Chapter 886 New Rules

The embarrassing topic was finally over, and both Gawain and Hetty felt relieved—then their attention returned to the pioneer shield.

This legendary shield lay quietly on the table. The weathered and corroded metal cladding wrapped the almost brand-new alloy body with a faint silver light inside. Centuries of time seem to settle in the light. Hetty stared at it for a long time in a trance, before breaking the silence with a light cough: "Ancestor, how are you going to publicize this?"

If it was Heidi a few years ago, the first reaction after seeing the guardian shield must be that the family glory has been consolidated, and it is a treasure that has returned to Cecil's treasury. The restoration of her influence, but years had changed her. At this time, without Gawain's reminder, she knew how to maximize the value of this lost and found treasure.

"Just announcing that the empire's dragon friends helped us retrieve this shield, and don't make any official additions or statements - leave everything to the public opinion to ferment and let the MIB pay attention," Gao said. Wen said casually, "This matter itself does not have any inside story, so the official caliber only needs to say so much."

"Yes, Ancestor," Heidi nodded, and then couldn't help but cast his gaze to the Guardian's Shield again, "I just didn't expect...it came back like this..."

"During the war years, this shield was the most important property of the expeditionary army, and many people's lives and deaths were pinned on it, but that era has passed," Gawain shook his head gently, his tone was flat and low, " Right now it's just a shield - the symbolism behind it might do us some good, but that's about it."

Heidi glanced at Gawain and thoughtfully: "You don't want people to pay too much attention to the return of the 'Guardian of the Kingdom'?"

"We still have a lot of more important and practical things to pay attention to," Gawain said casually. "On the other hand, excessive attention and promotion of 'Kingdom Guardian' is likely to re-invigorate the old knight class and the desolate nobles in the bloodline The enthusiasm for nobility and family glory has brought the social atmosphere back to the worship of aristocratic pomp and blood justice - we managed to push this thing down, and we must avoid it from coming back, so in the case of 'Kingdom Guardian' In the past, the Government Affairs Office can only do the most basic propaganda and positive guidance."

Heidi immediately lowered her head deeply: "Yes, I understand."

Gao Wen snorted and didn't say anything more on this topic, but after a moment of pondering, he seemed to ask casually, "How is the situation of the observatory project that Carmel applied for before?"

"You mean the Paramel Observatory project?" Hetty blinked and quickly sorted out the corresponding information in his mind, "The project has been reviewed by the Government Affairs Office,

Construction has already started. The first skilled workers arrived at Paramel Heights last week and work is progressing well. In addition, the resident scholar of the first phase has also been selected, and the person in charge of the Paramel Observatory is the great magician Mr. Morgan Hugo. "

Gawain recalled the name he heard: "Morgan... I remember that he is the original Wang family mage from Saint Sunil."

"Yes, Master Morgan is a member of the former Saint-Sunil Royal Mages Association and the Astrologer Association. He has been the astrological advisor to the old royal family for decades. He is an expert in astrology, astrometry and planetary natural history. He has He has calculated the rough distance between our planet and the sun, and accurately predicted the dates of two asteroids passing the sky, which is trustworthy in knowledge. After the siege of Saint-Sunil, the star-gazing tower in the old capital was It was seriously damaged in the war and has not been fully repaired so far. Therefore, the 'star expert' accepted the invitation of Master Carmel and came to the South. After hearing that a new observatory based on modern technology would be built in Paramel Heights, he volunteered to sign up. already."

"Scholars like this are the treasures of the empire and must be treated with care," Gawain said while nodding as he listened to Hetty's introduction, "Also, the Paramel Observatory can add an additional fund - there is Carmel. Measured as one of the best 'windows' within the Empire, the sooner it works, the better."

"Yes," Heidi immediately took the order, and then she couldn't help but glanced at Gawain with a hint of a smile, "Ancestor, you really value the plans of setting up an observatory and observing the stars proposed by Master Carmel. ."

