ps: Modify the wording.

The town of Sigma is located at the southernmost point of the Cruze Kingdom. For a kingdom whose overall shape resembles a pair of tiptoe boots. It's on that raised "toe". From here, across the river, you can even see the flag of the Kingdom of Eetasia waving in the wind.

Barrett, who stood at the bow of the boat and was whirling with clothes blown by the river breeze, saw the pier and plank road nailed with wooden planks. At the same time, bits and pieces about the Kingdom of Cruze reappeared in my mind like this.

The citizens of the Cruze Kingdom often refer to themselves as remnants of the old empire. In terms of the territory of the old empire, the location of the Cruze kingdom was not a frontier, but it was also a constant distance from the center of the empire.

This left them unstruck by the turmoil of the Great Collapse of the Empire more than a thousand years ago. Therefore, the Kingdom of Cruze not only has many inheritances from the old imperial period, but also has many local customs that are quite retro.

In addition, the Kingdom of Cruze was famous as a granary during the Old Empire. The fertile land and vast plains and hills made the whole country extremely well fed. In addition to its relatively developed commerce, the Kingdom of Cruze is completely rich in the Western Continent.

However, the affluent life and the traditions of the old empire also make the country smell of laid-back and leisurely from the top. According to what Barrett himself saw and heard ↘ during the test period, there are few countries in the Western Continent that have such a luxurious habit of drinking afternoon tea as the Kingdom of Cruze.

If it is just a vassal and elegant nobleman, it is not uncommon on the mainland. But in the Kingdom of Cruze, from a peddler to a nobleman, the whole country is immersed in afternoon tea, which can really be said to be rare in the world.

The most important thing is to be in this atmosphere. The Cruze Kingdom Girl is notoriously romantic. Barrett still misses the writhing flexible waist. and a suffocating lip and tongue entangled.

Just when Barrett was immersed in memories. Claudia. Auditore was already standing behind him unconsciously. Then he patted Barrett the shoulder: "Barrett is about to enter the port." Do you think there's anything you need to pay attention to for the upcoming 'Port Guard' mission, Captain? ”

Feeling the jolt on his shoulder, Barrett finally came out of his memory. He turned to look at Claudia. Auditore noticed that the other party was blowing gently into his slightly red and swollen palm.

"Miss Auditore, it's good that I'm the one you're doing today. If it were a different person, you might be so frightened that you accidentally fell off the ship. As he spoke, Barrett pointed to the spot where he was standing, and at the same time touched the side of the boat, which had just reached his waist.

Claudia. Auditore touched his still-aching palm. He glared at Barrett angrily: "If it weren't for Barrett, you." I'm not going to play like that. But how can your shoulders be harder than cowhide armor! The palm of my own hand became swollen. ”

"Miss Auditore, please respond positively to what I have just said. If your previous actions were against the player, it might be easier to fix. But if it's used on the aborigines, and the thing dies, then the trouble will continue. Although you are here to experience life, I don't think you want to live that kind of life of wandering! Barrett grimaced and accentuated his tone.

Seeing Barrett's unrelenting posture, Claudia. In the end, Auditore could only lose: "Alright! I'll pay attention to that next. Now it's your turn to answer my previous question. ”

Although Claudia. Auditore's statement felt like it was the same as if it was said or not. But Barrett is not the other party's parents, and it is rare to be able to do this.

So he looked around and touched his chin and asked, "Why are you alone, Auditore, and the rest of your companions aren't interested in this?" ”

"They're thin-skinned! So I'm just going to be a representative. "Claudia. Auditore said with the corners of his mouth on the right side slightly upturned.

Barrett, who heard this, frowned: "With their style, how can there be a time when they are thin-skinned." ”

"Who knows! Maybe it's because of the presence of the great and righteous Mr. Paladin. Dwarfing that to some! "Claudia. Auditore's words did not specify who he was referring to. But Barrett also has a faint eyebrow.

No, this little contradiction in the team seems to be not only okay in Barrett, but it can improve the mutual relationship between the players. So I didn't care about it at all.

