Chapter 21 Chapter 4 Meteor
The next day was the seventh day, or day of prayer, though few in Merilon considered it a day of prayer.This day is a day of rest, a day of meditation for a few and entertainment for many.All guilds are closed, and all shops and facilities are temporarily closed.There are two prayers in the cathedral in the morning. The earlier mass is at the magnificent sunrise, and the noon one is jokingly called the "drunkard's mass" because people who have had a good night's fun the night before come here. It was time to get out of bed.
Predictably, Lord Samuels and his family rose at the crack of dawn - which Sihana Masters always make particularly ethereal, to showcase the glory of day - and set off for the cathedral.Lord Samuels invited the young men to walk with him, in a stiff and distant manner.Joram would have liked to accept, but a warning look from Saryon made him decline the invitation.Mosiah immediately refused, and Xin Jin claimed that he was unwell and did not have enough strength to change himself into suitable clothes.Moreover, he yawned frightfully loudly, adding that he had to wait in the room for a reply from His Majesty the Emperor.Saryon was supposed to be with the sergeant's family, but he said very sincerely that he had not yet had the opportunity to let his brethren know of his arrival, and then added, still very sincerely, that he preferred to spend the day alone.So Lord Samuels smiled harder than a melon, and left them for breakfast.
No one said a word at breakfast, as the presence of the servants prevented conversation.Qiao Lang has no taste for food.From the dreamy eyes of his, it was rosy lips and white skin that he greedily savored.Mosiah ate hungrily, and now he didn't have to face the ridicule of the two cousins.Simkin went back to his room to sleep.
Saryon left the table with barely a bite to eat, and a servant led him to the family sanctuary.Catalyst saints kneel before the altar.This is a beautiful sanctuary, small but elegantly designed.The morning sun streams in through the stunning stained glass windows.The mahogany altar is completely a reduced imitation of the cathedral altar, all engraved with the symbols of the nine magical tribes.There were six rows of seats in the sanctuary, more than enough for the family and servants of the family.The thick brocade was laid on the floor, muffled all the sound, even the singing of birds outside the house.
It was a place conducive to worshiping the gods, but Saryon was not thinking of Emin, nor of the prayers he was whispering in case a servant passed by.
How can I be so blind!He questioned himself over and over again, holding tightly to the dark stone pendant hidden under his robe and hanging around his neck.How could Prince Jarod be so blind?Of course I see the danger we face, but what I saw as a dark chasm that I could leap over has now expanded into a bottomless abyss that can swallow people!I saw the great danger, but failed to see the small danger!It's small, but it will eventually get us stuck.
For example, yesterday, while visiting the wonders of the city, Saryon saw Gwendelin and almost asked him to give the two young people the power of life so that they could fly with magical wings—and this kind of thing, for Joran Of course, it is absolutely impossible to do it, and it is impossible to fake it.Fortunately she said nothing, probably thinking they were exhausted from the journey.They are also very lucky today: Emin Day is a time for the Catalyst Saints to meditate and study, so the Saints do not need to transmit life force to family members unless absolutely necessary.
All walk to the cathedral, so for the residents of Merillon, it's a show opportunity for something new.They wear special shoes on this day, somewhat profanely called Emin shoes.This kind of shoes has various shapes according to the wealth and class of the wearer, ranging from silk satin slippers to exquisitely crafted crystal shoes, gold shoes studded with gems, and shoes shaped directly with gems.It is very popular now to use trained animals for shoes, and there are snakes or pigeons, turtles or squirrels for shoes in the city, both men and women.Of course, it is generally impossible to walk in such shoes, and such nobles have to be carried by servants on deck chairs.
