Mercenaries and Adventurers

A few people chatted for a while, and the sky gradually darkened.

Kendal people and local soldiers gathered in large numbers, all urged by the smell and their stomachs growling, to come here to eat.

The long wooden table next to the stove where the cooks were busy was quickly filled with people, but because Kiel and the others had two Saturnine priests here, even the most shameless soldiers kept a short distance away from them.

This is respect and awe.

But even if the wooden table is full of people, there are still many soldiers who have no place to sit down and eat, but it doesn't matter. They often use their own wooden bowls and wooden spoons to receive the food, and then carry the food to the barracks where they will stay tonight. .

After all, it is a fixed military camp. Although the barracks are full of soldiers, they can still eat in the house.

Not many people care about this.

Kil also made a bowl of food for himself and Bloodfangster. The bean paste was made into a paste and some other vegetables were added to it. It looked like a mess, but it tasted good in the mouth.

It's sour and salty.

It goes well with a piece of coarse bread or wheat cakes.

The local soldiers also played with their dinner. Unlike the Kendal people who scooped out the bean paste with a spoon and took a bite of the staple food, the local soldiers cut the dry and rough bread with daggers, and then Take out the soft dough core in the middle of the bread and eat it first, then use a spoon to scoop the hot bean batter into the hollowed out bread.

They didn't eat first, but just held it, chatting with their companions, while waiting for the hot bean paste to soak into the bread and soften it.

When the bread in their hands was no longer dry and hard, they found the right moment, no longer caring about small talk, and bit into the soft bread in their hands.

He wolfed down the food, which had just the right amount of softness, temperature, and mix.

Keir, like the other Kendal people, looked at it with their eyes wide open. They didn't expect to eat like this!

Not finished yet, the Montaucans have another way of eating. In addition to dry and hard bread, there is another kind of staple food - wheat cakes.

However, the local wheat cakes are made thinner by the cooks in the military camp, and the size is slightly larger than the palm of your hand. The local soldiers spread the freshly baked wheat cakes on the table. They didn't mind that the long wooden table was not clean, so they spread it on the table.

Then use a spoon to scoop out the bean paste and spread it on the wheat cake, and then use the bottom of the spoon to smooth it out.

At this time, the soldiers who eat like this will show a prepared expression, take out the fresh vegetables they have prepared from their arms, put them in the middle of the wheat cake, fold them left and right, and roll them into a long stick to eat.

Really, all kinds of vegetables can be rolled into it. Someone took out the fresh celery they bought and rolled it into the wheat cake without caring whether it could be chewed.

Someone took out a long carrot with whiskers, rolled it generously into the wheat cake, and ate it with a big crunch.

Some people proudly took out a piece of dry and salty air-dried bacon, and while the people around them were swallowing their saliva, they used a dagger to cut off slices of translucent dried bacon as thin as cicadas, bit by bit. Line up in the middle of the wheat cake.

Then he put away the dagger and dried bacon and carefully stuffed them into his chest and clothes. Finally, he raised his chin, rolled up the wheat cake with a layer of dried meat slices, and started chewing it in a pretentious manner.

Keir almost died laughing when he saw it.

Although the local soldiers have no worries about food and drink, their income is indeed not very high, and they are very proud of eating such a small amount of meat. Obviously, their city of Montoka is not far from Cavan Territory, which has a very high meat output. Although the meat here is still not something that ordinary people can eat often, it is not impossible for everyone to eat it if they celebrate a little festival.

Kil shook his head. The income of soldiers when there is no war is really very limited. This also leads to the fact that once the army is defeated, most of the soldiers who have weapons and organizations would rather rob their homes than take the initiative to regroup with the nobles. .

He and Bloodfangster ate supper in large quantities. Keir only ate a bowl of bean paste that he had not eaten much before and stopped eating, because he had no effect on eating these foods. The energy and nutrients in his body had long been consumed by eating every day. The monster meat is more than satisfying. These bean pastes just seemed a bit novel to him and he just wanted to try them.

Bloodyost picked up a piece of rough bread, cut it into small pieces with a dagger and soaked it in the bean paste to eat.

Beside, the two priests did not eat. They lowered their voices and talked in a low voice about the cultivation method of a certain kind of crops.

During the chat, Priest Batal frequently turned his head to look at the gate of the military camp, looking impatient and slightly uneasy.

