From Prisoner to Si Chen..

Chapter 345 New Year
"Pala, you're getting old again."

At this time, Carl Rega turned his head to look at Pala and said in a deep voice.

The other two also looked over.

Para Celsus looked very old, with white hair, wrinkles all over his face and loose skin.

If it weren't for those eyes that were still deep and full of wisdom and vicissitudes, he would have looked like a dying old man.

"Haha, after all, I am just a mortal body. I overloaded the 'Philosopher's Sword'. According to the principle of equivalent exchange, I should also pay the corresponding price."

Pala smiled calmly.

Agni's blue eyes under the silver helmet turned and looked at the white cane in his hand, and said in a deep voice:

"A sword made of twelve 'philosopher's stones'? This should be the limit of the mortal world... No wonder His Majesty praised it as 'the sharpest sword in the world'."

"Unfortunately, as you said yourself, a mortal body cannot bear the cost of using it."

Agni paused for a moment and continued:

"Ascension, Pala... your life on earth is running out."

"Pala, what you have done for His Majesty and for us is enough."

Carl also nodded.

"You only need to build a 'philosopher's stone body' for yourself before ascending, so that you can live in it. Then you can retain the peak strength of the sixth level, and you can still walk the mortal world for His Majesty and lead the empire to war."

Adams didn't say anything, but just gave a concerned look, as if he agreed with what the other two said.

"Three."

Pala looked at the three knight commanders.

He smiled, but shook his head and said:
"I am the last line of defense for the Knights. If I ascend, it will leave a fatal weakness for the enemy... What if, I mean what if, after I ascend, the members of our mortal world are destroyed by the enemy? What should we do?"

"By then, if we lose control of the world, it means we have lost."

Parra sighed.

"If you lose your dream, you lose everything."

"..."

The other three knight commanders fell silent.

What Pala said makes sense.

But they did not want to see their best friend, with whom they had fought side by side for three hundred years, die of old age in this world because his life came to an end.

"After this battle, I really don't have much time left... Normally, the lifespan of a 6th-level 'Power' Kuze is only about 300 years, and my situation has far exceeded this standard."

Pala said calmly.

"All this is thanks to the vitality bestowed by the 'Philosopher's Stone'. At the same time, it is also because of the 'Philosopher's Stone' that my soul has been affected by the power in it, causing the 'Divine Homeland Mark' to no longer fit, and I will never be able to move forward in my lifetime..."

"Huh?!" The three knight commanders all frowned.

They also didn't expect that the price Pala paid was so high!
This means that Pala can no longer ascend to heaven and is destined to die of old age in the mortal world!

For the Knights, losing Pala was like losing an important arm... For them, it was like losing an irreplaceable companion and close friend.

"Don't worry, I'll have a backup plan."

Pala smiled in relief.

He held his cane and glanced down at the group of people standing in the open space on the top of the mountain.

Finally, his eyes fell on the blond young man.

"I have found the right student... During these last few years, I will teach him to become a qualified knight and an outstanding alchemist... Then he will take my place and move forward towards his dream."

“Pala…”

The three knights sighed.

They followed Pala's gaze and looked at the blond young man with deep eyes.

...

...

After a while.

The crater was still spewing black matter and miasma. Pala and the other three stood high in the sky, quietly overlooking the scene.

"If the source of the miasma is not sealed, the world will be greatly polluted..."

Parra said solemnly.

"The scene we will see then will be far more tragic than the Middle Ages three hundred years ago. This is an unprecedented natural disaster."

As he spoke, he looked at the three knight commanders and took a deep breath.
"I plan to use the Philosopher's Sword once more and use alchemy to seal the crater."

"How long can you live after this?"

A question came from under Agni's helmet.

After a brief silence, Palla replied:
"Half a year, or even shorter."

"'Saber Master' Edwin released three members of the Elephant Guard and launched a final attack on the Empire. Your Majesty will not let this go..."

Agni said.

"The Third Bu'ao War is about to begin. This may also be the last one...Pala, the empire cannot live without you."

As he spoke, he tore off his black silk robe, revealing a shiny silver armor.

