The bard fantasized again.

Chapter 219 A Fictional Novel (4k)

"【Web Technique】!"

Kuru chanted a spell, and the tip of his wand instantly sprayed out milky white spider silk, which wove into a strong and sticky web.

Spiderwebs spread across the wide passageway and entangled the legs of the armored guards, requiring immense strength to break free.

In the midst of their struggle, several gargoyles with gray-black skin and smooth, flat bodies, like living sculptures, broke through the spiderweb.

In an instant, they spread their bat-like stone wings, let out a heart-shaking shriek, and charged straight at Tang Qi.

Seeing this, Chenxi suddenly raised his broken sword and smashed it into the opponent's round head, forcing the leader to crash to the ground.

As an earth elemental creature, the gargoyle's texture is hard enough that even with its cheeks cracked, it still extends its claws to tear at Dawn's leg armor.

The remaining gargoyles swarmed forward, and just as they were about to approach her shoulder armor, Iwu quickly flew out from Tang Qi's hood, spitting out a jet-black force field bead. The immense repulsive force exploded in the gargoyle's chest along with a roar.

In the blink of an eye, he blasted most of the gargoyles to the ground, frantically groping for his broken shoulder.

Just as Fide raised her sword and shield, she realized the situation wasn't as urgent as she'd imagined, and looked at her 'comrades' in a daze...

Although I had heard from the ravens that this group of adventurers was very strange.

But they never imagined that the difference in strength between the two sides would be as vast as that between clouds and mud.

"This is definitely not an ordinary team..."

She whispered.

The mercenaries of the Southern Great Wall, the adventurers who wandered and worked with her, and the beastmen who now accompany her—none of them possess the same efficient and outstanding work ethic.

"And that lizard, what the hell is that?"

She had seen a beast called the "Earth Dragon" in the wasteland.

It was a lizard species, five or six meters tall, as majestic as a hill, whose thick legs left deep dents in the earth under its trampling.

Its short forelimbs may not be a threat, but its head, which is the same size as its body, and its blood-red teeth that can easily bite through stone pillars, make it easily occupy the throne of overlord on the wasteland.

That was the most terrifying lizard she had ever seen.

Looking back now, perhaps we should also add "formerly".

Although the lizard before me was only the size of a tabby cat, its deep, resonant voice, in the instant it erupted, was like thunder roaring from the sky—

The fear that strikes at the heart is far more terrifying than the fear before one's eyes.

Fortunately, she came to her senses and thought that she could at least do her part for the team.

But it was abruptly stopped by a piece of piano music:

"Van Frihn has only raised a bunch of good-for-nothings like you. Don't you even recognize who I am?"

His music caused the guards who were about to attack to stop in their tracks.

They looked at each other—if they really had 'faces'.

The two zombies in front of the entrance hall couldn't help but scratch their heads, looking completely bewildered.

A faint pink light flickered before Tang Qi's eyes.

Driven by his "art of making friends," he tossed his black hair and made up a story:

“Look closely, I am Sean Nightraven, and the others are my servants—am I not even allowed to attend my brother’s wedding?”

"Sean Night Raven..."

The zombie did not question Tang Qi's identity, but hesitated as he examined the parchment scroll in his hand. Sure enough, he saw the name 'Sean' at the front of the line.

It's hard to imagine that, after hundreds of years, there are still words left on the parchment scrolls.

“I’m sorry… Mr. Sean…”

The zombies seemed to want to say more, but their broken throats prevented them from uttering any more words.

But the guards who had gathered behind them apologized to them, struggled to pull their legs out of the spider web, and returned to the long corridor on the first floor of the castle.

"Now, get out of the way."

At Tang Qi's command, the two zombies quickly retreated, giving him the opportunity to open the door.

"You're not Sean, you're Don Qi—"

Before the door could be pushed open, Arthur was about to say something when Tang Qi pointed to his chest and asked in return:

Are all the priests in Twilight as fools as you?

"What did you say?" Arthur tried to argue.

Tang Qi didn't give him that chance, instead saying:

"From now on, you must listen to me. If you cause me any more trouble, I'll throw you out to be fed to the blood mist—wait, you don't seem afraid of that?"
Then I will write you in the "Guide" as a reckless, hypocritical fool who tries to destroy racial harmony, and label you as a "Twilight Believer," spreading your infamy to every corner of the continent, including the Holy City.

