The carriage rolled smoothly on the cobblestone streets, and a light sandalwood smell filled the inside. Leaning back on the cushioned seat, Lin Yuan picked up a slightly worn magic tome. His eyes scanned quickly through the dense text until he landed on a familiar incantation—one for purifying ghosts.
"Ah..." Lin Yuan froze for a moment, then slapped his forehead lightly. "So that's another way to deal with ghosts," he muttered to himself.
As he spoke, he placed his palm over the obsidian stone in his pocket and channeled his magic. A soft white light seeped into the stone, making it glow faintly. The ghost trapped within immediately grew still. It was as if the confusion and bitterness that bound it had suddenly melted away.
Ute raised an eyebrow at the sight. Sensing his gaze, Lin Yuan gave an embarrassed smile. "It's been so long since I dealt with ghosts. I almost forgot this method, haha..."
Ute studied Lin Yuan quietly, his eyes thoughtful. He tried to recall if his previous "masters" had ever done something similar in the past few decades. The memories felt hazy—maybe they had, or maybe not.
"Either you're pretending to forget something you've never tried, or you're really getting old," Jiuchong Ring said in Lin Yuan's mind.
Lin Yuan just gave a twitch at the corner of his mouth and didn't bother to reply. He stared at the obsidian until the carriage stopped.
"Master, we're here," Ute reminded softly.
Lin Yuan stowed away the magic book, nodded, and stepped out of the carriage into the warm sunlight.
Viscount Brion's mansion stood at the city center. Though not overly large, it exuded an air of nobility and elegance. The courtyard was filled with neatly trimmed bushes and ancient oak trees, and servants bustled about in an orderly manner.
The knights stationed at the gate had been anticipating their arrival. As soon as they caught sight of Lin Yuan and Ute, they bowed deeply in respect. "Master Lin, Viscount Brion is waiting for you in the drawing room. This way, please."
Walking through the mansion along a red - carpeted corridor, they soon reached a spacious drawing room.
Viscount Brion, a nobleman in his fifties, wore an immaculate suit. His short blond hair was thinning, but his face radiated shrewdness and calm. Upon seeing Lin Yuan, he rose and smiled warmly. "Welcome, Master Lin, Mr. Ute."
"Pleasure's mine." Lin Yuan nodded and took a seat beside Ute.
A maid quickly brought tea and pastries. Taking a sip, Viscount Brion said, "I asked you here because of my daughter. She means the world to me."
Lin Yuan waited in silence for him to continue.
"Brissmelie is my only daughter and my greatest pride. She's about to study at the White Tower Academy. It's her dream and our family's honor. However..." He paused, frowning. "Recently, someone has been spying on my mansion and even bribing servants for information. I suspect they want to stop her from reaching the White Tower."
Ding!
[Mission Triggered: Escort Brissmelie safely to the White Tower.]
Lin Yuan's eyes narrowed as a wave of unease washed over him. He knew this escort mission would be no easy feat.
The viscount continued, "To ensure her safety, I've hired three elite teams from the city's adventurer guilds. You only need to step in if necessary, Master Lin." He looked at Lin Yuan earnestly. "I hope the journey goes so smoothly that you won't have to lift a finger!"
Lin Yuan smiled faintly. "Let's hope so."
"As payment," Viscount Brion clapped his hands. A steward stepped forward with a black box. Inside were three glittering magic crystals. "These high - quality mana crystals can boost spellcasting and are essential for advanced alchemy."
Lin Yuan's eyes lit up. These were much more valuable than gold. "Fair enough. I'll do it."
"Excellent!" The viscount sighed in relief. "Then we'll meet in five days."
Lin Yuan nodded, and he and Ute took their leave.
Outside the mansion, Lin Yuan checked the sky—it was already afternoon.
"Ute, let's grab some gear before heading back. Swords, crossbows, protective necklaces, healing potions—you name it," he said.
Ute nodded. "Do you sense danger in this mission, Master?"
Lin Yuan squinted. "Just a hunch..."
"Got it." Ute didn't ask any more questions and steered the carriage straight towards the magic workshop district.
===================
马车在铺满青石的街道上平稳行驶,车厢内透着淡淡的檀木香.林远靠在柔软的座椅上,随手翻开一本略显陈旧的魔法书,目光迅速扫过一页页繁复的文字,直到看到一条熟悉的魔法咒语,净化鬼魂.
