Chapter 418 The Demon King Returns to His Old Home
The "Voyager" flew smoothly for a whole day, and finally reached its limit.
And Luo Yan's joke that "this airship is just an experiment" unfortunately came true.
At first it was just a groan coming from inside the air bag, but because no one paid attention, the sound soon became more intense and turned into an old-fashioned wheezing.
Finally, with a heart-wrenching "crunch" sound, the keel supporting the entire air bag suddenly broke under the action of structural stress!
「Boom——!」
The entire airship tilted violently to one side, and the tables, chairs, books, and tea sets in the cabin instantly slid to one side. Just before they were about to smash into a ball, Luo Yan raised his hand slightly and calmly put them into the space ring.
The violent air flow poured into the cracked cabin. The first person to bear the brunt was Tuff, who was lying by the window watching the scenery. The entire dragon was swept out.
"Oh, oh, oh, oh! He's going to fall! He's going to die! I knew this broken 'walnut' was unreliable!"
Tuff's mouth was blown up and down, and she rolled to the corner of the cabin and let out a scream of terror that penetrated the sky. She hugged a seemingly solid support column with all four limbs, and the two chicken wings and tail behind her were flailing around like an epilepsy.
There is probably no dragon on this continent that is more embarrassing than her.
Contrary to Taph's panic, Sarah just adjusted her center of gravity to stabilize her body when the airship tilted, and then moved to Luo Yan's side quietly like a ghost.
She was not panicked at all, her bright vertical pupils were as calm as ever.
It seems that even if the world ends in the next second, as long as His Majesty the Demon King is still by her side, everything will still turn around.
Even if she is a little afraid of heights.
Like Sarah, Luo Yan's expression can also be described as being at ease, and he did not take the "air crash" in front of him to heart at all.
Even, he was in the mood to comment on Alberto's design.
"...It seems that a simple wooden structure is not enough. The strength and toughness are far behind. After all, the airship is not a Galen ship. It must be replaced with a lighter and stronger aluminum alloy next time." Thinking this, Luo Yan stretched out his right hand holding the wand.
"Be quiet, Taph, it's not time to write your last words yet."
With an understatement of comfort, surging magic instantly poured out from the tip of his staff and silently penetrated into the crumbling cabin.
Countless transparent airflows invisible to the naked eye gathered out of thin air and gradually compressed into a milky white entity. They were like giant hands stretched out one after another, accurately wrapping around as many as sixteen fractures in the keel structure of the airship!
「Grasp of the atmosphere!」
The creaking sound of disintegration suddenly stopped, and the hull that was on the verge of disintegration was forcibly stabilized!
Taph was stunned by the scene in front of her.
Although she had seen magic before, she obviously didn't expect that this guy's magic power was so powerful!
Compared to using magic to kill or destroy a giant beast, it is obviously more incredible to use magic to bridge a disintegrating giant beast together!
Luo Yan's movements did not stop, and the wand in his hand was like a dexterous baton.
Under his methodical command, the frantic airflow was like an ensemble of musical instruments, intertwined into a movement ranging from passionate to soothing above a thousand meters altitude.
The shaky airship tore through the broken clouds, like a whale sinking to the bottom of the sea, and made an emergency landing toward a relatively flat snowfield below.
After experiencing a period of violent turbulence, this giant beast on the verge of disintegration finally landed on the border between Xuebang and the Kingdom of Rhodes without any danger.
The huge belly of the ship plowed a deep ravine tens of meters long in the thick snow, and finally stopped with a heart-wrenching creaking sound.
At the same time, the stove under the air bag also went out at the same time, eliminating the possibility of causing a fire.
"Yes, I'm saved..."
The frightened Tuff collapsed on the ground, then her face changed again, she turned around and vomited.
Sarah glanced at her calmly, and seeing that the little guy was fine, she turned her gaze back to His Majesty the Demon King, waiting for his order.
「魔王大人，我们现在怎么办？」
「不知道，先出去瞧瞧吧。」
收回缠绕在飞艇上的魔力，罗炎望着船舱外那片广袤的无人区，心中也不由得感慨。
Fortunately, I did not choose to take a straight line on the way south, otherwise they would either crash in the steep Wanren Mountains or make an emergency landing in the dangerous dimensional desert.
