Volume 2: Empire Chapter 98: Arrangements before Leaving the Western Territory
The fire crackled and burned, and soon the dead wood and vines burned and fell apart into a pile of fire. The firelight illuminated the crystal ball, the star disk slowly disappeared, and the poisonous scorpion pattern formed by the starlight also slowly disappeared.
Then the crystal ball cracked with a "pop" and shattered into pieces that scattered on the table.
Luke looked at the burning fire and answered Maeve Siman: "When the World Tree was burned in the ancient war, a mysterious energy was generated. This mysterious energy penetrated into the roots of the World Tree, with the only goal of its existence being to completely destroy the World Tree.
It coexists and symbiotically with the World Tree. When the World Tree revived this time, it also developed consciousness. Destroying the World Tree became the only support for its existence.
Its name is Disaster.”
“Zai Mie?” Mavisman looked at the dagger in her hand, and then at the gradually dying fire: “Did I just kill Zai Mie? It seems… not very strong.”
"The Disaster is not a physical entity. It is an emotional creature that exists in the form of energy. As long as the World Tree exists, it cannot be destroyed. At least I don't know how to destroy it.
From the moment the new World Tree revives, Disaster will incarnate into all things, using all means to induce and brainwash people into hating the World Tree. What you just killed was just one of its countless incarnations, and soon it will reappear in another place with another identity, looking for a suitable target. "
Luke's words reminded Maeve Sman of the divination just now, and she couldn't help but feel a little palpitated.
"Governor, are you... are what you just saw in the stars true?
I, I will be controlled by Disaster to attack the World Tree!"
At this moment, Maeve Sman had lost all her previous sharpness. She looked dazed as if she had suffered a severe mental blow.
Just now she had worshipped the Moonlight Queen with great piety, secretly offering her loyalty to the World Tree. But the astrological signs told her that she would attack the World Tree in the future...
She didn't dare face the future, feeling that she was already a heinous sinner.
Looking at the devastated Maeve Sman, Luke couldn't help but recall the plot of the previous game.
The newly born World Tree continues to nourish the world it can cover with extremely selfless character, but the Moonlight King's Court does not have the strength to integrate the barbarians in the western border into a united collective, and is very conservative in doing things because of the influence of the World Tree.
The nobles of the Western Territory enjoyed the blessings brought by the World Tree, but at the same time they exploited the barbarians of the Western Territory in various ways. Some barbarians who could not get protection from the Moonlight King's Court and the World Tree gradually had their faith shaken, and were taken advantage of by the Disaster.
The forces against the World Tree grew rapidly. They believed that the World Tree was erasing the blood of the barbarians in the West, so they launched several large-scale attacks on the Moonlight Court.
Mavisman died in a battle attacking the World Tree.
She was stabbed to death by the Moonlight Knight under the World Tree, spitting blood and loudly questioning the World Tree: Why are you so weak after dying once and reviving! Why do you bless those who don't believe in you at all! Why do you watch your people being killed and remain indifferent!
In the battle to defend the World Tree, Qingkong took on the corresponding mission, so Luke was deeply impressed by Maeve Sman.
"Of course they are all fake!" Luke said lightly, "Zai Mie's words are just to lure you to continue to contact it in the future, and then slowly change your mind.
As for whether you will be bewitched by it in the end, it depends on your own will and faith in the World Tree.
What I said is just a possibility. Moreover, the trajectory of the entire world is changing, and the stars are becoming blurred. The destiny you see may not be your true destiny. "
Luke's words made Mavisman feel much better. She couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief and said with a self-deprecating smile, "I never believed in this kind of astrology before, but I believe that I will never do anything to blaspheme the World Tree.
Now that I know of the existence of Zai Mie, I will hunt it down endlessly. No matter how many incarnations it has, I will turn it into ashes! "
As she spoke, Maeve Sman turned serious.
Trying to destroy the World Tree is unforgivable!
Trying to deceive myself into destroying the World Tree is even more unforgivable!
Seeing that Maeve Siman was so determined, Luke told her the purpose of coming to her this time: "It is not something you can do alone to hunt down Zai Mie. As more people are bewitched by it, its power will surely become stronger and stronger.
You need to form a team, gather people who are willing to sacrifice themselves to protect the World Tree, and specialize in hunting down the Disaster and the heretics controlled by it.
