Section 5 Rumors

"We're going to conquer this world?" for the first time in a long time, Ashrufat had heard the words of blatant ambition from Carrie. Carrie actually wants to conquer the world?

But then again, Ashrufat's first reaction when he heard this sentence was not shock, panic or anything, but just that he thought it was funny.

"What can't you do?" asked Carrie rhetorically. "Master, do you remember the teachings of the Rat God, in that fellow's guidance to the Rat Man, let the Rat Man conquer this world, so that he can come down and rule all things. Anyone like him with an antique model plus physical damage can make it his goal to rule the world, and I'm certainly more qualified than him. We have much better conditions than he has. ”

"Of course. Carrie shifted. "Given the presence of our enemies, we must be careful. We cannot adopt the unconventional development of technology, because that would be tantamount to directly inviting the attack of the human alliance...... Well, but there should be no problem with political maneuvers or something...... Hey, master, you don't seem to be interested?"

"I'm not interested. Ashrufat admitted. "What is the benefit of conquering the world?"

"If you take a conventional standpoint, it doesn't seem to do any good. I don't know why, Carrie's words changed direction again. "Speaking of power, you now have independent power. In Sivania under your rule, your word is the law, and you can do whatever you want...... Even if he conquered the World Realm, it would only increase the scope of his rule a little, but there would be no essential improvement. Speaking of beauties, there are now thousands of them in your castle...... With your self-disciplined attitude, even this amount is too much......"

"Then why do you want to conquer the world?"

"It should be said that I am just unwilling. Carrie replied. "Isn't it an insult that stupid, lowly creatures like that can be on our footing? Isn't it the common truth of all intelligent beings that the strong dominate the weak, and the wise command the foolish?" "Master, let's not discuss this topic. Master, do you have any ambitions now?"

"Me?" said Ashrufat, for a moment. But in a hurry, he couldn't think of anything he desperately wanted to do right now. "I want to ......"

"So, after all, you're just a primitive protoplasmic sapient being. Carrie spat out a few words that Ashrufat didn't understand. "I don't understand my goals, I don't understand my pursuit, I am pushed by the waves of fate, but I don't know how to break the shackles of fate and move forward. Actually, I know what your goal is. ”

"What is it?"

"The first is to live. The second is to find one's own place in this worldly realm. Carrie replied. This was her last sentence, and after saying this, she was silent, even if Ashrufat called her in her head.

......

Eshurufat rode on horseback and stood on the top of a hill, looking at the scenery beneath his feet.

Ahead lies the new city at the foot of the Dark Castle. In fact, it is not appropriate to say that it is a "city" in a sense, because there are no walls built here. According to a deep-seated prejudice, only those who have built a city wall can be called a city, and a settlement area that is not surrounded by a city wall can only be called a "wall" or "town" no matter how large.

However, in Carrie's plan, this place was not intended to be built with a city wall at all. This is because the core force of Ashrufat, that is, the undead legion, is good at field warfare and is not suitable for defending and besieging cities. If one day this place is to be used as a battlefield, the city walls will be a burden to the undead legions.

Either way, the new town looks pleasing to the eye. The field is a square, patchwork of cultivated land, and at this time the field is overgrown with dense crops, showing a patch of green. The road is wide and straight, with a constant stream of pedestrians, vehicles and horses. In the central area of the new town, the houses are also very neatly built, and several buildings have been built. In the distance, you can see the sails of the ship like white clouds.

Ashruphat remembered what it had been like when he left. At that time, the surrounding wasteland had not yet been fully reclaimed, and although the city was neat, it was far from the current scale, let alone buildings. At that time, the construction of the port had just begun, and there were no ships to dock at all.

Anyway, Carrie was right about something. Scarlet and Leia, who manage this place very well. I wonder what happened to Eric and Neil......

Ashrufat drove his horse up the hill and back to the main road. Perhaps it was so striking that he had rushed down the hill so much, and a traveler, also on horseback, came to him and greeted him. Ashrufat replied as was customary, and then noticed that the stranger was wearing a more ornate dress, and at first glance he knew that he was a rich man.

"Friend, are you from out of town?" asked the stranger.

"yes. Ashrufat replied casually, pulling his travel cloak tight, covering most of his face with his hood.

"I know it at a glance. The stranger said with a smile. "Actually, the first time I came here, I was just like you, running to the top of the mountain to see the movement ahead. After all, this is the territory of vampires! ”

"Are you ......?"