The Lord Samuels family was only upper-middle class, and they wore very fine but very ordinary silk and satin slippers.The shoes don't fit very well, but they don't need to fit well. Before Ge Wen left the house, the slippers fell off her feet.Joram picked it up, and after getting Gwen's permission, put it on her little white feet again.After Gwen agreed to Joram's request, she glanced timidly at her father, and Joram put on her shoes under Lord Samuels' stern and vigilant gaze, and the family went out.But Saryon saw the look Joram gave to Gwendelyn, he saw the blush spread over Gwendelyn's cheeks, and her breasts heaved and heaved quickly under the light dress.It was clear that the two had fallen head-on in love so quickly, like two boulders plummeting off the edge of a cliff.
As Saryon contemplated this unforeseen event, feeling its weight further add to his burden, the Catalyst Saint noticed a dark shadow cast upon him.He looked up sharply in alarm, and was relieved to find it was Joram.
"Forgive me, Catalyst Saints, if I interrupt your prayers..." the young man said in the same nonchalant tone he had always had with Saryon.Then he fell silent suddenly, and stared unhappily at the sept door with an incomprehensible look in his eyes.
"You didn't bother me." Saryon put his hand on the back of the ornate wooden chair, and slowly stood up. "I'm actually glad you're here, and I'd really like to talk to you."
"Actually, touch—" Joram's throat clenched, and he looked up at the Catalyst Saint. "Saryon," he called hesitantly. "I'm here to...to thank you."
Suddenly Saryon sank down on the velvet cushions.
Seeing the astonished expression of the Catalyst Saint, Qiao Lang smiled wryly—only the corners of his mouth curled up, and a star of light that had been buried deep in his eyes lit up. "I was an ungrateful bastard, wasn't I." His words were statements, not questions. "Prince Jarod told me, but I didn't believe it, until last night - I didn't sleep much last night." A flush slowly rushed into his dark face. "The reason is exactly what you guessed."
"Last night." He said these two words reverently with an attached tenderness, sounding like a young trainee monk who had just joined the order was praising Emin. "I was a different person last night, Touch—Saryon, I thought about every word Prince Jarod said to me, and suddenly, I could understand! I understood who I was before, I Hate myself!" He spoke quickly without thinking, purifying his soul. "I just realized what you did for us yesterday, how you managed to save us right away... You saved us—saved me—more than once, but I never—"
"Hush." Saryon stopped him softly, and looked worriedly at the half-open door of the church.
Following his gaze, Joram understood what he meant, so he lowered his voice. "—I didn't say a word of thanks, thank you for this...and everything you have done for me." He pointed to the dark sword hidden in the scabbard under his clothes on his back. "Emin knows why you made it," he said bitterly.Joram sat on the seat beside Saryon, looked up at the stained window, his black eyes reflected the brilliant colors of the glass window.
"I used to say to myself, you and I are the same, only you won't admit it." Joram went on, his voice softening. "I want to believe you're using me. I used to think of everyone that way, but most of them were too hypocritical to admit it."
"But I've changed my mind." The light shone brightly in Joram's dark eyes, making the Catalyst Saints think of a rainbow across a clouded sky. "I now know what it's like to care about someone," he said, raising his hand to keep Saryon from interrupting. "And I know what you did against your conscience before, because you cared about other people, not because you were worried about yourself. Oh, maybe it wasn't about me either!" Joram gave a wry smile. "I'm not stupid enough to think that way, I know how I treated you in the past. You helped me make this sword, and killed Heisuo for me to settle down and the villagers."
"Joran—" Saryon murmured, but could not finish.Before he could stop him, Joram left his seat and knelt before him. His eyes were no longer looking at the sunny window, and Saryon saw the fire in those eyes burning like the fire in a furnace, and the coals grew stronger and stronger. The brighter they are, the more vitality they gain through the blowing of the bellows, and this vitality will consume them and eventually turn them into ashes.
"Father," said Joram sincerely. "I need your advice, your help. I love her, Saryon! I can't sleep all night, and I don't want to. Sleep means her image disappears from my mind, and I can't stand it, even if It was only for a moment, even though I might be able to dream of her. I love her, and—" The young man's tone changed slightly, darker and calmer. "—I want her, Father."
