The boy who poked his head out from the corner of the alley, who was standing under the only dry roof, was looking at him with questioning eyes.
The rain hit the wall and flowed along the rough stone surface, turning into mist and splashing. The water merged into a stream and fell along the cloak. The old sentry's eyes were as silent as ever, looking at the little boy, but he didn't
No answer.
"Where are you going?"
It seemed that it took a long time for the old man to turn his silence into determination. He silently gathered the tools under his cloak and said, "Little Joyce, you should go home at this time."
"You go to the city hall, right? I know the adults are there."
"Okay, you guessed it right."
The old sentry raised his head and looked in that direction. Many colors were reflected in the rainy night, but it could not guide the way forward.
Everything in the empire lost its glory many years ago, and it has not returned to its former glory. He recalled the past when his blood was still warm, and everything seemed to be a time when the captain was still there.
"Then I'm going home," the little boy said in a low voice, unable to see the sparkle in the old man's eyes from under his cloak. "The storm is coming. Mr. Sentinel, please pay attention to your safety. Can we see each other again after that?"
"Of course, see you after the storm, kid."
He watched the child disappear down the alley, leaving a lot of water splashes behind.
After a long time, the old man took another step forward and walked forward into the dark wind and rain.
The curtain of rain was like tears from the sky, and the wind above the port romantically rolled over the cold stone moss. On that day, the strange visitor wearing a cloak walked into the decaying garden and looked up at the tall and tall trees.
Time has left traces on the gray tree trunks. The knotted roots pass through the flower beds, plow open the stone slabs, and break the sky for the grass seeds buried deep in the ground. It seems that they are still silently waiting for the coming of the next spring, and the spring will come again.
There are numerous fruits hanging from the branches.
The old sentinel sighed silently. He had waited from many springs to winter, and from winter to autumn, from when the buds sprouted from the gray branches to when the acorns became plump and plump, and the little squirrels tapped them.
The hollow trunks in the trees made an empty rustling sound, and when the ice and snow covered the branches again.
Until the severe winter came and everything withered, twenty years passed in a flash.
The like-minded partners of the past have parted ways long ago. The time they passed has never returned, or the flag of injustice has been hoisted, like a pale flame hanging from the curtain blown by the wind.
It gnaws slowly and burns everything to ashes.
And he is also old.
He took out the ax from under his cloak. The surface of the ax reflected a cold light, dotted with soft streets under the drizzle, dilapidated courtyards, towering cities, and a flickering light.
The lights in the city hall are still on, and people are still arguing. The men are not unwilling to leave their homes, but on the eve of the storm, they still hope that the empire can protect their women and children, so that the supreme holy king can have mercy on them.
Those people who are barely clothed.
"My Lord Governor, the storm is coming, please at least allow us time to move our families and children to a safe place."
"Even if you can't save this city, please at least leave hope for it."
"We don't want to disobey the empire's orders, we just hope to be forgiven for a little longer."
That fat, big-eared beetle, the highest official of the empire here, raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet: "...The empire will consider it, but the storm is coming, and the fleet must leave the port before then, and the recruitment work must also be carried out.
It must be completed before then, this is the empire's instruction."
"But after the fleet leaves port and the troops and men leave, who will defend the city?"
"This is not something you need to consider."
"What about you, Mr. Governor? Where will you go?"
"Me?" The supreme consul's face darkened, and he lowered the thunderous wrath in a sullen voice: "Do I still need to explain to you guys rolling in the mud? You just need to obey the order, or do you still have to explain to me?"
If you want to disobey the empire's instructions, come here, guards, and expel these people!"
In the cold words, the rain still fell; the raindrops fell on the ground, splashing many water splashes in the courtyard.
The old sentry listened to the distant noise without feeling much in his heart. He could have foreseen this outcome many years ago. If time passed, the empire would still be the same empire.
There are not many guards in the decayed garden, and the guards have all been deployed to maintain order. The golden magic tree has stood here for many years, and now it only has a symbolic meaning.
Only two guards noticed his arrival, and one of them drew his sword from under his cloak and walked towards him through the rain.
The old man grabbed the other man's wrist with agility that was not befitting his age, and dragged the soldier into the muddy water.
He turned around, and the other guard was startled and subconsciously took a step back.
But the opponent's magic furnace hit the flower bed, and the old sentry stepped forward, grabbed the opponent's collar, and knocked him out with a clean blow from his hand.