"I'm just an ordinary businessman. The other party replied lightly. However, Ashruphat could feel a ferocious aura from the other party that did not match the merchant's profession. However, there seems to be no need for the other party to lie to him...... What did this man do? Ashruphat thought he should be a merchant, but he was afraid that he was engaged in some kind of special trade. "It must be said that the Scarlet Duke is a just ruler. At least in this city, you don't have to worry about thieves, scammers, and robbers. So if I could, I'd love to build a business center here. ”

Ashrufat remembered the diary he had thrown away. In that diary there was a small incident, as if his "guards", who had never met before, were in charge of the security of the city. If Carrie's introduction is correct, then each of his guards has the same level of skills as Scarlet, plus a strengthened body...... Thieves and robbers or something, there's really no room for it here.

"Vampires are supposed to be more terrible than thieves or something, right?" Ashrufat asked casually.

"Originally, I thought so, but now I realize that the Scarlet Duke is actually easy to communicate, and he is very rational and generous. If you're willing to play for him, you'll find that he's a great lord. ”

"Oh?"

"If there's anything wrong with him...... That is, he likes the blood of young maidens. The other party replied. "But in fact, this matter can also be accommodated. ”

"What do you mean?" Ashruphat found himself slightly interested in the subject.

"Let's give you an example. The annual taxes collected by the vampires in the region of Meno include three maidens, in addition to the normal money and food...... But an interesting thing happened two years ago, the family of the girl who was chosen, it should be said that the girl's father, actually took the initiative to challenge the vampire. ”

"Challenge?" Ashrufat was even more surprised.

"Well, challenge the vampire in a game of cards. The two parties agreed that if he won, the vampire would return his daughter to him, and otherwise, he would have to pay for his own life. In the end, it turned out to be a good result, and the brave father won the game and left safely with his daughter. The strange businessman laughed. "I have to say that it's rare to have that kind of open-mindedness. ”

This shows that he is very trustworthy. Ashrufat replied. He now understands that there must be Carrie (or doppelganger) behind this. Otherwise, the father would not have won that game.

"Keeping credibility is a very important thing, and for us businessmen, it is almost like life. If there is no credit, then the merchant is no longer a businessman, but a liar. Vampires are comparable to the best businessmen in this regard, and he never fails to do what he says. But if you dare to play any tricks in front of him, you will also die a miserable death. With that father as an example, many people now go to vampires, hoping to redeem or win back their lovers or relatives. ”

"The result?"

"A vampire is willing to take on any challenge, including what he's not good at. However, there are not many people who dare to try to challenge after all, and more people use other ways to redeem them. Vampires, although they don't want money, are willing to trade other people's services for these girls. For example, a friend I know once tried to redeem his lover from a vampire at the cost of helping the vampires destroy a gang of bandits in the mountains within a month. He succeeded, and the vampire made good on his promise. ”

The stranger rode his horse closer to Ashrufat, and suddenly changed the subject. "You're a ...... Mercenaries?"

Probably due to his temperament, although Ashrufat did not wear armor and did not carry any obvious weapons, others often saw him as a mercenary. However, since there was no need to deny it, Ashrufat nodded.

"I have a job here, would you like to take it? I'm in need of a couple of helpers for a short period of time, about two or three months, and the pay is guaranteed to satisfy you. ”

"What kind of business?"

"The slave trade. The other party said. "I have received permission from the Scarlet Duke to engage in this trade on his land...... It's a lucrative deal. In the past few years, the countries of the mainland have become chaotic, some of them are wars, and some of them are political changes. Especially the latter, I don't know how many people were still dignitaries and famous one day, and the next day they will be guillotined, and their wives and children will all be sold into slavery...... It may not sound very legitimate, but it's definitely a perfectly legal deal...... Especially here. ”

"Sivania?" Ashrufat wondered. Is there a change in the top management here?

"Don't you know that vampires have no interest in money and jewelry, and that they only value beautiful women. Therefore, in this place of Sylvania, slave girls who meet the taste of vampires can be sold for a sky-high price. Whoever wants to curry favor with the duke, the best gift is a beautiful slave girl. ”

"Probably because of the organization of the guards. In her mind, Carrie said. "Although it is said that anyone can accept biochemical modification, it is better to have those who have no worries and no relatives and no reason...... I think it's appropriate......"

Ashrufat smiled bitterly in his heart. "So now my name is ridiculous...... I'm afraid I can't wash it off anymore. ”