Then, Agni took off his helmet, revealing a festering and scarred face. Only his blue eyes remained calm and deep.

"I still remember that three hundred years ago, when I was still the prince of the Kingdom of Sakya, I was imprisoned in a dungeon by the royal family because of my ugliness and illness, and I was tortured... It was Your Majesty who lent me a hand and taught me swordsmanship."

"Until this moment, I have never resented Your Majesty for destroying my hometown."

"He gave me a new life and told me that I hope my sword is not for being loved, nor for the desire to be loved, but for loving..."

"Pala, use my body as your material... This way, perhaps you can live a little longer."

Hearing this, Karl and Adams were both stunned.

Palla tightened his grip on the white cane.

"Deputy Head……"

After many years, he once again used this title for Agni.

"If I use your body to perform alchemy, even if you have a new body in the future, you will still suffer unimaginable pain. You may not be able to walk the earthly world again and stay in the land of God forever."

"It doesn't matter."

Agni said calmly.

Then, a smile appeared on his ugly and distorted face.

"You are much more important than me, Pala."

Old Pala lowered his eyes and finally raised his white cane silently.

bass--

He pulled out the scarlet long sword "Philosopher's Sword" hidden in the staff. The crystal clear sword reflected the thin moonlight, presenting a dreamy color.

This action seemed to be a hint.

Agni didn't say anything more. He just jumped and flew into the crater.

Pala's eyes narrowed, and he slashed down with the Philosopher's Sword in his hand.

hum! !

A thin line directly divides the crater.

The dark cracks spread out into a shuttle shape, pulling and twisting the black matter, miasma, and the surrounding rock walls, sucking them all in.

Pala raised her other hand and clenched her fist. Snap! !
A scarlet lightning bolt as thick as a bucket fell from the sky and instantly struck Agni's body, breaking it into pieces.

Immediately, a red equilateral triangle alchemical array appeared on the palm of Pala's left hand, and he pressed down.

Just heard a loud rumble.

The crater actually glued itself together and finally merged with the crack to form a spiral obsidian gate!

Completely seal the crater!

After doing this, Pala sheathed his sword.

His face looked extremely tired and his eyes were somewhat dim.

...

...

1927 1 Month 1 Day.

new Year.

With the help of Chairman Pala, Gilan has returned to the capital, Musshiti, with others.

As for the nameless island, it has now become a restricted area and no one can go there without Para Celsus' permission.

Before leaving, Pala set up many alchemical arrays on the island. Anyone who set foot on it would be dead.

The nightmare monuments of Ms. Theresa, the Fifth Dove, and Elder Zaka were dragged into the seabed by an invisible force.

It seemed that along with the thousands of nightmare monuments, it was rooted in the corpse of the unknown creature.

The chairman issued a top order that no one should be told about the experience on the nameless island. Everything there would be kept secret as a secret history.

It was New Year's Day, but there was no festive atmosphere in the empire as one might have imagined.

Although the Imperial Propaganda Department, under the leadership of Minister Staven Lotito, spared no effort to spread a major news to the people -

The concentration of miasma has been effectively controlled, and the latest generation of anti-miasma drugs has been successfully developed, but most people are still immersed in the grief of losing their loved ones and friends.

At this time, bad news came from the north of the empire.

The latest editions of major newspapers were all filled with reports of another shocking piece of news:

The northern city of Bosvia, which symbolizes the honor, faith and hope of the people of the entire empire and the descendants of Xilu, has been subjected to a massive bombing by the Owena Federation!

On New Year's Eve, December 1926, 12, a massive explosion razed Bosnia to the ground overnight, turning it into scorched earth and ruins.

None of the residents there survived.

Including the outer Nvsi River, the area over 20 kilometers wide became a forbidden place for all living beings.

When the news came, the entire empire was in an uproar!

Unspeakable hatred, sorrow and humiliation instantly surged into the hearts of the people of the empire!
The intense national hatred turned into an atmosphere filled with blood and smoke, shrouding the Bremen Empire.

