Otherworldly Apprentice Lich and Foot Knight

Zhou Lingke was very nervous when he asked the question, but he had to ask this question, even though he hadn't even mentioned it to Xia En before.But the situation of Old John is a lesson from the past. Although Zhou Lingke knows that he is not as talented as Old John, he still knows that mages are a scarce resource, and demihumans are too humble in the eyes of ordinary people.

Polivi stopped, he looked at Zhou Lingke, but all he saw from this young man was seriousness, he finally could only ask kindly: "I am not questioning your feelings, my young friend. But, I guess you You didn’t meet many people in the past, and the world you’ve seen is only you and your teacher?”

From his words, Zhou Lingke knew what this old mage was thinking—he thought Zhou Lingke was a mage who lived in seclusion with his teacher and was obsessed with the study and research of magic.Probably his teacher is still a little eccentric, and the students are so old that they still don't want him to be a teacher.

"No, the world I see is many, and it's very big, Master Polivi." Zhou Lingke explained, but Polivi's expression, well, the old mage directly interpreted it as "I see a lot of magical worlds, and it's also very big." , In the minds of people who already have a fixed mindset, many things cannot be explained clearly, so Zhou Lingke could only change the angle, "I have been with him for almost seven years, and he makes me feel happy and peaceful. Satisfied, and not ready to add any more stupid troubles to myself in this regard."

Now Master Bolivi's expression turned into understanding and approval, and his tone became brisk and cheerful: "Of course, as a magician, you should not have too much demand for the world. I think your teacher has no idea about Mang Tan." Tell too much, then I may have the honor of helping you out, my friend."

The old mage began to give Zhou Lingke some explanations about recklessness, but the basis of what he said next was actually a problem that Zhou Lingke and Xia En had overlooked - the title here has no fief, not even the king.This is a very common problem for modern people, especially two modern people in China.China itself started from the Qin Dynasty. In fact, there were titles and no lands. This is not a big problem for the two of them.Sevans, who had been received before, mentioned it emphatically, and the two of them just nodded and listened without much reaction, but they didn't know how important and unique this is to people in this world. reform.

According to what Master Bolivi said, this kind of reform made Mangtan possible, but it also restricted Mangtan's development, because unless they were desperate, people with some ability would never join Mangtan.The most superficial meaning of fiefdom is land, and if there is land, there will be harvest. Although the country's annuity here is also converted according to the price of the year, it is not comparable to the income of one's own land.Because the harvest of the land is multi-faceted. Crops, hemp and wool for textiles, wild animals, fish catches, and fruits are all essential and basic things in the life of an aristocrat. Buy annuity, once in and out, it will consume a lot of money.

On the other hand, where there is land, there is population. According to the enfeoffment system of other countries, the population on these lands belongs to the local lords.Therefore, in many countries, there is no civilian class, only serfs, who are a little better than real slaves, and they can only own part of the harvest from the land they cultivate, although it is a very small harvest.Being in control of one's life is, for many, more attractive than simply owning a piece of land.

But in Mangtan, there are none of these, even in Mangtan, the title does not decrease from generation to generation, that is to say, the title is slightly lower, if the descendants do not make enough meritorious deeds, the family business may be gone after two or three generations.

Zhou Lingke didn't know that there were so many twists and turns here. These were very novel to him, but after listening to them, Zhou Lingke also felt puzzled-do these have something to do with him and Xia En?

Seeing Zhou Lingke's doubts becoming more and more obvious, Plavix stroked his beard proudly: "Mangtan has only one big family that has continued since the founding of the country, and that is the royal family. There is no aristocratic family that can compete with the royal family. Moreover, Mangtan's laws are strict. Even if a nobleman kills a commoner without authorization, he must bear what he has done. But don't relax, my dear friend, I say this does not mean Your partner is less dangerous, on the contrary, he is more dangerous, because a powerful magician plays a greater role in Mangtan's family inheritance than in other countries. Because it means that no matter how capable the offspring are, in many For a long period of time, there will be mages in the family. Even if the family becomes weak, it will not fall to the bottom, but there will be a buffering process. And you are very young, which means that no matter whether your lover is a A male demihuman, or a female, is actually equally dangerous."

