Fang Yu felt Sylvester gently shaking her hand in front of him. The girl's hand was white and slender, and the tips of her five fingers shone moistly as if they had been soaked in milk. They were as delicate as a work of art.
"What's wrong?" He came back to his senses.
"Are you distracted?" Sylvide's eyes reflected the firelight in the bar's fireplace, like a bit of blazing gold in the ocean blue. Her eyes seemed to be looking at the square plover in front of her, but also seemed to be looking at the bar.
Further away - a little hesitant. "Every time you are distracted, you will show such an expression. I didn't want to wake you up, but this kind of place is not a good place to think about problems."
"I'm sorry." Fang Yu picked up a plate of peeled dried fruits and placed it in front of Jita on the other side of the table. "Isn't Mr. Reid back yet?"
"Thank you, Brother Ed." Jita adjusted her glasses and whispered.
It was already dark, and most of the guests in the bar had already dispersed. Most of the remaining guests were outsiders. There were a few dwarfs occupying a table, discussing gold mining in such a loud voice that no one else could hear them.
On the other side was a team of adventurers, discussing the next plan around the table. Candles were lit on the table, and the firelight reflected everyone's faces. They seemed to be a group of relatives and friends. The discussion volume was low and the atmosphere was harmonious.
Sylvide turned around and shook her head: "Not yet."
She took a sip of the wine. It was actually just the kind of thin red wine, but her face was slightly rosy under the candlelight. She leaned forward slightly and put her elbows on the table - where the leather case holding the magic gun was placed.
What was within easy reach next to the chair was not the original one - it was interesting to watch Fang Plover use a knife to pry open the shell of the dried fruit.
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked.
In the hand of Fang Plover is a kind of local specialty dried fruit, which looks a bit like an oak nut. It matures and falls to the ground in autumn. People collect them from the forest and store them as food in the winter.
Such dried fruits can only be seen in the central area of Kaolin.
There was also a candle on the table for three people, and the candlelight was a little warm. Delise sat next to the candle with a ring of snow-white neck hair, and Tata knelt beside her, as if curled up in a fur sofa, holding hands with her hands.
Turning on the glowing blue light in front of me.
To outsiders, the community's information looks like several layers of messy light, one layer of icy blue light, reflected on Miss Fairy's face.
Sylvide's question made Fang Plover frown slightly. His face was not very good, as if the fire in the fireplace was not warm enough, making people feel a little uncomfortable. He shook his head. He was suddenly in a trance because he remembered a few things.
What happened at Traveler's Rest a few months ago - the death-like shadow seen in the illusion.
A question lingered in his mind, was Dolifen's line really solved perfectly?
He still remembered that in the fantasy, the dwarf Hagston who had followed Yoshid betrayed his master and stole the Ring of Golden Flame. However, in the short conversation that followed, it was clear that the dwarf did not understand until the end.
He still has great respect for the master he once served.
Who is the middle-aged man talking to him?
The latter is obviously not Manlo Howlett.
From the conversation between the two, it can be known that he and Yossiude once had a fight in Grande. However, the information about the 'Dragon Witch Rebellion' is too scattered. Fang Plover also tried to investigate in Grande.
After this incident, perhaps it was because the royal family was hiding their ugliness, and it was difficult for people at his level to obtain any valuable information.
Apart from everything about the Ring of Golden Flame, Sir Duke didn't tell them much. Fang Yu could understand. As a member of the aristocratic circle, Sir Duke was unlikely to discredit the royal family.
But this invisibly increased the difficulty of their trip.
Fang Yu couldn't help but think of the mastermind of the Dragon Worship Cult named 'Messenger' in Dolifen's group. The other party died once in Dolifen's illusion, but he should still be alive. I don't know what conspiracy he is planning now.
And why is the other party called a ‘messenger’, whose ‘messenger’ is he, and to whom will the ‘letter’ be delivered?
