After Babartan said those words, he stood up and left the throne.
Only then did Fang Plover realize that the old king was so tall when he stood up, even much taller than ordinary Istanians. As soon as the King of Sand stood up, the discussion in the hall suddenly dropped, but people were still whispering and looking at the two young men in the center of the hall - Fang Plover and Aleph - with suspicion and surprise.
After Babartan left the throne, two courtiers immediately came forward diligently, one on the left and one on the right, putting on his robe, tying his cloak, and arranging the fur on his cloak. Babartan was looking around the hall with a steady gaze. After a moment, he spoke in a loud voice: "Let the ceremony begin——"
As he walked down the steps, the courtiers on both sides also hurriedly lined up and followed the king in order.
Fang Yu was about to ask Aleph what happened, but Babartan had already come to the two of them. He glanced at his eldest son with a deep look and said concisely: "Aleph, follow me. "Aleph quickly lowered his head and caressed his chest. At the same time, he turned back and motioned Fang Plover to follow him with his eyes.
In this way, Fang Plover had no choice but to follow him in confusion——
The King of Sand was leading a group of people outside the palace. Aleph stood side by side with him, followed by the ministers and other princes. Even Count Nurman was one step behind them. His daughter was beside him, and Lavalli was looking at this side with an incredible look.
There are two other people in the same rank as Count Nurman. One of them is old and is wearing a white robe. White has its own meaning on this occasion. Count Nurman can only wear brown robes. , while the women wear traditional costumes with gold and red lines. This makes people wonder about the identity of this old man. He may be an important minister from the previous Sand King era. He is no longer in charge of the center, but he still has a respected position.
The old man seemed to be on the verge of death. His old face was like a piece of bark, criss-crossed with ravines, and his eyelids were drooping. However, Fang Plover always felt that the other party would glance in his direction from time to time. But this is normal. Now everyone seems to be casting a glance in his direction - that gaze contains curiosity and surprise.
It's just that the old man's gaze seems different.
The other man was also an old man with gray eyebrows, but he was younger. He held a cane in his hand and was wearing a black and gray robe. There were some patterns on the robe that he could not understand - this man had a sinister look on his face. Looking at himself, he did not hide the killing intent in his eyes. Fang Yu was startled, still a little suspicious in his heart. Where had he offended this person?
And judging from the identity of this person, it seems that he is no lower than the previous old man and Earl Numan.
However, Ravalli's father was deeply trusted by the King of Sand, which was evident from this. He and the other two were the only ones in the forefront, and he was still the youngest among them. Many princes were even behind the three of them, not to mention a group of courtiers, and a group of concubines. Fang Plover couldn't even see the direction clearly when he looked back.
But at this moment, he finally understood the meaning of Lavalli and the surprised looks from everyone before...
He and Aleph were now behind the King of Sand, and in front of all the ministers and princes. From the perspective of the Istanians, it was self-evident what this meant. Although Fang Piao is a native of Earth, he also understands this - this honor is of little significance to the selectors, but for the natives present, it is unimaginable.
Even Fang Yu himself couldn't help but think too much, but his thoughts might be slightly different from others:
Was it a whim of the Sand King, or was it for some other reason that Aleph and him received this honor? What is the meaning behind this cannot help but make people think more. Of course, he would not think that the King of Sand specially let himself and Aleph be with him just because of a tower magic furnace.
Everyone slowly moved forward and walked out of the hall. The moon-white high platform stood under the night sky and stretched towards the center of the lake. Fang Plover looked around and couldn't help but secretly sigh at the beauty of the scenery. However, in the darkness, the night wind blew and the temperature dropped suddenly. The night above the sand sea. , and daytime are two extremes.
From the high platform here, one can overlook almost half of the palace, where there are palm trees and dots of firelight, or some attic or side hall. The bright lights in the direction of the outer city shine together, like a street market in the sky, falling into the earthly world. The streets criss-crossing in the darkness are like dragons of light, with all their scales and claws, staggering to depict the atmosphere of Questac's life.
The dark lake below the high platform reflects the ancient starlight, and the sky is as deep as a lens. The desolate crescent moon tells the story of the past years of this sand sea. The lake extends into the distance and is integrated with the dark sand dunes on the horizon. There was a cold silver glow and silence.
Everyone walked to the end of the high platform.
The courtier brought a chair for Babartan and helped the king sit down.
Only then did Ravali find the opportunity and came to Fang Pliance. She was a little surprised and said to him: "His Majesty actually let you and Aleph be the first to be blessed?"
"What's the meaning?"
"Let Aleph tell you, why are you asking me?" The Earl's daughter frowned.
Fang Plover looked in the direction of Aleph. This prince would definitely not be able to leave the King of Sand's side for a while.
LaVallee sighed and then shook her head. "It's about the Star Ceremony," she looked at Fang Plover with cold eyes, "Do you understand?"
Fang Plover was almost stunned for a moment before he reacted.
