Everywhere and there is a shocking sight to be seen, and the elves are on fire, preferring to throw into the fire what they cherish but cannot take away, rather than let the coming darkness consume them.

Robert was heartbroken by the fall of Verlo, but the sight of Quellingnos pierced him like a blunt knife.

He never expected it to hit him so hard. In his heart, he had firmly believed that no matter how long he passed, no matter where he went, Wellington would always exist.

Now he was denied even the right to believe in it. Wellington will disappear in the near future.

Robert heard a strange voice in his ears, and he saw the old mage bowing his head and sobbing.

"What are your plans??, where are you going?, can you get in?," Robert asked Gilcenas heavily.

"You'll know the answers to these questions very quickly, just too fast — too fast. Gireenas muttered.

The Tower of the Sun is the tallest building in Quilenos. The sunlight reflected by the golden façade gives the mistaken impression that the tower itself is alive.

The group quietly entered the building, deeply struck by its beauty and antiquity. Only Rodrith looked around indifferently, for there was nothing beautiful in his eyes, only death.

Gircenas led them to a small room. "This room is right next to the hall," he said.

"My father was summoning the patriarchs of the various families to discuss plans for the migration. My brother has gone to tell them that they are coming.

When they have finished their counseling, they will summon us. He gestured, and several elves came in with basins and bottles. "Please rest when time permits. “

Everyone drank water and washed the dust off their hands and faces. Stone took off his cloak and polished his armor as much as he could.

Scarlet Moon had her shiny hair and tied her cloak tightly around her neck. She and Robert decided that the amulet she was carrying would not be revealed until the right time came;

Some people will recognize it.

In vain, Aven tried to straighten his shabby hat. Calamon looked around for something to eat.

Gircenas stood away from them, pale and in a daze.

A few minutes later, Friar Bo emerged from the arch. "Father has called you," he said solemnly.

The group entered the hall of the Sun Chanter. No human has seen this hall in hundreds of years.

No Kander had ever seen this place, and the last dwarf who entered it was a dwarven craftsman who had worked hard when it was inaugurated hundreds of years ago.

"Ah, that's what it's called a masterpiece. Hubble whispered, tears glistening in his eyes.

The hall is in the shape of a circle, and it looks larger than the capacity of the entire tower. The entire hall is built of white marble, with no girders and no pillars inside.

The hall rises hundreds of feet high, topped by a spectacular dome, with a delicate blue sky, white clouds and red sun inlaid with tiles on one side, and separated by a rainbow in the middle.

On the other side is a silver and red moon and a sky full of stars.

There is no artificial lighting in the lobby, and artisan-designed windows and mirrors channel sunlight into the room.

No matter where the sun is in the sky, the sunlight is concentrated on the central pedestal of the hall, creating a spectacular sight.

There were no seats in the tower, and the elves, both men and women, were standing. Only the patriarch of the family is eligible to participate in this meeting.

There were more women in attendance than Robert had ever seen, and many were dressed in dark purple, the color of mourning.

Elf marriage is a lifelong affair, and if a spouse dies, the living partner will never marry again.

So widows tend to become patriarchs of the family.

The group was led to the front of the hall. The elves quietly gave way of space, but cast strange glances at the Kander and the Dwarves, two fur-clad and seemingly unseemly barbarians.

When the proud knight of Solania, who was full of aristocratic air, appeared, there was a whisper of surprise around him. Rodlis, dressed in a red robe, also caused a commotion.

The elven magicians wore white robes, which symbolized kindness, rather than red robes, which claimed neutrality.

The elves clinged to the belief that there was only a thin line between such a dress and evil. When the crowd fell silent, the Sun Chanter walked to the platform in the center of the hall.

Robert hadn't seen the Singer for many years, and he was Robert's stepfather. I saw a change in his face as well.

He was still taller than his son, Friar Porch. Dressed in a yellow robe worn in public, his expression was serious and unyielding, revealing an air of fortitude.

He was the one who sang the praises of the sun, and he was called the Chanter, a title that had followed him for nearly two hundred years. Those who knew his real name never called him by his name, not even his children.

But Robert saw a silver splice of whiteness that had never been seen before appear in his hair, and a trace of sadness and worry was carved on his face, which had seemed to be unaffected by time.

When the elves led the group in, Friar Bo joined the group. The chantor stretched out his shoulders to them and affectionately called them by name. They stepped forward to embrace their father.

"My son," said the singer, choking hard, and Robert was surprised at the gaffe. "I never thought I'd be alive to see you in my life. Tell me about the raid—" He turned to Girsenas as he lived.

"Wait a moment, Singer," said Gireenas. "First of all, I ask you to entertain our guests. ”

"Yes, that's rude. The Chancellor stroked his face with trembling hands, and to Robert he seemed to be slowly aging before them.

"Forgive me, guests. Welcome to a country that has not been visited by a foreigner for many years. ”

Gilcenas said a few words to the Chancellor, who looked at Robert suspiciously, and then beckoned Robert to come forward. His voice was cold and polite, as if deliberately suppressed.

"Is it really you, Tancellus, my brother's son? After all these years, we all want to know how you're doing.

You are welcome back to your hometown, although sadly, you see its final days. My daughter will be happy to see you, she misses her childhood playmates. ”

Gilthenus twitched, his face gloomy, and looked at Robert. The half-elf felt his cheeks heat up. Wordlessly, he bowed his head in front of the Chancellor.

'Russian delegates welcome each and every one of you, and I hope that you will have the opportunity to meet each of you later. We may not entertain you for long, but you have the right to stay in this hall and find out what is going on in our world.

