"What are they doing?" In the small square in front of the hotel, I pointed to the hurried clergy on the mountain road below and asked Celine with some confusion, "What religious activities are there today? Or is it because we brought them?
Pagan intelligence?”
Celine's face was also very confused: "Today is not a religious gathering, and as for the heretics... the intelligence we brought should not be as serious as this. I think the cardinals have been dispatched. Hmm? It seems that everyone gathered
They are the bishops who are responsible for deciphering ancient documents and managing the reliquary. The priests who are in charge of the battle seem to be quiet. Did they discover some new large-scale ruins?"
It seems that Celine, a fringe person who has been away all year round, doesn't know much about things in the Holy City. At this time, a young priest who didn't seem to have been summoned passed by us (seemingly he was also ready to watch the fun?), and I stopped him.
: "Excuse me, what are you planning to do with all the fuss down there? What activities are there today?"
The young priest seemed to know about us, and he recognized at a glance that the person in front of him was the guest who came here to meet the Pope today (I think he must have recognized Sandora when he saw it. This feature is too obvious, "the glowing light is floating around".
"The ball" is a wordless ID card wherever it is placed), and said with a slight smile: "Are they the two guests who just arrived today? Here is the Pope convening experts on sacred objects. It is said that the news came from the Forge of the God three days ago.
This is a rare apocalypse. The Pope urgently convened everyone to decipher the meaning of the apocalypse. There is a meeting every day. This is the third day. But I don’t know the specific situation. I am in charge of city defense."
The "apocalypse" coming from the Forge of the Gods? I suddenly thought of the ruins that Sandora and I discovered at the edge of the Milky Way a few days ago: The time was just right! So that ruins are indeed the Forge of the Gods? And it can still
Reporting to the Lost Cult on this planet?
In all likelihood, something was triggered when Sandora and I were exploring the ruins. I just don’t know how these members of the Lost Cult, who have been completely trapped in a low-tech society, can deal with this kind of alarm. They still have some useful tools.
The spaceship doesn't work?
However, the young priest in front of him really didn’t know too much details. After chatting for a few words, he ran to continue watching the fun. Celine, who was beside him, exclaimed with concern: "The revelation of the God’s Forge? It is said that the most recent meeting with the God
The revelation about the forge happened nearly two hundred years ago. I really didn’t expect that I would be in such a situation this time. It’s not like my trip was in vain.”
This incident was just a minor incident for the time being. We rested on the Windcaller Stone Platform for most of the day, quietly waiting for nightfall, and after dinner (while letting Sandora Ball soak in vegetable soup)
A group of clergymen wearing heavy robes came to greet the visitors. Celine nervously arranged her black robes, and then she got on the rune carriage to the cathedral with us (a carriage that does not require horses to pull)
Magic vehicle, kindly provided by the Pope of Magic). This city built in the mountains is indeed the highest treasure on the entire planet. It is also unknown how much manpower and material resources the Lost Gods used to build such a thing in the mountains after losing high-tech support.
For such a large complex of buildings, there is a wide stone road with almost eight lanes that can lead directly from the tall Windcaller Stone Platform to the Cathedral. Not to mention other things, it must have been quite laborious to pave the road.
The "heresy incident" is an equally important matter for both the technology and magic sides of the entire church, so the technology pope and the magic pope have to deal with the matter together. But what surprised me is that this meeting was not in some solemn papal throne.
It was not witnessed by a large group of cardinals, but in a relatively private environment: after entering the cathedral, we were taken directly to the small reception room on the second floor of the church. Apart from the three of us guests,
There were only two popes and a few elf bishops - the two popes showed up in person. It can't be said that they didn't attach much importance to it. This kind of relatively private scene should be the habit of the church. Anyway, I am quite satisfied, it saves trouble.
This small reception room is an oval-shaped long hall, a bit like a meeting place for some companies on the earth. Two huge emblems are hung on the curved walls at both ends of the reception room: the chain and gear logos on the technology side.
, the six-pointed star and the eye symbol on the magic side represent the two branches of the Lost Religion, and there are some religious murals hanging on the wall facing the door, which seem to depict the rise of the church after the ancient war.
There are no other furnishings in sight. There is only a long square table and a circle of chairs in the barely spacious room: even the furniture looks very simple.
The guards were all driven outside. It seemed that the Pope did not want to let things about the heretics spread in advance, and he was not worried that outsiders like me were actually assassins hiding their identities (in fact, I felt that the Sandora ball I was holding in my arms looked quite similar.
(an explosive), and the first thing I noticed after entering the room was naturally the two popes vaguely surrounded by several elf bishops: their respective identities can be seen from the emblems on their robes, the Technology Pope
He is a young male tree elf with a slender figure, short emerald green hair, and a rather masculine face that is rare among elves (most male elves can’t really tell whether they are male before they speak)
(female, some transvestites are more powerful and you can’t even tell them apart after opening their mouths), while the Magic Pope is a female tree elf who looks younger, with the same slim figure and long green hair, and I don’t know if it’s an illusion.
