The Book of Hibernation

The second time I went to Hamer Village, Winter Thistle was not carried by anyone, but walked in by myself.This time the conversation was no longer in a private house, but in the front hall of the village hall.

He first talked about the part about the dark clouds.The necromancer agreed to let him prepare a spell to separate Kanai from Wuyun.They just need to take away the dark clouds, and are not interested in Kanai's body.

The city-state side must really send Kanai's body over, and cannot use others to counterfeit it.Several necromancers have seen Kanai, and the dark cloud is a special life form, which is different from living people or ordinary necromancers, so it is easy to detect the true and false.

The pastor who participated in the meeting said that the Great Temple had already known about the situation, and White Lake City had arranged for an escort team to go north yesterday.

However, they only agreed to send Kanai to the Gem Forest, and did not agree to actually hand over the dark cloud to the necromancer.In case of future conflict, the escort team will surely protect the body from being taken.

In the private conversation, the pastor specifically emphasized this point, and the city-state side also agreed.

Then there is the arrangement for the exchange of hostages: the first exchange will be arranged three days from today at "the place where the moose golem fell."

Winter Ji just repeated the original words, and didn't know what this place meant.Ryan immediately understood that this was the place where the knight named De Carlo disappeared when they tracked down the out-of-control golem.

Although it's called an exchange of hostages, the necromancer did not give a release list, and whoever is released will depend on his mood at the time.

According to Winter Thistle's personal speculation, the necromancer will not release too many hostages, at most two or three.They still have to keep the chips in exchange for the dark clouds, and that is the most important thing to them.People like De Lisi, Dolin, and De Carlo, they will definitely detain them until the end.

Winter Thistle communicated with them, begging them to release them starting with the weakest ordinary villagers, and they agreed.

During the conversation, Winter Thistle mentioned the name Dorin.Ryan was there today, standing next to the pastor, and he didn't seem to respond.Dong Ji was somewhat puzzled, but didn't ask any further questions.

Winter Thistle asks the city-state if they are also ready to release the captured necromancer.

Glora is here representing the city-state of Fesisit, and she shook her head: "Three days? Three days is too late. The arrested necromancers are locked up in other places, quite far from here. We need to count them one by one. It takes a long time to come out."

Winter Thistle frowned: "Is it really too late? If it doesn't go well at the beginning, I'm afraid the necromancer will question your sincerity."

Aldin is sitting next to Winter Thistle today.He said: "No, we didn't say no exchange. The necromancers asked for the release of their companions, and also asked for a batch of supplies. They didn't say which one must be given first, did they?"

"You mean, give them supplies first?"

Aldin said: "Yes. Three days later, we will exchange according to their requirements, but the first thing to give them is not the companion mage, but the supplies that can fill two caravans. The things are prepared according to the list they mentioned, and nothing is different. Poor, maybe a little more."

"Two cars..." Winter Ji murmured.

Aldin said: "The forest gets denser the farther you go north, and the carriage probably won't be able to go. But it shouldn't be a problem for mages. They must have a way to transport things away."

"I'm not feeling sorry for this," Dong Ji said, "I just think...they don't seem to want much."

"It's really not much."

Winter Ji nodded slowly, he understood the reason for giving supplies first.

Necromancers have always used terrain and magic to maintain concealment.Their hiding places are not permanent, and they must be able to move their locations at any time, and they must also consider the convenience of all evacuations in the future, so they should not hoard too many supplies.

If you hoard too much, it will be a trivial matter if you can't take it away in the future. The most important thing is that it will affect the current concealment effect.

After getting the supplies this time, the necromancer will not leave immediately, but will have to wait for the next negotiations and study how to release the dark clouds... This will take a lot of time.

If the necromancers don't ask for supplies again in a short period of time, the city-state can guess their approximate number.

Winter Thistle noticed that Aldin and Glora looked at each other.He was even more sure that their arrangement must have meant that.

"Besides these, there is one more troublesome thing," Dong Ji said, "but it has nothing to do with the necromancer's conditions. It's a little trouble I encountered."

"what's up?"

"On the necromancer's side, I am 'Rosen', not 'Winter Thistle'. I am not the refiner who made potions for Kanai back then, but I have learned skills from that refiner."

As he spoke, Dong Ji paused for a while, and he naturally mentioned that matter, and after he said it, he felt a strange feeling in his heart.

He watched Aldin from the corner of his eye. Aldin didn't seem to respond, but waited intently for him to speak.