This will be a mission that will take your entire life and be passed down from generation to generation. As long as the World Tree exists, the hunt will never stop!"
The sudden sense of mission made Maeve Sman feel awe and also made her find the meaning of her life.
What could be more meaningful than forming a team to hunt down the Scourge and passing this job down from generation to generation?
Maeve Sman saluted Luke solemnly: "I am willing to accept this job and give everything I have to protect the World Tree."
Luke took out a metal badge and handed it to Maeve Sman. "This is the command badge of the 'Monster Hunting Group' issued by the Moonlight Queen. Her Majesty the Queen does not want the existence of Disaster to be known to the public. Excessive exposure is likely to make some people actively look for Disaster, so hunting Disaster must be done in secret.
Since your work will inevitably hurt innocent people, the Moonlight Court will not recognize the "Demon Hunting Group" as an organization under the court, but you can be buried in the Moon Lake after death, and turn into tree people to accompany the world tree.
All your funds are provided by Raging Waves City through secret channels."
Maeve Siman took over the Demon Hunters' command badge, which was made of gold and had frosted grains on it. The pattern was a tree seedling, which seemed to foreshadow the final destination of the Demon Hunters.
At this moment, Mavisman realized that she couldn't accept this job on impulse. In the process of hunting, the hunter is also the prey. Disaster can be hunted countless times, but the members of the Demon Hunting Group only need to be hunted back once.
The mission and responsibility I bear are as heavy as the gold used to cast this badge.
“Please rest assured, Your Majesty! Every successful hunt of the Disaster is a successful protection of the World Tree.
Life never ends, hunting never ends!"
Luke stood up and patted Maeve Siman on the shoulder: “Tomorrow, the Moonlight Queen and I will leave the West together and use our own methods to gain more space for the Moonlight Royal Court.
The task of protecting the World Tree and the Royal Court is left to the Moonlight Knights and your "Demon Hunters".
If you encounter any difficulties, you can send someone to Saint Lun City or Raging Wave City to find me."
Mavisman put away the command badge and said, "Thank you, Governor... I have a request. The child you redeemed at Slave Corner last time is very smart. If he can receive a better education, he will definitely become a warrior who surpasses me."
"That slave..." Luke thought of the slave mother and son he redeemed because of the Red Falcon. The child did have abilities beyond his peers. Luke didn't think too much and said, "Raging Waves City will open a public school in the Prairie of the Ancients, and Moonlight Royal Court will also open a public college.
I don't want to train children with a purpose, which is inconsistent with the spirit of the World Tree. If you think he is smart, send him to school, and let him choose his own path when he grows up. "
Maeve Sman instantly realized how selfish and dirty her previous thoughts were. She trained Oak only to make him a tool for her own benefit.
This is what those who are rich and powerful do. They select ignorant children, erase their innocence and thoughts, and train them to become emotionless machines.
However, Governor Meteorite wants to set up a public school on the grasslands of the ancestors and selflessly pass on knowledge to the next generation.
Just like the world tree, it bestows blessings on everyone regardless of their wealth or status.
Maeve Siman sincerely saluted Luke and said, "The Western Barbarians will always remember the Governor's kindness."
"This is given to you by Her Majesty the Moonlight Queen. Do your best and kill Zaimie like a stray dog."
After saying that, Luke walked out of the tent.
Maeve Siman touched the badge in her arms, and then she walked out of the tent and saw Luke walking into the crowd . She did not chase Luke, but walked in another direction. She was going to gather people to form a "demon hunting group".
At this time, in the castle on the central island of the Sunny Manor, Qingkong stood on the terrace of the west tower and meditated towards the direction of the World Tree.
During the day, the connection with the World Tree is much weaker, and the resonance of the same energy can only transmit simple information. However, at night, the moon can serve as a good relay, allowing the clear sky to communicate with the World Tree.
Therefore, even though Qingkong was far away from the Western Territory, he could still learn about what and convey the Queen's oracles to the Council of Elders of the Royal Court.
Agatha walked up the spiral staircase to the tower, and when she saw Qingkong, she jokingly said, "Should I call you Her Majesty, the Queen, or should I call you Miss Qingkong as before?"
Qingkong turned around and said, "The identity of the queen has given me too many responsibilities. I think Qingkong is more suitable for me."
Agatha walked to the side of Qingkong. The view from here was even wider. The streets were full of people and livestock. The Harvest Festival made Sunday City the most densely populated place in the entire Western Territory.
