Chapter 20 Chapter Nineteen

I don't remember a time when I lost consciousness, but I felt as if I had just woken up from a dream.What followed was a horrible feeling of being compressed, the air being squeezed out of my lungs, as if some force was trying to crush me flat.The feeling was over almost before I was fully aware of it.All I could see around me was a dreamy flicker of color, and all the sounds were just far away. I have a nauseous feeling of falling from a height, just like falling from a height in a dream.But the decline was gentle.I hit the ground and started running, filled with the fear of being chased.But almost immediately I tripped over the hem of a robe.

I fell forward, my hands and knees grinding to the ground, and the pain was unbearable.My knees were bruised even though they were covered by the robe, and my right hand was cut by a tree root sticking out of the ground. I fell on the ground, feeling extremely shocked.The shock I had just passed through the city gate has not disappeared.I sat up on my knees, took a deep breath trembling, and looked around.My first thought was Alisa.is she safeThen my heart was full of panic and doubts: In Emin's name, what happened to me. Gone were my blue jeans and sweater, replaced by a white velvet robe of a very fine, soft and smooth fabric.While the material was fine, the style was plain, with no decoration save for a red piping at the edge of the gown's cuffs and ankle-drop hem.

I felt an unusual coolness on the top of my head.I raised my hand and found that my long hair has also become short, and the top of my head seems to have been shaved!I carefully stroked the top of my shaved head with a little fear, and there was indeed no hair there, and now there is only a ring of hair on my head that reaches the ears. It must be the magic of the gate, but I'm still confused.According to the records of Jessair I read, her gates will only turn us into creatures in a big zoo, I have never read that the Jessair people put catalyst saints in a big zoo, But now I'm definitely wearing a Simharon Catalyst Saint.

A Simharun Catalyst Saint who no longer exists! I pondered the question, only to get more and more confused.And I don't know what to do next.What is certain is that I am alone, in a shadowy forest.If I hadn't tripped over my robes, I would have bumped my head against a big oak tree ahead.All around me were trees--oaks mostly, with a few pines here and there.Ferns absorb the sunlight that filters through the gaps in the leaves.The heart-shaped fronds of the cheetah are missing, but I'm not relieved by that.I found that I could see—there was sunlight. But it was almost night when we ran into the city gate.

I stood up slowly, my white robe falling to my feet.I could not shout out to tell my companions where I was.But that's fine, shouting might attract pursuers.I glanced around, trying to find some traces of my companions.Almost at that moment, I heard a soft voice. "Reuven? Are you there?" Almost immediately, I heard another worried voice. "Your Majesty! Are you all right?" I staggered through the undergrowth in the direction of the first sound.That's when I saw Mosiah, his back turned to me, walking into a small clearing.His direction was the second voice just now, which was very similar to Sheila's voice, but with a strange tone.

We heard the clang of metal, the rattle of chains, and then the sound of something heavy falling into the bushes.Sheila's voice began to call to His Majesty again. I touched Mosiah's arm to get his attention. Mosiah turned to look at me.He raised his eyebrows, opened his mouth, and opened his eyes wide.Then I knew that my white robe and short hair were not my fantasy - and my hope was dashed. "Reuven?" He said my name in surprise, more like a question. "I think so," I sign, "I'm not sure. Do you know what happened?" "I don't know!" he replied.I believe his words are sincere.At first I suspected that he or the other Dukes were responsible for this transformation, but now I know that is not the case.

A distant reflection of metal caught my attention. A knight in chain mail and silver armor suddenly came out of the woods, holding a long sword in her hand.The knight bent down and quickly retracted the sword into its sheath. "Your Majesty!" the knight shouted, "are you injured?" "I'm all right, my lord. Just a few scratches, and these scratches are nothing more than an insult to my dignity." "Allow me to help you, Your Majesty." The knight held out a gloved hand. A slender, delicate, jeweled hand reached out from the grass and took the knight's hand.The owner of that hand stood up.She was wearing an ancient horse riding dress.She was Alisa, or had been Alisa.I can't identify who she is now any more than I can identify who I am.That silver armored knight was undoubtedly Sheila.

"Emin's blessing." Mosiah whispered.If I could speak, I would certainly answer his prayers. "What happened?" I asked Mosiah in sign language. Mosiah didn't answer, but went straight to Sheila. I tried again, "Where are the Technicians? Are they still with us?" He glanced around, shrugged, and shook his head again. "If they're still after us, they're all in hiding by now. It's not like their style. Di Candale doesn't do such inscrutable things." According to Mosiah's tone, I believe that if the technologists are still chasing us, then we should have become their captives.I'm breathing a little easier and it looks like our situation is starting to improve.But that old adage about frying pans and ovens stuck in my head again.

