The fallen mage's clear eyes became fanatical. She decisively pulled out the dagger from Griffith's waist and stabbed him hard in the back.
"Cang!" The dagger hit the solid breastplate without causing any damage. The female mage was stunned for a moment, then she hurriedly raised her dagger and slashed at the back of the trainee knight's neck.
"Bang!" Griffith suddenly reached out and grabbed the female mage's wrist. Although he was still dizzy and weak, his strength was enough to control the equally weak female mage.
"It seems... your condition isn't very good either..." Griffith, who was feeling sore and numb all over, slowly turned around, reached out and grabbed the female mage's neck, and nudged her in front of the anxious and desperate female mage. He twisted the dagger and pressed it toward the female mage's throat.
"Damn it, let go! Let me go! Running dog..."
The dagger pierced the soft neck of the female mage, and a large ball of blood poured out of her mouth.
Griffith stirred the dagger twice, then tiredly pushed away the lifeless body of the female mage, and stood up from the ground while panting.
There was a pale bone ring lying in his hand, and the unidentifiable murmur had disappeared.
Griffith put away the ring and was about to blow the whistle toward the sewer to summon reinforcements. Suddenly, a broken memory flooded into his brain.
A man hidden under a black robe and hood was handing over a pale bone ring. The only identifiable words he said were: "After I leave, you will report the progress directly to my disciples."
"Yes, mentor." This sentence seemed to come from the fallen female mage.
Memory fragments poured into his brain one after another, almost tearing Griffith's spirit apart. In the chaos, he suddenly saw the figure of the mage apprentice Isis among the figures flashing by. He talked with the fallen female mage about a vague plan and had a decisive attitude. At the end of this memory, Isis pulled up his hood and seemed to be nodding goodbye to the people around him. He said:
"I will ensure her destruction, no matter the cost, for a holy cause."
The trainee knight's spirit could not hold a large number of memory fragments. Soon, these messy information dissipated like passing smoke, leaving only a clear sentence lingering in his ears.
"Fear brings desire, desire demands power,
"Strength breaks through the shackles, and we will be free."
Why did I gain partial memories of this woman?
Griffith twisted his body and felt nothing strange except that he was very weak.
According to the general knowledge of occult science, when absorbing extraordinary characteristics, there is a certain chance of obtaining the memory fragments left by the previous extraordinary person. But I am on the path to breaking the law, how can I absorb the extraordinary characteristics of the fallen female mage? Moreover, I don’t feel like I have acquired extraordinary characteristics!
What exactly is this ring?
…
"Director Heinz, the enemy fallen mage has been eliminated," Griffith handed the cold body to the soldiers present and reported to the Armored Cavalry Director.
"Well, it's not too embarrassing," Heinz Wilhelm watched as the city defenders lifted Ophelia, who had been stripped of her armor, out of the sewer. "Be cautious, you have good habits."
"Sir, the investigators are here." A soldier trotted forward and saluted Heinz. "They have taken over the investigation of the prisoners and corpses."
Not far from the two of them, the little gangster who had been captured alive in the battle was taken aside and handed over to two men dressed all in black.
"Woman? This is a woman," the leading man in black looked at the little man for a while, then turned and said to the officer beside him, "I don't think a little minion like her can know anything. Let's go see if there are any other prisoners. .”
His companion reached out to the struggling little man, and the moment he touched her forehead, she lost consciousness.
…
"The only survivor is named Lahua Na. She is 12 years old, female, and her parents are deceased. She has no experience worth mentioning and does not know any valuable information. She is just a thief in the sewer gang," said the man in black who completed the investigation. The man came to Heinz and simply reported the situation, "We also channeled the corpses of the killed fallen mage and Cook, but their souls were banned and have dissipated."
The investigation turned up nothing... Griffith watched quietly as the Central Bureau of Investigation agents reported to the flag captain.
"The people from the Investigation Bureau seem to have some kind of psychic spell or ability that can directly enter the brain of the person under investigation to search for information." Rana, who returned from the sewer, was also listening and whispered to Griffith, "No one cares whether the person whose head they pried open can survive."
"Let this little bastard be released on the spot. Our detention center is already overcrowded." The man in black suddenly turned around and stared at the trainee knights gathered around him. "I don't know what twisted hobbies you Eastern Legion soldiers have. But please remember, this is Beyeland, the capital of the world, and civil servants like me will be watching your every move.”
Is this a reminder to us? It took Griffith several seconds to realize what the investigator was talking about.
Is the Bureau of Investigation reminding us not to do anything to this little girl named Lavana?
…
After returning to Larmore House, Griffith was caught by several servants and washed thoroughly before he entered the gate. Mr. Ashford then called him into the drawing room.
On the table in the reception room were a stack of documents, a small money bag and a small box. Mr. Butler pointed at these two objects, then stepped aside and motioned for Griffith to pick them up.
Griffith came to the table and sat down. He first opened the file and found that it was a partially completed report - "The Cook Gang Incident on Tasok Street."
The report details the attacks carried out by Cook's gangster Jaros over the past few days from a third-party perspective, as well as limited information about Cook himself, the fallen mage and his henchmen.
