In Beyeland in mid-May, the sun had already set into the clouds floating over the strait at dusk. Golden light shone through the gaps in the clouds, reflecting a gorgeous brilliance on the quiet stone walls on the seaside.
The carriages in the city also became golden, crossing the stone bridge and the grapevines hanging on the terrace, and stopped in front of a white palace. This elegant palace was once the garden of a certain queen. The wisterias planted between the white walls and white sand looked like sapphires in a jade plate, attracting waves of admiration from the guests.
Griffith jumped out of the carriage, habitually pressed the sword on his waist and stretched out his arm.
"Intoxicating love, Yiyi's longing," the countess said as she looked at the wisteria on the wall, "Before Queen Margaret was killed, she wanted to bury her and her lover in the garden here."
"However, the Praetorian Guards rejected her and didn't even wait for the king to express his position. The Senate was so frightened that they hurriedly issued a subsidy." Griffith held his white little hand and asked Sonia to hold her arm.
Several viscounts and several councillors, with their wives, passed by nearby and glanced here with displeasure.
In the past two days, the social circles of Beyeland were saying that the daughter of the Larmore family was engaged to her knight. This lucky soldier somehow became the God's Hand and Flag Captain, and received the Pearl of Bjelan as a reward for his loyalty. Kang Gai's senate is about to appoint him as commander of the southern army to invade the troll territory.
That's the South, where there are minions of the Regicides and Confederate rebels everywhere, and there are endless benefits...
Tonight is the first time that the flag captain and his fiancée have officially attended the social world. The dresses, carriages, and jewelry are all the best, and they have lit up the eyes of several ladies.
"Good evening, Your Excellency and Countess."
Griffith said hello to the Earl and Countess of Larmour, who had just arrived. The count, whose face was as gloomy as a thunderstorm, snorted, and then was pulled away by the smiling countess.
A week ago, Sonia went home alone and had a big fight with Count Larmore. Tonight, she walked beside her with her arm on her arm, the sworn enemy of the Byellan nobles, the evil Lancer, the so-called Knight of Ravenel, raising her face from time to time, and giving her sweetheart eyes full of affectionate glances.
"This little black-haired bastard!"
General Macdonald grumbled bitterly.
"But he is very manly and he is so young. No wonder the goddess of victory favors him~" The general's wife waved her fan and gave her girlfriends a look.
"Who doesn't like strong men?" Another lady stared at Griffith's tall and muscular body, and wiped away the bad mood when she saw Sonia. "I have to talk to him about the rebellion in the South." The thieves have many plantations in their hands, and the sugar they produce is as white as snow.”
General MacDonald was so angry that he almost lost his breath. He was completely defeated in Verona, but the 19-year-old young man in front of him took the victory back with thousands of people. The mentally retarded Senate actually let this little bastard be the vanguard and gave him the important task of attacking Commodus.
"I bet there's something wrong with this little bastard," the general said. "He's so close to those pointy ears, how come he suddenly becomes a member of the Larmore House."
"Don't go too far," Count Urenas warned gently. "Without him and Tiberion's favor, those mobs would listen to Danton's pamphlet and rush in and leave us all on the street lamps. I On the way here, I saw them looking at us in bridge openings and alleys."
…
"He is a lucky upstart. Even if he bears an ancient surname, he will not become as equal as a real nobleman." The general insisted on his opinion.
"He is the Hand of God, and I'm afraid he is more equal than us."
Griffith ignored these whispers of jealousy and stepped into the vine-covered path in the garden. This palace leads to the ruins of the Hippodrome by the sea, where the results of the negotiations between the Senate and the Confederacy were announced.
Sonia was almost leaning on his arm, her dress almost falling down to her shoulders. She quietly and curiously introduced the passing Confederate representatives to the knight:
"That's Dandong."
"I know him. He wrote "The Origin of the Blood Tax," Griffith responded. "Even if the gentlemen of the Confederacy are frightened, Danton will make them brave again."
"Don't say that, there are still many brave and wise people in the Confederacy," Sonia introduced another person with some reverence, "That was a wise man who wrote "The Social Contract."
Griffith glanced in the direction indicated by the girl and found that this great wise man was very happy because the Duke of the South was talking to him.
"Isn't this just a nouveau riche?" Griffith shook his head. "While advocating republic and equality, he is showing off his knowledge because the Duke changed the direction of his walk. He is dissatisfied and criticizing just because he is not one of them. one."
If the gentlemen of the Confederacy are all this kind of thing, how can they be expected to resist the noble Lord of Byjeland?
"Don't say that," Sonia said softly, "It would be great if there was no war and no cruel things that are about to happen."
She couldn't keep whispering to her knight, and her big sky-blue eyes fell on the people around her, saying hello to the colorful celebrities.
Countess Elena spent a week making the whole society of Beyeland agitated about the marriage. Consul Xia Long asked the military veterans to propose a proposal to prepare more troops and Beyonders for Griffith, allowing him to fight the first battle with Commodus without the supervision of the legion commander!
