Holding the wine glass that Du Wei filled with his own hands, Alpha looked at the amber liquid in the glass quietly, as if he was in a daze.
...Well, come and have a drink with me...
Come have a drink with me...
The earl who patted him on the shoulder, praised him for doing a good job, and then took him to drink... what about now?
I'm afraid he has returned to Luo Lin's hometown, guarding the castle, his heroic spirit has dissipated, and he will grow old slowly while being willing to be ordinary...
Yes, that's it.
In mediocrity, grow old slowly.
Thinking of this, Alpha suddenly felt an impulse in his heart. He really wanted to throw the glass of wine in his hand hard!
He wanted to laugh, to laugh loudly, to laugh wildly!
The mission I once swore to protect...it is no longer there!
I, the family I once was willing to die for...it is no longer there!
The vow I once gave my life to...it is no longer there!
And...the person who could make him willing to die with just one order...he is no longer here either!!
Count! My lord! Raymond...
Right now, you are probably sitting in the study in Rollin Castle, sitting in front of the fireplace, warming yourself by the fire, with a blanket on your knees. The only biggest thing you need to think about is probably what to eat for dinner, or what the weather will be like tomorrow.
It will rain...
ridiculous!!!
It’s not only you who are ridiculous, but also me, my Alpha!!
I have devoted more than 40 years of my life, most of my life, to the mission in my heart! But in the end...
I am still staggering and trying to move forward... But Count Raymond, what about you?
But you left?!
What a joke! What a joke!!
So what am I? Who am I Alpha?
You just left the shared lofty ideals back then. Yes, you failed, you can retreat.
What about me? Can I withdraw?
At this moment, Alpha's heart suddenly felt extremely tired.
He sighed softly, retracted his gaze from the wine in the glass, closed his eyes, and drank it all in one gulp.
……So be it.
A smile suddenly appeared on the corner of Alpha's mouth. The smile was full of ridicule and exhaustion.
I have lost my lifelong goal, and now I don’t even know what I am doing.
The only thing I can do is to follow the man's last instructions before he left: help his son until...
Hum, you know the day you die.
Alpha gently put down his wine glass, nodded to Duwei, and was about to turn around and leave.
"Please wait a moment, Uncle Alpha." Du Wei suddenly called out to the old guard captain.
Alpha stopped and looked back at Duwei: "Do you have any other instructions, Master?"
Du Wei took a deep breath and looked at the handsome middle-aged knight in front of him. Du Wei suddenly felt a little uneasy in his heart.
Because what he saw in this man's eyes was an unshakable numbness! Even... there was actually a hint of... death in his eyes!!
"Uncle Alpha." Du Wei walked around from behind the desk and walked in front of the captain of the guard. His tone was very serious: "I think we haven't had a chance to have a good talk since we left the imperial capital. I remember when I was little
You hugged me when... At that time, in my opinion, you were the most powerful warrior I knew. You were also the most trustworthy guardian of the family."
Alpha seemed to smile and said lightly: "Young Master...that's just my responsibility."
"It's not that simple." Du Wei shook his head, his voice low: "I know. You have been depressed since your father lost power and retired... Have you given up on your family?"
Alpha said nothing.
Du Wei said slowly: "Now everyone calls me 'Tulip Duke'. Even in the official records of the empire, my last name has been changed to 'Rudolph'. But... what I want to say to you is
, I know in my heart that my name is Duwei Rollin! It’s ‘Rollin’! Not ‘Rudolph’!!”
Alpha still didn't speak.
"Uncle Alpha, I know how disappointed you are with the family." Du Wei tried his best to use the most sincere tone: "But do you know... I promised my mother! As long as I am around, the hope of the Luo Lin family will definitely be lost."
It will be cut off! Although everyone now calls me 'Tulip' or 'Rudolph', I promise you that one day, I will let the name 'Rolin' stand on the continent again!"
Looking at the determined expression on Du Wei's face, Alpha's eyes did not seem to have much fluctuation. The middle-aged knight pondered for a while, and suddenly asked: "Master, when you first returned to Luolin Plains, what did you see?
