The bank opposite was still packed when he left. Brenanin glanced at the suitcases in people's hands. They seemed to be quite heavy. Some of the suitcases might have something he needed. However, regardless of the potion materials or anything else, the probability is pitifully small. Really valuable things are not safe in a bank.
Before leaving, Xin gave him a seed, which was the contact information for the local housing agency. Brenannin doesn't think he'll need it, and it's a shame that his character embraces it. An alchemist who is being hunted by nobles in the West is temporarily staying in a strange city. What could be more important than finding a safe and secluded residence? In fact, it was more advantageous to stay in the church, as Nightingale did not dare to pursue him. He had to give them a chance.
His chances continued into the night.
The place the agent found for Brenanin was an old house, said to be a vacation home for a wealthy businessman. The house has two floors. The upper floor is damp and uninhabitable and now belongs to rats, birds and bugs. The lower floors were heavily scratched, as if they had been subject to destructive sweeping. The agent assured him that this place would definitely meet his requirements, because Brenanin had not mentioned "comfortable" or "beautiful" or similar words before, nor had he informed the other party of his situation.
"Very few people come here. There is only one patrol passing by at midnight every day. It is absolutely quiet." The agent claimed, "For the sake of the Knox Mercenary Group, we can give you a free tapestry."
How considerate, just spread it on the floor and all the problems will be solved. "Do I need to glue it to the floor?"
"Don't. If one day you get tired of looking at the pattern, it will be easier for us to change. Look at this door, eh?" The agent didn't push it away. Brenanin stretched out his hand and pulled, choking dust puffed into the corridor. "Well, at least no homeless people have come in to live here."
"This place doesn't even look down on homeless people," Brenanin said coldly, "I'll just pay the lower price."
"The budget you gave is only enough for the lower floor." The agent pointed at the house with the tip of his pen. "In fact, the stairs to the upper floor are interrupted. Only residents with wings can fly up. No one has lived here for a long time."
"Isn't this the resort of a wealthy businessman? How could it be in such a state of ruin?"
"The Ice Territory is at war, man, we are right next to her. There is no need for wealthy businessmen to come here and feel uncomfortable... but the city defense team likes it here. Captain Victor contacted me and wanted to turn this place into a prison." The intermediary tried to Show him how popular this damn place is.
Brenanin accepted. After careful tidying up, the house acquired at a low price can be regarded as a good private residence, as long as guests are not entertained. He didn't have any expectations for the conditions in Yotsuye City. After all, the door was locked, right? After eleven o'clock, Brenanin not only locked the front door, but also locked the bedroom door. Everything is under control.
The first guest in his new home paid no attention to the floors.
It must be an uninvited guest sent by the people from the West. The methods he used were quite backward and had the characteristics of a small place. In the moonlight, the nightingale tiptoed close to the luggage and dug out a large number of alchemical instruments of unknown use. These items belonged to the guy Brenanin was eating. Among them was a drumstick-shaped container with smooth material that he hid in his clothes; Then he unfolded the letter, turning the pages quickly and silently, and twirling the footers with his thumb and forefinger.
Naturally, he could not get the encrypted message or the note in the gap, otherwise he would not look through the lining of the pocket again. In fact, except for the distillation pipe, he didn't find a penny. Brenanin always carried money, documents and potions with him, and Nightingale soon thought of this possibility.
Ordinary thieves will give up, and only those with other purposes will challenge the high difficulty level. This nightingale undoubtedly belongs to the latter. The intruder put down his empty pockets and walked quietly to the bedroom door.
Now you've thrown yourself into a trap. Brenanin thought scornfully. He decided to let the other party see the alchemist's methods.
When the assassin approached the key, Brenanin found a bottle of finger-sized brown flakes, poured it into his mouth and chewed it. After maybe a few seconds, he tasted a faint smell of wood.
Nightingale looked through the keyhole to see what was going on in the bedroom. Brenanin hid behind the curtain and waited quietly until the other party confirmed that it was safe. With a click, the door opened. He took a step back, and his whole body actually sank into the wall.
"Paper Window Potion"
It probably took Nightingale dozens of seconds to confirm that no one was in the bedroom. Brenanin took the opportunity to return to the living room, first used a heavy object to hold the door from the outside, and then ran to the street to seek help. It was midnight, and the patrolling cavalry "happened" to pass by, catching Nightingale banging on the door in panic.
