The Pope's reaction made the Truth Priest on the side feel a little confused, and he spoke cautiously: "...... Isn't it good news that the whole world won't freeze because the sun 'disappears' for a long time? ”

"Of course that's good news on its own," Rune shook his head slightly, "but what if you look at the power that the sun is supposed to have?" What if we look at it from our perception and understanding of the world, from the 'laws that things are supposed to follow'? ”

The middle-aged priest frowned slightly, and suddenly understood what the Pope was worried about.

"The sun brings light and heat, and when the sun rises, the days become warmer, and when the sun sets, the nights cooler - if the sun is absent for a long time, the endless sea will be frozen, this is the law of things, just as ice will melt in fire, the simplest truth, but now the situation is ...... The temperature curve of the night seems to have nothing to do with the sun," Luan said with a solemn expression, "You know what it reminds me of?" ”

He didn't wait for the middle-aged priest's answer, but paused for a moment before continuing to speak: "The evil machine—like the wheel axle that still rotates after the steam core is cooled, like the differential machine that keeps spitting out paper tapes after the gears are stuck, the process of running things and the results of operation are gradually separating, some laws of course...... in failure. ”

There was an unsettling silence in the temple for a moment, and it took a long time for the middle-aged priest to break the silence: "We should contact the other three arks......"

"They're also watching the changes, and they shouldn't need to be reminded," Mr. Luhn said, "more than that...... Has our border fleet already departed? ”

The middle-aged priest immediately nodded: "Yes, they have entered the Veil range an hour ago, and the communication has not been interrupted at present—the fleets of the other three churches have also entered the border from different directions. There have been no casualties yet. ”

Rune nodded slowly, "...... What about sea refuge routes? ”

"We have set up twenty-six rendezvous points at the midway points of the main shipping lanes in the various seas, with large chapel ships and supply ships as the nucleus of each assembly point, and hundreds of ships that are unable to return to the city-state in time to respond to the call are taking refuge at the various assembly points, and these refuge ships are then planned to be directed to a 'safe distance' from the nearest city-state, which will stay until the end of night.

"But the actual effect of this 'night shelter' at sea has yet to be verified, and we don't yet know what will change in the night as time goes on, so we can only prepare for the best possible and prepare for the worst......

Lune listened quietly and nodded slightly.

And just then, a sudden sound of bells from not far away interrupted his conversation with the priest - the bells rang one after the other in various parts of the Ark Ship, with a hint of unusual urgency.

Lu En was stunned for a moment, and then as if sensing something, he listened attentively, and a smile suddenly appeared on his face: "...... They're back. ”

The Lost and the Bright Star returned—the glow of the ghostly ship's glowing green light was as striking as a lighthouse in the distant waters shrouded in night, and the two ships crossed the cordon formed by the fleets of the Church and the City-State offshore, heading straight for the Breeze, and the patrol fleet that had received the order in advance did not dare to stop them.

Without any concealment or hesitation, the Lost Country and the Bright Star docked directly on the coastline east of Lighthaven, and Duncan swaggered into the city.

Nina took Shirley's hand and followed Duncan and Morris, frowning as she made her way through the empty roads inside the port area.

“…… It was so lively the last time I was here......"

"Now it's just patrolling and standing guard," Shirley muttered, a strip of black cloth over her eyes to shield her somewhat frightening eyes, but now she suddenly realized that she didn't seem to have to be so cautious — she barely saw a few people outside after entering the city, "Martial law is said to last for a month or two." ”

The city-state was still under martial law at the moment, and although it should have been a morning in terms of time, most of the citizens of Breeze Harbor had been ordered to stay at home at the moment, except for those who maintained the city's functions and other special positions—the pale golden "sunlight" shining from the offshore direction quietly filled the empty streets, making it look like a ghost town at dusk.

And in the other half of the city, where the "sunlight" released by the luminous geometry cannot reach, there is only a somewhat suffocating night.

However, after leaving the outer area and entering the more densely populated urban area, the streets are still sparsely populated with people in a hurry, as well as some shops that are open.

"There's even a shop with its doors open!" Shirley was a little surprised to "look" at the shops on the side of the road, "and some people went out to ......"

