"Qiao Shi, Qiao Shi."
The old Bayard called out in the next room. The 13-year-old girl who was lying on the wooden table responded and looked away from the light and dark candles. Not far away, the sky was coming from outside the window. It was gloomy, and the sky was densely covered with black clouds, always interlaced with purple lightning. She looked up at the terrible weather, sighed, and walked out the door to ask:
"Father, what's the matter?"
"Go and fetch my cloak and bring the carriage out. The weather can't do any work. I will send the farm tools to the city for Betos to repair." Old Bayard was putting on shoes on his bench, while Replied.
Qiao Shi stood by the door of her room watching the bad weather outside the living room door, frowning and a little worried, her arms folded in front of her apron under her rolled up sleeves. "Do you want to go out in this weather?" she said reluctantly. Old Bayard heard the concern in his daughter's tone and glanced at the weather outside and smiled: "It's just a gentle breeze and drizzle, and it's just a gentle breeze and drizzle. After a while, the weather will get worse, so it won't be easy to go out at that time."
Qiao Shi sighed, wiped her hands on her apron, and walked through the living room to remove the cloak from the shelf and put it on Old Bayard, "Go and comfort Ansi and Alor, they are still small, and lightning must have frightened them. "Old Bayard squinted his eyes, let his daughter wrap his hands around his neck and put a cloak on him, enjoying the silent warmth, while talking. "The road is slippery, the carriage must be difficult to walk." Qiao Shi whispered.
"It doesn't matter, my dear boy, those bad things won't come out in this weather." Old Bead haha smiled.
Qiao Shi knew that her father's statement was to reassure herself. Since the little lord began to rectify the peace in early Xia, there have been few traces of goblins and robbers in the countryside. She pressed her lips and said nothing. "Okay, let's go." Old Bead looked at his daughter's face that looked more and more like his dead wife, and ordered.
Qiao Shi nodded, turned to go out, and walked through the yard in the rain. The stable was at the back of the farm. She opened the firewood door. The light in the small shed was very dim, and the two little mares looked restless in this weather. Qiao Shi stepped on the dry grass on the ground and walked to the mare named Ansi first, patted its neck gently with his hand, and gently soothed the mare so that the mare could calm down, but today is a little different from the past. The gray-fur mare stomped her feet, her big wet eyes appeared especially bright in the dark, and there was a strong uneasy light inside.
"What's the matter?" Qiao Shi frowned, keenly feeling that Ansi's fear did not come from the bright thunder and lightning in the sky, but from the underground.
She squatted down slightly and stared at the haystacks stacked on the ground with bright eyes. In her sight, the straw was trembling slightly-the girl understood in a moment: the ground was moving! A very bad premonition came to Qiao Shi's heart. She immediately stood up and rushed towards the wooden fence of Guanma. She gritted her teeth and dragged the iron bolt with both hands to pull it off the lock and threw it to the ground. The two horses were released and drove them out of the stable. After only such a moment's delay, the ground visibly vibrated, and the cratered puddles outside had rippled circles. Qiao Shi had just ran outside the shed when she heard a strange buzzing sound from the north.
She stopped and turned her head subconsciously. To the north is the continuous forest of Allathah. At the top of the forest, it seems that a huge ball of light has risen. The ball of light penetrated the clouds because it was too bright and dazzling. It seemed to make the world around it dim. Then, the deafening sound of the explosion that seemed to tear the air swept across like a shock wave, bringing up a few strands of hair—the buzzing in the ears turned into a loud rumbling, and gradually connected into one piece again, forming a high-pitched ear-piercing tip. The howl, as if the tide were connected one after another, but gradually, the sound in the ear became a humming like a murmur, and then a higher wave formed, submerged everything, and the tree canopy was still there. Flicking, branches and leaves flying all over the sky, lightning and thunder, wind and rain are intertwined, but the surroundings seem to be a silent world.
In this silent world, Qiao Shi was horrified to see that the ball of light was getting bigger, engulfing the sky and clouds a little bit, and its spherical appearance began to collapse with the expansion, and the white shell shattered in an instant. A dazzling flame burst out from it, and the flame continued to spread in all directions like a cloud. It started very slowly, as if it was far away in the sky, but suddenly, she saw the fire cloud come to the sky above Allather, instantly Engulfed the entire forest in time.
The towering wall of fire continued to move forward. The sharp cedar, the upright black pine, and the undulating hills had already turned into a sea of fire, and the scorching breath rushed toward her face. Her long hair was almost frantic in the air current. Dancing, blinking, the stables were already torn apart in front of her, Qiao Shi screamed before turning around to run.
But unfortunately it was a little late.
With a loud bang, the flames passed over the entire farm in the form of a hurricane, turning everything into ashes.
"what!"
Qiao Shi opened her eyes pale, her whole body already soaked in cold sweat. She stood up from the wooden table and realized that she had the nightmare again. It has been more than a month since the terrible explosion, although she later learned that the explosion occurred in the Dead Frost Forest in the north and affected the area. In the end, she only went to the area north of Canary Mountain and east of Needle Hill, but in her dreams, she dreamed more than once that the flames engulfed the forest and farms of Anrath, and the entire Lantoniland was a sea of hell.