No matter how biased another consul Tiberion was in favor of his son of prophecy, the Senate passed a resolution and allocated to Griffith the best new army, equipped with flintlocks, cannons, and storm squadrons. Waiting for some well-trained veteran troops. They will board the ship in the near future and go to the southern provinces to gather and wait for dispatch.
Who would dislike having too many cards in their hand? This is the sacrifice of the chosen one, and the winner will summon a miracle.
Sequence 4 psychic "Foresight" Gryffindor and Sequence 4 demon hunter "Guardian of Order" Ms. Edina Lightblade have made it clear that they will support the flag captain and send reliable demon hunters, including another Erza Valkyrie, Hand of a God.
In this way, although Sonia was initially prepared to threaten her family with the idea of marrying Griffith to provide support, I don't know what happened during the discussion. Griffith suddenly had a large group of allies.
The dinner began.
With the clouds of war hanging over Bayerland, the Confederate ambassador was invited to meet with the Senate for final negotiations.
…
This is the last chance to avoid a full-scale civil war. Both parties seemed to be doing their best, and Beyeland invited all his friends and gave them the best hospitality. The white-haired Archon Tiberion raised his wand and toasted to the distinguished figures who were present:
“By this meeting we hope that the gentlemen of the Confederacy will understand—
"What magic gives us will transcend this skin. Picking up a few shells on the shore of the mysterious sea of knowledge will be so bright and happy.
"Our future is the golden age of magical civilization!
"Let us call for peace and embrace the future with peace. This is the responsibility of our generation."
The principal really placed all his hopes on magic, hoping that Aaron would come with a miracle and make everything better... Griffith looked at the Magic Supreme on the observation deck with regret.
"Lord Tiberion," cried the great men present, "please tell us when the miracle will come."
"Let's keep some little secrets," the demigod was like a naughty child, kind and kind, and there was no sign that he was worried about the next situation. "We have gone through a hard day, at least, let's enjoy delicious food at night. and spend time in joy.”
The richly dressed Confederate representatives sat upright, with serious or nervous expressions on their faces.
In front of them were pearls of caviar, emerald oysters and Imbilia ham, all delicacies sent from all over the world.
"Uh-huh," Lord Osidis, a member of the Arcane Council sitting at the same table, took a bite, "The fish from the West Sea is so delicious that it is bone-crushing.
"Sadly, the habitats of these cute little fish are being eroded horribly, steam engines and soot called 'industry' are making our throats uncomfortable, and sewage from indigo and paper mills is dyeing our world," If we can calm down and slow down, we can clearly see the golden age guided by Lord Tiberion.
"There, we have pure air, streams, fields and poetry, away from the noise and ugliness, wouldn't it be nice?"
Griffith put down the knife and fork he had just picked up. No one spoke.
The meeting during the day was a closed-door meeting between high-level officials and representatives of the Confederacy. The results have not yet been released. Sequence 5 "Mysterious Lord" Osidis has already told everyone the results through actions.
"No offense intended, distinguished lords."
Danton stood up. The Confederate representative beside him stretched out his hand, but did not hold on.
“My lords, wizards and lords,” Danton said, “you long for tranquility, but the people need industry.
"I understand that you hate steam engines, steamships, coal, and dyes, because men don't need the products of factories, and factories pollute the air for men.
“But ordinary people need it.
"Those who cannot become Extraordinary, those who farm in the countryside, those who do laundry and cleaning for you, and those who carry luggage at the port, need cheap sausages, sausages made of starch and offal, and clothes made of linen and cotton.
“They wanted brown bread, three centimes of brown bread, fried chicken with so much oil that it oozed.
“Caviar, oysters and prime beef are not something they can do.
“The poetry and tranquility in your mouth will only feel beautiful to those who do not work in muddy water, are not eaten by blood-sucking insects, and are not bitten by gadflies.
…
“You praise serenity and embrace mystery, because with or without industry you drink the pasha’s wine.
“But what about ordinary people’s gooseberries?
"What should we do with those ordinary people, ninety-nine percent of the world's population, who are called 'Muggles' and cannot touch the mysteries throughout their lives?
"Do they deserve to live in mud and water all their lives?
"They deserve to be chasing a vacationing gentleman for a few pieces of candy and an old piece of clothing.
“They can do without wine, minks, and ham, but will they have to wait until Frost Day for a new pair of socks?
"Should ordinary people die in poverty in tranquility and poetry?
"Do ordinary people deserve to be denied industrial products, just for the sake of the beautiful world in the eyes of Lord Osiris?
"That is your paradise, but it is hell for mortals."
Dandong sat back in his seat. For a moment, he felt uncomfortable, so he stood up and left the table.
Griffith held his sword in his hand until the knights and Beyonders guarding the hall retreated, then he put his hand back on the table. He looked at Lord Tiberion and saw that the kind smile was no longer in the elder's eyes.
Let's have a civil war.
Yes, if a miracle doesn't happen, there will only be civil war...
After the dinner, all the dignitaries present put on serious expressions and headed to a gladiatorial arena on the seaside.
