Ming Dynasty and New Rome and Infinite Magic Machine

Chapter 1465 Night Shift Bureau, Opening

"So, you agreed?"

The two Karins nodded excitedly. After thinking about it in detail, they were even more enthusiastic than Shangluo.

"This matter is actually very important, because it will affect your career planning for a long time in the future. So I want to ask, what do you two think?"

"I want to be Yasa." Little Karin said.

"I will help her become 'Karin Yasha'."

Asha is the feminine form of the Elven King. They are the vassals and collaborators of the two supreme kings of the Elven, Oberon and Titania. It is just that the relationship between them is nominally between lord and vassal, but in fact, the internal competition is much more intense than it seems from the outside.

Others may think that elves are already quite cruel to others, but the civil war between elves is where the elves really use their military power. Whenever the seasons change and the Wild Hunt begins, people will always see the elves rushing through the forest. That is the battle between elves and other elves.

They appear in the mortal world because the relationship between the mortal world and the spirit world is fragmented. Humans will use the spirit world to perform phlogiston stealth to shorten their journey, and the spirit world will in turn use the mortal world's path to speed up their march.
And if Karin chooses to become "Karin Yasha", it means that she will also join this endless war.

"Although I know that you will make up your mind sooner or later. However, this decision seems to have come too quickly. I would like to interview you two - how did you make up your mind?"

"Because you said this is the best option." Big Karin said, "We all believe you."

"Just because of that?"

"Yes, that's why. If you weren't here, we would both be dead. I would have been annihilated in some war, and her soul would have dissipated. We are both here because of you, so there is no reason for us not to continue to trust you."

"Okay." Shangluo shook his head helplessly, "If that's the case, I have a heavy responsibility."

However, it does feel good to be relied upon.

"Then leave this matter to me. I will fulfill your wish."

"And we will do it ourselves." Big Karin replied, "Just give the order, we both trust you. Just tell us how to do it."

"Okay. Then what's next?" Shangluo thought for a moment. "Your task is similar to the previous one. It's the same job you've been doing before, so it's nothing. It's just that little Karin needs you to put in some extra effort. After all, you're going to be a priest."

"So whose priest are you serving?" asked little Karin.

"mine."

"."

The two Karins looked at each other.

"Wait a minute." Little Kalin said in surprise, "I know you want to be a priest, and it seems you are also a priest of the Forest King."

"Yes, I am the King of the Forest."

"Okay. You must have your reasons for making this decision."

"You seem to be saying this is outrageous?"

【Isn't this absurd? You think it's the same as the Imperial Temple. You have a connection between heaven and earth, so your ancestors are just ancestors. Entering the Imperial Temple is just to enjoy the offerings. No one would use the Imperial Temple as a wishing well. But the Roman gods are not connected to heaven and earth. Deifying the Roman emperor is literally treating him as a god. For example, Augustus has his own Temple of Augustus. Even if there is no special temple, there will be a Flamen priest group. And, in fact, this matter can be done within the Roman order, and there is no need to set a precedent. 】

"How to do?"

[Just let Karin participate in the selection of the Vesta Saint. ]

Vestal, a Roman priestess. To some extent, her form is similar to the Pythia priestess of the Oracle, except that Pythia belongs to Apollo, while Vestal belongs to the Roman "Vestal". The Hearth and the sky gods are the oldest beliefs of Rome. Long before the Greek gods were introduced, the Vestal priests already existed and undertook the important mission of maintaining the flame.

Rome was also a union of the original tribes, each of which originally had its own sacred fire. When Rome was founded - according to legend, Romonus set the rules - he required that the lives of all tribes be united as one, and that the priestess of the god of the hearth, Vesta, be in charge.

"What do you think?" Shangluo suggested.

"Oh, this." Little Karin was stunned for a moment, "Can I do it? I don't think I will be selected."

"Is this a very harsh condition? Can't we just choose a stupid country girl?"

I'm angry. I'm really angry.

"You may have confused the conditions of the Vestal Virgin with those of the Pythia. The conditions of the Vestal Virgin are exactly the opposite of those of the Pythia priestess."

【Yes. It's completely opposite. After all, Pythia cannot be independent in nature, because independent people cannot convey the correct oracle, and only vague oracles can be interpreted - in fact, the oracle does not want a priestess to snatch their power to issue oracles, but due to tradition, there must be a priestess sitting there and speaking, so they chose a "stupid country girl". The Vestal Saint is completely opposite. The Vestal Saint requires the chosen one to be able to stand on his own. 】

"How do you say this?"

[Because Rome actually has such a rule - in Rome, only the head of the family has complete human rights. If you are not the head of the family, but an ordinary member of the family, then you may not even have property rights. Because the property rights in Rome are based on households, family members usually do not have independent property rights, and in many other places they do not have independent personalities. But the Saint of Vesta is an exception. The Saint of Vesta has the same complete citizenship rights as the head of the family, and like the head of the family, she has her own independent property rights, and can attend the Senate meetings as a member of the Roman Priestly Council. ]

“This is really the complete opposite.”

The Pythia priests demanded no independence, while the Vestal Virgins emphasized independence.

"So, how does this work theologically?" [Remember what we said before, the Trojan prince married the daughter of the Latin king 'Latinus' - the name Latinus is very perfunctory, because it is a metaphor for the Latin country. The Trojan prince married the daughter of Latinus, which means he married the 'daughter of the country'. So the original meaning of Vestal Virgin is 'daughter of the empire'. But later there were some changes, making Vestal Virgin the bride of the empire, the person who married the empire.]

"So is she the empire's bride or the empire's daughter?"

