This was the first time he heard an infected person say that he could help them. Jiang Chenchuan was slightly surprised. He couldn't tell what kind of emotion he was feeling, but at least, their next actions would not be clueless.
There was movement outside the house, and the infected had to take them deeper. This is how he introduced himself.
"My name is Da Silva. I used to be a member of the Spellcasters Association. Yes, I am the one you are looking for. But then, a mysterious curse broke out on a large scale and everyone was trapped in the city."
da Silva explained to them.
"Spellcasters Association!"
Therefore, everything happened by accident, and it was just a coincidence of fate.
"Yes, so when I knew your purpose, I was a little surprised, but I believe you."
Da Silva pointed to the room, turned on the lights, and invited the two of them to go in. There were various books in the room, as well as some instruments that were only used in alchemy.
Seeing Jiang Chenchuan observing the surrounding environment, he opened his mouth to explain to them:
"This is the study room where I usually work. Since Ronark closed the city, I rarely leave the house. In addition, I have a certain understanding of curses, so I made some modifications to the spells on myself."
As Da Silva explained, he opened his clothes to show Jiang Chenchuan the curse lines on his body.
The patterns of those spells are different from the patterns on other infected people. No wonder he can still retain some of his human characteristics.
I thought he was in the early stages of infection, but I didn't expect that he was also a terminal patient.
"So, there are not a few people in the city who can modify curse spells like you?"
Jiang Chenchuan reacted immediately.
Therefore, it was supposed to be the same curse, but infected people appeared in different situations, with different abilities and different levels of existence.
"Yes, sir."
Da Silva's answer confirmed Jiang Chenchuan's thoughts.
"It is precisely because the essence of this plague is a curse and the spread of spells that it appears..."
Da Silva cast his eyes out the window, and followed his gaze. That was the direction of the so-called king, where noble nobles and strong infected soldiers lived.
"So, those mutated infected people were not an accident...but..."
Barras understood what da Silva meant. The Conjurers Association had no way to solve the curse that was transmitted this time. Unlike the witch's change, they chose to use the curse to make themselves stronger.
Once you have more power, you can continue to maintain your original position.
"If it's a curse that even the magicians can't solve..."
It seems that the solution based on Ethan's ability and from the perspective of alchemy is slim.
"It's not that there is no solution at all, but even if there is a way to solve it... with the current infection situation of everyone in the city, there is no solution."
Da Silva sighed, his tone still more helpless.
"What's the meaning?"
Jiang Chenchuan captured some information that was not quite right.
"Forget it, let me tell you. In fact, in the early stages of being infected with the curse, the spell has not yet been fully established. There are ways to solve it, whether it is changing the spell or reversing the magic circle. It can play some role more or less..."
Da Silva said slowly.
"But at that time, there was a sudden outbreak in the city, and there were many incidents of malicious harm to people. Those city residents who thought they were hopeless began to harm others wantonly through the malicious intent of the curse. So soon, the curse spread. It exploded at an uncontrollable speed.”
"Then what?"
Now, what they knew before was only a few words, and the truth about the real outbreak in the city has only just touched the surface.
Upon hearing the pause, Barras couldn't help but urge.
"At that time, everyone was in danger, and no one cared about the so-called order and rules. You must know that the power of those infected in the early stage of mutation is much stronger than that of ordinary humans, and they also have human consciousness. Naturally, some people If you want to have some evil thoughts..."
Tragedy often happens between desires.
Through Da Silva's words, they seemed to be able to see that at that time, the city of Ronark had lost its order, and the crumbling throne had brought unprecedented challenges to the status of the nobles.
"So, there was a group of organizers who overestimated their capabilities, inciting those chaotic infected people, and wanted to take the opportunity to shake the king's authority. Originally, at that time, the Witch Sect decided to leave Ronark City, and the top magicians in the city I accepted the king's invitation and went to study how to solve this outbreak curse..."
Da Silva seemed to have experienced all this, and his tone was filled with sadness and regret.
"It's a pity that before they could find a solution, they were caught off guard by the infected... After that battle, fortunately, they died immediately. Unfortunately, they were injured and became a new of infected people.”
It was almost a tragic night. I am afraid that it was Wang Neng who made the final decision to block Ronark City.
"Human beings are so magical. They originally wanted to solve the curse wholeheartedly, but once they were infected by the curse, their mentality changed. Although we have to admit that the curse will affect people's minds to a certain extent. , but in the final analysis, it is human nature that makes the decision.”
"My true nature..."
Jiang Chenchuan seemed to have remembered something and sighed inexplicably.
As long as you live on the edge of life and death, it seems that you have a particularly deep understanding of the word nature.
Human beings are inherently complex and changeable, but their selfishness will never change. They fear power but long for possessions, hate oppression but can become oppressors.
Who can escape his true nature?
I'm afraid, very few.
"Later, the Spell Masters Association collapsed due to the gradual increase in infected people. They focused on fighting each other, and the curse became a tool for them to add their own power."
Da Silva spoke calmly.
"So, over time, no one paid attention to how to solve the curse, but how to use the curse to secure their position and even gain more power."
"So what we see now is that the king and nobles imprisoned themselves in that place, while the remaining infected people occupied most of the city, and also drove and slaughtered normal ordinary people?"
After listening to what Da Silva said, Jiang Chenchuan had a certain understanding of the current situation.
"The current situation in Ronark City is probably like this. The nobles have their own place to live and do not interfere with ordinary infected people. But most of the areas here are controlled by those soldiers. Their bodies are larger than ordinary infected people. They are stronger and can live longer. If we encounter them, we will try to avoid them."