He sighed softly: "Alright! Miss Auditore, don't let your mouth hurt like that. Let's talk about this mission! It always gives me a strange feeling. ”

"Strange!" Claudia. Auditore's voice was raised, and then he looked warily at the deck around him. He lowered his voice again: "You mean Waynes. There was a problem with Kent's intelligence. ”

Meet Claudia. Auditore smiled helplessly at the paladin's style of calling him by his first name: "In front of people, Miss Auditore, you'd better not call her by his first name." I'm afraid I'm going to have to do it when I encounter a bad temper. And I believe that Mr. Kent, he himself is not hiding anything. Either the church didn't reveal the full message to him. Or maybe even the information on the part of the church is a little incomplete! ”

"That's not the same, they just use mercenaries like us as cannon fodder. To put it bluntly, I look down on people! "Claudia. Auditore said rather resentfully.

Barrett for Claudia. Auditore's unwilling posture is understood from the heart. But he knows this isn't the time to add fuel to the fire: "It's the context of the world, and it can't be changed overnight." Okay, let's get back to business! With regard to the diversion of ocean currents mentioned in the mission. I've already explained it to you secretly! Save yourself and see what you think? ”

"Barrett, are you asking me what I think?" Claudia. Auditore asked, pointing to his nose.

Barrett nodded as a matter of course: "One person counts short, and two counts long!" Listen to your thoughts, and maybe you can understand my previous omissions! ”

"If that's the case, then I'll be straight to the point." Claudia. Auditore tapped his lower lip with his index finger. "According to Barrett, you said earlier. The diversion of ocean currents will lead to a race war in the ocean. And these fishmen are here to expand the rear for future wars. Then they will definitely do their best. ”

Barrett nodded: "That's right! That's one of the things I'm most worried about. Although the Sawa Fish Man behaves in a matter of its own image, it is not easy to lurk in human society. But it is not impossible to cooperate with some strange objects. ”

"You're saying that our side has leaked information?" Claudia. Auditore was not surprised, it seemed that she had already thought of this possibility.

Barrett went on to say, "The length of the Gross River is the breadth of the basin. Upstream and downstream combined, the number of ports is 50-60, if not 70-80! Together with the towns along the river, the number of people notified by the church is quite large. There is no impermeable wall in the world, let alone a leak like a sieve. ”

"If this happens, the fishmen will change their strategy. In other words, Sigma Town should be relatively safe. "Claudia. Auditore said, a small smile on his face.

But Barrett wasn't as optimistic as the girl in front of him: "You're just talking about a possibility. Follow the posture of the fish-man. Another possibility is to believe that no matter how much we land races strengthen our defenses, they will have the confidence to win the battle. And judging from the big events that are about to happen in the ocean, this possibility is also not small. ”

"If, according to you, isn't the Shahua Fishman going to start an all-out war?" Claudia. Auditore's face changed.

"Yes! Total war. At this point, even Barrett's expression became gloomy, "The ocean is far bigger than the land. Therefore, the number of intelligent creatures in the ocean should not be much less than that on the continent. It's just that in the past, most of them existed in a tribal form of government. So each sortie feels like it's a limited number. But this time it could be the fate of the entire race, and I don't know if the sea creatures will unite. ”

Like a monster rushing in the waves, players have seen it in the port of Volta in the Kingdom of Eetasia. The indescribable things of that night left a deep shadow in their hearts!

So when I thought about this possibility, Claudia. Auditore's face immediately changed color. The same feeling Claudia. Fear in Auditore's heart. Barrett reassured, "It's good that we only need to stay in Sigma Town for ten days. Since the fish people are preparing for a big battle, the preparation time should not be too short. ”

"What if the fish people attack within 10 days?" Claudia. Auditore was still a little uneasy.

Meet Claudia. Auditore insisted on giving an explanation himself. Barrett smiled a little awkwardly: "What else can be done!" Naturally, they resisted and retreated. If the Fishman really attacked, Sigma Town would definitely not be able to defend it. So on the first day after entering the town, we had to start looking for an escape route. This road should be easy to escape and preferably away from the waterway......"

"In that case, it would be better to buy a light carriage and run along the trade road away from the river." Claudia. Auditore glared at Barrett.

