——4e, 201, the last month, 21st, 9:00——
The Yunding District of Xueman City is the highest point of the entire city. Although there is only one building there, the Longxiao Palace, there is a mountain spring gushing out near the main entrance. The clear spring water gushes out from the spring on the side of the Longxiao Palace, surrounding the lord The hall forms a circle of completely useless "moat", which converges into a pond near the main entrance of Longxiao Palace, and then forms a stream flowing down the winding area and plain area along the built canal.
When it is in the meandering area, it is still a landscape surrounded by Gina Leskin trees. When it reaches the plain area along the water channel, it becomes the domestic water for most residents. Finally, it forms a waterfall near the city gate and flows into the water not far away. The White River flows through this place.
The nobles living in the winding area have a sense of superiority over the residents of the plain area, either based on military merit or wealth, and this mountain spring has become part of that sense of superiority - the water they drink is from us. The rest - although the lord actually sent guards to protect the canals to avoid this situation, there are still many residents who would rather climb to the entrance of Genting District to collect water in containers.
At this time, these self-proclaimed nobles are hesitant about whether to go down and mingle with the common people. That is a dragon. Even if it is a dead dragon, it is a skeleton. It is a rare thing that has not been seen in hundreds of years. If you can't see it with your own eyes, Take a look or touch it, what should you do if you are asked about it when interacting with nobles from other cities in the future? "He's just a big lizard" can't get away with it.
Even if you don't look down on the dragon, you can always meet the legendary "dragon descendant". Although according to the emperor's lineage, all the emperors are dragon descendants, but since the annihilation crisis two hundred years ago, the emperors have all been descended from a single lineage. Therefore, the only other dragonborn in the world is the emperor himself. For nobles in remote provinces like them, it is basically impossible to meet the emperor.
"[fus]!" The sound of a dragon's roar came from far away in the plain area.
"Is that the 'Dragon Roar' unique to the 'Dragonborn'?" "He's performing it for civilians." "Can that thing be trained like swordsmanship?" "Yes, Ulfric Stormcloak can also... "Go away, you traitors to the empire!" "What? You are the traitors who betrayed Talos!"
Naqim ignored the two aristocratic factions, Zhan Kuang and Gray Mane, who were arguing again for no apparent reason. He adjusted his clothes and then stepped out of the winding area and walked along the stairs towards the plain area.
I've heard that sound before, he thought, there's no way it could be frightened twice.
——9:30——
"So, what does Lord Balgruuf mean?" Arthur asked Hollongana beside him.
After slaying the dragon yesterday, Lord Xueman not only dispatched more guards and workers to the western sentry tower, but also specially found a huge carriage and spent nearly a month bringing back the entire dragon's body. Xueman City, originally thought that it was going to be transported to Longxiao Palace, but instead the accompanying lord guards wanted to make it into a monument in the market center of the Plain District?
"For the Nords, although the legend of dragons and dragonborns is very familiar, it is still as familiar as a 'bedtime story'. Many ghosts now actually think that the dragon head in the Dragon Sky Palace is fake and just for decoration." Hollongana and Arthur watched together as the soldiers gradually erected the dragon's skeleton, and then fixed it with Farenjia's spell: "If a real dragon appears in front of them -"
Then you will connect the stories you have heard with reality. If Xueman is really attacked by a dragon in the future, the residents will be able to better protect themselves and not be at a loss. More importantly, Longxiao Palace itself The legend will be believed by more people, and the status of the lord will be elevated invisibly.
"——The neutral attitude of the lord will be easier to maintain." Arthur answered.
"That's right." In addition to being the bodyguard of Lord Xueman, Holonggna is also the younger brother of Balgruuf. He will naturally support his brother's decision unconditionally: "I don't care about the Imperial Legion, the Stormcloaks, or the dragons. I dare to offend Xueman. All the guys have to ask the hammer in my hand if I can answer it."
"Hey, Arthur, you went to slay the dragon and didn't call us. Are you looking down on your comrades?" Ella's voice sounded from behind, and then she patted him on the shoulder with a hand: "Have you learned how to roar a dragon? Come on, roar. Listen to it."
"Spare me," Arthur raised his hand, "Wilkas and Cisco just passed by, and I already yelled at each other. What did you do when you came back now?"
"That's not okay, I didn't hear it." Ella Jin drew a strange facial pattern with a red skull on a black background. It was not scary but more than weird. She also forcibly ignored Arthur's question: "That way, hurry up."
"Hey..." Arthur looked at a few scattered wooden barrels on the edge of the market. Although he felt that they would fall apart in the next moment, he still took a deep breath and said something like the roar of a giant dragon. blurted out: "[fus!]"
