Sword of Dawn

All in all, due to the limitations of the infrastructure of the Great Wall, all Sentinel Towers have been monitored by the Silver Empire for the past 700 years, and the limitations mentioned by Gawain are unavoidable: it is difficult for the elves located in the south of the mainland to know in time Something is wrong with the northernmost Sentinel Tower.

"Although I have converted to the Holy Light and no longer interfere with the affairs of the kingdom, the teachings of the Holy Light teach us to uphold compassion and love," Veronica suddenly broke the silence, "I will report the situation here when I go back. father, and suggested that he immediately send an envoy to contact the elves."

Then she looked around with some concern: "If the magnificent wall really goes out, this place must bear the brunt. How could these weak people survive... Duke Cecil, I don't question your courage, but for the sake of the people here , would you consider changing the place..."

"Thank you for worrying, but I haven't thought about it yet." Gao Wen smiled and glanced at Veronica, "I have confirmed the situation of the Great Wall, and it will not have any problems again in a short time, and the overall The risk of collapse is almost nil. Besides, if the Wall of Magnificence does fall... what difference does it make where you hide on this continent?"

"I'm curious, how did you stop those monsters?" Cohen couldn't help but asked curiously, "I can feel how powerful they were once from the breath left on those skeletons, and the force of this territory ..."

Gao Wen chuckled: "Mostly it's luck. These monsters unfortunately encountered a landslide and were discovered by our people a few days before they approached the camp. We made preparations for this. The rest of the reasons are . . . consider you the wisdom and strength of old age."

Veronica and Cohen: "…"

Amber and Rebecca, who were following Gao Wen, muttered, "Look, I told you that your ancestors could piss people off by talking."

Rebecca looked innocent: "Is it wrong to tell the truth?"

Amber: "...This kind of shameless style must be a tradition in your family."

Rebecca: "You're rude!"

Gao Wen was a little embarrassed to listen to the small movements behind him—the two girls thought they suppressed their voices just right, but in fact, everyone present could hear their movements. It's fine to be teased, a thug like Hu Po obviously wants to be beaten on purpose, but it seems inappropriate to hang her up and beat her on this occasion...

Fortunately, Veronica didn't seem to care about the murmurs of the two young girls. After hearing Gawain's decision to stay here, she only showed an expression that seemed to have been expected, and said quietly: "I I respect your decision, but I hope you know one thing—if the situation in the south worsens, the Kingdom may not have much spare power to provide support."

Although Gao Wen knew from the beginning that with the current system of the Ansu Kingdom, he probably would not get much support from the royal family, and this was just in line with his own wishes, but from Veronica's tone he heard Another layer of meaning came out, so I couldn't help asking: "What's wrong?"

"Eastern border," Cohen, the deputy head of the Knights, said in a low tone, "We and the Typhon Empire... I'm afraid there is no room for relaxation."

Chapter 0098 The Faith of the Holy Light

If it was the original Gawain Cecil 700 years ago, the mood at this time should be lost or even a little sad, because the human nations 700 years ago had no contradictions in future generations, and everyone came from the wasteland of Gondor at that time. The fathers and folks who escaped were separated by natural disasters. Several kingdoms worked together to build defense lines and exchange resources. The honeymoon period between the Typhon Empire and the Ansu Kingdom even lasted for more than 500 years.

At that time, no one thought that there would be a day when everyone would face each other.

However, the person standing here is not the genuine Gawain Cecil, but just a satellite spirit who fell from the sky. Gawain knew that he should sigh, but he was really not very good at acting, so he could only try to make his own The expression looks stiff and serious, which can be regarded as more or less sad than heart-dead emoji: "Has war already been declared?"

"It's only a thread away," Earl Cohen shook his head gently. "All diplomatic channels have been cut off, and both sides are stationing troops. At this time, there is no reason to argue. It depends on who makes the first move. We are all guessing, maybe within a year, the first A great war will break out among the nations of men."

Rebecca who was following couldn't help it: "But we have to face the tide of magic. If the magnificent wall really collapses, can their Typhon Empire be safe and sound? If the monsters in the wasteland of Gondor If you rush out, those monsters will care which country you are from?"

