No one knows where Maxi and the others came from, but they keep a low profile, and few people notice them unless they actively appear in front of people.

After the deliberations were over, the battlefield was basically cleaned.

In fact, there is nothing to clean, after all, it is all broken copper and iron.

In addition to more than a hundred prisoners, there was also an unexpectedly seized batch of wheat, twenty-two bags, exactly one ton.

"Commander, what about these captives?" Hilda came and asked, of course the food had to be taken, but the captives were not easy to handle.

If you are co-opted, you will be afraid of rebellion, and you will not be able to raise it.

If she killed, she would not be ruthless, after all, she was only a rich peasant who barely knew a few words not long ago.

But Basha didn't have so many concerns, she was born in Night City, where slavery was prevalent, so she immediately thought of what to do with these captives, and said, "First ask Maxi if they want slaves, if not, pick out the followers of the Children of Light and kill them, and let the others go." ”

Hilda was a little hesitant when she heard this, whether it was selling slaves or killing prisoners, she couldn't bear it: "Isn't this okay?" ”

Bazaar sneered: "If the bishop thinks this is not good, you might as well think about what will happen to you and me if it is us who lose today?" ”

Hilda's face turned pale and she was speechless.

In the end, Maxi bought the captives for two tons of wheat flour, because they came out without food, so they had to pay on credit for the time being. Maxi proposed two solutions, one was to settle the bill with money, and the other was that he sent people back to fetch food, while he himself followed everyone back to the Holy Capital, and when the food arrived, he left, which was equivalent to a hostage.

This proposal surprised everyone, and the favorability of Maxi skyrocketed, after all, there are few people who dare to risk their lives.

Out of a need for food, Alice finally agreed to let him follow him back to the Holy Capital and wait for his men to bring food.

In this way, Maxi followed Alice and the others back to the Holy Capital and entered the core sphere of influence of the Holy Fire Cult.

The territory of the Holy Fire Cult is not large, starting from the Holy Capital, you can leave the sphere of influence of the Holy Fire Sect by walking east for three days, south for one day, west for three days, or north for a day and a half.

There are not many followers of the goddess, only four or five thousand, and they all live in more than ten villages near the holy capital. Since the expansion of the Holy Capital, more than 1,000 people have been relocated here.

As the population increases, so does the food shortage.

The hundreds of hectares of fields in the Holy Capital were not enough to feed so many people, and Alice was forced to order the repatriation of some of them, leaving only a small part.

However, between the mountains, the area suitable for cultivation is very scarce, and it is scattered and scattered.

Often, there are only a few hundred acres of land between the two mountains that are suitable for farming, and if you want to continue farming, you have to climb over another mountain, which is undoubtedly a huge challenge for ordinary farmers.

If the Holy Fire Cult wants to continue to grow, it must solve the land problem.

Maxi is eloquent along the way, showing extraordinary insight.

When he heard Alice and Hilda and the others discussing the matter of land reclamation, he stepped forward and said, "Would you like to hear from me?" ”

These days, everyone was impressed by Maxi's scheming and insight, and Hilda smiled, "It's best if you're willing to open your mouth." ”

Maxi smiled slightly, and did not unfold from a lofty position, but really suggested: "It is obviously unrealistic to rely on that little land between the mountains to feed so many people, why don't you want to do business?" You have lived here for generations, and you must know how rich the treasures of the jungle are. Instead of digging out the hollow to open up the wasteland, it is better to make good use of the resources in front of you, and I can tell you that the mountain goods produced in the Dark Mountains are very popular in the outer kingdoms. ”

Alice was a little moved, but didn't answer immediately.

Hilda said with a bitter face: "It's not that we haven't thought about what Your Excellency said, it's just that I haven't had the extra strength to do these things before I teach; Second, because of the curse, we don't dare to go out of this mountain range. It's good to do business, but we can't do it. ”

When the rest of the people heard this, they also had relatives in their hearts, and sincerely believed that they and the others were sinners abandoned by the gods.

