"Maester Mitchell." Early the next morning, Iweila got rid of the waiter and found the room where the bachelor lived. "I think we should talk." She opened the door, passed through the papers and books on the floor, and said to the bachelor standing next to the bookshelf.
The other party¡¯s eyes lifted from the yellowed and rough pages of ¡°The Connection between the Dead and Demons¡± written by Roderick de Buffon. It was an interesting but controversial book - most of the content was completely imaginary, but there were always points worthy of reference - and Ewela had studied it carefully. []
"I'm here. Miss Iweila, is something okay?"
Iweila made gestures and hesitantly organized her words. "I want to talk to you about"
Bachelor Mitchell raised his hand to stop what she was going to say. His eyes were hidden behind thin lenses, and the scattered light obscured his emotions. "If you are worried about the paladin and the ghost, then call the alchemist. I can see that you can't make the decision." He pointed out unceremoniously.
"That's the job of the Andal Church." She said dryly.
"You understand that nature is best."
Eweila took two steps forward eagerly. "That's not what I'm talking about."
"Oh?" Mitchell put down the book and turned to look at her. "What do you want to talk about, miss?"
He looked casual. Iweila knew that he didn't want to talk about it at all. Maybe it was a big mistake to come to him? She couldn't help but think that if she had known earlier, she might as well have found the chief mage, or just any affairs officer. They probably wouldn't refuse her. To be precise, no one here would reject her except the king and the bachelor.
"I know, Maester Mitchell." Iwela found it so difficult to bow her head first. She had no way of knowing what Leo would think in his heart when he made a similar choice, but she was certain that it would be more uncomfortable than hers. "We had our differences and arguments. I thought that was in the past."
"That's over." Mitchell said lightly.
"But I can't see it."
"You don't need to show it," Mitchell said, "because I won't express any apology to you. Tell me, what's the matter with you? Please hurry up. The situation is critical now, and I don't have that much time to accompany you to reminisce about the past and nostalgia. Lament, I don¡¯t know that we have any happy memories worth recalling. So, say what you have to say.¡±
He spoke in a tone that told people he was thousands of miles away. It was enough to extinguish all Eweila's enthusiasm and trample on her courage and self-esteem. This is not the first time he has treated her like this.
Once upon a time, when they were studying at the Castle of Despair, Mitchell, her, and three other classmates were the apprentices who had the best chance of being personally taught by the chief maester. The battle between the five of them was fierce because there was only one spot available. She and Mitchell are the favorites. As a result, their relationship deteriorated dramatically. In the end, fire and water were incompatible. However, the final result surprised everyone. The First Maester chose the most taciturn one. Both she and Mitchell were completely disqualified.
¡°He must still hate me, Ivira couldn¡¯t help but think, just as I hate him.
"Bachelor Mitchell."
The other party¡¯s face showed that he was very impatient. "Say. Our time is limited."
She suppressed the surge of anger. This was simply the stupidest decision she had ever made. She should have turned around and left. But what happens after that? At least the bastard in front of her wouldn't deliberately deceive her. "What's going on here?" She tried to be colder. "Why did Hairy Raz suddenly start a war?"
"You have to ask them." Mitchell replied firmly, "Because I don't know the answer either."
¡°But they are half a continent away from here.¡± Surprise made Eweila forget to control the muscles of her face. "There are several countries and dominions separated in between. Did Hairy Raz also capture them?"
Mitchell looked up at her. "You should go find an officer and ask him to take you to see the sand table in the general's room instead of asking me." He said coldly, "You will know better."
"You are a bachelor and the king's advisor." She felt like she was going crazy, but she still didn't leave.
"Miss Ivera, you have forgotten the saying," Mitchell told her, "'A maester is not always right, just as a prophet cannot predict everything.' I agree with everyone else on this matter - including His Majesty the King - confused and clueless."
Eweila looked at him silently.
She knew that the other party must know something, just like he knew that she would not give up easily.
Trapped in the roomThere was a terrible silence. She almost clearly heard the voices of the officers outside the castle calling for formation. They were adjusting their military posture, practicing formation, and were ready to rush to the front line at any time. The dark clouds of war hung over her head, as if a huge mountain was weighing her down. Soldiers can fight for their country without any reason, but they can't. It is the most stupid behavior to ignite war at will. She needed an answer, a guiding light that would allow her to see through the fog.
