"Well, since you're determined to be my squire, let's start with sword training. The Black Hammer Lord doesn't need a hunter boy who can only hunt. ”

Rod joked.

"I will, I'll practice until the best. I promise!"

Tallinnham said seriously.

"Virgil ......"

In the goose down snow, Rod summoned Virgil.

"This is the best knight I have under - Virgil, you can learn from him, it is not easy to become my squire, it requires a certain foundation and talent, and it will take a period of training. Go for it, young man. I'm sure you can. ”

Rod smiled and handed the young soldier to his chief knight.

......

A few days later, Baron Aubrey of the Rings sent a letter of invitation. The letter succinctly stated the reason for inviting Rhodes to the banquet - his eldest son, Dean Aubrey, had married the daughter of Earl Cyril, lord of Fort Watch. Weddings and wedding receptions will be held in the Ring City.

Rings and Blackhammer were the closest allies, and it was only natural for Aubrey to invite Rhodes to come and cheer them on. Of course, Rhodes knew that from the old city lord's eyes, Black Hammer Castle was still nothing in his eyes. Despite the rapid development of Black Hammer Castle during this time, the scale of the Iron Ring City is still less than one-third of the size of the Ring City, not to mention that this time his son is marrying the daughter of the Warden Lord......

The Overwatch is the largest castle in the North, and it is also the richest place in the North. The permanent army of more than 3,000 people is very well armed and equipped. Aubrey's son marrying the daughter of the lord of Fort Overwatch is an alliance with him, and so far, who dares to look down on his status in the Ring.

On such an occasion, Rod didn't want to go, and when he got there, the most he could do was listen to those knights, nobles, bragging, boxing, drinking and playing with his daughter. How comfortable Black Hammer Fort is, there are natural hot springs, and there are two beautiful women who go in and out of the castle every day, and they are blessed to look at. But there was no way, out of politeness, I had to go.

Armed with his squire and Ranger Lawrence, Rhodes hurried on his way.

The Ring City is still the same. Here, still in the same festive and peaceful atmosphere as half a year ago, Blackhammer Castle has kept them safe from the invasion of beastmen, werewolves, and even Norscans, making the entire northern west seem to be still in peace. Only those who have personally participated in those battles know that there has never been peace in the North......

Coming to the Ring, to Rhode's surprise, many people still remember themselves. Last winter, he showed his skills in the Arena of Order, defeating the Arena's perennial champion, and many people still remember that day. So much so that when Rhodes arrived at the foot of the statue of Ersun, many women and men gathered around him. Stroke the muscles of Morrod for blessing.

It's a strange place, the arena wasn't originally a feature of Mrs. Keithrie, but the sport is extremely popular here. Probably the people of the north still have aggressive blood in their bodies, Rod guessed......

"Ah, Rod, my old friend, I finally see you again. ”

Walking around a corner, when he was about to enter the gate of the castle, a group of guards from the Iron Ring City came to him, and among the guards, there was a dwarf who was less than half the height of a normal person. That face Rhodes will never forget for the rest of his life, it was Alves, the younger brother of the Lord of the Rings, Aubrey.

He had planned the dispatch of troops from the Ring, otherwise, with the temper of this Lord of Aubrey, he would never care about the outside affairs.

"It looks like the spirit is still so good. Are you here to meet me?"

Rod laughed.

"Of course, the big hero is coming, how can it not be welcomed. ”

Alves replied with a laugh out loud. Of course, Rhodes knew, and it was a joke.

"I've heard that Aubrey is marrying the daughter of Lord Cyril, Lord of the Watch. It looks like a big show. ”

"A fat, greasy big fat girl. Walking side by side with Rhodes in the castle, Alves whispered. He blinked, and continued—"Put this aside for now, and you'll see when the feast begins." What I want to tell you is, about Errengrad. ”

"Erlengrad?"

Rod asked curiously.

Erlengrad, the largest port city north of Kislev, dates back to mythological times and is said to have been the farthest trading post of the Elven Empire in the north. After the elves split, the trading post was abandoned. The local Ugor people founded the largest city in the north at that time on the site. Much later, the Guspadas (ancestors of the Kishris Des) who fled from the East conquered the region and changed it to its current name.

Nestled at the mouth of the Usko River, this historic city was the starting point for the Kingdom of Kislev on their way to other parts of the Old World. Its trade prosperity is unmatched by any city in the north. It can be said that it is the economic powerhouse of the Kingdom of Kislev in the north.

Rhodes didn't know what Alves was going to say to himself, but there was nothing trivial about Erlengrad.

"Yes, I don't know if you've heard of it, but recently, a lot of strange things have happened in the city of Erlengrad. ”

Alves said, looking around, and then took Rod to his office, pretending to catch up with his old friend.

"I haven't heard...... What's going on there?"

Rhodes asked. He knew that every time this little man came to him, he always had something important to discuss, he was the shortest man in the entire Ring City, but he was also the man who could see it most clearly in the entire Ring City.

"Dead. And quite a few died. It is said that it was the infestation of blood-sucking creatures, which caused the death of civilians. Moreover, it was bitten to death in the downtown area. ”

Alves said, walking straight to the wine cabinet, standing on tiptoe, and taking a bottle of red wine and two glasses.

"Vampires, are they vampires?"

Rod asked. The room was soundproofed so well that as soon as the door was closed, Rhodes could barely hear the movement outside, allowing them to talk freely without worrying about the walls having ears.

"Not sure, but I don't think so. Vampires don't exist in this world for a day or two, they hide very well, even if they suck blood, they are looking for hidden corners, and they won't kill people in downtown areas like this. You should know that no vampire wants to get into trouble. ”

Alves said.

"If it's not a vampire, what is it?"

"I don't know, but the problem doesn't seem small, many people are shivering with fear from the vampires lurking in the dark, and the city magistrate seems to be in a hurry. I expect that soon, the queen will make a move. ”

Alves continued—

"This won't be a secret for long, and if the vampire matter isn't resolved, it's estimated that someone will leave the city soon. I always had a feeling. It would be a disaster. Perhaps, the severity of the problem will far outweigh the threat posed by the Evil Moon. ”