The last few days in El Paxin gave Fang Pliance a full understanding of what it means to have a plan that cannot change as fast as it should.
First, soldiers from the Silver Wind Knights appeared near the hotel, forcing everyone to move. Fortunately, Sylvide had a connection, and Princess Tobrian found a hiding place for them near an old arsenal in the lower area.
What follows is an almost domino-like sequence of typical planned disasters——
The unexpected action delayed the day's procurement work, delayed the negotiations between Attila and Sylvide and the smugglers in the lower city, and directly led to the postponement of the city plan. In order to meet the deadline, additional costs will increase.
Only then did Fang Yu realize that planning was not something to be taken for granted. In an ideal state, one would always have to face endless surprises.
And misfortune never comes singly. A sudden rainstorm hit Elpasin the next day, and rainwater poured into the sewers, causing water levels to skyrocket. As a result, it was delayed until the early morning of the third day before the three of them were able to leave the city with the smugglers.
The smugglers took them to the agreed place, paid them the final payment, and then said goodbye to them and left.
Fang Plover watched those people waving to them and walking away in the rain. He turned back to look at Red with wet hair in surprise, and asked curiously: "Am I still worried that you will conflict with them, Mr. Red? "
The lion-man shook his huge head, causing water to splash and all over the two of them. "Hey, what are you doing, Red!" Parker yelled angrily: "I said last time, you'd better go farther away next time you do something like this."
"Ah, I'm sorry, little one," Rhett replied nonchalantly, then turned around and asked Fang Pliance, "Why do you say that, little boy - our leader?"
"Aren't you a paladin of Malan? That... I heard that the paladin of Aitaria hate evil?"
"It depends on how you define justice, little one," the lion man squinted his eyes and looked in the direction of Elpaxin in the rain and fog, took out his pipe and wiped the muddy water on it, and replied: "We are the knights of the goddess. We, not the jurists of Blandia, who work to strip people of their superfluous attributes in order to put them into a framework; we, on the other hand, act according to our hearts.”
"heart?"
"Sympathy, compassion, a sense of honor, a sense of responsibility," Rhett looked at Fang Plover and replied calmly: "The bachelors of Bolandia claim that order will not make mistakes, but we tend to make mistakes all the time - that's why we Only then can we understand the limitations of mortals, not be arrogant and confused, and then we can be worthy of our hearts and worthy of Marlan’s teachings——"
He looked at the backs of those people in the distance. "Smugglers, thieves, liars, there are all kinds of people in downtown, but there are also people who are not bad at heart, because sometimes you can't choose where you come from. Don't be biased, Ed, and listen carefully. The wind tells you the answer.”
"Don't listen to this big cat," the Papalar man wiped the water droplets from his hair and replied angrily: "It is always chattering. The wind will not tell you anything at all. At most, it will send out A boring scream, wuwuwu——"
In response to Parker's rebuttal, the lion laughed and said nothing.
However, Fang Yu only mentioned it, and he didn't really intervene in the debate between the two.
He looked around. They and Etila had made an appointment to meet here. Logically speaking, they had been delayed in the sewer all night. They should have arrived first, but at this time, there were no beasts of burden in the surrounding fields. Towering back.
This made Fang Yu feel a little worried.
However, he did not expect that he would have to wait for several hours. It was not until almost noon that the tall figure of 'Mr. Gray Rock' slowly appeared in his field of vision.
But when Aitila and his party came closer and Fang Plover got on the beast of burden, he realized that his worries had become a reality:
The newly repaired platform on the back of the beast looked even more miserable than before. One of the suspension bridges was broken, the shield outside the platform was covered with broken arrows, and there were shocking knife marks everywhere. Everyone seemed to have experienced something. A big battle.
Tianlan's head was wrapped in a circle of funny gauze. She knocked her head in the battle and had a big bump on her forehead. Miss Attila was slashed on her right arm, and the bandage was stained red with blood, which looked quite scary.
But the most seriously injured of all was Kitta. In order to protect her books, the future naturalist lady tried her best to block the gangsters from rushing into the house with her thin body. But because of this, the sword wound on the right chest was almost penetrating. Although a therapist was found after the battle to save one life - but the infection and high fever after the injury, in this world without antibiotics, can only rely on the long-term care of priests. .
