Ash, Ivan and his party left the Stone Castle in the cold wind and moonlight.
He did not see the train that Yelena mentioned, because they directly used the teleportation array to come to the territory of the Brilliant Throne from the Stone Castle.
On the way, Yelena whispered to Ash that the cost of using the teleportation array was extremely high, especially the longer the distance, the more expensive it was. It just so happened that not long ago, Ivan's colleagues received a mission and needed to urgently go to the old site of "Familio Manor" in the territory to handle affairs. They had to use the teleportation array, and the three of them wouldn't make much, so they just took a ride to save some money.
"Wizards are poor." Yelena sighed, "To learn magic, make potions, draw inscriptions, and make equipment, all kinds of magic materials are needed, but the materials are expensive!"
Ash·Very expensive magic materials·Poor wizard reserve army·Alwin: “…” With mixed feelings.
The territory of the Glorious Throne is closer to the north than the Stonehenge. The northernmost part is almost entirely covered in white snow, where the snow never melts all year round and the glaciers and frozen soil are undulating.
But their teleportation point is not that far away.
The landing point is located in the inland of the territory. Although the climate is still cold, it is not too cold. On the vast land that can be seen at a glance, there are still withered and yellow grasses struggling to take root.
Ash was wearing a robe with a "warmth-keeping" effect, so he couldn't feel the temperature difference between here and the Stone Castle. After he stood firmly on the ground, he tilted his head and looked to the side.
Next to it stands a wizard tower, but compared to the size of the Stone Castle, it is much smaller, only three stories high. Outside the glass windows of each floor, there are beautiful flower stands filled with lush green plants. In this cold season, it is a refreshing sight.
If it weren't for its tower-like appearance and the symbol of the brilliant starry sky on the tower, Ash would almost have mistaken it for an ordinary warm house.
"A level seven wizard tower." Yelena spread her hands. "The lowest level wizard tower protects a small village of two to three hundred people."
Ash looked around, and in the bright moonlight, the undulating outline of the small village also came into his sight.
Unlike the big cities like Boulder Castle, the village was not brightly lit at night. There were only a few street lamps that were dimly lit. Most of the villagers were asleep, so the whole village seemed particularly quiet.
"Let's say goodbye here." The eight wizards who were traveling with them put on their hoods and said goodbye to Ivan. "I wish you a safe journey."
Ivan also said: "The mission went smoothly."
After saying goodbye, the eight wizards flew lightly towards the outskirts of the village.
"Familio Manor is not in this village." Yelena explained to Ash casually, "But the nearest teleportation point to the manor is here."
Ash nodded, and without asking what mission the eight men were on, he followed Ivan to the tall door of the wizard tower.
"We will stay here for the night," Ivan said. "We will leave for the nearest city, Tianping, tomorrow morning. There is a train to the Brilliant Royal City."
As he spoke, he grasped the doorknob with his fingers and knocked once, twice...
After the third knock, the door opened.
Yelena raised her eyebrows: "You came so quickly."
"Because I sensed the fluctuations of the teleportation array, I quickly stood up and took a look, and found that a guest had arrived."
The person who spoke was a young man in his twenties. He stood in the warm light inside the door. He had beige curly hair and playful light brown freckles on his handsome cheeks. He looked like an outgoing and friendly boy next door.
This feeling was even more obvious when he smiled sleepily and shyly at everyone outside the door.
"Hello." Ivan took a step forward, letting the light from the room fall on him, illuminating the gray badge on his chest with a galaxy pattern. This was the symbol of a mid-level wizard. "I'm from the third wizard tower under the Brilliant Throne. My name is Ivan Zhuoya. They are Yelena and Ash, my companions."
"Hello." The young man also saw his badge clearly, opened his eyes wide in surprise, and suddenly woke up, "Respected Sir Ivan, I am Brent Familio, a wizard apprentice and the manager of this Fami Village."
"Family?" Yelena looked at him curiously. Is there any connection between him and the abandoned Family Manor?
"Come in and talk." Brent stepped aside. "I think your Excellency might need to stay for one night?"
"Yes, excuse me." Ivan nodded and walked in first. "Just call us by our names."
Ash and Yelena followed behind him.
It was the first time for Ash to enter a wizard tower. Even though its appearance was not very impressive, he couldn't help but take a close look at the internal structure, but he was quite disappointed.