Respectfully, the knight dusted off Alisa's gown, which was velvet and trimmed with black lace.A crown of gold shone in Alisa's black hair, and her hands were studded with precious stones.I was bewildered and amazed, and more and more amazed by what I saw.This is the Alisa who flashed past me in another life, wearing a different outfit but otherwise identical in every detail.Her hair was braided in elaborate braids, which in turn was braided into a beautiful bun.Her figure, appearance, and jewelry between her fingers are all the same as in the impression.Alisa was struggling to pick off the twigs hanging from her hair, and brushed off the dirt and grass from her hands.Her every movement is so elegant and noble.

"Where are the law enforcement officers and our priests?" she asked worriedly, looking around. "Hope they escaped the mob safely." "I believe they escaped, Your Majesty. The Catalyst Saints were on my left as we ran into the city gate, and Duke Xis was behind us. The mob was still some distance away from us, and most of them gathered at the west gate, trying to attack the vehicles .Our strategy was perfect, everyone thought you were in that car, Your Majesty. It never occurred to them that you dared to enter the host gate on foot." "My brave knights," sighed Alisa, "I fear that many of them will suffer terrible injuries for our sake."

"They have given their lives to His Majesty, as I have." Mosiah walked silently through the grass.I followed him, trying to sneak like him.But as soon as I took the first step, I stepped on a branch and broke it, making a sound like a gunshot. Sheila drew her sword and stood in front of Alisa.Alisa looked towards us with inquiring eyes, without any fear.Mosiah and I walked into the sunlight pouring through the oak leaves.I expected them to be as puzzled as Mosiah was when they saw me, and even laugh at my baldness. But the only expressions on the two of them were comfort and joy, and the same emotion was expressed in Sheila's voice. "Thanks Emin! You are all fine!" Afterwards, Sheila changed to an imperative tone. "Have any thugs dared to follow us into the gate, Marshal?" Mosiah glanced around. "Why do you ask me? You have eyes yourself." "Forgive me, Law Enforcement Officer," Sheila regained her composure, "but your Duke Xisi's magical means are beyond my abilities." "Forgive me, Your Majesty the Knight," Mosiah said with a sarcasm, "but have you forgotten that I can no longer perform magic due to my lack of vitality?" Sheila nodded towards me, "But there is a catalyst saint beside you. As a family catalyst saint, maybe he has not received special training and cannot meet the special needs of your warlocks, but I believe he can still respond to emergencies." They are all looking at me now. "Father Reuven, you are hurt!" Alisa said, pointing to my hand.I just noticed that the wound on my hand was bleeding.Before I could tell in sign language that it was nothing serious, she had already held my hand, pulled out a handkerchief from the cuff, and wiped off the blood on it.That lace handkerchief must have been made of the softest material.I withdraw my hand. "Don't be foolish, Father," she said in a firm voice.Judging by the tone of voice, she must be used to others following her orders.She held my hand and wiped away the dirt and blood around the wound with a corner of the handkerchief. "After we safely enter the city and finish the meeting, we will summon Zeldalar." She continued. Her touch was gentle so as not to hurt me.But her touch did pain me, not in the flesh but deep inside, as if I had been pierced by a sword. She was still talking, "This cut is not deep, but it has been infected by the soil, and if it is not treated in time, it is likely to fester." I bowed my head, obeyed her command, and deeply appreciated her love for me.I noticed that she kept her eyes downcast, avoiding looking at me.I can feel her hand trembling slightly. "Father Reuven," said Mosiah sharply, "why do you call him that?" Alisa looked at Mosiah in bewilderment. "Lawrence, are you talking when no one is talking to you? We must be in danger. You can't hold your tongue anymore! You're right, though." Her cheek Turns into a beautiful red.She peeked at me from under her long lashes. "We should have said 'Chief Priest,' and Reuven has been promoted." She said gravely again, "Forgive us, Priest Priest, we are not used to the title you just received." I said in sign language: "Your Gracious Majesty interceded for me with Cardinal Radisovik, and I owe you a great deal." She raised her lips slightly and smiled lightly, but a happy smile flashed in her eyes.She understands me!She understood sign language, as if we had been talking in sign language for years, not just for a few hours in the flying car.And, before I signed, I knew she would understand me. I just wish I could understand myself!Who is the bishop of Radisovik I mentioned?The only Radisovik I know of is the one Prince Jarod mentioned to me when he was on Earth.A part of me was thinking about what I said, and another part was leading me to say it.If I could see the depths of my heart, I believe I would understand. But I'm cowardly.I look away, I'm not ready to know the truth.not yet. Mosiah half turned around, and under the cover of the black robe, he said to me with his lips: "Do you know what happened?" I shook my head slowly. Sheila looked at the blue sky.The sky was almost completely obscured by oak