Heart of the Castle

Chapter 848 Blood-Stained Light of Hope

It was the first storm of the spring, and it was raging, with rain pouring down from the black clouds, thunder rumbling overhead, and lightning snaking across the sky like long curved snakes; Tallon Fortress, rolled up the flag, broke the flagpole, and swept away all the unfixed debris on the city wall; They were all shaking, and the hearts of those who witnessed this scene could not help but tremble.

The guarding soldiers on the city wall of Tarlon had long been driven away by the storm. They either hid in the tower and shivered, or simply slipped to the simple barracks below the city wall to warm up.Only the apostolic knights of the Temple of Glory faced the baptism of the storm without flinching. The cloaks embroidered with golden sunburst and black warhammer emblems were drenched by the rain, and icy rainwater poured into the gap between the breastplate and the chain mail , yet they still stand, like a row of steel statues.

The headmaster of the Judgment Hammer Knights made Layton sit on a heavy, undecorated high-backed chair, staring straight ahead, as if his scorching eyes could penetrate the darkness outside the wall.Thin drops of water condensed above his thick eyebrows. Although there was a solid tower above his head to shield him from the wind and rain, and there was a large pot of charcoal fire at hand, the wind blowing in from the narrow window still made the surroundings damp and cold. , and made a sharp and piercing whistling sound.

Damn, unsettling sound.

It made Chief Layton want to reach for the brass wine glass on the side of the table, which was bigger than a human head and filled with steaming schnapps flavored with pepper and orange.This is of course not in line with the teachings of the Lord of Radiance, but at such a wet and cold dawn, which is almost indistinguishable from late night, a sip of schnapps is far more heart-warming than a long religious prayer.

If it wasn't for the two commanders and deputy commanders of the Tarlon Fortress who were also sitting next to this table, perhaps Chief Layton would not be able to restrain his inner desire.But now, he could only move his hands away, stay away from the fragrant devil's wine, and approach the smoky charcoal brazier.

Chief Layton let out a silent sigh. It was he who suggested that the routine military meeting be held on the first wall of Tarlon Fortress. However, it seems that this may be a mistake.From the moment the storm fell, no one spoke for a while. Many noble officers and knights looked around restlessly, as if they were afraid that the mighty thunder and lightning would strike down without warning, turning everything in front of them into nothingness. ash.

"If I were Caggino the Thunderer, I would definitely do this." Chief Layton thought with a gloomy face, and then made a gesture of a sun wheel on his chest, begging the Lord of Radiance, Fran Dara forgives his little blasphemous thought just now.

This is an excusable thing.

Not many people participated in the routine military meeting, but their positions were not low. The two commanders of Tarlon Fortress were there, as was the Regent of the Kingdom of Deldes, Grand Duke Zandora, and Prince Locke of the Kingdom of Sigis. They were all present, and there were more than a dozen knight commanders and senior generals.But what made Chief Layton suppress his anger was that these people were unable to put forward decent opinions from the beginning to the end. Some guys even refused to believe that the demon army was coming, and they were still dreaming that everything was a false dream.

For example, His Royal Highness Prince Locke, who was huddled in his seat, sniffing his nose pitifully from the cold, was one of the best among these delusional patients.Due to His Royal Highness's delicate body and fatigue, he suffered from some minor illnesses when he arrived at Tarlon Fortress, so he looked a bit embarrassed.It made Chief Layton understand the pain of a weak patient, but he couldn't understand why a little illness would make a person soft, like a wriggling woman.

Perhaps this has nothing to do with being sick. The extravagant life always takes people's spine away and replaces them with something soft and slippery. It has been recorded in the scriptures, and the methods to deal with it are also clearly stated. If it is not the wrong timing Well, this guy should really go to the stake to warm up.

Chief Layton glared at Prince Locke bitterly, the latter's body trembled involuntarily, and then he sniffed hard. "Honorable Commander Jean Layton," he mustered up his courage and said in a low voice, "Excuse me... can this meeting be over?"

"End?" Let the voice of Chief Layton seem to be squeezed out of the gap between the teeth, "His Royal Highness, I thought the meeting hadn't discussed any meaningful issues, except for the old tune at the beginning. Can you provide any information on the progress of the preparations other than re-bombing? Have the few damages on the west wall been repaired? Have the alchemy ballistas that were damaged due to disrepair been replaced? The training situation of the soldiers How about the formation of the second echelon and the third echelon? When will the reinforcements arrive? How much food is there? I haven't heard these substantive things at all. The military meeting has hardly started yet, so you say it can be over gone?"

This unexpected fury of thunder made Prince Locke's face turn pale, while his two accompanying guards pressed their sword hilts with both hands, leaning forward, tense like a bowstring, as if intending to make Chief Layton endure Rescue their prince highness when they can't help but do it.This is not an easy task. The head of the Judgment Hammer Knights is a well-known sword-wielding grand duke, and the two guard knights carefully selected by the Sigis Kingdom are nothing more than sword-wielding lords.

