The Sun Fortress, the headquarters of the Knights of the Sun, stands in the middle of the Sun City. It is a magnificent building made of stone bricks and cement www.biquge.info. The city of the sun is not an ordinary plain city, for some reason, the builders built it into a spiral city from the bottom up, like a drill that keeps digging upwards, pointing straight to the sky. And the Sun Fortress is the tip of the drill.

The head of the Senate Guard, Fabisius, personally carried out the imprisonment of the regimental commander, Roderick. Although it was a "prison", the Senate still tried to be polite to Roderick. They placed Roderick in the most luxurious room in the fort, which was located at the highest point of the fort and was known as the tower of the "scorching sun". From here, you can see the magnificent Cité Soleil, a room built to entertain the Order's supreme heroes.

They also hold a special ceremony for the hero, awarding him the Order of the Sun, the highest honor. On that day, the recipient of the award will climb the Sun Tower and look down on the entire Sun City from above. People cheered for him and sang for him, girls offered him flowers, and poets sang praises of his deeds. They also hold great feasts, where people drink and sing, hang over, and dance until dawn.

Today, the house of honor houses the youngest captain in the history of the Knights of the Sun, which the captain of the guard considers an insult to tradition. Like the Senate, Fabithius considered Roderick to be a treacherous apostate who was inextricably linked to the tragedy of Leuvin and deserved to be excommunicated from the Order, or even to be executed.

However, since it is a resolution of the Senate, Fa Bixiu can only faithfully implement it.

"There are four shifts, and the guards change every six hours. Try to fulfill the request of the regiment commander, Roderick, but if he asks to summon someone, remember to report back to me. "The captain of the guard arranged for his subordinates to do everything he said and did according to Elder Redwin's request. He himself was kept in the guard's house in the tower at all times in case of accidents.

On the first night, however, the young regimental commander made an annoying request.

"I want milk, Fabisiu!" he shouted to the captain of the guard through the ornate window. Fabishu had just finished his prayer for the day and was about to lie down and rest, when he was awakened by the noise. He had no choice but to pinch his eyebrows, put on his golden helmet again, and walked towards the main chamber of the Sun Tower in full gear.

"Your Excellency, Commander, please be quiet. Such a noise is detrimental to your image in the minds of the knights. He said politely to the "apostates" inside through the door.

"Hey, you guys told me. Let me meditate here, and in between I can ask for anything. It's just a glass of milk, and it's good that I didn't mention women!" cried the chief of the knights inside.

"Watch your words, Your Excellency, Commander. Fa Bixiu said coldly, not planning to argue with this unreasonable person.

"Oh, okay, well, I didn't expect the Captain of the Guard to be a man without the slightest sense of humor...... I repeat my request, I want a glass of milk. ”

"If I'm not mistaken, your room has everything in the food, and it's all made with the best ingredients......"

"Hey, are you still from our Knights of the Sun?" Roderick interrupted as he knocked on the doorframe. "Who doesn't know, the Grand Master of the Knights of the Sun needs a glass of warm milk every night to help him have a peaceful and sweet night. This allows my brain to function better, you know, Fa Bixiu? The brain is a very important thing. ”

"All right, Your Excellency, Commander. Fabithius sighed deeply, turned around and ordered his men to boil a cup of fresh, hot milk for the Knight Commander. "Arrived in a few minutes. He bowed to the door, ignoring Roderick's chatter, and turned away. He returned to his room, watched the guards bring milk into the main chamber and get out safely, before he unloaded his armor and sword, lay down on the bed, closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, shortly after the "sun" made of philosopher's stone was lit, Fabixiu got up and put on the golden armor of the sun. He went to the door of the main chamber and asked about the previous night.

"The lights in the house were not turned off all night, and the rustling sound of writing could be heard from inside. ”

"Well, it seems that our Knight Captain has fulfilled his duty well. He nodded, but was confused. The impression of Roderick never working at night. Maybe there is something else hidden? Fa Bixiu decided to go in and see the "results" of the Knight Commander one night for the sake of the past few days.