He opened the hatch and walked out.
The cold wind is howling, but it is not as cold as a few months ago. This vast snowfield is gradually ushering in its own spring.
Looking at the familiar outline of the mountains in the distance and the peaks like an eagle spreading its wings, Luo Yan could not help but reveal a playful smile on his face.
What a coincidence.
It was here that he participated in the winter recruitment assessment hosted by Professor Hector half a year ago, and now he has come full circle and is back here again.
What a coincidence.
Tuff, wrapped in a thick cotton-padded jacket, stumbled out of the wreckage of the airship, her tail tucked under her robe, and she said with a pale face.
"I swear, I will never sit on this thing again!"
Looking at his embarrassed look, Luo Yan laughed and joked.
"Don't always complain about the environment. If you had learned to fly earlier, why would you be so panicked?"
Tuff cursed.
"Are you %￥@#?! I'm less than one year old, how can I fly?!"
Eh?
It seems to be the same.
Ignoring this complaint, Luo Yan looked at Sarah who followed Tafu out of the cabin and gave instructions.
"Sarah, pack your luggage, we are ready to set off. The other side of the mountain should be the Eagle Rock Territory, and we have to find a carriage there."
Sarah's expression was a little subtle, and she coughed slightly and said.
"Master Demon King, our luggage has been blown out..."
Sir Demon King was only busy steering the ship just now, but did not take care of other things.
But fortunately, all the valuable things are in the storage ring, and all that is thrown away are some valuable or worthless clothes and sundries.
For the Demon King, nothing that can be bought with money is worth mentioning.
Luo Yan smiled and said calmly.
"Really? Then forget about them and buy them when you get to Eagle Rock Territory."
"Hey! Did you listen to me!" Tuff, who was ignored, shouted in protest and took small steps to catch up with the two of them, but she fell into a snow pit as soon as she took one leg out.
The biting cold made her shiver, but fortunately a warm air enveloped her, dragging her up from the snow and placing her in Sarah's arms.
"Isn't there another one? Don't forget this little thing."
「%￥#@！」
塔芙骂的可难听了。
It’s a pity that it’s in Zeta language, so only she can understand it.
…
The border checkpoints between the Kingdom of Rhodes and Xue Bang are as deserted as ever, especially after the "enrollment season" has passed, even the symbolic guards have been removed.
Although the two countries often quarrel, they are just for show. The king of the Kingdom of Rhodes didn't regard Xuebang as a country at all. As for the great sage of Xuebang...
Luo Yan used to think that Dosuq simply looked down on the secular kingship, but now it seems that that guy just doesn't regard the people of Rhodes as human beings at all.
arrogance is equal to the contempt under the tower, and the warm smile of the sun has nothing to do with decency, just because the bug is not worthy of his frown.
Luo Yan and his three men quietly crossed the nominal national border and entered the traveler camp again without being subject to any interrogation.
However, the sight in front of them surprised them.
The temporary camp that once looked bleak and dilapidated in the wind and snow is now completely new!
The streets have been cleaned cleanly, and there are newly built shops and tents everywhere on both sides, with all kinds of signboards hanging on them.
·Adventurers, traders and travelers of all kinds crowded together, and people came and went on the spacious streets, creating an extremely prosperous scene.
Good guy.
Spring is coming in Eagle Rock Territory too?
"Wow, it seems to be a lot more lively here." Taph looked around curiously, her frustration swept away, and she searched the street with curious eyes.
Luo Yan can guess with his toes what this dazzling and repressive kid is looking for, but unfortunately, it is still a bit too tender even with all its scales.
The women wearing thick sheepskin coats and heavy makeup disappeared, replaced by nuns wearing black robes.
They had compassionate smiles on their faces, clasped their hands together, and whispered prayers for the passing passengers, which formed a strong contrast with the noisy and impetuous environment around them.
Occasionally, passing adventurers or mercenaries would stop beside them, smiling wildly or shyly, crossing themselves on their chests.
"Your Majesty, Saint Sis... I want to repent."
The nun responded with a smile and made a cross on her chest, as if it was a secret signal.
"Come in, poor child."
