"Initially, it was because of a failed mission, an escort mission. The team was led by the president - the new president, a candidate recommended by the guild's senior management. You don't know him. This person was originally the leader of the third regiment and the first and second regiment.
All the captains followed Yugudora and the others, leaving him alone. They acted together with the Silver Wind Knights, and the escorting team was attacked by shadow people. No one survived, and things were lost.
The mission also failed."
"Then the guild fell into an endless nightmare. The employer of the mission was a big shot in El Paxin. It is said that the Domestic Super Competitive League has been trying to gain the favor of this aboriginal executive, so it sent an investigation team
A special investigation was conducted into the reasons for the failure of this mission. However, there was no progress in the investigation. The person in charge was just a typical alliance bureaucrat with no ability. In fact, he was just questioning our guild."
"The guild was having a hard time during that time, but fortunately there were people from the Rainbow Alliance to help. After all, we joined them, and they couldn't just watch us suffer misfortune. But it wasn't out of any good intentions, they were just warning the Super Competitive Alliance.
Don’t let the water from the well interfere with the water from the river.”
After walking down the stairs, the dark corridor ahead seemed to be extremely long and endless. Except for the voice of Saya, people only walked in silence. The rangers walked in front, no one raised a fire, and everyone seemed to have walked through it countless times.
On this road, there is no light in the darkness, only light and rustling footsteps.
Among these footsteps, Fang Plover could easily distinguish his own footsteps, because unlike the light steps of the rangers, they seemed the cumbersome. But there was another step that was heavier than him, coming from the direction of the maid.
of.
"If you feel that the road is difficult to walk, you can hold my hand, Mr. Ed." Sha Ye suddenly stopped and said: "We have memorized this road in our hearts for a long time and formed a conditioned reflex.
It is safer to raise a fire. But you may not be used to it, but there is actually no danger here."
I don't know if it was an illusion, but there was no trace of light in the underground, but he could vaguely see the outline of the corridor - just like in the underground of Idos, the power given to him by the Dragon King was still in silence for a long time.
After that, it seemed to gradually come back.
Fang Yu vaguely realized that this might be related to the resurgence of the Ring of Golden Flame. Nicol Bolas's power had returned to him, so the Dragon King's heart seemed to have gained nutrients again. But was this good or bad?
, it was difficult to explain clearly for a while.
But in the darkness, besides the unchanging corridor, there were two sharp eyes, falling on him from Siesta.
He thought for a moment and shook his head rationally - since he could see clearly, there was no need to take advantage of others. Moreover, holding a stranger's hand made him feel a little uncomfortable.
Saya was noncommittal about his choice and continued: "But the turning point came not long after. Rumors that were unfavorable to our guild appeared on the market, spreading rumors that we were connected to the Dragon Fire Guild that disappeared a year ago; this statement is true.
It’s not true, and it’s not false to say it’s false. The Dragon Fire Guild operates in the North. If normal transactions and exchanges between guilds can be considered connections, then guilds and organizations that have nothing to do with them almost don’t exist in the North—”
"But the official of the alliance believed this statement, and he appointed a high-level knight from the Crow's Claw Temple to investigate us. This kind of investigation is nothing in the first place. If our guild is not afraid of the shadow, if we all
If they were involved in the Dragon Fire Guild incident, none of the other guilds in the north would be innocent. Others knew this too, so no one took it seriously. Even the people in the Rainbow Alliance probably thought that this official was either
You don’t understand the affairs of Etalia at all, or you have something wrong with your brain.”
"But the trouble lies with the person he appointed. The high-ranking knight of the Crow's Claw Temple has had a problem with us. He seized this opportunity and started to embarrass us in all aspects, and asked our people to cooperate with their investigation. Crow's Claw Temple
Although the Claw Temple is just an aboriginal organization in our opinion, behind this person is the Super Competitive Alliance. In order not to cause trouble, the guild tried its best to meet his demands. However, most of the people sent out for questioning never returned.
He was put under house arrest by the people from Crow's Claw Temple."
"Such an approach certainly angered us. The personal freedom of both the indigenous people and the electors should not be restricted without any reason. This is a blatant violation of the Stargate Declaration. The senior leaders of the guild directly criticized the other party's actions.