"Don't worry, the Baron will probably come back soon after dark. After all, you can't spend the night at Viscount Montoca's place, right? After all, he is a noble lord who leads troops in other places, and it is not suitable to stay overnight for a long time."

Priest Coral reassured him twice.

Sure enough, it didn't take long for the baron's personal guards to come in from outside the military camp gate. After checking the situation, they introduced Baron Kendall and Knight Crow on horseback.

The two of them were followed by a large number of the baron's personal guards and attendants. The guards all rode horses, while the attendants rode two carriages one behind the other. There was also a baron's carriage sandwiched between the front and rear carriages, but He himself did not return by car.

"My lord is back, follow Kil. Let's go there together."

Priest Coral waved to Kil, and then pulled Priest Batal towards the two nobles.

-

Time goes forward a while, and it's dusk before the sun sets on the horizon.

Viscount Montauca is located in the tall castle in the center of the city, and a temporary banquet has just concluded.

Baron Kendall was dressed in a gorgeous aristocratic dress, with shining magic props all over his body. He walked out of the bright banquet hall under the watchful eyes and whispers of many local nobles and noble family members who had been temporarily invited.

Before it got dark in the banquet hall that serves as the auxiliary hall, some attendants in the Viscount's castle commanded cute little monkeys in cute clothes to light up a large number of off-white suet candles mixed with spices.

The bright light from the tallow candles illuminated the banquet hall, which was also decorated with many gold and silver decorations, extremely brightly.

The center of the banquet hall uses pure white solid top-grade white stone as the floor. On top of it, a whole layer of square brick-like bone tiles is laid with treated ox bones as floor tiles that touch the soles of the nobles.

Even if it is the delicate soft shoes of noble ladies or the animal skin boots with hard soles of gorgeous men, the slightest contact with the cow bone bricks will make the cow bone bricks make a light knocking sound.

This kind of ox bone brick is complicated to make. As long as the front surface is slightly bumped, it will make a crisp and light clicking sound due to the structure and material.

This sound, combined with the dexterous dance steps of the noble people dancing on it, and the brisk dance music played live around it, combined into a concerto that sounded extremely beautiful.

But Baron Kendall had already said goodbye to the owner of this place and was preparing to leave this noble social banquet that he had not interacted with for a while.

It's not that he doesn't want to play here for a while longer.

After all, there was a steady stream of delicious food being served in the banquet hall, as well as young and beautiful ladies from the aristocratic family members, as well as many well-spoken aristocratic family members and powerful businessmen.

In half a day here, the baron himself gained the favor of many local nobles through his profound knowledge, especially as the owner of this place - Viscount Montauca. This powerful old noble man talked with the baron about the river for a long time. Governance matters.

If he hadn't been a border aristocrat in the Northwest Province and had already taken on the management of rivers and water conservancy in the Northwest Province, he would have wanted to move the entire family to the Montauca City area and rely on the management of the local rivers to rise again.

After all, this is a wealthy area far beyond Kendall County, and it is also a transportation hub. No matter what is done, the development is many times better than Kendall County on the border.

People do twice the result with half the effort, and his family did twice the result with half the effort in Kendall County.

As time goes by, development will only increase the gap.

But he still declined the invitation from Viscount Montauca to spend the night. If possible, he would also like to have a long talk with this powerful nobleman all night, especially since he did not have to be wary of the local count like he was wary of the count of the Northwest Province. Or this Viscount of Montauca.

But no, he was familiar with history books and understood that the most important thing for a noble like him to lead troops abroad was not to be separated from his army for a long time.

Because if a noble is not in his own territory and is away from home, the most reliable reason for his respect is the army to which he belongs.

The Baron himself knew very well that if Viscount Montauca had not heard the report and learned about the elite level of his army, there would not have been a banquet specially held for him today.

Outside the banquet hall, which is the auxiliary hall of the castle, Knight Crowe in a tall warrior uniform has been waiting here for a long time. Several young knights who were around him saw Baron Kendall coming out and bowed to him and left.

"How is it? Did today's banquet satisfy our Knight Crow?"

The baron made a half-joke, and at the same time stretched out his arms, allowing his own attendant to put a bright and gorgeous noble banquet cloak on his body.

Unlike the steaming heat inside the banquet hall, after walking out of the banquet hall, the spring breeze outside blew continuously on him.

This is the small garden attached to the banquet hall in the castle. It seems like nothing, but the main functional area of ​​the entire castle is above the main castle building of more than 20 meters. It is much higher than the rock wall surrounding the castle. As soon as you go out , strong winds blew over, and people who came out of the building had to put on some thick cold-proof clothing.

