At dusk on December 28, 1444, the Flying Leaf arrived in Beyeland. Just like at the beginning of school, each family has already prepared their carriages and horses to welcome them.
The setting sun has cast a shadow over the city, but there is still the afterglow of the sun on the edge of the city wall. The weather is quite warm, the cars and horses are rushing and the sounds of the bustling city are very noisy. The air is full of the atmosphere of the market, as if it will always stay in the gorgeous time of the summer seaside.
This is nothing unusual compared to the past, except that the port is even more crowded than before. Countless people are sitting on the roof, lying on the trees, pointing to the place where teachers and students of Homemonworth disembark, and there is a faint feeling. The excitement before the show is about to begin.
A large group of city defense troops came running in formation. They were fully armed and looked like they were facing a powerful enemy. As soon as the Flying Leaf docked, the city defense troops began to drive away the citizens, driving them off the road or grabbing them from the trees.
An older sergeant shouted to the commotion:
"Make way, make way for God's Chosen One!"
After hearing this, the citizens all cheered loudly, clapped their hands vigorously, and gave out waves of cheers.
When Galadia saw it, she smiled and said to everyone: "At this time, if I come to play another trick and get some luck, it will be even more lively!"
Griffith stood by the side of the ship, watching Galadia and Neferty pass by and walk towards the gangway.
A group of gorgeously dressed elves and half-elves were waiting for them on the shore. Griffith recognized Melrose and Hallandir among them. There is also an elf surrounded from front to back, left and right, as noble as a king, and with an elusive and mysterious temperament.
Galadia saw them and said to the knight: "The one with hair as dark as the shadow before dawn, wearing a small silver crown is Tarkin Amon from Canaan, Sequence 6 "Collector", selected One of them. He was accompanied by his friends and assistants Xenopus Hades and Sara Salamandis."
To Griffith, Tarkin's eyes were as gray as the evening sky, but if you look closely, you will find that there is a faint nebula-like light in the eyes. From the outside, he looks calm, firm, and a little melancholy. He seems to be a pioneer burdened with countless fates, and he exudes an aura like a warrior who has experienced hundreds of battles. There is no doubt that he is the most outstanding person among the elves.
Even Lana on the side saw it and exclaimed: "Are all the chosen ones like this? They are really powerful enemies!"
Griffith examined it silently. On the way here, he had already made preparations and tactics.
Such a young and powerful man with amazing talents will be under the protection of the special envoy of the Canaan Senate together with Galadia until the second stage begins. The other chosen ones gathered in Beyeland must be the same, and they will not act rashly when they are not sure.
Generally speaking, this is the case.
"Then, we also say goodbye," Griffith and Sonia said goodbye to Galadia together. "The blessings of the silver moon and starlight are with you."
"Thank you, what are your plans for the winter vacation?" Miss Elf asked casually, as if chatting with friends, as if she was just going to attend a banquet that she couldn't refuse, and could get together with her friends after it was over.
Sonya replied: "We will attend the winter session of the Senate, held in the town of Bremi."
"Then please give my regards to the Count."
…
After Galadia and her tribe left the port, Griffith also sent Sonia and Fiona into the carriage. He and Lana jumped on their respective horses, escorted beside the carriage, and went to the Earl's Palace in the upper city. They passed through dark narrow alleys, and the people inside looked at the carriages and horses leaving the port, whispering and speculating in low voices, appearing nervous and curious.
The people in the city are like mice watching a fight between old cats. They are eager to take action quickly, but are afraid of affecting themselves.
There are troops everywhere. Soldiers stationed themselves at intersections, urging pedestrians to go home quickly.
Griffith and his party walked along the river bank and passed the cobblestone avenue, watching the stars and moonlight rising from behind the city walls and hills. The night wind blew down a few yellow leaves and slapped them on the shoulder armor of the knights.
Lana walked beside Griffith without saying a word, just smelling the fresh air and occasionally casting awe-inspiring gazes at the distant stars.
"Griffith, there may be gods watching us over there."
Griffith turned around, and the war horse was carrying him up the gentle slope of the mountain towards Larmore House. In the city under the hillside, the bright lights were extinguished in the darkness one by one like the ebbing sea. After a while, the capital of the world went dark, and the world seemed to have returned to the ignorant era when mortals stole a little fire from the sky. The warm air disappeared as the night fell, and the sound of gurgling water and the chirping of birds became louder.
When they arrived at Count Larmore's Mansion, the big clock on the roof of the church in the distance struck ten times. A loud and clear declaration like that of a god echoed in the night sky, extremely clear.
The voice said:
“In the name of the wise Senate, Beyelan has implemented a night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am on December 28, which will last until New Year’s Day.
"Citizens, return to your homes."
Those curious and wary eyes retreated into the house and closed the doors and windows. The world capital of Bijaland became very quiet, and even the lights in the lawless areas of the lower city were turned off.
