When the black warship docked, the entire port fell into silence. Everyone stared in silence at its sharp silhouette in the gloom.
There is a cold wind with a strong fishy smell blowing from a distance.
Lancelot covered his mouth and coughed suppressedly. After a long time, he wiped the blood from his fingers with a handkerchief.
A low sigh sounded from beside him.
Mephisto reached out and handed him a small hand warmer. Lancelot did not refuse, holding the hand warmer, his face became slightly rosy.
"How long can your body last?"
Mephisto's blind eyes seemed to have fallen on his chest. Through his clothes, he could see the old disease lingering in his heart, "The doctor should have told you that it shouldn't come out."
"There are always exceptions to everything."
Lancelot shook his head, stared at the silent shadow, and murmured softly: "I want to see him, very much."
"Lancelot, so do all those who come here."
Mephisto's turbid eyes without light stared forward, but it seemed as if everything fell into his eyes.
Those blind eyes looked down at the crowd, looking at the civilians, nobles, businessmen and soldiers, distinguishing their faces one by one, as if they saw what was in their hearts.
"Some people are respectful."
"Some people do it for the position."
"Some people want to put on a show..."
He paused for a moment, and his blind eyes fell on the outermost side of the port, above the surging crowd that stretched to the end of the road, and a trace of exclamation and awe appeared in his turbid eyes.
"And some people come to see the legend."
At that moment, a deep voice sounded.
First there was the low reverberation emitted by the friction of the steel armor hub, and then there was the sonorous echo of iron boots on the deck. Hundreds of people gathered into legions, assembled into arrays, pushed forward, and turned into a huge roar.
The dead sea water stirred before the sound, making waves.
The cold sea breeze swept across, turning the faces that were trying to force smiles white.
Those who rushed forward and wanted to express themselves and show friendship immediately were stunned.
He paused in place at that sound and couldn't help but want to retreat.
Because in the light of the wind lantern, the red flag was held up again, and the holy emblem rolled forward in the wind.
Two rows of armored knights dyed black by the demon's blood walked out of the slowly opened door. Under the light, the steel faceplates reflected the cold light, so ferocious.
The burly and inhuman priests held high red banners and opened the way at the front. They wore chain hoods on their heads, but their robes were covered with heavy iron armor. With their low footsteps, the armor leaves rubbed against each other, making a sonorous sound. echo.
The priest who led the way went straight forward, as if he didn't see the welcoming people approaching, and his speed did not slow down. Those full-hearted smiles became stiff and unsustainable.
The people who came forward hurriedly backed away, the warm welcoming atmosphere was broken, and they were silent and embarrassed.
"what 's wrong?"
Several aristocratic representatives wiped away cold sweat and glanced at each other. Someone was pushed out and reluctantly mustered up the courage to face the priest who led the way.
But the advancing procession never stopped at all and moved forward slowly. The representative standing in front was stunned and his face became paler.
Until finally, the footsteps stopped in front of him.
The priest holding the banner high lowered his eyes and seemed to be sizing him up.
Under the dim light, the burly priest cast a thick black shadow, covering his pale face, making him swallow his mouth and smile reluctantly:
"This is Chief Avalon..."
"You must bow your head."
A hoarse voice interrupted his words.
In the blurry outline of the backlight, there seemed to be a cold and indifferent gaze cast down, with an iron-like majesty, which made it difficult for him to maintain the smile on his face, and cold sweat oozed from his forehead.
He looked away, not daring to look at those eyes again.
The priest looked away and declared coldly:
"-Fear the gods."
In the dead cold wind, only the Holy Emblem was buzzing on the flag.
Faint footsteps sounded from a distance.
In everyone's gaze, that thin figure walked out of the darkness, walking on the road paved by the Purifiers, and walked into the dim light.
In the dead silence, the sound of breathing also disappeared.
Only the faint sound of footsteps echoed.
Amidst the roar of steel friction, the armored knights half-knelt on the ground, lowering their heads to the masters. And in the guard of the priests, the thin young man stepped off the warship, stepped onto the port, and faced the cold wind. Palm breathed a sigh of relief and rubbed his hands together, as if he was not used to the cold of winter.
The sacred belt decorated with lapis lazuli hangs from his shoulders and falls on the sacrificial robe. It was not the deep red that the archbishops loved most, but a deep purple.
Under the swaying wind lantern, the white hair was blown by the wind, like burning mercury.
In silence, he stood on the shore, staring at this long-lost city. It was obviously only a short goodbye of four months, but everything became completely different.
Many things have been changed.
Everything of the past has disappeared.
But the things inside it remain unchanged.
Avalon…
"Finally home."
Ye Qingxuan murmured softly.
Under the fluttering crimson holy emblem, he looked down at the crowd and raised his hand, just like the emperor who came here back then, declaring the truth to mortals.
"—God bless Angelou."
Then, cheers like a tsunami sounded.
The crowd surged, as if boiling.
Countless chaotic footsteps shook the ground, dust flew up, stirred in the air, and trembled amidst the shouts of countless people.
The fanatical crowd stared at the round of Holy Emblem and the figure of the young man, waving their arms, rushing forward, trying to cross the restricted area again and again, no matter how the guards on the outside blocked it.
Countless people held their wind lanterns high, waved their arms, shouted to Ye Qingxuan, and used all their words to praise him.