The curse Hilda refers to is that anyone born in the Forsaken Land cannot leave the land for the rest of their lives, or else they will die violently in a short time. This is one of the most terrifying legends about the Forsaken Lands, and although no one has confirmed it, no one dares to cross the dense forest to the south and choose to leave.

Only Maxi knows that this is not a legend, because he has verified it.

He smiled and said, "This just shows that the encounter between you and me is the favor of the goddess, and that great being also hopes that I can help you solve this dilemma." My bell firm is a well-known company in Champagne province, and if you trust me, you can do business with me. I can give you food, salt and other necessities of life, and everyone will benefit each other and make a fortune together. ”

Hilda was moved by this, and turned to Alice and advised, "Holy Maiden, this is a good opportunity, don't miss it." It's a remote place, and it's not easy to meet a caravan, and if you miss it, you'll have to wait a long time. "In the past, they only met merchants who came to the village every once in a long time, exchanging leather goods and some precious metals for salt, and life was very hard.

Alice also knew this, and nodded: "If there is an opportunity to cooperate, we will naturally not miss it." But now, you're the first guest to visit the Holy City, so enjoy your visit and we'll treat you to the fullest. She wanted to make a good impression on Maxi so that he could come with a caravan often.

As Hilda said, it's a remote place where it's really hard to meet caravans. Since she was lucky enough to meet Maxi, she naturally wouldn't let the other party leave like this.

In this way, Maxi took up residence in the Holy Capital.

During the day, he watched Alice personally lead everyone to the field to harvest wheat, and at night he had to wash the clothes of those orphans by the river with the women of the village, without the majesty of a saint, but like an ordinary peasant girl, all kinds of behaviors made him puzzled, in his impression, which of the holy sons and goddesses of the major sects was not high up, sitting on the throne and looking down on all beings? It was the first time he had met a saint like Alice.

But in fact, Alice was really just an ordinary peasant girl a year ago.

Among the people of the Holy Fire Cult, the only ones he couldn't see through were Basha Stein, the head of the Guardian Order, and Selena, a woman who had been staying in the church and never going out, these two women gave him a very mysterious feeling, and her temperament was much more noble than that of the saints, and she was obviously not an aborigine.

Maxi wanted to pursue her to find out the origin of the other party from Hilda under the pretext of falling in love with Selena at first sight, of course, Hilda was not without scheming, everything about the Son of God was the top secret of the Holy Fire Cult, and Alice had already given everyone a gag order. Therefore, she naturally did not confide in the truth, only saying that these two people came in response to the oracle of the goddess, and she did not know what the specific origin was.

This is a half-truth, Maxi didn't see the flaw, so he could only temporarily turn his eyes elsewhere and seriously start doing business with Hilda.

Herman learned from Alice that the merchant named Maxi had settled in the Holy Capital, and he didn't think much of it. However, he agreed with Maxi's proposal very much, and let Alice seize the opportunity to establish a long-term relationship with him and exchange as much material as possible.

"When the autumn harvest is over, you will let Basha rebuild the Guardian Mission, and let her take the knights into the mountains to hunt in addition to her daily training, which can not only generate income for the village, but also train the troops, and most importantly, clear the nearby beasts and monsters to ensure your safety. Otherwise, when winter comes, those hungry monsters will be in big trouble. ”

After a pause, Herman reminded: "But even if we establish a cooperative relationship with them, we can't rely on them, and we must always find a way to solve the food problem." ”

Alice thought for a moment before she understood the meaning of this passage, and the little girl looked at Herman adoringly and said, "Okay, I've written it down." ”

As the days passed, Alice and the others were also advancing the previous plan step by step.

After Herman knew Maxi's background, he secretly inquired and found that the Bell Comptoir had also opened in the Dark City, but in the Southern District, with the Tazan family led by the Trader Merchant House gathered in Tulip Street.

And if he wants to enter the forsaken land from Tulip Province, he can't think of any way but smuggle. For between the Tulip Province and the Dark Mountains are the two great wizarding societies in the Kingdom of Tasylvania, the Night Feather and the Pale Eyes, which can only be accessed through their territory, or else they must sail out by boat from the Windward Harbor and sail west along the coastline for more than three months to reach the southernmost shore of the Forsaken Land; Either head north, bypassing the territory of Pale Eyes, and enter from the northwestern border of the kingdom.

