In the world of Keluo, if there is the last ever-bright lighthouse in the darkness, the last recognized holy land in the hearts of the secular nations, and the last pure land in the endless chaos, then it is undoubtedly the sanctuary .
Ever since the ancient giant Lochmardon smashed the earth and turned the entire Colo into five continents floating in the sea of Karnos, the evil forces of chaos and darkness have been encroaching on the kingdom of order endlessly. The continents floating outside are undulating in the primordial magic energy, and chaos and magic energy wash away everything on those lands day after day.
The Kanaan Secret Realm was completely swallowed by chaos thousands of years ago. When the last lighthouse of order on that continent went out, the power of the kingdom of order could no longer take back the land there, and a piece of land of order fell permanently.
And the other continents are also precarious in the chaos, facing the fate of being swallowed at any time.
But only the sanctuary, this piece of land floating in the center of the empty space, has been shrouded in light for thousands of years, without the slightest haze.
Until not long ago, the light of Asuman suddenly dimmed.
Seen from the endless dark void space, the sanctuary is like a well-shaped inverted cone, which has a nearly perfect outline: a perfectly circular edge, a symmetrical inverted cone continental base along the central axis, and a continental The gentle topography that gradually bulges toward the middle makes it incredible that it is as perfect as a man-made object—no wonder some scholars speculate that the sanctuary was originally a long nail made by the goddess of creation, which was once nailed in Lokmar. Ton's forehead. On the inverted cone base of the sanctuary, you can see countless faint rays of light that are constantly wandering. These rays of light are attached to the crystalline substances protruding from the soil and rocks, surging like a substance. Scholars speculate that these rays form a huge primitive rune, which is the embodiment of the power of the goddess of creation. Throughout the ages, countless famous mystics have risked their lives to come to the base of the sanctuary, look up, study the rays of light wandering below the sanctuary, and try to get a glimpse of the secret of the world's original power. A few of them really After a little comprehension, he became the most powerful sage and mentor in the history of Kolo, and more people were swallowed by the sea of Karnos, leaving no bones left.
But now, these constantly wandering rays of light have weakened to an unprecedented level. Even though there are still glimmers of light, compared with the heyday of the sanctuary, it is simply the light of fireflies.
There is still a thin light curtain over the sanctuary, but this light curtain is also so weak that it frightens the people in the sanctuary.
In the center of the Sanctuary Continent, on the high ground guarded by the city of gods composed of triple circles, the holy crystal mountain Asuman points straight to the sky. This magnificent "mountain" composed of a large number of white crystal pillars radiates There was a faint light, as if it was using its last strength to prop up the thin barrier of the sky, but any Sanctuary person could see that this great holy mountain was declining.
Pope August VII stood on the high platform of the Palace of Icons, looking at the light of Azuman, which was close at hand. This palace located on the "side of God's will", that is, the innermost layer of the city of gods, is the highest temple of the Goddess of Creation, and it is the closest place to the gods that mortals in the Kolo world can reach. The palace decorated with white boulders and golden paint has two towers, forming a door-like structure, which means that the door leads to the secret realm of God, and the high platform of the Palace of Icons is located in the connecting corridor between the two towers The top is a place only the pope and bishops can approach. Standing on this high platform, you can directly bathe in the purest and great light of Asuman - August VII will come here to meditate for an hour every day, to think about the balance and future of the whole world, and to plan the various sanctuaries. affairs, and make those big decisions that can affect the lives of countless people.
But today, he could no longer enter this meditative state, and Asuman's weak radiance shone on his face, which could only bring chills to the old man.
The old pope tightened his thick and gorgeous golden robe, and he looked at the top of the holy crystal mountain Asuman, where there was a shocking crack, from which arcs and light fog kept gushing out, every minute and every second All are weakening the power of this holy mountain.
In fact, most of the crack has been healed. Asuman's ancient divine power seems to have the power to repair itself. However, the old pope can see that its repair speed is far behind the speed of the barrier's weakening. I am afraid that before the crack is completely healed , the sanctuary will be swallowed by chaos.
"Your Majesty, there is still no news from the investigation team of Brother Calassius." A high-ranking bishop came behind August and said softly, interrupting the old Pope's meditation.
August VII turned slightly: "Is the next investigation team ready?"
