Roland stood on top of the city wall, looking to the north. Over the past month, he had repeated the cycle of the castle, the mining area, and the city wall, checking every detail that might have been forgotten.
The militia's stabbing movements were getting more and more skillful. Under Carter's repeated drills, they were able to stabilize the spear shaft, and only when the hunter in charge of observing shouted the attack did they send out their spears.
Standing behind them was the hunter team. All the hunters who stayed in Border Town and were good at using bows and crossbows were included in this team. These experienced hunters were the main force in killing the demonic beasts. Shooting at the corner of the twelve foot high city wall, there was almost no possibility of missing.
The last team was composed of Iron Axe, Carter, and two other elite hunters. The four flintlock guns made by the blacksmith shop and assembled by Anna had already been put into use. Only when they encountered a difficult monster or hybrid demonic beast that couldn't be penetrated by the crossbow, would they be killed by the team. Their position was very free. They could wander around this two hundred meter distance and appear wherever they were needed.
As for the explosives, they were stored in a tightly guarded warehouse under the city wall. When needed, they would be transported to the city wall alone. After all, if something went wrong with this thing, it could cause more damage than the demonic beasts. The teeth of the demonic beasts couldn't bite through cement, but the explosives could send the entire city wall to the sky.
So far, Roland had organized two actual combat exercises, including the use of explosives. Thanks to these two exercises, the militia was able to avoid the embarrassment of being frightened by the explosion during the official defense. Another advantage was that, when everyone found that the Prince still had such a powerful weapon in his hands, the morale of the team suddenly rose.
"Your Highness," Barov tightened his collar, "The income from the ore trade has been spent. If the Months of the Demons is really as long as the astrologer said, I don't think we can last until the end of the winter."
"Then fill up my vault," Roland said without hesitation, "In addition, don't stop trading with Willow Town. The first steam engine has been transported to the mine, and the rubble from the collapse has been cleaned up. We can still get a little output for the whole winter. Especially the gemstones, there is no need to emphasize the price, sell them as soon as possible. It's always good to store more food and dried meat. "
Barov nodded, "I will do it, Your Highness. But … "
Seeing that the assistant minister was hesitant to speak, Roland, of course, knew what he wanted to say. "Don't worry, I have arranged a boat. If the situation really collapses, I will leave the town."
"That's a relief," Barov said with relief.
Roland smiled at him. "Go do your work. I'll take a look by myself."
After Barov left, the Prince slowly climbed the watchtower. This was the highest point in the middle of the city wall. From here, one could overlook the vast jungle and rolling mountains in front of them. The cold wind blew against his face, but he didn't care. Only on this spacious high platform could he calm down from the anxiety he felt when facing the great battle.
"You're lying to him," someone said. "You never intended to leave."
"Life is already so difficult. Some things are better left unsaid."
"I don't understand what you're talking about. If being a prince is considered difficult, then what are we?" Nightingale appeared, "Even if you can't be a king, as long as you live through the five years of the fight for the throne, you will still be a lord. Compared to worrying about this, it's better for you to accompany Anna. I'm afraid … she doesn't have much time left. "
Roland was silent for a moment. "I don't think she won't live through the Months of the Demons."
"Why?"
"She said she won't lose to the demons," he paused. "I believe her."
"You actually believe a witch," Nightingale shook her head. "We are cursed by the devil."
"Is that so? I believe you too. "
"…"
*****
Brian, dressed in civilian clothes, stood in front of Greyhound's tombstone.
He gently stroked the new stone. The pure white surface of the stone was engraved with a line of words: "Nameless, but forever remembered. The hero who sacrificed himself for Border Town. "
"Greyhound."
"I realized my dream. When the Months of the Demons is over, His Royal Highness the 4th Prince will hold a ceremony for me."
"But I don't want to sit in the hospital bed and wait."
"My wounds have healed, and the city wall is where I should be."
"The Months of the Demons is coming. The demonic beasts may be terrible, but they will hit the defensive line that everyone worked together to establish, and will not be able to take a step forward."
"I will defend this town together with you. I will wield my sword."
"But it's not over."
"The person who framed you is still alive … but he won't live forever. This is His Royal Highness's promise to me."
"The next time we meet, I will bring good news."
Brian bent down and placed a bouquet of flowers in front of the tombstone.
"Then goodbye, my friend."
*****
"Sister Anna, aren't you afraid?" Nana asked, lying on the bed with her legs crossed.
"Afraid of what?"
"The demons will devour me. Nightingale said it was winter, but I became a witch in the autumn. This is the first time … "
"The first time," Anna thought. "It will be very painful. Sometimes you will even want to die immediately."
"Ah!" Nana exclaimed, and immediately covered her mouth.
"But you will survive, just like me."
"I don't know …" Nana whispered, "I'm not as strong as you."
"I'm not that strong," Anna closed her eyes, and the scene of her first meeting with Roland appeared in her mind. In that dark and cold dungeon, he put his clothes on her and whispered that he wanted to hire her – until now, she still felt that it was incredible. "You will also encounter things that make you want to live, even if you have to struggle to live."
"For example …?"
"For example, meat covered with sauce," she sighed, "How do I know what you want – huh?"
Looking at Nana who was staring at her, Anna wiped her face with her hands, "Is there anything dirty on my face?"
"No …" Nana shook her head, "I'm just a little surprised, you never talked so much to me before … Sister Anna, when you closed your eyes to think, you looked so beautiful."
Anna rolled her eyes, jumped out of bed, and walked to the window.
Nana followed, "What are you looking at, the Concealing Forest?"
"The forest is in the west," Anna snapped, "You can only see the Redwater River from here."
"Sister Anna, look!" The girl pointed to the sky.
Anna was startled, then opened the window, and a cold wind mixed with snowflakes poured into the room.
She reached out her hand, pinched the crystal clear snowflake, and a burst of coolness came from between her fingers.
"It's snowing."
*****
"…"
After a long silence, Nightingale said, "You didn't lie."
"Of course," Roland said with a smile. "I rarely lie."
Nightingale didn't speak again, she turned her head, and her eyes had an unclear look.
Suddenly, she felt a chill on her neck, and couldn't help but shrink her neck. Looking up, she found that, at some point, snowflakes were floating above the city wall. In the gray sky, there seemed to be countless white elves, they were dancing in the north wind, accompanied by the militia training slogan, flying everywhere.
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