Chapter 804, Soldiers Going Home
PS: This chapter is 5200 words, I wish you all a happy reading!
Old World, Imperial Calendar 2513, early February.
The snow in Jin Town is still covered, but the whole city is caught in the upsurge of carnival. After more than a year of waiting, the citizens of Jin City finally waited for the soldiers from the expedition. Applause and cheers were dedicated to the returning expeditionary army, and the highest honors were given to them. Everyone inside and outside the town, especially the citizens, carried things and food, and surrounded the road on both sides. Flowers and ribbons were floating in the air. .
In recent years, a series of military victories and economic development have led to the emergence of a large burgher class, and with it a sense of national pride and identity, the town of Jean was the first to arrive and develop in Lane The town has now formed a large city with a land area that has doubled several times and a permanent population of 50,000.
Don’t look at a city with a permanent population of 50,000 from the point of view of some previous lives. The permanent population of Courona, the capital of Brittany, is only 150,000. Among the big cities in the old world, Brunswick is about the same now. There are 300,000 resident populations (the actual population is 800,000), Nur varies from 300,000 to 400,000, Middenheim has 150,000 people, and the entire city of Tarabeheim plus the surrounding suburban villages has about 250,000 people. Most provincial capitals have a permanent population of 30,000 to 50,000.
Ryan stood on the balcony of his Duke's castle. The king looked at the land that belonged to him, looked at his city, as the first place he came to Brittany, he always had a different feeling for Jean emotion.
What appeared in front of the king was a magnificent sight. The city wall of Jean Town is now ten meters high. Unlike the low buildings before, there are double-storey wooden buildings, workshops, bars, Looking at the temple and those higher-level noble residences, as well as the new guild buildings and larger military camps, he saw that the whole city was full of vitality, and the smoke from the cooking smoke rose straight to the sky.
In the distance, he saw the dotted villages outside the city, he saw the shadow of the Chalon forest in the distance, he saw the Chinon River that had just thawed, he looked at the rivers and mountains that belonged to him, he looked at the sky, the king slightly Nod, the years of hard work and struggle were worth it.
"Ryan, what are you doing? Don't you want to rest for a while?" A gentle female voice came from behind Ryan, and the lake goddess Morgiana was slowly approaching from behind wearing a long transparent glass purple jade gauze dress. , Morgiana's face was still a little sleepy and flushed uncontrollably, and her walking posture was a bit unnatural. She never left the room when she wore this gauze dress, and she wore a pair of translucent skirts on her slender legs under the skirt. White crystal unicorn velvet suspenders stockings and a pair of crystal sandals fully set off the pure and cold temperament of the lake goddess witch. Morgiana walked slowly to Ryan's side, took the initiative to lean into his arms, leaned on the He whispered, "It's cold outside, go back inside."
Only in front of Ryan, the witch of the lake god will show her gentle and pleasant side.
"Hehe~" Ryan hugged Morgiana by the waist, and the witch of the lake god followed him obediently, without even struggling decently. Ryan closed the balcony door, and the floor was covered with thick carpets. Breakfast was delivered, and the dark elf was wearing a full maid suit, white suspenders and stockings and black lace-up high heels. Seeing Morgiana's appearance, there was a flash of ridicule and playfulness in her eyes, and she put down the breakfast: "Master, good breakfast gone."
This room is the prayer room on the third floor of the castle. No one except Ryan, Suria, Olika and Morgiana (maybe including the fairy of the lake) is strictly forbidden to enter here. It is usually used by Ryan to worship and pray. Of course, as long as Morgiana appears in the Duke's Castle, she basically stays here, especially on Sundays. The two often pray together. Although most of the time they are in the fairy tower in the lake, but occasionally in in the prayer room,
At this time, the prayer room is strictly forbidden for outsiders to approach.
The king's piety has been affirmed by nobles and commoners more than once. His Majesty Ryan is really a pious king! Worthy of being King Ryan the "Pious One"!
