Mercenaries and Adventurers

Keir stretched out his hands to hold the sides of the wooden window, and then pulled his body vigorously. This time, there was no one following him on the opposite side of the window. Therefore, after judging that the height was more than three meters above the ground at this time, Keir bent his upper body downward.

When the waist and hips of his body also crossed the wooden window, he exerted strength with his arms to support his whole body so as not to fall down.

Thanks to wearing heavy armor every day, Kiel, who was only wearing plain clothes at the moment, felt that his movements were very light and convenient.

Legs came out of the wooden window, and then straight out, leading Keel's center of body to flip toward the patio.

As soon as the hand was released, the whole person turned over and fell down.

The body flipped faster, and he landed on his feet first.

Boom—

The ground is made of thick planks, not the cheaper local adobe.

Moreover, the board sank a little because of Kiel's landing, and there was a sound of water waves beating at the bottom.

This surprised Kiel, who didn't expect that there was water under the ground, and there was activity here.

But he quickly stabilized his body, and after realizing that the wooden board under his feet did not continue to sink, he stood up, stretched out his hand, and waited for Knight Crowe to turn over.

Knight Crowe's movements were more flexible, and he didn't know how he did it. He stretched out his legs first, and then stepped on Kiel's shoulders who were standing against the wall.

Squeak, the knight closed the wooden window again, then stepped on Kiel's shoulders, and landed smoothly on the abdomen with his hands folded.

-

Surrounded by a square space, the area is much larger than the courtyard where the army is stationed tonight. In the center is a tall arrow tower with a stone bottom and an adobe brick top. There is a narrow water surface all around, because they are all occupied by huge vines protruding from the water surface.

There were huge vines around the boards under Keel's feet. Fortunately, the vines were climbing against the walls of the patio and did not block the way to the arrow tower.

"Uncle Doddell, how did the wood under this foot come from?"

Keel was curious, why is there a wooden board that is convenient for people to move in a place where no one should come? Especially the wood in Weifeng Town is not cheap. Judging from the large piece of wood under their feet that can carry two people, it would cost at least dozens of copper coins to buy it.

Knight Crowe looked around and gave a guessed answer: "There must be someone here to take care of it from time to time, otherwise something will happen, and it will be troublesome if you can't make it through or stand up."

He patted the huge vines that were as thick as a person beside him: "It is impossible for these vines to grow unattended, check, there is not even a door around, come to see the growth and health of the vines, it is impossible to go from the top of the building full of spikes come on?"

After finishing speaking, Knight Crowe asked Keel to lean down with him, and using the vines beside him to push the wooden board under his feet to the base of the arrow tower in the center of the patio.

Although the base of the arrow tower is in the center of the courtyard, on one side of it, near the house where the security militiamen are stationed, there is a masonry corridor connecting the arrow tower and the building.

There is no gap in this corridor, so the giant vines growing around it cannot grow into the building through the gap.

Keir was a little confused. How could he and Knight Crowe enter the arrow tower with a fully enclosed connecting corridor of bricks and stones?

He looked at the knight, and it was obvious that Knight Crowe was aware of Kiel's doubts. In this regard, the knight pointed to the wall of the arrow tower, and with a light touch, the originally solid stone rock base magically appeared for people to use. Arc-shaped protrusions for stepping and climbing.

It was only then that Keir remembered the magical ability of Knight Crowe, so that he could climb up without anyone noticing.

Knight Crowe moved quickly. He gestured to his body and felt that the distance was appropriate. He touched the wall of the arrow tower with his khaki shimmering palm, and an arc-shaped convex shape that could be grasped with his hands and stepped on with his feet immediately appeared. rise.

"Come on, be careful not to fall Joe."

"Don't worry, uncle."

The two confessed softly, and then Knight Crowe climbed in front, climbing up quickly, and could rise a distance of one meter in a few seconds.

Soon, Keir, who followed the rock climber, climbed out of the courtyard surrounded by the wall of the Arrow Tower.

The surrounding vision suddenly opened up, and a large number of giant vines filled the tops of every building around. The flowers with strange colors bloomed gorgeously in the night. Kiel could smell a smell that was not sweet, but it was estimated that the pollinating insects would A floral fragrance that I like very much.