Otherwise, after drinking a lot of sweet wine, dancing with young girls and ladies, and coming out of a stuffy room to enjoy the breeze, it is very easy to get sick.

Especially those delicate ladies, or the libertine boys who often linger at various banquets.

Although the Baron successfully entered the knighthood when he was young, he had not trained and practiced for many years, and his physical functions were no longer as good as before. The powerful Knight Crow and the young knights, wearing only thin and straight warrior uniforms, can drink and talk in the small garden where the wind is constantly blowing.

Treat the cold spring wind as if it were nothing.

"You'd better put on your cloak, it's windy here."

Knight Crow placed the silver wine glass in his hand on the decorative stone pillar aside and followed Baron Kendall.

Behind them were several of the baron's personal attendants and the most trusted bodyguards, while a butler of Viscount Montauca walked in front of everyone, constantly bending down and reaching out to guide the two nobles away.

"Go this way, be careful of the steps, two adults. Go down the inner steps of this garden, pass through a metal gate and an internal defense walkway, and then you can reach the outer hall of the main building of the castle."

The Viscount's butler is also old, but his gray hair and beard cannot hide his vigorous movements. He walked in front of everyone and faced the two foreign nobles. He was walking backwards but it was as if there were eyes behind his back. Wherever he had to turn or where there were stairs where he had to lower his feet, the butler didn't even look. It's all like walking on flat ground.

"Butler, you are really familiar with the castle. How could you do this?"

Baron Kendall praised, and the Viscount's steward smiled slightly, bowed down and saluted humbly: "This is what a responsible steward should do. I was born, grew up and built with this castle, and every step of it is I know both the wooden house and the flower house very well. Only in this way can I serve my master well."

"Haha, my butler can't do what you do."

While joking, everyone passed through the metal gate that the butler had mentioned before.

This is a mesh-like metal gate made up of wrist-thick metal pillars connected together. At this moment, this heavy thing is hanging above everyone's heads. The metal spikes touching the ground at the bottom are like sharp swords hanging above everyone's heads. When people look at it, they worry whether it will smash them into pieces if it falls.

"How much does this thing weigh?"

Baron Kendall looked up curiously and then asked.

The old butler still walked backwards in front of the two nobles. After hesitating for a moment, he said: "Reporting to the Baron, this metal gate that separates the main road of the castle from the banquet hall and other facilities in the garden outside the castle is about 30 meters long. It weighs ten tons. It would take hundreds of soldiers to lift it."

He continued: "If there is no mechanism on it, it will be difficult to lower it and then raise it."

After hearing what he said, Knight Crow chuckled lightly and said nothing more.

Baron Kendall glanced at his knight, smiled slightly, and nodded to the old butler.

Everyone then walked into a downward internal defense corridor. What is striking is that this key corridor is completely built inside the castle. The lighting method is actually glass mirrors inlaid at the four corners of the edge.

Of course there is glass here, and many high-end workshops run by alchemists often rely on casting various styles of glass to make a living. After all, not everyone always needs all the gadgets created by alchemists.

But when it comes to glass, slightly wealthier businessmen will install it in their homes or chambers of commerce.

The baron noticed that behind the corner glass that appeared every other section in the corridor was a narrow ventilation-like passage that was also made of glass.

Most of them can only accommodate a cat crawling through.

At this time, these small holes covered with glass are reflecting a slightly dim light. Obviously, the light illuminating the internal passages comes from the complex facilities installed somewhere in the castle to capture natural skylight.

"I have one more question."

Baron Kendall smiled at the old butler and pointed to the small glass passage that illuminated the internal walkway. He said: "I think the light here is natural sunlight from the outside world. What to do after dark? We still need to light torches here. Or an oil lamp?”

The old housekeeper seemed to be asked something about it. It seemed that he had managed the castle for so many years and welcomed countless nobles. But today was the first time someone asked this question.

The old man raised his chin slightly and answered Baron Kendall's question proudly and softly: "Baron, you really asked a good question. This issue was naturally taken into consideration when the castle was built."

The old housekeeper walked backwards down the stairs while pointing to the small lighting channels that appeared at intervals in the four corners of the walkway: "Of course the use of natural skylight during the day is for the sake of saving."

"When it gets dark or after dark, there is naturally a magic energy supply system that manages the entire castle to light up the magic light. Our Lord's castle is not only as bright as a torch during the day because of the white stone main body of the castle, but also at night. It is also the most dazzling star in the entire city of Montauka.”

