He even called the name that he hadn't mentioned for a long time. Maria's long eyelashes trembled slightly, she looked back at the table in front of her, and asked in a low voice, "How do you understand?"
Amon replied: "It's just a very simple truth. I have personally confirmed that when I lost the power to command thousands of troops, I didn't feel that I had lost anything, and I didn't even think about it! But I have , I have been thinking about the lost power, because the road I pursue is so difficult, but it did not belong to me. I am not trying to get that power back, nor am I giving up that power, whether I have it or not, it will not change. The one sitting in front of you is still me, Amon, it doesn't matter whether I am the general of the empire or not!"
Maria smiled: "You finally understand that this is not a test of your strength. The strength and magic you once had is precisely what troubles you today. Just like ordinary bread, it has not changed, but when a person tastes Can you still enjoy the delicacy after all the delicacy? And delicacy is still delicacy, it doesn’t mean giving up!”
Amon also smiled: "Hearing what you said, you should already have an eighth-level achievement, congratulations! Can I ask a few questions? I haven't seen any relevant records in the ancient books of the Temple of Isis. Is there anything else? When a great warrior or a great magician advances from the seventh level to the eighth level, do they have to face this kind of test?"
Maria thought for a while and replied: "It is true that there is no clear record, but this kind of situation may happen. A seventh-level warrior who has cultivated to the peak of his strength sometimes feels as weak as a newborn baby, as if he is about to reborn. Growing up to gain powerful power, some of them will be promoted to eighth-level great warriors. Some seventh-level magicians who have cultivated to the peak of their realm will feel that the increase in mana is unbearable, so that they cannot adapt to it. Using divine magic. It doesn’t happen to everyone, and the duration and form of expression are also different. I have never heard of a situation like yours.”
Sure enough, there is a similar situation. No wonder the old lunatic would leave such a message in the pupil of the earth. Amon asked curiously: "How did it cause it? Why is it not recorded in the ancient books?"
Maria frowned slightly, and replied after thinking: "The number of great warriors or great magicians is very small. This kind of situation may not necessarily happen, and the form of appearance is different. In the classics of the Temple of Isis I have mentioned some, but they are not very clear. There are many related records in the archives of Eju Theological Academy. The power of a great magician or a great warrior is troubled, and generally they will not be disclosed to others, and they will only pray to the gods Or privately seek help from a trusted High Priest.
Some people think that this is a test of the gods, while others think that it is despise of the gods after the power is expanded, and the belief is shaken so that they are punished by the gods. But so far the most authoritative point of view is that there are mistakes or deviations in cultivation. After all, at this level, there is not much systematic experience to fully refer to, and most of them are personal explorations. "
Amon leaned forward involuntarily, and asked with great interest: "When this happens, how should we help them?"
Maria: "There is no set rule, each person's situation is different. If a great warrior feels weak, stick to the most basic exercises, and grow like a newborn or reborn. According to some people's descriptions, it seems that there is a seed sprouting in the body, and the The new bloodline will be promoted to the eighth-level great warrior at this time, but more people just recovered their strength and did not advance.
As for the great magicians who often seek help from the gods in prayer and reflect on whether their beliefs are shaken, they usually need to close the door and thank guests for quiet meditation, and the results are usually the same. Occasionally, the Eju Theological Academy holds a private ritual to help them regain their strength.
The main purpose of this kind of ceremony is to let them feel the gaze of the gods, make their beliefs pure and firm, and not despise the gods because of the expansion of power. It has no fixed form and varies from person to person. It is neither like the initial awakening of power nor the second awakening of power for great warriors. Only great magicians who have experienced this kind of experience can give guidance. "
Amon nodded thoughtfully and said: "The reawakening of power."
Maria also nodded and said, "Did you give this kind of ceremony a special name? Do you also need me to hold such a ceremony for you?" When she spoke, she looked at Amon with a half-smile, implying that she had also done it before. With a similar experience, he has successfully passed the test to become an eighth-level great magician.
Amon got up and saluted: "I don't know how to express my gratitude. If there is such a ceremony, you have just held it for me."
Maria blinked her eyes, with a playful expression like a little girl: "Amon, how can you thank me?"
