yasinovel Chapter 4368 The Performance by the Campfire
Chapter 4368 The Performance by the Campfire
Chapter 4368 The Performance by the Campfire
Ke Mai looked confused.
It just so happens that I'm from the world that inspired the Misty Swamp Forest instance, I just so happens to have entered the Dream Crystal Plains, the Misty Swamp Forest instance just happened to be open, and I just so happens to have entered this instance...
"Isn't this just too 'coincidental'?"
Angell did not answer Carmine's question.
Because he had no way to explain it.
He certainly knew it was a coincidence.
When coincidence reaches its extreme, it becomes an inevitability.
Therefore, he knew very well that this coincidence was not a real coincidence, but a script written by fate.
And the one who wrote it was... the power of the fairy realm.
However, Kemai was wrong about one thing: it wasn't that Uriel just happened to stumble upon this series of coincidences, but rather that all these coincidences only happened because of Uriel.
As for why the powers of the fairy realm would specifically devise such a script...
Angel is currently unaware of this, however, he has his own understanding of the powers of the Fairy Realm.
If we consider the power of the fairy realm as a child, then he must be an extremely ambitious and high-achieving student.
From the text box, to the dark corners of the world, to the world of ritual, and even to the demon god Sebastian that Angor sealed deep within the Library of Echoes…
All of this is an attempt by the powers of the Celestial Realm to expand their boundaries, acquire more authority, and perfect their own rules.
Therefore, this coupling centered on "Uriel" is most likely related to some kind of attempt to harness the powers of the Fairy Realm.
What exactly should we try to do? We'll find out once the sea of information calms down.
In any case, Angor is certain that Uriel himself is not important; what is important is that this coupling may bring more possibilities to the powers of the Fairy Realm.
……
Seeing the silence, Ke Mai stopped asking questions.
He himself had vaguely figured it out. Such a series of coincidences was not something that could be easily explained. To ask further would only seem presumptuous.
If it is truly a coincidence, how is Lord Angell supposed to respond?
Kermaine wisely stopped mentioning the topic of "coincidence" and instead focused on Uriel's earlier account: "In that case, it does seem to make some sense. Because he was killed by a hail of arrows in his previous life, he reacted most strongly to the hail of arrows after becoming an 'evil spirit'."
"No wonder when the Forty Thieves were shooting arrows at the evil spirits, he didn't react at first, but suddenly became ferocious and violent when he saw the arrows in his hand... Everything can be traced back to this."
The more Ke Mai thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed.
He couldn't help but look up at Uriel: "Is there any more news about Father Sean?"
Uriel's expression showed a slight hesitation.
He had indeed seen more information in the files, but that information came from a close friend who had told him privately, and it involved Rigota. He was unsure whether he should reveal it in public.
However, what Uriel didn't know was that, apart from Kerma, who was completely unaware of this, Angel and Blanche already knew all the information.
However, given that Camillo's private investigation of Uriel was somewhat dishonest, he certainly couldn't reveal this information to Uriel's face.
It would be best if Uriel said it himself, so that they wouldn't be constrained and limited when discussing the strategy later.
Uriel pondered for a moment, and finally decided to speak.
After all, this is a dream world instance, not the real world.
When I was going through the files, my old friend repeatedly reminded me of the rules of confidentiality, which shouldn't apply to dreams.
It shouldn't be a problem to say it.
Moreover, to find out Rigota's whereabouts, he must confront the "evil spirit." He alone might not be able to reach the end. With the help of companions, he might be able to get closer to the truth much faster.
With that in mind, Uriel no longer hesitated and decided to tell the whole story.
He no longer concealed his old ties with Priest Sean or his true purpose in entering the Misty Forest.
The campfire at the camp was reignited.
Crackling flames pierced the darkness of the swamp forest, casting shadows on the faces of the three people.
Kemai stood by, using the caravan's reserves of meat and grain to cook a hot soup, the steam rising slowly with warmth; Blanche gently fanned herself, directing the smoke aside, the firelight flickering softly in her eyes.
Uriel, with a hazy look in his eyes, slowly recounted his past.
He began to speak from a long time ago, when he was with Rigota. Logically, these things should have no connection to the present, but no one interrupted him. Only the soft crackling of burning firewood and Uriel's deep, calm voice slowly spread through the silent camp.