She raised her head and looked at the avenue leading to Kkus outside the window. The forest beside the road was lush, lonely and deep. The sky above the forest canopy was as blue as the sea, and the silk cotton wool formed a white trail. Since the explosion, the weather has been A day is better than a day. There are riders passing by from time to time on the avenue, in twos and threes, some of them are mostly nearby knights under the banner of aristocrats, and some are simply adventurers traveling in groups.
These people have appeared one after another since half a month ago. Although this month is the day when adventurers gather, but in a small place like Bernicel, you rarely see such a situation, not to mention they are all Still headed north.
"Qiao Shi!" someone shouted at this moment.
Qiao Shi saw that the person who greeted herself was a hunter who lives next door. He seemed to have gone to the city some time ago, "Uncle Becher, you came back from the city, did you see my father?" she asked quickly. . "Old Bayard, I saw him at the blacksmith's place, what's the matter?" the hunter replied.
"It's nothing, just worry, Uncle Becher, do you know what's going on?" She glanced at the knights passing by, and then whispered.
"You mean those knight masters?" The hunter stood by the fence and looked at the noble knights on the road. He shook his head: "They are going to find someone."
"Find someone?"
"Yeah, find someone."
…
Valendenburg.
Five weeks after the explosion, Ike, Yura, Macaro, and Earl Odin can all see that the princess, although her face is safe and sound, has secretly become anxious day after day. stand up. Fortunately, the negotiations with the Duke himself were fairly smooth. On the surface, the Duke of Vieiro was originally the enemy of Count De Nell. The two were on and off the stage, and they fought many times, big and small. Now there is a chance to do it all. If you destroy your enemy, you will not easily let go of this opportunity.
But in fact, even a hairy boy like Eco can see that Grand Duke Vieiro is the old love of the king of Nianzhao. The daughter of the Lord Duke turned out to be the mother of Her Royal Highness. When she saw Princess Griffin call the Lord Grand Duke Grandpa, even the oldest royal parties such as Macaro and Overwell were there. Standing there, almost beyond everyone's expectation, it seemed to remind people that this lord duke was young and suave, married an elf as his wife, but no one had seen the duchess before, nor Knowing that there was a silver elf duchess in the kingdom of Eruin.
However, while Macaro and others were shocked, they slowly realized that the little girl who had obeyed their words did not seem to be as well-behaved as expected. In fact, from the very beginning, the princess kept such a thing. Back hand.
The marriage of Obergus VII was facilitated by the royal family alone. Although the king married a half-elf will inevitably attract rumors, the old king showed his stubbornness as always in this matter. What's more, the queen in the kingdom is at least a human being, and the royal parties are unwilling to touch Obergus VII on this trivial matter.
But I didn't expect that from today, Macaro and others have come to understand that what the stubborn old king pursued at the time was not a vain love.
And the Highland Knights didn’t know what they were making, and they were so enthusiastic that people couldn’t understand them. I wanted to say that the next war would have nothing to do with them at all, but not only did they send official officials including the Dark Tower Wizard. The envoys also vowed to promise that as long as the princess goes to war against Jean de Nell, they will join the princess. This attitude is no longer like an alliance, it is almost like surrendering allegiance.
In this way, the royal party is a little bit unable to understand. It should be understood that the Highland Knights have always been aloof in Eruin's political ecology. Even in the era of the most powerful royal power, these knights and wizards only maintained a mutually respectful relationship with the royal family. When did you show such a low-handed posture
Knowing that at this time, they are theoretically the strong side. After her Royal Highness settled the situation in Amperthel, she relied on her own small territory and the help of the ill-spoken Count Tonigel. Reluctantly to get to this point. In fact, if the Duke of Vieiro were not willing to fall to their side, from the situation, the northern king's eldest son seemed to have a better chance.
But the situation is progressing silently in such a confusing development, because there is a precedent for the Highland Knights, it is not so surprising that even the envoy of Golan-Elson came to show his loyalty. , Because everyone understands that the grand prince had no ambitions. He was not so much a nobleman as a hermit, and he didn't care about outside affairs at all. In fact, before the arrival of the Grand Duke Golan-Elson’s envoys, there were malicious speculations that the Duke’s news could not be so well informed. Most of these envoys were arranged by his aides and retainers.
It turned out that this speculation was true. Of course, everyone was tacitly aware of these details, and it was enough to maintain a tacit understanding with each other.
But all the details, at least let people understand a little bit.
Eruin's kingship will be prosperous—
The smooth diplomacy cannot conceal Princess Griffin's day-to-day anxiety.
Bougainvillea, Overwell has returned to Lantoniland from the same way. After all, the explosion occurred at the junction of Lantoulan and Vieiro. Everyone wants to figure out the big explosion a month ago. What happened. Most of the news coming back from the front is also disturbing. In the scout’s report, it seems that the entire Dead Frost Forest has completely disappeared. In the area east of the Gunn Mountains and south of the Violet Fort, a new piece of death has appeared. In the magic area, the remaining energy proved that there had been a shocking explosion before.