Gawain's previous conversations with Melita and Noretta could not help but emerge in Gawain's mind, recalling those impressions about the Viplandon Observatory and about the glorious technology of Gondor in the past, although many of the memories were not his, but the kind of The regret and emotion that leaked from the retrospective memories filled his heart, which made him sigh lightly, watching Heidi solemnly say: "The research involving the starry sky Projects are important - while they may not see the same huge economic benefits in the short term as railroads and mines, in the long term they have the potential to produce all kinds of world-changing technologies, even without considering These distant things, the curiosity about the unknown and the distance is also the biggest driving force for the development of mortals - Hetty, the world's most mysterious unknown place full of secrets, is in the starry sky above our heads."

"I understand what you said," Heidi smiled, with a hint of happiness in his eyes, "Ancestor, don't forget—I am also a mage, although I can no longer indulge in research like I used to, but I still A mage, and mage is the most keen to explore the unknown."

Gawain looked at Heidi who was smiling in front of him, and after a few seconds, he also smiled.

"In the ancient Gondor era, human beings have been curious about the starry sky above their heads. Various observatories and stargazing stations are scattered in the 'windows' of various places. Our scholars use the magic ripples in the atmosphere. It was a glorious and exciting time for the passage to observe the stars of the universe, to speculate on the secrets of our world itself... But before they really developed, the tide wiped out everything.

"Now, maybe it's time to bring some of our sights back to the stars."

...

Wearing a golden and red robe, Malm Dunit lowered his eyelids, folded his hands on his chest, and the gold beads and amulets wrapped around his wrists hung down, shining slightly in the light.

In the devout prayer to the God of War, his heart gradually calmed down, and as the faint voice in his ears that seemed to contain infinite knowledge gradually faded away, the burly old man slowly opened his eyes and looked at him. To Matilda Augustus standing in front of her.

"His Royal Highness, on behalf of the church, I would like to thank the royal family for their support for this year's God of War festival and for their consistent protection of the faithful," he said in a low and powerful voice, "May the God of War protect you and your family, and may the glorious Augustus They will always stand on this land blessed by the Lord."

"It is the duty of the Augustus family to support the operation of the church in the empire, and it is our innate responsibility to protect the people of the empire," Matilda nodded slightly to the old man in Chinese attire, showing courtesy and respect But he always maintained a measured tone and said, "The Church of God of War is the most powerful church in Typhon, and you have a huge influence on tens of thousands of Typhonians - our majesty hopes to see you as always and correctly. Influence believers to keep them on the right path."

With a calm smile on his face, Malm Dunit nodded slightly: "This is also an obligation and responsibility that the Lord has entrusted to me."

Under the solemn and magnificent iron spire, the Great Hall of War is brightly lit, and thick white candles are lit in niches like stars, illuminating this sacred temple belonging to the God of War. The annual God of War Festival is approaching, which is the grandest religious festival in this country with God of War as its mainstream sect. Matilda, as a representative of the royal family, traditionally sent congratulatory gifts and letters written by the emperor on this day. , and now the routine, ritual visit is over.

After all the sessions were over, Matilda breathed a sigh of relief in her heart. She glanced at this solemn and oppressive hall, and saw that the bishops and priests at the scene had all left in the order of the procedure, and then she retracted. Looking at the Pope, the God of War in front of him nodded: "This year's festivals should be more grand than in previous years - the economy is on the rise, wealthy citizens now have more wealth to celebrate the festival, and many people in the surrounding villages also Concentrate on Aldenan."

"Foreseeable thriving scene," Malm Dunitt nodded, "the church will control the order, and we will not allow things that embarrass the royal family to happen."

Matilda looked at the old Pope in front of her with a smile: "Of course, my father and I both trust you on this point - you have always been a friend of the Augustus family."

"Personal friendship, I know, personal friendship," Malm Dunit's always stern face softened after a smile from the woman in front of him, the sturdy old man who used to be a military chaplain smiled. , with a hint of ridicule in his tone, "You will not come to accept my baptism."

