The horse stepped on the slope, and a blood-red sunset hung above the castle, dyeing the castle made of red bricks into a terrifying color that seemed to be soaked in blood. Two bronze harps stood on both sides of a palace gate, with a woman's upper body, but her breasts were exposed, baring her teeth at the visitor, revealing a hated malice.

The castle guards did not look squinting, allowing them to cross the palace walls.[]

Inside the short and fat red wall was an open square, with a black stone pillar erected, which looked like iron but not gold, which was particularly eye-catching. The alchemist stared at it, trying to see the words on it. "That was the stake." The bachelor's lady whispered beside him.

"I thought it was engraved with a code," said Leo, "like an ancient dynasty empire."

"Power is axiom, no exception."

The law can only restrain the people and cannot punish the nobles. Leo thought to himself that he almost forgot that the bachelor's lady was one of them. "It's uneasy." He looked at the brick-red sky above his head and on the ground below his feet, and then looked at the gradually approaching pillar again. The stake seemed to have charred skin and meat remaining, emitting a foul smell of roasting.

There was a haze ahead, and the castle cast a large ink-like shadow at them. It was like a monster, hidden in the darkness that was beyond the reach of their eyes, and they were about to enter the bloody mouth of each other. Leo prayed that they could escape without losing their bodies. The woman was watching them in this darkness.

Nianta rode a horse with a knight. At the sight of the soldier's spear, the knight clamped his thighs and drove the horse to the alchemist. "Mr. Leo." Nianta shouted timidly.

"What's wrong?"

"They said," she buried her head, her hair drooped down and covered her cheeks. From her face, the alchemist could not see any night witch at all. She was healed. He thought to himself. "Miss Rosie told me, Duke Patton--"

"Prince." Leo reminded her, "We'd better change our words to the prince."

Nianta changed his words obediently. "———The prince seemed to want to marry me." She raised her head, her poor little eyes full of fear and panic. "What should I do? He wants to marry me, but, but, I don't want to marry him."

Her eyes were filled with begging and pity. The knights who rode on the same horse couldn't help but speak for her, "Mr. Leo, Miss Nianta should not be insulted like this." He said, "We have to help her."

It was light. Li Ou took a deep breath and looked into the girl's eyes. The girl suffered too much suffering, and he really didn't want the other party to experience painful hardships again. "No, Nianta, I promise, no one will do this. He has to pass my level first." But even he himself couldn't believe his words.

But Nianta trusted him, "Well, I'll follow you." She smiled sweetly, her eyes curled into a crescent moon.

The alchemist felt that he had let down the other party and deceived her. He sighed and smiled bitterly, and suddenly he couldn't say anything. Maybe, in the end, she would be disappointed. If she still remembered what had happened before, she would regret why she didn't bite him to death at that time.

After passing the square, there was only one of the two tall stone statues for five horses to run parallel, and it hovered like a snake to the top of the mountain. A team of guards patrolled back and forth, throwing contemptuous eyes at them.

"Lee Ou, look at their chests." Rosie whispered.

The alchemists had already noticed that the burning black sun was embroidered on their chests. The one who belonged to both the black dawn and the monks also belonged to Clegg. "We came here from the other side of the sea." The waves appeared in Leo's heart, and the helpless weakness surged up. "That bastard was also following him. I've had enough, Rosie."

"I've also had enough of these foolish savages," she said angrily, "and the stupid woman with a brain in her mind."

The female swordsman turned her head and avoided Li Ou's sight. She was silent, like a dull puppet. She could only hold the scabbard tightly with her hands, and her fingers turned white because of the force.

"Roxi——"

"Am I wrong?" the female mage snorted coldly, "Even if you feel distressed, you can't change the facts."

He stopped and reason told the alchemist not to provoke her at this time.

While there was still a distance from the castle, the two guards raised long hook knives crossed together, blocking their way. "Gentlemen, please dismount," they said.

"Let your eyes open and take a look. I am Viscount Arnoldko!" The great Viscount rode on the horse and shouted angrily, waving the whip in his hand, and whipping it out with a disagreement.

"Sorry, please dismount." A guard repeated again.

"I refuse." The whip whipped the air and made a muffled "pop".

"This is the request of the Miss God's Messenger." said another guard, "Sir Viscount, this will be regarded as disrespectful to God."

Arnoldko opened his mouth wide but couldn't speak. His face changed. He was embarrassed and cursed in shame and said, "Why are you still standing there?" He shouted at his soldiers, "Get down!"

The clown, the alchemist, thought, ridiculous clown.

Through the guards, there is a long stone stairs ahead. The pyramid-like castle is located at the top of the hill and at the end of the stairs. The sea roars and sobbs below the castle, rolling up waves. The sea breeze slightly dispels the heat, but the whole body is covered with salt, making the alchemist unbearable.