So Winter Thistle continued: "In the future, I will pretend to study Kanai's body, and I have to set up a temporary laboratory. At that time, if I am the only one involved in casting spells, it will look too fake. Especially the chief of the Chamber of Commerce Here, the matter involves his relatives again." Winter Ji looked at Aldin secretly again, but Aldin still said nothing, "In this case, the chamber of commerce should send some credible spellcasters to participate in the research with me, so that Be reasonable."

Glora on the opposite side asked: "What if they find it unreasonable? If they find out that you are the refiner, it will be more proof that your ability is real, and the possibility of releasing the dark cloud will be greater, isn't it?"

"Of course," Winter Thistle said, "but when they retreat, they will find ways to bring me with them. I don't want to follow the necromancer to the north shore. As I said just now, this matter has nothing to do with the necromancer's conditions." , It's my own business. I'm asking for your help, if you can help me, I will thank you. It doesn't matter if you can't help. Just take one step at a time."

"That's right. I can understand." Glora nodded and looked at Aldin.She knew that this mage used to work under Aldin.

Aldin said: "It's easy to do. I'll figure it out. There's still time anyway."

======================

Business is almost over.It was still early before dark, so Winter Thistle could stay in Hamer Village to rest for a while.Glora arranged for someone to cook him some food and asked him to wait at the village office.

When he came here last time, Winter Thistle couldn't talk to Ryan, this time he wanted to talk to Ryan specifically.

When the conference was over, Ryan followed the pastor out.At that time, Winter Thistle was writing down some details on a sticky note, so she didn't have time to call him.

When Dong Ji followed her out, there was no one to be found in the blink of an eye.

Winter Thistle strolled along the village lane, seeing passing soldiers and asking them if they had seen Lion.

He walked to a small courtyard door, which suddenly opened, and a hand stretched out from inside, grabbed his arm and dragged him in.

Winter Thistle just subconsciously let out an "ah" and didn't yell loudly.Because he had already guessed who the other party was.

He was grabbed by the shoulders and pressed against the door panel.Looking up, it was indeed Aldin.

"Scared you?" Aldin relaxed his hands slightly.

"A little bit." Not really.

Aldin said: "I have something to ask you. It is not convenient to talk in front of everyone."

Winter Thistle frowned slightly.He vaguely guessed what Aldin wanted to say.

really.Aldin asked, "It's actually true, isn't it?"

Winter Ji raised her eyebrows slightly.

Aldin said: "We were trying to hold off on the dark clouds, buy time, and slowly find a way to deal with them. But... I'm afraid that's not the case for you. You don't 'pretend' to separate the dark clouds, you are It can really be done."

Winter Thistle sighed.Aldin guessed it so quickly, so that's good, he can save one less person from hiding.

Talking about this matter, Dongji couldn't help feeling a little nervous.Aldin had let him go, but he kept leaning against the door panel, not daring to relax.

He still remembered the day before he left Harbor City.

Aldin kept asking him to save Kanai, but he said he couldn't do it; Aldin understood clearly, but refused to believe it.

Aldin asked: "I want to confirm with you. Can you separate the dark clouds, or can you save Kanai at the same time?"

Dong Ji raised her eyes to look at him, a little surprised in her eyes.

Aldin smiled bitterly: "Yes, of course I know that these are two completely different things."

Winter Thistle said, "In the best case scenario...both will do."

"So optimistic?" Aldin shook his head lightly.

Once Winter Ji said that Kanai could not be saved, he did not want to believe it; now that Dong Ji said that it might be possible, he did not dare to believe it.

Dong Ji said: "I've said it all, it's the most optimistic situation. Now I just have an idea, and I have to study it slowly."

"How sure are you?"

Winter Thistle thought for a while, and said: "If it goes well, the dark clouds will definitely be separated. I dare say that this point is absolutely certain. As for Kanai... there is a certain risk in doing this. He may die directly, or he may survive without regaining consciousness. Of course, the best result is for him to fully recover, but I can’t guarantee success. Let’s put it this way...it’s normal if it doesn’t succeed, but it’s a miracle if it succeeds. Don’t take it seriously, just treat it as a beautiful dream.”

Aldin smiled bitterly: "Okay, I understand. In fact, I didn't have much expectations. This year, I have visited the White Lake City Temple a lot, and I often go to see the priest who takes care of Kanai. I understand what I should understand. Less...Speaking of it, I still can't figure out one thing..."

