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The countryside on the outskirts of Elribrock is depressed, and the winter wheat seedlings that should have filled the fields have been replaced by weeds. Although many farmers are toiling in the fields, the strong smell of gloom in the fields haunts the area like the invaders who still entrench themselves in the Merzai region.

The fields were supposed to be full of vibrant green, and when it was time to harvest, the sacks of grain would be piled up in wagons with the farmer's smile on the faces of the farmers, and transported to the cities of Eeriblok, and then transported to all parts of Haysting.

Unfortunately, due to the invasion of the Slavna Church, this year's winter wheat planting time has been missed. Now, although Eeribrok has been recaptured, and before Gehr and Sylvia came to Eeribrok, Eric has organized the farmers to start replanting food to make the greatest possible remedy, but if the time is missed, the significant reduction in the next season's harvest is already predictable, and the population loss is extremely serious, which is not at all recoverable in a few years.

"These damn jackals!" Arleva cursed as he watched part of the barren field overgrown with weeds. In the past, the sturdy hunters hated the most the ones who were known for their insatiable greed in the jungle, but after the invaders carried out what they called "theocentivization", the jackals on Arleva's hatred list automatically gave way, and even the name was transferred.

As a well-known hunter in the region, he has a stubby neck and a strong body, and he is a rare wrestler at first glance. And he was indeed able to wield a huge hammer. In addition, the archery skills are good, and the field experience is also very rich. There are often medium and large prey in the account, and they can be sold for a good price when they are sold in Elebrock. In addition to the daily consumption, there is still a lot left, and the days are very pleasant.

Unfortunately, this good old life had to come to an end after the arrival of the church in Slacna.

After a violent confrontation with the Church personnel who levy the "piety tax", Arleva simply killed two Church soldiers and escaped from Elibrock.

These days, Arleva wanders in the nearby hills and woods, and he can barely get by. But it's not the same thing, just as he was wondering if he wanted to go to other areas, he happened to meet a colleague who learned that Erry Bullock had returned to Haythting's hands, and he took his prey and set out on the road back to the city again.

Carrying the carcass of an adult male deer. Arleva walked easily along the road through the fields, and the farmers were amazed at his strength along the way.

It is a pity that Arleva has not found the triumphant taste he once had, for he has not seen any of the peasants he knew well, but all strange faces, and those whom he would kindly pull him to drink every time he passed by, and then brag until dark.

What is the reason for this in a war-torn region?

The answer was not difficult for Arlevard to guess, though he preferred not to know why.

Alvale, who was a little sullen, hurried in silence all the way, much faster than he had ever walked this way. But he always had the illusion that he was too slow, and he always hoped that he could reach the end of the road in the next second-Elry Brock, and he didn't have to continue on this road to recall the memory fragments that he didn't want to remember but kept flashing in his head.

At last, he saw the familiar gate.

"Hey. Arleva, I know you're still alive!"

A familiar voice suddenly sounded, and Arleva looked up. A familiar face appeared in the eye.

Suddenly, Arleva's mood was like a sunny day after a rainy day, in his eyes. The old face, which looked like a shriveled vegetable skin, suddenly became cute.

"Old Hawke, you're okay old fellow. How could I have died before you. Arleva held the deer on his back with his left hand, stretched out his right hand and gave old Hawke a warm hug, both of them patting each other's backs with their hands, as if to vent all their joy.

The result of "cough cough ......" was obvious, and the old Hawke, who was at an absolute disadvantage in age and physique, was the first to lose, let out a violent cough, and had to take the initiative to separate.

After separation, the two looked at each other and smiled.

"It's old, it's not good. Old Hawk shook his head self-deprecatingly.

"What are you doing here?" Arleva raised his right hand to straighten the crooked deer carcass, and then looked at the old man in leather armor in front of him with some confusion.

"Guards, old business. Old Hawke waved the wooden spear in his hand.

"Aren't you dismissed because of your age?"

"When did that happen, now that Her Royal Highness the Princess is in power, many old guys like me have returned to this business. ”

"Princess?" Arleva was a little puzzled, because he had told him that the situation was different after the intruder had been driven away. "Isn't the lord of the castle some kind of viscount?"

"The situation here is not clear for a while, and I will talk about it later, let's go to the city to deal with the prey, look, you have blocked the road like this. ”

Arleva looked around, now he was located at the entrance on the inside of the city gate, and he alone occupied about a third of the passage space with a huge deer corpse, which really affected the entry and exit of others.

Smiling apologetically at the people around him, Arleva picked up the deer carcass and walked towards the city, leaving quickly. "Old Hawk, I'll go in first, and I'll look for you for a drink later. ”

......

Kiri Bar is a shabby-looking shop that sells goods, food and drinks, and can be considered a simple bar.

Arleva sat at a rough wooden table, and he had just finished handling his prey, and after selling it for a good price, he came to the shop he used to frequent.

Thankfully, the cultists who ruled the city for a short time probably didn't like the shabby-looking shop, so it was unaffected by this tumultuous time, and it was still exactly the same as Alwal remembered.

Listening to the conversation of the farmers not far away, they talked about the newly implemented policies and the beautiful hopes for the princess when she took over. Arleva felt as if he had returned to the time when the invaders had not yet arrived, and he cursed a few words of resentment against those who believed in evil gods.

The wooden door was pushed open.

