"Another way?"

Puzzlement was written on Rod's face.

But the dwarf was quick to explain—

"Yes, another way. As I said earlier, my brother Aubrey is a very good-looking man, and his good wine and meat to feast you on is also a manifestation of his good face. He won't promise you, and it's useless for you to talk about it. If you oppose it at first, but then you persuade him, he will feel that he is very shameless. So, even if he realizes the threat of the beastmen, he won't answer you. However, it is precisely because of his good face that he will not break his word when he says it, and we can use this to help you. ”

"Why? How do you take advantage of that?"

Rod was blinded by the little dwarf. He didn't even have time to ask Alves why he didn't help his family but outsiders.

"You know, my brother Aubrey has two biggest hobbies in his life, the first is food, and the second is watching games. He loves the feeling of bleeding, especially watching others bleed. In the middle of the Ring, there is an arena of order, and my brother goes there to watch a game every month. You've come at a good time, and in two days, the Arena of Order will be hosting a monthly tournament. At that time, my brother will go to the game. ”

"Two days? no, we can't wait, in two days, the evil moon will descend, and when the first wave of werewolf attacks will arrive at Blackhammer Castle. ”

Rhodes returned.

His face was not pretty, but the little man was unmoved, he still had something to say.

"In order to achieve the purpose of your trip, you must wait, brute force is useless. Don't worry, the walls of Blackhammer Fort are made of obsidian, and the werewolves have no siege weapons, they will only linger outside the city for a day or two before retreating on their own, and the second wave of beastmen will usually arrive in three days. We still have nearly four days to go, and we can get from the Ring City to Blackhammer Castle at both ends of the march. There is still hope. ”

Alves said. Rhodes was surprised that this inconspicuous-looking little dwarf was so familiar with his own situation, about the evil moon, about the werewolf and the beastman. Just as Rod was puzzled, Alves continued to speak—

"Where did I just go? Oh, yes! Arena of Order. Two days later, the Order Arena will host competitive matches. My brother will go to the game, and you can go too. If nothing else, the perennial champion, Savage Maotou, will continue to play and take on the challenge of gladiators from all walks of life. It was a competitive race rather than a slaughter, and the hairy head would kill all living creatures and smear the gladiator's blood on his face to vent his wildness. He will be praised by Aubrey. The taste of blood, which is the favorite taste of Tetsumin (1). You can take this opportunity to challenge him, and everyone will think you're crazy, and Aubrey will think so. At that point, you'll need to pick out your own conditions - if you defeat Maotou, Ring City will have to send troops to support Blackhammer Castle. ”

Alves pursed his lips and continued—

"There's an unwritten rule in the arena that once someone comes forward to challenge the champion, the champion has to fight. Not even my brother can change this rule. The populace is accustomed to such an atmosphere, they crave the taste of blood, they crave to see the best games. Your challenge will ignite the audience, and my brother Aubrey will not be able to stop the enthusiasm of the people. In order to maintain his prestige among the people, he will certainly accede to your request. That way, you can let go and challenge Maotou. ”

"Wait, how do you know I can defeat that wildling?"

Rhodes asked rhetorically. His gaze was suspicious, it was all so delicately arranged, as if a dwarf had deliberately set a trap. However, for the questioning, Alves was neither humble nor arrogant, he smiled -

"On the way here, you slew seven beastmen with the power of one man. So powerful, and afraid of a wild man?"

"How do you know this?"

Rod frowned.

"Your little lover said it. ”

The dwarf replied. Rod understood instantly, Caroline...... That pit goods, who was open-mouthed, must have seen the arrogant attitude of the Lord of the Iron Ring City, and told this dwarf the "legendary story" on his way. But then again, this dwarf is also a very powerful character, and he investigates his strength before meeting him. So much so that the plan sounds so seamless. It's almost a carrot and a pit, a policy plan formulated according to everyone's character and strength.

But when did Caroline become his lover? Rhodes was about to explain, but was interrupted again by Alves.

"The more they laugh at you for not being self-sufficient, the better it will be for you, which will make your opponent let their guard down. You can watch the game from the stands first, watch his way out of the glove and get familiar with his strength and agility. When Maotou has done his best, you can go down and challenge. I know what you're trying to say, chivalry. That doesn't exist, it's all about being alive. When a person dies, there is nothing, it is useless to leave an empty name, and after a hundred years, the hero will be forgotten, and the ruler will still be alive. ”

Alves' words made Rhodes empathize, and at the same time, the brief conversation impressed him with the short gnome. But why, why did he help himself? It was his brother......

"Very good plan, but there's a question, friend, why are you helping me like this? You and I don't know each other, we've only met once at a banquet. ”

Rhodes asked rhetorically.

"Your Excellency, Great Lord, you misunderstood, I'm not helping you, I'm helping the entire North, helping the entire North. I'll tell you the truth, I'm also a scholar. Although he is not yet a university scholar, he has studied basic history and celestial phenomena. What you said at the banquet is true, the evil moon is coming, and the natural disasters are increasing. A month ago, I also observed this at my own observatory. ”

Alves's words temporarily dispelled Rod's concerns.

"Also, as I said earlier, my brother is a very good-looking man, and after you defeat the savage hairy head, he must have no reason to say a 'no' again. In that case, the Ring City will inevitably send troops. Two days, two days, if the weather is not too bad, the troops are enough to get to Fort Blackhammer. Hold on to Blackhammer Fort, and the north will be safe. At least for a while. ”

There was a bit of melancholy written on the gnome's face. Rhodes felt that he had not told himself anything, but if he did not want to say, no matter how much he asked, it would be useless. It's the first time I've met such a smart person. Not all people in the other world are stupid, and in the world of swords and blood, there are not many wise people.

(1) Iron People: The abbreviation of the residents of the Iron Ring City