trees. "It's just past the middle of the morning, and it's time to meet. We should get to the rendezvous point as soon as possible. I heard that there are still centaurs roaming the forest, but first..." Her eyes turned to Mosiah, " We should make sure we're not being followed." Mosiah turned to look at me, holding out his arm under his black robe. "Open the transmission channel, give me vitality, and catalyze the saints." He was issuing an order, but with a mocking tone.As if he wanted to say something more, now we are going to end this farce. I want to escape.None of the enemies we've encountered, not even the techies, frightened me as much as this order.It's not that I'm afraid of not being able to draw life force, it's that I know I can.I'm so panicked now that I just want to run away. I think I would have run away if Alisa hadn't been watching me.She was looking at me with pride and admiration in her eyes.I reached out a trembling hand and grabbed Mosiah's arm, then stepped aside, allowing the other Reuven to take my place. "O Emin!" that Reuven prayed in my thoughts, "give me life." The portal opened, and Simharon's magic flowed through me. I feel life stirring beneath my feet, gushing from the plants.I can feel the oak tree's roots digging deep into the soil, sucking in an endless supply of nutrients and water.Like the oak tree, I'm sucking nourishment, I'm sucking magic. I breathe it.I hear it singing.I smell it, taste it, soak in its turbulence.I concentrated it within me, then exported it, and this magical gift was given to Mosiah. Mosiah's eyes widened in surprise, and he felt life force flowing through his body.His arm trembled in my palm.At first, he wanted to break the connection, he was as reluctant to believe it as I was.But his sanity calmed him down.We're in danger, we need life force, and I'm giving him that power.His arm rests in my palm. The process stops.The life force flowed completely out of my body.As a catalyst saint, I cannot use magic, nor can I keep it, I can only be used as a medium.I was exhausted and I needed many hours of rest to recover, and many more hours of rest to turn the transmission back on.But I know that I have felt bliss, that I have felt the touch of this world and all that is in it, a touch that will never leave me. Mosiah's body is full of life force.He seemed quite confused by all this.He looked at us in turn—I was exhausted and exhausted, but I felt peaceful in body and mind; Sheila frowned and tapped her sword with her fingers impatiently; Alisa was calm and indifferent, and we All kept a distance.A ray of sunlight fell on her black-haired golden crown, sparkling a little. "I wish I knew what the hell was going on," Mosiah murmured, then shrugged, put his hand on the oak tree closest to him, and lowered his head, leaning closer to the trunk, as if to talk to it. The branches above my head began to rustle slightly, as if a gust of wind was blowing up high.The branches of this oak tree rubbed against the branches of the nearby oak tree, and the nearby oak tree also began to swing, talking to the nearby oak tree.Soon all the oaks around us were swaying their branches, stretching out their long arms to touch their fellows. The leaves swayed and the shadows of the trees fluttered.Mosiah stood by the oak tree, her cheek against the rough trunk.After a long time, the chaotic "swish" finally stopped. "This part of the Great Menagerie is safe for the time being," reported Mosiah; "a troop of centaurs live near here, but they have gone out hunting and will not return until sunset. No other animal dares to enter because of them. Here, including those thugs. Your Majesty." There was still a bit of doubt and irony in his voice. "Your knights entered the west gate safely, but I fear your chariot has been destroyed." Alisa listened to the messages calmly.She bowed her head gracefully, smiling heartily at the sound of those who risked their lives protecting her safe and sound. "Also," said Mosiah, watching the reactions of the other two. "Don't know where the Dark Sword is. The tree doesn't know about such a weapon." "Well, that's normal, too," Sheila said, "You can't expect the Dark Sword to be right in this clearing!" "I probably should expect that because I'm just throwing it here," Mosiah said.But his voice was low and I was the only one who heard it. "There's another person in this part of the Great Menagerie," continued Mosiah, "a Catalyst Saint, judging by the costume. He's in an open field about twenty paces to the east of us." "Great!" Sheila nodded with a smile, "That must be Father Saryon." I opened my mouth in surprise and tried to sign something, but Mosiah stopped me. He narrowed his eyes in disbelief and displeasure. "What do you mean by that? You say there is a rendezvous point, a rendezvous with Saryon? How did he escape? Is Joram with him?" Now it was Sheila who showed a puzzled look.Alisa stood up straight and looked at Mosiah with cold eyes. "What cruel joke are you playing, Judge?" Sheila asked angrily. "You mention Joram's name like that!" "I'm not joking, trust me." Mosiah showed no sign of weakness, "Tell me... what's wrong with Joram?" "You know very well, Law Enforcement Officer," Sheila retorted, "The emperor of Merilon is dead. He died in the Necropolis twenty years ago." "How did he die?" Mosiah asked.His voice remained calm. "Death at the hands of the executioner." "Ha," Mosiah breathed out, "now I know what happened!"