The pie is turned over, letting out the aroma, while the pansies on the side shrivel in the heat. Uriel was familiar with the smell. When they were apprentices to Lady Emma, the cook would leave them pies for lunch. "Burned," he reminded her.
"Oh, oh!" The girl was so frightened that she scrambled, "I didn't pay attention."
"Where is your sister?"
"Lai Yin is checking the ledger. She is not my sister."
Indeed, there is no blood similarity in their looks. At best, they just have the same pitiful temperament. Uriel always thought of them as the Ringot sisters, who were equally panicked, equally frail, and anonymous. I can't think like that anymore.
He really wanted to see Hitarian. What happened to Ruth now? Awakening or sleeping? Uriel did not start looking for them, even though they were probably on the other side of the city. I can't act without authorization, someone is watching.
Life in Byrne is not what Uriel imagined. He once thought that this place was the paradise of the Nameless One, just like Shitarian described it, but now through personal experience, he discovered that she had beautified Byrne in many ways. Mortals find it hard to eat here. Mysterious creatures abuse their talents and create all kinds of conflicts. The night watchman responsible for city defense has no patience. Anyone who appears on the scene will be captured and taken to the dungeon for no reason. There is no reason to explain.
Uriel couldn't confirm whether this was the impact of the war or Byrne's true appearance. After all, there is no paradise in this world. If it weren't for my mentor, my life in the floating cloud city of Bloomnot would probably not be much better.
The person monitoring him actually had no malicious intent. Uriel confirmed that he was a mortal sent by the "Raven Staff Group", probably to inform him. If the Night Watch closes the city again, he will find his apprentice and leave before the ladder completely stops functioning. I'll cause trouble for the Ravens if I stay here, Uriel thought, but they will never ask me to leave.
As for why he didn't leave on his own, no one knows the answer.
The pie comes out of the pan before browning, and the filling inside is in the shape of a sticky lake. Uriel had to finish it by himself to prevent the two little girls from getting upset. They worked hard to learn cooking, counting, cleaning and other skills, all in order to show their value to Byrne and avoid being ostracized by the locals. Mrs. Anjou took them to the headquarters of Starless Night, a way of survival that most of her compatriots did not have. More members of the Mildaniel Reading Club stayed in the western mist elf city of Oglathel, and now they are all dead in the war.
"Can you have porridge?" he asked Fulla. "If a bird comes, I will give you extra food."
"Yes, sir." The girl thanked her instinctively. She obviously didn't know much about porridge and birds.
Uriel left the child to pack his things. When he entered the door, he saw another one lying on the table writing. She was working with utmost concentration and impeccable attitude, but the apprentice noticed that a window behind her was open. "Has anyone been here, Lai Yin?"
Lai Yin opened her eyes wide: "Is there someone? Someone? No, no. No...oh, there shouldn't be."
"Go on." Uriel didn't say much to her.
He climbed the stairs and found a greasy handprint on the railing. It seems that this little thief treats her like a piece of wood and doesn't care at all. Uriel stepped lightly on the straw in the attic until he walked behind the thief. The other person was too busy reaching for the sausages on the rafters and didn't pay attention to his surroundings at all.
Uriel pushed casually, and the boy screamed and hit the wall. "You're out of luck." He pulled off the thief's loot and hung it back on the wooden beam. "Get out of here and don't come here again."
The thief glared at him, as if he had lost face because of his mistake, and then waved his hand at the apprentice. Countless straws were lifted up by the wind, like a gray-yellow whirlpool, whizzing towards the eyes. He took the opportunity to reach for the sausage.
Uriel had suppressed anger in his heart, but now that this boy was taking advantage of him, it only added fuel to his anger. "I've had enough." He slapped the straw tornado with his palm, and then grabbed the thief's collar, "Get down! You little devil."
The thief struggled desperately and tried to bite his hand. Uriel grabbed his chin and dragged the kid downstairs. Lai Yin looked back at them in horror.
"There is a little thief." The apprentice reassured, "Do your thing, don't worry."
