The village of Corola, a small village near the town of Gascony.

Mainly run a farm for a living.

But the farms were all owned by the local aristocracy, and the villagers only worked for the nobles for a living.

Most people, the lifelong wish is just to be able to buy a piece of land of their own,

Grow your own food.

But there are also people who have different aspirations.

D'Artagnan was an aspiring child.

He was different from the people in the village.

He wanted to be a knight and become a knight to be admired.

Let the village become his territory, so that the village chief will not dare to quarrel with his father again.

Let Chopper be his retinue, and when he is upset, beat Chopper.

When I'm happy, I still hit Chopper. Chopper was only given one meal a day.

Well, who made him so fat!

Chopper is the son of the village, a little fat man who likes to beat d'Artagnan every day.

It is the greatest motivation that drives d'Artagnan to become a knight and not be bullied.

Today, d'Artagnan was beaten up again by Chopper with the village children.

D'Artagnan thought about resisting, but Chopper was fat, but he was also strong and big.

Not the same as the malnourished, emaciated d'Artagnan.

Just heads-up, he is no match for Chopper.

What's more, Chopper also has the children in the village as his attendants,

Every time Chopper wanted to beat d'Artagnan, those henchmen would come forward and knock d'Artagnan down.

Then let Chopper come forward and beat him.

Therefore, d'Artagnan got used to it.

From the initial rebellion to the rebelliousness.

He understands that the more he resists, the longer he will be beaten, and the more painful it will be.

It's better to let the other party beat him up, and the other party will be bored and will let him go.

Sure enough, seeing that d'Artagnan did not resist, Chopper and the others were bored.

After two casual blows, he threw down to d'Artagnan and left.

After all, they're all kids, and there's a lot more fun to do than beating d'Artagnan.

It's just that beating d'Artagnan has become their habit.

If you don't beat it for a day, you can't get tired.

Hearing the footsteps of Chopper and the others leaving,

D'Artagnan smiled self-deprecatingly and lay quietly on the ground, looking up at the sky.

Looking at the birds flying in the sky, a smile appeared on his face.

"Kid, what are you laughing at?"

A man's voice suddenly reached d'Artagnan's ears.

d'Artagnan hurriedly sat up from the ground, only to realize that

There were two more men around.

One is younger, the other is older.

The younger ones appear to be the masters, and the older ones seem to be the retinues.

And the person who opened his mouth to ask d'Artagnan was a young man who crouched next to d'Artagnan and looked like his master.

d'Artagnan scrambled to his feet and slapped the dust and dirty hands on his back.

Only then did he respectfully salute the two strange men.

"D'Artagnan has seen two noble gentlemen, and I wonder what d'Artagnan can do for him?"

is young, but full of human sophistication and sleekness.

This scene made Nock lose interest in this child for a moment.

Originally, as soon as he and Rhodes arrived outside the village, they saw d'Artagnan being beaten by a group of children.

Nock was also worried about whether the child was injured, so he took Rod to see if he needed help.

As a result, he found that the child who was beaten was not depressed and pessimistic.

Instead, there was a relieved smile on his face.

This made Nock suddenly interested in the child, so he took the liberty to ask that question.

Unexpectedly, after the kid found him and Rod, he suddenly put on a disguise that disgusted Nock.

Nock was not disgusted with the child, but with the familiar smile and flattery.

Once upon a time, he also greeted everyone who came to visit the monastery with such a smile and a flattering tone.

But he wanted to defraud the "nobles" of the ownership of the abbey and the custody of the children from Nock.

For the sake of them, it was only a little charity of their mercy.

Until he saw the faces of those people clearly, he was forced to put on the clothes of adults and learn to do things in the tone of adults.

Now, the child in front of him has made Nock see his former self,

As a result, interest in children waned all at once.

"Oh, nothing. We heard that there is a church in Colora and wanted to visit it.

I don't know, can the young gentleman show us the way?

Rest assured, we'll get paid.

Of course, if you can tell us a little bit about the church, such as the priests.

I can pay you more. How about two silver coins? ”

Although Nock lost interest in the child, he still wanted to help him.

Therefore, a heavy reward is given.

Two silver coins, in such a rural place, is a good income.

Not to mention that it was earned by a five or six-year-old child.

Even if you are an adult, don't think you can earn two silver coins a day.

That's at least a week-to-two-week salary for adults.

Unbeknownst to Nock, his judgment had gone wrong.

Two silver coins, that's half a month's net income for d'Artagnan's family.

After paying their taxes in a year, it would be good to be able to save fifty silver coins.

Therefore, when it is heard that there is a reward of two silver coins.

D'Artagnan let go of his apprehension and gladly accepted the task of the guide.

