The City of Marronligar

If you are just an ordinary citizen, in the face of the turbulent situation, living a stable life is the first choice.However, for businessmen, even if the risk is extremely high, the potential huge benefits are enough to make them take the risk.

In Marunliga, the governor is essentially a powerful businessman, and the city is his/her shop, capital, and even commodities.The Governor's Office, chambers of commerce, and banks constitute a money-centered power group, but they are out of touch with ordinary citizens who account for the vast majority of the population.The two ignored each other, forming an invisible high wall inside Marunliga.

——Miscellaneous Notes of Silver Bay Tower: Gossip and Conspiracy in the Governor's Mansion

Governor Morgis asked Chu De where he could get enough capital to support the war trade, and Chu De gave him an answer that surprised him—the religious order.

The governor's white bread face moved dramatically.

The influence of the religious order is declining, and the number of parishes and clergy is decreasing. The wealth accumulated by relying on believers for more than ten centuries is even more amazing.Many people coveted this asset and tried every means to get a piece of the pie from the religious order, but they couldn't bear the strict discipline and conservative style of the religious order, and it was difficult to shake the guardian of wealth through various attempts.

Therefore, the governor was deeply skeptical of Chu De's suggestion: "Do you think those extremely conservative defenders will get involved in such a business?"

Chu De obviously has his own opinion.He shook his head and said, "What we need is not their people, but the money in their hands. So, as long as the church hand over the money, everything will come naturally."

In view of Chu De's occupation and past experience, the governor's first reaction was that Chu De was instigating him to extort money from the religious order—although the essence was not much different.

Perhaps because he was obsessed with "negotiating like a nobleman", Chu De also began to use the way of talking around: "You also know that apart from the symbolic meaning of the temple, Maren Riga doesn't really need the church anymore. An outdated code of ethics and conduct is not appropriate for this age. But its assets have a greater use, such as…”

Needless to say, the governor can fully understand Chu De's meaning - in fact, he has long intended to annex the assets of the church, but due to the position of the governor's office and his own "decency", he has not been able to find a suitable one. Methods.

Although Chu De also had his own plans, his suggestion clearly gave Governor Morgis's ambition another wing.The governor and the secretary quickly exchanged glances, silently affirming the value of this suggestion.

After obtaining the governor's acquiescence, the current president of the Bounty Hunters Association finally got to the point: "Now, let me talk to you about this snow. Let me put the conclusion first—this is an Emalonliga incident. The opportunity to demand compensation from the church in name may even allow it to disintegrate.”

The Governor shook his head: "This is too aggressive. Also, what do you mean by 'this snow'? Isn't this just an abnormal cold wave?" He has been staying in the warm Governor's Mansion, and he has no idea about the changes of the seasons. What a deep experience.

Chu De was already ready to explain: "What if this is a sign of catastrophe?"

Governor Morgis put down the teacup in his hand, his small but bright eyes stared straight at Chu De, and the corners of his mouth curled slightly.This expression usually means that he is waiting for the other person to spit out useful information.

Chu De thinks it's time to go further: "To be honest, I have been secretly following the actions of the Order. Last winter, when the first snow fell, the Order secretly sent a team overseas to find the legendary The ancient temple of Rogmar, so that they can use the holy artifacts to complete their mission of 'ending the catastrophe'.

The Governor had always scoffed at such tales.As for the actions of the Order, he only thought it a foolish and futile act.He didn't care why Chu De was eyeing the sect—profit was the most important thing.

Trud went on to say: "Now, we have seen the 'return of winter'. This is like several ice blocks that have occurred in history, which symbolizes the catastrophe entering the climax stage. Next, it is conceivable how much loss Maren Liga will suffer I know. Not only did the church not solve the problem, but it made the situation worse, isn’t that an excellent grounds for compensation?”

Seeing that the governor was a little tempted, Chu De decided to pursue the victory.He approached the governor, deliberately lowering his voice: "The real manager and toughest Inquisitor Sauron has left Marenlica, and the elderly rector is used to compromise. There is no better opportunity than this."

The governor had to admit that he was about to be persuaded by Chu De's persuasion, but he didn't want to make it too obvious—he was not a real nobleman, but he was always obsessed with practicing the noble code.Therefore, Governor Morgis just put on an inscrutable, half-smile expression, indicating that he would consider Chu De's suggestion.

Chu De smiled slightly, and ended the short meeting with words of the scene: "As expected of you, you can always make the best plan for Ma Lunliga. When the transoceanic slave trade rose in other parts of the peninsula a few years ago, you always refused to let Ma Lunliga was involved. Your integrity, both as a merchant and as a governor, is admirable."

