Steel steam and flame

"A glass of juice." Cassia said politely, looking around at the simple tavern, with a retro decoration style that made people feel comfortable.

Taking the cup and sitting down in a quiet corner, Cassia naturally took a few sips and raised her hand to look at the time. It was already a minute or two past the agreed time. Looking outside, there were no limousines heading here on the road. Just as Cassia turned her head and looked at the stairs leading to the second floor not far away, footsteps brought two capable bartenders down. They were wearing light gray long-sleeved clothes and a white apron in front of them, with the name of the pub. words.

The two nodded to Cassia and made a gesture of inviting them to go upstairs.

Without changing her expression, Cassia picked up the juice and followed the two of them up to the second floor. The decoration is similar to that on the first floor. Sitting at the table next to the window is a middle-aged man about forty or fifty years old. He has dark hair and a natural expression that shows no characteristics consistent with his age. He is full of vitality and vitality. . There is a black box on the table, and an equally black crutch is placed beside it. The curved end has become very smooth due to frequent friction.

It was made of wood, and Cassia recognized the material on the surface. As the footsteps approached, the slender bayonet variant hidden inside gradually appeared in his head in a physical form. "It doesn't look like someone from the Hill family." Eli and Hai compared it, but Cassie didn't find that they had the same special features. He is more like a very prestigious elder in the family, which can be seen from the respectful attitude of the people next to him.

The two accompanying people stopped Cassia at this time, found the revolver and dagger, and placed them next to the black box. Cassia smiled and walked straight forward.

"Hello, Mr. Xenocellis." Cassia said hello and sat down. Collector Xenocellis looked over, his eyes clearer than expected and full of energy.

"Hello, Mr. Tussos." Senoselis nodded, "I'm very sorry for asking you to come to this remote place. You have given me a very bad impression before, and I sincerely want to talk to you. Trading, but the people sent were indeed too business-like. I couldn’t bear what happened afterwards. It’s just that trading items is an art I cherish. I really want to see his next successor in person, and don’t want this to happen. The work fell into the hands of someone whose status was not worthy of it.”

"Mr. Tussos, you probably understand what I mean. For people who are also interested in seeing and hearing these strange things, I think there must be a lot in common between us, and sometimes we will have the same mood."

Xenocellis picked up the exquisite revolver, opened the drum with a "ding" sound, and looked at the bullet wrapped in a copper shell with eyes full of nostalgia.

“The bronze islands floating in the clouds, the strange sound of falling leaves in the wind, the deep underwater shadows of fishermen in awe, and the ancient civilizations that exist faintly in the cracks of time. Since I was a child, I have been deeply fascinated by these strange things. Deeply fascinated. I imagine what the continent would have looked like at that time, and whether humans at that time were like us, relying on steam to drive steel machines and exploring the unknown world around them little by little."

Senoselis took out the bullets from the drum one by one and arranged them between him and Cassia: "Perhaps it is because of inheriting such a bloodline. My father is like this, my grandfather is like this, and finally together with me The same is true. For a small branch, no one expected that it would grow to this scale under the fermentation of time. Of course, time has changed us a lot, but our interest in the unknown has never deteriorated."

"I don't know what you think of it, Mr. Tussos." As he spoke, Xenocellis picked up the dagger and gently pushed the bullets that were lined up. With a crisp clattering sound, six bullets rolled and scattered on the table. Xenocellis grabbed one, pointed the tip of the bullet at himself, and pointed the bottom case with a white ring at Cassia, "I have lived for a long time, Mr. Tussos who uses such high-quality bullets must know it." . Constantly relying on money and power to gather many things, the more I explore, the more I feel how small I was a long time ago. But there are also gains, which are what many people pursue throughout their lives, and it can be seen as their undiscovered instincts. It’s not a bad idea.”

"Mr. Tussos has the same curiosity about these things as I do. Transferring cherished things to people who are the same as himself will always give birth to the feeling of sharing his own joy, just like a child, which makes me feel like I was young again. .”

Cassia took a bullet pushed by Xenocellis and held it in his hand: "I am just a researcher interested in history. If I only explore this aspect, I have a lot of interest and time. .”

Senoselis smiled: "When did the historical researchers in the empire become like you, Mr. Tussos? I am very curious. Or, Mr. Tussos, from a personal point of view, you are not interested in "Ancient Ruins". How much do you know about "The Record of Mysteries", or in other words, how much do you know about its author, Pekinz Chilis?"

Without waiting for an answer, Xenoselis continued his words and narrowed his eyes at Cassia: "Not many people in the empire know about these books. The original intention was not to spread in an independent circle. Even if they knew Their people, such as some nobles, some businessmen, and some people engaged in historical research, but most of them use it to enrich their own reputation, or use it as leisure books to fantasize and pass the time. As for the content, people who really do research do not Many. There are actually very few people like you, Mr. Tussos."

Seeing that Cassia still closed her mouth tightly, Xenocellis picked up the wine glass and took a sip of wine. At this time, the female bartender from downstairs came up, dragged the plate, placed fresh juice and wine, and placed it gracefully in front of Cassia and Senoselis.

Putting away the plates, the bartender stood aside with a light step.

Xenocellis said thank you, his eyes covering Cassia: "So I cherish this opportunity very much. I think people who are interested in these things will have some kind of special ability. Give the right thing at the right time, just It can inspire power. The real history never lies, and it will guide some people who explore it." The voice was long and drawn out, like a code word to start the machine, Cassia's brain gave this judgment.

When entering the tavern, the body's sensation told Cassia that the scent was mixed with something similar to hallucinogens. Cassia was not sure whether the juice was also there. Even if there is, the combined concentration of both seems to be below the standard line that his body can tolerate.

"Let's talk about the deal first." Cassia looked at Senoselis sincerely. No matter how much he continued, the middle-aged man in front of him seemed to have no intention of telling his true thoughts.