There was no Mirela priest in the team, and Elpaxin could not find any professional clergy who might be able to take care of her. Fortunately, Sylvide was qualified as a pharmacist, and the noble lady took the initiative to take care of Jita.
This attack came so suddenly that it was almost impossible to figure it out——
Fang Yu asked Aitila what the battle was about, but the latter couldn't explain the reason and only shook his head slightly.
The attackers were not one person, but clearly organized, but they did not leave much information on the battlefield - they appeared suddenly and left before the guards arrived. Tianlan told him that it seemed that Jita saw the identity of the attacker in the chaos, but the clue about the little girl's current condition was of no use.
The battle took place before leaving the city.
But what enemies do they have in El Paxin? First of all, it can't be the military and the Silver Wind Knights. They don't have the use of such means.
The first thing that Fang Piao thought of was the 'eldest sister' and his party that he met at Traveler's Rest. They do have a motive, and they recognize Aitila and Tianlan, but it is doubtful whether the other party has the strength.
Then he has another potential enemy, the Redcoats of Jefflite, the descendants of Flor. The Redcoats have this strength, but they don't seem to have the motive. Even if the red team saw the Continental League and recognized themselves, they did not recognize Etila and Tianlan.
Or maybe it's the Dragon Worshipers - but this hypothesis is too horrifying. They haven't even officially started the investigation, and the other party has already come to the door. Isn't this a bit too much?
Fang Yu couldn't think of a reason, so he had to ask some detailed questions. Then I realized that the level of the attackers was not low. Ordinary members were no match for Attila, but Sylvide's maid could fight one against two or even one against three.
Fang Plover didn't know how high Shesta's level was, but he knew that Etila's total level was level 13, of which there were a total of 9 combat levels, including level 6 hunter and level 4 druid - originally level 3. , but it was upgraded to another level after the battle at Traveler's Rest. The aborigines themselves do not have a selector system, but Aitaria is an information-state world after all, and Tianlan and the others can help check her information.
The combined experience invested by a level 6 hunter and a level 4 druid is equivalent to a level 9 ranger. Of course, the elf girl also has a level 7 chef level, but that one has no combat effectiveness - so she is at a disadvantage in a single fight with a level 9 ranger. The average level of her opponent has at least reached the Silver Forest Spear or The level of an ordinary member of the main team of the Jefflett Red Team.
This level is even higher than the ordinary soldiers of Kaolin-Ishulian.
Organizations with such strength are rare in the first world. Upon closer inspection, there are only a few large guilds, plus several forces of the same level such as the Kaolin Merchant Alliance and the Craftsmen's Association.
Could it be that they are really the Jeffree Red Team? Fang Plover couldn't help but be a little suspicious.
The only lucky thing in the whole thing was that Attila and the others were together with Sylvide. The other party seemed not to have expected the strength of the noble girl maid, and relied on Shesta to block the attacker's attack until the guards arrived. Otherwise, the consequences will be disastrous.
Fang Plover therefore specially thanked Sylvide. But what surprised him was that Sylvester was not dissatisfied at being involved. She seemed to be less squeamish than she said, and she just accepted his thanks generously.
And throughout the next day, such an attack did not happen again. However, this did not mean that the situation began to get better. The rain became heavier that night, which greatly affected the team's progress.
The original plan was to arrive at Karifan at noon on the fourth day, but it was not until midnight that the abandoned town was seen.
Therefore, the usual trip length often refers to ordinary conditions, without taking into account bad weather - Fang Plover learned a new lesson. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh and looked at the rain hitting the window lattice.
The water splashed over the wooden texture layer by layer, slid down along the window sill, flowed to the ground, and seeped through the gaps in the wooden boards.
Rain had been leaking from several holes left in the previous battles, and the rain drifted into the house, hitting his face with a little chill. Although Luo Yu briefly repaired the roof in the rain yesterday, it obviously had no effect.
There was a gentle cough from the bed behind him.