"In fact, in the last communication before the diplomatic interruption, my father had already issued a warning to the empire," Veronica said in a low voice, "he warned those proud imperial people that the wasteland of Gondor is changing, Signs of abnormal activities have also been found on the Ansu border, and he hopes that the imperial people can put down those stupid hatreds in the face of this real crisis..."

Amber asked anxiously, "And then?"

Veronica lowered her eyelids: "Then Typhon unilaterally cut off the magic communication on the border and added another [-] troops."

"This is unreasonable!" Rebecca immediately said, "How much hatred does Typhon have against Ansu, and they insist on doing this? And even if they don't believe it, at least tell them, what does it mean to just shut down the summons?" ..."

"Because human beings are not very intelligent creatures, especially when they are mixed with politics and aristocratic systems, their minds are often confused by things like interests, face, clan, and war inertia," Gao Wen shook his head. Said, "And Ansu said that the demon tide is coming, how can the Typhon people believe it? They would rather believe that you are using this excuse to delay or prepare for the war, and even if they believe it... I am afraid they would like the demon tide to quickly use Ansu as a The center exploded."

Rebecca blinked her eyes, her head that had been slapped by a wolf was directly stuck on this topic: "Why?"

Gao Wen shrugged: "Because Ansu will be finished in this way, they think they can share the surplus directly."

Rebecca felt that she couldn't keep up with Gao Wen's rhythm: "Do they think this is possible? In front of the demon tide..."

"Before seeing those mutants with your own eyes, have you ever thought about the power of those monsters? Before Cecil was corrupted by the elements and turned into wasteland, have you ever thought about the true power of Chaos magic energy? And until now, What you have seen is not even the slightest aftermath of the real demon tide."

Rebecca: "..."

Gawain sighed, he said these words not only to Rebecca, but also to Veronica and the three beside him: "So this is the reason, 700 years have passed, and human beings are a short-lived and short-sighted race Now, except for those elves, everyone regards the magic tide as an ancient legend. The Ansu royal family even directly gave up the entire southern region. Tell me, except for this pioneering land, Ansu’s entire Is there any place in the environment that can directly overlook the magnificent wall?"

Earl Cohen's face changed slightly, while Veronica folded her hands on her chest, lowered her head and said in a low voice: "May the God of Holy Light forgive all ignorant beings—human beings are huddled on a stable land, and the boundaries of civilization have retreated." Going back again, the barrier that concerns everyone's life and death has long since disappeared from their sight..."

"I'm afraid only the elves are still taking care of the nodes on the magnificent wall, but Anzu and Typhon are not interested in these," Gawain sighed, and then changed the topic, "But then again, mentioning The Feng Empire's reaction is indeed a bit wrong, although people are sometimes ignorant, but their reaction... there are some signs of excessive force."

Earl Cohen opened his eyes slightly: "You mean, they knew that there were monsters in Anzu and believed in the threat of the wasteland of Gondor, but they still chose to start a human civil war?"

"I didn't say anything, because I don't even know what the Typhon Empire looks like today. The old guys I knew back then have long since died," Gao Wen spread his hands, "Don't talk about Typhon, I'm in Anzu You have been surrounded for several months, and you have grown wildly for hundreds of years. If I hadn’t seen many people hang the portraits of our group on the wall, I couldn’t believe that this land was really developed by us back then... ..."

Veronica: "..."

After that, Gao Wen arranged a reception banquet for the guests from the capital.

Today's pioneering camp is still in a state of pioneering. Except for hunting some wild game from the nearby forests, the food in the camp is mainly purchased from Tanzan Town and then transported here by river. Although when I came here, I also brought a batch of livestock and poultry. But these animals are used for reproduction, and they are reluctant to be slaughtered and eaten at this time. Coupled with the lack of food types, this feast will certainly not be very rich, but it is clear that Veronica is not a person who will be here. A picky and mean nobleman, the priestess Sandy who came with her and the deputy head of the knights, Earl Cohen, were also very knowledgeable. No one thought that there was any problem with the Cecil family's hospitality.

Of course, the more important thing is that everyone is generally embarrassed to pick the thorns of the ancestors, and the 700-year generation is here.