"Yes, sir." But she hesitated and handed over a piece of paper, "This..."
Uriel glanced at it and found an expired shuttle station passenger list. "It's been four days, Lai Yin, is there anything wrong with it?"
“A passenger’s destination and entrance gate were written upside down. I don’t know what to do…”
Well, you didn't come over four days ago, so I obviously made a mistake. Uriel pressed the thief's arms with his right hand and took the report with his left hand. Sure enough, there was a passenger named "Karna Marin". The starting point was Tembain and the destination was Oglessel. Since Ogrethal had been captured at that time, such a journey was impossible.
"You did the right thing, Lai Yin. Of course I also made a typo. Count him in the group from Ogrethal... Huh." Uriel frowned.
"grown ups?"
"This is not my handwriting." Uriel's common language was taught by the monks of the Four Leaf City Church, but the person who copied this list was obviously a Westerner. "I won't use this kind of three-point pen."
Lai Yin twisted her fingers uneasily: "I... I only have this kind of pen in my hand. Sir, I used to write those documents this way. I need to re-write..."
"No. The handwriting doesn't matter." What matters is the person who wrote it. Someone modified my record sheet, Uriel thought, after I gave it to Sir Bunyoro. Both Laiyin and Buyolo are Westerners, and this is probably his own handwriting.
However this means the location is not a typo. Karna Marin did not follow the refugees from Oglessel to Bain, but left Bain alone. The Ravens specially launched the return ladder just for him. It seems that this person not only spends money like water, but also has a reason to return to the fallen city of the Nameless One... What could it be?
"How should I record it, sir?" Lai Yin asked.
"As usual. Lunch is in the kitchen, and I will send this little thief to the night watchman. If you are afraid, go to the manor to find Sir Bunyoro. He will protect you." Now Byrne is not even safe at home. But it is the only place for the unknown to survive. "I'll be back soon."
"Yes, sir."
After placing the two assistants, the sausage thief came next. He struggled in Uriel's hands, unable to free himself no matter what, with a look of horror in his eyes. When the apprentice dragged him out, the boy finally started to howl.
"My hand!" he cried. "My hand is broken."
"No." Uriel grabbed his collar instead, "You are so nice, but you still want to play tricks."
"I can't use magic!"
"That has nothing to do with your wrist. This is a divine spell that blocks your fire from contacting the outside world... Do you think casting spells relies on your hands?"
The boy's eyes widened, his cry stuck in his throat from shock. Now Uriel was sure that he didn't even know the basic operation of the mystery, and he was the kind of primordial who didn't have a professional background. Same as me in the beginning.
"It seems that you have never been an apprentice for even a day." Uriel commented.
"But I know magic." The boy rolled his eyes. "I'm better than the woman who copied the wrong words. My lord, you can accept me as your apprentice. You are a clergyman, aren't you?"
"I'm nobody." Uriel dragged him across the street. The thief tried to break free several times and got into the crowd, but for the apprentice, he really didn't have much strength these two times.
"Let me go!" the boy kicked and screamed. "I know the Night Watch, they will catch you! Let go!" he threatened, "The Night Watch will catch you! They are looking for the person wearing the crow symbol, you are finished!"
Uriel was sure that he had also secretly rummaged through the cabinet and saw the small insignia of the Ravens. That thing was dispensable to him, but the news was very new. The Night's Watch is looking for someone from the Ravens? It could only be for the "business" of Jie Lai. What a coincidence right before our eyes.
"Arthur." As soon as Uriel spoke, the boy fell silent. It was obvious that an unprecedented sense of terror brought about by the unknown enveloped him. "Listen, I won't hand you over to the Night Watch. The premise is that you take me to find the 'fisherman' of the Miao Hands. If you find him, I will let you go." The apprentice let go.
The boy didn't run. "Do you recognize me...?"
"We just met."
"You know my name! Is this your magic? Divine magic? You..."
"Say less." Uriel pushed his shoulder, "Let's go quickly."