"How much did he steal?" the cavalryman asked. "How much did he damage?"
"I'm a resident here, day one! All my money goes to pay rent."
Nightingale struggled. The patrolling knight frowned and looked at him: "Outlander, do you know this bastard?"
"No! No, I never...well. That's it. I don't recognize him."
So the other party didn't ask any more questions. "Remember to change the lock later, sir." He escorted Nightingale away.
The news soon reached the adventurers' ears. "It seems that you have been tracked." When they met again, Xin couldn't help but look at him again.
Brenanin secretly chuckled. The mercenaries wouldn't care if they told the inside story directly, so it was necessary to perform such a show to teach these barbarians the seriousness of the matter. Only in this way will the Knox Mercenary Group value him and listen to his explanation. After all, people always like to believe the truth they "discover".
"I know this!" On the surface, Brenanin had to look frightened. The long hours of acting made him feel somewhat bored. "They've been following me since Eagle City! Damn it, now I'm at my wits end." He slammed the table. "When will the Duke come back?"
"It's hard to tell. She didn't tell me." Xin lit a scented candle to calm his emotions. Inadvertently, he placed a glass tube on the table. It's the one the nightingale stole yesterday. "There is something I want you to know. We asked someone to inquire about the situation with the city defense team and learned that the police officer interrogated the nightingale overnight. He revealed that someone wanted your life."
Brenanin glared at him: "Thank you for asking carefully, otherwise I still don't know."
"He is a local, Bonin. A nightingale from Clover City. According to the confession, the person who ordered him to murder you was not a noble from the West, but from Iron Claw City."
"Iron Claw City?" Bonin frowned.
"The nobles of the royal capital hired killers from the Clover Clans to kill the alchemists who escaped from the Flying Eagle City." Xin recounted the whole story. "According to my experience, the probability of this happening is generally low."
"It's already happened to me!"
"Yes, it's useless to talk about it now." The mercenary comforted, "Relax, Bonin. I think you have encountered some small probability event."
"We'd better not talk about probabilities," Brenanin shouted. "You have to help me! God, for the sake of the gods, York him..."
"You encountered a small probability event." Xin repeated, "You might as well tell us the truth. You should have something to say to me, Bonin? Is it the key to putting you in such a situation?"
Brenanin gradually lost his panic. A kind of hesitation appeared on his face, and in just a few seconds, he seemed more uneasy than before. "I've told you everything you need to say." He spat out these words.
"It doesn't matter. You can repeat it from beginning to end. As for whether it should be done or not, we can make our own judgment." Xin said, "By the way, Boning, I'll give you a piece of advice, don't lie in front of me."
"You threaten me?"
"Anyway, it's not me who wants your life. If you don't tell the truth, what will happen if someone comes to your door again tonight? Even if we help, we can't always be vigilant for you. Tell the truth, Bonin, what happened to you?"
He was waiting for this follow-up question. "It's Darion Tugon," Brenanin said softly. "He assassinated Lord Tivin."
"Assassination?"
"We didn't succeed in the end. I think that's why no news came out." Otherwise, the whole Eastman would be shocked if Duke Messettoli died. "The guards captured Darion, and the Duke was intact. Then they interrogated him. I... saw the process."
"See?"
"A little special trick. I'm an alchemist."
"This kind of thing is not uncommon even now." Xin sighed.
Brenanin didn't know whether he meant the alchemy potion or the assassination. "You said that this assassin is a distant relative of Duke Messatori?"
"His mother is the daughter of the Duke's cousin. The Tugon family is also the vassal of the lord and has always been close to her."
"Why did Darion Tugon assassinate the Lord?"
"It's an order from the Royal Party. The Western Party and the Royal Party are at odds with each other. Now that Her Majesty the Queen is in poor health, the conflict between the two parties has intensified. The nobles of Iron Claw City bribed him, sent him to get close to the Duke, and then assassinated Da. Leon admitted it himself, I saw it with my own eyes.”
The mercenary was thoughtful. "Then you ran away."
As the Nightingale who assassinated the Duke, Darion Tugon's background would of course be thoroughly investigated. Tiwen gave an order and everyone related to him was controlled and awaited the Duke's punishment. Although Brenanin was considered his business enemy, he would suffer the same fate if he stayed in the city.
