By the time they returned to the caravan, reinforcements had activated the shuttle station.
The black city's ladders were well preserved and had not been affected by the war. After the city guards cleared the detection station, they transferred three-quarters of their manpower back to the castle defense until reinforcements from the Oath Keepers alliance arrived. The swords of the knights intimidated those who took advantage of the situation in the city and drove the adventurers away. As soon as the law wizards left, they would point the finger at the school wizards.
The castle is peaceful and quiet. The lord's residence is heavily guarded, but also spacious and comfortable. Only the maids and servants come and go silently, passing by the corner of the elegant scenery. The apprentice also saw a huge banyan tree. When passing by it, it seemed as if the disputes in the world had faded away. But soon his coveted companion undermined them with one sentence: "The theologians retreated?"
"This is the response of the detection station." The knight reported, "She has attracted all the attention with her witchcraft, Your Excellency. Now the astrologer is fully tracking another law wizard, and the results will be obtained soon."
"Isn't the magic foundation not working well?" Lemons frowned.
"It's hard to be effective, Your Excellency. The other party activated the divine magic foundation of Gaia Church, which reversely interfered with the monk's investigation."
"There are also reasons for us." The dwarf leader Patience Frosthelm squeezed in. Seeing this, the paladin leader waved his hand, motioning for people to stand aside.
She took a breath and finally found a foothold among the dense crowd of human legs and horse legs. "The moment ladder is connected to the Twinkle Pool, which will have a temporary impact on the local line of law. I guarantee that this impact will disappear soon, Your Excellency, but at least it will have to be tomorrow afternoon."
Uriel wanted to know what impact the abnormality of the Law Line would have on the detection station. "Does astrology require stable laws? This is also the first time I've heard that rectangular ladders can interfere with detection stations."
"Oh, the equipment is just different." The dwarf leader replied, "The detection station equipment purchased by your tower is first of all precision, and it has been improved and updated every year. The mortal kingdom has a greater demand for alchemical creations, and it is difficult for users to master it. tools, so they pay more attention to the detection range and ease of operation, so in complex environments, these alchemy machines are relatively slow."
She was absolutely fluent in talking about these things. Uriel was a layman in alchemy, but he could understand her explanation. "Okay, is there no other way?"
"Perhaps. We are not familiar with each other." Patience spread her hands, "The ceremony is over. No matter what the law wizards want to do, they can no longer destroy my mission on time."
Uriel never asked her about the outcome of the ceremony. It was a big event to welcome Her Majesty the Queen of the Twinkling Pool. Although there were many new faces in the team, they were obviously not Evangeline. He had seen her portrait in the top corridor of the Tower of Croix.
He originally thought Lemons would ask about the situation, but the Paladin Commander didn't ask anything. It seems the answer is obvious.
The Alliance sent reinforcements, led by Theta Chief of Staff An Ge, who had participated in the Gulf War. Uriel recognized him. The red-light Sita showed up with Cagat, the lord of the Black City, and invited them to the restaurant where the banquet was held. This person is also the only Sita in the reinforcements. After the meal, Ange met him in the aisle.
"I didn't expect you to be here, Master Messenger." Hongguang Sita nodded solemnly. "You must have met Luminason. She is resting in the side hall, and Nimue is with her - they are old friends."
"God's Coming"
"Then let's go take a look?"
"Participate in the communication between women?" The former staff officer shuddered, "No. I have no interest." Uriel expressed understanding. They parted ways, and Ange hurriedly returned to his original position and toasted to Lemons, who was sitting opposite him.
What he drank was the normal wine at a banquet, and Uriel was a little disappointed. What's so strange? Not every theta is as interesting as York, and I can't generalize these light elemental beings.
The paladin captain paid no attention to his whereabouts and seemed to have completely forgotten about his apprentice. It was a good chance to get away with it, and as long as I didn't run into Shania Ravenas the second I left the house, things would be perfect. Uriel knocked on the door while imagining.
"Can I come in?" he asked loudly.
"Uriel? It's really you!" As soon as he opened the door, he fell into the cold fur. The frost giant first stretched out his left hand, then squeezed his shoulder, and finally dragged him through the door. Otherwise, with her physique, it would take a long time to pass through the castle door.
