Nestled northwest of Silver Oak City, the Forest of Anthem is probably the most sparsely populated place in the entire Orem Kingdom. In fact, it is not difficult to understand that when a land is feared by the unknown, and then put on the cloak of religion and belief, and is endowed with divinity that is difficult for mortals to touch, even the most good people will be in awe of it, or even keep silent.

The trial of the order of the main god Somuel is held here, once every three years, and it never stops. As for when the trial was born, and who made the stone henge and the altar, even Pope Kasloni could not give an exact answer, and of course, no one would ask such an abrupt question.

The truth of many things will always be slowly annihilated in the long river of time, and finally the scattered fragments will flow on the riverbed, some of which will be picked up and taken away by the wise, and some will be thrown back to the bottom of the river, intentionally or unintentionally. Those that were picked up were recorded in the book and became history, and those that were thrown back became legends in the wind.

The truth has long been cared about, but habits have been passed down from generation to generation, and this is the power of faith.

However, the meadows on the edge of the Song Forest were a busy scene at this time. Tents, tables and chairs, carpets, ornaments, large and small utensils, and bottles and jars, were unloaded from the tall wagons and placed in place by the servants under the command of their respective stewards.

The ropes were stretched straight under the pulling, the tents of various ornate styles were slowly propped up, and the flags embroidered with family crests fluttered in the wind on the top of the tents, forming a colorful landscape. The originally deserted meadow is slowly changing, and it seems that the nobles who set foot here want to dress it up as a hunting ground for excursions, and enjoy this unbridled day and night.

Of course, the noble lords would not have reached out to do such a menial task as arranging the barracks, and they were gathering around the stone henge, around His Majesty the King and the Bishop, waiting for the trial of order to begin.

A large clearing had been cleared next to the stone formation, and in a large dark red open-air tent, King Aiden and Pope Kasroni were sitting side by side and talking quietly. The former ministers and the top nobles of the capital are lined up according to their titles and official positions, and if you look closely, you will find that many old nobles who have not shown up for a long time have attended this year's order trial.

If nothing else, just because the first heir to the throne of the Olem Kingdom, Ayden's only son, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Sovereign, is also on the trial list. There is nothing wrong with having some advance respect for the new king who will succeed to the throne in the future, and it is not impossible that you will have the opportunity to play with the king in the future, for example, "Your Majesty, I would like to be there when you participated in the trial of order." ”

A bright red carpet stretched from the main seat of the open-air tent to the altar in the stone formation, flanked by the Imperial Guards, ordinary nobles, trial students, and a small group of Kingdom Guards. It must be admitted that this is the grandest ceremony in the Kingdom of Orem in recent years.

Sovereign stood in the middle of the cadet with a serious expression, like the other trialists, a dark gray cloak and a soft leather armor with copper spikes, and a small bag tied around his waist, which contained some emergency tools. He couldn't help but think of the scene when he packed his bags last night, and several servants who had taken care of him for many years even packed a large backpack that was enough to crush people to death, and there was almost everything in it.

Such a scene was stopped by Sovereign and Aiden with a wry smile, of course, there is no doubt about their kindness, the problem is that the trial of order is not an outing, it is better to think about how to pass it quickly.

"What are you thinking?" a small voice came from the side.

Sovereign peeked at Paislin and saw that the guy was staring at the back of the head of the man in front of him with his mouth pursed, as if he was not squinting. "What else can you think of? Of course it's a trial......," he paused and whispered, "By the way, how many times have you copied the Knight's Code?"

"It's done!" Paislin couldn't help but glance at Sovereign with a smug look on his face.

"Lord God, how can you be so fast?" Sovereign whispered in some incredulity, "I've only written it four times, hell. ”

"I could write it twenty times," Peslin laughed self-deprecatingly, "and if you were in my place, you would be the same, father, stepmother, and that little imp who could tear everything down." For the sake of the Lord God, locking yourself in your bedroom is the best option. ”

"Don't think about it so much, brother," Sovereign comforted softly, "and if you pass the trial, you will be able to move to the Cathedral of Bright Mountain, and then no one will bother you." ”

Paislin looked at the sky and sighed. "Hurry up, I've had enough of days like this. ”

"By the way, copy it for me a few times," Sauverais squeezed his eyes, "I don't want to spend the rest of the celebration in the book." ”

The Paislin thief smiled and looked at Sovereign. "Oak Pride, you invite me. ”

"No problem!" replied Soveland, "as long as there is no more fighting, and it seems that I will have to bring a cloak next time." ”

"Honestly, Veran, are you nervous?" Paislin looked up at the stone formation not far away.

"I said I wasn't nervous, do you believe it?" Sovereign opened his palms stained with cold sweat, "I thought it was just a trial, what was there to be nervous about." But I'm so nervous and trembling with excitement right now. Hell, let's get started. ”

"I thought I was the only one," Paislin patted her chest reassuringly, "but I'm still looking forward to it." ”

"What to expect?" asked Sovereign curiously.

"What if you pass the trial and find the Fountain of Youth, in the Forest of Songs?" said Paislin, wistfully.

Sovereign wanted to laugh but held back. "Wake up, do you believe in the legends of the troubadour?" he reminded, "do you really think there is such a spring?"

