Part Two: The Human World Chapter Thirty-Six: The Work of a Hero
Three days after setting off again from Bracada, I finally saw the shadow of the wyvern again. Asa shouted and waved.
After controlling the bipedal flying dragon to hover above his head for a while, the orcs above decided to fly down to see this human who dared to say hello below. Asa talked to the orc scouts for a while, and finally got on the board again.
The wyvern returns to Orfo.
He went to the city hall and found Cedros. Asa threw His Majesty the Emperor's peace agreement to him, sighed and said, "I don't know why anyone is said to be the only one who can do something. Give it back."
I prepared a large group of followers, but I had to push them away with great difficulty. Otherwise, I would have to walk slowly in the wasteland with them, which would really cause trouble for me."
Cedros smiled and opened the agreement, looked at it and said: "Actually, your emperor should have come to sign this big thing with me personally, but he was just a kid, and even the decision to sign the agreement was not discussed by the ministers.
Yes, there is no need for him to go through this cutscene. So I asked the envoy sent to say that he would come from afar and just send an envoy. This can be regarded as an opportunity specially left for you to take on such a light responsibility.
Bishop Ronis will naturally send you an important task that can easily earn you a lot of political capital."
Asa sneered. For others, this was probably a dream opportunity. Maybe Bishop Ronis wanted to give him a big thank you gift, but unfortunately he was not interested at all.
Cedros signed the agreement very carefully and sighed with satisfaction. The last step was finally completed, and the wrinkles on his face seemed to have disappeared. He sighed: "Okay, from now on.
The age of peace has begun. A new page in history will unfold. The era of peaceful coexistence of orcs and humans and the era of development begins today..."
Asa suddenly remembered a question and asked: "The orcs in the wild highlands used to eat humans."
"Yes. Don't people also eat chickens, pigs and cows when they are hungry?" Cedros' tone was still calm, as if this behavior was extremely upright and as natural as eating vegetables and radishes. "But almost all orcs nowadays are
I rescued them from cubs and let them grow up and live together with humans. They completely lost their original customs and culture. They are essentially the same as humans. You have also seen that humans and orcs here in Oufu
It’s a good mix.”
"I mean... can the hatred between humans and orcs be resolved so easily? Those whose relatives have been killed by orcs, such as the soldiers and generals who were killed by you a few days ago..."
Cedros smiled lightly and said: "I believe that the trade benefits that Ouf will bring to various countries in the future, as well as the gifts given to those ministers, are enough to make people forget these old things. The golden gold coins in front of them are definitely better than
The blood in memory is much more valuable. They will also help us solve these problems. Look at those soldiers we had to kill a few days ago, but didn’t the imperial court laugh at them? In fact, even if I don’t kill them, you
Do you think they will end well after they return? The imperial court has made a peace treaty with me, and understands the common interests of our long-term cooperation, so we must kill all these people who may be detrimental to everyone in violation of military orders."
"...That's five thousand lives..." Asa thought for a moment and smiled bitterly. The tragic situation of the charred corpses in that place and the screams of five thousand people dying almost made him
I haven't slept well every night for a while.
Cedros said calmly: "As a superior, what you consider is the overall interests of the country. What are five thousand people? As long as necessary, fifty thousand people will be killed at will." He looked at Asa with bright eyes. "
If you want to achieve big things, you can't stick to small details, you can't choose means, and you can't care about your feelings. It seems that your womanly kindness is still too strong, and you need to slowly practice how to get rid of it in the future."
Asa still smiled bitterly and waved his hand. "Forget it, I will go on a trip after I finish the things here. I can't do these big things, and I have never thought about doing them."
"Travel?" Cedros looked at him with a strange look as if he had heard the word for the first time. "Do you still want to travel?"
"Yes." Asa nodded.
Cedros' eyes were still so strange. "I didn't know what Ronis was planning at first, but when I saw that it was you who sent the peace agreement, I knew that he was going to make you a hero admired by everyone.
You will achieve great things. Why are you still thinking about traveling?"
A hero who is admired by thousands of people and has accomplished great things. This hat is not only extremely large but also dazzling with golden light. It seems that only people with brain problems will not be interested in this.
But Asa is indeed not interested in this hat. It’s not that there’s something wrong with his head, it’s just that it doesn’t suit his taste. “If I had known, I would have rejected his good intentions. I really have no interest in these.”
Hero. This title is indeed very beautiful. But Asa had already experienced the political game, means, scheming, assassination and hypocrisy behind this highly anticipated word when he accompanied Rodhart in the royal capital.
