In 'Earth Splitter', Roddy had used many similar BUFF scrolls, but even when he was a level 59 Ranger in year 597, the highest level scroll he had used was only a blue 'Superior' Lion King's Strength. The effect of that scroll was to increase Strength by 220, Constitution by 180, and last for 60 minutes.
From this, one could see why the effect of [Moloch's Blessing] was so overpowered. Most scrolls had a duration of 15 to 60 minutes, but this scroll only lasted for 60 seconds.
If it had a duration of 5 minutes, it would probably have become an "orange" Legendary-level scroll. However, even though this item was powerful, in terms of "practicality", it did not break the balance of the game.
Although the effect sounded off the charts, [Moloch's Blessing] was ultimately a one-time consumable item. Moreover, because it did not have an effect similar to 'Magic Immunity', if one was unlucky and successively suffered a few crowd-control skills, one could only watch as this Epic scroll was completely wasted.
In terms of effect, although the 'increase in strength' was inevitable, how many people could suddenly get used to a large number of skills after a sudden increase in level? 60 seconds was over before one could understand the 'Skill Description'.
Therefore, for ordinary people, the most important effect of this scroll was the explosive increase in attributes after leveling up and the 100% increase in attributes.
But Roddy was not an 'ordinary person'. In fact, he was one of the few people who could use this scroll to its fullest potential!
Holding this scroll, Roddy felt that the rewards he had gained in Hollier City for a month were really beyond imagination.
He looked up at Sodelor's frowning face and smiled. "By the way, you should already know about the Baron Award, right?"
At the mention of this matter, Sodelor was silent for a moment, but his tone became a little conflicted. "I … don't understand what you did."
In fact, no one would understand Roddy's choice. Just this afternoon, Roddy rejected the Dukes Of Angmar's request to confer the 'Baron' title on him and gave it to Sodelor, who had noble blood. Although Angmar eventually agreed to Roddy's request, it was obvious that he was somewhat dissatisfied with Roddy's choice.
"You'll understand these things in the future. You won't understand even if I explain it now. For the time being, just treat me as someone who likes to retreat behind the scenes and plot some schemes. Will that be easier to accept?" Roddy lifted the curtains of the carriage and looked at the city walls in the distance where torches were lit. After measuring the distance, he added, "Of course, I don't mean to control you like a puppet. I just hope that we scouts will have a good place to go."
Sodelor was a smart man and naturally understood that Roddy probably had his own difficulties. He also remembered that Roddy had said something similar when they were chatting in the inn. After thinking about it for a moment, he sighed helplessly. "Since you've made this decision, then I'll work hard and be a good lord."
"I know what you're worried about." In the dim light, Roddy's expression was currently unreadable in the shadows. "You're afraid that as your status changes, things that used to be simple will change. Brothers who have gone through fire and water with you will be greedy for comfort and lose their ambition. Or perhaps, one day, you, me, or these once familiar comrades will become enemies?"
Sodelor answered with silence.
"Actually, this kind of worry is all right. I've also had such thoughts. It's precisely because of this that I've decided to let you be the baron."
Roddy's voice was not concealed, so Ruger, who was driving, could hear him. "You have a big picture view, received more education than all the scouts, and are familiar with the operation of the territory. So, the lord has made you the most suitable person. But this is just what's on the surface. "
He paused and continued, "Sarota is dead, but it doesn't mean that the orcs won't have such an aggressive leader. After we solve the problem of the undead the day after tomorrow, that Ansadin of Tasman will definitely come looking for trouble. These are two problems. Also, although the heretics of the Viper Cross might not make too much of a move for the time being, they will eventually find some clues and come looking for us.
"You see, the orcs, the undead, heretics, and lunatics can all threaten our lives at any time. Do you think we'll be able to live a leisurely life? Farming, herding sheep, having women, and enjoying life? "
Roddy shook his head. His voice sounded very deep in the slight noise of the carriage. "If we don't work hard, I'm afraid we'll end up with nothing left of us."
