Evetrona's old stories

Kundlomifi briefly explained the situation to the woman and asked her if she would "follow" Dr. Ganlotz.The woman didn't answer, her face was full of dullness and dullness.

The mild sunshine reflected the snow in the north, and the cold wind howled. The winter climate in the capital made the woman's thin cheeks a little paler.

"Don't feel like you're admiring him." Yuqie said to the woman, "Gan Luozi's past may not be as good as yours... Who can guarantee that you are completely innocent in this world? Since you don't care about each other's past, maybe you can make do with it."

So the woman nodded and followed Ganlotz into the carriage.

Later, Ganlotz gave her a new name, and she is now called Marlene Ganlotz.

During the time he was held in custody before the execution, Ganlotz had talked with Marion many times.Marlene was actually a pure girl, and judging from her infanticide, she might not be considered kind, but she had no other choice at that time—she was deceived by someone who claimed to be a poet.

Kundelomifi once asked Ganlotz whether the punishment for thieves today - ranging from flogging to exile and chopping hands, to beheading and hanging - was too harsh, but Ganlotz thought it was so. Appropriate punishment.He said: "For a squire and a rich man, even if a few hundred gold coins are stolen, it is nothing, but for a poor family, the loss of a copper plate or a piece of rags is nothing Fatal.”—It can be seen how the lives of the poor in Luoming are now.This is true for ordinary poor people, not to mention the helpless Marlene. God gave her two treasures at once, but failed to provide her with the conditions to feed them—she was too thin at that time, and she didn’t even have any milk. Can't squeeze it out.She killed her two children with her own hands, in order to inflict revenge on society, fate and herself, and she hated it.If there is an afterlife, she hopes to meet the two children there again, and then fulfill her duty as a mother—but she also thinks that it may be difficult for the innocent and the sinner to meet again after death.She told the pastor that if she was given another chance, she would not do it again, even if she would feed the child with her own blood.Her words touched not only the pastor, but also Gan Luoci, who was the executioner.

[168] Commitment · Baptist (Part [-])

Even Kundlomifi can see it—Wenzina seems to take Yuqie too seriously.Wen Zina gave him Aniye's sword, and asked him to sit in the position of guest minister during the cabinet discussion.

These days, Wenzina is struggling with one thing.

Silinsburg, located in the Mien Mountains, was occupied by a group of bandits of unknown origin. Veteran Numen Senfer and a group of people advised that these bandits should be wiped out as soon as possible.

Fort Silins in the depths of Mien actually has little to do with the Sirins family of Lomingo - one is the ruins left over from the last era, while the other is the lord of the northern kingdom granted by the king.Judging from the written records of the old era excavated by archaeologists, the Mien Mountains where Xilinsburg is located was originally a large plain, but at the end of the third era, some drastic changes took place here. After only about a century and a half, the Mien Plains rose rapidly and finally turned into mountains.The Mien Mountains block the cold current in the north and gather the glaciers from the Sea of ​​Beginning in the west—this forms the cold climate of Lomingo and the small countries in the north today.Nine out of ten ancestors of the royal families in Luoming came from this plain, and from this aspect, the surname "Xilins" is more like an ancient place name.

Fort Sillins is located on the border between Lomingo and Klikin (which was once Shaken, one of the countries on the west coast). Among the monarchs, several kings have reiterated to the outside world the ownership of the Xilinsi family to Xilinsi Fort-in the long run, many people who don't know the truth think that this deserted ruin is the Xilinsi family's "ancestral home".

"It's a matter of face." Although the old minister Numen Senfu was sitting on the seat, he was still holding the wat board habitually in his hand. "The reason behind this group of gangsters who don't know how to live or die dares to act presumptuously there may not be that simple."

"It is precisely because of this that you should not take risks." Wen Zina retorted abnormally, "You also said that the reason is not simple...they will occupy this place if they occupy it. Long Yuan lost his troops there and lost his generals—this is called embarrassing."