What’s the scene?”
Du Wei was stunned.
Then suddenly it occurred to his mind that two years ago, he was "sent" back to Luolin Plain. When the convoy had just crossed the Luolin River, when the convoy stepped on the Luolin Plain, those accompanying it
Knights, the scenes of cheering and cheering from the Rollin family retainers.
I remember that at that time, all the cavalry cheered, and some even forgot about discipline and galloped back and forth, letting the horses' hooves trample happily on the black soil! Even their commanders did not restrain these excited subordinates at this moment.
I mean, just sit on the horse and watch it all with a smile!
Everyone's face was filled with that kind of proud smile from the heart. Everyone took off their hats and threw them into the sky and shouted: "We're home! The Luolin people have returned to their own land!!"
This is a sense of belonging and honor to the family! It is a sense of belonging that has been deeply imprinted in the blood!
Even Ma De... this former groom who was usually unimpressive, said seriously to Du Wei, "Don't call us from Cote Province, but be sure to call us from Luolin Plains! It's Luo Lin,
It’s not a province!”
That was the first time Du Wei was shocked when he came to this world. It was also the first time that he was affected by the people cheering home. Facing the fertile Luolin Plain, he listened to the cheers of the cavalry.
Even Du Wei, who had always been disheartened, couldn't help but have some expectations for this "home".
Everything, all the glory, all the cohesion, all the love, comes from one name:
Rollin!
Recalling that scene, Du Wei suddenly felt that he could understand the heart of Alpha Guard Chief!
"Master." Alpha whispered: "Maybe you are still young, and at your age, you cannot understand what the name Luo Lin means to people of our age! Maybe you don't know, after the family collapses
, there were cries everywhere on the Luolin Plain. When the private army of the Luolin family was forcibly disbanded, some loyal knights even committed suicide on the spot to accompany their family in burial!! You don't even know these..."
Du Wei opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Alpha bowed deeply to Duwei. At this moment, the knight's face finally showed a hint of excitement: "Perhaps, it is a bit ridiculous to say such a thing in my capacity... But this is how my earth is.
.In my heart, I am already a member of the Luo Lin family...My father, my grandfather, and even my great-great-grandfather are all loyal members of the Luo Lin family! People like me have been around since birth.
, I was taught to be loyal to the family all my life. My mission is to defend the glory of the family even if I sacrifice my own blood and life! When necessary, I can hold my sword without hesitation and challenge anyone.
Enemy! My whole life has been tightly tied to my family, even my descendants, my bloodline... But suddenly one day, everything changed! The ties that originally tightly maintained my life were simply cut off by a knife.
!My mission. Everything about me, my glory, my loyalty, suddenly no longer exists! Young Master, at this time, although I am still alive, my heart is dead."
Du Wei looked at Alpha quietly.
"Although..." Alpha breathed out slowly, and his voice became deeper: "Although, Master, you are determined to revive the family... Although you are from the Luo Lin family, but... what you may find difficult to understand is
.In the eyes of all Luolin people, even though your current title is higher than that of the Earl back then! Even though your current power is greater than that of the Luolin family back then... But... in my opinion... Oh, please.
Forgive my words, in my opinion, you do not represent 'Rolin'."
"...Why?!" Du Wei's voice was hoarse.
"Because your current title is 'Tulip Duke', not 'Count Luolin'! Because your current territory is Desa Province, not 'Luolin Plain'! Because your capital is built on the shores of Loulan Lake, not 'Luolin Plain'!"
On the edge of the Luolin River!" Alpha said without hesitation: "For an ancient family like the Luolin family... tradition is better than anything else!"
"But I will work hard to restore it all!" Du Wei clenched his fists: "One day, I will take back the Luolin Plain! Take back the Luolin River! Reestablish the Luolin Family Knights! Uncle Alpha...
...If you are depressed now, who can I count on to help me? Although I have many people under my command now, you are the only one who is truly a member of the Luo Lin family!!"
