rune hunter

Chapter 398 Red Hat

"I can provide you with a place to rest."

Logan took a deep look at El, handed the parchment to Tiana, and said with a smile: "There used to be an open-pit mine on the mountain west of Thunder Fortress, and we once built a castle next to it. After the mine veins dried up, the castle gradually fell into disrepair. However, with a little cleaning, 8000 people stationed there will be no problem."

Lord Churkin's generosity was beyond everyone's expectations. In this era, the manpower and material resources required to build a castle are unimaginably astronomical.Generally speaking, only a powerful duke or a warlord of the same level can build a real castle fortress on his own territory.

A single castle is indeed insignificant compared to the overall fortifications of Thunder Fortress, but don't forget that the latter is a magnificent project built by the Kingdom of Auckland in the past thousand years with all its efforts.And the deserted castle that Logan said can actually accommodate tens of thousands of people, and the scale is not ordinary.You must know that even the inner city of Istaron, that is, the military fortress built 300 years ago, can only accommodate the upper limit of the population.

This was far beyond the psychological expectations of Tiana and the others. One must know that what she expected before was that Lord Churkin could accept these refugees.It's just that I didn't expect to find out after arriving at the Thunder Fortress that the environment here is completely different from that of Eastalen.She had already prepared for the worst, but she didn't expect to get such a huge surprise.

Yes, surprise.No matter from which point of view, being able to obtain a castle out of thin air can be called a surprise, and this is also the most urgent need of the exiles.

But, will there really be surprises for no reason?Although there are many young people present here, they are not flowers in the greenhouse. They have fought all the way and have experienced the most terrifying darkness. Who would easily believe this kind of pie that fell from the sky?
Tiana unfolded the parchment, glanced at it, and handed it to Al who was sitting behind her.Although he did not sit at the guest of honour, this move was undoubtedly a hint to Lord Churkin of El's true status in the group.This kind of behavior might embarrass Prince Roms, but under the watchful eyes of Lord Churkin, the sweating Prince Tiewei wanted to find a crack in the ground to sneak in, so he didn't care about other people's feelings.

The topographic map near the castle is drawn on the parchment. Although it is not very detailed, it can basically see the approximate geographical environment around it.Judging from the map, the location of this castle is indeed a little weird. In fact, it should be outside the defense line of Thunder Fortress—that is, the border between the Kingdom of Auckland and the Falcon Empire.

Although the history of the development of human civilization has lasted for thousands of years and almost conquered and opened up 80.00% of the plains on the continent, it is still powerless to deal with the criss-crossing mountains on this continent.Before the Camille Wasteland was artificially created, it was an uncivilized and wild area like the Yunlu Mountains.Even the most powerful knights of human beings cannot display their true strength in the Black Forest, and can only rely on their descendants to gradually erode through slash-and-burn cultivation from generation to generation.

The founding history of the country can be traced back to the Falcon Empire at the end of the barbaric era. It occupies a pivotal position in the human world. If it is simply calculated based on national power, the Kingdom of Auckland can only be compared with its few border provinces at best.However, the establishment of the Oakland Kingdom still exists today, and there are also objective reasons.

Putting aside the political factors behind the scenes, this insurmountable primitive mountain range as the dividing line between the two countries is as important as Thunder Fortress.

The castle presented by Lord Churkin is located in the mountains to the west of the Thunder Fortress, more than ten kilometers deep into the mountains, and it is safe enough in terms of environment - this ghost place is surrounded by mountains, and there is only one road leading to the inside of the Thunder Fortress. Before the fortress is breached, it is estimated that no bird can fly in.

There are signs of several mine pits drawn on the mountain wall on the west side of the castle, which is probably the mine vein that Lord Churkin said.From the perspective of scale, a rich mine must have been discovered here, otherwise it would not have cost such a large cost to build the city and pave the road.

The information that can be deduced purely from the map seems to be nothing more than that.On the surface, this is indeed an excellent place to recuperate.If the problem of living resources is not considered, its existence value is far more than that of a lord's castle in the general sense.

"Killian's red hat..." The girl's murmur-like whisper suddenly sounded in El's ear. Although it was only a few words, it made El shiver subconsciously.

This is an ancient proverb, "Killian" refers to the cliffs with no bottom in the forest, and "red hat" is a blood-red mushroom growing on the cliffs.It is said that this kind of mushroom itself is highly poisonous, but after being processed by special means, it will become the best food.

