Chapter 285 The Seven Deadly Sins
Additional updates for the reward from Qidian Dad [book friend 20170610093211508]!
......
Viscount John has never been an impulsive person, and every step he takes is full of planning.
For example, accepting refugees when no one wants to.
After exchanging with Raven, his territory was located in the south-central part of Mansa County.
Since it is composed of several baronies and some viscountries, the previous names are not applicable, so Viscount John named it "New Snow Maple", which means "New Snow Maple".
Mansa County was originally destroyed by the Order of the Hand of Death, and the population of New Snowland was less than half. Viscount John sent another 20,000 serfs to Raven. He was old and had no ambitions, so He did not buy serfs in large numbers like other nobles in the county.
So much so that the population of New Snow Territory is only about 1/3 of the normal viscounty territory.
This provides considerable convenience to Viscount John’s plan. As long as the collapsed and vacant houses are repaired, a large number of refugees can be resettled.
This step went well, but in other respects, Viscount John did not quite agree with him.
In order to deal with the locust plague, he made many preparations.
First of all, they organized manpower to cut down trees and burn weeds around the territory, actively creating a circular blank area, hoping that the locusts would take the initiative to detour when they saw that they had nothing to eat.
Secondly, in the territory, piles of firewood are stored close to the blank area. If the locusts have a tendency to fly over the blank area, they are set on fire to kill the locusts as much as possible. Drive out.
In addition, there is a third line of defense composed of a large number of chickens and ducks.
This method of almost arranging troops made Viscount John confident at first - even if he could not keep all the locusts out, he could still minimize the losses.
However, the development of things is often predictable.
This batch of locusts was so powerful that they flew through the blank area. Only part of the firewood had time to ignite, and most of the rest became supplies for the locusts.
The raised chickens and ducks have also become the locusts' food rations.
News Norburg, in the conference room, Viscount John frowned, his old features crowded together.
There was a layer of oil on his face, and the wrinkles between his eyebrows were so deep that they could kill a fly. He was obviously in a very bad mood.
It was clearly daytime, but the castle was completely dark. Lamps and candles were needed to maintain lighting. The walls were stained with black marks, and the air was filled with a stuffy smell of wax.
Every window has curtains drawn.
It's not that Viscount John is afraid of light, but the windows of the castle are already densely covered with locusts, which are almost opaque. If you pay attention, you can clearly see the locusts' joints and bellies.
With the curtains drawn, it will be a little cleaner.
"Master, take a rest." Butler Kent whispered: "You haven't slept for two days. The locust plague is a natural disaster and cannot be resisted by human beings."
Viscount John said: "I know. But I can see swarms of locusts as soon as I close my eyes. How can I sleep?"
Hearing this, Kent sighed, feeling increasingly helpless.
He knew what his master was worried about.
The locusts cover the sky, but they cannot eat the stones. There is food in the castle, and they themselves will not starve to death.
But the problem is that the residents don’t have that much food stored in their homes!
Now there are locusts everywhere outside, and the people cannot get food without going out.
Soldiers wearing full armor can safely pass through the locust swarms to deliver food to the people.
But firstly, the manpower is limited, and secondly, there are not so many containers that can safely hold food. Not to mention the entire territory, even the city where this castle is located can only barely maintain supplies.
If this continues, many people will starve to death before the locusts leave.
But now that everything that should be done and shouldn't be done has been done, Kent really can't make any suggestions other than waiting for the locusts to leave on their own.
At this moment, the door opened, and Viscount John's knight and soldier commander Vongola walked into the conference room: "Lord Viscount!"
"Yes." Viscount John nodded. Head: "How is the situation?"
Vongola frowned and said: "It's not very good. According to the soldiers who went out to deliver food, locusts were becoming less and less afraid of people, and they had to expend more energy than usual to deliver food. "
"And... some soldiers discovered that the city was in danger. Some families on the edge have not yet moved the food they sent last time.”
Neusnoburg is located in the center of the city and delivers food to the edges about once every five days.
The food delivered last time has not been touched, which means that some people have begun to starve to death.
“This is not the way to go.” Viscount John patted the table lightly: “If we continue to wait for the swarm to leave, even if the territory does not turn into white land, more than half of the people will die.”
< br>"Kent, hand me the last announcement."
"Yes, sir." Kent quickly picked out the most gorgeous piece of parchment from the pile next to it and handed it to Viscount John.
John took it and looked at it quietly.
The above is Marquis Anthony's announcement on the division of warning zones.
On the back, there are added the views of Anthony's staff and personal alchemist on the locust plague.
When Viscount John saw this announcement for the first time, he cursed Anthony because Anthony did not act like a provincial governor at all.
