Women only affect my ability to spread the fire

083 Hometown Ballads

"Let's go, Mr. Russell. Listen, there are footsteps of mechanical puppets ahead. We have to be careful."

Brochard was still wearing the sheep-head mask. He stared ahead cautiously and spoke without turning his head.

"Wait a moment, Mr. Brochard." Russell did not follow, but suddenly said, "I remember you said that you once found a mechanism leading to the sea. Well, I think we should try to find the boat first."

Russell, not having forgotten his promise to Margaret and Rosaline, took the initiative to ask.

Brochar turned around, stared at Russell deeply, and then said, "Don't worry, Mr. Russell, we will find a boat when the time comes. Don't forget, I also need to use your boat to leave this cursed island."

So Russell said nothing more, and the two of them walked forward in silence.

At this time, Russell found that he could vaguely feel that there were two balls of fire diagonally above his head, leisurely moving towards a certain direction.

Russell believed that this was a mysterious connection between him and his family. He could even tell that the more intense one was Margaret, while the calmer one was Rosaline.

They advanced at a uniform speed and did not use the power of fire, so it seemed that there was no danger for the time being.

This made Russell feel relieved. He had been paying attention to the safety of Margaret and Rosaline. Now that he was sure that they were not in danger for the time being, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Considering that Margaret and Rosaline had previously used ropes to descend into the castle's metal garden on the surface, Russell judged that his current location should be underground.

"Hey, pay attention! Don't be distracted. There's an alarm over there! Don't touch it."

Brochar shouted in a low voice.

Russell quickly collected his attention and focused on infiltration.

Soon, Russell and Mr. Brochard cleverly bypassed the three patrolling mechanical puppets, nimbly avoided a series of mechanisms that could trigger traps and alarms, and got into the ventilation duct.

The brief argument between them just now seemed like just a trivial episode.

…………

"I really doubt whether we are here to break the mechanism and remove the curse, or to travel. We can roam freely in this huge garden, but we don't even encounter a mechanical puppet." Rosalyn frowned and said to Margaret.

Margaret's expression relaxed slightly, and she said casually, "Perhaps the owner of this castle—that demon—is trying to paralyze us, making us let down our guard, and then attack us by surprise."

"As long as it sends out two teams of mechanical puppets, we will probably have to flee. I don't think it's worth it for it to go through so much trouble." Rosaline said, shaking her head.

"Perhaps it's just the devil's evil spirit. Clearly, the owner of this castle isn't in his right mind." Margaret clenched her fists devoutly before her chest and prayed, "I felt like I sensed the Lord just now. His flame is very strong. I'm sure everything will go well."

Rosalyn nodded. "Yeah, I also felt for a moment that he was right under our feet. He was clearly in a room above us just now, but now he's suddenly gone underground. This castle is really complicated."

After confirming that Russell was in good condition, the two ladies were no longer as nervous as before. They finally had the leisure to look at the metal garden.

"Let's hope there aren't any intractable traps in this metal garden... Ah, this maple tree is truly beautiful!"

After turning a corner along the path, a tall maple tree appeared in front of the two of them, and Margaret couldn't help but sigh.

This metal maple tree is about ten meters tall, with a broad crown shaped like a giant umbrella.

Its leaves are light green, like maple trees in early spring. In the sunlight, it shines like a ball of green flame.

Its bark is brown and has fallen off in some places, revealing the red wood inside, which looks like scars, recording its history and stories.

The meticulous details of this maple tree make it the most realistic metal plant in the garden. Margaret felt that she could not help but reach out and touch the maple tree to see if it was a real maple tree.

"This maple tree is truly a masterpiece, so perfect it looks like a work of art! It's hard to believe it could be the work of a demon!" Margaret said excitedly. She turned around and saw Rosalyn with a dazed look in her eyes. "What's wrong, Rosalyn?"

Rosalyn stared at the maple tree for a long while, then shook her head and smiled at Margaret: "Maybe I made a mistake, it's nothing."

Then Rosaleen went on, but she began to sing softly: "Lovely green leaves, my dearest maple tree, you light up my life. Thunder, lightning, or storm cannot disturb your peaceful happiness, and you will never fear the strong north wind again!"

The girl's singing voice is melodious and pleasant to the ears.

Margaret clapped her hands. "It's so beautiful! It's worthy of being Vitolos's ballad! It's so beautiful!"

