The residents of Outport know that the temple on Cape Ratest was abandoned by its followers many years ago.
Those dilapidated high walls with a mysterious religious style now stand on the dark rocks of the sea cliff. The courtyard is deserted, with only a few neglected icons standing, and beggars and tramps from the harbor are hiding. As a result, this place turned into a den of thieves and a place for evil and evil.
The high-ranking officials were very dissatisfied with this 'den of thieves', and successive consuls were unwilling to allocate a few coins from the city's treasury to completely renovate this place. The port guards also tacitly allocated it to their defense zone. outside. As time goes by, it seems that all the sins of Gula are gathered here, and ordinary people will not approach this place easily.
But the situation changed a few months ago. A group of knights claiming to be the God of Crows and Storms came here. After getting the permission of the Archon, they captured the temple and claimed to have recovered this place. . Although these knights made this place also heavily guarded, others were still unable to approach it, but everything was different from before.
Outport residents only occasionally talked about where the beggars and tramps ended up.
People tend to agree on this. The Gray Knights are indifferent and ruthless, so most of those people went to the dark dungeons under the temple. But not many people feel sympathy for these people.
In the church, the sound of footsteps suddenly echoed in the quiet corridor.
The long corridor passes through a row of tall rose arch windows, which the Gray Knights call the Aisle of Atonement, which leads to the inner chamber at the back and the resting place for the monks.
Outside the arched window was the dark sky and sea, in the pre-dawn depths, without a trace of starlight.
The owner of the footsteps stopped and suddenly looked at the figure appearing in front of him.
The figure seemed to be a slanted silhouette, extending from the statue in front of the arched window and falling diagonally on the wall on one side. A tall human figure gradually separated from the shadow and stood motionless in front of him. It was a gray robe, and there seemed to be nothing underneath, only two purple flames flickering.
The flame flickered and stared at him.
A shudder flashed through the heart of the owner of the footsteps, and he lowered his head slightly, "Everything is done. Although the target has been temporarily lost, the other party cannot escape...but...it still needs a little time."
A hollow voice came from under the robe. It was not high, but it produced a rumbling thunderous sound, echoing in the soul:
"Even through multiple universes, time is always scarce, even for eternity."
"I understand," the owner of the footsteps showed a look of awe on his face. Every time he experienced such a conversation, he couldn't help but surrender to such power and power - just like what those people said.
He hesitated and replied: "But..."
"Those people will come here," the voice interrupted.
The owner of the footsteps raised his head and looked at the other person with some surprise: "Here?"
The flame flickered: "Yes, this is what 'he' told you."
"Him?" The owner of the footsteps suddenly reacted. He knew the existence above the four guardians of the Crow's Claw Temple: "The Holy Son?"
The shadow didn't answer, but silently acquiesced to the answer.
"But how did the Holy Son know?"
"Someone will tell him the answer. This game has been laid out a long time ago."
The owner of the footsteps had a look of disbelief on his face, as if he had realized something.
The purple flame burned quietly only in the darkness.
The owner of the footsteps looked at the twisted shadow and stood there for a while before asking: "How long can the Star Gate remain closed?"
"I will give you enough time, but don't waste our strength-"
The owner of the footsteps nodded quickly: "I understand, we will make sure nothing goes wrong."
But after he finished speaking, he raised his head and watched the flames flicker, but did not make a sound. He hesitated for a moment, and then replied: "...In addition, we have also suffered a lot..."
He paused and continued: "...the alliance's branches in El Paxin and Gula may be uprooted. The situation is different from other countries. They are very wary of external forces. At most, we can only They can bribe some people, but to no avail... This time the alliance may be hit hard, and they may even propose a motion to change the rules... It is possible for them to change the rules on the game table..."
"Change the rules?"
"Yes," the owner of the footsteps nodded again: "...you can imagine that it is the empire, the Corin-Ithurian Alliance and Lotao, the Hill of Giant Trees and a number of large and small kingdoms. The 'Stargate Project' was formed, but in this plan, there are actually only a few players who can change the rules of the game, and they are one of them..."
The hollow voice interrupted him quietly:
"No need to explain your inefficient and redundant systems to me."
The owner of the footsteps was stunned for a moment: "But..."
"It seems like you're still a little confused—"
The owner of the footsteps stopped and was silent for a moment before replying: "Yes, I don't quite understand why the other party is so important and worthy of us handing over this move? Is it for the Ring of Golden Flame? Or is it the blue sky?" Glory? Or the Crown of Seawood, and the map on the obelisk? But these are not important to us. We can still get the legacy left by the Numelin elves without him."
The flickering flame watched him silently.
"You'll know the answer."
"But the answer will be revealed after all this is over."
"That kid is right in the center of this web."
The owner of the footsteps opened his mouth silently and looked at the other person in shock.
