Chapter 26 Chapter 6 All for Peace

"We came to this world for peace, Bishop Fanya." Magician Manju said calmly and melancholy. "We made a mistake - we can see it clearly now - by accidentally straying into your... um... wargame. We were attacked by sheer accident." "According to what you said. This kind of statement..." When Vanya was about to stand up to protest, Manju sighed heavily and said, "But, we don't know, we just think, Qiao Lang, a well-known Known criminals are evading the laws of our world, have discovered our plans, and are waiting for an opportunity to destroy us. That is indeed a most regrettable event, many lives have been lost on both sides, it is so tragic. Isn't it so, Major Polis?" Bishop Vanya glanced at a soldier, sitting upright on the edge of a soft, cushioned chair, staring straight ahead.Simkin had removed the camouflage the two men had worn as they passed through the portal, and the major had put on what Vanya thought was his type of soldier's uniform.

"Isn't it so, Major?" asked the magician again. The major had been silent since he, Simkin, and the man who claimed to be the magician had entered the room.Van Ya watched carefully to see how he reacted to the magician's repeated questions asking for confirmation. Of course, he did not miss the hatred and contempt that flashed quickly in the light-colored eyes of the blond major. The firm, pug-like jaw was clenched so tightly that the Adam's apple was clearly visible on his thick neck. Van Ya turned his head to see the magician's reaction.Strangely, the magician stretched his right hand into the air, bent it several times, and casually made the five fingers into the shape of a bird's claw.Vanya found it quite amusing that when the major saw the claw, his face turned pale.The eyes full of hatred immediately turned to extreme fear, the broad shoulders suddenly drooped, and the whole person seemed to shrink into the ugly uniform.

"Isn't that so, Major?" asked the magician again. "Yes." Major Polis answered curtly, in a low voice, and then pursed his lips again. "Major is extremely uncomfortable in this magical world. Of course, it feels very strange here." Manju apologized to Fanya. "Although he has been learning the language here for several months, and can fully understand everything we have been saying, he still lacks enough confidence in the conversation. I hope you will forgive him for his lack of communication. " "Of course, of course." The archbishop shook one fat hand, the one that was functional, and the other that was hidden under the huge table next to his seat.

The Archbishop quickly recovered from the shock of an unexpected visitor from a world that had not existed for him an hour earlier.Despite his stroke, Vanya still retains his astute observation skills and human intelligence, which is why he has been able to hold power for so many years.While he was beginning to chat with the magician about the similarities and differences between the languages ​​of the two worlds—both of which had their roots in ancient times—his mind was actually judging the two visitors, trying to guess their true motives for coming here. These two men, he realized, were like anyone else on Simharon, except that the major was rigid, and the magician--lost his magic over the years--was somewhat clumsy at his spells.

After watching the major carefully for a while, Van Ya almost immediately put him out of consideration.The major, who was a honest and sincere soldier, was evidently completely in the water, in which he was going to drown; he was terrified of the world, he was terrified of the magician.Polis is under the control of the magician, which means that the magician is the only real player in the game.The magician Manju is lying when he claims that he came here with peaceful wishes.In this regard, Fan Ya firmly believed.Manju doesn't remember Fanya, but Fanya knows and remembers Manju.The archbishop recalled some of this man's past: he was a secret practitioner of dark crafts, and Manju had tried to use his dark crafts to get a dukedom near Jessair. After he was captured by Duke Xis, he was immediately arrested Tried by the court and sentenced to exile in the realm of the afterlife.The sentence was carried out so quickly and quietly that most of Simharon probably never knew it was happening.That was about—four years ago, right?Manju was twenty years old then, but now he looks sixty.He told Fanya that he had been in the afterlife for forty years.

