The female devils I saved came to my door

Although it was a simple drawing, he always felt that he could not draw the aura of the sword master with his sword, so he always picked up the eraser and repeatedly erased the lines on the cardboard.

He revised it repeatedly, hoping that the painting would achieve the expressiveness he expected, but the more he revised it, the more dissatisfied he became.

"I think your painting is quite good. You don't need to revise it again and again." An energetic old man said behind him.

Ciel suddenly raised his head and turned to look behind him.

It's Ether Monroe.

This sword master, who was wearing heavy armor and even had many iron chains and rivets on his armor, came behind him silently, but he was completely unaware of it - if this sword master wanted to sneak attack, he would have to twist his Neck, it's a breeze.

He was also holding a small bag of bulging things in his hand, which looked like books.

"After I knocked on the door, I heard the maid say that she knew you were painting, so she didn't bother you." Monroe saw Charles' shock and explained himself: "You are quite good at painting, especially mine. I personally think the painting is very similar. But you keep making changes, are you not satisfied?"

After regaining his consciousness, Charles paused briefly and slowly explained: "...Yes, these paintings are to be sent to my students in Ipoli. I hope the paintings will be more similar, but I always feel that I can't draw them." Show off your sword-wielding momentum."

"Oh, that's it...I don't know much about art, but I can show you my sword skills again and help you perfect the painting."

"Then... thank you very much."

"It's okay."

Monroe pulled out an ordinary ceremonial sword from his waist, stood in the courtyard, took a stance, and simply swung the sword a few times - to him it was just a simple slash, but in the eyes of ordinary people, The speed is as fast as thunder.

Charles watched it several times before catching the characteristics of his movements at the moment when he exerted force.

After the inspiration struck, he immediately added a few strokes to the painting, using blurry lines to show the movements and momentum of the sword master when he slashed.

"The painting is very good." After seeing Charles's completed work, he also praised: "You are indeed an excellent painter, and your painting method is rare. There are obviously few lines and the picture is very clean, but You can see it clearly, but where did you learn it?"

Of course, Ciel couldn't tell the truth. After all, this was the comic style he taught himself by relying on online painting tutorials in his previous life.

He could only prevaricate: "...I was bored, scribbling casually, and then I mastered some tricks. They were all essays. They are incomparable with the techniques of those court painters."

"I feel good." He said sincerely.

Then, both of them fell silent.

"Sir, did you come to see me tonight for something?"

"There is indeed something going on." Monroe looked around awkwardly for a while, then pointed at the paintings: "Actually, it really has something to do with your paintings."

"Is it related to my painting?"

"Yes. About a year ago, some fairy tale picture books came to Rongguang City from other places. At first, they were circulated in the hands of some people who were interested in collecting art. Then, there were more and more imitations of these picture books, because The illustrations are clear and the stories are simple and interesting. Many children like to read them. I have collected some of them myself."

As he spoke, the sword master unfolded the pile of bags at hand. Inside were the batch of fairy tale picture books that Ciel had produced for Sirna and Lovna - to be precise, they were imitations of those picture books.

Some have no three-dimensional effect due to poor imitation technology, while others simply trace his illustrations without even coloring them.

But each copy is still marked "Drawed by Mr. Charles of Ipoli."

This name has become a golden sign.

Ciel was stunned for a moment.

He remembered that a few years ago, after he gave the pile of old fairy tale picture books to the old magician, the old magician indeed proudly said to him: "I made a lot of imitations of three-dimensional picture books and distributed them to I have met my old friends, they all like your works, you are recognized as a genius, Mr. Charles!"

He didn't take it seriously at the time.

Unexpectedly, these gadgets spread more and more widely, and imitations even reached the hands of the pillar of the Holy See.

"Actually, when Perry sent the news about Hilna and you back to the Holy See, he also brought along your personal information. At that time, I also speculated that these widely circulated picture books were probably produced by you. . After all, in a small and remote country like Ipoli, there should not be two educated people who happen to be named Charles and are proficient in painting and grammar."

"Your works are very good. I have read several of them. They are very childlike and suitable for children."

Monroe hesitated, but seemed to have finally made up his mind: "I have a 'child' here, and she also likes your work very much. I hope... I hope you can meet her and tell her stories."

37. First meeting with Katrin

At this time, dusk had passed, and the entire Glory City was shrouded in darkness.

The mages activated spells on the lampposts beside the road and gathered light balls for lighting, casting a light yellow halo over the ancient streets. Knights and security inspectors patrolled the streets in twos and threes.

