In the middle of the night, a gate to the south of the city of New Rome rises quietly. The armoured gates on the inner and outer floors were designed to withstand the direct impact of missiles, due to the importance attached to the defense of the new Roman city. The city is located underground, and there is a hollow environment between the crustal rocks. It is connected by a large number of rectangular metal objects. These things are both support nodes between the city and the earth's crust, as well as a powerful defense matrix.

When needed, these metal pillars as supporting nodes will generate a laser light curtain in each of the four planes, and the light curtain will be connected by the node faces, thus forming a defensive home that envelops the entire city. In addition to being able to withstand both physical and energy impacts, the light curtain itself also has the characteristics of high temperature, and people or objects that rush into the range of the light curtain will ignite or detonate.

This defensive home was born out of the concept of security pursued by the designers of the new city of Rome, and has been updated and upgraded several times to reach its current size. In the history of the new Roman city, it has defended the city from three attacks by mutant creatures, so it is called "God's Gift", or simply "God's Grace".

However, the Divine Charism Defense System has quietly changed since it fell into the hands of Sauron, and if Sauron is willing, the defense matrix can not only defend against external attacks, but also become a barrier between the city of New Rome and the outside world, thus turning the city into a largest prison.

Outside the quietly rising city gate, a figure walked in quickly. On either side of the gate stood a group of knights, dressed in silver armor and decorated with a red cross. The back of the carcoon red cloak hung down to the ground, which was completely different from the knights of the ordinary Knights of the Holy Seal. This team of knights is Sauron's personal guard, called the "Silver Hand", and each member of the team is composed of people with abilities of the sixth order or above.

Their leader, Wisel, was on one knee, the same set of silver armor as the Silver Hand, but with the addition of a golden thorn on the red cross crest. The tall commander kneeling on one knee was holding a golden cloak in both hands, and when the man entered the city, he casually took the cloak and tied it around his body. The cloak slid to the ground like a flag.

His eyes fell on the cloak on the ground, and Wither muttered, "Welcome back, Lord Zoro!"

Returning late at night was none other than the true master of New Rome, Sauron, the chief of the Knights of the Holy Seal. His face was gloomy, and although this secret trip had ruined Istta, it had been far from smooth due to the loss of King Arthur and the escape of Franklin. Feeling the oppressive atmosphere on Zoro's body, not only the other Silver Hand knights were nervous, but even Wessel, as a confidant, didn't dare to take a breath.

Until Sauron said, "Go back first." "Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

An ornately decorated carriage awaits Sauron, a symbol of luxury that continues the nobility of the Middle Ages, but requires a lot of wealth and resources to sustain it. If nothing else, let's just say that the two tall white horses of the royal chariot have no trace of variegation, and the resources and money they spend are enough to produce two Knights of the Round Table of the third generation!

These two white horses are the product of genetic engineering in the laboratory of the Papal Hall, after all, in this era, everything is changing, and it is impossible to find such a horse with pure blood. These two horses belong to genetic creations, and they spend a lot of money in exchange for only to reflect the status of Sauron, which is not difficult to see the dictatorship of this man from another side.

If not, these two horses alone would have fed all the civilians of several colonized islands for decades or more.

The carriage departed, and Withsel and the other knights followed the carriage through the silent streets and quietly returned to the Papal Chamber. As soon as he got out of the car, Sauron strode towards the depths of the Papal Chamber. Dr. Jane, who received the news, waited early, and as soon as he saw Sauron appear, he immediately greeted him and said, "Your Excellency, you have finally returned, please forgive me for my presumptuousness, but I still have to report it to you. The lab was in a mess, and after the beast had escaped, we tried to wake one or two of his hibernating compatriots to continue the experiment. ”

"Unfortunately, their physique doesn't seem to be as strong as that of beasts, and they don't adapt to the environment in which we live now. After leaving the sterile environment of the hibernation chamber, the two subjects who were awakened one after another did not survive for more than 24 hours, and the shortest one showed genetic collapse after 3 hours. Although we still have quite a few test subjects left, given this situation, we don't dare to try to wake up the other test subjects for the time being, so we have to wait for the adults to come back and make another decision. The doctor swallowed and said, "Of course, it's best to be able to chase Noso back." My lord, he is our key to a new kingdom. ”

Usually, Solon in the Papal Hall still values Dr. Jane, after all, he is an authority on genetic engineering. If Su Long wants to build an army of capable people, and even if he wants to break through the current level, he hopes for the research of doctors. Therefore, in normal times, Sauron and the doctor can be called pleasant to talk to. However, tonight seemed to be an exception, and Sauron impatiently grabbed the doctor by the collar and pressed him against the door, and said in a cold tone, "Listen, Doctor, perhaps the beast was indeed our key to a new kingdom before. But now he is no more! The true God has come and will open a new kingdom for us. But damn it, he lost his keys. Now I'm bothered by that, so don't bother me about any beasts!"