Pretend. Duke Mrak's gentle smile was so amiable, and he once said his heartfelt words to him so sincerely, but the sword from behind in the dark night was so fatal. To be honest, even if
Now he could not arouse any hostility towards the Duke, but he felt completely bored with the royal capital.
Moreover, he had never thought about doing something big even when he was a child. Moreover, the few lessons the Duke and Cedros gave him also made him extremely disgusted with things like big things.
"Reject?" Cedros's expression became even weirder. It was as if he was not just hearing this word for the first time, but also hearing a joke that made people laugh or cry. "Can you still refuse? You don't know you have to go.
To take on the position of this hero, do you have to do something big?"
Regardless of whether you are willing or not, you must become a hero and do great things. This is like a ridiculous joke, but there is no trace of a joke on the face of the speaker.
Asa could feel that something was wrong behind this unfunny joke. He expressed his attitude very solemnly and clearly, saying: "In my dictionary, in addition to eating, drinking, sleeping and defecating,
"From, to, there is no such word as "must"."
Cedros looked at Asa and nodded thoughtfully. "So he hasn't told you yet..."
Seeing the half-smiling expression on the old man's face, Asa felt a little fuzzy for no reason.
"I can't tell you what's going on. You'd better go back and ask him." Cedros waved his hand, as if he didn't want to say anything more.
After finishing Oufu's matter at a very fast speed, Asa returned to the royal capital and the Magic Academy.
Every building in the college is so tall and magnificent, perfectly expressing the nobility and holiness, and the most eye-catching one is the tens-meter-high cathedral in the center of the college, both in terms of scale and its radiance.
His magnanimity makes everyone look insignificant in front of him.
Asa stood in front of the door and looked up at the cathedral. This sacred and tall building seemed to be more uncomfortable than before. He even took courage and stepped into the door that looked like a giant mouth of a monster.
Bishop Ronis was surprised by Asa's sudden appearance. He was preparing to discuss with His Majesty the Emperor to hold a grand commendation ceremony for this priest who had returned with meritorious service.
After listening to Asa's words, Bishop Ronis smiled and asked: "Don't you want to be a hero? Don't you want to be admired? This is what many people dream of."
Asa shook his head resolutely: "Whether he is a hero or not, whether others respect him or not, it doesn't matter to me. He doesn't have much meat on his body, and he still eats three meals a day."
Bishop Ronis smiled and nodded. "But I hope you can do these..."
Asa emphasized again: "I'm sorry, Lord Bishop. I am coming back now to tell you that I will not do these inexplicable things."
"You must do this." Bishop Ronis's voice was very soft, but his words were of great significance. "You have no choice. Whether you love it or not, what you shoulder is the task given to you by the times, which is the peace of the entire continent.
.”
"Of course I have a choice. What I want to do is my freedom." Asa answered confidently. And this was indeed a justified reason.
Asa took out the appointment letter and the token and threw it on the table. He had always respected this old man who had saved him several times, but now he felt a little disgusted. "I don't know what era is, and I have never confiscated him.
I just know that I don’t like doing these things. I never feel that there is anything I have to do. Okay, I will return the position of priest to you now."
The bishop looked at the only person who dared to speak to him in such a tone. His soft eyes seemed to be just looking at a wayward child. He said in a strange helpless tone: "You have to do this. Even I don't have to."
Why do you still have a choice? Do you know that the elves have actually sent me a wanted notice for you. The messenger has also told me the whole story. Can you still travel in this way?"
Asa snorted coldly. "I know they are looking for me, so I won't be afraid. I have my own way of dealing with them."
"Then do you know that I should actually help them use the name of the church to arrest you, and even discuss with His Majesty the Emperor to dispatch the Holy Knights to hunt you down?" Bishop Ronis' tone was still calm.
Asa's mouth opened wide and he couldn't close it no matter what.
"As soon as I open my mouth, almost all countries in the entire continent will want you. And for me, this is indeed what I should do, you know?"
"...I don't know." Asa shook his head mechanically.
"Indeed, from a national perspective, these strange and weird ethnic groups like the elves are insignificant, and the myths spread among their races are even more nonsense. After all, what maintains the country is the military, economy, politics, and so on.
It is written by these very real concepts, so politicians don’t care about light and dark things, and even many people in the church don’t care about it.” The bishop stretched out his hand, a skinny
He tapped himself gently with his finger. "They don't believe it, but I do."
"What... do you believe..." Asa asked cautiously.
Bishop Ronis replied calmly: "I believe that the Sunwell and the leaves of the World Tree are indeed symbols of the power of light. I believe that only light is the power to resist darkness."
Asa suddenly remembered a very annoying story that he had almost forgotten and regarded as nonsense.
Bishop Ronis looked at Asa and sighed, and said, "The elves should have told you the stories they spread?"
