The Book of Hibernation

Aldine did not expect an answer.

He continued to wipe the wet hair for the winter thistle, and then sat down together, ate a little something, chatted about Kanai's recovery, and irrelevant things in Harbor City.

Aldin did not stay overnight today, nor did he try to take Winter Thistle to his room.After dinner, he took away the tableware in the rattan basket and told Winter Thistle to rest well.

After Aldin walked out, Winter Thistle stood in front of the door, looked at his back, and suddenly asked, "Master Aldin..."

"what happened?"

"It's over, you're done with it, aren't you?"

"You don't have to worry about that, no one will take you away again. Don't be afraid, everything can be arranged by me."

Winter Thistle nodded.Sigh silently in my heart.

He understood.Things are not over.

This night, Winter Thistle went to bed early.No matter how confused he was, he would still be wrapped in an inexplicable sense of security when he looked at the bag of aconite hanging on the top of the bed curtain.

He thought it would be difficult to sleep, but he fell asleep as soon as he lay down, faster than before.

Probably because the pillows and mattresses here are so soft and comfortable, they are the most comfortable ones he has slept on since he was a child.

In the morning, he was awakened by the sun.He hadn't drawn the curtains tightly yesterday, and the sun dazzled his eyes not long after sunrise.

He didn't feel irritable at all, on the contrary, he felt very comfortable.A few days ago, he really lived in a room without windows for too long. Even with the magic cold flame, it made people feel very depressed.

Winter thistle feels well rested.He got up neatly, packed himself up, and went straight to the laboratory as before.

When he used the laboratory for the last time, there were still some tools, medicines and materials on the table that he hadn't cleaned up in time.Later, he went out of the city and was taken away by March and the hunters, and after that, a series of unpleasant experiences... He never had a chance to come back to clean up.

When I came back today, I saw that all the spell-casting materials hanging outside had been stored, and Kanai should have helped him clean them up.But there are still some preparations that lose their effect because they have been left out for too long, which is a pity.

After checking around in the laboratory, Winter Thistle's next worry was the West Suburb Workshop.Before the accident, he was staring at a batch of catalysts in the Western Suburb Workshop. The formula of these things was kept secret, and he was not present, so the workshop could not continue production.This batch of items will be used in the next order of short-acting enchanting tools, and the progress must be delayed now.

Ordinarily, there is no need for Winter Thistle to worry about this matter, Aldin will definitely handle it well.But Dongji still felt sorry for the batch of raw materials for the catalyst, fearing that it would cause more waste, so he planned to go out immediately and go to the Xijiao Workshop to have a look.

Winter Thistle packed up her belongings and walked to the gate.The gate was closed tightly, and the guard at the gate politely told him that Lord Aldin had gone out, and he told them not to let anyone in or out before leaving.

Winter Thistle used to be accompanied by two guards when she went out, one with black hair and one with red hair.Winter Thistle asked the guards to call the two men and take them out together as before, and it should be all right.

The guards did send someone.After a while, the two young warriors came running across the courtyard.They didn't bring any armor or weapons, and they were still wearing everyday clothes, obviously not on duty right now.

After hearing Winter Thistle's request, the quick-talking red-haired warrior immediately replied, "You want to go out? No."

Winter Thistle said, "I can wait till you start your shift."

"It has nothing to do with whether we are on duty or not," said the red-haired warrior. "In the past, Lord Aldin asked us to guard you at all times, but this is no longer the case."

Dongji didn't understand: "You are not responsible for following me, so you have to tell me who I changed? In fact, I can go out alone, but you won't let me."

Seeing that his companion didn't understand at all, the black-haired warrior took the initiative to take the words and explained: "Master Mage, it is like this. When Lord Aldin allows you to go out, we will still follow you to perform escort missions. But you can't leave now The mansion is not allowed to go out, it has nothing to do with whether there are guards or not. This is Lord Aldin's order."

Winter Ji was stunned for a while, and asked, "He said... that I won't be allowed to go out? I'm going to the Western Suburb Workshop to check the progress of the catalyst that was delayed before. Instead of going to the almshouse or other places, just go straight back."

The black-haired soldier said: "We don't understand what you are doing at work, and we can't be the master. We just obey Lord Aldin's orders. Lord Aldin is out, so let's talk about it when he comes back."

Therefore, Winter Thistle had no choice but to return to the laboratory sullenly.

If he made some masking agent for himself, it would be possible to avoid the guards' sight, but the gate of the mansion is closed, the courtyard wall is also high, and there are spiked iron bars on it for anti-theft, even if others can't see him , he still can't get out.

What's more, the matter of the Western Suburb Workshop is not very important, and he is not going to cast a spell to escape.This will cause trouble for those guards.

Although he had decided not to go out, he still opened the small drawer where the masking agent raw materials were stored.Not for anything else, just because I thought of it, I just took a look.

