In the Caucasus, after two days of trekking, Ciel finally returned to the capital.
In the strong smell of herbs, the chanting musician put bandages and plasters on him, and after releasing the recovery movement, the wound still showed little improvement.
Even though he lost all his power, Ciel's resistance to the movement was still too strong.
"Get out."
In the corner of the ward, Gaius gave a calm order.
Soon, the doctors exited the room, leaving Gaius and Ciel alone.
"Why don't you retreat?"
Gaius' voice was cold, suppressing his anger: "Ciel, why did you disobey my order?"
Sick**, Charles smiled awkwardly, his face still pale: "If I leave... many people will die because of me. I can't just leave it alone, right?"
Gaius' tone became indifferent: "You should know that that is Asgard, our enemy."
"Uh... Even if you want to find enemies, you should go to the king to settle matters, right?"
"Do you think the war was only initiated by the king's selfish interests?"
Gaius sneered, "There may be ten thousand excuses to blame the king and the Senate, but in the final analysis, isn't it because of their calls? They want war, they need plundered supplies, and they need to drink the blood of others , to achieve their own status! The taxes and national debt purchased by each of them have turned into Asgard's weapons, warships and ether heavy cannons. In order not to make themselves poor and miserable, they chose to let others Pain! You are now merciful, but how have they ever shown mercy to you? When the food supply in the Caucasus was blocked, they cheered as a nation. When the spring plowing in the Caucasus was interrupted, they sang and danced... They are not innocents, Asgard No one is innocent!"
Charles was stunned, "But..."
"Nothing but!"
Gaius interrupted him, "Figure out who you want to protect, Ciel! Have you ever thought about how many people paid the price for your actions to fulfill your wish? Now, in order to escort you back, we Not only did we lose more than 6,000 soldiers, but we also almost lost the victory gained by the sacrifice of countless people in the past few days due to the counterattack of the group of Asgardians! Because of your compassion, your compassion for the enemy, not only The two subsequent large-scale combat plans cannot be implemented, and it also allows everyone to see your weakness, your scars, and your weaknesses."
"But... we have already won."
Charles stammered in defense: "Look, I defeated the Holy City and defeated so many saints. Even the Golden Palace was bulldozed. We have won."
"This is just the first step. Do you want to stop here, Charles? You should have done more! For the Revolutionary Army and Caucasus, this is just the beginning!"
Gaius' tone was solemn: "A mere victory is far from enough! We must work together to establish a new order that belongs to us!"
"We can take our time, one day..."
"Are you going to pin everything on an illusory future? Ciel!"
Gaius looked at him: "Because of your weakness and fear?"
Ciel was silent.
After a long while, he asked softly: "Will the war continue?"
"Yes, Ciel."
"Mr. Constantine, many people have died. Many people died in front of my eyes... I no longer want to see their bodies lifted off the battlefield."
Charles looked at him with expectant eyes: "Why can't you stop for a while? Sir..."
"Now that you stop here, are you worthy of those who died?"
Gaius couldn't hide his anger, "How many people have died for this victory. They trust you and hope that you can bring meaning to their sacrifice! If you hesitate here, then their death will become It’s a joke, a number just meant to be forgotten! If we can’t completely defeat Asgard, then what’s the point of everything we do?”
He pointed outside the window and roared: "If you want to stop all this, go and tell them, let them forgive their enemies, forget the blood left by their comrades, and forget the painful faces of their parents when they starved to death!"
"Are living people not as important as dead people?"
This was the first time that Ciel objected to Gaius. He was not hesitant like usual, but asked tit-for-tat, "Or should I say that the living people have also been divided into three, six or nine grades by you. The fate of Caucasus is Bias." The nobility of the Gardians? How is this different from the Holy City? How many people must die before you will be satisfied?"
Gaius froze.
He said no more.
A long silence came.
In the silence, he remained silent, looking at Ciel, his eyes became complicated.
"Feel sorry."
Ciel looked away and whispered, "I didn't mean to yell at you."
"No, you're right, maybe we should all calm down."
Gaius stood up and patted his shoulder: "You have worked hard for this period of time, Ciel, take a good rest. After you recover, there are still many things to do."
He said, "I came to visit you without bringing a gift and told you so many things that made you sad. I am the one who should be sorry."
He turned off the light for Ciel and turned to leave.
But at the door, the footsteps paused.
Charles heard his farewell.
"Death has weight, Ciel. One day, you will understand."
The door is closed.
At the last moment, his shadow was projected on the ground.
It's like it's been bent.
…
…
Laura opened her eyes.
