Secret: The years I served as a foreign aid for the Aurora Club

Chapter 567 Ceremony
875
“Set a small goal first.”

"Let the City of Disaster further activate, and it would be best if it could be induced to contact the River of Eternal Darkness. Although the end of the universe has not yet arrived, if they meet now, they will either fail to merge, or merge but repel each other and eventually separate, or become a pseudo-fourth pillar and forcibly accelerate the demise of the universe."

Of course, the source essence will not go crazy like the original death god. The source essence will only conflict with each other to a small extent within a certain extent.

To put it more bluntly, it's like two experimental reagents with conflicting properties. When there are only small amounts of both, only a slight repulsion will occur (just like the Grim Reaper who only goes crazy himself). But if both sides continue to increase the amount of input, there will be qualitative repulsion, and finally an explosion.

"Speaking of which, should we call them 'them'? After all, they are compatriots, and they should have their own ideas. Of course, it would be better if they don't have any... At present, it seems that the River of Eternal Darkness has no reaction, but the activation level of the City of Disaster is already very high."

"But this is not my purpose. What I want is for the parts of Them on the seal to react together and quickly weaken the barrier by approaching the fourth pillar..."

Everyone should be happy to see the weakening of the barrier, but everyone has their own ideas about how to weaken it.

The Demon of Knowledge has already taken the most benefit, so he hopes to wait for the end of the world normally, or let Klein or Bethel help him before the end of the world. During this process, while rebuilding the believers' settlement and selecting talents, he even has the energy to take the two people he has established a good relationship with to challenge the God of Thunder, and plan to tear at least a piece of flesh from him.

Sefirah Castle does not need to express its stance on the barrier. God's attitude seems unclear. He is secretly competing with Sefirah Castle. Doomsday and the barrier mean nothing to Him, and are not worth caring about.

The thoughts of my other half should be similar to those of the Demon of Knowledge.

As for the God of Thunder, He seemed not to want to come into contact with the Essence, because anyone could see that even without coming into contact with the Essence, He looked as if God had opened an eye in His body. If He really came into contact with it, He would probably become God's incarnation on the spot.

Since everyone wants to either let things take their own course or ignore it, Edward will take this opportunity to squeeze something in.

"As for the Demon of Knowledge, the things that have been given away can be used as multiple insurances."

When necessary, those things can also become stones that trip Him up in advance - they are items related to the Mother Goddess and God.

Anyway, whoever keeps Adam will attract hatred, but it seems that the Demon of Knowledge has not started to write his own trend of the times? Or does He want the trend of the times to be like this, where everyone works together on academics and scientific research, and finally flies into the universe at the end of the world?
"…Then the first thing I have to do is to maximize the disaster that will happen worldwide in the North and South Continents, and further revitalize the City of Disaster from a conceptual perspective. After all, "He" is only temporarily sealed in Bansi. Calderon, who moved the island and threw it into the spirit world, can only take away a small part of the pollution. The source will remain in the sea and be further sealed by the God of Thunder. And doing so is too obvious."

Having remained motionless for too long, Edward changed his position, leaned back in his chair, and continued to daydream.

"Letting Medici fight an open war and trigger disasters and wars is a good choice. World war is always more in line with the symbol of the City of Disaster than me killing people and setting fires. Of course, I can also make my actions part of the disaster."

I have brought out some of Bansi’s pollution before, but the deeper part is still connected to the City of Disaster. When the time comes, I can use the pollution on hand to let Medici "adapt" in advance... However, Medici's subjective initiative is still too strong. The City of Disaster can also choose to abandon this polluted individual. Perhaps they should find a way to guide the "River of Eternal Darkness" that is at peace with the world out of Calderon.

If this river has no corresponding location in reality, dig one out.

Speaking of the God of Death... Edward recalled what happened when the War of Gods had just ended, and Calderon was sealed by Bethel Abraham to ensure that no humans or spiritual creatures who shouldn't be here would accidentally enter the city.

Looking inside from the edge of the city, the River of Eternal Darkness still seemed to be lying at the bottom. Even after it swallowed up the multiple high-sequence extraordinary characteristics of its two corresponding pathways, including two uniquenesses, it still did not seem to rise.

