Whispering Verse

We went all the way down the mountain and arrived in the city smoothly. Autumn is getting deeper and the temperature is gradually dropping. Today, the city of Fort Midhill is still as prosperous as in the autumn of previous years. However, it is difficult to say whether the city can survive this autumn.

Because Miss Carina had already made an appointment for Shade to visit, Shade went directly to Cassandra Auction House. In the reception room on the top floor of the auction house, Granny Cassandra took the long sword handed over by Shade, carefully took off the cloth wrapped around the sword and took a look, and immediately recognized what it was.

Her identification speed was a little too fast.

"Oh, I didn't expect that I would have the opportunity to see such a relic even after living to this age. Let's talk about the danger level first, angel level (level 1)."

The old man carefully placed the long sword back on the table.

This level is the same as Shade expected. After all, the doctor also said that this sword cannot be lower than the sage level.

"I remember the name is. Pale Justice? No, no, not this one. Ashes? No, no, that sword is in Devlin's hand. Yes, my memory is really bad as I get older."

The old witch shook her head mockingly:

"[My heart is clear, my sword kills demons], this sword is an angel-level relic [Night Watch]. Those demon hunters in the third era sometimes call themselves 'Night Watch', because in the third era, the night The time accounts for two-thirds of a day. In short, the storage conditions for angel-level relics are that they should not be touched by those with evil intentions. As for the characteristics of this sword, it is not stained by dust, can attack spirits, is sharp, and can cause special damage to evil spirits. The immortality resistance against undead creatures is offset, and the automatic reminder when evil spirits appear. You can zoom in on the characteristics of the sword itself. As for the features worth mentioning."

Grandma Cassandra thought for a moment:

"This sword will automatically memorize and retain the sword-wielding skills of its previous users. When you hold this sword, you will sometimes find that the sword is controlling your arm. Don't worry, just learn with your heart. Although it's cold The age of weapons has long passed, but for ring warlocks, cold weapon combat is still a good choice."

"This sounds very good, but I also lack experience in cold weapon combat. However, this is an angel-level sword. Is this the only feature it has?"

Shade asked curiously.

"No, no, of course not. If you sum up its unique characteristics, it can be said that there are three points. The first point is the skills of ancient heroes inherited by this sword, and the second point is the effect on demons. To put it simply, It’s okay to think of [Night Watch] as a demon nemesis. If Sivey had this two months ago, she would never let Ivan Darkness go.”

This sword's special aggressiveness against demons was what Shade saw from the doctor last night.

"Then what's the last point? If it only inherits the cold weapon combat experience and the power against demons, it doesn't seem worthy of being called a sage-level relic."

"Don't worry, the last point is that this sword can also be regarded as an extremely excellent spell-casting medium. Note that it is a spell-casting medium, not a spell-casting material."

Seeing Xia De looking at her curiously, the old man said helplessly:

"Well, it's just the staff in fairy tales and folklore. Although it is a cold weapon, if you can find a way to involve this sword in your spell casting process, it can effectively enhance rituals, spells and thaumaturgy. The power. For the ring magicians of the Sixth Age, this is the most valuable aspect of this sword."

Shade reached out and took the sword in his hand:

"Time perception!"

The current time is autumn 1853 of the Sixth Era Universal Calendar, Tuesday, the eighth day of the Moon of Dead Leaves, 10:17:56 in the morning.

[Time Perception] is not enhanced because Shade is holding the sword. I don’t know if the enhancement effect is not enough for Shade to see the truth, or if he is just holding the sword and is not involved in the process of thaumaturgy. .

"Just holding it doesn't count as letting the sword participate in the process of casting spells. However, everyone's thaumaturgy is different. You can try to use this sword yourself."

The old man suggested. Shade nodded, holding the hilt of the sword with his right hand, and stretched out his index finger to press on the sword:

"Silver Moon."

he called softly.

In an instant, bright silver light radiated from the sword body. This time, the "Lighting Technique" was actually achieved by emitting light from a long sword. In the gradually extinguishing moonlight, Grandma Cassandra nodded happily:

"Yes, that's it. This is what makes the sword a medium for thaumaturgy. It seems you have understood what I mean."

"Mother-in-law, how much can a relic like this be sold for?"

He inquired curiously again.

"This is not easy to estimate. I have lived so long and I have rarely heard of anyone selling angel-level relics for money. Most people barter, so that the value of this sword can be fully utilized."

The old man gave the answer, but then said:

"Young man, I remember Carina said that you are the Hamilton Knight of Rejed? Since you are a knight, you must have your own sword. Keep this sword for yourself. There will always be a chance to use it in the future. .”

Of course, Shade didn't want to sell this hard-earned silver sword:

"But it's a pity that this angel-level sword may become the key to sealing the narrow room. I probably won't be able to keep it forever."

"At least you are its owner now. Young man, although the long-term view is correct, sometimes you have to cherish the present."

The old witch said, and then reminded:

"However, except for specific occasions, you'd better not carry it around with you."

