Blood tax

Chapter 384 Start of the Sacrifice
At dusk on December 1444, 12, the Flyleaf arrived in Baieland.Just like at the beginning of school, the families have already prepared chariots and horses to welcome them.

The setting sun has already cast a shadow on the city, but there is still the afterglow of the sun on the edge of the city wall.The weather is quite warm, the sounds of cars and horses rushing and the city are very noisy, the air is full of the atmosphere of the market, as if staying in the gorgeous time of the summer seaside forever.

This is not abnormal compared to the past, but the port is more crowded than before, countless people are sitting on the roof, lying on the tree, pointing to the place where the teachers and students of Hormon Watts get off the boat, there is a little The excitement before the show is about to kick off.

A brigade of city defense troops came running in line.They are fully armed, and each looks like an enemy.As soon as the Feiye landed, the City Defense Army began to drive away the citizens, driving them off the road or grabbing them from the trees.

An elderly sergeant shouted to the tumultuous crowd:
"Make way, make way for God's Choice!"

The citizens applauded loudly after hearing this, clapped their hands vigorously, and cheered like a tidal wave.

When Galadia saw her, she smiled and said to everyone: "At this time, if I come to play tricks and win a lottery, it will be even more lively!"

Griffith stood by the side of the ship, watching Galadia and Neferti pass by and walking towards the gangway.

A band of elves and half-elves in splendid attire awaited them on the shore.Griffith recognized Melrose and Hallanduil among them.There is also an elf surrounded by front, back, left, and right, who is as noble as a king, and has an elusive and mysterious aura.

Galadia saw them and said to the knight: "The hair is as dark as the shadow before dawn, and the one with the little silver crown on it is Tarkin Amon from Canaan, Sequence 6 "Collector", chosen One of them. He is accompanied by his close friends and assistants, Shnopes Hades and Salamandis."

From Griffith's point of view, Tarkin's eyes were as gray as the evening sky, but if you looked closely, you would find that there was a nebula-like light in the eyes.From the outside, he is calm and determined, a little melancholy, as if he is a forerunner who bears countless destinies, and he exudes an aura like a warrior who has experienced many battles.Without a doubt, he is the most outstanding figure among the elves.

Even Lana, who was on the side, exclaimed in amazement: "Are all the chosen ones like this? What a rival!"

Griffith watched silently.On the way here, he had already formulated his tactics.

Such a talented young strongman will be under the protection of the special envoy of the Canaan Senate together with Galadia until the second stage begins.The same must be true of the other chosen ones who gathered in Bayeran, and they will not act rashly if they are not sure.

Generally speaking, it is like this.

"Then, we also bid farewell." Griffith and Sonia bid farewell to Galadia, "The favor of the silver moon and starlight will be with you."

"Thank you, what are your plans for the winter vacation?" Miss Elf asked nonchalantly as if she was chatting with friends, as if she was just going to attend some unavoidable banquet, and she could still meet with friends after the end.

Sonia replied: "We will participate in the winter senate meeting, which will be held in the town of Bremi."

"Then give my regards to the count."

……

After Galadia and her people left the port, Griffith also sent Sonia and Fiona to the carriage.He himself and Lana jumped on their respective horses, escorted by the side of the carriage, and went to the Earl's Mansion in the upper city.They passed by the dark narrow alley, and the people inside looked at the carriages and horses leaving the port, whispering and speculating in a low voice, appearing nervous and curious.

People in the city are like mice watching old cats fight, eager to fight quickly, but afraid of affecting themselves.

There are troops everywhere.Soldiers lined up intersections and urged pedestrians to hurry home.

Griffith and his party walked along the river bank and through the cobblestone avenue, watching the stars and moon rising from behind the city walls and hills.A few yellow leaves were blown down by the night wind and slapped on the shoulder armor of the knights.

Lana walked beside Griffith, without saying a word, just sniffing the fresh air, occasionally casting awe-inspiring gazes at the distant starry sky.

"Griffith, there may be a god watching us over there."

Griffith turned around, and the horse was carrying him up the gentle slope in the middle of the mountain, towards the Lamor Mansion.In the city under the hillside, the bright lights are extinguished piece by piece in the darkness like the receding sea.After a while, the capital of the world was pitch black, as if returning to the ignorant age when mortals stole a little fire from the sky. The warm air disappeared as night fell, and the sound of gurgling water and birds chirping became louder.

When they arrived at Earl Lamor's mansion, the big clock on the roof of the church in the distance struck ten.A loud announcement like a god echoed in the night sky, very clear.

The voice said:
"In the name of the wise Senate, Bayeran imposed a night-time curfew from 12:28 p.m. to [-]:[-] a.m. on December [-] until New Year's Day.

"Citizens, return to your homes."

Those curious and vigilant eyes hid back in the house and closed the doors and windows.Bayeland, the capital of the world, became so silent that even the lights of the lower town's lawless place were extinguished.