"Are there candles?"
"Yes, but there is an extra charge."
"Money is not a problem!!!"
The two walked into the tent together, talking and laughing, as if they were really praying for the gospel of the Holy Lord.
Taph was confused.
「What are they doing?」
She could understand every word they said, but she couldn't understand how they connected it.
And -
Are they really discussing the benevolent and loving Saint Sith whom she is familiar with? ? ?
"Children, don't ask about adults' affairs." Luo Yan did not answer her question. He just smiled playfully and dropped a perfunctory sentence.
As the Demon King of Hell, what storms and waves has he not seen? Only a brat like Taff would make such a fuss, as if it was his first day in this world.
The only thing that surprised him was what had happened in the past six months to cause people's thinking here to decline so quickly.
In his impression, the Rhodes people should be very pious, even to the point of being stubborn. Therefore, they are often ridiculed by the imperial people as dwarves among humans.
Leading the shocked Tafu away from the land of right and wrong, Luo Yan walked into a hotel that looked quite clean.
"Boss, two glasses of ale and a cup of hot wheat tea."
Handing the luggage to the maid in the store, Luo Yan sat down in front of the bar, knocked on the table skillfully, and pushed five silver coins over.
"One more portion of your signature roasted pig's trotters, two servings of beef stew with beans and bread."
"Okay! Guest, please wait a moment!" The bartender quickly accepted the silver coins, with a warm smile on his face, and hurriedly went to the kitchen to greet the guests.
Soon, drinks and food were served.
When the roasted pig's trotters with browned skin and sizzling oil was placed on the table, Tafu's eyes instantly lit up.
She cheered, and without caring about the image of a noble Zeta, she directly grabbed it with her claws and ate it with her head full of oil.
The waiter next to him was dumbfounded. It was obviously the first time he saw a "lizard man cub" eating on the table.
Even Goblins...are not so barbaric, right? !
But considering that the school is next door, and the magicians' familiars and pets always have all kinds of strange things, he didn't say much.
He didn't even realize that the guy wagging his tail in front of him was not a lizard man at all, but a noble dragon.
Sarah held the cup of warm ale and tasted it in small sips.
The spicy wine slid down her throat, bringing a touch of warmth to her cold body and a subtle blush on her fair cheeks.
Luo Yan looked at the two satisfied companions and smiled slightly, then turned to the bartender and started chatting seemingly unintentionally.
"Business is good, man. I remember the last time I passed by here was the winter recruitment of Xuebang. At that time, the street was not as lively as it is now."
Although the bartender did not know the gentleman in front of him, he did recognize the silver coins in the hands of this generous gentleman, so he was happy to chat with him.
"Of course! The current Eagle Rock Territory is not like before. Not only the boys and girls going to the school to take the exam will pass by here, but also the adventurers from Longshi City. They are the real rich ones who are willing to spend money... Your Majesty, Saint Sith, our business has never been so prosperous!"
"It seems that your lord is managing well." Luo Yan said with a smile and took a sip of ale.
"Lord? Haha, you mean Sir Richter? That gentleman... is really a top-notch smart guy." The bartender's eyes were a little ambiguous.
This sentence sounds like a compliment, but there is always a sense of irony.
Luo Yan couldn't help but be curious, so he asked one more question.
"Oh? In what specific aspects is it reflected?"
For the sake of a silver coin, the bartender's hesitation disappeared, and he started talking without being unhappy.
"In all kinds of ways! That gentleman is good at messing up everything he wants to do. For example, if he wants to control the undead, the undead will overrun. He wants his tenant farmers to be fed, and everyone has to starve with the wild dogs at his door. Of course...occasionally he... A crooked mind can also do some human things. For example, he disliked the immorality of the girls in the camp and was worried about polluting the eyes of His Highness, so he led the soldiers to kidnap them all and teach them in the dungeon. "
"This does sound like a good thing."
"What a good thing? It would be a great thing if he took responsibility to the end! But he obviously didn't think about how to deal with the aftermath, and finally let it go. When his men saw that the master had lost interest, they released the girls again."
"Keeping him locked up all the time is really not an option, you have to keep him alive." Luo Yan wanted to say that this was also a good thing, but seeing Tafu's suppressed smile, he decided that it would be better not to let her choke.