In today's steam age, even the patrolling police officers would take a second look at Shade when walking around on the street with a conspicuous long sword.

"I know that, but isn't it fun to go on an adventure where you already know there's going to be danger?"

For example, for adventures such as facing the Silver Eyed One and entering the dark realm, you can go there with a sword.

Grandma Cassandra smiled and said:

"I will prepare a decorative scabbard for you. You can hang this sword in your home. When something unclean appears in your home, it will alert you."

This is really good, so you don't have to worry about the mirror ghost invading your home like last week.

"Thank you very much, mother-in-law."

"Don't be so polite to me. I like to help young people."

The old witch with silver-white hair said again. Although her face was full of wrinkles and her eyes looked old, anyone could see this face and the charm of this person when she was young:

"Speaking of which, Xiwei will arrive probably in the afternoon and take the steam train from Kasenlik."

The image of Miss Sivi Avora with beautiful long brown wavy hair jumped into Shade's mind:

"Okay then, I'll go to the Middleburg train station."

"She said there was no need for us to pick her up. She brought a caravan over. The excuse for coming to this city was to purchase some spare wood for the new shipyard in Coldwater Port."

Because it is backed by the Sikal Mountains and the Rommel Mountains, Fort Midhill is also a famous timber distribution center in the Old World.

"So when can I see her?"

"Do you know about the Zoroastrian Charity Dinner tonight?"

Granny Cassandra asked, Shade nodded, Priest August mentioned this matter.

"Xiwei and I will both attend the banquet. If you want to see her, then come to the banquet."

With that said, she handed Shade an invitation letter, obviously prepared for it.

This time, Shade did not refuse again like he refused Priest August. Miss Aurora had helped him so much. Since the other party had also arrived in this city, it was impossible for him not to meet her.

"In addition, little Carina, who is thousands of miles away in Tobesk, can suddenly mention the secret cave on the mountainside of Sikal Mountain. Is it you who discovered it?"

The old witch mentioned this matter again.

"Yes, that's where the sword was found."

Shade answered with a smile and handed the old man the roll of parchment that could open the entrance to the cave. This roll of parchment was no longer useful to him:

"I suggest that you and Miss Aurora first go to the cave in the real world to take a look. After confirming the internal environment, you can then find a way to enter the corresponding location in the narrow room to determine whether it is a seal."

"Carina praised you for being very capable, which seems to be true."

The old man praised it, and Xia De took the opportunity to mention the relic [Sin Mansion] he encountered in the mountains today, hoping that the old man could provide some information.

Of course Granny Cassandra would not refuse this request. The scabbard she helped prepare and the information on the [Sin Mansion] could only be given to Shade at night.

After all, although the old witch is knowledgeable, it is impossible to know what Shade needs in advance.

After bidding farewell to Granny Cassandra and agreeing to meet again at Fort Midhill Mechanical College tonight, Shade took a carriage to the Home of the Blind and met with Devlin who had purchased the "Broken Heart of the Balrog". nun.

In fact, he was curious as to why the nun didn't meet him at the auction house with Granny Cassandra. But when I got off the car at Rufu Lane, I thought that the [Spiritual Order] was not a subordinate organization of the [Witches Council] after all, and it was impossible for the silver-gray-haired nun to expose all her secrets to Granny Cassandra. .

The Home for the Blind, located at 15 Ruf Lane, is ostensibly a semi-profit organization in the city that serves people with visual disabilities, and even receives funding from the city hall. On Tuesday morning, there were not many people in the House for the Blind. When Shade went to the third floor under the leadership of his servant, he saw many people sitting in wheelchairs or being supported talking to each other, or asking something in a low voice.

Most of them look very embarrassed, which is understandable. If a noble or wealthy businessman has a visually impaired family member, there is no need to seek help from a welfare organization such as a home for the blind.

"Sister Devlin, I have always been curious, where does the spiritual order's income mainly come from?"

Shade asked curiously after taking a seat opposite the nun who wore a silver eye patch and looked like she was sitting in the darkness sleeping even in the sunlight.

Even ringsman organizations have their own sources of income, and they also have to pay taxes. For example, the Prophet's Association made a fortune by relying on the Rhodes cards, the Blood of Mercury relied on the sponsorship of a small number of nobles, the Church of the Five Gods relied on donations from believers, and the three major thaumaturgy academies relied on the management of their own academy cities and related industries. .

As for the [Spiritual Cult], Shade has never seen where these ascetic-like nuns and monks make money.

"It's very simple. We have our own hospital in the eastern part of the Old World, which is mainly responsible for women's delivery, gynecological diseases and the treatment of eye diseases."

The nun did not shy away from the question:

"These hospitals all have different names, and on the surface they don't seem to be related to us. But if you see a private hospital in the field that is not well-known but has a good reputation, there is a high probability that it is related to us."

Now Shade understood.

