Stray: Chapter 181 inside the bird cage

Sampson Alastair, Alban's father, died ten years ago at the age of eighty.

To be fair, An's father is a wise man.

More than 20 years ago, Alban and Willard, who were in full swing, were at war. This iron-blooded emperor relied on his own strategy and astonishing judgment to reverse the disadvantage, repelled the Willards across the board, and even expanded the country a bit in turn. During Sampson's reign, he became friendly with the current Pope Quinn, and Alban's national power grew by leaps and bounds, and the economy did not look as if it had been stagnant. Although small wars on the frontier continued, the number of refugees and criminals did drop significantly, and the standard of living of ordinary people improved more than a little.

In the impression of most of Orr himself, Sampson is nothing more than a tougher, and generally speaking, he is a good emperor.

But he is not a good father.

Sampson Alastair has two children.

The two eldest princes were born to Queen Griselda, who died unexpectedly while giving birth to the second prince. A few years later, Sampson married his young lover Theodora, brought his illegitimate son into the palace, and gave birth to a pair of twin princesses with the new queen.

Prince Etram is destined to inherit the throne after Sampson's death. In addition to being weaker by birth, Etram's personality is almost the same as that of the previous emperor - smart, stubborn, and decisive. It's a pity that I couldn't get sick a few years ago, and it was all due to the rare medicinal materials and the efforts of countless therapists.

The second prince Abbas has an amazing talent for magic, but his personality is too gentle and unambitious. In order to show his brother that he really had no desires or desires, he didn't even ask for a fief, and went straight to become a mercenary. After the Tin Soldier mercenary regiment became famous all over the world, he would occasionally return to the palace to have a look, and tell the eldest prince, who had not yet become an emperor, about the outside world, as well as important information that the palace could not know.

The son brought by Theodora, Eldric, who was once an illegitimate child, is mediocre, but very strong. Because of his young age, the late emperor was very fond of him. Can be favored, he can only be a prince at most.

Finally, the Nightingale of Alban, twin princesses Annabelle and Andrea.

This is supposed to be a prosperous family.

It's a pity that Etram is too weak to have children. He was murdered by blood relatives in the days when therapists had just figured out a possible treatment. The young Abbas had long since died at the bottom of the abyss.

Ann's half-brother, the ambitious Eldric, has not yet married in order to prevent being restrained by his wife's family. Andrea "died from illness" early, and only Annabelle has a daughter, Delia. So far, there are only two royals left, Eldric and the underage Delia.

The end of the Alastair family is ironic. The female warrior in the tavern poured herself another glass of wine and drooped the corners of her mouth.

Ann was disappointed with her father several times.

Unlike Etram, Abbas, a top mercenary, does not exclude his half-brothers and sisters. Ever since An was sensible, what she liked most was sticking to this gentle brother. After enduring boring theological and liturgical education, Abbas would tell them a lot of outside stories. Ann likes to listen in Abbas's arms, while Annabelle usually hides timidly and listens carefully.

It was a world they could never reach.

The accident happened on a normal day. Ann slipped out of the classroom early and ran to the church in the castle to look for Abbas. Abbas didn't notice his sister hiding under the table, just put a stack of books on the table, and then talked to the precepts at the door.

It may be a storybook, An Xin thought, and sneaked away the top one.

In order to study theology, the princesses learned to read early, and it was not difficult for Ann to read. It's a pity that it is not a story, but a royal magic secret.

Princesses are usually only allowed to practice the exclusive spells of the Radhist religion, and are not allowed to learn other magics from the outside world. Anton became excited, and she flipped through the pages, completely unaware of Abbas, who was watching her with his arms folded.

"Is it fun?" Abbas smiled softly, "Okay, don't make trouble. Give me the book, Ann."

That is a high-level magic book, he is entitled to watch it as a little girl.

"Very good!" Young Ann raised her head, wiped her nose, and her eyes sparkled. "Brother, look-"

She opened her tender eyes, and a ball of light circled by lightning floated above her eyes, hissing ominously.