Old Hawke's old face appeared in the doorway.

"Boss. Another drink. Arleva waved his thick arms and beckoned Old Hawke to another glass of wine from his boss.

"How's it going in the city? Looks like everyone is in good spirits. Arleva shoved the plate with a few roasted tubers in front of Old Hawke. The tubers of this plant outside the city are a local specialty. The price is cheap, the portions are full, and it is very popular with the people at the bottom.

"Since Her Royal Highness the princess came down, the situation in the city has improved significantly, and now the scattered cultists in the surrounding area have almost been eliminated, and the activities outside the city are much safer, and everyone's morale is good. Old Hawke grabbed a tuber, bit off a large piece with his yellow, chipped teeth, chewed it a few times, and swallowed it down his throat. "It's still a little worse than before. But much better than when the cultists were there. ”

"As long as we run away from those bastards, our days will always return to normal. ”

"Well, as long as there are Ansling people leading us, we will win!" Old Hawk agreed, then took the cup belonging to Arleva and raised it high;

"Hooray!"

"Long live Her Royal Highness Princess!"

Seeing this, a few small customers in the store also raised their wine glasses, and should be with Old Hawke.

Arleva took a glass of wine from the barkeeper, raised it high, and shouted with it.

"Duff. Why are you so sad? What happened?" Arleva asked, looking at the barkeeper who couldn't hide his sadness on his face.

"The war is about to start again, the taxes are getting heavier, and this year is going to be difficult again. "Duff is the owner of this shop. The shop has been around since the time of Duff's grandfather. Now he has inherited this ancestral business, but in fact he is only in his twenties.

"No way, what kind of virtue those intruders are. It's not like you haven't seen it. If Elebrock is taken down by them again, you know what will happen to him. Old Hawke stood up. Pull the young shopkeeper, old enough to be his son, to the table and let him sit down. patted him on the shoulder and comforted.

"Yes, if you don't want to pay taxes, you can close the shop and go live outside the city with me, your skills are quite good. Arleva followed.

"I don't have your skills, and I'm used to life in the city. Duff shook his head, "I'm not complaining about anything, Her Royal Highness the princess's policy is not excessive, much better than those original city lords, but it was just scraped by those cultists a few days ago, and now it is a little powerless to bear the taxes." But as long as I can kill all those mongrels, I'm willing to go bankrupt. ”

At this, the young shopkeeper suddenly buried his head in his arm and began to cry bitterly.

Suna's family was just outside the city at the time...... Alas. Old Hawke sighed helplessly and explained to Arleva.

Hearing this, Arleva understood. Suna's family and Duff's family are relatives, Suna can be regarded as Duff's cousin, and more importantly, the two are still unmarried couples, and they were originally expected to get married next year.

Taking a sullen sip of wine, Arleva slammed his glass on the wooden table. "Anyone goes to fight those damn bastards, and I'm going to be his soldier right away. ”

At this moment, there was a "boom" outside, and then there was an incomparably boiling sound.

"What's going on outside?" the people in the store looked at each other.

"Good news! Lord Thule has exterminated the cultists entrenched in the village of Silva, brought back many prisoners and heads, and now there are no more cultists around the city!" shouted a man from outside.

As soon as he finished speaking, the whole bar suddenly fell silent, but not long after, there was another bang, and the guests began to talk about it.

"Where did you hear the news?" Arleva stepped forward to grab the man who had brought the news.

"Outside, the troops of Lord Thule had already entered the city, with heads piled on wagons and a long line of prisoners. The man who came didn't mind that Arleva was acting rudely, and his own voice still trembled with excitement.

Arleva let go of the man, watched him rush out the door again, went elsewhere to continue delivering the message, and after a moment of silence, took out a silver coin of Haysting and placed it on the table, and was about to walk out.

"Where are you going, Arleva?" asked Old Hawke.

"I'll go and see, and if it's true, I'll be his soldier. Arleva replied in a rough voice.

"Wait. But after only a few steps, Arleva heard footsteps behind him and a voice from Duff.

"What's wrong?"

"I'll go too, as long as it's to kill cultists, I'm willing to be a soldier. ”

"Okay, we're together. Arleva grinned and laughed.

Duff left the shop to old Hawke for the time being, and left the bar with Arleva.

There was no need to ask for directions, the two of them knew where they should go, because the shouts of "heroes, heroes" pointed them in the direction.

Wherever the triumphant cavalry went, the people flocked to them, all of them radiant and cheering enthusiastically.

Gehr was the first to be in front, wearing a knight's uniform still with blood spots, looking heroic.

And the soldiers who followed him also held their heads high, sharing the glory.

Standing on the side of the street, Arleva and Duff watched as Gel rode past them, and a strong smell of blood suddenly filled their sense of smell, and Ger's calm, resolute and fearless appearance gave them a very profound impression.

After a while, as the cavalry passed one after another, infantry began to appear behind. Surrounded by infantry, a carload of uncovered heads did not frighten the onlookers, but rather caused them to burst into even more enthusiastic cheers.

At the rear were the captives tied in a string.

There were not many of them, only thirty or forty, and unlike the previous ones who had come to the city as rulers, they were greeted with curses and stones.

Watching the team fade into view, Arleva and Duff looked at each other, and there was no need to communicate anything, they already understood what each other's thoughts were. (To be continued......)