The governor slowly stirred the honey in the cup with a teaspoon: "What are you talking about. Of course I don't like the slave trade, it looks too indecent."

Chu De smiled meaningfully, and the details of his expression were very subtle.

After Chu De left, Governor Morgis waved slightly, and his shadow-like personal secretary, who had never spoken the whole time, immediately came over.

"If the two brothers and sisters of the Torreso family are snakes, this guy is a poisonous scorpion. He pretends to be a nobleman, but he is still a villain with low moral character." The governor snorted disdainfully, and hung himself in front of Chu De. The high eyebrows furrowed again. "But there is no denying that there is value in his proposal."

The secretary nodded, understanding the governor's meaning: "I will find a way to understand the current situation of the church."

The governor frowned, and added: "Also keep an eye on Chu De, I don't trust him. Just looking at the business with the North is not a big deal, some things have to be contacted by him, but in the future, no one can guarantee whether he will will suddenly kill me."

Although Chude was one of the first to propose profiting from wars in the northern states, he also sometimes acted as a liaison.But when dividing the loot, Chu De only had to leave a very small part, and by the way reserved a formal seat in the city hall that was usually reserved for nobles.

Chu De seems to value power and fame more than tangible money.In the long run, Governor Morgis worried that he would lose control of Chu De.

More than a thousand years ago, there was only a brand new coffin in the empty Logmar Temple.The huge mural behind the altar is also new. The weird picture not only depicts the stories passed down by Torreso's ancestors, but also hides the message that Solti got from the world snake.

Solti is well aware of her physical condition.As her death was approaching, she just wanted to seize the time to leave more knowledge about the sacred artifact "The Bone of the Great River", organize the information into a concise letter, and entrust the tribe to send it to Roland, who was far away in the capital of the empire.

Although they are far apart and haven't seen each other since the temple was parted, the two still made the same decision: people's minds are not yet mature enough to face the truth of the catastrophe.Rather than letting the world fall into confusion and panic, it is better to hide these things that are not suitable for the public, and wait for the day when the successors of the Torresso family and the order will reveal it.

This process must be very long.It may take several centuries, or it may take dozens of generations, Solti and Roland have already made up their minds.

After writing the last letter to Roland, Solti staggered to the altar again, using blood to connect the bridge between himself and the world snake.

The observers who rely on the bones of the great river have always been unreserved.It even told Solti how to eliminate the catastrophe early in the morning, and pointed out bluntly that this was an impossible task: With the manpower at that time, no one could cause the slightest damage to the sacred artifact.

It is precisely because of this that Solti chose to bury the holy artifact in an isolated temple, making the Torresso family the chains that sealed the sacred artifact.During the decades of being alone in the temple, she had countless conversations with the World Snake, but the most critical decision never changed.

"Is this your choice?"

"Yes." The aged gravekeeper nodded solemnly. "Compared with you, our strength is so small, and our spirit is as fragile as the ice cap on the stream. But no matter what the ending is, whether it is a beacon of hope for the lost, or it will eventually go to destruction, the fate of mankind is determined It should be us."

In the end, even the emotionless World Snake made a sigh-like sound: "I still can't understand human persistence."

Solti smiled quietly.She raised her head, and on her old face, those green eyes were still as clear as when she was young: "It's like I will never understand you. In this way, we will be evened."

"Human beings are really competitive."

"That's one of the keys to our survival."

"How do you ensure that future successors will uphold your will and not use sacred artifacts to satisfy their own desires? I know that human beings are afraid of 'catastrophe', but they are also good at profiting from it."

Solti thought for a while, and slowly replied: "I don't need to ensure anything. If human beings are destined to perish because of your power, my successors will not be able to reach here; if they can find the traces left by me and Roland, And successfully arrived at this temple, I believe they will not make a choice that they regret."

In the gamble with the World Serpent, Solti chooses to believe in human will.

Thirteen days later, Solti died alone in the depths of Logmar's sinkhole.

It has been a long time since there was heavy snowfall in the western sea area of ​​Kuno Continent.The flurry of snowflakes descended from the overcast sky, landed on the surface of the water that was disturbed by the ship, and was quickly swept into the gray-blue sea by the waves.

When Samuel woke up, apart from the pain in the wounds all over his body, the most vivid feeling was that the bed he was lying on was shaking constantly, but it was not as violent as an earthquake.He opened his eyes with difficulty, and his chaotic consciousness slowly returned to his place like a blurred vision.

Sitting by the bed and taking care of him was a young man with dark hair from his own race - Samuel's current vision could only barely see these things.

"...Adrian?" He struggled to get up, but was immediately pushed down again.

The young man said, "Uncle, it's me, Chloe." It was a woman's voice.

