Mercenaries and Adventurers

Kil stretched out his hands to hold both sides of the wooden window, and then pulled hard. This time, there was no one on the other side of the window to follow him. Therefore, after judging that the height was more than three meters above the ground, Kil's upper body bent downwards.

When the waist and hips of his body had passed the wooden window, he used his arms to hold his body up and prevent him from falling down.

Thanks to the heavy armor he wears every day, Kil, who was only wearing plain clothes at the moment, felt that his whole body movements were very light and convenient.

His legs stretched out from the wooden window, and then stretched forward, guiding the center of Kil's body to turn toward the patio.

As soon as his hand was loosened, the whole person flipped over and fell down.

His body turned faster and he landed on the ground legs and feet first.

Boom——

The floor is made of thick wooden boards, not the cheaper local adobe bricks.

Moreover, the board sank a little because of Kiel's landing, and there was the sound of water waves lapping at the bottom.

This surprised Kil. He didn't expect that there was water underneath, and it was actually active.

But he quickly stabilized his body, and after realizing that the board under his feet did not continue to sink, he stood up, stretched out his hand and waited for Knight Crow to turn over.

Knight Crow's movements were more flexible, and I don't know how he did it. His legs first reached over, and then he stepped on the shoulders of Kiel who was standing against the wall.

Squeak, the knight closed the wooden window again, then stepped on Kil's shoulders, with his hands folded on his abdomen, he landed smoothly.

-

Surrounded by a square space, the area is much larger than the patio where the army is stationed tonight. In the center is a tall arrow tower with a stone bottom and an adobe brick top. There is a narrow water area all around because it is occupied by huge vines extending from under the water.

The planks under Kiel's feet were surrounded by huge vines. Fortunately, the vines were climbing against the walls of the patio and did not block the way to the arrow tower.

"Uncle Dowdle, where did the wood under your feet come from?"

Keir was curious, why is there a wooden board that facilitates people's movement in a place where no one should come? In particular, wood in Qifeng Town is not cheap. Judging from the large piece of wood under their feet that can carry two people, it would cost at least dozens of copper coins to buy it.

Knight Crow looked around and gave a guessed answer: "There must be someone here to take care of it from time to time. Otherwise, if something happens, it will be impossible to pass or stand, which will be very troublesome."

He patted the huge vines that were as thick as one person beside him: "It is impossible for these vines to grow unattended. Check, there is not even a door around. It is impossible to come over to see the growth and health of the vines. It is impossible to look at the top of the building full of spikes." come on?"

After saying that, Knight Crow asked Kil to bend down with him and use the vines beside him to push the wooden board under his feet towards the base of the arrow tower in the center of the patio.

Although the base of the arrow tower is in the center of the courtyard, on one side of it, close to the house where the security militia is stationed, there is a brick corridor connecting the arrow tower and the building.

There are no gaps in this corridor, so the giant vines growing around it cannot grow into the building through the gaps.

Kil was a little confused. The connecting corridor was completely sealed with bricks and stones. How could he and Knight Crow enter the arrow tower?

He looked at the knight. It was obvious that Knight Crowe was aware of Kiel's doubts. In response, the knight pointed to the wall of the arrow tower and touched it lightly with his hand. The originally solid stone rock base magically appeared with a place for people to use it. Trample and climb on the curved bumps.

Only then did Kil remember the magical ability of Knight Crow. In this way, he could climb up without anyone noticing.

Knight Crow moved quickly. He gestured with his body and felt that the distance was suitable. He touched the wall of the arrow tower with his palms that glowed khaki, and an arc-shaped convex shape immediately appeared that could be grasped with his hands and stepped on with his feet. rise.

"Follow, be careful not to fall, Joe."

"Don't worry, uncle."

The two of them whispered, and then Knight Crow climbed in front, climbing up quickly, and could rise one meter in a few seconds.

Soon, Kil, who was following the rock climber, climbed out of the courtyard by sticking to the wall of the arrow tower.

The surroundings suddenly widened. Large tracts of giant vines filled the tops of every building around them. Flowers with strange colors bloomed beautifully in the night. Kil could smell a smell that was not sweet, but it was estimated that the pollinating insects would. I really like the floral scent.