The boy Arthur obeyed. The look on his face was more excited than frightened, and he didn't seem to care that his behavior was a betrayal. When they returned to the Miao Hands' small stronghold, the kid didn't even know how to pretend to be forced to do so. The thieves' home looks quite decent. They probably occupied someone's spare room, and the furnishings inside have no style and logic: old tables and chairs, tassel sofas, rotten wooden floors, silver dishes and silver spoons, and a building that was used as a sleeping place. The gemstone clock in the box undoubtedly proved his suspicion.
There are more than a dozen children living in this pile of debris, the youngest is still drooling, and the eldest is similar to Arthur. They looked poorer than Fula and Lain, but certainly not as fearful. The brats were jumping up and down, throwing things at each other, playing games that even York would have considered childish if he saw them.
But they were nimble, Uriel noticed, nimble and agile. Several older children have some background in theater. They move with elusiveness and their limbs are soft and strong. They are trained.
"My lord, he is not here," said Arthur.
The "fisherman" was not among the children, needless to say. When Uriel saw him in "Spirit Vision", this guy was having afternoon tea with a foreign girl. The latter brought three maids, all of whom were naked. As the leader of the Miao Hand Group, this person gathered the wealth stolen by this group of thieves and then spent it on women like a gentleman. You should really teach them to steal prostitutes, it would save everyone trouble.
"Is this the Magic Hand Group?" Uriel picked up a copper button with curved patterns on it. "You don't lack toys, why do you still steal them?"
Arthur was still moving his fingers. "These things are inedible, and no one is willing to exchange food for them. The Miao Hand Group is here, you can take whatever you want, sir. The 'fisherman' may not come back."
"He'll be back in five minutes."
"How did you do it, my lord? Divine magic? No, astrology?"
"I saw it." The answer was not that magical. After all, there are not all children like Arthur here. Uriel discovered that someone had tipped off the other party. Having been the target of Nightingale for many years, it is difficult for little tricks to escape his eyes.
The "fisherman" is a man with yellow hair, a gold net wrapped around his waist, and a machete on his back. It is true that this person smells fishy, but both items are brand new and shiny, just like decorations.
As soon as Arthur saw him, he hid in the clutter and tried to make himself disappear. The girl who reported the news came a little closer and hid behind a tall bonsai instead of going directly forward. Two forgetful little slugs were still fighting in front of the door, but were kicked away by the "fisherman".
"Who is it?" he shouted, "Come out! Let's have a nice chat."
"I am one of the owners, but that is not important." Uriel replied, "It is better to stay here. I have something to ask you."
The fisherman didn't blink: "Just ask."
He was going to lie, or rather, he hadn't meant to tell the truth, but Uriel just told him to speak. "Is the Night Watch arresting the Ravens to block the Ladder?"
"Why else? That's it. Are you from the Ravens?"
Something flew from behind, Uriel reached out and caught it. The blade trembled between his fingers. "Handi Enspan, the leader of the Ravens, is a noble of Byrne and a member of the Night's Watch, isn't he?"
After the sneak attack failed, the "fisherman" finally looked him in the face: "You know a lot of things."
"More than you think."
"Then what do you want to know?" The leader of the Miaoshou Group casually opened the door.
"About the Night's Watch."
"Come to ask the thief?" "The Fisherman" shouted, "Have we expanded our business, Qili?"
"No, father." said a girl. The children in the room were crowded together and could not distinguish the source of the sound.
"Did you hear that? The secret of the Night Watch is not here. Our relationship is not that good."
"The Ravens are cooperating with the Night's Watch. They help transport refugees. Now, a Nightingale personally sent by the leader of the Ravens to follow me is standing behind a tree fifty yards away and witnesses you and me in the wonderful hand. "We have secret talks in the regiment's lair." Uriel told him, "What is your relationship with Handy Enspan? Will he listen to your explanation?"
The "fisherman" was unmoved: "It's not wise to question me because of suspicion. Enspan is not stupid. Boy, your calculation is wrong. This is not a threat."
"Then let's be realistic. If you can't answer my question, don't even think about walking out of the door." Uriel raised his hand, and the divine chain protruded from the void behind the fisherman and strangled his neck.