"The Mien Mountains are rich in mineral resources. If you let them run amok there, others will think that these villains are relatives of your family." Numen Senfu's blatant ridicule made everyone present shudder.

"If you say that, how about you go to direct this bandit suppression work?" Wenzina also lost her temper.

"Forgive me for your incompetence, so I can't go. I think you want to freeze your subordinates to death there, so as to keep your ears clean..."

At the end of the argument, both of them were a little blushing, but they couldn't convince each other.Numensenfu is now over a hundred years old. It can be said that Wenzina and Hashelepo were both raised by him. He has the status of a first-level tutor, and everyone should respect him three points. Luo Ming Almost no one in each territory dared to provoke him.

"I will send someone to investigate first, and then make a plan." Even if it is only for the sake of the old man's health, Wen Zina will give in on this.

"Your Highness, if we say who here understands bandits best, maybe everyone is not as good as me, why not..." Finally, Yuqie spoke.

"What do you mean, did you work before?" - Yuqie sitting here today, there are always people who are dissatisfied.

"This is Yuche Erlo. He killed a lot of bandits in the east...the kind with the sword. If you feel unconvinced, you can try it some other day." Numen Senfu has heard of it. Yuqie, he said to Wenzina: "Indeed, it's just right for him to go."

Hearing that Yuqie was going to the Mien Mountains to investigate bandits, Iblulan also volunteered to go with him—Yuqie originally planned to go alone, but under Wenzina's instruction, he had no choice but to take it with him. The swordsman.

Before leaving, Wenzina reminded him that the group of people lurking in the Mien Mountain Range may have a lot of background.

At the end of spring and the beginning of summer, the warm and humid wind travels westward from the Great Plains in Mokoto, driving away the severe cold climate of the northern country along the way.However, the temperature has risen, and the weather has become more and more severe—there is hail and freezing rain in the sky, and the muddy road has repeatedly melted and frozen.

Yuqie and Iblulan headed southward, entering the interior of the Mien Mountain Range, where the cold wind was raging, and all that could be seen was a vast expanse of whiteness.

Following the route provided by the eldest princess, they found Fort Xilins, the dilapidated building lifted by the cliff.

Taking advantage of a snowfall, they walked around the castle outside.Yuqie only looked at it from a distance, and felt that this place was unusual: If it was said that the people hiding here were just a group of mobs, then they would still be underestimated.

"How to solve the supply problem in this place?" Yuqie said, "If they were really a group of ordinary bandits, I'm afraid they would have starved to death here."

"Judging from the tattoo traps encountered along the way, they may be very good at magic and alchemy, and this mountain range contains a large amount of sky ocher ore, which is enough for them to squander - plant some food in the castle, and then Go out and hunt some wild animals, and you can probably live a good life." Iblulan then thought, "No matter how bad it is, you can eat people."

"There is also this corner. There is only one entrance to Xilinsburg. If it is under siege, there is no way to retreat—unless you escape with ropes or other methods, but then you cannot ride a horse, so How far can they escape? Unless they are a group of magic scholars who can use spells to travel - no bandit I have ever met would like such a place."

"Maybe they think they won't be discovered, or they have something else to rely on. In short, those who can survive under such harsh conditions must not be too stupid."

"Wait a minute... I saw the lightning trigger, how could there be such a thing in this place? I heard that this thing is expensive." Yuqie said, "I can't even imagine what kind of people will live there."

"I agree, I don't want to be near there at all."

After more than ten days of observation, the two finally came to the conclusion that the group of people occupying the ruins of Fort Sylins may not be bandits, but a group of mysterious and dangerous elements.

While the two were talking, there was a clear cough behind them, and that sound made Yuqie, who had always been calm, feel chills down his spine—this person came behind them, but they didn't notice it.

Yuqie and Iblulan drew their swords almost at the same time, turned their heads and slashed at the man, but just halfway through the movement, they fell straight into the snow, as if their bodies suddenly lost control .