Seeing that Samuel, who had been in a coma for several days, finally woke up, Chloe showed joy, and then softly advised: "You are not seriously injured, but it is best to rest in bed for a while. I will go and tell Captain Huta and them."

Samuel fell back on the bed, only feeling that his whole body's muscles and bones were out of his control.As soon as I closed my eyes, the scene I witnessed not long ago flashed in my mind again.

The scarred bones of the great river, the serpent murals of the resurrected world, the snow and falling rocks under the sinkhole, the undead of the battlefield emerging from the shadows, and... and the blood of Hagrid Sauron.

"Hagrid—"

Samuel murmured the judge's name in a low voice, cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and he wanted to drag his disobedient body out of bed.Chloe had to stop Samuel again, working with another sailor to tuck Samuel back into the bedding.

Torreso's patriarch has always been calm and stable, but at the moment he is in a state of chaos and lost his mind, without any cunning and courage to fight openly and secretly with the elders of Heshan Manor.

Chloe bit her lips anxiously, trying to comfort Samuel and dissuade him from moving around: "Judge Sauron...he hasn't woken up yet, the doctor on the beacon has been watching, everything will be fine."

"..."

Facing the current Samuel, Chloe almost had a feeling of pity that didn't fit her status.She couldn't bear to continue to face her uncle's self-defeating expression, so she whispered a few words to the mercenary in charge of the care, and then walked out of the room in the deep part of the cabin, and went to the deck to look for Huta and the first officer.

Pushing open the hatch leading to the deck, the oncoming sea breeze with snowflakes is coming, and another ship following the Beacon can be seen from a distance.In order to facilitate the care of the wounded, all the wounded teaching policemen were also gathered on Huta's ship, and the Valkyrie only left enough people to support its voyage.

Captain Huta and his first mate stood at the stern, discussing the aftermath of the expedition.The first mate was holding some paper rolls, which were the list of mercenaries numbered on Beacon and several employment contracts—as long as there were casualties, they had to discuss how to compensate.

"...I have already counted the losses on the Beacon. As long as the family members of these dead mercenaries can be contacted, the amount of compensation will be the same as before. This is my plan. Our ship will pay at most [-]% of the compensation. , [-]% ask for it from Heshan Manor, and another [-]%...see if we can discuss it with the religious group. This is a joint operation, and they are also responsible.”

The first mate calmly analyzed the most important issues for him, not caring about Huta's delicate expression at all.

Huta sighed, put his hands on the first mate's shoulders, trying to persuade him to erase the last [-]% division of responsibility: "Yeran, Judge Sauron is still lying on the bed, and it is not even sure whether he will survive. The church and the police have no leader, and the church is too busy to take care of themselves. Even if they discuss it, they can't find anyone, so it's better not to take advantage of this, and help them tide over the difficulties first, and sell the right as a favor."

"Captain, let me make my words clear first." The first mate rolled up the parchment and cast a displeased glance at Huta. "I'm only responsible for the Beacon. Even the Torresso family has to let it go, let alone the church."

"At least for now, we and the church are on the same boat—well, actually two. Yelan, I never gave you an order, and you have always been in charge of the boat, but the forces involved in Logmar's trip There are too many, and we can no longer do things the way we used to."

Duplicate wanted to stick to his point of view, but seeing Huta's serious expression (and his earnest tone when calling him by name), he had to choose to give in: "...I see, we will discuss the compensation when we return to shore."

Chloe observed the two of them from afar, and didn't go forward until she confirmed that the captain and the first mate had finished their business, and conveyed Samuel's situation: "Uncle just woke up. His first reaction was to find Sauron Judge."

Huta shook his head helplessly, turned around and looked at the endless sea.The blue sea reflects the sparse snow, just like a sad oil painting.

Before the sinkhole where the ancient temple was located and the narrow rift completely collapsed, the surviving church police and mercenaries rescued the unconscious Hagrid and Samuel to the ground and joined Huta and the others.Facing the biting cold current encroaching from the glacier all the way, they did not dare to delay, quickly abandoned the excess luggage, and evacuated to the sea together with the personnel who stayed at the outpost.

When Samuel woke up, the two large ships sailing southward in the cold current were far away from Logmar, far from the deserted land that was once again frozen in ice and snow.

As if intending to bury something, the snowflakes slowly deposited on the deck, cooling off the enthusiasm of the future tense.Logmar's expedition came to an end in a hasty way, and sacrifices were inevitable. Everyone was mentally prepared. It would be lucky to escape unscathed, but no one could be happy.

Looking at the blurred sea horizon, Huta couldn't help sighing: "Is this the end of the catastrophe, or the beginning of the next tragedy?"

Author has something to say: Uninvited-Alfie-JayWinters

probably a transition