"啊..." 林远顿时一愣,随即伸手拍了拍额头,自言自语地低声道: "原来还能这样处理鬼魂啊..."
说着,他手掌轻轻覆盖在怀中的黑曜石上,微微催动魔力,一道温和的白光渗入其中.黑曜石表面泛起淡淡的光晕,那被封印的鬼魂顿时安静了下来,似乎从迷茫与怨念中解脱.
乌特看着这一幕,微微挑眉.林远察觉到他的目光,尴尬地笑了笑:"太久没处理鬼魂了,差点忘了还能这样做,哈哈..."
乌特静静地看着林远,眼中闪过一丝若有所思的神色.回忆起过去几十年间,他跟随的 "老爷" 是否有过类似的事,好像有,又好像没有... 他的记忆似乎也模糊了.
"一个是没经历过却谎称自己忘了,另一个是真的老了忘了." 九重戒在林远脑海中悠悠地说道.
林远嘴角微微抽搐,懒得反驳,继续盯着黑曜石,直到马车缓缓停下.
"老爷,我们到了." 乌特轻声提醒.
林远收起魔法书,轻轻点头,推开车门,迎着温暖的阳光走下马车.
布里昂子爵的府邸位于城市中心,规模不算太大,但处处透露着高贵典雅的气息.庭院里种满了修剪整齐的灌木和几株古老的橡树,仆人们进进出出,忙碌而井然有序.
门口的骑士早已等候多时,见到林远二人,立刻恭敬地行礼:"林大法师,子爵大人已经在客厅等候,请随我来."
走入府邸,沿着铺着红色地毯的长廊行进,片刻后,两人来到一间宽敞的客厅.
布里昂子爵是一位年约五十的中年贵族,身穿整洁的礼服,金色的短发略有些稀疏,但眉宇间却透着精明与稳重.他看到林远进来,立刻起身,露出和煦的笑容:"林大法师,乌特先生,欢迎光临."
"客气." 林远微微点头,和乌特在主位旁的座椅上坐下.
一名女仆立刻端上红茶和点心,布里昂子爵抿了一口茶,才缓缓说道:"这次邀请您前来,正是因为一件关乎我女儿的要事."
林远沉默地看着他,等他继续说下去.
"布里士嫆莉是我唯一的女儿,也是我最大的骄傲." 布里昂子爵眼中闪过一丝慈爱之色,"她即将前往白塔学院深造,这是她的梦想,也是我们的家族荣耀.然而..."
他顿了顿,眉头微微皱起:"最近,有人暗中监视我的府邸,甚至收买仆人刺探消息.我怀疑,有人不希望她顺利抵达白塔."
叮!
[触发任务:请宿主安全护送布里士嫆莉到白塔.]
林远微微眯起眼睛,心中隐隐生出一丝不安.
这护送任务,看起来不会太轻松啊.
布里昂子爵继续说道:"为了确保旅途的安全,我已经联系了城中三家冒险者公会,届时会有几支精英队伍一同护送我的女儿.当然,林大法师您只需要在必要的时候出手."
他看向林远,语气真诚:"我真心希望,这次旅途能平安顺利,以至于林大法师根本不需要动手,哈哈哈."
林远淡淡一笑:"希望如此."
"作为报酬," 布里昂子爵轻轻鼓掌,一位管家立刻上前,递上一个黑色的盒子,子爵缓缓打开,里面整齐摆放着三颗璀璨的魔法晶石, "这是高品质的魔力结晶,可以作为魔法施展的辅助材料."
林远目光微微一闪.这东西可比金币更有价值,魔法晶石不仅能用作施法的增幅材料,更是许多高阶炼金术的必备品.
他微微颔首:"报酬合理,任务我接了."
"太好了." 布里昂子爵松了口气,露出笑容,"那么,我们五天后见."
林远点点头,与乌特起身告辞.
走出府邸,林远抬头望了望天色,已经是下午了.
"老乌,回去前,我们买点防身装备吧." 他随口说道,"长刀,箭弩,护身项链,恢复药水之类的."
乌特微微颔首:"老爷是觉得此次委托会有危险?"
林远眯了眯眼,低声道:"算是我的直觉吧..."
"明白." 乌特没有多问,直接吩咐马车朝魔法工坊街区驶去.