Daiel, why are you here? "Saya asked with some surprise as she looked at the little girl.
There was a trace of nervousness on the little girl's dirty little face, and her little hands, which were red from the cold, tugged at the corners of her tattered clothes uneasily, "Sister Saya, you haven't come back yet, I'm a little worried."
Saya walked over in a few steps, knelt down and wiped the little girl's face with her hands gently, took her cold hands into his, and said: "Don't worry about us, go back and take care of your sister, I will come see you later. .”
The little girl nodded seriously, looked at Fang Plover and the others, and walked back toward the camp with three steps.
"Is this what you rescued yesterday...?" Fang Yu looked at the little girl and asked.
A string of tiny footprints gradually disappeared into the distance in the snow.
Saya nodded and said: "Her name is Daiel. The Crow's Claw Temple claimed that her father was hosted by a 'devil'. They 'purified' him, leaving these two sisters. When their father was still alive, he was actually just a reborn child." An ordinary candlemaker, he is the backbone of the family. Daiel's sister is blind and she has to rely on her to take care of her. The people in the Crow's Claw Temple did not give them food, so we rescued her and her sister. They are both severely malnourished, so I asked her to do whatever she can so that she and her sister can survive here."
The cold wind blew through the treetops, causing the forest to make a strange rustling sound, like the whisper of a giant beast. The camp fire flickered in the distance, like the only light in the cold night.
Fang Plover was a little silent——
This world, which seems prosperous to the chosen ones, if you look deeper into it, you will find that it is full of war, famine and disaster. Those glorious and tall terms that people care about are just a corner of this world, and its bottom layer is still built on suffering and poverty.
The disputes and whirlpools in the Kaolin Kingdom have long spread here, but some people may not have seen it, or may not care - those who claim to be from the civilized world - are scrambling to add their own to this scale. Weights.
They consider themselves civilized, but civilization is just a cloak for superiority. Under that cloak, Fang Plover only sees naked greed.
But what about ordinary people?
Everyone in the community excitedly discussed the impending disaster and the next generation, because this disaster had nothing to do with them, but before the disaster arrived, turmoil and suffering had spread across the land. Did the chosen people from the civilized world accidentally overlook something?
"...We think we are adhering to the "Stargate Declaration" and indulge in the glory given by the pioneers of the past," Fang Yu couldn't help but murmur to himself, "But what exactly is the "Stargate Declaration"? The articles in the pile of old paper, the bottom line of morality?"
He looked ahead silently.
What does the glory and courage of the past era have to do with our generation?
People of the past abandoned their prejudices and established a civilized dialogue between the two worlds. The wars subsided and peace came.
What a glorious era it was.
Inspiring speeches resounded through the hall under the dome again and again——
'We can still live in peace with civilizations from other worlds, let alone our own species? '
'This is not only the beginning of civilization, but also the ladder to progress. We eliminate barriers between each other and connect the world with language and love, not violence. '
'We have reason to believe that we will eventually eliminate all inequality and discrimination; we also have reason to believe that everyone will eventually understand each other - we have seen the past of history here, and we will also witness the future here. '
'We have come from ignorance and barbarism and gone through the ancient journey of civilization, and we will hand in the answer sheet on this day. '
'On this answer sheet, we write that mankind will not stay in the tombstones it has erected, but it will move towards a more glorious future -'
After the words fell, amidst the roaring applause, people seemed to see the coming of an era.
Inspired by that spirit, our civilization entered a golden age at the beginning of the new century. The age of the Forerunners came with the sound of such words, a dream shaped by the Free Chosen Ones.
However, when did all this quietly change?
"What exactly have we changed?"
"Is the mysterious Star Gate just a carnival and feast?"
“Are we just obsessed with ourselves, or have we just forgotten our original intention?”
Saya turned around and looked at Fang Plover who suddenly stopped. She was startled and asked, "What's wrong?"
Fang Yu came back from his thoughts and shook his head, indicating that he was fine. He looked at the fire behind the forest and asked, "Are you going to lead these people to fight against the Crow Claw Temple?"
"Of course not," Saya replied: "As our name suggests, most of the people here are refugees, not fighters, just ordinary people like Daiel and her sister. People have been rescued, I might take them to a safer place, such as Rodel, and after that, maybe I will leave."
"How many people are in this camp?"
"Not many. Not counting the chosen ones, there are more than a hundred people. Some of them were rescued by us, and some came here because of their reputation. The number of chosen people is about one-third of them, but when it comes to fighting If so, the chosen ones are more reliable."
Fang Plover was silent for a moment: "It's not easy to lead so many people across the Egon Forest."
"We stay here for this reason. We need food and cold clothing. We must survive this long winter, otherwise many people will die."
Saya replied while looking forward. In the camp, firelight flickered and people loomed longingly. Many people had received the news from Dai Er and rushed over. There were many different faces, but each face was filled with uneasiness, expectation and confusion:
"Miss Saya, you are back."