"Honorable sir, I am d'Artagnan, I don't know what the two gentlemen are called?"

Dartagnian tried to imitate the way the village chief spoke when he greeted the lord.

The lord here refers to the owner of the village of Colora, Lord Baron Basti.

Nock stopped Rhodes from speaking, and replied himself:

"It turned out to be Monsieur d'Artagnan, it's a pleasure to meet you. You can call me Mr. Lane,

This is my retinue Rod. ”

"It's an honor to serve you, Mr. Lane, Mr. Rhodes. Please come with me, the church is in the northernmost part of the village. ”

d'Artagnan led the way and led the two of them towards the village.

"Yo, future knight, have you gone to fight against Warcraft again today? Looks like you didn't win today! ”

The villagers who saw the three d'Artagnan used to make fun of d'Artagnan.

It's not that the villagers don't know about d'Artagnan's beating, it's just that no one cares.

As a child with mud legs, I don't want to be a good farmer, I actually want to be a knight,

Hehe, it's just whimsical.

Suffer a little now, so that he can sober up sooner. It's all for his good.

Every jealous villager ridiculed d'Artagnan with this self-deception.

However, after the teasing, the villagers discovered the stranger around d'Artagnan.

"D'Artagnan, who are you around? How do I look so angry.

Don't just bring strangers into the village, if something happens, it's not as simple as getting beaten!

Don't hurry up and get rid of people! ”

The villagers clearly have bad intentions.

After all, even if Nock and Rhodes were strangers, they were not dressed like the villagers.

Nock is also the bishop of the same place, and his status is the same as that of the princes of the kingdom.

Coupled with the fact that Reims Cathedral has recovered its land taxes and tithes for several months, I dare not say that it is very rich,

But at least there is no shortage of money.

Together with the donations from the homes of Kirby and Cust, the people of Reims Cathedral are on the specifications,

They all use the best specifications that their class can use.

Even the slaves they bought were able to wear new clothes made of burlap.

Still no one sends out two sets of seasonal clothes in a quarter.

Not to mention those probationary trainees who have started their positions in the church in addition to free food, clothing and lodging,

Salaries have also been paid.

But even so, Sophia still has a lot of wealth in her hands.

Therefore, in addition to paying the four Nock themselves a high salary, even the best use was arranged.

As for the civilian clothes that Nock is wearing now, they are all custom-made according to the specifications of the public.

Although Rhodes has not yet enjoyed this treatment,

But the knight's uniform worn by Rhodes was also specially made for combat and belonged to the ranks of "equipment".

Naturally, it is also expensive.

From the clothes of the two, it can be seen that they belong to nobles that the villagers cannot reach.

But this villager actually viciously wanted d'Artagnan to drive away the two of Nok.

The mind is not pure.

The commoners charged the nobles, but they were to be whipped ten times,

If the circumstances are serious, if you offend the nobles, you will be sentenced to exile and reduced to slavery.

Even, if Nock and Rhodes are that kind of arrogant and unreasonable,

The words of a brutal aristocrat who treats human life as child's play.

It is possible to kill d'Artagnan on the spot.

The nobles innocently killed the commoners, but it was only enough to compensate a sheep.

And the price of a sheep is only twenty silver coins.

This is still calculated at the highest market price, and if it is sold cheaply, a sheep can be bought for a silver coin.

It can be said that in front of the aristocracy, human life is not valuable.

Because to buy a slave, it also costs dozens of silver coins.

Strong, skilled slaves can even sell for a few gold coins to dozens of gold coins.

It can be seen that the lives of commoners are inferior to slaves in front of the aristocracy.

Fortunately, d'Artagnan is not stupid.

He wasn't intimidated either.

At seven years old, he looks young, but he is no longer a three-year-old.

You won't be scared and you will be out of proportion.

What's more, the two gentlemen behind him are obviously distinguished guests from the city.

I didn't hear people politely call him d'Artagnan a little gentleman!

This is a kind of cultivation that the countrymen don't have, and only exists in the old aristocratic families that my grandfather said.

"Hmph, Uncle Sonny, don't talk nonsense! This is the priest's guest, and he has collided with the guest,

You can't afford it! ”

"Distinguished guests, please don't be surprised, we countrymen have never seen the world, so we are offended."

After d'Artagnan faked the tiger, he took the initiative to apologize to the two Nocks.

Nock waved his hand and said, "It's okay." If I had been careful, I wouldn't have traveled like this.

It's about coming forward and hugging back. Since you have chosen this mode of travel,

Naturally, the situation of being offended was expected. As long as it's not too much, I'm too lazy to bother with him. ”

Nock said, smiling at d'Artagnan.

