Fang Plover felt Sylvester gently wave 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 dipped 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 sea 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 afield - a bit wandering. "Every time you are distracted, you will show such an expression. Originally, I didn't want to wake you up, but a place like this where dragons and snakes are mixed together is not a good place to think about problems."
"Sorry." Fang Plover 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 late at night, and most of the guests in the bar had already dispersed. Most of the remaining guests were outsiders. There were a few dwarves occupying a table, discussing gold mining in a loud voice for fear that others would not hear.
On the other side is a team of adventurers, discussing the next plan around the table. There are candles on the table, and the firelight reflects on everyone's face. It seems to be a group of relatives and friends. The discussion volume is low and the atmosphere is harmonious.
Sylvide turned around and shook her head: "Not yet."
She took a sip of wine. It was actually just a thin red wine, but her face was slightly rosy under the candlelight. She leaned forward slightly and rested her elbows on the table - the leather box containing the magic gun was placed within reach next to the chair, not the original one - and watched Fang Plover use the knife with interest. Pry open the shells of dried fruits.
"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 white neck hair, and Tata knelt beside her, as if curled up in a fur sofa, holding hands with her hands. Turning on the blue light in front of me.
To outsiders, the community's information looks like several layers of messy light, a layer of icy blue light, reflected on Miss Goblin's face.
Fang Yu frowned slightly when Sylvester asked. His expression was not good, as if the fire in the fireplace was not warm enough, making him feel a little uncomfortable. He shook his head. He was suddenly lost in thought because he remembered what happened at Traveler's Rest a few months ago - the death-like shadow he saw 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 him 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 Manle Howlett.
From the conversation between the two, it can be known that he once had a fight with Yu Xiude in Grande. But the information about the 'Dragon Witch Rebellion' is too scattered. Fang Yu also tried to investigate this matter in Grande. Perhaps it was because the royal family was hiding their ugliness, and it was difficult for a person of his level to obtain any valuable information.
And besides everything about the Ring of Golden Flame, Sir Duke didn't tell them much. Fang Plover can understand. As a member of the aristocratic circle, Sir Duke is unlikely to bring discredit to 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 sent?
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 have been lurking, and no one knows what happened to its plan in the end.
These two lines both point to the Main Continent of Kaolin, but the whereabouts of the people behind the Adventurer's Guild are still unknown, 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. What do the doubts Sir Duke said about Dragon's Golden Dragon have to do with the team that worked with Miss Sylvide?
Every clue seems to be entangled together, but it makes the truth behind it confusing. Fang Yu always felt vaguely as if he had caught something, but for a moment, he couldn't figure it out.
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 travel plans?" 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 Big Valley. It is an ancient road that existed before the Eastern Trade Road was established in the Cave Mountains. The Big Valley passes through the mountainous area to the south of here, and there is an abandoned castle in the mountain. , just south of here——"
"What's the story about that castle?"
"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 been resurrected."
Fang Yu was a little curious: "Are there no exceptions?"
The ship officer lady 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. These things should not exceed the level of danger in this area. 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 'Earthlings'.
"After all, I have considered seeking political asylum in the 'Stargate Port'." Facing Fang Plover'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 was worried that I didn't have enough leverage. In fact, I still had doubts about them."
"But why did you choose us again?"
"That's not because of your captain, I'm easy to deceive." Fang Yu 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 or not, but the reason why there are no living people who witnessed it, I think there are only two."
"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 several attack records in recent years and found a common pattern. They rarely attack large groups, and every time they attack, they are sneak attacks."
"How does 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 past 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 dwarves not far away finished arguing, they left to check out. They put on their cloaks and walked into the cold wind outside one by one. Fang Yu put down the knife in his hand. When he was in the Adventurer's Guild before, he found that Sylvide was looking through the guild's previous mission records. It turned out that he was looking for information in this area.
However, these 'strange shadows' are very difficult whether they are the first or the second. 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 it is most cost-effective to "upgrade" by killing monsters that are simple, easy and have rich 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?"
Whether or not the legend of the 'Strange Shadow' is true. But Fang Yu at least knew that places filled with dark magic, especially in castles like this, were probably the lairs of vampires. He had not forgotten the vampire he met on the boat on the way here. They had a good fight in the bottom cabin before they restrained each other.
But in the end he let it escape.
Vampires are one of the rare 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.
The voice was mature and hoarse, and should belong to a woman, but it sounded 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.
Next to Rhett stood a lady, about forty years old, tall, wearing a thick coat, with black hair spread behind her. Her appearance is not outstanding, her cheekbones are high, but her expression is very resolute, as if she has been walking outside all year round. Her 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 Pliance, 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, and then another one, and handed it to Kuisu beside him: "Would you like a sip, Kuisu?" It might keep you warm, ma’am.”
"Thanks, Red," 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 annoyance lingering between her brows. The lady held the pipe and looked at the young alchemist, and then 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 cold, so I’ll have to go out less in weather like this 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 Shude and the dragon fought 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 went to that place would be haunted by the curse."
She shook her head. "No one knows whether the curse is true or not, but for those 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 beside her convinced her a little, not to mention that there was probably no one else who could help her in this place.
She hesitated again and again, then made 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 Yu was stunned for a moment.
And he hasn't spoken yet. 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 turn to you for help. If you are willing to help me, no matter whether it is successful or not, in the next six months, My people and I can work for you for free—"
Fang Yu hesitated for a moment. Free workers were certainly 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 was willing to go near it, it would definitely not be a good place.
Although they were also an adventure group, they didn't just go to places where others didn't want to go to seek death. Doriffin and Fenris's group was just an accident, not an inherent attribute of their team.
Of course Kuisu understood what the young man was hesitating about and continued: "Mr. Captain, you can't find a team of lumberjacks more experienced than mine in the north of Dulon. Not to mention, others don't 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 may 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 complicated guild forces in the south. The troubled waters there are much more complicated than the several powerful guilds in the north.
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 danger. But when he looked at this lady, for some reason, he suddenly thought of Miss Attila.
Their experiences 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—"
…
