Heart of the Castle

Chapter 271 Territory Changes, Greencastle Rebel Flag

Since Viscount Ryan is located on the northern border of the Kingdom of Arthur, the land is relatively barren and blocked by the Dusk Forest, the transmission of information has not been smooth.Although the Adventurer's Guild has its own channels for transmitting information, it also undertakes the task of sending letters to the outside world.But no one wants to pass some secret information through them. After all, confidentiality and timeliness are equally important, and the former is often more critical than the latter.

Master Sujiad, as a master scholar, once domesticated a group of carrier pigeons to deliver messages, but the load-bearing capacity of carrier pigeons is limited. If it is parchment paper like ordinary letters, a carrier pigeon may only be able to transport a piece as big as a palm, and there is not much content to write at all. .For this reason, Master Sugard also purchased a batch of alchemy letterheads from other master scholars as a way to convey information when necessary.

This kind of alchemy letterhead is worth a lot of money, more than ten times that of the best parchment.There is no very important matter, Master Sujiad will not waste this means of communication casually.Perhaps there was something wrong with the territory, Wilps thought of this, and hurriedly reached out to Mengmeng's neck, trying to pick off the silver ball.

There was a cold gleam in the big bobcat's narrowed eyes, but with Li Wei's acquiescence, Mengmeng didn't react, but allowed Wilps to pick the silver ball smoothly.

There is an exquisite small lock on the silver ball. Once the method of opening is wrong, the magic trap on it will be triggered immediately, destroying the letters inside.Both Li Wei and Wilps knew how to open the silver ball, but in comparison, Wilps had the experience of opening the silver ball many times.

Wilps was anxious, but his fingers were unusually steady. After a few light fiddles, the silver ball made a light rattle and opened automatically, revealing a roll of letter paper with a faint blue light inside.Wilps picked up the letterhead and unfolded it. Although this alchemy item was as thin as a cicada's wing, it was quite tough. It was filled with Master Sugard's smooth and beautiful italic characters.

Li Wei moved his body closer, and just after reading a few words, his face couldn't help changing color slightly.He turned his head to look at Wilps, and saw that the newly promoted titled knight also had a gloomy expression and frowns.

"Sir Lidwan, the lord of the Greencastle, publicly announced that he refused to recognize Levi Stern as a military leader, and sent troops to attack the refugee camp. It is even more unfortunate that the envoy from the king's capital happened to be inspecting there at that time, although The camp itself was not breached due to its proper defense, but the envoy was not so lucky."

Wilps said with a wry smile while handing the letter into Levi's hands. "Now Sir Lidwan has imprisoned the envoy in the dungeon of Green Castle, and asks Lord Li Wei to come forward to solve it in person."

"How could such a thing happen? Although Sir Ridwan is somewhat dissatisfied with my military power, he still has the dignity of a knight after all. The original oath is still ringing in his ears. How could he..." Li Wei was a little embarrassed He looked at the secret letter confidently and said.

"According to the explanation in the letter, it was because Miss Lisa disappeared suddenly and then arrived in Green Castle secretly. No one knows exactly what she said to Sir Lidwan. But according to the calculation of the time when Sir Lidwan raided the refugee camp, Lisa The day after Miss Sha arrived in Greencastle, Sir Lidwan decided to rebel." Wilps explained beside him.

"Wait, what did I hear? What is the military chief, the lord of Greencastle?" For a quick-witted clergyman, these words are enough.

"Could it be that you are... ah, Merkativo, the Lord of Wisdom! Damn my stupid head, Levi, Levi? Ston! And Will, Wilps!" Babu There was an exaggerated expression of shock on Lupa's face, and his stubby body became even shorter, because he was lying on the ground now, with cold sweat streaming from his forehead, showing a look of sincerity and fear.

However, Li Wei found a hint of excitement in the expression of the fake priest, which showed that Babrupa's current mood was actually very happy, which was quite different from the panic he showed.On the contrary, standing behind him, Grunwalm, who didn't look so surprised, had a more solemn expression.

"Put away your pitiful look, pious Babrupa." Li Wei said, "Even the majesty of the Father God and the Lord of Glory, Flandala, can't deter the slickness in your bones. It can’t be done any more.”

"Hehe, that's different. The gods have always been gentle and honest, calm and calm, completely in line with their wooden and clay sculptures on the temple, and they don't care about me, a small person. But you are different, as a soldier who is equivalent to a lord Sir, you have the right to cut off your head." Babrupa replied with a dry smile.

"I'm not interested in cutting off anyone's head at all, as long as you don't violate the laws of the world. As for the punishment for your disrespect to the gods, I think that is not something that we, as mortals, can do on our behalf. Babrupa breathed a sigh of relief at Li Wei's words, and the panic disappeared on that round face as if washed away by water.He originally wanted to say a few more words, but when he saw the heavy expression on Li Wei's face, he closed his mouth, bowed deeply, and stepped back.