"As you said, the whole state of martial law will last for a month or two—this time will have to maintain the most basic order of life," Morris shook his head, "I think the city-states must have developed some kind of 'life schedule' according to the state of the long night that will follow, so that everyone can have the opportunity to go out to shop or work during the period of martial law...... Life has to go on. ”

Listening to Shirley's conversation with Morris, Duncan didn't say anything to participate, he just glanced up at the deserted street in front of him, and said casually: "I've seen enough...... Aye. ”

A flame burned out of thin air, and the giant bone bird wrapped in the flames hovered above everyone, making a strange and sharp cry: "Who is calling the fleet?" ”

"Take us to 99 Crown Street." Duncan said.

A flame swept over the Breezeport like a meteor, crossed the city illuminated by the offshore "sun", and flew straight to the "Witch's Mansion" in the upper town.

This disturbing flaming meteor undoubtedly attracts the attention of many people – but it is a reassuring ...... for those who really know the situation Good news.

As soon as the flames hit the ground, and the vision in front of her had stabilized, Lucrecia saw the uninvited guests standing in front of her house.

Helena, who has a graceful temperament, wears a navy blue robe, has a slightly fat figure, Lune in a scholar's robe, and a bunch of unknown priests and scholars—who look like retinues or assistants brought by the two popes.

They seem to have been waiting here for a while.

“…… Wow," Nina muttered, "and there are quite a few ...... coming."

"It's not too surprising." Duncan's reaction was very indifferent.

Lucrecia's first reaction was to frown, she looked at the "visitors" who appeared at her door, walked forward quickly, did not hide the impatience in her expression, and said before the two church leaders could speak: "I don't like to receive guests—especially so many guests. ”

Obviously, Miss Witch, who had just returned home from a trip to the border, was very unhappy that there were so many uninvited guests in front of her.

Lune didn't mind the unceremonious attitude of this "witch of the sea" at all, he seemed to have known the witch's personality and habits for a long time, and when he heard this, he waved his hand to the entourage around him: "Then you can go back first." ”

Helena followed suit to disperse the accompanying priests and guards, and then nodded to Lucrecia: "There are only two 'guests' here. ”

Lucrecia stared at the two popes standing at the door with wide eyes, then sighed helplessly and took two steps back to the side: "...... Well, my dad was really happy to talk to you. Luni, go open the door. ”

Lunny, the clockwork doll, immediately walked past the crowd and walked up the steps to open the door, while Duncan nodded lightly to Luan and Helena, "Let's go in and talk." ”

The bright lights dispelled the night, the temperature of the fireplace dispelled the cold of the night, the puppets and tin attendants who remained in the mansion had cleaned the place long before the hostess went home, and now the hot tea had been put on the table, and the freshly baked snacks still exuded the heat of the freshly baked pastry.

This bright, warm mansion almost makes you forget the long, unsettling night outside, the current state of the world falling apart.

Everyone gathered in the living room, Duncan sat on the sofa in a very casual posture, and nodded to Helena and Rune opposite: "I didn't expect you to come here and wait in person - I thought that people like you, every time they leave the 'ark', it is a very serious and deliberate thing." ”

"There's really not enough reason we can't leave the Ark at will—but meeting you as soon as possible is 'good enough reason,'" Helena said, "especially in these circumstances." ”

"What do you want to know now?" Duncan said, "Is it the state of the world? Or is it the cause of the end of the world? Or what will happen in the future? ”

Lu and Helena subconsciously exchanged glances.

"We all want to know," Lune broke the silence first, adjusting his sitting position so that he leaned forward slightly, his expression was extra solemn, "but first, we want to know what happened on the Holy Land Island, and how you and ...... Communication between the creators of the world. ”

"We've received some information from the Tide," Helena added, "but I'm sure there's more to it than you know." ”

Duncan groaned slightly, then nodded slightly.

"First of all, then, I declare to you a conclusion - this is the premise of everything."

From Duncan's look and tone, Helena suddenly felt a heavy uneasiness: "Knot...... Discuss? ”

"Yes, the conclusion - the end of the world is already doomed, any kind of tinkering has come to an end, at most...... There can also be only a limited continuation. ”

Duncan's tone was calm, his voice was not loud, but every word seemed to carry a thousand weights.

(End of chapter)