Chapter 856 Assembly Order

While Charles II was excited about his grand plan, the atmosphere in Houllier was obviously much cooler.

In mid-April, the imperial city has already begun to fully enter spring, but Houlier City, which is located in the northwest, is obviously a step behind. This place does not have a constant temperature barrier like Elson City. After a few spring rains, the roads in the city are muddy and dirty, and the temperature almost drops to zero due to the cold air. No one can be seen on the streets during the day, only The smoke rising from the chimneys seems to prove that the city is still "alive".

Compared with the poor commoners and farmers, the life of the nobles is naturally much easier, but entertainment methods are limited in this era. Apart from hunting, they prefer to find an excuse to drink to their heart's content in a warm room. Just like at this time, the young nobles of the younger generation in the city gathered in the mansion of an earl, talking and laughing loudly. The people present were all young people in their teens and twenties. It tends to develop in an ambiguous direction. After singing and dancing, those who saw the right eye couldn't wait to go to the upstairs room to release their energy. Naturally, no one would criticize such things behind closed doors, but compared to the past, the few nobles who understood the situation were obviously in a bad mood.

"I heard that the conscription order will be issued in a few days?"

The banquet hall on the first floor is a place for people to dance. If you are tired from dancing, you will find a table nearby to sit down and drink and chat. At this time, the son of a viscount is talking. He is only nineteen years old. "I am still at an age full of fantasies and even expectations, so these words are vaguely excited.

"Nurak, do you think war is a good thing? Don't you know how many nobles have died in Efta in the past two years? The few lords in the east are even worse, and the entire territory has been slaughtered."

Baggs, who was holding red wine, glanced at him and shook his head: "And if you want to fight now, how should you fight? Efta's area and population are only a quarter of the royal power, do you really think you can fight? "

He is twenty-five this year, and his father, Baron Rosta, was seriously injured in the war against the orcs last year. Although he has recovered a lot, it is obvious that he can no longer mount a horse and fight in this life. Therefore, if the army is really drafted, Baggs will be enlisted in the army instead of his father, and go to the front line to fight in person. It is precisely because he knows more about military affairs that he is not as blindly optimistic as Nurak, but completely pessimistic. Of course, the main reason is that he does not want to risk his life to fight at all.

"What are you talking about? War is not simply about the number of people. How many orcs rushed into the eastern territory last year? The territory of tens of millions of people was ravaged by the orcs without any resistance. In the end, they only took the initiative to retreat. The royal family has saved face, otherwise what can Charles II do?"

The one who interjected was Little John. He had an ordinary name and his family background was not very rich, but because he was always the "well-informed" one in the circle, he was able to mix with this group of young nobles with higher status.

"Orcs are orcs, different from humans,

My father faced them, so I know just how different us ordinary people are from orcs. "

Baggs was considered the leader of the small group, so he spoke bluntly. He made a slashing movement and said to John: "If the orcs are facing you, just slash like this. You are the same whether you are wearing armor or not." The end, understand? So don’t think that it’s easy for the orcs to abuse Charles II, and the same effect can be achieved by replacing Efta’s troops.”

He took a sip of wine and pointed at Nurak: "Don't think I'm scaremongering, it's really on the battlefield. Many times you don't die on the way to charge, but die from bad food, bad weather, bad In terms of diseases, even if the wounds from riding a horse are not treated properly, you may lose your life... In the forest, a casual bite from a poisonous snake or spider can kill you. your swordsmanship?"

The latter couldn't help swallowing after being scolded like this. He was too young and respected Baggs as a big brother on weekdays, so his face turned pale when he was said, and said in a low voice: "Isn't it?"

"Tell you! From the moment you set off to the end of the war, it may take half a year or even two years or even longer. The chances of you actually slashing people with your sword are usually no more than five times. This is because you are lucky." Baggs spoke excitedly, took another sip of wine, and his voice was a little louder: "The rest of the time, you are on standby all day, on your way, and then eat those rubbish steaks? Red wine? Go dream! You I can’t even eat eggs and cheese, and most of the time I just hold black bread to satisfy my hunger, and even catch mice to improve my food, understand?”

Nurak, who was full of glory and blood, was splashed with cold water head-on, and he looked at John for help: "Really, really?"

John sighed: "Actually...it's almost like this. Either pay for the food yourself, if you follow the lord to fight and unify the logistics, the food is often poor. Those who prepare the food by themselves... how to put it, often halfway Had an 'accident' and got ransacked."

These are all real things that happened, and they are definitely not fabricated to scare Nurak. The originally passionate young man was hit hard by the ruthless reality, and he leaned back on the chair like a wilted flower.

"So if this war is to be fought, the result will be very pessimistic. After all, most people understand that fighting with the royal family will not yield any good results."

Baggs sighed: "But the prime minister doesn't understand the truth at all. How can he cope with such a complicated war as a scout?"

Although Bags said this, it also represented the thoughts behind the majority of the nobles. When facing the orc army, Rody always relied on city defense. To put it bluntly, this tactic has no technical content, and it can be replaced by anyone. But if you fight against the royal family, from gathering troops to making overall plans to fight in areas hundreds of kilometers away, the complex knowledge in it will go deep...

"However, according to the practice of previous wars, the conscription order should have been issued early. But the Prime Minister does not seem to be in a hurry to start this war, Baggs, has your father received the order? Not on the surface Yes, that kind of hint."

John lowered his voice, trying to find clues about the conscription, but Bags shook his head without hesitation: "No, there is no news until now. That's why I think this kind of war is simply child's play. Does the Prime Minister only spend one Conscription and assembly within a month? How is that possible? Now the royal family is faintly thinking about taking the initiative to attack. If we really want to make trouble, we will be completely passive..."

"What are you afraid of? Even if they hit Houlier City, they can still cross the city wall?"

John's words can be regarded as relief. In fact, if the enemy's troops really hit the city of Houllier, it also means that everyone has actually reached the last moment, and it is no different from losing. But the current situation is obviously not so pessimistic. He threw out a new news: "I heard that a new fleet has arrived from the south... A lot of material transactions have been transported. I heard that the total amount transported this time alone is worth several The annual income of a large lord."

"The fleet of the Kingdom of Rahiman, right? It has been rumored well, but no one has seen it... His Excellency the Duke delegated all the powers to the 'cabinet', but in fact it was only given to Prime Minister Roddy. Who knows what he can do?" What happened... Anyway, it is true that our life is getting more and more difficult."

"Keep your voice down, don't think that no one will hear you when you complain."

John gives him a hand because Baggs can't help being a little louder after drinking too much. Fortunately, most of the young people around are drunk and dreamy, and everyone cares about the guys who are serious about them.

These young nobles more or less felt the oppressive atmosphere of the city, so the banquet that lasted all night in the past ended in the wee hours of the morning. In the past, it would not be uncommon for everyone to drink for three days and three nights.

With the help of the housekeeper, Baggs put on a thick cloak. He walked out of the mansion, dazed from drinking, and when he glanced across the dark street, he was hit hard by the black magic tower not far away. a thrill...

The Helsinki Magic Tower has been standing here for more than half a month. It is not only the tallest and most conspicuous building in Houlier City, but also the place where Duke Sally lives and handles government affairs. In other words, this is the new building in Houlier City. "Duke Mansion".

This is not a big deal in itself, but then several assassins who tried to sneak into the magic tower were caught and beheaded one after another, which really made people feel the tension...

Since the independence of Efta, the contradictions that have been accumulating all the time have finally reached the moment when they are about to explode.