Fang Plover looked at the ring in his hand. It was heavy and unremarkable, and seemed to have weight in his palm. The bright golden flame on it had long been extinguished, and the heat like flowing lava no longer existed. There were no words on it, nor No patterns.
A snowflake swayed down from mid-air, melted into his hand, and turned into a hint of coolness between the dense palm lines, entangled with the ring, and made the latter even colder.
He held it tightly, raised his head, and looked at the snowflakes fluttering in the air. This was the first day after the winter solstice in Beikaolin. The snow in the north of Kaolin fell later than in Talun, Guta, and Xilin areas. , but the north wind passing through the sea of clouds also makes the winter last longer, and the long winter will last until March of the next year.
Adventurers (Chosen Ones) mostly head to the warm south to wait for the ice and snow to melt, or start adventures in the few areas of Ithurion where snow does not fall, such as the dense forests of Nosnia, and they have to pass through this A long, windy and snowy winter.
Du Ke didn't tell them much about the Dragon's Golden Eyes. Maybe he really didn't understand it, but the Ring of Golden Flame actually contained the power to restrain the Dark Dragon. Therefore, the old man only asked them to take the Ring of Golden Flame to those three places——
The place where Yossiude finally defeated the Dragon Witch, the Ashes Mountain Forest, the mountain forest north of Duron was once called the Great Valley, but an evil dragon fell here, and the sea of fire turned the place into a desolate land, and the pale There is still no vegetation growing in the canyon.
Then there is Idos - few people know this name now, and even the original site of this city cannot be found on the map. Only a patch of land is left on the southern edge of the brown-red mountain forest, at the end of the westward branch of the Cave Mountains. The shadow is now called Taiz - the city of death in the mouth of the desert people.
Finally, we entered the sea of silver sand and headed west under the moonlight to find the oasis buried in the desert, the final retreat of the Oath Keepers, the Land of Dragons. But today, there may be only a piece of rubble left, unlike Pale ghosts lingered among the cold sand for a long time, and the silver ruins echoed with the tragic songs of the past.
These three places are arranged from north to south, and then turn to the west. This is the route that the Dragon Witch used to approach the royal capital all the way north. The entire Corin-Ithurian trembled under the wrath of the Dragon Witch, and even crouched under the shadow of the dragon's wings.
Until a hero emerged from the sky and saved the entire ancient kingdom from collapse with the dragon-slaying sword in his hand, Garapea.
The story of the hero is still sung to this day.
But few people know about the legend of the witch.
Fang Plover stood in the swirling snowflakes and was silent for a moment. He didn't know why he took on this task - maybe it was because of some mistake? Maybe it's because these three places happen to be on their planned adventure route? Or maybe it’s because of Miss Attila’s approval?
Perhaps it was because of a flutter in his heart, driven by curiosity about the quest line under the arrival of the third evil star? Or in Dolifen's fantasy, he still has respect for the noble lady from thirty years ago.
Or was it the shrill roar of Nicol Bolas in his mind, the shadow of the dragon spreading its wings and coming back? Finally, it turned into Mazak's serious gaze, and he warned him:
'Don't forget the dead enemy——'
In the darkness, a snowflake fell on his neck, and the coldness penetrated into his skin like a needle, causing Fang Pliance to return to reality. "Don't forget the dead enemy." He murmured to himself repeatedly, but what was it? The dead enemy, the dark dragon?
They have returned - Toragotos is missing, but he is not dead, and no one knows where he is hiding.
Miss Tata looked at her knight quietly on his shoulder. She was really quiet, but there was a faint worry in her eyes. The throbbing that struck the inner world of the two of them was like a step getting closer and closer, which seemed to make Mr. Knight a little anxious.
She, who is connected to her soul, feels the same way.
Fang Yu put the ring into his coat, and the feeling of imminence became closer, but it was not uneasiness, but rather a question.
