noveltune Chapter 60 The Small Team is Formed!
Chapter 60 The Small Team is Formed!
As dusk fell, the fiery clouds in the west burned fiercely, their crimson hue covering half the sky.
The villagers, having enjoyed a hearty meal of meat, are now busy at work.
The axe blades clattered into the wood, and the vibrations of tree trunks crashing to the ground echoed continuously. Trees were felled and cleared, and simple sheds that could shelter from the wind and rain were quickly taking shape.
The Little Waterfall campsite was bustling with activity.
In most people's shacks, there are only straw mats and loose straw cushions, which serve as temporary shelter.
A few hunter families with slightly better financial means were able to lay out leather mats, which stood out as a rare display of dignity amidst the mess of the villagers.
Around the camp, in areas with open views, Rogge had already set up four shifts of observation posts.
The villagers need to be constantly vigilant about the mountains and forests and the roads they come from, and observe enemy movements. With this barrier, the villagers are not worried about being suddenly attacked.
In the innermost hut of the camp, old Yar, who had been unconscious for a long time, finally slowly opened his eyes.
When he learned that 127 villagers had perished forever under the swords of the pirates, and that all the villagers had been displaced,
Old Yar's lifelong commitment to protecting his homeland and his people collapsed in an instant.
He took all the blame upon himself.
It was his fault.
He knew very well that he had disregarded Rogge's advice and had been swayed by the villagers' unfounded morale and attachment to their homeland.
He made a wrong decision that cost hundreds of people their lives!
This guilt caused the old leader, who had been a man of unyielding integrity his entire life, to completely lose his composure!
Old Jarl, his hair now completely white, had lost all light in his eyes. He curled up and began to sob violently.
When he learned that he had fallen into a coma, it was Roger, an outsider, who calmly led the remaining villagers, bypassed the pirates' encirclement, and brought everyone to this safe camp!
And they even went back to rescue Old Kui!
Especially after learning from Geese that even his life was saved by Roger, and not just once!
Old Jarl completely let go of his last trace of wariness and estrangement towards Rogge and his companions.
He was filled with gratitude and guilt, and completely regarded Roger as the savior of the entire village!
……
Outside the shack, the villagers' feelings toward old Yar had changed.
Old Kui and other veteran militia members who had followed Old Yar for decades looked at their old leader's breakdown with heartache and understanding.
They knew better than anyone that Old Yar had dedicated his entire life to the village of Duanpo and to caring for his people.
He made a mistake, but his original intention to protect his homeland has never changed!
However, most of the villagers who lost their loved ones blamed old Yar for their grief.
When they learned that it was old Jarl who refused to listen to advice and stubbornly insisted on his wrong decision that killed his relatives and destroyed his family!
They cannot choose to forgive!
They chose to forget old Yar's decades of tireless work and dedication to the village.
They looked at old Yar coldly, no longer showing him the same respect they once had, and their words were full of accusations!
This was especially true for the small number of young and strong who survived!
When they witnessed firsthand the massacre by pirates and the tragic deaths of their comrades,
It was Roger who led them to safety and gave them hope to live!
Their awe and respect for old Jarl had vanished completely; they were now more willing to obey Rogge's orders!
Fortunately, despite their resentment and estrangement, no villagers rushed into the shed to confront Old Yar.
Everyone knew that they were homeless and living deep in the mountains, and survival was their top priority!
Old Jarl also learned from Giss about the value of the life-saving drug!
One pill is worth more than a strong ox!
Old Yar was more knowledgeable, and he could imagine just how precious the medicine that had pulled him back from the brink of death must be!
Worth a strong ox?
No, for those who need it, they'd buy it even if it were worth a fortune!
Old Jar felt that even if he gave up his old life, he would never be able to repay Roger's kindness!
In the afterglow of the setting sun,
Rogge stood in the center of the camp, calmly directing the villagers to build huts and adjust the shifts for sentry duty.
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a convincing power!
He scanned the villagers who were looking at him with indifferent expressions.
Old Jarl knew in his heart that he could no longer hold onto this position.
Thinking about how I've been considering retirement for the past few years,
A thought suddenly took root in his mind!
Since we can't repay this debt of gratitude, let's keep him in Duanpo Village and let him become the support of our people!
Old Jarre thought of it and did it. He composed himself.
Gis summoned Roger, Old Quay, and several other important figures from the village to his side.
Once everyone had arrived, Old Yar announced his decision to pass on his position as Yar of Broken Amber Village to Rogge.
His decision was approved by all the villagers! Even Old Kui was beaming with joy.
The Fieldswe people naturally admire the strong, and the position of Yar is not a rigid rule of father-to-son succession. Furthermore, old Yar's daughter could not command the respect of the people...
To relinquish the position of Yar, all that is required is to report to the lord!
To everyone's surprise, Roger calmly shook his head and politely declined old Jarl's suggestion.
He had already made an appointment with Gold and Virgil to embark on the journey together!
Even if the position of village chief were within his grasp, he would never abandon the agreement made by the three of them, nor would he stop moving forward.
Before anyone could offer further advice, Roger seized the opportunity to express his own idea.
"Old Yar, I'd like to recruit some able-bodied men for the village, what do you think..."
Old Yar paused for a moment, then sighed deeply and nodded in agreement.
"Now the village has been wiped out, and the remaining food is barely enough to feed the rest of the villagers."
If the young people want to leave, that's entirely up to their own wishes!
He looked at Roger, his tone full of earnestness:
"Some young men in the village may have long been tired of the days of toiling in the fields and want to earn their own future with the swords and spears in their hands."
If you can provide them with military pay and equipment,
If there's still a chance to get a share of the spoils, they'll definitely be willing to follow you!
Roger's voice was steady and powerful, "I am willing to pay for their equipment and settling-in expenses, and I will never betray their trust."
Rogge went outside and began recruiting young men. The news of the recruitment spread and caused quite a stir in the camp.
After hearing Roger's demands, many young people gathered around him:
"Master Rogge... Sir, you have saved our village from sieges many times, keeping us alive. I deeply respect your bravery and integrity, and I long to follow you on your adventures and serve you with my weapons!"
Roger immediately declared, "I will lead you to a bright future! I will always be your village's protector!"
"My lord... the village has just suffered a calamity, and the men are all dead. I want to follow you, but I am unwilling to abandon my family..."
"Okay, I understand your difficulties, and I hope you can all rebuild your homes."
People have all sorts of ideas.
In a time when even food is scarce, it's not necessarily true that the more able-bodied people the village has, the better.
Rogge did not take away their labor force; on the contrary, he helped them!
Those young people who had lost all their relatives in the pirate attacks had no ties to them and stepped forward to sign up.
Many people, looking at the devastated village in the distance, and at the young children and elderly parents around them, ultimately shook their heads.
After a final count, Rogge successfully recruited twenty-seven able-bodied men, including seven shield maidens!
[Rogge: 100%]
【companion:
Virgil: 100%
Goed: 100%
Ragnar: 100%
Fieldsway Villagers - Level 1 (25 people)
Fieldsway Recruits, Level 5 (2 people)
】
Rogge gave each able-bodied young man who was willing to follow him ten silver dinars!
The silver coins landed in the villagers' palms with a crisp, pleasant clinking sound; their cool metallic texture carried a substantial weight!
Those with relatives used the ten dinars as a resettlement allowance.
Those carefree young people suddenly possessed ten dinars!
They had never had so much cash in their entire lives!
In an instant, everyone's envious gaze fell upon the young people holding the silver coins.