Winter Thistle vaguely guessed what was going on, but he didn't interrupt, just quietly listening to Aldin's words.

"I don't understand why Kanai took the initiative to do that," Aldean said.Winter Thistle guessed right.

Winter Thistle said, "I thought you knew him well."

"I used to think that way, and then I don't feel it anymore," Aldean said. "If he was threatened by someone to sacrifice himself, or if I suggested to him that he had to fight for his life to catch the cloud, then he did. Will be desperate. If so, I can understand what he's doing. But I don't want him to..."

Winter Thistle asked, "Do you think Kanai sacrificed herself on purpose?"

"Is not it?"

"This is the result, not the cause." Winter Thistle said, "He didn't intend to 'deliberately' sacrifice. Under normal circumstances, the escort team should arrive safely, or defeat the enemy smoothly. Kanai is preparing for the worst, But it’s not about actively making things go to the worst. There’s a difference.”

Aldine looked at the Winter Thistle.Judging from the way Dong Ji spoke, he didn't just make up words to argue, he must have had this view a long time ago, but now he has the opportunity to talk about it.

Seeing that Aldin was silent, Winter Thistle continued, "Perhaps you still think, how important is a dark cloud? Even if it is a dangerous undead creature, it is not worth catching it and risking your own life. Yes, it's easy to understand. But Kanai is different from you."

"What's the difference?"

"You are a mercenary and a merchant. Kanai is a mage." Winter Thistle said.

Aldin was taken aback by these words, and then slowly nodded thoughtfully.

Winter Thistle continued: "For example, look at those necromancers. They were chased and intercepted like this, and they were about to be driven to the Frost Plain, which is not suitable for survival at all. They have no place to live anymore. The execution team killed them. It can be done without trial...then why don't they just throw away the spell-casting items, take off the robes, give up the necromancy school, and just be a farmer or a hunter? Why do they still have to take the risk to make contraband, even some people Will they go to the cemetery next to the temple to dig up corpses? If they continue to spend like this, isn’t it self-destruction... It’s better to save their lives. Even if they don’t become necromancers, they will always have a way to get ahead. Is it right to think so? But they don’t Same, they are mages."

Aldin sighed: "What you said just now is a bit dangerous. But of course, I will not tell others."

"Just as long as you understand what I mean." Dongji smiled.

Like Winter Thistle, Kanai is a mage.He has a seat in the Arcane Federation, and he also has familiar teachers and old friends in Hilda Academy. Although he is not a researcher, he is also an apprentice of the God of Arcane.

Winter Thistle still clearly remembers: he used Kanai's laboratory all the time, and Kanai hardly used it himself, but sometimes he would come over to watch.Winter Thistle often uses some very fresh techniques, which Kanai has never seen before, or even if he has, he does not know the details. He will stare at Winter Thistle very seriously, to be more precise, at the hands of Winter Thistle Utensil or rune.

At that time, Kanai's eyes were no different from other mages.

The people in Xijiao Workshop were like this, Dongji was like this when he was a child, and Jinye himself was like this when he was concentrating on experiments.

Speaking of experiments, Winter Thistle would think of the first time she met Kanai.

At that time he rented a very small, low room in Saint-Delian.He is doing a catalyst experiment. The materials have finally been prepared, their properties are normal, and the weather conditions on that day are also very suitable. If you miss today, you don’t know how long you will have to wait.A dangerous gas is produced during the experiment, and if something goes wrong, the toxicity can cause the surface of the operator's skin to crystallize.Therefore, when doing this kind of experiment, you should prepare gentianite powder suspension, so that you can save yourself at critical moments.

Winter thistle doesn't have that kind of material, and even if you want to buy crude raw materials, you can't afford it.Still, he went straight to the experiment.

Later, the experiment did have an accident, so Winter Thistle ran out and soaked her hands in the ditch, trying to minimize the damage.It was because of this incident that he met Kanai.Kanai later helped him get that suspension.

All in all - he didn't have the gentianite powder suspension, but he went straight to experimenting anyway.

Therefore, Winter Thistle can understand Kanai's thoughts.He is not sure, he just can vaguely understand...

Thinking of this, Dong Ji's nose suddenly felt a little sour.

He didn't shed tears, but laughed a little self-deprecatingly: "But to be honest, the thinking of mages is not very correct. In comparison, you are normal people."

After he finished speaking, he raised his head and found that Aldin had been watching him, almost in a daze.

