Chapter 3 Antolia does not raise idlers.
Antolia is a special place.
Although the rolling mountains in the south block most of the black fog coming from the abandoned land, some black fog will always cross the barriers of mountains and rivers, causing a large number of biological communities to appear on this land that are different from the mainland of the kingdom.
Passing through the moon mushroom forest that stretches for dozens of kilometers, you can see a meandering river in the distance.
White Blade River.
Every midwinter, the corpses of plateau hounds and their broken canine teeth would be carried down the river by the current. This river, regarded by the Antolian people as the source of life, got its name from this.
"The thorn leader is here!"
Along the White Blade River to the west, as Todd shouted, a castle located on the river bank came into view.
Different from the ancient castles in the kingdom with bright spiers and gorgeous carvings, the castle built along the river in front of you is like a piece of pie spread on the ground.
There is a round tower that is not tall at each corner. There are very few windows visible on the brick and stone exterior walls. The only windows are more like neatly arranged arrow holes.
What greeted Leon outside the castle, in addition to the warriors of the Jimena family, was also the coffin of Arthur Jimena, Viscount of Antolia.
"Master Leon, the Viscount passed away three days ago."
Looking at the dusty Leon, Aaron, the old butler of the Jimena family, said.
The Antolians never believed in gods.
So there is no church here, and there are no burials.
The hounds from the highlands have already developed the skills of digging graves in this difficult environment. Burials common in the Kingdom of Andal will only mean that the deceased will not be able to rest in peace after his death.
The viscount's guards used the collected firewood to build a high platform outside the city, and the coffin made of pine wood has been waiting for Leon's return.
"Light the fire..."
After standing in front of the coffin for a long time, Leon finally gave the order.
Suddenly,
the flames rose,
the burning wood made a crackling sound, and the people present sang the songs of Antolia softly.
Thick smoke rose into the sky, and the cold winter wind blew away the burning ashes.
After the funeral,
Antolia finally welcomed a new ruler - Viscount of Antolia, Leon Jimena.
...
Within the castle, there are many talented people.
The candlesticks with flickering flames danced, casting the shadow of the curtain on the damaged armor hanging on the wall.
Leon's eyes swept across everyone present.
Even though he has traveled through time for many years, whenever Leon looks at these warriors loyal to the Jimena family, he still feels an uncontrollable wonder in his heart.
In short, without a physique of more than 200 kilograms, they are embarrassed to say that they are loyal to the Jimena family outside. The
fatal injury seems to be just the business card for these people to step into the castle. The bucket waist and thick arms have already become the viscount's guards. Their standard configuration.
Even Todd, who was as strong as a giant bear in the city of Parma, seemed a bit ordinary among these people, as if everyone had the blood of orcs flowing in their bodies.
Of course,
there are exceptions.
The old butler Aaron was squinting his eyes and sitting on a large wooden chair near the fireplace.
Almost all the objects in the entire castle are oversized. The thick and warm wool blanket is placed on Aaron's body like a swaddling blanket wrapping a baby, covering his old and thin body layer by layer.
The dwarf Sherman sat on the edge of the door, writing and drawing on the brown paper with a quill in his hand.
The cold wind that squeezed in from the crack in the door swept over his bare head, and his sharp nose like an eagle's claws twitched from time to time, allowing the chief craftsman who designed the Thornland Castle and forged many weapons to keep his mind clear at all times.
"This year is the year of the jackdaw."
Todd, as the captain of the guard, was the first to speak, adding a touch of depression to the territory that had just been lost to the old Viscount.
The Year of the Jackdaw is a specialty of Antolia. It comes every five years and has never been absent for many years.
Two and a half years, two years and a half, it belongs to two years.
Every year in the year of the jackdaw, hounds from the southwest highlands will flow down the White Knife River. The severe cold of winter makes these bloodthirsty beasts hungry.
So much so that in Antolia, the Year of the Jackdaw often means brutal killings.
Although Viscount Antolia prepares food for the winter in advance, there is always not enough food.
So...
barren Antolia has no shortage of death.
Fortunately, the harsh and barren natural environment made this land slip through the net under the feudal fiefdom system. There was only one city surrounding the Castle of Thorns in the entire Antolia region.
Everyone present was not a vassal, they were all retainers, so that Leon's order could be conveyed to the ears of every citizen in the first time.
"How much food do we have in hand right now?" Leon asked.
Since he has been studying in Palma City for many years, Leon does not know much about the current situation in the territory, so naturally he has to ask first.
Aaron, who had been taking a nap by the fireplace, finally took off the heavy blanket that was wrapped around him, stood up slowly with the help of the waiter, and said with some worry: "The winter in the year of the jackdaw will be especially long. According to past experience
, This year's cold winter will last for more than four months."
"And the current grain storage in the territory is only enough for the territory for two and a half months..."
Hearing this, Leon couldn't help but frown slightly: "What about the purchase of grain? I remember that my father had been purchasing grain for the winter in the earldom near Antolia."
"Lord Viscount."
Aaron said with a wry smile: "In addition to grain, the territory's currency is not abundant."
"How could this be?"
" Since the end of the Second Reconquista, there has been no large-scale war in the kingdom for three consecutive years." Aaron's voice was slightly regretful, and the faces of everyone present also showed an indescribable loss.
Mercenaries are a specialty of Antolia.
In a chaotic environment, the Antolian people have long been accustomed to the days of licking blood on the tip of a knife, and are accustomed to being accompanied by death.
It is no exaggeration to say that
Antolians can be seen on any battlefield in the kingdom.
Because this has always been the only way for the Antolian people to obtain money, obtain food, and survive on this land.
"Viscount, don't worry, the food problem can be solved with the old method!"
At this time, Todd, the captain of the guard, said in a deep voice.
As soon as he finished speaking,
the strong men present burst into cheers like the roar of wild beasts.
Some of them slapped the long table in front of them with their palms, and some raised their clenched fists high.
For a time,
the hall of the castle was noisy, and the wildness of the Antolians was evident.
Of course Leon knew what the so-called old method was, which was nothing more than close combat with those ferocious beasts.
Although the hounds from the southwestern highlands are ferocious, as long as they are all killed, they will get enough meat for the winter.
With fewer people eating and more food for the winter, the Year of the Jackdaw is naturally over.
But right now...
Leon wants to find another way to spend this upcoming long winter.
(End of chapter)