The archbishop couldn't understand it at all, although the magician tried to explain patiently that it had something to do with the speed of light and the space-time teleportation corridors of various dimensions.Van Ya thought to himself that Emin's behavior was unpredictable, so he regarded it as an unimportant matter and let it go. What is important now is that there is a powerful magician here, and he wants to get something from here.What does he want?What would he be willing to give up in exchange?These are the pressing questions. As for what he wanted, it was clear to the archbishop from the beginning.He wants magic.Forty years without life force tortured him non-stop, Vanya could see the hunger and desire in Manju's eyes.Now back in his native world, the magician once again had the power of life, and he had feasted in lavish luxury.The archbishop sees Manju's determination: He doesn't want to go hungry again.

He lied that he was here for peace, and Vanya repeated it over and over in secret, ostensibly talking to him about nouns, gerund phrases, and verbs. The attack on our army was no accident, it was too swift and organized, as I knew from Emperor Xavier's early reports.According to Dukexis' report, this army of eccentrics is now in dire straits, and our wizards have dealt them a severe blow and forced them to retreat.Why is this magician here?What is his conspiracy? How can I take advantage of him...? "Speaking of languages, I am amazed that Simkin can speak ours so quickly," said the wizard.

"Singin has nothing to surprise me." Van Ya said in a low voice, staring at the guy in red, who was reclining leisurely on a couch in the archbishop's luxurious office. This young man Apparently fell asleep while the two of them were discussing prepositional phrases, and were snoring loudly. "You have to know that Joram has a saying about him." The magician said casually, although the archbishop thought he had noticed a gleam in the man's eyes, the kind of eyes that a player wants to count his opponent's cards. "Sin'jin, he says, is the embodiment of this world—magic in its purest form."

"It's an extremely ugly idea, and it's also a typical Joram-style idea." Van Ya said sourly, he didn't like the topic suddenly turning to his interest in Sim Jin.The fool was a wild card in any deck, and the archbishop had been trying for over an hour to figure out how to get rid of him. "I believe that we, as a people, should have many better people to represent us than this unruly, immoral, unfeeling—" "Hey! Let me tell you." Simkin sat up, blinked, and looked around vaguely. "Did I hear my name?" Van Ya sneered. "If you're bored, why don't you leave us?"

"My God!" Simkin yawned, and suddenly fell back on the couch. "Will there still be a lot of vocabulary? Because, if so, I want to put my participle in a more fun and interesting environment..." "No more, no more," said Manju, his teeth gleaming in a charming smile. "Forgive me, Simkin, my good friend, for making you drowsy. Linguistics is one of my hobbies." It is really a pleasure to discuss our language with knowledgeable people. I hope we can have more time for such discussions in the future, it will be a happy time. I wonder if you agree with me?" Van Aya nodded coldly. "But Simkin rightly reminded me that time is running out and we have to exchange views on other serious issues."