It seems that this child is not only sleek and sophisticated, but also a little clever.

It's more or less a talent that can be made.

It's a pity that the age is too young to meet the conditions for Nock to select talents.

"Let's go."

Nock glanced at Sonny, a villager who was startled by d'Artagnan's words.

That's it?

An adult was actually frightened by a child's words.

This kind of mentality, I still want to calculate a child.

Sure enough, it's stupid.

It's not too stupid, and it's not going to come up with such a bad idea to fix d'Argnan.

If d'Artagnan had listened to him, he would have rammed or offended Nock.

Nock is held accountable, and Sonny, the one who provoked it, can escape Nock's punishment?

Even, if Nock was a brutal person, he might kill someone on the spot in a fit of rage.

Maybe the whole village will suffer.

In order to hide the sins they committed, some nobles slaughtered the village and then blamed the nearby bandits.

Stuff a little favor into the officials in charge of handling this matter, and it will be over.

The face of the aristocracy is not a matter of compensating a sheep.

They can pay the price of a hundred sheep for the sake of one sheep's face.

Obviously, this villager named Sonny has never understood the ugly face of the nobles!

It can only be said that the owner of this village, the baron, is too kind.

Nock guessed wrong.

In fact, it's not that this baron is kind,

It's because there is a character in Colora Village that he can't mess with, and this character is still known to Nock.

It's just that Nock doesn't know it yet.

Ignored the small episode at the entrance of the village.

The two Nocks, led by d'Artagnan, entered the village.

The villagers guarding the door at the entrance of the village have much more eyesight than Sonny.

Seeing Nock and Rhodes' dress, they didn't even dare to interrogate, let alone prevent Nock and the two from entering the village.

cautiously inquired about the purpose of the two of Nock's entry into the village, and then asked Nock with a smile if he needed them to guide him.

After learning that d'Artagnan had been hired as a guide for the nobles, his face was full of envy.

The two respectfully invited Nock and the two into the village, and only after seeing the three Nok go away did they dare to straighten up.

"Phew, the little ghost of the d'Artagnan family doesn't know what shit luck he has taken, and he can actually be a guide for the nobleman."

"yes, they're going to send it. The clothes of those two are even more gorgeous than our barons.

A little reward will be enough for us to eat for a long time! ”

"The reward is a piece of. You don't see how young that noble man is!

If d'Artagnan, that imp can please people.

Maybe he can be favored by that nobleman and stay by his side as a servant or retinue,

That's the glory of their family!

When the time comes, where will the village dare to bully their family. ”

The doorman whispered his opinion, attracting the approval of the people nearby,

Soon they got together and began to associate and discuss the soaring prosperity of the d'Artagnan family.

Fortunately, Nock didn't hear these people's speculation, otherwise he would have said that they were thinking too much.

It's just a guide, and Nock doesn't even dare to give more money.

After all, there were too many rewards, and d'Artagnan's position in the village could not be kept at all.

It may even cause trouble for his family.

With Magina's experience, Nock no longer dares to give "gifts" to people casually.

Excessive giving is not a gift, but a curse.

Moderation is the best reward for those who do not have the ability to protect themselves.

"Sir, do you see the spiky roof over there? That's the village church. ”

"Oh, how many priests are there in the church?"

Nock asked casually, but he didn't ask about the specific position.

The office within the church is not something that a child can understand.

Besides, in a country church, there are five people in office.

D'Artagnan didn't think about it and replied, "There is only one priest, and it's Father Pinocchio." ”

After thinking about it, d'Artagnan said: "Father Pinocchio is a bit strange, except for the worship and mass,

I spend my days in the confessional room. Moreover, when he goes out, he also likes to wear a cape,

It seems that he is a little afraid of the sun, and even the windows of the church have been changed to opaque.

If he hadn't beaten away the monsters that broke into the village at night,

We all thought he was a monster impersonator.

After all, his temperament is too eccentric.

Likes to stay in dark churches and only go out in the evening.

Except for the cook who helped him cook, he almost didn't see anyone in private.

Even if the village chief wanted to visit him, he might not be happy to meet him. ”

Nock listened to d'Artagnan's words, and his expression changed slightly, but he quickly returned to normal.

"Oh, that's an interesting priest. I want to visit even more. ”

D'Artagnan asked a little excitedly, "Does Mr. Ryan feel the same way?" ”

Nock smiled and asked, "What?" Do you know this Father Pinocchio well? ”

D'Artagnan muffled and explained, "Not really. Mostly I get beaten up by Chopper a lot,

I didn't want to be beaten by him, so I often hid in the cemetery behind the church.

Because of Father Pinocchio's eccentric nature, the villagers did not want to deal with him, if not afraid of him.