The vine spikes that protect the flowers are also guarding the flowers, just like soldiers standing guard with guns around the nobleman. Facing the sky, guarding against something.

Keel didn't know if the harpy liked these flowers or not, but if he wanted to come to the distant hometown of this exotic giant vine, there must be one or more creatures that would be attracted by the vine flowers and come to make trouble. Those spikes must be to prevent this.

In the center of the town in the distance, bright lights burst out from the neatly spaced gaps in the buildings.

Even though Guaifeng Town is not big and there are not many people, but in terms of the prosperity at night, it is far more than ordinary towns.

Even Kendal City is far inferior.

He felt that it must be because the locals turned their day and night upside down, resting during the day, and only came out at night to do business as an overnight business traveler.

The merchant travelers who are not in a hurry will also take a good rest in the strange wind town after the adventure of walking through the strange wind grassland in the past few days. It is not the caravan stewards who do not know that if the caravan is delayed for one more day, they will have to pay more. People's wages for a day, but even they need entertainment to relieve the fatigue of high mental tension.

If you want to leave early, you have to see if your buddies and guards are willing to come.

It's not like Kendall's army, saying that they will start the next day, they will actually start.

And although there were some losses in the battle with the harpies yesterday, after all, the Kendals won in the end. After the deafness was gradually cured, the morale of the soldiers regained strength, and they changed from the worried and confused look they had when their ears were deaf.

What a reality.

Human beings are really easy to forget feelings and memories that they don't like, even if it's just what happened yesterday.

The multiple rounds of bright moons in the sky bloomed with silver light covering the grasslands of the land. At the height of Kiel, not only the river not far away could be seen clearly, but even the large grasslands farther away could be seen clearly.

"The river lights up!"

Kiel turned his head to look at the downstream Pororu River. This grassland river close to the strange wind town is meandering and winding. The gentle grassland allows it to stretch its body wantonly, especially when the glowing plants in the river Against the background, it is even more beautiful.

"Big, uh, Uncle Doddle, look, the river next to it!"

Keel called out, and Knight Crowe stopped what he was doing and turned his head to look.

After being silent for a while, Knight Crowe commented: "It's not bad. If you stand at a higher place, the view may be better."

But he changed the subject: "Do you know why the downstream of the river near the human town glows with light?"

Keir had some guesses, but Knight Crowe asked and answered: "The answer is not so beautiful and poetic. It is simply that the waste excreted by humans enters the river and fattens the plants in the water downstream. Most of the world is like this, beautiful things are with the ugly."

The knight chuckled: "The manure fermented by manure can give plump wheat grains.

Bright flowers can bloom on the bones of dead beasts.

On the battlefield after the fight, blood watered the weeds.

The sad ending of the story is also unforgettable.

There will always be troubles around beautiful women.

The gorgeous magic will make people die in amazement.

The most devout believers lead to the most violent wars.

The most magnificent buildings are built with the blood and sweat of common people.

That beautiful sword pierced everyone's heart.

That good life is the hard work of countless people. "

After hearing this, Keir laughed: "Uncle Doddell, you are very fond of poetry, do you want to record it later?"

"Of course, of course. But let's focus on what's at hand and keep climbing."

The two continued to climb up.

-

Keel had experience climbing on the rocky mountain in the northern forest of Kendall before. Although it was climbing a rope that time, this time it was a 'shortcut' created by a climbing knight, but there is one unified point, Kiel Just remember, don't look down!

Don't look back!

It is possible to look at the distant scenery, if there is one.

Once you lower your head and look down, instinctively, humans will have a feeling of wanting to let go and jump down.

Keir didn't know if humans in other worlds also evolved from apes in trees to live on the ground, but he felt that this might be an ancient advice derived from blood instinct.

It tells us, don't live in the trees, there is no future, come down, come to the ground, although it is more dangerous here, but you can have a future if you step out of your comfort zone.

Kiel still couldn't take the initiative to overcome this instinct, because once he looked down at his feet, he, a young soldier who had killed many enemies, felt a little weak in his hands and feet.

Having said so much, in fact, the two climbed very fast, and the arrow tower tens of meters high came to the outside of the top wall of the arrow tower in just a short while.

Knight Crowe stopped and turned to look at Kiel, who also looked up.