You don't need to doubt my ability; after you leave the Dawn and Dusk Forest, you will definitely hear the name of "The Guide to Dragon Gold City".

Don't wait until you realize you've tarnished the church's reputation to regret not obeying my commands today.

Believers are not afraid of death.

But they feared that they would tarnish the reputation of the gods.

Tang Qi's threat was effective.

This stems from his extensive knowledge and his affinity for the "everyday hero."

This led Arthur to believe that he was a bard he didn't know, but who was somewhat famous.

Seeing that the other party had become obedient, Tang Qi couldn't help but say a few more words:
"Not everything can be solved with divine power."

He pointed to Arthur's throat.
"You have a mouth, is it just for eating?"

To be honest, I don't have any problem with pastors.

Although we are incompatible, I will never deny their commitment to justice, kindness, and even compassion; in fact, I feel a certain respect for them because of it.

Because they are doing something I could never do: simply giving everything to help others.

But I think that the vast majority of clergy are not as annoying as this rigid fool.

They should be good listeners, willing to express their opinions, have their own bottom line, but also be willing to forgive sins—the confessionals in those churches are a product of this universal love.

But Arthur is like an idealist, no, a blind believer, who sees only absolute black and white and does not allow any gray to exist.

It's hard to imagine how someone as utterly uncharismatic as him could have gained the favor of the gods.
I don't think Valenne is fond of these diodes.

He is a sleeping, loving father, not a righteous iron fist.

This must be Arthur's own problem.

"Feel sorry."

While Tang Qi was writing extensively in his log, Arthur, realizing he had made a mistake and almost plunged the team into an even more troublesome situation, didn't offer much explanation.

“I…I never considered any other solution. From the time I became conscious, I underwent rigorous training to ensure I could embrace divine guidance…”

In fact, he didn't even think zombies had any room for conversation.

I never imagined that the mess I made would be so easily resolved with just one sentence.

Doesn't the church teach you how to conduct yourself in society?

"A thousand words are not as good as one experience." So when we have a certain ability, we will be sent away from the holy city to spread the doctrine and spread blessings.

When God or the Church needs them, they will hear the guidance of the Father and return to serve in the Holy City.

It sounds more like they're summoning pastors who are out preaching to fill vacancies in the Holy City.

"Alright, considering you only recently left the Holy City, I won't blame you."

Tang Qi sighed.

No wonder Twilight Priests are often seen in adventurer teams...

This is, in itself, a test of their conscience.

You can't expect someone whose mind is filled with nothing but gods and rigorous training to understand the ways of the world.

“But I have no obligation to teach you, so if you cause me trouble again, I will do as I just said.”

If it weren't for the priest's help to put him to sleep, he wouldn't have realized the succubus's intrusion.

Tang Qi knew he wouldn't have much patience for the other party. Arthur nodded hesitantly, then asked:

"But why did they mistake you for Sean? You two look very alike."

"Aside from the black hair, they don't look very alike. I don't even know which one in that huge oil painting is Sean."

Tang Qi shrugged.

"But what do you expect a group of servants who have been dead for hundreds of years to know?"
Haven't you noticed yet? The guards patrolling outside the door, the red dress leaping into the air, the servants greeting the guests...

They have long lost their self-awareness, merely following the trajectory of their lives—or rather, the trajectory of their wedding—day after day, mechanically repeating their daily tasks.

So it wasn't me impersonating Sean; it's just that you could just say any name from the list and that would be enough to get through this door.

"She stole her own brother's lover and then put him on the dinner party guest list?"

Fied felt something was off.
Is this considered a fetish?

"You can't imagine the quirks of the nobility."

That was all Tang Qi could say, before he pushed open the door—

This is a banquet hall.

Several long tables were covered with red tablecloths covered in dust.

The tablecloth was covered with many pastries, and in the very center was a huge cake that had rotted and was covered with black and green mold over the years.

A pungent, sour smell rushed into my nasal cavity, like cooking wine poured into vomit. Only by covering my nose could I feel less uncomfortable.

"We've been here before..."

Fied said,
"But I've never seen these things before."

"Why don't you just ask him?"

Tang Qi pointed to the man sitting at the piano in the corner.

She had long, jet-black hair that reached her shoulders, and wore a jet-black dress.

He is the source of the music.