A perfect spell.

Abbas' face changed: "You... just take a look?"

"Isn't it difficult?" Ann turned a few pages, and the brilliance of thunder and lightning once again broke through the dull air of the dusk.

Abbas acted decisively, isolated the room with an isolation spell, and shut the door tightly. He sat down opposite Ann, put the stack of books on the floor, and pulled out one: "Try this, little pumpkin."

Ann frowned and watched for a while, and then released another spell in a proper manner.

"Here is this."

Success.

"And then this."

Success.

"Try again..."

A succession of successes.

"It's so boring." The child's patience soon ran out, and Ann began to roll on the carpet.

"The last one." Abbas' face was very complicated, "The last one, darling, try it? Next time my brother will bring you candy outside."

Ann was shocked.

"As for this spell, you have to swear to your brother that you will never use it in a critical moment. Be obedient, okay?"

"Hmm."

"It's called a royal edict, but...for some reason, my brother can't teach you the whole thing. It shows a person's magical potential most directly. It allows others to do things for you, you The stronger the ability, the more powerful the command can be given. Remember, it can only be used on the clergy of the Rad Sect. If you use it on the same person repeatedly, that person will have incredible resistance, you can imagine it a one-off."

"I swear not to use it indiscriminately!" Ann rolled her eyes, already thinking about how to use this spell to prank her.

"You." Abbas smiled and shook his head, obviously seeing through the little girl's plan. "That's why I teach you the incomplete - at most you can use it to make people dazed for a while and can't give orders."

“…the cheapskate.”

"Learn?"

"Mmmm, remember."

"Felix, Felix!" Abbas removed the isolation spell and summoned the precepts bishop who was talking with his subordinates in the corridor. "Have you finished talking over there? Come and get the information."

An obeyed Abbas's instructions and issued an incomplete royal edict when the preceptor bishop stepped into the door - the young preceptor bishop froze in place, staring directly at the void. It took ten minutes to recover.

Abbas sighed, and pretended to send the bishop out of the door, then grabbed Ann: "Ann, come with me. Let's go see my father."

"I don't! I want to hear the story-"

"It's important, if Dad listens, you and Belle might get a hangout."

Ann didn't like her father, never did. He never touched her head or even smiled at her.

"What nonsense are you talking about, Abbas." After hearing Abbas' first sentence, their father interrupted him coldly. "Don't bring the mercenary stuff here."

"But father, Ann's magical talent is amazingly high, and her potential has even surpassed the current precepts bishop! Belle is definitely not far behind, as long as they are properly educated, they can definitely become outstanding The-" Abbas clenched his sister's slender little girl.

"They have received the most appropriate education. What do you want to say? Did Alban want women to lead the war?"

"At least let them go to Clements for a normal education, please father. Ann's talent is even better than mine, and she can do more for this country."

“They grow up obediently and marry the right person, which is the greatest contribution to this country. Of course, good talent can be one of the bargaining chips - which means that they can give birth to excellent children, that's all."

Sampson had no intention of caring about his daughter present, not even looking into her eyes.

An eyesore stared at his tall father. Brother Abbas is shaking, his heart is cold, and even her heart is not very comfortable.

"Father... just give it a try, okay? Even bring them back when they're adults. Give them a..."

"If you still have such naive thoughts, I will call you back from the tin soldier. These so-called talents are only temporary. Women are women, and when they grow up, Brains full of perfume and love. Send them out? Then, wait until they fall in love with the wrong person? Or worse—fall in love with the enemy arranged for them?"

Abbas lowered his head, long smooth brown hair down his shoulders.

"I'm sorry, Ann." He said with a forced smile, "Brother can't take you out."

"It's Andrea and Annabelle, don't use unruly names like 'Ann' or 'Belle' in front of me."

“…Yes, Father.”