Zhou Lingke thought he could feel relieved just now, but he didn't expect that there would be a turning point later: "..." This means that what happened to Old John and the guard will probably happen to them both.His first thought was to leave the country.

"No, Mangtan is a very good country." Polivi also understood the thoughts of his young colleague. The old mage didn't show any displeasure at Zhou Lingke who wanted to "abandon" Mangtan so quickly. The comfort of understanding, "It's just that no matter how good the country is, there will always be some people who are not so good. There is actually a very simple way for you to protect your partner, and that is to let him be your pursuer."

"A follower... what is it?"

Plavix had an expression of "Your teacher really didn't tell you too much common sense": "This is a master-slave relationship, don't show that look, young friend. Although this is not based on the master-slave relationship in the legal sense , not recorded in writing, but recognized by all. He is 'your' servant, but only yours. He offers you loyalty and service, and even this loyalty is higher than his to the monarch. You also To be responsible to him is the most basic responsibility to protect. You are a community that shares weal and woe. Even followers are like husband and wife in another sense." Old John blinked at Zhou Lingke.

"That is to say, if someone hurts him, it is equivalent to slapping me in the face? If someone has evil intentions against me, he must also protect me?"

"In fact, the requirements are more stringent than this. Followers share the glory and status of the master, and he is not a servant. Followers of the powerful are also respected by the world. As the master himself, protecting followers is his most important thing." The basic obligation, whoever wants to do something to your followers, must be prepared to bear your wrath. In a sense, killing your followers is better than killing your wife—I mean the real sense , is even more insulting."

"So... what if the follower's master is killed?"

"Ok?"

"Then the insult is even greater?" Zhou Lingke was delighted.

Plavix's eyes doubled in size instantly, and he opened his mouth, but in the end he just sighed and said nothing.Later, when the old mage said that his exam was over and he was about to leave, Zhou Lingke couldn't help asking curiously: "Master Bolivi, aren't you going to test my magic?" The old mage passed the alchemy exam. After taking the international situation into consideration, it seems that the most basic ones were not tested.

"Why do you think I came, my friend? That mighty beast beside you is enough proof of your strength."

Well, Zhou Lingke is not going to explain this beautiful misunderstanding anymore.

Later, Zhou Lingke said to Xia En: "Let me be your follower." After he finished speaking, he smiled, "I'm a little nervous, like a marriage proposal."

Xia En raised his eyebrows. He hadn't seen Zhou Lingke's embarrassed expression for several years: "What is a follower? And why is it linked to a marriage proposal?"

"It was recommended by that master Bolivia." Zhou Lingke turned the matter introduced by Master Bolivia to Xia En, "Although this cannot be placed on a formal document, it is a relationship model recognized by the society. .”

"Usually the weaker side is in the position of follower, right?" Xia En laughed.

"I think you and I are very sure who is weaker. Of course, I mean in terms of combat power. You also know that my situation is completely a beautiful misunderstanding." Zhou Lingke also laughed, knelt on one knee on the ground, and offered it with both hands A small straw ring, "Hey, do you agree? Sean? Boss? Let me be your follower, and then... marry me?"

"..."

"Do you agree?"

Xia En didn't speak, but he took the ring and put it on the ring finger of his left hand.

The two of them didn't know that after many years, followers showed their loyalty to their masters, and also joined the option of kneeling on one knee to present the ring... The master would wear the ring of the follower he relied on the most on the ring finger of his left hand , other people's... may be worn on bracelets, necklaces, or belts.

Another day later, Sevans came here again.He came to "assign work" to them this time, and when he faced Xia En, he was obviously more respectful and cautious.But regarding the specific distribution, there is no way to change it here——Zhou Lingke is going to the Mage Tower, and Xia En is going to the training camp.

As the name suggests, the mage tower is the place where mages practice, while the training camp is the place where reckless reserve soldiers receive military training.