Chapter 156 156. Cultists and Demons
There are five teams going out.
Each branch has forty knight apprentices and two to three mage apprentices, as well as three or four Stardust Circus torturers, fish-tailed sea ducks, myconids, and black crows who serve as scouts .
Speaking of these black crows, since they came to Croa’s Flame Magic Field, they have made it their home very comfortably, and they have quickly become accustomed to people’s feeding and care. .
It degenerated almost at an alarming speed, and was not even willing to fly to look for food - this was also due to the blood grass fungus. After all, they were used to eating this kind of magic plant.
Some of them who are willing to get close to people are trained by Elena and Mir, the trainer of the Stardust Circus, to be used as scouts.
As for the other petrels and birds of paradise... they are quite aloof and unwilling to cooperate with others for the time being. Especially the latter, these guys not only eat fish but also hang out in the resin of the flame tree stump every day.
Even... Croya has personally seen the "bird films" they staged.
That picture is simply blinding.
However, with the addition of these crows, their journey will indeed be much smoother.
Among them, what Croya paid most attention to was not the group of Baron Kermoyer who planned to trouble the Viscount, but the group led by Ryan, whose first stop was to go to Baron Andy.
The wind and snow outside Hanjiao Island are still very scary.
It can almost be said to be a white disaster. The knight apprentices protected the relatively weaker mage apprentices and the tortured people in the center, walking one foot deep and one foot shallow.
The snow is now 20 to 30 centimeters deep, and it is actually very difficult to walk. But fortunately, these people are used to hardship and have experienced snow marching training.
So it’s not particularly difficult to walk.
"Hu~~Hu~~"
The cold wind is howling. The warm sea breeze that usually comes from the sea has turned into a deadly cold wind at this time, which can quickly take away the body. of heat.
Even a man of iron will never be able to withstand such a cold wind for a long time.
Fortunately, these apprentices have been prepared——
“Get closer to me!”
A mage apprentice shouted loudly. He pressed a magic weapon on his chest, and a light red circle formed under his feet. It spread from the body to the outside and soon enveloped the entire team.
This kind of magic is a special product composed of Croya using an alchemical creation called "Halo Medal" in "Light Miracle" to imprint a thermal energy array.
As long as you inject magic power into the medal, it will automatically form a halo of warm wind that moves with your body, ensuring that it will not be too affected by the environment.
Of course, this combination can only be made by Croya, because magic similar to the Paladin's halo and aura series requires divine power.
The magic power injected by the apprentice only stimulates the magic pattern pattern carved by Croya.
"Thank you for your hard work, Jack."
Ryan said loudly to the apprentice who released the heat halo: "If there are any trophies, you can pick more."
Others There is absolutely no objection to this.
Because this was what they had discussed before they came - Jack's apprentice used all the rewards he received during training to exchange for the "Saint Crystal" that Croya made casually.
In fact, it is a stone that stores sacred magic power.
The purpose is to activate the thermal energy halo for a long time, provide the team with a more comfortable environment, and at least maintain the combat effectiveness to deal with possible crises.
After paying such a price, the reward is to be able to choose more trophies - Croya said that after taking back the precious magic plant monsters, the reward points will be calculated.
The materials on Hanjiao Island are self-sufficient. Silver coins and copper coins are purchased and exchanged for daily necessities from Rob. However, for extraordinary materials, they can only be exchanged with points.
Kloya, who was far away on Hanjiao Island, saw this scene and smiled with understanding.
“This Ryan apprentice has learned quite well. If you divide the work and cooperate, and then promise benefits, people will follow you just because they want money.” If you make money and have prestige, you can be regarded as a qualified captain
It seems to be very talented, right?”
Of course a person can watch "TV". She felt bored, so Croya asked Mu Yao Qu Teng King to watch it with her.
The latter has experienced a lot, has enough experience, and can also play the role of praise.
But after it heard Croya's question, it was stunned for several seconds before replying: "You are right."
"Huh? Are you paying attention to something?" Croya glanced at Mu Yaoqu Vine King with a little doubt in his eyes.
This guy's voice seems to be holding back a laugh, which sounds weird.
"There is something going on over there with the Crystal Turtle. Do you want to take a look?"
"Okay, let me take a look."
The latter was approved by Croya with permission. Later, the scene in the mine below the castle was broadcast.
I saw that the mine was already filled with dense statues, all of which were various turtle statues, with many different postures, and they were beautifully carved.
At first glance, I thought I was entering a turtle cemetery.
This kind of lifelike statue that is completely still and still carved is, at best, real, but at worst... it's just like a corpse.
To be honest, the number is a bit too much, so much that it makes people feel a little uncomfortable.
“…ah.”
Croya rubbed his eyes to make sure he saw it correctly.
"Why did it do so many things? Is it crazy?"
"Also, look."
As the screen gradually cuts into the mine, I saw There was an astral crystal turtle charging angrily at a rather "beautiful" carved statue.
The special magic power belonging to it was poured into the inside of the statue.
Not to mention that the size is quite exaggerated compared to the length of the body of the astral crystal turtle, and even stones fell off the statue.