The vine spikes that protect the flowers also guard the flowers, like soldiers standing guard with guns raised next to the noble. Facing the sky, guarding against something.

Keir didn't know if the harpies liked these flowers, but he thought that in the distant hometown of this alien giant vine, there must be one or more creatures that would be attracted by the vine flowers and come to cause trouble. Those spikes must be to prevent this.

In the center of the town in the distance, bright light emerged from the neatly spaced gaps in the buildings toward the sky.

Even though Strange Wind Town is not big and has not many people, in terms of its bustling level at night, it is far beyond ordinary towns.

Even Kendall City is far behind.

He felt that it must be because the locals had reversed day and night. They rested during the day and came out to do overnight business trips at night.

The caravans who are not in a hurry will also take a good rest in the strange wind town after their adventure in the strange wind grassland in the past few days. It’s not that the caravan managers don’t know that if the caravan is delayed for one more day, they will have to pay more. A day's wages for a person, but even they need entertainment to relieve the fatigue of high mental stress.

If you want to set off early, you have to see if your men and guards are willing to come.

It's not like Kendall's army. They say they will set off the next day, but they can actually set off.

And although there were some losses in the battle with the harpies yesterday, the Kendal people won in the end. After the soldiers' deafness was cured one after another, the morale of the soldiers was revived, and they changed from the worried and confused look when they couldn't hear.

What a reality.

It's really easy for humans to forget feelings and memories they don't like, even if it's just something that happened yesterday.

The bright moons in the sky bloomed with silver light that covered the grassland. From the height of Kiel, not only the river not far away could be seen clearly, but also the vast grassland further away.

“The river lights up!”

Kil turned his head and looked at the Porulu River downstream. This grassland river is close to Strange Wind Town. It is winding and winding. The gentle grassland allows it to stretch its body as much as it wants, especially when the luminous plants in the river Against the backdrop, it becomes even more beautiful.

"Big, uh, Uncle Dowdle, look, the river next to it!"

Kil called out, and Knight Crow also stopped what he was doing and turned to look.

After a moment of silence, Knight Crow commented: "It's okay. If you stand at a higher place, the view will probably be better."

But he changed the topic: "Do you know why the lower reaches of the river near the human town actually emit light?"

Kiel had a guess, but Knight Crow asked and answered: "The answer is not so beautiful and poetic. It is simply that the sewage excreted by humans enters the river and fertilizes the water plants downstream. This is mostly the case in the world, and beautiful things are Along with ugliness.”

The knight chuckled lightly: "The fermented manure can produce plump wheat grains.

Bright flowers can bloom on the bones of dead beasts.

On the battlefield after the fighting, the weeds were watered with blood.

The sad ending of the story is also unforgettable.

There are always troubles around beautiful women.

The gorgeous magic will make people die in wonder.

The most devout believers bring about the most violent wars.

The most magnificent buildings are built with the blood and sweat of civilians.

That graceful sword pierced everyone's heart.

That luxurious life is the result of the hard work of countless people. "

After hearing this, Kil laughed: "Uncle Dodle, you are so inspired by poetry, do you want to record it later?"

"Of course, of course. But let's focus on the present and keep climbing."

The two of them continued to climb up.

-

Keir had experience climbing on the rocky mountains in the northern forest of Kendall before. Although that time he climbed a rope, this time he climbed a 'shortcut' created by the knight, but there was a unified point. Remember, don't look down!

Don't look back!

You can look at the scenery in the distance, if there is one.

Once they lower their heads and look down, humans will instinctively feel like letting go and jumping down.

Keir didn't know if humans in other worlds also evolved from apes in trees to living on the ground, but he felt that this might be an ancient advice derived from blood instinct.

It tells us not to live in the trees, there is no future, come down to the ground, although it is more dangerous here, but only by stepping out of the comfort zone can there be a future.

Kil couldn't take the initiative to overcome this instinct, because once he lowered his head and looked at his feet, he, a young warrior who killed many enemies, felt a little weak in his hands and feet.

Having said all that, the two of them actually climbed very quickly. The tens of meters high arrow tower reached the outside of the wall at the top of the arrow tower in just a short while.

Knight Crow stopped and turned to look at Kil, who also looked up.