"During this time, Balam should be trying to pray to the god of death, right?"

"I don't think there will be any response, unless the God of Death can continue to speak in the River of Eternal Darkness. I'm not sure, after all, He is a second-level cultivator."

Edward decided to go back to Balam to investigate.

Although on the surface they believed in death, the premise of the Balam people's belief in death was that their god was the god of death, giving them a destination that was clearer than the so-called kingdom of God. Most humans were like this, they would feel uneasy and painful when they were confused, but once there was a clear destination ahead, or they knew the path they wanted to take, they would immediately free themselves from those difficulties and devote several times more energy to strive to move forward.

Now even death is swallowed up by the deeper "nothingness".

If the connection with the gods is lost, the people of Balam will probably fall into deeper confusion again, or simply choose to follow the gods - martyrdom is worthy of praise and commemoration in any country. If a devout person leads his followers to collective martyrdom when the country is destroyed and the family is ruined, even the pagans may cry for them. In Balam, this behavior is very popular.

They were just rushing towards death in a more pious and fanatical way before the time came. This behavior was so noble and free that even the Archon of Death himself ordered that suicide was not allowed, it could not be completely stopped.

Edward did not comment on this behavior. In the past 1,400 years, he had seen similar things happen more than once.

In a war that broke out because of faith, there were not even any Beyonders left in a small town church. Finally, an old civilian priest took the people to hide in the church to pray for asylum, but it was useless. Sometimes Edward would think about why things that were useless in the old era are still useless in the present era. After thinking about it, there are only two options: "God can't save himself" and "God doesn't want to care." If God wants to care, He has countless ways to save those believers who seek help.

Neither miracles nor divine protection came, and the door of the chapel was finally kicked open. The old priest and all the residents were killed by the victors who had fallen into a frenzy, and the town became part of the victors' territory.

What is more interesting is that one or two hundred years later, the people living here discovered what happened at that time. They sincerely mourned for the people who died tragically at that time, and that war was also in the scriptures of the two gods, so a myth was born: in that story, the old priest took the people to hide in the church, and then a miracle happened, and the people became the murals of the church, no longer having to fear death, and the fallen angel kissed the priest's cheek, and he became a marble statue, forever watching over the people he wanted to protect.

…I always feel that miracles are like funerals, they are for the living to see and have little to do with the participants.

"We must go to the Southern Continent. It doesn't matter if they are all dead. No one will accept the faith of the Southern Continent. I happen to have the Sequence 1 of these two paths in my hands. If the River of Eternal Darkness does not respond, I can respond in the name of the God of Death."

Edward stroked his chin and thought:
"Then I can mobilize Balam's people to help me dig out the corresponding area of ​​the River of Eternal Darkness in reality. Then, as long as I break Calderon's seal, the River of Eternal Darkness will be able to infiltrate on its own. Then, I can use these two copies of Sequence One as bait to establish coordinates. It shouldn't be difficult to lure them over."

The infiltration of the River of Eternal Darkness into the real world is likely to cause a large number of deaths.

No, a large number should be an optimistic estimate. By then, people should die in large numbers, right?
However, mortals without gods are destined to die. Doesn't this just fit in with the expectations of the people of Balam for the future and the end of their own lives? The invisible river like white mist flows silently, and the will of the gods is hidden in it. As long as you close your eyes, you can sleep in the same place as your gods. It's a bit romantic to think about it. Edward thinks this idea is very good.

If they could flood the high ground at the same time, it would be a sure win, but unfortunately the terrain makes it impossible to flood there.

As he was thinking, Edward stood up from his chair, ignored the demons that were still kneeling like stone statues around him, and strolled outside.

He glanced at the Holy Wind Cathedral that towered into the clouds in the distance and became increasingly sacred.

"We can also divert the River of Everlasting Darkness into the sea. This will make it easier for them to come into contact with each other... After all, the river water will eventually flow into the sea. As a source of essence, I can't control where it flows, right?"

The Grim Reaper also thought about doing this, but ultimately did not do it.