Seeing that Alpha Guard Chief remained silent, Du Wei added: "Besides...my father asked you to stay with me, not just to help me. One day..."
"Master!!" Alpha Guard Captain suddenly had a spark in his eyes! That... seemed to be anger?
"Master!" Alpha's voice suddenly became colder: "Don't mention your father to me again. Because in my heart, the real Count Raymond of the Luo Lin family is dead! Now he lives in Luo Lin.
What’s in the castle is just a body that has lost its soul and is willing to grow old in mediocrity!”
Du Wei was surprised. He didn't expect that when Alpha mentioned his father, he actually had such resentment in his heart?!
Isn't he... supposed to be loyal to old Raymond?
"Why... why?" Du Wei asked.
"Because he did not die bravely! Instead, he survived cowardly." Alpha said slowly: "The family has fallen... I would rather hope that the earl bravely dies with the family than to watch him become a
A mediocre old man who is getting older! If that happens, I, Alpha, will commit suicide and be buried with him! The coup failed that day. If he is willing, I can risk my life to protect him and rush out of the imperial capital! Return to Luolin Plain to reorganize the army, come
We will fight again every day! But he chose to surrender! Did he think that this could save the family and avoid more bloodshed? Wrong! Raymond was wrong!!"
When Alpha was extremely angry, a strong fighting spirit suddenly emerged from his body! His emotions seemed to be a little out of control, and he said loudly: "When we Luolin people lose our souls, we lose the glory and dignity of our family."
When...living in such humiliation is more uncomfortable than dying!! Raymond was wrong! Wrong!!"
Seeing Du Wei's surprised look, Alpha suddenly felt a trace of deep heartache in his eyes. His fighting spirit subsided and he lowered his head. He said slowly: "Master, please forgive me for my gaffe... I believe in you."
I am determined and believe in your sincerity. But now, I can’t see a shred of hope!”
"How...why can't we see hope?" Du Wei frowned.
"You!" Alpha suddenly sneered: "You are already a duke and own a province of territory... Then why do you want to go back to Luolin Plain in the future? No matter if it is the regent or any emperor, you will.
Is it allowed for one of your ministers to own two territories? What is a family? To put it clearly, it is: land and people!! And now, your land is in the Desa Province! Your people belong to the Desa Province
People! These people are not from the Luo Lin family! The real people from the Luo Lin family live on the Luo Lin Plain! They have lived on the Luo Lin Plain for hundreds of years and generations, drinking the water of the Luo Lin River.
Big! Even if one day you really erect a Luolin flag in the province of Desa... I will not agree that this is the Luolin family! Because this land is not Luolin's land! And the people here...
No one is a Rollin!!"
Du Wei was finally speechless. Alpha glanced at Du Wei, and he suddenly knelt down on one knee. He put one hand across his chest and made the most solemn knight salute: "Master, I deeply understand your ambition.
.It’s just that I really can’t see a glimmer of hope now. Maybe you will achieve greater achievements than the ancestors of the Luo Lin family back then, and maybe your name will be engraved in history forever... But, please forgive me, these
Glory cannot hide the fact that the real Luo Lin family no longer exists."
After saying all this, Alpha stood up, stopped talking, turned around and left the study.
Du Wei was silent for a long time, and he let out a long sigh. He had to admit that Alpha was right, really right!
Even if I really raise the Luo Lin flag in the northwest in the future... can this place be considered the "Luo Lin family"?
The hundreds of thousands of people living on the Luolin Plain are the real Luolin family! Desa Province... is Desa Province after all!
From this point of view, the fact that he keeps saying that he wants to restore the family's glory... is really too simplistic.
If you want to really restore Luolin, you have to get back the Luolin Plain. Get back the hundreds of thousands of real Luolin people! But...how could Prince Chen agree to such a thing? How could he return the Luolin Plain?
Himself? How could he return hundreds of thousands of Luolin people to himself?
This night...is very long!
When it was still dark, Du Wei did not allow himself to remain depressed. He cheered up and walked out of the study.
