Women only affect my ability to spread the fire

"Since we share the same goal, I hope we can work together happily, Mr. Brochard."

Although Russell still had many doubts in his heart, he had already promised to retrieve the Bluebonnet for Rosaline and the research notes for Margaret, so he simply extended his hand.

Brochar was stunned for a moment before he reacted and quickly stretched out his hand - he seemed to have been stranded on this island for a long time and even almost forgot the basic etiquette of shaking hands.

The author says:

Author's words: Thanks to Bloodthirsty Bronze Bull for the reward and coins

Thanks for the coin without a nickname

079 Entering the Castle

After agreeing to meet the next morning, Russell did not choose to stay in Mr. Brochard's safe house for a long time, but left with Margaret and Rosalyn.

Before leaving the cabin, Rosalyn acted like a shy little animal, carefully holding the corner of Russell's clothes and hiding her face behind Russell.

After they were away from the cabin and Russell's feeling of being watched returned, Rosalyn finally breathed a sigh of relief, as if socializing with others was a huge burden for her.

"Phew, I felt so nervous in that cabin!" Rosalyn said with a chuckle.

Margaret quipped, "I didn't remember you being such a reserved person, Sister Rosalyn. The first time you saw our Lord, you called him 'Dad'! So affectionate!"

Rosalyn's face turned red when she was teased by Margaret.

She waved her hands, trying to explain: "Ah! But! But Russell is different! I really feel that Russell is very kind!"

Being told by a beautiful girl like Rosalyn that "you are different" personally made Russell feel happy, and a smile appeared on his face. "Okay, stop teasing Rosalyn, Margaret. Also, when there are outsiders around, you can just call me Russell directly like Rosalyn did."

When Rosalyn heard Russell speaking for her, she turned up her nose in triumph and snorted at Margaret.

Margaret didn't want to argue with Rosalin. She said seriously, "Yes, my Lord. Seriously, I don't feel very good about that cabin either. Perhaps it's not entirely because Rosalin is shy that she's so nervous."

Rosalyn nodded repeatedly. "That's right! Now that I think about it, that cabin really gave me a bad impression! It was much worse than the impression I got from Mr. Brochard when I met him!"

Russell frowned. He remembered that when he was in the safe house just now, he had asked about the principle of the safe house in a roundabout way, trying to understand why the safe house could block prying eyes.

Russell hoped to learn how to block out the disturbing sight, but Brochard calmly changed the subject.

Originally, Russell thought that perhaps Brochard did not want to reveal his skills, but since the safe house made Margaret and Rosalyn feel uncomfortable, Russell began to question Brochard again.

"When we explore the castle tomorrow, we must try not to get separated, look after each other, and remain vigilant against Brochard," Russell warned.

Although from Rosaline's words, Russell felt that the problem might be with the safe house itself, it's better to be cautious, Russell still reminded her.

…………

Brochar pointed to the main gate of the metal fortress ahead. "There's a gap between the shifts of those mechanical puppets. We can use this opportunity to sneak in."

"...Is it possible that our understanding of infiltration is somewhat different?" Russell was speechless. "Does going through the castle's main gate count as infiltration?"

What made Russell feel particularly absurd was that he realized that the dark eyes were still watching him.

Before, Russell had always guessed that the inexplicable gaze came from the owner of the castle - the devil, but now he was a little unsure.

If the person watching in secret is really the owner of the castle, then "sneaking" into the castle in a swaggering manner under the watchful eyes becomes a ridiculous performance art.

"This is the only entrance to the castle at this stage. Perhaps because the demons fear the midday sun, all the windows are now sealed. But this is also the only gap left by the mechanical puppets for handover. Hurry, now! Break in and you will know!"

Brochard explained in a low voice, then he seized the opportunity and rushed into the castle gate.

"Forget it, let's follow them, quickly!" Russell didn't have time to look back, he simply shouted.

Russell then grabbed Rosaline's hand, and the three of them quickly took advantage of the mechanical puppet's blind spot to break into the main gate of the castle.

Then Russell noticed that the prying eyes had disappeared again since he entered the castle.

But before Russell could think about it, the middle-aged man's voice suddenly came out and scared Russell: "Aha! Uninvited guest!"