Manju's handsome face became serious. "My lord, I know you will share our sincere desire that this tragic and accidental war be brought to an end before irreparable damage is done to the relationship between our two worlds to be established." "Amen!" the cardinal muttered enthusiastically. Van Ya had long forgotten that his cardinal was still here, he gave him a cold glance, and silently rebuked that there was no room for him to speak, and the cardinal immediately retracted his head. Simkin stretched out a great deal, and lay with his legs on the arm of the sofa, admiring his curved shoes and humming a shrill, out-of-key tune, which irritated everyone present. The effect of a single person. "I agree with your wish for peace," said the archbishop cautiously, his fat hands crawling on the table and groping forward. "However, as you say, many lives have been lost, which is tragic, especially the death of our beloved Emperor Xavier. The populace felt the loss of him strongly - you stop humming!" This To Simkin who had begun to sing the funeral dirge. "I'm sorry," Simkin said meekly. "I am so sad for the deceased!" So he picked up the sofa cushion and covered his face, and he began to cry loudly. Vanya inhaled a large amount of air through his nose, and moved his fat body on the chair.He kept his mouth shut so he wouldn't say something he'd regret later.He noticed a penetrating smile flitting across the corner of the magician's mouth.Apparently, the magician knew about Simkin... But why should this surprise me?Van Ya thought strangely, let out a long breath, like a bubble deflated.Everyone knows Simkin. "I understand the grief of your people," Manju said. "And, I am sure, although there is nothing we can do to bring back your beloved Emperor, some compensation will satisfy you." "Perhaps, perhaps." Van Ya sighed heavily. "Although I agree with you in many respects, I am afraid, sir, that I cannot make the decision. Joram, that notorious criminal, has deceived not only your people, but ours as well. There are even rumors that— "Vanya added casually. "Joran is responsible for Xavier's death." Manju smiled, and he immediately understood Vanya's plan. The archbishop turned his fat hands over and reluctantly revealed all his cards. "Even so, Joram was proclaimed the Emperor of Merilon. He, and a very pompous man—Galrod, Prince of the Kingdom of Saraken—wanted to continue this dreadful war." Hearing this, The magician and the major exchanged a look--the cold, wary look that comes from a barely-there alliance, but nonetheless, an alliance. "I know we are enemies on the surface, Bishop Vanya." The magician said hesitantly. "But in the name of peace, I wonder if you can inform them of their plan, maybe we can find some way to preemptively prevent more people from dying..." Bishop Fanya frowned and clenched his fists angrily. "I'm not a traitor, sir—" "They're going to attack you tomorrow night," Simkin interjected wearily, throwing the sofa cushions aside and blowing his nose on the orange silk scarf. "Joran and Jarod intend to kill you, eradicate you from this world, without even leaving a trace of you." He said excitedly, throwing the orange scarf into the air. "That's Joram's idea. When your world hears no more of your little chirps, they'll assume the worst has happened. Eggs crack, chicks die, and cuckoos will think twice To lay eggs in this nest. Of course, by the time we get the coop up, the magic boundary will be firmly back in place again. Lovely, isn't it?" "Traitors! Why did you tell them?" Bishop Fanya roared. He was so angry that he slammed his good hand on the table. "For fairness." Simkin turned and stared at the Archbishop in astonishment. "After all," he continued, stretching his foot into the air, smoothing the toe of the shoe so that it no longer bends. "I told Joram of all their plans - including the arrival of reinforcements... and followed the instructions given to me..." "Reinforcements! Instructions to Xin Jin! What do these mean?" Van Ya asked. "You said you were here to find peace! Now I see that you're clearly increasing your military strength. Not only that—" He waved his fat hand at Simkin. "And you're using this young man as a spy. Maybe that's the real reason you're here. I'm going to call Dukexis." The magician lost his composure slightly, but the Archbishop did not ignore the intense anger that flashed in Manju's eyes, and the look he threw at Sim Jin. If the sorcerer was a Duke Sis, Simkin would be the oil on the couch.Therefore, Fanya secretly thought: After all, Manju doesn't know that fool very well. "Please don't act hastily, Your Excellency." Manju said in a soothing tone. "Of course, you can understand that we must act to protect ourselves! The additional troops we requested will only be used when we are attacked by your people again." Major Polis's boots kept scraping the floor, Van Ya glanced at him quickly and saw that he