The old man puffed up his chest: "People always love gorgeous scenery, and the master's castle is this scenery."

Of course, the old man finally explained: "But when it comes to scenery and brightness, the master's castle is of course not as good as the white stone city wall not far away on the east side. Because of the dwarves' technology, the entire city wall is bright day and night."

"Oh, I think I'll have to take a good look when I pass by tomorrow."

said the baron with a smile.

They quickly passed through the downward passage and arrived outside the main hall on the first floor of the castle.

This is a relatively open small square, with neat vertical stone pillars paved on the ground. Tightly fitting and neat.

There is a medium-sized fountain in the center of the square. At the top is a gleaming noble coat of arms made of pure gold.

In the fountain square, Baron Kendall's carriage and personal attendants had been waiting here for a long time.

In addition, there were several people waiting in the square, but it was a brother of Viscount Montauca whom the baron had met and known in the banquet hall before.

This elderly member of the Montauca family came here to see off Baron Kendall on behalf of his brother and the entire family.

"The river transformation you talked about with my brother today really opened my eyes. I have to admit that although you are younger, in terms of knowledge, all of us brothers together can't compare, haha. "

The brother of Viscount Montauca, who was also an old man, accompanied the baron slowly to the carriage and said some nice words.

The baron himself also praised the richness of the Montoca family's territory and the adequate and appropriate arrangements for today's reception. They are all words that can be said to make both parties feel happy.

However, the viscount brothers’ recognition of the baron’s knowledge was not fake. The baron’s praise of the city of Montauca and the reception at today’s banquet were also sincere.

In this way, in a harmonious atmosphere, the baron formally bid farewell to the Montauca family, and slowly got into his carriage with the help of his attendants.

The carriage door closed, but the baron opened the window again and waved goodbye to this place.

"Set off!"

Knight Crowe mounted his tall war horse, shouted lightly and led the baron's bodyguard to ride ahead.

Then the three carriages ridden by the baron and his attendants walked clatteringly on the stone square, circled the small fountain and walked out towards the main entrance of the castle.

-

"Huh. Let's just leave. My brother originally wanted this capable baron to come up with a plan to transform the rivers in the city."

The Viscount's old brother shook his head, but didn't say anything. He walked back into the main hall of the castle with his hands behind his back, took the internal elevator to the side banquet hall where people had not dispersed, and reported the departure of Baron Kendall.

You can also dance a dance or two with the young ladies.

After all, there are no noble banquets that only last until dusk, and usually end at midnight.

Once the banquet is started, it will not end when the guests to be entertained leave.

-

"Huh, this place really makes me feel a lot of pressure. Crow, look, other people's castles are called castles. The one at my house can only be called a tribal stone house on the border. "

Without closing the window, Baron Kendall lay casually beside the window and talked to Knight Crow, who was riding a horse and slowed down to approach the carriage.

"Oh, your family's castle is a tribal stone house, so what is my house? A thatched house?"

Knight Crow said speechlessly.

But Baron Kendall waved his hand: "The castle of the earl of Organ Castle is not as well designed as the viscount's castle, and at the same time, everything is well organized. I have been to our earl's castle. It is really luxurious. But ba ba."

The Baron said, shaking his head.

Knight Crow chuckled lightly: "Actually, they are all the same. In my opinion, they are almost the same. Whether it is the earl's castle, the viscount's castle, or what we call the regent, it is actually several palaces of His Majesty the King or Castles, pretty much the same.”

The baron laughed and cursed, as if he felt that the carriage was a little hot, so he called the attendant to bring his horse. The carriage did not stop and he directly mounted the horse, riding the horse on the road from the main castle of Viscount Montauca to the city wall.

They talked for a while, but they didn't even get out of the castle.

It has to be said that the affluence of the city of Montauca is truly reflected here.

The Baron inhaled deeply the aroma of flowers and plants in the flower beds along the surrounding roads, looking at the racecourse on the left side of the road and the neatly manicured mosaic garden on the right.

A gust of wind containing water vapor blew over. The Baron took a deep breath and asked Knight Crow where the water vapor came from.

Knight Crow made a brief judgment and pointed out that behind the mosaic garden on the right side, there was actually a lake of medium size. It seemed that the water was brought in from the large river that ran through the city.

At this time, Baron Kendall sighed deeply, seeming to be completely defeated.