"Joran!" The pain in Saryon's heart was like a hard object in his chest.He wanted to say too much, but the only thing he blurted out in this severe pain was: "Joran, you are the living dead!"
"Damn it!" cried Joram angrily.
Saryon looked fearfully at the door again, and Joram jumped up, strode across and slammed the door shut.He turned around and said to the catalyst saint: "Don't ever mention this to me again. I know who I am! I've fooled people for so long, and I can keep fooling them!" He pointed angrily superior. "Ask Mosiah! He knows everything in my life! Ask him, and he will tell you that he can swear with his mother's eyes that I have magic!"
"But you didn't, Joram," whispered Saryon, though he hated to say the words. "You're a living dead, a living dead through and through!" His hands rubbed the armrests of the chair. "This log has more magic than you, Joram! I can feel its magic! Everything in this world dances with magic under my fingers. But there is no magic in you! Nothing! Don't you understand!"
"I said it's not a problem!" The black eyes burst into flames, scorching hot, and Joram leaned forward and grabbed Saryon's arm. "Look at me! When I get what I deserve, when I'm an aristocrat, it's not a problem! No one cares! They only see my title and my money—"
"But what about her?" said Saryon sadly. "What will she see? A dead husband who can only give her dead children?"
The fire in Joram's eyes seared Saryon's soul, and his grip on the Catalyst Saint's arm tightened so that Saryon recoiled in pain, but he said nothing.He couldn't say what he wanted to say, his heart was so full, he just sat quietly, his sympathetic eyes never leaving Joram.
Gradually, the flames in the black eyes were extinguished.Gradually, the charcoal burned out.The shining light disappeared, the brilliance on his face faded completely, his face was pale, his lips were ashen, and the cold darkness descended again.Joram let go of his hand and stood up straight, his face hardened again, his determination firmly set. "Thank you again, Catalyst Saint." He said calmly, his voice as cold as his face.
"Joran, I'm sorry." Saryon said heartbroken.
"No!" Joram raised his hand.The blood returned to his face in an instant, and his breathing quickened. "You told me the truth, Saryon. I've got to be honest, there's something...that I have to think about...to resolve." He took a deep breath and shook his head. "I'm the one to apologize, I'm out of control and I'll never do it again. You'll help me, won't you, Father?"
"Joran." Saryon called him gently, stood up and said to the young man. "If you really care about this young lady, get out of her life at once. The only wedding gift you can give her is misfortune."
Joram stared at Saryon without saying a word.Catalyst Saint saw that his words touched the young people, and he struggled in his heart.Maybe what Joram said just now was the truth, maybe he had changed during the long night last night, maybe this change was only subtle, and it was the long-term patient friendship and patient care that had the effect.
Saryon had no chance of knowing how the struggle in Joram's soul had settled down, what resolution he had made, in this moment of stabbing and frailty.For at that moment there was a commotion outside, and the host family, just returning from the cathedral, saw the emperor's chariot approaching like a star falling from the sky.