People from all walks of life in the Empire, including the powerful, wealthy businessmen, the middle class and even the lower class, took to protest and even signed letters in blood to present to the regional parliaments, hoping to express their willingness to fight to the head of state at the top.

At this moment, the people of the empire had only one thought in their minds -

Go to war!
Declare war on the Eastern overlord, the Owena Federation!
Blood debt must be paid with blood! Humiliation must be paid with blood!

There were also many young and middle-aged people, and even old men who had retired for a long time, who crowded into the military districts, military departments, and parliament, volunteering to join the army and requesting large-scale conscription by the empire.

At this time, public opinion seemed to be twisted into a thick hemp rope, intending to strangle the Federation.

However, the imperial government has not yet made a statement on whether to go to war, which makes the people of the empire who are eagerly waiting very disappointed and even angry.

Someone rode on my head and shit on me, and there was even a bomb hidden in the shit, but there was no response at all!
In an instant, people became extremely resentful towards the imperial officials.

Countless people are still expecting that the prestigious leader will stand up, raise his fist like he did fifteen years ago, lead the empire to defeat the federation, take revenge, and regain the glory that belongs to them.

...

...

A week passed in the blink of an eye.

People's expectation for war has not diminished over time, but has become stronger.

July 1nd.

Gillan was relaxing in his rental apartment in North Muse, reading a newspaper on the sofa in the living room.

The deaths of Ms. Theresa, Renault, Mugur, Ganod and other colleagues caused the work of the second group of gravediggers to be temporarily halted.

His position as head of the investigation committee was also secretly removed by Chairman Pala.

Now he is free.

After Celine came back, she received a message from "Midnight Rose" and left. Kaya was deeply hurt and blamed herself for the departure of her companions. She hid at home and became addicted to alcohol, often getting drunk.

Maavi often visits Kaya to counsel her, and also comes to Gilan's rental apartment to chat and have afternoon tea.

Whenever she talked about the trip to Late Autumn Town, Maiev seemed a little depressed, followed by a long period of silence.

Jilan just sighed secretly about this.

After experiencing all this and witnessing the power of the final explosion, as well as the fight between Chairman Pala and others and the Windmill Cats, he had a stronger desire for his own strength.

If he did not possess the strength of Chairman Pala and the other three Knight Commanders, how could he live freely and as he pleased in this alien world?
Who knows, one day, another one will explode above your head. Will Chairman Pala still stand up then?
Do not……

Just like what the silver-eyed man in the White Dove Tower said, it is foolish and naive to place your hopes on others.

This incident deeply stimulated Jilan.

Tuk Tuk.

At this time, there was a knock on the door of the rental apartment.

Jilan just turned his head and detected the person outside the door with his powerful spiritual perception.

There were six men and women in suits and hats.

Gillan recognized the group of people by the nameplates on their chests.

'Official department personnel.'

Gillan stood up, went over and opened the door.

Outside the door, a short-haired woman in the lead looked serious. She handed over a cowhide document bag marked with a confidential document seal and said respectfully:

"Mr. Gilan Iros, this is the letter of appointment issued by the Sifang Palace, which was approved by the head of state himself... Please be prepared and arrive at the Sifang Palace at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning to attend the inauguration ceremony."

"Okay, I know."

Gillan nodded and took the briefcase.

Chairman Pala had discussed this with him on the Alchemy Hotline.

Because he was promoted to the 4th level of Kyushu, he was also qualified to enter the center of power of the empire.

Now is the time for the Chairman to fulfill his promise.

The short-haired woman continued:

"By the way, our purpose of coming here, in addition to delivering the letter of appointment, is also a mission from Chairman Para Celsus... He wants you to go to the Triumph Mansion. He has something important to explain to you."

"If you allow, you can go with us in our car."

"Okay." Jilan thought about it and nodded. "Wait a moment, I'll change my clothes."

"Please do as you wish." The woman and her entourage bowed their heads.

Jilan turned around and went back to his room with the briefcase.

Soon, he changed into his familiar outfit of a black coat and black hat, and came out holding his laughing stick.

Then, he followed a group of official personnel downstairs and got on a car to the Triumph Building in the central area.

(End of this chapter)