There is a lot of evidence pointing to a huge deep pit in the center of the explosion, but so far, no survivors have been found in the explosion.
In higher-level circles, especially the princess and the people around her better understand what this means.
The little prince has not yet returned.
Earl Tonigel is still missing.
But what makes Macaro and Count Odin more disturbed is that they know that the first heir of the Cruz people has also disappeared in the explosion, and their large aristocratic observation group, and their sky blue. The commander of the legion. In fact, Makaro and Count Odin have received news from their respective channels-the Cruze’s envoys had already set off earlier, left the empire, and were on their way to Eruin.
This is definitely not a good sign.
But until earlier in the day.
An unexpected guest visited Valendenburg.
There is no doubt that this is a guest that Her Royal Highness Princess Griffin has been waiting for for a long time.
Outside the window sill, the vines hanging from the city wall swayed in the shade, and in the distance, the quiet wind forest and the Gunn mountain range were immersed in the background of Varan. The warm sun in the afternoon slowly climbed up the window panes, spilling into the room through the veins of the leaves, a glow of golden warmth. Inside the house, behind the precious black wooden desk, Princess Griffin was sitting quietly on the red velvet cushion of the long-backed chair.
She deliberately calmed herself down, but still couldn't help asking the time several times, "It's almost here, she has already passed the promenade, Your Royal Highness." The maid replied with a somewhat embarrassed smile.
Princess Griffin nodded and took a breath. At this time, Doldold's knock was finally heard outside the door, as if the whole room had been quiet for a while before she replied softly: "Please come in."
The door was pushed open. Behind the door was Freya, still wearing Eruin's military uniform, but the calmness on his body was far better than before. Apart from the blushing face, it was almost another Nimesis. When she saw Princess Griffin, she was stunned. She thought that it would be Macaro or Earl Ouding who would meet her, but she immediately gave a chivalry.
"your Highness."
"You don't need to be polite," the half-elf girl looked calm on the surface, but she took a few breaths before she reluctantly said quietly: "Earl... Is he okay?"
"His Royal Highness, Brando... he is fine." Freya replied quietly, a little disturbed.
However, Princess Griffin didn't seem to notice this. She moved anxiously. Although her subtle expression was almost insignificant, she still asked eagerly: "Then, what about my brother?"
"His Royal Highness Haruze is fine, he and Lord Earl are very good."
The half-elf girl took a sigh of relief. Although she tried her best to restrain her weak expression and sullen her face, her mind was a little confused. She sat there for a long time, both happy and a little disappointed, especially for the senses of the earl Tonigel. After a while, she returned to indifference: "Why didn't the earl come here by himself?"
"Miss Nimesis and everyone are injured. Lord Lord wants to send them back to Frada or Fir Collar first."
Griffiy lowered her eyelids, as if thinking. After a while, she looked at Freya again. There was already a clear light in her silver eyes: "Freya, this is an excuse, isn't it?"
Freya blushed. This is indeed an excuse. The real reason is that Akane is missing. Brando is trying his best to find clues about the mountain girl. But it's not only that, there are some deeper reasons, but there are outsiders here. She remembered what Brando had told herself, glanced at the maid next to the princess, and nodded.
Griffiy turned his head slightly and said to his maid: "Go and tell the highland knight gentlemen that Lord Earl can't come, but he is still alive. Ask them what they think."
The handmaid nodded lightly and left immediately.
Then, the princess turned her head and said: "What the hell is going on, and the explosion, I want to know what happened?"
Freya took a breath.
"That's it, Your Royal Highness..."
…
Port Del Detal—
At dusk, a wagon filled with goods swayed heavily along the crowd towards the port, but the crowd in front of the wagon gathered more and more, and something seemed to happen on the avenue leading to the port. . It didn’t take long before the crowd flocked to the point where even the carriage could not move forward. The carriage had to stop. The coachman turned around and asked something before jumping out of the carriage with a man covered in a cloak; this person seemed to have been only recently. He was injured and seemed to be inconvenient to move. He limply came to the front of the carriage, took a look at the situation outside, and then talked to the coachman for a few words before returning to the carriage.
At this time, a voice came from inside the hood: "What's wrong, Boymer?" The voice was a little dry, and it sounded hoarse as an old man.
"It's good news, Baba, we are saved." The former, with a smile of joy, came to the side of the car hood and whispered: "It's our mission. They just landed."
There was silence in the hood.
Viscount Baba was sitting on the edge of a pile of hay, pale, as if he had some terminal illness. He finally couldn't help but breathe out when he heard his companion's words, then got up with difficulty, and lifted the black cloth in the corner of the carriage with his hands. It was a whole piece of crystal, among the crystals, Inside, the red-haired young girl clasped her spear tightly, her angry expression still lifelike, she was so beautiful—but this time, Baba En looked not at Akane, but the silver halberd in the girl's hand.
He looked at it obsessively as if possessed.
…