The dusk has not yet ended, but people are already gathering on the street. The atmosphere of the celebration seemed to spread quietly and invisible.
Of course, this desert day celebration was far less lively and noisy than the one he saw at the Duron Winter Festival - the Istanians seemed to have their own independent views on the celebration. On the dust-covered streets, there were only twos and threes of pedestrians, each holding a luminous crystal in their hands, and they quietly gathered in the direction of the palace - like a light dragon in the darkness.
The world often puts fire, dryness and heat in the same context. Similarly, fire also has a special meaning in desert culture. It seems to be in the same vein as the creation myth of the Sinsas snake people - the world is born from flames, and everything will eventually perish in a fire.
Fire is a sacred thing, the holy symbol of Andromam, and the candlelight becomes a symbol of it. In the past, desert people always carried candlelight to participate in such celebrations, but after experiencing many fires, they gradually changed to light crystals. Fire and light complement each other, like a pair of twins.
Walking in such a stream of light, you can clearly feel the uniqueness of Istanian culture.
But Fang Piao walked aimlessly along the flow of people in the direction of the palace, watching this scene without any thoughts, but in his mind he only repeatedly pondered the previous conversation between Bishop Faris and himself.
…
What was his specific reason for accepting the commission from Princess Rupert?
Of course, everyone gets what he needs.
What other meaning can there be for the chosen one to complete the commission?
But in more detail, it should be for the Seven Seas Traveler, or to put it further - to fulfill a promise made to a lady a long time ago.
The smiling face appeared in his mind involuntarily. In the calm and beautiful eyes, it seemed as if there was a princess sleeping peacefully. In that dream, there should be spreading roses and roses, as well as pricking thorns. . But she only smiled slightly, and everything turned into the moving sunshine of the afternoon, like an open book between tea cups, with tenderness written in the beautiful words.
He never thought that a person could occupy such an important place in his heart.
It was as if they had become accustomed to each other's presence inadvertently.
He gently touched his collar, as if that delicate hand was still there——
There is an uncontrollable stirring and uneasiness in Fang Yu's heart. When he is alone, his heart is more like a drifting boat. It rises and falls in these days - recklessness and impulsiveness, worry and anxiety coexist, but I have to calm down all the time. Because he knew that this was just his own delusion - even if he lost the news about other people for a while, the possibility that they were in any danger was actually not high.
Or rather, this remaining reason suppressed him from taking any extraordinary actions, but as time went by, he really didn't know how long he could pretend to be nonchalant.
Without even realizing it, Fang Yu sighed softly involuntarily.
After sighing, he was slightly startled.
It turned out that I was already worried to this extent?
But after these thoughts went through his mind one by one, he returned to the previous question. Of course, he understood that Bishop Faris's intention to ask this question to himself was not this answer.
For adventurers, there is no special reason to complete the mission.
"But there has to be some element of choice, right?"
In the main hall, there was a faint light in Faris's eyes. In those old light brown eyes, it was difficult for others to hide any real secrets. "Do adventurers have no hesitation in commissioning murder, arson, and other crimes that are harmful to nature?"
"Of course," Fang Yu felt that the other party's question was purely unnecessary. "The Adventurer's Guild also..."
"But adventurers like that do exist, right?"
Fang Yu was stunned for a moment. Did the other party mean something by saying this?
But the old bishop looked at him with a slight smile, and did not seem to mean to accuse him.
He thought for a moment and then nodded slowly: There are scum everywhere, and adventurers are no more noble than other professions, and are even more mixed.
But this will never be the case for the Nanami Troupe.
Suddenly, Fang Yu understood what the other party meant.
The two parties to the contract did choose each other, and he also had the power to accept the entrustment or not. The reason why he chose this task was because of the generous rewards. But more importantly, let alone a eldest princess—even a daughter from an ordinary family, who is brooding over her mother's bizarre death and demanding that the former murderer pay the price—isn't this a perfectly normal thing?
In essence, it is precisely because of my own identity that I accept this task.
After hearing Fang Plover's answer, Farris smiled slightly:
"So you think your choice is just and that's why you agree to Her Highness the Princess's request, right?"
"You can't even call it justice," Fang Plover replied. "But at least it's not wrong, right?"
"Why are you so sure?"
Is there any other reason for this?
It neither violates the "Stargate Declaration" nor the laws of Istania, nor does it conflict with the universal values recognized by people.
Everyone getting what they need may not be very noble, but it can't be said to be wrong, right?
But Bishop Farris still had that plain look and pointed out this point: "Really, but the law of Istania was written by the King of Sand. You didn't violate it today, but what about tomorrow? Besides, Ed, Now you are caught between the King of Sand and Her Royal Highness the Princess. If they are in conflict with each other, which side will you side with?"
