"Secret room?" Moriarty glanced at White: "What's inside?" ”

"It's not clear." White shook his head: "Because there is a storage zài similar to a magic mechanism, I didn't try to crack it." ”

"Magic Trap... That's a really important point. ”

In Erathia, magic is not widespread, and it is difficult for even a barony to recruit really good mage professionals. And to arrange the magic mechanism, the person who set it up needs to have at least a considerable alchemy foundation. Therefore, it is conceivable that the secret room must be the core place of the Luo Yan Pagoda family.

"Take me to see it. Well, call Guderian too, just in case. Moriarty thought for a moment and said directly.

"Okay."

Unlike the remote grain warehouse, the secret room that White found was located in the study of a large suite on the third floor of the inner fort. Judging by the many decorations and arrangements in the suite, which are dilapidated but still show the original luxury, it was probably the living room of the owner of Loata.

"Hey, Morty, what's the matter with calling me over in a hurry?" Soon, the cheerful Guderian also arrived with a hammer.

"Don't talk nonsense, just stand aside and watch. We found a secret room, and Morty was about to open it. White glared at the silverbearded dwarf and motioned for him to be quiet.

"Did you find a wine cellar where you can store wine?" In Guderian's mind, only a room full of fine wine deserves to be protected.

"Oh, maybe."

Moriarty smiled and looked back at the wall on one side of the study. There, a large portrait of the Griffon King has been removed and set aside. In its original place, a metal plate encrusted with ring-shaped gem particles was shimmering with a faint silver light. When you first go up, it's like the lid of a fine jewelry box.

Moriarty stepped forward and knocked on the wall around the metal plate, and immediately there was a buzzing sound, apparently a large hollow behind the wall.

"Huh, is there really a treasure room? Morty, let me smash it straight away with a hammer! Seeing that there was a secret room hidden behind the wall, as White said, Guderian, who was very curious, immediately offered to help.

"You shut up for me, you didn't come here to smash the wall!" Seeing that the silverbearded dwarf was about to carry the hammer excitedly, White slapped him aside with a shield.

"It's the 'Hadron Magic Code Lock', hehe. It's not that hard. "At this time. Moriarty suddenly laughed.

"Do you know how to open this?" Immediately, Guderian gave up arguing with White, leaned over to the metal plate with a look of novelty, and stared at it with wide eyes.

"It's an ancient magic lock. It is rumored to have been invented a thousand years ago by a mid-level mage named Hadrun. The main way is to use the half-mechanical and half-alchemy array to construct a combination lock that can be used by ordinary people. It can be opened as long as the owner of the lock presses those gem buttons on the metal plate in the correct order. ”

"If you don't press it right. Or just smash it with a hammer? It seems that the silverbearded dwarf still has the original intention of brute-force cracking, and asked again.

"Huh. If you press it incorrectly, you will naturally not be able to unlock it. As for forcibly opening it by force, then the fire-based alchemy array in the pre-stored zài magic code lock will be activated, and then ignite the incendiary objects connected to the mezzanine of the secret room, directly burning the entire secret room. Moriarty shook his head.

"Morty, you just said 'it's not difficult,' so—" White also said.

"After all, the 'Hadrun's Magic Code Lock' is an ancient product of ten centuries ago, and many later mages have worked out various ways to deal with it over the years. And the simplest and most effective of all is this..."

As he spoke, Moriarty suddenly raised his hand and pressed it lightly on the silver metal plate. Then, I saw a white light float in his palm, and then slowly penetrated into the metal plate like water vapor. After about three minutes, only to hear a soft "click", Moriarty lowered his right hand again.

"How's that, how's that? Already opened the Chamber of Secrets? Guderian, who was impatient, immediately asked excitedly.

"Your hammer is ready to play." Glancing at the silverbearded dwarf, Moriarty said with a smile.

"Huh?"

"The biggest problem with Hadren's magic code lock is that it is not as good as other magic code locks in later generations, and it has targeted resistance to spiritual power and even detonates the touch setting. Therefore, as long as it is a mage professional above the intermediate level, he can use his magic power to directly pass through the lock body to make minor changes to the fire alchemy array inside it, so that it loses its original effect. Seeing Guderian's eyes widen, Moriarty explained in detail.

"I see..."

"Of course, if you have the strength of a high-level warrior, you can also completely destroy the Hadron Magic Code Lock with a single blow, so that it will fail before it can be activated."

"Hehe, anyway, my sledgehammer can finally be unveiled." After listening to the middle-level mage's magic code lock science lecture, the silver-bearded dwarf immediately happily waved the Rock Gall in his hand, and was about to go up to "force-demolish".

"Don't make too much of a fuss, just do it all at once!" At this time, White on the side was particularly concerned.

"Okay, look at me, we have experience in smashing things!"

Without further words, I saw Guderian flip the hammer in his hand, suck in his stomach and exhale and let out a low shout.

"Boom"!

The tip of the adamantite hammer immediately smashed like a cannonball on the silver plate of Hadrun's Magic Code Lock. Immediately, a fine "cobweb" appeared on the smooth metal plate. Then, in a trivial "click" sound, the magic code lock shattered completely from the inside out.