Half the steps were found, several figures had already emerged from the open gate of the golden-shaped tower that was not like a castle. Several of them were wearing leather armor, cloaks, and a long sword on their waists: they were warriors, perhaps guards. The alchemist thought, and he made a secret gesture to remind his hands to be alert. Among the warriors, there was a middle-aged man in a gray robe, with a heavy copper necklace in dark purple around his neck and a tattoo on his face.

They came up straight. "Vissue Arnoldco, your mission has been completed," said a warrior dragging a golden one-eyed cloak to him, "please go back, now His Highness is going to receive his guests."

"But, I have something important to report to His Highness the Prince."

"No matter how important it is, please come again another day." The other party repeated without hesitation. "Please go back." His hand pointed behind them, bringing an unquestionable smell of order.

Arnoldko's fingers opened and closed, and he grabbed the hilt of the sword around his waist, and finally defeated under the opponent's stare. He lowered his arms in vain, "I... OK..." He lowered his shoulders, like a wild dog that failed to compete for territory, retreated in shame.

"The dog in the way is gone," the warrior said to the man wearing a copper necklace. "Now you can do what you want." The warrior glanced at the alchemist, with the contempt in his eyes obvious. "But I think you will be disappointed."

What was disappointed? Leo couldn't see that the other party had any expectations. "Are they white devils?" The man pulled the heavy copper necklace around his neck with a thumb, and the thing seemed to make him breathless. "They are different from others. I can see." The man's eyes swept over them, like a dark star flashing in the sky. "So, please calm down."

"I hope so." The warrior groaned, then bowed, took a step back, and lowered his hand that was touching the cowhide scabbard, as if giving up the supporting role on the stage, standing quietly aside.

"Hello, guests from afar." The man stepped forward.

They were surprised by what he said. The dark-bodied person spoke not the Valian language, but the common language from the other side of the sea. His pronunciation was so standard that Leo could not hear any other tone.

"Who are you?"

"A bachelor." The bachelor's lady came forward. She put her hands on her chest, made a greeting gesture, and then bowed calmly, "Hello, dear bachelor."

"Hello, hello." The other party looked surprised, "I didn't expect...I didn't expect to see you here. If I had known, I would have reported to His Highness the Prince to make the welcome bigger and more grand." The other party said in a panic, looking around, his eyes wandering, and he didn't dare to look directly at the Bachelor's Miss. Most of the time, he just stared at his feet. The alchemist felt that the other party seemed to be more flattered. "Now... this is too simple."

"Don't worry." The bachelor's lady shook her head gently, "For travelers who travelled a long distance, delicious meals and soft beds are better welcome than grand ceremonies."

"Yes, yes." The bachelor nodded in a hurry as if he was taught, as if he was pleased.

"What is he doing?" Rosie whispered in the alchemist's ear, "like a hen pecking at rice."

"He is wearing a copper necklace and is a bachelor's degree."

"so what?"

"So too, Evila," Leo explained, "her status seems to be higher."

The female mage curled her lips, "I really didn't see it."

"I didn't expect it." The alchemist spread her hands. She rarely made decisions, only occasionally suggested, but also gave him great help. When he made one wrong decision after another, Leo couldn't help but wonder what choice would she make if it were a bachelor's lady, would she make the same choice as him? She kept making mistakes, moving forward, and making mistakes again. So many traitors were around her, and even her relationship with the people closest to her was so stiff. She should have done better than herself. But she never said anything.

The castle stretches out a spider-legged bracket, and it is simply the monster's nest. Shadows of varying lengths are cast down, obscuring the vision and covering up the heart-wrenching malice.

They walked through a corridor. The bachelor spoke, "Can I be lucky enough to know your name?"

"'Hunting Falcon'." This is the first time that Li Ou heard the Bachelor's Miss talk about her code name. "The Hunting Falcon" means that she has a pair of insightful eyes? "The Hunting Falcon's Black Thorns. What about you?"

"Miss Black Thorn, please call me Reira. I am 'Black Cloud' Reira."

"Are you assisting Prince Patton?" the alchemist interjected.

"Yes, I came back here after graduating from Fort Desperate. This is my hometown, and then Prince Patton gave me a job to provide advice for him, business, politics, and religion. I am responsible for most of the affairs of the castle." It sounds like Reyra is proud of this and does not hide it. Leo guessed that it was because Evilla was here.

Li Ou nodded, and now is not the time to search for the news. He glanced at the bachelor's lady silently, and the other party understood and understood it to him.

"You have deep trust," he said.

"I'm just doing my best," said Bachelor Reyra. "Fort Desperate has taught me a lot. The most important thing is that only loyalty can bring rewards. I just abide by the Bachelor's Code. Miss Evilla works for you?"

"We are friends." The alchemist explained simply.

"It doesn't look like it." Bachelor Reyra shook his head, braided it into several small braids, and his hair in pearls and gems swayed, jingling. "You're more like the dominant party."

