Arcane Journey

Chapter 201 Hell Knight
Brian looked carefully at the bustling bazaar in the desert oasis.

In the fading light, the lake near the camp shone with silvery luster, and the distant sky was dotted with the last hint of pink by the sunset.

At the moment, most of the merchants are busy packing up their eye-catching sand-proof tents and rolling up the carpets for displaying ceramics, handicrafts, and all kinds of exotic goods.

Brian walked side by side with Helliste, and when the two walked out of the ruins, just as he imagined, the Ghost Prince Braines had been waiting for a long time.

He glanced at the ghost prince who was leading the way ahead. Now he was dressed like a human race, and he was lazily whistling an outdated ditty.

This young human, few people can guess whether he is a ghost man or a ghost mage. After all, his human identity, in the impression of the players, Brenas Tanshul is more like a vertical child, a A half-witted wizard, whose spells often misfire comically, and a bombastic amateur artist, often spoofing as a bard.

The ghost prince walking in the market at the moment, with a complacent smile on his face, and his extravagant attire all reveal his wealth, leisure and privilege.

However, in fact, he deliberately designed this human image.

His lavender silk jacket was embroidered with the prominent wreaths of a merchant family in the Northlands, his pleated trousers were tucked into impractical suede boots, and his silk shirt had wide sleeves in gold or violet thin sleeves. The threads are embroidered with tiny runes.

The nobleman's clothing is loose and loose, covering his slender but strong body, just like the bright gemstone on the hilt of his sword, attracting other people's eyes, but ignoring the pair of fingers that can outline the magic of death .

"Is there really no problem?"

Helisite said to Brian through telepathic voice transmission, "He is from the City of Shadows. I have mentioned it many times after I heard the Silver Moon Dragon. Coral Bonas, McLegant and Bray of the City of Shadows Nas, these three princes have been secretly planning how to subvert the rule of the North."

"and……"

She added: "The army of Shadow City has also suffered defeat at your hands."

"If it is said that even this little prince is not trustworthy."

Brian gave Hellist a reassuring look, and responded with a smile, "Then, it's what these proud and conceited descendants of Netheril fell into the abyss step by step."

He is quite familiar with the other two ghost princes who are in charge of planning the Northern Alliance.

After all, he has lived in Silvermoon City for five years, and among the enemies he has come into contact with, apart from the demons of the abyss, the most enemies belong to the City of Shadows.

Melegant Tanshul, the twelve ghost princes, his arcane talent is very ordinary, but he still insists on choosing the path of arcane.

In the plan against the Northland Alliance, although his strength is not as outstanding as other ghost princes, his lack of arcane talent is fully made up for by his intrigue.

His knack for deceiving others, and his ability to be fake with others at any time, allowed him to integrate the orcs of the Spine of the World, the Mara Hunters of the Moon Forest, the Abyss Demons of Hellgate Keep, and the High Forest. Many evil forces, such as demons and elves, launched attacks on various civilized territories throughout the Northland.

The floating castle of the Queen of the Silver Moon Dragon fell from the sky and turned into ruins under the plan of Melegant. The ancient silver dragon 'Silver Wing' Diszerodon also died in this battle.

Coraribonas Tanshul, he is the second youngest little prince in the city of shadows, and the most notorious, despicable and shameless shadow guard assassin.

In his plan for Neverwinter, the prince detonated a large volcano in the Hotno Mountains in the Neverwinter area in order to find the third relatively complete floating city, Sinlenar, which was buried deep underground. , causing most of the entire Neverwinter city to be destroyed in a terrible natural disaster.

It wasn't until Brian was reborn that a fleet from Waterdeep landed at the ruined port of Neverwinter, ready to carry out reconstruction work.

If it weren't for Breners, one of the three ghost princes in charge of the Northland Alliance, who had been in a state of hanging up and playing wild from beginning to end, regardless of the expansion plan of Shadow City, the rule of the Northland might really be overthrown.

"You seem to know the City of Shadows very well."

Hellist watched the indifferent expression in Brian's eyes shining like obsidian blocks, and there was a hint of a comfortable smile in her soft words:

"I can feel that I'm afraid that all the members of the Silver Federation, even the Harper Alliance, don't know them as well as you do."

Regarding Hellist's evaluation, Brian couldn't deny it.

In fact, he couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

I regretted why I didn't see the end of the city of ghosts, so I crossed inexplicably.