"Members of the Augustus family have not been baptized by any other church," Matilda spread her hands with a smile, "I think this ensures the balance of the royal family on religious issues - we are not just one church. ."

"...Rosetta has used this statement to deal with me for many years, and now it's your turn to say the same," Malm gave Matilda a helpless look, then changed the subject, "We won't talk about that anymore. Matilda, before you go back, would you like to tell me what you saw in Cecil?"

"Of course, I still have some time," Matilda nodded, but then glanced at the old Pope in doubt, "but why are you suddenly interested in my experience in Cecil? You know, it's been half a year since I came back from Cecil, and you have never cared much about things outside the church."

"...Those who indulge indoors will hear thunder sometimes," Malm said slowly, "and there are more and more things about Cecil in this city recently, and various news have even spread. When I got to the cathedral, even if I didn't care, I heard and saw it."

"It's true..." Matilda sighed, "In the era of economic exchanges... the flow of information has become different from before."

"However, just over a year ago, the situation was completely the opposite of today," Malm shook his head, "We were at odds with Cecil, almost everyone thought we were about to usher in a war, and countless war priests did it Prepare, the Cathedral even lit the incense and essential oils dedicated to the God of War in advance - and then, peace came suddenly."

"Are you regretting this?" Matilda asked seriously looking at the Pope of War God in front of her.

Malm glanced at the "Pearl of the Empire", and a smile suddenly appeared on the old but still spirited face.

"His Royal Highness, I am the servant of the God of War, but the servant of the God of War is not a war madman - we only serve the order and fairness of war, rather than waiting for the world to be full of war all the time. Of course, I am indeed the main war fighter. pie, but I admit that a prosperous and stable situation is better for the people. But this sudden 'peace' really caught people off guard... I was a little surprised, many bishops and priests who were ready for war Somewhat surprised."

"Understandable, after all, the priests of the God of War have always been important members of the imperial army, and the current 'peace' situation is indeed beyond everyone's expectations..." Matilda nodded lightly, with understanding and harmony Agreed, but then she pondered for a few seconds, then slowly shook her head, "It's just that in my opinion, the term 'peaceful situation' is not accurate."

The burly Pope couldn't help raising his eyebrows: "Oh?"

"We have only avoided a bloody war, but a bloodless war may continue," Matilda said earnestly. "It is the judgment of the Council and the Royal Advisory Council - we will fight with the Cecilians. To compete for the market, we will compete with them for influence and voice on the mainland. We will compete with them on literacy rate, city size, and technological investment and achievements. We put away our swords, but started a more comprehensive competition, economics, politics, technology... and all of them ultimately point to national interests.

"My father told me that this is also a war, a war that has nothing to do with swords, does not require bloodshed, cannot hear the fighting, but does not stop every minute and every second, but this war is named peace, And all one sees on the surface of the war is prosperity - at least until the two beasts are divided."

Malm Dunit quietly listened to Matilda's words, his deep brown eyes were full of Chen Ning, he seemed to be thinking, but no expression showed.

After a while, he put his hands on his chest again, chanting the name of the God of War in a low voice, and his mood gradually recovered.

"You should be able to understand what I said." Matilda looked at the respected old man in front of her. Although the Augustus family always respected all gods, at least in personal communication, this admirable old man was A friend of the Augustus family for many years, she also received a lot of care from him in her childhood, so she is willing to talk to the old man more, she knows that although the other person seems serious and old-fashioned, he is also a quick thinker and an understanding ability. Excellent wise man, he understood these words immediately.

"The war has always been there, but the form and scope of the war have changed." She finally nodded and said conclusively.

"It's thought-provoking," Malm Dunit said in a deep voice, nodding after a moment of silence. "It's an angle I've never considered."

Matilda showed a smile: "You don't mind saying these deep words in front of you."

Malm Dunit smiled with a look of the elder doting on the younger: "Of course not."

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