"Alas, Simkin," said the Emperor wearily. "What are you getting into again this time?" The confusion caused in the Samuels family by the reception of this august illustrious man need not be overstated.In fact, when the emperor got off the car and floated into the vestibule garden, everyone just watched helplessly, completely at a loss.Fortunately, Xin Jin rushed out of the front door at this moment and threw himself into the emperor's arms, wailing about "humiliation", "loss of decency" and "thumb clamp". The emperor took Xin Jin's hand, and Madame Rosamund came back to her senses, and resumed her usual demeanor of a heroic general among women, directing her troops to charge and kill at home.She welcomed His Majesty the Emperor to his humble abode with grace and courtesy, led him into the hall, seated him in the best chair in the house, and seated her family and guests around him. "Really, Bunch, I can't tell." Simkin said in a hurt tone. "It's a humiliation, don't you understand? To hold a man at the city gate like a murderer..." Standing humbly in the corner, Saryon immediately tensed up when he heard this, and at the same time saw that Joram's eyes immediately lit up with warning.Simkin noticed nothing, and went on annoyed. "Unlucky," he continued despondently. "Now I have to be forced to hide in this kind of... residence... Although the house is very nice, Mrs. Rosamund is very hospitable." He casually blew a kiss to her, and the lady gave her a deep knee present. "But of course this is not where I'm used to living." He dabbed his eyes with the silk scarf. "Indeed, Xin Jin, I thought you were lucky," replied the emperor, smiling lazily with a wave of his hand. "A charming residence, my lord," he said to Lord Samuels, who bowed deeply. "Your wife is a gem, and your lovely daughter is very similar to her. I will do my best in your affairs, Xinjin." The emperor got up to leave, causing another commotion in the family. "In the meantime, however, I think you should remain here, if Lord Samuels will accommodate you." Sir bowed several times, and his joy was palpable.He was so proud, so happy, and so honored to be entertaining His Majesty's friends... "Yes." The emperor said wearily. "It is a great honor. Thank you, Lord Samuels. In the meantime, Simkin, I will do my best to find out what the charge is, by whom, and how it can be resolved. It will only take a day or two, so no publicity in the street You know, compared with Duke Xisi, I will do my best in this." "Ah, yes, those villains!" Simkin scolded, and then sighed deeply. "You are really kind, Your Majesty, let me say one more thing." He pulled the emperor aside and whispered in his ear, sporadically leaking a few words "Countess", "hot fire", "unfortunately found naked body", the emperor laughed out loud once, and even Saryon, who had been in and out of the court many times, had never heard of such sincere joy.His Majesty patted Sim Jin on the back. "I understand—I have to leave right now, and there are important national and other important matters, and I will not be at ease on Emin Day." The emperor said to the family who had already stood in line. Respectfully send the distinguished guests away.The emperor floated toward the front door. "Lord Samuels, Lady Rosamund." The emperor held out his hand and kissed them. "Thank you again for your kindness in taking in this young rascal. I'm about to celebrate a festival, and there will be a grand ball in the palace. Come here, Simkin, you will bring Lord Samuels and his family, won't you, eh?" The emperor's gaze fell to Gwendelyn. "Would you like to come, young lady?" he asked, throwing off his affected tone and gestures, and looked at the young lady with a fatherly smile, in which Saryon saw a hint of sorrow and pain . "Oh, Your Majesty!" Ge Wen folded her hands and sighed softly, so happy that she completely forgot to salute and thank her. "It's all right, ma'am," the emperor said kindly when Mrs. Rosamund reprimanded her daughter for being rude. "We all still remember what it was like to be young." These words were still in a sad tone, slightly veiled with regret. The Emperor was already standing by the door, and Saryon was congratulating himself for surviving the imminent crisis when he saw Simkin glancing at him maliciously.Saryon felt like he had been punched in the heart.He knew what the fellow was up to when he caught Simkin's eyes, and he shook his head violently, trying to get behind the furniture. But Xin Jin smiled frankly, and said casually: "Oh, I was so frightened by this appalling accident that I forgot to introduce my friend to Your Majesty. Your Majesty, this is Father Dunstable... " "Dunstable," murmured the poor Catalyst Saint with a