The melodious morning horn blew the dawn, and now Harvest Square was already crowded with people, and there was an endless stream of people wandering around the pier.
People put on the latest clothes, led the sacrificial animals, and even poultry and rabbits in cages. They gathered in their boats, smashed the ropes that had been fixed throughout the winter with axes, and then removed the canvas coverings.
Pull it open and hang it back on the crossbar.
The ship that had been idle for the whole winter was about to turn into water, and it still needed repairs. However, the fishermen who were eager to set sail did not even care about the dense ice floes floating on the sea and launched into the water, even if the king's great sacrifice had not yet begun.
They pulled the livestock to the water's edge, and several people worked together to control it. One person pierced the heart of the sacrificial reindeer or sheep with a sharp knife, allowing the blood and water of the livestock to flow into the rushing Neva River as it continued to struggle.
At first, only some people did this, and gradually more people joined the sacrificial team.
A large number of people completed their own sailing rituals before the king's priest team. They were eager to set sail in the early morning. Even if they floated back in the ice floe, as long as they were safe and sound, it meant that the gods accepted their justice, and their sailing would be safe for a whole year.
.
The Neva River was dyed red, and gradually the endless ice floes at the Kronstadt anchorage were also dyed red.
"In this way, God can bless our family's safety. Come! Push the boat into the water together!"
A whole family joined the battle, and even children as young as five or six struggled to grab the rope and carry it on their thin shoulders to participate in towing the boat.
This small fishing boat has pointed ends and looks like a much smaller long boat from all aspects. It is said that this boat is enough for a family to make a living by fishing alone. However, the owner of the boat is very looking forward to his two young sons, and the family does not
He is of Old Ross origin, but is a fisherman who moved from the Melalen tribe many years ago. He has become accustomed to the new life, and it is fair to say that life in New Rossburg is much better than in the past.
The king is fair to all young men. If there is a war, all young men can sign up to fight, and the best among them can become soldiers of the standing army. It is best to be a cavalry, followed by infantry fighting on land. No matter how bad it is, being a navy will provide you with stable food.
A job with a salary may not provide the opportunity to make a fortune immediately due to war and plunder, but it can also guarantee food and clothing.
Once upon a time, the fishing village living in the old Mälaren Market was forcibly relocated, and most people moved to New Roseburg. They continued their old fishing business, and compared to others, fishing was their first livelihood.
, and they are most eager to set sail for worship.
The first boat was towed into the river, then the second, then the third...
Even before the king's sacrificial procession came out of the capital in great force, boats were already cruising on the Neva River.
The sails of small fishing boats and larger dragon-head warships were still furled, and people took out their big oars and cruised on the river full of ice floes and stained red with blood until they entered the huge estuary anchorage.
The current situation is still not conducive to fishing. Even when fishing lines are released to catch cod, the ice can cut the fishing lines hard.
People just spontaneously completed their most recognized sacrificial activities, and then, under the control of sailors, a large number of ships gradually approached the dry dock that had dredged the sea channel.
The launch of the battleship Sea Monarch will surely be spectacular.
Appreciating her launching into the water is the most glorious drama of the entire grand sacrificial event today. Look at the enthusiastic attitude of the people. The chicken thieves deliberately rowed the boat and floated on the sea. You must clearly appreciate what she can bring out from a unique perspective.
Magnificent water splash.
More and more ships are settling on the red mooring. Their ships are swaying with the sea ice. The larger long ships are throwing down their spears to try to stabilize the ships. The smaller ones are simply getting along with each other, two or three with large oars.
Make a bracket to make each other more stable in a catamaran posture.
They were surrounded by friends watching the theater, and not far away were fleet ships parked neatly.
They stayed at the mouth of the sea channel, and in order to feast their eyes on it, they kept approaching, even ignoring that the warship might hit them after it was launched.
People are looking forward to the battleship too much. She is obviously still in the dry dock. The tall bow and the tilted forward mast have already given people a strong pressure. The towering mast flag is flying. Her presence makes the sea channel occupy more than
People standing on a hundred boats, big and small, opened their mouths in amazement, talking loudly or cheering loudly. It was very lively.
The trumpet was still blowing, and Rurik was about to ask the trumpeter to attract the people of the city.
What he needs is excitement, so that his citizens and all the merchants in the capital who are eager to leave can see clearly the heroic appearance of Russia's first giant ship after it was launched.
This was an opportunity to show off his military power. No, Rurik also ordered his troops that were urgently needed to go out, including the Second Banner Corps stationed in the capital, the main force of the cavalry, and even some retired veterans.
Look! A large group of iron men appeared in Harvest Square!
Grund and his men first put on the blue and white Ross shirt, and then put on the cold overall breastplate on the torso. The soldiers all wore iron helmets decorated with bear heads, and wore face protectors.
The ring armor on the neck is hung up, only a pair of eyes are exposed. This is the first time for the "Ironman Flag Team" to make a large-scale official appearance. They carry round shields. People with a discerning eye noticed that the paint on many people's shields is not Ross's at all.