Such words made Sodelor and Ruger, who had relaxed a little, fall silent. If not for Roddy pointing out each and every problem, they almost thought that the following days would be smooth sailing.
Not to mention them, the rest of the scouts also had the thought of "going back to enjoy life after we're done with all this". Carter had even discussed with others how to collect rent if he owned a few acres of fertile land.
"After all … this is an era of war."
As Roddy sighed softly, the carriage slowly disappeared into the dim street corner.
*****
September 25th.
In Cobb Forest, the team of assassins disguised as the "Kitt Trading Company" was still moving forward at a steady pace.
It was now autumn, the last active period for the wild beasts in the forest before winter. Therefore, it was common to see hunters or mercenary groups entering the forest to hunt. Occasionally, one or two blind elk or wild boars would rush in front of the caravan. Naturally, they would be hunted down by the mercenaries of the caravan.
However, these undead creatures would never eat the juicy fresh meat. Instead, they used it to exchange some information with other teams that they met by chance.
"Madam Magda, I just received news that Hollier City suddenly implemented a curfew, and only the west gate is open during the day."
Debbie leaned forward with his balding head and reported the news to Magda who was sitting in the carriage. The "Blighter" who was sitting in the carriage slowly opened his eyes and asked in a deep voice: "Why?"
"I heard that on the 20th of September, the speech of 'Rose Cross' was interrupted by a group of pagans, and many people died. Today, they are holding a new speech, and tomorrow, the Dukes Of Angmar will be holding some kind of award ceremony. So there has been a lot of military activity in the city these few days … Probably because of the previous incident."
When saying this, Debbie also quoted the news he heard: "It is said that the bishop and the bishop of 'Rose Cross' were almost killed by the pagans in the square. They are probably afraid of losing face."
Magda looked out of the window, and after a moment of silence, she replied in a low voice: "When was the last news from the contact point?"
"An hour ago, madam." Debbie took out a piece of parchment, and on it was the information sent by the spy hidden in the market of Hollier City. "The spy that Sir Ansadin planted in the city only knows that we will arrive on the 26th, but he does not know how many people we have, or what disguises we have …"
When this was said, it was equivalent to eliminating many possibilities. Obviously, Debbie did not think that the identity of this team would be exposed.
As the highest decision maker of the team and the main executor of the assassination, Magda still had some suspicions in her heart, but because of the confidence that came from her own strength, the subtle sense of danger quickly disappeared after Debbie's report.
"Ah … He is just a lord of a small city, not worth my attention."
Magda finally made a decision in her heart, and waved her hand: "The team continues to move forward, and strive to arrive on the 26th. If we can make it in time for Duke's award ceremony, then we will immediately complete the mission."
This feeling was like going to a place to kill a chicken, and then turn around and leave. It sounded like overconfidence, but as an advanced 'assassin' level 29, Debbie did not think that Magda's words were 'arrogant' at all. He still bowed respectfully, and then jumped out of the carriage to give orders.
It was currently early in the morning, and this time tomorrow, the team would arrive at Hollier City.
*****
At the same time, on the square of Hollier City, Sally finally became the 'priest' of the church after the bishop officially announced and appointed her. Amidst the scattered rose petals, she wore a blue and white priest robe, and was smiling as she received the blessings of the believers and the bishop.
The grand speech positively stimulated the emotions of the believers, and when the cheers lasted until the end of the ceremony, the bishop sat on the carriage and began to circle around the city, and began to 'bless' Hollier City. Thousands of believers followed behind the carriage, and when the procession passed through the wide main road, the gorgeous carriage, the mighty guard of honor, and the devout believers formed a unique picture of this era.
The thick scent of roses floated on the road, and the panic brought about by the 'Viper Cross' was gradually calming down. Not long after the Viceroy's carriage left, the Duke's Mansion's convoy, led by Titus and Knight Wellington, also appeared on the road in the city. However, they did not follow the Viceroy's convoy. Instead, they turned onto the road to the West City Gate.