Yuqie looked up, and what he saw was a crooked and shriveled body, and an old and terrifying face—no, that was not a human face, it was an unknown creature with a fake face. Judging from the horny scales exposed from its collar, this guy was more like a dwarf dragon disguised as a human.

It spoke, with a hoarse voice like a bellows: "Are you from the north? My master has spoken and told you to save your life. Please go back and tell that witch——Yafantu has no evil intentions, and I hope you don't disturb Yafantu's work."

The weird creature took a step forward, swaying left and right in circles around the two lying in the snow, it muttered something, then threw something at them, and then disappeared suddenly.

It wasn't until then that Yuqie and Iblulan regained their ability to move.

"What did he sprinkle on us?" Iblulan checked his body, but found nothing serious about him.

"Salt was sprinkled..." Yuqie looked at the handful of white particles in his hand, and was very puzzled. "What does this mean? Exorcism?"

The two looked around—the creature seemed to have disappeared out of thin air. Except for the footprints of the two when they came, there were no traces on the snow.

Yuqie and Iblulan found it difficult to understand what they saw and happened at the border of Xilinsburg. Out of fear of this strange situation, they could only end the investigation hastily and return immediately.

Two months later, they returned to Centrum and reported the situation there to the eldest princess.

"Since this is the case, then don't worry about them." Wenzina seemed relieved to hear their report. She said, "If you meet people from Yafonto... or members, then they probably won't stay for too long. It probably won't be long before they find a way to clean up the place themselves."

But the old minister Numensenfu still refused to give up on this matter. He still insisted on his own opinion and wanted Wenzina to send a team of elites to "suppress the bandits". As a last resort, Wenzina thought of another way-she pushed the matter of Xilinsburg to the World Alchemy Association. Fort is located at the border between the two countries. If Luo Ming does not cooperate with him, then the Alchemy Association can only go to Klikin. If they can go to the ruins of Xilinsburg in an open and honest way, they will probably not refuse.

For more than two years since then, Yuqie has been working for the eldest princess—whether it is negotiating with noble foreign guests, accompanying the royal family on trips, or participating in cabinet meetings, Yuqie is competent, and as His understanding and insight into Luo Ming's superstructure, and his style of doing things are also more sophisticated.The former bandit leader has won the trust of the royal family and has a close relationship with Kundlo Mifi, and most importantly, Wen Zina has become more and more dependent on him, even more than the others in Zhanlongyuan cronies.

The time was one day after the New Year's Day in the holy patriarchal calendar, and the eldest princess summoned him again in Fort Yevenli. Just like two years ago, Kundelomefi and Ganlotz were also there, but this time there were more He hired a Numen Senfer - the old minister also admired the young man very much.Several people were sitting in the living room, it was snowing outside the window, and the fire was burning.Today's atmosphere is not like a meeting between monarchs and ministers, but more like a New Year's gathering between relatives and friends. Wen Zina is in a good mood, and she seems to have something to say to Yuqie.

Yuqie noticed that Kundelomi Fei seemed extremely excited, as if he had anticipated that something long-awaited was about to happen.

During this period, Wenzina said a lot - she is now over 70 years old, but her appearance is still very young, coupled with the calm wisdom endowed by her identity and years, this snow-haired witch has been able to maintain the two qualities of stunning and charming for a long time in most of the second half of her life.

She talked about the changes in the capital city Centram over the past few years, about the stupid things that happened to the nobles and cabinet members, and then she talked about the marriage between Kundelomifi and his younger brothers and sisters.Numensenfu changed his tit-for-tat when discussing politics. He was very interested in the "private affairs" that the eldest princess talked about, and sometimes he would boast, but he is too old now, and his energy is a little low. During the mid-afternoon conversation, he fell asleep several times, but he himself did not realize it.

"Auntie, let's talk about that." Seeing that the sun was about to set, Kundlomifi really couldn't bear it anymore.

"I wanted to talk about it at dinner." Wenzina looked at her nephew with a slight smile on her face.

"Speak now, why wait any longer."

