As the door slammed shut behind Maxwell, he turned his head and took one last look at the Tower of Judgment, the calmness and confidence on his face vanishing into a gloomy face.

"Go to the Ministry of Sacred Indulgence. ”

He instructed the driver, but when he opened the door, he froze in place.

A ray of sunlight shines through the curtains on the doors of the carriage, illuminating the old man sitting upright in the middle of the carriage.

The man in the robe raised his eyes, and the turquoise pupils stared at him, and he reached out and patted the seat next to him, as if motioning for him to sit down.

Maxwell was silent for a moment, got into the car, but did not choose the old man's side, but sat opposite him.

"Archbishop Ludovic?"

He stared at the old man, and a smile curled up at the corner of his mouth: "I always wanted to ask to see it, but I didn't expect to come to visit, and in such a special way." ”

"Mr. Maxwell, first meeting. ”

Ludovic nodded slowly: "I'm not an archbishop now, just an ordinary ascetic. ”

Maxwell smiled and didn't speak.

The ascetics of the Congregation of the Holy See's Single-minded Monks, should I say that this is modesty or humor?

"Mr. Maxwell is a guest from afar, and I should have accompanied you to introduce you to this city. But I'm ashamed that I grew up here, and spent my whole life in churches and bells, and when I got used to it, I couldn't tell why. ”

Ludovic stared out the window and looked at the center of the city, the city rising from the ground: "Mr. Maxwell, what do you think of this city?"

Maxwell said, "Nature is solemn and sacred." ”

"Yes, Holy City. ”

Ludovic sighed: "I have been told that this is where human dignity and faith lie, where heaven is held up from the earth. That's why I've always been in awe of this city.

Hundreds of years ago, at the end of the Dark Ages, seventeen monks received the Apocalypse. They came here and knocked down the first iron stake, heralding the arrival of the time of mankind.

By now, this is the center of the world, the sacred city.

The descendants of the seventeen monks who built it that year are only Sforza, Borja, Felix, and Medici...... And so on and so forth.

This one has been destroyed twice and rebuilt on the ruins twice, some dying with it and others being reborn with it.

But after so much, the things in our bones have never changed, and our mission has never changed.

There are too many people who have left too much blood for it, and their souls have gathered here under divine inspiration to sleep peacefully. I think this solemnity and sacredness may be evidence of the existence of the world and heaven after death, right?"

Ludovic stretched out his hand and drew the emblem on his chest: "This is also the meaning of our existence here." ”

I didn't have a deep understanding of theology and holy scriptures, but after listening to the bishop's words, I felt that I understood a lot. ”

Maxwell bowed: "What the bishop wants to tell me is 'awe,' right?"

"Perhaps. ”

Ludovic said lightly: "Whatever it is, it's your realization. Naturally, ascetic monks like me want more people to understand the true meaning of their faith. ”

"Bishop, have you been to Avalon?" Maxwell asked suddenly.

"Not yet. ”

"Avalon is my hometown and is a very beautiful place. ”

Maxwell said solemnly: "It is built on the sea, and on a clear day, it is like a jewel suspended in the sea, and it is brilliant and intoxicating."

It's not as majestic as the Holy City, but it's unique. In the summer, the whole city is covered in the sea breeze, and the salty sea salt condenses on the shore, and when viewed from afar, it looks like a white flower.

Children step on sampans, play on the dock and boats, and laugh when they fall into the water. Adults drank beer and played cards on the shore.

Life is like carefree, summer seems to never end, and you can live your life like this.

I guess that's what the city wanted to be when it was first built. I love it for it, and I can pay anything to make days like this last forever. ”

“......”

Ludovic was silent, and after a long time, he nodded slowly: "It's a beautiful place, it's worth loving."

Why don't you go back? Mr. Maxwell. As far as I know, isn't your hometown the time when you need it most?"

"That's why I can't go back alone. ”

Maxwell sat upright with a solemn expression: "I'm old, but young people and that city can have an infinite future." Mr. Ludovick, he has his own place to return, and is not obliged to give his life for the solemnity and sanctity of this place. ”

It is not surprising that a person who practices the outside world would say such a thing. ”

Ludovic smiled coldly, as if he had heard an insignificant joke, but looked at Maxwell and said indifferently:

"If Anglo continues to ignore the only Dharma and does not know how to turn back on the path of rebellion, sooner or later he will be punished. That's all I want to tell you today.

Mr. Maxwell, what you are doing here should be pondered. As far as I know, there aren't many people supporting you, even in Anglo, right?"

"If it's the right thing, you don't need to get approval and support. ”

Maxwell's eyes turned cold: "That kid and I both think so. ”

"No, you're not like him. ”

Ludovic looked at him and smiled, as if mockingly, "Your eyes are too weak, Maxwell." You are not as determined as you think, and you are destined to compromise on some things.

