Matri fixed the last nail on the sign, raised his claw hammer and struck it, then leaned back and looked at it up and down.
Under the setting sun, the gears and magic books on it were no longer as brand-new as when they were first established. They were full of scratches, wear and tear, and even a few cracks. Just like this street in the twilight, it has witnessed the construction and prosperity of Ayinbrok, and then ended in time.
Now it has just become a forgotten part of this city——
Matri still remembers coming here when he was young, but now his cheeks are covered with stubble, and wrinkles have climbed up the corners of his cheeks and eyes. He is married, has a family and children, and has become an inseparable part of this hotel. He held the hammer and climbed down the ladder. Suddenly he felt something in his heart and turned around to look back.
Between the old buildings, the stone slabs paved on the avenue are pitted. It had rained recently and glowed in the setting sun, like mirrors. Pedestrians on the street stopped and looked in that direction. Under the red clouds, a tall lion knight was standing at the street entrance with a big sword on his shoulder.
Behind him were a group of knights in gray robes.
With the elf lady between them.
In the future, Fang Yu, Sylvide, Luo Yu, Jita, Luo Hao and Xiang, as well as the Papalars, and Miss Mei were among them. Except for Tian Lan, everyone in the Seven Seas Brigade They are all here, even Miss Tata is sitting quietly on her knight's shoulders.
Baggins and Siesta hung far behind the crowd.
But what Matri looked at was just the girl in the crowd.
The girl folded her hands nervously and stood a little reservedly among the people, holding on to the old and faded magician's robe. On her fair and small face, she held a pair of simple black-rimmed glasses. He looked a little frail due to malnutrition.
. "Laila?" A passerby called out first. A look of surprise appeared on that person's face at first, and then quickly turned to surprise. His eyes quickly scanned everyone behind Laila one by one, and he couldn't help but add: "Laila, are you back?"
Be away for more than a month.
The girl returned to this place again, looking at everything familiar here, looking at the old and weather-beaten signs of the gears and magic books, she felt a sense of dizziness and unreality. That kind of unreality is not fear, but a feeling of timidity close to home.
That night, when everyone here stood up for her.
In her heart, she has long regarded this place as her only home in this city.
A figure rushed out of the hotel, like a bolt of lightning, and ran into Laila's arms, knocking her back a step, and she could only helplessly let the other party hug her tightly.
It was a petite girl with long black hair, who raised her head and looked at Laila with eyes full of worry. That beautiful face has the typical features of the Imperial people, a flat forehead, a high bridge of the nose, and deep-set eyes.
Fang Plover knew this girl. They met once in the Gujin family's workshop. This girl was called Britta, a native of the Empire, and was Laila's friend in the Mage Academy.
"Laila! You're finally back," Britta couldn't help but say, "Do you know how worried I am these days? How could you get into trouble with those things, those people in the Seven Mage Family, and even me? It’s not easy for father to interfere in this matter!”
"I'm back, Britta, I'm really back," Laila's eyes also looked a little red, "Thanks to everyone, and thanks to Mr. Ed and the others."
The big cat man put his sword down from his shoulder and smiled slightly after hearing this.
"Great, great," Britta said repeatedly. She looked at Fang Plover and his group with some gratitude, and nodded politely to everyone, "Thank you, thank you for rescuing Laila. I almost thought I would never see her again."
As she spoke, her voice was choked up.
"Thank you too, Miss Britta," Fang Plover also nodded gently to her. This girl comes from a very good family, and she has been exerting influence on Ayin Bullock through her family these days. Although her level is not as high as that of the Seven Mage Family, she may be overtly or
Yami helped them a lot.
Laila has a good friend.
Although she was alone in this city, she finally won the sympathy and love of many people with her sincerity.
Including the pedestrian, after listening to the conversation among everyone, he couldn't help but turned around and ran to the other end of the long alley with some excitement, so much so that he even fell down in the middle. But he dusted himself off and got up, running and shouting to people:
"Laila is back! Everyone, Laila and the others are back!"