"Don't talk anymore." Knight Crowe said in a low voice.

Even though he was speaking quietly, the knight's words could still be accurately heard by Kiel.

Kiel nodded, and Knight Crowe continued to climb up.

The top of the arrow tower can't be seen without a close look, but this thing can be rotated as a whole. Therefore, the top of the arrow tower is made of a strong and light wood.

This is obviously not something that merchants and townspeople can do. The level of resources is not enough, and the raw materials and technology simply cannot make this thing.

Obviously, like the magic ballista inside, the top structure of this arrow tower that can rotate in direction was also made by the knight lord sent by the local earl.

The material is all wood, and Crow Knight can no longer use his ability to make curved protrusions that can be climbed.

But fortunately, it is very close to the top, and the huge shooting hole of the ballista can be easily turned in.

But the knight didn't move, he pricked up his ears to listen to himself, and after confirming that there was only a grunt coming from above, he started to move. He stretched out his hand to cover his face with the scarf around his neck, and then stretched out his arm, covering the edge of the wide shooting hole.

The wooden revolving tower has been around for some years, and after Knight Crowe put it on, it made a slight deformation and creaking sound.

Kiel's heart was raised, but Knight Crowe didn't care about these voices. He quickly turned over and crawled in. After a while, Kiel also climbed to the position where the knight was just now, and the knight stretched out his arms.

Kiel grabbed it, and was then brought up with great force.

-

As soon as Kiel entered the top of the arrow tower, he saw a robust guard sleeping soundly in the dimly lit environment.

Even in spring, when the weather is getting warmer, the breath on the tens of meters high arrow tower can still bring out water vapor.

Not to mention that in order to ensure the shooting observation environment, in addition to ensuring the basic protection and solidity, the arrow tower is designed with large windows to the greatest extent, and the cold wind blows past.

Kiel felt okay, he had just eaten monster meat, and his whole body was warm, but the guard on the top of the arrow tower could only wrap his whole body in thick fur. too human.

Knight Crowe made a gesture of silence again, Kiel nodded, and then the knight gestured down again, and made a gesture of three.

Obviously, apart from the unlucky guy next to the ballista on the top of the arrow tower, there are three people underneath who are separated by a thick layer of wood.

Kiel ignored the whining sound of the surrounding wind blowing on the side wall of the arrow tower, and then heard someone talking on the next floor from the spiral staircase next to him.

The two listened for a while, and realized that the three people below were discussing the Kendall army passing by overnight today.

They are complaining that since the last knight failed to defeat the monster many years ago and died in battle, the people who followed them, that is, the few soldiers who stayed in the town to control the magic ballista, seemed to be forgotten by their Lord Earl .

The full of resentment can only be expressed in small talk.

Although the townspeople of Weifeng Town spontaneously formed an autonomous management centered on the large chamber of commerce, their salaries as soldiers were not reduced, or even more.

But these former soldiers are still afraid that they will be forgotten here, and they don't know what the future will hold.

Later, a guard mentioned that he had abandoned his family in his hometown and had re-established a family in the town. When this matter was said, the other two did not ask questions in surprise, but remained silent for a long time.

Knight Crowe shook his head. If it was him, this kind of soldier who can control and maintain the magic power ballista would definitely not just leave it alone, and he would leave it alone for many years.

Just like the priceless magic ballista, it is a great waste of resources.

Such a weapon, placed in a garrison such as a checkpoint, can control a large area within sight. The final effect is far stronger than forgetting here.

Keir observed the surrounding situation.

Different from what he imagined, the top of the arrow tower is not mysterious and weird as he imagined, but complicated and messy.

The exterior is made of strong and light wood as the main material at the top of the arrow tower, and there are thin metal columns inside for internal reinforcement. Next to the metal columns, there are huge crossbow bolt buckles stuck one by one, and huge crossbow bolts are fixed on it. The crossbow arrows are probably useless for a long time, and the color of the arrow shafts of the crossbow arrows is a little mottled.

The huge crossbow is also somewhat different from what he imagined. There are many patterns and lines painted on it like tattoos, and he doesn't know what it is for.

There are many tracks and gaps on the surrounding ground. On the tracks, the magic ballista base in the center of the arrow tower can slide quickly left and right, and in the gaps, he can vaguely see the appearance of metal chains and gears.