"The Western Party will not listen to my explanation." Brenanin confided, "The Royal Capital is even more dangerous. I had to go south to stay away from the forces of the two parties. At that time, I happened to have your token..."
"Too lucky. You found us first. Here's the thing, man, you can't go to Tracy Wiggins, she's also a member of the royal family. The current Queen Eastman is her biological sister," Sheen told he.
"I want to join you!" Brenanin said immediately, "I have decided. You said I would just give you an answer this morning!"
"You think we can provide you with protection?" Xin looked him over.
"This is the only way I can survive tonight." Brenanin was unwilling to give up the last straw. "If it doesn't work, I can hire you. I have no money, but I can make potions, some small ones." Mysterious items are also fine, I..."
"I have no right to decide this matter." Xin interrupted him, "I will inform Boss Calder, and he will give an answer tomorrow at the latest."
"Tomorrow?" Brenanin cried in frustration.
"No more time than we give you."
"But the problem is, I probably won't survive tomorrow."
"Speak to the agent and he will find you a safer place."
"Damn it, I think I made it clear enough." Brenanin thought that the other party would take him directly to the mercenary captain, but he didn't expect this to happen. Did they discover it? "You're going to die without saving me, eh? York's token..."
"...It's not an imperial edict. Well, I can be employed by you personally, but obviously, you can't use me in this kind of thing."
It's all nonsense. "You're safe. What do I do?"
"Leave Eastman immediately." Xin suggested. "Although nothing has been decided yet, there is a high probability that Captain Calder will reject you."
Brenanin needed no advice from a country mercenary. You should take the initiative to retain me, because of the secrets of the royal party, because of an alchemy master, and because of the friendship of my former companions... The Knox Mercenary Group is not known for being timid. Everything should be at your fingertips, but what went wrong? "But, you already know the secret of the assassination of the Duke of the West..."
"They're just rumors. After all, what's the point of speculation without evidence? Thousands of conspiracy theories about party strife emerge every day, and everyone will laugh them off after hearing them."
Brenanin began to think he was getting a bargain. That's not bad, as long as it allows me to get in touch with your senior management in a smooth manner. He put on an angry and helpless look and asked, "I must accept your conditions, is that right?"
"No, you misunderstood. This is a matter of order. You can join us first, and then I will inform the leader of your situation. The next day, he will decide how to place you."
"Then how can I ensure my safety tonight?"
"We have a campground and you can move in tonight. Although she doesn't meet the 'quiet' conditions, I think you should value safety more now."
This guy might be a good negotiator, Brenanin thought. He finally asked the secret and learned the reason behind my defection, which also gave my story a place to unfold. He must have thought he had accomplished his mission.
「
After all, what is the difference between this and the original arrangement? ” Bonin complained with feigned annoyance.
"Until tomorrow? No."
Still a rigid guy, maybe this guy just follows orders. Brenanin saw right through him. But he is also a suitable communication partner, at least better than the dwarf Painter. Facing high levels, many of the alchemist's methods cannot be used, but the fringe mercenaries responsible for leading newcomers can bring him a lot of convenience. Thinking of this, Brenanin couldn't help but touch his pocket and asked: "One more thing, Xin. I plan to make some alchemical potions. Where can I buy such materials?"
"Is it the magic potion you used to detect the royal gang's assassination?" Xin asked back.
"Yes. This is my unique recipe." Brenanin was once again proud of the story he had prepared. There are examples, the mercenary group really noticed the value of "worm eyes". "Thanks to the potion, I was able to come to Yotsuba Castle intact."
"You can also leave safely, I can guarantee that." Xin thought for a while and told him: "Maybe we can also provide you with materials. Knox has many channels for mysterious materials." They walked towards it while talking. Camp.
What a smooth ride. Brenanin thought to himself. In addition to "worm eyes" and "paper windows", he also has the magic potion "Song Girl" that can confuse people's hearts, the "Mead" that makes people more powerful, and the "Universal Quality" that drives the elements. Soon I'll be back to being an alchemist again. And as long as there is enough material support, it is only a matter of time before the formula of "Sovero" liquid is cracked.
He decided to use "Song Girl" on Calder Lehrer first, and then obtain more resources to deal with Painter and others. In the final analysis, the high ring is only slightly more mysterious than the job transfer, and the talent in fire is enough to make up for the gap. There's only one thing to worry about...
