Asa took the knife out from under the bed. It's already full of dust. This weapon, which embodies my father's hard work and blessings, represents my dream, has been lying under the bed for a long time. Bishop Ronis told him not to carry the sword, which was not suitable for the priesthood even in terms of shape. Because the knife was the standard weapon of the lower class soldiers and hooligans, a vulgar thing to slash and slash roughly.

Carrying the knife on his back, the familiar weight rubbing against his skin through the rough feeling of the linen clothes on his body. A suit of clothing and equipment that adventurers usually use, as well as salt, honey and herbs, which are essential for survival in the wild, are also carefully carried in their arms. The current state is the same as the night he left in Calondo, but the mood is completely different.

At that time, it was very simple excitement and excitement, but now I don't know what it is. It seems to be a little discouraged, as if there is a strange sense of relief.

Coming out of the hut inside, looking around, at the strange old man who was standing there with a dead man's hand looking at him curiously, thinking that he would probably never come back, he actually felt a sense of reluctance to this strange place full of corpses and organs.

Walking up to Sandru, he sighed. He patted Sandru on the shoulder with a half-hug and said, "Goodbye, dead old man." I'll miss you when I have time. ”

How do you know that Sandru jumped away like a rabbit that had been stabbed, patted the place where he had been held, glared at him and said, "Why are you so disgusting?

"Hey, just about to say hi to you. Asa retracted his hand.

"Where are you going?"

"I don't know, but I guess I'm traveling around the world while hiding from a wanted list. ”

"You didn't do what Ronis arranged for you?" Sandru rolled his eyes at him.

"Not anymore. I can't do it. ”

"Go to Vidnina when you're caught?"

Asa smiled bitterly: "Looking for death? I was almost killed by two necromancers a few days ago. I heard a guy named Master Aiden say that all the necromancers except Vidnina wanted to kill me. I don't know how my lich classmate did it. ”

"Aiden, that guy ......," Sandru was stunned. "These bastards have already ...... I don't know what will happen to Vidnina...... Forget it, it's none of my business for a long time. Let them toss. He sighed and looked at Asa again. "Then you still dare to go out and run around, are you tired of living?"

Asa spread his hands and said, "Anyway, I don't want to continue to do bullshit under Bishop Ronis." I have what I want to do. ”

"Even if you're wanted by the church, you don't care if you're wanted by the elves?" Sandru stared at him, his black and white eyes lifeless. "What about being hunted down by the guild? Aren't you afraid? In this world, except for Ronis, they probably have a little scruples. Even an emperor is no different from a chicken in their eyes. Kill if you want. Aren't you afraid of a sissy boy?"

"I'm afraid. Who is not afraid of death?" Asa smiled bitterly, sighed again, and said lightly. "But I know better what I'm going to do and what not to do. If you want to kill, come and kill. I'm not necessarily easier to kill than an emperor. ”

Sandru tilted his head and looked straight at him, his eyes continuing to glow as if they were dead. Suddenly nodded: "It turns out that I'm not a sissy anymore, I don't know when I'm already a man." Then he looked up and asked, "But aren't you afraid that I'll take you, the guy who tried to escape, and give it to Ronis? He spread his hands, and the righteousness was awe-inspiring. "And a person like me, who values righteousness, must think more about his friends. ”

"Oops. I forgot. Asa suddenly woke up and patted his head. He frowned again and looked at Sandru. "But you are so righteous, you shouldn't betray me, right?"

Sandru's eyes widened, and he said menacingly, "You are one of my coolies who moves corpses, and you have the right to talk to me about righteousness?" He turned and went into the back room and tossed for a while, taking out two things and throwing them to Asa. "I won't be paid for the job. But for the sake of your hard work, here are two things that I don't use, give them to you. Maybe it will make you live a little longer. ”

Asa took it, a book and another soft thing. He flipped through the pages of the book and saw that it read, "Analysis of the Principles of Skeletons and Zombies." He looked at Sandru in amazement and asked, "Is this...."

"This is a book about necromancy that I have written on my own after all these years of boredom. I didn't want to show it to others, but I saw that you guys are honest, and I sent you as a souvenir. ”

"But... It's necromancy..."Asa hesitated.

"It's good magic that saves your life. Sandru spat out. "Phew, you bastard don't know what's wrong, I'm kind enough to send you a souvenir, you still pick and choose, you don't want to pay me back. ”

"Yes, of course I do. Asa hurriedly put the book into his arms. Indeed, whatever magic can be useful is good magic. Under the influence of Dark Meditation, necromancy now seemed to be the only magic he could cultivate. He still remembers very well how he was swept around by the other side when he encountered Master Aiden, and then lightning and thunderballs rained down on him. In the future, if you still only rely on that lowest-level rotten fireball, it will not be enough to carry a hundred World Tree Leaves with you.