was moving back and forth on the chair nervously. "On the spy thing, we just stumbled upon this guy bugging our headquarters, and—" Simkin smiled and curled the toe of his shoe again. "What can I say?" he replied modestly. "I'm tired of this boring situation." "—and found that he had a very clear view of the situation," continued the magician, somewhat annoyed at the interruption. "We sent him back to Joram too, hoping, I admit, to frighten him into making peace." Manju stopped talking, leaned forward, and put his hands on Van Ya's table.When he spoke again, his voice became low and sincere. "Let us be frank with each other, my lord. Joram was the cause of this terrible war. A sinister, excitable character such as his, combined with a keen intellect, must make him a criminal in any society." and the Outcasts." The wizard's handsome face darkened even more. "I understand that in this world he committed murder, and in our world he committed that scandal, and more vilely." Bishop Fanya seemed to have some doubts about this again, and listened carefully. "Joram has been away from Simharon for ten years! Why do you think he took the trouble to come back? Because of his great love for it?" The magician scoffed at the thought. "You and I know very well that's not the case! Joram has often bragged to me how he escaped the punishment he deserved; in the same way he escaped the punishment he was sentenced in our world. Hunted, wanted! He came back here, as he once told me, for revenge! To fulfill that prophecy!" Major Polis jumped up, thrust his hands into his trouser pockets, and walked quickly to the end of the room .Van Ya saw a flush of red on the back of his thick neck, just above the collar of his shirt.The major came to the transparent crystal wall and reached out to open the curtain. "If I were you, I wouldn't touch it, Major." Bishop Van Ya said coldly. "Dukesis is standing guard outside the cathedral. I can't help you if they see you." "Damn it! It's too hot in here!" He pulled his collar and said hoarsely. "The major is a little claustrophobic," explained the magician. "There is no need to apologize for the major." Bishop Vanya interrupted him. "I know people like him." Manju leaned back on the chair, squinted his eyes, and looked at the archbishop thoughtfully.Major Polis stood at the other end of the room, wiping his sweaty forehead with a handkerchief and tugging at his collar.The cardinal saw his archbishop make a quick gesture, got up without a word, and went to accompany the major.Once at the major's side, he began an incoherent, solitary conversation. Bishop Vanya looked at Xin Jin, but only heard the snoring from the sofa, indicating that the young man had fallen asleep again. His Excellency the archbishop has shown that he allows himself to be persuaded, he looked at Manju seriously, and said: "For the sake of this world, I agree with your request, but I don't think it is necessary to let the army intervene in these things. You What do you think? They know very little about the art of negotiation and diplomacy." The magician made a graceful gesture of his hand in agreement. "I quite agree with what you said, sir." "Very well, my only wish is that we end this miserable war. As you say, and I think so, Joram is the cause of this war. So, what do you want from me?" "Joran... and his wife, to live." "impossible." "Why?" The magician shrugged. "Are you sure—" Van Ya interrupted him and said, "Joran is protected by Duke Xisi. Although you have been away for a long time, you should still remember them, don't you?" Obviously, the magician must remember.His face was a little pale, and he glared at Van Ya angrily. "I remember that a catalyst saint like you is equipped with a Duke Sisi, who acts exclusively for you." "Oh, executioner." The archbishop nodded. The magician's face became even paler, and even his breathing became short of breath. "I'm sure you're not claustrophobic yourself?" asked the Archbishop. "No." The magician forced a smile. "I'm troubled by...memories of the past." He straightened his cuffs nervously. "The executioner may serve us," Vanya said, frowning, though he was pleased to see the sorcerer's embarrassment. "However, the Holy Mountain has ears, eyes, and a mouth. Joram is now the favorite of the people, and I cannot be involved in any incident—" "Hey, I say." A tired voice. "What are you going to do with Joram anyway?" The Archbishop looked sharply at the magician, who returned the same sharp look, and then both men glanced warily at Simkin, who was still lying on the couch with his head on his hands and a look of boredom on his face. Curiosity, watching them. "He will be escorted back to my world for a fair trial," Manju said. "And what about his crazy wife?" "She will have the care she needs!" said the magician solemnly. "In my world, there are people who are specially trained to treat madness, but Joram doesn't let them