...I always feel that she and the Technology Pope are somewhat similar in appearance, but their faces are softer. Could it be that they are still brother and sister?
The passers-by A, B, B, and D behind the Pope have nothing to introduce. There are five elves in total, four of them are almost old, and the last woman looks too young. She seems to be younger than the Magic Pope, but considering that the Pope
They only have a lifespan of a hundred years, so the youngest ones here should be the two popes. Three of the five elf bishops are tree elves (including the young one), and the remaining two are other elf species. Shan and I
Dora is very familiar with the tree elves, so this can be seen from the details. The appearance of other species of elves among the high-ranking bishops seems to confirm one thing: the tree elves are not the only race that knows the ancient secrets, but also other long-lived species.
He participated in the establishment of the church, and it turned out that the decision to abandon civilization was jointly decided by multiple races.
"Welcome, sisters from afar, and two distinguished adventurers who have made great achievements," the Pope and several high-ranking bishops took the initiative to greet them. It was the Technology Pope who spoke, "The summons tonight may be a bit hasty, you guys
After all, it has been two days of hard work, but the heresy incident is really serious, I hope you can understand it."
Celine quickly and respectfully saluted: first she drew a strange symbol on her chest, then bowed in greeting, and then spoke slightly nervously: "It is my honor to meet the Pope, we... Hey, Mr. Scholar, you don't want to salute.
What?"
I didn't think about it at all. At this time, I was busy studying the mural on the opposite wall. I didn't even react when I heard this: "What did you say?"
"Don't be formal, don't be formal, just treat it as a private meeting," the magical female pope waved her hand with a smile, and then took us to sit down at the long table. After everyone sat down, she looked curiously at the imposing figure lying on the table.
The Sandora ball on the table. "This...is the Miss Sandora who is said to have suffered an ancient curse?"
"Yes, Miss Sandora was transformed into this by strange magic while exploring ancient ruins." Celine never forgot to help us find a way to "remove the curse". At this time, she immediately seized the opportunity to mention this matter, "I hope
Your Majesty the Pope can help these star-crossed lovers. Miss Sandora has not eaten for two years..."
My voice was out of tune at the time: "Don't mention this!"
Okay, it’s really touching that Celine is worried about this because of an excuse that Shandora and I casually said at the beginning, but don’t you know that what Shandora hates most now is the problem of eating. It’s not easy for me to let her do this.
I haven’t paid attention to this matter for two days. Why don’t you mention something?
"An ancient magic that turns a person into a ball of light?" An old elf bishop who looked almost human-like spoke slowly and hoarsely. There seemed to be light flashing through his turbid old eyes, and he had a six-pointed star and eyes on his body.
The robe with the logo shows that this high elf (not the tree elf) is a member of the magic sect. "I don't remember that there is a curse in ancient magic that can turn people into such a curse, but I have never seen such a life form..."
…Is this really a magic effect?”
"That's indeed what happened. If you don't know the reason, then I don't know either." I waved my hand, and then confirmed with Sandora in the spiritual connection, "What's going on with those two popes? They really only have a lifespan of a hundred years.
Or should we reincarnate once every hundred years to maintain eternal life?"
On the way, I suddenly thought of a situation that could explain the Pope's hundred-year lifespan, which is to maintain immortality through continuous reincarnation, because I had encountered similar examples in the Gemini world. It is true that in order to undertake a certain mission that must continue forever,
She had to let herself live forever, but after scanning the physical and mental conditions of the two young elves, Sandora finally denied this speculation: "Their souls have not been reincarnated, and their bodies are indeed aging rapidly.
As elves, their life spans are really just shortened drastically."
"What's the reason? Can you find out the 'cause'?"
"A hidden implanted device was detected in their bodies. This implanted device is connected to the brain and acts on the soul at the same time." Sandora's tone was serious. "It should be that this device excessively consumed their bodies and souls."
Only elves can barely bear the dual power of this thing. If it is installed on a short-lived species, it may be able to drain a person dry in a few months, and it would not be surprising to even die on the spot. But I don’t know why their lifespan will be compressed.
By exactly one hundred years, this set of equipment does not seem to kill its host regularly. How long the host can survive should depend on their own strength. The equipment only shortens the lifespan...but these issues are all details."
So this is the reason why all the popes in the past have been short-lived? Do they still have such a set of things in their bodies?!
I couldn't help but look curiously at the two young elves across the table who looked like brothers and sisters. There was nothing unusual about them from their appearance. They talked normally, frowned, and talked to Celine about the strange things.
Regarding the believers, it seems that the implanted equipment rooted in their brains has not caused them any pain, but they should be well aware of what happened to them. Even if they do not understand the equipment, they should know about themselves.
They can only live a hundred years - a normal lifespan for short-lived species, but for elves it is not even a newborn cry. They are selected from the sequence of saints and wear the robes of the Pope.
