Blood tax

Chapter 87 Iloti's grand plan part one
"The battle between Beyonders is so exciting, even the Mage Tower has been damaged for you, why am I not there!"

Iloti waved the calamus at her fingertips and hopped along the winding mountain path to the top of the mountain.

The green trees shade the quaint path, and twos and threes of tourists face the pleasant sea breeze at dusk and leisurely walk towards the stone steps paved with bluestone slabs.

"If you were the one being beaten, you wouldn't say that~"

Griffith touched his cheek, the beating he received a few days ago was still fresh in his memory.The silver mail armor on the coat made a slight knocking sound as he walked, always reminding the tourists around that this lively girl was under strict protection.

After the continuous attacks, the Beyonders and the city defense troops stationed near Hepu Town were extremely nervous.Connex, who saw that his mage tower was slashed in half, informed the Central, Aofa Council and the Sea Fleet about the situation overnight, asking them to send more Beyonders to encircle and suppress them, strengthen the patrol on the island, and propose to the Governor impose a curfew.

If you don't mention the friction between the mage commanders, the response of the governor of the sea area is still very fast.The upcoming Hanami Memorial Festival is an important festival on the island, and tourists from all over the world will bring in considerable income, and a curfew is absolutely impossible.

At the climax of the whole memorial ceremony, Iloti will even appear as the annual Hanami girl.

"I said, haven't you been here for many years?" Griffiths asked, "How did you get selected to be the memorial girl?"

"Because it looks good!" Iloti replied rightfully, "Because of this, they canceled my spot in the Mountain Road Race."

Because it looks good, this reason is okay.When Griffith thought of the lack of a public transportation hazard in Hepu Town, he couldn't help applauding in his heart.

"Is there no public selection process?"

"Open your eyes and see if you don't know!" The girl in a dress spun on the curb.

"Um, what, um, Hanami girl has no other requirements?" Griffith always felt that it was difficult for the city hall to select Iloti, who had not lived on the island for several years, as a memorial girl.

"Yes! I'm going to dance at the memorial ceremony," Ilotti jumped off the curb and came to Griffith's side to hold his arm. "The dance is difficult, and it will have to be rehearsed several times later."

I know this, I'm here to protect your rehearsal tonight... Griffith glanced at the girl who was almost on his body, and the heart-beating touch on her arm without armor made him very nervous.

"Good evening, Griffith, you are going to be late." Amber stood up from the shade in front of the tree, and waved to the two who were slowly climbing the mountain. Amber Roselit."

"Good evening~"

Iloti said hello softly, looked at the sexy sunny blonde girl with a slight hostility, and grabbed Griffith's arm even tighter.

"Amber and I dealt with the fallen mage on the Vernal Equinox together, and we are very reliable companions," Griffith said, "Before we catch those saboteurs, the two of us are responsible for your safety outside."

"It's fine if I have you," Iloti pouted and pinched Griffith, "Why are you surrounded by beautiful girls, society will be disharmonious!"

"Okay, okay~" Amber spread his hands, "I won't disturb you guys~ I'm just staying nearby with Griffith to keep you safe while you're busy paying homage. By the way, have some food with him. Yogurt ice, candy, plus moon watching and fireworks."

Is this funeral so interesting?And yogurt ice and fireworks?Griffith thought longingly.

Iloti let go of Griffith's arm indifferently, took two steps forward lightly, turned around on tiptoe, smiled and said to Amber, "Wait until you finish watching my dance and then say this again. Not too late."

After passing through the winding mountain road, on the gentle slope in the middle of the mountain, a beautiful street market has been spread out.Residents set up red peculiarly shaped porches at the entrance to the market, and along the slopes and steps of the mid-level, one by one, small shops of candy, fireworks, and splendid decorations were laid out.

There is still some time before the Hanami memorial service, but the shops are ready for work.The gentlemen from the town hall and town council went one by one to check the store's goods and firefighting measures.

"Miss Yilodi, two officers," a middle-aged man wearing a decent deacon uniform greeted the three at the entrance of the market in Cangyue Mountain, "please follow me."

