The bronze door opened.
A staircase winds down.
The Ke family was entourage, with the Grand Duke walking in front.
Simlai Ke walked at the end.
When Simlai K walked into the bronze gate, he raised his hand and closed the entire gate - a mechanism lock that could only be opened from the inside or with a key locked the gate tightly.
"There are still many people eyeing the Ke family's cemetery."
"King George VI, the Faber family, and even the Yatuk and Lidar families have sent spies."
The Archduke sighed and explained.
Goethe seemed to be thinking about something.
As the group went down, he had already seen the entire picture of the Ke family cemetery.
It's dark and heavy, very much in keeping with the style of the North.
But some of the exhibits are definitely not in cemetery style.
At least……
There shouldn't be beakers, test tubes, or anything like that in a cemetery.
There wouldn't be many books.
One of the 'Mad King's' laboratories?
Goethe thought.
The Grand Duke had mentioned to him before that the reason his great-uncle settled here was because he discovered the ancestor's laboratory and found the method to perfect and improve the [Voliber Breathing Method] and the "Warrior" baptism ceremony.
However, there was one thing that Goethe did not expect.
This underground laboratory was larger than he had imagined.
It almost replicated the area of ​​the Bear Castle on the ground.
Moreover, Goethe saw the ordnance.
Swords, stirrups, bows and arrows, etc. wrapped in oiled kraft paper.
"These are what our ancestors stored here. Although gunpowder guns have become popular, I still kept these things - they are all good quality products, and they were left by our ancestors."
The Archduke explained to Goethe as they walked.
Not only this place, but the entire underground laboratory was introduced to Goethe in detail by the Archduke.
Until the deepest point.
The Grand Duke stood solemnly in front of a small door.
The remaining members of the Ke family all had serious expressions on their faces.
squeak!
The Grand Duke stepped forward and opened the small door.
Three coffins made entirely of black iron appeared in front of Goethe.
The coffins are arranged in the shape of a Chinese character "品".
The styles are pretty much the same.
"This is your great uncle, my father."
"This is your great uncle, my elder brother."
"This is your second uncle, my other brother."
The Grand Duke pointed at the coffin. There was no tombstone or anything like that in front of the coffin, nor any written records. Simlai K, Enmlai K, and Gejil K placed the food and drinks in the baskets in their hands one by one.
The Grand Duke gently wiped the coffin with a liquid mixed with special oil.
"Father, my two elder brothers, our Ke family has a new member joining us."
"This is Goethe Wein, a descendant of my uncle's branch. He also suffered misfortune."
The Grand Duke was wiping while talking almost in a nagging tone.
Goethe felt somewhat unfamiliar with this scene.
Having grown up in an orphanage, he had never been exposed to these things.
He doesn't know who his parents are.
Not to mention any relatives.
He watched all this silently, looked at the sadness on the Grand Duke's face, looked at the nostalgia in the eyes of the Grand Duke's third son and Nina, but the words involuntarily emerged in his mind - every ghost you fear is actually someone that others think about day and night.
Those ghosts don't want to be ghosts.
They may go through life by following the flow of life.
They may come to an abrupt end due to an accident of fate.
But their end continues with the thoughts of future generations.
"But... there are no ghosts in the world."
Goethe sighed in his heart.
At this moment, Xila, who was standing by, shrank behind him and raised her hand to grab his collar.
Looking at the cold face that could barely conceal the horrified expression, Goethe sighed.
well!
A fool is a fool!
Always believe in some nonsense!
Goethe raised his hand and touched the top of Xila's head to comfort her.
Then he turned around and continued to face the scene solemnly.
And behind Goethe, in Sheila's sight——
Three illusory figures were floating above the iron coffin.
They looked at Goethe, with smiles on their illusory expressions.
They looked at Xila, who was hugging Goethe tightly, and their smiles became even more intense.
But they didn't notice that as they smiled, Sheila hugged Goethe tighter.
And the tighter Sheila hugged them, the brighter their smiles became.
The bigger the smile, the tighter the hug.
The tighter the hug, the brighter the smile.
For some unknown reason, Sheila fell into a vicious circle.
Bang!
Goethe raised his hand and patted Xila's forehead.
Sheila looked up in confusion.
"Relax a little, I can't breathe well."
Goethe said softly.
If it were somewhere else, he would have broken free from Xila with a shoulder throw, but here, even when he spoke, Goethe lowered his voice, and in his heart, he always maintained respect.
That is the respect that comes from the Grand Duke.
Same thing with Sheila.
She also knew that she should be respectful here.
It’s just that those things are so scary!
After hearing what Goethe said, Xila had already let go of his hand, but the next moment, when she saw the three shadows frowning, she immediately hugged Goethe again - this time, she put her arms around Goethe's waist and pressed her whole face against Goethe's back to block her vision.
well!