Asa couldn't help but grin. It was that bullshit story again, but if it were told seriously from the mouth of the distinguished bishop, no one would dare to take it as bullshit again.
"The evil object in their mouth is actually the sacred object of the Guild of the Dead, a divine sword called the Black Star." Bishop Ronis's voice floated in the small room, with a unique deep sense of history. "Five
A hundred years ago, Archibald, the most powerful magician in history, entered the Diya Valley, which no one had ever entered, and discovered the artifact that symbolized darkness and death - the Dark Star. He was possessed by the Dark Star.
Impressed by the powerful power, he established an organization of magicians who worshiped darkness and death, the Guild of the Dead. Even the magician who was said to be closest to God could not pull up the dark star. But he finally left his last words: If you can
The person who pulls out this sword will become the King of the Undead and cleanse the world with death and darkness. However, he also vaguely mentioned two other artifacts of light and life, the sunwell guarded by the elves.
And the leaves of the World Tree. This corroborates with the ancient legends of the elves, and the result is obvious. Indeed, as the elves say, the only way to fight against darkness is to use the power of light and life."
"Wait a minute... If that's true, then the church hasn't taken any measures for so many years?" Asa suddenly remembered what was wrong. The Light Church has so much power on the mainland that no other country can
It can be compared. Not only the empire, but also the vast majority of countries on the continent believe in the God of Light. The church has always regarded itself as a light and justice, and there is no reason to turn a blind eye to such a huge shadow like the Guild of the Dead.
For the first time, the light in Bishop Ronis's eyes was full of depression and annoyance. He didn't explain anything, just smiled bitterly and said: "You will know the reason later..." His eyes flickered, and then
Back to that topic. "If the people of the Undead Guild know the two powers you carry, they will definitely not let you go. So our safest and safest way is to imprison you in an absolute
In a safe and absolutely confidential place, I will slowly find a way to extract the power from your body. But..." The majestic and deep appearance and noble status cannot conceal the tenderness in the eyes of the current bishop. "When I heard about you
When you were willing to use the leaves of the World Tree to save others, I knew that there was definitely light in your heart. So I changed my doctrine. I will not passively capture you and protect you, but I will make you a hero of light. Ultimately
To destroy the source of evil."
After hearing these words, Asa felt that his head was at least dozens of times larger and hundreds of times heavier than usual, and he felt dizzy.
I don't know how much effort it took to sort out my thoughts and try to express what I meant: "...That's just because her injuries were all caused by my own hands. I saved her just to make myself feel better."
...I don’t know anything about this bullshit light..."
"That is true justice." The gentleness in the Bishop's eyes did not diminish at all, fully affirming his great sentiments again. "There is no such thing as pure morality and justice that transcends all evil. Live for yourself,
Aren’t all the things we eat up other lives? But in the midst of such inescapable original sin, maintaining a little bit of kindness, compassion, and love in our hearts is the only real light in people’s hearts.”
Asa felt like his head was going to explode. Facing an old man who seemed to be patiently nurturing him, but who was really difficult to communicate with, his head couldn't help but be big, heavy, and dizzy.
Asa didn't care whether the damn sunwell and the leaves of the world tree were really that important, or whether there was any light or darkness. What he cared about was that this hero seemed to have to do something.
Elderly people are usually very stubborn. It is probably a thousand times more difficult to convince a bishop who firmly believes in these legends to give up these beliefs than to really believe those illusory lies. And as long as Bishop Ronis really believes that, he will
The only way to think about it is like that.
This is not so much the hero's path as the work of avoiding becoming a tightly guarded vessel.
The fact that the church has such a high status in the empire is almost entirely due to Bishop Ronis. Thirty years ago, on this continent east of the wild highlands, several countries centered on the Ironfast Empire were at war for years, and the people were in dire straits.
It was Bishop Ronis who led the church, which was not a huge force in the Eastern Continent at that time, to mediate and participate in wars among various countries through various means. In the end, it not only ended the war, but also raised the status of the church in the empire to an unprecedented level.
Therefore, his high prestige and transcendent status in the Holy See cannot be matched by other bishops. It is said that if he had not insisted on staying here to preside over the Magic Academy, he would have been the current Pope. So.
If someone with his status is wanted, not only the empire and other countries that believe in the Church of Light, but also other pagan countries will try their best to arrest this wanted criminal due to diplomatic pressure. The entire continent has no place for him.
Looking at Bishop Ronis's eyes, Asa understood one thing most. At least now, he could no longer refuse.
Let’s give it a try. So many people are willing to do great things and become heroes. Maybe it’s really a good thing. Knowing that there is no way out, Asa can only think like this. He finally lowered his head powerlessly and helplessly, sighing with a sad face.