"Stop talking from now on." Knight Crow said quietly.

Even though he spoke quietly, the knight's words could still reach Kil's ears accurately.

Kil nodded, and then Knight Crow continued to climb up.

If you don’t see the top of the arrow tower up close, you won’t know that it can rotate entirely. Therefore, the top of the arrow tower is made of a strong but light wood.

This is obviously not something that businessmen and townspeople can do. The resource level is not enough, and the raw materials and technology cannot make this thing at all.

Obviously, like the magic ballista inside, the top structure of the arrow tower that can rotate was also made by the knight lord sent by the local earl.

Since the material is all wood, Knight Crow can no longer use his ability to create climbable arc-shaped projections.

But fortunately, it is very close to the top, and the large shooting hole of the ballista can easily be climbed in.

But the knight didn't move. He pricked up his ears and listened for himself. After confirming that there was only a snoring sound coming from above, he started to move. He stretched out his hand to cover his face with the scarf around his neck, and then stretched out his arm to cover the edge of the wide shooting hole.

The wooden rotating tower was quite old, and when Knight Crow put his hand on it, it made a slight deformation and creaking sound.

Kil's heart was lifted, but Knight Crow didn't care about these sounds. He quickly turned over and climbed in. After a moment, Kil followed and climbed to the knight's position before the knight stretched out his arm.

Keir grabbed it and was then brought up with great force.

-

As soon as Kil entered the top of the arrow tower, he saw a sturdy guard sleeping soundly in the dim environment.

Even if it is spring and the weather is getting warmer, breathing on the tens of meters high arrow tower can still bring out water vapor.

Not to mention that in order to ensure the observation environment for shooting, in addition to ensuring the basic protection and solidity, the arrow tower was designed with large windows to the maximum extent, and the cold wind blew from the side.

Kil felt fine. He had just eaten monster meat and was warm all over. However, the guard standing guard at the top of the arrow tower could only wrap his whole body in thick fur. When he looked over, he looked more like a beast. Too human-like.

Knight Crow made a silent gesture again, and Kil nodded. Then the knight made a gesture below, and also made a three gesture.

Obviously, apart from the unlucky guy next to the ballista on the top of the arrow tower, there was a layer of thick wooden boards, and there were three people underneath.

Kil ignored the whine of the surrounding wind blowing on the side wall of the arrow tower, and then heard someone talking on the next floor from the spiral staircase next to him.

The two listened for a while and realized that the three people below were discussing Kendall's army that passed by for the night today.

They were complaining that since the last knight failed to defeat the monster many years ago and died in battle, those of them who followed, the few soldiers who stayed in the town to control the magic ballistae, seemed to have been forgotten by their Lord Count. .

The full of grievances can only be expressed in casual chats.

Although the townspeople of Strange Wind Town voluntarily formed an autonomous management system dominated by large chambers of commerce, they did not lose even a fraction of their military salary, or even more.

But these former soldiers are still afraid that they will be forgotten here, and they don't know what the future will be like.

Later, one of the guards talked about how he had given up on his family back home and had started a new family in the town. When this was said, the other two people did not ask questions in surprise, but there was a long silence.

Knight Crow shook his head. If it were him, a soldier like this who could control and maintain the magic ballista would definitely not just leave it alone, and he would leave it alone for many years.

Just like the priceless magic ballista, it is a huge waste of resources.

Such a weapon, if placed in a garrison such as a checkpoint, can control a large area within sight. The final effect is far better than being forgotten here.

Keir observed the surrounding situation.

Contrary to what he imagined, the top of the arrow tower was not mysterious and strange as he imagined, but rather complex and messy.

The exterior is made of strong and light wood as the main material on the top of the arrow tower, and there are thin metal pillars for internal reinforcement. Next to the metal pillars, there are also buckles for holding huge crossbow arrows, and giant arrows are fixed on them. The crossbow arrows have probably not been used for a long time, and the color of the arrow shafts is somewhat mottled.

The huge crossbow arrows were also a little different from what he imagined. There were many patterns and lines on them like tattoos, and he didn't know what they were for.

There were many tracks and gaps on the surrounding ground. The tracks allowed the magic ballista turret in the center of the arrow tower to slide quickly left and right. In the gaps, he could vaguely see the appearance of metal chains and gears.