The upgraded surveillance eye also transmitted the sound simultaneously.
"Bang, bang, bang..."
The scene was mixed with sounds like pile drivers, which made Croya feel that his eyes and ears were going to be broken at the same time.
What’s even more outrageous is that the turtle seemed to be tireless, infusing more than a dozen statues with magic power in just a few minutes.
And he is still not finished, humming a cheerful little tune, and continues to look for new goals.
"..."
Cloya was silent for a long time after seeing this scene, and the corner of his mouth couldn't help but twitch: "Okay, as long as it doesn't do this kind of thing on the ground...I I just accepted it.”
He waved his hand to signal Mu Yao Qu Teng King to quickly pinch off this section of turtle slices. He really couldn’t bear to continue reading.
This turtle is really outrageous.
......
Turning off the surveillance on the astral crystal turtle, Croya continued to check the situation of the knights who were out——
With the thermal energy halo With help, they walked significantly easier.
After walking about two kilometers, something strange suddenly appeared in front of us.
In the white sky and earth, after leaving the Hanjiao Island Pier, only large trees and rocks covered with snow can be seen.
There are also... statues that look like people covered in white snow.
The apprentices stopped.
They looked at the human figures standing silently in the snow, made some guesses, and their hearts became heavier.
“Go and have a look.” Ryan waved.
"Yes."
Immediately, an agile knight apprentice ran over and flicked the snow on the statue with his long sword.
The whereabouts of snowflakes "thumping".
Revealing skin that had been bruised by the cold and a very sad face.
“!!!”
Seeing this scene, several knight apprentices immediately thought of some not-so-good things - they seemed to have almost missed it before they came to Hanjiao Island. Just die.
Immediately afterwards, they spread out as a unit of two to check all the surrounding snowdrifts, and found that they were actually full of people.
You know... there are forty or fifty buildings in just this area.
Ryan asked strangely: "Why are there so many people?"
Although he knew that some people would brave the snow to look for food, there was no food near Hanjiao Island. Why? There will be so many people here?
"Could something happen to Baron Andy?" A mage apprentice thought thoughtfully.
“We’re going to take a look anyway, let’s speed up.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Ryan decided to speed up.
They have all undergone endurance training of forced marches, and the thorns and magic power in their bodies are able to withstand the wind, snow, and exhaustion.
For ordinary people, it takes three days to walk, but for them it was completed in one day. When the darkness of night fell, they had already arrived at the location of Baron Andy's castle.
Just as they expected: there were really no soldiers patrolling or guarding along the way, and they actually approached the castle directly.
This is almost impossible on Hanjiao Island.
You must know that the lords live in this castle. If they are allowed to approach directly like this, they will have the confidence to rush in and kill Baron Andy.
This is a flat area. The castle built of stone stands silently in the night. From the windows, it seems that there are lights and firelight coming from inside.
Visual inspection shows that it is more than thirty meters high. To be honest, this looks much more majestic than Croa's castle.
"Go and have a look." Ryan signaled his partners to release a flock of crows as a reconnaissance unit, but strangely, these crows did not dare to approach the castle anyway.
They screamed "Quack!" at their owners, as if urging them to leave quickly.
The Myconid, who had been staying on Ryan's shoulder as a camera, also shrank uneasily.
For the first time, it reminded aloud: "Inside, the devil!"
Hearing this word, everyone showed shocked expressions, devil? Is there a demon here?
The victims looked at each other and remained silent.
Now things have not developed to the point where they need to take action, and they do not believe that there are really any demons here.
The cracks on their bodies are most sensitive to changes in magic power. If there is really a demon, even if it is a little demon, they will definitely be able to feel it.
The team fell into silence and waiting for the time being.
They are all waiting for Captain Ryan to make a decision. No matter what the other party decides, they will follow it.
Finally, Ryan looked at the brightly lit castle and said in a serious tone:
“Let’s go and have a look.”
“This is a short distance from our home, Hanjiao. The island is too close. If there is really a demon... I think we can inform the lord in time."
This decision is expected, and others have no objections. It is really too close to Hanjiao Island. , they cannot sit back and ignore the possibility of demons appearing.
After a brief discussion, Ryan led the team with a knight apprentice and a mage apprentice to investigate closely. They carried the life-saving magic weapon and pepper bombs given by Croya.
If you are really in danger, at least there is some possibility of escaping.
The rest of the people stay here. If they don't come back for too long, the myconids will tell Hanjiao Island that something is wrong here, and they will leave.
After the plan was finalized, the three of them set off.
Their companions prayed silently behind them.
‘My lord, bless me, I hope they can come back. ’
At this time, one of the victims used the invisibility technique to follow. As protectors, they could not watch anything happen to the children who had high hopes from Croya.
......
"Huh."
Although it is already night, the white snow will reflect light, so the view is relatively clear.
Ryan sweated nervously.
This was the first time he had done this, and he was actually worried that something would happen, but he had to do it.
The three of them cooperated with each other and came to the bottom of the castle. They spotted an open window and threw a flying claw made of iron and vines.