For this reason, Viscount John only glanced at the content on the back without reading it carefully.
This time he read it carefully, picked up the quill, and Viscount John circled the word "Insect King" on it.
In addition to basically deducing the existence of the King of Insects, the alchemist also said that the habits of insects are similar, and their behavior can be compared to the operating mode of a bee colony or an ant colony.
"Vongola, which direction has the highest density of locusts in the city currently?" Viscount John asked.
Vongola thought for a moment, considered it and said: "The feedback from the soldiers who delivered comprehensive food basically is that the farther west, the greater the density of locusts and the more aggressive they are."
< br>"Very good." Viscount John slammed the table hard: "Vongola, you and I will fight to the west until we find the Insect King!"
Kent was the first to jump up and object: "Sir Viscount, not to mention whether the Insect King really exists. Even if it does, it will be difficult for you to locate the Insect King with only such vague information."
"And even if you can locate and kill the insect king, you may not be able to drive away the locusts."
"The most important thing is that you are a viscount. This kind of adventure It’s not your job to do this!”
Viscount John smiled, but his tone was unquestionable: “Old man, don’t forget, I am not only a viscount, but also a fourth-level ice knight! Locusts can trap others, but they cannot trap me. ”
“And I would rather make a mistake than do nothing.”
As soon as this statement came out, even Vongola could not object, but secretly vowed in his heart to protect the safety of the Viscount.
Soon, Viscount John put on his own battle armor and left Neusnorburg with Vongola, who had just broken through to level 3.
The vest of the war horse was not enough to cover the whole body, so the two left the castle on foot.
Vongola's palms were filled with sweat. Even though he knew that the locusts could not break through his own armor, the overwhelming, dark shadow still made him very uncomfortable.
The locusts were so numerous that every time they stepped down, they would trample one or two people who had no time to escape. The sound of the locusts exploding made Vongola almost want to vomit.
There were also some locusts climbing back and forth on the armor, trying to find weaknesses. The sound caused by the friction between their claws and the armor made his heart tremble.
If Viscount John hadn't ordered to save fighting spirit, he would have used flame fighting spirit to ignite the armor and drive away these damn bugs.
All the way to the west. Just as the previous soldiers reported, the deeper they went, the more aggressive the locusts became, and they even began to actively collide with them.
Arrived at the edge of the city, Vongola's peripheral vision swept across a building, and his scalp suddenly exploded:
"Lord Viscount, look!"
It is a spire building, standing on the corner of the street. It was supposed to be a grain store, but now it is densely covered with locusts, covering one layer after another. It was like a huge heart that was constantly twitching and beating.
Right at the top of the heart, a huge locust is squatting there, and under it is a bag of golden wheat.
Ordinary locusts are only about the size of a fist and are all yellow-brown. However, this one is half the size of a man, almost like a strong calf. Its body is pitch black, its two whiskers are like riding whips, and its pair of mouthparts are as big as Fire tongs.
There is no doubt that that is the Insect King!
As soon as this thought emerged from Vongola's heart, he felt an extreme coldness.
It seems as if the twelfth lunar month of winter is walking naked in the north wind.
But the problem is that it is summer now, and Vongola, as a third-level flame knight, can actually feel the cold!
At this moment, Viscount John's body was filled with ice fighting energy, and traces of hexagonal ice flowers bloomed on his armor.
That is a battle pattern that is condensed to the extreme and shows through the body.
Vongola was stunned. This was the first time he had seen Lord Viscount attack with all his strength, but the aftermath made him stiff!
This is... the fourth level! ?
The insect king seemed to feel the threat, and instantly understood the situation, flapped his wings, and flew towards the sky.
Viscount John raised his spear, floated into the air, and then suddenly drew a crescent-like pale blue light mark.
Everywhere he passed, the air seemed to be frozen, forming an ice-like texture.
The insect king was also wrapped in the icy air, and layers of thin ice began to grow on its wings, and it was about to be overtaken by the crescent moon.
At this moment, a buzzing sound sounded, as if the earth was shaking.
Endless locusts rushed from all directions, rushing towards the blue ice blade regardless of the consequences.
They were frozen and fell one after another, but before they landed, a large number of locusts followed.
For a while, it seemed as if there was a hail of locusts.
But under the protection of waves of locusts, the insect king flew farther and farther!
Vongola rushed to John and said excitedly: "Sir Viscount, there really is an insect king, let's go after it now!"
"Forget it." John's fighting spirit gradually extinguished, and he saw It keeps coming from all directions, as if it never slows down. The young locust said with a hint of bitterness in his tone:
“This unexpected encounter failed to keep it behind. Now that it is on guard, it can’t catch up no matter how hard it tries to catch up.”
