[Western Fantasy] The mystery of life and death

As the towering gate slowly opened, the intricate pomegranate branch and leaf carvings on the pitch-black gate glowed with a cold luster in the gloom.A strange and soft fragrance diffused out, and the heavy-armored guards guarding both sides of the door couldn't help feeling a little dazed, and even a little unsteady.Under the holes in the iron-faced helmet, there is an expression of obsession and longing.This is the fragrance from the burning of the precious "Dream of the Dead". It is a reward that only the Duke's most trusted guards can get, but he can only get a small bottle every week, which is only enough to burn in the middle of the night. Li Mizui makes people's body and mind turn into a puddle of muddy water, and it is difficult to extricate themselves from immortality.

And in the vast hall behind the gate, there are dozens of braziers filled with the refined juice of "Dead Man's Dream", which are constantly burning day and night.Although the guards often need to clean up the blood spilled everywhere in the hall, all kinds of suspicious flesh and blood in the shape of stumps, and even rotten gray mummy.Although the guards cleaning the hall often disappeared for no reason, the ecstasy of Xinfen still made them have a deep longing, and even the impression of those horrible scenes was blurred and forgotten, as if it was just a fantasy, only more and more The deeper longing lingers in my heart--to enter this palace, it seems that I can ascend to the heaven in the clouds.

Amidst the beautiful fragrance, the footsteps of a group of people came from the depths of the hall, and gradually approached the door. The captain "Fick" who had a little self-control stabilized his figure, and returned to his straight and tall posture. After yelling in a low voice, the guards in heavy armor endured their longing for Xinfen, and all stood up...

Some whispered conversations mixed with the sound of footsteps echoed in the secluded hall.Even through the heavy helmet of "Fick", Loka's extraordinary hearing can hear clearly.

"Bishop Claudy, I'll thank you for your kind words in front of the Pope." Duke Timothy said in a courteous voice.

"Your Excellency, please rest assured that your good deeds do not need to be overstated. I am just reporting your benevolent and benevolent deeds to His Excellency the Pope." Bishop Claudine said solemnly.

"Your Excellency, we will definitely investigate those filthy villains," said an upright and indignant voice.Loka remembered that the voice was the head of the Temple Mount Holy Knights. "It is your pious belief that you have been blessed by God, allowing youth to stay on you. This is proof of a miracle! When we go back, we must severely punish those young people who slandered you!"

"I would like to advise the Pope that the Temple Mount should be cleaned up, even pagans with impious beliefs have mixed in." This old and sad voice belonged to the Pope's clerk. "I didn't expect those Aranti people to sneak into the Temple Mount, and they may still hold important positions. We must find them out, and we can't let the Pope continue to be deceived!"

Lorca trembled in his heart, silently remembering these people.After he entered the Thorn Cliff, he has been exchanging news with the outside world through "Headwind".A few days ago, I learned from Livingston's message that the church has serious suspicions about Duke Timothy, and will dispatch a special envoy to enter the Thorn Cliff in the name of conferring the title of "Saint".It's called the Special Envoy, but it's actually an investigation team that will conduct a secret investigation on Thorn Cliff.The members of this special mission were composed of those who had the strongest misgivings about Timothy.They have been investigating Timothy for many years. A large number of people disappear every few years in the shelters and orphanages run by Timothy. The roster does not correspond to the real number at all.The Church even has some witness leads.

When this investigation team first entered Thorn Cliff, they were very wary of Duke Timothy during their conversations, and even arranged for the masters of the Holy Knights to control the main roads.As for these high-ranking bishops and clerks, Roca noticed that they were all magic monks with profound magic power.

However, since being invited into this hall and meeting that scholar named "Murphy"...

The sound of footsteps and conversation approached. The special envoy of the church and Duke Timothy had arrived at the gate.Duke Timothy has an elegant demeanor and a radiant look. His amiable and dignified face does not even have a single wrinkle, and he is described as younger than all the members of the special envoy.When Lorca first came to the mansion "after the earthquake", the legendary Duke Timothy's hair and mustache were mixed with gray and white, and he looked quite vicissitudes.Today I saw this octogenarian Duke again, with a modest and elegant face and a trimmed beard, and his long, lustrous chestnut hair tied behind his head, not messy at all, not even a single white hair or beard.It's an elegant middle-aged nobleman.

Lorca secretly observed the members of the special envoy. They were neatly dressed, without any trace of fighting, and there was no residual magical energy fluctuation after using great mana.He carefully sensed their breath of life, and found that there was no difference from before, and they did not have the breath of the "imprint" of the secret technique of Miluo Sect.Everyone still has a calm and vigorous aura, piercing eyes, and a sense of intimidation unique to a superior person.

Lorca knew that their magic cultivation had reached their level, and their mental power was already quite stable and powerful.But now it seems that some things in the depths of their memories have been distorted, but they have not been noticed by themselves, and there are even no external flaws at all.

Lorca's heart sank, Mason...has he controlled his mental power to such an extent?

What is he now...

Duke Timothy and the special envoy walked out of the hall amidst chatting and laughing, and the steward followed respectfully. When passing by "Fick", "Fick" waved his hand and led the guards to follow behind.

