But there's a catch.

The scenario that Lann and Mentos speculated was based on the route of the dehumanized geisms killing a large number of undead, and then the undead becoming geists.

But the most basic question is - how did the undead appear?

The desire to explore this strange world is partly because Lan En's curiosity is indeed aroused by the phenomena of this world.

On the other hand, he still has to stay here for a while, waiting for the Chaos Magic Tide to come again, and open the Celestial Sphere Convergence Rift before he can return.

If you are in a very unstable living environment and you don't know anything about the environment itself, then it is a real danger.

As soon as he came over, he gave Lan En such a ruthless new world, which undoubtedly made Lan En label it as 'extremely unstable'.

Verdolynk led Lane up the slope of the woods, apparently heading toward what he had called 'the mountain'.

On this upward road, the ground is full of dead branches and leaves, and even if you occasionally see green plants, the green looks wilted, yellow, and lifeless.

It's as if the whole environment is in this gloomy and oppressive tone.

There was silence in what should have been a biologically rich woods.

There was neither the slightest chirping of birds, nor the movement of even a small animal.

There was only the 'rustle' of two people's boots on the fallen leaves. Even when the sound of footsteps subsided, they could hear each other's breathing.

The atmosphere was oppressive and silent.

Verdolynk didn't seem to think anything was wrong with this situation, so Lane could only guess that this might be the case with the forests of this world.

However, the emperor's sons were socially gifted and influenced Lan En after all.

Although he himself is not a person who sees social interaction as a necessity, he is quite good at being an 'atmosphere breaker' now.

"Are you here to watch the [Fire Passing Ceremony], Fodolynk?"

Lan En's tone was calm, not revealing superfluous feelings, as if he was just asking.

This information from the lumberjack who was still sober just now sounded like a big deal, and it should be able to start a conversation with it.

And that's exactly what Lan En thought.

The [Fire Passing Ceremony] is indeed a big event, a great thing for this world.

Verdorink's normally walking pace suddenly made a discordant 'click'.

It was the sound of his armor colliding together by inertia in the sudden stiffness.

Although he returned to normal immediately afterward, Lan En still saw it.

"[Fire Passing Ceremony]."

Verdolynk seemed to savor the word, as if chewing on hope and despair at the same time.

The emotion in those words was so strong that it seemed calm.

"Two years ago, people would have been happy to think that [the fire ceremony] was the same as always, and although there were no famous heroes in this era, we at least had Prince Lothric."

"As long as he becomes the salary king, then everything will remain the same, our life, this whole world, as long as the flame can still burn."

"But now, no one knows what Prince Lothric thinks. He's been dragging on for too long, too long. Even."

Verdorink lowered his voice suddenly, as if he feared that his words would reach too far even in the silence of the forest.

"Even rumors have risen among the crowd that the prince doesn't really want to spread the fire!"

After saying that, he also turned his head and took a deep look at Lan En.

It was as if he was telling him with his expression: It's okay to say this in private today, don't shout it everywhere in the future.

Saying 'the prince doesn't want to spread the fire' seems to be a taboo subject.

It is so taboo that it should not come out of anyone's mouth.

[Flame], what the hell is this thing?

Lan couldn't quite understand why the flames were so important.

How exactly did the fire transmission ritual take place, and why did the prince named 'Lothric' resist the ceremony?

"That flame," Lan En said in an ambiguous tone that could be interpreted however he could. "How's the flame doing now?"

Whatever Verdolynk meant from that tone, it should be impossible to imagine that Lane didn't know anything about the so-called [Flame] at all.

After all, listening to his tone, [Flame] seemed to be something that anyone in this world should know.

"What else?" Fodolynk scoffed, "The undead have appeared on the road in a grand manner, isn't the fading of the flames obvious enough?" ”

Lan En keenly felt that there was a resentment and unwillingness in Fodorinck's old voice.

And the undead appeared because the [Flame] began to weaken?

There must always be a process for the weakening of the flames, and if it is true that as Fodolynk said, the degree of decay is positively correlated with the number of undead appearing.

That is to say, these undead people who appear now are far from many.

What happens when the flame is completely extinguished? What will become of this strange world?

After a series of thoughts, both Lanne and Mentos felt that the so-called [Flame] should be the reason why this world was so different.

That's what the lady of the lake said: 'fundamentally different'.

"Speaking of which, I don't think I asked your name yet."

Verdolynk glanced back at the witcher, and Lane reached out to him.

"Just call me Lanne."

The old knight frowned at Lan En's outstretched hand, then shook his head, but didn't hold it.

"No, don't stretch out your hand in this world now. The flames are weakening, the days are getting harder, and who knows what the person who shakes your hand has in their hands? ”

"Hmph, you're really a 'little master'."

For Verdorink's unmalicious ridicule, Lan didn't feel uncomfortable.

Only his brow furrowed, and he withdrew his arm.

Even the handshake should be cautious. Has the world collapsed like this?

"Let's hope Prince Lothric can spread the fire soon."

In the end, Lan En could only end with a blessing that was not wrong at all, based on the known information.

Verdolynk smiled coldly, and his old voice seemed to have phlegm stuck in his throat.

"Yes, everyone is praying that the prince will spread the fire as soon as possible. People in the city of Loslick prayed outside the church all day. The knights of Lothric also addressed His Majesty. ”

"And pilgrims from faraway places have also begun to travel north, preparing to come directly to Los Ric for pilgrimage and worship."

"Hopefully. It's always good to have hope. ”

Los Rick City.

Lann captured the name.

In other words, 'Prince Lothric' is the same name as the name of the country.

The king of this country must have had high hopes for him.

(End of chapter)

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