"Okay." Wenzina nodded, she looked at Yuqie, and said, "Maybe it's a little early to talk about this now, but it's a good thing, just treat it as the promise of the Xilinsi family to you——Yuqie, I have a Grand-niece, she is beautiful, lively and active, and has a bright mind, her name is Ye Fei—I went to see her a few months ago—Ye Fei is 17 years old now, but she is not yet married."

What Wenzina meant was obvious.

Gan Luoci was surprised, but Numen Senfer didn't react much - everyone in the room was looking at Yuqie at this time.

"Your Highness, I am deeply touched by your respect and favor..." It would be a lie to say that Yuqie was not shaken in the slightest at this time, "But on this matter, Your Highness, please consider carefully—my background is not worth mentioning—the nobles in the north will probably take this opportunity to make a big fuss."

"Yuqie, this is exactly another thing I want to say... A person who is successful and famous, opportunity may be more important than strength, our country still has so many things to solve—" As if anticipating what she was about to say, everyone held their breath, Wen Zina continued: "I will give you a matching identity: after you marry my grandniece, the two states in the north——I will give you Hidham and Zolanke as a dowry, and let you exercise the power of the lord here. You will be the last of Luoming A veritable knight, the knights and assassins of Zhanlongyuan can also be sent by you..."

When Yuqie heard her words, he seemed to be frightened, and he couldn't say a word for a long time. Not only him, but also the reactions of the others were similar—Kundero Mifi looked at Wenzina in disbelief, Ganlotz opened his mouth wide, and the old minister Numensenfer also woke up from his drowsy state.

Lord Harvey, Hackson Hyde, Nada Ankenmekin... People call them heroes, and these people also have one thing in common, no matter how long they live, their youth is stronger than ordinary people Much longer, not because of the favor of fate, but because of the power of understanding.

"Comprehension" is a word often mentioned by the sub-races, and each race, their language has a different interpretation of this word-in the language of the elves, there are both "essence" and "death" In the language of the dwarves, it also means "seeking truth" and "dedication"; in the ancient beast race, it has the meaning of "compassion" and "tolerance"... They pursue their own survival philosophies, and In this way, a long life is obtained-most human beings don't believe this, but in Wenzina's view, this is the truth, and she discovered-long life is not a kind of racial talent, but because, in this world There is a kind of dark power, which can give strength to those who are determined, give clarity to scholars, and make those who seek truth immortal.

Yuqie didn't know exactly how talented she was, but Wen Zina had noticed—this Ban Xuemo was only in her 30s, but she was able to surpass her own realm in ignorance—she knew very well that only people like him could bring great changes to Luo Mingge.

"These are what I can promise you, and I need your answer now." She said to Yuqie.

[169] The Committed One Baptized (Part [-])

snowy night.The city of Centrum was quiet and peaceful.Even though today is the seventh day after New Year's Day, citizens are still immersed in the New Year's atmosphere.

In the streets and alleys, several children were wearing patched clothes and were making a snowman by the side of the road. They had a lot of fun and put cinders on the snowman's head, giving it funny facial features.An old gentleman was sitting in a carriage, falling asleep to the sound of swaying copper bells. He had just come out of a friend’s house with a pot of hot wine in his arms. The carriage drifted away, leaving only ruts and hooves behind. Print, and this trace slowly dissolves in the drifting snowflakes.

On the First Avenue of the Royal Palace, two swordsmen—Iblulan and Yuqie—were sitting on the wooden steps in front of the tavern.Both of them were so drunk that even the cold night wind could not wake them up completely.

"I still don't understand why you don't accept...why?" Today, Iblulan asked Yuqie the same question more than ten times.

"Look... what trapped us here - a body, a dead body with temperature... trapped a living soul." Yuqie was not in a good mood, and he was still sighing irrelevantly. : "We drank some wine...the body became dull, so that the soul can be temporarily freed from this annoying rationality...my friend, this life is a cage inside another cage, although Luo Ming is very Big, but it is still a cage. This world is also a cage, and it traps us tightly—it can’t be helped, so let’s live freely, don’t you think? That woman...she gave me a hand The sword, I really wanted it, so I accepted it, because this sword reminded me of a girl in my hometown... The eldest princess said that she wanted to betroth her grandniece to me, but as early as ten years ago , I could have married a girl I liked very much at the time and lived a happier life than she promised me-but I didn't...I found that whenever there were several paths in front of me, I Always choose the more difficult one, without exception - why do you say that, my friend?"

