Why did the lord rebel

Chapter 223 There is no free dinner in the world

As the convoy progressed, the winding boardwalk at first gradually became spacious and straight;

The elf planks used to pave the road, which have been in disrepair for a long time, have also been replaced little by little with brand new gravel sandstone.

Coupled with the fact that local residents driving livestock and carrying fresh fruits gradually appeared on the deserted road, the group of Shuangfengling realized that their team was approaching the capital of the Earl of Aldine. Ye Zhen.

Today, there are nearly a hundred large and small territories in the empire, some of which, like the Principality of Igor, use the solid Eagle's Rest Castle as the core of their rule, and some of them, like the important trading town of Sanshui Bay, are on the shallows of the river. A prosperous capital city was established.

The Earl of Halladayne, who lived in a remote place in the south, chose to put his mansion in this forest town like a country rich man.

Xia Houyan poked his head out of the car window, and saw the edge of Chunye Town from a distance:
He saw the wooden bungalows with local characteristics, the muddy and rutted paths after the rain, and the townspeople selling fruits, hunting and agricultural products under the walls of the wooden houses;

As for the hillside farther away, it is the residence of the Earl of Hallardine—it is the only building in the town that is built with stone brick walls and whitewashed, which is extremely conspicuous;

However, judging from the moss color on the surface of the manor wall, the Earl probably didn't bother to maintain his house.

Fortunately, in the current empire, the relationship between titles, territories, and wealth has long been decoupled;

Otherwise, this rustic and a bit too ordinary capital of the territory will definitely make Halla Dean, who is an earl, be laughed at by those viscounts and barons of the Westland who are extremely rich in the territory.

"Wow..." Katerina and a few other girls also looked at Chunye Town through the window of the car, shouting for a while.

The quiet and serene atmosphere of the forest town, as well as the scenery of singing birds and fragrant flowers, obviously made these girls who were used to eating sandstorms and seeing carrion corpses in the land of cracking souls envious.

The boss in his heart is not a good lord, and he said in his heart that when I return to the land of broken souls, I must do a good job of the greening project...

The convoy of the Igor family is so powerful that it is obviously impossible to stop in the narrow Spring Leaf Town;
Therefore, the convoy stopped at the open space between the small town and the woodland, preparing to take a rest.

Since the team didn't dare to stay in the Duke of Houston's territory before, Cavalier Commander Cousins ​​decided to replenish some necessary supplies in Springleaf Town;

As for Baron Alexios, who was traveling with everyone in Shuangfengling, he decided to push a few trucks here to try his luck, to see if he could sell a batch of hopeless goods, and how much money he would get back;

But considering the poor purchasing power of these forest dwellers, everyone basically felt that hope was very slim.

But Xia Houyan considered again and again, and decided to take someone to visit Earl Halledine.

Although Shuangfengling, which is located in the southern corner of the empire, is destined to have little contact with this landowner who lives in the woodland in the future, but since he is also in the noble circle, the lord must do some symbolic communication activities, and he definitely does not pass by other people. The reason why you don't go to say hello to the treasure land of geomantic omen.

So, Xia Houyan took Katerina, Master Laurie, Commander Cousins, and Alice to leave the convoy stationed in the open space, and walked through Spring Leaf Town to the Earl's Manor on the hillside.

Here is a handpicked team:
Katerina is the second person in the family, Master Laurie is the chief mage, Alice is the captain of the guard, and Aaron Cousins ​​is the well-mannered empire veteran;
Bringing these high-level officials of the territory to visit, Shuangfengling can be regarded as giving Earl Halledine enough face.

The residents of Chunye Town had already noticed this huge team parked beside the town, but it was probably because Sunset Avenue had been closed for a long time and many caravans had already passed by, so they didn't show too much surprise , at most whisper a few words, and then continue their daily work.

This kind of simple and calm folk style is in stark contrast to the towns on the left bank where they start filming at the slightest disagreement;
Xia Houyan's feeling is that he suddenly came from the war-torn hot land of the Middle East to the ice and snow land of the Nordic welfare state.

And this feeling lasted until they arrived at the gate of Earl Hallardine's "Basil Manor".