The bartender grinned and agreed with his statement.
“Yeah, you have to find a place to bury them, not to mention who would kill for such a trivial matter? They also have their own families. Maybe some drunken drunkard and a cub who is crying for food are still counting on them to send money home. He waves his hand and chops off the head of the person, and the living people have to go to Longshi City to mourn. He is a fool, but his servants are not stupid. Everyone just wants to live, and at most they want to make money. Only he can do things that cause death. "
"But what does this have to do with your prosperous business?"
"It has a lot to do with it!"
There was a hint of imperceptible sarcasm in the bartender's words.
"Didn't I say that? He is good at screwing up everything he wants to take care of, and by chance...he screwed up just right this time."
He lowered his voice and the smile on his face became mysterious.
"After the training of the soldiers, the business of those girls not only did not slump, but also changed the excuse of "nun confession" and became more prosperous than before! "Confession" only costs 390 copper coins, while "explanation of teaching" The charity meeting is a little more expensive, but 10 silver coins are enough. Most people won't be able to part with it, but for those mercenaries who spend their days eating and drinking, it's just a few meals! And once they are willing to spend this money, they won't save it on other things!"
This time, the "Dragon God" finally understood. The pig's trotters in his mouth fell into the plate, looking shocked.
The former allies have actually fallen into this state!
This is...what a blasphemy!
Of course, she was not feeling sorry for her former allies, but was pleasantly surprised that she was not the most abstract person in this rotten world.
Luo Yan didn't think there was anything strange about it. He just took a sip of the ale and spoke what was in Tuff's heart in a casual tone.
"This is too blasphemous...doesn't the church care?"
The smile on the bartender's face became even brighter.
"Church? This place? Haha... Sir, you really know how to joke. When did the priests of the Holy City come here? As for the lord's own priests, it is not too easy to bribe these guys who are obsessed with money. Maybe they themselves often come here to pray."
"It sounds a bit incredible. Some of the priests I know are quite good." Luo Yan smiled noncommittally, and couldn't help but think of the pope whom he had met several times in the Holy City.
To be fair, the old man is very noble, even a little naive, at least he has not seen his secular side for the time being.
In comparison, Mr. Golikou, the Pope of Hell, made him feel a little troublesome.
"Hey, don't believe it! I'm telling you secretly, this deal is actually supported by the lord's newly appointed guard captain, Mr. Cabin. Without his nod, who would dare to do such a big deal?" The bartender's voice was full of envy, but he didn't know whether he was envious of the lord or Mr. Cabin.
Those are all unattainable existences for him. In front of these "big men", he is like an ant.
"Everyone is envious of Ms. Linna, saying that she is the richest person within ten miles, and she is also a woman, but no one knows that she is just a glove of Mr. Kabin. No one knows how many gold coins Mr. Kabin has, but I It is estimated that he should be able to buy several luxury houses in the Holy City, which even Sir Richter may not be able to do! "
Looking at the bartender who was talking about the anecdotes in the castle, Luo Yan took a playful sip of ale and asked softly.
"So, do you like your current life?"
This question made the philistine enthusiasm on the bartender's face fade away instantly.
He was silent for a long time, and his enthusiasm finally turned into a long sigh.
"I... don't know."
He picked up an empty wine glass and wiped it repeatedly, trying to keep himself busy, but he couldn't hide the anxiety in the busyness.
"I will make money here, and I will bury it here, but I will never let my children stay here. If they have the ability, they can go to Xuebang to be magicians. If they don't have the ability, it's not bad to go to Longshi City. I heard that the Duke there is quite kind... Of course, the New World is not impossible, but I don't want them to be too far away from home, and it will be too difficult to come back."
Luo Yan did not comment on his idea, but said in a calm tone.
"Those who are forced to leave their hometown will not be happy. I have seen many young men who have no way out. When faced with a choice, they are like mice forced into a corner. One step back leads to hell, one step forward leads to an abyss. In the end, there is only one way to go."
Even go astray.
"Perhaps."
The bartender's expression faded, and a forced smile appeared on his face. He looked at the tired face reflected in the cup, and his voice became a little hoarse.