Letting go of Dr. Jane, Sauron said, "Compared to this, my King Arthur has been destroyed, please build me another one." ”

"It's not a big deal, King Arthur's information is on file, and there is a prototype in the warehouse. As long as it is modified and commissioned, it will soon be put into use" Dr. Jane had not yet spoken, but Zoro had already gone far. The authoritative expert of the papal hall looked at the distant figure and sighed heavily.

Of course, Sauron was not in the mood to entangle with Dr. Jane, and losing Franklin would be like missing an opportunity for him to advance. And because of this, I don't know what that person will do to him. Of course, Sauron was sure that he wouldn't kill himself. He knew very well that the silver demon would have to rule the country through him.

This is similar to how he put the five-year-old Paul into power more than a decade ago, and he took power behind the scenes.

Thinking of this, Zoro's mouth was full of bitterness.

In the blink of an eye, I came to my own palace. Swinging off the hand of Withssel and Silver, Sauron entered his palace alone. Before the demon named Gaia appeared, Sauron's palace could be said to be brightly lit all year round, and as soon as he returned, he would be surrounded by his wife and concubine, which did not make Sauron feel lonely for a moment. But now, when the gate of the palace is opened, the shijie inside is dim and cold.

On that day, all the wives and concubines were killed by Gaia. And in order to keep Gaia's secret, Sauron killed all the guards and servants. That night, the blood from these corpses built up like a carpet in Sauron's palace. After the night known as the Night of Bloodshed, it took three days just to clean the palace. And the clean-up work is done by the noble Silver Hand Knight on weekdays.

And after the palace was washed, every time he returned to the palace, Zoro would smell a faint smell of blood. Even if the palace is sprinkled with fragrant flowers, it can't hide the smell of blood. So Sauron knew that his palace had become a hell.

Because, the devil is here.

The palace is dimly lit, but the space is much more spacious than before. After all, those superfluous decorations, even famous paintings preserved from the old era, have been cleaned up, and the space is naturally spacious. Only Solon's luxurious Russian mahogany handmade animal skin chair has been preserved, which is also a relic of the old era. Today, neither the materials nor the manufacturing process exist. This large chair, which is like a work of art, is already worth a fortune.

In the past, Zoro liked to sit on this leather chair and watch his wives and concubines perform all kinds of absurd performances to please him. And now, the leather chair has changed owners.

Gaia was sitting on it, his long black knife lying horizontally, his hands resting flat on his knees, like an inanimate body.

Many times, Sauron even thought it was just a corpse. But Sauron didn't have the courage to look deeper, and heard his footsteps, a long breath, and a corpse-like body seemed to be infused with a soul. The vague and invisible power slowly spread through the entire space like water, and the moment it touched Gaia's power, Sauron seemed to see the sky burning and the earth cracking. Countless fireballs burst into the sky, cities and lives withered in the flames, blood is the only theme, and this is already hell!

Even though it was only for a brief moment, Sauron couldn't help but gasp violently. Even because of fear, his hands were trembling slightly. The palace was still the same palace, but when Sauron looked towards the leather chair, Gaia was no longer there.

"How about I tell you what to do?"

A cold voice came from the right, and Zoro saw that the black scabbard of the narrow war knife was dotted on the ground less than 5 centimeters away from his eyes at some point. The distance was so close that Sauron seemed to feel the sharpness and coldness of the sword in his sheath.

He couldn't help but bury his head and said, "Please forgive me." All was going well, but at Roaring Bay, Franklin fled. ”

"Escape?" Under the silver hair, on the face that resembles Zero, the golden pupil of the left eye reflects the fire of the palace, as if there is a flame jumping in the pupil: "Then why didn't you find him and come back?"

"Because the Roaring Bay is," Zoro suddenly thought of something, and suddenly changed his words, "No, there is nothing there." Please rest assured, I will send a large army at once. Even if you turn all the nearby islands over, I'm going to bring Franklin back for you!"

With that, Zoro waited for Gaia's instructions. I waited for a long time, but there was no movement. I couldn't help but look to the right, and the scabbard was gone. Then Gaia's voice came from the front, and he sat back in the leather chair at some point and said coldly, "Then don't go quickly, Zoro." My kindness is limited, and the next time I wake up, I hope to see Franklin. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind changing to a servant. A young pope like that is also a good choice. ”

Sauron said in a loud voice, "Please rest assured, my lord. It won't be long before I'll bring Franklin back, so please rest in peace. ”

The majesty vanished like a low tide, and the body on the broken chair became lifeless again. Only then did Zoro dare to raise his head, and then hurriedly withdrew from the palace.

Soon after, Zoro's roar sounded in the strategic command room: "Call those pigs from the war department to me! I will see them in 5 minutes, and if they don't arrive, they will kill me immediately!"

At the sound of his roar, the Knights of the Silver Hand ran for orders, issuing Sauron's orders. Wessel stood beside Sauron and asked, "My lord, what is this?"

"We're going to war. Zoro pulled up a three-dimensional map near Roaring Bay, pointed to the Sea House with one hand, and said, "Declare all-out war on the pirates, this time, no matter what the cost, I will also completely eradicate them from Roaring Bay!"