Fang Yu turned around and looked at Miss Naturalist who was curled up in the quilt. She was usually a little shy and looked even quieter and weaker now - her eyes were closed tightly, her thick eyelashes were hanging gently, her small Her face was like a piece of pale paper, her mouth was pursed tightly, and it was as delicate as if it was about to break - her breathing was barely audible.
After Fang Yu confirmed that her condition was relatively stable, he checked to see if there was any raindrops on the ceiling, and then stretched out his hand to pull the quilt for her.
The room was filled with a strong herbal smell——
Jita is here naturally for the convenience of him and Sylvide taking care of her. After all, both of them have some knowledge of pharmacies, but Sylvide is more professional in this area, and his pharmacies are mostly related to alchemy.
In fact, due to the addition of Sylvide and her maid, the originally cramped space on the platform finally became stretched. In addition, time was too short and did not give them a chance to transform the platform. Therefore, Aitila could only clear out a separate compartment in the utility room - hang the barrels and boxes on the rope net behind the negative hill beast outside, and use wooden boards and cloth curtains to separate an independent space here. , as a temporary residence for a master and a servant.
In this way, Master and Servant Sylvide lived in the room inside, while Fang Lu still lived alone in the simple space outside.
It sounds a bit charming, but it is not. Not to mention that the two of them barely slept a wink for more than thirty hours to take care of Jita, and even if they took a break from their busy schedule, Sylvester would only study the design drawings with him.
He didn't know where the noble girl got such good energy, and his own head was about to explode.
Fang Yu couldn't help but sigh again, put the back of his hand against Jita's hot forehead, tested the temperature, then dipped it in water and changed a towel for her. Sylvester told him not long ago that this little girl was past the critical stage, which was the only good news of the day.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but look inside——
There is a small compartment at the back of the carriage, with barely enough room for two people to turn around. In the room, Sylvester was sitting on a wooden box, with a suitcase that she never left behind. There are several books stacked next to the suitcase, all of which are knight romance novels, some of which are translated from Earth's works.
She lowered her head and looked at the book intently. Occasionally, she turned a page lightly and the pages made a clattering sound.
And as if she felt Fang Plover's gaze, Sylvide raised her head in surprise and asked in a clear voice: "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing," Fang Yu shook his head. "Don't you need to take a rest?" It has been more than thirty hours since Jita was injured, and the other party has hardly slept a wink. Not to mention he is energetic, but he doesn't seem to be sleepy at all.
"No need," Sylvide smiled slightly, but the answer was not what he expected. "But Mr. Captain, you must be more tired than me. Are you almost done?"
"Don't call me Mr. Captain, Miss Sylvide," Fang Plover sighed. "We don't even have a boat. If you tell people about it, they'll laugh out loud."
"What about Mr. Leader?"
"That's a bit undeserved."
"Okay, Captain," Sylvide closed the book and looked at him jokingly, seeming to enjoy chatting with him. "Better than I thought, Mr. Ed."
"——Better than expected?" Fang Yu was stunned for a moment.
"This position requires both ability and responsibility," Sylvide said softly: "I want to see what kind of person will inherit my father's last wish, so I asked Miss Attila not to help you deal with these troubles. Mr. Ed won’t blame me, right?”
Fang Yu shook his head.
Your own adventure group, this sentence is not only a romantic-sounding dream, but also a realistic responsibility. Only now did he somewhat understand Miss Scarpet's feelings. She and Mr. Querod shouldered the trust of the entire team.
He looked at the frail and frail Miss Naturalist on the bed, and had an inexplicable feeling in his heart, feeling that he should do better.
Because Aitaria is not only a dream journey, but also the many difficulties and challenges that the forerunners have faced. Curiosity and exploration of the unknown are based on courage and human beings' conquest of themselves.
It should be perfect and unyielding.
"Miss Sylvide, maybe I am really childish, just like she said -"
Fang Plover said to himself.
"What?" Sylvide blinked and looked at him curiously.
But Fang Yu only raised his head and smiled slightly at her.
Lightning flashed across the night sky outside, and the uncertain light and dark of the forest cast a pale light on the faces of the two people inside. This may be the last thunderstorm after autumn, but it comes at the wrong time.
In the small room, the light of the candles was somewhat dim, swaying with the slow steps of the Gray Ridge Negative Hill Beast.