get close to her." "So, Joram must return to your world." Simkin emphasized these words dreamily. "And everyone in this world—" "—stay here and live in peace and security, free from the machinations of the great Joram, as we discussed earlier." Stared at Simkin immovably. "Pretty good," said Simkin, and turned over. "Actually," continued Manju, turning to face the Archbishop. "I can arrange for the transmission of the trial of Joram to this planet. It will be the link between our two worlds, and I think you will find it very fascinating, sir. We have some big metal boxes that can just Install it in your office. Just hook up some wires and cables, and from this box, you can see images of anything happening in our world, millions of miles away—” "Metal box! Wires and cables! Tools of the dark craft!" Van Ya was furious. "Take Joram out of this world, and let us live here in peace!" Manju smiled and shrugged. "As you wish, Your Excellency. All that brings us back to the question of Joram..." "Nonsense!" said Simkin angrily, jumping up. "Do you know that the time for eating has passed? I haven't eaten anything all day! I'm always talking about Duke Xisi and the executioner. It's not conducive to stimulating the sense of taste at all." The orange silk scarf fluttered in the air and fell In Simkin's hands. "You want Joram? It couldn't be easier, you toothy—" He waved the scarf at the wizard. "I think they are capable of catching him." "Yes, of course. But it has to be caught without him knowing. Him and his wife, there must be no suspicion of—" "That couldn't be easier! I have an idea." Xin Jin said proudly. "Leave everything to me." Both the magician and Van Ya looked at Xin Jin warily. "Forgive me, my friend Simkin," said Manju. "If I seem to have any hesitation in accepting your generous offer, it is because I know very little about you beyond what Joram has told me. And we know he can spot any falsehood and deceit, should I? Trust you?" "I wouldn't," Simkin said frankly, stroking his beard. "No one will trust me—except one." He hummed to himself again, wrapping the orange silk scarf in a circle. "Who is this person?" "Joran." "Joran! Why does he trust you?" "Because of his headstrong nature." Simkin tied a knot in the circle with the orange silk scarf. "Because I never gave him any reason to believe in me, on the contrary he did, and I found that to be an inexhaustible source of pleasure." Simkin thrust his neck into the circle of orange silk scarf he had just made, then looked at the magician and winked at him. Manju frowned. "I must object, sir, I do not like the proposal." Simkin yawned and said, "Ha, come on! Honestly, it's not that you don't like the proposal, it's that you don't like me!" he said contemptuously. "I have been seriously insulted, and you will be treated in the same way." He thought for a while, and then said: "If I am not so hungry right now." Bishop Fanya made a little noise, probably laughing at the magician.The magician turned to him, and blushed at the sneer on the archbishop's face. "He admits that we can't trust him." Manju said in a stern voice. "This is the way he behaves." Van Ya said bluntly. "Simkin has worked for us before, and has been satisfactory. From what you say, he has worked for you too. Time is running out. Do you have any alternative proposals?" Manju looked at the archbishop coldly and thoughtfully, and replied, "No." "Ha!" Simkin laughed merrily. "Just as the Duchess of Longueville cried 'Finally! Finally!' when her sixth husband fell dead at her feet, now it's time to get down to business." He rubbed his hands excitedly. "It's going to be an incredibly fun game! When do we start?" "It must be tomorrow," said the magician. "If it is true as you said, he plans to attack us at night, then he must be stopped before that. After we catch him, we will start peace negotiations." "I have a small request." The Archbishop said in a roundabout way. "You can get Joran, and you can deal with him as you like, but I demand that the Dark Sword must be returned to me." "I'm afraid it can't be done." The magician replied immediately. Van Ya glared at him, obviously angry. "Then we don't need to talk any more! Your conditions are unacceptable!" "Listen to me, listen to me, Your Excellency! After all, we are threatened by your army, and we must protect ourselves from attack! We want to leave behind the Dark Sword." Bishop Fanya's scowl became more obvious—— It was hard to do, because one side of his face was as limp as his useless arm. "Why? How important is it to you?" The magician shrugged. "The Dark Sword has become a symbol of your people. Losing it - and discovering that their 'emperor', in fact, is a murderer - will demoralize them. You are hesitating over such a small matter , Your Excellency! It’s just a sword, isn’t it?” he asked gently. "That's an evil weapon!" Van Ya replied in a serious tone. "That's the devil's