Chapter 56 Chapter Fifty-Five
Langdon and Victoria rushed to the courtyard outside the Secret Archives.As the fresh air sucked into Langdon's lungs, it felt like a drug.The purple spots in the eyes quickly disappeared, but the guilt was still there.He's already been an accomplice in the theft of a priceless artifact from one of the world's most secret archives.The Pope's chamberlain said, I believe in you.
"Hurry up," said Vittoria, walking briskly across Via Borgia, with the paper still in her hand, in the direction of Olivetti's office.
"If water gets on the papyrus—"
"Calm down, when we crack this thing, we can return their sacred fifth page."
Langdon quickened his pace to catch up.He no longer felt like a criminal, but he was still bewildered by the demagogic hints in the material.Milton was an Illuminati.He wrote a poem for Galileo, which was published on the fifth page of the material... far away from the attention of the Holy See.
They walked out of the courtyard, and Victoria handed Langdon the file. "Do you think you can crack this thing? Or are we just killing brain cells for the thrill?"
Langdon handled the document carefully, and without hesitation put it in a breast pocket of his tweed jacket to protect it from sunlight and moisture. "I've cracked it."
Victoria stopped suddenly. "what?"
Langdon walked on.
Victoria rushed forward. "You only watched it once! I think that should be hard!"
Langdon knew she was right, but he had already deciphered the mark by reading it once.It was a complete stanza of iambic pentameter, and the first altar of science was clearly revealed.There was no denying the ease with which he accomplished the task, which also made him restless and apprehensive.He had a Puritan approach to work, and he still hears his father's old New England adage: If you ain't having trouble, you're doing it wrong.Langdon hoped the sentence was misspoken. "I've cracked it," he said, quickening his pace. "I know where the first man was killed. We have to remind Olivetti."
Victoria catches up to him. "How do you know? Let me look at that piece of paper again." She was as agile as a boxer, and nimbly put a hand into his pocket and took out the piece of paper again.
"Be careful!" Langdon said. "You don't—"
Victoria ignored him.She held the document in her hand and walked beside him, holding up the document and carefully inspecting the blank space against the evening light.She read it aloud, and Langdon walked up to retrieve the material, only to find himself mesmerized by her accented alto voice, which paced beautifully as she walked.
After a while, Langdon heard her speak even louder.I just feel like I'm traveling through time...as if he was a contemporary of Galileo hearing this poem for the first time...he knows it's a test, a map, a clue, revealing the four altars of science... Those four indicate the sign of a secret road through Rome.The poem in Victoria's mouth sounded like a song.
You step from Sandy's mound, where there is a devil's den.
Travel through the ancient city of Rome and unravel the mysterious elements.
The way to the light is paved, and this is God's test for you.
Let the angels guide you on your noble adventure.
Victoria read it twice, then fell silent, as if to let the old lines echo in her head.
You step from Santee's mound, Langdon repeated the words in his mind.This poem is very clear.The Path of Light begins at Santi's grave.From there across Rome, those signs mark the way.
You step from Sandy's mound, where there is a devil's den.
Travel through the ancient city of Rome and unravel the mysterious elements.
Mysterious element.This is also very clear, referring to earth, air, fire, water, the scientific elements, those four Illuminati symbols masquerading as religious sculptures.
"The first sign," Victoria said, "sounds like it's at Sandy's grave."
Langdon smiled slightly. "I told you it's not that difficult."
"Who's that Sandy?" she asked, as if suddenly excited. "Where's his grave?"
Langdon chuckled to himself.He was amazed that so few people knew of Santi, the surname of one of the most famous artists of the Renaissance, whose name was known to everyone in the world... The child prodigy became Pope at the age of twenty-five. Julius II did business and died at the age of thirty-eight, but at that time he left behind the most brilliant frescoes that the world can see.Santee is a titan of the art world, and is known only by a single name, a prestige reserved only for an elite few. …
These people look like Napoleon, Galileo, and Jesus... Of course, there are also the idols that Langdon heard in the Harvard dormitory-Stinger, Madonna, Jewell, and the artist formerly named Prince, he Already changed his name to a symbol, so Langdon called him "T-Cross Cross Yin-Yang Circle Ankh."
"Santi," Langdon said, "is the surname of the greatest Renaissance master, Raphael."
Victoria looked surprised. "Raphael? Which Raphael?"
"It's the one and only one." Langdon hurried towards the direction of the Swiss guard camp.
"Then this road started from Raphael's grave?"
"It couldn't be more clear," Langdon said, and the two walked quickly. "The Illuminati often regard great artists and sculptors as their titular brothers who were enlightened alongside them. It is possible that the Illuminati chose Raphael's tomb as an expression of their admiration." Langdon also knew that, Like many other religious artists, Raphael was a dubious private atheist.