Edward finished his thought and continued to stroll down the street. Of course, a Sequence 0 demon could perfectly control his thoughts and not let any thoughts or desires leak out. This way, no symbol would be created in the spirit world to affect the "prophecy" and "analysis" of certain beings. But who would think of putting the two essences symbolizing the fourth pillar together?

Slipping onto the street, Backlund had a nice day.

A gentle breeze swirled steadily across the sky, carrying away the thick clouds, the signature smell of industrial fuels, and the morning mist.

There aren't many people coming and going, and occasionally one or two priests from the Thunder Church can be seen walking by.

From a distance, the St. Samuel Cathedral in the north district was wrapped up, as if it was going to undergo a major renovation. The carriages and people parked below were transporting some of the church's furnishings one after another, and the stained glass windows were also unpacked and wrapped separately. Someone was repainting the church, and it seemed that someone was using some means to reshape the bricks and stones of the church, intending to directly use this centuries-old church to welcome other gods.

The renovation of the church has made the square in front of the church particularly lively. The pigeons that roost here dare not land, but either hover far away or stand on the surrounding roofs, stretching their necks to watch humans change the surrounding environment.

Edward looked around. There were no white pigeons with black eye circles, no gray pigeons with white eye circles, and no crows.

He was just about to change places for a walk, but he heard a slow and heavy footsteps slowly stop at his feet, and then someone whispered: "...Sir, would you like to buy some grain?" Edward turned his head and saw a farmer.

Well, he was an obvious farmer, just like Frank, with the same red skin as the farmers in Feynaport, pushing a small cart, and wearing a straw hat all year round. Backlund's "Corn Act" and the enclosure of the nobles had long forced the farmers to leave the land and work in the city. It was basically impossible to see such a pure farmer in the city.

Perhaps it was the devil's temperament that made the other party relax his vigilance. The expression on his face, which looked particularly old due to work, became a little calmer. The wrinkles were no longer nervously squeezed together, revealing turbid and expectant eyes.

He felt a little embarrassed, probably because he realized that he had found the wrong target customer, who obviously didn't look like someone who needed to buy cheap grain.

But he had not eaten for a day and a night, and he had no money to find a mill to grind the grains into powder to fill his stomach.

"Hello." Edward nodded amiably, then looked at the pocket in the cart in front of the other party, reached out and grabbed a handful of corn with familiar movements, twisted it in his hand, and praised, "The quality of these corns is quite good, old man, are you from Feynaporte?"

The elderly farmer had no time to smile at the compliment before he nervously grabbed the corner of his clothes during the second sentence.

He saw a flash of contempt in the other person's eyes and realized that he had been silent for too long and had been taken as a tacit agreement.

"Such good corn kernels should be purchased by many grain stores now." Edward asked again, "Old man, why do you come out to sell alone? You are already old, why did you come to Backlund alone? Where are your family members?"

The Thunderbolt Church did bring in some civilians and Beyonders who were good at farming to Backlund, trying to reclaim the wasteland outside the city to a level that could be recultivated. This move clearly meant that Backlund also had to produce food again to prevent the belief in the Mother Earth and Feynapotter's food from occupying too much of the market - this was a semi-forced conscription, so it went without saying that those who would be sent here would be sent here.

Came here by airship? That's fast.

Was it because he was old, had no ties to his hometown, and had no connections or money, that he unfortunately didn't get any land after coming to Backlund? Edward was too lazy to divine the other person's background, so he just guessed aimlessly and observed the other person's reaction.

Seeing that the old farmer's expression was already very ugly, Edward also discovered some anger and dissatisfaction aroused by his words. So after a few seconds of silence, he sighed like every considerate gentleman, skillfully apologized for his previous probing, and then turned to ask about the price of the bag of corn on the cart.

The old farmer quoted a very low price, but it was still nearly half higher than the current purchase price in the grain store.

"You're in urgent need of money?" Edward nodded in understanding. "Do you do any other work?"

The other party pursed his lips and said, "I will use this cart to help transport the goods." After saying that, he seemed to be afraid that this seemingly easy-going gentleman in front of him would not buy it, so he took the initiative to lower the price for himself: "Five soles will be enough, and it can also be used for transporting goods. You can pay any amount."