The person who received the lord and his party at the door was a shriveled old butler who moved slowly but with utmost courtesy:
After he learned that the visitor was actually the patriarch of the Igor family, he quickly invited everyone into the gazebo in the garden of the manor to wait for a while, and then hurried to the room to inform Mr. Earl:
Although Father Vincent's treason case plunged the family into an abyss of destruction, the Igor family, as veteran nobles of the empire, apparently still maintained a considerable reputation in the circle of dignitaries.

Katerina was sitting in the gazebo in a standard ladylike posture, sipping black tea, and winking at her younger brother indiscriminately.

Xia Houyan followed her sister's gaze, and saw that in the courtyard of the manor, there were not only sculptural shrubs carefully tended by the gardener, but also a field specially opened up, which was full of green plants with a height of half a person and huge leaves.

This kind of plant is called "Jewel Plantain", and its biggest feature is that it is easy to survive and does not need to worry about. It has always been the favorite cultivated plant of those rich and wealthy empires who claim to be "nature-loving";
Obviously, this field is dedicated to planting flowers for Earl Hallardine.

"Let's build a field in Horned Eagle Manor later on." Xia Houyan knew that his sister had always liked such flashy aristocratic things, so he rolled his eyes secretly and promised casually.

While everyone was still chatting in low voices, Earl Hallardine, led by the old butler, trotted to the courtyard to welcome the distinguished guests.

It has to be said that the image of Earl Halledine is no different from Jahouyan's imagination:
He is a short, chubby little old man, coupled with that gorgeous costume with exquisite embroidery, he is like a large version of brocade hydrangea-this image of a rich man in the country, During the land reform period, it was definitely the first object to be knocked down and divided into fields.

Since Houston and Rosario, the two imperial nobles who have been in contact with before, are not easy to fuel, everyone in Shuangfeng Ridge is naturally wary of Earl Hallardine, who is also a nobleman;
But soon, they realized that they were thinking too much.

No matter how you look at it, this mole-like fat landlord is a good-natured idler who only knows how to eat, drink and have fun every day.

The Earl first took Xia Houyan around the manor, then took out the key with his chubby hands to open the underground wine cellar, received several glasses of vintage wine to entertain the guests, and finally stayed in the living room of the manor, accompanying him Watching the officials of Xiahou play a few hands of the most popular card game in the empire, "Marne Card".

During the chat, Earl Hallardine enthusiastically introduced the local conditions and customs of his country and Sunset Forest, but he showed extreme insensitivity to the situation of the empire and the mainland—even the lord’s hapless father Vincent Halladine had only vaguely heard rumors about Te Igor's rebellion and murder, and this was the first time he had received definite information from the lord.

"Your father Vincent... I met him a few times before... he is a good man..." the earl shook his head sadly at the time, "How could he rebel? His Majesty probably made a mistake... "

After some conversation, Xia Houyan finally understood:

Co-authored by Earl Hallardine, who is happy and happy on his own one-third of an acre of land every day, he has basically been isolated from the political situation of the empire and does not care about world affairs.

It's okay to chat with this kind and kind little old man about anecdotes and listen to interesting legends about the sunset forest, but if we really want to talk about deep friendship, it really doesn't mean much to the current Igor family.

Therefore, Xia Houyan offered to leave early and not to disturb, but Earl Hallardine insisted on keeping them to enjoy the dinner before leaving.

"I haven't seen a noble friend in this small place for several years..." Earl Hallardine said with a smile, "Since you are here, Elliott, please chat with me more..."

So, Xia Houyan and Igor's scum, with a calm face, attended Earl Halledine's dinner in the hall of the Basil Manor.

The Earl of Hallardine must have not received other nobles for many years, and he was holding back his energy to make a big news. Under his instructions, the poor old butler broke his leg and urged the chef in the manor to clean up. A fairly sumptuous country feast with roast suckling pig as the main course.

Looking at the suckling pig whose skin was roasted bright and crisp, with an apple stuffed in its mouth, Xia Houyan, who set an example at Fenghuang Terrace every day and accompanied the pioneering army recruits to eat bran-swallowed vegetables, had moist eyes, and was as moved as if he had seen his relatives.

In order to highlight the importance attached to distinguished guests, Earl Hallardine also specially invited some country gentry, wealthy businessmen, and poets from the territory to drink with him at the banquet. The pretty local young woman kept winking at the young and handsome Shuangfengling lord across the table.

So Xia Houyan took a few more pinches from Katerina who was sitting next to her.

At the banquet, the guests and the host had a good time, and after drinking for three rounds, Earl Hallardine finally drunkenly mentioned the sunset forest that was closed.