Perhaps only the people in the Dragon Fire Guild knew this, but the entire Dragon Fire Guild, together with the 'eldest sister' he 'knew', disappeared without a trace after an attack on Tapolis.
Similarly, there is the Rainlistener Guild, and the situation on Fenris Island is also full of doubts. Toragotos must be lurking, and no one knows what the final outcome of its plan will be.
Both of these lines invariably point to the main continent of Kaolin, but the person behind the Adventurer's Guild is still missing, so they have to go to Vanrik to look for clues.
Everything that happened a hundred years ago seems to have some connection with the death of Miss Attila's brother today. Some of the doubts Sir Duke said about the Dragon's Golden Dragon are related to the one with Miss Sylvide.
What does it matter if you have worked with a team before?
Every clue seems to be entangled together, but it makes the truth behind it become confusing. Every time, Fang Yu feels vaguely that he has grasped something, but for a while, he can't figure out the clue.
Since leaving Grande, the closer he got to the place in history that Sir Duke told them, the more obvious the thoughts and symptoms in his mind became, and he would often get lost in thought because of thinking too deeply.
Fang Plover let out a sigh of relief. "What do you think about the future itinerary plan?" he asked Sylvide.
"It depends on the captain's opinion," Sylvide looked at him. She put down the wine glass in her hand and crossed her fingers. "Roughly, we still have to go through the Great Valley. It is an ancient road, to the east of the Cave Mountains.
It existed before the establishment of trade routes. The big valley passes through the mountainous area to the south of here. There is an abandoned castle in the mountains, just south of here—"
"What does that old castle say?"
"It once belonged to a noble family, but now its ownership is unclear. Even I can't find out its noble pedigree. Now ghosts are rampant there, and there are some legends about 'ghosts' - the captain should know that there were originally undead people near Tibia Creek.
There are many creatures, so it is particularly dangerous there. Generally, adventurers who are not strong will avoid that direction."
"Strange shadow?"
"Yes," Sylvide nodded. She had inquired carefully before. "A few people have witnessed this monster in the forest, saying that it looks like a long and narrow ghost shadow reflected on rocks or snow -
—It only appears in winter, with a biting chill, and moves quickly and silently. Everyone who has seen it has come back to life."
Fang Yu was a little curious: "Are there no exceptions?"
Miss Ship Officer took another sip of wine. "Yes, but this does not mean that they must be very strong. In your words, the distribution of monsters in our world is regular, and these things should not exceed this level.
How dangerous the area is. Unless they are all 'boss'."
Fang Yu took a breath, a little surprised that she could speak such a 'game-like' spoken language. But obviously, Miss Ship Officer is very open-minded and very good at accepting the knowledge of these 'earth people'.
"After all, I have considered seeking political asylum in the 'Stargate Port'." Facing Fang Pliong's surprised gaze, she tilted her head and said cutely.
"Really?" Jita asked curiously, holding her cup with a white milk mark on her mouth.
Sylvide shook her head. "In the end, the trip didn't happen. In fact, they are all politicians, so there is no difference. I am worried that I don't have enough chips. In fact, I still have doubts about them."
"But why were we chosen again?"
"That's not because your captain is easy to deceive." Fang Pliong replied angrily.
Sylvester couldn't help but smile.
She brought the topic back to the topic. "Let's not say whether the legend of the 'strange shadow' is true, but there are only two reasons why there are no living people who witnessed it."
"First, they are strong enough to kill all witnesses, but this is probably unlikely. I heard that there are some powerful teams around here. Second, these 'weird shadows' are quite intelligent and can attack
A sure hit shows that they are good at selecting targets."
"I checked the records of several attacks in recent years and found a common pattern. They rarely attack large groups, and every time they attack, they are sneak attacks."
"How did Miss Sylvide know this?" Jita was a little curious, even she had never heard about these 'strange shadows'.