It's too late to run now. Uriel was glad that he used magic to heal the wound on his back, otherwise he would not be able to bear it this time. "Since I demolished the Cathedral of Antrolos, few fools have been willing to pretend to be me." He broke away from the frost giant's warm embrace and patted her fingers. "You can be more sure next time, Nimue."
Teacup Lady Tekapo poured him a glass of wine: "We are very worried about you."
"Me too." Even more. If Shania finds them, someone will die. Uriel does not regret destroying Lady Helen's card. No matter what, it at least gave me a glimpse into the secret corner of the Haunted Mansion.
"It's hard to believe." Leng Guang Sita said fearfully. She was just one step away from being blocked by Shania in the school yard. "Suddenly encountered a law wizard in the Black City! You fought with her and managed to escape. My God, Uriel, you are simply the protagonist of the legend. I can't describe it! How can you Did it happen?"
Because the devil sacrificed his life to save me, and because I am his compatriot. Uriel glanced at the frost giant Nimue. It was possible that they did not see Ferriani's intervention.
"The Silent School didn't want to offend my mentor, so they didn't kill me and let me find an opportunity to escape." He took a sip of wine without tasting it. "By the way, you haven't met her, have you?"
"Master Frosthelm has arranged a safe house that can seal off traces and isolate prying eyes. We met inside without any danger and locked the wizard out." Nimue told him.
"Use magic?"
"No, it's an alchemical creation. We only have this. But it's best not to go in and out multiple times, as this will speed up its failure time." Tekapo sighed, "It's a waste of effort."
Uriel has learned the results of the ceremony from the Black City Lord and the Alliance envoy. For this, he could only express regret. "It's not your fault."
"It's all the wizard's fault," Nimue said.
"Her Majesty the Queen requires the guarantee from the agent." Cold Light Sita said, "I'm afraid... she doesn't trust the Holy Council of Radiance."
The apprentice was surprised: "Holy Council of Light?" Both parties are followers of Lucia.
"We have lost many of our own kind." Tekapo confided. "Their loss of contact is probably related to the Lucia priest. I don't know what is going on here! You see, Uriel, although Sita believes in the goddess Lucia, But few of our people become priests."
Uriel didn't understand: "She's afraid of being assassinated?"
"Your Majesty is one of the saints today. Her decision is of great importance and affects the overall situation, so she rejected the alliance's plan. This is a reflection of her considerations."
Giving up the opportunity of war for the sake of safety, perhaps Queen Sita has her own pattern, which ordinary people can understand. "Is there no other way?"
They all shook their heads.
A strange thing that is rare in the world. "That is to say, Ms. Teacup." Uriel took another sip of wine, "Your Majesty the Queen rejected the advent plan previously agreed with other alliance members, and blamed her attitude on Lucia's human cultists - I am Say, Holy Radiance Council. No matter how the agent responds, this matter is probably irreversible."
"There must be a special reason for this." Tekapo said, "Perhaps the agent did something less reliable, such as escorting Ms. Magdalena back to the headquarters, which exposed her to the eyes of the devil."
"Maybe the agent offended her." Nimue muttered.
What an honest hunk. "In short, there are often many reasons for one thing." Uriel eased the atmosphere, "This is not the time to analyze them one by one. What will you do next? Re-purchase, or give up the trip?"
"Purchasing? We have missed the time!" It must be the timing of the ceremony, otherwise as long as the alliance opens its mouth, the Black City's annual large-scale market will be opened again. "too late."
"I would rather go home," Nimue confessed.
"The wizards of the school are still wandering around." Tekapo complained to the apprentice, "If Shania Ravenas disturbs the ceremony and refuses to let it go, we will all be in danger of our lives."
"She hasn't left yet?"
"No one wants to leave empty-handed." Dark Green Sita turned the lid of the tea cup. "You must be extra careful, Uriel. I'm worried that she is here for you." Reasonable worry.
“The local shuttle might work.” Even in the worst case, private access can be found. Before entering the Black City, he noticed that the flow of people here was abnormal.
"Ange invited a rune master to accompany him. It is said that he can draw the rectangular ladder. Are you willing to come with us, Uriel? The Alliance is better than Brestatik."