Rosalyn smiled and said, "This song is quite famous in Vitolos. Oh, and it was composed by a composer from Usedom. Speaking of composing, it really has to be someone from Usedom."

After the business talk, the two ladies smiled at each other, their spirits completely relaxed. They walked past the maple tree and continued to move forward.

However, at this moment, a mechanical bird flapped its wings and flew over, making Margaret and Rosaline tense again.

The deep, middle-aged man's voice from the mechanical bird rang out again: "Welcome, my distinguished guest. Before you is a maple tree that I painstakingly crafted!"

Since the two people were walking from the innermost part of the garden to the outside, the "in front of you" in the mechanical bird referred to the maple tree behind them. Obviously, these mechanical birds were triggered by conditional controls and were not real intelligent tour guides.

Anyone can see that a lot of time and effort was spent carving every detail of this maple tree. It doesn't even reflect the glaring sunlight like other metal plants.

If other metal plants win by their overall appearance and catch the eye, then every detail of this metal maple tree looks almost like a real transplanted maple tree.

"This maple tree is a gift from me to my daughter! I also gave her a ballad from my hometown! I hope my daughter's peaceful happiness will never be violated!"

Then, the mechanical bird opened its beak, and a rich baritone voice floated out: "Lovely green leaves, my dearest maple tree, you light up my life. Thunder, lightning, or storms cannot disturb your peaceful happiness. Never again need you fear the strong north wind!"

Margaret's eyes widened. She looked at Rosaline and said, "The owner of this castle is a Vitolos like you. He is not a demon at all!"

Looking at Rosaline who looked dazed, Margaret felt as if she understood many things in an instant.

Why in the mechanical town, all the mechanical puppets ignored the three of them? It didn't seem to be entirely due to the spell or command.

Why after entering this castle, he triggered a mechanism that Mr. Brochard had not triggered for many years?

Why after entering the reception room, the metal puppet politely served us fruits?

Why had he and Rosaline walked through the garden for so long without encountering a single mechanical puppet guard?

Why are all the metallophytes in this garden temperate?

Margaret instantly connected all the seemingly unnatural details in her mind.

Margaret asked tentatively: "Wait, Rosalyn, tell me, the owner of this castle, could he actually be your——"

"No! Please don't say it! Margaret!" Rosalyn screamed and interrupted Margaret. She had the same guess in her heart, and there were complex and inexplicable emotions in her eyes.

There are expectations for her father, fear that these expectations may not be realized, confusion about how to face her father, and resentment towards her father for abandoning her for so many years.

When Rosalin saw the maple tree, she began to feel dazed, because the tree was exactly the same as the maple tree in the small yard of her grandmother's house where her mother once lived.

Rosaline subconsciously wanted to find Russell, seeking warmth and encouragement from the embrace that made him feel safe, but she immediately realized that Russell was in another place in this strange castle.

The author says:

Author's words: Thank you for the monthly tickets and coins

084 Mechanism and Portrait

"Let's go, Margaret." Rosalyn, lacking courage, said softly with a trembling voice.

Rosalyn wanted to move forward, but she found that her steps were so heavy that she could hardly take the first step.

Rosalyn looked at the winding path beneath her feet, then toward the door leading out into the garden. She felt a surge of unease as she thought about the strange father she might have to face.

What should I say?

Hello, Mr. Renatus Catisius, I am your daughter Rosalyn Catisius?

No, that's too cold. Like I really don't want to see him.

Dad, Rosalyn came to see you?

This seems too casual and not solemn enough for such an occasion. Besides, I haven't forgiven him for not visiting me for more than ten years.

Maybe Dad was trapped by the storm and he didn't want to come to see me?

Should I question out loud who Francine was? Should I blame him for forgetting me now that he had a new daughter?

Why did he build a maple tree like that in the garden when he already had a new daughter?

Should I grab him by the collar and make him hand over the Bluebonnet?

Should I be able to act coquettishly in his arms, just like my cousins ​​in their uncle's arms?

Rosalyn felt that she had imagined this scene countless times, but when the moment was about to come, she found that she was far from prepared.

Her heart was filled with doubts, and she couldn't even take a step forward.

"No matter who the owner of this castle is, we must quickly inform Russell that he is from Vitolos. What do you think, Margaret?" Rosalyn suppressed her expectations and uneasiness and encouraged herself.