The report is accompanied by a pencil drawing of the scene. The main suspect in the incident, the crime scene and the surrounding environment are all vividly drawn. It is not known whether it is the artist's superb skills or the result of the use of magic.
After flipping through the incident report and pencil drawing album, Griffith saw a blank report.
"Mr. Apprentice Knight, in Bayerland, which pays attention to procedures and rules, it is very important to submit a detailed and accurate report," Mr. Ashford said slowly in his unique elegant tone, "This is your It’s an important part of the job, if you have any questions about writing, you can ask me.”
When Griffith was in the army, he often had to submit reports to his superiors on the progress of battles, and he was already very familiar with this matter. He immediately nodded and agreed, then flipped through and found a notice.
"For Griffith Blanton's trainee knight's performance in this mission, after review, the following rewards will be given:
"50 silver francs and one day of paid leave.
"Merit is worth 1 point.
"Since this mission is the first mission Mr. Knight Trainee performs under Count Larmore, an additional unit of potential strengthening potion will be given as a reward."
award! The rewards were distributed so quickly!
Griffith's eyes almost sparkled. Needless to say, 50 silver francs is equivalent to half a month's salary, which is very helpful for him who is tight on money.
As for merit points, he was also very familiar with them. This was the only indicator for non-commissioned officers and mid- to low-level officers to advance in rank. Moreover, after serving for a certain period of time, the excess merit points can be exchanged for land or annuities.
When he was promoted to the second-level squad leader, all of Griffith's existing merit points had been consumed. Next, if he wanted to be promoted to the first-level squad leader, he needed to have 10 merit points, and to be promoted to a higher-level assault squad leader, he would need additional merit points. 20 merit points. Once he crosses the threshold of an assault squad leader, he may even hope to become an officer and a noble, and establish his own small family.
Mr. Ashford watched the trainee knight quietly, taking in all his eager eyes, and said, "Mr. trainee knight, have you ever come into contact with potential strengthening potions before?"
By the way, what is this... Griffith immediately shook his head.
Ashford explained: "Of course you don't need this kind of potion in the army, but if you want to quickly improve extraordinary abilities, potential potions are very useful.
"There is information about potential potions in the library, you can study it slowly. For relatively basic extraordinary abilities, one unit of potential potions can already increase it by one level.
"However, the more powerful your ability is, the more resources it will consume. I suggest you consider it carefully before using it."
…
Griffith had one day off per week, usually Sunday, or, if he wished, on a day when there was no pressing business.
Today is August 22, 1443 in the Second Era.
Griffith's room was in the attic of the Earl's Mansion. It was a single room not much larger than a stagecoach carriage. The hard wooden bed is next to a desk, a chair and a small bookshelf, with suitcases stuffed under the bed. The morning sun shines through the window and onto the sheets, making Griffith, who has just woken up, feel very comfortable.
The trainee knight got up from the bed early, washed his face in a hurry, put on a full set of heavy armor and weapons, trotted out of the dormitory on the basement floor, and ran his extra morning exercise along the wide and beautiful boulevard in the uptown area.
Today is a holiday, and Griffith has very important arrangements.
Along the way, he met Lana and Murat, who were also fully armed. They nodded to each other and continued their training.
"Morning - Griffith!" The tall and light Ophelia wore comfortable casual clothes, tied her long blond hair into a ponytail, and swung it around as she ran, "Don't ask, there is no smell anymore! No more!" I'll beat you if you ask."
The neat streets are paved with cobblestones or square tiles, and they are very clean and refreshing no matter it is windy or raining. In the first few days, Griffith exercised according to the habits and distances in the army, but found that it was over before he could warm up.
The most luxurious residences in the upper town of Beyeland are built on gentle slopes with wide views in the middle of the mountain. From time to time, the sound of fully armed trainee knights or attendants training could be heard on the winding long street, but it would not wake up the nobles in the nearby mansion. The bedrooms of the nobles living here are deep in the quiet garden, and they don't care about the noise of their subordinates.
When it was still dark, Griffith returned to Larmore House. The kitchen in the house is kept open day and night, providing four meals and two midnight snacks to the servants and guards in shifts, and also meeting the needs of the master and guests from time to time. Griffith received milk, oats, freshly baked bread and bacon from the cook, as well as two fried eggs that the other servants did not have. Although these days have been going on for a while, Griffith is still as happy as a dream every time he has breakfast.
After breakfast, Griffith returned to his room, put on a coat that had been starched and pressed by the washing maid, and walked briskly uptown to Avon Forest.
The embassy of the Elf Kingdom is located in the most leafy place in Beyeland. Surrounded by giant trees in the sky, towering spiers and leaping figures can be vaguely seen.
At the fence on the edge of the embassy area, Griffith was stopped for questioning. The people responsible for guarding here are human soldiers. If you ignore their obstruction and continue to move forward or rush in, you may be shot into pieces by arrows shot from nowhere.
The guarding human soldier looked at the application submitted by Griffith and pointed to a small cabin nearby, indicating that he should wait there. Griffith walked in obediently and found the place surprisingly comfortable.
