——4e, 201, the last seed month, 29th, 12:00——
"I think the lord must know that we are dealing with Silverhand." Ella looked around in the Feng Mansion, made a few comments, and then turned to Arthur downstairs who was entertaining Krako Whitemane.
After the baron canonization ceremony, Lord Balgruuf took advantage of everyone's high spirits and directly borrowed the open space outside the Genales Temple from the priest, and set up a banquet around the golden tree for all the residents who came to watch the ceremony. Although after hearing the news A large number of people arrived, and many were packed away. The Xueman guards also turned a blind eye, only staring at the thieves and drunkards who took the opportunity to disturb the public order. After all, the lord had made a small fortune before, which was enough to put on the money. This kind of civilian banquet without expensive ingredients has become popular.
As the newly promoted Baron Xueman, Arthur would naturally not be placed in that chaotic and noisy environment. Lydia led him and several members of the comrades to the "Wind House", the baron's residence given by the lord, and arranged in advance Good cooks and waiters have also prepared the banquet here.
This is a gorgeous mansion wider than a mare banner. It is located at the junction of the Meandering District and the Plain District. The hall on the first floor is a living room with neat tables and chairs, as well as a separated dining room and kitchen. The second floor is The master bedroom, trophy collection room, guard guest room and children's room are large in area due to their circular structure, and can directly see the lobby on the first floor. There is also an empty basement, which can be modified according to the specific needs of the owner.
"Yes, Lord Balgruuf has always been very concerned about the actions of his comrades. You are an important force in maintaining the security of Xueman territory." Lydia, who was on the first floor, answered very seriously, but let Ella, who was determined to find trouble, take over. Can't go down anymore.
"Hehehehe..." Krako Whitemane, who rarely went out, smiled while holding a glass of mead: "Ella is right, just based on what Arthur has done for Xueman on the surface, his popularity among the residents may be Yes, but it’s still a little short of being awarded the title of baronet.”
"Ella..." Huntress paused, unable to refute, and turned back to study the practice dummy placed in the corner of the second floor.
"Let me ask in advance, Sister Lydia, what are your responsibilities?" Cisco put down the plate in his hand and looked at Lydia, who was sitting next to Arthur, and asked: "After all, our activities will not be limited to Xueman.”
"My duty is," Lydia looked sideways at Arthur, her eyebrows not covered by her hair slightly curved: "protect the Baron's safety with her life, no matter what happens."
Boom! Ella on the second floor punched the dummy on the head, cracking the wooden dummy into pieces: "Well, the quality of this thing doesn't seem to be very good."
If Farkas were here, he might make some remarks that would add fuel to the fire, but fortunately, the three brothers were forced to stay in Yuvaska by Aunt Tilma and were not allowed to go out. Arthur drank himself a sip of mead.
"Well, it seems that Balgruuf is very courageous," Krako nodded: "Lords of other territories generally don't do what he does. Not only are the conditions for becoming a baron very demanding, but the guards given are also limited to their territories. We have to build our own activities and even houses.”
Lydia smiled and nodded, but avoided answering the question hidden in Craco's words: "Why does the lord look at Arthur differently?"
"I think it must be because the lord needs to rely on the reputation of the comrades." Arthur replied: "If my guess is correct, the lord must have tried to confer a knighthood on you, but he was rejected."
"Well, that's right," Krako nodded: "One of Sgramer's wills was not to participate in any form of inter-provincial fighting. When he was alive, he didn't have the concept of nine territories or lords, but he already had The continuous internal fighting that followed was anticipated, and the Comrades never assisted either side.”
After the old man finished speaking, he paused and looked a little stern: "If you want to help the Imperial Regiment or the Storm Cloaks, we will not stop you, but you will also not be able to get any help from the Comrades."
This is really an unforeseen disaster. The old man is obviously talking to Lydia. The "you" refers to Lord Balgruuf, but he is the one who is being scolded. Arthur bows his head helplessly in response.
"I think you may have misunderstood something," Lydia heard the implication this time and replied calmly: "The lord will look at the baron differently because he is a 'Dragonborn' and a 'hero'."
"Huh? Hero? Him?" Ella jumped down from the second floor and sat on the chair on the other side of Arthur, asking questions.
"Well..." Krako pondered.
Lydia showed a slightly serious look: "The Nords worship heroes, and aside from the sages, High King Toig, Lord Ulfric of Windhelm City, and Balgruuf the Great can all be Called heroes, if they fight, both sides will have considerable supporters, and the outcome is unpredictable. And if Xueman has a 'legendary dragonborn' as a baron, either party will have no choice but to attack Xueman before You have to think it over carefully.”
