Blood tax

Chapter 115
It only takes less than a day to take a light speedboat by sea to reach the port of Varna in the Verona region in the west, which is not too far from Homenworth.

Many of the rich and noble high-level wizards have manors and properties along the coast of the western region.There are near the remains of ancient civilizations from before the First Era, and to the west into the mountains you can find ancient wrecks and some reclusive mythical creatures.The official power of Byelan is the weakest here, and the local lords have no intention of interfering with the elusive research and innovation of the wizards.

In a geographical sense, the Western Territory includes the Verona region and some scattered counties, city-states, free cities and mountainous areas.But generally speaking, the meanings of the Verona region and the Western Territory almost overlap.

The largest port and city here is called the Old Town, which is the distribution center of dust crystals, silver, copper and other minerals, wheat, rose essential oil, yogurt, wine, alfalfa and other agricultural products, with many mystical materials excavated from the ruins of smuggling.The Old Town was directly administered by the Kingdom of Bayeland a long time ago, and Varna and several smaller towns were co-administered by the Kingdom and the locals.

Except for these few towns, although the local nobles were polite to the king and the Senate, the legions and tax collectors directly under the kingdom were not allowed to enter the western border.

The mage towers in various places already have the ability to teleport extraordinary people within a certain distance. However, the price of such a trip is not affordable for Griffith and the officials. It can only be used to dispatch extraordinary people and serve important people in emergencies.Sea freight is the fastest and most convenient way to travel, as it has been for thousands of years.

Griffith arrived just in time for breakfast.According to the system, he immediately went to the military camp outside Varna to report, where he could be entertained, instead of finding food and accommodation by himself.

This place is jointly managed by the kingdom and the local lords. The dark and dilapidated barracks are lifeless, and there is a brigade directly under the command of the legion.Griffith needs to report to the head of the brigade, but they have already left the camp, leaving only a group of Verona's local city defense troops and garrison there.

The Verona garrison is an armed force between the militia and the regular army. The garrison soldiers are self-cultivated farmers who have their own industries. They farm in peacetime and join the army in wartime. The main equipment is a large shield and short spear. The local feudal knights on foot Lead in battle.

Griffith showed his ID card and task letter, and was allowed to walk around the camp a few times.He soon discovered that the soldiers of the Verona garrison had only gathered in the past few days.They don't usually train much, and their equipment is not good. Their temperament and appearance can hardly tell that they are semi-professional soldiers, and their combat effectiveness is very suspicious.

The situation of the city defense army was even worse.They are also considered professional soldiers, do not have their own land, and live entirely on military pay.When Griffith arrived, these guys with a monthly salary of 35-40 silver lang were listless, wearing worn-out military uniforms and doing nothing.

The only thing that is reliable is that there are some feudal knights on foot and their retinues summoned in the camp, which can be regarded as a response to the turbulent situation.

They are the core of Verona's rule. Unlike Xiutoral, they did not study in higher colleges, nor were they governed by nobles directly under the king.They obey the command of nobles and nobles who have lived in the area for generations, equipped with mail armor, long swords, battle axes, war hammers and iron shields, and the coat of arms of their families is painted on the shields.These knights and retinues are all Extraordinary. They can not only launch a fierce cavalry charge, but also dismount and fight to hold their positions at critical moments.

Although they are not as well-educated in general knowledge of culture and magic as the knights of the king's land and Shutoral, their combat skills are equally superb, and they are also very tough in combat. They often also serve as the supervisor of the battle team.

The structure of this barracks is very simple, and the defense and training are close to none.Griffith, who was really nothing to see, went to the kitchen and queued for a while before receiving a soup with vegetable leaves and potatoes and a piece of bread.

He stared at the food for a while, then at the kitchen notice.

"Breakfast, soup and bread;

"Lunch, soup and bread;

"Dinner, soup and bread."

Is it necessary to write out such a menu?Griffith, who was not reconciled, walked around the kitchen where the food was distributed, but found no other free food, but found a sign next to it.If you want some extra sausage and wine, you have to pay for it yourself, three sous for a glass of wine, five sous for a sausage.

No, I'm not going out.

Griffith took the soup and bread, found an open space to sit down, and ate his own dry food.Soldiers in twos and threes gathered like beggars, eating meager food around him.

Their faces were poor, and their clothes were shabby.Logically speaking, the most common legionnaire also has a monthly salary of 50 silver lang. The city defense army, local garrison and auxiliary troops in the Varna barracks should also have at least 35-40 silver lang.

After eating for a while, a team of gendarmes came over, grabbed a soldier, and carried him out, causing the soldiers who were eating nearby to make a fuss.

"Stay away," the gendarme roared. "Master Schmidt had three more chickens stolen last night. I know who did it. Don't even think about running away."

The soldiers who gathered were immediately discouraged and complained in low voices.

Griffith saw it, hurriedly ate breakfast and headed to the headquarters of the barracks.

As soon as he entered the door, he saw two captains of the city defense army sketching on the list.They wore crisp uniforms, brand new boots, and sabers at their waists.

"Our squadron has 12 people not on duty today, how many do you have here?" A captain asked.