Barrett said angrily: "My eldest lady! When the fish-men invade, your carriage will have to be able to get out of the fleeing crowd! Maybe you're going to do it to the civilians? ”

Barrett's words directly put Claudia . Auditore was dumbfounded. Then he said angrily: "I really didn't expect that the danger had not yet come, but we had arranged a retreat first." ”

"Although you have been resurrected many times, you can't just waste it, can you. Besides, the feeling of death is not comfortable at all! Barrett patted Claudia. Auditore's shoulder, and then walked towards the cabin: "Okay, let's get in!" The Georgia is about to enter port. Let's not trouble the sailors on this. ”

Back in the cabin, Barrett took advantage of Waynes. Kent the Paladin was absent. Whispered his plans to his companions. Fortunately, players are different from aborigines after all, and they don't have the slightest guilt about Barrett's cowardly behavior before fighting.

"Leave this to me!" The noodle kid even patted his chest and took on the task of planning the retreat route.

It was at this moment that there was a sudden call from outside the door. Kent's voice: "Blood-stained Gray Flowers. Please prepare! Wait for the ship to dock. I'm going to take you directly to meet Mr. Barnion, the mayor of Sigma Town. Arrange your lodging and garrison in the town. ”

The players who heard this sound were confused. After all, you're just talking about how to 'be a deserter'! Suddenly, I found that the main owner was outside. Naturally, it is inevitable that there will be a lack of heart.

The voice outside the door continued: "Mr. Boram, is there something going on?" How does it sound so messy inside. ”

In order to avoid the other party's suspicion, Barrett hurriedly responded: "You also know that these people in our team are noisy. It's not going to be on the docks soon, they're getting restless. ”

"Is that really the case? Mr. Boreham, you've worked really hard. Then I won't bother with your 'team activities'. We'll see you on deck in a minute. With this teasing voice, Waynes. Kent's footsteps began in the doorway and walked farther and farther.

Relieved, Barrett looked back and reminded, "Alright guys! Wait a minute, be careful, don't show your feet. ”

"Don't worry! We've been good at acting during this time, and besides, we're not ......."

With a jolt from the deck, the Georgia landed on the docks in Sigma Town. Get up and step out of the hatch of the blood-stained ash player on deck with Waynes. Kent will and after. Under his guidance, he walked towards the town hall in Sigma Town.

Compared to the port of Volta in the Kingdom of Ethasia, it is far beyond the specification. Sigma Town really looks like a port town on the mainland. All kinds of houses of different heights and styles seem to stand sparsely on the ground without any planning.

Most of them are two-story houses with high ceilings and a mix of stone and wood. The exterior wall of the first floor is made of stone, and the second floor is made of wood panels and bindings. The sloping roof is covered with thin slabs of stone, an unknown slate that temporarily functions as a tile.

Fortunately, the managers here are not really stupid, and the two main cross-shaped roads in the town are also quite wide. The mud pavement, paved with the cobblestones that are common on the banks of the river, is quite sturdy, and the caravans that come and go on it are quite smooth.

Commercially, the main problem in Sigma Town is probably the load-bearing nature of the wooden pier and the lack of special cranes. This makes the loading and unloading of incoming ships necessary to be done by those dock workers by manpower.

Players walking through the docks will naturally see that barrels are rolled down by the crew from the planks that connect the ship to the docks. The dock workers then use crowbars to stop the wagons or warehouses that are pushed to the shore.

Seems to be aware of the disdain in the eyes of the players, Waynes. Kent immediately spoke: "A few better! I know Sigma Town doesn't compare to the big ports I've docked at before. But don't be so obvious in your eyes. That's it. It will be very difficult for the local landlord to do. ”

"Mr. Bote, don't worry! During our adventures, we were able to visit more remote mountain villages. We're not going to get you in trouble in front of Mayor Barnion. Barrett lied without blinking an eye.

But there is no doubt about this, Waynes. Kent, naturally, chose to believe Barrett's words: "That's fine! Come with me! ”

Then he led a few players to play the town office. Along the way, players found out that they didn't know if it was because of the danger signals that were passed before. As a result, there are several makeshift sentry posts on the streets of Sigma Town.

