Verse 43 Wait

"Stealing the day?"

"Let's put it that way, Lyle. Wouldn't it be strange if I bought a random horse from the horse market and got a championship or something? I mean, wouldn't it be very eye-catching? If that happens, I'm afraid that as soon as the race is over, everyone who is interested in horses will gather around and study the horse that looks ordinary but performs extraordinarily. ”

"That's true. ”

"But if I'm riding a famous horse, a favorite to win. After my victory, people will congratulate me and cheer for me, but they won't pay much attention to the horses. Because this horse has been noticed enough in the past. ”

"...... right"

"So everything is clear. Io replied. "They intend to ...... Use black magic!"

"Dark Magic ......" Hearing the word, Lyle couldn't help but feel a chill.

"I had expected that, and it seemed that my two cousins were much smarter than I thought, and that they had come up with such a trick. Io replied.

"Brother Io, you mean, they're going to ......"

"They were going to race with that lame horse. Or rather, they were going to race with the body of that lame horse. Io smiled again with the kind of smile that scared even Lyle.

"We don't have to do anything, just keep watching them. ”

"This ...... It takes a ...... to buy those servants."

"Don't worry about money. Io smiled and pulled a stack of bills out of his pocket and shoved them into Lyle's hand. "The money is used first. But I have to make sure that any unusual actions of theirs are reported to me in a timely manner. ”

......

Time is ticking. Before you know it, the fur clothes on the residents of Brasian City are starting to shrink. Cloth began to reappear on people's bodies. At the same time, the countryside on the outskirts of the city is gradually turning green again. After a winter, the field is once again spitting out tender green. Although this color is still just an embellishment, it is at least a clear indication that spring has arrived.

In the city of Bracian, people are already talking about spring horse racing. It's a big deal for this small town, a real big celebration. The whole event lasts for three days, with the first day of parties, social excursions and picnics, the second day of the official horse races, and the third day of some horse races – of course, a pure, performative sport rather than a life-and-death contest. If time permits, there will also be a spring hunt on this day.

Of course, everyone knows that spring prey is small, thin, and of few species. So the hunting on this day is also symbolic, not really hunting. Usually a few animals that have been kept in captivity for a winter – such as deer or wild sheep – are released with specific markings and hunted down by hunters on horseback. Because there are only a few prey, there are only a few lucky hunters who can catch them. These hunters will be considered blessed and will have good luck this year.

In short, the so-called Spring Race, which is a combination of religious ceremonies, competitions and gatherings, was unanimously welcomed by all. After spending the cold winter at home with nothing to do, people need a chance to meet and chat with each other.

On top of that, this Jockey Club is officially supported. Every year Brasian City arranges a corresponding budget expenditure to organize an excellent match. In order to motivate people to race, officials usually offer a prize money to reward the winner of the race. In addition to the official ones, there are also local gentlemen and chambers of commerce who will contribute to the prize, making the prize money for the winner of the Jockey Club quite impressive.

In addition, the threshold for participating in this competition can be described as very low. Anyone from anywhere can participate, just register to attend, regardless of the status of nobles and commoners, whoever it is, as long as there is a horse, you can participate.

So, even though Brasian City is only a small place, the standard of this Jockey Club is not low at all. Many people from far and wide will come to compete for high prize money, including many famous horses. For this reason, in addition to those who come to win prizes, there are also some out-of-town guests who come to watch the races.

So, in addition to the topics that people talk about, many new faces are gradually appearing in the city. The hotels in the city are full of guests, and from time to time you can see a wonderful horse roaming around the city or on the outskirts of the city.

......

There was a rhythmic knock on the door six times.

Io slouched out of bed, put on a pair of pants, and threw a coat next to the bed to the naked woman on the bed. The woman, Lisa, was very well-behaved, put on her clothes and went inside, and closed the door when she entered. That way, Io can talk to others here without worrying about what Lisa will hear.

He opened the door. Standing outside the door was none other than Lyle. He seemed slightly taken aback to see Io shirtless, but quickly returned to his normal form.

"Come in. Io said. He returned to the bed and sat down, while Lyle sat down in a chair.

