Chapter 152 It’s Not over yet, It’s over Here

386

On the outskirts of Queens, on a trackless public carriage.

Triss, wearing a veiled hat, sat quietly in the corner.

She did not make a beeline for the Tasok River and flee with the current, as others thought, or head to the nearest railroad and climb aboard the train.

What she chose was to return to Backlund.

Only this metropolis with a population of more than 5 million, a mixture of various hidden forces and extraordinary people, can help her avoid the Witch Sect's subsequent tracking!

At this moment, her spirit was highly tense, and she was always on guard against the terrifying old housekeeper Finkel.

Suddenly, her head felt dizzy. When her vision returned to normal, she found that she had magically left the public carriage and was standing beside the muddy road in the suburbs.

Triss's pupils shrank rapidly and she looked around cautiously.

Then, she saw a figure wearing a classical robe and a black hood, and noticed the dark eyes hidden in the shadows.

For some reason, Triss felt like she had returned to her babyhood, so weak that she had no power to resist at all.

Cold sweat broke out on her forehead, and her legs shook violently, but she couldn't move.

This is the most terrifying enemy I have ever faced... Even the high-ranking witch I met before did not give me a similar feeling... Am I going to die here... I am unwilling to give up the escape operation in the face of failure again and again. Is it going to end completely... A deep sense of despair and uncontrollable sadness occupied Triss's mind, making her seem to have fallen into the deepest and deepest nightmare.

Suddenly, a faint blue light flashed in front of her eyes, lifting the "curse" that prevented her from moving.

Triss looked ahead again, and saw that the extremely terrifying figure was no longer there. Everything just now seemed like the most realistic hallucination.

But when Triss lowered her head, she was shocked to find that the sapphire ring on her left little finger had been torn apart at some point and lost all its luster.

Bang, bang, bang, the remains of rings and gems fell one after another.

…

In the deserted fields on the outskirts, the old housekeeper Finkel was running away quickly.

He had lost his hat, his meticulously combed gray hair was messy and hanging down, and the surface of his clothes was covered with mud.

Huh, huh... He paused for a moment, panted and looked behind him. He found that there was no one there, and he felt a little relieved.

But when he turned his head and was about to change direction, he found that a figure had appeared in front of him.

The figure was wearing a hooded classical robe, his black eyes were hidden in the shadows, and his face was expressionless.

Finkel's pupils shrank, and he immediately opened his mouth, trying to pronounce an ancient Hermetic word, but was shocked to realize that his nose was disappearing and his voice was gone.

His expression suddenly became a little more desperate, and then his entire body was wiped clean by a rag like a stain in the void, leaving no trace left behind.

…………

Klein ran away and fought. The flame jump burned two boxes of matches. The "Master Key" turned to Mars. He passed the first two levels by playing Ince Zangwill, and then transformed into a guard. Spreading the news that "Ince Zangwill is a fake", he successfully reached the upper level of the underground building.

The reason why he confirmed that it was the upper floor was because when Klein looked up, he could already see a skylight appearing on the ceiling more than ten meters high. White sunlight was shining down, illuminating the dust in the air.

Chaos seemed to have occurred in the rear, so Klein was able to calm down a little and look for the upper door and stairs.

As a result, he discovered that this underground building seemed to be funnel-shaped. The spiral staircase at the bottom was only twenty or thirty meters in diameter. However, after entering the upper floor near the ground, he could not see the other side of the wall clearly.

In this situation, it is best to use the "master key" and open a door directly on the roof, but without flame jumping, it is difficult for me to jump to a height of more than ten meters, and it is difficult for me to seize the opportunity to open the door and leave immediately...

He quickly looked around and saw that no one was paying attention to him, so he carefully took out the copper whistle from his pocket, put it to his mouth and blew it hard and covertly.

Invisible fluctuations spread, and before his eyes appeared a half-snake, half-human spirit covered with feather-like white feathers, with legs and a tail trailing behind him. He also wore a damaged robe and was decorated with gold. .

Success! Klein was overjoyed.

After the demigod appeared, he immediately grabbed Klein and entered the spirit world.

Seeing this, Klein's heart was finally relieved.

But on the way through the spiritual world, Klein's thinking suddenly stopped for a moment. He saw himself appearing in a dark and deep world. The feathered demigod disappeared. There was only a red moon in this world, and The sky is filled with stars like eyes.

——Yes, eye-like "stars"!

The mysticism contained in this foreshadowing made Klein unconsciously get goosebumps all over his body. However, a short time later, Klein found himself back in the spirit world, and the demigod holding him flying seemed unaware.