The Dragon's Golden Column indeed showed the ability to wrest the power of the dark dragon, but if it wasn't the hero Yuexiude, who would it be and for what purpose would it be forged?
Mazak should know everything about the Dragon Witch before she left the Dragon Land. She did not lose her right eye before she transformed into a dragon.
So what happened in between may be a secret that no one will ever know.
The only thing that could tell him the answer was this ring. This was the reason why he finally decided to go to those places to find out. But compared to Du Ke's certainty, Fang Plover was not sure.
"Still thinking about the Dragon Witch?"
Fang Plover turned around and saw the big cat man coming to his side. The latter stretched out his paws and held a piece of snowflake. The lens of the snowflake was lost in the fur on his paws.
Lionmen have thick fur and manes, but the Lotao they live in is actually a warm country with no snow all year round. He is not very used to the winter in the north of Kaulin-Ithurion.
"It's just that I suddenly remembered something, Mr. Reid."
"If you think too much, you'll worry about getting wrinkles early. Look at your frown, little one."
Fang Pliong shook his head. Miss Scarpe said that his head was empty and he could think of nothing but moving forward. But after all, he was no longer the same person as he was back then.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Tata." Red was greeting Miss Goblin very elegantly.
Tata looked at the big cat man and nodded to him.
Ms. Papamo waved to them from below, indicating that Mr. Huiyan was ready. Luo Yu and Tianlan put down a ladder and picked her up from below.
The adventure group was actually ready to leave three days ago. They were just waiting for the final materials and supplies to be loaded and unloaded. Since this was the first time, the operation was slower than normal——
The only person who came to see them off was Princess Brianne. What made Fang Plover a little disappointed was that Sir Roban, another hero of the Battle of Byrne, whom he had always been curious about, did not arrive.
Although according to Her Royal Highness the Princess, Roban was very interested in their group, but he just couldn't get away to see them.
"Be careful on the road."
Princess Brianne Caranthir waved to them.
Others waved goodbye to her from the side of the ship.
Mr. Gray Rock stepped forward, but not long after, the figure of the Elf Princess fell far behind the wind and snow, becoming a small black dot.
Only then did people put down their hands, and couldn't help but feel a trace of parting sadness in their hearts. They were going to the south, and they didn't know how many years or months it would take before they could see this kind and beloved elf hero and princess again.
However, the wind and snow quickly blew away the sentimentality in people's hearts, and everyone got busy and entered their posts. With the help of Alyssa, Attila started a fire in the kitchen boiler, and the heat was transferred to the 'ship' through the metal duct, and the temperature began to rise.
The third helper in the kitchen, Tianlan, hung a wooden sign outside. Papalar and the box all came to see what was for dinner today, and then complained loudly:
"Why are there carrots again!"
"I hate carrots."
Tianlan was so angry that she kicked them both out of the kitchen.
Baggins, who was in charge of lookout on the deck, heard the noise below, glanced down, and couldn't help but shake his head. However, this situation reminded him of the time when he was a sailor.
Fang Yu closed the door of the warehouse, as if shutting out the wind and snow. He took off his coat, shook the snowflakes off, and hung it on the wall.
He raised his head, and a line of text appeared in the system:
Yugudola: "Sorry, I couldn't come to see you off——"
"It doesn't matter, you have your own tasks too."
Yugudola: "Send hello to Jita and Luo Yu for me. This is their first adventure."
"I will."
Yugudola: "The first batch of materials has been received, right? Is it enough?"
"Um."
Yugudola: "If you encounter any trouble, remember to contact us."
"..."
Yugudola: "Do you still have a grudge?"
"That's not true."
Yugudola sent a 'lol' emoji: "You don't mean what you say."
Fang Yu blushed when someone saw through his thoughts.
The other side hesitated for a moment and then said: "Don't worry, we are just fulfilling our obligations as allies... In addition, the batch of materials in March may be later, is that okay?"
"What's wrong?"