This sentence stopped Amon from asking, as if it was one of the most difficult questions in the world, how could he thank her? Maria has done too much for Amon, not only saved his life by the Roni River, brought him back to the Temple of Isis and provided shelter, but also guided him to find the people in Duke Town, let him learn the art of war, Recommending him to be the head of the legion took a seemingly impossible opportunity to realize his wish. Amon has established incredible feats with his own efforts, but all of this would be unimaginable without Maria's help and guidance.
He stood there in a daze for a long time before replying: "I don't know how to thank you. Without you, I wouldn't have everything I have today. But besides sitting here and staring at you, what else can I do for you?"
As the guardian saint of the Isis Temple, Mary lacks all the wealth and power that the world can possess. In the Ecu Empire, she only needs to take the initiative to salute the gods and pharaohs, and her status is equal to that of the prime minister of the empire, the chief high priest of the empire, and the chief elder of the Imperial Theological Academy. Maria already had what Amon could give her, and what Maria didn't have, Amon couldn't give her either. She was a benefactor he could never repay.
It was rare for Maria to joke with Amon, but Amon answered so seriously and solemnly, and the two fell silent for a moment. Amon stood and Maria sat, looking into each other's eyes. After a while, Maria said softly: "I know your strength and your will is almost perfect, but I see your weakness in your eyes. If you don't have this weakness, you might become a real perfection and strength."
weakness? Amon only has Maria's reflection in his eyes at this moment! He lowered his eyes again and said: "Perhaps there are shortcomings, but the real perfection is experienced in this world."
Seeing him hesitating to speak, Maria finally smiled. She stopped entangled in this topic, slightly raised the corner of her mouth and said, "You haven't answered my question yet, how can you thank me?"
Amon also smiled: "I really don't know how to thank you, if you have any orders from the Holy Lady, just ask, I will never refuse!"
Maria blinked: "Oh? Since that's the case, I want to ask the general for something."
Amon was startled: "What do you want? As long as I have it, I can give it to you."
Maria looked up at the murals on the roof, and said unhurriedly: "When you first came to Eju, it was to return Nero's relics. But Nero's will was not strictly implemented. There is a mention in , allowing the returner to consult one of his private notes.
After you came to the Temple of Isis, I made a special investigation, but you didn't look at it at the time. Later, I ordered someone to send that notebook to Memphis, and what Nero specified was the introduction of a scroll called Destruction Storm. Nero once made a legendary storm of destruction, Amon, please tell me, is it in your hands? "
Amon nodded helplessly and said: "Yes, this scroll is in my hands, and it has accompanied me through countless dangers."
Maria stretched out a hand across the table: "This is what I want, give it to me now!"
Amon asked puzzledly, "What do you want it to do?"
Maria's smile became a little playful again: "General, you made such a firm promise just now. When I really asked for something, why did I hesitate so much? Give it to me first, and then tell you the reason. Take it out." , you must carry it with you.”
Amon reached into his arms, and pulled out a small gray scroll from the clothes under his right rib, stepped forward with both hands, and carefully placed it on Maria's table. Then he didn't retreat, but looked at Maria with his hands on the table and said, "Your Lady, you can tell me now, why do you want this scroll, and how do you know that I will definitely bring it with you?"
Maria reached out to pick up the most precious and dangerous scroll in the world, stroked it lightly and replied: "It's not that I need it, but you don't need it anymore! I checked the detailed introduction of this scroll, It is not unfolded with mana, but with the vow of dedicating one's life. Those who use it only need to have the achievement of mid-level divine arts. It is the only scroll you can use at present. Why don't you bring it with you? You come today See me, I can understand the hidden anxiety in your heart, only by giving it to me can you truly be freed from the trouble."
Amon sighed and said, "Please take this scroll and seal it in the Temple of Isis."
Maria actually laughed out loud, she waved her hand suddenly, took out another identical gray scroll out of thin air, threw it to Amon and said, "Thank you for giving me such a precious thing, and I will give you a gift in return. "
Amon stretched out his hand to catch it, and said in shock, "Destruction Storm! You actually have one too?... Hey, something seems wrong!" That is, Amon was in front of Maria, and the other party threw Destruction Storm, and he couldn't dodge it. Shan would still reach out to catch it, but if it was a different situation, he would have broken through the door and run away without a trace.
Maria smiled and said, "Have you noticed something is wrong? This scroll is indeed a storm of destruction, with exactly the same material and production method, but it was not written successfully, and it was blank after unfolding. Everyone will feel the traction and fluctuation of life force, but will not suffer any harm."