"Our next stop is Sunset Grassland." The Frost Giant agreed.
"I still have important things to do." Uriel reminded, "For the local history and folk customs, I have to ask the Bures people for help." Originally, he found such a historian. "Where is Della Sinsena? I still have questions to ask."
Tekapo picked up the flagon and filled his glass. The apprentice drank it all in one gulp. This time Nimue, with quick eyesight and quick hands, picked up the neck of the pot with two fingers and filled it for him.
Pretending to be drunk was of great benefit at this time, but he had never had the experience of being drunk and could not learn from it. Uriel stared at the shaking water for a moment. "Did you send her back?"
Nimue averted her eyes, it was hard for her to ignore the hope in his tone.
"She was injured? She was exhausted? Did you meet the minions of the Silent School on the way?"
"No!" the frost giant roared. The wine glass shook twice. "We successfully entered the safe point." Her voice weakened, "I mean, Della did not fall into the hands of a wizard. Think about it carefully, why did they find a psychic?" She lowered her eyebrows.
"Cincena is missing." Tekapo told him. "When Ango picked us up, the scene was quite chaotic. When we came to our senses, she was gone. The Black Bear Knight - Barabu Talanita Si, he is a relative of the Count—I swear she left on her own."
She ran away, Uriel thought, out of fear of a betrayer? Or is it due to the power of the Silent School? Everything became a mystery. If she really is a smart person, much smarter than people meet her, then I probably will never see her again in my life.
"There is something I must tell you." Tekapo interrupted his thinking with a soft tone. She met the apprentice's eyes, but her eyes were very careful: "Listen to me, Uriel, Miss Della, she It is very likely that he works for the School of Silence, and at least has had contact with it... I know it may be difficult for you to accept, but this is the conclusion of Her Majesty the Queen."
Uriel couldn't help but care about the source of the evidence. "Lady Evangelion, Queen of Theta?" he asked, "Does she know about psychics and schools?"
"In fact, we contacted His Majesty. But she refused to cross the ladder." Cold light Sita restored the scene at that time. "Everyone is surprised! The team leader has formulated remedial measures for the failure of the ceremony, but they have not been used. None of my compatriots know Her Majesty the Queen's considerations, so no one can give us an early warning..."
"Since this is the alliance's decision, she should have been consulted before." Uriel didn't understand. "How could something go wrong now? Did something happen in the mysterious realm?"
"We can only guess that this has something to do with the agent."
With the Scroll of Oath in hand, Uriel could tell that this was a lie. No. Maybe it's not a lie, just not the truth. There were many secrets involved, secrets of the Oath Keepers Alliance and the Holy Council of Radiance. His pursuit of the truth made Tekapo very embarrassed. She didn't dare tell me, and I shouldn't ask her.
"Ango is discussing with Mr. Lemons." Tekapo changed the subject, "They need to terminate the contract."
No need to say what kind of contract it is. "If you ask me," said the frost giant, "the agent made a mistake in not letting the entire Paladin Order escort us. Shania Ravenus and the Theologian, these two women can level the entire Black City."
Uriel blinked.
"Don't you think this is possible, guys?" Nimue looked at the two.
"Oh, of course not," Uriel said quickly. He never hits her. "If you think about it carefully, it's not like no one has done this kind of thing. San Carlos, the city of fog, can come forward and speak out."
Nimue laughed, and even Tekapo smiled for the first time since he saw her.
"But it's impossible for the Silent School to do this." She explained to the frost giant, "The wizard is not declaring war on the order. Likewise, it is difficult for the headquarters to provide help... We must take risks on this trip, because this is a false start."
"I don't understand. Your queen will come back sooner or later. One day sooner and one day later. Will the Silent School really get more say? Aren't they afraid that Evangelin will settle accounts with them?"
"Your Majesty Evangeline." Tekapo glared at her. "After the Flickering Pool arrives, it will be the time when the Fulcrum of Order and the Demonic Association begin a war. By then, it will not be so easy to seek justice."
"I thought the war had started a long time ago. The demon lords have all become vassals of the tower."