What a fool!
Goethe sighed again in his heart.
However, no further attention was paid.
Because, at this time, the Archduke had already waved to Goethe.
Goethe dragged Silja to bow to the iron coffins of his great-uncle and two uncles.
The children of the Ke family also bowed one by one.
Sheila was naturally among them.
She tried her best to remain normal.
'You can't see them, and they can't see you.'
Xila kept the teacher's words in mind.
Based on past experience, Sheila completed the worship very well.
Then, Xila saw three illusory figures, which became a little more solid. Although their faces were still blurry, making their smiles look extremely hideous and terrifying, but... they seemed different from those she had encountered before?
The Grand Duke and Simlaik uncorked the bottles , and strong liquor from the North poured around the iron coffin.
The food was put back into the basket - these foods after the sacrifice would be used as lunch for the Ke family.
Finally, Goethe, Emre K, Gergier K and Nina K saluted again.
Then, everyone left the room.
The Archduke was the last one to walk.
The small door began to close slowly.
No one noticed that the three illusory figures raised their unclear arms and waved them gently.
"Let's go visit Jasmine."
The Grand Duke said this and turned to the next room.
The same little door, the same iron coffin.
However, unlike the previous stone floor, this is soil, and various shade-loving vines are planted there. These vines grow in the room like guards, protecting the iron coffin in the middle of the room.
"Little Jasmine, I'm here to see you."
"Look, Simrai is getting stronger."
"Emlaike is becoming more and more naughty."
"Gerjil has become much more responsible."
"And our little Nina—isn't she becoming more and more like you?"
“That’s right!”
"This is our nephew and his wife."
"Goethe has a talent that is even better than Simra. Sheila is a good girl, kind-hearted and innocent, but she has a mind that is incomparable to ordinary people."
After placing the flowers picked in the morning on the iron coffin, the Grand Duke wiped them and whispered softly as he did before.
Just like before, Goethe bowed towards Aunt Jasmine's iron coffin.
Sheila?
The same is true.
At this time, Sheila was even more cowardly than before.
Because she could feel that this place was even more terrifying.
The shadows on the three coffins just now were very scary.
And here?
Although no phantom appeared, it made Xila feel as horrified as an abyss - of course, she had never seen an abyss, but she felt that if there was an abyss, this should be it.
So, Sheila remained calm, without refutation or rejection.
She did what Goethe did.
As for Goethe not refuting it?
It was really the environment he was in that made it impossible for him to speak.
"I'll explain it to my uncle later!"
Goethe thought and looked at Nina beside him.
A clay pot appeared in Nina's hand. She was digging some soil from the corner and putting it into the pot. Her movements were serious and careful, while she whispered words like "Mom Nina is here to see you" and "Mom, you must bless us all".
Everything is normal.
However, Goethe keenly discovered that Nina, who was just sick, had actually recovered at this time.
Not to mention the rosy complexion.
The whole person exudes more vitality.
"Mother's comfort?"
Goethe guessed.
Sometimes, placebos are really useful.
Especially when this placebo comes from a mother, it can make the impossible possible.
Just as Goethe was sighing in his heart, he noticed that Xila was shaking even more violently.
"Are you okay?"
Although Sheila was a fool, Goethe decided to explain it to her seriously later.
In some situations, there is no need to be afraid.
"fine."
Sheila answered.
He just held Goethe tighter with his hands.
Goethe rolled his eyes.
"You guys go out first, I'll stay with Jasmine for a while."
The Archduke waved to the crowd.
The Ke family members came out one by one, and Simlai Ke half-closed the door.
Then, Enmlai K took out two pairs of earplugs that he had prepared long ago and handed them to Goethe.
"this?"
"Put it in."
“It’s good.”
Facing his puzzled cousin, Enmlai Ke rarely showed an awkward but rude smile.
Listen to others' advice and eat your fill.
Goethe then put on the earplugs and at the same time, put another pair of earplugs into Xila's ears.
And just a few seconds after all this was done, an indescribable singing voice came from little Jasmine's tomb.
It was the Archduke who was singing.
But this song is so unpleasant that it is hard to describe.
Not only is it unpleasant to listen to, it's also very high-pitched.
Moreover, it has extremely strong penetrating power.
Even with earplugs as a barrier, Goethe still felt waves of panic, difficulty breathing and other physical discomforts.
The rest?
The same is true.
"When my father was young, he loved to sing for my mother, but his singing was so bad that my mother would stop him every time. After my mother passed away, my father thought his singing skills had greatly improved, so he would sing for my mother every year."
Enmlai Ke explained.
Gejil K stood aside with a helpless look on his face.
