Chapter Forty-Eight: The Flames

"Hey, man, so you're here. Jin Li's voice came from behind Zhao Mian, "Although we don't think you will die in this war, why don't you go and enjoy the glory of this victory with those hussars?"

"I don't belong there. Zhao Mian turned around and looked at the people in front of him—except for Gandalf and Boromo who was in Gondor, all the others were standing in front of him, and the four little hobbits still had innocent smiles on their faces, even on the battlefield where the flames of war had just been extinguished, their smiles still hadn't faded, and compared to those cold sword soldiers, this was very precious, "Besides, didn't you participate in their actions?"

"They are collecting the corpses of their comrades, and at this time, we outsiders are not very good at participating in them. Aragorn said, pointing to the flames burning behind Zhao Mian - the flames soared into the sky, and countless things in them could be vaguely seen gradually turning into ashes, "However, I am more curious about what you are doing than we are now. Aragorn sniffled vigorously, "And the smell ......."

"Is it a barbecue? It smells like it!" Pippin sniffed vigorously as Aragorn did, and then asked with some pleasure, "Oh, the smell, hmm...... I don't like wolf meat, it's too hard and it doesn't taste good, and rabbit meat is ...... compared to it."

"Shut up, Pippin!" Merry kicked him hard, then made him look somewhere with his eyes.

"Hey! What...... Oh, no......" Pipin didn't know why, but he followed Merry's eyes, and suddenly covered his mouth, his face twisted and frowned.

A half-twisted hand with a twisted nail was falling there, and at the end of the arm, the burn marks were clearly visible—it was a half-orc arm, and judging by the order of the fingers, it should be a left hand. The hair on the back of the hand was gone, and only the white bones flaunted its whiteness at the charred ends, and at the front of it, the hair was curled and charred, leaving only half of the middle and ring fingers, and not half of the blood left from them.

Zhao Mian also noticed the arm, he stepped forward, picked it up, and threw it into the fire behind him. The arm didn't even flicker a little bit of fire, and soon merged into the pile of things that were no longer distinguishable from what it was, and everyone watched as the arm quickly blackened under the power of the flames, and then blended into the background. Sam swallowed and opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.

"As you can see, I'm gathering corpses - the corpses of the enemy. Zhao Mian shrugged his shoulders - the armor on his body rattled, and around his waist, an iron book was dangling, and there was a slight light on it, as if it had just been used, "War brings not only those so-called glory, but most of what he left in this world is some sad product - death is the first place." ”

"But even if you collect the corpses of these guys, you won't get anything - and even cause some people unnecessary disgust. Aragorn frowned and looked at the burning mountain of corpses in front of him, as if he could see the panicked faces on the faces of the dead enemies in the light of the fire, "And, when we came just now, you were half-kneeling in front of these fellows, were you praying? for the sake of these enemies of humanity?!!!"

"If it causes disgust, let them disgust. I had been prepared for this kind of thing a long time ago, and if I hadn't done it for these reasons alone, I wouldn't have stood before you. Zhao Mian shook his head and said, "In addition, I am not praying, but blessing. May these deceased be in ultimate peace. ”

"Hey, man, no matter which god you believe in, I'm sure you're not a god of darkness to believe in, right? No god would be willing to bless orcs except that demon - let alone these powerful orcs who have been re-inflicted and transformed!" said Jin Li with some disgust, and he fanned his hand hard in front of him, as if to drive away the burning smell.

"I don't believe in any gods, I believe in something else. Zhao Mian said this, he turned around and bowed to the burning corpse mountain, and whispered, "May the holy light protect you." Then he turned to look at his teammates, "I don't expect anyone to really bless me." But that doesn't stop me from acting, after all, it's not for the sake of those who are still alive. ”

"But the dead don't feel it for your actions, and these burning corpses are just dead things that don't feel it. Legolas said, looking above the firelight, wisps of smoke and dust drifting upwards as if on the souls of the dead, and then disappearing into the blue sky.

"Well, just to find peace of mind - what is the reason?" said Zhao Mian, patting the dirt on his knees and walking in the other direction, where a burning mountain of corpses was devouring other corpses, "thanks to the help of the Tree Man, these actions are not so difficult." Ah, aside, if you're here, what are Gandalf doing?

"He'd like to get some news out of Saruman's mouth, but to be honest, I'm not optimistic about it, and if it were me, I'd rather cut off that guy's head with my axe right away! Jin Li said loudly, as if he was indignant that he could not cut off Saruman's head, so he blew his beard vigorously and let them fly in all directions.

"Well, on this point, I couldn't agree more. Zhao Mian said, "That guy caused this battle, and it was he who laid the end for himself, if he hadn't played a role in it, then this battle would not have happened, and these lost lives would have been saved." But since Gandalf has broken his staff, and has taken away his mana, and his weak flesh alone cannot defeat even a young hussar, let him be left with him for the time being—but his guilt must be punished, and in the presence of all the people, and in the presence of all those who have been hurt by his deeds!"

"Well, so be it. I'm not averse to it, but it's not something I can do to clean up the corpses of these filthy creatures, and I'll see you in the evening—I've heard there's going to be a great celebration tonight in the Horn Fortress, and you're not going to be absent, are you?" said Aragorn, standing still, and the others stood behind him, not taking a single step forward—not far away, the mountain of corpses that had just been ignited.

"I'll go - and bring great wine. Zhao Mian waved his hand and walked forward without looking back, the breeze on the grassland brought his whisper, "After all, this may be the rest of the time, there is not much respite." ”