After feeling uneasy for a while, Klein gritted his teeth and continued planning his next action... There was nothing to be nervous about anymore, it was just that he was visited by an angel and his true identity was discovered by Ince Zangwill! But it doesn't matter! Because the faceless man's control of the body was very precise, Klein was sure that he had not left a single hair, skin flake, or fingernail in that underground building, and naturally he would not worry about being cursed by Talim.

The only problem is...a drop of cold sweat streaked across Klein's forehead.

He thought of Melissa and Benson who were still in Tingen.

Ince Zangwill's (beep--) bastard can definitely return to Tingen and kidnap or even kill all Klein's brothers and sisters in revenge for his actions!

Damn it, in order not to involve Benson and Melissa, I haven’t corresponded with them for several months, and I haven’t found anyone to investigate their current situation. Now that something like this happens, I must rush to Ince Zanger. Will think of a way before taking action... pray to the goddess? No, I have a special status. After resurrecting from the dead, I declared that I had converted to the God of Steam and Machinery. There was also a mysterious gray mist. I don’t know what the goddess did in the gray mist, but she got something from me that should be really amazing." "Permission", I can't figure out what the goddess's attitude is...

When it comes to the goddess of the night, Klein still has a more "respectful" attitude.

After all, if it is a relatively common network, such as a principal, a government employee, etc., being able to establish a good relationship through frequent contacts is something worth showing off. But if the head of state suddenly comes to meet with you, it is estimated that few people will be able to show off, but will be more surprised, uneasy or even panicked.

Therefore, unless he has no choice, Klein is still unwilling to have anything to do with the Church of Night and the Goddess of Night.

Looking for help? My connections in Backlund are limited to mid- to low-sequences, and Miss Sharon’s relationship with me is a little tense due to the previous evil spirit incident, so it’s not appropriate to entrust Benson and the others to Miss Sharon’s protection...

And if I go back in person, it will cause more problems. Do I have to trouble Mr. Azik again?

Klein sighed heavily, feeling more and more that Mr. Azik was as kind as a mountain to him and as deep as the ocean. Not only did he save himself, but he might also save his family.

Regardless of whether Mr. Azik agrees or not, he will repay this kindness no matter what in the future.

Where is the original destination of wandering in the spirit world? Klein was suddenly stunned and quickly said to the spirit demigod:

"Please take me to Mr. Azik."

There is no distinction between up, down, left and right in the spirit world. The spirit demigod is still grabbing Klein's wrist and flying forward. It is not known whether it has changed its direction.

But soon, the spirit demigod gave Klein the "arrival" instructions, and the rich colors around him gradually returned to normal, distorting into trees, the ground, street lamps, tables and chairs, and an Azik.

It was raining heavily outside Backlund, so heavy that the whole sky seemed to collapse. Azik stood under the eaves outside a cafe.

Next to him was an unlit gas street lamp, behind him was the glass of the cafe, and behind the half-closed blinds were the tables, chairs and warm yellow lights that Klein saw. Raindrops fell from the edge of the eaves in front of his toes, forming a gurgling stream that flowed into the sewer along the underground channel on the roadside.

It seemed to have been raining for a long time, and there were almost no pedestrians on the road.

Judging from the dark sky, it was hard to believe that it was not yet four o'clock in the afternoon.

The shadow of Hagoromo Demigod appeared on the glass of the cafe, bowed ninety degrees to Azik and then disappeared from the reflective surface of the glass.

In the real world, only Klein Moretti suddenly appeared next to Azik.

"Mr. Azik! Just hope you're safe."

As soon as he landed, Klein immediately took the initiative to say hello: "However, the demigod I summoned at the beginning has not come back yet. He may have been trapped by Ince Zangwill and the others in the ruins. What do you have? Is there any way to see his current condition?"

Azik, who had been looking at the window across the road in deep thought, seemed to have just realized Klein's arrival now. He was silent for a while and then said:

"Don't worry about him. As long as he is not killed by an angel-level strongman or uses special methods, as long as the underworld still exists, he can be slowly reborn there."

After that, he finally made up his mind, turned around, looked at Klein with a complicated and sad look, and said slowly:

"Klein."

"you lied to me."

Klein was shocked, and he immediately thought of the reason, and hurriedly said: "Did Edward Vaughn say something to you?"

After saying this, he seemed to see a hint of Azik's favorability declining.

Seeing that he did not deny it immediately but asked this question, Azik's expression became even sadder, but he felt relieved after just a moment. He laughed twice self-deprecatingly, softened his tone, and answered softly:

"Yes. He told me many things."

"Klein, maybe I shouldn't use such a general question. Everyone has their own secrets... Well, let me change the question. Klein, can you tell me why you lied to me?"

