[Chapter 32 You thought it was the special seafood of Winter River]

If possible, David even wanted to leave the duck farm, goose farm, and pig farm to Laura, and wait for these farms to be established from scratch and gradually expand in scale.

Unfortunately, this kind of thing is just a thought in the mind, not to mention that Laura herself can’t be the director of a chicken farm!

The wooden house was tidied up, especially the books were all “hidden” to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings-first put them in wooden boxes, and then moved to Laura’s room.

“Will these beddings reveal something?”

“I don’t think so?”

Books and other things were packed into boxes and moved out, and some clothes could be temporarily placed with Laura, but beddings were really hard to hide. The beddings used for replacement in everyone’s room had long been replaced with “modern products”. David’s old beddings were all put in the warehouse. Would these better-looking beddings be moved away and then the obviously not-so-good old beddings be brought over?

David thought about it and felt that it was not a big deal, so he just did it! Put on clean bedding and spread it on the bed. As for whether Maroney would wonder what material these beddings are made of? Why are they so good? Anyway, he had been misunderstood by this adult a long time ago, and it didn’t matter if there were more misunderstandings.

After walking out of the wooden house, Mark was still chatting with Maroney. When he saw David finally came out, he gave him a look that said, “If you don’t come out, I will be speechless.” David then realized – are you deliberately helping me to delay Maroney?

“My lord, the room has been tidied up.”

Maroney nodded and thanked David. Of course, he would not go to see it himself. Hughie, who had been guarding beside him, had turned around to check the situation in the room.

Not long after, Huey came back and advised Maroney: “My lord, it’s getting late, it’s time to rest.”

“It’s really getting late.” Maroney looked at the sky that was gradually getting dark. In addition to the continuous journey, he really needed to rest: “It’s nice to chat with you, Mr. Watney.”

Due to the rich knowledge shown by Mark Watney, Maroney did not treat him as an ordinary farmer, and maintained enough respect in both address and etiquette. Even facing Fording, who never spoke, he smiled and nodded, and finally said good night to David and Laura, and then walked towards the wooden house specially vacated for him.

When Maroney walked into the wooden house and closed the door, Mark came to David’s side and said: “I have been delayed for so long, have you packed up everything you need to pack up?”

“I have packed it up.” The most conspicuous thing in his wooden house is the books. Books themselves are not something that ordinary people can touch in this world, let alone there are so many books.

Even though David had a certain understanding of Maroney’s character, he believed that even if he put the books in a box and placed them in the corner of the room, Maroney would not go through his personal belongings, but he thought it was better to be careful – the bedding thing was easy to explain, it was nothing more than a special material and a bit more delicate workmanship.

So many books… and written in a strange language, don’t let yourself imagine yourself as a spy, that would be troublesome.

“The small generator next to Laura’s cabin has also been disguised.”

Since Laura returned to her hometown in England, she has been moving things here. In addition to purchasing a batch of food, clothes, shoes, and weapons, there are also things like TVs, game consoles, small generators, and solar panels, which are mainly placed around Laura’s cabin.

When David and Laura set out for Iron Tree Castle, Fording and Mark took most of the electrical appliances into Laura’s cabin, and the small generator that could only be placed outside was also disguised – as long as it was not started, it looked like part of the cabin.

“I shouldn’t have missed anything.” David thought for a moment, making sure he hadn’t forgotten anything: “I’ll go get some food ready, so those soldiers can eat when they’re hungry…”

“No need, I made enough in advance.” When entertaining Maloney and others for dinner, Fording deliberately made a lot more. As a former commander, he knew very well what the soldiers on missions outside had in mind: “The quality of these soldiers is very good.”

“Yes, the quality is great.” Speaking of this, David remembered the orc cavalry he had met before: “By the way, have there been any enemies attacking Winter Village during this period?”

“Enemy?” Mark looked puzzled. If you only looked at his expression, you would think that Winter Village was very safe during this period and there was no crisis at all.

But Fording gave a shocking answer to Mark: “A few guys have observed our village from a distance… I have to say, when I saw the look on those guys’ faces, I thought I had returned to Azeroth and was going to fight the orcs again!”

“…” David didn’t know how to comment on Fording’s words. Perhaps in a few years, the most powerful paladin in Azeroth will find that he has unknowingly planted a flag and sounded the drums of war, and the Alliance and the Horde will fight each other again.