"When I was in the Adventurer's Guild, I took a look at the mission records of the previous few years. This is just a small place, and the guild doesn't have many records. It doesn't take much time to get a lot of useful information."
"Miss Sylvide is so attentive." Jita praised her sincerely.
Sylvide smiled and said: "Miss Tata also helped me a lot. I can't see it so fast by myself."
When Miss Goblin heard someone mention her, she raised her head from her concentrated reading and glanced at a few people.
Fang Plover pried open the dried fruit shell in his hand with a 'click' sound.
After the dwarfs not far away finished arguing, they left to pay the bill. They put on their cloaks and walked into the cold wind outside one by one. Fang Plover put down the knife in his hand. When he was in the Adventurer's Guild before,
I found that Sylvide was looking through the guild's previous mission records, and it turned out that she was looking for information in this area.
However, these 'strange shadows', whether they are the first or the second, are very troublesome. Although they are here to improve themselves, it does not mean that they are looking for trouble. People who are familiar with the 'game' should understand that 'upgrading'
Of course, it is most cost-effective to kill monsters that are simple, easy and have a lot of experience.
Although Aitaria is a high-dimensional information world, the concept of the Chosen One is actually similar.
He asked: "We can't have the only road leading to Dulon, right?"
Regardless of whether the legend of the 'Strange Shadow' is true or not, Fang Plover at least knows that places filled with dark magic, especially in castles like this, are probably the lairs of vampires. He has not forgotten the way he came here.
The vampire they met on the boat, they had a good fight in the bottom cabin before they were able to restrain each other.
But in the end he let it escape.
Vampires are one of the few high-level undead that are difficult to deal with, not to mention a mysterious ‘weird shadow’.
"It will at least allow you to reach Ash Mountain Forest." A voice came from behind the two of them.
This voice is mature and hoarse, and should belong to a woman, but it sounds weathered: "Every other road will bypass the valley where no grass grows. No one wants to go there."
Fang Plover turned around and realized that the big cat man was back.
Standing next to Rhett was a lady, about forty years old, tall, wearing a thick coat, with black hair hanging loose behind her. Her appearance was not outstanding, her cheekbones were high, but her expression was very resolute.
, as if walking outside all year round, the skin is dark and there are layers of sun marks on it.
Apparently it was this lady who spoke before.
"Mr. Reid, is this...?"
The Lion Paladin took his glass, took a sip, exhaled a mouthful of white mist, and dispelled the chill from his body, and then introduced: "This is Ms. Kuisu, her team is the best in the area.
A team of lumberjacks.”
Kuisu stretched out his hand to Fang Plover, and Fang Plover realized that it was a calloused hand, strong and strong. "It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Captain."
"Me too, Ms. Kuisu." Although Fang Yu was a little confused, he still stood up and politely shook hands with the other party and replied.
The big cat man then took off his cloak covered with wind and snow, hung it on the chair, then took out his pipe, then took out another one, and handed it to Kuisu beside him: "Would you like a sip, Kusu?"
Ma'am, it might keep you warm."
"Thank you, Rhett," Kuisu said without giving in. He took the pipe but did not light it. She looked a little anxious, and there seemed to be unsolvable boredom lingering between her brows. The lady held the pipe and looked at it.
The young alchemist asked in a hoarse voice: "I heard that you need a team to go to the brown mangrove forest in the south?"
Fang Plover couldn't help but look at the big cat man on the side.
He had previously asked Red to ask how many lumberjacks in this town were willing to go south with them in this weather. The main purpose was to understand the 'market' first, but he did not expect that the other party actually brought one person back directly.
However, as early as in El Paxin, Fang Yu understood that Mr. Lion Paladin was actually an "old man" and would never act recklessly. He must have his own reasons for making his own judgments.
Sure enough, the big cat man gently scratched his sharp claws with a flint, fired a few sparks and lit the pipe. Then he raised his head and replied: "The weather outside is worse than the coldest winter I have ever seen in Rotao."