"We must go back immediately." Wilps' expression was also heavy. "This situation is really too bad. Although the Viscount Castle has made arrangements before coming out, it is still very difficult to deal with such a scene."

"From the letters, it seems that the overall situation in the territory is quite stable. Sir Lidwan did not do anything other than attack the refugee camp." Li Wei folded the alchemy letterhead and stuffed it back into the silver inside the ball. "Does this mean that there is still room for negotiation?"

"I'm afraid not." Wilps said bluntly, "I am quite clear about Sir Ridwan's character. He is a very headstrong person. Consider others from the perspective of others. And..."

After a short pause, Wilps shook his head and said, "Sir Lidwan values ​​his reputation very much more than his own life. Even if he finds a mistake, it is impossible...to correct it."

Li Wei looked at the night sky with both eyes, and let out a deep breath, "In this case, there may only be one battle with Sir Ridwan."

"...I'm afraid there will only be one battle!" In the conference room of the Viscount Castle hundreds of kilometers away, the old scholar in red, Master Sugard, said the same thing as Li Wei. When speaking, the old scholar always had a kind and wise face It became extremely gloomy, and strong anger overflowed from every wrinkle.

The change of things is indeed something that Master Sujiad did not expect.

After Li Wei and Wilps left, only the newly promoted Grand Knight Commander Donner supported the territory. The three of them didn't leave, so there was no need to worry about the safety of the Viscount's castle.It was precisely for this reason that Master Sugard let Li Wei and Wilpus leave with confidence.

Maybe it's because the friendship of fighting side by side in the disaster hasn't faded, maybe Li Wei's luck is really good. In short, until the tenth day after the military leader and deputy leader of the territory left, there was a stable and peaceful atmosphere inside and outside the Viscount's territory. The production that was devastated by the disaster began to recover. Although it was already early winter, the cultivated land was still planted with cold-resistant plants unique to the northern border.

It is impossible to count on a good harvest, but before the heavy snow completely covers the territory, it is still safe to harvest some rations, and it is possible to prepare winter forage for war horses and other livestock.

Just when Master Sugard was counting the days and estimated that Li Wei had almost obtained the knight qualification, he was alarmed and startled by the news brought by a middle-aged maid.

Viscount Lane's niece, Miss Lisa, disappeared from her room. Neither the personal maid sleeping in the next room nor the guards on duty in the corridor saw her leave, and this kind but weak nobleman Miss, just disappeared from the bedroom in the castle tower.

This is definitely an ominous omen. Miss Lisa is not only the closest bloodline of Viscount Ryan, but also his first in line heir. Although Miss Lisa has lost the right to retain the territory due to the catastrophe, she can still inherit it. The title of Viscount Lane.In other words, Miss Lisa's disappearance will inevitably bring about a series of troubles. Master Sugard doesn't think that this weak lady just went out for a walk because she was too bored in the tower.

Master Sugard ordered the castle guards to increase their alert level, and at the same time sent people to look for Miss Lisa, or clues to Miss Lisa's disappearance.However, this approach is more of a gesture. Since they will disappear unknowingly in the heavily guarded castle, how can those dispatched personnel find clues?
Sure enough, the trouble appeared two days later, in a posture that Master Sujiad least wanted to see.

When the rapid alarm bells echoed over the castle, Master Sugard was arranging the sheepskin scrolls on his tower. These scrolls that recorded various knowledge represented the achievements of a scholar and were one of his most precious treasures. .When the alarm bell sounded, the old scholar's long white beard trembled, and he hurriedly dropped the half-arranged notes in his hand, went to the window, and looked out through a long copper tube lens.

A group of people was galloping towards the castle, kicking up dust into the sky.

The lens can take a panoramic view of the scenery within a few kilometers, and the old scholar keenly discovered that the team was no stranger, and the knight walking in the front was wearing a set of heavy khaki armor, who was the so-called Roaring Bear Grand Knight Commander Donna.

Master Sugard is not very unfamiliar with Donna the Roaring Bear, but how did this former adventurer who limped a leg in the last catastrophe regain his health, and how did he suddenly realize the stage of Sanhua? Master Sugard couldn't figure it out.The old scholar only knew one thing, that all of these were inseparable from Li Wei, so Master Sujiad never doubted Tang Na's loyalty.

"Strange, didn't Donna accompany the king's special envoy to inspect the situation in the refugee camp? According to the time, it's not time to return, how could it be..." Master Sugard muttered, while adjusting the focus of the copper tube lens, thinking To see more clearly.

In the next instant, cold sweat broke out on the forehead of the old scholar in red robe.