But neither of these two could reach the location of the Holy Fire Cult, because Alice and the others were located in the southwest of the Night Feather Wizard Territory, on the southeastern edge of the Forsaken Lands, which was very far from the coastline and the northwest border.

The only possibility is to cross the border between the two wizarding realms and enter the Forsaken Lands through that path.

"It's a pity that I don't know the specific route, otherwise it will be a way to make a fortune." Herman is a pity, since ancient times, the profits of smuggling have been very huge, if he can master a smuggling route, avoid the eyes of the wizarding guild and connect the forsaken land and the dark city, it will not be of great help to the Holy Fire Cult.

After learning the details of the Bell Firm, Herman no longer worries about the Holy Fire Cult being hacked.

On the day of their rotation in late August, Herman and Barron visited Hawkins as usual, but when they left, Hawkins left him alone and let Barron lead the patrol.

After the others left, Herman smiled, leaned over and said, "Boss, what is there to take care of?" But first of all, don't call me for things like the last time I destroyed the space gate, I only have one life. ”

Hawkins glared at him angrily and scolded, "Do I have two lives?" When the next mission comes, you can tell the commander yourself. With that, he walked straight to the back hall, and Herman immediately followed.

When I entered it, I found that Kohler, Morey, and Pilson, who were supposed to be resting in turn, were all there, and I couldn't help muttering in my heart - the first squadron has a big operation, otherwise the four of them would not have gathered together. Because the four squads in charge of the four people are the elite of the first squadron, and they are also the strongest team of Hawkins, they will not be dispatched at will until an important moment.

"Okay, now that everyone is together, I won't talk nonsense and get down to business."

Hawkins sat in the main seat, and the four of them stood in two rows, with a straight posture.

"I called you here because I wanted you to do two things. Of course, this is not a clan mission, so you can choose to decline. ”

The crowd was silent and waited for the following.

So Hawkins continued: "First of all, early next month, the five families will hold a joint auction in the North District, and for this auction, the five families will bring a batch of treasures from their own treasure house. Joffrouen and the Rouen family headquarters are both in Sagacony, so there is no need to worry about safety on the road. But the other three families are scattered throughout the kingdom and need to be escorted along the way in order to prevent accidents on the road. ”

After a pause, he continued: "This mission is considered a private job, and each family is willing to pay 20,000 C-grade energy stones as employment remuneration afterwards. He smiled slightly, "Is anyone interested in my share?" ”

20,000 C-grade gemstones?

According to the usual practice, the officers take thirty percent, and the rest of the knights divide it equally, and they can earn six thousand for one trip, which is equivalent to a month's salary for one and a half months, which is quite tempting.

Morey thought the simplest, and his eyes lit up and he agreed: "There is such a good thing, why can't you do it?" ”

But the others thought more, and the three of them looked at each other before Pilsen asked, "Chief, what about our duties?" Hundreds of unidentified people pour into the city every day, and we're all gone, what if something happens in the city? ”

Hawkins smiled confidently and said, "Since I dare to send you out, I am not afraid of turmoil in the city." How is it, does anyone want to earn 20,000 C-grade energy stones? ”

Hearing him say don't worry about the city, who doesn't feel moved when he hears it.

"Ahem, what about the second thing?" Herman hastened to speak before everyone could say anything.

It only takes three teams to escort the three major families, but Hawkins has gathered four people, and the rest of them are naturally related to another matter.

Hawkins smiled mysteriously when he heard this, and everyone could see danger and cruelty in this smile.

"The other is that the level of danger is higher, but the corresponding reward is also higher for assassination missions."

"Assassination?" Everyone was shocked, it was the Earth Knight who needed a whole team of Source Knights to assassinate?