The two sat down to have breakfast, Morgiana lazily leaned on Ryan and refused to get off, she took the initiative to pick up a fork and forked a maple syrup croissant: "Ah ~ Ryan, don't move, open your mouth, I'll feed you you."
"...I'll do it myself, Morgiana." Ryan put his arms around Morgiana's waist from behind, and the king was really uncomfortable with this.
"You've been here for more than a year, and this is how you compensate me? Ryan?" Morgiana was upset, and the Lake God Witch held a maple syrup croissant and insisted: "Just for me and Suria to help you solve the problem in the rear." After so many things, Ryan, come on, ah~"
"Okay, ah~" Ryan had to open his mouth.
Then Morgiana carefully sliced the croissant, smeared it with jam, and continued to feed Ryan. She leaned back in Ryan's arms, feeling that the resentment and dissatisfaction of more than a year had disappeared.
Moreover, the witch of the lake god just received an oracle from the fairy of the lake two days ago. Thinking of the arrangement of the goddess, Morgiana couldn't help but feel sweet in her heart. Now there is only one thought left in her mind, and that is to accompany Ryan like this Go all the way.
Breakfast is Arabic coffee, jam, fried eggs, croissants, maple croissants and sausages. Ryan and Morgiana are eating each bite. By the way, they are discussing recent events. Morgiana’s voice is relaxed Said: "Ryan, so will there be civil strife in the empire? Should we make some preparations in advance?"
"No, I know Karl Franz and Boris Todbringer. The relationship between these two people... is very peculiar." Ryan shook his head, and the king tightened the Lake God Witch in his arms, using Said in a reminiscent tone: "Boris Todbringer wants to establish himself as the wolf emperor is no news in Middenheim, even when I returned to White Wolf City to report on my work, those White Wolf knights and bar The Dun guards are openly discussing the possibility of a wolf emperor."
"Ah? Then why do you think they won't fight?" Morgiana was surprised, and she asked: "Isn't this the easiest way to fight? Just like you and Lawn? After you left , I have tried twice and confirmed that Lawn really has no idea about the throne, if he has an idea, just like Boris, then how can you live in peace?"
"No, the relationship between Boris and Karl...is very strange. They usually oppose each other, hate each other, ridicule each other, and do their best to ridicule. Rick's guards call Boris a wolf cub, White Wolf Knight People think Karl is a puppy, but that's normal, and the real thing is that Boris and Karl actually have a weird kind of sympathy, which is simply called 'worthy of my old enemy' or The feeling of 'As expected of my biggest opponent', when they really encounter a serious situation, they can safely hand over their backs to each other."
"An opponent, a teammate, a confidant, and an enemy?" Mogiana understood a little bit, but the Lake God and Witch didn't pay attention to this matter. Since Ryan said don't worry, then don't worry. , she just wants to enjoy the time alone with Ryan now.
It’s also quite interesting to say that on the night in Bordeaux, Ryan was going to meet Katzenberg, his chief steward, and his two courtiers, Steve and Geffen, but he just had dinner. After the meal, Teresa, who was impatient, slipped over immediately. Ryan couldn't laugh or cry when he saw this, but considering that the sorceress had indeed been separated from him for a long time, he met the sorceress first.
After only ten minutes, Morgiana also appeared. After confirming that Suria had settled the accounts with Francois outside, she immediately changed into a set of "winning clothes" and slipped into Ryan's bedroom.
What happened later... It's hard to describe, anyway, Teresa just felt ashamed to see Ryan now, and hid in her wizard tower as soon as she returned to the territory, Morgiana took this opportunity to occupy more of Ryan's time.
Olika looked at the little woman in Morgiana and felt satisfied. She didn't know why, but she was very upset. She was very upset. The dark elf deliberately walked in front of Morgiana and started cleaning. She took a mopping tool and zoomed in. Voice: "Your Highness Morgiana, can you clean the room yourself on Sundays?"