The Miao Hands were in a commotion, Arthur opened his mouth wide, and the thieves were already throwing various things at them. This was no joke, the weapons were threatening, but Uriel had no intention of getting entangled with these brats. He grabbed the chain and pulled the fisherman in front of him. An invisible shield flashed in the sound of collision, resisting all attacks. Suddenly there was resistance between his hands and feet. The apprentice pulled away slightly and the resistance disappeared.
Under the magic spell, the "fisherman" blushed, holding the chain with one hand and touching his waist with the other. However, both the scabbard and the fishing net were covered with a layer of white frost, and they would not budge no matter how hard he tried.
"This is called a threat." Uriel pulled out the scimitar from the Fisherman's waist and told him.
"What are you asking?" The other party compromised.
"What happened to the Night's Watch and the Ravens? Let's start from the beginning." Uriel let go of him.
"Someone is missing, in Carpenter Street. There have always been people since the city was closed. At first, they were mortals, and then expanded to the Ravens, the Mighty Hands, small businessmen and outsiders. There are also missing people. I have a boy who has seen missing people being killed by the Night Watch. Execution because a fellow man has turned into a demon." The fisherman was telling the truth.
Uriel had never seen the Nameless One turn into a demon, and he always thought it was a small probability event. "Approximately how many people are missing?"
"Dozens a day, hundreds at most. There was a butcher shop that was doing a lot of business, but suddenly it closed. When the night watchman arrived, opened the door and window, threw a torch and went in, all the people inside were considered missing."
A true devil, the apprentice thought, not even a secret society could admit. "Has this happened since the city was closed?"
"I guess there is a way here," the fisherman said. "Many people need to leave the city. The night watchman is arbitrary and tries to make money from them."
The Ravens and the Night's Watch are connected, which undoubtedly proves that the latter's city closure policy is not implemented properly. They just raised the barriers to entry and exit and kept out the poor and worthless refugees. Uriel had met Ferriani, and he also suspected that the Black Knight would turn these missing people into undead and drive them into war.
"Lying." The apprentice said, "If you recognize these divine words, you should understand that they are the language of Gaia." Someone quietly touched the door, and suddenly a flash of light burst out from the gap, completely sealing the room. Uriel didn't go to see it. "There are people missing all the time. A few have turned into demons. Where have the majority gone?"
"The majority is the devil!" the fisherman shouted. "There are many people in Bain, and there are more and more people every day! Even if it is one ten thousandth of a person changing, this is not a small number."
"And you have detection methods." Uriel pointed out, "You can tell who will change and who will not change in advance. Therefore, the Night Watch can maintain order in Bain City."
The fisherman blinked: "Oh, indeed. But there are times when mistakes happen. The people from the Raven Regiment are missing. It's not the little people on the periphery, it's Ryan."
One of the small leaders of the Ravens, Uriel recognized this person. Like Madame Anjou, Sir Bouyoro and others, he was engaged in the ladder smuggling business under Handy Enspan. He disappeared unexpectedly and no one informed me.
"You must be familiar with this name." The fisherman observed his expression. "The Ravens are suspected of harboring real demons, and Ryan's disappearance may be due to being secretly cleaned up by the Night Watch. One-Armed is also unbearable. In short, the relationship between the two parties is now tense, and the cooperation is no longer as pleasant as it once was."
"One-armed" is apparently a reference to Handy Earnspan. "And what does Bellugo Vivici think of this?"
"Belugo? This man is a businessman who only cares about profit. Besides, the Ravens are not street gangsters. Even if he may cooperate with Enspan, it is impossible for him to get involved in these things."
Uriel got the answer. "It's too much to say, fisherman. Tell me what he was involved in."
"He is not……"
Boring lies. Before the apprentice confessed, no one would have guessed the existence of the Scroll of Oath, so they were lucky. He needs to keep secrets to induce the other person to talk, but sometimes this can also delay things.