“Go back.”
Viscount John returned to Newcastle, full of grievances.
As soon as he entered the door, Kent, who was waiting at the door, came up to him: "Thank you ancestors, sir, you finally came back safely!"
"It's just a swarm of locusts, they can't kill me." He took a photo casually. Kill a locust that comes to the door Insect, Viscount John took off his helmet: "Have someone clean the armor carefully. Don't be anxious, be careful."
Hearing this sentence, Kent suddenly breathed a sigh of relief - at least the Viscount will not be there in a short time. I will fight locusts again.
"Also, get me paper and pen immediately."
Kent nodded immediately: "Yes, sir, who do you want to write to, I will help you figure it out right away!"
Viscount John's expression became serious: "I can only write this letter, you can't bear it. "
Kent suddenly felt something was wrong, but he still made preparations according to Viscount John's instructions.
In the study, Viscount John picked up his pen and wrote two lines of text, which almost made Kent jump in fright.
"The noble King of the Cairns Empire, the guardian of human civilization, the lord of Middle-earth, the inheritor of the Blood King, the most noble King of Kings on the Middles continent, Habs Mann Yours sincerely, His Majesty the Sixteenth King Keynes"
My master actually wants to write a letter to His Majesty the King!
What happened next shocked Kent even more.
“My lord, John Horta Luke, Viscount of the Empire, hereby solemnly makes serious accusations against the Marquis Antonin Vanya Edwards, your personally appointed Governor of the Province of Nord.”< br >
“This person has a low moral character and is more selfish than public. He is more than capable of fighting in politics but lacks the ability to govern. I hereby list his seven major crimes!”
“First, arrogance. ! ”
"As an imperial Marquis, he has no regard for humility or gratitude, and abuses his power wantonly. Before he took office as governor, he drove the nobles in the province like cattle and horses, and regarded the earl family as domestic slaves. If there was any slight disobedience, he would use the royal authority to suppress him. . ”
“Second, luxury!”
“After becoming the governor of the empire, Antony explicitly prohibited the whole province from feasting and having fun, but he was extravagant and held banquets. Yes, the wasted wine will make the fish in the river drunk to death."
"Third, vanity!"
"The previous wedding of Baron Raven of the Griffith family. He was responsible for holding a competition, which turned the wedding banquet into a scandal and made a big fuss. However, Anthony left the meeting angrily after his contestant lost. He was neither graceful nor responsible! "
"Fourth, lust!"
"This Lord Marquis has been enjoying himself ever since he came to the province of Nord, and there are countless rumors about him. He even wrote an article and publicly ranked the dancers. , His debauchery is unworthy of his noble status!”
“Fifth, lazy!”
“Count Jonah has warned you early! Antony regarded the locust plague as nothing and only issued an insignificant decree; once the locust plague broke out, he did not think about how to deal with it, but divided his power into three and designated three warning zones, which failed the king. His Majesty’s trust is also an attempt to evade his duties as governor!”
“Sixth, greed!”
"Seventh, rage!"
"Greed and rage filled the soul of the Governor. In order to seize more power and wealth, he did not hesitate to use assassination methods to conspire to destroy the Fox family and occupy the Fox family. "The century-old family only stole 600,000 gold coins to fill the treasury, and hid more than 10 times the wealth. Such greed is unprecedented!" The disobedience is clearly revealed!”
“Such seven deadly sins are committed in private, which is a disgrace to the noble character; in public affairs, I have betrayed His Majesty’s trust, and I cannot reconcile the nobles in the province, and I cannot protect the country and the people. Not only is it not enough to bear If he takes up the post of governor of the province of Nord, he should be reduced in rank to make him repent!"
"And your Majesty, you should also open your eyes and see clearly the true face of this villain who seems to be loyal but is actually treacherous. ”
"Don't let him become an indelible stain on your glorious achievements!"
This letter is eloquent and almost completed in one go.
As soon as John put the quill away, Kent brought over a candlestick.
"What are you going to do?" John asked.
"Master, you can just write this letter and vent your grievances. You must not dare to send it out." Kent urged.
John said sincerely: "Indeed, the territory suffered heavy losses, which made me criticize Anthony."
"But it's not just a complaint."
"Look at how he responded to this locust plague. Yes! There was no preparation in advance, and when things came to pass, they started to shirk their responsibilities. How can the future be good for Nord province led by such an insect?”
Kent wanted to say something more, but Anthony had already folded the letter and put it in the envelope:
“No need to say more. , I must present this letter to His Majesty the King!”
……
(End of this chapter)