The wooden barrels flew up as if they were hit hard by something, and hit the stone wall hard, falling apart. At the same time, an invisible air wave spread out, unintentionally affecting someone who had just arrived in the plain area. The nobleman once again covered his head and shouted "I surrender" and ran away - well, why again?
——10:00——
"Warrior Arthur, you saved the western tower, killed the rebellious dragon, and made great contributions to Xueman. I will make you a baron. This is the highest title I can give." After the dragon skeleton monument was completed, , Arthur and the lord escort went to Longxiao Palace to meet Lord Balgruuf. He seemed very satisfied.
"It's an honor." Arthur put his left hand on his chest.
"However," the lord changed the topic: "Although your achievements are very important, the recognition of the residents in the city cannot be ignored. If you can't get the recognition of the ordinary residents of Xueman, even if I make you a baron, it will only be with Hollonga. The same 'court baron'."
Court baron? Arthur looked at Hollongana who came with him to report.
"That is, your baron status is only known to the lord, other nobles and guards, and you enjoy corresponding privileges." Hollongana explained: "Other civilians will only mutter when they see you: You are a noble again."
"You can choose to become a baron now, or you can become that baron after you have helped enough residents and the name has been passed down to me. As far as the identity itself is concerned, there is actually no difference between the two." Lord Balgruuf said to his side. The guard waved, and Ileris, who had already returned, handed over a ceremonial sword. He picked up the ceremonial sword and looked at Arthur, waiting for a response.
"Can I ask, who are the barons under your command?" Arthur thought for a while, but did not make an immediate decision.
He was originally just a hunter. By chance, he was involved in the conflict between the Imperial Legion and the Stormcloaks. He witnessed the resurrection of the dragon and its destructive power. He had no idea how the so-called nobles dealt with things. If he became a court baron, wouldn't he become a different person? Like Naqim? Absolutely not.
What's more, the identity of the dragonborn, the "dragon soul" absorbed from the giant dragon, and those mysterious "dragon roars" all indicate that his destiny is not to become a nominal aristocrat in a certain city.
"You are very smart." The stalwart Balgruuf put away his ceremonial sword and smiled at Arthur, his eyes full of admiration: "You have seen Holongana and Farenga. They are basically palace barons, and The remaining one, I don’t need to describe his achievements to you. His name is not only Xueman, but almost everyone in the entire province knows it. It’s a pity that he only accepted the title and refused to accept anything else. He His name is 'Cracko Whitemane'."
——10:30——
"We should go find the Lord's master!" "That's right, the Lord recruits good warriors to become barons when they see them, and then they are so corrupted by the comfortable life that they can no longer hold a sword." "He is a Dragonborn, How can we be trapped here when we have to fight against the existence of a giant dragon?" "Isn't it more comfortable to be a noble master than to kill each other every time we fight?" "What are you!"
Well, he is expected to fight against the dragon, even though he has no objection to it, Arthur thought.
When he left the Dragon Palace and returned to Yuvaska, he heard many comrades having a heated discussion around the fire pit as soon as he entered the door. Apparently they were very familiar with the leader's style of making barons at the drop of a hat, and they didn't really think Arthur could resist it. Live solicitation.
"You really don't have confidence in Arthur," Ella, who was sitting near the door and had not joined the argument, waved to Arthur who stepped into the longhouse, and then said to the comrades who were about to start a fight: "I didn't watch. Has he come back yet?"
"Who knows if I came here to pack my things and say goodbye." Nigarda Stonearm, who always disliked Arthur, muttered.
"Ha, I knew it," Farkas, who was arguing the most in the crowd, strode over, patted Arthur on the shoulder and laughed: "You really don't like working with that bald Avensi, hahaha! "
Well, this angle is really tricky, and the manager is not completely bald yet.
"I did not accept the status of baron because the lord wanted me to gain more reputation in Xueman," Arthur smiled at his comrades who looked over with concern: "And I plan to ask Mr. White Mane about related matters."
"That's right." Wells stood with his brother and gestured with his shield: "Just like in battle, your defense must be stable enough so as not to give the enemy a chance."
"I knew you would make the right choice," the one-eyed Cisco Moon also came over: "It seems that you are eager to gain merit, which is good. I will prepare the corresponding task entrustment for you. After you talk to the old man, Then we’ll start.”
"Kraco is still resting. I'll take you to see him," Ella waved to Arthur and walked towards Yuevaska's residential area first: "He seemed very happy to hear that you killed the dragon."