After the personnel handover, the three of Veronica will not stay here, but before they leave, Gawain will take them around the camp first.He is not worried that this will expose his secrets, because many projects here are still in the initial stage, even if professional people come, I am afraid they will not be able to see what is famous, not to mention that the two priests and a battle mage are not like this. Experts in this field - they don't even know what the original furnace looks like, let alone understand the process of firing Rebecca crystals in the kiln area.

What's more, showing off property and land is the habit and norm of the world's nobles. If you don't take them around the camp, it will look suspicious here.

Of course, he excluded the tent where the ball was placed from the tour program-the ball is really not easy to explain...

As a matter of course, Gao Wen's attention was attracted by Sandy beside Veronica more than once along the way. You can see her abnormality by yourself, and no one can bear this matter. Gawain just glanced twice, and Veronica finally noticed it.

"Are you concerned about Sandy's reticence?" Veronica euphemistically brought up the topic, "Excuse me, she has always been like this."

"No, it's just because she looks a bit like someone I knew back then," Gao Wen casually made up a reason he had already used in front of Amber once, with the mentality of "no proof". , "Of course, it's definitely not the same person, but I can't help but take a second look. Please forgive me if I offend you."

"Sandy won't mind," Veronica smiled slightly, and the woman named Sandy just nodded slightly, expressing a little opinion, and then Veronica continued to introduce, "She is my My friend for many years, before me, she had converted to the great God of Holy Light, and it was she who pointed out the correct path for me."

The tone of a fanatic.

Gao Wen didn't express his disapproval. After all, how people believe is their business. This saint princess is quite approachable when talking about topics other than belief.

And Veronica's topic is not over: "Her piety is admirable, she is silent before you, but this is because she has dedicated most of her words to our Lord. Speaking of this, I find that you Although everything in this territory is full of vitality, it seems that it lacks the guidance of faith?"

Gao Wen pulled out a smile: "I respect the pious believers very much, but you see, there are only more than 100 people in my territory now including the 900 people you brought. Everyone has already spent a lot of energy building houses and reclaiming wasteland. Churches, feeding missionaries, things like that have to be put on the back burner.”

"Faith will not become a burden for the people, but instead will become their direction and strength," Veronica smiled, "At least the God of Holy Light has taught us to be lenient to others and use the power of Holy Light to Guiding and sheltering all living beings——If you wish, I can personally help you build the Church of the God of Light here. I can assure you that the church will never be here except for voluntary offerings. If you collect a penny of money on the land, all the expenses will be provided by me personally, and at the same time, the clergy of the church will provide healing and enlightenment to your people for free."

Gao Wen kept smiling: "Will such a good thing happen?"

Veronica seemed to be filled with a faint, holy light, and her smile seemed to be soaked in the holy light: "Please don't doubt, this is my personal expression of goodwill and admiration for a legendary hero like you , I, like my younger brother, grew up listening to your stories."

The smile on Gao Wen's face did not change at all: "The Cecil family is grateful to Her Royal Highness for your kindness. I will consider this matter, but not now. When the territory is stabilized, there will be more people under my command. To the extent that faith guides me, I would welcome your help."

"That's fine." The twilight on Veronica's body gradually faded, and her smile became easy and soft, "No matter when you are in need, the Lord will take care of everyone. You must know that although there are many gods, there is only one who is holy." The God of Light can tolerate everything, and at the end of the Holy Light is the ultimate salvation of all fools."

Chapter 0099 About Religion

To be honest, if the last point of "missionary" preaching is removed, Gawain's impression of Veronica is still good. This saint princess is indeed attractive and one cannot help but want to praise her. Traits: She is humble, courteous, gentle, and easy-going, all these qualities are rare among nobles in this era, and Gawain can see that her easy-going is not a pretense, and it is not just for himself—— After passing through the camp When she saw those busy and vulgar civilians and serfs in those messy construction sites, she always kept smiling at each other, and there was no contempt or estrangement in her words, deeds or eyes, and the Earl Cohen beside her was completely It's a look of disgust and impatience.

And even if Veronica had amazing acting skills and pretended to be close to the common people, in Gao Wen's opinion, it would be quite difficult - after all, the nobles in this era would never consider the need to be close to the common people. Don't even bother to dress up.

But in the final analysis, Veronica is also a believer who converted to the God of Holy Light early, and now it seems that this is not a purely political transaction as the outside world spreads, she is a believer who has devoted herself to that sect , and even a little fanatical.