This question is actually more acute than the content of the lie... Klein felt very troubled and was in a daze for a moment.

Because ultimately, the reason for lying was somewhat embarrassing to him - of course he knew that Mr. Azik was a very kind person, and he had given "Klein" a lot of help when he was teaching at Hoy University, and he also helped himself. Same. But when I was still in Tingen and discovered that the first Baron Ramd from hundreds of years ago looked exactly the same as Mr. Azik, my first reaction was nervousness and a little panic. After I calmed down, I began to consider whether to report him. Give it to the church, or hide it for Mr. Azik.

This uneasiness is natural, but in the end what prompted him to make a decision was not his trust in Azik Eggers, but the result of his divination on the gray fog - if Azik had hidden it, In the future, when encountering a fatal crisis, you can get help from the other party.

It was this time too.

However, since he does not have an accurate grasp of the opponent's strength, Klein has always been unwilling to reveal any information about "Grey Mist", "The Fool", and "Tarot Society". The reason is very simple. Just like not letting Sharon help him test the card of blasphemy, he was worried that the other party would covet the item of gray mist. At the least, the item would be lost, and at the worst, his life would be in danger.

In a sense, Klein believes that their relationship is limited to cooperation. Klein helps Azik search for some clues. Azik occasionally helps Klein with some things, and is regarded as a favored one, allowing Tarot to learn. Become more steadfast in his identity as a god.

From this point of view, he should indeed give Mr. Azik more help and appearance fees... But from his level, Mr. Azik's help to him was actually a piece of cake... Klein felt a little guilty.

"I didn't want to believe in demons, but your reaction said too many things."

Seeing his silence, Azik became more and more disappointed: "However, Emperor Russell once said that to judge a person, you should judge a person by his behavior rather than his thoughts. Klein, you have helped me many times and made me faster. To regain my memory and find myself, I am always grateful to you."

"Maybe this is forcing you a little, but if you are willing to tell me about what you lied to me, I am willing to continue our current relationship with you."

...Klein smacked his lips.

Even now, Azik still wants to hear his explanation, so no matter how guilty Klein is, he must do something.

But considering that Mr. Azik only said that he had lied to him, but did not say that he had lied to him, Azik should have obtained a lot of information from Edward Vaughn, and found out that some of what I said would make people feel resentful. lies...

Klein felt a stomachache and carefully picked the nearest one and said:

"Sorry, Mr. Azik, I didn't mean to hide it from you, but... I actually don't even know what happened to me."

Azik was not surprised and waited patiently.

"Do you still remember that when I was still in Tingen, I obtained a notebook from the Fourth Era, which also caused the deaths of Welch and Naya..." Klein simply said After telling the story again, he knew that Azik must still remember it, because the diary involved the name of "Antigonus", a great nobleman from the Fourth Age.

"After that, I accidentally obtained some spells, and through the spells I entered a mysterious space filled with gray fog..."

"That's called Source Castle."

"...Oh, Origin Castle." For the first time, Klein knew the name of his place. He obtained new information and decided to go back and search to see if this place called "Origin Castle" appeared in occult books.

His look of sudden realization didn't look like he was faking it. Azik frowned slightly and prepared to continue listening.

"During my previous escape, I lied to you, saying that I obtained a magical item. In fact, I obtained a gray... Origin Castle. But other than this, everything else is true. I did rely on the Origin Castle. A party was formed, rituals and occult knowledge were prepared for it.”

"no yet?"

Klein thought for a moment and said firmly: "No more."

Azik asked again: "Is it really gone?"

Klein thought about it strangely for a while - no more, other than that, he didn't tell any lies? He nodded seriously.

Then he saw Azik looking at him with an expression that was hesitant to say something, which made Klein feel a little scared. He was waiting for Azik to speak, and Azik was waiting for him to add. The two of them No words were spoken for a moment.

"You." Azik finally spoke.

"But isn't your name Zhou Mingrui?"

Zhou-Mingrui.

There was a roar in Klein's mind. He never expected that Edward Vaughn would actually tell this matter!

One's own student was impersonated by an unknown soul who came back from the dead. This should be something that no teacher can accept!

"That, that's..." Klein's mind was racing, but he was really confused for a few seconds and didn't know how to respond to this sentence.

"Edward Vaughn told me that the man named Klein has died long ago, and you..." he said, "you, the latecomer, the soul that occupies this body and identity, comes from the ancient past era. "

Looking at Klein's shocked expression, his eyes showed deep sadness. But Klein's situation has never been like an act, and Azik himself is unwilling to completely believe the devil's words. He can only guess that "Zhou Mingrui" is also an ancient existence, or even a god, who has lost his memory like himself. and self-god, He has not yet awakened and regards himself as a human being.