What prevented Chief Layton from stretching out his powerful hands and strangling the neck of the pale wretch in front of him was not the two mediocre guarding knights, let alone other people in the temporary venue, it was just that he had something deep in his heart. It's just a warning that pops up everywhere.

"We have no time to waste, Prince Locke." Chief Layton suppressed his anger and said, his light golden beard trembled slightly with every word he said, "The army of demons may appear in the tower at any time." Under the city of Erlong Fortress, if we are not ready for war by then, the only thing that will greet this fortress is complete destruction."

"It's not that I want to offend you, let Commander Layton." The commander of Tallon Fortress, the Earl of Karivak of the Kingdom of Sigis suddenly stood up, with a well-groomed beard on his upper lip proudly He raised his head, "Please allow me to remind you that this is Taalon Fortress, the light of hope, a strong city that has never been breached by any force for hundreds of years. We have been baptized by two evil disasters here, Thanks to the blessing of the Lord of Radiance, the corpses of those abyssal demons are scattered all over the canyon every time, and even a centimeter of free ground cannot be seen."

After Earl Carrivac's words fell, there was a buzz of low voices of agreement. Several younger senior officers showed indifference, and some raised their chins arrogantly.Commander Layton couldn't help clenching his teeth tightly. He really wanted to share all the information obtained by the Shining Temple through the divine prophecy, but that would only spread panic and an atmosphere of anxiety. His Majesty the Pope did not visit this fortress, and in the unfathomable darkness opposite, stood the tall figures of five legendary demons.

No one can withstand the heavy pressure brought by this comparison. If there is no support of pious beliefs, even Layton himself can't do it.However, the decision made by the Glorious Temple is understandable. With two against five, the battle has already been lost before it started. The only chance to win is to delay time until other forces have to join the battlefield.

For example, the young regent of the Kingdom of Arthur and his powerful Griffin Knights.

Tarlon Fortress absolutely cannot persist with its own strength, but the key to the final victory lies in how long this fortress can last. If the light of hope collapses under the strong attack of the demon army, then until the foot of the holy mountain, there is no comparison. Here is a solid fortress with better terrain and better defenses.

This is also the reason why the Temple of Radiance dispatched the three Apologist Knights, the Shield of the Fortitude, the Armor of the Sacred, and the Hammer of Judgment. However, this seems to have greatly strengthened the negligence of the defenders of the Tarlon Fortress.After all, they have accepted the invincible propaganda of the Guardian Knights of the Radiant Temple since they were young.The arrival of the three major apologist knights gave the entire fortress, from the soldiers to the commanders, the illusion that they had already grasped the victory.

"This won't work." Chief Layton told himself, "Talon Fortress is not prepared to deal with a difficult, difficult, and even desperate battle. These arrogant soldiers will definitely be defeated under the fierce attack of the demon army. , and I'm afraid there is no room for redemption."

"His Excellency, Grand Duke Zandora, how is the preparation of the troops of the Kingdom of Deldes?" The head of the Knights of the Hammer of Judgment decided to find another breakthrough, and turned to the regent of the Kingdom of Deldes sitting in the deepest part of the tower. . "When will your Golden Dragon Knights complete their preparations and come for reinforcements?"

Grand Duke Zandora had a helpless expression on his face, and while stretching out his hand to warm the fire on the brazier beside him, he said with some sarcasm, "I'm afraid it's not that easy, Mr. Layton, you should I know what Cardinal St. Bogdan did in Deldes. He announced that I had offended the Lord of Glory during the restoration celebration of the Kingdom of Arthur, and that I had to think behind closed doors, and replaced all the senior team leaders of the Golden Dragon Knights. , causing many knights to complain, and now the Golden Dragon Knights are in a semi-paralyzed state, unable to form effective combat power at all."

Chief Layton let out a heavy snort.He knew very well that what Grand Duke Zandorah said was true, but this cunning politician also concealed his little tricks.Cardinal St. Bogdan used the supervising power of the Temple of Glory to replace the key figures in the Deldes military. It is indeed a bit hasty, and the exploitation of the poor Christians of Deldes by several diocese bishops belonging to his line It does seem excessive, but without Grand Duke Zandorah's instigation and provocation behind the scenes, the large-scale protests that swept across the entire Kingdom of Deldes and the ensuing "Eclipse of Total Eclipse" would not have occurred. Day" bloody tragedy.

That night, dozens of churches of the Lord of Radiance were engulfed in a fire. The angry poor not only stormed the churches, expelled the clergy, expelled the itinerant priests, but also tied several of the bishops who had committed numerous crimes to the stake. .Chief Layton did not think that these poor people did anything wrong. According to the greed of those bishops, they really should have a good barbecue on the stake.However, such an order is only qualified to be made by a cardinal or the supreme Pope. The actions of those poor people in Deldes are undoubtedly a serious challenge to the authority of the Temple of Glory.