"What do you mean?!" Morgiana raised her head from Ryan's arms, she said to Olika fiercely and flushed, "What the hell are you trying to do?!"
"Look at what you've done, you've made it so hard for me to clean it!" Olika squinted, and after working under Ryan for many years, her skin had basically returned to white, with only a touch of pimples left. Wheat-colored, the amber eyes of the personal maid mocked: "In the future, I'll just push a load of bed sheets in on Sundays and put them away. You can change them yourself. Do you need them?"
"...You!" Morgana almost fainted on the spot, she was powerless to refute Olika's words, seeing Ryan's playful and reminiscing expression, she was so ashamed that she slapped Ryan's chest with her hand: "Forget it, forget it all! "
"Hahahaha~" Ryan smiled smugly. The king didn't say much. After breakfast, he got up: "I'm going to the Old Guard Barracks to preside over the retirement ceremony, and then I'm going to find Teresa and Aurora. Take a stroll along the way, do you want to come with me? Orika, Morgiana?"
"Us? How can we go shopping normally together?" Mogiana was a little moved. When she knew what a sensation the Lake God Witch and the Knight King would cause when they appeared on the street at the same time, although it is not a strange thing, shopping is absolutely not possible.
"Let's go in a carriage." Ryan nodded: "We can stay in the carriage. It will take some time to go to the Ice Wizard Tower. We can have lunch at the Wizard Tower. I have something to do with Teresa and Aurora. Say."
Stay in the compartment? Morgiana's eyes lit up immediately, and the Lake God Witch immediately agreed: "Okay then, wait a moment, I'll take a shower and change my clothes."
"Well, Olika, are you going?" Ryan asked casually.
"I won't go." The dark elf shook his head helplessly: "Master, I have to clean it quickly, otherwise there will be a smell after a long time. You don't want the prayer room to be filled with an unpleasant smell in the future." Doesn't it smell bad?"
"Okay then." Ryan was a little embarrassed, and the Lake God Witch even buried her face in Ryan's chest, not daring to look directly at Olika's playful eyes.
……… I am the dividing line that is difficult to clean………
At the same time, in the city of Jean, the barracks of the Old Guards.
Just today, the old guards who survived many battles can finally enjoy their holidays. The original 1,500-strong army was reduced to less than 1,000 after the Battle of the Waraya Gate. The feudal serf infantry who were promoted and promoted to the legendary rank reached more than 1,100 people, and in the subsequent battles, the Old Guard faced certain losses. Now after returning to Brittania, there are only 1,000 soldiers Twenty-three people, 213 of whom had to be forced to retire due to varying degrees of disabilities, and the remaining 810 continued to serve His Majesty Ryan in the Old Guard.
Of course, in the future, the Old Guards will definitely replenish their staff to the original size of 1,500 people soon, but this has nothing to do with some of them. Incorporated into the public security forces, militia captains and other public positions, those who are unwilling can also work and arrange accommodation in the city as free citizens. Every old guard who is forced to retire can get a full hundred gold crowns With the addition of some supplies left over from the expedition, and a series of personal seizures during the Great Expedition, it is enough to ensure that they have no worries about food and clothing for the rest of their lives.
Many old guards cried bitterly when they were forced to retire, and they couldn't control their grief. They used to be proud of wearing this uniform. Now, they are going to retire. They must change to another place and continue to contribute their strength to the ladies and the king. Enjoy their highly respected status and supreme glory.
Most of these soldiers who came out of the serfs never thought that they would have such a day.
Undoubtedly, glory accompanies them. When they look back on the past, they will not regret because of their inaction and wasted years, nor will they feel guilty for being despicable and vulgar in life. When they are old, they can proudly say that they Has dedicated his life to the most precious cause of mankind - fighting for the survival and supreme glory of mankind.