The most conspicuous thing here is the magic ballista in the center of the room. The main body of this thing is more than two meters long. It is a flat semi-cylindrical structure. It seems to be made of stone, but when Kiel touched it, there was no stone. It's cool and not tired to the touch, like a stone.

There is a grooved track for placing crossbow arrows in the center of the gap on the upper part of the semi-cylinder, and there are various clearly separated magic circle-like things on the surrounding gentle stone surface.

These things are not only present on the surface, but even deep inside the main body of the ballista. This semi-cylinder is not the standard thickness. The outward side is slightly thinner, and the part near the gun base is thicker.

I don't know if it was not activated, but the lines and magic array on the entire ballista's surface did not emit light as a magical device should.

Just where the main body of the magic ballista is connected to the base, there are metal pipes extending downward from the main body. This thing is also covered with mysterious lines and glows slightly.

The main part of the magic ballista is relatively simple in design, but the gun base that controls it is much more complicated.

A low chair for people to sit on is fixed to the gun base. There are various metal rods protruding from both sides of the chair. It seems that every metal rod has a purpose. Some of the metal rods near the sides of the chair look like It seems that you have to use your hands to control it, and some of the metal rods near the base of the magic ballista seem to have to be controlled with your feet.

The metal rod cannot be reset with his feet. Kil guessed that the metal rod here should be a mechanism that can take effect when stepped on. If you don't guess, the mechanism will not move.

In addition, there is a metal lever that can be used behind the chair where the gunner sits, but it is not easy to figure out what it does just by looking at it.

-

After Knight Crow waited for the soldiers downstairs to continue talking about other topics, he motioned to Keir to look at the connection between the main body of the magic ballista and the base.

They both climbed down, carefully avoiding the metal rod that controlled the weapon, and put their heads next to the gun mount.

There are two metal rods one behind the other connected to the bottom of the magic ballista. It is estimated that they rely on the up and down rise and fall of the two to allow the magic ballista to shoot in a pitched manner.

As for turning left and right, you can just turn the entire ballista turret. The surrounding slide rails and rollers are obviously used for this.

Knight Crow's voice whispered in Kiel's ear: "If you want to dismantle the ballista, you must destroy these two things, and the metal pipe that supplies the energy must also be destroyed, so that this thing can be taken away."

Kil didn't have the skills of a knight, so he had to get close to the knight's head and whispered: "I don't know how much this thing weighs. How could it be sent down from such a high place? It must have broken?"

Knight Crow patted his chest gently: "I just need to use a rope to drop this thing, and you have to catch it from below. "

Kil pointed to the shooting port. Although the shooting port was large enough for people to climb in from the outside, it could not allow the magic ballista to exit smoothly.

"We have to tear down the wall."

"Then it will be demolished."

Knight Crow affirmed softly.

"I have two more questions."

Kil whispered, and Knight Crow stretched out his hand to signal Kil to speak. At the same time, he also paid attention to the dozing guard and the few people downstairs.

"One is the source of magic power of this thing. We don't know what the situation is. How big it is and how heavy it is are all unknown."

Knight Crow nodded: "This can only be a risk. It is impossible to go down to confirm now. When we launch the operation tomorrow morning, I will deal with the situation. In the end, if it doesn't work, I can only let the adult spend some money."

"The other one is the patio at the bottom of the arrow tower, and the huge vines on top of the surrounding buildings. Bad luck."

Knight Crow thought for a while and then said: "As for the patio, after you wait for the ballista to reach the bottom, you use a rope to pull it sideways, and I will see the right time to lower the rope so that it falls on the roof. And the huge thing blocking the way Vines, Kiel, break through them, cut a space for the ballistae to fall, and cut a way out, to the edge of the building, to the top of the street. We need a carriage, and it needs to fit in the right place When the opportunity arises, immediately retreat out of the town after catching the ballista."

Knight Crow thought for a while: "I have a plan. But now I still have to take some risks, and I have to determine the situation downstairs."

He said to Keir: "Stay here and don't move. I'll go down and take a look."

After saying that, the knight asked Kil to stay where he was and keep an eye on the dozing guard, while he tiptoed toward the spiral staircase up and down.