This is a forbidden area. In ancient times, Bijaland's rulers made slaves and prisoners of war fight here. The dried blood stains were smeared on the walls and floor, turning into a filthy darkness.
Lord Tiberion invited his beloved:
"Just now, Mr. Dandong taught us a lot of truth.
“Each of us has freedom of thought and will have different understandings of truth.
"Come here, Aaron, dear student, the gentlemen of the Confederacy are waiting for you,
"Everyone, once a hand of God is defeated, or the godhead carrying authority is shattered, the power will be distributed among the remaining chosen ones. The proportion of distribution depends on the characteristics of the chosen ones. Aaron, My lovely student, show us... everyone can’t wait.”
Griffith's heart suddenly tightened. A crisis as sharp as needles swept through his body. He clearly remembered that at the end of the battle in Verona, facing the almost indestructible hybrid body, Aaron completely shattered it with just a magic spell.
Everyone was looking forward to seeing the Son of Prophecy appear in the center of the demonstration venue. However, they only saw hundreds of strong orcs and trolls fully armed appearing in the arena below.
These prisoners of war are on high alert, waiting for humans to come and compete with them. One of the particularly strong orcs beat his chest:
"I am the warchief's blood warrior,
"Humans, send your warriors to fight me!"
No one answered him.
The almost crazy roar of the wind kept ringing horribly in the valley, and became louder and louder, mixed with meaningful and eerie pauses.
Suddenly, there was a strange cry, which was completely unlike the strange sound that the throat of a living creature could make. The towns across the strait were awakened by the scream, and people were in commotion, thinking that they were suffering from nightmares.
This scream was not made by a creature in this world. Griffith clenched his sword tightly and protected Sonia behind him. He caught a glimpse of the big shots around him shielding themselves with pale faces, and some of them were already running outside.
…
The sound eventually turned into an echo that was a mixture of moans and growls, tearing at the human mind and making it unbearable even for extraordinary beings.
Aaron showed up. He appeared at the other end of the arena, wearing a robe, holding a wand, and pointed at the Blood Warrior.
"Peng!"
The blood warrior who was shouting and shouting was beaten into a ball of bloody water.
Aaron's attack abilities include beams of intense flashes of light. The hit creature is instantly shattered.
"Childish demonstration," Archon Sharon commented, "We all know that Aaron's attack is very strong. Wizards are all cannons made of glass, and this will not scare the Confederacy."
The remaining orcs and trolls immediately launched a frantic attack.
The magic ball deployed around Aaron will automatically release refraction, constantly jumping between enemies coming to melee. Unlike regular chain lightning, the damage of refraction will be doubled with the bounce. From the perspective of killing power, the third bounce will cause fatal damage to the extraordinary creatures.
Surrounding Aaron were several masses of black mist, making it difficult to see clearly what was true or false. However, all the orcs in the arena immediately went crazy when they approached the black mist, screaming and running without any thought. Once they touched the black mist, they would be ejected as if they had hit a battlecruiser.
Aaron doesn't even need to cast a spell. One look from him was an attack. Even if he stood still, the strong orcs couldn't cut through his shield. He just stood there, slowly tearing the prisoners into pieces.
This disgusting massacre scared most of the people away. Archon Xia Long shook his head and said to everyone, "A powerful defense created by high-density psychic energy has no technical content."
As soon as he finished speaking, a male servant present suddenly levitated and floated into the arena.
Immediately afterwards, a large group of mutated monsters poured out from the exit and rushed towards Aaron together with the remaining prisoners of war.
"Praise to our believers."
The ordinary manservant swelled up in the blink of an eye, becoming taller and more majestic than a legion centurion, with a solid psychic shield added to his body.
"attack."
Aaron ordered.
I saw the manservant picking up two wooden sticks and instantly enchanting them with hot flowing fire like lava. He roared wildly, rushing into the monsters like a hurricane, harvesting them like a windmill.
As the demonstration continues, Aaron has the ability to grant psychic enhancements to mortals, instantly turning them into terrifying killing machines. He can even set up a psychic stance on the battlefield and jump friendly troops to the stance.
If he strengthens low-level wizards and extraordinary people, he can allow them to create small black hole-like explosive vortices that shatter the enemy into pieces, or they can have a city wall-like shield to break through. With his blessing, low-level wizards can release the lightning storms of extraordinary wizards.
His attacks are terrifying and his defenses are nearly impenetrable, but most importantly, as long as he is willing to give psychic praise, he can instantly create terrifying warriors.
He alone is an army.
Griffith silently stared at the terrifying Son of Prophecy, then turned to look at the Confederate representatives attending the meeting, and saw solemn expressions on their faces. Aaron's offense and defense were almost a countermeasure for the new Confederate army.
Consul Charles turned to his friends in embarrassment and said:
"Tiberion told me that the Children of Prophecy would bring balance between light and darkness.
"I don't think he made it clear. I don't think he meant,
"Kill both the light and dark sides, and the world will be balanced."
blood tax