"I'll let you see one of the seven wonders of Hepu later," Iloti tiptoed and whispered in Griffith's ear, "Don't be rude!"

Don't be rude?What would be rude?Under the leadership of the deacon, Griffith walked through the long shopping street, around a platform made of white stone, and came to a small and elegant building.

"Miss, Miss Iloti is here," Mr. Deacon knocked on the door, and then backed away.

With the opening of the red lintel, a comfortable coolness comes oncoming.The three young men took off their shoes at the entrance, and walked into the inner room under the comfortable lighting.

The smooth floor exudes a hint of cool air. There are several small households on the left and right sides of the corridor, and the whispers in the house can be vaguely heard.

Griffith held his saber in hand and looked around warily.

At the end of the corridor is a wide inner room, and in a blink of an eye, everything in front of you suddenly becomes clear.White candles light up the room from lamps on the walls, and the wooden floors and furnishings exude a subtle aroma that makes people feel good.

In the middle of the room, a stunning slender woman stood there quietly.She was wearing a thin silk skirt and dazzling satin like a rainbow. Her picturesque eyes were like a wave of autumn water, and her long black hair like a waterfall fell to her smooth and slender ankles.

Griffith's heart seemed to be hit hard, and he was about to fall under her skirt almost immediately.

"Good evening, Miss Arendelle," Ilotti gently lifted her skirt and saluted the beauty in front of her. "These two are Griffith Blanton apprentice knight and Amber Roselleta apprentice investigator."

"Good evening~" Arendelle's sweet voice was like a nightingale in the forest, and simple words could evoke infinite reverie.

Griffith felt like his throat was burning with thirst, and he tried to beg the beauty to say more, but couldn't.At the same time, Arendelle cast a curious look at him, and those curved brows were irresistibly intoxicated.

Beside him, Amber stared blankly at Arendelle.

"Griffith, can you go out for a while? I'm going to change clothes." Iloti turned and said to the trainee knight.Griffith heard her every word, but just couldn't move.

"It's a little inconvenient for men here." With an elegant smile, Arendelle looked away from the apprentice knight.

At that moment, Griffith suddenly regained consciousness.Immediately aware of his rudeness, he quickly apologized and backed out.

What happened to me just now?Griffith, who had exited, went back to the corridor, sitting by the wall and waiting for the movement in the room.

The more he thought about what happened just now, the more embarrassing he became, and he lost his composure in front of the woman he met for the first time.

Griffith began to rub his face, and came to the courtyard to relax in annoyance.

Suddenly, he saw a twisted and horrifying living creature appearing in the dimly lit corridor.

That living creature—it’s hard to call it a human, can only say it’s a living creature—the outline is human-like, but the features and bones have been distorted.Wearing strange church clothes and a crown he had never seen before, he walked slowly past Griffith.The indistinct face and the staggering figure in the robe gave Griffith a nightmarish feeling of confusion.

However, Griffith has a very clear idea, that is, there is a mysterious sect in Hepu Town.He chased after it in two steps, but he never saw the living creature again.

The exquisite and quiet courtyard can see the altar of people coming and going outside the low wall, but all the noise and sight are blocked from the wall.In the center of the courtyard stands a small stone tablet.There is a record of the funeral above.

"That's a story 1000 years ago, or the beginning of the Second Era,

"A sick and weak girl came to Cangyue Mountain to collect herbs. She was too attentive, and unknowingly came to a lake on the top of the mountain. In the cold season, the lake has frozen.
"Since she was a child, the adults have been telling her that she must never go to the Ice Lake. If she really wants to go there, she must be accompanied by an adult.

"It was getting dark, and the evil spirit in the forest appeared,

"The evil ghost follows her as if to let her lead the way to the village. If it goes on like this, the evil ghost will be brought back to the village.
“【Just don’t let the evil spirits approach the village】

"Thinking like this, the girl walked towards the small island in the middle of the lake, dancing on the ice while walking.