This is indeed a trap! Russell frowned, and he struggled to drag Rosaline into the castle. Then he loosened his right hand and reached for the sword at his waist.

At this time, the middle-aged man's voice sounded again.

"Aha! Uninvited guest! Congratulations—"

At this time, Margaret, who was at the rear of the palace, also ran into the main gate, and she even drew her sword.

The middle-aged man's mellow voice rang out for the third time: "Aha! Uninvited guest! Congratulations! You have successfully discovered the patrol pattern of my mechanical puppets and have entered my castle! I welcome anyone to use their ingenuity to solve the puzzle I left behind—"

Russell frowned as he walked out the main door and then walked back in.

Sure enough, the middle-aged man's words were interrupted again, and he started from the beginning: "Aha! Uninvited guest! Congratulations..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Russell and the other two looked at each other speechlessly.

"So this is a setting similar to the welcome voice at a convenience store?" Russell held his forehead and complained loudly.

Margaret also sighed: "I feel like there's no tension at all anymore."

"Yeah, yes, yes." Rosalyn nodded in agreement.

At this time, Brochar, still wearing the goat-head mask, smiled and said, "Anyway, this is a rather arrogant demon. It seems to enjoy toying with its visitors, using puzzles and tricks to make things difficult for them. I don't know how many days and nights I have spent under its taunts..."

At this time, the chattering middle-aged man's voice continued to ring out: "Please don't be complacent, stranger. You have just taken the first step towards solving the great mystery. There are still countless difficulties waiting for you to use your ingenuity! So, please begin!"

As the somewhat annoying middle-aged man finished his words, the castle hall, which had originally seemed empty except for those inactivated mechanical puppets, began to make a rattling sound of mechanical distortion.

Then, the high ceiling suddenly opened its mouth, and a metal staircase extended down from the ceiling little by little, and it landed in front of Russell and his group.

This is a spiral staircase, perhaps representing the host's invitation.

Russell frowned and looked at Brochar: "How about going up?"

However, Russell found that Brochard's frown was much deeper than his.

Brochar frowned deeply. "This is really strange! I've probably come here thousands of times to explore, but this is the first time I've encountered these strange stairs extending from the ceiling in the hall... Oops, let's go!"

Before he finished speaking, Brochard walked up the stairs.

At the same time, dense clicking sounds were heard in the hall, and the unactivated mechanical puppets in the hall began to move at the same time.

Looking at their dense numbers, Russell gave up the idea of ​​forcing his way in by force.

"Let's go, let's follow."

With the sound of footsteps, Russell and his group quickly climbed up the long stairs.

As they walked, Russell asked Brochard, "You said this is your first time encountering stairs? How do you usually explore?"

Brochard didn't even turn around, his brow furrowed as he stared intently at the steps. He replied simply, "Every day at noon, before the dormant mechanical guards are activated, there's only a short window to cross the hall. You just have to get through quickly."

Before Brochard finished speaking, the activated mechanical puppets in the hall began to walk back and forth and started their patrol. Their heavy footsteps and the friction of mechanical joints merged into one.

Rosalin had been looking at the mechanical puppets with interest, but was pulled back by Margaret.

Margaret warned, "Hurry up, Rosalyn, don't look back. The steps under our feet are starting to shrink back!"

Russell looked down when he heard the sound and found that just as Margaret said, the steps had begun to shrink upwards slowly and evenly.

The steps on the bottom floor bend inward and wriggle to fit the steps on the upper floor. It shortens its length slowly, as if it doesn't care that the guests who are still standing on it will slip and fall.

So the group hurriedly quickened their pace, they spiraled up the stairs and finally reached the ceiling of the hall.

Came to a very dark room.

The author says:

Author's words: Thanks to Bloodthirsty Bronze Bull for the reward and coins

Thanks for the tips and coins without nickname

080 Reception Room

As Rosaline was dragged up breathlessly by Russell, the steps that originally extended into the hall gradually converged and finally closed.

Then the steps turned into a thick and solid floor, sealing the second-floor room tightly and blocking all the light in the room.

The room was plunged into complete darkness.

Russell, who had basic dark vision, scanned the room that was beyond the reach of the light, but found nothing unusual for the time being, and there was no movement in the darkness.

Russell's current dark vision is like that of a frog. He can only clearly distinguish things moving in the dark, but cannot see anything that remains still.