In his impression, with the expansion of the City of Shades, the conspiracy of the Lost Lady Shar, and finally the [-] Princes of Shades and Haj Horna, the Hand of the High King, these core members, the dead, the missing, the missing, There was even a chosen one who died with the Goddess of Magic.

In the end there wasn't much left.

"The reason why I took the risk to meet this prince is actually for the consideration of the Northern Alliance." Brian said to her, "If we can have fewer enemies and more allies out of thin air, it will be of great help to us. "

"It seems that you have a very long-term plan." Helisite sighed, brushing the silver hair on her forehead.

"I'm used to it. Sometimes, I'm really afraid that my head can't hold the imagination." Brian pointed to his head and joked with a smile.

Hellist didn't answer, and gave him a slight smile.

Seeing the long-lost smile again, Brian felt like a spring breeze.

"Actually, you should really smile more."

He couldn't help shaking her slender little hand and making his own suggestion, "Believe me, if you smile in the mirror every day when you get up, I think you will get used to this expression soon."

Hearing Brian's teasing, Hellist tried to hold back a smile, but eventually it was beyond the limit of her patience.

"It's getting dark."

Brian withdrew his gaze from Hellist's smiling face, and said to Prince Breners who was leading the way, "I think we should find a quiet place first, after all, there's nothing wrong with having something to eat."

He found that his proposal made the face of the ghost prince light up, "I know an excellent place, it has local characteristics."

He smiled slightly, subconsciously wanting to grab Brian's hand.

Brian felt a chill, and quickly avoided it. He thought he was not familiar with the prince to this extent.

Of course, no matter how familiar you are, you can't hold hands with him.

The Shadow Prince was embarrassed, and waved for him to follow his footsteps.

Then, he led them with ease through the labyrinth of alleys and came to a low wooden house.

If an abandoned warehouse has its own charms, this is the perfect embodiment of those charms.

"The local characteristics are worthy of the name." Breners opened the door first.

He took off his wide hat with feathers, put it under his arm, and carefully combed his black hair with his hands. He smiled at the two of them, "Isn't this place gorgeous?"

'The Place' is one such tavern: a large, rambling bar that has nothing to do with glamour.

Brian resignedly thought that if this room was cleaned thoroughly and then aired out for a few days, it would probably qualify as dirty.

The entire bar was packed with tables and booths, and most of them were full.

From the swarthy faces and the distinctive linen robes of the Bedai residents, it can be seen that this is a place frequented by locals.

The guests include men of all ages and walks of life.

Only men.

Brian soon discovers, however, that a string of doors along the bar's north wall suggests that women are not entirely absent from the building.

Breners led them into the tavern.

The guests closest to the door observe the newcomer with a mixture of curiosity and hostility on their faces

Sitting at a table were three gorgeously dressed locals. They stared at Helisite's face hidden in the hood and her delicate body covered by a cloak, and began to argue.

"Ah, Lord Riska!" cried a nasally voice.

Brian turned his head and saw a stooped man in a black robe staggering towards them, his stubby fingers spread out in a welcoming gesture.

From his excited expression and the smile on his face, it can be seen that he is very familiar with the changed human identity of the Prince of Shadows.

Breners smiled slightly, called out the owner's name, exchanged greetings with him, chatted about the status quo of his wives and daughters, and asked for the table he was used to.

The tavern owner enthusiastically took them to a small corner table—there were already people there—he had a brief conversation with the customers in the local dialect, and then sent them away.

The tavern owner grinned, wiped the table with the sleeve of his robe, boasted that he would provide them with fine wine that could only be drunk in the floating city, and hurried away.

"Is there a place in this world that treats you as a stranger?" Brian asked with a smile as he sat across from Prince Breners with Hellist.

When he learned that the little prince was indeed interested in him and wanted to talk to him, he just thought for a while and agreed.

After all, Breners is the most worthy and easiest ally to win over among the forces in the City of Shadows.

If he is allowed to replace the Supreme King and become the ruler of the floating city of Sultanza.

This will definitely change the pattern of the entire Enook Desert, and it will also allow him to increase his voice when he joins the Council of Elders of the Magic Kingdom Halrua.

"Professional requirements." Prince Brenners replied with a smile, "If you want, I can even take you to visit every oasis camp in the Enook Desert."

"Of course I would very much like to."

Brian glanced at a little spider crawling leisurely on the blackened ceiling, "But it always feels weird to let me travel around with a man, in fact, I would rather go to your Sultanza city ​​as a guest."