As Ye Qingxuan moved forward, the banner of the Holy Emblem was raised high in the strong wind, and the believers became more and more enthusiastic, bowing to the salvation that came before them.
Those chaotic shouts gradually overlapped and became the same words and the same voice.
"hand of God!"
The crowd looked up at Ye Qingxuan's figure and enthusiastically praised: "Hand of God!"
"hand of God!!!"
The shouts of countless people gathered in one place shook the world.
This is the whisper of this silent city.
It was as if he had finally welcomed the true master, who respectfully offered everything and humbly begged the comer for salvation.
Amidst the deafening shouts, all the people in front looked at each other, their expressions changing slightly.
Although he was trying hard to maintain his composure, he couldn't hide the horror and fear in his eyes.
It was not that they were unaware of Ye Qingxuan's identity and past. As early as the moment Ye Qingxuan returned, his past information and past had been placed in front of countless people.
At the beginning, they wanted to unite and take this powerful force into their hands. Later, when they saw the power, they were eager to make friends with the returning guest.
But now, they don't even have the courage to stay here and introduce themselves.
At that moment, they finally understood: Those who came here were not loyal soldiers, nor naive heroes, nor politicians who could be impressed with benefits and compromises.
The priest said to them: Bow your heads and fear God.
Under the deep purple sacrificial mantle and the holy belt symbolizing justice, it was not the young man they expected, but the archbishop canonized by the Holy City, the great judge who re-established the Inquisition, with a The "Hand of God" where iron and fire come!
All mortals who are intoxicated with power and desire are like dust in his eyes.
"Another lunatic..."
Someone murmured in a low voice.
…
"Lancelot, don't you understand yet?"
Mephisto turned back and looked at the disappointed Lancelot:
"Avalon has changed, old friend, and the world has changed. He is no longer the child you could protect. I know what you are thinking, but you can't change him."
Lancelot's eyes were lowered and he was just silent.
Amid the cheers of the crowd, Ye Qingxuan stepped forward, looked at the old archbishop in front of him, and smiled.
"Archbishop Mephistopheles, it's great to see that you are still safe."
He wanted to salute as a habit, but when he raised his palm, he was stopped by Mephistopheles.
His cloudy blind eyes were raised, as if he was looking at the young man in front of him. After a long time, he smiled with emotion.
"You are already the Hand of God, Your Majesty the Archbishop, there is no need to salute me."
With that said, Mephistopheles took off the signet ring that represented power on his index finger and put it on Ye Qingxuan's right hand with great care. Finally, he bent down, held up his right hand, and touched the signet ring lightly to his forehead.
"I'm already old."
He smiled, as if a heavy burden had been lifted: "From now on, all affairs of the Angelou Diocese will be decided by you."
Ye Qingxuan never expected that Archbishop Mephistopheles would hand over to him the Westminster Abbey and the entire Avalon Barrier that he had guarded for decades just after he returned.
Although he is also the Grand Judge, he is still on the same level as Mephistopheles in the teaching position. Even as the regional bishop, Mephistopheles does not have to pay attention to any of Ye Qingxuan's intentions.
This is a right granted to Mephistopheles by the Order.
But now, he has left it all in his own hands.
"I'm afraid you have more things to deal with next, so I won't bother you anymore."
Mephistopheles did not wait for his refusal, but just nodded and said goodbye: "I have prepared a station for your subordinates in Westminster Abbey. I will be there waiting for your arrival in the next time."
After saying that, he backed away with the help of his entourage and left.
Just when he passed by Shi Dong, his steps stopped for a moment, and he seemed to be nodding in salute, but it was imperceptible.
Until finally, Ye Qingxuan sighed and looked forward.
Looking at Lancelot who had been waiting in front of him for a long time, he opened his mouth to speak, but didn't know what to say.
Lancelot held on to his cane, pushed away the support of others, and stepped forward.
She got closer and looked at his face, as if distinguishing the outlines of the past, as if looking at a family member returning from a long absence, her eyes became complicated and gratifying.
"Are you back?" he asked softly.
"kindness."
Ye Qingxuan nodded, then froze on the spot.
Because Lancelot raised his arms with difficulty and hugged him.
It was my first hug in so many years, but I was so weak that I had no strength.
"Just come back."
He said, "It'll be nice to come back."
Ye Qingxuan was silent for a long time and wanted to break away, but hesitated and did not refuse.
Soon, Lancelot realized his gaffe, let go of his hand, and wiped the corners of his eyes awkwardly: "Sorry, I'm a little excited. Over the years, I have been looking forward to your coming back. It's great that you can come back. ”
As he said that, he leaned on the crutches and pulled Ye Qingxuan to stagger forward: "Let's go, I will take you back. I have a lot to say to you, little Ye Zi, a lot of things."
But Ye Qingxuan stood there, looking around, his eyes becoming confused: "Why are you the only ones? Where's Maxwell? That old bastard, isn't he still pretending that even the wind doesn't want to do it?"
Lancelot was silent for a moment and reluctantly put on a smile: "Something happened that no one expected. He has no way to come here for the time being."
"I'll take you back to rest first."
Lancelot looked away and no longer looked into his eyes: "A lot of things have happened these days, and there is enough time for you to understand slowly."
Ye Qingxuan looked at him, was silent for a long time, and nodded slowly.
"good."