When passing by a tavern, Brenanin accidentally asked: "I heard that the Knox Mercenary Group once cooperated with the Sky Tower?"
"Oh, what kind of rumors are they?" Xin stopped.
"I only know this. Mr. Chester, the alchemist master who invented the fire potion, inherited his alchemy from the high tower. Tracing the origin, it should be related to the forest race. Four Leaf City could not gather the materials he needed for alchemy, so he only Can trade with the mercenary group." Bonin scratched his head, "I heard from York that he knows the Eastman garrison."
"That was during the tenure of the previous garrison."
"What about the current...?"
"I don't know about that. Eastman is too close to the battlefield, and the tower is closed to itself. Maybe they didn't send any more guards at all." Xin glanced at the tavern. The store was dark and silent, and the dust on the steps was as thick as snow. He took another step.
If you ask me, the tower has never regarded Eastman as a vassal state, otherwise they would definitely take Eastman with them when they locked up the floating city. Brenner would rather know that when Eastman protested two years ago, the tower ignored it at all. The fundamental reason why the coalition chose to take a detour was the contract signed between them after the first demon hunting campaign.
The campground was as lively as a market. Behind the fence that blocks the wild beasts, a tower-shaped building surrounds the camp and isolates it from the streets of Yotsuba Castle. There are fewer houses here than in residential areas, but there are tents everywhere. These fur houses are like cattle on the snow, clustered together for warmth, forming a larger scale than a village. Brenanin was prepared for the cold, but the tent was tall, spacious and very warm inside.
The materials and the captain's decision were due tomorrow, so Brenanin put on a panicked look and deceived Xin and his mercenary brats, whose names he didn't even bother to remember. For the sake of the gods, Xin's team members and he are polar opposites! Brenanin is thankful he doesn't have to manage them.
At dinner, a boy dressed as a swordsman wanted to know where Brenanin's hometown was. After he answered, word spread. These little bastards always like to chase him asking questions and bring up ridiculous topics. Seven of the ten people wanted to know how the Bures people gilded the soles of their shoes (legend has it that the Bures empire was extremely wealthy), and the remaining three asked him to drink. Brenanin tried his best to build a good relationship with them, but it was not easy to deal with their whims.
When he lay down in the tent and blew out the candles, there were still dark shadows flashing outside the tent. Brenanin finally got annoyed and planned to teach the other party a lesson. He strode to the animal skin curtain and waited for Black
Ying touched the door and was about to open it suddenly...
A dagger cut through the bear's hide, the tip flashing with the cold light of steel.
Brenanin was startled. Could it be that the nightingale from last night had an accomplice? He tried to shout, but suddenly he froze in place, unable to move or even open his mouth.
After tearing through the door curtain, the masked Nightingale entered the tent with a sharp knife in hand and looked at Brenanin in front of him. He visibly flinched, as if he didn't expect the target to be standing at the gate. The two looked at each other briefly in the darkness, Brenanin unable to conceal his horror.
He was sure that the other party also saw his fear. Nightingale put the knife against his chest and said, "Follow me."
The power holding him down changed from mystical craft to Nightingale's blade, and Brenanin couldn't refuse, so he obeyed. In the dead of night, bonfires were lit in the camp, and adventurers patrolled in groups. The Nightingale who bullied him led him around the obstacles one by one, and Brenanin stopped in disbelief.
"I don't want your life." Nightingale said, "I'm just borrowing something. Let's go."
Don't kill me? He wasn't sure whether he should believe it or not. However, if the other party really wanted to take action, he would be dead in the tent. Speaking of which, why would the Duke arrest an alchemist? Brenanin was just a nobody, not part of the royal party, not even a local. His early escape revealed his guilty conscience. The Duke's Nightingale must have come to kill people, and it was impossible to consider whether he was innocent or not.
In fact, the pursuit of soldiers all the way to the Four Leaf Territory was the limit. After all, there is almost no close connection between the alchemist and the assassin, so it is not worth sending any experts. Brenanin deliberately left clues, convinced that he had complete control over the opponent's whereabouts, so that he could capture him with a trap at a specific time. Neither the Western Party nor the Royal Party had any reason to go to war for him, unless one party got the news and was convinced that he had revealed the secret... Brenanin suddenly remembered that the person who held him hostage was very familiar with the camp.