He stood in the garden with a sharp ax in his hand, letting the rain fall on his cloak and axe. He raised his head and silently looked at the beautiful tree. The water flowing on the trunk looked like blood.
He raised his axe.
A bolt of lightning pierced the sky, turning the clouds white.
It's as if this ancient world has been cut open and the filth and malice are revealed.
A man was stumbling into the stone hall, and the light of the torches on the wall dragged out long shadows, swaying into snakes. The guards were holding cold spears in their hands to separate the crowd, and the feast delicacies on the long table were still floating around.
It was warm, and the fire in the fireplace was not extinguished, but the gentle atmosphere had long since been swept away.
After the forgiving surface was lifted, only the tense situation underneath was revealed.
The attendant who delivered the order turned a blind eye to all this, or had no thoughts at all. He only came to his master in a hurry and whispered:
"Sir, it's not good..."
"What are you talking about? The golden tree was cut down by someone? Where is the person guarding it?"
The silverfish stood up in a panic, and its fat belly touched the golden cup without realizing it. The wine syrup spread all over the floor and seeped into the wooden table.
"who is it?"
"Why would he do this?"
The Golden Tree is the node of the etheric flow in the north, but no one has ever confirmed this. The empire established the Andreus Fortress to guard this place. The symbolic significance is greater than the reality. For centuries, no one has ever really confirmed it.
The ancient and beautiful gray oak tree.
In fact, this matter may be big or small, but if word spreads, his position will definitely be in jeopardy. No emperor would like his officials who are greedy and ineffective.
The silverfish immediately broke out in a cold sweat and didn't care about the matter in front of him. He wanted to rush over immediately to take a look, or at least cover up the news.
He waved his hand and immediately ordered: "I will temporarily agree to these people's request and let them go back. Give them two days to settle everything. Just let the men get on the boat before the storm comes."
The unexpected situation in front of him forced him to compromise. Silverfish may not have much ability, but what he is best at is changing his mind.
In the same city, Luo Hao did not see everything that happened under the rainy night, but one after another good drama was taking place.
But with his keenness, he was still aware of the abnormality in the atmosphere in the city - the fleet was mobilized, men lined up at the recruitment office, everything indicated that unusual events were happening.
In order to avoid complications, he finally made up his mind to set off early, and set the departure time for late at night. The rain was rolling in waves, washing over the clouds like waves, overflowing the bollards of the pier, and reflecting the lights with little mist.
The captain looked at the group of people wearing cloaks in the rain on the deck, and couldn't help complaining: "Why did you choose to leave the port at this time?"
"If not, your ship wouldn't be worth the price," Luo Hao raised his head and said, "The higher the risk, the greater the profit."
"Okay, for D'Anca's sake."
He was talking about the imperial gold coins, with the image of De'Anka II on them. They were one of the most widely circulated currencies in Oshur, and each coin could be exchanged for seven imperial silver coins.
A De'Anka II is worth about 450 rissels.
Luo Hao took out the wet bag and poured a handful of coins onto the deck, making a clanking sound. The rain washed away the grease on the surface of the coins, revealing a golden light.
The captain nodded with satisfaction, "As long as you pay, I will send you there even in hell and let your people board the ship."
Luo Hao held the side of the ship and gestured to Mei, Papalar and the box below. He looked back at the dilapidated port and couldn't help but think of the gray oak tree he had seen during the day.
Every heavy rain will wash away many traces of the existence of northern cities. Over the years, the empire has continued to lose the civilized boundaries north of Campa. One day, even this port may be submerged in the storm. The golden plant
How long can the tree stand?
He actually didn't care about these sentimental questions, but suddenly thought that the ether node in the northern border of the empire might have been lost too quickly over the years.
Aren't they re-regulating Xinta'an's etheric flow? If this continues, how can we raise this continent?
…
The wind and rain beat against the side of the ship and there was no longer any peace of night. Fang Plover lay on his side on the bed and listened carefully to the sound. The cabin rose and fell rhythmically.
On one side, Sylvester had already fallen into a deep sleep. Miss Ship Officer's golden hair hung like clouds on her snow-white neck and shoulders. Her fine eyelashes seemed to be stained with flower dew. Only her tired expression painted a beautiful picture.
dream——
The moonlight shone on the silver-white sand dunes, and the nightingale sang in a melodious and long voice. Only the girl danced gracefully. The table was lined with rose wine syrup and sweet forbidden fruits, as clear as gems, sparkling with charming fragrance.