Amon couldn't laugh or cry: "Fake! Who would make such a scroll?"
Maria shook her head and said: "Processing such a scroll is quite difficult. A long time ago, the Temple of Isis gathered a group of great magicians to try to make a storm of destruction, but they failed many times and finally failed. Download such an almost blank scroll. Several blank scrolls of this kind have been produced, which are the basis for processing and destroying storms, but they cannot successfully condense mana to complete the writing, and they are damaged every halfway, and even cause energy explosions, causing heavy casualties , so had to give up.
This last blank scroll is still extremely precious. In theory, it can continue to process the real storm of destruction, but in my opinion, this is no longer necessary. You're the only one in the world with a real Ruinstorm, so you can tell something's wrong, but can anyone else tell? Even if you can distinguish it and suspect it is fake, who would dare to bet on it
I know that the real storm of destruction is in your hands, and there must be others who know it too. The power of this scroll is not that you use it, but that people know you have it. If one day you really use it, it is nothing more than choosing a way to self-destruct. I will never want to see this day. Now do you understand, why am I doing this? "
Amon finally fully understood Maria's intentions, and couldn't help but want to hold her hand, but he didn't really extend his hand, and just stood at the table and stared at her. The distance between the two is more than three feet, and they can feel each other's breath when they breathe. Maria looked up at Amon, and suddenly lowered her eyelashes and said, "Why do you live like this? Maybe it's time to start a family, actually..."
Amon interrupted her: "I'm still young, I don't want to talk about this!"
At this time, Gabriel reported loudly outside the door: "My lord, the Lord of Memphis is asking to see you, and discuss with you about the protection of the blessing ceremony."
Maria sighed softly and put away the Destroyer Storm, then raised her voice and replied majestically: "Please come in, it just so happens that General Amon is also here."
…
After bidding farewell to Maria, he left the temple with the Lord Daya. Amon returned to his temporary residence in Memphis City, and immediately called Medanzo, ordering him to return to the territory to do something. Amon finally decided to let Moses and others set off. In name, they were slaves of Amon, and they went to another territory to cultivate under the order of the general.
This group of people had to pass through the border checkpoint of Eju on the way. Amon did not send anyone to escort them, but only gave Moses a warrant to lead the people back home. Amon also ordered Mei Danzuo and Link to follow secretly, and if they encounter any unexpected danger, they should solve it quietly without showing up in public. When these tribesmen encounter dangers, Metatron and Link can appear in the name of Arhat Messenger in due course to give guidance of confidence and courage.
This trip is thousands of miles away, first of all, you have to go through the hinterland of Eju, and there are deserts, jungles, wastelands, and swamps where monsters are rampant. It is also a test of will and belief. Under normal circumstances, the main dangers encountered during this trip should be in the deserts and swamps outside the Eju, and it is enough to take the official road between the city-states within the Eju. In order to facilitate things, Amon handed over several precious instruments around him, including the crystal shuttle, the lamp of chasing the dead, and the puppet mirror, to Medanzo and Link.
Medan Zuo left Monfeisi that afternoon. Moses and others dragged their families with dozens of vehicles and a large amount of daily necessities. The speed on the road would not be too fast, and it would take at least several months to reach the Duke Plain.
When Medanzuo left, John felt very bored, because Amon usually only browsed various classics in his room, and seldom went out, and he, the captain of the personal guard, could not go out for a stroll. Amon noticed it, and asked John with a smile during dinner that day: "Before you went to Mount Horeb, you lived in Memphis. Where do you usually go to have fun at night? There is nothing wrong, why don't you take me to see it too?" fan."
John was overjoyed, he laughed and said, "General, I've been waiting for you to say this! Just follow me, I'll treat you tonight!"
Amon changed into comfortable plain clothes and went out with John. He deliberately did not bring his bodyguards. John drove the car himself to a very prosperous neighborhood in the west of the city. It was far away from the temple, but very close to the place where shops were concentrated. John stopped in front of a brightly lit courtyard, and Amon looked a little weird. This place turned out to be the most luxurious brothel in Memphis City.
Amon knew this place. Aesop once walked by the door of this brothel when he was shopping around with him. He also specifically mentioned that this place only accepts nobles. It is one of the regrets in life that a Western European master is so rich but cannot go in to have fun. At that time, Western Europe was not aristocratic, nor was Amon, but Amon had never entered any brothel, so he had nothing to regret.
