The rain is like a curtain of beads. When Mrs. Anjou came, Uriel had just arranged a shuttle to the northern town. Two girls, also wearing long satin skirts, followed her, looking around in surprise and curiosity.
It's not their fault for being ignorant. The shuttle station is hidden in a secret room, located in a manor planted with giant flowers, known locally as "Vivechi". The manor is the most important location in the adventure group after the leader's conference room. Newcomers like Uriel are not trusted and are only responsible for taking the passengers outside the manor and handing them over to a knight named Bunyoro. And this person happened to be a good smoker and drinker, and there was always smoke in front of the door, making the flower bag as big as a man's head in the fog look like a giant emerging from the clouds, forming a medium-sized spectacle.
"Sir Bouyoro? Someone is looking for you." Mrs. Anjou sent a message, "He is waiting on the bridge."
The knight lowered his legs and put his feet into his tattered boots. He got up and stretched, not at all curious about the visitor, which was exactly the opposite of the two girls. "There's no doubt about it," he sighed. "Earnspan likes the water. I'm thankful he's not waiting for me in the river."
"Speaking of which, the water level has been rising very quickly recently."
"Heaven and earth come and go, my good lady. I wonder for whom the gods are weeping. Are these children the next passengers?"
"No. They just came back not long ago and have no plans to travel further."
"The city is still safe now. You can stand in for me for a while, Uriel. Don't worry, no new guests will come at this time." Sir Bunyoro put on his cloak and got into the rain.
The apprentice heard his footsteps receding amid the splashing water, and the stove making a small crackle. Mrs. Anjou sat down next to him, and the two girls chose a clean seat and leaned closely together.
"Again, ma'am?"
Mrs. Anjou pretended to blame: "Remember that, kid? Be careful not to find a wife. Come on, we are colleagues now. These are members of the reading club, Fura and Lain, the descendants of my family. Uriel .He will be your boss."
The girls looked at him quietly. Uriel was surprised: "They seem to be less than fifteen years old."
"Sixteen, that's enough."
"I think it's better to wait. After all, this is manual work, not needlework."
"Forget it, they can't even thread a needle. Lai Yin is better, and Furla is clumsy with her hands and brain. If you don't accept it, I will have to send them to the hospital stable to take care of the horses." Mrs. Anjou put away the fan. "The shuttle station is too busy, and Ryan also thinks you need help."
My only job is to count the number of trains, Uriel thought to himself. In fact, it is far more leisurely than studying in a high tower. "Looks like I have to split my salary between them."
"The number of people leaving and entering the city has increased several times recently. Don't worry, the Raven Group will not let anyone lose money. You will only make money."
"There are more and more people in the city, and prices are soaring," Uriel told them.
"This is all our fault." Mrs. Anjou chuckled. "Maybe you should take on two apprentices. See, you're a mysterious creature with a profession, aren't you?"
"My profession is different from my fire magic," Uriel muttered. He had never thought of taking on an apprentice. He himself had not yet escaped from Qiao Yin. Last time I challenged Bai Zhizhi to pass the graduation exam, the entire training ground was destroyed.
"Fura is an excellent compatriot. She has been ignited since she was a child, and she is very clever." Mrs. Anjou said to herself. Uriel stayed in the Raven Staff Corps for a long time, and the two sides have become very familiar with each other. "Whether it's profession or fire magic, they all have a chance. Although you are still young, Uriel, the situation is different from the past, so you have to be prepared. No matter what, they have to find a craft to support themselves. I think your magic is very suitable."
Uriel did not refuse. After all, Mrs. Anjou and Ryan, who is responsible for contacting passengers, are both the small leaders of the Raven Group. The girls may just mention it casually, but the arrangements are genuine. Nowadays, the city of Bain is overcrowded, and there are countless people who make a living by stealing and robbing. Madam Anjou has reached her limit by providing two jobs for her descendants.
By the time Sir Bunyoro returned, the order list of a new batch of passengers had flown into the room like snowflakes. Uriel couldn't help but frown. Although Mrs. Anjou's magic was convenient, it was not smart enough. Byrne was shrouded in drizzle, and of course she would not deliberately avoid the report. Her magic had not considered such a situation. The apprentice does not learn from scratch and cannot improve upon it. He had to dry the soaked papers by the fireplace. "Exactly, ma'am, you haven't left yet."
Mrs. Anjou's expression made it clear that she did not want to be in the same room with this person. "Espan is gone?"
"No. I mentioned your book club and he's coming to meet two new friends."
"Is it necessary?" Anru opened her fan unhappily and covered her chin and lips. "They have just returned from Oglesel and have nothing to do with the Chamber of Commerce."
"Humph, I don't care about this. It doesn't matter if you give them to Uriel. I think you like him quite a lot... Enspan has always been suspicious."