The young man looked at his partner tenderly.
The wind and rain in the outer sea are getting stronger and stronger, which seems to be a sign of the coming storm.
The Seven Seas Brigade had already met Luo Hao and others in the secluded harbor a day ago. After completing supplies at the anchorage, they set off again. Except for Luo Yu and the big cat man, the ship was almost back to its heyday.
But they still haven't contacted the elementalist, and Laila and the Dragon Queen are missing. Everyone has prepared for the worst and notified the military to check for returnees at the Stargate Port.
The only good news is that Luo Yu's information in the team information has not been logged out.
After getting the star anchor, Adni made a temporary scabbard for the box. She used Kukai whale leather as the scabbard body and decorated it with silver. The black scabbard was engraved with mysterious symbols.
Can't put it down.
The magic sword Gwendes now has a place to stay and no longer chatters - at least when it is sheathed.
At this moment, the screen of light is flowing on the retina, and Fang Yu points on it with his hand:
"Sister Bai Jia, there is a batch of mithril and more than ten tons of ore in the warehouse. Can you find a way to sell it?"
"You have robbed the imperial treasury, how come there is so much mithril?"
"The empire is not so shabby. We discovered a mithril mine in Campa."
"Right where you crashed?"
Fang Yu nodded and wrote 'yes' on the light screen.
"You are really going to cause trouble for me, but I don't suggest you sell these mithrils, but use them to strengthen the Seven Seas Traveler. You have no power backer behind you. As a free adventure group, the sailboat is your most important
property."
Lines of text hang down from the light screen, "Not every metal can be used in sailboats, but Mithril is light and hard, one of the best materials, and it is very rare. When you reach a certain height,
You will find that money is actually not that valuable, but these rare materials have a price but no market."
"Sister Bai Jia, why do I think you are in trouble?"
"Good intentions are like donkey's liver and lungs. If you don't want it, just leave it to me. There are many people who want this batch of mithril."
"Are you kidding? Isn't this poverty?" Fang Yu couldn't help but grin.
However, the other party's words reminded him of the Empire's 'Silver Ship'. Of course, it was not a giant ship made purely of Mithril. Even the Empire did not have such luxury. It was a legendary ship with Mithril alloy as its keel.
The floating ship is one of the few flagships owned by the Oshurs in the Second World.
If one day the Seven Seas Traveler can also use mithril to build its skeleton and cover its armor with fine gold, it will definitely become an even more legendary name.
He couldn't help but think about it.
"You are indeed a bit poorer. Even Loofah is supported by someone at this time. Let's do this. You can find time to go back to Kaolin-Ithurian, and we will transfer a batch of mithril and magic metal to you."
Can it still be like this? Fang Yu was startled, "Is this also possible? But can't we go back to Kaolin?"
"You still have the nerve to say," said Bai Jia, who was very angry. "Don't think that we don't know what you did. Is Princess Brianne your agent?"
"Of course not--" Fang Yu subconsciously wanted to deny it.
"Lying, no one knows what the relationship between the eldest princess of Istania and you is. How could they and the Elven Quinn get together?"
"Because Her Royal Highness the Princess is extremely disappointed with King Kaolin. She would think of other ways without me. She is Brianne, the hero of Byrne. It's not like you don't know her glorious deeds."
"So you are adding fuel to the flames? Okay, little pigeon, even Brianne has become your agent."
"Sister Bai Jia, there's no point in being an ostrich." Fang Yu defended: "Besides, I'm not from the alliance, and their methods have no binding force on me. The Kaolin Kingdom has troubled me again and again.
, I also have a temper."
"It's not too late to say this until your wings are really strong, otherwise it will just make people laugh," Bai Jia said angrily, "Don't forget that you have another identity, don't forget the "Stargate Declaration"."
"Sister Bai Jia, I will not cross the line."
"I hope," Bai Jia sighed, "Captain, he trusts you very much, and I also hope that you will not go astray. This batch of supplies is our recognition of you, and we also hope to let you know that there are people behind you who are supporting you.
, you are not alone, there will always be someone who will remember your achievements."
"Yes." Fang Yu nodded slightly. Ai Yin Block and the subsequent series of encounters did make him feel a little resentful.