The first floor seems to be Brent’s living area, with a carefully decorated small living room and an open kitchen. Through the half-open door, you can vaguely see the bedroom with a messy bed... Everything is filled with a warm homely atmosphere.
"My laboratory is on the second floor. The third floor is used to store sundries." Brent led the three people to sit on the soft cushions, "So this is the place to rest. In addition to the master bedroom, there is also a guest room. I think it would be better if the two men sleep together in the master bedroom and the lady sleeps in the guest room?"
Ivan: "Then you..."
"I have a rest area in the lab," Brent said with a smile. "I often stay up late to do experiments, and when I'm tired I just fall asleep."
As for why the rest room in the laboratory is not among the options provided to guests, any wizard with a little common sense knows that it is extremely offensive and impolite to enter another wizard's laboratory at will.
Ivan no longer refused and nodded in approval of Brandt's arrangement.
"Would you like a hot drink before bed?" Brent suggested. "I only have hot cocoa though. Do you mind?"
Yelena, who was still thinking about the other party's last name, nodded with a smile: "No mind, three cups, thank you."
"You're welcome." Brent walked towards the kitchenette.
Ivan, who was taken over by others, glared at Yelena, but still said nothing. In fact, he was also quite curious, especially knowing that his colleagues would go to the old site of "Familio Manor" tonight to carry out an emergency mission.
Is it a coincidence that the manager of the village near the manor is also named Familio? Or is there a connection between the two?
Soon, Brent brought over four cups of hot cocoa on a tray and kindly resolved the two people's doubts.
He took a sip of the hot drink with his eyes narrowed, and said calmly, "In fact, any wizard who knows about the accident at Familio Manor will have the same reaction as you when they hear my name."
"You guessed it right. My last name is Familio, the same Familio from the manor." He said, "I am the only survivor of the magical accident ten years ago."
Ivan's expression froze: "...I'm sorry." He actually dug up someone else's tragic past just because of a little curiosity and a desire to explore. This is really...
Even Yelena put away the smile on her face and looked apologetic.
"It's okay." Brent smiled and waved his hand. "After so many years, every time I explain things to people, it's like clearing away all the negative emotions. I have to thank you for listening. And now I'm the manager of Fami Village, staying in my hometown. Every year I can offer flowers to those who have passed away on their memorial day. I'm very satisfied with this kind of life."
Although he seemed to be very open-minded, it had to be admitted that the atmosphere suddenly became heavy and cold.
Even the hot cocoa doesn't taste sweet anymore.
The topic could not be continued.
Brent seemed to have noticed this, and he stood up with extra consideration: "It's getting late. I'll change the bedding in the master bedroom first so that everyone can go to bed early."
"Thank you, but no thanks." Ivan stopped him. "Where is the bedding? We can change it ourselves later."
Brent did not insist. He pointed out the locker to Ivan, then politely excused himself and went up to the second floor of the wizard tower alone.
After he left, the stagnant air in the living room seemed to finally begin to flow.
Yelena hit herself in annoyance: "Nosy!" She was so unlucky that she had exposed someone else's scars. Fortunately, the other person had a good temper, otherwise she didn't know how this night would end.
Ivan also sat there reflecting silently.
Ash, who was an outsider throughout the whole process, held the cup, not quite understanding what was going on, so…a tragic magical accident happened in Familio Manor ten years ago, and only one person survived. Was that person Brent Familio?
Yelena and Ivan felt that they had asked the wrong questions and touched upon each other's sad memories, so they blamed themselves and felt guilty?
But Brent wasn't sad. Ash thought, when he talked about the accident and presented the bouquet, this young man who looked like a big brother next door was consistent in his appearance, smiling both inside and out.
But Ash's thoughts could not comfort Ivan and Yelena.
"That was just a forced smile!" The two men lowered their voices to emphasize to Ash, "Brent is a kind-hearted young man. He didn't want us to feel burdened, so he didn't show any sadness. But that doesn't mean he really feels good!"
He didn't show any sadness. You guys are also feeling burdened now? Ash frowned in confusion, and he really felt good in his heart!
The author has something to say: Nance (with a troublesome face): Sigourney is not here today, I kicked him out of the tower!
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