Chapter 443 7.97 The Eve of the War

Chapter 443 97 The Eve of the War

Before dawn, Ecbert had already left the Rainy Highlands with a hood on, disguised as a merchant again.

Jerome stood on the balcony of the Duke's Mansion and saw him off in a low-key manner.

This time, he could see that Ecbert was not here for any conspiracy, he was indeed here to pass on a message to the other six kings.

If they could get rid of the rule of the Plantagenet family, the annual tax revenue of the seven countries in the archipelago would at least double. No one would want these blood-sucking worms to stay in a country that was not given for a long time. As long as they see an opportunity, they will definitely do their best to get rid of the commercial control of the Plantagenet family.

But on the other hand, even if the seven countries of England are unified, they are not one-third of the land area of ​​France. It is useless for a poor and weak country to actively provoke the powerful French Duchy.

They dare not take the initiative to stand by the Vikings, because they are afraid that if they are defeated, they will be greeted by more stringent commercial sanctions.

This is human nature.

Now, the seven great lords can only pin their hopes on the thousands of troops in Normandy, hoping that they can create miracles as before.

Jerome has no confidence in this.

Because the owner of the greatest miracle, Loki, is not in the province now.

**

The Viking pirates in the camp gathered in groups of three or five. They simply spread the linen square towels on the ground, and then took out the fine wine, fruits and rare foods from all over the Western Continent to share with their companions.

The brothers who got the boats introduced all kinds of secret anecdotes they saw in the vast sea. When they were drunk, they would take out strange musical instruments and play them while inviting the wheat-skinned female dancers to play a song.

As for the tribesmen who were allocated fields, those who stayed in the two provinces took out the food they had accumulated for a long time and sent it to the barracks. Almost everyone did not hold back at all.

They knew that if this battle failed, the food would continue to be stored in the granary, which would only benefit the French bastards.

"My dear friends!" After drinking, a long-haired man with a naked upper body jumped onto the roof with a thud. Looking closely, it was Rolf, the "walker" who had just come to Yun Province to help.

"Praise Odin, for bringing us another slaughter!"

"Good!" Everyone who looked at him raised their glasses.

In the following days, Sat, Guraul, Phoenix, and Moklash Normandy vassals arrived with their troops one after another.

The gathering place chosen by Jerome was still the main city of "Salt County", Wanghai Fortress. On the one hand, it was because Wanghai Fortress, which was close to the coastline, had convenient transportation, and on the other hand. Duchess Elizabeth was pregnant. She didn't know that Loki had fallen into the hands of the French, and she was still waiting for him to come back every day.

Jerome didn't want to make too much noise in Shilin County.

The most difficult thing in the world is a girl who is about to become a widow after just getting married.

Especially when the girl is still pregnant, Jerome feels that his head is three times bigger just thinking about it. For the gentle duchess, it is better to keep this matter secret from her before the dust settles.

All the vassals who responded to the signs once again poured into the seaside castle. At this time, the interior of the Wanghai Fortress was already crowded with marching tents for temporary residence.

Walking among them, Jerome found that the Vikings were still the familiar ones.

Three years ago, 30 hunters in Hanshui Village dared to take up arms to resist the 500 shield axemen sent by Duke Bernard.

And now, they are facing enemies with more than ten times their number again, and they also have no negative emotions. Hearing that Duke Loki fell into the hands of the enemy, all the Normans who went out returned within this month. Even if some people have built new homes overseas, they did not hesitate to lead all their subordinates to join this great war.

"Praise Thor for allowing us to meet here today!"

"Good!"

"Finally, praise our Duke Loki, who alone killed 72 French nobles in the Inquisition! Praise our king!"

"Cheers!"

Two months ago, the battle with the Deep One almost broke all his ribs. Even if Priest Lawrence rescued him personally, he would have to lie in bed for at least half a year before he could walk normally.

However, just two months later, he appeared in the barracks again wearing bear skin and carrying a big axe.

This is a medical miracle.

Master Clint did not join the noisy gathering of other companions around him. Although every Viking man who passed by him would pat his chest with both hands and greet him with the highest regards, the old man still chose to sit alone in front of a campfire.

He looked at the flickering fire with a bright look in his eyes, with many complex emotions in his eyes.

"Wansha, Sanji, Sicord, and Feis brothers, wait for me in the Hall of Heroes for a while. I will soon meet you with the head of the old lizard!"

Gudong, gudong, everyone picked up the horn cup at the same time and drank the beer in the cup.

"I know all of you!"

"Since our naked teenage years, we have been hunting in the dense forest with simple bone knives!"

"When we grow up, we enter the cage! Kill the dire wolves! Stand in a row, be given arm rings and women by the old duke, and get the right to go to sea to plunder! I know each of your faces, just like I know my parents"

"If I can ascend to Valhalla with you in a few days, what else in the world is more exciting than brothers living together for generations!"

"No matter life or death, I will always remember this day!"

Jerome looked at Priest Lawrence behind him, and the two shook their heads at the same time without commenting.

The two monks who have lived in the Holy Lord Church for most of their lives do not understand the simple friendship between these northern men. This kind of feeling is simple, direct and pure, as long as they can fight together with axes.

For them, this is the ultimate happiness.

Among this group of excited tribesmen who drank big bowls and ate meat, what surprised Jerome the most was that he actually found the figure of old man Clint in a remote corner.

Rubbing his eyes hard to confirm again and again, Jerome asked Lawrence softly. However, Priest Lawrence did not know how this old guy with half of his bones broken stood up again in such a short time.

As a man in his sixties, his bones are much more fragile than those of ordinary young people.

After saying this, he took out the three axes he had been carrying on his back, two short and one long, and sharpened them on the grindstone.

Jerome and Lawrence looked at each other and sighed.

They were all "robbed" by Loki from Northumbria to Hanshui Village three years ago.

But then again.

Even if he was persuaded to go back to bed and rest, what would be the use?

Almost everyone in the two provinces had gathered here, from 10-year-old children to 60-year-old men, all of them had taken up arms. No egg is left unbroken under an overturned nest. Once this war failed, they would immediately bear the double anger from the English and French.

After walking around the camp and coming to the end, Sartre and Guraul returned to the central army tent at the same time.

"The inventory is complete, and we have brought a total of 4,725 people."

"Okay." Jerome replied, "Ecbert has given me a clear answer that we can land near the English Channel."

In three years, they witnessed too many deaths in this village. From the "universalist" Ahai, to XXX who died after drinking the potion, to Blind Mountain Blood Pigeon who died in prison for unknown reasons, to the carpenter Sanji, and Wenzof who died in France

The veterans who came out of Hanshui Village went to Valhalla one after another, and this old man Clint naturally felt lonely.

This is the oldest Viking pirate from Hanshui Village. On weekdays, Duke Loki would call him Master Clint when he saw him. For such a person who even the Duke couldn't control, the two holy bishops couldn't persuade him at all.

"The enemy's forces are too strong, so our only chance to win is when they are about to land on the coast, half of them will attack from the land, and the other half will encircle them from the sea."

"Ecbert will not send troops head-on, but he will give us all the help we need."

"En" Gulaul faced the low hill outside the city and pointed to a lonely cavalryman on the top of the mountain.

"The spies from the other six countries are already in place. King Wessex is right. Everyone in this land has focused their attention on us."

"On the eternal frozen ground, grazing antelopes will bite when they are cornered. Let us shed the first drop of blood for these French friends."

The evening wind whistled, and everyone raised their glasses and drank them all.

Outside the window, a flock of crows was flying, ready to welcome the heroic spirit.