"Oh?"

Prince Brenner's smiling eyes stayed on Brian's sharp but soft smiling face.

He pondered for a moment, and said in a slightly solemn tone, "Perhaps, one day in the future, you will really have this opportunity."

"Then I hope that this day will come soon." There was no sense of urgency in Brian's words.

Helisite sat beside him silently as if she didn't exist. From the trace of vigilance in her beautiful eyes, it can be seen that she has been guarding against Prince Shade from beginning to end.

At this moment, the tavern owner appeared at their table with three glasses of wine.

"Ah, thank you very much." Brenners took a sip of his wine and exaggeratedly praised, "Gods are merciful, drinking this fine wine in the scorching desert is simply the water of life."

"These are made from grapes grown on my own estate," said the innkeeper modestly. "I am honored that you are satisfied with them."

"Not only satisfied." Breners took another sip gracefully, "In fact, my family also manages high-end wine, you know. If one day I join your guild, believe me, I will definitely put you The wine, as well as your reputation, are all brought to the Northland."

Brian didn't bother to bother with the bragging prince, as he had already seen a bit of cork floating in his wine glass.

When the tavern owner heard what Breners said, the smile on his face suddenly disappeared.

"I very much hope that, Lord Riska, but I doubt it will be possible, sorry." He bowed quickly and hurried away.

"You have adapted well to the harsh travel life, Your Highness." Seeing the tavern owner leave, Brian took a sip of the wine, with a hint of ridicule in his words.

"Traveling is hard work."

Breners was like an elegant gentleman. He put down his wine glass, showed a gentle smile, and said modestly: "Although this is not so easy, I will try to keep it as civilized as possible."

"Brian, my friend, please allow me to call you that." He continued, "When it comes to 'civilization', I'm curious how you, the lord of Mokou Town, think about it."

"civilization?"

Brian thought carefully for a moment, and said to him, "Actually, I have never seriously thought about civilization. After you reminded me, I suddenly thought of a sentence that is enough to make people think."

"Oh? What kind of sentence?" Brenners looked curiously at the frown of the lord of Mokou Town.

After all, in his impression, this was a lord who dared to abolish slavery and was so interested in spreading knowledge, which made him very interested in his answer.

"There is a proverb in my hometown: There are clover on the road of life, a thousand flowers bloom, and one fruit." Brian recovered from his contemplation, "If someone can meet this grass, keep it blooming, and wait for it to bloom." When the flowers fall, when the fruits are picked, and when they are discarded in a civilized manner, this is civilization."

"It sounds like an ethereal and empty speech." Breners chuckled lightly.

"In my impression, the concept and value of civilization are so vague whether it's learning arcane arts, going out for adventure, or establishing one's own life aspirations. I think it should be very broad, covering every kingdom and every country. People have their own views on civilization. Especially the kind of kingdom with a long history."

"In my opinion, civilization is arcane truth." Prince Yinhun drank the wine, raised his tone a little, and said to Brian:

"Arcane is the power to explore the essence of things. The clearer people in the world understand the essence of things, the higher their level of civilization. The church of the gods was once a product of the development of civilization, and it was also used as an excuse for war. The so-called Doctrinal differences and civilization conflicts are just ugly conflicts of interests among the gods. Civilization can make us wise, just like arcane allows us to see the mysteries of the multiverse. As long as we want to do something, we will be able to do it .”

After listening to Breners' remarks, Brian did not refute him.

He thought for a moment, then looked at the Shadow Prince, "If I stand in your position, I can understand your point of view, but I also have my own different views."

"Maybe the civilization you said is arcane truth, but I think civilization is also a kind of behavior." He said slowly:

"Because when advanced culture and ideas are widely disseminated and recognized, then civilization will be reflected in actions, such as a casual smile when you meet on the road, selfless help to passers-by when they are in trouble, and observance of the law. conscious behavior."

He took a sip of the fine wine in his glass and continued:
"In this way, one person's civilization will spread and affect another person. It will pass by like a spring breeze, leaving a piece of green and shade. When civilized behavior becomes a habit, morality and self-cultivation reach a new peak. Our spirits are more fulfilled.”

Bryan glanced at the calm-looking Psion beside him, "The ancient civilization marked by cities, for example, Silvermoon City, the 'treasure of the Northland', is formed by everyone's actions in this way, from Start from everyone's side, step by step to the world."