As if I woke up from a long dream, I saw the white curtains were tied up, light came in from the open window, illuminating the vase on the bedside, and the white roses were in full bloom.
She stared blankly at the ceiling, as if she had forgotten where she was.
After knowing it for a long time, she raised her palm and looked at her five fingers and the gradually crumbling music theory locks under her flesh and blood.
"Curse, missing?"
she whispered dazedly.
"Yes." Sitting on the chair in front of the window, Ye Qingxuan closed the book and smiled: "Congratulations, you are free."
Laura was silent, as if she didn't hear, and seemed to be lost in confusion and thinking. After a long time, she finally accepted this fact, but she had no joy of being redeemed. After losing the oppression like a lump in her throat, she was... at a loss what to do.
"is that so?"
She nodded and reached out to grab the ladies' cigarette and the slender copper cigarette holder on the bedside table.
After all, the senior sister is the world. Even if she smokes slumped, her posture is very elegant, with the unique charm and femininity of women. "So, does the Silent Moon really no longer exist?"
"The Silent Moon is just a representation, a tool of the Great Source."
Ye Qingxuan peeled an apple for her and said lightly: "The moment the Silent Moon left the Great Source, it was no longer a god. Even though it had power, it was just a dead thing with no shape. So, you There is no need to worry that the shackles will appear again, you are already free, Laura, learn to look forward and stop living in the past."
"What you said is quite true and confident."
Laura was amused: "Kid, I'm three times your age, are you pretending to be an elder in front of me?"
"Just a reminder."
Ye Qingxuan deftly divided the apple into two halves, threw one half over, grabbed the other half and took a few bites, wanting to say something, but he hesitated.
"If I guessed correctly, did you want to come up with something to educate me just now?"
"No, I just want to remind you that there is a fish tail..."
Ye Qingxuan didn't finish speaking. Under Laura's cold gaze, he obediently swallowed the last word and smiled helplessly. Sure enough, even if the curse is no longer there, Laura is still Laura, and it is so difficult to die in front of her.
In the silence, Laura reached out and tied up her scattered long hair with a hair rope, stood up, and walked to the window.
I don’t know how many years later, I stared at the light of the sun again.
There is a sea breeze blowing in the distance, and white birds are hovering in the sky.
"It's so beautiful."
She raised her palms to block the dazzling sun, but she couldn't help but squint her eyes and stare at everything under the sun through the gaps between her fingers.
"I had a dream about Ye Lanzhou."
She whispered softly, "For so many years, I have been cursed. I don't feel scared or sad. I just want revenge at all costs. But now that the curse has left, I feel sad for his death." Sad - just thinking about this, I can't help but want to cry, like a little girl, feeling scared again. I was pulled out of the dream by you and returned to the sunshine, but the dream was too long... Little Ye Zi, I There’s nowhere to go.”
"As long as a person is alive, pain is inevitable." Ye Qingxuan reached out and rubbed her hair: "So, there is no need to be afraid, after all, the days of pain will be long in the future."
Laura was silent for a long time, and suddenly laughed softly: “I feel so relieved to hear you say that.”
"Is this a compliment to me?"
"So be it."
Laura smiled, facing the wind outside the window, stretching her waist, and dispelling the remaining sleepiness of the long dream.
She said, "Let's go have a drink together when we have time."
"OK."
Ye Qingxuan nodded, "Let's wait until I come back."
"You are really running for your life. Things here are obviously not over yet." Laura leaned against the window and tilted her head to look at him, "Is it really okay to leave like this? There is still a lot of mess."
"The things here are over for the time being. What happens next, with or without me, is no longer important."
"Her Majesty the Queen will definitely feel sad when she hears you talking like that."
“…”
Ye Qingxuan fell into awkward silence.
Laura gloated and laughed, stretched out her hand and pinched Ye Qingxuan's face, "Only in this way, you really look like him."
"Are you scolding me?"
"right."
Laura glanced at him with a mocking smile: "How about you die 10,000 times, scum?"
"Don't worry, I've died more than nine thousand times."
Ye Qingxuan spread his hands and said, "It's not difficult to make up ten thousand."
"So, where are you going to cause trouble next?"
"It's just a matter of fulfilling your promise."
"Let me guess." Laura looked at him, "Going to the East?"
Ye Qingxuan smiled.
He said no more.
Just leaning back in the lounge chair and staring out the window at the sunshine.
There was the sound of the tide, just like when he left Root Town.
The sun is blazing.
After a long time, he will embark on a new journey again - not in the name of the Ye family, but in his own name, returning to the east in the name of Ye Qingxuan.
at all costs.
Go and get back the person you once lost, the girl who was taken away from you!