Asa looked at the other thing, a soft piece of flesh, a twisted feature that seemed to be formed by molten wax, and it was actually the mask he used to hide from the duke when he first arrived in the royal capital. Ever since the Duke had lifted his arrest, he had forgotten where he had thrown it, and he couldn't imagine that Sandru had put it away.

"You damn old man, you didn't give me this good thing earlier. "If the book of necromancy had just taken him by surprise, it was something that had made him ecstatic. With this thing, as long as the old man Sandru doesn't say anything, except for the limited number of people of the Bishop Lord Duke Mrak, who can recognize him. And I have always forgotten this most important thing, and I have long remembered that I have let Sandru give him a long time ago.

"I don't give these things to a sissy. Sandru said lightly. As if suddenly remembering something, he stretched out his hand to Asa. "By the way, show me the wood-chopping guy on your back. ”

Asa untied the knife and handed it to Sandru, and the old man looked at it, stretched out his thin and pale fingers and flicked it on the knife, and actually made a sound of gold and iron. "Yes. Sure enough, it's a good thing made entirely of Calondo concentrate. But it looks like it's just a good blacksmith with no other processing, doesn't it?"

"Yes, it's my father. Asa replied.

"Your father?" Sandru nodded, walked into the back room with a knife, and came out with a small bottle after a sound of rummaging through the cabinets, and said to himself: "I only found out today that your knife is such a good thing, and there is a magic experiment that I have always wanted to do." You don't mind. ”

"Hey ....." Asa was a little apprehensive. "Don't break it. ”

Sandru didn't say a word, but just swept a clearing on the stone platform with his knife, bit his finger, and used his own blood to draw a small magic circle on the stone platform, and put the knife in the center. Then he unscrewed the vial, and a wave of magic smelled of blood.

Asa saw what looked like two animal tusks inside the vial, frowned and asked, "What is that?"

"A vampire count's teeth. It's not easy. Killing that monster hurt my head. Sandru muttered in reply. Then he placed two teeth on the knife, then pressed one finger against it, and began to mumble a whispered incantation in his mouth.

The entire magic circle began to glow. Asa could vaguely feel that the incomparably large amount of mana was condensing and vibrating within the magic array. But it barely exuded the small space in the magic array. As Sandru chanted the mantra, the magic in the three-foot-square semicircle became more and more intense, and the two teeth that Sandru's fingers were holding began to slowly soften and melt.

The smell of blood from the teeth filled every space in the big room, completely covering up the stench of corpses that had occupied the place. I don't know if it's a hallucination, but Asa can faintly hear a burst of high-pitched and mournful cries. The voice was both real and illusory, but it shook his heart, as if it were directly echoing in the mind and soul of a person.

The magic power in the magic array became stronger and stronger, and the small space seemed to be squeezed into a rough sea. The vampire's two teeth had completely melted into a white liquid that flowed down the blade. Although he couldn't actually hear it, Asa felt as if the screams were coming from nowhere and were going to destroy the entire house. He looked at Sandru in horror and inexplicably, only to find that the old man, who was always there, was already covered in cold sweat, and his face was white and transparent in his beard and messy hair.

But Asa didn't dare to speak out at will, and it was no longer a question of whether the knife would go wrong if the spell would be interrupted in this situation.

Eventually, the mournful screams quickly subsided. The white liquid formed by the melting of the teeth on the body of the knife was also like water that had encountered a sponge, and it actually seeped into the blade.

"Take your hands. Sandru sighed. But before Asa could react, he found that his hand had somehow reached Sandru's hand. Sandru's fingers, which had been holding his teeth, retracted and gently grabbed a small piece of flesh in the center of Asa's index finger. A heart-piercing pain came, and the piece of meat had left him.

The blood that splattered fell on the knife and made a snorting sound, like a drop on the red-hot iron plate, leaving a dark mark. The strange cries were gone. At the same time, the magic power in the magic circle was infused into the blade.

Sandru stumbled, and Asa quickly reached out to support him. He stretched out his hand to wipe his sweat and sighed: "It's really old.....

Taking a few breaths, Sandru pushed Assa's hand away and stood on his own, and said to him, "You pick up the knife and take a look." ”

Aside from the addition of that streak of blood, the knife didn't seem to change. But as soon as the knife was in his hand, Asa could feel a strange mana flowing in the blade, probably because of his own blood, and this magic fluctuation seemed to maintain a strange rhythm with his breathing and heartbeat. What was originally just an ordinary knife has now become a magic weapon.

