Sword of Dawn

Page 211

Chapter 0501 Speechless Anniversary

After breakfast, Gao Wen didn't immediately start dealing with territorial affairs as usual, but stopped Hetty who was about to leave: "Is there any urgent matter at the Government Affairs Office in the morning?"

"No," Hetty didn't know why, but still replied, "The winter work plan has been arranged, and there are only some daily affairs this morning——can be handled by the assistant."

"Then don't rush to the government affairs hall, and accompany me to the city."

Ten minutes later, Gawain and Hetty had arrived at the central block of Cecil City, and Amber followed them out as a guard.

Walking on the streets of this newly-born city, you will be greeted with the unique vigor and vitality of Cecil City, and you will hear the voices of people and horses and horses one after another, and you will be full of energy, full of energy and joy wherever you look. Healthy citizens, although it has now entered late autumn, and the weather is getting colder every day due to the decrease in the activity of the giant sun, but the coldness has not affected the life of the Cecil people at all—on the contrary, due to a large number of new projects in the new city on the North Shore With the opening of the city, countless jobs and life opportunities are attracting more and more people to join the city and take up jobs. At this moment, Cecil is as lively as ever.

Yet just over two years ago, such a thing would have been unthinkable for the people of Ansu—or even for any country in the northern part of the mainland.

So whenever he walks on the streets of Cecil City, Gao Wen will feel a sense of relief, and this sense of relief will make him feel more clearly the fact that he is alive in this world, and make him realize that he is I have already had an inseparable connection with this world, and realized that my efforts and actions all the time are not meaningless.

Amber followed Gawain, she gave the latter a strange look, and seemed to see something strange from that dignified face: as the lord's bodyguard, the time she spent by Gawain's side even She was older than Hetty and Rebecca, and whether she wanted to or not, she was already familiar with every detail of Gawain's expression. She could tell that Gawain had something on his mind, but she didn't know whether to ask it or not.

Fortunately, Hetty was still following on the other side, and Hetty might not be as good at observing words and expressions as Amber, but she was a delicate and sensitive person, after a little hesitation, the "big steward" said with concern: "Ancestor, do you have something on your mind? "

Gawain was indeed on his mind—he was thinking about the civil war outside the Rock Fortress, thinking about the few years before the Principality of Cecil would develop steadily, thinking about the threat from the God of Light and other gods, thinking about those who had been silent for nearly Is it true that the one-year cultists are planning a new conspiracy, but under Hetilio's worried gaze, he just said casually: "After the city of Luan is settled down...we can develop with peace of mind for a few years."

"As you said," Hetty lowered her head slightly, "part of the production and construction plans have been scheduled for the second half of next year. As long as there is no major change in the external situation, the next few years will be the most critical period for the Principality's development."

"Yes...the premise is that there is no major change in the external situation..." Gao Wen said slowly, but he couldn't help but think of that powerful and covetous country in his mind: Typhon, that empire that is already at the critical crossroads of change, is it still possible for the empire to change? How long will you sit back and watch the Ansu Civil War?To what extent are they going to take action when Ansu is weak?

Maybe it's time to speed up the arrangement on Daniel's side...

However, Gao Wen's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a scene on the street not far away.

He saw a group of people coming out from the corner of the street. Everyone wore grass rings woven of some kind of gray-white thatch around their necks. They carried pockets in their hands, and they kept taking out small white flowers from the pockets, pinning them on the road along the way. On each door, he also suddenly noticed that many passers-by on the road were actually wearing small white flowers—some wore them on their necklines, some pinned them on their hats, and some simply held them in their hands.

"What's the situation?" Gao Wen raised his hand and pointed not far away, "What are they doing?"

Amber glanced over there, and said casually, "Oh, it will be the Feast of Souls in two days, and many people in the city are preparing for it."

"An Ling Day?" Gao Wen was confused, "Is it a festival? Did it happen last year?"

I don't know if it was an illusion, but when Hetty spoke, he suddenly hesitated: "Last year... There were actually festivals last year, but at that time the territory was still very unstable and supplies were very tight, so there were only some small-scale activities. You probably Didn't pay attention."

"Is that so?" Gao Wen was still a little confused, "But how come I never knew about this festival?"

Hetty glanced at Gao Wen, and his face became a little weird: "This festival...you don't know it is normal. It only existed after you... died in battle. On the 45th day of the Frost Moon every year, people wear Grass rings, death chrysanthemum decorations on doors and clothes, nightly bonfire rituals, and dances are used to commemorate the dead and communicate with their spirits."