In the small drawer, the original dose of viola powder was missing.This is one of the necessary materials for masking agents.

The other things were there, but the masking agent wouldn't do without one of them.

Winter Thistle sighed.It seems that this is not only Aldin's decision, but also Kanai's suggestion.

He decided to wait for Aldin to come back and ask again.

Aldin didn't keep him waiting long.

In the afternoon, there was a commotion in the courtyard, as if someone had come back from outside.

Winter Thistle left the laboratory and walked to the outer courtyard.He wanted to ask Aldin immediately why he didn't let him go out, but unfortunately, now is not a good time to talk.

From a distance, he saw the gate open, several carriages came in, and the guests were being helped down one by one by the servants.

Among this group of guests, some are completely strangers to Dong Ji, and some have met Dong Ji a few times.For example, the patriarch of the temple, and the consul of the city hall.

People were talking in low voices across the courtyard, and nodding to Winter Thistle as they passed.

Aldin came back on horseback.He got off the horse, walked up to Dong Ji, and patted his shoulder: "Go, let's go to the banquet hall, I have something to talk about later."

Dong Ji Dong Ji looked confused, feeling an indescribable feeling of oppression in her heart.

It was only after everyone else entered the building that Winter Thistle noticed the last person who got off the carriage.

When Kanai got out of the carriage, he needed two servants on the left and right to help him.When his feet landed on the ground, he grabbed the servant's arm with his hands, and his facial expression was obviously tense, obviously enduring the pain.

After getting out of the carriage, he won't let anyone help him, and he won't take a cane.Judging from the speed and posture of walking, his legs must not be in good condition.

After getting closer, Winter Thistle was surprised to find that Kanai's leg injury was more serious than he thought.He immobilized the wound with a force field spell, like an invisible plaster cast.But even with reinforcements, he shouldn't be walking on the ground, the wound has not healed, and now he needs to rest in bed.

Winter Thistle wanted to say hello, but didn't know what to say first.He also had some subtle emotions towards Kanai, and he held back a lot of questions in his heart.

Kanai walked to Winter Thistle's side, and patted Winter Thistle's shoulder like Aldin: "It's good to be back, I'm fine."

The two walked to the banquet hall.Winter Thistle deliberately slowed down and walked beside Kanai.On the one hand, I am afraid that he will fall, and on the other hand, I just want to have a chance to chat with him.

Winter Thistle whispered, "I misunderstood you before."

"I know. It's normal," Kanai said.

"Why can't you tell me?" Winter Thistle asked, "You know what I'm referring to...you and Aldin have discussed it, why can't you tell me in advance?"

Kanai glanced at him, but didn't answer.

Dongji said again: "I probably understand it now. You just want to mislead those people, make them do a bunch of useless things, and finally catch them off guard. Why do you want to hide me? Are you afraid that I will leak out, or Are you afraid that I won't cooperate with you? Are you afraid that I won't be this sinner?"

Kanai smiled: "Then would you like to?"

Dong Ji was taken aback by the question.

Kanai said: "If you don't want to, if you don't cooperate, we will fail. After the failure, let's not talk about what will happen to Aldin and me, you will be happy to follow Bellos... No, follow the one named Wuyun The monster left. I don't know what you will do next. If you are willing to cooperate with us, then you will be beaten in the cell of the city hall, and you will be regarded as a dangerous person and an accomplice of the necromancer. What do you say then? Would you like to?"

Winter Thistle's flesh wounds have long since healed, and there is no discomfort on his body. Now it is Kanai who is faltering.After Kanai finished speaking, it was Dongji who stiffly stopped in her tracks and froze in place.

Kanai took a few steps forward, saw that Winter Thistle hadn't followed, and turned around.

"It's hard for you to answer, I understand," Kanai said, "You don't want to take the initiative to suffer these grievances, but you also don't want to let Aldin fail. So, you can't answer me."

Dong Ji couldn't hold back his words, and followed slowly in silence.Kanai reached out and held Winter Thistle's shoulder.

Winter Thistle could feel that Kanai exerted strength, and indeed leaned his weight closer.He was a little surprised. For someone like Kanai, this behavior is almost equivalent to showing weakness.

Kanai said: "I ask you these, it is difficult for you to answer, and the questions in your heart are also difficult for us to answer." His voice was softer, and the speed of speaking slowed down a lot. "I have always spoken badly. .Aldean probably wouldn't do that."

Winter Thistle sighed.Nothing more to say.

He didn't want to ask Kanai anything.In these aspects, I am afraid that Kanai will only defend his elder brother, and there is no room for communication at all.

Entering the banquet hall, everyone sits casually without paying attention to etiquette.The servants set out tea and juice and left, and the guests did not bring their personal attendants.