A long-forgotten story was quietly told in the firelight.
Half an hour later.
After listening to Uriel's explanation, everyone showed surprise.
Especially Kemai.
He never expected that Mr. Uriel would have such a connection with Father Sean.
“So… there’s such a secret behind this.” Kemai sighed softly, his tone tinged with emotion. “Mr. Uriel, rest assured, since we are in the same instance and our goal is to find out the truth about the evil spirits, I will not stand idly by.”
"If there is anything I can do to help, especially in finding out where Miss Rigota is, I will do my best."
A hint of warmth flashed in Uriel's eyes, and he said softly, "Thank you."
“I’ll help too!” Blanche chimed in, but then frowned slightly, her tone hesitant. “However, from what Kemai just said, it seems that the evil spirit has lost its will to act. Can we really get any information about Rigota from him?”
Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the camp instantly sombered, falling into a brief silence.
Uriel paused for a moment, then said in a pessimistic tone, "I know it's a bit ridiculous to try to find an 'evil spirit' to ask for the truth. But I have no other choice. Even if there's only a sliver of a chance, I want to try."
Uriel's frankness and decisiveness made the atmosphere around the campfire even quieter, with only the bubbling of hot soup in the flames remaining.
Just as everyone was at a loss for words, Angel's voice broke the awkward silence.
"Actually, there's no need to be so pessimistic."
"Since you've all entered the Misty Forest instance, you should have seen its full name... The Living Dead of the Misty Forest."
“If the evil spirit is a ‘living dead’, it means that there is still a trace of life left in him, and he is not completely dead.”
"Since there is still a chance of survival, there might be a way to awaken his dormant consciousness."
Uriel looked up abruptly: "...What method?"
Angor: "I can't be sure of the specific method right now, but you can look at the main quest of the dungeon—to find out the truth about the 'evil spirit'."
"This means that what you need to do is investigate why the evil spirit has become what it is today, including its current 'living dead' state."
"In other words, as you complete the main quest and collect fragments of the truth, you may actually be getting closer to the answer."
"It's even possible that once all the pieces of the truth are put together, his dormant consciousness can be completely awakened."
Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope flashed in Uriel's eyes.
However, Angor quickly poured cold water on his enthusiasm: "However, these are just my guesses. After all, I haven't entered the instance; I'm just making some inferences by interpreting the quest information."
Uriel nodded: "I understand."
“I was prepared to gain nothing, so it’s already good that I could make this prediction. Moreover, I think your deduction is actually quite reasonable.”
"At least now, my hope is much greater than it was at the beginning."
At this point, Uriel finally smiled, a rare occurrence for him.
Because he truly felt that hope was just ahead.
"The soup's hot, have some first." Ke Mai then took out a bowl and spoon from the caravan's supply crate: "It's cold and damp here, a little hot soup will give you strength."
Uriel looked at the black pot on the campfire, which was bubbling and steaming, and the aroma of meat mixed with the rich fragrance of seasonings.
"This is the first time I've ever drunk soup in my dream..."
Uriel took the hot soup, sipped it, and after a moment of savoring it, a look of astonishment flashed in his eyes.
The taste wasn't very good; the meat was tough and a bit fishy, and even the fragrant seasoning couldn't mask the fishy smell.
It's barely edible.
Even if it doesn't taste good, the texture and the feeling of fullness, including the warm feeling in his stomach after drinking it, are just too real... He can't believe he's dreaming.
Is this really a dream?
While Uriel was in a daze, Blanche handed him a piece of roasted dried fruit: "This is what I just roasted. You can eat it directly or crush it and add it to the soup. The sweetness of the fruit can mask the taste of the meat and make the soup taste better."
Looking at Blanche's face illuminated by the campfire, and at the charred black dried snake scale fruit, Uriel felt a strange warmth in his heart.
"……Thanks."
Blanche smiled brightly. "I also believe in Mr. Angell's judgment. We will eventually get what we want."
"Even if we ultimately fail to awaken Father Sean's consciousness and cannot directly question him, there may still be clues."
"After all, according to the dossier, apart from the Forty Thieves, the two people that Father Sean had the last close contact with before his death were the informant who escaped and Rigota."
"Perhaps he still has traces of his connection with Rigota."