Then you can have a good rest.

Meal. Now, my son," the chant turned to Gircenas, and seemed very happy to be free from these red tape. "How's the raid on Paktakas?"

Gilthenus took a step forward and bowed his head. "I've failed, Sunsinger. ”

A whisper spread through the crowd like a breeze through the poplar trees. There was no expression on the singer's face. He just sighed and looked out the window. "Tell me about it. He said.

Gircenas swallowed, then spoke. His voice was so small that many people in the back of the hall couldn't help but listen.

"My soldiers and I secretly headed south as planned. Everything seemed perfect. We meet a group of human rebels, refugees from Gateway who join us and increase our strength.

Then, by an unfortunate coincidence, we met the advance force of the Dragonman army. We fought desperately, humans and elves side by side, and in the end it was in vain.

I was hit in the head and lost consciousness, and when I woke up, I was lying in the grass surrounded by the bodies of my compatriots. It was clear that the cruel dragonmen had pushed the wounded down the cliff and left us to die there. Gircenas paused to clear his throat.

"The Dyuds in the forest healed my wounds. At that time I knew that many of the soldiers had been taken prisoner.

After letting the Doids bury the dead, I followed the trail of the dragonmen all the way to Vero. ”

Gircenas stopped. His face began to sweat, and his hands writhed restlessly. He cleared his throat again and tried to speak, but he couldn't make a sound. His father looked at him with more concern.

Gireenas finally spoke. "Willow has been destroyed. ”

There was a wave of surprise from the crowd.

"All the tall trees have been cut down and burned, and now only a few are still alive. ”

The elves howled angrily. The chant raised his hand to restore order. "That's terrible news," he said, grimacingly.

"We mourn for trees that are older than us. But go ahead - what about our compatriots?"

"I found my men tied to the execution stakes in the town's central square, along with the humans who helped us. ”

Gill Sayers said in a broken voice. "They were surrounded by dragonman guards, and I would have wanted to let them go that night. But—"

He was speechless at the moment, and his brother stepped forward and put his hand on his shoulder. Gilsenas straightened up. "A red dragon appeared in the sky—"

An incredulous voice came from the mouths of the gathered elves. The chanter shook his head sadly.

"Yes, Chancellor," said Gireenas stiffly. "It's true.

The monsters have returned to Candela. The red dragon circled over Willow, and everyone who saw it fled in fear. It flew lower and lower and finally landed in the square. A huge red body dominated the sky, wings exuding an aura of destruction, and tails uprooting trees.

Yellow fangs reflected the light, green saliva plucked from its massive jaw, its massive claws digging deep into the ground...... Riding on its back was a human man.

"Stop. He looked powerful, dressed in the black robes of the priest who served the Darkness Queen, and draped in a black cloak with gold trim. His face was obscured by a hideous, horned mask that mimicked the face of a dragon.

The dragons knelt down to greet them. Goblins, goblins, and the abominable humans who fought alongside them all bowed their heads in fear, and many fled in fear.

But my compatriots gave me the courage to stay. As soon as he spoke, Gilcenas now seemed eager to tell what had happened.

"Some of the humans who were tied up were in a state of hysteria and screaming in fear. But my warriors remained calm and brave, though they were affected by the same emotions.

Dragoons will not be happy with such a state of affairs. He glared at them and spoke in a voice that seemed to come from the abyss of hell.

Every word of him is imprinted on my heart. "I'm Mamminna, the dragoon who rules the north. I fought to save the people here from the false beliefs scattered by the so-called seekers.

Many of them voluntarily joined me, willing to fight for the orders of the dragoons. I gave them very privileged treatment and shared with them the blessings bestowed by my goddess.

I have the power that no one else in this world has: the power to heal diseases and wounds, so you should know that I am the only representative of the true God.

But you humans who stand before me have betrayed me. You have chosen to be my enemy, and therefore the punishment given to you will be the best example of daring and supreme wisdom to challenge. ”

"Then he turned to the elf and said, 'Write it down, and I, Mhamina, will destroy your race utterly by the decree of my goddess.

Humans can learn from their mistakes, but elves can't!' The man's voice grew louder and louder until it overshadowed the roaring wind.

'This will be your last warning! Give me a good look! Blaze, go to hell!'"

Then, at his command, the dragon spewed out a fiery flame at each of the captives tied to the pillar. They struggled helplessly in the flames and were burned alive......"

The hall was silent, and no one could say anything when they heard such an encounter.

"I almost went crazy on the spot," continued Gilsenas, his eyes shining with a burning light as if reflecting what he saw.

"I rushed forward to live and die with my own people, but a hand grabbed me and pulled me back. It's Telos.

Efield, the blacksmith of Willow. 'Now is not the time for unnecessary sacrifice, Elf,' he told me. 'Now is the time to live and take revenge.' ’

Then I passed out and he risked his life to take me home. If this woman hadn't healed him, he might have really sacrificed his life for the elves!"

Gilsenas pointed to Scarlet Moon, whose face was hidden by fur, standing in the back row. The singer turned his head to stare at her, as did the other elves, who talked in low voices, full of suspicion.

"Telos is the man who was carried in today, Singer," said Brother Por.

"The man only had one arm left. Our doctor said he would live. But they also said it was a miracle that he survived, because his injuries were very serious. ”

"Woman from the Great Plains, please go forward," the singer commanded with a grim face. Scarlet Moon took a step toward the center of the hall, River Breeze beside her.

The two elven guards held him back, glaring at them, and had to stand where they were.

The chief's daughter walked to the front, her head proudly raised.