"No wonder you're hiding."
Barras nodded. The destructive power of those infected soldiers was completely different from that of ordinary infected people.
"After all, their curses have been modified. It's not easy for us to live. We should try to cause as little trouble as possible."
Although da Silva said this, he had had enough of this kind of daily fear.
Jiang Chenchuan's appearance was an accident, but maybe it would also be an opportunity for change.
"Can you find the source?"
Jiang Chenchuan, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke.
"What...source? No, no, no, none of us know who the first infected person was."
Da Silva looked confused and could only answer based on his own understanding.
"No, not the first infected person, but the place where the curse first broke out."
"area?"
Da Silva held his chin in thought for a while, his mutated fingers tapping on the table abnormally. After thinking for a long time, he answered:
"I'm not sure about this. It seems to be... about the festival..."
"You mean... the Saintess Festival?"
Jiang Chenchuan remembered that he had been to that place before.
"Yes, yes, it seems to be right there... By the way, why do you want to know this?"
Only then did Da Silva realize that Jiang Chenchuan seemed to know too much about the situation in Ronark City. Would a stranger who had never been to the city know about the "Saintess Ceremony"?
"Mr. da Silva, we are here to solve the curse. If possible... there is one thing I would like to ask you to help."
"What's the deal?"
Da Silva has hated living like this for a long time. If this depressing and hopeless city can be solved, he will naturally be willing to help. What's more, because of the changes he made to himself, his mind is less affected by the curse. .
"I have an item that I need your help in keeping."
Jiang Chenchuan smiled slightly, lifted the relic recycling box in his hand, and placed it on the table in front of da Silva.
There was no need to go to Dorothea's house, their first stop was the Saintess Festival.
…
All kinds of strange emotions were suppressed in Barras's heart. He followed Jiang Chenchuan through the streets and alleys. Since he had a clear goal, his movements became much faster.
While avoiding the pursuit of the infected, they are also looking for some terrible relics.
No one knew how complicated his state of mind was. From the curious exploration at the beginning to the fear and trembling now, he looked down at his bound wrists and could only secretly say in his heart, "It's really unlucky."
Especially the feeling Jiang Chenchuan gave him. From the moment Cong's sneak attack failed, he felt like he was being strangled by someone's neck.
Looking at the dilapidated houses around, you can see a few rotting black corpses from time to time. The walls are covered with mold, and the air becomes sharp due to the cold.
"Shh..."
Jiang Chenchuan suddenly stopped.
From the next street, there was a sticky crawling sound, a snapping sound with every step.
New infected?
After seeing the monster's appearance clearly, he couldn't help but feel bored. It had a vague outline of a human shape, but it had lost the qualifications to live a normal life.
The head looked around, and the opening and closing of its head kept making sounds like snoring. It held a worn-out dagger in its hand, looking for hidden prey like a hunter.
"Gulu..."
Jiang Chenchuan saw it approaching in his direction, raised his hand and shook it, signaling Barras to step back.
Obviously, Jiang Chenchuan didn't want to fight with it. Barras stepped back step by step, but felt something stepped on under his feet, making a crisp "click" sound.
The voice was so clear in such a quiet environment that it even made the infected person turn his head.
Fortunately, it was blocked by the corner and was not directly seen by it, but hearing its approaching footsteps, Barras secretly screamed inwardly.
"Squat down."
Jiang Chenchuan suddenly whispered for no reason.
"What?"
Barras looked confused.
However, after all, it was Jiang Chenchuan who said it. Although he didn't understand it, he still did it.
Even as they were hiding, the infected person was still approaching. As they were about to pass the corner, they could even see its exposed toes.
"Roar……"
Along with a roar, a huge black shadow jumped down from the roof, and its huge body directly threw it to the ground.
"It's...soldier..."
"really……"
Just as Jiang Chenchuan had guessed, there were irreconcilable conflicts between the infected and the infected. Although they didn't know why, the fight between the two infected gave them an opportunity to escape.
"Go! Go the other way!"
Jiang Chenchuan directed.
The road to the Saintess Festival was winding and arduous. Listening to the roars and screams behind them, as well as the dead faces covered in blood, one could understand why Da Silva was unwilling to act with them.
"So, why are you so familiar with Ronark City?"
"What?"
Jiang Chenchuan turned his head in confusion, looked at Barras's hesitant face, and signaled him to make less noise while he was still lurking.
After turning two streets and away from danger, Barras dared to relax a little and gasped for breath.
Looking at the streets where he had lived in a fantasy world for several years, and the scenes where things and people were different, Jiang Chenchuan planned his next route in his mind.
"Go from here..."
Jiang Chenchuan said in a low voice.
Barras did not dare to say anything. Following Jiang Chenchuan was his only way to survive now. Having seen Jiang Chenchuan's terror, he did not believe that any infected person could harm him.
The young infected people still don't know what their real fear is.
When he thought of this, Barras felt relieved.
As Jiang Chenchuan embarked on a new road, the scene in front of him seemed to have been swept by a hurricane. Broken stones were scattered randomly, and the corpses on the ground revealed the tragic stories that had happened here.
The rich smell of blood mixed with the smell of rust, coupled with the biting cold wind, made people feel suffocated.
"What on earth... happened here?"
Even though he was mentally prepared, Barras, who had never seen such a scene before, was still shocked.
"Cross this street and go up the hill to reach the Holy Maiden Festival."
Jiang Chenchuan explained.
Everything in front of them was so abnormal and strange, no one knew what would be waiting for them at the festival.
