Mond (4) [Start with reverse V]
About a hundred years ago...
At the edge of the Monster Forest at the eastern foot of the Daqiusha Mountains, there is an ordinary doe.
With her bulging belly, she walked a distance into the forest and found a meadow of milkweed illuminated by the sun. She walked in calmly and munched on the grass.
But she didn't notice that some of the milkweed roots were clinging to almost invisible colored crystals as fine as sand.
But this will not have a big impact on the taste.
Three months later, the doe gave birth to a calf with great difficulty and closed her eyes quietly.
Since I was born, I have been different from ordinary deer.
When I was a kid, I tried to understand creatures that looked like me.
But I soon discovered how monotonous their thought processes were, and they were incapable of even a simple conversation.
Apart from eating, sleeping, mating and pooping, I don't think this is a bad thing. It's just that a deer should have higher ideals and pursuits in its life besides these instinctive reactions.
I gave up trying to communicate with them and came to the painful realization that I was a unique and different deer.
And being unique is destined to keep me company with loneliness.
I gave up associating with the deer and avoided the fate of being kept in captivity as an animal.
Humans are interesting by comparison.
When I was patrolling at the foot of the mountain, I saved a human child. He is my friend and also the teacher who taught me to speak Chune language.
I don't have a human voice structure. Due to a congenital defect, I cannot speak human language, but I can communicate with intelligent creatures like humans through my spirit.
Communicating with human cubs gave me my first enlightenment about the wisdom of deer life.
Xiaojie is a studious child. The biggest motivation for his studious nature is that he wants to teach me what he has learned in school.
Later I found that he was an immature teacher, but he was genuinely passionate enough.
For me, who had lived in the forest for more than 50 years and had no contact with intelligent creatures, everything he said was enough to bring about earth-shaking changes in my concepts and thoughts.
A friend who will become my master in the future once said that what one experiences in childhood will affect one's entire life. I can prove this from my own experience, and the same is true for deer.
I learned the seven tenses of verbs in Chuuni faster than he did, and took the trouble to correct his grammatical errors.
With my help, he became the smartest and most studious child in the town. After mastering the basic vocabulary, he took a fairy tale book and read it to me.
We both loved the book and read it over and over again. I can recite its contents by heart now. (Author's note: In order to simplify the text, I will not elaborate on it here.)
Fairy tale books at that time did not have illustrations, yet we were fascinated by them.
Later I found out that it was a legend of the heroic king written by a scholar in his spare time.
This is a story based on an emperor in the history of Qiu Nie, and is an artistic creation.
It tells the story of an unpopular prince who was exiled to the border, but after many adventures, he regained the throne, rode a white horse to the battlefield, unified the country, expanded the territory, and achieved hegemony.
Since then, I have had a dream.
I want to be the prince's most loyal companion described in the story—the white horse that the White Horse Knight rides.
Even though I am not a white horse, I can still serve as a mount.
In the story, the prince had many friends, but only the white horse accompanied him to the end. The white horse witnessed the prince's magnificent life. He accompanied the prince through life and death, sharing both suffering and happiness, and never left his side.
I was deeply moved by the spirit of Bai Ma.
Xiao Jie longs to be a great knight like the prince, even though he can't even lift a bamboo sword.
I want to be like Hakuba and have a great mount with a legendary hero as its master.
For the first time, a raging fire ignited in my silent chest.
For the first time, I felt the meaning of deer life, and this has not changed until now.
Xiaojie grew up. He is a smart child. When he was little, he never dragged me to the village to be watched by other humans because he knew that would only bring me a tragic ending.
His company makes my monotonous and boring life colorful.
So when he died, I shed the first tears in my life.
He also cried and told me that he was worried about who would accompany him after he left.
I told him not to worry. There are more and more people, and there will always be one or two stupid people who will not catch me with iron bars, but talk to me.
My friends taught me many things.
But the most important thing I learned from my first knight was about life and death.
I didn't encounter such a human being again in the next twenty years.
I console myself that this is to accumulate luck and meet better people.
I once again began to lead a boring and reclusive life with nothing to do, being chased by monsters with well-developed limbs but simple brains, being hunted by stupid humans, and having nothing to do.
In fact, I don't hate humans or monsters. It's normal for them to have more idiots and mentally retarded children. Not all deer can give birth to someone like me.
I still frequently come into contact with and learn about human culture, but the more I learn, the more determined I become about my ideal path.
I was sure that I would meet a destined knight and together we would change the world.
The goddess responded to my sincere prayer.
In 1891, she sent a rider on my back.
Everything is fate.
