Atlas Battle Song

City, another form of desire.

The oasis unfolded on the map, and a strange name was marked on the parchment—"Kalder".The princes learned its pronunciation; the teachers told how behind this noun, the magnificent history of the entire dynasty was supported by giants, and how it was overthrown by the strong.

Poets invented a thousand stories about this city, told it to a thousand kings, and built a thousand city-states in imitation of it.And those who have really stepped into the Golden City, but are unable to create a city-state, have built themselves into a part of it.

If you've ever been to Calder in your youth, you've found love.Or rather, its labyrinth captures your heart.

Travelers pass through its streets, just as ordinary people have to go through the test of love and desire.The kites are rising, countless kites are floating, and the city in the sunset is like a tile painting made of thousands of colors, shining brightly.Glittering pots on terraces, tin mermaids on ramparts, soldier's helmets, baths in gardens, pots of gold, pots of silver, gold chains on a handmaid's breast, rings of nobles, knives, well water, spring water, in clay pots The water in it, the gold and copper coins, the beauty's eyes... everything is shining, everything is brilliant, dazzling and brilliant, and people take it for granted, just as they are used to the weight of pure gold.You see, an indifferent and beautiful boy walks through the shadow of the palace, looks like a god, innocent and unaware.You turn and chase, only to sink deeper into the golden memory.For the city of gold itself is a mirror, reflecting only eyes addicted to dreams.

The sun went down.

There are flowers for sale everywhere in the streets, and lovers are fascinated.At the entrance of the flower and fruit shop, the peddler girl counted the myrtle, pomegranate, violet, and water lily in the clay pot.

"Sir, do you want to buy flowers?"

The girl smiled and took the man's hand charmingly.

"No flowers, beautiful deer," Trander responded with a smile, and put a few copper coins in the girl's hand, "Bring me a glass of cold fruit wine."

After buying the wine, he went back to the alley and handed it to Egg.The plum wine was slightly sweet and refreshing, but Master Egg only gargled with it.

"In my mouth..." Egg said blankly, "It's all about the smell of a lion."

Trander asked: "Will you hate it? You are a pure-blood Sybil, and you are already sensitive to smells. This kind of thing is really too intense for you."

"No, I'm used to it. Anyway, I raised it. It's just that I have done it for too long, and my cheeks are so sore."

"Feel sorry."

"Deprived of your honorary title as a good lion."

"Yes, yes, dear young master, I was wrong." Trander smiled, wiped the corner of Egg's mouth with a handkerchief, and tied up the loose hair again.

Egg put on the black gloves, and returned to his usual meticulous state.He glanced at Trand, and pretended to ask casually, "Are you happy today?"

"I'm afraid it's the happiest day in my life. I can date you easily, and no one knows us. You don't have to be wary of other people's eyes at all times like in the imperial court."

"Just be happy."

"Then let's get down to business, sweetheart. Tomorrow night is the welcome banquet at the Governor's Mansion, and I need to make more preparations before that."

Trand straightened his clothes and put on his sword again.In order to facilitate things in the city, the two changed their attire at the hotel before.Now Egg looked like an imperial nobleman who came to have fun, while Trand looked like an ordinary mercenary.

Egg lowered his head and found that his knees were still stained with dust, "Ah, it's dirty. It's really inconvenient to dress like this."

"Isn't that right?" Trand smiled, and helped Egg wipe the dust off his knees, "A beautiful noble young master who paid mercenaries just to eat men's dicks in the alleys. This kind of It's a common thing in Calder, and a lot of Sibyl lords like to play like that."

Egg was too tired to beat him up: "Everyone knows that Trand lives to raise this dick. Did you name the dick?"

"That's so unrefined." Trander frowned.

"you……"

Egg was speechless.

Having had enough fun and fun, the two regrouped and set off to get down to business.Tren took Yi Ge's hand, and the two walked through the bustling night market. There were beautiful glazed lamps hanging at the door of every brothel, and there were girls in flimsy and gorgeous clothes standing there.Taverns and hotels are also open, and the dusty caravans are eager to find a place to stay.They walked through the most crowded streets, and through the alleys where beggars lay.Back and forth, I don't know how many turns.

"This city is a maze," Egg said.