Then he was also surprised and speechless. In this annual celebration, the Star Ceremony is the climax of the celebration - when the Star Ceremony is completed, there will be a ceremony holder to replace Androma as the spectator. Give a blessing. Generally speaking, the first person to be blessed in previous years' ceremonies would only be the King of Sand.
Of course, there are exceptions. Nineteen years ago, the previous Sand King gave this honor to Babartan. Shortly after that, the current Sand King ascended the throne and proclaimed himself king. In fact, in the past countless years, this kind of thing has happened repeatedly, but no matter how it happens, there will only be one person blessed in the Star Ceremony.
When Fang Yu heard the news, his first reaction was - Babartan planned to pass it on to his eldest son. Of course, he only found out that Aleph was Babartan's first son not long ago.
But the second reaction made him confused for a moment, because he suddenly remembered that Babartan wanted him to be the first to be blessed together with Aleph.
Although the blessing of the Star Ceremony is just a name, the meaning behind it is not simple at all.
Fang Yu looked at Lavalli's somewhat complicated eyes and suddenly understood.
But of course he would not think that the King of Sand was going to pass the throne to him, but it was just a thank you, which was too much anyway. Babartan, the King of Sand, has been in power for nearly twenty years. As a king who has ruled the land of Istania for a long time, of course he will not be unaware of the consequences of his actions.
What does the other party mean?
Fang Yu immediately understood that he had been pushed to the center of the storm by the King of Sand, but for a while he didn't quite understand the meaning of the other party's move. To say it was revenge would be too childish. The other party was a king of sand. If he wanted to retaliate for his actions in Bein, would he still need to use such methods?
Isn’t this killing eight hundred enemies and injuring one thousand yourself?
He was about to ask again, but Babartan suddenly spoke:
"Aleph, you and your friends come here and stand next to me."
After hearing these words, Fang Yu couldn't help but look back and saw that the eyes of all the courtiers and princes turned red when they looked at him. Of course he understands how great a favor this move is for the Istanians, but unfortunately he is a chosen one. Such an honor means nothing to him, and he has to bear the trouble that comes with it.
But he had no choice but to bite the bullet and walk up - although the "Stargate Declaration" did not say that a king's order really had any effect on the chosen one, but looking at the heavily guarded royal guards around him, Fang Yu felt that if he had normal intelligence, , it is better not to disobey this king in public.
Power does not have to come from legal provisions, as long as it can immediately threaten your life and safety——
Fang Plover walked to the edge of the high platform for the first time.
He saw a long arched staircase that separated the dark lake water and led to the square below. The feeling of looking at this ladder from below was completely different from the feeling of looking at it from a high platform. Because of the appearance of Babartan, the King of Sand, the dark crowd in the square - regardless of nobles or commoners, all bent down and prostrated on the ground. .
Even the chosen tourists followed the local customs, but they only bowed and bowed, forming a different kind of scenery on the edge of the square. Some people even saw Fang Plover and Aleph. The nobles and commoners did not dare to raise their heads, but the selectors had no such scruples. They even started discussing:
"That's the King of Sand."
"Are those two young men his sons?"
"I don't think it looks like it. One of them is obviously wearing an alchemist's robe."
"Yes, it won't be the Chosen One, right?"
"Are you kidding? Why are the Chosen Ones there?"
Naturally, Fang Plover couldn't hear these discussions.
However, he knew that if there had not been a problem with the communication system this year, this scene would have been photographed by many people and spread to the community. This is the case for every celebration in previous years. However, this year's unexpected events made him relieved. There were already many things that were worrying him, and he didn't want one more thing to happen.
But looking at the crowds of people prostrate in the square, Fang Yu inevitably felt a kind of shock in his heart - although he was indifferent to power itself, seeing this scene, he still more or less understood the power of the past dynasties. Kings, why are you so keen on that cold throne?
And Istania, to put it bluntly, is just a corner of the Kaolin continent.
A celebration in this small kingdom is enough to shock people.
As if aware of his thoughts at the moment, the Sand King turned his head and asked:
"How about it?"
"What's going on?" Fang Yu asked unexpectedly.
"What's the view like?"
Fang Yu was stunned for a moment - thinking why the king's questions were so confusing.
But Questac's flickering light in the darkness was reflected in the depths of his dark eyes, like a ray of candlelight, illuminating the sea of sand. The answer to this question seemed to emerge naturally from his heart. He pondered for a moment and blurted out: "It's beautiful."
This time it was Babar's turn to be stunned.
But the King of Sand couldn't help but laugh after being startled: "That's it? Are there any others?"
Fang Yu shook his head.
Babartan looked back at him, then withdrew his gaze, and replied slowly: "...It is indeed beautiful. This sand sea is the hometown of the Istanians... We call it the Silver Sand Sea. , our ancestors have already set foot on every inch of this sand sea and took root in its vastness."
"There are more fertile lands to the north and south of this sea of sand. But our souls have long been connected with this ancient land. We were born here and our souls return here. But in the eyes of the world The desolate and barren land has a very special meaning in our eyes. It is not only a superficial beauty, but also a poetic beauty."
"The poem is in the distance, also under the feet, above the lonely moon, and also in the gravel."