Victoria carefully put the information back into Langdon's pocket. "Then where is he buried?"
Langdon took a deep breath. "Raphael is buried in the Pantheon, believe it or not."
Victoria was dubious. "Which Pantheon?"
"It's that Raphael, right there in that Pantheon." Langdon had to admit that the Pantheon wasn't where he expected the first logo to be stored.He figured that the first science altar would be in a quiet and remote church, with a bit of mystery.Even in the seventeenth century, the Pantheon with its huge and hollow dome was the most famous place in Rome.
"Is the Pantheon really a church?" Victoria asked.
"That's the oldest Catholic church in Rome."
Victoria shook her head, "But do you really think that the first cardinal was killed in the Pantheon? That's one of the most lively attractions in Rome."
Langdon shrugged. "The Illuminati said they wanted the whole world to see. Killing a cardinal in the Pantheon will indeed open some people's eyes."
"But how can this guy expect to kill people in the Pantheon and then escape without anyone noticing? It's impossible."
"Is it as impossible as the kidnapping of four cardinals from the Vatican? The poem speaks for itself."
"Are you sure Raphael was buried in the Pantheon?"
"I have seen his tomb many times."
Victoria nodded, but still looked disturbed. "what time is it now?"
Langdon checked his watch. "seven thirty."
"Is the Pantheon far?"
"It's about a mile away, and we still have time."
"The poem says Sandy's mound. What do you think it means?"
Langdon quickened his pace and slanted across the courtyard of the guard camp. "Earth mounds? In fact, there is probably no place in Rome that is more earthy than the Pantheon. The name of the Pantheon comes from the original religion here - pantheism - the worship of all gods, especially the earth. mother of pagan gods."
The main hall of the huge Pantheon was specially built for Gaia—a memorial to the goddess of the earth. As a student of architecture, Langdon was a little surprised.The proportions of the main hall are extremely precise, and a huge sphere is placed just right in the building without leaving a millimeter of space.
"Okay," Victoria said, sounding more convinced. "And the Devil's Den? Step up from Sandy's mound, there's a Devil's Den?"
Langdon wasn't so sure about that yet. "The Devil's Den must refer to the skylight." He made a reasonable guess. "It must refer to the famous circular opening in the roof of the Pantheon."
"But that's the church," said Victoria, following him effortlessly. "Why do they call that opening the Devil's Den?"
In fact, Langdon himself had been pondering this question.He had never heard of the term "Devil's Den," but he did recall a famous sixth-century comment on the Pantheon that, oddly enough, now seemed quite appropriate.It was once written that the hole in the roof of the Pantheon was drilled by a devil who escaped when Boniface IV consecrated the Pantheon.
"Then why," Victoria asked again as they entered a slightly smaller courtyard, "why did the Illuminati take the name 'Santi'? Since he's known as 'Raphael.'"
"You asked a lot of questions."
"My dad used to say that too."
"There are two possibilities. First, the word Raphael has too many syllables, which will destroy the iambic pentameter of this poem."
"It seems a little far-fetched."
Langdon thought so too. "Well, maybe that's because the use of 'Santi' makes the clue more cryptic, and only those who are too clever will recognize that it's an allusion to Raphael."
Victoria didn't seem to agree with the answer either. "I'm sure Raphael's surname was known in his lifetime."
"Surprisingly, that's not the case. Being single-named is a status symbol. Take Madonna, who never used her last name, Ciccone." LaVictoria looked amused. "You still know Madonna's last name?"
Langdon regretted making such an example.It's astonishing to pick up such a random piece of trash that is known to thousands of teenage teens.
He and Victoria passed the last gate of the Swiss Guard Camp and were suddenly blocked.
"Stop!" a voice yelled behind them.
Langdon and Victoria turned quickly to find a rifle pointed at them.
"Beware!" screamed Victoria, jumping back, "Beware—"
"Don't move!" the guard said angrily and pulled the trigger.
"Guards!" shouted a voice from across the courtyard.Olivetti is coming out of the security center.
"Let them in!"
The guard was confused. "But, sir, this woman—"
"Come in!" Olivetti called to the guard.
"Sir, you can't—"
"Come in now! You have a new mission. Captain Rocher will be here in two minutes to give brief instructions to the team. We are going to organize a search."
The guard hurried into the security center with a puzzled look on his face.Olivetti strode toward Langdon, grim and spirited. "Have you seen our most secret files? I'd love to hear an explanation."
"We have good news," Langdon said.
"I hope it's really good news," Olivetti said, narrowing his eyes.
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