That day, I was patrolling my territory in the forest as usual, but I hadn't checked my calendar in a long time and remembered the wrong time.
Those days were the hunting party of the Lord of Mondstadt.
I realized this fact only when I was targeted by an arrow from a red knight.
I have escaped death many times in this cruel environment, not because of my beautiful face or the luck of being favored by the goddess, but all because of my own strength.
In order to become a legendary mount, my own qualities must be good, so I train every day towards my goal and never slack off.
While other captive deer were growing fat, the wolf king and I were playing a race of life and death.
My endurance and speed are much stronger than those of a knight's warhorse. It's impossible not to be strong because of my natural talent and hard work.
If another group of people hadn't appeared in front of me, I wouldn't have been surrounded by humans.
Although it was far from the moment of despair, I was in some trouble as I was surrounded by humans on all sides.
Just at that moment, a figure fell from the sky and landed on my back. I felt a shock all over my body. I turned my head and saw a dazzling golden light.
I didn't need any reason, I was sure that this was the destined knight I had been waiting for for a long time.
Everything is the best arrangement of fate.
The fighting posture he displayed afterwards and the way he broke the assassin's wrist so neatly were all so perfect.
To describe it with a word from a human book, it was probably love at first sight. I felt destiny.
I won't let go.
I can't let go. (It's the mouth)
Our chapter is about to begin.
At that time, my thoughts were very simple.
Now, looking back over the past decade, I do not regret my choice.
The journey was by no means all happiness, I also witnessed much of his sorrow.
But the bumpy scenery along the way is the best reward for my long life.
Human Ghostwriter
Memoirs of xx in June 1920 01
Author's note: There are more than one will. I hope this deer dies soon and is reborn.
At this moment, Inger couldn't help but wonder, when fate gives you a magical enough start, it will slap you in the face with an even more magical reality, telling you that what came before was just an appetizer.
Thousands of words can be summed up in one sentence: Fairy tales are not deceiving me, Disney documentary literature.
The white deer proudly told Alex about his lofty ideals. Without opening his mouth, the words went directly into Alex and Inger's minds: "My lifelong ideal is to embark on a journey with a great knight like you. Please do not refuse and name me!"
Alex was stunned for a moment, then he held up the deer's small cheeks and looked at Inger with wide eyes, "Ying! Did you hear that? This deer can speak human language! And it's Chune language!"
Inger said speechlessly: "I heard it..." Then he looked at the confused maids and knights and understood.
[It turns out this deer can also transmit in a directional manner? So advanced?]
Bai Lu stood up proudly, "Of course, I am a native Qiu Nilu!"
The grammar is correct, but the rhetoric is very new.
Inger waved his hand for the others to leave.
This is obviously an interesting episode.
Although the deer looked unreliable, he had a good eye.
Alex Cune was destined to become a great knight.
No, use past tense.
He already is.
Alex stroked the white deer curiously and couldn't let it go.
"Why can you speak? How did you learn Chune? How do you know I'm a knight?"
The white deer answered elegantly one by one: "I was born different from those mediocre deer. I can speak naturally, but I don't have a throat similar to that of humans. But I can communicate with you through mental transmission. I will only communicate with the humans I expect. The Chu Nie language was taught to me by a human. I knew you were a knight at first sight, and I am sure that you will become a great knight!"
Alex's smile faded slightly after hearing the last sentence. He looked at him seriously and said, "I'm not a great knight. I'm just a mediocre and even unsuccessful knight."
Inger was stunned for a moment when he heard this, then he realized that this was his true feelings and felt mixed emotions.
Bai Lu blinked his eyes, and the corners of his mouth seemed to curl up. "It doesn't matter what kind of knight you are. From now on, you are my knight. I will make you the greatest knight in the world! Change this world!"
Inger's heart trembled slightly. He was actually a little moved by such a childish and boastful declaration, but the one who said this was actually a deer, and his emotion was instantly suppressed.
Alex half squatted down, staring blankly into his eyes. Those crystal clear pupils were filled with a firmness and sincerity that no human being possessed.
The emotion that he had long lost seemed to return to him again.
Alex suddenly laughed quietly.
Before he could say anything, the door was pushed open again.
"Please invite... uh, everyone to the reception room to see His Excellency the Duke."
It seemed that the butler who was delivering the message was also shocked by the scene and paused for a moment.
Alex stood up and walked over with Inger.
Bai Lu called them: "My name!"
It is true that he once had a name, but that name was buried with the death of his first knight. In the legend, the name change and naming symbolizes rebirth.
Alex turned around and smiled at him, "Fantine, your name is Fantine."
The stag was delighted with his new name. He stamped his hooves twice and said, "Tell me your name, my knight."