The most conspicuous thing here is the magic ballista in the center of the room. The main body of this thing is more than two meters long, and it is a flat semi-cylindrical structure. It seems to be made of stone, but when Kiel touches it with his hand, there is no stone. It's cold, and the touch is not tired like a stone.

In the center of the gap on the upper part of the semi-column, there is a groove track for placing crossbow arrows, and there are various magic circle-like things that are clearly separated on the surrounding gentle stone surface.

These things are not only on the surface, but even go deep inside the main body of the ballista. This semi-cylinder is not the same thickness as the standard, the side facing outward is slightly thinner, and the part close to the gun mount is thicker.

I don't know if it hasn't been activated, but the lines on the surface of the ballista and the magic circle don't have the appearance that a magic device like light should have.

It's just that where the main body of the magic ballista is connected to the gun mount, there are metal pipes extending downward from the main body. This thing is also covered with mysterious lines and glows slightly.

The main part of the magic ballista is fairly simple in design, but the mount that controls it is much more complicated.

A low chair that can be used by people is fixed together with the gun mount. There are various metal rods protruding from both sides of the chair. It seems that every metal rod has a use. Some metal rods near the sides of the chair look like It seems to be controlled with both hands, and some metal rods near the base of the magic ballista seem to be controlled with feet.

The metal rod cannot be reset with feet, and Keel guessed that the metal rod here should be a mechanism that can be activated by stepping on it. If you don't guess the mechanism, it will not work.

In addition, there is a metal lever behind the chair that the gunner sits on that can be used, but it is not easy to understand what it is for just by looking at it.

-

After Knight Crowe waited for a few soldiers downstairs to continue talking about other topics, he motioned to Kiel to look at the place where the main body of the magic ballista was connected to the gun mount.

Both of them scrambled down, carefully avoiding the metal pole that would manipulate the weapon, and put their heads next to the gun mount.

There are two metal rods one behind the other connected to the bottom of the magic ballista. It is estimated that relying on the rising and falling of the two front and back, the magic ballista can shoot in pitch.

As for turning left and right, you can just turn the entire ballista mount directly, and the surrounding slide rails and rollers are obviously for this.

Knight Crowe's voice whispered in Kiel's ear: "If you want to disassemble the ballista, you have to destroy these two things, and the metal pipe that supplies the energy must also be destroyed, so that this thing can be taken away."

Kiel didn't have the ability to be a knight, so he had to approach the knight's head and whispered: "I don't know how heavy this thing is. How can I send it down from such a high place? It must not break?"

Knight Crowe patted his chest lightly: "I'll just use a rope to drop this thing down, you have to catch it underneath~www.readwn.com~ Kiel pointed at the shooting port, although the shooting port is big enough for people to Climbed in from the outside, but it was not enough for the main body of the magic ballista to go out smoothly.

"You have to tear down the wall."

"Then tear it down."

Knight Crowe said softly.

"I have two more questions."

Kiel whispered, and Knight Crowe reached out to motion for Kiel to speak. At the same time, he was still paying attention to the dozing guard and the few people downstairs.

"One is the magic source of this thing. We don't know what the situation is. How big and heavy are unknown."

Knight Crowe nodded: "This can only be a risky gamble. It is impossible to go down and confirm it now. When I launch the operation tomorrow morning, I will deal with it according to the situation. In the end, it really doesn't work. I can only let the adult spend some money."

"The other is the patio at the bottom of the arrow tower, and the huge vines on the top of the surrounding buildings. It's not good luck."

Knight Crowe thought for a while, and then said: "As for the patio, after you wait for the ballista to reach the bottom, you pull it horizontally with a rope, and I will see the right time to lower the rope so that it just falls on the roof. The vines, keel, break through them, cut a space for the ballista to drop, and cut a way out, all the way to the edge of the building, on top of the street. We need a wagon, it needs to be in the right place When the time comes, retreat out of the town immediately after catching the ballista."

Knight Crowe thought for a while: "I have a plan. But now I have to take some risks, and I must confirm the situation downstairs."

He said to Kiel: "Stay here and don't move. I'll go down and have a look."

After finishing speaking, the knight asked Kiel to stay where he was, watching the dozing guard, while he crept up and down the spiral stairs.