The high-ranking bishop frowned, hesitated to speak, but finally said: "Your Majesty, the barrier is weakening, and the high-ranking clergy are working day and night to keep the light of order from going out. It is just enough to maintain the daily operation of Asuman, and it is really impossible for us to form another... "
"Manpower can be squeezed out," the old Pope's tone was still gentle and gentle, with long eyebrows hanging down from both sides, making him look kind and friendly, but anyone who knows him well knows that this old man's character is actually extremely stubborn, " Send the reserve magic stones to the furnace, and we can free up an investigation team."
"Your Majesty, the Ansu Continent is really so important?" the high-ranking bishop couldn't help asking. In his opinion, the old pope's decision was too hasty, lacking reliable and credible reasons. Unlike the previous style of this wise old man, "Now we are facing great difficulties. In this case, it is very dangerous to waste more energy..."
"Azuman has given us instructions," the old pope pointed to the crystal holy mountain in front of him, "A light lit up on the continent of Ansu, and this light awakened several halls inside Asuman from their slumber. This is the Holy Mountain The signal that it wants to repair itself, it needs that ray of light on the continent of Anzu—whatever it is, we have to find it and bring it.”
As he said that, the old Pope turned his head slightly and glanced at the high-ranking bishop: "Under the current situation, being trapped can only usher in a doomed end, and a desperate fight may bring hope instead. In the usual way, we should not act recklessly , but now, we can only hope for God’s providence.”
The old pope's previous statement did not impress the high-level bishop, but his subsequent words left the other party speechless. The high-level bishop could only nod: "I will give orders, and the second batch of investigation teams will leave as soon as possible."
The old Pope lowered his eyebrows and changed the subject: "How is the situation in the countries on the mainland?"
"Most of the news has been interrupted. The Chaos Storm has blocked most of the air routes and magic network signals. At present, we only know that this situation is happening simultaneously on all continents. Every country of order is being attacked, and there is also an annihilation sect among them. shadow."
"Annihilation Sect?"
"Those lunatics will not let go of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Your Majesty," the high-ranking bishop replied with his head bowed. "The stronger the power of chaos, the stronger their power will be. Moreover, all countries are struggling to cope with the storm, so we must It is easier to be taken advantage of by those fanatics. The secular kingdom is not as united as the sanctuary, and they are very vulnerable to threats from within."
"The secular kingdom has the power of the secular kingdom, and the sanctuary has the responsibility of the sanctuary. Now we must focus on this chaotic storm. We can only trust the rulers of those kingdoms for secular affairs," the old pope sighed. , "I am only worried about the upcoming ignition ceremony. It is now the seventh year of the war, and the fire holders of all countries should have been exhausted. The new successor must be responsible for lighting the tower of the sun in the coming year, but it happened In this situation... This is a critical juncture, Verrol, I always have an ominous premonition. During the time when the sanctuary's eyes and ears are blocked, the world is rapidly tilting towards darkness, and many things are beyond us. imagination and control."
The high-ranking bishop was silent for a moment. Obviously, this question was really difficult to answer. In the end, he could only reply consolingly: "The light of Asuman will definitely be lit again. By then, the cloud will clear and the order will be restored." Return to Sanctuary."
"Mr. Verrall, I hope it is as you said. If there is nothing else, you can step back first."
The high-ranking bishop led the order to retreat, August VII turned around after a moment of silence, he looked at the crystal holy mountain Asuman, and said to the empty air: "Prepare the 'gate', let's go to the astrology hall."
There were layers of ripples in the originally empty air, and then a figure in a white robe appeared, whose whole body was like a phantom, shrouded in a layer of blue light. She could vaguely see that it was a woman, but But its face was so blurred that it was almost impossible to distinguish: it was the gatekeeper of Azumen, the noble victim, the ancient spirit who became one with the crystal mountain.
August VII knew that this gatekeeper was almost as old as the history of the church, and that there had been countless generations of popes, but this gatekeeper remained the same.
Even if he is the pope, August VII cannot understand the secret of this gatekeeper. The latter never communicates with others except for leading the way and opening the door. August is not even sure that this ancient spirit used to be Was it really ever a human being.
The gatekeeper nodded wordlessly, and behind her, a light gate opened out of thin air. (to be continued~^~)