deep bow. "Father." The emperor raised his hand gracefully, and slightly nodded his powdered head. "And two of my friends—both actors," said Simkin briskly. "Stage names: Mosiah, Joram. We'll do quizzes at the ball..." Saryon did not hear what Simkin said next--nor did the Emperor. The emperor stretched out his hand to Mosiah with a cheerful and tolerant expression.Mosiah kissed the Emperor's hand, blushing as brightly as the Emperor's ruby ring.Qiao Lang also came forward to salute. When Joram was introduced, he was standing some distance behind Saryon, in the shadow of a closet.He stepped forward, took the emperor's hand, and bowed down - but he didn't kiss it, and then stood up straight.As he came forward to salute, he stepped into the patch of sunlight cast by one of the front windows.The sunlight framed the elegant contours of Joram's face, with high cheekbones and a strong, proud jaw.The sun shone in Joram's hair, the hair he had inherited from his mother.Famous was its hair, and legends and ballads extolled its beauty; like the hairs of a corpse, it seemed to have a life of its own... The emperor's meaningless gesture froze, he just watched blankly, the blood faded from his face, his eyes were wide open, his lips were slightly parted, but he didn't say anything. Saryon held his breath.He knows!Emin save us!He knows. What should he do?The Catalyst Saints panicked.Call Dukexis?Absolutely not!There is absolutely no way he would betray his own son... Saryon looked around frantically.Surely everyone noticed!But no one showed it except himself. He hurriedly turned his head to look at Joram, blinking in surprise. The emperor's face was calm, his surprise was like a streak of water gliding across the calm water, that's all.His smile at Joram was as empty courtesy as his hand.Joram stepped back into the shadows—seeing nothing but being dazzled by looking directly into the sunlight.The emperor turned away absently, and continued talking with Xin Jin as if nothing had happened. "My friends are all top-notch actors." Sim Jin said, touching his lips with a silk scarf. "They are also invited to the Palace, of course, Your Majesty." "Friends?" The emperor seemed to have forgotten that there were these people. "Oh, yes, of course," he said magnanimously. "It's strange to have a festival to celebrate at such a time, isn't it, Your Majesty the Most High?" Amidst the restlessness and hurried salutes of the Samuels family, Simkin, who kept talking, accompanied the emperor out of the door.The emperor's royal chariot floated on the street. The entire car was made of crystal, and the facets reflected the sunlight. The flames were so intense that almost no one could stare at it directly, otherwise they would be blinded by the light. "I can't remember at the moment, what is this festival to celebrate?" No one heard the emperor's answer, and all the neighbors came out to cheer and wave. This moment established the reputation and status of Lord Samuels.The idea that the neighbors had hoped that he could be promoted to the status of the guild leader was uprooted at that moment, like a druid pulling out a dead tree, and was simply thrown aside.The emperor boarded his chariot, blessed all, and the star returned to the sky, leaving only a dim glow of glory to the earth-bound mortals below. The Samuels family was simply in high spirits.Lady Rosamund beamed with pride, and glanced contentedly over the neighbors.Ge Wen was immersed in the joy of being invited to the prom, and then thought that she had no suitable clothes to wear, so she burst into tears.Mosiah stared blankly at the direction the emperor was leaving, fascinated, until Lilian suddenly jumped out to interrupt his reverie - the red-faced lady assured him that it was unintentional.With his forgiveness, she asked him if he would be interested in visiting the inner gardens, and led him outside, chatting happily about his "weird and funny" way of speaking. And Joram found himself on equal footing with his foe—with horses, pawns, and cannon. Lord Samuels walked towards the young man, and patted Joram on the shoulder affectionately. "Sinkin told me you thought you were entitled to some estate in Merilon." "My lord." Joram looked at him cautiously. "The story of the evil uncle is not true..." Lord Samuels smiled. "No, I didn't believe that story for a quarter of an hour. Bit by bit the truth was pulled out of Simkin last night, and that's more interesting and true. Maybe I can help, I have a way of ascertaining some records... With that said, he dragged the young man into the private study and closed the door behind him. Nobody paid attention to the Catalyst Saints, and Saryon was happy to do so.He returned to the family