"Oh, it's my 'after death' festival, no wonder," Gao Wen suddenly realized, and then he woke up immediately, "Wait a minute, the 45th day of Frost Moon? Isn't that the last time I went to the battlefield 700 years ago..."

"As you imagined," Hetty's expression became even weirder, "this festival is to commemorate you—at first, it was just a commemorative ceremony spontaneously held by the people of Cecil Territory, and then King Charlie and other founders of the country The dukes also held their own activities to commemorate you, and it became a national festival in the 27th year of Ansu..."

Gao Wen: "..."

Does this mean that in two days, the people of Quan Ansu will collectively celebrate the anniversary of his death wearing flowers, roasting fire, singing and dancing? !

At this time, he really wanted to say "Mom" like Nicholas, but considering the image of the old ancestor, he forcibly held back, but he still couldn't help muttering with a strange face: "You guys... no, I've already come back to life, don't you think there's something wrong with celebrating this festival?"

"No way... After all, it has been 700 years..." The expression on Hetty's face was almost tangled, but she knew that her ancestor must be more tangled than herself at the moment, so she could only bite the bullet and explain, "This festival's The origin has become something that is only written in history books, and only the nobles and scholars know a thing or two—and they have to be the ones who are more educated. For ordinary people, An Ling Day has evolved into an ordinary festival. It is a day for them to commemorate their ancestors, comfort their ancestors, communicate with their souls, and pray for peace... this...you should understand..."

"I..." Gao Wen was already covered in white sweat, but after thinking hard about it, he found that he could only understand - "I" died for 700 years, except for the first ten years In addition, generations of Ansu people have long been accustomed to commemorating their ancestors on this day. In this world where there are true gods and most ritual festivals are related to gods, this is probably the only ritual that has nothing to do with gods. It's the festival, what else can he do if he doesn't understand?

"Okay, I understand, I understand," Gao Wen rubbed the center of his brows with a headache, at this moment, he suddenly felt that all his previous concerns had been put on the back burner, "Celebrate, let's celebrate..."

Hetty heaved a sigh of relief. She was so nervous just now. After all, although this festival is to "commemorate the great ancestors", it is theoretically a matter of glory, but after the ancestors climbed out of the coffin, do they still think it is worthwhile? Commemorating that is another matter. In all fairness, she doesn't think it's a happy thing for people all over the country to dance around the bonfire to commemorate their own death--and they do it every year...

But as soon as she let out her breath, before she had time to catch her breath, she was interrupted by a sudden, energetic voice: "Master Zu! Auntie! Oh, and Amber! You are here!"

Hetty looked up, and saw Rebecca running from a distance, jumping up and down, and she saw that silly roe deer holding a lot of death chrysanthemums at the first sight...

On the spot, she realized clearly and calmly: Oh, it's over.

In such a dazed moment, Rebecca had already run in front of Gawain and the others. The girl first greeted Gawain cheerfully, and then looked at Heidi: "Auntie! Rebecca is coming soon, let's I missed it last year, so this year should pass normally, right?"

Hetty almost gritted her teeth and lowered her voice: "Rui-Be-Ka—"

Rebecca didn't realize that there was something wrong with the atmosphere: "Huh?"

Hetty opened her mouth, and was about to remind the girl to recall the origin of Remembrance Day, but Amber, who had been quietly watching for a long time, suddenly spoke up: "Speaking of which, how do members of your Cecil family celebrate Remembrance Day?" of?"

Amber, an excellent head of the Military Intelligence Bureau, a spy chief, an expert in intelligence warfare and sabotage operations, one of the biggest promoters of the textbook-level public opinion war "LuAnn's Awakening" event, has three specialties in life: stealing graves, sneaking away, and arch fire.

Rebecca fell into the pit directly, and started to talk happily: "Actually, most of the content is the same as everyone's - during the day, decorate the dead chrysanthemums at the door and under the window sills, so that the ancestors can find their way back. The way home, and then hold a bonfire party at night, eat, drink, dance and so on, and prepare an extra food to entertain the souls of the ancestors, collect all the death chrysanthemums in the next morning, and send them A family cemetery, so that souls can be returned to their resting place..."

While talking, Rebecca looked at Gao Wen: "By the way, Mr. Zuzu, do you want... eh?"

Gawain looked at Rebecca expressionlessly: "Why don't you just give me the flowers in your hand? It will save you trouble."

Rebecca: "..."