These words made everyone feel bad. Lain and Furla grabbed each other's hands, and Uriel pretended not to hear. "I'll go talk to him." Mrs. Anjou turned around and left, blocking the other party from the door.
Sir Bunyoro sat back in his chair, "A woman who is nosy and talkative, it's worth driving her away." He obviously didn't care about the communication outside the door. "What do you think, Uriel? What a pair of lovely little sweethearts. If you don't like them, give them to me."
"I like the sound of coins in my pocket." Uriel replied, "Layin and Furla are the descendants of Madame Anjou, sir."
"Okay, you like them too." The knight waved his hand and blew out a puff of smoke. "All young people are like this."
"Maybe you don't like gold coins, ser?"
Bunyoro laughed. "That's a lie. If it wasn't for wealth, I wouldn't be a gatekeeper to Bellugo. That guy is a rich man with a black heart and a black lung. He generously funded the Ravens to maintain the operation of the ladder. It is said that he was involved in the news of the city's closure. Spread.”
"Presumably his merchandise was sold out."
"That's it. I didn't expect you to have a talent for business, Uriel. It would be a pity to be a secretary."
"We are the Raven Council, ser."
These words pleased the other party greatly. Buyolo laughed happily and put his shoes to dry by the fire. The two little girls were startled and hid in a corner to whisper. Outside the door came the quarrel between Madame Anjou and the stranger Enspin, but it also appeared and disappeared, drowned by laughter, whispers and the sound of rain.
As the papers dried, the apprentice removed them and put them away. After a brief count, the mysterious seeds sprouted in his palm and unfolded into beautiful true leaves. He stared at them without blinking. At this time, Bunyoro suddenly said: "Why did you do this, Uriel?"
Why do this? He doesn't know either. Mysterious creatures each have their own advantages due to professional power, but Uriel does not have to abide by the rules. People thought he could imitate other people's magic. Even in Byrne, this was a rare talent.
Probably every Raven who knows me wants to know the answer. "Byrne has no other position recently, Sir. I have no choice." Uriel replied.
"You can become a night watchman." Bunyoro suggested, "Unlike us, night watchmen are short of manpower all year round. Once you succeed, you will stand out."
Night watchman. The word reminded him of The Long Night at Winnie Watts. The Ice Territory is waiting for dawn in a long dark night, and it seems that the secret society is in a similar situation to her. If the apprentice is really a Byrne, Bunyoro's proposal may be a good place to go.
Uriel already has an understanding of the situation in Bain City. The secret society rules the city, managing the nameless people as if they were mortals, and the members of the society have their own affiliations. The Night Watchman is responsible for city defense and night patrol, and is a subordinate of the Black Knight. The foreign affairs and commerce in the city were entrusted to various chambers of commerce and foreign affairs officers, and belonged directly to the king. The other demon lords have their own territories, and their management in Bain is not really meticulous.
Having said that, Bain, as the main city of the association, has the same status as the capital of the kingdom. Even though the Undead Lord seems to have won the king's trust and has extraordinary power within the association, the city of Bain is still not his. The detection station would observe the discussions of the lords and make some of the decisions public. When the order to close the city was enforced by the Night Watch, the foreign affairs officers and the Chamber of Commerce were dissatisfied with it. "Lord of the Pit" Whitehead even directly raised the issue objection.
Regardless, they brought the city of Byrne to life. Under the leadership of these individuals, the secret society functioned like a veritable miniature kingdom.
I should leave immediately, Uriel thought. Why not just turn around and leave? Secret societies or secret kingdoms have nothing to do with tower messengers.
But some traces cannot be erased. Uriel instinctively remembered some information in his mind: President Bellugo is the owner of this manor, and is called the "cloth man" or "wine man" by the Bain people, all thanks to his business; There are astrologers who have taken refuge in the association, and even a few dark wizards, who are the remnants of Lord Mercury; the Night Watch has channels out of the city and is responsible for rescuing compatriots who are wandering in the mysterious realm, and Worrell was once one of them; Ogletheir It is the territory of the "Lord of the Pit", just like Garvash is to the Black Knight.
More information on the Raven's Council: The Myrdanine Readings, said to symbolize Byrne's old aristocratic power. Sir Bujolo personally knighted four street gang leaders and brought them under the wing of the Ravens, and Sir Ryan was one of them. Before Byrne's blockade, the Ravens were actually just a freight gang, and the Ladder was the smuggling channel at that time.
I have integrated into this illegal gang, Uriel thought in surprise. In Yotsuba City, I don't dare to get involved in these industries. The lord will hang the criminals or exile them to the border. There are hidden dangers in such things, but the greater danger has yet to come...
