Half past ten that night.

Outside the Snow Castle, next to the woods on the avenue.

In a bush, the knight and the Aya sisters were hiding.

"Well, the cavalry retreated on time. If it is as promised by Eders in advance, then the streets of the city have also been blocked, and no one else will be allowed to come this way. Looking at his watch, Anusen whispered, "The 'hunting grounds' here will soon be left with only us." ”

"There are two teams of cavalry...... "Looking at the back of the six-person patrol cavalry rushing towards the Cold Snow Castle at full speed, Lucina raised her head and couldn't help but panic: the cold blue moon didn't hang in the sky tonight to spread moonlight. In its place, there was a deep darkness and a thick fog of snow - and the branches and leaves that were blown by the wind.

I've almost never seen a tree species in the Permafrost, but it's amazing how they can grow dense foliage in such a cold place...... Timidly looking at the deep snow forest, Lucina couldn't help but shudder, and was so frightened that she immediately hugged her sister next to her: It's so dark, I can't see anything clearly! It's not terrible to hide the corrupt inside, but if there are ghosts, it's bad......

Speaking of which, I seem to be a ghost myself, although the way of existence is a bit peculiar...... Calming down because of holding Lusa, Master Aya suddenly felt embarrassed from the bottom of his heart: This can't be helped, he was afraid of ghosts when he was alive. It's not surprising that this habit has continued.

"Sister, you're hugging too tightly. Lucina was a little out of breath when she was hugged, and Lusa protested in a mournful whisper: "If you're afraid of the dark, wouldn't it be nice to close your eyes?"

"This ...... That's right. Releasing her arm slightly, Lucina smiled apologetically. In order to sit more comfortably, she lowered her waist in a kneeling position and leaned her weight on the knight. And his hands were still gently hugging Lusa. Leaning her head close to her sister's head, she smelled Aya's unique scent, and felt relieved that the darkness around her became indifferent.

"Don't keep moving, Lucina. Also, try to keep your voice as quiet as possible. Squatting down and sighing, the knight stared intently at the stable: "These mutated hunters may be coming out soon, and we can't let them find us." ”

"The wind is so strong, there's no need to whisper, besides, I don't think they came out at all. Muttering in confusion, Lucina kept her voice to the lowest level: "It's just that the hunt happened yesterday, and it's not a regular thing." Besides, we've only been in ambush here for about half an hour, if they were really hiding in the forest to monitor the avenue, they probably would have discovered us earlier?"

"You say exactly what I think. Frowning, the knight's right hand kept clutching the hilt of the sword, as vigilant as if he was ready to draw his sword for battle: "But seeing that the mad dog is so persistent, I am also a little skeptical—if it really succeeds, the gain will definitely be great." ”

"But why is he the bait?" Lucina was a little discouraged at the mention of this: "He won't let me live or die, saying that I don't know how to act like a waste ...... at all."

"But when it comes to acting, you have to be a mad dog. Saying this in a tone of undoubted conviction, the knight's expression was extremely serious: "He can pretend to be unaware of his natural appearance, and come here from Cold Snow Castle." Moreover, this guy can play the drunk around and pretend to be drunk. But Aya is not drunk at all, so it is difficult to stay in our line of sight without making the other person suspicious. ”

"Is my acting acting so pompous in your impression?" Lucina reluctantly accepted Anusen's statement, though somewhat reluctantly. However, the girl couldn't help but be discouraged, "But I can't use spells now, unlike Lusa who can use firearms...... I still have little strength, and I'm afraid of the dark. It's just a waste person...... Since staying here in ambush will only delay you, why don't you let me be used as bait?"

"Sister. Pulling the corner of Lucina's clothes, my sister grabbed in front of the knight and whispered, "Brother didn't let you go because he thought it was too dangerous to be a bait." And my Steam Gun and Magic Gun aren't very lethal, and if I'm a burden, I'm the same. ”

"What, the danger should be even more dangerous for me. And Lusha, you're different from me, so it's not a burden. Hanging her head sullenly, Lucina didn't understand the mad dog's thinking circuit at all: "I'm already a dead person, as long as I protect Lusa, I won't disappear completely." No matter how many times I die, I can be resurrected, so why should he be a hero?"

"I guess I don't want Lusha to cry like last time. After a moment of silence, the knight said slowly: "This guy is actually very delicate. Although he couldn't see it, he definitely cared about this kind of thing. ”

Mad Dog this guy...... Was she really so concerned about Lusa?, made her heart tremble by the knight's words, and Lucina fell silent in astonishment, and did not speak again for a long time: she did not know Celesa very well, and did not think about it at all. Now that the knight said this, she even felt a trace of guilt.

"Mad Dog has come this way, and has just come down the stairs. Turning his head to look in the direction of Cold Snow Castle, the knight whispered in an inaudible tone, "Although the snow and fog are very heavy, you can still see human figures. ”

"I always felt that this plan was not reliable. She followed the knight's gaze, but Lucina couldn't see the mad dog because her vision was obscured by the grass: "It's just that you want to lure the two monsters out and attack, and kill one and follow the other—but what if they don't show up? Or if the remaining one doesn't run away, the plan will be ruined......"

"It's an all-or-nothing plan. Mad Dog was originally whimsical to come up with it. His tone was very uncertain, and the knight coughed softly: "In any case, this kind of operation can only be carried out tonight, and there is no second chance." If the monster finds out that we are ambushing here, it will certainly not come out and expose itself. Then the plan failed. If they don't run away after taking the bait, the plan will also fail. ”

Sounds like a tough way to succeed...... Frustrated by the knight's blows, Lucina felt like she was wasting her time stupidly. Originally, at this time, I should have curled up on the sofa and hugged the dumplings to eat snacks, but now I have to squat in the grass and not move.

Fortunately, the blades of grass are still smooth, otherwise they would have itched to death...... Looking at the dark woods again, Lucina wished she could see at night like Lusa. Maybe it's the psychological effect that has been playing tricks, and she always feels that something is hidden in it.

It's like...... The Shadow Demon that the Knight fought before leaving Tomeca City. Years ago, Lucina had seen them summoned from the void at the Mage Academy. These creatures of darkness hide their form in all shadows, waiting for an opportunity.