The last time I left, the village had just been in the midst of war, and the orcs had sacked it and set up camp. Later, the mountain cavalry wiped out the orcs, but before the inhabitants could return home, the area was attacked by resentful spirits.

It was close to noon when they arrived, and there was a bitter chill all around them. The fields within a radius of several miles had long since turned to scorched earth, and the houses were only charred and blackened. The white snowflakes could not hide the black color that symbolized the dilapidation, but only the carcasses of the animals that had long since decayed so much that only bone fragments remained.

Moore kicked his horse and walked to the front of the line. "There's not much movement here, no one has been here for a long time. ”

Siegel looked up at the peak, "Is it true that the Black Blood Castle has not recovered and is still empty?"

The answer to this question can only be known after going up the mountain and looking at it. When Prince Aaron evacuated, he took Viscount Braavor-Slint with him, but he has not been heard from since arriving in Waterdeep. Siegel accepted the title of Pioneer Knight of Waterdeep at the time, and was avoiding contact with the prince and his party, so he didn't inquire about the fate of Viscount Slint.

However, I think that the Kingdom of Stars will not let go of this person who tried to kidnap the prince, and it is likely to take him across the sea and return to China together.

The group began to ride up the road and finally saw traces of creatures in the col. Some orcs from nowhere took up shelter from the wind, building houses out of wood and locally sourced stones, and scraps of rags scraped together to form roofs. By the time they heard the sound of horses' hooves, they had already taken refuge, leaving only the fire too late to extinguish. A steaming can of hot soup.

Moore jumped off his horse. Walk into the makeshift camp with a sword. "It's a bird stew. It could be crows or something, but beyond that, grass roots and sweet stalks. ”

"Leave them a small packet of salt and keep going. Siegel said, "We have at least one good news, this place has not yet been taken over by orcs. ”

If there were orcs here, the inhabitants would have been taken as slaves, and there would have been no possibility of living in a shack.

The castle of black blood is now home to ravens and lynxes, who look at the three climbers with a sly gaze. A yellow and gray bobcat, about the size of a hound, tried to attack them from above. As a result, he was nailed to death by the elf Leah on the mountain wall.

The wild cat's screams startled the crows, and they flapped their wings and quacked. Their feathers joined into black clouds, as if the wraiths had regrouped to the zenith.

A few people were not interested in the current state of the Black Blood Castle, and turned their horses' heads and walked deeper into the mountains. They walked through the narrow valley for two days in a row, and finally turned into the dwarven dragon city. As always, nothing has changed, except that the white snowdrifts make the place solemn and quiet.

"I went to find an old friend. Siegel said, "There will be no danger, you wait for me outside." ”

Elf Leah nodded, and she gathered her horses together. Then use the Ranger's magic to soothe these weary animals. Moll unburdened himself and used his sword to split through the wooden fence left behind by the past camp. He's going to make a good fire. Prepare dinner for your lordship.

Lamb with pepper and roast rabbit with fennel and onions were as fresh as they were when they were put in, as well as bright red apples and orange oranges to share with the elves. More was careful to heat up the food as he lit the fire, but Siegel did not come out until the night was deep and the stars filled the sky.

"Lady Leah, the Lord is not going to be in trouble, is it?" Moore asked, a little worried. "This time he's going to face the golem again. Wouldn't it be dangerous if it was a golem like the Dragon and Lion Cliff?"

"No, he's measured. Leah smiled and comforted the young squire Moore: "Siegel's greatest strength lies in his ability to judge danger and react instantaneously. I remember that when he was practicing martial arts in the past, there were many times when he couldn't complete the elven steps and was about to lose his defense, but he was always able to regain his balance at the critical moment and turn the tide of the battle. ”

"Again, my lord is a magical man. Moore said. When he came to Heim Territory, many people were worried that there would not be enough food to feed the people and not make it until the next harvest season. But as soon as the Baron pointed with his hand, gold sprang out of the mountain. ”

Later, he destroyed the Free Knights and built the beautiful city of Myr. When Hero's army started the war, he won again by surprise, and won without any casualties. In just one year, our Heim Territory has been able to gain a foothold in the south, and no one will underestimate it!"

Elf Leah nodded and said, "Actually, the next test of war is the key to everything. If Siegel can hold out until the day of victory, his rise will be unstoppable. ”

Moore blinked and asked curiously, "Is this the elf's prophecy?"

Leah shook her head, "I don't have the power to prophesy", it was just how she felt. "Are you going to keep waiting? Why don't you get some sleep at this time? I don't need to rest that long. ”

The squire shook his head, he didn't seem sleepy. "That's right!" he said suddenly, "Lady Leah, would you like some red night tea?"

