Rejecting the waiter's kindness in trying to tidy it up for him, the alchemist closed the door, took off his shirt that was covered in brick dust, and threw it on a hanger nearby. As he walked, he took off his sword belt and placed the sheathed sword next to the chair he was holding.
Their room is located above the castle. Looking out the window, the brightly lit city has a panoramic view. Only at night can you see the brick-red dust that blocks the sky and the sun. Black is like a rag, covering all the restlessness, and those lights are like sparks that can start a prairie fire spreading in the night. In the distance, the bright lights gradually faded away, leaving only the churning waves of dark gray water, rushing toward the shore. A lighthouse stands alone, as if standing at the end of the world. []
"Won?" Rosie sat by the window with her legs crossed and said without looking back.
"Won."
The female mage snorted coldly, "She's not dead."
Leo was speechless for a moment, he didn't know what to say. They are both right and they are both wrong. As a member of the authorities, he seems to have no right to speak to anyone. He could only respond with silence.
After a short silence, Rosie suddenly dropped the wine glass in her hand and stood up. She passed the alchemist expressionlessly and headed straight for the door.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
The female mage stopped and turned around to look at him. The amber eyes were as cold and calm as water. This is not like her, he thought to himself, not like her at all. Her calmness unnerved him, worrying him more than Flame's fury. Before he could speak again, Rosie jumped in and said, "I know what you're planning." She said, looking at him with eyes that he didn't dare to look into. He owed her a lot, no matter from which point. "I need to talk to her. I have to go, otherwise I will die in her hands one day. Don't look at me like that. I know you don't want to see this happen, right?"
He didn¡¯t even want to see them quarreling and turning against each other. "I just don't want to see you guys disagreeing¡ª"
"A fight?" The female mage smiled coldly. She flipped up her hair, and a few strands of hair fell down. She looked at the hair falling on the ground and was suddenly stunned for a moment, and her tone suddenly became heavy. "Am I an out-and-out villain in your eyes? Don't worry, I'm a useless person now. I can't do anything. I still need to beg for your protection."
"I didn't mean that-"
The female mage interrupted coldly, "How dare I attack the woman you love? I'm afraid of being killed by her sword." After saying that, she walked out and closed the door loudly, causing dust to fall.
The alchemist was stunned for a while facing the tightly closed door, then he lowered his head and looked at the hair on the ground. The dry red hair looks like cut straw, which is particularly dazzling. His wound was aching. He sat down on the chair, grabbed the wine flask and filled the cup with bright red liquid - like blood.
The edge of the wine glass was still warm from the lips and teeth, but the alchemist could not feel the slightest sweetness. The fragrant wine in the jug seemed to have been replaced by bitter wine made from unripe plums, leaving only a mouthful of bitterness in the mouth. He drank glass after glass until he was a little drunk. He grabbed the wine bottle and looked inside, but it was empty. He threw down the bottle angrily and had to force himself to stand up. He leaned on the window sill and looked out the window at the dark night again.
How many things are buried in the darkness? He thought, like the human heart. He thought he knew them well enough - wasn't there an old saying? "As time goes by, people's hearts are revealed." They followed him all the way, experiencing pain and suffering together, and sharing joy together - but they made it harder for him to understand and guess clearly. He couldn't even grasp their thoughts. Each of them has a secret, all hidden in the darkness. He wanted to know, but he was afraid to understand.
With the moon hanging high above his head, he wanted to bury himself in sleep, hoping that his worries would be gone when he woke up, but he didn't feel sleepy at all. He hesitated for a long time by the window. After a while, he made a decision. No matter what Luo Qian and Lu Yuewu said, he had to go and see it. He should not stay out of it. He turned around and took off the long sword from the sword belt, grabbed the scabbard and walked towards the door.
As soon as the alchemist put his hand on the doorknob, there was a knock on the wooden door depicting a beautiful woman in the woods. Without the dye, this woman would still look pretty. The alchemist was surprised that anyone could come to him at such a late hour, and he opened the door.
Outside the door was a bachelor lady who had changed into a long white dress. Leo couldn't help but imagine what those Varians looked like in white clothes, but he was so sick that he almost vomited. Her blond hair was tied back, revealing her slender and flawless neck like a swan. The alchemist was glad that he was not a vampire, otherwise he would have been unable to control himself and pounced on him.
"Leo, are you free?" Miss Bachelor asked. The tip of her nose moved?Said slightly dissatisfied, "You drank a lot."
He waved his hand carelessly, "Just a little bit."
"Really just a little bit?" She came up and sniffed at his mouth, frowning tightly. ¡°I hate it when people drink,¡± she said with disgust.
"I'm neither fainted nor drunk." Leo said slyly, "Besides, wine can wake up the brain¡ª¡ª"
"It will only burn your brain." Miss Bachelor tilted her head in disgust, as if she couldn't stand the smell of alcohol in his mouth. "I hope your brain is still clear enough to think."
Leo finally heard it. "busy?"
"Congratulations, I'm so glad you can still see this." She said sarcastically.