Gao Wen did not contradict religion itself, especially when the power of true faith exists in this world, he regarded religion as an inevitable and natural phenomenon here, since those gods more or less sheltered the name As a mortal, he would not have any unreasonable hatred for the gods, but he could not accept Veronica's missionary attitude... In the end, he still had a bit of "respect ghosts and gods and stay away" in his previous life. manner.

Veronica noticed the change in Gawain's attitude very keenly, but she didn't think too much about it. Instead, she regarded it as a nobleman's normal sense of vigilance against foreign forces intervening in his own rule. Half of the title of "Saint Princess" is a princess, and she more or less carries the shadow of the royal family, so she will stop talking about this topic.

Finally, it was time for these distinguished guests from the capital to leave.

The "White Oak" by the Whitewater River was ready to set off. Gawain watched as the virgin princess and her two entourage walked to the gangway leading to the deck, but before stepping on the deck, Veronica Suddenly stopped, and turned around: "Duke Cecil, actually I have a rather presumptuous question to ask you, but I haven't dared to say it, at this moment, can you satisfy my little curiosity as a junior? Woolen cloth?"

Gao Wen nodded with a smile. He felt that his expression at the moment could be described as kind - he had been acting like an ancestor in front of these "junior people" for a long time, and he was too serious: "If you have any questions, just ask , as long as I know and it does not involve privacy and confidentiality."

"I don't know if this is a matter of privacy," Veronica smiled lightly, "during the years when you... returned to the kingdom of the dead, have you ever seen gods?"

Although she only smiled faintly, Gao Wen always felt that there was still some kind of religious fanaticism in that smile, he heheed twice without embarrassment, and spread his hands: "I haven't seen it—probably the one who died that year. Thoroughly, the gods didn't treat me as a dead person at all, so just ignore me."

"Is that so..." Veronica seemed a little disappointed, she shook her head thoughtfully, "Thank you for your answer, I will pray for you and your territory before the Lord."

After saying this, the saint princess took Earl Cohen and the priestess Sandy, who was shining in Gawain's sight from beginning to end, onto the deck. The figures of the three quickly disappeared in the white oak behind the ship's side.

The fleet left, and Gao Wen and others walked down the pier and returned to the camp.

On the way, Hetty, who found time to see her off, seemed a little worried, and Gawain asked her when he saw it, "What are you thinking about?"

Hetty opened her mouth a few times, but still couldn't help but said: "Ancestor, I heard that you rejected Her Highness Veronica's offer to help you build the Holy Light Church?"

"Is it a good intention..." Gawain pursed his lips and looked into Hetty's eyes, "Do you think there is anything wrong?"

"The priests of the Church of the Holy Light have the ability to heal and calm people's hearts," Hetty said, "There is a shortage of medical personnel in the territory. Although Mr. Pittman is a qualified druid, he has more than half of his energy to focus on agriculture. In fact, the prepared medicines have been in short supply for a long time, especially the recent battles have caused many wounded people, and the medicines stockpiled in the territory are almost used up, and it is necessary to go to Tanzan Town to purchase urgently—and if there are one or two Holy Lights The priests of the gods, or even just trainee priests, are enough to alleviate this situation."

"That's right," Rebecca next to me couldn't help but said, "Our territory can't support a formal church now, and it's not worthwhile to hire a priest at your own expense—His Royal Highness is willing to personally contribute to help us build a church. , that can save a lot of money! And the priest sent by Her Royal Highness must not be the kind of half-baked guy in a small country church, so it’s a good deal.”

"I don't like the Holy Light Sect," Amber muttered behind Gawain, "They are talkative and rigid and stubborn. People like me who believe in the Goddess of the Night seem to be born to kill their whole family. They are cold-eyed..."

Rebecca rolled her eyes at Amber: "Isn't that because you went to the Holy Light Church to steal things all day long?"

"Don't talk nonsense! When have I ever been caught stealing?!" Amber stared, "They obviously didn't find out who stole the things and still troubled me. Isn't that provocation?"

Gawain and the two eldest granddaughters were dumbfounded, and Miss Half Elf's invincible logic killed three times in an instant.