"I didn't find Meteorite. He's not in the castle. It seems like something important prevented him from coming to see you."
Qingkong said, "I asked him to go out of the city to do something for me. And he has told you my opinion and the position of the Moonlight Court. It doesn't really matter whether he is here or not."
Agatha didn't expect that the Meteorite, whom she had been looking for for a long time, was actually assigned by Qingkong to do something. She couldn't help but smile and said, "Yes, I almost forgot that Meteorite is now also the Queen's Chief Regent of the Moonlight Court.
Meteorite did tell me about the Moonlight Court's stance, and I am willing to support it.
But there are some things I need to discuss with you in person.
How can you ensure that the Moonlight Court does not threaten the national security of the empire?"
Qingkong asked back: "Can you guarantee that the Golden Shield Empire will not threaten the safety of the Moonlight Royal Court?"
Agatha said: "It seems that neither of us can guarantee each other's safety."
Qingkong felt that Agatha's words to him had become a little sharp. She had told Luke that the West would be permanently stable from now on. Why did she bring up national security issues when she met him?
Women...are indeed unpredictable and fickle creatures.
"No! As the queen of the Moonlight Court, I can make a security guarantee to the Golden Shield Empire. As long as the Empire does not threaten the survival and safety of the Moonlight Court, the Moonlight Court will not take any hostile actions against the Golden Shield Empire.
Can you make such a promise to the Moonlight Court?"
The pressure was on Agatha.
She looked at the smile that Qingkong gave her, and suddenly realized that she had made a very serious diplomatic mistake, and a very low-level mistake.
This kind of thing should not be discussed in this kind of occasion or at this time. I am not of equal status with Qingkong, but I am discussing such an important national security issue in a competitive manner.
Agatha used a smile to hide her embarrassment: "I am rude, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
"I forgive you, Princess Agatha. Regarding the political affairs of the Moonlight Court, I have handed over the internal affairs to the Elders' Council of the Court, and I have handed over all external affairs to Meteorite.
In the future, you can contact Meteorite for any diplomatic affairs. I still prefer to be a magic professor and impart knowledge to my students."
Agatha said: "Thank you for your understanding. May the friendship between the Golden Shield Empire and the Moonlight Court last forever."
"May our friendship last forever. I still need to communicate with the World Tree. If Your Highness Princess has nothing else to do, please go back!"
Qingkong ordered them to leave. Agatha knew that was Qingkong's character, so she bowed and left.
Qingkong turned towards the direction of the World Tree again and entered into meditation, while his consciousness conveyed the information about his recent meeting with Agatha to Luke.
At this time, Luke had returned to Sunday City and was drinking kumis in the courtyard rented by Kuai Tui. At the same time, they were discussing how to infiltrate the intelligence network of the Innovation Society into the Western Territory, as well as providing financial and intelligence support to the Demon Hunting Group.
After receiving Qingkong's message, Luke didn't expect Qingkong to fight back against Agatha. But there was no other way. He could only give her a part of his soul to form her consciousness, but he couldn't give her any emotional intelligence, which made Qingkong look very cold and difficult to get along with.
But this time Qingkong couldn't be blamed, it was Agatha who was looking for trouble. The Moonlight Royal Court was so small, and its own survival problem had not yet been solved, so what threat could it pose to the Golden Shield Empire?
Besides, my interests are tied to the empire, what good will a war between the two families do to me? You have nothing to worry about!
Why did this princess, who is usually quite smart, suddenly become so stupid today?
Luke exchanged information with Qingkong and told him about his meeting with Maeve Sman and the formation of the "Monster Hunting Group".
This time, the Moonlight Court has a more efficient Council of Elders and a queen who is centralized and aggressive. The environment in the West is much better than the plot of the game. With the Demon Hunters constantly hunting, the Disaster should not be able to cause a big storm in the short term...
After Luke finished talking to Qingkong, he continued drinking and said to Kuaitui, "The delegation will leave the Western Territory and return to Saint Lun City tomorrow. You guys will need to stay here for a while. Keep an eye on those noble lords and don't let them do anything bad to us after we leave.
Also, the Second Prince might send people to the Western Territory to cause trouble and drive them out!
Earl Urd should be trustworthy, and we can use his power when necessary."
The fast-legged man replied: "Please rest assured, Governor-General. I will take care of the Western Territory."