Miss Goblin sat under the leaves of the wisteria - that was her old place - and looked at the two of them quietly. Her green eyes seemed to reflect a layer of rain light, which was clear and moving. Human beings always made her curious. , like endless knowledge and treasures.
Mr. Knight seemed to have changed a bit, his heartbeat was generous and strong, and she couldn't tell which one felt better.
The water drops fell from the tips of the leaves, like falling diamonds, smashing to pieces on the table.
People can't always be childish——
Sylvide put down her book and watched with interest as Fang Plover turned around and continued to do the thing at hand. This was the first time she saw this big boy looking so focused.
There are two strange magic tools on the table.
Fang Lu bent down again and pulled out a box from under the simple wooden table. There was a whole box of α crystals inside, which were clinking against each other - of course he didn't need so many.
But he already had a half-baked plan in mind.
This inexplicable attack made Fang Yu remember many things again, such as the dawn star that night, Elsa who died in front of him, and the little girl's unblinking eyes.
That was the first time he realized what was underneath the glamorous surface of Etalia, so he would never watch such a tragedy happen again to Etalia and the others. Fortunately, he was different from that time and understood what he should do.
I am first and foremost an alchemist, a craftsman, and a maker. Fang Yu knew very well the role of the alchemist in a team, and this was the first part of his plan.
At this time, Tian Lan complained from outside, probably complaining that Luo Yu had not repaired the ceiling, causing the platform to leak. Not long after, the two stopped and knocked on the door.
Fang Plover raised his head and said, "Please come in."
Luo Yu then pushed open the door and walked in. Tian Lan stood behind him with her neck curled up. Behind him was the quiet Shesta. She first looked at Fang Plover with a wary look, and then looked behind him.
The fairy lady naturally disappeared without realizing it——
Tian Lan poked her head curiously outside: "Sister Sylvide, how is Jita?"
"Everything is fine. She is lucky and has no infection." Sylvide looked at the two of them and replied, "She should be able to wake up before the early morning."
"Mr. Ed," Luo Yu asked, "What's the matter with you asking Miss Siesta to come to us?"
Fang Yu nodded, picked up the two magic tools from the table, and said to the two of them, "Come and try this."
When Luo Yu saw that thing, he couldn't help but be stunned. Tian Lan shouted in surprise: "Ah, isn't this a gift from Kahn? Brother Ed, did you do this?"
Fang Plover nodded.
One of the magic instruments in his hand looked like a harp. It was no bigger than a forearm, but it looked very heavy. Different from ordinary harps, its bow arm has a very complex structure and is covered with metal pipes. The bow arm has three plug-in interfaces arranged from bottom to top, with a beryl and a red energy crystal inserted respectively. With a somewhat peculiar small gear-mounted plug-in set.
This is a typical Karn magic harp, named after the alchemist of the same name eleven centuries ago. Its working principle is to use the magic crystal connected to the twelve strings to mobilize the etheric magic, but to use it requires considerable talent. Professional knowledge - this is the ability of the Bard of Etalia.
Tian Lan reluctantly took the harp from Fang Plover's hand, blinked and asked him: "Brother Ed, is this for me?"
Fang Plover couldn't help but laugh. "Who else is it for?"
"That's great!" Tianlan couldn't help but scream in surprise, and gave Fang Pultru a heavy hug: "I love you to death, brother Ed, and I will treat it as the best birthday gift!"
"Birthday?" Fang Yu was stunned.
"Ah?" Tian Lan was also stunned: "Isn't this my birthday gift?"
Fang Yu didn't expect this at all, and couldn't help scratching his head in embarrassment: "This... that, you can think so, it's almost the same anyway -"
Luo Yu on the side was much more keen. He took the thing from Fang Plover's hand and after careful observation, he found that it was a modified clockwork fairy. However, unlike the spherical shell of ordinary clockwork fairies, this clockwork fairy is diamond-shaped and looks more like a smaller Annihilator construct.
He looked up and asked, "Is this for us, Mr. Ed?"
"Huh?" Tianlan couldn't help but be stunned after hearing Luo Yu's words: "Brother Ed, aren't you confused? Luo Yu and I are trainees."
…