Even Simlaik, a brave and fearless man, looked like he had lost all hope in life at this moment.
"Skill?"
“Where’s the skill in this?”
“No technique, all emotion!”
Goethe couldn't help but twitch his lips.
He thought the fat man's singing was disgusting enough, as not a single word was in tune. But when he heard the Archduke's singing today, Goethe realized he was wrong!
Compared with the Grand Duke, the fat man's singing was simply heavenly music.
"A little flower has blossomed. It is a beautiful jasmine..."
In Little Jasmine’s tomb, the Grand Duke sang with deep emotion.
He sang it three times in a row before stopping, feeling unsatisfied.
"How's it going, Jasmine?"
“Have I made progress?”
"Hey, you always say that I sing badly, now you have to admit that I sing well, right?"
"Well, since you didn't answer, it means you agreed."
“I also think I sing pretty well.”
"Don't worry, I won't sing it to anyone else. I'll only sing it to you."
As the Duke spoke, he sat down on the ground as if his wife was sitting in front of him.
"Little Jasmine, do you know?"
"I tricked that bastard King George VI."
"You always say I'm not very smart, but this time I'm finally smart for once."
"That bastard should have used his backup plan."
“I think I have a direction.”
"only……"
"'They're in some trouble."
"I have found nothing so far. It's as if those guys don't exist, but they are everywhere - it's really a headache!"
"Oh, if only you were still alive."
"With your intelligence, you will definitely be able to find clues."
"By the way, Little Jasmine, I have someone build an iron coffin and will place it next to you when it's done."
"I don't have any bad feelings."
"I just think I should spend more time with you."
"I must sing for you more often in the future."
The Archduke's words echoed in the small room.
The legendary professional's energy and blood power blocked the room, and people outside could not hear the words inside at all.
The Grand Duke was too embarrassed to say these things in front of the younger generation.
He is the fortress of the younger generation, and he is there to protect them from wind and rain.
In front of his father and elder brother, he is the heir and must be good enough.
Only in front of his wife is he an ordinary person.
Even in front of his wife, he still thought he was a boy.
He can speak nonsense and make fun of his embarrassing past.
In short, it's very relaxing.
An hour later, the Archduke patted his cheek and stood up.
"Jasmine, I have to go."
"I'll see you next time."
"Then you'll find that I sing even better!"
Having said this, the Grand Duke stood up and was about to leave.
At this moment, a vine above his head fell down.
As a legendary professional, the Grand Duke naturally discovered it first. He raised his hand and grabbed the vine, but his expression was a little dazed - the first time he met Little Jasmine, Little Jasmine jumped up and hit him like this.
Of course, the vine is not Jasmine.
The situation is a bit similar.
Bang!
As the Archduke was reminiscing, a vine fell on the back of his head.
It doesn't hurt, but it makes a crisp sound.
The Grand Duke was stunned for a moment, then scratched his head and smiled.
He turned and looked at the iron coffin.
"Don't you want me to leave?"
"Oh, I don't want to leave either."
"I'll be back with you once everything is settled."
"Now!"
"Let me sing you one of my best songs again - a little flower has bloomed, she is a beautiful jasmine flower..."
During the soulful singing, the vines in the room began to tremble.
It was as if he couldn't bear it anymore and covered his ears.
"Does it sound nice?"
"Look, they are shaking continuously, as if nodding, agreeing with what I said."
"Well, I'll be leaving first, Jasmine."
The Archduke stopped smiling, said goodbye to his wife once more, and left the room.
When the door was closed, the vine that had just whipped the Duke slowly rose up and swayed slightly.
Outside the tomb, Goethe, Silas, the Archduke's third son, and Nina were waiting quietly.
By this time, Xila had returned to normal.
Looking at Goethe with wise eyes.
Because, Xila suddenly found that when she stood next to Goethe, the things that frightened her seemed to ignore her completely - but she was not sure.
So, she wanted to try again.
Do it when you think of it.
Sheila opened her arms and was about to hug Goethe.
Goethe raised his hand and supported Xila's forehead. No matter how Xila moved her arms, she could not get even an inch closer to Goethe.
"Don't push your luck!"
"I only let you hold me because you were scared just now!"
"Now?"
"If you hug me again, I'll charge you."
"How much?"
Sheila asked bluntly.
"Tsk, you're rich?"
"100 gold grams per minute."
Goethe squinted his eyes and looked at Sheila, then reported a number - this number was not reported randomly, because Goethe knew that there were only 100 gold grams in Sheila's wallet.
No!
In addition to the 1 gold gram in the morning, there was also a 50 gold gram gold note, two 20 gold gram gold notes, a 5 gold gram gold note, and 4 gold grams.
