Chapter 1333 Prelude to the New Era

When the nightmare entrenched in the old world dissipates and dawn comes, the real world is also welcoming the first ray of sunshine after the chaos subsides. The chaotic storm that once blocked the five continents quickly retreated back to the depths of Karnos, and even Canaan The secret realm, an ancient continent that has fallen for thousands of years, is also revealed - revealing ancient ruins that have been completely distorted and mutated, as well as various bizarre and lifeless landscapes. The whole world is like a snowfield illuminated by the sun. Only after the snow melts does the true appearance underneath appear.

In Ansu Continent, in White City, the capital of the Kingdom of Talos, King Rudolf III is listening to reports from ministers in a side hall of the Golden Rose Palace. His pair of daughters are sitting next to him, and Grand Duke Luen is sitting not far away. on another chair.

The "light eclipse" phenomenon that previously plagued one-third of the city has not gradually subsided over time. It seems that, as scholars said, the powerful burst of divine power has permanently changed the space-time structure around the Sunburn Tower. Therefore, Most of the area of ​​the Golden Rose Palace is still not suitable for habitation. The royal family has chosen another location as the new Golden Rose Palace, but before the completion of this major project, the king had to continue in this side palace. Fulfill your responsibilities.

The atmosphere in the palace was serious, and it was obvious that what was being discussed was extremely important matter.

General Groen was speaking: "Your Majesty, news has come back from the borders of various places, confirming that the power of Chaos has completely retreated to the Sea of ​​Karnos. It seems that the information of 'the tide of Chaos has terminated early' is accurate."

"According to the laws of history, the tide of chaos will last for ten years each time. Even if there is a change, it will only be a lot more. This is the basic law of the operation of the Sea of ​​Karnos," the great scholar Alfred said, holding an ancient book in his hand. Not big, but with the help of magic, it still resounded through the palace, "The fact that it was terminated early is incredible, and we have also observed many strange changes..."

Rudolf III motioned to the scholar with his eyes to continue speaking.

"We have observed that the power of Chaos did not stop after retreating into the Sea of ​​Karnos, but maintained a declining trend and continued to dissipate. Until now, it is completely unobservable - and in the past, even if the tide of Chaos ended, It is also possible to detect the power of chaos in the depths of Karnos through observation facilities such as the Mystic Tower; in addition, we have observed several powerful energy oscillations in the Sanctuary. The order barrier of the Sanctuary once completely disappeared, but in the last time During the energy oscillation, its barrier was relit, and the light of Asuman reappeared in the field of vision; finally there were reports from astrologers, who reported that they briefly observed a huge crack with an unknown identity in the starry sky. There are twinkling stars, and unknown celestial phenomena can be observed.”

The three major pieces of information announced by the old bachelor immediately caused a murmur of discussion in the hall. The information revealed by the first two major pieces of information made it easy for the ministers present to think of something. However, countless people struggled in the nightmare cycle. The fact of the current generation made them dare not to have extravagant expectations in this regard, so they could only discuss it in this way, hoping that other people could give them some optimistic confidence.

Rudolf III coughed twice and interrupted these discussions: "Ahem, be quiet. Grand Bachelor, what do you think of these phenomena?"

"Your Majesty, the chaos is receding. This is obvious, and it is receding completely in an unprecedented way." The grand maester's cloudy eyes also brightened at this moment. "We have reason to view this matter with the greatest optimism - it has completely receded." .”

"Father, I also have a report." Veronica also stood up. "Since half a month ago, the Annihilation cultists have been carrying out sabotage activities at the border and within the kingdom, but yesterday, all sabotage activities suddenly stopped. , and those cultists also disappeared without a trace. The spies I sent found traces of spontaneous human combustion in some cultists’ secret ritual sites. Considering that no one witnessed the cultists escaping, I made a bold guess. , due to the disappearance of the power of Chaos, these cultists have been completely wiped out from this world."

There was another discussion in the hall, and Rudolf III looked solemnly at the ministers.

Several nobles who were supposed to be present were not present, and among those who were not present, at least two had close ties with the Annihilation Sect.

Recalling the situation mentioned by Veronica, the old king's face turned grim.

Grand Duke Lu En supported his forehead with his hand: "Just half a month ago, we were still facing the darkest and desperate situation in the world of Order. Every country seemed to have reached the end of its existence. I really can't imagine what it was like. The cause suddenly ended Chaos...what happened to the Sanctuary?"

As soon as the Grand Duke finished speaking, a herald suddenly ran in, and the murmurs in the hall fell silent for an instant.

That is the king's exclusive herald. He is the herald who will only break into the palace without notification when an emergency occurs!

The herald came to the throne and handed a piece of information to Rudolf III. The latter took the information and looked at it twice, his expression a little stiff.

The ministers were slightly agitated, curious about what information caused the change in the king's expression.