No matter what the future holds, the problems before us are the most real.
Forty thousand northwest troops are ten miles outside the city. There are also ten thousand prairie wolves that have sneaked into their territory.
As a lord and the master of this land, Du Wei certainly cannot allow such a thing!
After gathering everyone and boarding the city gate, Du Wei looked into the distance and used his eagle eye technique. Du Wei could easily see the northwest army's camp from a distance.
Overnight, the Northwest Army had set up camp ten miles outside the city.
"Last night I sent a few brothers to investigate under the cover of night." Longbottom curled his lips and said: "These bastards of the Northwest Army have increased their troops again. Last night they sent a large number of baggage, about an infantry regiment.
According to my estimation, the food and baggage delivered is enough to feed and drink the 40,000 people outside here for a month. In other words... these guys want to surround us in the city for a month.
"
Du Wei sneered: "Sure enough, I spent a lot of money!"
Then he announced: "Gentlemen, I have bad news to announce. I have received reliable information that these northwest troops have bad intentions when they come this time! They blocked the door and refused to let us out. In fact, they wanted to give the grassland people
Cover! The reliable information I got is that at least 10,000 prairie people have sneaked into our territory, broken into pieces, and are now running wild in our territory."
As soon as these words came out, the expressions of everyone under Du Wei changed!
Philip, the staff member, had the fastest brain, and he immediately said: "Sir! We must send the army out as soon as possible! Everyone knows how scary the prairie people are! They are a pack of bloodthirsty wolves! If such a pack of wolves is allowed to enter our territory...
...Then the people of Desa Province will suffer huge losses! These guys will burn, kill and loot, and they will not show mercy!"
"But we don't have enough troops." Dardaniel frowned: "My lord, are you sure that those grassland people moved in pieces? In this case, we only have a few thousand people in our hands. Even if we go out, Desa Province is so
Big, where are we going to find those bastards?"
Philip immediately said angrily: "Lord Dardanelle! Are we just going to watch the prairie wolves run wild in our territory? The ones who bleed are all our people!!"
Dardanelle immediately defended: "Mr. Philip, that's not what I meant! It's just that I think about it from a purely military perspective. We don't have enough troops. If we want to deal with the grassland people, we must use cavalry, and cavalry...
"
Having said this, he glanced at Longbottom. The meaning of this look was obvious: We don't have many cavalry!
For the first time, Du Wei had doubts about Longbottom's "elite troops" strategy. Because this 250-year-old general had high requirements for the quality of cavalry, Du Wei only had one cavalry regiment under his command.
Three thousand cavalry.
How to deal with ten thousand prairie wolves? And the prairie wolves are dispersed into pieces! These people will definitely want to wreak havoc everywhere like locusts!
Longbottom, although Du Wei also supports the strategy of elite soldiers, but... the number is too small! It has been a year since he came to the northwest. The infantry already has nearly 20,000 people, which is enough to make up a division.
They have all been taken out, but the cavalry still remains at a pitiful 3,000 people...
"Cough!!" Longbottom finally coughed and spoke.
When he made a sound, the people around him became quiet. After all, among Du Wei's men now, only Longbottom was the only one who came from the orthodox army and had the richest military experience. And the other people, including Philip, were also
Well, neither Dardanelle nor Dardanelle has ever really been in the army.
"Gentlemen, I think the situation is not that bad." Longbottom's eyes showed a glint: "Don't forget. Outside, there is Robert Knight and his two infantry regiments!"
Knight Robert is not in Loulan City at the moment. As the infantry leader of the Tulip family's private army appointed by Du Wei, Knight Robert currently has four infantry regiments under his command, with a total of 16,000 people in name. But in fact, the most elite
An infantry regiment stayed in Loulan City, the capital, to guard the capital.
An infantry regiment was ordered to be stationed in the original capital of Gilliat City, now the "secret factory" of Duverty.
The remaining two infantry regiments of 8,000 people were dispersed and stationed in various parts of the Desa province, serving as local garrison forces.
