After several days of sailing, one morning in the late autumn of November, Black Pearl docked at a shoal on the west coast of the southern forest.
The gladiators jumped into the freezing water and pulled the ropes to drag the boat ashore.
The hatch was lowered, the ship's planks were put up, and the passengers on the ship stepped onto the land from the deck. This was the first time since their escape that they had stepped on solid ground.
Ackerman took the roster and checked the personnel and supplies one by one. Then he walked to Todd and said worriedly: "Boss, we may be in trouble."
The latter looked at him: "Tell me about it."
"Back in Gucheng, because there were too many people on the ship, most of the space was used as cabins, and we didn't bring much supplies." Ackerman tapped the handwriting on the roster with charcoal: "These days, there are many people on the ship.
Many people are infected with diseases, and medicinal materials are used less and less; the temperature is getting colder and colder, and the snow blocks access to the mountains.
There is no way to hunt and gather on the roads, so many people consume a lot of food every day, and our inventory will soon be exhausted; also, the materials used for building fortifications and building sheds will be exhausted in a short period of time.
It's hard to get together, which means a large number of people have to sleep in the wild..."
Listening to Ackerman's statement, Todd nodded approvingly.
This young and handsome guy, except for his ability to control his lower body, is a bit helpless. He is a rare talent in handling government affairs and adapting to changes.
This may be related to his past experience. Ackerman's father once sent him to study in a monastery. He himself also did some small business and later became the village chief of Qianmu Village.
Todd patted Ackerman on the shoulder, indicating that he didn't need to worry too much, and then got off the boat and led everyone towards the Froststone Camp in the forest.
The sun gradually rises, and the warm sunlight shines through the gaps in the needles, bringing a little warmth to the earth.
A team of more than 300 people walked through the dense forest and slowly moved toward the southeast.
Todd found Rachel at the back of the team and asked her, "Have the resources allocated by Muxi City arrived?"
The latter raised his hand to push aside the low-hanging branches and replied: "According to the signal from the liaison officer, everything was shipped yesterday morning."
Todd nodded.
Rachel looked at him and asked with some uncertainty: "I have a question, why did you choose to rebuild the outpost on the ruins of Froststone Camp? Although the terrain there is dangerous, it is suitable for establishing a defensive military.
Facilities are provided, but neither the soil nor the climate are suitable for crop growth. The cost and risk of transporting food from Muxi City are detrimental to the future development here."
Todd used his shield to separate the bushes in front of him, motioned for Rachel to go first, and then explained: "I once lived in the Froststone Camp for a while and found that the terrain there is higher, the terrain is a basin, the humidity is relatively high, and the lighting conditions are
Good, the soil is red soil and can be used to grow a high-value cash crop."
"Cash crop? What is it?"
"If I tell you now, you won't know what it is. When the time comes, I will make it myself and show it to you."
Glancing at the man and woman who were chatting behind her, Deirdre, who felt very lonely, turned back, with sadness on her delicate face, and walked forward with her head lowered.
After walking for almost two hours, the team finally arrived at the ruins of Froststone Camp.
To their surprise, an army seemed to know their arrival and was waiting there early.
"Enemy attack!"
With a warning roar, the gladiators in the front row drew their weapons and formed a shield formation to stare at the opposite army.
This strange troop, with a total of no more than thirty people, did not display any flags, and it was impossible to tell which kingdom they belonged to. The armor they wore was of exquisite workmanship and covered their whole body, making it impossible to even see their appearance.
Ackerman, who drew his bow and arrow, looked at the army stationed in the ruins, swallowed, and said with difficulty to Casper beside him: "Look at the guy at the front! That set of armor is still there.
There's that huge sword on his back! I bet the price of that piece of equipment is enough to cost all of us."
The latter glared at him: "Besides women and money, can't you, bastard, pay attention to other things?"
"for example?"
"The position they are standing on, the terrain they are backed by, the arrangement of the formation... You have been in the red circle for so long, and you haven't made any progress at all!"
"Casper, have you noticed that you have changed?"
"What do you mean?"
"There's more nonsense."
"roll!"
Todd ran all the way to the front of the team and shouted to all the gladiators: "Put down your weapons, put down your weapons! They are not enemies!"
Looking at the silent army in front of her, Rachel walked towards them and asked with a heavy sigh: "I remember that in the king's personal letter, he only asked Muxi City to bring supplies and did not send reinforcements.
…”
The army commander quietly took off his full-face helmet with complicated patterns, and the terrifying scene after the cover was removed made the gladiators around him scream in fright.
Dozens of parasite limbs like steel bars slowly wriggled along the outline of the head and cheeks. The owner of the armor may have had a heroic face in the past, but a fire left permanent scars on his face.
.
Alfonso stared into Rachel's eyes and said coldly: "Where is your Majesty?"
Rachel subconsciously wanted to turn back, but was instantly pulled into the soul space by Todd.
"Why did my Guards regiment come here?!" Todd opened his eyes wide, his face full of confusion.
Rachel sat on the swivel chair in the office, kicked off her feet, and spun the chair in a circle, muttering: "How would I know?"
Todd walked around the office with his hands behind his back: "Could something happen in Muxi Kingdom?"
"I don't think so. If something happens in the kingdom, someone will definitely bring it up during the daily morning meeting." Rachel stood up, walked to the locker in the corner, and quickly pulled out a box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates.
"What could be the reason?"
"What other reasons could there be? The people in the kingdom have been investigating your whereabouts non-stop. You and I left Muxi City on the same day, so they will naturally think that I am the most suspicious of your disappearance. In addition,
If your king's order for the allocation of supplies reaches the kingdom through my channels, they will naturally send someone over to question it."
Rachel, who stuffed two chocolate balls into her cheeks, said inarticulately: "If you listen to my advice, go back to Muxi City as soon as possible..."
Todd sat down and thought about it carefully. The reconstruction of the barbarian outpost was just around the corner, and the relationship between everyone in the camp still needed to be coordinated. Logically speaking, he should stay and take charge of the overall situation, but from the day he left Muxi City, he had enough
After drifting away for more than five months, the delay was indeed too long, and it was time to go back.
Seeing Todd make his decision, Rachel chewed the chocolate, swallowed it hard, and said with a smile on her face: "Does this mean I can go back with you?"
"No, you have to stay." Todd's words made Rachel's face suddenly fall: "Alfonso is loyal and brave, but lacks flexibility. If I leave him here alone, I'm worried that I will mess things up."
"Well, so I have to stay in this place where I can't even take a hot bath for the whole winter?" Rachel gave Todd a roll of her eyes.
Todd scratched his head: "I can assure you that before winter comes here, a livable residence will be built specifically for you."
Rachel, who was familiar with Todd's character, did not doubt the other party's promise, and finally reluctantly agreed to stay with the Froststone Tribe.
Immediately afterwards, Todd pulled Alfonso into the soul space alone, and after explaining the cause and effect of the matter, he gave him the task of guarding the camp.
After making arrangements for the personnel, Todd exited the soul space and began to command the gladiators and tribesmen to rebuild the barbarian camp.