Gawain looked at Heidi again, and continued to remain expressionless: "It's just that the child didn't learn the history well—did no one tell her about the origin of the Holy Spirit Festival? At least she is the heir of the family."

Rebecca finally came to her senses at this time, and stood up straight with cold sweat all over her head: "I... I know! The Rebecca was originally held to commemorate the founding Duke Gawain Cecil commemoration, officially became a festival in Ansu 27..."

Gao Wen couldn't help but knocked the silly roe deer on the head: "Don't you know everything!"

Rebecca rubbed the place where she was knocked: "I just didn't react..."

Gao Wen looked helpless: How can such a genius head who can seamlessly switch between the magic technology and the mechanical field be so frank and necrotic in other fields?

Rebecca shrank her neck while paying attention to the changes in Gawain's expression: "Then...then our family should not celebrate Remembrance Day... Anyway, you have come back to life, Ancestor."

However, Gao Wen didn't give an answer right away, he just looked at the crowds on the street not far away who were preparing for the Feast of the Dead, and suddenly a strange feeling came to his heart.

After a short thought, he finally broke the silence: "An Ling's Day... still needs to be done, I will spend it with you this year."

This time, not only Hetty and Rebecca's eyes widened, but even Amber, who was watching the play next to her, was taken aback: "Huh?! What's your hobby?"

"Those who have climbed out of the coffin don't need commemoration, but other souls...need comfort," Gawain exhaled softly, "The old Cecil fire...two years have passed."

Chapter 0502

This is a very special day for Ansu people.

The day of peace.

Every year on the 45th day of Frost Moon, festivals all over the country will start as scheduled. On this day when the cold is getting thicker, Ansu people will take out the last food and physical strength that can be squandered to commemorate their ancestors and have returned. Relatives and friends of the world of the dead.

Although many contemporary people have forgotten the original meaning of this festival, hundreds of years of tradition have made Frost Moon 45th a special date mixed with mystery, hope, hope and commemoration. Many Ansu people firmly believe that the kingdom of the dead The door of the world will be opened on this day, and the souls that have passed away—whether they went to the temple of the death god, the blood god’s sacrificial field, or to the kingdom of some other god—can be regained on this day. The opportunity to return to the world, these souls will come along the road paved with dead chrysanthemums to celebrate this festival with the living, and they will also appear around the bonfire at night, in the form of shapeless smoke, fire or shadow Be with those who miss them.

So while it is a day to remember the dead, the Ansu celebrate it by adorning their doors with flowers and hanging grass wreaths on the fireplace or on the wall facing the gate. There will be a grand bonfire, singing and dancing around the fire - they celebrate this day because they firmly believe that the spirits will come home and see on this day.

In addition to commemorating the dead, Ansu has another meaning for Ansu as the northern kingdom: it means the end of most social activities.

The 45th day of Frost Moon is the last day when the fire constellation crosses the Tiangong line. Its arrival means that winter is approaching—there are still more than ten days before winter, but the weather in the northern kingdom is already too cold to continue wasting outdoors. The level of physical strength, perhaps the nobles will hold a few emotional winter feasts on snowy days, but for the commoners who are short of food, fuel, and clothing, this is the last time they have large-scale outdoor activities in a year Opportunity.

After careful calculation, people took fuel and food together, used the form of the last celebration to boost their spirits, and prayed to the souls of the ancestors for a good weather in the next year. The simple people have simple thoughts: Praying to the three gods of abundance is the privilege of priests of abundance, and it will cost a lot of money to ask druids for a good harvest. It is better to light a bonfire on this last festival before winter, praying for those who may have entered the kingdom of gods The dead can help themselves—bless themselves to harvest an extra three to five catties of grain in the coming year.

People celebrate the annual Remembrance Day with such a simple wish, and then dormant after the end of Remembrance Day, just like those ancestors who have returned to the kingdom of the dead, quietly in the following long cold winter Dormant down.

In the city of Saint-Sunil, the subtle fragrance of the death chrysanthemum is filling the streets and alleys. Although the whole kingdom is still mired in the quagmire of war, the Feast of Souls has arrived as scheduled—or rather, it is precisely because of the war. With the rain pouring down, the festival is sorely needed to comfort the souls of those on their way.

White flowers have been planted in front of every house, and decorative straw ropes or flower vines are hung under the eaves of each house. The adults carry the collected firewood to the square or open space closest to their homes to prepare for the evening festivities. The bonfire was being prepared, while the carefree children yelled and yelled around the adults, exhausting their strength and energy by playing and fighting.