Philip frowned and expressed his worries: "You are right, but the two infantry regiments under Robert Knight are dispersed and stationed in various places. And...the two infantry regiments are a mixture of veterans and recruits.
Combat effectiveness does not give people absolute peace of mind. If you encounter a large group of prairie cavalry, you will be easily eaten by the opponent if you are not prepared."
"But don't forget... the prairie people also broke up the army and sneaked in." Longbottom said loudly: "Although they have ten thousand people, they are not so scary after they are broken up. And our army is all
It is stationed in the town. With Robert Knight's cautious character, the officers he trained should be very careful. In these days of spring drills and the mobilization of the northwest army, the Duke has long ordered the garrison troops everywhere to be careful. The prairie people want to make a sneak attack.
If so, there won't be much chance. As long as our local garrison guards the gates strictly, there won't be much of a problem... Of course, we can't sit back and wait for death, we still have to send people out. But what I mean is, you don't need to be too pessimistic.
The situation is not as bad as imagined.”
Du Wei pondered for a moment, and as the top leader, he made a decision: "I trust Robert Knight, he is a trustworthy person, and I believe that under his leadership, those prairie wolves will not be allowed to take advantage.
...It’s just that our problem now is that we have to find a way to send cavalry out! Otherwise, over time, people will always feel uneasy.”
The Duke made his decision, so the people below stopped arguing. Everyone looked at Du Wei.
"We need a way to get out." Dardanelle said: "The Northwest Army is clearly besieging the city! Since they have colluded with the grassland people, they will never let our army get out of their encirclement! Longbottom's General
Our subordinates went out to investigate last night. These prairie people sent several thousand cavalry troops to patrol around our city. They were very vigilant. It is impossible to sneak out. If you want to go out... you have to force your way in.
Come on! Sir... maybe we should prepare for a fight with the Northwest Army!!"
Duwei glanced at Dardanelle, then at Longbottom and the few officers behind him. Everyone had a look of determination and eagerness to try.
"A hard fight?" Du Wei thought for a moment, raised his eyebrows, and was about to give the order when suddenly Philip whispered: "Sir, maybe I have a way."
"Um?"
Philip was not in a hurry, with a smile on his face: "Sir, you have forgotten that the Marquise Lister is still in the city. I heard that General Lu Gao of the Northwest Army is the Marquise's loyal subordinate.
Sir! Presumably, the people from the Northwest Army would not dare to stop the Liszt family from leaving the city."
After a pause, Philip smiled and said: "Mrs. Liszt is here this time. She has brought a team of the Liszt family's White Feather Knights!"
Du Wei's eyes lit up.
Philip continued to smile and said: "Based on your friendship with Marquise Liszt, it shouldn't be a difficult thing to borrow the name of the White Feather Knights. The only difficult thing is the equipment. Fortunately, the White Feather Knights are the most famous
The characteristic is the white horse and silver armor. We have a lot of white horses ourselves. If there is not enough, we will get some fuel to fake it. In the hurry, the other party can't see any flaws. As for the silver knight armor, we should be able to get enough in the warehouse...
...In the end, we just need to borrow the flag of the White Feather Knights of the Liszt family. I think the Northwest Army would be too embarrassed to intercept the Liszt family's cavalry regiment. If necessary, we can lie and claim that the Marquise is in the team.
They don’t dare to intercept it!”
"But... there are only 200 people from the White Feather Knights coming this time... and everyone knows that the White Feather Knights only have a total of 500 people. Our cavalry has 3,000 people! Rush out like this,
Everyone knows it's fake." Dardaniel frowned.
Philip smiled. Without saying anything, Du Wei smiled knowingly and said: "This is not difficult! According to the establishment of a knight with four retinues, our team will not arouse suspicion as long as we do not check the eight hundred. We will bring three
The thousand cavalrymen were divided into four teams and headed out in four directions. Hum, even if they met the other party's cavalry, they wouldn't be able to see anything..."
There are no telephones or mobile phones in this world! Even if four teams are intercepted by the enemy at the same time, the other party's armies cannot contact each other! There is no way to contact each other instantly. Even if four teams are discovered at the same time, the other party does not know that we have four teams at the same time.