If that imp is obsessive, then you are pretending to dream with him at best. ”

Maxwell was silent, his face pale.

Ludovic stretched out his hand and patted him on the shoulder: "That's a good thing, because that's why I'll give you this chance to meet."

Maxwell, stop being obsessed, whether it's you or the country you love.

This is the arrogant blood that Arthur left to you back then, and it will lead you to the path of demons. ”

Maxwell looked at him coldly, but Ludovick didn't care, he got up, pushed open the door of the carriage, and slowly got out of it. Standing outside the car, he bowed his head slightly and said goodbye.

"Don't leave it at that, I hope you will cherish this last chance. I don't want the next time I see you, it's at the stake of heresy. ”

The doors closed.

In the shadows, the carriage moved forward.

In the carriage, Maxwell closed his eyes and let down the roar of rage from his blade.

"......" -

Back at the embassy, a second piece of bad news followed.

"Mr. ......"

The person in charge of the embassy turned pale: "Half an hour ago, the people of the Silent Mechanism took the body away. The people in charge of security were forcibly taken away last night to 'assist in the investigation'. ”

He paused and became hesitant: "And ......"

"Quinn, I've grown old like this, I've heard all the bad news. Maxwell took off his top hat and sighed softly, "Say, don't worry about my heart, it's not unbearable." ”

The person in charge handed over a photo in silence.

In the photo, it is a porcelain shop.

All the porcelain in the shop was dyed a terrible blood-red, and several of the men were nailed to the wall, and before they died, they were brutally tortured, and their eyes were full of despair.

"They're all dead. The person in charge said.

Maxwell took the photo, didn't say anything, just put it in his pocket and turned to walk to his office. He regretted that he liked to say it too well.

He pinched the photo in his hand, and his heart ached.

As the office closed, he looked up at the man sitting behind his desk, and sighed softly after a long time.

He put the picture in the bookcase, then poured himself a glass of liquor on the corner table, tore off his bow tie, lay down on the sofa, and drank it all before he made a hoarse sound.

"Lancelot, I hope you've come all the way from Anglo to bring me the third bad news of the day. ”

Behind the desk, the pale-faced man coughed lightly and slowly bowed his head: "Unfortunately, yes. ”

Maxwell cursed like an old street hooligan.

"Say it. ”

He let out a hoarse laugh: "I can't wait. ”

"Since last evening, we have been informed by more than four countries and more than 10 groups that there are problems that may not be able to continue with our food import agreements. ”

Lancelot said: "At the moment the Privy Council can hold back the news, but it is estimated that soon, someone will start to raise the price of food."

I am afraid that it will not be long before we will have to take over the market and the economy, and force the prices to be calmed, and it is foreseeable that if the situation continues to deteriorate, the whole country will begin to introduce a rationing system.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to inform you that he is already considering his resignation. ”

Maxwell froze.

After being silent for a long time, he asked in a cold voice: "How long can the war materials we store last?"

"More than ten years. ”

Lancelot said lightly, "But are you sure you want to put the whole country into combat readiness ahead of time? It's too hasty, Maxwell." There's so much preparation we need to finish, it's too early to ......"

Maxwell was silent and said no more.

Anglo is a maritime country, with more than half of its land at sea and the other half coastal areas on land, as well as fragmented enclaves.

Anglo has always been a commercial country, focusing on commercial trade and technology research and development, in addition to the development of heavy industry, it has also caught up and is close to the world's top level.

But none of the above can make up for the country's Achilles' heel. Its land is so scarce and fragmented that it has so little land to grow that it has to rely on imports.

Therefore, when the situation in Tianzhu was chaotic, Anglo established the East Tianzhu Company to occupy that overseas colony. It was Tianzhu, a large area of fertile land, wheat and rice, tea, and meat that were harvested three times a year......

For this, Anglo paid a heavy price, and did not hesitate to throw most of his military strength into that quagmire, and thus accumulated a lot of wealth and reserves.

However, as the situation in Tianzhu has become more and more chaotic, and the threat of Leviathan, the colony of Tianzhu has been reduced day by day. Calls for a domestic withdrawal are growing louder.

Facing a monster that is one of the four living creatures, preparing for natural disasters is not enough resources.

"Guess who's putting pressure on them?"

Needless to ask, Maxwell knew who it was with his toes.

Congregation of the Holy See One-Hearted Monks!

As long as those old immortal guys use their connections a little, the political power of those big families can easily do it. He doesn't even need to break those agreements permanently.

As soon as there is a word of the news, the panicked people will be in turmoil.

As long as the import trade is delayed for three months, Anglo will have to go into a state of control.

"Really******...... It sucks. ”

Maxwell pulled up the bottle, didn't bother to find a glass, and threw most of it down.

After a long time, he said, "I have met Ludovick. ”

"I know. Lancelot nodded.

Maxwell laughed, full of self-deprecation.