We reached the Rainbow Alliance, but something happened that none of us expected -"
This was the first time that Saya mentioned the origin of their conflict with the Crow's Claw Temple. Fang Yu could imagine that what happened next must be crucial, and might even be the cause of their current situation. But the other party's tone was still calm.
It felt like boiled water, like reading a boring article.
"...I don't know what kind of evidence the other party has. Our president escaped, the one I mentioned to you at the beginning. They caught him in the wilderness and recovered it in his hands.
After interrogation, this person revealed most of the people in our guild regarding the lost goods from El Paxin. Then these people were arrested and readily admitted the fact that they had an affair with the Dragon Cultists——
"
Fang Yu was stunned for a moment after hearing this. It sounded like a story with an unpredictable ending. The official who was originally thought to be a mediocre and incompetent official turned out to be a heroic figure with bright eyes and outstanding abilities. He could seize the opportunity at once
Catching the tail of the mole.
He himself has dealt with dark believers, and of course he knows how difficult it is to recognize these people when they disguise themselves as ordinary people. The betrayal of Achilles next to Princess Estania still makes him feel a little unexpected.
Are all the officials of the alliance so smart and capable? But it seems to be inconsistent with his understanding.
Saya stopped and was silent for a long time for the first time. "Whether you believe it or not, I am also a middle-level and high-level member of the guild, but I have never heard of those facts. I still don't believe that Tapolis will be with me.
The Dragon Cult was involved. But as more and more people were arrested, it was difficult for others to stay out of it. We received orders from the guild in Idris to return, and we didn’t know what happened.
environment, most people are under control.”
"Only me, Xiao Kong, and Lift escaped. You should have met Lift in Idris. He is the leader of Xiao Kong. We still don't believe that the guild will be involved in the same situation as the Dragon Fire Guild.
The Dragon Cult incident is so deep that we have been actively investigating the truth of the entire incident. But just when our investigation made some progress, we once again touched something we shouldn't touch. In that place, the shadow figure is like
Flames burst out from the ground, and all of us were injured. I died once, and Xiao Kong escaped with the others."
"But the matter was not over. Shortly after that, when we were trying to gather people again, the spies from the Crow Claw Temple - the bounty hunters discovered us. During the subsequent siege, Xiao Kong and
Lift was arrested, and I was the only one who escaped alone. Later, I kept planning around Gray Owl Town, and met my current companions. Many people were arrested in the Crow Claw Temple, and they were
These people are imprisoned in a dungeon in a certain manor together with Xiao Kong and the others."
She paused: "In order to find out the location of that dungeon, we rescued a group of people from the trial venue yesterday, and among them were the prisoners detained in that place. After getting the exact information from them,
We just launched an attack on that place and rescued the people from the Crow's Claw Temple before they could react."
Fang Yu suddenly realized.
As they suspected, these people robbed the trial court just to get first-hand information about the manor. That's why they launched the attack today and succeeded in one fell swoop. The whole operation could even be called clean and neat.
It's just a bit strange that the Crow's Claw Temple has risen so quickly. There should be a group of smart and capable people behind it, but their current performance is much slower than expected. Even Gray Owl earlier today
There is not much martial law in the town.
Or is it that this organization has grown too big because it has expanded too quickly?
He thought about it for a moment, but ultimately did not raise the question.
After all, they only deduced the cause and effect after all this happened, which is quite a bit of hindsight. When they hijacked the trial court, who would have guessed that the other party would be so bold? In the eyes of the Crow Claw Temple, the other party may be just a group of people.
It's just a lost dog. Who would have thought that after biting him, this lost dog would immediately dare to bite him again?
It is this kind of contrary thinking that catches the other party off guard.
Fang Plover looked at the rangers walking in front and asked: "Who are they?" He already understood that these people were indeed not from the Oak Knights, but how could they fight against the people from the Crow's Claw Temple together with Saya. If
It is said that Saya is because of Tapolis's own affairs, and why are these people responsible?
Saya also looked at her companions: "They are refugees."
"refugee?"