"The Demon Princess is the undead soul of Gavash, not a demon." Mentioning this person, Tekapo seemed to suddenly remember something: "The war is over. It is said that the tower captured her."
Uriel suddenly understood. He has information channels, but at the moment he is far away in Burles, and the tower messenger cannot hear many details. No wonder the Black Knight appeared, otherwise they would definitely lose the war in Huoklin.
"Look." He could only say, "It's not like there's no good news."
They drank the flagon dry. While sending his maid to Tim, Uriel noticed a quarrel at the end of the corridor. One of them was Count Cagat, the initiator of the banquet, and the guy opposite him looked familiar. He observed carefully and recognized the other person as Barabu Talanitas, an admirer of the Paladin and the Count's Poor relative "Black Bear" Knight. He changed into aristocratic-style clothes and looked so presentable that the apprentice almost didn't recognize him.
"...This is against the rules!" Count Cagat was a tall, middle-aged man with a red face and a neck full of veins that swelled with his roar. "For the sake of you being my brother, Barabu, let's forget it this time. Don't say stupid things to me again, okay?"
"They will be attacked, the wizard..."
"Your Majesty the Law Wizard." the Count corrected. There was no friendly expression on his face. "I'm being merciful by not pursuing your words. She is just an enemy of the caravan, and you don't need to worry about her."
"The mysterious realm has launched a demon hunting campaign. Cagat and the Oath Keepers Alliance are allies of the Parliament. We shouldn't do this." "Black Bear" shouted, "The men of the Silent School broke into the city. Don't we need to find each other? Want an explanation?"
But his brother count was unmoved.
"The operations in the mysterious realm are none of my business. If you want to participate, you'd better pass the squire assessment of the Holy Knights first. I support you. It's up to you." He waved his hand. "Okay, get out of here. Go find your mystic master. I tell you, boy, your noble status will be worthless when you really step into it. These people don't respect their ancestors at all, and they will take away the honor of their ancestors." Ignore it, let alone know the inheritance of their bloodline! You will regret it, I can guarantee it."
"No matter what, these people saved your city."
“My city would be a hundred times more prosperous without them.”
"Lie!" Baraboo yelled angrily, "Why are you pretending to be stupid? The war is coming, and merchants are fleeing the Black City one after another, hoping to make war fortune. It was the Oath Keepers Alliance that brought abundant circulating goods..."
"...There are also dangerous enemies." Cagat told him, "I do not deny that I have welcomed them. Now and then! Will you make a fortune fighting in front of your own house? Huh? Repair of city walls, rebuilding of streets, loss of lives... ...It all costs money, are you able to pay the bill?" He gradually raised his voice. "Yes, who would provoke a wizard? Anyway, I won't do it. I will entertain all guests with hospitality, as I always have... But by the next morning, the only one who stayed in my castle to enjoy bread was the Lord Paladin. You too No exception!"
"It is impossible for Mr. Lemons to agree to such a thing."
"That's just right, I can save another breakfast." The count caught a glimpse of Uriel, put down these words, turned around and walked away. Barabu frowned and glared at his back.
"Not happy at all?" the apprentice said before he noticed him, "Did you quarrel with your brother?"
"Black Bear" turned his face sharply. "Uril!" His tone was very surprised. "You're back...? When...?"
"Oh, what happened just now." Although most people were more concerned about Lemons, the latter was specifically staring at his fellow travelers. I really have nothing to say.
"Bless the fucking gods, those guys said you were caught by the Law Wizards."
"The School of Silence has always been very enthusiastic and had to invite me back to Antroros." Uriel wanted to sneeze, but held it back. "Yes, I know how popular I am these days."
Baraboo scratched his head sheepishly. He himself had been part of the "Welcoming" apprentices. "I haven't thanked you enough for saving my life."
"You won't invite me to stay one night too, will you?"
"It's okay to go to my house." He shrugged, "Forget it here. Cagat is a coward and is always worried that the wizard of the school will curse him. There is a reason for this. When the wizard broke into the city, the Cross Knight acted in the name of protecting the lord. Detained him in the church."
"He is injured?" Could it be that the wizards of the school really dare to harm the local nobles?