"The devil showed her fangs,
"Although the girl was afraid, she continued to dance until the devil came with her to the center of the ice lake.

"Since then, evil spirits have never appeared in this beautiful land."

This is the origin of Hanami Festival.

At this time, Amber pushed open the door and waved towards the trainee knight.

"Come on! You must not miss this!"

Griffith put aside his messy thoughts and ran in quickly.In the bright room, several maids played flutes and lyres, and Ilodie changed into tulle and silk skirts, and colorful satin, and danced following Arundel's dance steps.

The two danced in the melodious and touching melody, and Jinxiu spun and flew along with their light and graceful figures.The white gauze skirt is like white snow, and amidst the scattered rays of light, it looks like colorful petals dancing in the wind on a snowy night.

This kind of dance is completely different from the glamorous ball in Byerland. The pure and exquisite dance of the girls seems to be telling ancient stories, and people can't help but immerse themselves in happy and sad memories.

Griffith was hooked, every second counting.In the beautiful dance and music, he worries that the dance between the two may end, and hopes that this moment will last forever until eternity.

The song is finally over.

Arendelle rolled her flying hair and came to Iloti, whispered a few words to her, and then walked into the inner room surrounded by several maids.

The maid who was left behind came forward, helped Iloti organize her dress and makeup, and brought her a cup of tea.

"Does it look good?" Iloti happily came to Griffith and Amber with her teacup in hand, her chest still rising and falling with her panting, "I'm going to perform this solo dance at the funeral as the last part of the ceremony. ."

"It's so beautiful, it's amazing!" Amber said sincerely, "I won't miss it for a second!"

"Hey, thank you!" Iloti took a step forward and approached Griffith, "What do you think?"

"Very charming," the apprentice knight touched the tip of his nose embarrassedly and took a half step back, "Gods are above, you can't really live if you haven't enjoyed the dance just now."

"Hahaha, that's too exaggerated!" Iloti's laughter was like a silver bell in the wind.She pointed to the back room and whispered, "Alandale was the girl from last year's Hanami, and I still have a lot of dance steps to learn~ Oh yes, her family is a famous local family, Griffith, are you free? Don’t forget to make an official visit when you’re there!”

……

There were several rehearsals that night.By the time they left, it was already dark on Cangyue Mountain where the sacrificial ceremony was held, filled with lights and tourists.

"Griffith Griffith, I need your help!"

Iloti hid behind a big tree, and pointed to a bookstall not far away: "In order for me to become a Sequence 9 'reader' as soon as possible, go and help me buy two books, no, books!"

How difficult is this.Griffith nodded: "What do you want to buy?"

"You tell the stall owner that you want "The Color of Glazed Glass", "The Crazy Young Master", and, um, "Yao Se"!"

"No problem, but why don't you just choose directly?"

"Don't ask so many questions!" Iloti suddenly opened his teeth and danced his claws.

"Okay, is there anything else I should pay attention to?"

"There is, there is, you must not open it!" Iloti said inscrutable, "The content inside is not suitable for you."

Griffith came to the bookstall and reported the title of the book very seriously.

The stall owner glanced at him with a look of fear and surprise, and slowly pulled out three booklets from the stack of books.

"Do you want another book?"

So this is the book!Griffith exclaimed.He heard Galadia say a sentence, but never got a chance to read it.

"Would you like to try something else?" The stall owner took out two books from the top, "For example, this one, "Elves and Orcs in the Dark Forest", or this one, "Princess Knight."

……

"I was wrong, I was wrong!" Iloti held her head, "but minors can't buy books, I can only ask you! As long as the purchaser is an adult, it's not illegal, isn't it!"

Griffith reached out and pulled her ears sideways.

"Don't blame me, don't blame me, criticize Knight Roland if you want to criticize!"

"What does it have to do with Knight Roland? Why is it him again?" Griffith was taken aback.

"Because he invented it, it is said," Ilotti opened "Princess Knight" and pointed to the indescribable picture, "this book is his masterpiece. He also claimed that this is a small work of interest. ."

(End of this chapter)