"Instances like Tapolis are not uncommon in the North, but we are the only guild in the two major alliances to be targeted. In order to combat dissidents, the Crow's Claw Temple has combined many guilds in the North with
The organization was split up, forcing these small guilds to join the Temple, or the Rainbow Alliance, or the Descendants of Flor—depending on whether you are an Aboriginal or a Chosen One."
"With the support of the Super Competitive Alliance, most small guilds have little room for resistance. People from the Rainbow Alliance and the Descendants of Flor are more happy to see this happen. You should have heard about this matter. It was later reported in the Southern Territory
There was a lot of commotion, but it actually didn't cause any commotion in the north. The big reason for this is because of the control of the Crow's Claw Temple."
"But just like the split in Tapolis, there will always be people who are dissatisfied with it. These people either voluntarily quit the guild, or passively became free adventurers. But this is not the end. The Crow's Claw Temple is very concerned about the selection process.
The people are relatively tolerant, but they are not so polite to the aboriginal people. Because of the existence of the shadow people, they often want to arrest those possible 'lurkers', just like the scene you saw at the trial court the day before."
"From Gula to El Paxin, they arrest people from the countryside, sometimes without any reason. The peace you see in Gray Owl Town is just an illusion. As long as those who resist them, even the entire village
All the people were taken away, some were forced to become believers, and others were imprisoned. As for where they were imprisoned, no one knew. In this area, the villages and towns close to Gula Port were still fine, but the farther away they were, the better.
The place becomes more and more desolate."
"Large-scale martial law and heavy religious taxes caused many people to leave their land and become refugees. They had to flee south to see if they could seek opportunities to go to Kapka or Rodel - this is the refugee
The only chance of survival. But more people froze to death during the migration. The few who didn't want to die united to resist the high-pressure rule of the Crow's Claw Temple. Some people suffered losses from the Crow's Claw Temple because of the first stage.
The chosen ones, because they couldn't stand the behavior of the temple, also joined these people. This is the origin of 'refugees'."
Fang Yu's mouth opened wide when he heard this. He never dreamed that in the past year since he left Traveler's Rest, such a big change had taken place in the North. Or rather, it was corruption - if what Saya said was true
, the rise of the Crow's Claw Temple has brought not vitality to the entire Talon, but disaster.
"No one in the community ever talks about this?"
Saya glanced at him and said, "Because the Super Athletic League does not allow people to discuss it, all relevant content must be reviewed before it can be published. Besides, this is a matter of the indigenous people, and most of the selectors don't care about it."
Fang Yu was a little surprised, because he knew that the community was not managed by the Super Competitive Alliance, but people from the Stargate Port military were involved. The military had no reason to help the Super Competitive Alliance suppress relevant discussions.
He suppressed this doubt and decided to ask Su Changfeng what was going on when he had time.
However, he can generally understand the attitudes of the Descendants of Flor and the Rainbow Alliance - the 'tolerance' shown by the Crow's Claw Temple towards the chosen ones is not as much a tacit understanding with these two organizations, and their respective divisions
They have established their own sphere of influence and jointly divided up the cake in the north.
Ever since the Super Competitive Alliance released new rules based on the Dragon Fire Guild's 'lessons', they have been continuously benefiting from them.
And as long as the Super Sports Alliance continues to be the bastard of El Paxin, the Archon, and wants to intervene in the political disputes between Kaolin and Ithulian and reap benefits from it, it will continue to do what it is doing now.
for.
The only confusion at the moment is what kind of power brought the Crow Claw Temple to where it is today and allowed it to become one of the chess players on this table.
Fang Yu knew very well that the attitude of the most important party here should come from El Paxin - because generally speaking, the attitude of El Paxin, the chief executive, represents the attitude of the kingdom. And from Crow Claw
Judging from the path of the temple's fortune, Elpaxin seems to have shown a laissez-faire attitude towards this.
He couldn't help but think back to his speculation again about the origin of the Crow's Claw Temple and which party was behind it.
But no matter what the reason is, this means that the existence of the Crow's Claw Temple in the North has now become an established fact, and has the acquiescence of the three parties at the same time.