"Come on, I think he was unharmed. After the city guard arrived, the Cross Knights let him go. Since there was still a demon association causing trouble at the time, they even escorted him back to the castle together."
"It was a near miss."
"I'm very familiar with the local Cross Knights." Barabu coughed, "When I was a child, the emperor didn't want the Black City to be controlled by priests, because then the merchants would not dare to go out to do business... My father sent someone to invite a He claimed to be a paladin who had retired due to illness as the instructor, but that old cripple couldn't even defeat a twelve-year-old boy, and was a complete liar, so we finally had to go to the Church of Gaia to find someone."
Uriel was shocked when he heard this. It seems that I have not fully understood the magic of the Black City.
"In short, no matter how prosperous the Black City is, it is still just a remote town in Bliss, and it is still a place of sin among serious people... But it is not without its benefits. I am familiar with the people who have lived in the city for a long time."
"I heard Black City is the largest tobacco producer in all of Knox."
"This is where Cagat's troubles come from." Barabu sighed. "Your fight did not threaten his personal safety, but the territory under his rule suffered. Someone set fire outside the city, and the buildings were damaged. Before the banquet started, he sent away a dozen small landowners who came to report their losses."
"Presumably the envoys of the Oath Keepers Alliance are discussing these matters with him." Uriel did not dare to say that the alliance caravan would compensate. Maybe Patience would consider it? But apparently, after the ritual failed, leadership of the team fell to Red Light Sitaango.
Maybe they haven't even thought about it. It's not impossible, the thinking of mysterious creatures is different from that of ordinary people.
"I don't care. Anyway, the profits from the fields will not go to my pocket." He patted his chest and couldn't help but groan. "Damn it! Don't believe it, but I made that armor with my own hands. Cagat never let me wear it into the castle."
"Good craftsmanship." I don't have the ability. "Why are you doubting it? To be honest, Barabu, you are the most unlikeable nobleman I have ever seen."
"Maybe it's because I am my father's youngest son and he has no property left to me. Most of my brothers - not just Kagat - regard me as the concierge's son. Forget it, who cares about their opinions?" Bala Bu smiled and said, "Your Excellency Lemons gave me the opportunity to take me back to the Holy City to participate in the selection of Paladins."
"Congratulations. A bright path."
"I thought I would be a squire again." He murmured dreamily. "Become the squire of some powerful paladin, lead his horse and run errands for him. Or go to the church and be disciplined until I become a fanatic. I am not Say I don’t love the goddess, but..." He glanced at the apprentice uneasily.
"I understand you completely, Baraboo."
"Jesus! You don't understand. I hope they don't send me to the door."
Uriel had met many concierges of mysterious creatures, and Barab Talanitas was an unqualified one among them. I think even if they did, you would be happy to go. "It's better than cleaning the library of the temple. I went there once and there were piles of books in there."
Black Bear smiled nervously.
The maid approached with drinks and walked into the lounge. Uriel passed the cart, but the soles of his shoes made a loud friction sound. Barabu woke up from a dream. "By the way, someone asked me to bring you a message."
"Message?"
"It's the psychic lady. Della Sinsena. I don't know why. I don't know her well."
"People say she disappeared in the chaos." Uriel thought of those blue envelopes again. These are now proof that he has been fooled again.
"I saw it with my own eyes," Barabu said emphatically. "She suddenly woke up and walked to the corner alone. When I turned back, she disappeared. Miss Nimue said she also saw Sinsena standing up on her own."
Things were somewhat different from what the apprentice expected. De La Cincena strutting out of the team? Where could she go alone? Could it be that the wizards of the school recognized her?
"What's going on?" The apprentice frowned.
Baraboo was not unaware of this. "People from the Oath Keepers Alliance believe that she did something, uh, dishonorable, but no one has evidence. It's just that the alliance's ceremony failed, and people generally have a bad mentality. It might be wise to leave quietly." He stepped on Stay at the edge of the carpet and ravage a pattern with your soles. "I'm...not from the same place as them, and I'm afraid I don't know anything...about anything between the merchants and the mysterious Fulcrum. But she revealed, I mean, Della, Della Sinsena. In the safe house, in Before leaving, she revealed something and asked me to tell you."