"Everyone is back!"
Many people looked in this direction unexpectedly, and some even opened their windows. There were glances, some curious, some kind - but most of them were kind. People looked at Fang Plover in surprise, looked at the big cat man and the knights behind him, and greeted Laila kindly.
"Laila, are you back?"
"Laila, are you okay? I also heard about the trial yesterday."
"Laila, do the Scroll Knights think you are innocent?"
"That's great. It's really the testimony of all the saints."
People gathered around.
Laila was both at a loss and touched.
She had never thought that there were so many people caring about her own affairs in this strange place. During Aiyin Block's detention, although she was protected from any abuse due to the presence of Fang Plover, Ming and Virus, she spent every day without exception in endless uneasiness.
She looked at everyone and every face present.
Although some of those people may not really feel the same way as her, they may be here just because they are also weak people and a forgotten corner of this city who have the same hatred for those high-ranking big shots.
But the sincerity in that look, the expression, the sincerity of standing side by side with her, still broke through the girl's already fragile defenses.
For some reason, Laila felt that her glasses were foggy. She just lifted them up with her hands and wiped them gently, and her tears couldn't help but roll down.
"Thanks……"
"thank you all."
Fang Yu watched this scene silently.
He raised his head again and looked at the big cat man beside him.
Rhett was stroking the rings on his braided mane with his paws, scratching every etching mark on the copper rings with his snow-white nails. He noticed Fang Plover's gaze and looked back with gray eyes. By.
Marlaine once warned her knights to do just things and pursue justice——
But just like the truth pursued by the forerunners, the spirit shining above the star gate. Someone once asked him, what is the meaning of all this?
The sun is fading.
There was a wind in the night. The wind came from the Clover Plain and passed through this time-honored city. The evening wind was raising the mane behind the Lion Knight.
The big cat man raised his head and stared at the sky that turned from red to deep purple. He raised his paws and made a listening gesture to the other plover.
The wind will tell everything——
Fang Plover nodded slightly.
But the wind in the wilderness may not be able to answer the question.
The moment was answered.
The crowd automatically separated into a lane, allowing the tearful girl to see Pushe, Matri and Rosa appearing behind them. The old businessman was looking at each of them, Matri and Rosa standing behind him.
Chubby Rosa was holding her heart in her hands and looking at her with concern.
But the old businessman just looked at Fang Plover and said, "You are back."
Fang Plover nodded.
"We're back, Mr. Pusher."
As agreed.
"Welcome back."
…
"cheers!"
The inn stayed open all night, a fire was rising in the hearth, a grill was set on the bright flame, and barbecued meat coated with honey was cooking.
The fire made a roaring sound, and oil dripped downwards. Occasionally, it fell on the firewood, and immediately exploded into a ball of bright sparks, making a "crackling" sound.
People raised their wine glasses and shouted again, "Cheers!" The sound shook the hotel's ceiling and dust fell, but no one paid attention. Someone was holding a piano and tinkling a little tune, and the drunken neighbors were walking around singing to the tune, "Sing one more song for little Laila!"
People cheered.
The heckling immediately turned into laughter. In the eyes of these people living in the old city, this may not only be a carnival, but also a celebration of their victory over the big men in the upper city.
An almost impossible victory——
Because everyone understood that if it weren't for Fang Plover and his party, it would be almost impossible for them to have the opportunity to celebrate this hard-won victory. They might never even see Lyra again, never see the day when Gears and Grimoires open again.
Although for this urban area, it was just a common thing that happened for many days. They just live cautiously, day after day, and it is impossible for those high-ranking figures to look at this forgotten corner.
The intersection of the two often means misfortune.
They are like dust floating above this city, an inconspicuous part on a huge machine. One day they will grow old and be replaced, but no one cares, or even realizes that that person once existed. Except for each other, no one cares about each other's names, who they are, where they once belonged, whose family they were, and whose everything.
The little people shouted together, venting their inner unhappiness or happiness. Well-informed people have already heard about everything that happened in that trial, and know that they won this time, and the winner was an incredible big shot.