Seeing Amon's expression, John was overjoyed, grabbed his arm and whispered: "God Amon, you should have experienced all kinds of situations in the world, and you must know that life is not only about cultivation or fighting. The general is so young and handsome, he should show his face in places like this more often!"
Without any explanation, he pulled Amon in. John was obviously familiar with the business, and even the guys here knew him. As soon as he entered the door, he ordered the servants of the brothel to take the carriage away, and then greeted him loudly, asking someone to arrange the best fragrant hall for him, everything was according to the highest standard, and it didn't matter how much it cost.
They entered a separate small incense hall, but the so-called small hall was definitely not small in size, with spacious reclining chairs, and delicious food and wine on the tables in front. There is a pool in front of the table, and the pool is actually warm water with flower petals sprinkled on it. After sitting down, someone played a musical instrument, and the band played behind a screen wall, so the situation in the hall could not be seen.
As soon as John sat down, he ordered the staff to call all the best girls here, and perform a song and dance on the carpet in front of the pool, so that the general can appreciate it. If Amon likes a certain person or a few people, he will stay to accompany the wine.
Not long ago, more than a dozen beautiful girls came, singing and dancing in the hall across the pool. The clothes they wear are very "interesting", they are all umbilical corsets, the full breasts only cover the two highest points, but there is a string of curtain-like metal pendants hanging on the chest, and there is a pleasant sound when they collide. sound. The skirt was cut into many strips, and the slender and attractive thighs were exposed when the waist was twisted. This kind of half-concealment is a more exciting and ambiguous temptation.
They don't wear many clothes, but they wear veils. But the veil couldn't hide the face, because it was almost transparent, decorated with pieces of shiny things, which made the girl's looming face even more alluring. They twisted their bodies and made all kinds of provocative poses, but they sang noble poems softly in their mouths, which made people's desires sprout.
This is the first time Amon has seen this kind of scene, but his performance on any occasion is the same. This nineteen-year-old boy never wastes food. Eat and drink, chew slowly and take a sip of wine from time to time. Occasionally, he heard that some poems sung by the girls were very well written, so Amon raised his head to take a look, and then continued to lower his head to eat and drink.
John looked at it with gusto, with his legs crossed while holding the wine glass, and he tapped the glass with his fingers to beat the beat. After the song was over, John turned his head and asked, "General, who are you looking for? Just let them walk past the pool."
The rules here are very particular. If the guests want any girls to stay, the girls need to walk from the pool, and they are soaked when they come to the guests. This can be regarded as a deliberate arrangement of interest or sentiment, and those impetuous guests, when the girl entered the pool, took off their coats and jumped into the pool to play.
Amon was stunned, put down his cup and looked up: "John, you can figure it out, I don't want anyone to stay."
John scratched the back of his head and said with a smile: "Your vision is so high that I admire it!" Then he waved at the girls on the other side of the pool and said, "You all stay and stay with me!"
The girls were very disappointed at first, but when they heard this, they all laughed coquettishly, jumped into the pool and ran over, splashing water in pieces.
Amon and John sat on both sides, and their reclining chairs could be separated by a screen. The long reclining chair is very spacious, even if it is used as a bed, there is no problem, but the dozen or so girls all ran to John, and they were so crowded that they couldn't all sit down. Two of them simply sat on John's lap, but They secretly looked at Amon with curious eyes.
This guy is strong and handsome. In fact, the girls are more willing to accompany him in their hearts, but Amon doesn't like any of them, which makes people feel a little angry. Amon didn't change his face, and sat there still drinking and eating, and used a knife to clean the meat off the bones. This makes the girls wonder, if you want to eat, you can go to the restaurant, do you spend so much money here just to eat
Seeing this scene, John immediately shouted loudly: "Call your boss Dyland!"
After a while, the owner of the brothel came in. When he saw a dozen girls drinking around John, he cried out inwardly. Dilland had known this John for a long time. A few years ago, John used to fight and make trouble here. He once got drunk and injured several noble children from big families, and almost demolished a small hall of the brothel.
Why is this old man here again? It's terrible! The boss asked cautiously: "It turns out that Master John is here, and you are very welcome! Is there anything you are not satisfied with? Do you have any instructions?"
John hugged the two wet girls from his lap, slapped the table and said, "Of course I'm not satisfied, do you see that over there? That's my most noble friend with the highest vision, go get your best girl Call everyone!"