Yugudola: "It's nothing. Why do you think so much?"
Fang Yu nodded: "I understand."
Yugudola made a face: "Master, you talk so little. Do you always talk to girls like this?"
Fang Yu was stunned for a moment: "Hongye said the same thing."
Yugudola: "Hehe, how about when Hong Ye comes back, I let her be your contact person?"
The communication crystal dimmed.
Fang Plover breathed a sigh of relief, and the faint white mist dissipated in the air.
Then he walked through the narrow aisle filled with supplies and came to the outside of his studio - a crystal lamp hung inside, and the orange light was full of warmth.
On the other side of the studio, Sylvide was sitting on her bed with her knees bent, leaning against the bulkhead, looking at a map intently. When she saw him coming in, she raised her head and smiled at him: "Are things in a hurry outside?"
"A little bit."
There were only two people in the room, and the air was a little quiet.
Fang Yu nodded. Although it was not a real 'ship', this platform still had a complete system after redesign. It was not easy to operate it in good condition.
The main reason was that the heat dissipation pipes had various problems at low temperatures, and the Guy gas generator they assembled themselves was not in good working condition, resulting in the air bag not being able to lift off at full capacity.
There are also some minor flaws that were exposed in the windy and snowy temperatures. This is something they did not expect when they originally tested the platform.
Fortunately, with a professional alchemist like him here, the problem was finally solved temporarily through tinkering.
"When the temperature is at its lowest in the middle of the night, we have to go out and check again."
"Do you need me to wake you up? I'm going to work until midnight."
"What's wrong?"
"When planning a route, the information on the map is not always reliable. The information must be updated and marked all the time." Miss Ship Officer put down the map: "The bridges in some places were interrupted by floods in the summer, and there is still time. Repairs, or roads being buried by mudslides, some of the news came recently, so the plans had to change a little.”
"Besides, passing through the north of Kaolin, summer and winter are different. These are things that I, as a ship officer, have to consider."
"But don't worry, I'll knock before you come in."
Fang Yu heard her teasing and smiled.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome, Captain."
on deck.
Jita put down the communication crystal in her hand and lay on the side of the ship watching Mr. Gray Rock swaying forward in the wind and snow. Miss Yugudora knew a few days ago that their group would leave today.
But it was a pity that she still couldn't come to see them off. Although she expressed her wish in the communication, Miss Naturalist still felt a little pity.
Miss Yugudola is actually a good person, but everyone in the group has some grudges against her.
Jita couldn't help but think of what Miss Yugudora said to her and Luo Yu before leaving:
"You don't have to think too much."
"Leave the guild affairs to me -"
She was very short, a head shorter than Luo Yu. She only reached out and patted Jita on the shoulder. Then he frowned and looked at Luo Yu: "Luo Yu, you are too tall."
Luo Yu could only smile bitterly.
"Anyway, this is your first adventure."
"Behave yourself."
"Although I have preserved Tapolis' origins for you, you will only be responsible for your team after that."
"If there are other guild leaders giving random orders to you, just ignore them."
"Just come to me."
The two looked at her a little puzzled, not understanding why she said that.
Yugudola smiled: "It's just a vaccination. You have to be careful of those stone heads, you know."
Both nodded.
"Okay," Yugudora replied, "Go back. I shouldn't have come to you in the first place. This is a bit against the rules. It's just that I'm worried that you might suffer a loss because you have no experience."
"After all, this is your first adventure——"
"Mr. Ed won't mind these little things." Jita shook her head.
"It's precisely because he won't mind that we have to be more measured," Yugudora smiled: "The same goes for getting along with teammates, respect is always mutual."
If Hongye were here, he would definitely hold his forehead and say: "Miss Yugudola, you may not get along well with other people in the guild -"
However, Jita and Luo Yu only nodded honestly.
And this is what Yugudola likes about these two little guys.