He knocked on the door, but received no response. "Your Excellency, Your Excellency!" he knocked on the door, shouting loudly, echoing through the empty courtyard. However, there was still no reaction in the house.

"Mobilize all the guards and set up a blockade and search line. The others joined me, ready to break down. Without hesitation, he drew his sword, assuming that Roderick had absconded the previous night. However, the Lieyang Tower is dozens of meters above the ground, and the outer wall is rugged, making it almost impossible to escape......

Just as Fa Bixiu was thinking about the other party's way of escaping and was about to break the door, the delicate wooden door opened by itself.

The Knight Commander, Roderick, wore a pair of white linen shorts, rubbed his sleepy eyes, and stood in front of everyone. "What's the matter, Fabixiu, it's noisy outside, what's going on?" he said vaguely, like a cat that had just woken up. Except for Fa Bixiu, everyone looked at him blankly, their eyes surprised.

"Your Excellency, Commander...... What the hell are you doing?" Fabixiu roared with a dark face.

"As you can see, Captain of the Guard. Roderick yawned and said lazily, "You've woken up your sweet dream." ”

"Get out of the way. Fabixiu didn't bother to pay attention to the other party's nonsense, he pushed away the knight leader, and rushed into the house with the guards, and found it a mess inside.

The food on the table was swept away, and silver plates were piled with food scraps and leftover bones. The bottle of red wine was poured on the floor, and the red wine was sprinkled on the woolen carpet, staining it crimson.

"You're just in time, help me clean up inside. Roderick said lazily, clasping his hands over the doorframe.

"Don't worry, Your Excellency, Commander. There's something else I want to ask you. Fabixiu took off his stuffy helmet and pointed to the desk with a pile of ink-stained waste paper. "What are you doing here?"

"Didn't the Senate tell you, Captain of the Guard, that I need to come up with a course of action that will convince them in the last three days. However, the old man's thoughts are obviously not to be guessed, and I spent a lot of pen and paper, but I didn't come up with anything. Maybe it could go much smoother if you helped me?"

"I don't have the heart to argue with you, Roderick. Fabisius gradually lost his patience, and called the chief of the knights by his first name, and said, "Perhaps I must remind you that this room is inhabited by the greatest heroes of the Order, holy and noble. To be able to live in this in itself is an insult to tradition, and instead of cherishing it, you are wantonly destroying it. If it weren't for the Patriarch thinking you were still valuable, I would have cut off your head, apostate. He pointed his sword at Roderick's neck and said viciously.

"Then I really thank you, Captain of the Guard. Roderick smiled viciously, "You said it yourself, the old men know my value and won't attack me easily." As long as I am willing, cooperate with the old men, and a few words can make you fly far and high. The Sun Tower will be rightfully available to me, as long as I wish. ”

After listening to the words of the Knight Commander, Fabixiu's frost-like face rarely raised a smile. He put his sword back into its scabbard and said to the other, "No, Roderick. No matter how much you struggle, your results won't change. ”

"What do you mean, Fabisius?" the Knight Captain's eyes narrowed in alarm.

"It's none of your business, Roderick. You seem to care more about your task than this. Elder Redwin told me that you are free to summon any knight to hear their opinions. Maybe I'm nosy, but it's still necessary to remind you of your right. ”

"Oh, thank you. Roderick rolled his eyes.

"So, who do you want to invite, Knight Master? I just have to remind you that many paladins are busy with official business, and we cannot guarantee that they will be invited. ”

"You don't need to say it, Captain of the Guard. I know that my subordinates have always been loyal and conscientious. But there is one person who I believe can always find time out of his busy schedule to help me. ”

"That's not easy to say, Your Excellency, Commander. Fabixiu blinked, contemplating the names that the other might have called. Demir Jackson or Chief of Staff Halixter, whoever it was, he could find good reasons to refuse the Knight's request.