"The King of Sand is the master of Istania, an ally recognized by Corrin-Ithurion, and naturally the only legitimate ruler of Istania recognized by 'you'. If Her Royal Highness the Princess clearly opposes her, Father, even at the expense of dividing this kingdom, do you violate your declaration by intervening in this?"
Fang Plover opened his mouth.
He was speechless for a moment because he had never considered this issue from this direction.
In his opinion, the conflict between the eldest princess and the Sand King will never rise to the level of the nation and the country. It is just a conflict within the royal family.
But he suddenly realized that he was thinking simply. How could the conflicts within the royal family be simplified? How did the internal struggle in the Kaolin royal family end up in the current situation? Isn't it a lesson learned from the past?
He couldn't help but be stunned.
"But..." he hesitated: "We only have an employment relationship with the eldest princess... and we will not..."
"You won't be involved so deeply?" the old bishop asked.
Fang Plover nodded.
"But what about your companions?"
"Are they still deep in it?"
Fang Plover frowned.
The old bishop shook his head and relaxed: "...I'm not saying that someone is going to use this matter to force you to take sides, but isn't your current behavior a choice you have made?"
"You don't want to get involved, but it is."
Faced with the old bishop's indifferent gaze, Fang Yu was speechless.
But the other party slowly said: "Do you think you are obviously right?"
"You did nothing wrong - whether it was for use or not, the Sand King has entered the restricted area. And Her Royal Highness just wants the truth about her mother's death. It sounds like it is human nature. She does not She didn’t take advantage of you, and maybe she didn’t even know it at first.”
"...You just got involved because of a misunderstanding."
Fang Yu asked in a hoarse voice: "Does Bishop Faris think I did something wrong?"
But he didn't think so in his heart.
He asked himself whether his decision would be justified by his own conscience.
Faris glanced at him and shook his head in surprise: "You already have the answer in your heart, don't you?"
Fang Plover looked at each other in surprise.
Farris replied slowly: "I guess you must have someone you know, a knight of the goddess, right?"
"They must have told you about the definition of justice, right?"
There was a light of unknown meaning in the old bishop's eyes.
Fang Yu's thoughts suddenly returned to a long time ago.
That was Elpaxin, and the big cat man did say similar things to him.
The justice that Marlan's followers pursue is nothing more than not violating one's true heart. Pursue what you think is right, and as long as you stick to the bottom line, you will never lose your direction——
But why would Bishop Faris talk to himself about this at this moment?
He looked at each other a little puzzled.
The old man seemed to read the confusion in his eyes and patted his shoulder gently.
"The goddess cannot predict the future, and as her believer, it is certainly not possible. Regarding the rights and wrongs of a matter, not even the parties involved dare to tell everything. And when you go deep into it, it is normal to feel confused, but you As long as you remember what you are thinking at this moment, at least you will not lose your position——"
"Just remember - the goddess is actually a seeker of justice, not an arbiter."
"Didn't you ask what you wanted to ask the goddess for? That's it."
Fang Yu couldn't help but be stunned after hearing this.
He has always doubted the intentions of the temple, and further suspected that Ms. Marland had what purpose she had in referring to herself as the chosen one.
Because he never believed that there would be a free lunch in this world. How could a god who looked down on all living beings take a fancy to him and give him benefits for no reason?
But Farris's words explained all the doubts in his mind. It turned out that the other party had never lied to him from the beginning. Ms. Marland chose him only because his behavior conformed to the definition of her teachings. If he sticks to his original intention, everything he does will be the result that Malan wants to see.
If one day he himself changes, the goddess's favor will naturally leave him.
Fang Yu couldn't help but smile bitterly.
This goddess is really good at planning.
But he had to accept that he couldn't object just for the sake of objecting, not to mention that it was also good for him, and it could be considered a win-win situation.
But he understood that the goddess must have won more. Is he the only person in the world whose behavior is consistent with her teachings? Of course not. Not to mention, the big cat man, Sir Dict, is far more upright and capable than him, but why doesn't the lady choose them?
Fang Yu knew in his heart that it wasn't because he controlled Cang Zhihui.
After all, the misfortune is coming, and the divine war has arrived——
The gods of Orin must be preparing. The closer those people are to the line where the misfortune star comes, the more favored they will be by the gods. Then, based on the character of these people, they will find people with similar teachings. , and divide their own divine choices.
Presumably even if things are a little different from this, it won't be too different.
However, after Fang Yu understood the attitude of the temple and at least knew that there would not be a force with ulterior motives behind him, he felt a little more relaxed. In any case, this could barely be regarded as 'good news'.