Then Gao Wen decided to completely ignore the shame of all things: "Of course I know that Veronica's suggestion will make us a good deal, but I also have my own considerations-you really think that she helped us build a local church, just to build a church?" Is it as simple as sending a pastor to every church?"

Hetty is not really one-sided like Rebecca, she quickly realized: "You mean...there may be shadows of the royal family and the Holy Light Cathedral behind this? Probably not...Verone Princess Ka's integrity and piety are well known to the world, she believes in the God of Holy Light, and she will never let interests contaminate her belief..."

"She won't, but it doesn't mean others won't. Didn't you see the person she brought? One is a high-ranking priestess of the Holy Light Cathedral who is young and red. Although she didn't say a few words during the whole process, she was almost half He didn't leave Veronica even a step away, one is the inner court earl who was conferred by the king himself—and this inner court earl was 'cut' from the Loren family in the east," Gawain curled his lips, "the royal family and the Holy See, where are you?" Standing next to the saint princess is like a protector, not giving Veronica a chance to leave their sight. Her highness's own devout beliefs obviously cannot stop other less devout people at all. If you have any ideas, I don't dare to accept her kindness under such circumstances."

Hearing this, Hetty and Rebecca couldn't help showing a thoughtful expression. The former was thinking about the possible thoughts and plans of the royal family and the church, while the latter was mainly thinking about what the ancestor Barabara said. .

After Gao Wen finished speaking, he immediately mentioned another thing that he also cared about: "Also... I think that Princess Veronica said to me is very interesting."

Amber became curious: "Which sentence? She talked to you a lot today!"

"Although there are many gods, only the God of Holy Light can tolerate everything. At the end of Holy Light is the ultimate salvation of all fools," Gawain repeated Veronica's words like preaching. Saying, "Don't you think this sentence is a bit problematic?"

"What's the problem? Isn't it the favorite sentence pattern used by those gods and gods?" Amber scratched her hair. The world is like their sons..."

"It's true that most of the latter are the preaching words of the Holy Light Sect, but she added a sentence in front - although there are many gods," Gao Wen said in a serious tone, "This sentence is very short, and she said it very calmly. But this sentence is not what believers in the Church of the Holy Light usually say."

Hetty reacted for a moment, and said uncertainly: "Is she... putting the God of Holy Light above all the gods?!"

Gawain nodded slightly: "It's an unobtrusive inducement, but it does mean that."

The faces of all the people present became strange.

There are many beliefs in this world, which Gao Wen has long known: there are dozens of large sects with names and surnames, and hundreds of small sects with limited spread in the countryside, and those hidden sects in some small sects The tantric beliefs passed down in the small group organizations have reached an innumerable level, and almost every sect that can be passed on stably will have its own magic, which means that there is a real source of divine power behind them—a A god, or something as powerful as a god.

However, so many sects maintain a relatively balanced situation on the mainland today, and their balance is even above the country and race. Even if wars break out in several countries, the mainstream religions of these countries will still stay out of the way state.

Of course, this has not always been the case. In fact, in history, religious wars broke out in this continent countless times, and the annexation and aggression in the name of religion are written all over the history books. Even when mankind was united in one country, Gondor From time to time, there will be local wars between factions of different beliefs in the empire.

During those years when Gao Wen was hanging in the sky, he even saw the scenes of religious wars to the point of being seriously bored - here is an extra point, but at that time he couldn't turn over or close his eyes...

But no matter how the various sects beat their brains out, they are indeed "peaceful" now.

All disputes ended in the year when the Tide of Gondor broke out.

The gods chose to be silent in the year when the demon tide came, and they remained silent for a whole year.

Chapter 0100 Religious History and Dynamics

For as long as a year after the outbreak of the demon tide, all believers lost the ability to listen to the revelation of the gods—not just the low-ranking priests and priests, but even the bishops of various denominations and even the Pope and the Holy See. They all lost this ability at the same time.

Of course, even under normal circumstances, human beings cannot directly hear the voice of the gods. The so-called "listening to the revelation of the gods" actually refers to the fact that devout believers, in the process of praying sincerely, performing sacraments, and fulfilling covenants, are close to God because of their mental state. The "spirituality of God" of the gods, so that you can hear some almost hallucinatory, whispering whispers, these whispers will directly echo in the minds of believers, and form a long-lasting and indelible "spiritual imprint". And this spiritual imprint will in turn change the spirit of the believers, bringing them closer to the "spirituality of God". This is the main way for the priests in this world to be promoted and become stronger.