Abbas looked very sad. Ann didn't know what happened, but she did read contempt from her father's eyes. Make her feel cold contempt.

However, Abbas did not give up on this, and the next day, An received a stack of books—a stack of sweet and lovely fairy tales on the cover. The illusion that St. taught her can be easily solved.

[Don't give up. And don't mess around with them until the last minute. ] Abbas left the castle as usual and continued to follow the tin soldiers. His message on the title page was very simple.

"Belle, Belle!" An happily moved the book into their bedroom, "Let's learn together."

Her terrified sister shook her head. "No... No, the instructor said that we must not be able to learn these things, we are not born..."

"She farts! I learned so well."

"Don't say such things." Annabelle hurriedly covered her mouth in fright. Until they parted, Annabelle hadn't read those books.

It was the first time I was disappointed with my father.

Ann Savage has been in the black chapter industry for many years, and her combat power is excellent, but not outstanding. But she always survives the disaster that kills the entire team on her own—because she would never use the advanced spells of Alban's Royal in front of anyone unless her life was threatened.

She kept this secret, and to this day, she has never broken the agreement with Abbas.

Even if Abbas is long gone.

Ann was just nine years old when she heard the bad news. Once again her brother returned from the tin soldier, bearing the title of "The Brave", lying cold in the coffin. This time her brother Abbas would never leave again, but he would never be able to tell them stories or secretly stuff her magic textbooks.

Except for a very small number of members, the Tin Soldier Mercenary Group was almost wiped out at the bottom of the abyss.

Flint Lopez brought back Abbas' body and the head of the Demon King. But he refused the emperor's reward and asked to retire, only to live peacefully with his wife.

Sampson readily agreed to Flint Lopez's request.

Ann slipped out of the window after the late bedtime, got into the mortuary church, and nestled herself in the pale flowers under the coffin. She waited patiently—they all said Abbas was a powerful mage, and maybe her brother was just kidding herself.

she thought desperately.

Annabelle inherited her mother's character perfectly, and the new Theodora was not arrogant, but cautious to the point of nervousness. Seeing that the emperor was not interested in the two princesses, she was also stingy with giving them the "mother's love" mentioned in the book, and her heart was devoted to the youngest son, Eldric.

Abbas is the only one who loves them as normal family members. Alban's two nightingales are well-fed, but that's all there is to it. Maybe the almighty **** doesn't like me and my sister either, Ann numbly rubbed the delicate petals with her fingers.

The sound of footsteps came, and she cautiously got into the depths of the flowers and breathed softly.

"You promised him? Flint Lopez is a talented person. His wife's nationality is unknown, it is very likely-" The darkness suddenly sounded a voice, the voice should belong to an old nobleman , she couldn't tell.

"I know." Another voice belonged to her father, "It doesn't matter, he'll be back. Now that the Tin Soldiers are devastated, Flint has every right to find a gentleman to soothe him. That wife… um, I remember her name as Sonia Ramon? Just a street dancer. Can a strong and lowly refugee like Flint Lopez survive?"

Her father continued in a tone like talking about the weather: "He was just temporarily dizzy by the woman, and he was a new idea. When our Lopez wakes up, he will naturally know for himself. Seriousness - The princesses are still young, and when they are adults, Flint should take care of himself. Let him pick one, and the other one will marry the Duke of Early. Look, Flint won't leave The capital is too far away."

"Your Majesty, in case. I mean in case Lopez really..."

"Impossible."

"If true..."

"Well, then let Miss Ramon disappear as naturally as possible."

She should tell Uncle Flint. An Zai covered his mouth and thought in a daze.

But the next day, when the head of the Tin Soldiers mercenary regiment stopped in front of her and saluted her slightly, Ann couldn't say anything - if she did, her father would Hate her more? Maybe Flint is really just hanging out with his current wife? She's just a nine-year-old girl, will Flint believe her?

She… should she really say it?

