Duke of Silver Arrow

"Mr. Babbitt, I am really homeless now, and I have nowhere to go. I don't know what should I do after the park is closed?"

"This is really a headache. The Duke has a property in Zilin Town, a hundred miles to the southeast, where the scenery is famous. Maybe you can spend some time there." Obviously the butler is thinking about him .

"No, I managed to make the back mountain so beautiful, I can't bear to leave it."

In the end, he got the housekeeper to agree that he would only stay in the forest behind, never approach the residence within a month, and be responsible for the maintenance of the garden, so he was able to stay.

There are several wooden houses on the mountain, which are the places where the Duke rests when he is hunting or playing.

There used to be forest watchers living there in the past, so there is no shortage of food.

Although it is cold, but fortunately, you can warm up at any time.More importantly, you can observe the movement down the mountain.

This afternoon, the snow on the mountain had not yet melted, so Chris came to the mountain to clean up the wooden house and pick up some dead branches by the way.

He noticed the beast cart coming down the hill.

The manor had not been closed at this time, but since he was recovering from his injuries, he had never seen a second guest except for Mr. Johnson who came back with him.

Who is the guest at this time?

A man in a milky white priest's robe got out of the beast cart.

Could it be that he came to see a doctor for the Duke? Chris decided to find out.

He got his answer from Aunt Mary the cook.

"No, the pastor who treated the Duke was here last time. It was the old priest Simon, who is well-known throughout the continent. It is said that the Duke stayed in Black Lake Town because of him. The one who came today is Pastor Gary Quiller. He visits the Duke every year at this time."

"Come every year?"

"Yes, anyway, it has been like this during the few years I have been in office. It is said that he is a classmate of the Duke, and the two seem to be family friends."

Chris took some snacks, fruit wine, animal meat, dried fish and other food, and walked back while the pastor was leaving.

Sure enough, on the way, he met a young pastor who was about the same age as the Duke of Silver Arrow.

He looks gentle and gentle, wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, giving people the impression of gentleness and elegance.

But Chris always felt that this pastor was very familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before.

Before he could think of anything, he heard someone calling behind him.

"Mr. Brook, the Duke is looking for you! What are you holding?" Steven, the steward, chased after him.

"Oh, I asked Mary for some food. What does the Duke want me to do?" Chris had a bad feeling.

"Of course I'm teaching you magic. He should have a rest at this time, but I won't listen to my advice."

He stepped forward to take the basket: "I'll give these to Jim and let him deliver them to the mountain for you. Go find the Duke."

Chris knew for the first time that Brian had been sacrificing his down time teaching him.

This made him both moved and incomprehensible.

Walking into the practice room, Chris noticed that Brian, who had always been indifferent, was frowning.

"what happened?"

"Oh, here you go Chris. Nothing, just thought of something. Let's move on, what did we learn yesterday?"

"Are you really all right? You don't look well."

"Of course. Who would be unhappy with a student as smart as you? Senior Jason envies me very much. By the way, I'm going to recommend you to my old principal!" Brian had regained his smile while speaking, Chris Had no choice but to ask no more questions.

But during the teaching process that day, Brian was distracted more than once. This unprecedented situation let Chris know that there was indeed a problem with the pastor.

That night, a figure flew across the back mountain at high speed.

Chris followed the clues left on the pastor during the day and found that he hadn't gone far.

In front of a tavern, he saw the priest.

At the same time, the pastor also found him.

"Dear friend, are you looking for me?" Gary Quiller shook his large white sleeve robe.

There were traces of cider that Chris had sprinkled on it.

"Hello, Mr. Pastor." Chris walked to sit opposite him.

"Hello, do you know what to call it?"

"Chris Brook."

"Oh, the famous president of the Mercenary Association." Gary Quiller poured a glass of wine in front of him.

"Former President." Chris remained expressionless, but he was a little surprised that he recognized his identity. After all, in Snow Manor, no one knew who he was.

"Then may I ask the former president, why did you follow me?"

"I heard that you and the Duke of Silver Arrow are friends?" Chris asked tentatively.

"Yes, we met more than ten years ago. He and I are classmates in the magic school, and we live in the same dormitory."