"What's the matter?" Io poured himself a glass of wine as he spoke, as well as a glass for Lyle.

"It was confirmed today. Lyle replied. "That Ashrufat has signed up for the horse race. ”

"Oh. Io replied lazily, as he had expected. "What else?"

"For all this time, I've been trying to spy on them. Lyle continued. "I also hired a few people, plus two servants from their family. But they did almost nothing during the month, they didn't go out or write letters. Instead, that Ashrufat took care of the horse every day. Walking horses, feeding, washing, cleaning and so on, they all do it by themselves, and of course change the dressing. ”

"Changing dressings, interesting!" Io took a sip. "It's a whole set of acting. ”

"In addition to that, he also went to the veterinarian...... It's the one Dicks invited before. ”

Io nodded. It's just acting! He's pretty sure of that. If the horse could be cured in a short time, Dix wouldn't have been stupid enough to sell it for five hundred gold.

"What else?" asked Io.

"Nothing else. Lyle replied. "Brother Io, it seems that they have put all their hopes on the horses. ”

"What's the prize money this year?" asked Io casually.

"It's a little bit higher than last year, about 11,000. Lyle replied a little uneasily. "If you get this money, then ......"

"All our plans have come to naught. Io suddenly smiled sinisterly. "Hehe, I know what my two cousins want to do. Lyle, do you know anyone from a church in your neighborhood?"

"I know a couple of pastors who preach. Lyle replied hesitantly. He wasn't a religious person, but it was because of this that he got to know a few priests.

"Don't be that kind of priest...... I remember there were a few high priests in the nearby temple, right? I mean the masters of that kind of magic. Io asked. The Church of the Gods of the Star Domain has long been an integral part of the Seven Kingdoms. In particular, the kingdom of Gruni, which has church temples almost everywhere, is tacitly tolerated and even supported. Because these priests and high priests usually serve as religious leaders in the region, they can go to war as magicians at any time in wartime. This is a very important part of the military power of the Kingdom of Gruni, and this system is considered to be very valuable in the war with the cult gods.

"There are several. Lyle replied.

"They're going to the Jockey Club, too, aren't they?" said Io. "I remember when they used to be guests of honor at the Jockey Club. The church members don't participate, but they never miss such a lively festival. ”

"I think so. ”

"Very well, Lyle, arrange a meeting for me. Io said after a moment of contemplation. "I'm going to visit the priests. As an excuse, I would like to donate a sum of money to the church. ”

Lyle is now surprised by Io's spending. Io now lives in the best hotel in town, drinks in the best hotel in the city every day, and charters the most beautiful prostitute in the city. Of course, none of these expenses came from his own money, but from another distant big man (who was technically a distant relative of Lyle). What can be done? The big man needs Io to do the work, so naturally he needs to fund his activities. As for the details of the cost - as long as things can be done well, the big guys actually don't care about the size of the cost.

Lyle didn't understand what the big man was trying to do, but it didn't matter. As long as he can earn money. It's a good thing to run errands for Io, you must know that he has paid off all his past arrears during this time, and even secretly made a sum of money for himself. In addition, he and Io have common topics and can talk about them, and both sides speak politely without having to suffer personal humiliation as they did in the past. Lyle may be able to tolerate humiliation, but that doesn't mean he likes it.

"I'll do it. Still," Lyle suggested. "Brother Io, I have a small suggestion. ”

"What advice?"

"Actually, we don't need to be so troublesome about this matter. We have a shortcut: and that is to buy Ashrufat...... Anyway, those mercenaries are shameless. As long as you give benefits, you are not afraid that they will not take the bait. ”

This sentence can be said to be a half-truth. In fact, Lyle himself was not willing to buy Ashrufat, because he had suffered a big loss at the hands of the other party before. But he really didn't want to grudge against the dark mage. The word "black magic" alone conjures up images of a gruesome scene: countless dead, decomposing corpses getting back on their feet and staggering forward.

It's one thing to bully others, it's another thing to bully a black mage. Although he still doesn't quite believe that the two sisters are dark magicians.

"Buying that mercenary?"