What he did was obviously correct, but why did only Princess Brianne and a few people in the Craftsmen Association stand by her?
So what about the support from behind the Star Gate?
Bai Jia's words calmed his dissatisfaction to a certain extent, "Actually, what you did in Kaolin-Ithurian has been recognized by most people. We are also looking for opportunities to break the situation. We can use the Kingdom of Kaolin to
Internal strength is naturally the best.”
"I won't get carried away, Sister Bai Jia."
"I know you are a good boy, Little Plover. But what I want to tell you is that Kaolin's form has undergone unexpected changes, and Duke Mordekaiser is dead."
"What, that Phoenix City Lord?"
"Yes, he died suddenly on the way to the audience. Of course, this is a public statement. Although it is strange, the eldest son who went to Grande with him has no objection to this. Naturally, others have no right to comment."
"That young man has now inherited the title and returned to the South. I heard that he behaved unusually and had a perverse personality during this period, but the South is extremely calm. The savage Alliance Brotherhood in the South may have been secretly working with him and the king.
Your Majesty has formed an alliance."
"The situation in Kaolin is now calm, but everyone with a discerning eye knows that the kingdom has been divided. Everyone is just waiting for the steel-browed dwarves of Eldron, Elpaxin and Rodel in the north to make the final decision, and King Kaolin
Recently I plan to marry a Holy Chosen Queen, and that girl has the shadow of the Lorraine family behind her."
Yi people——
Fang Yu remembered the Duke's son who had disappeared and returned. He didn't expect that the seemingly incompetent King Kaolin could still stabilize the southern border and the Yi people with iron-blooded means. Adding the northern Kaolin area, it was already half of the kingdom.
I don’t know if it was the prime minister or the young new king himself, but at least it shows that no opponent can be underestimated.
The power of an ancient dynasty can still control a country even in its twilight years.
He thought of the strange thing he had seen under the heavy snow with Her Royal Highness the Princess of Silver Vislan. The armor with the initials of the Duke's eldest son engraved on it could stagger forward in the snow, emerging from under the hollow shell.
It makes a sound like a whimpering wind.
It's as if its owner is still alive.
The nightmare-like scene is still fresh in their memory, as if it was exactly the same as what they had seen in Dolifen's fantasy.
He told Bai Jia about this, but it was of no use. Everyone could see the abnormality in the eldest son, but they could not identify it.
"What about the Queen," he asked, "Isn't it impossible to think of Stargate Port at all? Isn't she the chosen one?"
"What can you think of? Did she do something wrong? Or is it that the selector cannot marry a king, but there has never been such a rule. Isn't your ship officer Miss also the eldest daughter of the Sibeka family? Ma
Sir Wei’s daughter?”
Fang Plover was speechless.
He knew that the military had no reason to inform him of this information, but it was just for the sake of Princess Brianne.
The two chatted about Kaolin's situation, and Bai Jia mentioned their recent glorious deeds.
"When can you keep a low profile? Let me tell you, Prometheus has at least two regiments searching for your whereabouts. The leader is called Minmir, the Invincible Steel Blade."
"Invincible? What kind of strength can have such a title?" Fang Plover was startled, "Could Prometheus have sent a dragon knight to hunt us down?"
He recalled that based on his and Miya's performance, it might actually be possible, and he couldn't help but feel a little scared.
"That's not true. Almost all the dragon knights available to the empire will gather at the border of the Great Rainforest, and they won't be able to spare time to deal with you for the time being. The person who comes is a Silver Rank, Silver Rank II level."
After transcending the sea of clouds, the current levels have no meaning. People refer to levels below fifty as the black iron stage, and those above are the silver stages.
The Silver Order is divided into three stages, with a total of ten levels, all represented by Roman numerals, which are actually used to divide the combat effectiveness of the Pseudo Dragon Knight at this stage.
Of course, by that time, all experience and knowledge have lost value, and people will use another system to enhance their strength.
Fang Yu had probably heard some rumors, but they were still too far away from him. There was at least a ten-level gap, so he didn't need to consider them for the time being.
Hearing that a pseudo-dragon knight was chasing him, he was still a little nervous, but that was all. At worst, he would just use the dragon knight if he couldn't defeat him. That was also the combat power of the Silver Rank.
"Sister Bai Jia, is there anything else?"
"Of course, let that girl come and talk to me."