An imperial owl.
Fang Plover was sitting alone in the corner of the hotel, watching all this silently, watching a bonfire rising outside the hotel, watching people singing and dancing. He picked up the wooden wine glass that was almost as big as his head and took a sip. The bitter aftertaste of the ale almost made him frown.
The next moment he couldn't help but cough.
Of course, no bonfire party can be held in the old square there on weekdays, but now the patrol guards knew who was in this place and would not bother them rashly, so they just treated it as invisible.
"If you don't know how to drink, don't pretend to know how to drink." The big cat man took the cup from his hand, took a big sip, and shook his head, "It's a waste, this wine is good."
"Is it good, cough, cough," Fang Plover asked after coughing twice, "I just feel bitter."
"Little Maotou still wants to imitate adults," Rhett looked at him and shook his head. "Little boys still need to experience a lot of ups and downs if they want to grow up. After experiencing those big winds and waves, you will naturally be able to taste a lot of things. Time passes. What is left behind is bitterness, but the aftertaste is endless. The beauty in abjection can only be understood after you have experienced it all."
Fang Plover looked at the big cat man with some curiosity.
His encounter with Rhett, Etila, Tian Lan and others was just an accident, and now it's time to say goodbye. More than two years have passed, and every bit of those memories have turned into nothing at this moment. The trickle of the journey flowed in his heart.
He discovered that he actually didn't understand the big cat man, nor did he understand Miss Elf. "Has Mr. Reid ever been in trouble?"
"Everyone is downtrodden sometimes," the big cat man put down his wine glass, took out his pipe, rubbed it with a flint and struck out sparks, fell into it, then picked up the pipe, but did not hold it in his mouth, but said, " It’s just that people are proud in their hearts and don’t say anything easily. After experiencing those losses, people will grow up quickly.”
Holding the pipe in his paws, he seemed to think of something for a moment, and was silent for a moment.
Fang Yu also remained silent.
In the past, he couldn't understand why the big cat people were always so calm and calm, but after going through so many journeys and witnessing so many things and people, he gradually understood that emotion.
「
"Mr. Reid," Fang Yu changed the subject, "Where are the others?"
"That guy Parker took the box and wandered off somewhere." Rhett held the pipe in his mouth and blew out a smoke ring. "That little fat guy also went with them. Luo Yu and Jita Together, they are studying their own matters as magicians."
Fang Plover nodded, Sylvester also went to bed early, and Siesta was with her. Baggins was in the hall, and the boatswain was at home in this environment. Laila also went upstairs. The girl couldn't hold it any longer these days.
Although she is the protagonist of this celebration, everyone can understand it.
Britta left earlier. The girl's upbringing was very strict and it was impossible to let her spend the night in a place like the Old Town.
As for... Fang Yu suddenly saw a sneaky figure mixed in the crowd, trying to sneak past him. His heart stirred, and he raised his voice and shouted: "Tianlan... come back!"
The figure was stunned for a moment, turned around quickly, saw it was him, and ran away. But the big cat man had already taken a quick step forward, holding the little girl by the back of her collar, and pulled Miss Poet back. Tian Lan knew that she couldn't escape, so she didn't resist. She was caught by the big cat man obediently, and she just watched Fang Plover's eyes rolling around, as if he was thinking about some weird idea.
"Why are you back?"
Fang Yu asked curiously.
"I said hello to that guy," Sky Blue rolled his eyes and replied, "I don't want to go back to a boring place like Twelve Colored Iris."
Miss Poet has not been heard from since she was taken away from the square by the Twelve Colored Iris people. Fang Yu guessed that even the communication crystal was confiscated by her brother.
And that was a dragon knight. The trial had ended at that time, and the scroll knights would naturally not object to the other party taking away the person. Even if others have the intention, they don't have the courage. The Seven Seas Troupe does have some say in this, but unfortunately it’s Tian Lan’s brother——
Fang Yu knew in his heart that Tianlan had sneaked out from the Twelve-Colored Irises. Now that the real owner came to the door, it was her brother. He couldn't say anything for a moment. Tianlan himself was like a mouse after seeing a cat, he was stunned on the spot and carried it back directly to the other party.