"Then do you know what happened in this manor ten years ago?"

"Let me think about it. Ten years ago, there seemed to be a murder here."

"Do you remember the details of that time?"

"Yes, who asked me to be there?"

"Were you there?"

"Yes."

After saying this, Chris finally remembered why he felt familiar.

On that afternoon ten years ago, wasn't it the pastor who was hiding in front of him?

"That year, Brian accidentally killed a child. Then they buried him and gave his family a sum of money."

"Can you be more specific?" Chris asked.

"The child was terminally ill. I don't know where I heard the news that Brian would treat the illness, and he was pestering and making noise outside the door. Just in time for Brian's illness, he couldn't control his emotions and killed the child by mistake. "

Gary Quiller lowered his voice: "At that time, it almost became a big event. Fortunately, the mayor at that time was a relative of Brian, so he insisted on suppressing it."

"Do you know anything else about this matter?"

The pastor shook his head: "Can I ask why you care so much about this matter? Are you the child's family?"

"No. Sorry to bother you for so long, I should leave."

"It doesn't matter. If it's really his family, then you should seek revenge from him."

"Are you really his friend?" Chris wondered.

"Who says no? How can a genius have a true friend?" The pastor raised his glass, but Chris refused to drink with him.

The next day, the whole manor was very lively.

It turned out that Magician Jason decided to leave, and everyone was preparing for the farewell banquet at noon.

The housekeeper Steven and the cook Mary were busy without touching the ground, the servants were packing their luggage, and even the coachman Jim was busy preparing the beast cart, Brian was saying goodbye to Jason, and Chris had to work with them.

"Why, isn't Mr. Johnson staying?" Chris handed Jim a bag of beans.

"Thank you. Everyone but you and Mr. Babbitt must get out of here. That's the rule."

"why?"

"Who knows? Perhaps the duke has been more ill this month."

Chris came to the door of the small reception room and heard Brian and Jason talking.

"I heard from the servant that Gary came yesterday afternoon?"

"Oh, yes, he's still as shy as ever. It's been a long time since you guys? I shouldn't have forgotten to call you out."

"No. What I mean is that your illness is very strange, and you haven't found a cure for so many years. It's like poisoning," Jason paused, and continued: "I suspect it was poisoned by Gary, only he has this Chance."

"Actually, when I met you this time, I must come here just to tell you this. You should have thought of it long ago, right?"

Brian remained silent.

"Didn't you question him yesterday? I heard that he visits you every year. What do you think?"

Brian was still silent.

"Maybe my suspicion is wrong. But apart from him, I really can't think of anyone else. After all, you are so nice, who wouldn't like you?"

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Jason. But let the past go." Brian said calmly.

"How can this pass? You have less than a year to live!" Jason sounded very excited.

"So what?"

"Brian, are you really willing? If you still have time, with your talent and hard work, your future achievements will be limitless."

"I do not care."

Jason couldn't believe it: "What did you say?"

"I said I don't care about that. I don't care about money, fame, status."

"Then what do you care? Your parents are old and you don't care about them?"

"My parents both have titles and don't need my care. After I die, everyone will not treat them badly in terms of my contributions during my lifetime."

"But, but you haven't talked about a relationship yet?"

"Love? I did love someone."

"Oh, I never heard you mention it, who is that lucky girl?"

"It's not a girl, it's a man."

"What?" Although the folk customs were open at this time, Jason obviously didn't expect his friend to be gay.

"You heard me right, Senior Jason. But I never told him, this shouldn't be considered love, it can only be regarded as secret love."

"Since when did I know him? What kind of person is he?"

"You have too many questions, senior."

"Sorry Brian."

"It's okay. Don't worry about me. I've got too much and I've done everything I wanted to do, so I have nothing to regret."

"That person, aren't you going to tell him?"

"I'm dying, Senior Jason."

"I understand," Jason stood up. "Although the hope is slim, I will try my best to help you find a way."

"Thank you, my dear senior." Brian stepped forward and hugged him.

"Okay, now let's see how they are doing?"

Chris knocked on the door after hearing the words: "Gentlemen, Mary said that the pre-dinner fruit has been cut, and it is waiting for you to taste it!"

Jason and Brian came out laughing.