Jita retracted her thoughts and sighed quietly, watching Mr. Gray Rock walking farther and farther in the wind and snow, gradually leaving Grande's outer wall behind, leaving only a thin line on the horizon.
The gray mountain bearers are naturally cold-resistant, and their thick fur makes them not afraid of wind and snow. It will take them from the north of Kaolin through Tibia Creek to the Cave Bottom Mountains. Along the way, there are several small towns where they can seek supplies. , there are barren mountains and ridges in the middle.
And everyone knows in their hearts that after leaving Grande, it will be the beginning of a long journey.
…
In the Grand Port area, Yugudola also put down the communication crystal in her hand. She raised her head, her blue eyes reflecting the port that was gradually covered with snow.
There is no such thing as a frozen port or an ice-free port in the air and sea of Aitaria. However, due to the disappearance of etheric magic in winter, winter is indeed not conducive to navigation in some seas further north.
Of course, in the winter in Grande, the port is still busy, with ships coming in and out from time to time. The orange lights on the ships add the only warm color to the cold-toned port.
When others saw that she had finished the call, they came up and asked: "Captain, have you started taking action?"
Yugudora turned around and glanced at him: "Calling it up."
"knock off?"
"The operation is cancelled, collect the team and go home."
"What?" The others were stunned. The target was right in front of them. Why did they have to close the team and go home?
At first they thought it was the eldest lady's usual joke, but looking at the look on her face, it seemed that she was really serious this time. People looked at each other, not quite understanding what was going on. They had been busy preparing for this task line for more than a month, and finally saw a satisfactory result.
Is the information wrong?
Or got the wrong target?
Zifeiyu also walked out of the crowd and asked, "What's wrong?"
Yugudola shook her head: "An order from the guild headquarters."
"What's going on? Are the people in the guild crazy?"
"No, it means the Super Competitive Alliance."
"The Super Competitive Alliance wants us to give up this task?" Zi Feiyu seemed a little surprised. The Super Competitive Alliance does have a strong binding force on guilds and clubs, but it will not interfere with the normal activities within the guild.
"It's not just our mission," Yugudora shook her head: "All guild activities have been stopped."
"What?"
"It is said that the matter of Listening to the Rain and the Dragon Fire Guild has attracted the attention of the top management. All guilds are required to conduct self-examination within a limited time. The Super Competitive Alliance will also send people down to station in all guilds."
"But aren't we doing this now?" Others felt a little unreasonable: "And we are also the victims of the Dragon Fire Guild incident. Don't they have any brains?"
"They don't think so."
"No one can rule out suspicion." Yugudora replied quietly.
Zifeiyu looked at his old partner: "But that's not the case?"
Lady Gray glanced at him: "Why are you so smart? That's right. There are rumors that the Super Competitive Alliance wants to further strengthen the constraints on guilds. Our application to go to the second world also encountered trouble. There is an intention within the alliance to request All guilds behind the Star Gate must have a foundation in reality."
"He who listens to the rain also has a basis in reality," Zi Feiyu said with a smile: "Does it make sense?"
"Whether it makes sense or not is one thing, but it makes sense logically. Strengthening supervision on the other side is indeed conducive to preventing such things from happening." Yugudola looked into the distance: "Of course you know, what about the specifics? It’s something else.”
"What did the guild say?"
"There will be endless debates. If the Super Competitive Alliance insists on having its own way, we will be under great pressure, but Tapolis is a free guild after all, and this cannot be changed."
Zifeiyu looked at Yugudora, the latter's words seemed more like she was trying to convince herself.
But she didn't explain: "Let's take it one step at a time. Surface work still needs to be done, but after the guild, the next step is the adventure group."
"Adventure group?"
"I have a hunch."
Yugudora's eyes seemed to be looking through the port area, looking in one direction in the wind and snow.
After a while, without waiting for the results of other people's discussions, she turned around and walked into the snow in the opposite direction. Before leaving, I only left one meaningless sentence:
"Red leaves are coming back."
…
