161. Bell, Belfast, full of troubles and opportunities
The wind and snow lingered at the entrance and cried.
Stepping into the quiet passage, the weak oil lamp illuminates the wall, extending deep into the depths.
A line of unmelted snow stains also extends into the depths.
The connection with the Shadow Church deepens here.
Lu Li checked the first oil lamp.
The flames sway as you get closer, and the unique hand-held oil lamp is like a work of art.
Only a thin layer of dark kerosene remains at the bottom, which will soon dry up and go out.
Looking deep into the passage again, Anna's silhouette stood at the visible end, silently waiting for Lu Li to approach.
They continued to move forward, falling snow that gradually faded along the way, and flames held by metal palms.
…
The oil lamps in the passage lit up as elegant silhouettes walked by.
She came to the end of the passage, to the edge of the empty echoing underground hall.
"You want to do something for me?"
Sucking his unconscious nose, Jon nodded in despair: "If I appear outside like this, I will be regarded as a monster...and you saved me."
"I don't need any men," she said.
Anxious Jon subconsciously shouted: "Servant or..."
"But there is definitely something you can do."
When Jon heard this, he leaned down and felt severe pain from the squeezing and tearing wound, but he could not feel the loss of life force.
"Please give me your orders."
"Light all the oil lamps in the hall."
The girl's shadow turned gracefully, seeming to be staring at the passage from which she came.
"Get ready to welcome the upcoming...guests."
…
"The...master...knows...our...arrival."
Step into the underground hall of the stone forest.
More oil lamps illuminate this artificial underground structure, as well as the strange and strange silhouettes standing within it.
Those are works of art that have not been moved away. Most of them are metal products, which were left in the stone forest because of their weight.
However, some lighter or more expensive works of art were removed, leaving behind a faint mark of their past.
These works of art are covered with a veil called dust and darkness, standing quietly in the empty and silent underground hall, like guards guarding a mausoleum.
The underground hall certainly felt that way, even when the stone forest still existed.
It can be attributed to Archduke Valentin's unique aesthetics and bad taste.
Lu Li and Ophelia paid attention to their surroundings, passing through these strange and abstract shapes, or works of art that restored certain creations.
Interlacing shadows and silhouettes create many illusions, but no conscious life hides within them.
This underground hall is also larger than expected, more like a mausoleum than a museum.
Perhaps the Grand Duke Valentin had this intention in mind?
After some distance, Anna...Ophelia beside him reminded Lu Li to look to the left.
There a metal tree stood on the stone slab, spreading its branches.
Ruins, abyss, cultists, trees, brown cars.
The metal tree is much taller than other surrounding artworks. The highest point of the tree crown is nearly three meters, almost incorporating the surrounding artworks into the shade of the tree.
Lu Li didn't notice it immediately due to the chaotic shadows in the underground hall, but he would still be able to see it if he got closer.
In other words, this did not happen by chance.
It's eye-catching enough, and it's also on their only path.
So now, only the last "brown car" remains in the Ever Dreamer's prophecy.
But until now, they have not seen the existence occupying this place, whether it is weird or the shadow church.
Only the oil lamp that greeted their arrival burned silently.
At a certain moment, Lu Li and Ophelia came to the end of the stone forest. The shadow behind an inscription lit up with obscure eyes, and the figure staggered out.
"I'm... so hungry!"
Lava flows from the gaps in Ophelia's body, and scorching steam surges towards the person who is charging towards her.
But he completely ignored the hundreds of degrees of steam that could cook flesh and blood, and rushed towards Lu Li, grabbing his left hand and asking for help: "Food...please give me food!"
"A person in distress."
Ophelia reveals its identity.
Evil spirits, people in trouble.
When he appears, he will take away food, water, light, or anything related to survival.
What he needs this time is food.
Lu Li was already doing it. He took out the can he brought with him and opened it for the "man in distress", but it was not enough. The "man in distress" almost swallowed the can and continued to beg Lu Li, while the force holding his left hand became stronger and stronger.
.
The power of redemption is corroding the "man in distress", but it will take a long, long time before it disappears. Ophelia's attack may speed up this time.
But they don't need to provoke an evil spirit for food.
"Businessman, take out the food."
Distribute the second and last can to the greedy "people in distress", Lu Li said to the businessman Anthony.
The businessman Anthony took out a box of cans from his backpack, and Ophelia opened the wooden box, took out the cans, opened them, and handed them to the "people in distress" one by one.
The devouring "man in distress" does not chew, and swallows everything in the can.
The whole box of cans became less and less. After only a few cans were left, the "man in distress" finally stopped and let go of Lu Li, but still clutched his stomach and murmured with saliva dripping from hunger: "I'm so hungry... I'm so hungry...
"
“There’s still food.”
The man in distress suddenly reacted to Lu Li's words, raised his thin face, and seemed to be observing Lu Li.
"I can't do that...you have to continue to live...thank you..."
The evil spirit gave a rare thank you, shouted "I'm so hungry" in pain and rushed into the depths, and its voice disappeared into the darkness.
After the interlude, they continued forward and then stopped deep in the underground hall.
A black iron carriage stopped at the roadside.
It is a work of art from the stone forest. The lack of details and haziness may not look so exquisite from today's perspective, but at that time it was definitely cast by a master.
The dark metal body turned into an almost gray-brown carriage after being covered with dust.
The last link of the Ever Dreamer's prophecy appears now.
At the same time, outlines appeared on the edge of the underground hall.
One of the silhouettes walked towards the depths of the stone forest, and its silhouette was covered by a cloak before it arrived in front of Lu Li.
"Honorable Lord Lu Li, congratulations on passing the test. We look forward to your arrival."
It gently bowed and saluted, calmly revealing the truth behind the appearance of the "man in distress".
"The Church of Shadows."
Lu Li read out its identity.
"Yes... I am the bishop of the Shadow Church who believes in the Maiden's Shadow. Because of your close relationship with my Lord, you can call me by my name... Jon."
The bandaged palm under the sleeve was raised, and he lowered his hood, revealing the face of a middle-aged man who was aging, with piety and fanaticism.
"We are finally waiting for your return..."
…
The dark underground hall is illuminated by oil lamps, and the elegant silhouette faces the depths of the passage.
"Why are you here..."
"I'm here to find you."
On the edge of the oil lamp held up by the palm of his hand, a firm face that could not conceal his haggardness appeared.