"Yes, since he's not a demon, that means Brochard has been deceiving us all along." Margaret's expression turned cold. "This also means that our Lord might be in danger. We must convey this news to our Lord as soon as possible."

Ah, yes! Russell is in danger!

Rosalyn was surprised by Margaret's reminder. She finally realized this belatedly, and then she felt that her nervousness and anxiety seemed not so heavy.

So, Rosalyn finally took the first step with difficulty. Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, but she walked faster and faster.

Russell, wait for me, I will get Dad to stand on our side!

Rosalin's steps became more and more firm. She passed through the metal garden, and a spiral staircase appeared in front of her again, as if the owner of the castle had once again extended a sincere invitation to her.

This time, Rosalyn stepped onto the spiraling metal steps without hesitation. Her steps were full of courage and strength, and she rushed forward and slammed into the steps, making a thudding sound.

…………

Brochard made a silencing gesture to Russell.

The two held their breath and hid behind a pipe. They only breathed a sigh of relief after the heavy footsteps disappeared.

"There are so many patrolling mechanical puppets." Russell sighed lightly.

"Humph, we don't usually have so many mechanical puppets. Avoiding them took us at least an extra hour. Maybe we don't have much time left to crack the mechanism today. It's all thanks to you for stirring up a hornet's nest, Mr. Russell. Thank you so much." Brochard said sarcastically.

Russell smiled happily, as if he was really being praised. "You're welcome. That's what I should do."

Brochar hummed softly, his hands fiddling with a series of gears on the wall without any slack.

Finally, the gears made a slight click.

Brochar nodded with satisfaction, then he reached out and pushed open a door that was originally closed.

"Hurry! Come in! We're in the bedroom!" Brochard urged.

As soon as Russell slipped in, he immediately closed the door again.

"Oh, what a beautiful lady, who is she?" Russell saw the oil painting and the quiet girl in the painting as soon as he entered the door.

"Damn it! Can't you see those mechanisms at first sight? We have important things to do!" Brochard muttered in dissatisfaction.

"You haven't answered my question yet."

Brochar shook his head: "How should I know who she is! You should ask the owner of this place!"

As he spoke, Brochard bent a metal connecting rod downward.

After a mechanical sound, one side of the room rotated, and the bed, bedside table, dining table, and chest of drawers all rotated away, replaced by a bunch of mechanical devices and a locked metal door.

"As long as we unlock this, the door will open! I can feel that the final mechanism is behind the door! Once we complete them, we can lift the curse and leave this island!"

There was a hint of fanaticism in Brochard's voice. His sharp eyes were fixed on the complex series of mechanical puzzles that were linked together. He held his chin with one hand and fell into deep thought.

Then he cast a spell and blocked Russell's sword.

"Asshole, what are you doing!" Brochard asked angrily.

"I always feel there is an easier way to decrypt it," Russell said with a smile.

Mr. Brochard was quite displeased. "How vulgar! This mechanical puzzle is a work of art! Every gear, every part has its purpose! They are all interlocked and respond to each other! How could you have the heart to swing your sword at such a delicate machine?"

"Mr. Brochard, do you really want to solve the mystery and leave here?" Russell asked curiously.

"Of course! But this is a test of intelligence! There is no need for crude and brutal force to spoil the fun!" Brochard answered without hesitation.

Russell shook his head. "You seem to be overly obsessed with this mechanical device. Don't you think it's abnormal, Mr. Brochard?"

"Such a perfect mechanical device, I am obsessed with what is wrong with it!"

After saying this, Brochard, who didn't find it strange at all, devoted all his energy to this complex and exquisite metal mechanism and no longer paid attention to Russell.

Russell frowned.

In fact, Russell sensed something was wrong as soon as this ingenious and wonderful mechanical device appeared in the room through the rotation of the wall.

Because at that time Russell was also completely attracted by this exquisite mechanical device.

The core of the machine is the delicate gears, the large ones like small towers and the small ones like delicate jewels.

These gears mesh together seamlessly, with meticulous workmanship, like a work of art. Each gear is precisely adjusted and lubricated to ensure the smooth operation of the device.

The ingenious combination of various parts and gears forms a precise and complex system.

When it starts running, the gears inside work together to make a rhythmic mechanical sound. To Russell, this sound is like a beautiful piece of music, making people feel a unique mechanical beauty.