So the children of the village, except for the worship and mass, were forbidden to approach the church.

Not to mention the cemetery behind the church.

If I hide there, I don't have to worry about being found by Chopper.

But one time, I hid and fell asleep.

It was already dark when I woke up, and I was a little lost, and I seemed to see the fire.

A little scared.

It was Father Pinocchio who found me and took me by the hand and took me home.

Since then, I have known that Father Pinocchio is a gentle man.

I occasionally go to the confessional to talk to the priest, but he rarely talks to me,

Just listen to me silently complain, and when I finish complaining, he will give me sweet fruit to eat.

So I like him a lot. ”

When Nock listened, the expression on his face became a little stranger.

Even Rod sensed that something was wrong with Nock.

However, he did not act rashly.

He's not Finnet, and he makes a big deal at the slightest fuss.

Nock didn't speak, Rhodes wouldn't do anything superfluous, he just secretly vigilated in his heart and took precautions.

Nock seemed to be very interested in d'Artagnan's subject and continued to guide him in his speech.

"Oh, then, you're friends with this Father Pinocchio?"

Nock's words made d'Artagnan's face change slightly, and a trace of loneliness appeared on his face.

"It's not. Maybe I'm going to church too much, too often.

Father Pinocchio grew to dislike me for him.

Even several times I snuck in, but he chased me away.

In the past, if I was injured by Chopper, he would use magic to heal me.

But for the last two years, he wouldn't let me go near the church, let alone help me with my injuries. ”

Nock reached out to touch d'Artagnan's head, but hesitated,

In the end, he put his palm on d'Artagnan's shoulder.

"Don't be sad, if you have a chance, I'll help you ask what's going on.

It stands to reason that Father Pinocchio is such a lonely man, you may well be his only friend,

He couldn't have been so ruthless. Lonely people are always attracted to each other.

I can see that you are lonely, but you are strong and optimistic.

You're just confused right now, but don't worry, as long as you are firm in your beliefs,

You can quickly get out of your inner confusion and find your own path.

I believe you.

Come on, young man. ”

D'Artagnan couldn't understand Nock's comfort, but he accepted it all.

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Lane, I'm fine. The church is just ahead, just around the corner.

I will not go there, lest Father Pinocchio be displeased. A while ago I sneaked into the church and wanted to ask him for help.

As a result, before anyone saw it, he scolded him.

He said that if I entered the church without permission, he would have my father beat me up.

You don't know, although Father Pinocchio is a little eccentric, his prestige in the village is not much weaker than that of the village chief.

If he complains, my father will beat me to death. ”

D'Artagnan explained why, and Nock didn't bother him.

"Rod, pay the young Monsieur d'Artagnan."

"Young d'Artagnan, I'm glad it would be you, and if we have the chance, we can continue to talk another day.

I'm staying at the Mermaid Hotel in town and I'm going to be staying there for a week, and today is the next day.

If you feel lost in life like today, you can talk to me.

And there is a wiser gentleman in my companionship who can help you. ”

"Thank you for your concern, and I will definitely bother you if you need to. Generous Mr. Lane. ”

"Then it's settled, young Monsieur d'Artagnan. So let's separate here. ”

"Goodbye, Mr. Lane, Mr. Rhodes."

"Goodbye, d'Artagnan."

"Goodbye."

The last "goodbye" was said by Rod, who has always been a stuffy gourd.

This made d'Artagnan a little flattered, hid the huge sum of two silver coins, and hurriedly waved his hand to the two,

Then he ran towards his home.

He had to take the money home and hide it early.

lest you meet Chopper and be found and snatched away by him.

Even if you tell the adult, you may not be able to get it back.

The village chief will always have a way to get rid of this kind of thing.

D'Artagnan had seen the chief of the village take away the account of Aunt Comilia in the west of the village.

was so angry that Aunt Ke Millie didn't eat for two days.

Looking at the back of d'Artagnan who was abandoned,

Nock and Rhodes walked towards the church not far away.

Unlike traditional Byzantine domed churches,

The church in the village is a church with a steeple.

It's Gothic, it's been around for a long, long time.

But not in vogue.

Because, this style only circulates among special people, and it is difficult to form a trend.

And that particular group of people, with a not-so-friendly name.

Bloodsucker.

A long-lived population from the world of darkness.

Active in the dark ages after the age of witches,

After the end of the Dark Ages, he lived in seclusion in the ancient castles and cemeteries deep in the mountains and old forests.

The castles are basically Gothic.

Looking at the church shrouded in the shadow of the mountains,

Nock sighed.

"I thought I could find what I thought was an excellent helper, but I didn't expect to find a problem."

"Rod, you said this trouble, do I care or not?"