"White background blue cross" or "white background blue sea soul stripes", and a black raven is painted on the white background.
From this pattern, this is the special pattern of the King's Guard!
They armed themselves with iron, and even the skirts of their skirts were made of iron. They looked thickly dressed, but there was probably a layer of chainmail underneath.
As the elite of the elite, the First Banner Corps of the Standing Army was ordered to wear heavy armor to participate in this sacrifice. Firstly, they wanted to show their absolute might, and secondly, it was a test for the soldiers.
There was no brutal fighting. If even after walking from Harvest Square to the dry dock to participate in the ceremony, they were exhausted and out of breath, such warriors would be brushed off and suspended from future expeditions.
Such a trial was also conducted for the boys of the Seventh Flag Troop who were eager to go out. This time, the children all wore chainmail armor to protect their upper body for driving, butterfly helmets on their heads to protect half of their faces, round shields on their backs, and hanging at their waists.
Steel sword, both hands still need to carry a spear hanging with blue and white cloth strips to increase the majesty of the ceremony.
Looking at the cavalry, the soldiers wore polar bear skin coats and white velvet hats with huge blue feathers. Even the war horses were covered with a "white sheet" and the horses' heads were also wearing small hats with feathers.
Even the navy was involved. Their big sun hats were condensed into three-cornered hats. Purely for good looks, a large number of feathers were temporarily inserted into each hat. The round shield and sword were symbols of warriors, although the guy wearing the three-cornered hat
There is something weird about carrying a round shield, but that's how navy sailors dress now. Soon, when they arrive at the sacrificial site, they will board the battleship directly and drift into the sea with the Sea Monarch.
What Rurik wanted was pageantry, and nothing could excite the people more than the soldiers dressing up in as flashy a costume as possible.
In addition to the uniformly required clothing, each warrior also decorated himself with colorful emeralds based on his personal preferences.
Onlookers were watching why people ruined the joy of the festival with their sloppy clothes. Men and women changed into new clothes, especially women. They generally put on the most traditional plain white robes in Northern Europe, and then gathered nearby red pine branches with new buds to braid them into emerald green hair.
Put the crown on, then put amber, glass beads, etc. on the left side.
Those wearing sterling silver headdresses are Balmok visitors to Narvik Port. Some families sell good Atlantic salt and spend the winter in New Roseburg, and they plan to return to their hometown all the way after setting sail. They are better than others.
People dress up more gorgeously to highlight their dedication to this sacrifice.
In the herd of deer that were in urgent need of sacrifice, each male deer had its antlers cut off and a rope was tied around its neck for easy control.
High Priest Rumia led a group of junior priests, including the young deputy priest Velika.
The mighty army was arrayed in the Harvest Square, and the deer were waiting helplessly. The high priest was seen holding a wooden staff high, wearing a deerskin, and a huge antlered helmet worn by Ross for generations. She was a small person, standing on a specially designed wooden platform.
Make an exaggerated and abstract movement, pointing the wooden stick directly at the sky, as if you are receiving guidance from the gods.
This was the priest's suggestion. Otto put on the gold-plated mail and stood next to his son with a sword as a sword.
Rurik also wore armor, but this time he showed off his golden laurel crown, letting his blond hair flow in the wind.
The lower-level priests were now chanting their ancient and melodious sacrificial texts. The entire square and surrounding areas felt silent for the onlookers. The world was surprisingly quiet, and they could only hear the sacred chants of the priests.
Until that high-hanging wooden stick is put down!
Rumia banged the wooden board under her feet with her wooden stick: "God said! Let us go to the altar! Let's go!"
Then, there was another loud blast of trumpets.
Look at those "bear-headed iron men", their leather boots with a lot of iron nails, began to stamp on the ground very rhythmically according to the rehearsal in advance. With a huge roar, they led the way in an orderly queue and walked towards Nevsky Prospekt, the city's main street.
West gate, towards the dry dock and altar...
Rurik and Otto, who got into the carriage, were escorted by many warriors and surrounded by tens of thousands of people. They took the herd of deer with them, and with an unprecedented and mighty force, they defeated the Hortla family.
The shipyard was completely surrounded.
At this moment, the capital city was deserted, with only a small number of patrols constantly moving around, waiting for opportunities to catch the scum who took the opportunity to steal.
There was a loud roar of flag-hunting here, and a large number of warriors lined up, so shocked that the shipbuilders even retreated.
Old Hotla's face was flushed. He was surrounded by his son, and he felt indescribable joy in his heart.
He approached Rurik, who was passing by with his head held high, and couldn't help but hold the king's hand. He was already in tears before he spoke.
"Glory! Our glory."
"Yes, our glory." Rurik raised his head again and looked at the battleship that was clearly in its best condition with satisfaction: "How powerful and majestic! She will kill Jormungandr!"