There were some guests at Larmour's house. As soon as they entered the Earl's Mansion, Griffith and Lana said goodbye to the two countesses and went straight to the study under the guidance of the servants.
Count Charles is also waiting for everyone. He was wearing a military uniform and standing by the wall, flipping through several volumes of documents carelessly. Count Larmore was sitting behind his desk as usual. When he saw the two Scitorals coming in, he instructed them not to be polite.
"Okay, let's get started," Count William de La Mole said straight to the point. "You should have discussed it carefully on the way here. Can I think so?"
"Yes, Earl." Griffith and Lana replied together.
"Well," the earl responded, "I don't know what plan you have made yet. However, several important people have made offers that I can't refuse, so we'd better abide by them——
"Griffith, in the next few days, you have been assigned the task of assisting Sonia to attend the Winter Senate Meeting. This task is flexible. There is a small group of conspirators who are planning to hinder the meeting. You can act as you like, Start investigating and fighting without asking for permission in advance. Sonia’s safety will be left to the family’s guards and the Beyonder team of the Storm Squadron.”
"Yes, Earl." Griffith saluted his lord and thought quickly at the same time.
Whose request could it be? Galadia's brother Sidious, or Salorian, they all have friendships with the Count, and even have deep interests entangled with each other. However, it is not convenient for them to interfere directly with the Sacrifice of the Chosen One, so they try their best to create opportunities for me.
Count Chalon also spoke: "Rana, the same goes for you. The Winter Meeting, the investigation, the twists and turns of this and that. In short, if Griffith gives you an offer you cannot refuse on the way here, Conditions, I won’t stop you, and you don’t have to worry about making excuses.”
"Julius, be serious," Count Larmore couldn't help but remind him, "This is a ceremony watched by the gods, and the Senate and the Arcane Council are strictly prohibited from intervening."
"I know, how could I not know how high-level the Sacrifice of the Chosen One is! Intervention is prohibited, there is a curfew, and the whole city has become an arena!" Count Charon waved like his little daughter. Pumping his fists, "How come we didn't encounter such fun things when we were young! William, let's go do something big!"
"No." As soon as Lana raised the corner of his mouth, a majestic female voice frightened him. Then boots hit the floor, as if a whole legion was pressing down on them.
"No one can wander around tonight, especially you." Countess Cornelia wore a breastplate and a bright winged helmet, holding a halberd and pushed open the door of the conference room and walked in. She didn't specify who "you" were, but the dancing Earl of Chalon immediately fell silent.
Elena followed with Sonia and Fiona. She was wearing a robe and surrounded by colorful orbs, something Griffith had never seen before.
"The Arcane Council will announce the opening of the memorial service soon. We can listen to the rules."
Countess Larmour took out a silver plate filled with water and tapped it with her wand. The water immediately outlines the words. Everyone in the study immediately came over. Griffith was also reading, but the writing on the water was something he had never seen before and he couldn't understand it at all.
Lady Elena explained:
"This is a signal encrypted by the Arcane Council.
"The chosen ones have received the oracle,
"At midnight today, the first phase of the trial will start. They will sense the location of others at the first time, and then share the location every six hours. At the same time, the chosen one can communicate with the spirit through themselves. Through the connection with the world, you can obtain a emblem of the chosen one that is condensed from pure spiritual energy. This unstable crystal can be consumed, giving the holder powerful blessings, and can also be captured, traded and transferred. The rules do not give any restrictions, nor do they explain how to obtain the emblem.
"The person who holds the emblem and reaches the end of the third stage. The person with the most emblems is the winner and can make any wish to the gods.
"This is the oracle sent by the gods for the sacrifice of the Chosen One."
When Countess Elena said this, she paused for a moment, looked at everyone and then said:
“In addition to this, the Senate and the Arcane Council promulgated an additional rule——
"No one other than the chosen ones may attack the chosen ones in any way. Even if they are attacked, they must evacuate and no fighting is allowed. Violators will be punished by the Arcane Council."
Everyone listened quietly, as attentively as students in class.
The countess looked at everyone and asked like a teacher: "What do you think? Griffith, you go first."
Griffith thought for a while:
“First, the emblem of the Chosen One is limited and can be captured;
“Second, completing the Sacrifice of the Chosen One requires collecting as many emblems as possible, but it does not require the identity of the Chosen One;
“Third, attacking the chosen one will not be known by the gods, but will be discovered by the Arcane Council and then punished by heaven. If not discovered, there will be no punishment;
“Fourth, attacking the chosen one is prohibited, but attacking the chosen person’s guards and unrelated persons will not incur the heavenly punishment of the Arcane Council.
The countess smiled slightly and said: "I like your idea, go on."
Griffith said calmly:
“To sum up, the first stage of the Chosen One’s Sacrifice will be a secret melee.
"This is also the reason for the curfew."