The heavy carriage moved steadily on the main road, and within the carriage, the red wine in the goblet was rippling, reflecting the face of Roddy who sat opposite Duke.
"The matter with Sally has come to a conclusion. I am much more at ease now."
The Dukes Of Angmar's voice was not loud, but there was a hint of loneliness in his tone. Perhaps it was because he had recalled the past, or perhaps it was because of the impending parting, but the old man did not deliberately conceal his emotions in front of Roddy. As he looked out of the window, he gently swirled his wine glass, and then asked, "By the way, in tomorrow's plan, a group of people and a team of carriages were prepared for me at the north gate?"
"Yes, Lord Duke. That is the last resort."
Roddy raised his gaze slightly and said bluntly, "If the worst happens, we naturally have to arrange for you to leave this place. The road from the Ducal Palace to the north gate is the smoothest. After passing through the north gate, if everything goes smoothly, we can reach Borl Fortress within a day. "
When these words were spoken frankly, Angmar raised his wine glass and savored the soft taste of the wine in it. As he drank, some of the emotions in Duke's eyes flickered, but it was not seen by Roddy.
"When I was at war in the past, I never thought about which way I would escape …" After putting down his wine glass, Angmar smiled, but there was no ridicule in his words. "It is a shame for a lord to leave his capital city. What if I choose to refuse?"
"Then I can only say that … the current you will not choose to refuse."
To be able to sit in the same carriage as Duke, this kind of identity was enough to show that Angmar valued Roddy. Although there was a big difference in age between the two, their current conversation did not seem to have much difference in status. Roddy's answer was a little casual, but like his archery skills, every sentence hit the nail on the head. "I am not denying that there is anything wrong with 'a glorious death', but the current Sally is still unable to support the territory of Eiffta … So if you are really faced with a choice between life and death, I don't know what will happen in the future, but now, you will definitely not refuse the chance to live."
This was a statement without any questioning tone.
After listening to this, Angmar smiled and sighed, silently admitting that Roddy's words were indeed on point. But then he pointed at the parchment in Roddy's hand and asked, "I have always been a little puzzled. Why does the core of this plan not revolve around you? Your strength … "
"This battle is not something I can participate in with my level. If I want to lead the battle, I am afraid I will only add to the chaos."
Roddy shook his head. "Under the situation where the number of enemies and strength are unknown, the current plan can only guarantee the greatest 'adaptability'. Whether it will succeed or fail, the variables are not something I can predict at all. So all I can do is to prepare everything and do my best. If it succeeds, everyone will be happy; if it fails, I can guarantee that the Lucifron family can rise again at any time. "
After listening to this, Angmar nodded approvingly. He drank the red wine in one gulp and said softly, "Good."
It was only a one-word evaluation, but the weight was self-evident.
Although Roddy's words sounded too objective and rational, Angmar understood that this was the reality … Romanticism was just a cover. When the war came, there was never any room for fantasy about victory or defeat.
"After Rubens' parade ends, all the temple guards will gather here." Roddy verified the plan for the last time and then put the parchment aside. "Next … we can only hope that everything goes smoothly."
The carriage stopped in front of the West Gate. Roddy alighted from the carriage and walked under the sunlight. Only then could one see that he was wearing the "City Defense Team" military uniform, and there was an emblem representing "Squad Leader" on his chest.
He was holding a short bow, and the machete on his waist was replaced with a standard longsword. Under the military uniform, he was wearing the "Hunter Set". The ring that was extremely lethal to the undead was worn on his finger, and the scroll [Moloch's Blessing] was placed in his pocket. Just like before every mission, Roddy checked all the skill bars and experience bars. He waved his hand to close the list and opened the "Surrounding People Status Bars" and "Surrounding Items Status Bars".
His gaze swept across the densely packed words that appeared around him. He took a deep breath and turned around to give the Dukes Of Angmar a "everything is normal" gesture. After that, he walked to the tax collection office outside the West Gate and replaced the soldier who was in charge of tax collection and registration. He leaned against the stone wall and waited silently.
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