The sentry at the crossing looks a little shabby, and at the same time, both the pillars and the wall panels are a little hairy. In this case, not to mention lacquering, I didn't even do it with a planer. It can be said to be extremely rough.

A few guards outside the sentry were yawning lazily. These people feel loose, standing with a spear in hand rather than with a spear. The thick cloth armor on his body seemed to be shiny, and the tousled and long hair of one of them had obviously not worn a helmet for a long time.

On the side, he looked like a man in leather armor with a long sword hanging from his waist. But he was leaning back to the sentry post at this time, as if he was cleaning his nails. It was clear that he was not interested in such a task.

After seeing these guards in front of him, Barrett's heart was shocked and secretly decided: "After 200 years, the army of the Cruze Kingdom is still like this!" It seems that it will not be possible to run away when the time comes. ’

The military situation of the Cruze Kingdom was similar to that of the Kingdom of Eetasia in some respects - the battle between the royal family representing the central government and the local nobility was going on all the time.

However, compared to the Kingdom of Etasia, the royal family gained the upper hand, forcing the local lords to find their own ways to find foreign aid at the same time. The opposite is true in the Kingdom of Cruze, where the royal family is on the underdog side of the competition.

Fortunately, the local factions did not have the ability to fully suppress the royal family, so that the central government's decree would not be trapped in the capital. Also because of the weakness of the central government. Raids between local lords in the Kingdom of Cruze became extremely frequent.

However, it is surprising that in this situation, the standing armies in the territories of the local nobles do not match the number of their battles, both in quantity and quality. At most, the strength of those guards is to deal with some petty thieves, and the real battle will have to rely on the mercenaries and adventurers who are temporarily recruited at the expense.

In the war between the Kingdom of Cruze and the Kingdom of Lucia more than 200 years ago, the weaknesses of their armies can be said to be exposed. If it weren't for the alliance with Norhan, who was still a principality, the territory of the Cruze Kingdom would have been bitten by the Lucia Kingdom.

Barrett had learned that lesson, and that situation would change 200 years later. I didn't expect that what was showing in front of me was still that hanging look.

Is it the power of tradition that is hard to return? Aren't the wise men within the Cruze Kingdom capable of carrying out military innovations? With this question in mind, Barrett paid special attention to the members of the squad as he crossed the sentry. Unfortunately, the result of careful observation can only lead Barrett to feel even more disappointed: "The Kingdom of Cruze is really a big fat piece of meat! It's been so long since the last war, I don't know if anyone else has taken this big fat piece of meat! ’

Although it is often said that the leopard can be seen in the tube, Barrett can conclude that the current military strength of the Cruze Kingdom should not have grown much by contacting past intelligence.

This led Barrett to believe that the Cruze Kingdom was able to maintain its completion. In addition to the fact that it has been founded for a long time, everyone is afraid that it is hiding some powerful backhand behind it. More often than not, a few surrounding countries are unable to expand because of their own problems.

To the north, the king of Norhan, despite his previous wars with the Lucian kingdom, swallowed up a large amount of land and population. But at the same time, it also became a feud with the Kingdom of Lucia, and the long border between the two sides consumed a large number of troops. This makes the Norhan kingdom temporarily unable to go south.

The kingdom of Etasia in the southwest has been in a stalemate for centuries. The royal family and local nobles are busy establishing their superiority in the struggle, and the martial arts are fundamentally looking to the east.

The merchant republic of Tutkel to the south, despite its economic strength, was unanimously hostile to all feudal states. As long as the other party dares to show a little bit of expansion, I am afraid that it will be attacked by the continental alliance forces immediately.

To the west of the Cruze kingdom is a small and scattered country. If they are reconciled, they have the power to threaten the survival of the Cruze Kingdom. However, it is a pity that those nobles who are similar to the situation of 'Holy Rome' have the system of electors of the Holy Romans. So there was never a unified voice.

The apparent lack of external threat is also a major reason for the lag in the reform of King Cruze's affairs! I didn't expect it to be us now! I don't know if these lazy grease soldiers dare to resist if the fishmen raid. With such a heavy heart, Barrett's expression became even more gloomy. (To be continued......)