"Haha, my craftsmanship isn't bad, is it?"

Pointing to the magic code lock, which had been completely destroyed by a single blow, and the surrounding unscathed walls, Guderian laughed triumphantly. However, both Moriarty and White ignored the complacent silverbearded dwarf, and continued to frown at the hole in the wall.

"Hey, what are you looking at?" Seeing that no one took care of him, the dwarf, who had never been willing to be lonely, also swayed his feet and looked in at the open gap: "Huh? There is light!? ”

It turned out that from the hollow wall, there were a few rays of light shining outward.

At this time, even Guderian immediately became serious.

Apparently. If there is light in the chamber, there is likely to be someone. And the only person who can hide in this kind of place is the core of the Luo Yanta family. Of course, if there are dead people in the secret room, it is not a big problem, and then find a clean place and bury it directly; But if it's a living person, hehe, the silverbearded dwarf also intends to turn him directly into a dead man. Anyway, now that Rheinberg already belongs to Olympus, if there are really one or two guys surnamed "Luo Yanta" hidden in the secret room, then they can only admit that they have a little back. Wait to be "dictatorship" by the dwarves.

"Let's go in and have a look." There was silence for a moment. Moriarty spoke.

"I'll open the way. Guderian, get ready. Sure enough, White was also in general thought, and handed the dwarf a direct look.

"Rest assured. Except for the three of us. There are no living creatures here today! The silverbearded dwarf also giggled. There was murderous intent in his eyes.

"Click..."

Turning a mechanism inside the wall, the door of the chamber finally opened slowly. At this moment, a mixture of rancid and bloody smell slowly poured out of the otherwise confined space. Cover your mouth and nose.

"Wait a minute."

Moriarty stopped White, who was about to step in, and at the same time, with a wave of his wand, a whirlwind of magic was immediately summoned out of thin air, and "whirl" whistled and swirled into the secret room. Soon, large clouds of pungent dust and black particles were swept away by the whirlwind. Wait a few more moments, and the disgusting smell will be eight or nine gone.

"That's it."

Moriarty nodded, and White went first, followed by the Silverbearded Dwarf, and finally the Intermediate Mage.

Behind the wall, there is a stone road that is wide for one person, not high, almost to the top of the head. With no intention of hiding his tracks, White's boots made a dull noise as they stepped on the brick-paved ground. The road is not long, and after about 10 meters, turn left, and that's where the light shines.

Without a pause, White at the end of the tunnel raised his shield and turned the corner, while Guderian was almost close to the former's ass and chased after him.

"I'm really alive!"

Amid Guderian's strange screams, a fully enclosed secret room about ten square meters in size appeared in front of Moriarty. The walls on one side of the chamber are lined with bookshelves, filled with rows of scrolls and parchment. On the other side, there are two open cabinets. In the cabinet were neatly stacked gold bars the length of the index finger and silver bricks the thickness of the arm; Two fist-sized leather bags were placed on the top of the cabinet. In the middle of the two cabinets, a bright yellow oil lamp is erected. The light was bright and steady, and from time to time it steamed with the flames to reveal a strange aroma.

In the center of the chamber was a high-backed bench, on which a white-haired, thin, old man with a filthy face and a pungent smell was sitting. And his sitting posture is inevitably a little too upright, even old-fashioned. However, on both sides of it, there are two white skeletons prostrate on the ground, which looks strange and abnormal.

"Who are you?" The old man's voice was dry but sharp, as if there were many foreign objects blocked in his throat.

"We are the new owners of Rheinberg." Moriarty looked at the old man's face carefully, it was obvious that he was not the little Luo Yan Pagoda who inherited the family title after the death of the old Lord Luo Yan Tower, so he asked rhetorically, "Who are you?" ”

"New owner? Oh, when did the people of Ensberg become masters of the Rheinberg? And the eldest son who was kicked out of the house? Ignoring the other party's rhetorical question, the old man suddenly smiled coldly, and a heavy mockery appeared on his tree-like face.

"You know me?"

Moriarty couldn't help but frown. It stands to reason that he had been to Bracada for many years, and it turned out that the relationship with Kent County had long been largely severed. Moreover, there is no impression of the old man in front of him in his memory, and it is obvious that he has not dealt with him before. So, who is the old man in front of him who is hidden in the secret room of Luo Yan Tower?

"Of course I know you. Because of you, Fawkes lost his family inheritance and was eventually forced to die in a pigsty on a farm by Little Royanta. The old man looked straight at Moriarty, his eyes as calm as an ice pick.

"Oh? Sir Fox has died? It's a shame. As if he had incarnated as the outstanding noble child of the year, Moriarty suddenly sighed lightly and showed a look of mourning.

"Hehe, it seems that Bracada's mage career has not wiped out the noble blood in your body, and it is still a gentleman who is standard to hypocritical, no wonder Fox couldn't 'play' you back then." It's like meeting a bosom friend. The old man burst out laughing, but soon relented because of his lack of strength.

"Hey, old man, you're too wordy."