"That's right, it's too old, and it hides a lot of secrets. If you rush in without knowing the situation, you'll probably be eaten by the beasts hiding in the shadows."

"The local dignitaries..." Egg thought of the assassin he killed today, "I heard that... Although the empire ruled the western plateau, the power of successive governors has not been able to fully penetrate to the bottom. In fact, many places are still Controlled by local mega-rich families."

Trande nodded: "Yes, it is said to be a 'governor', but it is mainly an official who collects taxes. The western plateau is afraid of the empire's force, and at the same time needs the empire's protection, so it obediently submits itself to be a vassal every year."

"It's a troublesome job to be governor."

Egg thought about what happened in the arena before.

At that time, the trial by combat, the emperor asked Egg and Trande, both sinners, to fight until one died.Later, Trander won the theocratic referee, and openly made a request to the emperor: give him the position of Governor of the Western Plateau, and the title of Earl Gorgon.

This title was originally hereditary from the Yigo family, but the emperor actually gave it to a half-Sybyl who had been a servant.Therefore, the pure-blood nobles of the empire hated Trand even more, especially the crown prince.But Egg himself didn't care at all.

"Then why did His Majesty ask you to be the governor?" Egg lost his mind while talking, and began to poke his fingers at Trander's elastic chest muscles, "Maybe it's because Trander is black and has big breasts." , can be invisible among a group of black-skinned beauties."

Trander touched his lover's ears and told him to stop making trouble.

"Hey, am I not a small expert in suppressing rebellions? Wherever I can't be suppressed, His Majesty will send me there. There are rumors that... the struggle within the power of the Western Plateau has become more intense in recent years. Some lords have fiercely opposed the empire. Encouraging other lords to rebel together. This matter is a headache for His Majesty, because the previous governors have not been able to really control the entire western plateau province, especially the south."

"West Plateau is going to rebel?" Egg shook his head. "Could it be that I've been away from the social circle for too long? Why haven't I heard the news...the Duke hasn't said anything about it either."

"No, this news has been suppressed by the upper echelons, and His Majesty certainly didn't tell me. But..." Trander blinked triumphantly, "I have many friends, and I can't hide any news from me, hehe."

"The imperial cavalry can easily crush the western plateau, just chop melons and vegetables."

"That's right," Trander snapped his fingers, "but in that case, it will be difficult to win the hearts of the people. Sooner or later they will rebel. And... if there is a real war, it will be ordinary people who will suffer. Although the West Plateau Wealthy, but the real rich are those rich merchants, and the lives of ordinary civilians are actually very difficult... You can see what I lived when I was a child."

"So His Majesty wants to put out the flames first."

"Well, a little mess is better than a big mess."

"Does Your Majesty have any other intentions?"

"Well..." Trander smiled meaningfully, "She probably wants to use me as a target, and let various forces target me first, so as to give her young cub time to grow up."

"His Royal Highness the Second Prince."

"She herself doesn't want the crown prince's eldest son to succeed to the throne. Although the second prince is resourceful and ambitious, he is still young, and it will take some time. From this point of view... I am afraid that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince did not see his mother clearly. Intentions. Terrible woman."

"Ah... Let's bully the Tland Lion together." Yi Ge showed an aggrieved expression, and then smiled again: "Hey, then I want to, I'll watch the show in the front row."

"Heh, let them come and see who has the ability to kill me." Trander sneered: "But you, baby... you are my thing, no one can touch it."

Next, Egg and Trand inspected the four hotels one by one.

Trand set up a total of 4 secret strongholds in the city.

His subordinates, disguised as ordinary businessmen or mercenaries, were stationed in these 4 hotels, a total of 200 people.In case something unexpected happens, he still has some strength in his hands.Trander explained the action plan and signals, and the shopkeepers also reported the news of the informants one by one.

"It seems that there is indeed an undercurrent in the city right now..."

The hotel owner nodded: "Yes, captain, there are disguised assassins and mercenaries everywhere, waiting for door-to-door business. The lords of various counties have also come, and they have their own actions in private, waiting for the governor's welcome banquet tomorrow night. "

"Tomorrow night..." Trander sighed.

Yi Ge sat on the window sill with his arms folded: "What's the situation with the old governor? Baron Duvin, I remember...he was a half-Sybyl, the illegitimate son of the Alai Yevin family. His family is pure blood, and he may also be the crown prince." supporters."