"I have fulfilled my mission and everything has been completed. Now I just need to wait for the king to announce that the sacrifice will begin."
"Very good." Rurik nodded.
Like everyone else, Otto's eyes were completely attracted by the battleship Domineering Phantom. Big means power. This giant ship redefined what a battleship is. It is like the existence of a frost giant.
No! Maybe such a huge ship should not exist in the world. It must be the wisdom of Asgard sent down by the gods that gave Ross the right to own such a huge ship.
Otto continued to convince himself, and his heart became more and more satisfied.
"Your Majesty, let's get started." Steinhutrasson took over from his father: "I will arrange strong men with giant axes under the dry dock. As long as you give the order, the final excavation will begin immediately."
"Very good. Let's sacrifice now!"
First of all, a small sacrificial activity has been completed in the Harvest Square in the capital, and now is the highlight of the sacrificial event.
In the newly built stone ship altar, Rumia's small figure was matched with the huge antlered helmet, and the whole person showed a strange solemnity.
She still held the wooden staff over her head, and after a moment, she ordered the sacrifice to begin.
The strong men led the deer one by one into the stone boat altar, only to see a little girl with braided hair, bright eyes, and a dagger inlaid with gems in her right hand.
It was the deputy priest Velika, and the sword in her hand was none other than King Rurik's dagger.
Doesn't Rurik have a handy long sword? Yes, this sword is the "Destroyer" in Otto's hand. With this sword, Rurik has no intention of making a new one. His short sword is more of a ceremonial guard
Function, it now exists as an important treasure in rituals.
Holding her father's sword in her hand, Velika felt full of power.
She was like a Valkyrie, half-kneeling down with a dagger in hand, facing a stag that was knocked down, and stabbed it directly into the deer's heart very cleanly.
The wildly struggling deer's eyes widened, and deer blood sprayed on her body. The people outside had their eyes widened with solemnity. Only Velika started to deal with the second deer cleanly.
The third head, the fourth head...
The blood-drained reindeer was pulled away from the altar, and the deer's blood continued to flow down the specially-made sea channel into the Kronshtadt mooring in the Gulf of Finland, where the ice floes were undulating.
Sacrificing five deer at once, Velika forcibly stabbed them twenty times. Ninety-nine reindeer piled up like a mountain, and the resting place turned completely bright red.
"Blood-stained Odin!" When the last deer was dismissed, a sullen Rurik suddenly raised his right fist.
"Odin! Odin!"
Accompanied by the uniform shouts of the soldiers in formation, the largest reindeer was finally given final treatment by the high priest.
The deer's belly was cut open with a sharp sword, and the bright red liver was cut out. Everything was done according to the old rules, and the high priest announced a much-anticipated "will of the gods" - good luck.
The ceremony, accompanied by the cheers of thousands of people shaking the mountains and shaking the earth, reached its boiling peak.
Then Rurik personally walked to the dry dock and gave a signal to the strong man at the bottom of the pit holding a giant ax and with a rope tied around his waist.
He pointed with his big hand: "You! Warriors! Let our warship launch into the water!"
The strong men who received the order let out the most powerful shouts in their lives, and then swung their Nordic forest axes, hitting the most critical wooden beams of the gate with the force of a blow that seemed to chop down a big tree.
At first, it was just sawdust flying everywhere, but as the gap gradually became larger, mud spewed out unstoppably.
This is just the beginning.
The crane gradually pulled the strong man up, and under their feet, the rushing mud became more and more fierce.
Until, the earth shook violently.
With a loud rumbling sound, the entire dry dock's gate collapsed, and a huge amount of sea water gushed in. Like a stormy sea, the sea water quickly filled the entire dry dock.
A miracle happened!
Everyone was stunned, even Rurik, who stood very close and was splashed all over by the seawater sprayed out of the dry dock.
He remained motionless and watched the battleship suddenly and violently rise.
The Sea Monarch floated! With violent left and right shaking, it continued to spray muddy seawater onto Rurik.
The noble king stood like a golden pine, and the onlookers were silent. There were hundreds of ships watching the show on the sea, and people stood up one after another to witness the warship showing her true domineering phantom.
At first, she was shaking violently from side to side, but gradually the sea waves calmed down, the dry dock and the sea channel were no longer obstructed, and the floating battleship slowly stabilized.
"It's time! Navy, enter!"
Rurik ignored being covered in mud. He ordered Godlund and his navy soldiers to go straight to the dry dock filled with water. The thick cables that had been thrown from the ship in advance were quickly pulled by as many as 400 people at the same time.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the battleship drifted into the sea channel and entered the anchorage full of ice floes like a monster.
Look! Compared to her, the Aurora-class sailing cruiser docked nearby has become a little sister. The endless ice floes are like gravel compared to her.
The sea water washed away the mud on the big ship, and the Sea Monarch ushered in its great birth with a perfect image.
At this moment, everything is unspeakable.
Some are the endless cheers of the people on the shore... This chapter has been completed!