Volume 2: Empire Chapter 45: Castle
Under the night sky, Qingkong stood on the roof of a building, her green eyes overlooking the Secret Service's Special Section 6. Hong Kusuo stood next to her, wearing equipment specially made for sandpaper, her red hair flying and swaying.
As a car slowly drove out of the back door of the Secret Service Department 6, Hong Falcon said, "Ms. Qingkong, the sandpaper is in that car. The Governor should be there too."
Qingkong watched the car drive onto the road and speed away, and said to Hongjian, "Let's follow it."
"Yes, Miss Clear Sky."
Qingkong jumped down from the building, used magic to summon a reverse airflow in the air to relieve the force, and landed lightly on the ground. She walked to the edge of the road, and a red steam motorcycle appeared in front of her.
When Qingkong got on the motorcycle, a falcon flew down and landed on the back seat.
Qingkong started the steam motorcycle, and the engine, which had been modified to reduce noise, emitted a low hum. White steam gushed out from the tail exhaust pipe, and the rear wheels rotated at high speed, rubbing against the ground, and then pushed the body of the motorcycle out.
The dual positioning of Luke and Sandpaper allowed Clear Sky to track outside of Collapsing Wood's line of sight.
At the same time, Luke also gradually analyzed the space safe house that Bengmu wanted to take him to based on the car's route. Qingkong, who received the information at the same time, drove the steam motorcycle to another road, then increased the power and drove at full speed, overtaking Luke's car on the street next door.
Arriving at an intersection, Qingkong stopped in a hidden location at the corner, turned off the engine and waited quietly.
After a while, the sound of a car came from the other side of the corner, getting closer and closer. The headlights illuminated the roadside, and the car suddenly increased its speed when entering the intersection. The moment it passed the center line of the intersection, the car body was flattened and then disappeared on the spot.
Qingkong instantly started the steam motorcycle and rushed forward, then drifted sideways into the path the car had just driven into. The speed of the steam motorcycle burst out again, rushing at full speed towards the space fluctuations that had not yet dissipated.
Rushing to the center line, the steam motorcycle and the Clear Sky and Red Falcon it carried were crushed in the distortion of space and then disappeared...
Knowing that Qingkong had successfully entered the space channel, Luke turned his attention back to himself.
The streets and buildings outside the car appear in a bizarre state of separation. As the car moves forward and flies backward, the architectural style also changes as if time is flowing backwards.
When the car stopped, both sides were filled with fragmented stone houses from the early days of the empire floating in the mirror space, with only a small path leading to an intact castle. The decayed fences and the desolate stone castle reminded people of scenes from some horror dramas.
This is one of the few remaining safe houses of the Blade Brotherhood in Saint Len City.
The location and entry methods of these safe houses are only known to the leader in charge of the Imperial Capital Assassin's Lodge in each generation, and they can only be activated in emergencies.
High-level stabbing blades like Fast Legs and Collapse Wood are probably ones you have never even heard of.
At this time, Saint Lun City was in the dark, and the sky here was also a starry sky like a broken mirror. The iron door of the castle was open, and one of the doors was broken and tilted on the ground. The safe house had not been repaired for a long time, and there was a smell of decay everywhere.
But this majestic castle built in the opened space shows how powerful the Blade Brotherhood once was.
Bengmu led Luke and his party through the iron gate to the main entrance of the castle. As the iron gate was pushed open with a creaking sound, rows of torches lit up on the walls of the main hall.
There was a long table in the middle of the empty main hall, and Samuel sat alone at the other end of the table. Behind Samuel stood a knight wearing ancient full body armor, but the armor had lost its original luster and was full of vicissitudes.
That is the puppet knight guarding this safe house.
There are many such puppet knights along the walls on both sides of the main hall, but in the absence of maintenance, it is doubtful how many of them can still function.
Luke entered the hall and strode forward. He walked quickly to the long table and pulled out a chair for Luke after a thorough inspection.
Luke sat down, sandpaper floating behind him, her hair raised to the maximum extent of perception.