"Miss Saya, someone is sick again."
"Miss Saya, there is not much food in the camp. Although we can still withstand it, you just said that the sick must ensure the daily quota..."
People were discussing in low voices.
People of all ages crowded at the entrance to the camp.
Saya spoke to comfort everyone one by one, took off her backpack and gave it to them. These were the few supplies she got from the town that day. The Crow's Claw Temple imposed martial law on Gray Owl Town, and the supplies she got from the town were getting less and less.
She didn't eat a bite, and decided to commit suicide if it didn't work out. Anyway, she still had at least three chances to be resurrected.
People were somewhat grateful: "Miss Saya, but you must also pay attention to your safety."
"Yeah, the town is too dangerous. If that doesn't work, let's go hunting in the forest. We can always find some food."
But the forest is not safe, and under this severe cold weather, the animals have already migrated. How many prey are there in the forest?
Watching the crowd gradually disperse, Fang Yu suddenly asked: "Can I help you in any way?"
He could actually pretend that it had nothing to do with him, but the little girl's red hands and thin clothes would always linger in his mind.
He understands that his character is like this. If it weren't for this, maybe he wouldn't be here.
He would not rashly get involved in the murky waters of the Crow Claw Temple, but if he just wanted to help out as much as he could, it would not be impossible to consider.
Saya looked at him a little surprised.
"I can only provide some help as much as I can." Fang Yu explained.
"I'm relieved to hear such words, Mr. Ed," Saya sighed, "There are also some people who sympathize with us in the town, but if we just rely on their help, even these more than a hundred people will be It’s hard to live on, let alone leave this place for Rodale.”
Fang Yu suddenly asked again: "Do you know them, Ms. Saya?" He looked at the ragged and haggard people in the camp, but they didn't look particularly depressed. Everyone was busy with what they were doing. Provide help to others.
Saya looked over there and shook her head: "...To be honest, I don't know most of them. As you can see, even Daiel only came here yesterday."
Fang Yu couldn't help but look at her again.
In fact, after rescuing one of her own people, the other party can just walk away. These people are not related to her, and they are not responsible for it at all. But the other party didn't mean this. Maybe it was the little girl from before who made her uneasy, but all in all, she had already planned to do her duty for these people in her words.
She may not realize it herself, but it is a noble responsibility.
People's hearts are not born hard, and compassion always makes people soften.
And the Saya and himself in front of him are just members of the general public, Fang Yu thought in his heart.
"I will help as much as possible." Fang Plover replied.
They can really help. The Seven Seas Brigade currently has money. If more than a hundred people want to pass through the Egon Forest, it will take about two or three months to prepare supplies. If they are more generous, it will not exceed four months. According to one person Calculating the consumption of 20 lisels a day, more than 100 people per month can only cost 200,000 to 300,000 lisels. Add in the clothing to keep out the cold, and you can get it for less than 500,000 lisels anyway. .
The only problem is that it is almost impossible to purchase so many supplies quietly without the attention of interested people, not to mention that Gray Owl Town suddenly cannot produce enough supplies to cover the expenses of more than a hundred people for several months.
Unless it is transported from Gula Port or even further away, but fortunately the Seven Seas Brigade has a sailboat, it will be very troublesome and may have to be stranded here for a while.
After weighing the pros and cons, he finally decided to help.
Sometimes people can't just live for profit, but also have their own ideals in their hearts. He believes that other people will agree with this, because after all, everyone is a group of like-minded people who come together.
"Thank you very much." Saya's calm tone sounded like the two of them were discussing a trivial matter.
"By the way," Fang Yu remembered the reason why he came here, "Xiao Kong is here too?"
"I will take you to see him," Saya breathed out, and the breath she exhaled thinly solidified into mist in the forest. "You may be the person he wants to see most at this time. After all, you are Dolifen. A hero, someone he has always admired."
Hero, that sounds wonderful, Fang Yu thought.
But it's not necessarily a good word.
Because in a peaceful world, people don't need heroes.
Saya led them through the camp and came to a tent. Before they entered, they heard a hoarse voice coming from inside: "Sister Saya, is that you?" That hollow voice frightened Fang Yu. I jumped, almost thinking I was hallucinating.
But he was immediately convinced that he had heard correctly, because he could still vaguely recognize the voice, which was that of the young ranger.
"Xiao Kong?"
"Dielle told me that you are back."
"are you OK?"
"...It's not very good. I was afraid of scaring Daiel, so I didn't let her in. Sister Saya, my condition is not very good...You, you should also go and rest..." The boy's voice sounded full of disappointment. , he gritted his teeth and panted slightly, as if he was suppressing something.
Saya stood in front of the tent, hesitating. But Fang Yu had already taken a step forward and opened the curtain. The young man inside was shocked. He seemed a little surprised to see him, but the surprise eventually turned into disbelief:
"Ai, Master Ed?"