So, Sheila doesn't have 100 gold grams at all.
"good!"
Xila nodded and threw the wallet directly to Goethe.
He raised his hand to hug Goethe.
"Wait, what's in here... huh?"
Goethe was about to say that there was not enough money in it, but the weight of the wallet made him frown.
The weight of the gold ticket.
Jinke's weight is wrong.
There is one more gold gram.
It is exactly 100 gold grams.
Almost subconsciously, Goethe touched his wallet, where the gold coin from Shira that morning was still inside.
What's going on?
Goethe, who was hugged by Xila, was puzzled.
In the tombs of the Grand Duke’s father and two elder brothers, three phantoms smiled at each other.
It was still a smile that was twisted to the point of being terrifying.
But quite happy.
Only Goethe felt the torment.
Because, Xila not only hugged him, but also rubbed back and forth on him.
"Hey, it's ok."
“Stop.”
"If you keep going like this, you'll have to pay more."
Goethe reminded Xila, but the latter turned a deaf ear and continued to feel the gap carefully.
"Tsk tsk tsk, it's great to be young."
Enmlai Ke exclaimed in admiration.
"You sound very old - Master Enmlai Ke, who threw the dice 22 times last night."
Gejier curled his lips.
"What is 'flipping'? I'm not an animal. What I do is the fusion of spirit and desire. What I do is sublimation. What I do is a profound and simple communication!"
"Ah yes, yes, use body fluids."
Gejier looked at him with contempt and envy.
"you……"
"That's enough."
Simlaik covered Nina's ears and looked at his two younger brothers with a gloomy face.
Obviously, if his two younger brothers continued to disobey him, he would have to discipline them.
Enmlai K and Gejil K stopped immediately.
He looked at his sister apologetically.
"Nina, Enmu and I are here to joke around again."
"You must not remember what you just said."
"Um."
"What is a 'slingshot'?"
“What is deep and simple communication?”
Nina looked at Enmlai K and Gejiel K seriously.
At this time, murderous intent appeared in Simlai Ke's eyes.
Not only the eldest son of the Grand Duke, but also the Grand Duke who had just walked out heard it.
The Grand Duke narrowed his eyes and looked at his two sons.
"Come to the castle's martial arts arena later. I want to check on your recent progress in strength."
"Goethe, this is for you."
The Grand Duke ignored the pleas of his two sons and turned around and handed a key to Goethe.
"This is the key to enter the ancestral land. There are six keys in total. I, Simlai, Enmulai, Gejier, and you each have one. When Nina comes of age, she will also have one."
"Remember, the ancestral land is only safe if you open it with a key."
The Grand Duke warned.
"clear."
Goethe took the key solemnly.
"Come with me."
"I'll take you to the room where our ancestors left their knowledge. Um... If you want to come, you can, but not now. There are some restrictions there. You can only go in after you give birth to Goethe's child."
The Grand Duke said this and looked at Sheila who was holding on to Goethe tightly.
When Sheila heard the "ancestral knowledge", she hugged Goethe tightly, but then she loosened her arms and looked at Goethe with a red face.
"Child, child, child..."
Sheila stuttered all over.
Goethe rolled his eyes again and walked straight towards the room.
The Grand Duke stood at one side of the room, looking at Sheila, and felt more and more satisfied.
Suddenly, the Grand Duke couldn't help but feel fortunate that he had given the betrothal gift early, otherwise, who knows what would have happened.
"This is the study of our ancestors. It records all the knowledge that our ancestors left behind."
"I have tried my best to preserve the pages with potions."
"But you have to protect it when you're reading it."
"besides……"
"Record the information of the fourth-level class 'Warrior', which is also the information of the legendary class 'Fearless'. It is on the stone tablet in the middle - just place your hand on it."
"Remember, you only have two hours. The next time you can enter will be a year later."
The Grand Duke at the door gave his final instructions.
Goethe understood.
Under the Grand Duke's gaze, I walked into this room that looked no different from the previous one.
But the moment Goethe entered, he knew he was wrong.
It couldn't be more wrong.
Goethe opened his eyes wide and felt the tip of his nose getting hot.
It's not that he hasn't experienced it.
He really didn't expect that the 3D proportional paintings would appear right in front of him.
One of them in particular looked extremely familiar.
There is no doubt that this was arranged using 'secret techniques'.
Otherwise, there would not be such a lifelike and dynamic effect.
Stimulation!
Know how to play!
Goethe covered his nose subconsciously, but his eyes looked around involuntarily one by one, finally stopping at the most familiar shadow.
I saw that below this most familiar shadow, it was written in the word "hometown": What is my name?
"Um?"
"name?"
Goethe was stunned, then blurted out -
"Tifa!"