The view from the sea is amazing, and the whole world was pitch black a moment ago. But as a ray of light jumped out of the sky on the eastern horizon, the light quickly drove out the darkness, and dawn quietly came.

As the sky began to lighten, the Destiny set sail from the East Shore Docks in Ishta. While still asleep, Orlan received a report that the Destiny had set sail. By the time she reached the docks, the strange silver ship had raised its four steel wings, spewing out blue flames and moving farther and farther away. A shallow wave left on the surface of the sea, sailing from the inner bay of the island to the natural tunnel.

Orlan sighed, she knew she had missed an opportunity. An opportunity that could lead to a rapid resurgence of Ishtar. Opportunities are always reserved for those who are prepared, and Ishtar, who has never agreed on a plan for the future, is clearly not ready. Orlan couldn't blame Zero for not changing, and so would she had been. As long as a little more mature people, they will not be willing to cooperate with someone who is as impulsive as Jesse, after all, it is not a matter of one person and one place, but the situation of the entire continent.

Oran could understand Jesse's impulsiveness and irrationality due to the loss of such an important person, Ulson, but she didn't allow it to go any further. Otherwise, what you lose next time may not be as simple as a chance to cooperate, but to lose the remaining Liliang of the rebel army. She had sworn to Ulson's sword, vowing to carry on his legacy. And it all started with changing Jesse. If she can't change him, Oran decides to use all means to kick him out, and she will never allow Jesse to drag everyone down because of him alone.

The road ahead was full of thorns, and the watcher had clenched his sword in his hand. Even if it is bloody, go straight to the end of the road.

For Destiny, Ishtar is clearly not the end of its journey. When you sail through the inner bay of the island and enter the vast sea through the island's natural tunnels, the scene of jumping from the dark and narrow environment to the vast sea area suddenly makes your heart feel a sense of enlightenment. In addition, the golden sky light shining on the sea is enough to sweep away the sadness of even the most melancholy person.

What's more, Zero is not melancholy, so he has a smile on his face as he stands on the hull of the Destiny.

"The captain seemed to be in a good mood, and came outside early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Cinderella's voice sounded behind her, and the beautiful female captain walked with sonorous steps, like a queen on the red carpet, all the way to Zero's side. Then he sat down on the hull of the boat, intertwined his slender legs, and exposed himself to the golden morning light without hesitation.

"Maybe you won't understand that the continent where we are located can't see such a landscape. Whether it is the old era or the new era, the ocean will always be a mysterious area that mankind yearns for. And now that I'm lucky enough to set foot in this field, why shouldn't I be happy?"

"The ocean is beautiful, but sometimes it's very violent, and that's the terrible thing about the sea. And the place you're going to now is far from friendly. Cinderella sighed, "Zero, I don't doubt your abilities. I also believe that you can defeat all the captains by themselves. But so what, those guys are unruly. Even if I surrender to you for a while, it is impossible to die for you. ”

Zero nodded and said, "I know, Cinderella." I've thought about this before, and the reason why you want to be pirates is not only because you don't want to bow to Sauron. More importantly, you yearn for this freedom on the sea, right?"

Cinderella's eyes flashed with surprise: "Since you already know, yet"

"But Cinderella, the age of your freedom is coming to an end. The sea is no longer a paradise for you to roam freely, the Pope's Hall will blockade the sea with their army, and Sauron will use his methods to get you to my side. From the beginning, I was on the bandwagon. Through the Papal Chamber, the favorable situation is directed to my side. ”

Turn around and turn your back to the brilliant morning light. Zero's whole body seemed to be plated with a layer of brilliance, and Cinderella was stunned. Zero reached out and made an inviting gesture and said, "Don't worry, my Cinderella." You just have to watch from the sidelines and watch how I borrowed the situation that Sauron created and turned it into a fire that pushed him off the altar!"

Cinderella smiled in return and stretched out her hand for Zero to lead, "I believe in you!"

Three days later, at the same dawn, the Queen of Fate quietly arrived in the sea near the Sea House. Cinderella unleashed a pink smog on the hull of the ship, and the fireworks exploded into the sky with a water demon pattern. More than an hour later, the Shrenchin, which had been repaired, sailed from the Sea House and anchored near the Destiny. Zero and Cindera pulled on the boat and returned to the Sea House.

At ten o'clock, Neptune's Bar opened. X was still wiping his glass at the bar, and a couple of waiters were sweeping the floor and cleaning up the clutter left behind by the last night's guests. On this morning, which was no different from before, far from the official opening time, two figures came in from outside the door that had just been replaced. X didn't raise his head, still wiping his wine glass intently, but said, "I'm sorry, we haven't opened for business yet, please come back after noon." ”

However, an arrogant woman's voice laughed: "I'm afraid not today, Mr. X!"

X's eyebrows moved, and he finally raised his head and landed on the stunning figure in front of the door: "Even if it's Cinderella, you must follow my rules." ”

"I know, but your rules must be changed today. Not for me, but for him"