Fang Yu looked at the other party and was also a little shocked. The young man in his impression disappeared, and was replaced by an empty body, sitting on his bed. The other boy turned slightly sideways, as if unwilling to face them, and there was almost nothing on his pale face. There is no trace of the vitality that should belong to human beings.
The two pupils disappeared from his eyes, and purple flames burned out from the holes. His face was also covered with scars, and purple flames flowed under the scars. He turned his face sideways and covered his chest with one hand, but it could not block a hideous wound there. The wound had scabbed over but had not healed. It was like a hellish scene inside, and purple blood emanated from the chest. firelight.
Saya covered her mouth and took a step back. In the morning, the other party was not like this.
"Xiao Kong?"
"Mr. Ed..."
The young man smiled sadly: "Sister Saya told me you were here, but it would be nice if I could see you earlier." His voice sounded like two pieces of paper rubbing against each other, making a hoarse sound from his throat. "I won't come to see you like this to scare you and Saya-san..."
"Xiao Kong, how did you become like this?" Saya asked in disbelief.
"I don't know why, Sister Saya," Xiao Kong lowered her head, "I don't know why it turned out like this...Sister Saya, it's just that the person I met in Idris turned out to be my favorite person. The person I admire, he even gave me a gift..."
"...You know, Sister Saya, that was the happiest time for me. When you and Mr. Livertz selected me in the youth training camp, when I knew that it was Mr. Ed who gave me the bow. At that time, I couldn’t imagine such a thing even in my dreams..."
"...Originally, I was supposed to live up to everyone's expectations, and I thought I could do it. But...the Knights of Tapolis are gone, and so are everyone. I even lost the bow that Mr. Ed gave me. Sister Saya..."
When the young man turned around, there was no sadness in his eyes, nor could he shed a single tear. There were only two light purple flames, giving people an extremely weird feeling.
"...It turns out that all my thoughts were just unrealistic fantasies."
"...Mr. Ed, I want to see you, I just want to apologize to you."
"I'm sorry, you used to be the person I admired most. From the first day I came here, I listened to the legend you wrote in Dolifen. I really wanted to become a hero like you, but I'm sorry, in the end I Even the bow you gave me was not protected..."
"sorry……"
Xiaokong held his chest tightly, and the purple flame seemed to emerge from any pore in his body, burning blazingly, as if it would be swallowed up at any time and turned into ashes.
His voice also weakened, like a whisper, recounting a dream.
"...Sister Saya, I had a friend when I was in the youth training camp, but he was not selected by you. On the day he left the youth training camp, he told me that there is actually a very cruel world behind the Star Gate... …”
"I have never believed that," Xiaokong's voice seemed a little hollow and soft, "From beginning to end, until now, I also think that I have experienced everything wonderful. But it may not belong to me, And he will leave me soon..."
"I feel so much pain, Sister Saya..."
Saya bit her lower lip, unable to say a word.
Fang Yu shook his head slightly. That bow was nothing to him. If he wanted to, it would make no difference to make a hundred or a thousand bows. But of course he would not say such words now, "That bow is just one of my many works, Xiao Kong."
He said: "It just doesn't mean that I will give my work to everyone."
"So, do you know what this means?"
Xiaokong was startled for a moment, then turned around, the flames rolled down his cheeks, and he looked in this direction blankly.
Odin said he saw a reflection of himself in him.
And he didn't see his former self in this young man.
Fang Yu couldn't help but think of the last stretch of road he walked with Miss Scarpe in the elf ruins. The tears he shed there were not the marks given to him by this world.
From then on, he no longer looked at all this with the same innocent eyes, but the pursuit in his heart never changed. Behind all unrealistic fantasies, they are not reflections of people's ideals.
All simplicity is the persistence of pursuing oneself wholeheartedly.
He looked at Xiaokong at this moment, as if he were looking at himself who had experienced setbacks. Now he has found his own way, with like-minded companions. And he also knows that there should be a road belonging to the other party, leading to the distance.
People should not be blamed for pursuing their ideals. At the moment when he was in trouble, it was Miss Tata and the great alchemist who gave him the last glimmer of hope.
That hope continues to this day.
Perhaps it is goodwill that keeps the ideal from being cut off——
During a moment of silence, he asked Miss Tata.
No one knows how to reverse the Starlight.
The bachelors of the Silver Tower also knew nothing about these creatures born in the purple flame.
But fortunately, among all the events he experienced, he gave them the only hope - the desperate cry of the Idos Wanderer, which still seems to echo in their ears.
"Remember what you said today, Xiaokong," Fang Yu reached into his arms and pulled out a necklace, "You will see many aspects of this world that are different from what you imagined. But a temporary setback will not cause you to fall completely."
In the position of the necklace pendant, there is a round ring.
On the ring, golden light was flowing, illuminating the dark space.
…