At this moment, just before they were about to leave the camp quietly, two mercenaries returned together, one tall and one short, smelling of alcohol. The two sides suddenly came face to face.
Brenanin noticed the assassin's hesitation. Obviously, these two people are not his accomplices, but real adventurers. He immediately mobilized his magic power...
"Who?" the mercenary shouted, "put down the knife!" The voice was very familiar.
Brenanin stopped. The dwarf Painter Molten Iron, as for the one next to him... "Berning?" Xin asked.
I guessed wrong. Bonin's eyes widened. He was not the one who held me hostage! Maybe the assassin has nothing to do with the Royal Party and the Western Party. what on earth is it?
"Who is that guy?" shouted the dwarf sprinter.
Nightingale didn't answer, and naturally didn't put down the knife either. Brenanin couldn't speak, he just hoped that the other party would remember his promise and not kill him with a shake of his hand.
"I guess he can't speak." Xin said, "It's witchcraft." The mercenary pulled out his sword and didn't get closer.
Brenanin felt his feet tremble. Suddenly Nightingale tilted to the side and the dagger slid away harmlessly. He took the opportunity to break free. The mercenary came in front of him at some point, and with a sword in his hand, he pierced Nightingale's neck.
"You're really popular," Painter scoffed.
Xin frowned and took off the dead man's mask, "Not a mercenary."
Brenanin saw a familiar face. It was the Rangers from last night. Some of the problems were explained, but he still couldn't figure it out. "Why is it him?"
"I saw this man in the city defense team." The dwarf looked unhappy. "This guy is no wizard," he muttered. "And what do you mean by witchcraft..."
"I'm afraid Nightingale replaced him."
when? Painter's eyes seemed questioning. Xin dragged the body into the alley, not paying attention to his gaze. Full of doubts, Brenanin endured his scrutiny. "Well……"
"What's going on with you, kid? Is this your problem too?"
There is only one possibility. Brenanin thought. I can never admit it. "I still want to know! You've revealed my secret, haven't you?"
"Secret?" It was Painter's turn to be confused. It seems that he doesn't know about the party struggle. It's really strange. Why is the wizard targeting me?
"Boss Calder knows the inside story." Xin
Explained, "It has something to do with his troubles. Let's wait until tomorrow. Let me handle the assassin's matter."
The dwarf agreed. He drank a lot and was on the verge of being drunk, but Xin was very sober and seemed to be just keeping company at the dinner table and not drinking at all. After getting rid of Nightingale and the high-circle mercenaries, Brenanin felt that he should relax, but he felt wary for no reason.
But he is an adventurer. thought the alchemist. Although the right opportunity saved his life, the two sides were not on the same page. "Thank you. I never thought..."
Xin asked: "Is he an assassin of the royal party?"
"It's hard for me to say," Brenanin replied. "Maybe he just wanted to rob someone from out of town."
"This is a professional, Bonin. Different from the one you met last night. He has the ability to change his appearance and perform witchcraft, the mysterious art of making you speechless."
He recognized that tonight's assassin was not a killer from the Western Party. How do I explain this? "What does it matter? He's dead anyway. Are you going to shut me out for this?" This is a good thing. Brenanin had already decided to quit the Knox Mercenary Group.
"York gave you a token."
"He's my friend," Brenanin said. "If you can't help me, I'll just accept the facts and won't say anything more."
"A nightingale who uses witchcraft is eyeing an outsider who has just arrived in the city. It's hard for me not to be suspicious, Bonin. Especially since he is an alchemist and wants to join the Knox mercenary group."
"Why bother getting to the bottom of it? Do you want to interrogate me?"
"No. It's not necessary." After returning to the camp, Brenanin retrieved his luggage. After inspecting it, he confirmed that there were no signs of tampering with the contents. Xin moved him to a tent closer to the campfire. "I'm just doing it as a matter of routine. Things are not exactly peaceful right now, Bonin."
"No matter what, thank you for saving my life." Brenanin was sure that the mercenary had nothing to do with Nightingale. "I believe you."
"Trust is mutual." The candle suddenly lit up, emitting a faint light. "Then I'll give you a piece of advice, Brenanin." Xin nodded at him, "Never lie to me."