"My name is Alex." Alex waved and went out with Inger.
Inger saw the strange looks from the housekeeper and maids.
[Ah, is this the perspective of a bystander? I’m going to be embarrassed…]
In the hallway, Inger asked him, "...Alex, did you know that was a stag?"
Alex was a little slow: "………Ah! How do you know it belongs to a stag?"
"Are you stupid? Stags have horns."
Inger realized that this guy was knowledgeable in some aspects but lacked common sense in others.
Alex frowned, thought seriously for a moment, and said with certainty, "No, both male and female deer have horns... But, it's true that this one is bigger and doesn't have a lactating organ. Never mind, who said this name must be a female name? I just think he likes it."
Inger: “…”
Well, it was because he, a person from another world, had no common sense. This world was very similar to his original world in many ways, but they were different in some unimportant details.
"Your Excellency, Madam, two guests have arrived."
"Come in."
Alex whispered in Inger's ear, "Come to think of it, the Duke is 30 years old this year, why hasn't he married? His mother is still in charge."
Inger chuckled and said nothing.
The Duke sat on the main seat on the sofa, and the Duchess sat on his left side, watching them walk in with her eyes narrowed.
"Please take a seat," said the Duke.
"Thank you, Your Excellency the Duke." Both of them bowed slightly, and since it was not a formal occasion, there were not so many rules.
Duke Leon had a blank expression on his face and spoke in a businesslike manner: "First, I would like you to explain why you came to the hunting ground."
The two of them had already thought of an excuse.
Inger said, "We took the new East-West train to travel. When we arrived at the terminal, we were a little excited. I tried my teleportation magic, but something went wrong and I ended up in the hunting area unexpectedly."
This passage reveals several pieces of information: We are tourists and are unfamiliar with the rules and regulations of this place. We did not go there on purpose, it was just an accident, and it is normal for magic to go wrong.
Of course, what he said is probably true.
Leon nodded. "We are not going to hold you responsible. The monsters in the hunting area are very agitated this season. We have confined that area to clear out the excess monsters so that they do not come down the mountain to harm the people. If someone gets in, their lives will be threatened. There have been many examples in the past. You are quite powerful. If you are willing to participate in the hunt, just sign up at the castle. There are bounties as rewards."
[What a humane way of handling this matter...]
It is not hunting for the purpose of showing off one's strength or for fun, but for periodic clearing of monsters. In order not to destroy the ecology, it is also possible to clear monsters continuously.
As an official organization, the Mond family has done a really good job.
Alex nodded in satisfaction.
Duke Leon continued, "Thank you for saving my... mother this time."
Inger felt a little sad.
Mrs. Danshu gracefully suppressed her laughter.
"Well, so, magic stones, money, honor, and other literary treasures are all fine. Just tell me what you want, and then go to the warehouse with the butler to get them. You can also tell me about other things I can help with, and I will do my best."
The first sentence is routine, the second is the highlight.
It's not easy to get the most powerful duke in the empire to make a promise.
Alex and Inger looked at each other.
Inger considered his words carefully and, as they had discussed, started with the least important matter. "It's not a request. I have another goal for this trip, which is to propose it to the Duchess."
"Me? Tell me about it?" Madam Danshu smiled sweetly.
"I'm looking for the tree of life and death."
Duke Leon and Lady Danshu looked at each other at the same time.
Duke Leon nodded to Lady Danshu.
Madam Danshu turned around and asked, "Is this the material for making a magic wand?"
Inger had thought they would be reluctant, but now it seemed otherwise.
"Well... this tree was planted by the former Duke for the former Duchess, and later given to me to take care of. It has other meanings to me. Not many people know that the tree is a tree of life and death. Before you, only one person from the Vatican came to ask for it."
"Is it Archbishop Vito?"
"You know, did he tell you that?"
"No, I learned it from someone else. Did the lady give it to you in the end?"
Madam Dan Shu shook her head. "It's useless if I agree. The Tree of Life and Death didn't agree in the end."
Inger: “…”
[Let me guess, could this tree also speak? ]
Dan Shu smiled and said, "The tree of life and death is one of the more ancient magical creatures. It is said to have survived from the mythological era to the present day, and possesses a strange spirituality. As for the rumor that it can revive the dead, it is also true."
Inger was shocked.
Duke Leon interrupted her at this moment: "You are still saying this!"
Dan Shu shrugged.
The two real examples of resurrection before my eyes make me feel that this is very likely to be true.
"Then... the tree of life and death..." Inger said tentatively.