The legend of the Fountain of Agelessness in the mouth of Paisling is arguably one of the most popular tales in the kingdom of Orem, thanks to the wandering bards, and almost every child has listened to the ballad of the Fountain of Youthfulness in the Forest of Hymns by the campfire of a sacrifice or celebration. Combining the fantasies of youth with the innocence of the world, children fantasize about the beautiful spring water that can make people immortal, can free sick relatives from pain, and even, can fly to a beautiful paradise with themselves.

Children become adults, and adults become parents of children, and they continue to tell stories to children, and no one will take the song seriously, and no one will puncture that beautiful dream.

Paislin shook his head a little lonely, one of the few memories he had of his mother, the gentle figure who would cover himself with the sun-smelling quilt and tell the ballad of the Fountain of Youth. Her lips were gently imprinted on her forehead, warm, soft, this was the deepest beauty of Peslin's heart.

"Why can't you keep dreaming?" said Paislin, stunned to herself.

Sovereign touched Peslin and signaled movement in the direction of the tent. "It's almost getting started. ”

Behind Pope Casroni, the head of the Templar Order, Upland, whispered a few words in the old man's ear. Kasroni smiled and nodded, then stood up, and with the old man's movements, the nobles in the entire tent moved, and they collectively stood up under Aiden's leadership and bowed to the old man.

The old man patted Aiden's arm affectionately, and then walked out of the tent with Upplan and a priest with a tray in both hands.

Kasroni walked slowly, holding in his hand a milky white papal scepter with a dark yellow polygonal gemstone on the head. I have to say that the years have left too many marks on him, and he is much older than ten years ago.

Upland followed the old man with the hilt of his sword, his scarlet cloak, his emblem that appeared from time to time, and his golden armor that flowed with halos covered his body, making a low sound as he took his steps.

Just, majestic, and as if shining with a peaceful light, their figures attract everyone's attention, but they make people want to bow their humble heads irrepressibly.

The old man walked to the altar in the center of the stone circle and faced the students who were about to go through the trial. "Young men, you've been waiting for this day for a long time, haven't you?" he said, glancing at the young faces, "Don't blame me, the Lord God is above, you have to be considerate of the efficiency of the next old man!"

There was a good-natured laugh from the crowd. "Believe me, the reason why today is the most important day of your life is not because some people can pass the trial, and some people end up losing the election. Kasroni's voice paused, and he continued frankly, "Even I don't know what you're going to face, but each trialist will have a very different experience in this deep forest. But I want to say," his voice pitched, "whatever the outcome, today you will be here to witness one of the few miracles of your lifetime." ”

The students listened quietly, and the inexplicable nervousness before the trial was gradually replaced by curiosity and unquenchable excitement. Indeed, everyone in the kingdom is a believer in the God of Order, and how many of them have spent their entire lives actually seeing the miracles that happen to them? In any case, this is a glory that will be remembered for a lifetime.

"Once you enter the forest, you will be teleported back to the stone henge for a day and a night, whether you exceed the time limit or complete your trials early, and you will know whether you pass or not. With that, Kasroni nodded to Upplan, who lifted the gauze covering the tray and saw gray stone balls with blue runes.

"If you encounter danger, or if you choose to abstain in the middle of the trial, crush this refuge stone, you can return here. The old man smiled as he spread his hands, "Don't be pushy, lads. If you get lost in the Forest of Songs, don't expect my old bones to rescue you!"

The old man's words made everyone laugh again. "Let's get started. He turned to face the altar, and Upland retreated outside the stone circle with the priest who was with him.

Kasroni took the scepter in both hands, pointed the jewel of the scepter head to the sky, and the fine, low syllables were chanted in his mouth, and soon the incantations seemed to come alive in the air, superimposed and entwined, as if someone was whispering softly in his ear. Golden runes appeared on the milky white scepter, and the gem on the head of the scepter became brighter and brighter, shining with dazzling light.

Eventually, as if the gem could no longer hold any more light, leaping golden lightning bolts shot out of the staff and struck the massive pillar.

Suddenly, all the spells in the air stopped at the same syllable at the same time, and Kasroni jerked the scepter into the slot on the altar. The next moment, time seemed to stand still, and then, a yellow light shield spread around the center of the altar, and the majestic waves of air rolled up the broken grass and blew up everyone's clothes.

The earth shook under everyone's feet, as if the ancient power that was sleeping underground had been awakened, and countless flowing dark golden runes appeared on the thick stone pillars, and those runes became denser and denser, and at this moment, three pillars of light shot from the top of the stone pillar to the altar in the middle.

The altar slowly rose, and the energy passed up the scepter, and suddenly, the gem on the head of the scepter emitted a golden light that pierced through all the darkness of the world, piercing the purple mist that surrounded the edge of the forest. Like a pebble thrown into a quiet lake, layers of ripples rippled at the moment when the light and the fog came into contact, the fog moved, and a whirlpool appeared circling where the light pierced, squeezing the fog around, faster and bigger.

Eventually, a large circular cavity appeared in the mist-forged wall, revealing a faint view of the forest.

The old man's kind voice came from the stone formation. "Good luck, boys!"

....................................

Digression in this chapter: Thank you for the reward from Mr. Red Jujube.