"Who knows." Iblulan sneered, "My master said that you are a very smart person, maybe this is the choice of a smart person...but I am a stupid person, I can't understand, so I still don't understand Why did you..."

"Smart people are not like me, who always lead themselves to a dead end... That's why Gan Luoci is a smart person." Yuqie said, "Actually, I always have a feeling, as if there is a voice in my head, which threatens me—"If you choose this way, you will regret it forever."

"Hahaha..." Iblulan suddenly raised his head and laughed a few times.

Yuqie cast him a questioning look, "Is it that funny?"

"I'm sorry, I just remembered something from the past. Do you still remember that when we were in Xilinsburg, that strange thing threw salt at us... You said he was exorcising a demon—if there is any evil thing attached to you, then you should be cured..."

"It was really dangerous at that time." Yuqie said with emotion: "I thought I was going to explain where I was, and I was a little happy."

"You're world-weary? That's not good..."

"No, I'm still quite willing to live, and I love this world... And the more chaotic it is, the more I love it, because it can always bring people surprises. See how it uses reality to refute my view of it - nothing is more interesting than this. It must be limited, but it's always bigger than limited."

"You should be a poet." Iblulan said, "I remember someone saying this-it's a child or a poet who tells someone their immature thoughts. They have one thing in common , not naive or arrogant, but with romantic ideals."

The snow is still rustling underground, light and unstoppable—like silent strings, trying to gently bury the city.

The two raised their glasses and drank a cup of hot wine. The intoxicating heat lingered in the nasal cavity and chest and abdomen, making them even more drunk.

Looking at the snow scene, Yuqie fell into a state of tranquility mixed with melancholy.

Some people hate snow because it reminds them of the old times of hunger and cold, or other unsatisfactory past; but most people still like snow, because such scenes either intentionally or unconsciously make them Recalling my carefree childhood—snow is a ubiquitous but dreamy thing in nature, it generously sprinkles itself on the dirty earth, turning everything into pure, it makes children the first Feeling the joy of change and creation for the first time aroused their curiosity about the world—decades later, even though the world has no surprises for them, these feelings still remain in their hearts.Yuqie thought of his own childhood, the snow and fog on the land, the screaming cicadas, the fluttering dragonflies and the fish swimming in the water - as long as you hold them in your hands, you can feel the tiny creatures He was amazed by everything at that time; and he thought of the brothers of the swordsman's family, with whom he had grown up--under the stern gaze of the swordsman, they clung to their wooden swords day after day. Practicing in the sandy field in the backyard all day, no matter the wind, frost, rain or snow, there is no pause... Only when looking back at the past, Yuqie realized that the life at that time was the happiest period of his life.

The wind and snow filled the air, and a pair of shadows appeared on the empty street—the two men were walking slowly towards this side through the snow with a lamp in hand.

Iblulan jumped down from the steps, looked at the figure in the distance, and said, "Yuqie, look, isn't that His Highness the Third Prince?"

Yuqie drank the wine in the glass, and stood on the side of the street with Iblulan, waiting for Kundlomifeh to come.The man carrying the oil lamp was Nedlig, the bodyguard of Kundlomify.The two walked to the door of the tavern, and the two swordsmen saluted the prince respectfully.

"I sneaked out." The prince waved at them, "Go find a room, let's have a few drinks here."

Iblulan led the order into the tavern and negotiated with the boss.Kundlomfi was wearing a snow-proof cloak today, and he looked like a royal family. He complained to Yuqie as soon as he opened his mouth: "You haven't come to me these days."

Yuqie lowered his head, he didn't make any excuses.