Hawkins didn't sell off, nodded and said, "Well, it's a raiding mission to be exact, but it needs to be disguised as an assassination." This time, someone has sent out 50,000 C-grade energy stones, asking you to assassinate the caravan of the Tazan family. The other party will provide a road map and some details, asking you not to let their goods appear in the Dark City, as for whether to destroy or deal with it, it is up to you to be able. ”

"Fifty thousand C-grade power stones?" The four of them took a breath of cold air in unison.

Herman rolled his eyes and asked, "The employer won't be the five families, right?" "Otherwise, who would have spent so much money to assassinate a caravan.

However, if the caravan of the Tazan family is robbed, the five families will definitely benefit the most.

Hawkins was noncommittal and said with a smile: "You don't need to know this, if you don't take it, this bounty will go to the black market, and then it will be a situation of devouring the wolves." ”

When everyone saw his expression, they all said secretly: Sure enough, it is the handiwork of the five major families - it's really ruthless!

Then he fell back into deep thought.

The first task was noticeably easier and earned quite a bit. However, it is not ruled out that the church will also ask someone to assassinate the caravan, after all, as long as the caravan of the three major families cannot arrive on time, the auction will definitely be seriously affected, which is definitely the situation that the church wants to see the most.

The second task is much harder, but earns more. Even if it is only 30 percent, it is enough to have 15,000, which is equivalent to half a year's salary; And in case of success, that batch of goods is worth a lot of money, and it will definitely not be opened for three years, and it will be open for three years.

Among the four squads, only the eighth squad has two high-level source knights, and Herman's personal strength is also recognized as the strongest in the first squadron, so if any of them wants to take on the second mission, it must be Herman.

Hawkins also preferred him, but it was up to them to decide.

After being silent for more than ten minutes, Morey finally couldn't help it anymore and took the lead in speaking: "Good brother, do you want to take the second task, if you don't take it, I'm going to grab it with the two of them." ”

The other two also looked at Herman in unison, and the meaning of their eyes was obvious - if Herman didn't answer, they would rob him.

After all, as the level of Dou Qi increases, their demand for resources will also increase, and if they want to go further, they must have a huge amount of energy stones and rare treasures piled up. This mission was obviously won by Hawkins for them, otherwise the five families would have been put on the black market in the first place.

To pick it up or not to pick it up?

Hawkins dared to let them go, and said that there would be no Earth Knights in the caravan's armed forces, at most one or two high-level Source Knights or Awakened Wizards.

With the strength of the eighth squad and the fact that the route is ambushed in advance, it should be able to be eaten.

After nearly half a minute of silence, Herman finally nodded under the gaze of everyone: "Boss, I took this task." ”

The other three did not hide their disappointed gazes, and Morey directly punched him and said, "I really don't give my brother a chance." ”

Herman smiled and didn't say anything.

Hawkins nodded with satisfaction: "Dijon Province, Wangqiao and Huifeng Harbor, where do you three want to go?" ”

I saw Morey take the lead with a lewd face: "Since the good brother went to Tulip Province, then I want to go to Wangqiao, I heard that the female nobles there are very coquettish, if you can get one, hehe......"

"Then I wish you all the best." Hawkins' smile was meaningful.

"I'd like to go to Dijon and see if I can get some recipes for medicinal baths," Pilsen said. ”

"Yes."

Kohler spread his hands helplessly: "Then I don't have a choice." ”

"Hahaha!"

Several people burst into laughter.

After getting the map, the three of them left the city lord's mansion and prepared to rush to the provinces. Herman was left to listen to Hawkins explain the details of the mission.

"Look at this." Hawkins handed over a gilded invitation.

"What?"

Herman took it, and on the cover it was written that the first auction meeting of the Dark City Kamikaze Chamber of Commerce was opened, and when I opened it, it was a catalog.

"Is it a list of goods?"

The table of contents is divided into two parts, the first three pages are dazzling with worldly curiosities; But the next two pages, all of them are cherished first- and second-order magic materials, even the lowest first-order Blue Sea Demon Shark blood starts with a hundred D-level energy stones, and the highest-priced material, a complete second-order peak dragon bone snake fish spine, is an exaggerated thousand C-grade energy stones, not counting the last item on the last page, the total value of these things is as high as 150,000 C-grade energy stones.