The house was quiet for a while. Except for the chefs and waiters, everyone was thinking about the credibility of these words, and the conclusion was extremely obvious.
"Then, Baron, I'll take my leave first." Lydia stood up, nodded to Arthur, picked up the large shield leaning against the wall behind her, and walked to the guard's guest room on the second floor.
"I guess she knows more than expected." Since there were chefs and waiters around, Ella didn't speak too clearly, but the members of the comrades present knew that she was referring to the werewolf bloodline: "Perhaps we will We need to consider taking one more person with us, I hope that big shield won’t get in the way.”
"When it comes to action, our clues about Silver Hand have been completely cut off. Do you have any suggestions?" Arthur did not intend to get into trouble by arguing with Ella about Lydia, and turned to ask Kraco.
Although overall the actions of the comrades were very fruitful. They not only destroyed Silver Hand's plot to attack Xueman but also destroyed several of their lairs and learned the information about the Vampire Lord. However, they were unable to continue to pursue the investigation. Except for a few other Wuslade fragments found in the stronghold, there is no word at all about Silver Hand's other strongholds. It seems that there is a reason why they have been able to lurk for so long.
"Well, since Balgruuf held such a loud canonization ceremony, there is no reason that the Silver Hands can't get the information. If they want to make a desperate move..." Krako thought slowly as he thought.
"Hey, old man, don't think about using yourself as bait," Ella threw a piece of fried steak into her mouth and said vaguely: "I don't want to be scolded by Aunt Tilma again."
"No, as immortal vampires, they have plenty of time. Their long-term lurking also proves that they are not in a hurry. Their recent actions are just to seize the opportunity after the resurrection of the dragon." Kraco cleared his thoughts: "So Before they are sure of breaking through the power of Xueman's guards, they will choose to stay in retreat. From now on, we just need to carry out business as usual."
"You're not secretly carrying out any decoy plan." Cisco put down the bread in his hand, his one eye gleaming with distrust.
"Even the plan is useless, Aunt Tilma. From now on, we will maintain the state of having two 'rings' to protect the old man at any time." Ella finished the steak: "The dignified comrades actually let two [] It’s outrageous to protect him.”
"Dad!" "Sophie's dad!" As soon as they were mentioned, two girls ran in from outside the house, and Sophie was holding a trembling... rabbit?
"This will be your new home from now on Sophie, and Leah can come and play often." Arthur glanced at the rabbit while saying this. How unlucky was this guy to be spotted by a dragon and a wolf, but he didn't Can being eaten in one bite be considered lucky?
"Can I raise a 'rabbi'? Dad." Sophie, still wearing pink clothes, raised the rabbit in her hand towards Arthur, as if she would eat it directly if he didn't agree.
Since there were chefs and waiters here, they were constrained in doing anything. They couldn't let them see the live performance of the girl eating the rabbit alive. Arthur sighed and touched Sophie's head: "Okay, but you have to be responsible for taking care of it in the future." , no 'eating indiscriminately' allowed."
You know, last night everyone heard that Sophie swallowed the Silver Hand Assassin, which frightened his "father" so much that they were afraid that the guy could still attack inside. In the end, Sophie explained incomprehensibly for a long time before she understood, Although Sophie looks tall, the food she eats is still considered in dragon form. She can digest everything very quickly and leaves no residue. This fact makes Arthur a little relieved, but Cisco Yue broke out in a cold sweat out of fear. .
"Yes!" Sophie nodded repeatedly, then pulled Riya, who had just said hello to Craco, and ran towards the children's room.
"Well, I have a task for you when you get up." Kraco looked at Riya's back and turned to Arthur: "You have to go to [Green Jasmine Witch Villa]. Do you know what you want to do?"
"Yeah." Arthur nodded.
Regarding this mission, it is also related to the previous Silver Hand Assassins. Except for one who was swallowed by Sophie, the other one was cut into pieces by Riya. According to Ella, she could not cut it so neatly. As for Riya's transformation, The reason for her death was analyzed to be because she ate the apple given to her by Ella - the apple tree left by the first werewolf Tiffeg in the underground furnace.
Those witches or crow hags have ways to release the werewolf form, but they have to pay a fee. After obtaining the werewolf bloodline, the comrades still faced the threat of elves, so they did not seek a solution for the time being. In the past hundred years, due to the gradual decline in the status of the comrades Stable, there is no need to use the werewolf form except for traveling at night, so finding them to remove the werewolf bloodline was also put on the agenda. Riya's unexpected change meant that this matter had to be carried out immediately.