"White Feather Knights" go out! By the time they find out, our cavalry will have already left.
The only problem is...I owe Marquise Liszt another favor!
Sure enough, Marquise Liszt agreed to Du Wei's request without hesitation. She even offered to lend all the two hundred real White Feather Knights she brought to Du Wei! Two hundred people
Divide into four teams and follow Du Wei's four cavalry teams out of the city. Each team carries dozens of real White Feather Knights, so that even if they encounter an enemy, they will be able to get through more easily.
In addition, Mrs. List made a small request, that is, let Muse go out with Duwei.
"Muse is the family heir after all. With him by your side, even if the Northwest Army really intercepts and Muse comes forward, presumably..." When Marquis Liszt said this, she smiled slightly: "Even if Lu
Even if Gao Jian is here, he will give our family this face."
Du Wei thought for a while, although it would be inconvenient to go out with this kid Muse, if a fight really breaks out... that's it! As long as this kid stays by his side honestly, and he takes more care of him, with his current
With such strength, a sixth-level magician can’t take care of a kid?
Philip was indeed a capable guy. He collected enough silver armor from the warehouse in the shortest possible time. Even if there was not enough, he simply painted it with paint. As for the horses, he also treated them in the same way.
Before noon, the four gates of Loulan City opened at the same time, and four teams of cavalry rushed out of the capital city from four directions.
According to the allocation, Du Wei led a team of his own, Longbottom led a team, and Hussein led a team. The last team lacked a leader. Although there was a cavalry captain, the officer's warrior level was not high.
There is no guarantee that if you encounter a prairie wolf... those guys might bring a shaman with them! After all, you need a master to accompany the army!
After thinking for a while, Du Wei invited the Alpha Guard Chief to come out and follow this group of people.
In this way, there are four teams of people. This team has its own existence, a sixth-level magician, and Semmel, who can't be summoned on weekdays, but will definitely save him at critical moments. There are still twenty-eight
A magic student also joined his team. With so many people, the portion was enough.
Longbottom's team, the 250-year-old general, was also quite strong. Just in case, Du Wei also invited two disciples of Master Alec to follow Longbottom's team.
Needless to say, Hussein... As long as the Dragon Clan does not come to cause trouble, there will be no one on the mainland who can deal with Hussein! Shaman? Huh, a paladin, even a white-robed magician.
When you arrive, you have to weigh your weight!
Alpha Guard Captain also has level eight strength. A master who can charge against the Holy Knights should not be a problem against the Prairie Cavalry.
The only people who have to answer are the people who stay in Loulan City!
As the city guard, Dardanelle stayed. But Duwei hesitated and finally found Miss Nicole and Vivian.
"Dardaniel, you know Her Majesty Queen Medusa." Du Wei smiled bitterly and said: "You should also know that it is best not to expose her identity, otherwise, there will be great trouble! Therefore, it is not a last resort.
, Unless the Northwest Army really dares to attack the city, you must not ask Medusa to take action! Do you understand?"
Dardanelle had experienced the adventure in the frozen forest with Du Wei, so he was naturally very impressed by this terrifying beautiful snake, and he agreed repeatedly. With this terrifying Her Majesty the Queen sitting in charge, even if the Northwest Army really
During the siege, Dardaniel also felt that he was much more confident in defending the city.
"What if the opponent really attacks the city?" It was Medusa herself who raised this question.
"Then..." Du Wei sneered: "No need to hesitate... just let go and kill people!!" But Du Wei sighed: "Unfortunately, Miss Nicole, although your petrification technique is powerful, it is not a magic of mass destruction...
...You are naturally not afraid of a single master, but if you have thousands of troops, you are not good at it."
Unexpectedly, Queen Medusa's originally indifferent face suddenly smiled. She still closed her eyes, but raised her head to face the sky.
"Du Wei, don't worry, I still have... hair. If necessary, I won't mind turning the ten miles below the city into a hell on earth."