Dinen stepped over Albert's shoulder and saw the girl blocking their way.

Or it can be described as a girl. The other party was about the same age as Albert, and did not look like the blacksmith's daughter - although this thought was a bit sorry for the generous Chamberlain, judging by her attire and hands, she did not inherit her father's business. He looked slightly haggard, as if he was worried about something. With his years of experience as an adventurer, this is usually a symbol of trouble.

Since she was a woman, Albert naturally showed his gentlemanly demeanor, getting out of the way and asking the other party to go first, completely ignoring the fact that they were two people and only one on the other side. Dineen pursed her lips and stepped out of the way.

"I beg your pardon for my recklessness, but ......," the girl asked with a little eagerness, rather than moving, "are you two strangers?" ”

Albert nodded. There's nothing to hide, and a town of this size, although not inhabited, is easy to tell strangers out about. They don't arouse suspicion if they are calm.

There was a look of expectation on the other party's face: "Then may I ask, have you met Brand?" Pat this person? ”

Albert glanced at Dineen inquiringly, and got a negative answer from his partner's expression. He was about to answer, but Chamberlain's angry voice stopped him.

"Lucina!" The blacksmith scolded, striding over, "Enough, don't mention that kid again!" He'd better never come back! ”

"No, Daddy!" Lucina argued loudly, "It's not what everyone thinks, Brand and Big Bane are good people!" ”

Dineen rolled his eyes vaguely, and Albert looked at the two in confusion.

"I'm sorry, Outlander." Seeing his doubts, Chamberlain simply said, "But it's none of your business. Forget about my daughter's problems. You've got a long way to go, aren't you? ”

This is a clear rejection. That being the case, Albert has nothing to say. But before being dragged away by his happy partner, he patiently answered the girl's previous question: "I'm sorry I haven't met the person you mentioned, but don't worry too much, maybe he'll be back soon." ”

His comfort lifted the lost Lucina a little: "Thank you, sir. You're right, I'll ask again. ”

***

After they left the blacksmith shop for more than ten meters, Dineh couldn't help but complain: "Are you so verbose when facing women?" "I remember when Teresa was there.

"That's courtesy for women." Albert said helplessly, "Didn't you do that?" ”

Dineh's expression - he really didn't. Women who serve in the military are the ones who don't need men to show gentlemanly manners in the world, especially women with higher status and better ability, and will regard this courtesy as a contempt for them. I don't disagree with the kindness of my colleagues, but I don't feel happy. So except for certain times when gender must be paid attention to, Dineen will always treat men and women equally.

Another reason, of course, is that he doesn't want to get into trouble. Dinen just wanted to send Thrall back to the Frostwolf Clan as soon as possible and head straight north. Although there is still a long time before a large-scale outbreak of the plague, it will be too late to delay until then. He had to plan ahead and strike before the Cursed Sect could grow. If he can gather enough evidence, he can also use this to warn King Terenus that no matter what, it is impossible for the forces of the Cursed Sect to corrupt the royal family at this stage.

So, the last thing they need right now is trouble.

— but often it backfires.

When screams rang out in the street outside the hotel, Albert, caught off guard, slapped the plate over. Dineen grabbed the bread and cheese slices flying in the air just in time, but he was helpless about the steak and soup, and could only watch as a puddle of stains were added to the freshly cleaned floor.

But now is not the time to think about how to deal with the innkeeper's wrath. Dineen pondered for a second between continuing to eat and rushing out the door, and saw that Albert had jumped up as if he had heard the order to charge, and his eyes were anxious and eager to look at him, and he could only reluctantly stand up.

If I come back and find out who stole it. The hungry craftsman thought viciously. I'll send him to the Light, I'm serious.

By the time they reached the street, they were already surrounded by people. If there is no escape, there is no threat. But there was a strange mood in the crowd. They whispered, with indifference and disgust, and a little pent-up anger.

Albert tried to ask the people around him what was going on, but all he got was shaking his head, and no one was willing to answer his question. This made Albert a little embarrassed. Knowing that the stubborn partner would not give up without getting an answer, Dineen simply pushed away the person in front of him and squeezed towards the middle with him, and it took a little effort to see the thing surrounded in the center.

- That's a dying man.

He fell face down on the ground, thin enough to see the bones, his tattered shirt stained with dirt and dull blood, completely unrecognizable. There were huge scratches on the bare back, as if it had been attacked by some beast. The wound was no longer bleeding, but the muscles around it—Dineh's eyes lit up, his hands clenched into fists—took on a terrifying purple-black color.

Albert was unaware of the sudden change in the mood of his companions. Seeing that the people around him were only whispering, but no one reached out to help the wounded on the ground, he couldn't help but be shocked and annoyed, and without thinking about it, he stepped out of the crowd, squatted beside the person, and tried to help the other person up.

"What's going on?" He exclaimed, "Is there anyone to help?" At least carry him into the house! ”

No one answered him. The crowd stirred slightly, and a few people seemed to want to come out to help, but were stopped by others.

Just as Albert was bewildered, the silence was broken by an exclamation.

"Brother Bane!"

He turned his head to see Lucina squeezing out of the crowd with a look of astonishment, and she grabbed the wounded man's other arm and helped Albert lift him up, despite the others' resistance.