…
"Lonely boat?"
Canghai Guzhou withdrew his attention from the crystal in his hand, turned back and looked at his partner.
Qiao Li looked at him and frowned: "This is not the first time you have been distracted today. What's wrong?"
"I'm not distracted, Qiao Li," Canghai Guzhou shook his head. He looked at the crystal in his hand again: "I just received a message."
"News from the president?"
Canghai Guzhou nodded gently: "They are coming."
There was a glint of doubt in Qiao Li's eyes, but he was immediately relieved: "The empire's mission is over? It's coming back faster than I thought, but Yue Chen's people have also lost their target now, and they came at the wrong time."
"No, the situation on the empire's side is very complicated. Only some people have returned, and the others are still there, but that's enough," Canghai Guzhou replied: "As for the people on Yuechen's side losing their goals, it doesn't matter. , the latest information has been sent back, and we already know the whereabouts of the other party."
"The latest information?" Jory looked at him with some surprise. Is there any other information channel for the Jefflett Red Team? "Didn't they disappear in the Traveler Swamp? The abandoned mining area extends to the south of the Egon Forest. Which direction did they go to? Elpaxin? Doliphon?"
"neither."
Canghai Guzhou put down the crystal in his hand and gave the answer:
"Gula."
…
The eyes hidden in the darkness were quietly watching the separated figures in the distance.
After everyone left, the owner of the deep gaze slowly walked out of the alley; the middle-aged man with frost-stained temples only silently glanced at the direction in which the people left and thought for a moment.
After a moment's pause, he seemed to have made up his mind and strode forward while tugging at the collar of his dark coat with his hand - as if he was using this subconscious action to cover the dark gray tattoo on his neck.
The middle-aged man raised his head and looked at the majestic building in front of him - the product of the Fourteenth Year style, the golden age of alchemy - a large number of outstanding master craftsmen and artists emerged in that era, and this building The town hall itself is little more than a replica.
There was a trace of reminiscence in those gray eyes.
After countless hours of pursuing and exploring the truth, I finally came to this place.
Just like then——
At this moment, we were in a forest more than ten miles away from Gula.
The Seven Seas Traveler was moored quietly in a clearing in the forest. It had furled its sails and the beautiful hull was hidden in the morning light. Compared with not long ago, there were a few more shocking bullet holes.
In the end, Yuechen's people didn't watch them slip away, and sent out their hunting fleet again at the last moment, but this time they made the right bet - the Jade Fire hovered above the clouds, as if neutral. The observers remained uninterrupted.
However, the Elite people still fought for time for the Seven Seas Traveler, but in the end Yue Chen missed the best time window.
After fighting against those few Yuechen caravels, they finally broke into Guy's mining area, and the souvenir left by the opponent for them during the confrontation were these cannonballs.
One of the shells nearly broke the sternmast, and another shot missed the port side and took away half of the transom sail. But what really caused the loss were the two cannonballs that ran across the hull. One of the cannonballs penetrated the left shield and penetrated directly between the kitchen and the infirmary, taking away the most beloved of the Papalars. The grill almost hit the magic cabin.
Another shell penetrated into the utility room, then penetrated the ship plank on the other side and passed across it. This shell caused less damage, but damaged one of the forward ribs.
Fang Plover stood by the cedar forest, folding his hands and looking at his boat with some heartache.
Although Baggins and Luo Yu had assured him not long ago that this injury was nothing to the Seven Seas Traveler. It could be repaired and repaired before it could take off again. As long as it found a safe place and completely overhauled it, It will be restored to its original state. Just looking at the ship he had just acquired turned into this, he still felt a little guilty in his heart - this was the most valuable asset of the Seven Seas Brigade.
Of course, he suspected that the Elite woman chose not to take action because of his reply.
However, Fang Yu did not regret rejecting the other party's invitation.
This was his answer before, and it is still the same now——
No matter how big the current trouble is, it is not something that can be exchanged. The Seven Seas Traveler can be repaired if it breaks down, or even if it sinks, you can still find a way to build another one.
But once the principle is lost, it is lost forever.
However, he did not blame the Elite people. On the contrary, although the cold lady did not take action, the Jade Fire still bought them precious time. Therefore, not only would he not complain, he would even be somewhat grateful to the other party - of course he knew very well that there was no need for the Jade Fire to be there.
In theory, he owed the other party a favor.
While he was thinking silently, a voice suddenly came from behind him:
"Ed," it was Alyssa's voice: "Have you figured out how to sneak into Gula?"
He turned around and saw Miss Nightingale walking out of the woods. She went to explore the surroundings and found nothing unexpected. He thought for a moment and replied: "Hongye and the others have a way. She has contacted people in Gula City. They may be able to find a way for us to sneak into the city quietly."
"Does Tapolis have manpower in Gula?"