Rosalin, who was holding her knees and panting, subconsciously raised her hand to summon fire for lighting, but Russell, who was quick-eyed and quick-handed, gently held her hand down.

Rosalyn was stunned for a moment, then showed an expression of sudden realization.

Brochard, who was unaware of this little action, was well prepared. He lit the oil lamp, held it in his hand, and used the dim light to illuminate the dark room.

At this moment, the middle-aged man's voice suddenly rang out again: "Ah! Sorry, sorry! I forgot to open the window because I don't like the sun!"

Then, there was another sound of mechanical friction and movement, and then a window suddenly opened on a wall.

The tropical midday sun rushed into the room. It was full of enthusiasm and vitality, but also extremely brutal, causing Russell and his companions to squint their eyes.

Russell was just pretending to squint his eyes.

He had already arched his back alertly, holding down his sword, as if he was ready to suddenly jump up and draw his sword to hurt someone at any time - if he wanted to launch a surprise attack, this drastic change in light would be an excellent opportunity.

Humph, you never thought that my vision is now almost unaffected by light and darkness?

Russell sneered in his heart. If anyone wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to launch a sneak attack, Russell wouldn't mind teaching him a lesson.

Fortunately, nothing happened and Russell's vigilance seemed to be unnecessary.

Rosalyn couldn't help but let out a soft cry as her eyes adjusted to the bright light.

This is a very elegant reception room - but all the furniture, including tables, chairs, cupboards, dishes, etc., are made of metal and machinery, which makes it look a bit cold.

No, it's not just the furniture, even the two pots of flowers on the table are spliced ​​together by metal-cast blades and gears, forming a blooming shape.

Of course, these were not enough to cause Rosalyn to exclaim.

Rosalyn's exclamation came from the very center of the house.

In the center of the reception room is a huge glass cover, inside which is a huge human-shaped metal skeleton connected by countless wires and metal pipes.

There was a heart in the skeleton's chest. The heart suddenly turned red and began to beat continuously, making a thudding sound.

There was a pair of eyes on the skeleton's head, flashing blue light, staring at the four uninvited guests.

Russell always felt that the feeling of being stared at by these eyes was similar to the feeling of being spied on outside the castle before.

Maybe it was because we took the initiative to run under his nose, so he no longer needed to peek?

Russell thought unhappily.

At this moment, the castle owner's aria-like voice rang out again: "Oh, hello! Welcome to the reception room of my dear daughter Francine! You are the first guest to visit here! Little Francine is very lonely and has few friends. If you are willing to play with her more, that would be great!"

Demons also have daughters. Do demons also have family structures?

Considering the "families" of mechanical puppets he had seen in the town before, Russell always felt that the answer to this question might be yes.

However, as Russell continued to stare at the huge human skeleton in the glass cover and the castle owner's implied meaning, another idea gradually came to his mind.

Could the "daughter" it is referring to be this huge mechanical puppet?

It treats this mechanical puppet as its daughter?

Is this a trap set by the devil, or is this devil's mental state not normal?

Although Mr. Brochard's expression couldn't be discerned from the goat-head mask, his mumblings were filled with immense confusion: "This is the first time I've heard of the concept of 'daughter Francine,' the first time I've heard the name Francine, and the first time I've come to this house... What exactly caused this change? Is it the number of people, or a specific person?"

Mr. Brochard couldn't help but look at Russell and the other two. Seeing the three people who were also full of doubts, he shook his head in confusion.

At this time, the huge glass cover was being opened, and two huge metal mechanical arms made a buzzing sound, lifting the glass cover upwards, and then the huge metal skeleton took its heavy steps.

According to common sense, this "game" would probably be a fight...

Russell held the sword and stared at the mechanical puppet, ready to attack at any time.

However, the mechanical puppet did not attack the "guest" as expected, but turned around, passed through a tall door, and left the guest room.

Then, the heavy thuds of footsteps slowly faded away, and the tall iron door closed again, firmly.

"What a terrible ending! Shouldn't we fight this guy? What on earth is going on?" Russell felt puzzled.

Mr. Brochard sighed. "I wonder how many secrets this castle still holds... This room is completely new to me. Everything that happened today has nothing to do with my past experience. I think we need to find a way out, how to leave here."