"Since you won't tell the truth, then it's up to me." Uriel threw the scimitar into the carpet. "First of all, there is Karna Marin. This person is not a businessman, nor is he a refugee from Ogresel. It is more like a fabricated pseudonym. Maybe it is the name used by Bellugo. I can't tell. In short, You obviously have more than just business dealings with this rich man. He is called the 'cloth man', Enspan is the 'one-armed', and you, the 'fisherman' of the Mighty Hands, do you think these nicknames are connected? "
"It's just a nickname..."
"...Can't prove anything, of course. But if you think about it carefully, you'll know that I'm not here to prove it."
"Okay." The fisherman said with interest, "What should be the connection between us?"
"I heard someone mention the nobility," Uriel told him, "but there is no kingdom here, just a dangerous secret society."
"We have lords."
"Seven lords."
"Seven kinds of loyalty." The fisherman glared at him displeased. At this point, there's no point pretending you know nothing. "Damn it, who said you were a foreigner? I'm going to skin him."
"Sometimes I will understand Byrne better than you." It depends on the gift of "Spiritual Vision". Uriel opened the door, and the seal of the magic turned into countless golden fragments. The children who witnessed this rushed out of the door. Arthur glanced back, picked up a pocket watch, and ran away without his life.
Uriel hoped that he would stop taking revenge when he was caught stealing. The night watchman would not be as cruel to the thief as he was to the devil, but he would also chop off his fingers. Byrne's laws seem to follow ancient imperial systems, which the outside world has long since stopped doing. "These kids call you daddy."
"They are my adopted sons." The fisherman did not escape.
"To train pickpocket experts?"
"I'm afraid that's all they can do." The fisherman picked up the machete and put it in his pocket. "It's of no use. But so what? Although I'm not a bronze gear, it's not much different. The society takes in orphans who are innocent, and I won't refuse anyone who comes. The Miao Hands are not the night watchmen. We are just trying to make a living. "
Uriel frowned: "I thought the association would help every fellow Nameless One."
"Yes, the association gives us the opportunity to perform our own duties in Bayern City... The position of some people is to become poor thieves and look up to the big shots. This is as destined as our innate magic." The fisherman was not satisfied with this. He thought, "This is unfair, isn't it? We are all mysterious creatures, and our status should be determined according to the rules of the mysterious realm."
"So, you want to compete with mortals?" There are not many mortals in this city.
"Mortals? No. Before lighting the fire, there is no difference between us and mortals. The key is blood."
"What?"
"The ancient bloodline of Bain." The fisherman emphasized, "Do you know the First Origin? In the Ancestors era, people called us this, and regarded the First Origin as the chosen people of the gods. This is an inherent glory."
Obviously this glory did not last until the Mysterious Fulcrum era. Uriel couldn't help but blink, imagining what the Order would look like when they saw the so-called ancient Byrne bloodline. Maybe they would burn the fire even more fiercely.
"Is your friendship with the 'Buren' One-Armed' because of their common 'ancient blood'?"
"Not exactly. See, Handy is from Oglethel, and Bellugo and I are Byrnes through and through."
"But Handy is still a night watchman."
"Yes, Byrne is guarded by the Night Watch, so he came to Byrne early, settled his family property, and became famous among the Night Watchmen. This was a necessary step. The king handed over Byrne to the management of the Black Knight, but that The dead always stay in Gavash, spinning in their graves, and can't manage the affairs of the living at all. In fact, Byrne's political affairs are managed by the general manager and others."
"Who is the steward?"
"A lot of people." The fisherman explained, "The operation of the association is basically the operation of the kingdom, and the people who manage Byrne are the nobles."
"Not a lord?"
"Part of it is. The nobles support the king, and the lords manage the territory. Sometimes, I mean, when the king and the lords don't show up, someone has to stay in Byrne to deal with the trivial matters that happen every day." The fisherman waved his hand, "Who else can compare? We are more suitable.”
Like a night watchman? Uriel wanted to say. At present, it seems that the Night Watch has been maintaining order in the city, trying to balance the conflicts between the parties, and also providing shelter for the unknown. During this period, the great Byrne nobles' good idea was to quietly smuggle and steal. It's really a superior move, quite Yin Shiman's aristocratic style.