Fang Plover nodded.
While the two were talking, the others were getting ready to get off the boat one by one.
Fang Plover saw Saya and Hongye walking together from a distance, and behind them were the leaders of the Redeemed Party - Kweed and 'Gray Whistle' Blackbo.
In the battle not long ago, Jita and her team had already seen the level of the founder of the Redeemed. He was no less capable of fighting against several brigade members of the descendants of Flor on his own, although that was only possible. It is the opponent's youth training camp, but it is enough to explain the problem.
And the dragon's blood flowing in this man's body may come from Ms. Misu just like Dict.
Apart from these, almost everyone else would go with them to Gula, and only a few would stay on board. After all, Gula Port is the largest port in the north, second only to Elpaxin in Talen. It is simply not enough to see a little manpower spread into this port city.
But to Fang Yu's surprise, beside Saya and Hongye, he saw Sylvide, who was dressed lightly in battle.
The ship officer lady once again put on her gunner's explorer attire, a white shirt with a flower collar, overalls, and a row of bullets hung on a belt, and the holsters on both sides contained a gift from Miss Scarpe. Their magic weapon.
She carries a long gun, a small package, and a magic furnace on her waist. She wears boots that are convenient for trekking in the wild, making her a lean and light outfit. The ship officer lady even tied up her hair, using a leather rope to tie a long ponytail behind her head.
It's not that Fang Yu has never seen the other party dressed like this, but that was when he was in Dolifen. He was slightly startled and asked what the other party meant with his eyes.
Sylvide winked at him playfully, her eyes clearly indicating that she wanted to join them.
Fang Plover remained calm and only looked to the side of Saya.
"Miss Saya, have you contacted anyone in the city?"
Saya nodded: "They said they could help us find a way."
"What do they have in mind?"
"Gula Port was rebuilt many years ago, and part of the original sewers were abandoned. However, these passages can still lead to the city, and are now controlled by the local Shadow Brotherhood."
Fang Yu thought that he could meet such people everywhere. Smugglers seemed to be the most prosperous industry in Aitalia. However, he still asked uneasily: "Do the guards in the city know?" Is this true?"
"Of course the guards know," Hong Ye answered this time. She was obviously very familiar with these things: "But when they get benefits from the Brotherhood, they will turn a blind eye. Of course, this is not entirely the case. If we were besieging the city, we would definitely not be able to enter through these passages."
She paused and then added: "But as we all know now that we are in Gray Tree Ridge, it is impossible for the guards to guard against a few 'insignificant' people sneaking into the city."
Fang Yu knew it, but there was still a dozen miles between here and Gula Port. The Seven Seas Traveler could only hide here, and it would take more than half a day to walk there. It was best for them to leave as soon as possible.
He looked at Saya and asked, "Shall we leave now?"
Saya nodded slightly: "They will take us in in the evening, so we'd better arrive before then."
Fang Yu nodded, "Then let's go." He made a gesture, then walked to the side of the crowd, while calmly holding Sylvide's hand, pulling her to his side, and at the same time turned around Go look at each other.
Sylvide smiled slightly, her face slightly pink: "Captain, you don't need to use such force, I won't run away."
Fang Yu glared at her angrily: "You want to go with us? Didn't I agree that you would wait for news on the boat?"
Sylvide blinked her eyes pretending to be innocent: "But according to Miss Saya, if there is someone in the city to take over, this business is actually very safe, right?"
But Fang Yu would not believe what his Miss Fox said, especially when she was smiling, so he would probably have to be more careful. But he always felt that there was something in the other person's words. After thinking carefully for a while, he lowered his voice and asked, "You can't trust the people in Tapolis?"
When he asked this question, he suddenly realized that his ship officer lady seemed very satisfied that she could discover this.
Her eyes narrowed with a hint of approval.
"Both Hongye and Miss Saya are trustworthy," Sylvide said with a smile, "But if you are not afraid of ten thousand, you are afraid of the worst. Apart from you, I can't trust anyone."
Fang Yu stopped. He always trusted his ship officer: "If you think this is unreliable, we can find another way."
"No, it's too late," Sylvide shook her head: "I have no basis, it's just unnecessary worry. But if I were with you, maybe I could help the captain if something unexpected happened. Sir, think of a way."
Fang Yu glanced at her silently, thought for a moment, and acquiesced to the other party's willfulness.
But just when he was about to let go, Sylvester looked at him with a half-smile and said, "No need to let go, Captain, let me enjoy this feeling a little longer, okay?"
Fang Yu was stunned by these casual words. He looked at the other party, and although he didn't speak, he silently squeezed the weak and boneless hand of the ship officer.
His face was slightly red, and he raised his head, just in time to see Miss Nightingale looking at this side with a bit of fun, and then gave him a thumbs up.
…