"Apprentice Knight, Claumi. ”

"W-what?" the answer surprised the captain of the guard, and he couldn't even understand it, "you're looking for a cadet knight?"

"You heard you right, Mr. Captain. Roderick grabbed a green-skinned apple and took a bite into it, "Oh, this apple must be good for brewing......

"Then again, though he is a probationary knight, Gillaumy is just my horse boy. You don't even have the courage to let me meet a horse boy, do you?" Roderick defiant, like a barking cat.

"I have to say, of course not, Your Excellency. Wait a minute, and we'll call him right away. "But before I do that, I'd like you to get dressed." ”

"Of course, you don't have to worry about it. Roderick waved his hand and made a look of disinterest.

"Call two men to clean up the place, and the rest and I will take it down." He couldn't stand the smoky room any longer, and after saluting like Roderick, he led the group out of the room. He instructed his subordinates to go to Roderick's horse boy and consider whether to inform the Senate. But he eventually felt he could handle it.

Moments later, the apprentice knight Gilaumi, the boy of the regimental commander Roderick, appeared in front of Fabisius in dirty clothes. After he had the guards inspect him and make sure he had nothing contraband, he called the horse boy into the house and said, "The chief of the knights is in dire need of your help, probationary knights. I hope you won't let him down. ”

"Don't worry, Your Excellency the Captain of the Guard. I have always taken good care of the captain's horses. The 12-year-old Ma Tong said confidently.

"Good, kid. Let's go inside. He patted Giraumi on the shoulder and sent him into Roderick's house. As soon as the probationary knight entered, the door was shut, nominally not allowing Fabisius and his guards to interfere with Roderick's meeting.

But that's also only in name.

He returned to the house and pulled out a small white magic stone. The stones, which had been blessed by the mage to transmit sound, were all over Roderick's house, and they could convey the conversation in the room to Fabixiu's ears without leaking.

"I'm glad you're here, Giraumi. The Captain's voice was as pompous as ever. "You know, you can't see a single acquaintance in this hellish place, it's boring. ”

"Everybody thinks the same thing, especially your horses. Ma Tong could say more than the captain of the guard imagined, "Your Excellency the captain of the guard told me that you have something to look for me, what is it?"

"Oh, the old men of the Senate want me to propose a future course for the Order, and I need to hear from you for that. ”

"Then you can go to Your Excellency the Chief of Staff. I'm sorry, Your Excellency. I don't know anything about any of this......" the midshipman sounded a little frustrated

"Oh, that's okay, just say what you want. Roderick said as he made a "click" sound as he bit an apple.

"If I can, I'd like to take the horses for a walk on the ground...... You know, if horses stay underground for too long, they lose their wildness, become too docile, and naturally slow down. ”

"That's right, you're quite right. But I have to say it's a bit difficult, maybe you can let my old horse run around the city instead of being locked up in the stable all the time. ”

"That's what you're saying. ”

Fa Bixiu listened to the conversation between the two and felt more and more bored. Most of the things they talked about were non-nutritious, from horse breeding, to wheat cakes in the city, to the daughters of the florists. He almost began to suspect that they were communicating in a different way, such as pen and paper. However, there was no doubt that the Philosopher's Stone did not make any writing sounds.

Perhaps the regimental commander really didn't realize how dangerous his situation was. Fabixiu thought that this might be a good thing for him.

They talked for a long time, from morning to noon, and even shared lunch. Had it not been for Fabixiu's intervention to say that the meeting should be over, they might have been able to talk all day.

"Goodbye, Gilaumi. Remember to take my old horse for a good yoke. As he was leaving, Roderick waved goodbye to the midshipman.

"Who else would like to see you, Your Excellency the Commander?" asked Fa Bixiu after Ma Tong had left.

"No, everyone must be busy. The chief shrugged his shoulders and said idly, "Of course, if you can, you can find me a girl to spend the night with." ”

"That can't be. Fabisius said with a grimace, dispelling the Knight's Captain's rambling illusions.