He took a breath and said like a student accepting a load of holiday homework: "I understand."
Bishop Ronis sighed and then smiled, very happily. He seemed very happy and satisfied.
"But I have one more question." Asa suddenly looked up at Bishop Ronis and asked, "Why didn't you hand me over to the elves while I was half-dead in Orfna and take me back to the Forest of Underwords, to truly
Isn’t it so simple to keep it as a container? I don’t think you are thinking about the Duke’s plan. Why are you wasting a leaf of the World Tree that is so important to you?”
A strange and complicated expression appeared on the Lord Bishop's face. This wave of fluctuation lingered on his face for a while before slowly disappearing into his majestic and deep appearance. He did not answer directly, but there were two sparks in his eyes.
The light kept shining, and the words were blurry because they involved many things in the memory. "I didn't believe in fate before, but I saw it in you. My saving you is also a part of fate.
.....Maybe there really is something in the world that is already doomed. So I used to feel very confused...I was very afraid of things that might become a reality. I didn't know that I was so...
Are the years of hard work in vain, and will everything I do in the future be in vain... But after talking to you last time, I finally made up my mind. No matter what the result is, I will try my best to do what I should do.
Yes, I must lead you to the road of light, to justice... There used to be a person who was just like you, very good, very kind, very innocent, but he was dragged into these whirlpools for involuntary reasons.
, but he fell into darkness..." The fire in his eyes burned very hot. This was not something that could be inspired by a sense of responsibility, but was purely a natural expression of personal emotions. This kind of
It was even more extraordinary that strong emotions appeared in a person like him who should transcend emotions. He looked at Asa, as if he wanted to use his eyes and feelings to illuminate the young man in front of him, and he pressed hard
Said: "I saved you because of fate, but also because I wanted to resist fate."
Asa didn't understand much, but he vaguely felt that it was better that he really didn't understand.
It was already dusk when I came out of the Magic Academy. The streets of the royal capital were preparing the stage for the upcoming decadent nightlife. Carriages carrying noble women began to run back and forth. Cheap prostitutes in the pubs and some buildings were not cheap.
Prostitutes also appeared on the streets shouting.
Bishop Ronis has already started a series of tedious preparations, negotiating with several high priests, issuing announcements to the court, etc. Asa doesn't want to get involved in these matters, and he doesn't know how to get involved. Now he just needs to go back and wait to accept tomorrow.
The grand commendation ceremony was just waiting for him to walk step by step towards the Avenue of Stars prepared for him by Bishop Ronis.
Asa walked on the street stupidly. I am going to be a hero, a hero, a hero... Asa was completely unable to integrate himself with this strange title in his mind and concept.
It was as if I was suddenly turning into a strange animal I had never seen before. I couldn't get used to facing this strange identity, and I didn't know what to do.
"I xxx." Asa felt extremely irritated and suddenly cursed. What nonsense about the bright light and what kind of *** heroes, I don't want to care about these. But now can't you even run away?
Passers-by looked at this lunatic with curiosity.
"Why does this familiar young man look so sad? Do you want me to accompany you?" A fair and slender hand squeezed Asa's arm presumptuously.
Asa turned around and saw a somewhat familiar face. It was the prostitute who took the stage to place bets for Rodhart and performed for Rodhart in the martial arts tournament. She still exposed her shoulders and half of her breasts outside her clothes, wearing makeup.
There was too much makeup on her otherwise well-behaved face.
Asa has often hung out with miners and prostitutes in taverns since he was a child. Now he sees such an old friend from a foreign country amidst the oppression of saving the world and other great tasks, and a sense of intimacy arises spontaneously.
A strange idea popped up in his mind. At first, even he thought it was a bit absurd, but this idea immediately gave him a malicious pleasure as if peeing on a sacred statue, a feeling similar to blasphemy and revenge.
Asara grabbed this delicate hand and asked viciously: "Are you free?"
"It depends, generally speaking, you have as much free time as you have. As for the discount, we can talk about it later when our relationship is better." The prostitute's words were very direct.
Asa took out a gold coin and shook it in his hand. "How much space can this have?" Bishop Ronis gave it to him just now, asking him to tidy up his appearance so that it could match the noble status he was about to receive.
The gleam in the prostitute's eyes was no less bright than that on the gold coins, and she answered with joy: "There are many big ones."
"Okay." Asa shouted viciously again. He somewhat hoped that Bishop Ronis would know what he was doing now.
Asa will never forget this day. This day is so strange. First he was forced to become a hero and prepare to walk a great road of light. Then he immediately did something even stranger.