"Alas..." the fat old man held his wine glass with a sad expression on his face, "Dear Elliott, let alone you, even the people in our territory have been delayed by these shameless robbers—look It's almost autumn, and it's a good time for our local farmers in Chunye Town to go to the forest to pick special products, but with this group of robbers around, no one dared to go there..."

"That's right, Lord Earl!" A wealthy businessman complained, "Those demon bastards will die as soon as they die, but several of the good guys from our local chamber of commerce have also died at the hands of 'Jian Shan Chuang'!"

"Everyone can only stay calm..." Halladine smiled helplessly, "I have already written to ask the Imperial Eastern Army to help suppress the bandits, but I don't know when their troops will arrive——Eliot, you Did you see the carriage in my manor? Originally, I had packed my luggage and was going to take Old George and the others to the Imperial Capital to attend the 'St. Augustus Festival' - this is good, I dare not Let's move..."

"My lord, in fact, we also went to the imperial capital to attend the 'St. Augustus Festival'." Katerina looked at the old man sympathetically.

"Then I wish you the blessing of the Holy Spirit and win the crown!" Halladine raised his glass, but his expression was still very depressed, "I just hope that the Eastern Army can arrive quickly. If things go well, I might return Can go to the imperial capital to catch a tail of the 'St. Augustus Festival'."

"Don't worry, the Eastern Army has always been very reliable..." The chief mage of Halledine, who was called "Old George" by the earl, turned his head and said in relief.

The country of Halledine is indeed a small place. This Master George is only a third-level earth-type intermediate mage, and his magic level is even equal to that of the Xiahou official. Since he appeared, he has been They toasted and chatted around Master Laurie, trying their best to flatter them, obviously trying to get some benefits from the senior magister.

Xia Houyan said curiously:
"You said you wrote a letter to the Eastern Army. Did you write it to Duke Rosario?"

"It's such a trivial matter in our territory, why bother Your Excellency the Grand Duke?" Earl Hallardine laughed and said, "This is the southern part of the eastern border, and it is under the control of the Third Division of the Eastern Army. I am for the Third Division." A letter from the commander of the regiment, Baron Van Gaal. His troops are stationed at Dongfeng Castle not far to the north, and I believe that within a few days, they will be able to—”

A shrill explosion interrupted the earl's speech.

The heavy oak gate of the manor hall suddenly exploded like a crystal, and the smoke gradually dissipated among the flying wood chips, revealing a dozen black-clothed figures standing at the gate.

For a moment, everyone at the banquet was stunned by this unexpected turn of events.

But when the masks of the men in black with dark gray lines came into view, some rumors that have been popular in the local area recently finally awakened the memories of the squires——

"Forest robbers—" a wealthy businessman screamed and stood up from his seat, but his follow-up speech ended in a scream.

A sharp arrow with quivering feathers had pierced his throat.

Arrowheads are green.

A brief silence.

Then everything exploded.

In an instant, in this not-so-spacious banquet hall, there seemed to be many things happening at the same time:
The man in black, the leader who rushed into the door, rushed towards Earl Hallardine, who was sitting in the main seat and his face was pale with fright. Behind him, other forest robbers were shooting arrows coated with sword fir poison. bowstring—

On the side, the stained glass windows of the hall were instantly shattered into dust, and five or six other men in black were swinging into the hall from the window with their boot soles on. The thick hemp rope fixed on the roof was caught by their Holding hands tightly——

The chief mage George of Halladayne and the skinny old butler are rushing towards the earl from two different angles, trying to block the enemy's attack for their master: the silver plate thrown hastily into the air, the candlelight reflecting Just like the bright moon, and the overturned wine glass on the table spilled drops of wine, which was as red as blood——

Master Laurie, who was chatting and laughing with George just now, stood up in a panic with his palms on the table, and the Knight Commander Cousins ​​next to him was stretching out a hand, trying to protect the frail old mage behind him— —

Alice Comstock's two leather boots had already stepped onto the table. On the waist of the female swordsman in a forward posture, the blade of the magic sword "Light of the Sky" had just swayed the first round of dazzling magic glow. ——

In the deepest part of the hall, Xia Houyan put his arm around his screaming sister, and the other hand held the crowbar around his waist.

The roast suckling pig is quietly fragrant.

(End of this chapter)