The hills rise from the snow-covered forest, isolated and abrupt, and the sound of strong wind blowing on the peaks can be heard from miles away. This is the North, a place that has been invaded by wind and snow all year round.
Different from the land in the south, the forests here are more like bushes than forests. They are not dense, and in winter the leaves have fallen off, and heavy white snow covers them, making them look lonely and lonely.
However, the land under his feet is fertile soil, which can grow high-quality wheat and potatoes. Riding a war horse, Rhodes headed north, and as far as he could see, there was a vast uninhabited land. These were his lands...
Since being made an earl, his land has been several times larger than before. However, as seen now, most of these lands are uninhabited and belong to wasteland. Rhodes knows that if he wants to develop in the future, he will need a large population.
Enrich Blackhammer Castle. By accident, the rebellion in Erengrad sent a large number of refugees to all parts of the country...
Riding a war horse, Rhodes climbed up a hill. From here, he could vaguely see the outer city wall and the towering watchtower of Black Hammer Castle. Returning to Black Hammer Castle again after a year, this feeling can be described as melancholy.
A year ago, he set out from Black Hammer Castle and took 300 Norscan warriors to the northern camp. A year later, only 250 of the 300 Norscan warriors came back, and he
Surrounded by a group of like-minded partners and comrades-in-arms.
More importantly, there is an artifact in his arms. The secret of the Soul-Binding Dagger is only known to a few people who went deep into the tomb. It is this weapon that directly improves Rhodes' ability to another level. This is also
The reason why I was so confident that I went to visit my daughter first and then returned to the territory.
The frog in the well of Laheim still thinks that with his few manpower and arms, he can turn his back on the guests. He doesn’t know how many things have happened in Erengrad in the past year, and how many things have happened in the entire Kislev in the past year...
…
Rhodes took the ferry back to Black Hammer Castle. The fisherman didn't know that this middle-aged man in a cloak and plain linen clothes was his lord. Rhodes deliberately didn't say anything, and the fisherman asked about Black Hammer in the form of a chat.
After all, I haven’t been back for a year. And if you directly reveal your identity, you may not be able to hear the truest side.
The territory is developing rapidly, but it is free development without planning. After all, Muros is just a steward. It is still difficult for him to command the entire castle and coordinate the management of the entire town. The messy house is built on the north bank of Dongquan River.
, because there is no bridge, the area near Blackhammer Castle in the north is prosperous, while there is no trace of human settlement in the south.
Pavilions, barns, warehouses, brothels, wooden hotels, market stalls, and houses with earthen walls and tiled roofs are all located next to each other on the river bank. There are no fortifications here, not even wooden walls or watchtowers.
There are rotten vegetables and dead fish in the dirty streets. Before landing, you can smell the rotten stench from a distance. People are busy and running for life. To be precise, for
Survive and run.
Rhodes doesn't blame them. After all, there are no more advanced ideas to guide them, and there is no lord with strong executive power. This is the result of the free development of most towns. Even the big cities in the empire next door are like this. It is precisely because of this.
, Rhodes felt that the burden on his shoulders became heavier.
Without stopping too much, Rhodes rushed directly to the main castle with a few of his men. Due to the large-scale expansion of the town, the foreign population has almost doubled, and many people do not know the owner of Blackhammer Castle at all. Rhodes wore a
Cloaked, they hurried through the market and arrived at the entrance of Black Hammer Castle. The guards wanted to stop them and ask for details. But when they saw the face under the cloak, they couldn't help but lower their heads immediately, and were about to salute Rhodes when they were stopped.
De stopped him.
"Don't tell anyone."
Rhodes made a "shush" gesture towards the two guards. The guards quickly gave way, and after Rhodes entered the castle, they still gave him a big salute behind his back. The beastman invasion two years ago
Others don't know the battle clearly, but the soldiers in the castle still remember it fresh. They know that it was the Lord of Blackhammer Castle who led them to resist the invasion of the beastmen. Without him, this castle would have long been gone.
After returning to the castle, Rhodes went straight to Muros' room. Along the way, the veterans half-knelt on the ground and saluted. They knew that this was their lord, and this was their lord's consistent style. Simple and close to the people.
Without any pretense, Rhodes greeted the castle guards one by one, and then went directly to Muros's bedroom. Yes, his bedroom...
Ever since Lahem's power expanded, Muros had been thinking about how to deal with this problem. He thought day and night but couldn't find any good solution. In addition, he was entangled with various cumbersome affairs in the territory. Finally, on the coldest winter night,
He fell ill. Therefore, he directly used the bedroom as his office. Even if he was lying on the bed, many things had to be reviewed by him before approval, and he worked diligently to guard the last step for Rhodes.
"Rhode...oh...when did you come back? Why didn't you inform me?"
The moment the old housekeeper saw Rhodes, he had mixed emotions. He struggled to get up from the bed, and Rhodes hurriedly walked over and helped him sit on the bedside.
"There's no need to get up." Rhodes sighed softly. "I just arrived. I didn't worry about you, so I rushed over directly."
Muros looked at Rhodes with gratitude in his heart. You could see unmelted snowflakes on Lord Blackhammer Castle's face, eyebrows, and beard, which proved that Rhodes rushed over without even having time to clean himself. Chief
Knight Vergil was standing by, silently watching this scene in his heart. For him, there was a huge difference between the unjust Laheim and the lord of Blackhammer Castle in front of him. That noble man could do it for
If you hire people for profit and give people benefits, then you will also kill people for profit...
"letter?"
Muros asked quietly.
"I saw it, don't worry, I will solve Lahem's matter. I brought him in, and I have a way to cure him. You have a good rest. I came here to tell you that the Erengrad rebellion is over.
Next, I will manage the affairs of the castle myself. You can deal with the matters at hand in the past few days, and then hand over to me."
Rhodes said calmly.
"Lord Rhodes...I..."
Muros was about to speak, but was interrupted by Rhodes——
"Don't worry, I'm not dissatisfied with your work. On the contrary, I am very satisfied with the results of your work. During the year when I was not in the territory, Blackhammer Castle was stabilized. At least, under your supervision and governance, there was no appearance here.
Large-scale power corruption, no serious corruption, and no large numbers of people dissatisfied with us." Rhodes took the kettle from Virgil and continued, "I just left Blackhammer Castle for too long.
, now that you are ill, I must personally manage this castle and manage my own territory."