Such a scene is not only unique to the common people's neighborhood, even the magnificent Silver Fort also has a similar scene.

The servants were preparing a huge bonfire in the courtyard. The knights polished their spears and swords and decorated them on the promenade leading to the courtyard. Victoria Wilde in a long white dress and silver-haired shawl stood Before the entrance to the courtyard, she held a white death chrysanthemum in her hand, and carefully pinned the flower to Wales Moen's chest.

"Your Highness, may you remember the glory of your ancestors." The Duchess said in a calm and indifferent tone, looking at the Moen bloodline heir in front of her.

Wales Moen looked down at the small white flower on his chest, smiled self-deprecatingly, then lowered his head: "I will remember it."

Duchess Victoria looked at Welsh Moen's expressionless face, and suddenly said: "Your Highness, do you know why every year on Remembrance Day, the patriarch of the Wilder family wears death chrysanthemums for the heirs of Moen's bloodline?" ?”

Wales Moen's eyes seemed to flicker for a moment, but he still spoke calmly: "This is because the Wilder family sheltered Moen's bloodline during the kingdom's most critical moment—just like the ancestors are worth remembering. Friendship is also worth remembering."

Victoria stared into Welsh's eyes, there was no coercion in those eyes, but the duchess seemed to be born with a cold temperament that would still make people feel unspeakable pressure. Under normal circumstances, people who looked at her would She couldn't hold on for ten seconds—but the middle-aged man opposite her resisted. During the ten-second-long gaze, Wales Moen didn't avert his gaze, but confronted the Duchess frankly. watching.

Victoria seemed to show a slight smile. She looked away and looked at the huge pyre in the courtyard: "...I asked Prince Edmund the same question. Guess how he answered?"

"……I have no idea."

"'This is to let every descendant of Moen know that it is because of the existence of the Wilder family that they are eligible to commemorate their ancestors in this Silver Fort, not in the stables in Beishan County', this is his The original words," Victoria said in a calm tone, "that was three years ago, and our great founding hero hadn't come out of the grave yet."

Wales Moen didn't say anything, just stood there without saying a word.

"He should also be wearing the death chrysanthemum now. In a fortress in the east of the Holy Spirit Plain, a bonfire was lit to commemorate the father who was probably killed by him himself. He finally lived in Baiyin without humiliation. The castle accepted the flowers I put on him, and commemorated the deceased according to my request," Victoria tilted her head slightly, and said to the middle-aged crown prince, "Now this role has been replaced by you, and replaced by about you."

"I don't think it's humiliating."

"Maybe, but it doesn't matter," Victoria said in a calm tone, as if she really didn't care. "Your father is a good king. Frankly speaking, I respect him—although he may not be willing to accept my request." Respect."

Wales looked at the duchess in confusion, as if he didn't understand why the northern ruler, who had always been cold and distant, and rarely made long speeches, suddenly said so much to himself, but Victoria didn't care about his confusion, and just continued to say by:

"This country has stood for hundreds of years, and dozens of people have sat on that throne, but not everyone really cares about this kingdom. Your father did it... Believe it or not, the Wilder family has always been sincere sincerely support him.”

Wales opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

"I know what you think. Although you never say it, you also think it is a kind of hostage and control." The Duchess didn't look back at all, but seemed to have seen the slight change in Welsh's expression, "But we have our own Consideration—everything is for the Kingdom of Ansu.

"The civil strife in Brumaire 100 years ago taught us a great lesson. The civil strife was caused by the struggle for royal power, but the absurd life and various political chaos of the last king of the first dynasty made the situation out of control. The real reason, since that day, we have realized - the throne must have a lock.

"The king is supreme, but the king cannot be out of control. For long-term stability, someone must be able to control the situation in time when the royal power is out of control. Therefore, in the second dynasty, we established the system of regent dukes, and the royal power will be monitored. And control, but in turn, the king is also checking and balancing the power of the dukes, you know this.

"No one can have absolute power in his hands, and any power must have a backup plan. These two points are the lessons learned by the Wilder family during the civil strife."

Wales Moen finally broke the silence: "Then, have you thought about the variables between Edmund and the Duke of the East?"

"...People's hearts are always out of the plan," the Duchess said after a two-second silence, "but this does not mean that the lessons we have learned are meaningless. In fact, Ansu was able to survive the chaos in the foggy moon. It does rely on the Duke Regent system. This system may need to be improved, but it is far from being abandoned."

Wales fell silent. After a long silence, he raised his head and looked at the Duchess in front of him: "...Why did you suddenly say these things to me?"