The Sand King slowly spoke an ancient Istanian maxim.
Fang Yu didn't expect that the King of Sand would say such words to him. For a moment, he couldn't understand what the other party meant.
But when he listened to these words and looked at the land, he felt a little disturbed for a moment...
The beauty he mentioned is actually not that. It is not just on the sleeping dunes, nor in the moonlight, nor the gravel and palm trees, nor the dark lake. That is the moonlight of thousands of years, shining on this ancient city. Under the mottled streets, the culture and history of Istania are buried.
It is the tragedy of time and the long poem of history. It is these bits and pieces of touching that are very different from the earth. If it was just an empty continent, why would it be worth coming to this place? Every step he takes in Aitaria is intertwined with the profound history of this land, and even becomes its future and history itself.
The poetry of the Istanians is his distant place.
And isn’t such beauty even more moving?
The Sand King looked at the city in the darkness.
Questac, and the sea of sand in the distance, his country.
He said in a long voice:
"This is the land guarded by the kings of sand for generations."
“Some of them regard it as their private property, some regard it as their homeland that they will protect throughout their lives, some regard it as a treasure, and some regard it as a throne, but no matter what, this land is precious. .This is the same for both the King of Sand and everyone living on this land——"
"But mortal time will eventually come to an end. When I think about it, one day, Istania may cease to exist and turn into a ruin in the sea of sand. Just like the elves a thousand years ago, and in earlier eras, Just like that glorious empire. Sometimes I can't help but think, if people can look after this land forever, the Istanians will be immortal from generation to generation, and the fire on this sea of sand will be passed on forever, that would be nice……"
"Unfortunately, that is something that mortals will never be able to do."
Fang Yu looked at the king with some surprise.
He couldn't help but think of some rumors, but the 'protagonist' in this rumor didn't believe in eternity?
Or should I say, this is just his temporary emotion.
But Babartan changed the topic and said slowly: "To protect with all my strength just because of the things that are cherished in my heart - such a feeling must be a hero - for example, Van Rick's Dragon Alchemist, etc. Riffen’s savior, Mr. Ed, should be understandable, right?”
Fang Plover was horrified and frightened.
He looked at the King of Sand with an incredible look. On the other side, even Aleph also looked over.
But Babartan's voice was low and did not let others hear. He continued: "Don't be nervous, young man. I have no ill intentions in letting you come today, even though I know your identity - Istania is too big after all, so big that it sometimes exhausts me. , and cannot manage it well.”
"Do you understand this feeling?" The king tilted his head slightly, as if he was narrating. "On the surface, it is as beautiful as usual, but secretly it is dirty... I was very high-spirited in my early years and thought I could change all this, but in the end, I couldn't change anything. Maybe it changed a little, but it doesn't mean much."
"...I am old and plan to pass my position to Aleph. I may no longer be able to see the future of Istania. It is even doubtful whether it will still exist in the future. But no matter what, it is like my father. Just as the king has entrusted this position to me, I will pass it on, just like the light on the desert continues from generation to generation..."
"The origin of my throne was actually helped by some people in the early years. These people came from all over the world, including the Kaolin people and the Chosen Ones. Istania has been integrated into Kaolin-Ithurion and has become a piece of history. Inevitable, but many people cannot see this, and they will only bring this kingdom into ruin..."
"Young man, do you understand?"
Fang Yu obviously didn't understand.
He didn't understand the meaning of the Sand King's sudden babble - Babartan might be reminiscing about the past, but there was no need to be in front of him.
But he had a vague feeling that this king was different from his impression. No matter what Farris said, the fact that the other party colluded with the blind followers still left a negative impression in his mind. But he didn't expect that the real King of Sand would be like this.
In any case, he was very different from those he had seen such as wanderers and messengers.
This even made him doubt his own judgment.
He looked at Aleph aside.
The eldest son of the king had obviously not recovered from the previous shock.
Babartan also looked at his son and asked, "Aleph, what do you think?"
Aleph hesitated for a moment, and even though he had all kinds of thoughts in his mind, he said his first thought: "I will take good care of this land, father."
"The guards are not enough..."
The Sand King shook his head, but didn't say much.
Below the high platform, the light rising from the bonfire in the square is like a morning star, rising slowly at this moment, almost reaching the level of the high platform. The starlight illuminated the high platform completely, causing everyone to look in that direction involuntarily. In Fang Plover's eyes, the bright starlight seemed to be very close at hand.
The King of Sand also looked at this group of light. His eyes looked under the high platform. The ceremony holder had completed the ceremony and walked up the long stairs step by step.
Babartan narrowed his eyes and said, "The time is almost up, Aleph, take your friends to receive the blessing."
Aleph glanced here, was silent for a moment, and then nodded seriously.
But Babartan stopped him again:
"Wait a minute," he turned around and said, "Young man, I will introduce you to a person and ask him to take you to complete the blessing."
Fang Yu was startled, but he saw the old man in white robe next to Count Nuerman, taking a step forward.
…
Miaoshuwu