Why does everyone seem to have a grudge against him? What's so annoying about him? Why is everyone like this? "Come in," he stepped out of the way, "What do you want to talk about?"
"Have you finished your wine?" Miss Bachelor did not move, her brows still did not relax. But this time the alchemist remained silent. Instead, Miss Bachelor sighed, "Did you want to go out just now?"
The alchemist moved his stiff neck. "Just about to go out."
"Okay, I won't ask you where you are going. As soon as I see you like this, I know who you are going to find." Miss Bachelor said leisurely, "I just want to ask you, can you spare some time? ?¡±
¡°It¡¯s not too late to talk about their affairs tomorrow.¡±
However, Miss Bachelor seemed to regard his good intentions as having ulterior motives. "I don't feel honored at all." She said with a strange indifference, "Since you can spare the time and you don't look drunk now, then come with me." After that, she turned around Out the door.
"Where to go?"
¡°You¡¯ll know when you get there.¡±
Prince Barton¡¯s castle has a sloping ceiling, and the walls on both sides of the corridor are high on one side and low on the other, connecting one high or low door. They climbed up a flight of marble stairs¡ªit¡¯s worth mentioning that even the marble had red veins growing on them¡ªand walked higher up the castle.
"Where are we going?" the alchemist asked again.
Climbing the stairs made him soaked with sweat. The alcohol was evaporating faster, and his head was dizzy. He staggered on the stairs, and saw several double images of the burning torch in front of him. He felt like he was about to fall.
"You have to rest?"
"I think yes."
"Sorry, no."
¡°I feel like I¡¯m about to fall.¡±
"That's an illusion caused by drinking too much. Or will you tell me that you are afraid of heights?" Miss Bachelor said sharply. His dull brain left him confused. He didn't understand why she suddenly changed. Just likejust like a female mage who looks like Ivira. "As a woman, I'm not even tired, so you still can't support me?"
The alchemist held his hand against the wall. He was so drunk that his legs felt as heavy as lead. He leaned against the cold wall, his legs trembling, breathing heavily, "I'm not tired, I just need to rest."
"Sweating can keep you awake." He heard Miss Bachelor's voice seeming to come from the horizon, "You need to exercise." Of course he knew. But his hands and feet couldn't control his movements, and it was as if copper had been poured into his brain. All he wanted to do was fall asleep. "Stand up, Leo. Stop being such a damn coward who's been abandoned by a woman!"
Who the hell was abandoned! The alchemist cursed and stood up against the wall. He stood unsteadily, and the scabbard of his sword slapped the wall, making a clanging sound, which made him feel irritable. He pounded the hilt of the sword hard, but what he got in return was an even louder noise.
Two guards patrolling by noticed them and came over immediately.
"White devil," said one of the guards.
"Drunk white devils." Another one continued, "I thought they only drank blood."
Miss Bachelor looked at them warily and said coldly, "If you are fine, please go away."
"No, of course there is something," said the first guard, "Look, you need help-" "-Ha, what a meaningful thing. Maybe the boss will give us a few rewards-" "Drunk You can't fight this guy alone."
"No need for your fake mercy." Miss Bachelor grabbed a few coins and said, "Take the money and get out of here!"
"Get away." Leo muttered. He held Miss Bachelor's shoulders and grasped the hilt of the sword with one hand, "Close all your mouths" He burped, "Close them all. OtherwiseI will cut out all their tongues"
"Shut up, too!" Evie said?? Turned her head and shouted at him, "Don't breathe at me, I hate the smell of alcohol all over your body¡ª¡ª"
"And a foul-smelling mouth." A guard said while shaking the long hook knife in his hand.
Leo quickly drew out his sword, "You want to do it?"
"Leo!" Miss Bachelor screamed.
"Look, drunkard, you can't even hold the sword steady, and you still want to fight with us?" The two guards laughed together, "I can throw you from here with one finger."
Leo burped again. "Let's try it and we'll find out."
"Damn it! I should have let you die drunk in the room!" Miss Bachelor grabbed his wrist and easily took the weapon from his hand.
"Give me the sword." He tried to take back the weapon, but he staggered and almost fell down.
"Don't you think it's enough trouble?"
The guard laughed even louder. "He also said that he would cut out our tongues."
"I can also cut off your heads." Miss Bachelor roared, her voice echoing in the corridor. This sound can wake up anyone who is sleeping. "You have already taken the money, get out of here."
A guard tossed the coins in his hand, "Yes, let's get out of here. Who asked us to use money to do things." The other party bowed funny, "May you and your man have a good night."
"I'm afraid the white devil can't even find the hole." Another guard laughed, "You will have to satisfy yourself by then."
¡°Get out!¡± The guards shrugged, said vulgar words to each other, and gradually walked away. "Damn you bastard, take a good look, this is the trouble you brought!"
