"Mr. Brutus, what are you looking at?" Marcus's voice came from behind Brutus.
Brutus turned back: "I was observing the geography around me."
The village of Laxius is located upstream of the confluence of two small rivers, on an open plain. The highest point near the village is the hillside where Brutus and Marcus are located. According to Brutus's estimation, this hillside is
The height does not exceed 15 meters.
Thanks to the fact that most of the buildings in the village are low, with the highest being no more than two stories, the view on the hillside is still quite broad.
There are dense deciduous forests on the other side of the two rivers, and there are several shrubs closest to the village. Brutus was picked up by the village farmers in the shrubs on the east bank.
The flow speed of the two rivers is not very fast. From a distance, the water quality seems to be very clear.
Most of the houses in the village are made of wood, and a few are made of thatch. There are no defensive measures such as walls or fences in the village, and the overall style is very messy. It seems that there has been no planning.
To the north of the village is a large area of farmland, and Brutus can see a few farmers watering the fields. Summer has just begun, and the weather is not too hot yet. Brutus estimates that it should be less than 25 degrees based on his body feeling.
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"Mr. Brutus, did you see anything?" Marcus was a little curious about what Brutus was doing. He also followed Brutus's example and looked around, but found nothing - he
He is so familiar with the village that he can even point out where the building is with his eyes closed.
"Marcus, I want to know where the caravans usually come to the village." Brutus did not answer his question.
Yes, Brutus looked around, but did not find the road in the forest. He thought that the water volume of the two rivers did not seem to be able to support the navigation of the merchant ships.
"They usually go to the village from there, and so do the tax officials." Marcus pointed to the woods on the west side, "I think Mr. Brutus didn't see the road because the trees there were too lush.
Brutus looked along the direction that Marcus was pointing, and what he saw was still dense woods. It seemed that if he didn't observe on the spot, he wouldn't be able to see the road in the woods here.
"Marcus, the best place to observe an area is usually the highest point in the area." Brutus stopped making more observations and answered Marcus's question, "The village is located between the two rivers.
The upstream location of the interchange is a very conventional site selection, which can not only ensure sufficient water sources, but also prevent the entire village from being inundated during wet periods or excessive rainfall."
"I think the shrubbery on both sides of the bank grew back after being cut down by the villagers." Brutus looked at the village, "Maybe it's because of the long period of peace. I didn't see any defensive measures in the village.
This is unimaginable in border areas."
"Defensive measures? Sir, what are you referring to?" Marcus didn't quite understand Brutus's intention.
"Fences, walls, etc., should at least have a sentry tower. However, the peace period has been too long, and even if you think about it, it has been in disrepair." Brutus only said a little bit, after all, he was not very familiar with these things.
learn.
"Of course, I'm just talking casually, just think that I'm committing (chuunibyou)." Brutus shook his head, "Okay, let's go back to the village, I think you came to me to tell me
It's my lunch time."
"(chuunibyou)?" Marcus repeated this awkward word in a low voice, not understanding the meaning of the word at all. But he did not hesitate, caught up with Brutus, and walked down the stairs with him.
hillside.
The two returned to the village, and Marcos greeted the villagers he met on the road from time to time. Most of them were the classic "Have you eaten?"
Based on Brutus's knowledge of the village accumulated in recent days, there are now less than 200 people in the entire village of Laxius, most of whom are old people, children and women.
According to Marcos, most of the young men in the village have gone to serve in the military - this is the obligation of every citizen of the Kingdom of Loma, but most of them will return before autumn.
When they returned to the hut where Brutus was recovering from his injuries, they found Mayor Lorenzo standing at the door, holding a tray of bread in his right hand, seemingly waiting for their return.
"When I knocked on the door and found no one responded, I thought you might have gone out, so I waited here for a while."
"Village chief, what do you want to see me for? Let's go inside first." Brutus opened the door and let Lorenzo and Marcus go in first.
Lorenzo put the tray on the square table, then picked up a piece of bread. It seemed that he hadn't had lunch yet: "There are no complicated rules in the village. Let's chat while eating."
"good."
"I came to you this time to ask about your future plans. If you stay in the village for a while, the village will also provide you with a job. Of course, the reward will definitely be high."
Brutus struggled to chew the semolina bread in his mouth. He felt that he had to find some water to drink: "I really have to stay in the village for a while now, so I have to trouble the village chief and the villagers."
"Yes." Village Chief Lorenzo nodded, "But I have to explain to you in advance that your work may be a little arduous. After all, all the young and middle-aged people in the village who are eligible for military service have gone to serve in the military. If you are the only young man in the village, you will have a heavy burden.
But it’s too heavy.”
"Well, I think there should be no problem. But can you tell me the specific work content?"
So that I can be mentally prepared... Brutus thought.
"I think you may need to rest for a while, so the latest work is to inspect the houses in the village and record the locations that need repair."
Brutus breathed a sigh of relief. This thing didn't sound difficult. It only required a lot of running errands. It wasn't too heavy for someone like him who had just recovered from an injury. It could also be used as a post-surgery rehabilitation or something...
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"No problem, I will get it done as soon as possible."
"Just do your best." Village Chief Lorenzo waved his hand, "Your injury is just recent, so you are not suitable for overwork. However, your physical fitness is indeed good. If you are a weak person, you may not be able to survive the surgery."
Brutus quite agreed with the village chief's words. Let alone being too weak to survive the operation, even if he survived the operation, it would be a miracle that he did not die...
"As for wages, according to the standard of the viscounty, it is 5 copper lats a day." Village Chief Lorenzo paused, "But at the same time, your food and accommodation expenses must be taken into account, so I will give you 3 copper lats a day.
Special. You can ask me to withdraw it when you leave the village or when the caravan comes to the village."
Brutus had no idea about the price of goods in the kingdom, and he could only temporarily believe Lorenzo's salary standards: "Okay, village chief, I have no objection to this."
"Well, then the purpose of my coming here today has been solved. You can continue eating. I have to leave." Lorenzo picked up a piece of bread and prepared to leave.
When he reached the door and opened it to go out, Brutus called to him.
"By the way, Mayor Lorenzo, can you return my luggage to me?"