This time, Mitchell lowered his head first. "Well, if you want to know the answerthen my answer is 'I don't know'." He raised his hand to stop Eweila's questioning. "If you want to ask why, then let me tell you straightforwardly, no one knows what those crazy people are crazy about."
Mitchell slapped the pulpit hard, making a "thud" sound. His face was full of anger, not fake. But Iweila could never agree with his words. How can there be a war without warning?
"Whether you believe it or not, this is my answer, the only answer." He seemed hurt by Eweila's suspicion. Mitchell repeated, shouting at her. "You can find someone else, and don't bother me anymore. Please leave here, I still have work to do." He picked up the book again.
Eweila knew that this was a hint to see off guests.
She sighed helplessly. She should have guessed the result a long time ago, so why did she come here to ask for trouble again? She still didn't know what she wanted to know, which made her angry. Damn it, am I an idiot? She thought angrily, trying to suppress the urge to roughly kick the tables, chairs and benches off the floor with her feet.
¡°And, Miss Iweila,¡± Mitchell suddenly called her from behind. "The palace affairs will be handled by the palace people. There is no need for you to meddle in others' affairs. Remember your identity."
Damn it, she didn't need him to remind her.
"Don't worry, I'm not a fool." She responded forcefully. However, when she put her hand on the door handle, she suddenly thought of a serious problem that she had forgotten in the corner. She turned around abruptly, "Mitchell, where's Aiyinbulo?" She couldn't hide the uneasiness and nervousness on her face. "How's it going there now?"
His silence was like a wail. As time went by, the silence made it increasingly difficult for her to contain the sadness in her heart. "Answer me, Mitchell!" she couldn't help shouting, "Are you going to hide even this from me?"
The other party sighed. "The situation is not what you imagined, Iweila." He organized his tone so that she could catch the other person trying to hide it. "I can't explain it to you in detail because my information comes from traffickers."
¡°There is always an element of truth in the rumors!¡±
"It's shocking."
She's had enough. Her patience was completely exhausted. "Tell me, I know how to judge!"
"There is a place you should go." Mitchell still refused to answer directly.
"Where?"
"The place you are most familiar with." He pushed up his glasses. "There is an injured lady among your companions. She should receive treatment. If I were you, I would take her to the Castle of Despair immediately. There is also an injured lady there who has traveled far away. The person who comes is a guest. He will clear up your doubts."
who? Iweila couldn't figure it out. "who?"
However, Mitchell didn¡¯t answer her anymore. He buried his head and wandered in his sea of ??books, as if Iweila did not exist.
Leo opened the door.
A shy maid heard the noise and came over immediately. "gentlemen?"
"No, I'm fine." He was a little flattered by the sudden preferential treatment. He waved his hand with a smile. "Where is Andal's temple? Can you tell me?"
The maid told him and said that he should have some guards accompany him. "It's not very peaceful on the streets," she reminded sadly.
"I will be dressed worse." Li Ou politely thanked her for her kindness and went out alone.
The streets were a mess.
The faces of passers-by either reveal despairing uneasiness about the future, or they show complete irrational fanaticism. The place was almost completely destroyed - starting from the inside. The war has been going on for several months, and we don't know when it will end. However, the more wars and famines occur, the more bustling and crowded the churches dedicated to faith become.
A large number of refugees gathered in the square in front of the church, blocking the road.
Leo struggled to squeeze his way out of the crowd, sweating all over even on a cold winter morning. If I had known earlier, I shouldn't have come. He couldn't help but think sadly. But he couldn't just let it go and ignore it. He needed to know how the bishop dealt with paladins. Becausethere is no doubt that they will also be killed by that terrifying knight.Got targeted.
But his persistence was immediately dispelled by his chagrin: he found that he had chosen the wrong time.
Under the escort of white knights, the priests took up a posture of relieving the refugees, and pots of batter were brought out. The decadent crowd suddenly came to life, bursting out with an irresistible force. They surged forward, causing Leo to stumble. He tried his best to maintain his balance - if he fell to the ground, he knew what would happen with his toes - and suddenly he remembered a scream beside him. A girl, veiled and wrapped in a tattered gray cloth cloak, was knocked to the ground. Countless people were pushing and pushing towards her. Their feet are more ferocious than the hooves of a bison. They all went crazy.
Leo pushed through the crowd with all his strength. Protect the girl and pull her up.
"Are you okay?" he asked with concern.
The other party nodded to him gratefully, and then her veil moved as if she said something. Leo came closer and asked, "What did you say?" However, the answer was a knife thrust into his stomach.