But instead of driving the carriage on the well-lit road, Monroe called Charles and walked through the lanes of Glory City.

The experienced warrior wearing heavy armor was extremely agile and could pass through countless narrow gaps with almost magical movement. He could also beckon Ciel to follow his silent steps.

"Where is this child you are talking about? Why don't you take the right path and take a carriage to see her?" Charles struggled to move forward in this unfamiliar alley, feeling very confused at the same time.

After agreeing to the paladin and expressing his willingness to follow him to meet the child, Monroe took him out without even giving him time to greet Hilna.

And he went out of his way to walk in these alleyways, as if he was deliberately avoiding others.

"It's not convenient for me to say it clearly." He replied: "You will know when we get there."

They walked faster and faster in the alley, and Charles also discovered that the direction they were heading seemed to be getting closer and closer to the inner city of Glory City, and closer and closer to the Glorious Cathedral in the center of the city.

"That child...is in Glow Cathedral now?"

"No, it's at the mansion next to the church." Monroe said without looking back, "We're almost there."

He finally took Ciel to a small building about three stories high.

Opposite the main entrance of this small building is the wide preaching square in front of the Glow Cathedral, only one long street away from the inner city.

For this kind of facade located directly in front of the cathedral, the land price is probably close to astronomical figures.

The marble walls of this house are carved with many religious-themed reliefs, which are in harmony with the surrounding architectural styles and are not eye-catching at all.

If there was anything strange about this house, it was that there were no windows on the side facing the square, only a locked door.

In the dark alley behind the house, there is a rather hidden back door, which is the passage for the owner of the house to enter and exit.

Several spells were added to the door. With a serious look, Monroe took out the key with cipher text engraved on it, drew a few runes on the narrow back door, and then the door slowly opened.

Seeing this posture, Ciel also felt that the child he was going to meet today probably had an unusual identity.

Before entering the house, Monroe gave him a look, and Charles immediately understood - what he saw next must be kept strictly confidential and pretend that he had no idea at all.

Ciel felt a little bit in trouble.If he had known this, he should have asked more questions before coming.

But after receiving so many benefits from the sword master these days, he couldn't refuse, so he actually agreed.

Bracing his nerves, he followed Monroe into the house.

There is nothing special about the first floor of this house, just a common living room layout, but the corners of all the furniture are cushioned, and the floor is covered with brand new blankets.

Out of politeness, Ciel asked if he needed to take off his shoes, but the answer was that it was not necessary.

Monroe wore heavy armor and entered the house directly. His iron boots stained with dust and sewage stepped on the blanket, and it was automatically cleaned. The blankets in this house have complex self-cleaning spells and are of high value. Enchanted items.

Ciel was becoming more and more curious, or rather in awe of the person he was about to meet.

Slowly walking up the stairs to the second floor, he heard a woman crying from upstairs, and the faint comforting voice of an old woman.

The sound came from a bedroom on the second floor.

Monroe gently knocked on the door, and only dared to open the door after receiving the reply that he was invited to come in.He did not enter the house immediately, but led Ciel into the door.

Then, Ciel saw what was going on in the house.

In fact, there is nothing special. The room is also covered with blankets and cushions, and is surrounded by various dolls. Gorgeous dresses are scattered everywhere, and many fairy tale picture books are also scattered aside.

A kind old woman wearing a white robe, a black shawl, and a nun's veil was sitting on a chair, shaking a rattle in one hand, and softly humming a children's song that she couldn't quite hear, coaxing the people in front of her. children.

This old woman looked a little familiar. Charles always felt that he had seen her somewhere before, but he couldn't remember it. He probably met her in that public place.

But the person she was coaxing was not a baby of several years old, but a thin and slender blonde woman, about 30 or [-] years old. She was wearing a lace dress, and her exposed arms, legs and feet were covered with dense magic symbols. arts.

The whole person looks very weird.

She was sobbing while holding the three-dimensional picture book "The Knight Who Turned into a Monster" produced by Benchar.

"Katelyn? Katrin?" The father gently called the girl's name: "Don't cry. I brought Mr. Charles back. He will help you change the ending of the story. No one will die. Everything in the story Everyone will survive.”

Hearing the call, the girl named Katrin raised her head and looked at Ciel with her confused green pupils.

She was actually quite beautiful, but after looking at her, Ciel felt pain that was almost like drowning.

At that moment, Charles saw countless chaotic scenes from her pupils.