At this point, Blanche raised her chin slightly and said energetically, "Although I am Mr. Uriel's bodyguard now, I can switch to Detective Lev in a second."
"I will carefully examine the marks on Father Sean's body and help Mr. Uriel deduce Rigota's whereabouts!"
Seeing Blanche's energetic appearance, Uriel felt as if he had become younger as well, and nodded with a smile: "Okay!"
The campfire crackled softly, and warm light flowed gently through the forest.
In the brief silence, Uriel gazed at the flickering flames and suddenly sighed softly, his voice tinged with melancholy: "If only... there were a piano here."
Blanche and Kemai were taken aback: "A piano?"
"Hmm." Uriel nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the three people illuminated by the campfire, and said softly, "Such rare tranquility would be even better if accompanied by music."
"Besides, don't you think a piece of music should accompany the start of a grand adventure to find the truth?"
Blanche followed his gaze. The warm light of the campfire illuminated their faces, and all around them was a deep and tranquil swamp forest, with the evening breeze carrying the scent of firewood.
This scene really does resemble the beginning of an adventure novel.
Blanche pondered for a moment, then her eyes suddenly lit up: "Although there's no piano here, there's a harp! I remember Mr. Luigi's travel cabin had a harp!"
With that, Blanche looked at Uriel with expectant eyes: "Would you like to play the harp, sir?"
Uriel thought for a moment and nodded slightly: "Okay."
"Please wait a moment!"
Blanche stood up, found a flat open space next to the campsite, and then took out the glass ball containing the travel cabin from her pocket.
She released her fingertip, and the glass ball fell to the ground. In an instant, a faint light flashed, and a two-story house with a small courtyard appeared out of thin air before her eyes.
Immediately afterwards, Blanche strode into the house and came out a moment later carrying a small harp. She then waved her hand lightly, putting the travel hut back into the glass ball before quickly returning to the campfire and handing the harp to Uriel.
Ke Mai, standing to the side, stared in disbelief and muttered, "How did that little courtyard suddenly appear?"
Blanche smiled and gestured for Ke to come over and touch the glass ball. When he saw that it was a prop from Wonderland, he suddenly realized what it was.
On the other side, Uriel, having taken the harp, seemed lost in thought.
It took a long while before he slowly came to his senses.
His fingertips gently brushed across the strings, and his eyes became calm.
“I’m not actually good at the harp…” he said softly, “but Rigota is very good at it, and her brother Gulemo is a renowned harp master.”
"Today... I'll make a fool of myself."
As he finished speaking, he lowered his eyes slightly and gently plucked the strings with his fingertips.
The soft, gentle sound of the zither slowly spread through the night in the misty marsh forest.
There was no fervor, no sorrow, only a quiet, gentle melody, like an evening breeze, accompanying the campfire and softly enveloping the three people sitting around it.
The song ended.
The gentle strains of the piano music still lingered around the campfire, and Kemai and Blanche couldn't help but applaud.
Uriel said somewhat embarrassedly, "I haven't played the harp in a long time, and my harp skills are far too rusty compared to Luigi's."
"No, it's already excellent!" Blanche praised enthusiastically. "Anyway, if I were to learn it, I would never reach this level in my entire life!"
Ke Mai nodded earnestly: "I don't have much of an artistic talent, but it really sounds beautiful. Listening to this piece, I feel like I'm seeing a full moon, and a young couple under the moon..."
Kemai: "Mr. Uriel, what is the name of this piece of music?"
Uliton paused, his voice softening slightly: "This piece is called 'Moonlit Night,' composed by Rigota... Originally, it was a duet for piano and harp, but unfortunately, there's no piano now, so it's a harp solo."
"The solo performance was also very good!" Ke Mai gave a positive review.
Uriel had heard many accolades throughout his life, especially for his music, but these simple words of affirmation today warmed his heart.
He chuckled softly. "Thank you. Would you... like to hear more?"
"want!"
The two answered almost simultaneously.
Just as Uriel was about to pick up his harp to play again, suddenly, he heard Ingres's voice.
"Excuse me for bothering you."
"Although I would love to hear Mr. Uriel's music again, haven't you noticed that there is now another listener in the woods?"
Everyone was stunned.
His gaze swept across the dense forest surrounding the camp.
Sure enough, in the distant woods, a tall figure seemed to have appeared...