"I knew it. Roderick looked a little regretful, and he walked to his desk and said to the captain of the guard, "From now on, I have to tidy up and think about it, and please don't bother me except for delivering food." ”

"As you wish. This is the right thing to do. The other side seemed to know that no matter how much they struggled, it was a futile effort, so they simply gave up resistance. It's good, at least he didn't struggle ugly. Fa Bixiu thought to himself, leaned over, and exited the room.

Towards night, when the "sun" was gradually turning into the "moon", news came from Fabixiu's subordinates that the Senate had begun a clean-up operation against Roderick's henchmen. At about the same time, he heard the sound of swords fighting in the castle and in the city. He ascended the castle and looked down at a pair of knights wielding golden sun flags walking neatly along the main avenue of the city of the sun, and they would go straight to the hideouts and garrisons of Roderick's henchmen, and they were all captured.

After tonight, the Knight Master Roderick will find himself alone in the face of judgment and death. He probably watched the situation from the room, and he didn't know how he would feel. Fabixiu glanced at the main house, which was brightly lit, and the sound of pen and paper rubbing came from the Philosopher's Stone, but there was silence beyond that.

Calm or stupid, Fabisius decided to return to his hut and pray for the knights who had been on the move tonight.

Great God of the Sun, please grant your blessings to my fellow citizens. He closed his eyes, pressed his hand on the thick tome, and prayed in his heart for his fellow man. Please give them the courage and strength to be fearless and invincible in the face of darkness. Starting tonight, his people will take advantage of the darkness and shadows that lie beneath the city of the sun. Fa Bixiu wanted to join them, but he was given a more important task.

Where there are shadows, there must be light, and to sweep away these shadows completely, you must firmly suppress their light.

Finally, he prayed for his wife and children. Fa Bixiu is forty years old, has a son and a daughter, and lives in this magnificent Sun City. He prayed that they would be safe and thriving under the protection of the sun.

After tonight, he plans to visit his wife and children for the first time in a long time, and offer them a bouquet of flowers to make up for the lack of love he has lacked over the years due to his official duties.

When the prayer was finished, he closed the book and pinched his brow to end the prayer.

The sound of swords in the city has slowly subsided, and the crackdown is probably nearing its end. He walked out of the hut to see what was going on inside the city, but saw six knights dressed in the golden armor of the guards appear from the gatehouse and walk towards him. Their armor and swords were stained with blood, and they were supposed to deliver good news to him.

"Welcome, warriors. He held out his hands and wanted to give each of them a good hug. These people were his subordinates, and with the blood of their enemies, they won honor for the entire Senate Guard. "I'm so proud of you. ”

"Me too, Your Excellency the Guard. The leader said, bowing. He wore a blood-stained helmet, and in the darkness Fabixiu couldn't see his face clearly.

"Heads up, warrior. Let me take a good look at you. He strode forward and reached for the man's cheek. Yet he was attracted to the sword.

It's not so much a sword as a knife. It was a slender and beautiful scimitar, the silver-white body of the knife was imprinted on the inscription with hot blood, and the hilt was carved with golden sun and flame-like lines, just like the treasure knife he knew.

"Elizabeth. He pronounced the name engraved on the knife. The name was like a bolt of lightning that awakened his victorious heart, and he put his hand on his saber and shouted: "Enemy attack! Prepare ......."

Before he could finish speaking, a blood-stained Elizabeth stabbed him in the chest, tearing through his whole body like fire in sharp pain.

The man lifted his head, and his eyes were like a burning fire.

"Yes, is it you?" Blood poured out of his mouth, and Fabixiu couldn't believe his eyes. He saw a terrible ghost, a terrible ghost returning from hell.

"That's right, Captain of the Guard, it's me. I'm back from hell. Paladin Phoenix roared angrily, pulling Elizabeth out with a terrible tearing sound.

The captain of the guard, Fabixiu, fell to the ground in response, the darkness eroding his consciousness, and the smell of blood gradually enveloped him. Before he died, he saw his wife and children.