tool!" "Then you should be happy to see that the opportunity to get rid of it has come!" The magician stretched his arms and straightened his cuffs. However, this time, his expression was confident and he had recovered his composure. "As a token of appreciation for your world's kindness, I will have Major Polis send a message to my world to cancel the reinforcements. Then the people of your world and the people of our world can begin formal peace negotiations. Do you agree? ?” Bishop Fanya's nose was about to burst into flames.He stared at the magician, and took a deep breath, his chubby hand, which had been crawling like a spider across the table, stopped suddenly, fingers curled like the toes of Simkin's shoes. "Looks like I don't have much choice." "Well, now, do you have any suggestions as to where and how we should capture Joram?" Fan Ya moved around in the chair, and accidentally, his crippled left hand slipped from his thigh.He grabbed it ghostly, squinting to see if the magician noticed it.What a fool he has made of me!Van Ya muttered to himself, and pulled his hand back to the original place.It turned out that what he wanted was the sword.Why?What did he know about that sword? Fan Ya put on a cold look. "I'm afraid it's up to you and Simkin to catch Joram. I don't know anything about scumbags. I'm only a priest after all." "Oh, really!" Simkin sighed exaggeratedly. "It's dragged on long enough! That's what the Duchess said afterward, when she said her sixth husband's last breath was endless. I tell you, I've put everything away. It's planned." Xin Jin spread his orange silk scarf on Fan Ya's table, waved his hand on it, and some letters appeared on the silk scarf immediately. Manju was about to read it aloud, but Xin Jin reminded him with a "shh": "You know, the holy mountain also has ears and eyes, and you wait for me here." He pointed to the place name written on the silk scarf. "To-morrow at noon we shall have Joram and his wife, entirely at your disposal, without doubt, like babes." Bishop Fanya pursed his lips, his eyes were almost buried in layers of fat, he glanced at the name on the silk scarf, and his face immediately turned pale. "This place doesn't work!" "Why?" Manju asked coldly. "You must still remember its history!" Van Ya looked at the magician in disbelief. "Hmph! I haven't believed in ghosts since I was five years old! I vaguely remember reading descriptions of this place before, and it was just perfect for our purposes. Besides, I'm beginning to see See some signs that will make Joram go to that place without suspicion. You are very candid, my friend." The magician squinted at the archbishop. "You are not using this as an excuse to overturn our agreement, are you?" "Absolutely not." Van Ya retorted seriously. "I'm just worried about your safety, Manju." "Thank you, Your Excellency." The magician stood up from his chair. "Remember, I've reminded you that everything will be handled by you?" The Archbishop still sat upright to cover up his disability. "Of course, sir." "Then I think we have said all that we have to say to each other." "Yes. Though there is one more thing we need to settle," said the magician to Simkin. "You have a right to be paid for your services. I suppose, Simkin, that's why you got involved. After all..." "No, no!" Sim Jin hastily denied, looking deeply offended. "For patriotism, I regret that I only have one friend to dedicate to my country." "I insist that you accept something!" "Anyway I can't," said Simkin haughtily, but he glanced at Manju from under his half-closed eyelids. "My world, and this—" He pointed to Van Ya. "Will forever be grateful to you!" "Okay! Now that you've mentioned it, maybe you can do me a little favor." "Come on! Jewelry? Gold?" "Bah! What do I want dirty money for? I only ask you one thing: take me back to your world." The magician was taken aback when he heard this request. "Are you serious?" he asked. "As seriously as I usually do anything." Xin Jin replied casually. "No, wait, I take back what I just said, I think this time is more serious than usual." "Okay, okay. Is that all? Take you?" Manju laughed. "It couldn't be easier! What a wonderful idea, really! What you do will be part of my whole operation. You will undoubtedly be the most highly regarded person in this universe, my friend! I can now see It's the signboard on the roof!" The magician waved his hand. "Wizard and Simkin!" "Hmm..." The young man smoothed his beard thoughtfully. "Very well. We'll talk about it later. For now, we really must go. Take the major, put on our disguises, and go back to your queer people's inhabited, unimaginably ugly buildings Go." He rose slowly into the air, his red brocade dressing gown blazing like flames in the bright lights of the archbishop's office.Simkin floated slowly towards the curtained wall. When he passed by Manju, a muttered sentence drifted over: "Sinkin and the magician..."