Cardinal St. Bogdan, who was dazzled by anger, then made a second wrong decision. He ordered his apologist knights to suppress the riots of the poor instead of asking Grand Duke Zandorah, whom he ordered to shut up and think about it, to come forward. solve.This decision led to the death of 120 elite Shining Guardian Knights in the wilderness, including even an Oita leader of the Knights of the Shield of the Steadfast who had the strength of a sword-wielding count.Who killed these knights, until now there is no convincing conclusion, and even the great prophecy was interfered by some kind of force, and all they saw was the bright golden morning light.

"This is the divine punishment brought down by the Lord of Glory, Flandara." Although this statement has not been officially recognized, there are many people who agree with it in private, and even Chief Layton has doubts in his heart.Many practices of Cardinal St. Bogdan did not comply with the provisions of the Canon of Glory. However, after the three cardinals either rebelled or died, except for His Majesty Pope Nicholas himself, no one in the Shrine of Glory has the power to override St. Bogdan. Above Cardinal Gedan, naturally no one can question his approach.

Perhaps Ingram, the commander-in-chief of the Knights of the Condemnation Sword, has this power, but this legendary paladin has never expressed his opinion on the internal affairs of the Shining Temple, as if he had publicly stated, "The Sword of Condemnation is The sharpest blade in the hands of the Lord of Radiance, swinging it, frightens the eyes of darkness, but it is a sharp blade, so there is no need to make a voice."

"Your Excellency Grand Duke Zandora, I have no right to question the decision of Cardinal St. Bogdan, because his rank is above mine." "But I can assure you that as long as the Kingdom of Deldes can fully cooperate with this war, I am willing to use my influence in the Temple of Glory to ensure that you continue to sit on the throne of the regent. "

Grand Duke Zandora touched his chest with his right hand, made a prayer gesture of the sun, and at the same time showed a grateful smile, "I am very grateful for your selfless help. Let Master Layton, this is the time I am suffering. It's the best news I've heard in a few weeks. But I'm more concerned about how the Temple of Glory will deal with the soldiers and civilians of Deldes who participated in the 'Day of Total Eclipse' than my personal safety and honor."

Grand Duke Zandora's tone sounded quite sincere, but Commander Layton frowned. He was familiar with the way those experienced politicians spoke, and he was keenly aware of something that surprised him.

This person, who has been declared a blasphemer by Cardinal St. Bogdan, did not pay too much attention to the help he promised—the head of one of the four major apologist knight orders in the Temple of Glory—this is not at all like It is the attitude of a helpless man.Zandora Baron never had the courage to put his own safety at risk, otherwise he would not have been able to spend five years as the puppet regent controlled by the Temple of Radiance after the assassination of King Candom I .

What made Grand Duke Zandora suddenly have confidence and courage?
It made Chief Layton feel as if he had touched a fact that had not yet been grasped by the Temple of Glory. However, before he could continue to think deeply about this possibility, a burst of hurried footsteps came from outside the door, followed by the movement of the tower. The door was slammed open, and the wind and cold rain came straight in. The torches on the walls on both sides squeaked in the wind and rain, emitting a lot of pungent smoke.

Cursing sounded everywhere, especially those people near the door stood up one after another. In the next moment, all these voices were suppressed by a shout from the guardian knight who rushed in from outside the door.

"Demons, demons, overwhelming, they are coming, coming!"

Let Chief Layton swear that he has never heard such a violent panic and horrified cry, as if the psychological defense of the guardian knight has been completely defeated, and the whole person has fallen into a state of near madness middle.A guard standing by the door wanted to help the apologist knight, but the next moment, screams and blood shot up at the same time.Almost instinctively, the apologist drew his sword out of its sheath, and chopped off the outstretched hands of the unsuspecting guard.

The clanging sound of drawing swords out of their scabbards kept ringing, but when Commander Layton suddenly stood up, the knights hesitated whether they should step forward.The head of the Judgment Hammer Knights walked solemnly and slowly, step by step approaching the guardian knight holding a blood-stained blade and frantic eyes. Psalms of La.

"My lord Flandara, the golden face shines on the earth. At this moment when the sky is covered with gloom and the shadows are sinister, may my humble prayer be heard by you, and I implore you to send down the golden morning sun to shine on the vast earth..."

The familiar majestic voice made the apostle knight take a step back, the long sword slowly lowered, and the blood on the blade slid down to his feet drop by drop.Commander Layton took another step forward. With his bare hands, he was already within reach of the guardian knight, but he ignored the blood-stained blade in his hand and continued to repeat the hymn at the end loudly. Several bars.

"I implore you to send down the golden morning light to shine on the vast land..."

The apologist knight trembled violently and fell to his knees. His lips trembled, and his muttering was barely audible.Chief Layton shook his head, lightly pressed his right hand on the head of the guardian knight, and repeated loudly for the third time.

"I implore you to send down the golden morning light to shine on the vast land..."

"Praise my lord Flandara!" The guardian knight suddenly burst into tears, and then his whole body fell on the ground, "Please send down the golden morning light, shine on the vast land, and save your humble believers from danger!"

(End of this chapter)