This also means that when the Free Chosen are helping the refugees fight against the Crow Claw Temple, they are actually fighting against the Super Competitive Alliance behind it - even including the two major guild alliances in the country. And judging from the situation of Saya and the others
Look, they don't have many 'companions'.
This is also understandable. Not everyone is willing to stand up at this time, especially the people they help, whose situation seems a bit delicate in the eyes of others - the Crow's Claw Temple claims that many of these people are controlled by dark beliefs.
Although it may not be true, it may not be false either.
Fang Yu was silent for a long time, and couldn't help but feel a little unfavorable about the situation of these people.
Because the main conflict in the North right now is not the repressive rule of the Crow's Claw Temple, but the people's urgent need for safety. With Nicol Bolas's minions threatening the survival of the entire Northern Territory, the Crow's Claw Temple
The temple's status here is almost impossible to shake.
Under such circumstances, people can even tolerate sacrificing the interests of another group of people. After all, some of the people captured in the Crow's Claw Temple are indeed the Shadow Man's 'hosts'.
In the absence of authority, the Crow's Claw Temple, which is the only one that has the method to identify 'them', is also the only power that people can rely on at the moment.
In order to deal with the growing threats, the Crow's Claw Temple seems to have the need to strengthen itself. As for whether this process is just, it is not the mainstream voice at the moment. Fang Pulver certainly understands that this is not normal, but he also understands the world.
Some things above are not discussed in simple terms of right and wrong——
This is something he only understood after paying a lot of price.
Of course, knowing clearly does not mean that he agrees——
It’s just that unless the problem can be solved fundamentally—the threat of Nicol Bolas disappears, or the Crow’s Claw Temple disappears, no one can change the status quo—and neither can Fang Plover. Just as a friend, if he can
He would not refuse to help these people as much as he could.
Although the two sides only met a few times, he had a pretty good impression of the young ranger, and what Saya told him answered a lot of his questions.
"So you rescued Xiao Kong and the others from the Crow Claw Temple." Fang Yu realized that the reason for this meeting was because the other party wanted to see him. "What is his current condition?"
Already?"
Saya shook her head: "He was seriously injured and in very bad condition. He may leave this world at any time..."
"Is there no way to recover from the wound?" Fang Yu was a little surprised, "Is there a curse attached to the wound?"
Saya stopped for a moment, her voice a little quiet: "Xiao Kong's injury was not caused by the people from the Crow Claw Temple, he was injured by the Shadow Man. We don't know how to deal with the flames under the wound... That purple
The fire gradually spread, as if it was devouring his life force... I don't know how to describe it, you will understand it when you see him."
"I don't expect Xiao Kong to survive. He also understands this. He heard that you were here and wanted to see you before leaving. You are Dolifen's hero. He has heard those stories and once admired you.
Or, I hope that I can at least satisfy his only wish during his last moments here."
"If I disturb you, I can apologize to you on his behalf."
Fang Yu shook his head and said that it was nothing. However, the shadow people actually had such power. The wounds they left could erode the starlight and drain people's life force. This was somewhat beyond his expectation.
This kind of power seems to have the same source as the dark power. The dark dragon also has this kind of power, but he doesn't know if it is the same type. He originally had some doubts about the origin of the shadow man, but now it seems that it is really
Did Nicol Bolas bring it?
"Is there nothing you can do?" he asked.
"We have tried various methods," Saya glanced at him, seeming to be a little surprised by the concern for Xiao Kong in his tone, "and there is a saying among the 'redeemed' that people who are injured by the Shadow Man
, and soon I will become one of them.”
"What is a 'redeemed'?" Fang Plover asked. This was the second time he heard this term from the other party.
Saya was silent again.
The footsteps slowed down in the darkness, as if this long corridor was finally coming to an end. Fang Plover heard the sound of the rangers stopping on the other side. They seemed to be pushing a stone door, and a low sound came from the other end.
.
After a while, the other party broke the silence and said: "We are not from the same group as them, but our origins are similar. They claim to be the 'redeemed', and they are also opponents of the Crow's Claw Temple, but they are more powerful than us.
