Elden: Ring of Calamity

Chapter 71 Announcement
The town of Rhoderia is located on the coast two hundred miles south of the capital. The sea near the town is wide and the water depth is sufficient. There are also two peninsula-shaped lands that embrace a large area of ​​water like arms and block the nearby wind and waves. If you consider The mild climate where the sea water in the Yatan area does not freeze all year round has all the conditions for a good natural harbor.

Therefore, the history of Rhoderia as a large port can be traced back to the lost ancient times. After Queen Malika defeated all the powerful enemies during the Battle of the Gods and established the king's capital Rodel in the center of the Altar Plateau, it became even more important here. It became the largest port town of the Golden Dynasty, and it was also the starting point for King Gefrey to lead his army southward to Ningmgfu and then eastward to Galid.

If you have to pick out its disadvantages in geographical conditions, it is probably because it is too close to the capital.

Rodel's status to the Golden Dynasty and even the entire continent is too important. Compared with Rhoderia, people are always more willing to move to the capital. Therefore, since the establishment of the Golden Dynasty for decades, this town with extremely superior natural conditions has never been able to make further progress. , reaching the category of large cities.

However, in the past two days, Rhoderia has shown a lively scene far better than usual. Queen Malika actually attended the annual memorial ceremony of the Eastern Expedition Corps in person, accompanied by Lance Shanks, the priest of the Ancient Dragon Temple. , the two children of Prince Godwin, and nearly a hundred nobles, large and small, in the capital, the specifications far exceeded the usual practice of only one duke attending in previous years.

You must know that the Eternal Queen is not only the supreme leader of the Golden Dynasty, but also a god worshiped by countless golden people, so this three-day sacrificial ceremony reached an unprecedented climax as soon as it started.All the people living here are very proud of being able to witness the heroic appearance of the Eternal Queen. It is not an exaggeration to say that the scenes in the town during the ceremony were empty.

But at this moment, the Queen, who just gave a speech at the opening ceremony yesterday, did not stay in the center of the town surrounded by crowds, but only brought a few personal guards to a cliff near the sea at the edge of the town quietly.

She ordered her guards to wait at the foot of the cliff, while she lifted her skirt and briskly walked up the mountain road.

This cliff is not high, and it took Malika only ten minutes to reach the top of the mountain. The clear sea breeze blew in, and she saw a handsome figure in white clothes standing on the edge of the cliff with his hands behind his back, his body motionless, letting his clothes hang on. Dancing slowly in the breeze.

The queen clasped her hands, walked slowly to the man's side, and looked at the calm sea in the distance together. She pursed her lips slightly and said, "Lance, what are you thinking?"

Lance Shanks was silent for a while, then turned to face her and said, "I'm thinking about His Majesty's thoughts."

Malika still had a tranquil smile on her face, and she turned her head slightly, signaling Lance Shanks to continue.

"I just received news that His Majesty Radagon sent a private invitation to Lucia yesterday, and Lucia accepted the invitation, and must be at the venue by Lake Rodel by now."

Lance Shanks watched Malika quietly, and said in a calm voice: "Your Majesty, there is no need to go around with me, I just want to know if all of this was planned by you, and—why did you do this? .”

Malika looked at the pair of eyes that were close at hand but full of coldness, and said with a smile: "It seems that if I fail to answer these two questions, the consequences must be quite serious."

Lance Shanks didn't answer.

"Well," the Queen shrugged, and turned to walk towards the edge of the cliff, "Anyway, as the most important ally in this world, there is never anything we cannot say between you and me."

"We've known each other for ten years since you and Foer stayed in the capital to preach, right?" She raised her face slightly, looking at the distant and clear sky, recalling.

"I think you should understand my character. No matter what the situation is, I will not force anyone to make a choice-because freedom is the most noble instinct of human beings, and no existence has the right to deprive it, even if it is physical So do I who are gods."

She kicked up a small stone, which swirled and fell into the water, causing ripples that spread out in circles.

"You said that these are all in my premeditation, which obviously overestimated my ability. I just gave them a possible choice, and the opportunity to make a choice is always in front of everyone. Radagon has this Chances, of course Lucia also has it."

"But you led him to the most dangerous situation." Lance Shanks said coldly.

"You're wrong," Malika said lightly, "When has there ever been a non-dangerous situation in this world?"

"In these years, you have often traveled around the mainland as an ancient dragon priest. You must have seen many scenes of family members being separated and families being destroyed. This is the so-called prosperous age when the golden law governs the four directions-based on your hundreds of years of experience, in the unification war During the period, and even earlier during the battle of the gods, didn't you also witness a bloodier and darker scene?"

"We have never lived in a peaceful and peaceful world, from the common people to the gods, there is no exception." She said calmly.

"Of my five children, two are cursed, and two are regarded as symbols of disaster by the people. They have been imprisoned in the cold and dirty sewers, and they are not allowed to leave—they don't even have a chance to choose. "

The corners of her mouth moved indistinctly, and finally revealed a sad and mocking smile, and said: "In such a world, even you and I, how have we ever had real freedom?"

"It's far away," the queen shook her head after a while, "You should also know in your heart that Lucia's trip is not that dangerous. Kalia's respect for Sky City is more than that of the Golden Dynasty. The reason why I kept him in the king All, not only to leave a leeway for Radagon, but also because I really want to keep those three children."

"Renala has been dazzled by love, and her situation has gotten worse in recent years. She is no longer the Supreme Mage whom I respected at the beginning, but just a silly woman holding an amber egg in a daze all day long. She sighed, "She will only ruin the peerless talents of those three children."

"Of course, I admit that this is also an experience for Lucia."

"I think you should still remember our conversation before the child went to the king's capital, you want a new king who can lead the ancient dragon," she turned to look at Lance Shanks, and said calmly, "And I want There are countless heroes who can lead this era."

"Since arriving in the capital, that child has been doing well, but only after taking this step today, can he really walk on the path we expected, isn't he?"

Lance Shanks stared closely at Malika's eyes, reading the emotions contained in them, and the latter just looked at her calmly.

After a long time, she took a deep breath and said, "This time, I trust Your Majesty."

"However," she changed the subject, "Your Majesty must also remember that the foundation for future cooperation between you and me, and even between the Golden Dynasty and Sky City, lies in Lucia. I can accept the risks in his growth process, but We will never be able to bear the conspiracy set up for him, and we will not be afraid to pay any price for that."

When she spoke to the end, her tone was full of unquestionable determination, like a declaration on the eve of war.

"Of course." Malika said.

The two who temporarily untied their knots looked side by side in Rodel's direction. After a long period of silence, Malika suddenly smiled, "But having said that, Lance, do you think he can really solve this crisis properly? ?”

This time, it was Lance Shanks who showed a relaxed expression, nodded and said, "Without a doubt."

(End of this chapter)