the army. There is no glory to speak of. Rod said aloud. "If what you say is true, your people should not be afraid of my coming. We will not slaughter innocents. Of course, if you take up arms against my fellow citizens, then I will not be relentless. ”

"Hmph, the victor's words are the best to hear. ”

The old man snorted and returned disdainfully.

"It's not good, I never say nice things that don't work, and I don't need to say nice things to you. ”

Rod looked calm.

"Then go to your people and tell them that Rhodes is coming. And, as long as they don't take up arms and hurt people, I won't hurt any of them. Tell them that this land can still survive and thrive, as long as they recognize my status. ”

"If you lie to me?"

The old man still didn't believe it, and he stared at the tall southern lord in front of him. Lady Kishry has fought for centuries with the various tribes of the Norscar, and never before has the Southern Lord been so generous and benevolent.

"What's the point of me lying to you? look, I've already taken this land, what's the point of slaughtering some unarmed people, and wasting the time and energy of my soldiers. There's still a lot of work to do in my territory. I don't have time to talk nonsense here with you. If you believe me, catch up with them and let them come back. I can allow them to continue living here. ”

"You always have the conditions?"

The old man asked, frowning.

"That's nature. My conditions are simple - hand over all your weapons and ships and let me keep them. Also, I'll help you choose a new chief. He will lead you to a new life. ”

After Rod finished speaking, the old man fell silent. He knew, he knew what the Lord of Kislev meant in front of him, and he handed over all the weapons and ships, just to prevent the tribesmen from resisting again. Electing a new chief is the equivalent of creating a puppet leader, and he must listen to Mrs. Keishrie, otherwise, without weapons, the tribe will soon be suppressed again.

"Come to think of it, it's not a bad thing for you. As far as I know, the inland areas are covered with wind and snow, and it is bitterly cold all year round. Not at all inhabitable. And to the west, to the other tribes, will they accept you? You used to just grab their food and their territory. Who would take you in? Even if they did, they would only be slaves to them. And when you come back here, you and your people can still live with dignity and freedom. You know which is more important. This is the last chance, and you should hurry up before I change my mind. Persuade them to come back. ”

Knowing the psychology of the other party, Rod sat on the stone pier and said calmly.