"Retirement is not the end! It's a new beginning!" Ryan stood in the middle of the barracks, his figure bathed in the winter sun, like a god of war descending into the mortal world, making people unable to look directly: "The glory brought by service Just like a big tree, it has a strong root deep into the soil, even if the treetop is cut off, it will never wither!"
What greeted the King of Knights and the Witch of the Lake God were deafening, crying voices.
The remaining old guards were also personally commended by Ryan and Morgiana. Every old guard who will continue to serve in the future after a lifetime of fighting will be rewarded with fifty gold crowns. In a series of seizures, each of the Old Guards earned at least one hundred gold kroner worth of wealth, which was an extremely lucrative income for them.
Lane graciously granted all the Old Guard a month's leave, in rotation, and the king hurried off at once, for he had other things to do.
The Old Guards came forward one after another to receive their rewards and their holidays.
Bertrand, the commander of the old Guards, is now like a general who has experienced blood and fire. He has an amazing momentum, and he is not angry. Guardsmen.
"Battlemaster of the Long Halberd Battalion of the Old Guard, Raymond!" Bertrand read out the next name.
Wearing the military uniform of the battalion commander, with several new scars on his face and body, Raymond, who had begun to grow a beard, strode up to Bertrand. He took the package and felt the weight: "Thank you .”
"You haven't been home for a long time, haven't you?" Bertrand nodded slowly: "Take good things, go home, one month's vacation, and report back to the barracks on this day next month, and, That... I'm counting on you too."
"Yes!" Raymond saluted. He had already tied the latest medals on his chest - the Eight Peaks Mountain Expedition Commemorative Medal, and a golden iris flower medal, which commemorated his confrontation with the Greenskin King in the Iron Rock Surprise Battle. The warlords were fearless, and they wounded each other hard.
The battalion commander left the old guard barracks quickly.
Soldiers are everywhere on the street outside today. Today is the day when the soldiers go home. There are many old people, children, and women on the street. They line up on both sides of the street and wait for the return of their relatives. The cries of names kept ringing in his ears, but Raymond couldn't arouse any joy.
Because more people were waiting, armies were disbanded, and teams of soldiers who had survived many battles returned to their hometowns, but many people stood by the roadside like this, waiting, waiting, waiting, but always Did not wait until their loved ones.
Hope, disappointment, hope again, until...
Raymond couldn't bear to watch it any longer. He left quickly and walked towards his home along the familiar street.
In the distance, clean and tidy streets and famous buildings appeared in front of his eyes. At this time, the old battalion commander of the Guards, who had no fear in the blood and flames, became a little unconfident. He took a few deep breaths and tidied up After taking off his brand new military uniform, he strode towards his home.
Not surprisingly, the door of the house was closed. Ever since Thomas went to study in Nuer, the old mother had the habit of closing the door.
So Raymond stood still in front of the house, and he yelled towards the second floor.
"Mother!!!"
The old mother poked her head out of the window immediately, she heard her son calling him, the old mother couldn't help covering her nose with a handkerchief, sobbing: "Raymond!"
However, it was not only Raymond's old mother who poked his head out of the window.
After that "Mom", at least four mothers stuck their heads out of the windows in the whole street, trying to see if their son had returned.
Only one son stood downstairs.
Seeing that it was Raymond, the expectations and smiles on their faces gradually disappeared, and they all slowly turned their heads back into the window in disappointment.
The door opened, and the old mother rushed out of the house with incomparable speed, hugged her son, and kept kissing him on the face: "Raymond! You are back! Ah, Sallya! You Really back!"
"Yes, Mom, I'm back." Raymond's tears fell from his eyes, and the old guard battalion commander soon sobbed in a low voice: "I'm back! Woo~ I'm back! Mom, are you okay? ?”
"Good! Good! Just come back, just come back!"
Raymond's package contained seven death notices.
On this street, eight young men set foot on the ship of the Eight Peaks Mountain Expedition.
Eight mothers, only one son returned.