I climbed into the castle easily.
As soon as they entered, they smelled a strong smell of blood, and saw that the corridors and walls inside the castle were splattered with blood.
The blood twisted on the wall, like some weird and evil runes.
The mage apprentice felt that his mental strength was a bit overwhelming just after one glance. This kind of chaotic thing was simply poison to him.
Cloya, who was sitting on Hanjiao Island and eating sunflower seeds, frowned, straightened up, and looked at the scene sent back by the myconid.
"It's really a demon. This seems to be a summoning circle for some kind of ritual."
"Will it be so big when it comes out?"
Although for the demon Not much is known about it, but this kind of magic pattern full of chaos and disorder generally points to demons.
If it were a devil, the summoned magic patterns would be exquisite and strange, full of indescribable weird beauty and regularity.
He was a little surprised. He had never expected that in a bitter and cold place like the North, there would be cultists who believed in demons.
Generally speaking, most demons are of the fire attribute. They hate cold environments and will basically not appear in cold environments.
Of course, I just hate and don’t like to be active in a cold environment.
If cold can stop the devils, then they would be too shameless.
“Ask the Lord of the Pit.”
Kloya really didn’t understand the knowledge about demons, so he could only choose to seek help from the outside.
He sent those runes to the pit lord and asked him what kind of demons these belonged to.
The latter seemed quite leisurely and answered immediately.
“Those are some little devils, probably done by cultists casually, at most one or two levels.”
His tone was casual, and he didn't regard these demons as beings that needed to be taken seriously.
Hearing his reply, the corner of Croya's mouth twitched.
Even the little demons of one to two levels, due to the different environments in which they live, are usually much more powerful than humans of the corresponding level.
Such apprentices...
"Oh, are you going to die?" He sighed, suppressing a little annoyance in his heart, but suddenly he was surprised to find out.
There seems to be something wrong with the situation.
In the picture, the arrival of the three apprentices obviously disturbed the owner here.
A figure in a black robe slowly walked out of the darkness. His head was wrapped in a hood. There were dark red spots on the robe that were difficult to ignore, which were obviously blood stains.
He looked directly at the three people under the shadow of the hood - to be precise, he looked at the knight apprentice behind Ryan.
The magic pressure emanating from the body has been infinitely close to the second level. Those chaotic and violent magic fluctuations make the apprentices dare not move at all, as if they are facing a formidable enemy.
"Are you...Jack?"
The figure in black robe made a somewhat hoarse voice, but the owner who could still hear the voice was probably not very old.
Jack's eyes changed immediately.
"You...are you Brother Git?"
His voice was hesitant and unbelievable.
"It's me." The man in black robe reached out and took off his hood, revealing a rather honest and honest face.
Looks like one of countless ordinary people, without any identification.
"Brother Git, why are you..." Apprentice Jack's mind was racing. He knew that at this time he had to get close to the stranger "Jit" brother in order to have a chance of survival.
"Haha."
Jit smiled: "It seems that you are doing well. The mage from Hanjiao Island did not treat you harshly."
When he said this, there was great relief hidden in his eyes.
Then, he opened his arms and said enthusiastically:
"Little Jack, join us... As long as you are willing to bring God's will to Hanjiao Island, we will all get real happiness. "
Hearing what he said, the apprentices who had long been full of loyalty to Croya were naturally dissatisfied, but the instructors had taught them that they must be calm when facing this kind of thing.
So they remained silent and alert.
Jack gritted his teeth and suddenly pulled out his long sword with a "clop" sound. The sword blade made of holy white iron pointed at Kit and asked: "This is obviously the devil!"
"You have turned into someone I don't recognize. Look at the blood here! How many people have you killed!"
He knew very well that if he asked falsely, the other party would definitely be suspicious. , only in this way is it consistent with his previous character.
Jit smiled when he saw him like this.
Like a good-tempered older brother who watches his younger siblings lose their temper.
"The blood here comes from the nobles and their men... Don't worry, they won't die. Their blood will become the best paint.
I can paint and paint the most beautiful scenery."
After saying this intoxicatingly, he sneered:
"It's a devil, but we can't survive anymore... That nobleman doesn't care about our life and death at all, so we can only resist."
“He is more terrifying than the devil.”
“The devil can keep us alive, but the nobles cannot.”
After saying this, his face turned gloomy He came down and said, "Since you are not willing to accept God's favor, then leave!"
After saying that, he waved his hand directly, and a cold tentacle grew from under the robe and pulled the three of them directly. It flew out from the window.
Then he slowly turned around and left.
Just before leaving, he glanced at the empty corridor, with obvious resistance and unconcealable disgust in his eyes.
But he couldn't resist, and disappeared into the corridor with stiff steps.
A well-hidden magic wave faintly flashed through the empty corridor and left through the window.
In the snow outside, the three apprentices who were knocked out were not injured because of the thick snow on the ground.
They looked at each other after getting up, and saw the same meaning in each other's eyes - the Kat seemed to have intentionally driven them out like this.
Could it be that he has not been completely controlled by the devil?
(End of this chapter)