Then it was time to talk about business. Sister Devlin planned to buy the "Broken Fire Demon Heart" that Shade had obtained with cash, and she was very generous. After first proposing a price of 2,000 pounds, Shade hesitated. She wanted to increase the price, so the nun gave her a price of 3,000 pounds.

This price increase speed was something Xade could not have imagined. The three thousand pounds was also in line with his psychological expectations, so he readily agreed. In this way, the rest of the 2,000 pounds that Grey-Headed Eagle obtained while passing the news while being a player in the big city, the 200 crowns that Shade obtained from trading the "Difference Engine" information for the exotic princess, and the 200 crowns that he has not yet gone to Tobesk. With the 1,000 pounds he received at the joint, all the assets he could mobilize amounted to an astonishing more than 7,000 pounds.

This was probably the richest moment he had ever had.

Of course, Shade was also curious about what Sister Devlin wanted to do with the Balrog heart. He kindly reminded the nun who was very talkative and told her again that there was not much power left in the stone with residual warmth. The nun shook her head, she didn't mind this:

"I don't want to use it as an alchemy material, I just want the fire of the Balrog."

She brought the heart that she had received from the Witch Council with her. In front of Shade, the nun used her white hands to open the heart, which had been stabbed with a hole by the sword. As the black ash fell, the nun drew out the sparks inside the heart.

Even if most of the power is absorbed by Doctor Schneider, this is still the flame of the Balrog after all. But looking at Sister Devlin, she didn't feel any pain at all.

Let the little sparks adhere to the palms of her hands. Then, the nun sitting on the sofa made her hands hold water. With a soft pop, a slender flame appeared from the nun's hand. The flame core is like a standard circle, and the flame tail is slender and extends upward.

[Outlander, you have come into contact with "Whispers". 】

This is the relic-level flame that Sister Devlin once displayed when she helped Shade open the door to the narrow room. And with the emergence of this flame, the little sparks left by the Balrog were completely integrated into it.

There was no change in the flames in the nun's palm, at least that's what Shade thought. She closed her palms slightly, and the flames burned her skin, causing cracks with sparks to appear on the back of her hands. But the nun didn't care. She finally closed her palms completely and let the strange fire disappear again.

"Is this the flame of the Phoenix?"

Because during God’s wine party, it was determined that the blood of the volcanic magma community given by the nun contained the blood of the Phoenix, combined with the [Phoenix Lamp] Shade saw in the dark realm and the local fire worship tradition. , Shade guessed that it was the Phoenix that sealed the passage to the top of the mountain, and the [Spiritual Cult] was related to this ancient one.

Sister Devlin shook her head first, and then nodded:

"This flame can absorb any other flame. Its essence is not the fire of the phoenix, but most of what it absorbs now is the flame of the phoenix, so there is no problem in treating it as the fire of the phoenix for the time being."

"Speaking of which, there really is a phoenix here. Do you know that ancient one?"

"Yes."

The nun did not deny:

"It is the ancient one who sealed the passage to the top of the mountain, but it has gone crazy."

"crazy?"

Shade never thought that a legendary creature like the Phoenix could go crazy.

"The long years will not bring a burden to the immortal species, but the oppression of the land close to death makes it impossible for the ancients to maintain normality all the time. The flame of the phoenix was what I saw five years ago at the lake on the top of Mount Sikal. , I absorbed it from the spiritual body of the ancient one when I encountered it. I can feel the mania and chaos of this flame. Its condition is not good, and it refuses anyone's help.

When you met me at night in the mountains a few days ago, I was leading the order of nuns to the top of the mountain to use rituals to calm its restless emotions. We've been doing this since five years ago, but I think that's coming to an end as big problems arise in the bay. "

"That's it."

Shade did not expect to hear such news. He originally thought that the Phoenix was behind the [Spiritual Cult]:

"But now that Hazama is no longer stable, have you tried to communicate with the other party?"

The nun shook her head slightly:

"Although there are still moments of clarity, the ancient one has almost gone crazy. Although it is inappropriate to say this, it is also consistent with the current situation to regard it as an evil spirit sealed by the narrow gap between life and death. I am passing it on to the church It was mentioned in the intelligence, and I hope the church can find a way to solve it."

But the problem shouldn't be big. Now that the Five Gods Church has gathered three thirteen-ring warlocks in the Midhill Fort Diocese, plus the ceremony prepared a year in advance, it should be enough to suppress the restlessness in the narrow room. At least that's what Shade hopes. of.

"Speaking of which, aren't you curious about my flames?"

The nun suddenly said again. Shade looked at her and found that under the silver crown-style eye patch, Sister Devlin's lips actually showed a smile.

"It is very impolite to inquire into other people's privacy at will."

he said.

"It doesn't matter, I can tell you the secret of this flame. This is an angel-level relic."

Shade has been in this world for so long, and this is the first time he has encountered an angel-level relic twice in one day.

".[Primal Fire]."

PS: Because there are too many dialogues in this chapter, it seems to have little content. In order to prevent it from being thought that the word count is too low, it is a 5K chapter.