When Brian finished speaking, the door of the tavern was knocked open with a bang, and the drinkers followed the sound to look.

As the dust blown up by the strong wind dissipated, a paladin with a vicissitudes of life appeared in everyone's sight, becoming the spotlight of the entire tavern.

Judging from his face, he looked very young, but unfortunately the wind and frost on his body was too heavy, as if he had been blown by a strong wind for countless centuries, making him look at least ten years older.

This paladin was dressed in worn black armor, holding a two-handed giant sword that exuded a dark red light.

When Bryan noticed that the rune engraved on his sword hilt exuded a faint aura like Bator's hell, he seemed to have thought of something, and his expression couldn't help but change slightly.

— "Supernatural Ability: Detect Evil!"

The paladin waved his hand, and a milky white holy light emerged from the palm of the steel gauntlet, which suddenly spread to the entire tavern.

The moment he lowered his arm, everyone in the tavern erupted with auras of different camps.

The dazzling blood-red rays of light overshadowed the bright torches and candles in the tavern.

Brian saw the red light representing the evil camp, filling almost every corner of the room, and the blue aura that really represented the good was only Hellist beside him.

Even the aura of his own alignment kept jumping back and forth between the blue and white lights representing kindness and neutrality respectively.

But the ghost prince Brenas sitting opposite him kept a neutral white light.

"Violence!"

"If it's not for justice, it's meaningless!"

The paladin held a giant sword in both hands, and his majestic eyes coldly swept over every enemy emitting blood-red light.

"We have a lot of people, don't be afraid, kill this nosy paladin." A strong man with an exaggerated beard stood up.

His black beard twisted with a defiant sneer as he looked at the paladin.

"You're going to use your sword to uphold justice, aren't you!" He looked at the paladin viciously, and drew out a machete with a broad, curved blade lined with serrations on the inside.

Immediately afterwards, more than a dozen people silently took out weapons from the oiled buckles, boot linings, wrists, the back of the neck, and even the crotch, and stared at the paladin in front of the door.

"Any evil force must pay the price!"

The paladin remained unmoved, allowing the group of people to approach him, and said in a low and hoarse voice, "However, the order here seems to have protected you, so I can only rely on force to conquer this place."

As soon as the words fell, a faint sacred aura emerged from the giant sword in his clenched hands, and his tall and straight figure turned into a steel whirlwind, rushing into the besieging crowd.

All of a sudden, the charging roar of stepping on the ground, the cracking sound of tables and chairs breaking, the collision of swords and the screams of sharp blades piercing into flesh echoed in the tavern one after another.

Blood, corpses, stumps and broken arms.

At this moment, the violence displayed by this vicissitude-faced young paladin seemed to have an aura of tyranny.

Sure enough, it was the paladin who had sworn to conquer. Seeing the figure of the paladin leaping into the crowd, Brian couldn't help being secretly surprised.

Every paladin will take a sacred oath, which will always be with his identity. The most common oaths are oaths of dedication, oaths of glory, oaths of redemption, oaths of ancient sages, and other oaths to uphold justice.

But there is also a very extreme oath, that is the Oath of Vengeance, a kind of paladin called 'Holy Avenger', and their camp is mainly lawful and neutral.

Yet there is an even more extreme oath than the oath of vengeance: the oath of conquest.

The oath of conquest attracts paladins who seek glory and conquest in battle.

It is not enough for them to simply establish order, the forces of chaos must be crushed and rooted out.

Some conquest paladins are known as tyrant knights or warmongers, and they gather in brutal armies or organizations to serve a god or philosophy of law and war.

Some of these paladins go so far that they join forces with the demons of Baator.

They place the rule of law above benevolence.

The previous Devil Duke of Avernas on the first floor of Baator Hell, the former chief commander of the bloody battle in the abyss, and the favorite Brian who escaped from Bryan.

This Devil Lord commanded many such paladins. They were called Hell Knights, and they were regarded as the most ardent followers.

Hellknights adorn their armor with the trophies of fallen foes, warning of a dire fate for anyone who defies them, or even their lord's decree.

These knights are often resisted by other conquering paladins who feel that these lawful evil paladins, known as Hellknights, have gone too far in the dark to be redeemed.

However, in fact, their profession still belongs to the paladin, with the same professional characteristics as other paladins and the most effective supernatural ability to kill evil: evil slash.