The fast-legged man introduced, "Lord Samuel, this is the Acting Governor of Nutao City, the Senator of the Upper Council of Nutao City, the Chief Inspector of the Secret Service of Nutao City, the Director of the Sixth Special Service Department of the Imperial Secret Service, the Imperial Lord, and the Royal Glory Knight Lord Meteor."
Bengmu came behind Samuel and was about to introduce himself, but Samuel stopped him and said, "Compared with the many titles of the Meteor Governor, my so-called titles are as ridiculous as a clown.
I am Samuel, hello, Governor!"
Samuel sat there motionless, using honorifics but showing no respect.
Luke didn't argue with him and said, "I express my condolences to the Thorns who died at the hands of the Abyss Temple. Although we are now on hostile grounds, their glory should be to die in the confrontation with the Secret Service. Being ambushed and killed by people in the same camp... It's too shameful!"
Luke's words were simply opening up Samuel's scars.
Although he also participated in that operation, the victims were his subordinates after all, and the fighting force that Thornblade could rely on in Saint Lun City was instantly lost. But that was the decision of the Celtic Grand Duke and the current ruling class of the Blade Brotherhood. The Abyss Temple was going to completely replace Thornblade in the Imperial Capital.
In the past two days, the Abyss Temple is forcing him to hand over the location and entry method of the safe house.
Facing the meteorite, Samuel said stubbornly: "If you want to blame someone, blame them for being corrupted and completely losing the spirit of the thorns. Even Bengmu, didn't he keep in touch with your people?
They were infiltrated like a sieve and yet they refused to follow orders. What honor do they have?
Governor Meteorite, you are not looking for me to mock me, right? If you have anything to say, please tell me as soon as possible!"
"Okay! Let's get straight to the point." Luke stopped provoking Samuel and explained the purpose of his meeting: "I know that you have signed a soul-selling contract with the demon Congreve Austin Tyrant Melville Aldridge.
He will lend you a part of his power, and the reward is your soul. After you die, your soul will belong to the Devil Tyrant, and how to deal with it depends on his mood. I think the Devil Tyrant will definitely spend time and effort to slowly cook your soul into a delicious dish..."
Luke's words made veins pop up on Samuel's head and he stared, his pupils turning an evil demonic red.
"How do you know the tyrant's full name, and how do you know the soul contract I signed with him?"
Samuel's out-of-control emotions made him unable to control his own strength. A powerful ripple spread out from his body and pushed towards Luke along the table.
The sandpaper extends out of the right hand, and the wave is emitted, pushing in the opposite direction along the table top.
The two energy waves collided in the middle, and after a loud bang, a gust of air was stirred up. Fortunately, the two energy waves were not strong, and no uncontrollable misjudgment was caused.
Both sides merely assumed fighting stances.
Samuel controlled his strength in time and apologized: "I'm sorry, your words were too shocking to me."
"I understand!" Luke sat very steadily, waiting for the tense atmosphere to ease, and then said, "As for your question... I can only say that I have a friend who knows the Devil Tyrant, and he also happens to know that you signed a soul contract with him."
"Do you think I will believe it?"
Luke smiled and said, "It's my business how to explain it, and it's your business whether you believe it or not."
Samuel looked at Luke. He knew that the governor must be hiding something from him, but the inside story was not something he could delve into.
"Okay, I believe you. And what is it, you said you can give my soul peace.
What does this mean? "
"The meaning is very simple. Find the demon tyrant and ask him to cancel the soul contract with you. This way, when you die, if no necromancer comes looking for you, your soul can rest in peace."
"Are you teasing me?" Samuel's eyes narrowed into slits, with a fierce look in them.
Luke seemed to mean that by calling the devil tyrant and inviting him to dinner, the soul contract could be terminated.
But Samuel knew that was impossible.
The signing of this contract was a big loss for the Devil Tyrant. Now he had used the power he gave him for nothing and wanted to not pay him. If he could agree to it, he would not be a devil, but a kind angel.
To Samuel, Meteorite's words were just a fantasy, or perhaps a lie in the first place.
Luke said, “Do you think I took such a big risk to come to see you just to entertain you?
Samuel, you are very valuable to me. In order to gain your loyalty, I can help you invite the Demon Tyrant to come over for a talk, maybe he will give me this face. "
The confidence shown by Meteorite made Samuel doubt his previous judgment.