sanctuary where no one would disturb him, and sat down.The sun no longer poured in through the stained windows, and the room was filled with cool shadows.Saryon began to shiver uncontrollably, not from the cold, but from a vast, overwhelming fear. After witnessing the betrayal of people, he lost his faith in God.The world was nothing but a gigantic machine to him. He had seen such a machine in the ancient texts of the demon craftsmen who mastered the dark crafts: once it was started, it would continue to operate according to the laws of nature.Man is but a cog in many cogs, driven by his own laws, and his life depends entirely on the action of the other cogs around him.The cogs are replaced as soon as they are broken, and the gigantic machine can keep going, and go on and on, maybe forever. It was a microcosm of the world, and Saryon was uneasy about it.Still, it's better than seeing the world run by some vile god, addicted to power, manipulative, and having his bishops sanctify his name and treat his people like lambs. And now, for the first time, Saryon contemplated another possibility, and the awe it brought humbled the soul.If Emin does exist, he is powerful and lucky; if he knows the number of all the gravel on the seashore of the afterlife, if he understands human emotions and thoughts, if he has plans as vast as dreams, which mortals cannot see at all, Can't understand at all. "What if." Saryon whispered to himself, staring at Emin's nine-pointed star symbol on the stained window. "We are part of the plan, rushing toward our destiny, toward our destruction like those swept away by the eddy of the river; we may cling to the rocks, we may try to swim to the shore, but our strength Not to be compared with the force of the impact. The arms will grow weary from the rocks, and the feet will barely touch the river bed before the river will sweep us away again. Soon, the dark waters will be over our heads... " Saryon buried his head in his hands, closed his eyes, the tightness in his chest felt like he was actually drowning in the river, his lungs thirsting for air. Why did he have such terrible thoughts?Because he knew what festival they were going to celebrate two weeks later.Joram would return to the Palace eighteen years after he had left it—eighteen full years to that day. Joram is off to celebrate the anniversary of his death.
"Alas, Simkin," said the Emperor wearily. "What are you getting into again this time?" The confusion caused in the Samuels family by the reception of this august illustrious man need not be overstated.In fact, when the emperor got off the car and floated into the vestibule garden, everyone just watched helplessly, completely at a loss.Fortunately, Xin Jin rushed out of the front door at this moment and threw himself into the emperor's arms, wailing about "humiliation", "loss of decency" and "thumb clamp". The emperor took Xin Jin's hand, and Madame Rosamund came back to her senses, and resumed her usual demeanor of a heroic general among women, directing her troops to charge and kill at home.She welcomed His Majesty the Emperor to his humble abode with grace and courtesy, led him into the hall, seated him in the best chair in the house, and seated her family and guests around him. "Really, Bunch, I can't tell." Simkin said in a hurt tone. "It's a humiliation, don't you understand? To hold a man at the city gate like a murderer..." Standing humbly in the corner, Saryon immediately tensed up when he heard this, and at the same time saw that Joram's eyes immediately lit up with warning.Simkin noticed nothing, and went on annoyed. "Unlucky," he continued despondently. "Now I have to be forced to hide in this kind of... residence... Although the house is very nice, Mrs. Rosamund is very hospitable." He casually blew a kiss to her, and the lady gave her a deep knee present. "But of course this is not where I'm used to living." He dabbed his eyes with the silk scarf. "Indeed, Xin Jin, I thought you were lucky," replied the emperor, smiling lazily with a wave of his hand. "A charming residence, my lord," he said to Lord Samuels, who bowed deeply. "Your wife is a gem, and your lovely daughter is very similar to her. I will do my best in your affairs, Xinjin." The emperor got up to leave, causing another commotion in the family. "In the meantime, however, I think you should remain here, if Lord Samuels will accommodate you." Sir bowed several times, and his joy was palpable.He was so proud, so happy, and so honored to be entertaining His Majesty's friends... "Yes." The emperor said wearily. "It is a great honor. Thank you, Lord Samuels. In the meantime, Simkin, I will do my best to find out what the charge is, by whom, and how it can be