When someone mentions "Killian's red hat," it means that the stakes are high, but the rewards are equally lucrative and difficult to choose.

However, this proverb is indeed a bit old and rare, and it has long since disappeared in the common language. Except for hunters like El who have survived in the forest since childhood, I am afraid that only those scholars who like to delve into historical classics will know it.

El turned his head suspiciously to the mysterious girl sitting next to him, and the latter immediately showed an innocent expression, raised the corners of his mouth and laughed softly: "I'm just helping to relay Miss Laurana's words..."

El nodded. It would be more reliable to say that it was Laurana who said it, but with the talent of the young lady, even such a simple and shocking proverb may not seem to be true in the literal sense. So simple.

Although the red hat is a highly poisonous mushroom, its toxin is not fatal, but hallucinogenic.El knows this because in the past, businessmen have been buying this mushroom in Queensland for a long time.It is said that the ground powder after drying can be used as magic material for the caster to release illusions.

If you think about it this way, the meaning Laurana implies in this proverb is self-evident.If Lord Churkin's generosity exceeds everyone's psychological expectations, it is likely to be a "Killian's red hat".It is an obvious fact that benefits and risks coexist. If the host brings out delicacies to entertain distinguished guests, it depends on his own appetite whether he can eat them.

Tiana handed the map to herself, in addition to hinting her status to Lord Churkin, she was also asking for her own opinion.With her wisdom, she may not be able to think of the problems, but in this case, patience and caution are needed.

However, at this time, El could not directly repeat Laurana's proverb to Tiana.

I came here to beg for food, and now someone brings you a bowl of delicious food, but you suspect that there is poison inside... Even if you are out of your mind, you shouldn't tell it, right?
Although the old man was still happily waiting for a response from his own side, El would never believe that he hadn't heard Jessica's whisper just now.In terms of the strength displayed by this lord lord, I am afraid that even the turmoil within a hundred meters cannot be concealed from his perception, not to mention that everyone is sitting at the banquet now, so what is the point of lowering their voices?
But that's the rule among the nobles. If you don't get something on the table, it will be regarded as non-existent by default.Jessica and El's whispers were private conversations, and if the lord was annoyed by this, he would be slapping himself in the face.But if El couldn't convey the same sentence to Tiana, it was an extremely rude behavior.

Fortunately, he has his own unique skills.

Er patted little Langa on the head, nodded and smiled at Lord Churkin who was watching him.

"Those of us in distress originally wanted to ask for your protection, but we didn't expect you to be so generous, it was beyond our expectations. This gift is too heavy, we are flattered, and we don't know how to repay your kindness .”

Tiana's eyes flickered slightly, and when she spoke again, she quietly changed her tone.

The implication of this sentence is-even if the mushrooms are poisonous, we will recognize it, but we don't know the price of the antidote?
The old man's eyes looked between Tiana and El unexpectedly, and suddenly he slapped his head, and laughed loudly: "You guys are careful, but if you don't even have this kind of heart, you don't have to worry about it." It may last until now. Don't worry, just the few kittens and puppies you have left, how can they be of any use?"

Hearing the old man's teasing words, Tiana couldn't help but blushed a little, but just as the old man said, she didn't care about such a little shame for a long time now.Regardless of whether Lord Churkin is sincere or not, since the words have been said here, it is better to ask clearly, otherwise troubles will arise if there is no certainty in the future.

"We came here to seek asylum, so we naturally have to obey your instructions. Although it's natural for you to look down on us remnants and defeated generals, if there is a place where we are needed, it is of course our duty." After calming down, Tiana said seriously.

"You yourself know that you are a remnant and defeated general, so don't try to save face in front of me." Logan shook his head, and said with some disapproval: "I chose this place for you to let you take a good rest for a while. As for the outside You don’t need to worry about the problem. Want to help me? It’s not too late to come out after you lick the wound clean.”

"I disagree!"

Just when Logan spoke to comfort the girl, a loud voice suddenly came from outside the gate.

　Resume update after marriage... After getting married, I feel relaxed all of a sudden. I can't get up the energy to do anything. I just want to sleep from morning to night. Maybe it's because I consumed too much energy before. Today I resume the update. If No accidents, the update rhythm has returned to normal, thanks to those who have been voting for me!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)