, they are about to die before they can experience life as an elf, and they don’t even know who their parents are! What on earth is worthy of them doing this? Is it related to the God’s Forge?
"The Technological Renaissance Faction has not been very active in the past two years. We have been guarding against their secret development and growth. However, we did not expect that no matter how strict the precautions are, loopholes will still appear. They have penetrated into such a wide area, even near an ancient ruins.
"Built a stronghold," the male pope is very young (especially among elves), but he speaks with a sense of calmness and reliability, his tone is soft but not exaggerated, and he is also very knowledgeable about church affairs in his speech, which is not what I imagined.
Because he is too young and is just a showy pope, "so many people will not disappear out of thin air, but they may use forbidden knowledge to hide from the first level of encirclement. I have arranged for the knights and discipline monks to gather and disperse at several possible locations."
Check the situation carefully, as long as they are still in this world, their flaws will definitely be exposed."
"Why are the technological revivalists so persistent?" Celine finished reporting what she knew and couldn't help but express her own questions, "They called aliens to make flying tools and tried to dig out the 'Origin Equipment' from deep underground.
.But none of them succeeded. Facts have proved that they have no strength to fight against the church, so why are they still wasting so much effort?"
"Perhaps our attitude is too mild?" The female pope (the magic pope) shrugged. It seems that she is more lively than the technology pope and speaks quickly. "After all, they have many connections with the church. But we still have to
Suppress these guys, they know nothing. They have no idea how this world is walking on thin ice..."
The Technology Pope immediately looked sternly at the fast-talking female Pope: "Morrowind, this is not what we are talking about."
The female pope named Morrowind spread her hands: "I know, brother, don't be so nervous."
I was stunned immediately: I just said it casually before. But it turned out that this is really a brother-sister combination?!
"Pay attention to your identity and don't call me brother." The Technology Pope looked at his sister sternly again. I immediately thought that his next sentence must be "Call me Pope in formal situations." But as a result, he opened his mouth like this, "You have to call me Pope."
My brother!"
Me: "..." Why do I suddenly feel that instead of worrying about the safety of the world, I should consider whether there is something wrong with these two popes?
There were only so many things that Celine had to report. She soon explained the circumstances of the incident and what she found in the underground stronghold. The two popes looked at each other and nodded, and Morrowind was curious.
He turned his attention to me: "Now it's time to listen to your...our deeds, the mysterious Mr. Scholar. It is said that you and this...Miss Egg bravely tracked down a heretic with a holy robe.
A whole night? This is beyond the courage of ordinary people. You are currently the only two people who have seen the appearance of one of the heretics with your own eyes, and your information is crucial."
Sandora's ball slowly floated up. She had completed scanning the Pope's body and had just discovered some very concerning situations underground in the Holy City. Now we have met the person who theoretically knows the secrets of this planet.
It's time to get down to business.
"What we are talking about is not about pagans," Sandora's calm but majestic voice came from the light ball, "What is going on with the technological blockade? There is also the shielding of this world and that weird god.
Forge...who of you is the insider?"
I glanced at Sandora. Just now I thought she was at least trying to set the scene and find a starting point for the topic. I didn’t expect that Her Majesty the Queen is Her Majesty the Queen. Once she started working, her vigorous and resolute style was immediately revealed - she asked
It was so direct that after just one sentence, four old men on the scene were ready to draw their guns: Can such a sensitive issue be discussed directly?
However, Sandora's resolute actions saved me a lot of trouble. At least I didn't have to worry about how to deal with all these annoying problems in order. Celine found that the atmosphere at the scene suddenly became weird, and more importantly, she was vaguely aware of the situation.
Yue realized that we seemed to have asked some incredible questions, and immediately looked over in surprise: "Mr. Scholar, this is..."
"Don't be nervous, don't be nervous," I waved to Celine and also said to the four old elves present who were about to have a heart attack. "We are not a technological revivalist. We are much more complicated than them. This has never been the case.
Where to start... Celine, why don't you go out first?"
Celine is just a very ordinary grassroots employee. She will not play any role here. On the contrary, she may make it difficult for the Pope and the archbishops to speak, so it is better to invite them out directly. But obviously the people opposite have not thought of this yet.
, an archbishop with a beard that almost reached his chest stood up tremblingly: "Celine is a member of my church, but you two... It seems that you are not the so-called adventurer or scholar, right?"
"Are you really sure that you can let Celine listen here?" I have often faced this kind of scene over the years, so I don't have any stage fright. Anyway, it is definitely right to throw out a lot of information before the other party can think about it. The person who is confused will be the most confused.
It's easy to talk, "Then let me tell you: there is a space base at the edge of the Milky Way. This universe is blocked by something. All or part of you are from other universes. As far as I know, at least the tree elves ran out of the Empire area.
, the God of Technology and the God of Magic are actually basically..."
The four old men opposite (it seems that at least the four oldest bishops are insiders) suddenly said in unison: "Celine! You should avoid it first!" (To be continued...)