Because the creed of the oath of conquest is the most frightening for evil forces. They believe in the supremacy of power, extinguish hope and kill them all, and then rule with an iron fist.

The paladins in the melee slashed out with heavy giant swords in both hands, and two tall and strong men waved their swords in horror to parry.

Accompanied by the ear-piercing collision, their bodies flew upside down, hit the wall behind them, spewed a trace of blood from their mouths, and died.

——"Supernatural ability: Conquer the coercion!"

Pure holy energy suddenly erupted from the paladin's body, exuding terrifying coercion, and all the enemies shrouded in coercive aura all showed expressions of fear.

Those with weaker wills even dropped their weapons, kneeling or lying on the ground trembling.

"It's not enough to defeat you in battle. My victory must be so significant that it completely breaks your will to fight. The sword can only end life, but fear can end the kingdom."

A stream of blood spattered, and the sharp sword of the paladin ruthlessly harvested the lives of the enemies.

- "Supernatural Ability: Conquer Aura!"

Another pure holy radiance spread out from the body of the paladin, the legs of the fleeing enemy seemed to grow on the ground, suppressed by the aura, making it difficult to move.

"Once the conquest is complete, no dissent will be tolerated. My words are the law. Those who obey will be favored, and those who disobey will be punished. Let others follow!"

The paladin yelled angrily, while frantically killing the desperate enemies who had failed to escape.

"I will continue to rule until a stronger force of evil arises, at which point, I will become stronger and face challenges without fear."

——"Supernatural Ability: Smash Evil!"

"Crack!"

There was a crisp breaking sound, and the last enemy of the paladin was cut off with the scimitar, his burly body knelt on the ground, and was instantly killed by the sword.

At the end of the battle, the paladin glanced at the three of Brian, paused for a moment while passing Brian, turned and left.

The entire tavern fell into a deathly silence, because no one survived except the three of them, and the strong smell of blood permeated the air, making people sick.

Out of the corner of Brian's eye, he glanced outside the door and found that this paladin was not the only one in the entire oasis camp, but more than a dozen of the same paladins were playing the role just now, massacring the evil forces here.

Obviously, as the paladins said, they intend to completely occupy this desert oasis.

"It's not suitable to stay here for a long time, let's go first." Bryan glanced at the Psion next to him, and said to Brainus, Prince of Shadows.

His conversation with the ghost prince is not over yet, he must use today's time to clarify some things and reach an agreement.

Only in this way can he return to Mokou Town with peace of mind.

"I think so too." Brenners looked at the busy figure of a group of paladins outside the door, nodded thoughtfully, and said with a smile.

…………

In the early morning of the next day, Brian stood on the sand dune, watched Prince Shade's leaving back, smiled a little, then turned and walked down.

"What did you discuss with the people in the City of Shadows, and you talked about it all night." Hellist walked up to Brian and asked curiously.

"Actually, I didn't talk about anything important." Brian and Helliste walked side by side, and said as they walked, "It's nothing more than thinking about some trivial matters."

In fact, he didn't lie.

He originally talked with the archivist with the mentality of wooing, but when the two sat down, they were gradually diverted by the reconstruction of the history and civilization of the Netheril Empire.

Then, without knowing it, we chatted until dawn.

The ghost prince seemed to have understood the purpose through their chat content, so he expressed his opinion with the same suggestive tone.

So they tacitly reached a secret agreement.

"Anyway..."

Brian thought for a while and said to Helliste, "This prince of ghosts will never threaten the safety of the Northland Alliance. If everything goes well, I will take you to the city of ghosts as a guest when I have a chance."

"Let's go, we should go back to Mokou Town." After finishing speaking, he subconsciously glanced at the sand dunes in the distance.

After returning to Mokou Town, he will start to build his wizard tower with all his strength, which is the key to whether he can gain a foothold in the Enook Desert.

Helisite nodded slightly, and took the initiative to hold his hand, and the two disappeared in a burst of magic circle light.

At the same time, on the sand dunes in the distance, two hell knights in black heavy armor were staring at the place where the two of Brian disappeared.

"tutor."

A young paladin lowered his head slightly and said in a low voice, "Last night, when I was fighting in the tavern, I felt a familiar aura on that half-elf's body."

"Don't say anything about this." The burly paladin turned around and turned his back to him, "The lord of Mokou Town is related to whether Bayer can regain the rule of Avernas."

………………

(End of this chapter)