Much more, they are followers of Nicol Bolas—"
"Followers of Nicol Bolas?" Fang Plover was surprised: "Dragon Cult?"
"No," Saya shook her head: "They are not Dragon Cultists, at least that's what they call themselves. They just follow Nicol Bolas. They claim that the Dragon Witch has broken with the Dragon Cultists long ago and that it is not human.
enemies, and Aitaria is facing a more serious threat..."
Fang Yu felt that this was the most bizarre story he had heard today. Aitaria was indeed facing a more serious disaster, that is, the coming of the disaster star, but the dark dragon also came from it, and there was actually not much difference between the two.
However, he subconsciously remembered his encounter in the wasteland of Charter City not long ago, and couldn't help but press the ring of golden flames hanging on his chest with his hand - what if Nicol Bolas was really restraining the dragon beast army?
Mazak's old butler told him that the age of dragons was over, and that sentence seemed to have a deeper meaning.
And is that Lady Misu, or the Dragon Witch Nicol Bolas?
After Saya said these words, she did not continue to discuss this topic in depth - maybe because she was not familiar with the 'redeemed', but maybe she did not want to have any contact with these people.
After all, people who openly claim to follow the dark dragon are not considered good people to ordinary people.
Fang Yu didn't ask any more questions. It seemed that the situation in the North was almost clear. The only question was the forces behind the Crow's Claw Temple, and the origin of the Shadow Man was still a mystery. But he didn't plan to do it all at once.
After figuring out the details, he could investigate the matter from other sources if he had another chance later.
He wanted to find out the origin of the Shadow People, mainly because he wanted to find out their relationship with the Third Disaster Star, and whether the appearance of the Shadow People was related to the upcoming disaster.
As for Xiao Kong's injury, if he had the ability, he would try his best to find a solution for it. But if it just leaves a wound and leaves people helpless, it would be too chilling, and the threat of the shadow man may have to be renewed.
Evaluate.
But Saya seemed to understand his meaning from his silence, "Xiao Kong just wants to see you. He is actually already prepared for his situation."
"There's always a way." Fang Plover replied.
It's not that he is blindly confident, but in his dictionary, there is rarely such a thing as giving up easily.
Saya glanced at him and didn't answer.
Just as he guessed, they walked in this underground tunnel for nearly half an hour and finally reached the end. The rangers pushed away the rocks outside, and the exit led to a snow-covered forest, between two intertwined sharp peaks.
Under the rock, a natural shelter was used.
However, when they left, the rangers did not conceal the entrance of the cave, because this place would definitely be discovered by the Crowclaw Knights chasing after them, and they had already planned to abandon this secret passage. Those who stayed behind only cleaned up the area they left.
traces and quickly caught up with him.
Walking through the forest, Fang Plover looked at the direction of the dense tree crowns and could roughly tell that they were heading northeast. Soon after, the wind and snow stopped, the moonlight emerged from behind the dark clouds, and a few stars faintly appeared in the sky.
He couldn't name the constellations, but the locals were very familiar with the stars that appeared at this time, and hunters could even find directions based on the constellations that appeared in the night sky at different times.
The person leading the way was an aborigine. They were walking through the winding dense forest where the road was completely indistinguishable. The falling snow was the only sound in the forest. However, after the moonlight appeared, the surrounding scene changed.
His eyes were clear, and it was only at this moment that he realized that the power of the Dragon King's Heart had indeed revived in his body.
Soon after, dots of fire appeared in the woods in the distance. This place was quite far away from Gray Owl Town. In front of it seemed to be a camp in the forest. Fang Plover looked at the forest. This place was about 30 meters away from the monastery.
Not far to the west.
He turned back to look at the box. The box had already sent their information back to Luo Hao, so that the people waiting in the hotel would not worry too much about them.
The team quickly approached the camp, but before they could get close to the light of the campfire, a childish voice suddenly came from behind the dark trees in front: "Sister Saya, are you back?"
A little kid stumbled out from behind and looked at them with bright eyes in the darkness. The box couldn't help but be slightly startled when he saw the little figure - in fact, the little girl was also stunned when she saw him.
one time.
She looked a little surprised and took a step back subconsciously.