"My father said these words to your father before he ascended the throne," the Duchess said calmly. "I originally planned to say these words to Edmund on Remembrance Day three years ago."

Wales' breathing paused for a moment.

"The throne has been vacant for a long time. This country has been running without a king for more than half a year, but it can't run like this forever-the nobles need an object of allegiance, the royal army needs a flag, and the people need to know who is orthodox , "The Duchess Victoria turned around and stared into Welsh's eyes again, "At first, we thought that this war would end soon, because the Royal Army has two or three times the strength and supplies of the Eastern Rebels, but we It’s really a miscalculation, we’ve reached a stalemate, so we must be prepared to continue to be stalemate.”

Wales opened his mouth: "I..."

"Can't wait until after the war to be crowned, Your Royal Highness," said the Duchess, biting the word "His Royal Highness" hard. "Edmund will soon realize that he will not be able to enter St. Sunil, he will crown himself at any time, and the Duke of the East Region will use his influence to make the nobles in the entire East Region and the lesser half of the Holy Spirit Plain allegiance to the new king, and the blind commoners will soon admit this —so you must be king before Edmund is crowned."

Wales Moen's eyes widened slightly, but he forcibly regained his composure after missing the throne once. He looked at the Duchess and said frankly: "How many people will recognize me as king?" ? How many nobles will be willing to serve me?"

"The Wilder family will fully support you, and the Franklin family is the same. We can make half of the nobles in this kingdom pledge their allegiance to you—at least publicly."

Wales thought about it, and after a few seconds, he spoke again: "Have you considered the biggest variable?"

While saying this, Wales Moen raised his hand and pointed to the death chrysanthemum on his chest.

"I'm ready to go to the south, and I'll talk to the founding duke in person," Victoria said with a solemn expression. Even the ruler of the north, who is known as the Snow Queen, said these words He couldn't help but put on a particularly solemn tone, "I will do my best."

"What do you think the chances are that he will support me?"

Victoria took a deep breath: "...I just hope he doesn't object."

After these words, the two fell silent together.

They stared at the huge pyre in the courtyard, at the grass rings and death chrysanthemums decorated everywhere, and at the mages and ceremonial officials who were preparing for the sacrifice.

The sky has gradually dimmed, and the dim light of the sky means that the time to light the bonfire is approaching.

The really important part of the Feast of Souls is about to begin.

It is a day to remember the dead and to pray for blessings from the ancient dead.

But the ancestor who was commemorated by this festival at the beginning... has now returned to the world by himself from the other side where the chrysanthemum bloomed.

Victoria Wilde walked towards the courtyard silently, picked up a section of the oak branch placed on the stone table and threw it into the firewood, and then ordered to light the bonfire.

Watching the gradually burning flame, the ruler of the north sighed.

If only one had to throw a stick in a campfire and the ancestors would bless themselves... that would be great.

Chapter 0503 Commemoration

A grand bonfire was burning, and melodious bells sounded from the bell tower in the distance. Amidst the fragrance of chrysanthemums pervading the city, Saint-Sunil began to be shrouded in a layer of hazy and dreamy smoke. The flames all over the city seemed like Against the gradually deepening night, under the sky full of stars, a city of brilliance was created.

This makes one can't help but think of the dark age that has become a legend, and the second development that determines the fate of mankind-in the tide of darkness and chaos, did the ancestors light a huge bonfire like today, as if in the dark? Put up a lighthouse in the middle of the world, guiding compatriots who are lost in the depths of the demon tide to get closer to themselves?

This may also be another hidden meaning of the bonfire that must be lit on the night of Remembrance Day.

Looking at the flickering flames in front of him, and listening to the ceremonial officer reading the lengthy requiem prayer, Welsh Moen was expressionless and silent. The nominal ruler of Ansu stood here like an outsider remembering Morn In ancestor En's courtyard, sparks rising from the bonfire fluctuated and jumped in front of him, riding the steaming hot wind and flying into the dark night, gradually merging with the starry sky in late autumn. In that night sky, he could not see The face of Charlie Moon, his distant and strange blood ancestor.

A sound of gentle footsteps came from behind, and the middle-aged crown prince suddenly felt an unexplained sense of peace and tranquility enveloped his body and mind. He caught a glimpse of the brilliance emerging in the air, and turned his head Go, and saw Veronica Moen in a white dress standing beside her.

On the chest of this holy princess, a small white flower is blooming under the nourishment of the holy light, holy and beautiful.