Indescribable types of wood are spliced into beautiful wooden floors and furniture. There are also exquisite white porcelain teapots and snack plates on the small table next to the seat.
The trainee knight curiously opened the teapot and smelled it. The fragrant smell hit his nostrils and made him feel refreshed. Although there are not many snacks on the side, they are very delicate and bring a refreshing and sweet taste to the mouth.
"Why are you eating by yourself!" A familiar voice sounded from behind. Griffith hurriedly stuffed half of the snack into his mouth, clapped his hands and said hello to his elf friend whom he hadn't seen for a few days.
Since coming to Beyeland, Griffith has written several letters to the elf girl and asked her to have lunch with her. Today is the only time he succeeded.
"I'm sorry, I'm not very familiar with this city, so it's just a small gift that's not worth mentioning. Happy birthday!" Griffith took out a delicate small box he had with him and handed it over in accordance with the etiquette of visiting guests.
"Since it is a gift worth mentioning, then I don't want it," Galadia looked at the trainee knight seriously.
Uh...huh? Are the etiquette of elves different from those of us humans? What should I do? Griffith didn't know how to answer the question.
"Hahaha! I'm kidding you!" Galadia shook her long, smooth black hair, "What's inside?"
"Scented tea made from peach and passion fruit mixed with honey can be stored at room temperature. When traveling in the wild, you can drink it by just adding hot water," Griffith said like a nervous candidate waiting for test results. "Before, it could only be used in the wild. Herbs make tea, I think it would have been nice to have had this back then.”
The beautiful scented tea is packed in a crystal bottle, sparkling in the sun.
"Hoho, it tastes good and looks good!" The elf girl gently picked up the colorful scented tea, raised her nose and sniffed it, stretched her thin eyebrows and nodded.
"Hey! You know it! Human boys are indeed more interesting!" Galadia patted the apprentice knight twice on the shoulder with satisfaction, "When we elf men give small gifts, we just don't know where to pick them up. A broken relic stone statue, and then chatted with me for two hours about historical stories. Is it because I am illiterate and can’t read by myself, or am I too busy?”
"Oh~" Griffith thought for a while and felt that this seemed quite interesting.
"And did you know? Sometimes these stone statues will attract curses or the attention of evil gods. What a ghost! It's because of this that the annual fertility rate will drop~" Galadia put the scented tea next to the wall He was placed in a small cabinet and later sent back to his residence by a servant, "This kind of life really makes people sleepy!"
"Speaking of which, the population of Beyeland is really large!" Griffith opened the wooden door leading to the outside of the reception room, "Would you like to go out for a walk?"
…
"So, you and Miss Larmore were attacked by a gangster with super powers by coincidence," Galadia said. "And the reason why this gangster attacked you was because he didn't know where he learned about the three young nobles. His travel plan. Has the Bureau of Investigation pried open the gangster's brain to take a look?"
It is said that extraordinary people of a certain path have the power to channel spirits and invade thoughts and dreams. Privacy and secrets are invisible under their power.
However, the Bureau of Investigation did not submit any relevant information or reports to the Earl's Palace, at least Griffith did not know about it.
"I haven't heard of any progress," Griffith replied. "Is there magic and extraordinary power that can block the brain and memory and hinder the investigation?"
"Of course there is, the power of the mysterious side is unfathomable~" the elf said, "Then, because of the first incident, you participated in the battle to encircle and suppress the gangs, encountered a fallen mage and annihilated her and all her minions. .”
"Um……"
"Then the clues that led to the attack on Miss Larmore and the others should be cut off," Galadia said. "The people behind the scenes are very thorough in their work. Don't have high expectations for the investigation results of minions like Jaros and Lahana."
The apprentice knight and the beautiful elf girl walked slowly along the long trestle and on the secluded river bank. Galadia picked branches and petals from the roadside and knitted them with her own hands:
"But the fallen mage is a real person. Starting from the traces of her life and belongings, we may be able to investigate something. Do you have any other clues?"
"Yes," Griffith took off the pale bone ring from his finger and handed it to the elf, "I did not report this clue to the official."
"Is this material... what kind of bone is it? It looks a bit scary. From the shape, it looks like a curled snake biting its own tail, and the ring setting is missing the inlaid gems," Galadia picked up the He studied the ring for a while and said, "Its aura has been blocked. It would be dangerous to break the seal rashly. Even with your magical skills, it is impossible to come up with a result. Yes, by the way, I seem to have seen this style somewhere. I We’ll look into it.”
After saying this, the elf threw the ring to the trainee knight: "I don't like this style of hunting."
"When I put on this ring, I felt like I was surrounded by endless whispers. I almost lost consciousness and my body lost strength." Griffith carefully took the ring and put it back on his finger. "I was already very weak at the time. The fallen mage almost took the opportunity to make a comeback and almost killed me."
"Be careful!" Galadia muttered reproachfully, glaring at him with concern, "So this is an extraordinary magic item, and it is connected to a powerful soul. I just heard Said, such whispers often mean a large amount of cryptic information and knowledge, which can be very dangerous to the unprepared."