And when he saw the last auction item, his whole breath stopped.

"What is this?"

"The legendary talent formula potion that allows the Awakened to be promoted directly?"

Herman's eyes were shocked, and he couldn't believe the last line of bronzing fonts he saw—two copies of the talent formula of the excellent marine attribute, with a starting price of 300,000 C-grade energy stones/bottle.

"The church is crazy, take this thing out and sell it?"

The bloodline talent formula is a real sixth-level peak magic potion, and unless it is promoted to the heart of a hundred herbs, an alchemist who has the ability to refine a seventh-level magic potion cannot refine it. With this level of potions, Herman didn't believe that a port family that had been in the fortune for less than a hundred years could get it, and the real owner of these two bottles of potions could only be the Elemental Wind Church.

But Herman couldn't understand why the church was willing to put up two bottles for auction, which could still be called a high-quality potion. Knowing that these two potions could create two powerful gifted wizards, it was incomprehensible to a church that had always strictly controlled the growth of the kingdom's extraordinary power.

Hawkins also looked complicated, gritted his teeth and said, "Who knows? If it weren't for the fact that he had to guard the dark city and couldn't leave an inch, Lao Tzu wanted to personally lead the team to rob it, just these two bottles of medicine are worth at least 600,000 C-grade energy stones, and it's only 200,000 if I desperately went to the underground world - if the energy stones can be exchanged for contribution points, I just fight this squadron leader and don't have to rob it. ”

With this income, he would be able to exchange cell-level Dou Qi Containment Methods and perhaps cultivation resources without any pressure. His savings were enough to exchange for the highest-level accommodation method, but the resources needed for the follow-up were insufficient, not to mention that he was still planning to condense the Origin Spirit Artifact recently, which was another bottomless pit.

That's why he said that if the power stone can be exchanged for contribution points, he just wants to take someone to rob it for the sake of his military position.

The more a knight cultivates to the middle and late stages, the more resources he needs will increase by an unimaginable amount.

"Uh......" Herman couldn't answer, so he could only change the subject, "Boss, with these two bottles of potions, the other party will send at least one Earth Knight to escort them, right?" Shall we not go in search of death? ”

Hawkins smiled when he heard this: "The Tazan family does have two earth knights, but according to the information of the Holt family, they escorted a batch of important goods to the Carmellot Kingdom in the Navia Islands three months ago, and they can't rush back. So the Bishop of Orleans, who was behind the Tazan family, asked for two resuscitation squads to escort him, plus the escort of the Tazan family, almost thirty knights. Among them, there are at most seven or eight source knights, and the rest are all vortex knights, as long as they are ambushed in advance and traps are set, it is not difficult to take them down. ”

After all, the eighth squad is an elite team of the all-origin knight rank, and its cultivation is by no means comparable to the escort team of ordinary commercial families, whether it is the accommodation method or the fighting skills.

"Aren't there any wizards?" Herman was most concerned about this issue, and in a large-scale war, a wizard hiding in the rear could do much more damage than the Source Knight.

Hawkins shook his head and said, "Not according to their intelligence. After a pause, he said, "If you don't feel at ease, I'll give Moore another five fourth-level demon-breaking arrows." ”

Herman was overjoyed and said with a smile: "Hehe, thank you, Boss!" ”

Hawkins said angrily: "Don't thank me yet, I will benefit 200,000 contributions." "A Demon Breaking Arrow has 40,000 contribution points or three combat exploits.

Hiss!

As soon as he heard that he owed 200,000 contribution points before it opened, Herman turned around and ran without hesitation: "I'll settle it when I come back!" ”

Hawkins laughed angrily, and said in a vindictive voice: "The other party said, no matter what, those two bottles of medicine must be destroyed!" ”

Herman staggered, turned his head to look at Hawkins in disbelief, and saw the other party grinning proudly: "Otherwise, why would others pay you 50,000 energy stones?" ”