"You want to resist the Night's Watch and gain power?" I want to see how stupid these people can be.
"Night Watch? No, in a sense, Byrne and Night Watch are one and the same. Now that wars are raging, it's time for Night Watch to do truly efficient work, otherwise we will all be doomed."
"What's the meaning?"
"Blank closure of the city will not work." The fisherman said, "Staying here is just waiting for death. The association's policy is too conservative and cannot change the status quo. As compatriots, how can we sit back and watch our homeland be destroyed?"
Uriel understood: "You have to escape."
"That's the worst plan." The fisherman didn't deny it. "Do you want to die, sir? Although the Night Watchmen are subordinates of the Black Knight, they are living people, not cold and heartless bones. Of course I can offer my life to guard Byrne. My life and even my honor, but the fire of association must remain.”
So that's it, the apprentice thought, the rectangular ladder of the Ravens was actually an escape passage left by the Byrne nobles, so they worked together to cover it up and avoid the eyes of the night watchman. After all, the Night Watchmen are not the ghosts of Gavash, and they cannot devote themselves to it selflessly. The appearance of Ferriani and others eased the war situation, but it also made most people fearful. When hatred cools down and the will to die fades, even the most radical fanatics will develop a desire to live...
And as Worrell said, Bayern City is in danger and will be turned into a battlefield by Order at any time. Now that Oglethel has been destroyed, refugees have poured into the city and spent their wealth on the small safe house. Most of this wealth has flowed into the pockets of the Byrne nobles.
From this point of view, the Night Watch's decision to seal the city was undoubtedly correct. However, the Raven Regiment's ladder made all this a futile effort, and even increased the price of entering the city.
He didn't know what to do. For the sake of the overall environment of the association, informing the Night Watch and leading people to block the Raven Regiment's ladder might change the situation, but Uriel also did not dare to place a bet on the Black Knight. This undead lord is fundamentally different from living people. Maybe he doesn't understand the fear of death at all. Once he decides to start a war with Order in the city, the Lingot sisters, Worrell, Lain, Furla, and even Arthur will die. But according to the plans of the Ravens and the Hands, these children may escape. Calamity, find another chance of life.
"Leaving Byrne, where can the unknown go?" He wanted to know their considerations.
"No one knows. I am a Bain native and have grown up in Bain since I was a child." The fisherman said frankly. "The Oglesel people may know the answer. After all, they have already had the experience of escaping."
Until Uriel returned to the Ravens, he could not make a decision for the Byrnes. Lai Yin noticed that he was preoccupied and did not dare to come forward. Fulla collected rainwater from under the eaves and watered the pansies. They undoubtedly wanted to live. Uriel could see that their lives were in bloom, and the gray soil of Gavash never produced colorful flowers.
"If you are in the desert," the apprentice said, "and there is no water to drink, what should you do?"
Fulla nervously grabbed the shower head, while Lai Yin stared at the floor. "I wish I could travel with you, my lord." She would be mistaken.
"Madame Anjou wants you to take over the job."
"But my lord, besides counting, we have other uses."
They are different from me. Uriel woke up with a start and realized that the two girls could not survive in Byrne. It is true that they are members of the Ravens, but a thief who sneaks into the house can easily kill them. After all, Bain is overcrowded, and Anru recommending them here does not mean that she values these little girls. Sir Bunyoro was right, they were just gifts.
Lai Yin knew this clearly. Uriel could not imagine taking them away and returning to Bloomnot. Gods above, this is impossible. Maybe after I leave, they will go to Anjou and Sir Buyolo until the coalition forces in the mysterious realm also find Byrne. Sadness arose in his heart, whether for these strangers who met by chance or for the secret society struggling on the edge of death, the apprentice could not tell. Why should I stay? What can this do? Save a few innocents, like Worrell? It's just delaying death.
"There is no water for the companions to drink, no doubt." Uriel picked up the form with "Karna Marin" written on it from the table, "But existence is better than nothing."
He realized he had to act.
