When the dwarf expedition team handed the bones to Rhodes, everyone was shocked by the sight before them. Of those members of the expedition team who had been sent out to explore new trade routes east of the World's Edge Mountains, only zero were brought back.
Scattered half-body bodies.
The severed limbs were mutilated, as if they had been torn apart by wild beasts, and some had their internal organs hollowed out, leaving only rotten bodies.
"We found them in a cave," the dwarves said, "and some were found in the mountains, where there was no human habitation, only wild beasts and ant colonies roamed. Judging from the degree of decomposition of the corpses, they must have been dead for at least a month and a half.
Already."
Rhodes leaned down and carefully observed the broken corpses. Some of the wounds were obviously not caused by the bites of ordinary beasts. The broken limbs were fine and neat. If it were a large beast, it could bite off the bones and directly tear off the limbs. Those wounds
It definitely doesn't look like this. These wounds seem to be caused by small creatures tearing them apart little by little. As for what they are, Rhodes doesn't know.
"Thank you for bringing back the remains of the martyrs. If you need any reward, please tell me."
Rhodes stood up and asked.
"I just passed by and found it by chance. No reward is needed. It's not troublesome to bring back a few corpses."
The dwarves responded. Rhodes didn't know how to answer for a moment. If he were a human, he would have asked for a large bounty. But the dwarves... are really straightforward... Rhodes could only ask the chef to prepare a sumptuous dinner, and also
There is good wine to entertain these dwarf allies.
…
"What's next? Father?"
When the dwarves exited the hall, Dennis and a group of ministers gathered around them in an anxious mood. The teams sent eastward several times were all missing without exception. It was only now that the dwarves brought back some broken pieces.
The unbearable corpse. Even if they cross the World's Edge Mountains, there are still endless dangers waiting for the expedition team. According to the dwarves, east of the World's Edge Mountains is an endless dark forest. And there are not many death row prisoners left.
"Block the news and continue sending the team eastward."
Sitting on the big chair, Rhodes answered calmly. His voice was so cold that to outsiders, it even seemed cold.
"To revitalize the kingdom, someone is bound to sacrifice. We have sacrificed an entire generation for Kislev, but we must persevere, otherwise the efforts of everyone ahead will be in vain."
"Then I'll raise funds..."
“What to do about the manpower problem?”
Dennis frowned and asked.
"Can't we send the army?"
"Continue to recruit teams from the people..."
Rhodes replied coldly.
"They have no experience...they will only die if they go there!"
Dennis objected. There were some things that she didn't completely agree with her father's opinions...
"Who has experience in exploring unknown continents?"
Rhodes' voice became slightly louder, and the whole place suddenly became much quieter. Everyone knew that the great lord's determination to open up new trade routes and his determination to build heavy industry were almost equally valued.
"Then I'll make preparations..."
Dennis said with a straight face, and just as he was about to leave, he heard the dwarf beside him say something——
"Wait."
Everyone looked back - the butcher Bogur was drinking strong wine, looking drunk.
As a royal council, idlers like Bogul should not participate in it originally, but due to his special relationship with Rhodes, this guy can enter and exit almost any place at will. He is also not interested in human politics. Drinking and going to the battlefield to seek death are...
His only joy in life. Moreover, having lived and died together for many years, he can be said to be one of Rhodes's most trusted comrades.
"Wait a minute, Dennis, my lovely little girl. And you, Rod, my most trusted comrade. Listen to me."
Bogur threw away the bottle and walked to the table drunkenly. His face smelled of alcohol, and a group of ministers including Antonovich and Tolichka even covered their noses in disgust.
"No need to send those useless people, I'm going. I'm going with a group of butchers. Rod, you and I have known each other for ten years, right? Oh, more than that, more than ten years. I, Bogul, have pursued this all my life.
What you know best."
After the dwarf finished speaking, no one said a word. Even Rhodes was quiet and silent. Everyone knew that the ultimate pursuit of the Butcher was to die gloriously on the battlefield. Now that the war is no longer there, as a Butcher, there is nothing left to live.
Meaning. It is easy to understand why Boguer wanted to lead an expedition eastward.
"You send those useless people, but the result will still be the same. A few months, or even a few years later, they will bring you a pile of rotten bones. Or even no bones can be found. But I can lead the team all the way.
Dong, find the mysterious country you want. Believe me, Rhodes, you should also believe me, because you have no one else to trust. Except me. Do you dare to say that there are people around you who are more experienced than me? Lian Dulong
The rangers in the city dare not say that they have more adventure experiences than me. You can only leave this task to me. We have been through life and death together many times, and you know my strength."
Boguer burped while swearing. He did have the capital, Rhodes knew. However, the comradeship cultivated by fighting side by side for many years and escaping death. Now, he is going to carry out the most dangerous mission, saying
Rhode felt really reluctant to leave. After all, they had been comrades fighting against each other for many years.
After the dwarf finished speaking, the entire audience remained silent.
"There is no need to hesitate, my friend, my comrade-in-arms. You have to know why I have been standing with you for so many years. Because you have wars to fight. You fight against the greenskins and the Norscan savages.
Fighting vampires. As a butcher, I long for such a battle. Now, without fighting, my life is meaningless. The peace you want, you can manage it yourself. I need a place where I can shed my blood. The Eastern World, not bad
.There are countless monsters and endless darkness waiting for me, and that is my fate."
After saying that, Bogur took out another bottle of vodka from his arms and took a big drink. Obviously, he has been relying on these drinks to numb himself these days.
"How many people do you need?"
After a long silence, Rhodes finally spoke. In fact, from the moment Bogul proposed that he volunteer to lead the team eastward, Rhodes knew that there was no better candidate than him in Kislev. It was just emotions.
, making him unwilling to see his old friend of many years gone without return. You must know that after this separation, even if Bogul is lucky, it will take several years before he has a chance to come back. What's more, the probability of him coming back alive is also
Very little.
"Choose carefully and don't have too many. Too much is useless. A group of useless guys will only hold you back. I want to personally select."