【This... Actually, it gets confusing later. But in the ceremony, there is a 'seizing' ceremony. You know the abandonment ceremony of the Athenian submarine, right? This is also the opposite. If you are chosen as the Vestal Virgin, then the priesthood will organize a 'seizing ceremony', and after discussing with the family, they will take the daughter out of the house through a ritualized seizure. This means that after becoming a Vestal Virgin, you will leave your original family and become the daughter or bride of the entire empire. This process is actually a bit like kidnapping a bride. 】

“Why is this all mixed up?”

[You have hit the nail on the head. In fact, this is the same as the origin of Rome, a manifestation of two identities intertwined. From a theological point of view, the Vestal Virgin is the daughter of the state who will marry Aeneas in the prophecy. But Aeneas will become the new king of Rome, so she will become the bride of the state. Because the subject of the state has changed here, from father-in-law to son-in-law, the Vestal Virgin is both a daughter and a bride. By the way——]

She added: [Because according to the prophecy, the Vestal Saints must marry Aeneas, so the Vestal Saints cannot get married.]

"???"

[So it's hard to imagine what you were thinking when you made Karin a priest.]

"I haven't thought of anything! I don't know anything about this. So what are the other options?"

[No. The Vestal Virgin is the only official female priest of Rome. If Karin wants to become a priestess, there is only one way, which is to become a Vestal Virgin. Oh, by the way, let me tell you, there are actually many Vestal Virgins. In ancient times, there were 7, and now there are usually 4 to 6. This selection is now part of the Roman national sacrifice. ]

"Wait. Are there so many people?"

[Yes, you are blessed, right? The daughters of this country are really amazing. ]

"No, no, no, that's not possible. I can't force someone to marry me."

"I can!" Karin suddenly spoke up. She was even surprised by her sudden words. "Hey, I think I heard someone mention me just now?"

[Why don't you just drag Karin into the group chat? Karin's elven magic is becoming more and more prosperous. I think she can vaguely hear us talking now.]

"Ah, this." Shang Luo covered his forehead, "No, this is not necessary. I always feel like it's not fair to Karin."

[Well, no one said that we must get married, right? It's just a wedding ceremony. Because the Forest King is the Roman god, it's just a marriage in name only - did you find this yourself? ]

"No. Karin is fine. But why are there the other 'four to six'? Do I have to marry all of them after becoming the King of the Forest? Why are there so many daughters? Originally there were seven, and although some of the seven fairies got married, not all of them married into the same family."

【Don't worry. When selecting a Vestal Saint, appearance is a very important factor. Generally, they leave home after selection at the age of 6, and officially become priestesses at the age of 16. They perform their duties as priestesses from the age of 16 to 26. From the age of 26 to 36, they retain their treatment but no longer perform their duties as priestesses, but train the next generation of priestesses. They retire at the age of 36, and can only officially marry mortals after retirement. Therefore, the Vestal priestesses you will meet are no more than 26 years old.】

"How do you want me to answer this?"

[Shouldn't you be overjoyed? ]

"No, no, no. I also have principles. Just because Karin can do it doesn't mean others can do it."

[Then, just think of it as you sacrificing for the country. ]

"I say, Apollonia, don't you mind?"

[You want to hear the truth?] Apollonia paused, [The truth is - if there is only one, I really mind. But if there are seven, hehe, hehe, I just want to have fun. I want to see a river of blood~~~]

Shangluo drank a sip of tea and looked out the window. This beautiful land was all his. But in order to take over this beautiful land, he had to
"Okay. Then the plan is set. I will become the King of the Forest at Lake Nemi, and the new King of Rome. Is Mayor Kesso awake? Because it's related to Karin, so I have to talk about it."

"What????" Mayor Kelso was overjoyed, "You want to choose my daughter to be the Saint of Vestal?"

"I'm really sorry, I may have to 'take' her from your house. But it will be a ritualistic taking, actually."

“Ahahaha!” Mayor Kesuo grabbed Shangluo’s hand and shook it vigorously like a money tree. “Thank you! Thank you so much! I thought she would never be able to become the Saint of Vesta in her lifetime! This is the honor of our entire family!”

This is indeed an honor. After all, the Vestal Vestals were extremely important throughout Roman history, and there were four to six of them in the entire Roman Empire. If a family could be selected to have a Vestal ...

"Karin actually ran for election, but she didn't actually get elected."

"Hey," Karin shook Mayor Kesuo's arm, "Why are you talking to Shangluo about this?"

"I'm telling the truth. Our Karin is far superior to other girls in terms of intelligence, appearance, and manners. But our family is just a knight, and our status is not high enough, so we can't compete with the daughters of those wealthy families. But... Hey, Shangluo, the room is full now with 6 people."

"It's okay. I just heard that tradition requires seven, right? Then it's seven. I've decided to add Karin in."

"But Karin is already over 10 years old. She is now past the Vestal Saint training period and is now at the age of 16 and above to officially work."

"Then no more training, just take up the post right away. Then, she will handle all matters related to my sacrifice. By the way, since the temple will be established in Lake Nemi, I'll trouble you, the mayor, to take care of it later."

"Has it been decided? On Lake Nemi?"

On the surface, it is a temple, but in reality, it is the headquarters of the Night Shift Bureau. Shangluo decided to set up the European operations center in the suburbs of Rome, among people he is familiar with. By the way, it is also closer to the teleportation point, making it convenient for him to travel back and forth.

"Yes." Shangluo nodded. "Although the geographical location is important, talent is also important. When hiring people, of course we have to hire virtuous people. So the temple must be set up in a place where it is convenient for virtuous people to work. That's my decision."

(End of this chapter)