"Ah?" Tonight's conversation was beyond Fang Yu's expectations again and again, but could this be said? "How did you know... on the boat?"
"She is my sister. There are no secrets from me. As soon as she moves the Star Blade and contacts the rumors about Ai Yin Block, I will know where she has gone."
"But Sister Bai Jia, why don't you contact her directly?"
"Because that damn girl doesn't answer my calls," Bai Jia gritted his teeth, "It's useless even for Bai Hua to find her."
Fang Yu understood that he could not fill in this question. "Sister Bai Jia, see you next time!"
"Hey you--"
Bai Jia Qiqiao looked at the darkened portrait opposite him with smoke, and couldn't help but punch out, hitting the wall hard with a loud bang, causing everyone to look in this direction.
The long night passes, and the morning light remains.
The gray sky replaced the stars, and before the gloomy night completely subsided, the drizzle still covered the ship's mast. However, the wind and waves did not subside, but became bigger. The cloud waves rolled up the waves, rolling the water vapor onto the deck, making the wood become
Wet and slippery.
There was no point in clearing the deck at this point, and the men clung to the cable with their bare feet, trying to secure it to a set of rigging.
But a cloud wave came and the Papalar fell upside down and rolled from one end of the deck to the other like a ball.
Tian Lan laughed heartlessly when he saw this. Luo Hao shook his head and walked over to pull Parker up. The box was practicing swinging his sword on one side. At this time, he turned around and looked at this scene - the Papalar man was approaching Miss Poet.
He argued hard and said that he was just pushed.
At this moment, Fang Plover pushed the door open and couldn't help but smile when he saw all this. It had been a long time since the Seven Seas Traveler had been so lively. Fortunately, everyone was back.
He just thought of Luo Yu, Miss Atila and the big cat man, and felt a little melancholy for a moment.
...and Tang Xin and Ai Xiaoxiao. They wrote a letter not long ago saying that their studies are going well and they may be able to embark on the journey again soon.
But Fang Yu couldn't tell for a while whether his cousin's return was a good thing or a bad thing.
He saw the wolf girl standing on the side of the ship, as if the undulating waves had nothing to do with it and had cut off the whole world. Her silver eyes were as plain as water, with only a pair of pointed wolf ears standing up, and her long hair flowing in the wind.
Flying.
He took one more look and was poked from behind by a slender finger. When he turned around and saw the sly eyes of the ship officer, Fang Yu felt a little embarrassed, as if he had been caught in bed and explained: "Today
nice weather."
"Indeed, the strong wind brings some waves," Sylvide pursed her lips and smiled, "This is the best weather for men. They carry the pride of conquering the world, so this little bit of wind and waves is nothing. Of course
The same goes for a wolf lady."
Fang Plover was extremely embarrassed.
Fortunately, the foundry lady slid down the mast from the observation deck, looked at the two of them and said, "Is the heading correct?"
"We have not deviated from the channel since we left the Storm Gate. The anchorage you found, Ms. Adni, is also very safe and is a good reference." Fang Plover replied: "However, it cannot be ruled out that the course deviated last night.
, just calculate it again later.”
"That's good. The wind and waves are getting bigger and bigger, and the air pressure is terribly low. I'm worried that a big storm will come at any time."
"Speaking of Ms. Adni, where is the treasure house?" Fang Pliance asked. "The Storm Islands are not well-known outside, and there are no ready-made charts. Can you introduce this place to us?"
Others also gathered here, wanting to hear the introduction of the caster lady.
Adni nodded, "The Storm Islands are a ring-shaped island chain group. This place was actually originally part of a floating continent. In a certain year, the continent sank under the abyss, leaving only the ocean surface.
Island group.”
"This is the hometown of Naga and Giants. When sailing here, you must always be careful of those cold and bloodthirsty dark creatures. Our destination is a main island after passing through the island chain. That place is called Storm Bay. It used to be
A secret hideout of the Gray and White Pirates, where the Pirate King built his base——"
"I heard that the island is not deserted, and there are many indigenous people on it, but there are storms surrounding it all year round. Except for the gray and white pirates, few people know how to get into the strong wind and huge waves."
"What about us?"
"Don't worry, we have our own way," Adni said. "I found my father's notes, which wrote how we should get through the storm there."
Fang Yu said solemnly: "Then leave it to you, Ms. Adni."
Adni looked at him, heard the weight of these words, and nodded slightly.