"Nine, no more." Another officer rubbed his hair. "The major doesn't arrange dinner. I have to pay for it."

"Okay," the captain who spoke at the beginning nodded, "Then, how many people can you arrange to go to the port?"

"What's the price?"

"As usual, twenty-five sous."

"Okay, I have 30, no, 35 people."

A deal seemed to be sealed just like that.The two captains immediately crossed out a few rows of people from the list, and then marked the rest of the names with various information such as inspections, cooking and laundry, weapon maintenance, and training.

Griffith passed by them silently, without saying anything, without asking anything, and went to register with the clerk in the middle of the headquarters to register and hand over.

It is not uncommon for non-commissioned soldiers to earn some extra money.When she was in the East, Erza, who was thrifty and thrifty, would occasionally take a few minions to do some work such as hunting wild animals, repairing roads, treating patients in the village, and earning a little money for everyone in the squadron. Have a few good meals.

However, it is rare for nearly half of a squadron like the Varna barracks to go out to work.Excluding the inevitable vacancies, duties and sick numbers, the remaining people cannot even carry out basic training.

This is the Western Territory, the territory of the Grand Duke of Verona and lords of all sizes, the home of plantations, farms and knights.

Soldiers, like cattle and sheep, are the property of officers.Except for the standing army, most of the city defense army and garrison are at this level.

Griffith silently kept it in his heart and will write it into the report later.

In addition to the soldiers in these barracks, Verona can also mobilize the militias of the noble territories in various places.They have no training at ordinary times and must rely on the lords to launch them, so it must be hard to count on.

The rebels had already appeared on the plain, and even some veterans who were used to fighting joined them, but the local forces in Verona had not been mobilized at all.

"You set off now, go west to Tuyang Valley and report to General Valens," the clerk completed the information registration and returned the materials to Griffith, "They left a message saying that you will go as soon as you arrive here."

into the mountains?

Griffith immediately felt something was wrong.His brief mission was to check readiness in ports and towns, write reports, why go into the mountains?

Is there some conspiracy?Galadia had a fortune-telling for me, and she had a bad premonition.

Griffith's mind moved rapidly.He was going to accept the order immediately, and then go to the ditch and sprain his ankle on the way out, and lie down in the infirmary first.

Not waiting for his thoughts to turn into actions.The clerk waved to the side, and said to the three heavily armed knights:
"The reinforcements requested by the higher-ups are here, and it is him."

The three immediately surrounded them, in a faint siege.

"What's going on?" Griffith asked.

"We have received an order from the general to escort you to the Tuyang Valley Reservoir. Go, hurry up."

All three put their hands on their sabers, looking at Griffith with unkind eyes.One of them even turned around and waved, and a group of well-dressed halberd soldiers, which was very rare in this barracks, rushed in immediately.

Trap, I was designed!These people have already ambushed me here.

Cold sweat immediately dripped down his neck.

Who is in charge?
Erase the powerful power of Krista's existence?Aaron's minion or Velonos' helper?A political enemy of the Larmor family?Cultists?

Could it be that the consul of Canaan is finally coming to kill me?God pity, I didn't do anything to his daughter!

Griffith has pulled up a large list of votes in his mind, and those who have the motivation and ability to kill him already need to line up.

The situation on the scene was on the verge of breaking out, and Griffith had no room for rejection. If he made a move, the entire barracks would be his enemy.

Realizing that resistance would surely lead to death, Griffith nodded with a smile, and set off under the escort of this group of well-armed elite soldiers.

They took a carriage and headed towards the mountains along the well-repaired road.One of the three knights even had a horse and a lance, watching him all the way.

Before noon, the group arrived at a military camp in a mountain.

A capable regiment of infantry has been stationed there, and the atmosphere is very tense.As soon as they arrived at the barracks, the knights handed over and left here quickly.

There was actually a general in the camp. He glanced at Griffith and said expressionlessly:
"I am the commander-in-chief of this area, General Valens, the higher-ups sent you to me, please don't let me down."

The general said a few words, took out a mission briefing and handed it to him:
"To Griffith Novice,

"Highly dangerous domain-type sealed item investigation task briefing

"From Reserve Army Headquarters, copied to the House of the Earl of Lamour

"Sealed Artifact: S/N-1444.3 (Black Territory)
"Hazard Level: Highly Dangerous.

"Description: The Tuyang Valley in the northwest of Varna City in the Verona region has recently experienced anomalies. After on-site verification, a domain-type seal has been formed. The seal covers the reservoir and part of the surrounding mountains. There used to be many In a prosperous village in the basin, the residents have moved and the ruins of the village have been submerged. After dispatching multiple batches of investigators and Beyonders to investigate, ordinary people failed to enter the sealed item, and the few Beyonders who managed to enter have lost contact.

"The area is close to densely populated towns and ports, and there are no traces of mutated creatures or black magic. This task requires the trainee knight to try to enter the sealed item and return, and report what he saw in the sealed item.

"This mission is not a combat mission, but you can still apply to the local garrison and official agencies for necessary equipment and material assistance based on this briefing.

"Mission Difficulty: A+.

"Mission rewards: 5 points of merit, 15 units of potion of potential, 1 unit of refined spirit potion."

(End of this chapter)