Although he always felt that there was something in the last words between Bishop Farris and him.
Therefore, these religious people always speak in a garrulous manner, which is really annoying sometimes.
With mixed thoughts, when Fang Plover reacted, he realized that he had arrived at the palace area along with the flow of people - of course, as Aleph said, it was the peripheral area of the palace. After passing through the three inner city gates guarded by guards, there is a fairly empty square behind.
A royal garden surrounded by palm trees, low shrubs, and a shimmering stream in the distance, an open grassland, and a huge bonfire set up in the center of the grass, but it had not been lit yet.
Farther away, on the mound behind the palm trees, is the Forbidden Palace of Istania. A white high platform has been built there. It is said that the King of Sand and his concubines will be there later. appear in that place. Fang Yu subconsciously looked around, wondering if Aleph was here, but he must be very busy today, so he wouldn't show up, right?
Who knew that when he just started to think this way, the other party suddenly appeared from the crowd and waved to him:
"Ed, this way."
Today, Aleph is wearing a loose robe. He obviously understands that he is in this place and cannot let others recognize his identity. Fang Yu looked at the prince and the two knights behind him speechlessly - still the same two.
The two knights seemed to be in normal attire. After all, in addition to the royal family, many nobles would also go out with their entourage.
The other party came over, then without any explanation put something into his hand, and said: "These are the foods I brought from the palace. The celebration will be held until midnight, and the people will bring their own food by the bonfire. Dinner party - I guess if you are not a local, you must not know this. I will definitely not be able to make it after the celebration starts, so I will send these things here first."
He smiled slightly, but his brown eyes looked a little melancholy.
"Actually, this was specially prepared by my mother. She heard about you and asked me to thank you. This is what she reminded me, otherwise I wouldn't remember this." He pointed to his two Attendant. "Originally, I planned to ask them to send it over, but my mother told me that it would be better to come in person."
Fang Yu looked at the exquisite pastry in his hand and realized that it was made by a princess herself. He couldn't help but feel flattered for a moment.
In fact, he also brought food and pastries, because even though Bishop Faris was preoccupied with everything and didn't pay attention to these trivial matters, not everyone in the Marland temple was a puppet, so naturally someone had already mentioned this to him.
However, this was the other's mother's wish, and he couldn't refuse it, so he just nodded.
But he looked at the other person. Logically speaking, His Highness the Prince had been preparing for this day for many days and should be a little excited. But Aleph's face was tense at the moment, looking very nervous, and there was a slight glint in his eyes. There was a hint of uneasiness.
He couldn't help but wonder, could Babaltan, the King of Sand, be so serious and scary? He was just celebrating his birthday and put so much pressure on his children?
Although he felt that the other party's tradition as a desert people sometimes made people feel overly enthusiastic, Fang Plover still recognized this new friend he had made in Questac, and he asked about the other party's situation.
Aleph shook his head slightly, indicating that he was fine, maybe he was just a little too tired these days.
How tiring can it be to prepare gifts? Fang Yu was slightly startled, but before he could speak, Aleph already laughed and said:
"Ed, my brother, you don't really need to mind too much - my mother actually just heard about you from Master Borod, and she hopes to help me find some help. But I know you don't care about this. I'll be leaving Questac soon, so don't mind it and just think of this celebration as an opportunity to relax."
Only then did Fang Yu understand what the other party meant. It seemed that the princess wanted him to stay in Questac - or to put it further, she wanted to recruit him as a court alchemist.
If they were aboriginals, Fang Pulmon might also consider that some guild alchemists would also serve as court alchemists, or act as consultants and stay in a certain place for a period of time. After all, alchemists also need to live, make money, and make ends meet. The royal families and nobles in various places are undoubtedly their best service targets.
However, since he was the chosen one, he naturally had no intention of doing so.
He nodded again to show that he understood.
"So you're here," Aleph said, relieved. "I have to go back soon. When the celebration is over, we can meet again if we have a chance."
"No need." Fang Yu shook his head quickly. He had his own things to do tonight, and he wished that no one noticed him. How could he talk to anyone after the celebration was over? "I will return directly to the temple after it is over. I will stay here for a while. Let's talk about it when I have the chance."
Then he added in his mind, if there is a chance.
Because if everything goes well tonight, he might lead others to escape from Questac, so how could he still stay in this place.
But Aleph obviously didn't notice and nodded. "That's okay." Then he disappeared into the crowd with his two followers, as quietly as when he came. Apparently no one else noticed that there was a prince among the civilians.
The fire ahead was bright at this moment.
The bonfire in the square was finally lit.
The celebration begins——
…
Miaoshuwu