"To be honest, sir, I like my hometown very much, and I want my children to live here for generations to come, but I don't think this is an option."
Although he knew that the traveler in front of him was not a priest or a nun, he could not help but pour out his anguish to him.
Like confession.
"Occasionally I miss the past...Although at that time there was only business in winter all year round, and most of the time we were idle, but at least our lives were not messed up."
The bartender unconsciously said a lot, and after he finished speaking, he suddenly realized that the conversation and demeanor of the guest in front of him were definitely extraordinary.
· Thinking of the simple but spotless clothes and the extraordinary entourage next to him, he suddenly became alert.
"Sir," he asked tentatively, with a hint of nervousness in his voice, "Looking at how well you talk... you are not the person sent by the lord, right?"
Luo Yan smiled when he heard this, the smile was gentle and harmless: "How could it be? I'm just an ordinary traveler."
He paused, drank the last sip of ale in the glass, and looked at the uneasy bartender before adding another sentence.
"And, would the lord's guests condescend to stay in this kind of hotel? Give me a double room with two beds."
The bartender breathed a sigh of relief, and seemed to really believe it this time.
However, Tafu, who was sitting aside and watching the fun, was not happy. She dropped the pig's trotters in her mouth, raised her head, pointed at herself, and asked silently with her eyes.
『我呢？ 』
Luo Yan answered with a smile and his eyes.
『Pigs sleep on the ground. 』
%￥#@!”
Ignoring Tafu who was cursing in dragon language, Luo Yan left another silver coin on the bar as a tip, and took the well-fed dragon and cat leisurely upstairs to rest.
拌嘴归拌嘴，他倒不会真让塔芙睡地上，一般要么是莎拉抱着她，要么是这家伙当自己的靠枕。
Meat lizards are cold-blooded animals and like warm places, and this is one of the reasons why she likes "hairless monkeys".
This kind of love is somewhat similar to people's love for cats and dogs, but because they are too small, they are in a position of being rued.
Night fell quickly.
The hotel at night is not as "simple" as it is during the day.
From next door and upstairs, the violent shaking of the bed could be heard from time to time, as well as the suppressed breathing between men and women, making the atmosphere in the room a bit awkward.
Of course Luo Yan understood it instantly.
No wonder the boss, who works part-time as a bartender, doesn't want the children to stay here. He can imagine what those little devils will develop under the influence.
Being able to become a magician must be a genius that is only one in a million.
I am afraid that most of the kiddos will despise the poor old man in their family, and then regard the mercenaries and nuns as their idols in life.
Sarah's face, which was always as cold as ice and snow, had a rare blush.
She seemed to not know where to stay. After a while, she walked to the window, like a loyal sentry, meticulously checking the street outside the window. After a while, he walked to his single bed again and repeatedly arranged the extremely flat bedding.
Tafu looked extremely excited. She approached Luo Yan slyly, and used the end of her tail to gently poke the arm of Luo Yan, who was leaning on the bedside and reading quietly.
"Hello..."
She lowered her voice, her golden vertical pupils flashing with malicious light, "I'm just a simple and harmless little lizard, you can just pretend I don't exist."
Yo?
Have you admitted that you are a lizard now?
Luo Yan, who was reading quietly, did not even raise his eyelids, but said lightly: "Sarah, help me cook a midnight snack."
Hunted by the smelly cat's eyes, Taph's expression changed instantly. She hurriedly covered her tail and shrank back in horror.
"Wait, wait a minute——!"
Before she could finish speaking, Sarah's figure had appeared behind her like a ghost, grabbing the tender little tail.
The "wolf cry and ghost howl" of the little female dragon came from the hotel room.
Hearing this powerful cry, even the nuns and mercenaries who were working next door were stunned for a moment, and the bed stopped shaking.
"The brother next door is quite capable..."
"Then why don't you stand up?"
Feeling the gentleness and whispering around his shoulders, the man sitting by the bed touched his nose in embarrassment and smiled.
"Hey, wait, let's chat for a while, the medicine has not taken effect yet..."
..."
Spring is here, and it is the season of recovery for all things.
However, the night in the northern wilderness is still as long as winter, and I don’t know when it will dawn...