"At this time?" the elf shook his head, "If you don't sleep, then I'll start meditating first." ”

Elven meditation is similar to human sleep, only shallower and ready to wake up at any time. Moore set up a small pot himself, boiled the tea leaves in boiling water, and savored them in the stars and night.

He didn't know when he had fallen asleep, but he woke up all right, with a blanket still draped over him. Elf Leah was warming up the leftover food from last night with embers, and she smiled kindly at Moore.

There was morning mist in the valley, but when the north wind blew, it all turned to frost. Moore only felt that it was much colder than usual, and hurriedly added firewood to increase the firepower. At this moment, there was a slight tremor on the ground, which seemed to be a heavy and slow pace. Then Siegel walked out of the cave, his face beaming with joy.

Behind the mage. Rhett, the golem covered in moss and mushrooms, walked out slowly. It shields its hands from the early morning sun. Standing on the edge of the shadow at the entrance of the cave, he thought about it. He turned around and went back.

Siegel looked back and saw that the golem had carefully dragged the dirt off its body, along with the mushrooms and moss, and placed it in a corner protected from light and wind. This has reduced its size considerably, but it is noticeably more agile in its movements.

"Hello, someone's name is Red, and as you can see it, it's a golem. It said in a loud voice, "The mage persuaded someone to be a healer, so someone decided to follow along. ”

Elf Leah looked the big man up and down. From the point of view of the manufacturing process. It's definitely a dwarven work, but in many places it has the style of a dragon's crest.

"I've heard of a golem with a certain intelligence, but it's the first time I've seen one that can perform magical spells. Leah stood beside the golem, stroking the clay and metal body with her hand, and asked, "Which god do you believe in?"

"Someone doesn't know the name of the deity. He shook his head, his voice expressing his confusion and incomprehension. "Someone just knows that life is very precious and more important than anything else. ”

"Rhett's case is peculiar, he derives his faith from ideas rather than doctrines. Siegel said, "I will build you a temple in the city of Myr, a temple without a holy emblem." Wait until that day when you can be inspired to know the names of the gods you believe in, and then consider hanging the emblem. ”

"The mage will keep his word. "Somebody will keep their promises, too. ”

Compared to the battle of Dragon and Lion Cliff. Convincing the Golem has become a relatively simple matter. Siegel had typed out the draft before he came, using his knowledge of religion to persuade Red. Hopefully, it will be able to use its power to protect lives and protect the future.

When the spirits shrouded the walled mountains and the Black Blood Castle, the Imprisoned Dragon Valley was also affected. Many wraiths pierced through the thick mountain walls and stumbled into the area where Red was. The undead had no choice but to let out unpleasant screams.

Red observes carefully, and eventually uses the light to drive the spirits away. If there are still creatures in the cave, they will definitely be possessed by the spirits, lose control and kill each other. Red understands this, so he joins Siegel's team in order to be able to stop the spread of evil on the basis of serving the weak.

Another reason that persuaded him to leave the cave was Heim Territory, a territory where humans, orcs, and dwarves lived together. This was very appealing to him because he had a good understanding of the different races in the New World. Siegel also promised not to make him an object of study, but to ask him about the godless pastor.

"I was very troubled by the fact that I prayed to any god and was not answered. Siegel said to him, "Perhaps you can answer my question, is there a connection between the names of the gods and beliefs?"

"Someone has thought about it too. Red said to him, "All gods should be respected, but above that is a firm soul and consistent behavior." Someone may not be able to find a suitable deity name to hang above the temple, but its doors can still be open. ”

Siegel summoned the Phantom Pony for the Golem, and only this magical horse could carry the weight of the Golem. Red looked curiously at the mount, which was made of black shadows and starlight, and stroked the smoke-like mane with his large, rough and hard hands. "It's weird, it doesn't have a soul. ”

"It's no surprise that the Phantom Pony is made of spells. Siegel said.

"Like elemental creatures?" Red asked suddenly.

"Yes, elemental creatures aren't ...... either," Siegel was stunned for a moment. It is generally believed that elemental beings have no soul, only the instinct to move, and different elements have different personalities that are also affected by energy fluctuations. But those powerful elements, such as the Elemental Elders, have formed their own temperament and character, their own way of doing things, and they are no longer the same. Some are even able to convert to the faith and become worshippers approved by the gods, so are they considered to have souls?

Similar to the elements, demons and angels, who are transformed by good and evil thoughts, evolve from low to high, and eventually form a wide variety of individuals. There are also records in history of the fall of angels and the sublimation of demons, which has gone against the essence of their birth. What is the force that brings about this change?

The question prompted both Siegel and Red to ponder. (To be continued......)