"Do you really have a way to get the Demon Tyrant to cancel the soul contract? This... this is simply impossible."
"Let's make a bet!" Luke said, "If I make the demon tyrant cancel the soul contract with you, you will pledge allegiance to me. If I can't do it, I will return the same way and promise not to reveal this safe house to anyone."
Meteorite's words made Samuel even less confident.
If the soul contract can really be lifted, then the horrible nightmare that has troubled me for so many years can be dispelled overnight. But the traitorous Blade Brotherhood will pledge allegiance to the Falling Star. What is the difference between me and those traitors?
Samuel said: "Can the conditions be relaxed? I can provide you with some information."
Luke said firmly, “No, there is no room for negotiation on the terms I propose.
Samuel, I can tell you responsibly that all the nightmares you have are given to you by the evil tyrant. He wants to torture you, not only when you are alive, but also after you die.
Only I can rescue you and bring peace to your soul."
Samuel didn't expect that Meteorite even knew about his nightmares. Could it be true what he just said that he had a friend who knew the Demon Tyrant?
Maybe he really knows a way to cancel the soul contract.
"I was raised by the Brotherhood of the Blade. Without the Brotherhood of the Blade, I would have died long ago."
"As far as I know, the people who raised you are no longer here, right?" Luke had a deep understanding of Samuel's information in order to get him. "And is the current Brotherhood still the Brotherhood you know?
Samuel, wake up!
Look at this safe house. How similar is it to the current Brotherhood of the Blade? You are meeting me here because the other rooms are damaged and unusable, and this castle will collapse soon.
Regardless of whether the war results in a victory for the Empire or the Celtic Grand Duke, they will not allow the Brotherhood to continue to exist.
You are the last generation of the Brotherhood of Blades, and there will be no more in the future. But the City of Raging Waves has the heritage of the Brotherhood of Blades and the Blades, and you can continue to carry out your historical mission under the Innovation Society."
Luke's words opened up another channel for Samuel, who was stuck in a dead end.
There is a branch of the Brotherhood of Blades in the City of Raging Waves, and now, under the arrangement of Viscount Iscolan, it is gradually integrating into the new noble group, the Innovation Society. Those who once joined the Brotherhood of Blades naturally became the Blades of the Innovation Society.
Now the Brotherhood he was loyal to was caught between the Empire and the Celtic Grand Duke. Internal problems and external pressures determined that its collapse was not far away. But the Brotherhood of the Blade was so large and had such a legacy that it would not disappear, but would only split and become a tool for different forces.
Sooner or later, I will have to face the choice of who to serve...
Samuel suddenly understood those dead Blades. Faith had collapsed in their hearts. They had just made a choice earlier than him.
"Okay!" Samuel finally made a decision: "You know me better than I do, and I can't refute your advice.
Since you also have a legacy of the Blade-wielding Brotherhood in your hands, I will have one less psychological burden if I join you.
As long as you can release my soul contract with the demon tyrant and let my soul be at peace, I will offer you my loyalty. Even if you can't do it, you can leave safely.
What do you need me to do?
"You don't need to do anything, just sit there quietly." Luke turned to Bengmu and said, "Go open the door. My guests have been waiting outside for a long time."
Samuel and Bengmu were both shocked.
This is a space-type safe house. Without special means of transportation and entry, outsiders cannot get here at all.
How could there be someone outside the door?
Bengmu immediately explained: "Sir, I didn't bring anyone else in!"
Samuel didn't say anything. He just kept looking at Luke, then waved his hand to signal Bengmu to open the door.
Bengmu walked behind the iron gate of the main hall of the castle. He couldn't understand why someone would follow him to such a secret place.
Is it the meteorite that is deceiving us?
At this time, there was a knock on the closed door.
Dangdangdang...a very polite rhythm, echoing in the empty hall.
Bengmu, who was behind the door, was startled by the sudden knock on the door. He quickly calmed himself down and opened the tightly closed iron door.
Then two ladies were seen standing outside.
One of them was an elf. The light from the main hall shone on her, and her oppressive beauty made people feel suffocated.
"Clear, Miss Clear Sky!"