Winter Thistle asked what was wrong, and Aldin said, "It's nothing, I just think you've changed a lot."

"I don't feel that much," Winter Thistle shook her head. "By the way, I'm a little curious. Why did you guess that I really have a way to separate them?"

Aldin said: "Actually, I have no basis, it's all based on feeling. Just now you said that you need to 'pretend' to do research in the future, what kind of laboratory, what kind of research assistants are needed... You said it was all for show, but I think wrong."

"What's wrong?"

"It's your expression. I've seen your expression before. When you asked me for magic instruments, assistants, and what to do in the Western Suburb Workshop, your expression was that. So I think , you are definitely not doing it for a show. You really want to build a laboratory."

This explanation made winter thistle all the more wonderful.He didn't even know what was special about his expression.

Aldin asked: "Actually, I'm also a little curious. You couldn't save Kanai before, why can you now?"

Judging from the words he used, he didn't think that the winter thistles of the past were lying, but that things had changed.

This made Winter Thistle a little relieved.

Winter Thistle replied: "I learned some witchcraft from the necromancer. You should remember that when March was a swearer, he used blood refining. Witchcraft refers to this kind of ancient magic. Carefully After reading the spell book, I found that some parts of it can be used for reference in the chimera spell, and then apply the chimeric spell recipient to the modified magic circle. For example, you know the enchanting method I use? Right now The kind that started to be popularized in the chamber of commerce workshop, does not need to move the rune core but can modify the enchanted artifact..."

"Stop, stop!" Aldin waved his hand, "I don't understand. I don't understand from the first few sentences."

Winter Thistle lowered her head in embarrassment and smiled.

Such conversations seem to have happened before.

Aldin said: "In short, if you need anything, just let me know, whether it's a lack of consumables or something, I'll help you find a solution."

"Well, I will," said Winter Thistle.

Aldin thought for a while, then said, "Is this dangerous?"

"Why ask that?"

"When Sanyue engaged in the Sworn Enemy, they dug up corpses and were anemic, and their lives might be in danger. Is it like this for all witch rituals and spells?"

"No," Winter Thistle said, "I don't want to use the complete witchcraft, which is different from hers."

He answered very firmly, so Aldin didn't ask any more questions.

It's almost time and we can't keep talking.So the two were about to leave the courtyard.

The moment Dongji opened the door, Dongji suddenly felt a little panicked... If someone saw him and Aldin coming out of an empty private house, I don't know what others would think.

Fortunately, they were lucky, and no one passed by outside at all.

Winter Thistle still wants to talk to Lion.He told Aldin about his idea, and Aldin took him to the neighborhood where the Knight of the Day lived.Lane is still out.

A member of the execution team said that it is estimated that Ryan went to inspect the mountains and forests.So Winter Thistle had to give up.

It was getting late, and it was almost time for Winter Thistle to leave.Gerola sent someone to deliver the freshly prepared food, packed in a hand basket and wrapped in a small blanket for heat preservation.

Aldin did not deliver the winter thistle today.There is a golem bird leading the way outside the village, but winter thistle doesn't need anyone to send it.

After Winter Thistle left, Aldin returned to the village hall.

Glora and the pastor are waiting for him here.This time the priest was alone, without the day knight.

The servant brought weak tea to the three of them. Aldin sat down and took a few sips from the cup.

Glora looked at him: "I thought you didn't like Fesisit's tea."

"Long talk, thirsty," Aldean said.

The pastor leaned forward a little and asked, "How did it go? Is he really trying to release the cloud?"

Aldin put down his glass, smiled and shook his head: "He wanted to, but he couldn't."

The pastor frowned: "Did he say that himself?"

"He didn't say it directly. He needs something from us, mainly to help him act. He does want to cast a spell on Kanai, but he will definitely not be able to wake up the dark cloud in the end."

"Is it possible that he is lying to you?"

Aldin said: "Based on what I know about him, he didn't lie to me. In fact, he was very afraid that once the lie was exposed, the necromancer would kill him directly. He said, when the hostages are exchanged for the last time, I hope we We can spare some people to protect him."

The pastor nodded: "Yes. He will definitely be saved when the time comes. But I am still a little worried... Is it possible that although he is not willing to cooperate with the necromancer, he can indeed awaken the dark cloud? If so, chaos Among them, the dark clouds will easily escape."

"That possibility cannot be ruled out either," Aldin said.

"So……"

"You can detect spell fluctuations. Just get rid of him before the spell is cast."