On the side, the silverbearded dwarf seemed to be unable to accept that someone was more arrogant than himself, and immediately slapped the hammer in his hand and laughed evilly.

"It's only been a few days, and it's impossible for the Demon Legion to be expelled from Kent. And you were able to take back the Rhineberg from the demons, and it seems that you brought a strong army from Bracada. Well, since you're from the Ensberg family. Even if it is an excesses who have been deprived of the right to inherit. But under the current severe war situation, as long as you have enough strength in your hands, you can also unite to win the support of your own family and other nobles. By the way, I heard that Viscount Salk's daughter has a good relationship with you. I think that Lord Viscount will not let go of a rare good ally. So let's put it this way. The entire aristocracy of Kent should fall to you, right? And correspondingly. The losing Luo Yan Pagoda was undoubtedly treated as a victim in exchange for your kindness and support? He didn't look at the murderous dwarf at all, the old man just muttered to himself.

"Wise elder. Your astuteness and wisdom are undoubtedly rare in my life. So, of course, you can imagine what will happen next? The other party's expression was subtle, but Moriarty didn't seem interested in finding out who he really was, so he said directly.

"Heh, since Rheinberg has a new master, then the old master should quietly disappear. Is that right? ”

"Yes." Moriarty nodded calmly.

"Well... If... If I am willing to pledge my allegiance to you and become your retainer, will you keep my life? After a pause, the old man suddenly spoke.

"Ha, old man, trying to lie to us?"

On the side, Guderian immediately yelled in disdain, and the old man's ignorance of the silver-bearded dwarf just now made him feel very shameless.

"Your Excellency, a living me will definitely bring you much more benefits than a dead one." Still ignoring the shouting dwarf, the old man just looked into Moriarty's eyes fixedly.

"Your name and identity?" Moriarty thought for a moment and asked.

"My name is Harold. Gisai was originally the chief steward of the Luo Yanta family. This time, the old man no longer had any strengths, and replied directly.

"I see."

Moriarty nodded. Back then, he had a feud with the Luo Yanta family, and it seems that the old Lord Luo Yanta had investigated himself in detail. And the old man in front of him must be the actual manager, so he knows his own information so well.

"So, what can you bring me?"

"A qiē of the Luo Yanta family." Harold struggled to raise his hand and point to his head.

"Ha, now the Rheinberg is ours, is there any like you." Guderian immediately blew disdainfully.

"Rheinberg? Hehe, although Rhineberg is extremely important, it is far from being a part of the Luo Yanta family. Finally glancing at the silverbearded dwarf, the old man looked like he was looking at an idiot, and then looked at Moriarty: "The management of the manor, the operation of the caravan, the external liaison that is overt and covert, and some secrets that cannot be exposed to the sun... Your Excellency, you have the mind of a true Elassian nobleman, and naturally understand what I am talking about. ”

"These... It's all good... However, it is not enough. After staring at the old man for a moment, Moriarty shook his head slightly.

"Your Excellency, with all due respect, this is a time of war against the demonic invasion, and with a strong army, you may be able to conquer Kent and even the southeastern kingdom without resistance. But what about once the war is over? What will the rest of the old aristocrats do to the new rise of the Rheinberg? Do you continue to greet each other with a smile, or do you secretly slander each other? Or even join forces to suppress you? Seeing that what he said just now did not seem to impress the other party, the old man was not discouraged, but continued to talk eloquently: "You should understand that in the world of nobles, there are no immutable friends, only immutable interests. Didn't even your father expel you from the family for a little land and gold? So, outside of the military and the powerful, you really need a butler who is well-versed in aristocratic affairs and familiar with the rules of the game to help you take care of mundane affairs outside of the wizarding world. And I am the most suitable person. ”

"I have no doubt about your abilities and experience. However, I trust my loyal subordinates more. This time, Moriarty didn't immediately refuse, but was picky.

"Loyalty does not come from the autonomy of his subordinates, but from the violence and talent of the monarch." Harold smiled and retorted.

"Hmph, fallacy!"

On the side, White, who had been silent for a long time, spoke first. Obviously, he has an absolutely negative attitude towards the old man's strange "monarch and minister thinking".

"Little one." Harold glanced at White and pursed the corners of his mouth.

"One last question: It's been dozens of days since the demons captured the Rheinberg, how did you survive until now?"

At this point, Moriarty suddenly asked the final question. And after this question, the final fate of the old man will be officially announced.

"What survived, huh?"

As if asked a very interesting question, Harold laughed again. Then, under the puzzled gazes of the three of them, the old man stood up with all his strength and trembling, and then saluted Moriarty and the others in the welcoming posture of an extremely standard Elasian noble butler.

"Allow me to introduce you to my original owner." As he spoke, Harold half-turned in a dashing manner, pointing his right hand to the ground: "Lord Royanta, and his wife." ”

There, there were two clean and unusually clean bones.

"You... This, old pervert! ”

Looking at the old man and then at the skeleton on the ground, Guderian seemed to suddenly understand something, and couldn't help but curse loudly. (To be continued......)

PS: Big chapter, ask for recommendations.