"I should have discovered earlier that Klein is a gentle but taciturn child, not as lively and active as you. He and I don't get along much, but his love for history and his seriousness in learning make me willing to recommend him to become a university lecturer, and you……"

"You are more mature and experienced than him, and you are much more cheerful than him. Oh, it's my fault that I didn't pay attention to Klein before. I should have discovered it long ago."

"However, you took on Klein's identity, but you didn't do anything bad or hurt his family. You even sacrificed yourself to protect Tingen. I believe you are also a kind and sincere person. Plus, you have helped many times. I prefer to believe you..."

Azik talked to himself for a while. He wanted to convince himself that Zhou Mingrui had no ill intentions, and also wanted to try to comfort him, but he found that the other party did not react to these words, but opened his mouth and stared blankly. Look at him.

"you……?"

"Mr. Azik, what did you just say?"

A young man named Zhou Mingrui looked at him through Klein's eyes and asked in a panicked tone:

"You say I come from an ancient past time?"

Why is this his focus... Azik was a little confused, but still answered truthfully: "That's what the devil said."

"He said that it was an era older than the First Age. It is impossible to verify how many years have passed since then."

These words were like a life-saving straw, and a smile appeared on Klein's face instantly: "Great, then this must be a lie. The devil must be trying to deceive me again. He actually tried to attack my heart. It seems that he is really sincere. Want to kill me."

Azik tilted his head: "...What if it's true?"

"Impossible, this absolutely cannot be true." Klein was determined.

How can it be true? How can it be true? I still want to go back, I still want to see my parents, I still want to see my friends, I haven’t even eaten at my favorite barbecue restaurant downstairs before I came here...

How can this be true?

"This can't be true..."

Azik opened his eyes slightly, and he clearly saw a trace of tears flashing in Klein's eyes.

It is impossible for great beings or gods to be sad for something, let alone endure sadness. They are more indifferent than stone statues, and they last longer than stone statues. Therefore, at this moment, Azik was convinced as never before that Zhou Mingrui must be a human being, a human being who was perhaps only a little older than Klein, and not some ancient god who had not yet resurrected.

After all, he is just a child...

Azik hesitated and wanted to say a few more words of comfort, but suddenly the devil's words seemed to ring in his ears:

"Mr. Azik, think carefully about your life and everything you have experienced. What do you think you are now? The conspiracy of the goddess of the night has shaped you into a warm-hearted person, and has also given you a fatal Weaknesses. If your every life is under the control of others, whoever you meet or fall in love with is just a story arranged by others... Klein is the favored one of the goddess of the night, and you..."

"...don't you have that moment of anger that makes you want to slam the script on the face of a self-righteous god for the sake of your real warm life and the humans you have loved?"

387

After throwing Richard back where he belongs and wishing him a speedy death, the Decline King once again took the skin of Edward Vaughan.

He walked around in circles in the Kingdom of God. After walking around for several hours, he suddenly counted with his fingers and figured out a good time to flash out of the Kingdom of God.

He saw a beautiful woman wearing black robes with matte dark eyes and long hair standing in the air opposite her.

Edward's facial expression instantly turned into the Lord of Storms. He immediately flashed back to the kingdom of God. More than ten minutes later, he appeared at the edge of the southern continent. From a crack on the land closer to the abyss, he was sleeping in this A tent was set up in the crater of the volcano, picnic stew pots and newspapers were brought, and blankets and rain shelters were prepared. It looked like they were preparing to survive in the wilderness of the crater for more than ten years.

0-17 After seeing all this, he turned his head and turned his face with a quiet smile in the direction of Klein and Azik. He looked at them quietly for a while, watching as they seemed to have a dispute and a dispute. There was a gap, and then slowly calmed down, and they stood and chatted under the eaves.

The goddess of the night watched for a while, and her body disappeared like an eraser.

…

In Red Rose Manor, Prince Edsac sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, his eyes extremely empty.

"Your Highness, please hurry up." A voice sounded beside him.

Edsac's eyes came to life. He took a breath, picked up the revolver on the table, and pressed it against his temple. There was a bullet in it that could annihilate the spirit body.

He turned back and looked wistfully at the golf course outside and the horses taking a walk.

boom!

He pulled the trigger.

TBC

——————

With an innocent gunshot, this smog chapter ends.

The prince's glance at the stadium and horses before his death touched me deeply. I wonder if Squid did this intentionally. The prince invites Shylock to play golf together after all this is over, and Triss's entertainment at the manor is horseback riding.

It gives me a headache to write. I'll take a break this week after finishing writing the follow-up to the Great Smog (about two or three chapters).