Because those vague whispers really have the power to change the human spirit and make human beings stronger and purer, it is sublimated from ordinary hallucinations and auditory hallucinations, and is regarded by the priests as a sacred phenomenon.

However, in the year when the magic tide broke out, all believers in God could not hear such "whispers from the gods". They no longer made any response, as if the gods had disappeared collectively.

Because of the loss of divine grace, all priests could not be promoted during that year, and there was no newcomer who could master divine arts among shallow believers and ordinary people, not even a baby born in that year Afterwards, it was proved that he did not have the slightest talent for divine arts.

If the situation continues to deteriorate according to that trend, it is hard to say what kind of future the believers of the gods on this continent will have, but it seems to be the last hope in despair. People have discovered that the magic they have mastered has not failed— ——Although the power is slightly weakened than before, at least the priests who have become official priests before the evil tide can still use divine spells, and these priests who can still use divine spells managed to maintain the crumbling churches at that time ——But even so, there were many small sects that could not survive at that time, and disappeared in the wasteland when people fled from the Gondor Empire.

Gao Wen remembered that at that time, the leaders of the major sects had more than one secret meeting and experiment, and people gave up their previous prejudices and hostility one after another, just like ordinary people walking side by side in the tide of evil, and the priests no longer had to worry about their own ways. beliefs and historical hatred, and instead come together to try to find a solution to the problem.Later, several large sects represented by the God of Holy Light, the God of War, and the Three Gods of Abundance finally made some progress. There was an attempt to communicate with the gods on the top of the "Peak of Ancestors". That attempt was a closed-door meeting. Even Gawain Cecil didn't know the details of what happened. He only knew that the leaders of various sects announced it after they came down from the mountain. , the gods sent down a new oracle, inspiring mortals to abandon disputes and unite to survive—and the tide of demons is a disaster caused by various foolish actions of human beings.

Various sects signed an agreement called the "sacred covenant" on the Ancestor's Peak, declaring that they would renounce all belief disputes, and the various sects would no longer confront each other, and would do their best to continue human civilization as their mission—and it seems that this is really the case. This move pleased the gods, and on the second month after the signing of the sacred covenant, which was the anniversary of the full year after the outbreak of the demon tide, the gods once again favored mankind.

Believers can hear the voice of the gods again.

This is what Gawain knows about the historical events that lead to various sects flourishing on this continent but maintaining a relatively peaceful situation.

This historical event changed many things:

It ended the disputes among the various beliefs in the mainland, and also united the priests of various sects to help human civilization resist the evil tide and rebuild their homes. However, there are also some too stubborn sects that cannot accept this fact, and they choose to degenerate. , against all the sects that signed the "sacred covenant", became various distorted heresy beliefs, and gradually evolved into several of the most frightening dark organizations in the world today. The magic they use is also called " Dark Divine Art"...

To this day, those depraved and twisted zealots remain among the most chilling shadows in the world.

As a person with a normal logic and no brain, Gao Wen certainly has a high evaluation of the "Holy Covenant". Although he does not believe in religion, he appreciates those who have faith to put down disputes, unite and continue the struggle at the critical moment of life and death. The effort of civilization—whether or not that effort is due to a divine order.

But he also knows that for a race like humans with a short lifespan (compared to elves), even the sacred covenant is not permanent.

Now that 700 years have passed, although the covenants of that year are still engraved on the cornerstones of various sects, just like the "brother agreement" between Typhon and Anzu that has long since disappeared, people have gradually forgotten those who were born in the ancestors. The significance of the covenant concluded at the foot of Mine Mountain.

Although many divine religions in mainland China still maintain a peaceful situation today, in fact there has never been a lot of tit-for-tat, exclusion, and squeeze in private. Some sects with huge deviations in doctrine have even reached a situation where they have almost declared war openly.

After all, no one can really clearly hear what the gods are saying to him. Even the Pope of the Holy Light Sect can only hear vague whispers from the gods, and the vagueness of the divine revelation is given. The space for people to play——