He'd only heard of magic weapons before. It requires the cooperation of the most advanced blacksmiths and high-level magicians in the process of smelting, and the addition of precious magical materials to make the mana permanent in the weapon. Some of the best magic weapons are even more valuable. And Sandru actually made a handful on his own in a moment of time, which is incredible.

"You're lucky boy. I just imagined this magic, but I didn't know that it would work out all of a sudden. Sandru looked at his work and nodded weakly. "Not bad, not bad. ”

Asa held the knife in his hand, felt the flow of mana inside, and then looked at the book and mask in his other hand, and a strange urge was born in his chest. He looked at the listless Sandru and suddenly bowed to him: "Thank you..... for taking so much care of me." ”

But Sandru's spit almost hit him in the face. "If you don't have enough meat, who cares about you. Get out of here. ”

Asa looked at the strange old man and smiled bitterly and said, "If I have time in the future, I will come back to see you." ”

Sandru looked at him from top to bottom again, nodded, shook his head again, and muttered: "Alas, in fact, when I first saw you, I thought I was just picking a cheap coolie..... but I didn't know that so many things happened later..... it was really unpredictable." But forget it, don't think about it. Just do your own thing. .....Oh, by the way, aren't you going to say hello to Ronis?"

"Forget it. I think I'll be free of this. Asa shook his head with a wry smile. "And I've heard that some Bishop Adela is coming from the Holy See today, and Bishop Ronice is probably busy. ”

"Bishop Adra?" Sandru was stunned at the name, and looked up and squinted in thought. "It's like hearing someone mention the name..... strange feeling. But he didn't seem to come up with anything in the end, just bowed his head and frowned at Assa. "Well..... don't come back even if you have time after you're gone. I always felt a little strange about it......."

"What's strange?" Asa asked.

"There's no need for you to be weird. Sandru waved his hand. "If you want to get out, get out of here. ”

Walking out of the big house, I came to a small hillside outside the royal capital, and looked back at the endless houses. Although this place seems to be a hateful memory for him, he is still a little reluctant to think that he will probably never come back after leaving.

What are you reluctant to do...... Asa sighed.

At night. In the Duke's Palace.

The young female assistant minister of finance has just finished reviewing the last batch of documents for the day, and she is up and walking around. She has been sitting at her desk since the morning, and it has been more than ten hours now. Searching through all the bureaucracy of the Empire, there will never be a more conscientious and conscientious official than her.

It's not all. Her abilities are just as impressive, and in just a few months, the empire's finances, which had been chaotic, began to slowly become organized under her organization. The remarkable ability was recognized by all the officials in the imperial court, plus the influence of his father and his means, both intentional and unintentional. Although she is still nominally an assistant minister, she has already handled many major financial affairs herself. The aging Chancellor of the Exchequer was happy to leave his job to this excellent junior, and by the way, he could also tell Duke Mrak that he did have the intention of abdicating to let the virtuous heart know and be interested. It is known that it may not be long before she becomes the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the Empire.

For the convenience of the office, and because she is not very good as a daughter, she simply set up her office in the Duke's Palace. Of course, there is also the meaning of Duke Mrak. His own daughter is in charge of the finances of the entire empire in her own home, which can naturally have extraordinary convenience in essence, and it has to be said that it is a great pleasure to be spiritual.

This seems to be a bit of a rhetorical approach. But Xiao Yi's work is indeed done very well, and he is impartial and fair, so that people have nothing to say, and the most important thing is that with the current power and status of the Duke, he no longer needs to be afraid of what people say.

Gossip is terrible, and a good reputation is necessary, but that's only when there are competitors who need to win the favor of others and paralyze the feelings of opponents. When the momentum has been unparalleled for a while, even if it is not a hand to cover the sky can block more than half of the situation, there is no need to spend extra effort to set up any archway. Of course, the Duke is by no means the kind of shallow person who is proud once he gains power, fearing that others will not know that he can call the wind and rain. He's very measured.

However, his daughter was able to have the opportunity to embark on a career in office, and showed such strong ability, such strong self-motivation and political **, which really made the Duke overjoyed. Going into battle without leaving the father and son, there is no son, but having such a capable daughter is definitely enough to be gratifying.

often hears others praise her as worthy of being a tiger father and a dogless daughter, but Xiaoyi herself often secretly smiles bitterly. Maybe everyone thinks so, and so does my father, but that's not the case.