She raised her head, looked at the slightly sad smile on Flint Lopez's face, and finally remained silent.

However, in less than a year, Sonia Ramon, who had become Sonia Lopez, died of a sudden illness and was pregnant. Her father was not surprised by this, and even smiled when he heard the news.

That was the second time. For the second time, Ann thought, she was disappointed with her father...and terrified.

And then for the last time—

Two years after Abbas's death, Ann managed to escape while the devil's skull was stolen. Well-versed in royal stalking, she ripped off her lace-covered skirts and decorations as soon as she entered the woods, and rolled in the mud, her beautiful long chestnut hair clumped together by the stench of mud.

She remembered the stories Abbas told her. Suddenly, in order to avoid tracking, she had no intention of exchanging royal jewelry for money, and simply threw them all in the woods. Leaving only a mud-stained undershirt all over her body, Ann ran out of the woods—with powerful spells in her head, she was confident enough to survive.

Eleven-year-old Ann doesn't have much conception, this escape may be an extension of freedom, or some kind of punishment for her biological father.

If he still has the most basic love for her as a parent, will the ruthless father worry about her?

Even if the lining is stained with mud, the delicate brilliance of the satin is still dazzling. Ann ran to a house on the edge of town, stole the linen clothes that had been drying in the yard, wrapped the satin clothes with stones, and threw them into the dirty sewage river.

So far so good. But the crueler side of reality soon emerged—

The linen clothes pricked her skin, and the hard-soled shoes she had never worn made her feet full of blood blisters. In order to avoid possible hound tracking, after shielding the positioning magic on her body with a spell, she gritted her teeth and burrowed into the smelly sewers.

The situation has since taken a turn for the worse.

Ann sat on the hard ground, the hard gravel made her whole body aches. She had already vomited four or five times because of the terrible stench of the sewers. Her body was overwhelmed by her lack of exercise, and her tired spirit was even worse. She closed her eyes, curled up, and fell asleep in the shadow of the sewer.

She was awakened by hunger.

That was the first time in her life she learned what "hunger" is. At first, Ann thought she was suffering from a sudden illness, and was so frightened that she broke into a cold sweat. An unfamiliar pain in her stomach plagued her, making her head dizzy. It was already dark, and they must have found themselves missing. This little sense of victory propped up the little girl to stand up—

Then she screamed.

Insects in the sewer bit her skin as she fell asleep, the mud on her long hair began to dry, and it seemed like something was crawling on her scalp. She got up so suddenly, and there was a sharp pain that she had never experienced before from the pulled wound. Ann's tears came down all at once, and she sobbed and wandered down the sewer until she found the abandoned half of the scissors.

She couldn't control that much. The respected little princess shivered all over, she cut her hair with a fairly sharp metal blade of scissors, broke all the long hair with mud and reptiles, and then threw it into the turbid and sticky underground river.

Breathing the rancid and humid air of the sewer, fear began to bite her toes, penetrating the blood along the wound. Adventure is not as simple as Abbas said. Yes, she knew the difference - Abbas was a grown man and she was just a child.

Want to go back? Ann shivered in thought. If she goes back, how will her father punish her?

No, the first thing to do is to get something to eat. It is late at night, and these things can be thought about tomorrow. After struggling for a long distance, Ann stuck her head out of the drain and carefully pressed her short hair, which had become a mess. The roar in her stomach was like thunder, making her eyes dazzled.

This should be a slum on the edge of the capital Doru.

The smell of food floated from a distance, followed the smell, and the end of the smell was a half-open house. There was no one in the house, and a large pot of hot, sticky soup was bubbling over the fire. To be honest, the soup was cloudy in color, it was impossible to tell what ingredients were used to cook it, and the aroma was very weak. There was also a thick black grease stain on the handle of the spoon next to it.

Although she felt sick at heart, Ann couldn't help swallowing.

Just eat a little. Eat a little, she thought. Shouldn't matter, right?

That was her first fatal mistake.