resolved. It will only take a day or two, so no publicity in the street You know, compared with Duke Xisi, I will do my best in this." "Ah, yes, those villains!" Simkin scolded, and then sighed deeply. "You are really kind, Your Majesty, let me say one more thing." He pulled the emperor aside and whispered in his ear, sporadically leaking a few words "Countess", "hot fire", "unfortunately found naked body", the emperor laughed out loud once, and even Saryon, who had been in and out of the court many times, had never heard of such sincere joy.His Majesty patted Sim Jin on the back. "I understand—I have to leave right now, and there are important national and other important matters, and I will not be at ease on Emin Day." The emperor said to the family who had already stood in line. Respectfully send the distinguished guests away.The emperor floated toward the front door. "Lord Samuels, Lady Rosamund." The emperor held out his hand and kissed them. "Thank you again for your kindness in taking in this young rascal. I'm about to celebrate a festival, and there will be a grand ball in the palace. Come here, Simkin, you will bring Lord Samuels and his family, won't you, eh?" The emperor's gaze fell to Gwendelyn. "Would you like to come, young lady?" he asked, throwing off his affected tone and gestures, and looked at the young lady with a fatherly smile, in which Saryon saw a hint of sorrow and pain . "Oh, Your Majesty!" Ge Wen folded her hands and sighed softly, so happy that she completely forgot to salute and thank her. "It's all right, ma'am," the emperor said kindly when Mrs. Rosamund reprimanded her daughter for being rude. "We all still remember what it was like to be young." These words were still in a sad tone, slightly veiled with regret. The Emperor was already standing by the door, and Saryon was congratulating himself for surviving the imminent crisis when he saw Simkin glancing at him maliciously.Saryon felt like he had been punched in the heart.He knew what the fellow was up to when he caught Simkin's eyes, and he shook his head violently, trying to get behind the furniture. But Xin Jin smiled frankly, and said casually: "Oh, I was so frightened by this appalling accident that I forgot to introduce my friend to Your Majesty. Your Majesty, this is Father Dunstable... " "Dunstable," murmured the poor Catalyst Saint with a deep bow. "Father." The emperor raised his hand gracefully, and slightly nodded his powdered head. "And two of my friends—both actors," said Simkin briskly. "Stage names: Mosiah, Joram. We'll do quizzes at the ball..." Saryon did not hear what Simkin said next--nor did the Emperor. The emperor stretched out his hand to Mosiah with a cheerful and tolerant expression.Mosiah kissed the Emperor's hand, blushing as brightly as the Emperor's ruby ring.Qiao Lang also came forward to salute. When Joram was introduced, he was standing some distance behind Saryon, in the shadow of a closet.He stepped forward, took the emperor's hand, and bowed down - but he didn't kiss it, and then stood up straight.As he came forward to salute, he stepped into the patch of sunlight cast by one of the front windows.The sunlight framed the elegant contours of Joram's face, with high cheekbones and a strong, proud jaw.The sun shone in Joram's hair, the hair he had inherited from his mother.Famous was its hair, and legends and ballads extolled its beauty; like the hairs of a corpse, it seemed to have a life of its own... The emperor's meaningless gesture froze, he just watched blankly, the blood faded from his face, his eyes were wide open, his lips were slightly parted, but he didn't say anything. Saryon held his breath.He knows!Emin save us!He knows. What should he do?The Catalyst Saints panicked.Call Dukexis?Absolutely not!There is absolutely no way he would betray his own son... Saryon looked around frantically.Surely everyone noticed!But no one showed it except himself. He hurriedly turned his head to look at Joram, blinking in surprise. The emperor's face was calm, his surprise was like a streak of water gliding across the calm water, that's all.His smile at Joram was as empty courtesy as his hand.Joram stepped back into the shadows—seeing nothing but being dazzled by looking directly into the sunlight.The emperor turned away absently, and continued talking with Xin Jin as if nothing had happened. "My friends are all top-notch actors." Sim Jin said, touching his lips with a silk scarf. "They are also invited to the Palace, of course, Your Majesty." "Friends?" The emperor seemed to have forgotten that there were these people. "Oh, yes, of course," he said magnanimously. "It's strange to have a festival to celebrate at such a time, isn't it, Your Majesty