Behind the corner of the promenade covered with reliefs of pomegranate flowers and leaves, there is the chapel with a dome. After the figures of Duke Timothy and the distinguished guests of the special envoy disappeared around the corner, the steward stopped and waved his hand to signal the guards to stay where they were.The manager turned his head slightly, and "Fick" immediately understood, took a step forward, bowed his head humbly, and waited for the order.

A complicated look flashed across the manager's unchanging solemn face.Lorca detected a tinge of fear in the steward's hesitation.But it was just a flash.Lorca infers that the next thing the manager will deal with may be to face "Murphy".

The manager has followed Duke Timothy for many years, and he is a man who does not display emotions. Even if there is a slight change in his expression, he can immediately restrain himself, which is difficult for ordinary people to detect.Loka noticed that these days, every time the manager had to deal with some special affairs, he could sense his embarrassment and fear.Even if he went to appease "Caprico", the headmaster, who was calm and composed, hesitated every time before stepping into the deep hall.

Loka noticed that the attendants and guards in this hall often disappeared inexplicably. He often took the opportunity of leading the guards to clean up the hall, deliberately staying and investigating, but he never saw the mysterious Mr. "Murphy".

Loka vaguely guessed what the manager was embarrassing, from which he saw an opportunity to get close to "Murphy".

"Master, do you need your subordinates to send someone in to inspect, or clean up?"

"Fick" asked attentively, with expectation in his voice, as if it was difficult to hide his desire for that fragrance.

While Loka was considering how to further persuade the manager, the manager was also wondering whether to try to send "Fick" to handle these matters.He is now more and more afraid of facing "Murphy".Every time he leaves that hall, the manager feels as if he has regained his life.Although the Duke has repeatedly admonished "Murphy" not to treat the attendants and guards as his "food" and "playthings", but when the performance of "Murphy" satisfies the Duke, as a reward, the Duke will allow him Indulge a little.

I have to face the capricious "Murphy" again, thinking of the stumps everywhere.The manager couldn't help feeling cold all over his body, he often felt that maybe it would be his turn next.

Just now, "Murphy" perfectly solved the Duke's troubles. The Duke instructed him to give him a special reward.The manager couldn't help worrying whether he would also be part of the "reward".Although the Duke strictly ordered "Murphy" not to touch the steward, today, the steward felt that the eyes of "Murphy" looking at him seemed to be glowing with excitement.

This is much more terrifying than feeding "Capriku".At least the defensive array of the tribute platform is insurmountable by "Capriku".But "Murphy", only the presence of the Duke himself can restrain him.

The manager glanced at "Fike", he is a guy who is good at drilling, and now is the time for employing people. Although this "Fick" is not strong, he can understand his mind quite well. When I was in the group, fortunately, I had such a satisfactory assistant, the manager was able to sort out all the clues so quickly and get everything on the right track quickly.He was well aware of Fec's thirst for the "Dead Man's Dream".It's a pity that he is a talent, but he is a guy addicted to desire.Compared with a satisfactory assistant, of course, his own life is more important.May God bless this lucky guy with such good luck.

Screening off the others, the supervisor ordered "Fick" to follow him to the study room, making a posture of a confidant talking in secret.Seeing the appreciative smile on the manager's face, Luoka sneered in his heart. It seemed that he didn't need to worry too much. The life-saving manager finally decided to let his cronies be cannon fodder.

"Fick, this Mr. Murphy is the most powerful right-hand man of the Duke. Being able to serve him means that he has the absolute trust of the Duke. Not only can he get more 'Dead Dreams', but he even has the opportunity Get the 'Holy Wine' personally refined by the Duke." The steward said meaningfully.

The manager was satisfied to see that there was a bit of covetous joy in the respectful and solemn expression of "Fick".

"Thanks to the promotion of the general manager."

"Fick" immediately revealed an expression—don't worry, my lord, my subordinates will repay you with gratitude.

"However, you have to be more cautious." The manager asked kindly and concernedly, "Mr. Murphy's mental power is too strong. He often can't control himself, so he is a bit erratic. You can't disobey him. Don't look at him. Don't make unnecessary noises, don't have violent mood swings to interfere with his mental strength, in short, don't attract his attention. As long as you are careful, you will be fine. Your two subordinates were too careless a few days ago. It was only after disturbing Mr. Murphy that he was seriously injured. They need to recuperate and cannot be disturbed by the outside world, so you are not allowed to visit. I am afraid that they will not be able to serve the Lord Duke after they are too seriously injured. The benevolent Lord Duke will allow them to return after recovery. Asylum, managing financial affairs."

Loka knew that the broken limbs of these two unlucky guys had already fed "Caprico".These were just official remarks to the outside world, and the manager's instructions were also warnings, and he showed panic at the right time. "My lord, please rest assured that my subordinates will not let you down."

He respectfully took the gemstone handed over by the manager with both hands, sensing the fluctuation of magical energy attached to the gemstone, "Fick" couldn't hide his joy in his respect.Afterwards, he followed the manager to an inconspicuous corridor.

The two stood still in front of the large landscape painting at the end of the corridor. After the manager nodded, "Fick" embedded a gem into the texture of the frame.The picture changes like water waves, and the landscape painting disappears, turning into a door leading to the unknown darkness.

The author has something to say:

Appreciate Lorca's acting skills