Even if because of his personal thoughts, he no longer has the hostility towards the orcs of the Horde and is unwilling to participate in the war between the Alliance and the Horde.

But the troubles on Azeroth are not just the conflict between the Alliance and the Horde. With the outbreak of the Scourge, the rampage of the Scourge, the struggle among humans, the invasion of the Burning Legion and other events, various crises continue one after another. As a paladin, Fording will sooner or later return to the battlefield that belongs to him.

David thought too far ahead, and brought his thoughts back to the present. He told Fording and Mark that a pioneer camp was defeated by those guys who might be orcs; they had an encounter with the orc wolf riders on the way back to Winter Village, etc.

In addition, Fording said that several orcs had been hiding in the distance and observing Winter Village – they might be the orcs David and his friends bumped into. It can be said that Winter Village is not as safe as it seems: a group of orcs who came from nowhere and are not friendly to humans live in the same area with them, and they may attack Winter Village at any time.

“Wait!” Mark finally couldn’t help it, and expressed his dissatisfaction to Fording: “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“Because those guys left after a few glances, I think it’s better not to tell you before they really attack.” Compared with Fording, who has rich combat experience, Mark has strong nerves, but he is not a warrior after all. He might be frightened and affect his daily life when he suddenly learned that there was a threat from an external enemy.

“But if the enemy suddenly launches an attack, I won’t be prepared at all…”

Mark was interrupted by Fording before he finished speaking: “Don’t worry, I will definitely find out before the enemy launches the attack, and I will notify you to prepare for the battle at that time.”

“…”

Mark understood Fording’s intention: telling him in advance would be useless and would affect Mark’s work. Moreover, Fording was not sure of the enemy’s true intentions at that time. Could it be that Mark would live in a state of fear for a long time?

If the enemy really launched an attack, they would naturally tell Mark. At this time, the matter would have a “conclusion”, and Mark would not think about when the enemy would come every day.

“There are still too few people. Maybe after I get the appointment letter, I should go to the east to investigate?” If there are enough people, then someone should be sent out to check the enemy’s situation and have a certain understanding of the enemy’s general situation.

Now there are only six people in Winter Village, including two newcomers. Among them, Mark and Alfie cannot be considered combat effectiveness and even need protection; Addis has limited combat effectiveness and is not young anymore. David is also worried about letting him investigate the situation of the orcs.

Although Laura has good fighting ability and is young and in peak physical condition, she is just an ordinary person after all (?), so she is not a suitable choice.

Only David and Fording have the ability to act alone and have enough fighting ability.

“Maybe we don’t have to do this kind of thing at all.” Mark spread his hands, and then used his eyes to signal the wooden house not far away and the soldiers patrolling outside the village: “Aren’t those people here to investigate the situation in this area?”

“They may investigate, but the information may not be told to us.” David certainly would not forget Marroni and his men: “And as of now, if they really want to investigate those orcs, they will send a separate team from Irontree Castle, instead of letting Marroni Mansfield, the Irontree Castle Inspector, do such a dangerous job.” After all

, this noble of Irontree Castle, how could he take the risk to investigate a group of unknown enemies?

“How about I go and take a look these few days?” Fording felt that only he was suitable for this kind of work. In addition, Lord Marroni stayed in Winter Village these days, which in turn increased the defense of the village. It shouldn’t have any impact if he went out for a few days.

“Okay.” At present, this is the most appropriate arrangement: “It just so happens that I brought back two horses this time. Take both horses and we can come back quickly.”

With horses, more food and water can be carried. The two horses can ensure sufficient horsepower and ensure the speed of round trip. As for Fording’s safety? Instead of worrying about this, it is better to worry that the orcs on the opposite side will be directly destroyed by Fording because of their small number.

“That’s it!”

Everything that needs to be said has been said, and the next things to do have been arranged. Except for Fording to investigate the situation of the orcs, the rest of the people will continue to do their own things in the village. Only Laura needs to take time to go home.

Just when David thought everything was going well, and accompanied Maroni to watch the magnificent Winter River and discuss the rich aquatic resources in this river, he was suddenly stunned by Maroni’s question: “Are there turtles in this river? They look so special.”

“Ah?”

Turning his head, David saw a round, light blue turtle standing on its feet not far away, looking at him.

(End of this chapter)