This team had obviously gone through a fierce battle, and Tang Na's body was covered in blood, especially the entire right arm, which seemed to be soaked in blood.And behind him, many cavalrymen were covered with scars and bloodstains, and there were still a few empty horses on their backs!
Could it be that something happened to the king's special envoy?
Thinking of this, Master Sugard hurriedly walked out of the tower, and quickly walked down the spiraling steps.

When he arrived at the main entrance of the main building of the castle, Donna and the others had already entered the high wall of the castle, and they were calling for the servants to help the seriously injured cavalry down, and then arranged for treatment and bandaging.

"Master Tang Na, how did you make it like this?" Master Sujiad was anxious, and the words in his mouth could not help but be a bit rude.

Tang Na wiped the blood on his face, the sticky blood had already mixed with the black sweat, and this wipe made him look even more embarrassed. "Master Sugard, something has happened." He panted slightly, his voice hoarse, obviously very tired. "A squadron of cavalry - probably more than 50 men - launched a surprise attack on us. These men were well armed and trained for combat, and all of them wore armor, armed with steel lances and long swords. We fought hard. Difficult, although they finally defeated them, but the messenger was unfortunately captured by them!"

"Father God... This is really the worst outcome!" Master Sujiad couldn't help blurting out, "Master Donna, who attacked you? Can you tell?"

"We have left one-third of those attackers forever, but they all look like unfamiliar faces, at least in my opinion." Tang Na said with a serious face, and at the same time waved back, immediately there was Several cavalrymen came over and threw some broken gun shafts and sword blades on the ground.

"There are no marks on these weapons, and they seem to have been rebuilt not long ago. According to Brebe, the master dwarf blacksmith in the refugee camp, these weapons are originally made of good steel, not inferior to those used by the regular army, but Because the quenching was too hasty when remanufacturing, the quality has dropped a lot.”

Master Sugard looked at the marks where the weapon was broken, and nodded in agreement.

"I believe in Master Brebe's professional judgment. In my opinion, these weapons are too brittle." The red-robed old scholar frowned and said, "However, since you defeated those cavalrymen, the king's envoy is How did you get caught by them?"

"When we escorted the envoy to the refugee camp, it was still early. The refugees in the camp had already reclaimed a large piece of cultivated land around them, and many people were still busy on the cultivated land. The envoy must go to talk to the refugees in person and say yes If we want to learn about the deeds of the young hero who ended the disaster, we can't stop him, so we let him go." Tang Na sighed, "At this moment, those strange cavalry rushed like a whirlwind, our people I went up to stop them from asking, but I was poked off my horse on the spot. Then there was a scuffle. We had fewer people, but we were stronger than them, and our weapons were more convenient. So in the end, the god of war Barud stood on our side, but in the chaos Among them, the envoy disappeared, and according to the narration of the surviving refugees, a man in a black and red cloak captured the envoy."

"These people moved their hands directly, didn't they even ask?"

"Yes, do it directly, and during the battle, they didn't make any battle horns or other sounds. These cavalry attacked silently, and only let out an instinctive cry when they were pierced through their chests by spears or split their heads with sharp axes. Call," Donner replied.

This answer made Master Sugard's whole body tremble suddenly, and the metal necklaces on his chest made the sound of colliding with each other.

"Who is leading these cavalrymen, Mr. Donner, seeing the blood on your body, you should have fought against him, right?"

"This is the strangest thing." Roaring Bear showed a thoughtful expression on his face. "These cavalry have no leader, or in other words, there is not even a knight leading them. If there are knights among them, our victory will definitely be more difficult and we will suffer greater losses."

"What about the man in the black and red cloak seen by the refugees?" Master Sugard asked.

"I didn't see that person, whether it was the black-red cloak or any other cloak." Tang Na replied affirmatively.

"Well, according to your description, I can draw the following conclusions..." Master Sugard shrugged his shoulders and said, "A group of unmarked cavalry attacked you, and their purpose was very clear, to replace a The man in the black and red cloak created chaos and seized the opportunity to capture His Majesty's envoy."

"Capturing the envoy is not an easy matter," Tang Na added. "The envoy of His Majesty the King is a pretty good quasi-high-ranking knight, and he also wears a long sword for self-defense."

"In any case, the purpose of capturing the king's special envoy and those who attacked you was definitely not to simply create a fight." Master Sugard stroked his white beard and said, "Master Donna, please go to rest immediately and recover your strength, the next thing , I’m afraid I’ll still need your strength.”

Donna bowed to the red-robed old scholar, and then walked towards the main building of the castle, but Master Sugard did not move immediately, but looked up at the spire of the tower.There, the red and white griffin banner was fluttering in the wind, and the griffin pattern on it seemed to come alive, extremely powerful.

However, a trace of gloom flashed in Master Sujiad's eyes. He was thinking about what happened not long ago, and a shadow of a person appeared in his heart for no reason.

It was the headstrong face of Ser Lydwan, lord of the Greencastle!

(End of this chapter)