"I have long heard that Rhodes is not an ordinary person, and Black Hammer Castle is not an ordinary northern castle. Today, it seems that it is just like the legend, a different scene."
"Humph, it's just a small town after all. It's still very different from Baker City."
"But sir, Baker City is Oster's important port in the north. This city has been prosperous for at least two hundred years. It only took two years for Blackhammer Castle to develop from poverty to the present. If it is allowed to develop for another twenty years,
I'm afraid it will become the most powerful region in the north of Kislev. It may even become the second Erengrad."
"Okay, okay, it's just a bunch of barbarians. No matter how much it develops, it will never become a city in the true sense."
Sitting on the Imperial Merchant Ship, looking at the neat and new houses and streets on both sides of the Winter Spring River, Baker City Mayor Davis and Financial Officer Elton kept talking to each other. To this day, Davis is still unwilling
While acknowledging the development achievements of Blackhammer Castle, he is even more unwilling to admit that Rhodes is superior. For him, the grudge four years ago is not over yet. If the plague had not spread, he would not have come to this bitter cold place even if he was killed.
He asked for help from a Kislevian man.
The empire's merchant ships were originally not allowed to enter the Blackhammer Fort port, but Elton wrote to Rhodes in advance, explaining his intention. Rhodes reluctantly agreed to let them pass. However, they must go through strict inspection when landing, and they are not allowed to bring a box of goods.
Go ashore. Only municipal officials and guards can go ashore.
Under the gloomy sky, Rhodes went to the pier to greet him in person. Unlike Davis, there were not many guards around Rhodes. There were only twelve strong men wearing animal skins standing sparsely beside the lord, watching.
He looked relaxed and unsuspecting.
The first person to disembark was the captain of the Baker City guard. Behind him were twenty-four fully armed imperial soldiers. Then came the financial officer Elton. Standing next to him were two young guys who looked like they were
Officials such as clerks or doctors. Finally, Alderman Davis.
In fact, this time Baker City's top officials asked for a meeting, and Rhodes made the decision to meet with them after repeated deliberation. There is undoubtedly a risk in letting the Empire's ship dock. But as long as no cargo containers are brought ashore, the risk can still be controlled.
After all, it is impossible for a mouse to hide in a human body and crawl onto land. Rhodes knew that the purpose of these people's trip was for ice pepper. This Kislev-specific plant can be said to be worth as much as gold. It is a treatment
A good remedy for rat fever.
Rhodes also thought about refusing to meet with them. But then he thought about it, this time the Baker Port officials' request for an interview was a high-level request, and even the city official came in person, which shows how seriously they take it. If they don't meet, they will be at odds with the empire. So-called
Keep a line in life so that we can meet each other easily in the future. Although the relationship between Kislev and the Empire is not good, it is difficult to guarantee that when Chaos invades in the future, the two countries must stand on the same front. In addition, the opening of new routes also requires
With the approval of the empire's high-level officials and considering various factors, Rhodes finally decided to meet with these officials from the empire.
"You must be Lord Rhodes?"
As soon as Elton landed on the shore, he first patted the dust on his body, then looked around with his small eyes, and finally settled on the tall and burly man. He had a different temperament from other people, even though
He was dressed very ordinary, but his gray-black eyes were bright, staring at the visitor just like himself.
"Exactly, hello. You must be the person who sent me the letter - Elton Wren. Nice to meet you."
Rhodes stood there and shook hands with Elton enthusiastically. Elton nodded and smiled, but he couldn't understand how Rhodes recognized him in a group of people. There were other officials present, the most important mayor, David
Si is still behind...
The lord in front of him didn't seem angry at all for the other party's late arrival. On the contrary, he was polite and friendly.
But there was still an introduction session. Under the auspices of Elton, Davis came up from behind with an arrogant look and met with Rod.
"We met early in the morning, Lord Mayor."
In front of everyone, Rhodes smiled and reminded Davis of that past. Four years have passed, and time has passed by like a white horse. Although Davis has not changed much, Rhodes and Black Hammer Castle have undergone earth-shaking changes.
.The most direct thing is that as the lord of the castle, Rhodes has more scars on his body and face. But the skin on Davis's face and hands is more delicate than before. There are rumors that Davis, the mayor of Baker City,
Bathing in milk in your own mansion seems impossible now.
"Please, let's talk in detail in the castle."
Before Davis could speak, Rhodes made a polite gesture of invitation.
…
"So, the plague in Baker City has reached a very serious level?"
In the dark castle hall, Rhodes sat on the lord's throne and had a normal diplomatic meeting with Davis and his party. Although the highest-ranking member of the Baker City envoy was Alderman Davis, he hardly said a word during the whole process.
On the contrary, it was Elton who kept talking. And it was very clear, starting from the source of the plague, to the time and place of the plague, the outbreak, and the current situation. Although he was just a financial officer, he had an empire.
The eloquence of a diplomat.
Davis, on the other hand, had been watching with cold eyes from beginning to end, as if this matter had nothing to do with him. Rhodes could see the mayor's mood, and he wanted to leave here immediately.
"Yes, according to our rough statistics, about one in every ten people is infected."
Elton replied.
"It looks like the epidemic is more serious than I thought."
Rhodes frowned and whispered.
"Yes, and the epidemic is likely to spread. We have taken measures, such as cleaning sewers, recruiting rat trappers, burning rotten meat, etc."
"How can I help?"
Rhodes asked.
"This is exactly the purpose of our trip. The Empire and Kislev have been allies for hundreds of years. The ancestors once fought side by side to defend this continent from the erosion of Chaos."
Elton said, his tone slowly becoming louder.
On the other hand, Davis remained indifferent. He was only interested in Caroline next to Rhodes, and his eyes glanced at Caroline from time to time. Rhodes coughed, but he still didn't respond. Soon, the hall
The side door was opened, and Ursok walked in in full view of everyone.
Everyone's faces immediately showed expressions of extreme horror. Indeed, a giant bear more than four meters tall walked into the hall without restraint, which was really frightening. Even the guards around Davis were shaking in their legs.
Weak, be prepared, and want to escape at any time. Davis himself was suddenly frightened out of his mind, and his eyes no longer had time to look at Caroline, but stared at the huge white bear.
"Rhode...Rhode...quickly...shut it back!..."
Davis was forced into a corner by the white bear. He was so frightened that he couldn't even speak clearly. His tongue was tied and it took him a long time to say a word. The minister Elton looked worried.
"Lord Rhodes, what are you doing?"
He turned around and asked. His eyes never left Davis. The alderman was blocked against the wall, and the white bear's nose was slowly sniffing his body.
"Oh, sorry, this is my partner. He is used to being free and lazy in the castle. He can go wherever he wants. Maybe he saw you coming and came to take a look out of curiosity. Look, he is welcoming you.
.”
Rhodes said with a smile. Then he called the white bear's name and asked it to come to him.
Ursok then moved away from Davis and walked slowly to Rhodes. Looking back, almost all the Empire guests present were dripping with cold sweat, and even the guard captain sighed deeply. They knew,
If this beast went crazy just now, even if they had three heads and six arms, they would not be able to protect the mayor, and they might not even be able to protect their own lives. It is really unusual for the lord of Blackhammer Castle to keep such a huge beast as a pet...
"By the way, where did we just talk?"
Rhodes stroked the hair on the white bear's back with one hand and asked leisurely.