"Bring him into the house first, he needs treatment." Unable to ask for more, Albert said eagerly, "Who's going to the church to bring the pastor?" Or a doctor can do it too! ”

Lucina shook her head: "Pastor Carter went to the village south for free treatment, and the doctor won't come......"

Because of Dineen's resistance, Albert also dismissed the idea of visiting the local pastor, and he realized that the other party was no longer in the town. But why did she say the doctor wouldn't come?

He settled down and said, "It's okay, I'll come." ”

"You?" Lucina was shocked.

"Anyway, take him to the house first, and don't let him lie on the street like this." Albert didn't plan to explain it now, he just wanted to start treatment as soon as possible.

- but someone stopped them.

"Nope."

Lucina looked up in exasperation. Regardless of Bane? What the hell did Pat do, he was already injured like this, isn't it imperative to treat the wound first? But if the townspeople don't save them when they see death, even if they want to stop the well-wishers from reaching out?

But when she was about to reprimand the other party, she was stunned for a moment.

Because it wasn't the townspeople who spoke, it was the black-haired out-of-tlanders.

"Dinein?" Albert was stunned.

When he rushed out, he was ready to be scolded by his partner, anyway, Dineh just said a few words and wouldn't really stop him. He knew that the other party was not the kind of person who was so cruel that he was cruel. But now...... How so?

"Put him down." Dinen commanded further.

There was no trace of warmth in his voice, and there was no expression on his face. But the people standing beside him retreated, fearing and puzzled away from the man who had suddenly become dangerous.

Dineen didn't pay attention to the reactions of others. He walked forward slowly, walked up to Albert and looked him straight at him, golden pupils with the tyranny of the. He didn't touch the sword at his waist, but the young paladin suddenly felt that the blade was against his neck. Albert had a strong feeling that if he didn't do what Dineen said, the other party would really draw his sword.

With a heart full of confusion, annoyance, and a little grievance, Albert slowly lowered the wounded man to the ground. Lucina didn't want to let go, but Dinen just glanced at her coldly, and the latter was so frightened that she had to do it.

"You two," Dinen ignored Albert's expression in need of an explanation, "did you touch his wound?" ”

The two men looked at each other and shook their heads together - who would deliberately add pain to the wounded?

Dinen crouched down, examined the wound, and said, without looking up, "Clean her hands, just in case, Albert." ”

"Clean?" The person named said blankly, "How to clean?" ”

If it weren't for the special circumstances, Dineen would definitely look at him with the eyes of an idiot. But now he didn't feel that way at all, so he just said one word coldly: "Holy light." ”

Albert was vaguely aware of the seriousness of the matter. He whispered sorry to the surprised Lucina, then motioned for her to hold her hand out. The girl did so at a loss, and asked in the same low voice, "You...... Are you also a pastor? ”

"Forget it." The young paladin said vaguely, carefully taking care that he didn't touch the other party. A warm and clear light lit up from his palm, enveloping the girl's hands in it. There was a subtle exclamation from the crowd. But none of the three cared.

After doing all this, he turned to look at Dinein: "And then?" ”

"Treat him." Dineen pointed to the people on the ground and said coldly.

This...... In any case, it is better to rescue the seriously injured, right? After all, he looks like he's dying!

Albert crouched down with a heart full of confusion, put his hand on top of the hideous wound, and silently called for the light in his heart.

- The next moment, something unexpected happened.

As the light fell on those purple-black muscles, it was like some extremely corrosive potion sprinkled on the earth. The wound did not heal, but was instantly burned to black, and a disgusting smell of burnt paste filled the air. Bane, who was originally in a coma? Parker's eyes snapped open, and a hysterical scream erupted.

Albert was so frightened that he withdrew his hand and almost fell to the ground. Lucina almost screamed, but she covered her mouth just in time. The crowd stirred, and a few screams erupted briefly, then silenced again.

Dineen grabbed Albert, who was almost knocked down, with one hand, and smashed his fist on Bane's neck with the other, knocking the wounded unconscious, who was still struggling in pain. Only his expression did not change at all, as if everything was expected.

"Sure enough." He whispered and got up from the ground. The word made him vaguely feel a few stunned glances, but Dinen didn't care at all.

He just stood where he was, looking fixedly to the north. His teeth clenched, his hands clenched into fists, as if he was ready to fight to the death with some invisible enemy.

- It's too early, it's too early.

He thought he had enough time, at least a few years, at least for him to make a difference, and not to have to go it alone. But reality hit him hard.

Dinen suddenly realized something he had ignored for a long time—this was not the world he had shed his blood in, nor was it the timeline he had experienced. Otherwise, he wouldn't be here. It is impossible for two identical individuals to exist in the same world. So he can't rely entirely on memory to judge the course of events. The future of this world will be affected by certain factors that he does not know, such as the present.

Dineen looked gloomily at the man at his feet. His enemies are stronger than ever, and he must act quickly—even if he is alone and has no way out.

"Dinein......" Albert's hesitant call brought him back to his senses. The paladin pointed to Bane's back and asked in a low voice, "What is this?" ”

Dineen took a soft breath.

"The plague." He said.