He has two sharp eyes. "Men should be women's shields," said Leo. "Doing this can reduce many unnecessary troubles."

"Are you talking about me?" Bachelor Reyra smiled, "I have a wife." He glanced at them jokingly, "Okay, we have the opportunity to chat, the alchemist. Now His Highness is waiting for you in the hall."

The palace made of red bricks was red everywhere, as if it was reflected by fire. The fiery columns, dark red statues, bright red walls, and purple floor tiles were like walking on stones made of blood. The alchemist felt blood coming from all over the surroundings, and the extremely uneasy and ready-to-go monsters were waiting for an opportunity to move in the dark corner.

Two blood-red hell dogs guarded the gate, and the solid iron chains were embedded in the stone wall. They were lifelike, as if they were about to rush towards them. Two soldiers standing in front of the bloody mouth blocked the way first.

"Miss Black Thorn, let your followers take a break with the attendants." Bachelor Reyra suggested, "His Prince cannot meet everyone." He suggested tactfully. "I think he just wants to see Miss Nianta."

Leo shrugged and asked the knights and the Crowman to leave with the girls first. "Is this OK? They are my guards." said the alchemist, "You should know the rules of the alchemist."

"Of course, there is no doubt." He said, signaling the soldiers to push open the closed brass door.

The spacious throne hall had long tables, high-backed chairs were neatly arranged, and silver dining plates and knife and fork were arranged neatly. The waiters were busy. A bald and short middle-aged man sat on the throne in the center. He wore a crown with purple gemstones, a crimson robe, and a golden gem belt was loosely tied around his round waist. On his left hand, the chair was empty, and on his right hand, a woman covered in black veil and black robe was sitting. She was that woman, and Leo would not admit his mistake, the female magician who glanced at the temple of Pompedekar.

"Welcome, distinguished guests." Prince Patton smiled all over his face, "Welcome, beautiful Miss Nianta; and, welcome you, the White Devil."

The alchemist couldn't tell whether the last word was a kind joke or a malicious joke. Anyway, he decided that the other party would not have any kindness, and interests were everything he valued: he had known this before. The woman didn't speak.

The alchemist expressed his gratitude in courtesy and sat down under the guidance of the waiter.

"Miss Nianta, please sit here." Prince Patton smiled and narrowed his eyes into a slit, like a malicious smile tiger. It seemed that there was a malice behind it. "I know your father, and to be honest, you can also be considered my daughter."

"Mr. Leo--" Nianta looked at him as if asking for help.

Leo looked around, looked at Prince Patton, who was always smiling, and finally landed his eyes on the woman in black robe who had her eyes hanging down and said nothing. "Go." He squeezed out an ugly smile, "He dared not do anything to you."

Nianta sat down carefully, huddled stiffly in the chair, with fear on her face. Now, Leo even hoped that she would become the night witch again. At least she was not a weak little girl, and could not be afraid of any conspiracy and tricks, and could kill all evil demons with bad intentions.

"Everyone has arrived." Prince Patton said to the attendant, "Let's go, the guests and I can't wait to enjoy the food." The attendant clapped his hands, and the servants holding the plates and wine pot lined up to the dining table, serving hearty food.

The alchemist had almost nothing to eat, and used a silver fork to pick the food in front of him - a plate of charcoal-roasted sea snails. He had eaten a lot, but now he felt disgusting. Prince Patton had already swept away his food, and was talking to Nianta in a mess. The girl seemed to be teased by a criminal, and shivered in fear. On the side, the lady in black robe also sat there silently without eating a bite. As if she had noticed Leo's sight, she raised her head.

She had a pair of black eyes, like the night sky, with twinkling stars and as deep as the Milky Way. Leo felt that she seemed to be attracted by her eyes, and a sudden impulse in her heart urged him to leave his seat and walk towards the other party. He quickly looked away and covered his whole body with cold sweat. The woman's face towel seemed to move, as if she showed a mocking smile.

After the appetizer, there was a more hearty meal, beef stewed with grilled suckling pig and mushrooms, and a three-meter-long fish with a fragrant sauce. Between the two rows of long tables, the dancers also began to enter the venue and danced more provocative than artistic dances. When the skirts were lifted up, they could even see their faint spring light. Li Ou curled his lips.

"Are you not satisfied?"

Prince Patton suddenly stopped teasing Nianta and turned to stare at the alchemist. He didn't know how the other party saw his disdain and grabbed his contempt.

But since that's the case, he doesn't want to flatter. He's a little fed up here. Fat pig likes these, which doesn't mean others like them too. He glanced at the woman in black robe, met the other person's eyes, and then quickly turned away. "Your Highness, most of the ladies here are, it seems not good."

"Then what kind of performance do you think should be done?" Prince Patton said with a smile, "How about a real sword and gun competition? White Devil? My people, to yours."
Chapter completed!