"For a moment, I wanted to kill him, desperate to kill him. He looked down at the liquor in his hand: "At that moment, I hesitated. ”

"I regret ......"

Maxwell whispered, "I hesitated. I should have killed him. ”

"It won't help to kill him. ”

Lancelot stood behind him and patted him on the shoulder: "Her Majesty has entrusted this matter to you, and everything is dictated by your will.

Your Majesty asked me to tell you that Anglo is a nation that has inherited the dragon's blood, and suffers from it, and is proud of it. ”

Maxwell listened, but did not respond, only a bitter smile.

Ludovic was right...... I'm a hypocrite who pretends to dream with a child. I can't afford the consequences that might come. ”

He sighed softly, "I really regret it, Lancelot, why did I take over this mess back then? ”

"Do you still want to leave now?"

Lancelot's voice was low: "I give you all my trust, if you give up, the Lancelot family will not let you go." ”

"Who said I was going to give up?"

Maxwell raised his eyes: "At this point, I have another way - it depends on whether you are willing to give up your position." ”

"Third Amendment?"

Lancelot was stunned for a moment, and then suddenly he was stunned.

The third amendment to the law demarcates the boundaries of man and god, the holy city rules the soul of mankind, and the kingdoms keep the human body.

Render to God what is God's, and to men what is man's.

One of the essential things is that the countries are self-governing, and the Holy City has no right to interfere in the internal affairs of the countries.

The extended clause included that the nobles who violated the law were tried by the states and did not need to follow the will of the Holy City.

The 'nobility' referred to in it is not a type of lord who is arbitrarily divided among the countries, but an orthodox aristocracy that has a legal system to follow and a source that can be traced.

On that vast pedigree, even the title of Emperor Anglo was nothing more than 'Grand Duke', and the 'Emperor' was just a self-proclaimed one, and the Holy City guaranteed its rigor, which can be seen to be strict.

It is impossible to fabricate the name of a lord casually and fish out Ye Qingxuan.

However, if the contemporary Lancelot is willing to abdicate and pass the position of head of the family to Ye Qingxuan in accordance with the Anglo Succession Act, then he is the contemporary Lancelot and automatically inherits the title of earl.

In this case, how to judge Ye Qingxuan is not within the scope of the Holy City's rights.

"It's Maxwell. ”

Lancelot smiled bitterly: "This is the only surest plan that domestic jurists have come up with after dozens of meetings. And you thought of it alone. ”

"What's wrong?"

Maxwell looked at him, "You don't want to give up your title and power, your position in the Privy Council is lifelong, don't worry." ”

"No, rather, I agree with it better than anyone else. ”

Lancelot shook his head: "It's a pity, you don't know him. Maxwell, you don't know that kid well enough...... You don't know what the Lancelot family did back then......"

He lowered his head and whispered, "Back then, the family betrayed them when they needed help the most.

Ye Lanzhou died because of this. His mother was exiled and died in a border village...... Later, I saw him come back, alone, not like the same child he used to be.

Maxwell, you don't know how ecstatic I was when I found out he was still alive.

His eyes are very similar to his mother's, and looking at you so quietly makes you feel scared.

He's my sister's child, and I can't wait to give him everything I have, even if it can make up for even the slightest damage he has suffered, but it's a pity ......"

He coughed violently, hunched over, dark red blood gushing from his mouth and nose. After a long time, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, but his expression became darker and darker.

"Maxwell, give up on this idea. He will never forgive us. Lancelot shook his head slowly: "I'd rather die than have anything to do with this family." ”

Maxwell glared at him, looking annoyed: "Yes, the sins that your father created back then are still unstoppable. That bastard old fool!"

“......”

Lancelot was silent.

The oppressive silence continued until the sun went down and there was a knock on the office door.

The knock on the door was unhurried.

But they could clearly feel that the person behind the door was clearly not a member of any embassy!

The two looked at each other stunned, and their brows furrowed in unison.

Lancelot reached out and pressed the longsword used for the wall decoration, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Maxwell got up and pulled the door open.

"Is that Mr. Maxwell, please?"

Outside the door appeared to be a man, covered in a cloak and covered with a special scarf over his face, with only mottled white hair exposed beyond his hood.

"Forgive me for my uninvited visit, I feel compelled to meet you. ”

He reached out and took off his face towel, revealing his face.

At that moment, Maxwell and Lancelot almost forgot to breathe.

"It's your ......" -

Tower of Judgment, in a cell.

A guy who has eaten and slept in the past two days is lying on the bed and sleeping soundly, looking to have gained three pounds, and his handsome face is already a little swollen because of lack of exercise.

When he woke up, he opened his eyes, glanced at the sunset outside the window, yawned, rolled over, and went back to sleep, as if he was still eating something in his dream.

Although the life of eating and sleeping and sleeping and eating every day is very good, it is ...... This feeling of being forgotten is so miserable! )