The hotel owner shook his head: "There is currently no particularly valuable information from the Governor's Mansion, because our forces cannot get in."

Indeed, Egg thought.The crown prince's henchmen would not trust humans or moderate Sybyls, and Trand's subordinates and supporters were mostly such people.He went on to say: "To figure out the situation of the Ching Ming dinner party, you must know the news from the old governor and send someone there."

"Send someone... Ah, these pure-blood guys are my biggest headache." Trander scratched his head.

"What are you thinking?" Egg smiled. "Aren't you surrounded by pure-blood undercover agents?"

"what--?"

The clouds parted, and the moonlight shone into the room, illuminating the pale and delicate face of the young man.Egg smiled faintly and put his hands gracefully on his chest.

"Let me go... My family is one of the oldest Sybil bloodlines, true pure blood."

"Egg..."

"They will trust me and be afraid of me." Egg whispered in Trander's ear, "Then I will tell all your enemies about your little secret here."

Trent roughly pinched Egg's waist, let the beauty fall into his arms, and kissed the black hair tenderly, "You don't need to go, baby...I can take care of this."

"Huh? Then don't bore me." Egg smiled.

"Cough cough!"

The subordinates on the side smirked, watching the couple quarrel.

At this moment, the door of the hotel was suddenly opened——

An old man came in.

The men were on alert for a moment, and the hotel owner was surprised that he forgot to lock the door earlier.Trande didn't blame him, but made a secret gesture. The knights pretended to be ordinary travelers and mercenaries again, and the tavern returned to its usual normal and lively.

The old man looked around and looked at each mercenary from the beginning to the end.

Trander observed secretly and found that the old man was wearing a pair of expensive leather boots, which ordinary people could not afford, so he should be a servant of a rich family.The old man sighed as he walked.

"Hey, old man, are you looking for someone to work?" One of the disguised knights stepped forward to say hello.

The old man glanced at his face and shook his head.

"Oh, I don't like it? Forget it, then you can find someone else, my good knife won't come in handy." The knight shrugged with a smile.

Suddenly the old man saw Egg, and his brows were filled with joy, "Sir over there, you are so handsome! Are you a mercenary..." This made Trand worry, the whole room was full of people. It's his man, and the old man would rather die than die to provoke Egg—such a moody guy who does things on a whim, maybe he will make something famous.

This is not possible, Trander stood up and blocked the old man's way, "Hey, boss, this wine is really delicious!" He shook his hands pretending to be drunk, and deliberately spilled the wine on the other party, "Hey, yeah I'm sorry, old man, come on, wipe it~" He bent down to hold the old man, and suddenly found that the cloth on his body was actually Ya Xu's.

"Hey! Wait, wait!" The old man grabbed Trand's arm.

Everyone was quiet.

"Young man, you..." The old man squinted his eyes, and tried to look around in the candlelight on tiptoe, "You...Are you Trande? Muawia?"

Oops, recognized!

At this time, Egg stood up, hid the unsheathed dagger in his sleeve, and walked behind the old man as if nothing had happened.Since this person recognized Trander, he had to silence him.

The other knights were startled.

Trander was also shocked: "Could it be...you are Antuo's servant..."

"It's you! It really is you...God Trander, how long have we not seen each other! Lord Antuo misses you very much too! Before you were a child, only so little... At that time, Lord Antuo was also very young, Just learning to walk, you play together. Look, I was young then, and I'm old now."

Trund smiled quickly. "Oh. It's me, Trund Muawia."

Hmm, is this an acquaintance of Trande?Then kill or not?Yi Ge was a little confused, ordered a glass of juice wine and sat back obediently in the corner.

"How is it! Have you been in Calder?" The old man was very excited.

"Yeah, I've been working as a mercenary in the Golden City, and I haven't been back for so many years... Hey, I should go back and see my mother."

"Your mother... Hey, I used to visit graves occasionally, but now my legs and feet are not so sharp, and I can't climb the mountain anymore, so I let my son and grandson go."

"Ah." Trander's expression changed, "Thank you...for still remembering my mother."