But compared with Bunyoro's suggestion, the consequences of mere smuggling are not serious. "It's too dangerous." The apprentice pointed out, "A few days ago, there was a conflict between the Chamber of Commerce and the aliens, and four patrol knights lost their lives."
"Four is too many," Fulla, the girl in the pair, whispered to her companion.
The talent of the Nameless One—that is, the fire magic of association—has made city security work a thousand times more dangerous. No one knows what kind of mysterious phenomena will erupt in ordinary neighborhood disputes in the streets. Uriel shrugged, "Yeah, I don't want to be next."
"This matter is too big." Buyoro agreed, "Fortunately, it did not affect our business."
"As long as Byrne doesn't lift the lockdown for a day, business will not be affected, Sir."
"Yes, but how long will it last? If the association remains closed, sooner or later, prices will rise higher than wages. It's really nerve-wracking." The knight shook his head, "It's a dilemma, Uriel. I see you It’s better not to accept gifts from Anjou. Look at this dress, eh? Women always spend money indiscriminately, and lovers even more so! Only the 'cloth man' earns the most and has the last laugh."
"The ladder is right here, ser. Maybe the Cloth Men will need it someday. When they sell out their stock, they'll call on the Ravens."
"You see clearly!"
Mrs. Anjou pushed the door open, and the door panel made a loud and angry sound. "Laiyin and Furla are girls from good families." She yelled at Bunyoro, "different from your bastard wife."
"You made her angry, Bunyoro." The other person said in a nonchalant tone, stepped into the house, and closed the door behind him. Uriel noticed his movement.
The two girls huddled together and observed the situation without saying a word. Their eyes were fixed on the person who came: cardigan, black jacket, breeches and not-so-shabby brown boots, and a wet cloak. His appearance was unremarkable. The messy beard that sprouted from his chin was thick and stiff, with steel-like edges. He seemed listless. The only thing on his body that attracted attention was his right hand, with each finger exuding a metallic luster.
Alchemical items. Uriel recognized it. The man's right hand is a metal arm. He has seen many adventurers with amputated limbs, but there is no doubt that only those with considerable financial resources can use alchemy arms as replacements. The leader of the Ravens might be able to afford it.
"Enspan." Buyolo muttered, "Have you two reached an agreement?"
"Is there anything we can't discuss? We are the Ravens, not the Night Watch. We are not so strict in recruiting newcomers... and the girls are our own." The man wearing a prosthetic hand looked at the apprentice, "Let me introduce, this brother is ?”
"Ryan found him. He has been here for a long time and does his job well. Even our respectable lady is very fond of him."
Mrs. Anjou frowned, walked quietly to the two girls, and blocked them behind her. "Put your shabby shoes on," she scolded. Bunyoro yawned.
"My name is Uriel, Sir." The apprentice told him calmly.
"Is that your real name?"
"Oh, of course. I'm just an ordinary person with no name."
"Handy Enspan. I have both, but I guess you haven't heard of it. Come with me, Uriel, I have something to say to you." He twirled his beard with his prosthetic hand and went on to himself. Turn around and go out. The expressions on Buyolo and Anjou's expressions showed their confusion, not to mention Lain and Furla. The apprentice had to keep up with him, wondering whether he could still keep his job.
The manor was still shrouded in rain and mist, the air was damp and bitter, and the color of the gargoyles' skin became darker. A woman wearing a turban passed by with a cart filled with black fish and clam shells, but there was a dagger hidden in the belly of the fish.
"Anjou is from a noble family. Her talent as an unknown person has led her to live here, but she is still very discerning." Handy told him, "She believed that your talent should not be buried here, so she recommended it to me."
The apprentice quietly watched the woman pushing the cart go away without even looking towards the manor. It didn't matter now that she was a nightingale or for self-defense. Byrne is about to be dragged into the quagmire of war, and everyone should go out with a knife... "Recommend?" he asked knowingly, "I am already one of you."
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"The Ravens are a money-making organization." Handy told the truth, "The staff is not. We all have a mission, and we can't just think about petty profits... You can only believe this, Uriel. Ryan and Mrs. Anjou, and Buyolo, they are all insiders. Now you are too."
"Then what is our real business?"
"Adventurers. Nothing else." The man wearing the prosthetic hand smiled, "Adventurers of Byrne, explorers of the End of Mystery. We are also unknown people after all, even though we are involved in a little smuggling business." A little? "After all, the Night Watch will also rely on our strength."
Uriel began to understand why he was approached by Handy. Obviously Mrs. Anjou's recommendation was not the main factor. "Do you know... Whittaker?"
"Worrell was a colleague of mine," Handy replied, "before I retired due to injury. You saved him, Tower Messenger, but I don't know why you did it. Many of your compatriots bowed their heads before torture, but you didn't I was willing to take that risk for him.”