After hearing this, Edward took out a gold coin from his arms and put it on the corn bag.

"I want all of these. It's really not easy for you to come here from Feynaporte to help us farm the land..." the gentleman said in a meaningful tone, and then, under his gaze, the other party grabbed a handful of corn and threw it directly to the ground.

Handful after hand, a large number of plump orange-yellow corn kernels quickly covered a small area on the ground, attracting pigeons on the roof and the open space in the distance.

These gray and white birds scrambled to land on the ground in front of them, competing for the corn.

For a moment, shock, confusion, anger and sadness flashed through the farmer's heart, but the glittering gold coin was still on his cart. He carefully picked up the gold coin, wiped it clean with his sleeve, put it in his breast pocket and patted it.

Hateful Loen people... He gritted his teeth helplessly.

……

A cool touch flowed across my forehead.

--water.

Audrey tried to open her eyes but failed. She felt like she was lying in a river, the water filling her body. The water pressure pressed down on her limbs and arms, and the water flowed into her ears, making it difficult for her to hear the voice of the bishop who baptized her.

“Amazing grace, how sweet it is;”

"My sins are forgiven. I was lost, but now I am found."

The sound of the choir became clearer and clearer, as if it appeared directly in Audrey's mind. She began to wonder vaguely and strangely why the baptism of holy water brushing against her forehead made her feel like she was being swallowed by water, and the water was still rising, and had long since covered the tip of her nose. She closed her eyes, so it was dark in front of her, and she could not hear anything except the ancient hymns sung by the choir.

“Once I was blind, but now I see;”

“Such grace fills me with awe and comforts my heart.”

No... no, I have never been lost, nor have I been blind. I have never believed in God. I have only kneeled devoutly before the holy emblem of the goddess.

Audrey subconsciously refuted the contents of the hymn one by one in her mind, but it seemed that every time she denied it, her body became heavier. As if she was being punished for lying in front of the gods, she gradually felt that her breathing began to become difficult.

She was terrified, feeling as if she had fallen into a trap. She also wondered from the bottom of her heart why the Creator Church would attack a mere demigod like her. Wouldn't her being alive be more useful to them than having an Beyonder characteristic?

At this moment, the pressure seemed to have reached a limit. The water pressed heavily against her chest, and Audrey found that she really couldn't breathe.

How is it possible…I should be standing…?
And the next moment, a lifting force suddenly appeared behind her, pushing her from the dark bottom of the water into the real world.

“When you first believe, you will receive grace;”

“How precious.”

It's that extremely familiar feeling.

The feeling of "divine revelation" - Audrey suddenly opened her eyes and saw countless indescribable pictures. It was like a peaceful morning in a city covered with golden light; it was an old man who did not have to worry about starving to death waking up and stretching on his soft bed; it was a page of "The 1,000 Years of Peace Anniversary Celebration" that the historians hurriedly turned over; it was children who were running and playing, and were scolded by their teachers and taken back to school... It was countless people and countless races gathered under the same cross to pray devoutly, as if all disputes and gaps were isolated.

Audrey's body shook violently, and the heavenly scene disappeared like a mirage, and her heart was suddenly filled with an unconcealable sense of loss and pain.

"God……"

She was still standing, a little off balance, and one hand grasped the table with ritual items in front of her, while the priest made the sign of the cross on her forehead with holy water.

At this moment, the holy water slowly slid down, passing by the corner of her eye, like a drop of tear.

TBC
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The inspiration for the "myth" part of the text comes from "The Byzantine Empire", which is when Constantinople fell. My memory may be biased, but I was shocked by the last paragraph when I read this book for the first time. Here are my thoughts.

That passage left a deeper impression on me than the death of Jun Shiyi himself: after conquering the city and burying the empire, the murderer's descendants wrote the stories of those who died tragically in the church as miracles hundreds of years later. The slaughtered people became the lucky ones who were taken away by the gods to immortality, and the powerless bishops became saints, even though their bones and bodies had already been trampled to pieces by the hooves of your ancestors' horses at that time.

(End of this chapter)