His brain seemed to have been pried open, and countless scattered and broken memories were stuffed into it.

He almost fell to the ground.

But Monroe's strong hands helped him up: "Try not to look directly into her eyes. Katrin is a cursed child. Her eyes will reveal all kinds of bad future possibilities, and she will easily become demented after seeing them."

The dizzy Ciel covered his head and reluctantly stood up.

In the eyes of Katrin, he just saw a giant beast with a mouse head, screaming and running across the ground, devouring the panicked living people, and he was about to fight it with his sword;

Seeing himself nailed to the stake, roaring in the blazing flames, but unable to break free from the ropes that bound him;

I saw myself raising a huge sword and launching a desperate attack on the enemy who could not see the end until I was overwhelmed by the sword;

I saw myself standing on the top of the bell tower, strangling a man with a chain, hanging his body on the top of the tower, and then ringing the giant bell...

If those scattered and mixed scenes symbolized his future, it was indeed bad enough.

This Katrin seemed to be frightened by Charles's appearance, and hurriedly hid behind the old woman, like a frightened and ignorant baby.

It wasn't until the old lady coaxed her for a while that she slowly poked her head out, looked at Charles, opened her mouth, and made a sound of "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh".

"She can't speak, so she can only express her meaning in this way." Monroe explained: "Sorry, Charles, I really can't explain it to you in advance. I can only ask you to come over and understand the situation in person."

"So... this is the child who likes to read my picture books?" Charles looked at this timid woman and asked hesitantly: "You want me to rewrite the endings of some tragic stories for her?"

"Yes." Monroe nodded: "She is 25 years old this year. Due to...hereditary bloodline problems, her body has undergone serious mutations. So far, her mind has stayed before the age of five. She cannot speak, and her body contains a large amount of The magical power may explode at any time, hurting those around you.

"Her full name is Katrin Monroe, and she's my daughter."

Ciel was stunned.

He did not expect that this Master Sword Master, who "has never married and devoted everything to the eternal church", would actually have an illegitimate daughter.

"She is not an illegitimate daughter. The engagement between Charles, Catlin's biological mother, and me was secretly presided over by the current Pope himself." Monroe noticed what Charles was thinking and explained in advance: "It's just that Due to formality, it was not made public until her mother's death."

The old woman who was coaxing Katrin nodded: "That's true."

Only then did Charles really pay attention to the appearance of this old woman.

The more he looked at it, the more familiar it became.

Finally, he remembered-

I had seen this old woman during mass at the Glorious Cathedral.

At that time, she was wearing gorgeous robes, holding a staff and a sacred instrument, and wearing a crown on her head. She stood very far away, so now that she was in ordinary robes, she was not recognized by him at a glance.

She is the current Pope, St. Ann IV, who is over [-] years old.

38. Tragedy that changes the ending

Ciel had never felt this level of pressure.

?Even if you are besieged by brutal robbers, chased by crazy cultists, or raided by the evil servants of the manor owner, it is not as stressful as this time.

Now, he is facing the Pope who serves as the spokesperson of the Eternal Heavenly Father, and the Sword Master, the strongest individual in the continent, and he also knows some of their secrets that should not be revealed...

There is a feeling that I will be silenced at any time.

"Ciel, please, my daughter likes your picture books very much."

Monroe said seriously: "His Majesty the Pope has obtained a lot of your works this year and reads them to the child Catherine every day. She has read all the picture books he can get. So, I hope you can help and bring Read some interesting and childlike stories with happy endings to this poor child to make her happy."

The kind-faced His Majesty the Pope also spoke at this time: "Katelin is a very emotional and ignorant child. After all, she will not grow up and cannot distinguish between stories and reality.

"She always thought that the author of these stories, 'Mr. Charles of Ipoly,' was a god. Those stories were true stories of the world he controlled. All the characters were arranged by him. Only then did they experience or suffer. Or a happy life.

"She simply believes that you are a god who can change destiny and control the life and death of characters in the story.

"So, please Ciel, please change these tragedies and give these stories a perfect and happy ending.

"There is cardboard, brushes, and paints for making these picture books in the bedroom next door. I hope you can hurry up. This child has become more and more noisy recently, and I can hardly coax him anymore."

"........."

After a long silence, Charles finally spoke: "Such a short time may not be enough. Your Majesty, to be honest, I made these picture books in the past just to make my two students happy. The production of three-dimensional picture books is very cumbersome and requires Several days.”