"A 'mass explosion' occurred in Chongshan Territory. The direct members of the Kant family who were imprisoned in various manors awaiting trial were all devoured by flames of unknown origin. The devouring process was extremely similar to the result of chaos monsters being illuminated by the light of order. In addition, Tilian Some members of the family, the Earl of Season and all his direct descendants, the Viscount Tutani and some of his direct descendants, the Viscount Ctumente, the Earl of Roxon... and others all spontaneously combusted."

Every time the old king said a name, it was as if a heavy hammer hit the hall. All the ministers vaguely guessed the truth and broke into cold sweats. Those who had interacted with these nobles felt dizzy. The "cult spontaneous combustion" phenomenon mentioned by Princess Veronica just now is completely connected to the situation at hand!

"...The royal family will investigate the above persons and confirm their connections with the Annihilation Order as soon as possible."

Rudolph III said this, but in fact everyone present understood that some things may not need to be investigated at all.

Some people were shocked that the Annihilation Cult had penetrated to such an extent and had been lurking in the kingdom for so many years, while other nobles with long heritage or knowledge were not too surprised by this situation. They knew that since Since the beginning of human civilization records, these believers in Annihilation have always been entangled and penetrated into every kingdom of order like the shadow of civilization. The upper echelons of the kingdom have long been aware of the existence of these people, and maintain a difficult and delicate balanced confrontation, but even these People who knew the inside story never thought that these "ghosts" that had been entangled in the world of order for ten thousand years would just disappear? Just be illuminated by the sun and then evaporate? !

Is it true that, as the great scholar Alfred said, chaos has completely dissipated?

Beside Rudolph III, Veronica and Ania glanced at each other subconsciously.

All these things happened after Hao Ren and An left the capital. Are all these changes related to them?

Just as these thoughts were spreading in the hall, another royal herald appeared at the door!

When the gold and red uniforms appeared in front of the ministers, the entire meeting hall suddenly became strangely quiet.

Because the herald was holding a crystal that was emitting white light. The crystal was surrounded by runes and exuded a strong sacred aura.

Holy Stone - a special spar created by the high-ranking bishops of the Holy City with powerful magical power. It comes from the broken fragments at the foot of Asuman Mountain. It can be said to be the strongest and holiest stone in the world. Material, and its role is to maintain the connection between the Holy Domain and various secular countries in emergencies. The powerful magical power can allow it to penetrate the interference of the Chaos Storm under any circumstances, even if the entire continent is swallowed by the storm. .

In dark times, it can be said to be an emergency insurance.

However, as mysterious changes occurred within the Order State, the Church's troops withdrew early, and the Holy Land unilaterally cut off communications for unknown reasons (actually it was Asuman's lack of energy that caused signal transmission to be interrupted), and this holy stone lost its effect. For nearly two months it had been lying quietly in the Royal Arcanist headquarters, with no one able to do anything about it.

But at this time it lit up again - there was news from the Holy Land!

Rudolf III whispered a few words to the herald, his face became serious, and he ordered the herald to place the holy stone on the top of a silver column in front of the throne.

The light of the holy stone became more stable and expanded rapidly, forming a clear and huge holographic image above the column.

Calasius, wearing papal robes, stood in the image, along with Hao Ren and several faces that Veronica didn't recognize.

"Is that the Pope?" Rudolf III made a confused voice after seeing the holy robe on Carasius, "Isn't it August VII..."

Veronica exclaimed in a low voice: "Hao Ren? Is it really him?"

At the same time, the sacred stones of each Kingdom of Order were delivered to the local rulers.

One after another, holographic projections appeared in the palaces of monarchs in various countries, and the voices of Calasius and Hao Ren were conveyed to the entire world of Koro:

"Rulers of Colo, kings and protectors of the earthly kingdom, leaders of all intelligent races, I am Calasius, Successor of the Holy Land, and I stand on the top of the holy mountain Asuman to declare to you. ——

"Lok Marton, this nightmare and threat that hangs over the world, has been completely destroyed. Its soul, mind, body, and all the evil products related to it have been completely and permanently eliminated by the Sanctuary Expeditionary Force. …

"The Sanctuary Expeditionary Force and the goddess's messenger jointly attacked Rock Marton's lair, and the Forgotten Abyss has been purified...

"The guide of our faith, the protector of the soul, the shepherd chosen by the goddess, the loving father August VII was martyred in the purification war and fell on the front line...

"The Chaos War will permanently end from today. There will be no more chaos cycles, no more nightmare invasions, and the Sea of ​​Karnos will gain eternal peace. All secular kingdoms should work together to complete the recovery and reconstruction of this world...

"At the same time, due to the sacred covenant between the Goddess of Creation and the Outer Gods, I declare Hao Ren, the observer, protector, and inspector of all realms, to be the second pope of Koro. He is the messenger of the Outer Gods. Due to the agreement between the gods, Aid our world. From today on, he has all the authority and status equal to the Pope of the Sanctuary, and has the responsibility of guiding in the reconstruction process of Kolo.

"Now, he does the talking."