Seemingly unaware of the 'guest's' arrival, "Sylvie in My Dreams" lost its original melodiousness, the rhythm of the piano music gradually slowed down, and it entered a quiet finale.

Perhaps it's still missing a bit of moonlight.

Tang Qi waited in deep thought for the other party to raise his palm.

But he gradually discovered that this seemed to be a piece of music that would never end. Whenever the music reached its quiet end, his other hand would immediately begin to play the opening melody.

Tang Qi showed them ample respect, but he wouldn't wait there to die.

So he walked over and patted the other person on the shoulder.

Fingertips pierced through his clothes.

It was as if I had stepped into a layer of damp, cold mist, and my hand embedded itself in the man's chest, confirming his illusion.

"He is a ghost."

Arthur immediately concluded,
"It is the product of being prevented from being reborn due to obstacles. Perhaps someone is hindering it, or perhaps there are unfulfilled wishes..."

“But he didn’t seem like someone who could communicate.”

Tang Qi waved his hand in front of the man, but it did not affect him in the slightest, allowing the music to linger in his ears.

"Perhaps, as you said, he was just repeating everything he did in his previous life. He didn't have a strong sense of autonomy."

"But he's a spirit, unlike those zombies. He should remember a lot of things, like everything that happened at the wedding?"

“But we can’t even make him hear us.”

Arthur sighed.

"Is it enough to just hear it?"

Tang Qi hesitated for a moment, then straightened the lute, coughed twice, echoed "Sylvie in My Dreams," and began to hum a lullaby.

In today's world, where love, hate, and confusion intertwine...
History has been eroded by time.

Give me the opportunity to witness the past.

Listen to the stories you remember.

"He can't hear..."

Arthur hesitated, trying to persuade Tang Qi to give up.

But the sudden stop of the music made his cheeks sting as if they had been smeared with chili water.

"How could this be?" he asked in surprise.

In his view, Tang Qi was simply singing a short ballad in response to the melody.

Apart from that, nothing else particularly noteworthy was done.

Why has language, which was ineffective just moments ago, now become the key to unlocking the truth?
"This is the magic of language."

Realizing that [Eloquent Tongue] had an effect, Tang Qi couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Although this second-circle spell is generally used to modify one's own words and confuse the audience's memory in order to achieve the effect of 'deception'.

In Tang Qi's view, however, what is truly noteworthy is the effect of 'memory modification'.

To alter a being's memory means regardless of whether it actually communicated with you or whether it truly cared about what you said.

By using this spell, one can forcibly transmit the content of words into the other person's brain through the connection of the magic network.

The ghost before me, even when immersed in its own world, is captivated by the soothing sound of the piano.

Under the influence of this magic, their train of thought was inevitably interrupted, and they were pulled out of their state of absorption.

He hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Tang Qi, but showed no sign of annoyance at being disturbed.

Instead, he asked in surprise:
"who are you?"

“I am Tang Qi Night Raven, a descendant of this family.”

Seeing an opportunity to communicate, Tang Qi's eyes shimmered with pink, and using the magic of [Friendship Technique], he immediately asked the question.

"May I ask you are?"

It was due to both the influence of his social skills and the added advantage of Tang Qi's black hair and black eyes—

That is indeed the symbol of the Night Raven family.

The man seemed to realize something, and his tone became more amiable, showing less wariness and apprehension.

"I never thought that future generations would remember this place."

Fide and Arthur, who were standing nearby, blinked at each other.

No, it's a complete scam?
Did the other party really believe it?

They seemed to have discovered a new continent, secretly marveling at how terrifying the bards were.

Tang Qi, however, grasped the key point:
"So you are our ancestor?"

The man nodded:

“I am Van Frien Night Raven, you may have heard of me.”

Tang Qi blinked.

its not right?
The story of "House of the Mist" is clearly written from Van Fleur's perspective, depicting a hundred years of history until he finally passed away in guilt, at which point the perspective of the next generation was changed.

Tang Qi feigned surprise and probed:

"I'm sorry, I didn't expect you to be even younger than I imagined..."

Van Frien failed to grasp Tang Qi's deeper meaning, continuing the narrative as he spoke, even cracking a joke:

"Perhaps it's because I died too young?"

really.

Tang Qi clarified the facts:
"The House of the Mist does indeed contain fictional elements."

(End of this chapter)