Madam Dan Shu said tolerantly, "If you just want to take you to have a look, that's fine. As for whether you agree or not, it's not up to me. But if the tree of life and death wants to hand over its branches, I won't stop it."
Duke Leon stroked his forehead and sighed.
Alex asked Leon: "Isn't this the request you promised?"
Duke Leon raised his eyes and said, "Yes, it doesn't count."
Alex continued, "We haven't really decided yet. We hope to stay in the territory for a while and have some fun. We can occasionally visit the palace to watch the knights perform. Of course, we will never interfere with official business, and our stay will not exceed a month. Before we leave, we will come to you to tell you our request. How about that?"
Duke Leon looked at them deeply and said, "Yes, this is something that every citizen can do. We don't need to ask for permission. However, you cannot use magic to enter and exit at will."
Inger nodded awkwardly, "Okay."
Madam Dan Shu stood up and said, "Come on, I'll take you to see the Tree of Life and Death."
After they went out, Duke Leon remembered that he did not ask their names, so he asked "butler".
The butler replied, "Your Excellency, I heard the blond boy in the guest room call himself Alex, but he didn't say his last name."
Leon paused while reading the document.
He remembered that the ninth son who returned to the royal family was named Alex.
The name was common, but the golden eyes and hair were not. He had never seen the child in person, and the newspapers did not publish his portrait. He only heard from others that the child had eyes that looked very much like his mother's. Even this was not known to everyone, only some high-ranking nobles who had moved to the capital knew about it, because other people did not care if there were more or less children in the royal family.
He hesitated for a while, then instructed the butler, "Go find the intelligence officer and ask him to give me some information about the ninth prince of the royal family."
"yes."
Alex actually had no intention of hiding his identity from Duke Leon, because only in this way could he reasonably ask him about the war later, and he needed to confirm some things with Duke Mond.
This month was a buffer period for him to understand the territory and for Duke Mond to think.
Even though they had fought side by side on a battlefield in their previous life, he didn't know this territory or this person well enough, and it was worth his time.
Mrs. Danshu led them to a garden behind the castle.
Everyone who saw her along the way greeted her, and she responded with a familiar smile.
In the center of the garden, they saw a small glass greenhouse.
"I really like to drink tea under the tree. Originally, we just wanted to build a pavilion, but he was afraid that I would freeze, so he built a greenhouse. In addition to the tree of life and death, I also planted flowers inside."
Mrs. Danshu opened the greenhouse.
What comes into view is a dazzling array of flowers of various colors.
There was still mist in the greenhouse, and Inger saw the magic stone for heating and creating mist hanging on it.
A huge tree stands in the largest flower bed inside the greenhouse.
This reminded him of the wand master's description.
One half is withered and dead, the other half is lush and blooming.
It was the season when the tree of life and death bloomed. If you looked at half of the tree alone, it would be just an ordinary tree, but when they were put together, they formed a strange landscape.
The living half is like the ancient tassel tree that Inger saw in his previous life, with lush branches and leaves, piles of tiny, pure flowers, and a sense of simplicity.
The dead half looked no different from any other dead tree, with gray bark devoid of any life, not a single green leaf or even a single insect.
The joints of the two parts are completely different, erasing the boundary and making it difficult to tell where life begins and where death begins.
Madam Danshu pointed to the stone table beside her and said, "Please sit down for a while. I will chat with it for a while."
It was a strange thing to say, but she said it as if it made sense.
Alex and Inger waited eagerly.
Madam Dan Shu walked into the Tree of Life and Death, took off her silk gloves and pressed them against the ancient bark. There was no wind in the greenhouse and the branches and leaves were silent.
Madam Dan Shu closed her eyes for a long time.
Alex and Inger drank their tea quietly, not daring to disturb them or whisper to each other.
About a minute (10 minutes) passed like this.
"I understand." As the soft whisper sounded, Mrs. Danshu put on gloves and sat back next to the two of them.
But she fell into an unusual silence. The gentle smile on her face disappeared.
Alex and Inger felt that something was wrong, but they did not dare to speak up.
But Madam Danshu didn't let them wait too long. She whispered, "Can you please cast a spell to soundproof it? I hope that only the three of us know about this."
Inger immediately drew out his wand. He knew that he had to start over again.
The three of them sat under a small transparent magic shield.
Mrs. Danshu had long, smooth black hair draped behind her. The black dress with red satin made her skin look even whiter. Her eyes were as red as ripe pomegranates, which reminded Inger of his mother, Kalena, in this life.
She took a deep breath, looked at the two of them, and smiled again: "First, let me tell you a story. I have never told this story to anyone else. You are the only audience members. I believe you will understand."
"But it's not a very happy story."
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