She doesn't have the slightest desire for power, she may not be the most capable, hardworking and greatest official in the world, but she is definitely the most helpless.

She seems to lack nothing, has status and status, has a family, a husband, and relatives. But in fact she herself knows best, she has almost nothing.

She's not the kind of person who fits into her life circle at all. The only meaning of the husband and the family that they had in vain from the beginning was only bondage and shackles. She still had a father, but the duke's actions were enough to make any child shudder, and even the slightest intimacy could no longer arise.

Thankfully, she finally has a 'career'. After sacrificing her life to save the emperor, in the face of many rewards, she only asked for a position so that she could justifiably escape from the role of 'noble lady'.

And she really did. She has a brilliant mind, and her adventurous life outside the home for many years has made her very aware of the suffering of the common people, and she can immerse herself in her work wholeheartedly, and try to do everything she can to do as well as she can. When you are too busy to have the mind and time to worry about what to think about, your heart is indeed much better. And when the results are achieved, looking back at those achievements does seem to be satisfying. She slowly found the focus of her life, and even had some goals and fighting spirit, feeling that the work she was doing might make thousands of people a little more fed, more comfortable, and a better country, and this kind of fulfillment and sense of accomplishment was indeed satisfying

It's just that in the dead of night when she has to stop her work to rest, she still can't help but feel lonely and lonely, and unconsciously thinks: How is he now?

Xiao Yi walked to the balcony of the room and looked at the stars in the sky in a daze. For some reason, the night sky tonight was exceptionally clear, as beautiful as the starry sky he had seen with him on the wild heights. With a deep sigh, I remembered the days in Oufu again. That carefree, happy time... ... But that's all gone forever.

I don't know if I'm too tired from work, and I'm in a trance. It seemed to hear his footsteps again. The sound of burlap shoes rubbing on the ground, the unique rhythm slowly approached, and even the tip of his nose seemed to feel his body odor with a little sweat again.... Xiao Yi couldn't help but close her eyes, intoxicated by this hazy illusion like smoke and mist.

"Such stars are really rare in the royal capital. But how can you see when you close your eyes?"

Xiao Yi opened his eyes abruptly and turned around. I saw him standing beside me.

He was no longer wearing the white robe of a priest, but the same ordinary coarse cloth clothes as before, his hair was a little messy, and he still carried the strangely shaped knife on his back. Just like when I was in Oufu.

She was extremely surprised, but she didn't dare to move, not daring to confirm whether this was an illusion or a reality caused by her thoughts.

Assa's hand reached up to her face, stroking and sighing, "You've lost weight again.... Didn't I tell you not to be a picky eater?"

Resisting the urge to throw herself into his arms, Xiao Yi took a step back vigorously and asked, "Why are you here?"

"I'm leaving. Asa looked at her with a smile and said lightly.

"Where are you going?"

"Traveling the world, just as I told you before. ”

"Didn't the Bishop arrange so many things for you?

"Not anymore. ”

"How? These are very important things, how can you just walk away. And the Bishop has great hopes for you, and has arranged such a good opportunity for you. Everything he does is for you. You're ...... gone."

"But that's not what I'm going to do. I've made up my mind to leave here and never come back. Asa stepped forward.

"Never coming back?" Xiao Yi looked at him.

"yes, never coming back. Asa took her into his arms. "I'm here to see you tonight. ”

"What are you doing, let it go....." Xiao Yi struggled hard. But his arms were clenched.

At last she struggled and fell headlong into his shoulder, tears welling up. "You are leaving, ......." The voice was choked up and could not be spoken.

When you leave, what is my previous abandonment?

Asa looked down and found her lips, he could already feel .....

The door to the room was opened with a thud. The Duke appeared at the door, his eyes like knives.

Asa rolled over and jumped off the terrace, and in a few crossings disappeared into the darkness.

"Father, ......" Xiao Yi retreated in panic. It's been a long time since she's been so caught off guard.

Duke Mrak walked briskly up to the terrace and glanced a few times in the direction Asa had disappeared. He still had a very amiable smile on his face, but his eyes could already be blown off. "I originally wanted to come and ask some about my daughter's finances, but I didn't expect that there would be guests who came uninvited so late and let me hear some very interesting things..... but I still don't understand some things, Xiaoyi, can you tell Dad? hahaha......"

The affectionate title of 'Dad', like her father's happy laughter, has been extinct in Xiao Yi's memory for a long time. After more than ten years, she heard it again, but it only made her feel like falling into an ice cave, and every pore of her body was chilling.