But in any case, Miss Poet is also a member of the Seven Seas Troupe, so he doesn't want to just leave her alone. He originally planned to wait until all the dust settled before contacting Twelve Color Iris to find out what was going on.
Ming and Bai Xue also told him that with his current fame, even people from Twelve Color Iris would have to give him face. I just don’t know what position Tian Lan has in Twelve Colors Iris. If she is just Halsey’s sister, it would be fine. Twelve Colors Iris will not have trouble with the current Seven Seas Brigade because of a non-elite member.
Besides, Sky Blue staying in the Seven Seas Brigade is actually good for Twelve Color Iris.
What Fang Yu didn't expect was that Tian Lan would appear in the Gear and Magic Book on her own. From the look of her, it looked like she had sneaked out. He couldn't help but have a little doubt about his own judgment. Is it because Tian Lan is too good at escaping, or is the strength of Twelve Color Iris not as strong as imagined?
There are dozens of people up and down, plus a dignified dragon knight. Can't you even look down on a girl who is fifteen or sixteen?
"That's your brother."
Fang Plover was angry.
He couldn't help but think of Tang Xin. Fortunately, his cousin was not as troublesome as this one. He couldn't help but sympathize with Halsey for a moment, "You are the active selector of Twelve Color Iris. Even though you are a member of the Nanami Brigade, we can change your relationship through formal means."
Tianlan waved her hand quickly, "Okay, okay, I understand. Sir, please do well and stop chanting. Besides, that guy doesn't like you. What kind words can you say to him, Commander?"
Fang Plover just pretended not to hear.
He blindly guessed that the Ten Nightingale Kings didn't dislike the Seven Seas Brigade, but just treated them equally.
This didn't surprise him at all. Halsey's reputation in the second division was basically the same as that of Vi
rus is almost the same in the first division. Both of them are notorious for appearing in the public eye with bad faces. Since they hardly pay attention to many people, it is not that unpleasant to look down on the Nanami Troupe.
Things that make sense.
He had no intention of dealing with the Ten Nightingale Kings in person. Anyway, he just had to contact Twelve Color Iris directly. Fang Yu believed that he knew quite a lot about players at the level of Ten Kings, so he looked Tian Lan up and down.
Why is my brother so powerful and my sister so useless?
Virus and Ming asked him about Tianlan, but no matter how he looked at the poet lady in his team, she didn't seem to be an important figure in Twelve Color Iris. These days, he has almost forced the poet lady to upgrade, and she has already suffered from a splitting headache.
The issue of Tian Lan's rank in the team has long been one of the biggest chronic problems of the Seven Seas Brigade.
But on the surface, the poet lady promised, but in fact she just seized the opportunity and fished.
Fang Yu wanted to say something more, but suddenly he looked behind Tian Lan and stopped. He found that the Vice-President of the Ten Nightingales and Twelve-Colored Iris was standing in that place, looking at him coldly. Except for the other party.
Ming and Bai Xue were actually in that place.
There was also the female knight from the Shadow Tree Temple named Dariel. Fang Zheng was with Mei, and she looked at him curiously with a pair of gold and silver pupils.
Halsey separated from the crowd and walked in this direction, while Tianlan was talking bad things about her brother in order to escape from the claws of the big cat man. He almost picked up all the trivial things that were bad and annoying to Halsey since her debut and even before her debut.
Then she felt a hand tap on her shoulder.
Tianlan was getting excited as she spoke, and pushed the hand away impatiently. She just pushed, but found that she couldn't push it away. She couldn't help but turned around in surprise, and said, "Who is it? Why do you keep interrupting other people's conversations? It's so annoying-"
But only halfway through his words, he turned into a scream:
"ah!"