Aldine took the Winter Thistle to the seat beside him.Everyone's eyes were on Dong Ji, so he didn't know where to look.

Aldin officially introduced Winter Thistle as a refiner to everyone.In fact, even if he didn't introduce them, those people had seen Winter Thistle in the trial court.

Then Aldine said to Winter Thistle: "These are our friends. We have come together today mainly to have a good talk with you. We need your help."

He must have meant "need a refiner".But Winter Thistle did not understand what was so important, to bring together the people of the Temple and the Town Hall, and to have a private meeting.

"Please explain in detail." Dongji slightly nodded.

Aldin nodded with a smile.That kind of smile confused Dongji a little, it was both sweet and greasy when the two were alone, and also like the usual expression when they were talking about business... Dongji simply looked away and didn't look at him, so as not to be more distracted by looking at him.

Aldin formally introduced everyone present for Winter Thistle, which was a start, and then the patriarch of the temple spoke.

She exchanged a few words with Winter Thistle, and talked about the purpose of this small meeting.

For now, the undead creature named Dark Cloud remains imprisoned in the Temple's Prayer Dungeon, but it's not a permanent solution.

This monster is obviously the creation of the northern necromancers. It may be related to the forbidden witchcraft. It may be some kind of rare reanimated corpse or flesh golem. No one can figure out all its characteristics.Interrogation is useless, and it must be kept alive, which is really difficult to deal with.

A few days ago, the Great Day Temple in White Lake City sent an order for the Harbor City Temple to escort the monster to the place for further research by real magic spellcasters.

But if you want to escort the monster, you must let it leave the prayer prison, then it may escape or be rescued by other necromancers.

They considered engraving prayers on the prison car, but the restraint would definitely be far less powerful than inside the temple.

Some people also asked, so can the Great Temple send a few people over to conduct research?This way you don't have to escort the monsters.Unfortunately, this is not possible.

The Great Temple of White Lake City is the origin of the belief of the Day Patrollers. It was built in a special area, where the ancient magic art remains, and the magic spell casters must be here to exert their full power.Therefore, it is necessary to send the monsters there, not to let the high-ranking priests and envoys rush over.

In fact, Harbor City really wants to send the monster away as soon as possible, it doesn't matter where it is sent, anyway, don't stay in the city all the time.Therefore, people from all parties had a preliminary discussion and thought that the power of arcane arts could be used to assist the priests and knights. It would take some time to make a batch of deeply enchanted weapons, armor, and escort tools, and the effect of arcane arts should be combined with that of divine arts. Prayers do not conflict, and can be superimposed and coexist to ensure that the escort process is as safe as possible.

After the Patriarch roughly finished speaking, he changed the consul to talk to Winter Thistle.In addition to escorting monsters, there are many other things in Harbor City that require Winter Thistle's participation: Harbor City plans to strengthen its defenses, and the city guard needs to increase enchanting weapons and stockpile various short-term enchanting tools.

Although the monster has been caught, the dark cloud has been lurking in the Chamber of Commerce for many years, and it is likely that there are remnants left.The consul was worried that these people might lie dormant and wait for an opportunity to retaliate against Harbor City.

After explaining the general needs, the consul and the shepherd all looked straight at Winter Thistle.

Winter Ji waited for a long time, and seeing that they didn't continue, she took the initiative to ask: "Then what exactly do I need to do? Is it to directly enchant the ready-made prison cart, or something else?"

"It's up to you to decide," the priest said, "We made a calculation in advance. You are an expert in arcane modification and enchanting, so we only propose the desired effect, and it's up to you to decide how to achieve it."

"Alright." Winter Ji nodded.

This kind of thing is really hard to explain in one or two sentences, and the details have to be determined bit by bit during the specific casting and development process.

Among the guests, many people exchanged glances with each other.

They were somewhat surprised: This half-elf suffered such a big grievance not long ago, and now he doesn't ask about the benefits and conditions first, but directly asks about the job content... As everyone expected, he should first ask "Then what can I get?" That's right.

Winter Ji didn't ask because he already knew.

He did not regain his freedom.On the bright side, he is still an accomplice of the necromancer, and he is still responsible for the contraband in the market.

In fact, he is still locked in the basement of Hilda Academy, under the supervision of the Austrian Federation.He can be secretly brought back to Harbor City because Harbor City needs him.

No one has ever publicly stated his innocence.The reward he can get is the same life as before.

After initially agreeing on the plan, it is time to communicate various details, such as the method of enchanting, the materials and assistants needed, the approximate progress, and so on.During the conversation, the consul praised Dongji for being good at communication, kind-hearted, and far-sighted. Dongji understood what he meant, so she accepted the compliment with a smile.

For Winter Thistle, talking about things related to spells is easier, it can make him feel better, and let him temporarily put aside those subtle emotions.