No wonder he asked me my real name. Uriel thought to himself that only astrologers and people who were familiar with astrologers cared about real names, and I was showing too much expertise. As for how the other party associates this with the apprentice, it is probably due to the "propaganda" of the Silent School.
"Now that the war is imminent, you appear in Byrne. This is the core of the association. Only our own people can find the way. And the connection of Tinder proves that you are actually our compatriots..."
"I am a godly person." Uriel couldn't help but interrupt him, "Gaia has given me compassion, that's all. Maybe I will leave soon." By then, the Night Watchman may no longer be like this. friendly.
"Maybe you have other intentions." Thinking like this is good for both of us, and the apprentice relaxed slightly. But soon, the other party changed the subject. "What do you think of Byrne, Uriel?" Handy Enspan asked probingly. "Do you like it here? How do you think we live?"
Just spare me. "Why bother getting to the bottom of it? We are not from the same group."
"What a pity." Handy sighed, "People thought you would side with the association. After all, the ladder is right in front of you, but you chose to stay."
"Maybe I just want to avoid the limelight."
Handy shrugged. "We have no way of knowing what you are thinking. Byrne is not a safe haven... but it is better than other cities."
"Like Ogresel?" Uriel noticed the hidden meaning in his words. There is a worse place than Bayern City where the war is about to begin. It can only be a real battlefield.
Handy raised his right hand and stretched the metal joint in the rain. The strong steel replaced the flesh and blood, making a tight friction sound. After a while, he sighed: "Aoglesel has fallen."
Uriel held his breath. He listened quietly to the dripping sound of rain as the breath of life gradually depleted, and felt his heartbeat slow down. He was not that surprised, even if he didn't have psychic vision, this day had been expected by everyone since the demon-hunting banner summoned the Seven Fulcrums. No matter what, there is always a winner or loser in the dispute.
He exhaled a breath of hot breath, which turned into white mist in the cold and wet wind: "Are you planning to support us?"
"No. The city has been burned down, and the shuttle station has been cut off by locals. The Raven Group has suspended all shuttle processes with the local area and is considering finding a new route."
"Smart move."
"Abandoning Ogresel has made some people dissatisfied. I'm glad you can understand. It seems that the bystanders are the most sober."
"I have always been a bystander." This was the truth, but Uriel felt that he was lying.
Of course Handy Enspan wouldn't understand. He was just a stranger, they had just met. "In any case, we are grateful for your kindness and will never reveal your information to the Night Watch. If you want to leave, you can do it for free..."
"No. Not now."
He was obviously taken aback: "So, you want to stay in Byrne? Be a shuttle station recorder?"
"Oh, I think I'm totally capable." Uriel wiped his face, and the rainwater condensed into ice, and the pieces fell. "Of course, I won't cause you any trouble when it's time to leave. Those two ladies can stay and learn to deal with some trivial matters. They will definitely be able to take over my shift after I leave."
He was in no mood to continue getting wet in the rain, so he turned back to the room. Handy Enspan didn't try to stay, maybe he was thinking of new words. Let him think about it, I won't be fooled.
"How was your discussion?" asked Madame Anjou.
"Everything is as usual, nothing." Uriel told her, "What's the girl's name? Laif? Let them report the next day, is that okay?"
"No problem. My name is Lai Yin, sir. Thank you for your kindness." One of the girls said. There seemed to be anticipation in her eyes. "Are you a Gaian?"
"Yes." Not only that, but because of the stupid things I did, people thought I was a missionary.
"May the goddess bless you, my lord."
Uriel didn't respond. His eyes swept across the stove, "I have to leave, everyone, I don't know when the next batch of passengers will arrive."
Mrs. Anjou hesitated for a moment: "Uril..."
He waited for her to continue.
"No matter what, I'm glad to meet you." The noble lady sighed, "The gods have allowed us to have this wonderful fate, although it will eventually end. Thank you for everything you have done for us, my lord."
"You're too kind. I can't do anything for you." After the fall of Oglethel, it would soon be Byrne's turn. Uriel could not imagine that moment coming. Maybe they just heard about it and didn't understand that the apprentice was not only a clerical knight of Gaia, but also a tower messenger and an apprentice of a demon hunter. Your lord invited me to join several times, but I refused every time.
I was like a ruthless and despicable bystander, anticipating the tragedy, but still asking for forgiveness from the victim. Uriel thought bitterly as he walked out the door. After all, the devil once brought fear to the creatures of order, but it did not affect his comfortable living in the outside world for more than ten years. Why should I stand by and watch? Is this really the choice of the Proverbs Knight?
However, as the apprentice of the White Envoy and the messenger of Croyin Tower, he must not betray the order.
Even if the Secret Society were his compatriots...