There were some guests at Larmor's house.As soon as they entered the Earl's mansion, Griffith and Lana said goodbye to the two countesses, and went straight to the study under the guidance of the servants.

Earl Chalon is also waiting for everyone.He was wearing a military uniform, standing by the wall, casually flipping through several volumes of documents.Earl Lamor sat behind the desk as usual, when he saw the two Shutorals coming in, he instructed them not to be too polite.

"Okay, let's get started," Count William de La Mole said straight to the point, "You should have discussed it carefully on the way here, can I think so?"

"Yes, Earl." Griffith and Lana replied together.

"Well," the earl replied, "I don't know what plan you have made yet. However, some important people have made an offer that I cannot refuse, so we'd better do it—"

"Griffith, in the next few days, you have been assigned the task of assisting Sonia in attending the Winter Senate meeting. This task is flexible, and a small group of conspirators are planning to obstruct the meeting. You can act as you please, To start investigations and battles, there is no need to ask for instructions in advance. Sonia's safety will be entrusted to the family's guards and the Extraordinary team of the Storm Squadron."

"Yes, Earl." Griffith saluted his lord while thinking quickly.

Whose request will it be?Galadia's older brother, Sidious, is still Salorian. They all have friendship with the earl, and even have deep interest entanglements, but it is inconvenient to directly interfere with the sacrifice of the chosen one, so they try to create opportunities for me.

Earl Sharon also said: "Lana, you are the same. The winter meeting, the investigation, the twists and turns of this and that. In short, if Griffith gives you an irresistible offer on the way Conditions, I won't stop you, and you don't have to bother to find excuses."

"Julius, be serious," Earl Lamor reminded, "This is a ceremony watched by the gods, and the Senate and the Arcane Council strictly prohibit it from interfering."

"I know, how can I not know how high the standard of the Chosen One is! There is no intervention, and there is a curfew, and the whole city has become an arena!" Earl Chalon waved it like his young daughter Clenching his fists, "Such a fun thing, why didn't we encounter it when we were young! William, let's do something big!"

"No." Lana just raised the corner of his mouth when a majestic female voice made him tremble in fright.Then there was the thud of boots on the floor, as if a whole legion had come upon them.

"No one can wander around tonight, especially you." Countess Cornelia wore a breastplate and a bright winged helmet, holding a halberd and pushing open the door of the meeting room and walked in.She didn't point out who "you" was, but Earl Chalon, who was dancing, immediately fell silent.

Elena followed behind with Sonia and Fiona.She was clad in robes surrounded by multicolored orbs like none Griffith had ever seen.

"The Arcane Council will announce the opening of the ceremony soon, we can listen to the rules."

The Countess La Mole brought a silver plate filled with clear water, and tapped it with her wand.Words were immediately outlined on the surface of the water.Everyone in the study immediately came over.Griffith was also looking, but the text on the water was something he had never seen before, and he couldn't understand it at all.

Lady Elena explained:

"This is a signal encrypted by the Arcane Council.

"The chosen ones have received the oracle,
"At midnight today, the first stage of the trial will start. They will sense the location of other people at the first time, and then share the location every six hours. At the same time, the selected ones can The connection between the world and the emblem of the Chosen One, which is condensed from pure spiritual energy. This unstable crystal can be consumed, endowing the holder with powerful blessings, and can also be captured, traded and transferred, according to the rules No restrictions are given, nor is the method of obtaining the emblem explained.

"Hold the emblem and reach the end of the third stage, the person with the most emblems is the winner, and can make any wish to the gods.

"This is the oracle sent by the gods to the sacrifice of the chosen one."

Countess Elena paused a bit when she said this, looked at everyone and continued:
"In addition to this, the Senate and the Arcane Council issued an additional rule——

"Anyone other than the chosen one is not allowed to attack the chosen one in any way. Even if they are attacked, they must evacuate and are not allowed to fight. Violators will be punished by the Arcane Council."

Everyone listened quietly, paying as much attention as students in class.

The countess looked at everyone and asked like a teacher, "What do you think? Griffith, you go first."

Griffith thought for a while:
"First, the emblem of the Chosen One is limited and can be seized;
"Second, completing the Sacrifice of the Chosen One requires collecting as many emblems as possible, but does not require the identity of the Chosen One;

"Third, attacking the chosen one will not be known by the gods, but will be punished by the Arcane Council after it is found out. If it is not discovered, it will not be punished;
"Fourth, attacking the chosen one is prohibited, but attacking the guards and unrelated persons of the chosen one will not attract the punishment of the Arcane Council.

The countess smiled slightly: "I like your thinking, let's continue."

Griffith said calmly:
"To sum up, the first stage of the Festival of the Chosen One will be a secret melee.

"This is also the reason for the curfew."

(End of this chapter)