the Most High?" Amidst the restlessness and hurried salutes of the Samuels family, Simkin, who kept talking, accompanied the emperor out of the door.The emperor's royal chariot floated on the street. The entire car was made of crystal, and the facets reflected the sunlight. The flames were so intense that almost no one could stare at it directly, otherwise they would be blinded by the light. "I can't remember at the moment, what is this festival to celebrate?" No one heard the emperor's answer, and all the neighbors came out to cheer and wave. This moment established the reputation and status of Lord Samuels.The idea that the neighbors had hoped that he could be promoted to the status of the guild leader was uprooted at that moment, like a druid pulling out a dead tree, and was simply thrown aside.The emperor boarded his chariot, blessed all, and the star returned to the sky, leaving only a dim glow of glory to the earth-bound mortals below. The Samuels family was simply in high spirits.Lady Rosamund beamed with pride, and glanced contentedly over the neighbors.Ge Wen was immersed in the joy of being invited to the prom, and then thought that she had no suitable clothes to wear, so she burst into tears.Mosiah stared blankly at the direction the emperor was leaving, fascinated, until Lilian suddenly jumped out to interrupt his reverie - the red-faced lady assured him that it was unintentional.With his forgiveness, she asked him if he would be interested in visiting the inner gardens, and led him outside, chatting happily about his "weird and funny" way of speaking. And Joram found himself on equal footing with his foe—with horses, pawns, and cannon. Lord Samuels walked towards the young man, and patted Joram on the shoulder affectionately. "Sinkin told me you thought you were entitled to some estate in Merilon." "My lord." Joram looked at him cautiously. "The story of the evil uncle is not true..." Lord Samuels smiled. "No, I didn't believe that story for a quarter of an hour. Bit by bit the truth was pulled out of Simkin last night, and that's more interesting and true. Maybe I can help, I have a way of ascertaining some records... With that said, he dragged the young man into the private study and closed the door behind him. Nobody paid attention to the Catalyst Saints, and Saryon was happy to do so.He returned to the family sanctuary where no one would disturb him, and sat down.The sun no longer poured in through the stained windows, and the room was filled with cool shadows.Saryon began to shiver uncontrollably, not from the cold, but from a vast, overwhelming fear. After witnessing the betrayal of people, he lost his faith in God.The world was nothing but a gigantic machine to him. He had seen such a machine in the ancient texts of the demon craftsmen who mastered the dark crafts: once it was started, it would continue to operate according to the laws of nature.Man is but a cog in many cogs, driven by his own laws, and his life depends entirely on the action of the other cogs around him.The cogs are replaced as soon as they are broken, and the gigantic machine can keep going, and go on and on, maybe forever. It was a microcosm of the world, and Saryon was uneasy about it.Still, it's better than seeing the world run by some vile god, addicted to power, manipulative, and having his bishops sanctify his name and treat his people like lambs. And now, for the first time, Saryon contemplated another possibility, and the awe it brought humbled the soul.If Emin does exist, he is powerful and lucky; if he knows the number of all the gravel on the seashore of the afterlife, if he understands human emotions and thoughts, if he has plans as vast as dreams, which mortals cannot see at all, Can't understand at all. "What if." Saryon whispered to himself, staring at Emin's nine-pointed star symbol on the stained window. "We are part of the plan, rushing toward our destiny, toward our destruction like those swept away by the eddy of the river; we may cling to the rocks, we may try to swim to the shore, but our strength Not to be compared with the force of the impact. The arms will grow weary from the rocks, and the feet will barely touch the river bed before the river will sweep us away again. Soon, the dark waters will be over our heads... " Saryon buried his head in his hands, closed his eyes, the tightness in his chest felt like he was actually drowning in the river, his lungs thirsting for air. Why did he have such terrible thoughts?Because he knew what festival they were going to celebrate two weeks later.Joram would return to the Palace eighteen years after he had left it—eighteen full years to that day. Joram is off to celebrate the anniversary of his death.