Tianlan immediately shut her mouth and looked at the other party honestly, "Brother, you're here. I... I was just too bored, so I secretly came out for a walk... Look how lively it is here, I just wanted to come out. Let’s play for a while.”
"Why don't you say anything?" Halsey looked at her biological sister, "You continue to speak, I will listen."
"You, you, you heard me wrong," Miss Poet said haha, "Hey, I remember those things with my brother very clearly. Doesn't that mean...it means we have a good relationship, haha..."
Halsey glared at her angrily, "Who asked you to tamper with my dragon knight?"
"Huh?" Tian Lan was frightened, shaking her head like a rattle, "I didn't, it started to move on its own, and then everyone went after it... I, I, I was bored staying alone in the base, So I came out."
Fang Yu was stunned for a moment as he listened, and then he understood how this guy escaped. But even with his current knowledge, he couldn't help but admire the poet lady in his team. He secretly manipulated his brother's dragon knight, then let it lure everyone away, and then sneaked out.
How on earth could she be so imaginative?
Fang Yu even had the idea to pry open this little girl's little head and take a look to see how her brain circuits grow.
But what he was more curious about was how she did anything to Halsey's Dragon Knight. Although the Dragon Knight is in a shutdown state, outsiders can indeed control it if there is no precautions, just as he controlled the Dragon Knight Huma in the southern border at that time.
But as long as the real owner is present, you can regain control of your dragon knight by summoning it with the dragon soul.
But it was obviously impossible for Halsey not to be on guard against outsiders, even her own sister. After all, judging from his tone, it was obvious that this was not the first time that Tianlan had played such a trick. He even seriously doubted that she had secretly sneaked out of the giant tree hill like this.
Sneaked out.
"I do not know."
The sky is so innocent.
"Stop talking nonsense." Halsey said angrily, "When you were in the Hill of Giant Trees, you asked that guy Lorne, and I asked him about it afterwards. He treated you like a sister, and you treated him like a fool. I’ll settle the matter with you later when I get back.”
"And in this city," he continued, "apart from the Imperials, there are only two dragon knights. I have already asked Virus, Ming is here, do you want to confront her? Confront it."
Tian Lan was frightened and quickly looked at the Construct Queen on the side. But Ming just smiled and looked at the little girl with interest.
But Halsey's eyes turned to Fang Plover on the side.
Fang Yu was startled for a moment, and suddenly realized something. He subconsciously wanted to contact his Miss Dragon Soul. But after being stunned for a moment, he realized that with Miss Tata's temperament, there was no way she would help Tianlan do such a thing.
Suddenly a flash of lightning flashed in his mind.
"F-ni-ni!"
Fang Yu said angrily, no wonder he had never seen this little girl since leaving the arbitration court.
But there was no response from the spiritual world.
Fang Piao faced the gaze of a dragon knight and repeatedly summoned his second dragon soul in his heart.
But before he could finish his words, there was a sudden loud noise, causing him to cast his gaze in that direction.
Outside the hotel, a huge construct was falling from the sky.
It sprays a cyan wind element wake and is slowly falling on the square outside. The dragon knight was about three stories tall, still in human form and not yet fully unfolded.
The tall structure landed just on the bonfire square, and this sudden change shocked everyone. Even the residents of the old city who were celebrating outside stopped, raised their heads, and looked at the sudden intruder with some curiosity.
And then, a white floating light flew from a distance.
The floating light gathered into a dragon-shaped form on the top of the dragon knight's head, roaring lowly at the dragon knight, as if he was wary of something inside.
Then Fang Yu heard a crisp voice from his inner world: "Papa!"
The childish voice was full of air, as if the little guy had just gotten a new toy and was showing off to himself.
But that toy...
Fang Plover raised his head with sweat on his face.
He glanced at Ms. Ming, who was looking at him with a smile but not a smile, Halsey, who was looking at him maliciously, and Bai Xue, who was looking a little puzzled by all this.
"Fang Nini, what good thing have you done..."
But before Halsey said anything, Ms. Ming waved to him:
"Come with me, I have something to ask you."
…