"My wife was kind to our family back then. If it wasn't for her care...Master Antuo and my wife might not be able to live today...Unfortunately, my wife was infected and passed away. I have always been very, very guilty about this... Rand, I wanted to raise you up, but you left Yaxu, and I never heard from you again..."

Egg drank and watched Trand.

Trander shook his head: "It's okay...it's all over...but I want to go back to see my mother and take her away."

"Alright, after all, you haven't been in your hometown for a long time... Your mother's tomb should be removed and reburied, so that you can visit her from time to time. She must miss you very much."

"I miss her too..." Trand said.

Mother Lion's grave, Egg thought.

He remembered hearing what Trand said before: he buried his mother on a hillside to the west of Yaxu City.There are white jacarandas growing all around, which bloom twice a year, and the fine white petals fall on the tombstone.Mom used to like this flower.

The old man looked around: "Ah, you really look like your mother... deep profile, high nose bridge, long eyelashes, big green eyes... really beautiful, your mother deserved to be Yaxu's number one beauty back then, no, maybe in The entire western plateau is full of beauty."

Egg noticed that Trand's face darkened.

"Are you really a mercenary?" the old man asked again.

"of course."

"That's great, God of the Beautiful Snake, the errand assigned by Master An Tuo can finally be completed!" The old man wiped his sweat.

"What's wrong?"

"Master An Tuo asked me to find a mercenary to do some work, but he must be a beautiful man. You know... It's not hard to find a mercenary with high force, but it's hard to find a good-looking and strong mercenary. Yes. After all, beauty is a scarce resource, if a person can use his appearance to gain favor, then he doesn't have to work so hard to do dirty work."

Trand was silent for a moment, and then became amiable: "So... what is the job content?"

"I don't know either. The master went to a meeting this afternoon, and when he came out, he looked very angry, saying that the others were useless and had no idea at all, so he asked me to find a mercenary, with a special emphasis on appearance." The old man said.

What do you want a beautiful mercenary for?

Trander pondered, feeling that something was not quite right... He asked tentatively, "Do you need to be able to dance? Or some other talent show or something?"

"Oh! That's right, that's right," the old man patted his head, "Why did I forget! Master Antuo said, you need someone who can be a dancer."

Ah, sure enough.

Trander understood that they were probably looking for a killer disguised as a dancer.As for the purpose... Tomorrow night is the banquet at the Governor's Mansion, what tricks are these people doing today?Trand remembered that the lord of Yaxu had always disliked the governor sent by the northern empire, and preferred to communicate with the southern countries.And those countries in the south have always been hostile to the empire.From this point of view...Trand speculated that Lord An Tuo might not welcome the new governor.

It seems necessary to find out.

So Trander said with a hearty smile: "Okay, I will take this job, and I will definitely satisfy the master. After all... Master Antuo and I are..."

He couldn't go on.

"Okay, okay, not only do you meet all the requirements, but you are also the partner of the master when he was young! Let's go, let's go to see the master now, otherwise I will be punished again when I go back late." The old man hurriedly pulled Tran De's hand went out.

"That's right, we were childhood friends..." Trander smiled wryly.

Before leaving, he looked back at Egg, showing a helpless and tired smile.But that's just for a split second.Trand turned back to life, blinking brightly and blowing a kiss passionately.Egg made a gesture of blocking in disgust.

The hotel door closes.

The knights breathed a sigh of relief, and the hotel owner stroked his chin: "Captain Trund went to investigate the information himself... That's right, such a good opportunity."

"Who is An Tuo that the old man said?" Yi Ge drank his wine.

"Antuo? Anharan is the current lord of the Yaxu region, and has great influence in the south. He is a man with a violent personality. He always wears a silver mask. It is said that it is because he suffered from smallpox when he was a child. scar."

"Smallpox?" Egg looked up.

"Yeah, you can still save your life after suffering from smallpox..."

Egg tapped the dagger with his fingertips, his gray-blue eyes fixed on the reflection in the cup.

"I used to only know that Trande's mother died because she had no money to see a doctor. But the little old man just said...Trande's mother was infected while taking care of the sick lord's son, so she died."

The hotel owner stopped what he was doing, and the knights also looked heavy.

"In other words, Tlander and Lord Antuo were childhood friends, but his mother died because of this man... Ah, no wonder Tlander left his hometown and never returned."

Egg sighed, stood up and left.

"Silly lion."