"Aunt... the eldest princess is not angry." Kundlomi Fei said, "It's also my fault for being too impatient. I originally asked her for that matter, but I didn't expect her to make such a request."

It’s ridiculous to say——Kundlomifi has always regarded Yuqie as a friend. He always likes to consult his opinions before doing things. He is also willing to go hunting with him. Sometimes he will ask him for sword skills when he is in the mood... He Seeing that Wenzina valued Yuqie so much, and thinking of the equally extraordinary appearance of the two of them, she always felt a little uneasy, and then came up with a good idea—this is how Wenzina bestowed the marriage thing.

Yeffi Sirins is Alventino's daughter, and she has been to Centrum several times. Kundlomiffy has a good impression of this niece who is a few years younger than himself, and he thinks that Yuqie will be a good match with her.

He thought it was reliable, so he mentioned the matter to Wenzina, and Wenzina immediately agreed.In fact, Wenzina also has such a plan—but she thinks a little further. She wants to use Yuqie's hand to clear the way for the future Kundlomefi, and Ye Fei, who has the direct blood of the royal family, can act as a Yuqie's wife, some things can be done logically - in some extreme cases, Wen Zina even considered the possibility of making Yuqie the regent or directly enthroning the couple.

Wenzina is deeply worried about the future of the Silins family, and she has a strong premonition—the crisis is like an undercurrent, and the royal power may be overthrown as a result.

The wooden walls of the tavern can't stop the noise in the hall, which is just the right atmosphere.Kundlomifi took off his coat and gloves, and as soon as he sat down, he said: "Ganlotz's second child is about to be born, and he is very busy recently."

Yuqie nodded, but said nothing.

"Ganlotz also said to me—looking at the outlines, there might be two," Kundlomifi went on.

"What two?" Iblulan was puzzled.

"Twins." Yu Qie explained for the prince.

The room suddenly fell into a strange silence. Obviously, these four bachelors were not very good at discussing such topics.

"Sit down, Nedlig," said Kundlomiffy to his guard.

The four of them sat around a square table, as if they all had something on their minds—a dignified prince actually nestled in such a corner, drinking dull wine.

"I really should let you taste the wine from Luozhen, it's much better than this." Kundlomify said.

"It doesn't matter if you drink well or not, I only care about the result - as long as you can get drunk." Yuqie said.

"That's easy to handle. I'll give you a bottle of distilled wine another day. It's also produced by the Luo Town Winery. Nedlig has seen it before, and he couldn't bear it after just a few sips."

"My voice has been hoarse for seven or eight days, it's like swallowing freshly baked gunpowder." When the guard sitting on the side talked about this, he felt quite proud, "I doubt that thing can't be drunk directly."

"There is still such a thing, then I should really try..."

Several people discussed for a while around the wine of Klikin and Mokoto, and then the prince talked about Logger—the boy who followed Yuqie.After getting acquainted with Wen Zina, Luo Ge was sent by Yuqie to the training camp of Zhanlongyuan, where he was asked to learn swordsmanship and literacy.

"Roge made a contribution in the mission at the end of last year, and he may be promoted to be a knight." Kundlomifi said.

"That's a good thing, but the warrior class is worthless now," said Iblulan.

"But at least he's a well-known one." Nedlig held a glass of wine in his hand, but didn't take a sip. If you are an executioner, I am afraid that for generations to come, you can only live by beheading and hanging yourself—Both Rog and Ganlotz are lucky, they met a kind prince.”

Luo Ge is also a very talented young man, but his performance has been covered by Yu Qie's brilliance, and no one has ever noticed.

"It was my luck that I met them." Kundlomifi shook his head with a smile, "It's only been two years, and I feel that I have changed a lot, and this is all thanks to you. Before I met you , I always felt that I hadn’t grown much.”

"You are still too modest - some of your character is something that others can't learn, and this is what I admire most about you."

They complimented each other for a while, and Kundlomfi asked Yuqie again: "It was really surprising that you refused so simply at that time... What are your future plans?"