¡°You should let me have a good fight with them¡ª¡ª¡±
"The only one who will be knocked to the ground is you, drunkard." Miss Bachelor said angrily. "I really shouldn't have expected anything from you. You really should go back." She threw the sword to the alchemist, but he didn't take it. Then, the sword fell to the ground, letting out a painful cry. "Go back by yourself and pray that you can still find a way."
She abandoned the alchemist and walked up the marble stairs alone. As she walked around the corner, the sound of her footsteps gradually became fainter, and finally turned into an imperceptible echo, until it finally disappeared.
Leo stood there blankly. Everything changed so fast that my slow brain hadn't even figured out what was going on. He picked up the sword stiffly and dejectedly like a puppet. Seeing that it was empty, with only the crackling of torches illuminating the surrounding walkways, he suddenly sat down on the ground.
It shouldn¡¯t be like this, it shouldn¡¯t be like this things should not develop like this He looked around, only the twisted black shadows kept him company, he was lonely and helpless. Lonely and helpless, he kept chewing these two words while drunk, and suddenly understood their taste. So bitter, like bitten gall. He needs company, needs comfort, and even more needs the sense of security that no longer exists. The endless choices and dangers exhausted him. All he wanted was to get some sleep and unburden himself - but he couldn't right now. Whether it was self-righteousness or the need for control that even he hated, he couldn't sleep peacefully. They needed him, and he had secretly vowed to take them back safely. Therefore, he cannot sleep. Yes, he couldn't sleep.
The alchemist struggled on the steps, resting his elbows on the ground, rubbing his back against the rough wall, and climbed up with difficulty. He staggered on the steps, but he stood firm. He grabbed the sword tightly and took one staggering step, then another, towards the top.
¡î
Evira knocked on the door of the only room at the top of the castle.
"Maester Rhaela," she called softly outside the door.
After waiting for a short while, Leila's voice came from inside. "Is this the Bachelor of Blackthorn? Please wait a moment, I'm coming."
She took a deep breath and tried her best to calm down her emotions. She regretted leaving Leo alone. But she was fed up with the alchemist's drunk appearance. This reminded her of the past, when she was young:
She will always remember that time, when her father Mortima Blackthorn had not yet made his fortune, socializing took up most of his time. Every night he came home drunk. She will never forget the time when her drunken father beat her mother with a whip. He was like a weakling, venting his resentment of being laughed at, despised, reviled, and rejected on his sick mother. He is a pitiful and hateful coward, Iverla thought, a complete coward.
But Leo would not be such a person. At this time, the anger gradually disappeared, and the impulse in her heart made her want to go back immediately. She was worried that the idiot would be so clumsy that he would fall off the steps. But she has now knocked on the door. She had to suppress her concern and squeeze out a smile.??.
The door opened quickly, and a faint fragrance floated out from inside.
"What does this smell like?"
"The incense used for temple sacrifices." Leila explained softly, "That woman used it."
His beliefs are also false. Iweila was relieved. She would not discuss anything about secret messages with a deluded maester. Leila's hint reassured her a little.
The other party stepped aside and invited her in.
This is a spacious loft cabin. The scattered books and piles of papers did not make her feel cluttered, but instead filled her heart with a strange sense of satisfaction and joy. She loves books more than luxury life.
"It's a little messy here."
"It's okay. My room is also very messy, even worse than here."
Iweila picked up a book at random. What she held in her hand was an ancient book that discussed how the true god ignited the divine fire. She looked at other books in surprise and found that they were all about how to become a god.
"What do you think of this?" Iweila sat down on a chair vacated by Leila, "Because women?"
"Part of it." He must be telling the truth, Eweila judged by looking at his unflinching eyes. Leila found two cups and poured her a cup of tea. "Black tea from the West Coast." He continued the previous topic. "After all, I am serving Prince Barton. He wants to know, and I have to deal with his endless questions. Serving the king is more dangerous than people think." He There was a frightened expression on his face. "Many of Prince Barton's cronies have died. They were all executed by his order because they couldn't please him. I don't want to be the next unlucky guy."
Eweila nodded slightly to express her understanding. She took a sip of tea, "So, what about the other part of the reason?"
"Because of the city-state of Thousand Lakes." Leila said in a deep voice, "Sailors and merchants brought bad news. They said that water monsters were haunted there and ghosts were everywhere. It was occupied by islanders and shrouded in witchcraft and evil. Gods punished them from the sky. All the people with evil intentions turned them into puppets who obeyed their orders through horrific rituals. It sounds like a fantasy¡ª¡ª"
Iweila interrupted him, "This is not a rumor, it is all facts."
"You are so¡ª¡ª"
¡°I have experienced it myself, we are from the Thousand Lakes City-State.¡±
He looked surprised and unbelievable. "No wonder Miss Nianta is with you." Leila took a deep breath as if afraid, "But I still have doubts." He poked the iron cover of the ancient book with his finger. "According to what the sailors said, that monster, which the Leo people call a god, is an octopus But how can it become a god? This is obviously no longer feasible - "
"None of us know." Ewela looked out the window at the dark night sky and suddenly said, "Maester Leila, have you received the letter from the chief maester?"