It’s still going to be cold, so I’ll have to go out less in this kind of weather in the future.”
He sighed before returning to the topic: "Ed, this Ms. Kuisu is willing to go south with us. As for the others, as long as they heard that we were going through the Ash Mountain Forest, no one was willing to go with us.
"
"This is natural," Kuisu then said: "The Ash Mountain Forest was once part of the Cuiyu Woodland. A few generations ago, it was lush and lush, and it was one of the best forest farms in the north of Duron. But later about
After the battle between Xiu De and the dragon there, the forest was destroyed and only rocks remained in the valley. Legend has it that the place was cursed by the blood of the dragon, and anyone who goes to that place will be cursed."
She shook her head. "No one knows whether the curse is true or false, but for people in our profession, going to Ash Mountain Forest is taboo. If it weren't for some reasons, I wouldn't agree to your request."
"Some reasons?" Fang Pliong asked.
Kuisu looked at a few people. To be honest, Fang Plover's age made her a little worried, but the ability shown by the big cat next to her convinced her a little, not to mention that there was probably nothing else in this place.
Someone can help her.
She hesitated again and again before making up her mind and said: "Yes, my people and I can go to the south with you, even if we have to pass through the Ash Mountain Forest. But before leaving for the south, I hope you can help me."
busy."
Fang was stunned for a moment.
Before he could speak, the lady continued: "I want to find a person. A month ago, someone saw him going to the Blood Thistle Mountain Forest with a group of people, and he disappeared in the vicinity."
Kuisu looked into Fang Plover's eyes and spoke word by word. "I plan to go there myself to find his whereabouts, but no one in this place is willing to go near that place - I can only ask you for help. If you are willing to help me
, regardless of whether it succeeds or not, in the next six months, my people and I can help you work for free——"
Fang Plover hesitated for a moment. Free workers were good, but he knew there was no free lunch in the world. He didn't know where the so-called Blood Thistle Forest was, but if no one else wanted to get close to it, then he would definitely
It won't be a good place.
Although they are also an adventure group, they don't just go to places where others don't want to go to seek death. Doriffin and Fenris's group is just an accident, and it is not an inherent attribute of their team.
Of course Kuisu understood what the young man was hesitating about, and continued: "Mr. Captain, in the north of Dulon, you can't find a team of lumberjacks more experienced than mine. Not to mention, others are not
It is very possible that I will go to Ash Mountain Forest with you, which is the biggest taboo in the forest ranger profession."
"Of course, you might also be able to go to the south of Dulon and hire lumberjacks there. But I think the reason why you planned to hire people here before to go to the south is because you must know that in those warm places in the south, the prices charged by workers are much higher than those of us.
Much higher.”
"And there are many local forces. When you hire people there, you have to deal with the local guilds and local forces. The troubles here are much more than if you hire people like us here."
It was probably this last sentence that moved Fang Plover.
Indeed, the reason why he chose to hire people at Masonk Creek Station to go to the south was precisely because he did not want to get involved with the intricate guild forces in the south. The troubled waters there were more complicated than those of the several large guilds in the north with distinct powers.
too much.
Then he asked: "Then what is the relationship between the person you are looking for and you?"
"That is my son, the only bloodline left by my dead husband, so whether he is dead or alive, I always want to know his whereabouts." Kuisu put the pipe aside and said calmly.
Fang Yu suddenly felt a little silent. After missing for a month, this lady's son was probably in serious danger. But when he looked at the lady, he didn't know why, and suddenly thought of Miss Attila.
The experiences of both of them are so similar.
He couldn't help but look at the big cat man aside. He must have had this reason for Mr. Red bringing him here.
Fang Yu pondered for a moment and made a decision in his mind: "So where is the Blood Thistle Mountain Forest?"
"In the south here," but it was not Kuisu who answered him, but Sylvide: "That place used to be called Elmau Castle, but it has been abandoned for more than a hundred years -"
