The blood moon has passed, and a week later, Black Hammer Castle has returned to peace again. The heavy snow is still drifting toward the northern city, but there is no fear in people's hearts. They regard Rhodes as a hero, a savior, and their great master.
The lord sensed the danger in advance, led his people all the way, and found reinforcements from Heidelberg and Iron Ring City. Only then Black Hammer Fort survived, and only the soldiers of Black Hammer Fort survived.
Those civilians who voluntarily stayed to participate in the battle received generous rewards, and the bonus even exceeded their income from five years of labor. For this reason, Rhodes became ruthless and emptied half of the small treasury. It seemed meaningless and meaningless.
Value is actually very important. Those who stay will tell their relatives, friends, or other people in the town about this "great" battle. At the same time, they will show off to them their performance in the battle and the rewards they received.
, this will help more people stay in Blackhammer Keep.
In the vast and sparsely populated Northern Territory, population is so important. The vast Northern Territory is rich in resources. What it needs is labor and population. Therefore, even if the cost is huge, Rhodes still feels that this is beneficial.
valuable.
In addition, Rhodes asked Muros to arrange for those who died heroically in the battle and gave them generous burials. If there are still family members staying in Blackhammer Castle, these people can go to the Finance Department to receive minimum living allowances every month to ensure that they
Life. After all, the main labor force in the family, the man, is dead. How can the women and children support themselves? Rhodes does not want more and more people to make a living from prostitution in his castle...
"At your request, the banquet has been prepared and the letter was sent two days ago. By this time, it is estimated that the lords of Heidelberg and Iron Ring City have already received the news."
"Okay, thank you for your hard work during this period, Muros. You are my most trustworthy person, and Esun will bless you."
The icy cold wind swept across Rhode's cheek. He took a deep breath and spoke to his butler Muros in a grateful tone. The latter bent slightly to show respect. Rhode helped him stand up kindly.
.
"By the way, Dennis's room..."
"The ice has not melted yet, but don't worry, no one has gone up there. The corridor has been sealed. The guards are on duty in turns and don't know what happened above. I have asked the two soldiers who saw the room that day to keep it secret.
, you are not allowed to tell anyone for the rest of your life."
Muros replied quietly.
"That's good, well, she should have a happy childhood. I only have one daughter, and I don't want to lose her."
There was a bit of sourness in Rhode's words, which moved the old housekeeper. Because he once had his own children, and they were both fathers, so he felt the same way. This strengthened his determination to keep Rhode's secret.
After arranging everything, Rhodes put on his robe and walked to his basement, where the hot spring of Black Hammer Castle is located.
Push open the damp stone door and go down one level along the circular stairs to reach the hot spring pool. This is a small pool only half the size of a bedroom. The warm spring water emerges from the ground, forming a steady stream of heat here.
, warming the entire castle. The stone walls have become moist and shiny due to being covered with steam for many years, and even some tiny algae plants have grown in the gaps between the stones. This breath of life makes Rhodes feel happy. Compared with
Compared to the ice and snow outside, this place is simply a greenhouse. This feeling reminds Rhodes of his distant hometown, the days when there was heating in the cement-built room. At that time, everything was fine... But now, he is already in
I have been living in this bloody world for nearly four months. The past days are gradually fading away, seeming like a dream, but everything at this moment is the real reality...
Rhodes sighed, took off all his clothes, and soaked his body in the hot spring pool. The long-lost warmth surged into his heart, and the warm current flowed through his skin, which was very comfortable. No wonder the nobles and rich people in the south would spend a lot of time in the cold winter.
Go north and soak in hot springs at various hot springs. Hot spring baths in winter are the ultimate enjoyment.
This pool is not big and it is considered a private place for Rhodes. No one will be here, so Rhodes is relieved.
However, just as Rhodes was enjoying his long-lost relaxation, slight footsteps came from the damp corridor. No one would come here!
"Who is there?"
Rhodes immediately became alert, and his roar echoed in the basement, like the roar of a grizzly bear that lingered.
However, there was no response for a long time, until ripple-like mist rose in the humid air. A thin figure gradually appeared in the air in front of him.
"Why are you so fierce?"
Caroline's voice came out of the mist, and gradually, she walked out of the wave-like mist. The scene in front of him left Rhodes speechless... When did this guy get here? Could it be that she just now
Are you here too? Then, you just took off your clothes and went into the water...
"When did you get here? Why didn't I see you?"
With half of his body above the water, Rhodes questioned Caroline in an accusing tone.
But Caroline just looked innocent. She was wearing light clothes and holding a bath towel in one hand, wiping her long wet hair calmly.
"I've always been there... I just want to try out what the hot springs in Black Hammer Castle are like, and whether they can cure all diseases like the legend says..."
Caroline pouted and said, looking innocent.
But Rhodes finally saw clearly that she had indeed been here for a long time. She must have sneaked in. After spending most of the day here, when she heard someone coming in, she quickly used magic to disguise herself, then put on her clothes and prepared to leave. Unexpectedly, people can hide,
The sound could not be hidden, and was detected by Rhodes' sharp hearing. Speaking of which, Rhodes' hearing is different from ordinary people...
"Don't you know it's rude to trespass on someone else's private property?"
Rhodes accused loudly. He almost got up, but then remembered that he was still wearing nothing underneath, so he had no choice but to sit in the pool and talk to Caroline.
"I know now."
She replied, trying her best to squeeze out an apologetic smile.
"You...you will be taken away as soon as your father comes back. You are a distinguished guest here. I can't take care of you. Let your father take care of you."
Rhodes said that frost witches are generally very serious beings, but Caroline, the daughter of Lord Heidelberg, is obviously an anomaly. Her curiosity seems to be still at the age of twelve or thirteen, and she is full of curiosity about everything.
You must know that the frosty constitution of the frost witches is not suitable for bathing in hot springs. This is incompatible with their frosty constitution. Fortunately, Caroline is not a high-level frost wizard, otherwise, she would have soaked the entire pool with water.
Turn into ice... Moreover, no frost witch would do this. Rhodes knew that in Kislev, high-level frost witches have long been connected to the ice crystals underground. They use ice springs for bathing, and it is cold in Kislev.
Instead of being like Caroline, who desperately jumped into the pool to enjoy the hot spring bath for enjoyment... Fortunately, her body temperature was not too low, and it didn't take long after the soak.
recover.
"My father? Oh, it's useless even if he comes. The Frost Witch is free. As long as she doesn't do anything detrimental to the Queen, no one can do anything to me." Caroline said, squeezing towards Rhodes.
He smiled and said, "Also, this hot spring is good, but it's a pity that my magic power will be lost after soaking in the hot spring. Don't worry, I won't come again next time."
After saying that, he put on his clothes and trotted out of the basement. But Rhodes consciously or unconsciously recalled the beautiful figure that the witch showed in front of him just now... The careless Caroline did not notice that this was already her second time.
The first time I was exposed in front of Rhodes...