Chapter 30 Past

The dining hall was lit with only a few short and fat candles, dark and full of ghostly twists. I hope they don't want to cover the carrion in the broth with dim light. Leo thought and followed the Mario monks into the hall.

Several square long tables that can accommodate more than a dozen people are placed in the hall, accompanied by several older boys. His friends are already sitting on the left side of the main table. He sat down in the vacant seat left by Luo Xi, and on his right was still Lu Yuewu. Opposite him, many monks also sat down one by one. Sitting at the main table was a monk in a crimson robe. The desert warrior seemed to be a disciplined child, standing behind him with his head hanging silently.

The Ashbourne monks are very different from Leo's imagination. First of all, he is hardly an elder. The monks without a face towel in the restaurant are all hunchbacked old men, but he is tall and straight, energetic, and in his prime. Secondly, his face is not as kind and kind as the monks he imagined. His head is large and square, his eyes are sharp and shrewd, and his nose is full of red lines. Although he has cut his hair, his head and thick chin are covered with short whiskers.

He doesn't look like a saint who can heal people's bones, but he seems to be a thre who wants to break other people's joints at any time, Li Ou thought. The red-robed monk got up and touched the forehead with the Mario monk, and then made another gesture. Brandy Crow, you have bothered. Li Ou heard him say something quickly and softly. Mario Monk, you're a little late." He announced, and then turned to face other guests and monks. We welcome new faces. Ah, there are too few new faces I've seen recently.

Miss Bachelor is polite. The gesture she made was decent. Unlike Mario monks, the red-robed monks are not disturbed by the presence of women among the guests, although there are only male monks in this monastery. But when Leo mentioned Bombard Carre, he put away his smile and only said, "I know this." Then change the topic. You must be thirsty. Please try our fragrant sand wine and moisten the throat of the journey. The boy beside him poured them wine. Brandick, you can sit down, too. He said to the desert warrior, "Smile. Dinner comes from the gift of the gods, not punishment."

Dinner was served soon. The food is simple and delicious: the freshly baked bread is crispy and warm, the newly stirred butter is put in a jar, and the thick stew contains crab meat, clam meat and at least three different fish. Knight Tario and the Raven said it was great after drinking the sand wine brewed by the monks, while Leo and Rosie carefully only used some snake egg soup. Almost everyone was silent during the banquet, and Leo did not see a monk talking in a low voice.

After the meal, the monks silently made a gesture to the red-robed monks, prayed lightly, and then stood up and lined up to leave the hall. Leo felt that they were like puppets, doing some mechanical work. The last bit of food left on the long table was cleaned up by the boys who served as waiters. Several of them just repented of their greed in the sanctuary. But now, they are enjoying a more sumptuous dinner. This kind of education is beyond Li Ou's expectation.

"If you make a mistake, you will be punished. This is an eternal truth." The monk Ashburn told him softly, "But those who have been punished will continue to make mistakes. Those pickpockets, thieves, and ** criminals are better. Because the punishment is too slight and the interests are too popular, they don't care.

"So do the opposite?" Li Ou said doubtfully, "I'm afraid it will be counterproductive."

"For children, beating and scolding are more reliable. I don't deny it." The monk in red robe said, "But if it is a first-time crime... I think they will remember the grace and glory of the gods more. Because sometimes affirmation and honor also mean shame.

The hall gradually became empty, and the monk Mario asked the blind boy to take them back to their room to rest. We have prepared what you need, and you can rest assured to sleep. He said, "After suffering, there is nothing more missed and can't wait than a stable sleep."

"Can I go to the church with my son?" Lava Joray asked devoutly.

"Of course." The monk nodded, "When the morning sun rises tomorrow, I will ask the boys to call you. Then let's go. I think everyone is exhausted."

They happily accepted the advice of the Mario monks. When leaving the hall, the red-robed monk Ahiburn stopped Leo and Rosie. Can you stay a little longer? I think we should talk about it."

The knights and crows raised their vigilance.

Li Ou waved his hand to show that they didn't have to be nervous. If you want." He and Rosie looked at each other and returned to the hall. Brandick, go and see your friends off. Leave this place to us." Ashburn waved back the others.

Rosie opened the chair. The legs of the chair dragged on the rough ground, making a harsh sound. She sat down opposite the red-robed monk. That's it." She urged in a bad temper. What do you want to say?" When night falls, it is not far from midnight. His and Rosie's patience gradually faded away. They are eager to hide and want to be afraid of seeing the sun.

"A lot, a lot. We may not be able to finish it all night," the Ashbourne monks leaned against the back of the chair and looked at them with a kind of memory, sadness and strange eyes. But Leo felt that his eyes were more focused on him. Fortunately, we have enough time for you to listen to me. His eyes were full of deep meaning, and Leo's heart trembled. He seemed to see through their disguise.

"What on earth are you trying to say?" Rosie patted the table, "I don't want to listen to your twists and turns."

"Selastin... No, I think I should call you Leo better... Blanchard told me about you." Ahiburn's square face showed soft curves, and he tilted his head to look at Rosie with a shallow smile. Your girlfriend is very energetic. She suits you very well.

"There is no need for you to comment."

No, Li Ou felt something was wrong with his words... "How do you know my name?" Li Ou's hand pressed the hilt of the sword. He never mentioned the desert warrior, and his friends never called him by name. If it is Brandick, he will only call his surname and profession, not a friendly name. There was uneasiness in his heart. What else can there be besides the magic of living? Unexpectedly, he made a mystery in the ears of the desert warrior and pretended to be the oracle. Will it be him? Who the hell are you?" He asked in a low voice and pulled out his sword.

"Relax, relax, I mean no harm." The red-robed monk raised his hands.

"No malice?" Rosie took out a short crossbow, which was already on the string and was on the verge of breaking out. I don't believe it."

"Be vigilant is a good thing, but being too nervous will make you miss your friends." The red-robed monk sighed. He stood up, and Li Ou thought he was trying to attack and quickly kept a distance from him. Ahiburn smiled bitterly. To reintroduce, my name is Dalma, and Yahiburn is my school name. Leo, you should have heard my name, if you still remember.

"No, I don't remember." Leo said, "I don't have any impression."

Unspeakable sadness appeared on the face of the Ashbourne monk. Alchemist... what a distant name. Leo, your name is because your father once told me that he would give you this name, which represents a beautiful ancient city... But so far no one has been able to meet. Leo looked shocked. How did he know his father?" Would you be surprised if I said that I was a follower of your father, a warrior wielding an axe?

This surprise is nothing compared with his followers who used to be his father. No. You look more like a knight than a monk holding scriptures and preaching. His chest, shoulders and tough chin clearly show this. But... I won't believe your side so easily."

His words trembled, and even Rosie heard his shock and panic. She handed the crossbow to her left hand and held him tightly with her right hand. Leo." She held his hand and gave him courage and reason, and most importantly, calm.

The alchemist took a deep breath. His father's death, his father's past... He was eager to know, but... the oracle that the desert warrior always talked about, the black sun hanging above his head... He had to be vigilant. There is no evidence." Li Ou said coldly, "Show me the evidence."

The red-robed monk was completely silent and did not speak for a long time.

"I can't take it out, liar." Rosie sneered, "Let's go, Leo. Stop wasting time with waste. They always think of others as idiots exactly like themselves.

When they raised their feet and went out, the voice of the red-robed monks sounded behind them. Wait." He came up and stared into Leo's eyes. I never intended to hide it, but..." A painful struggle flashed in his eyes. Forget it, you will know when you see it. That thing... Alchemists and magicians should clearly understand its function... Come with me, this is not a good place to talk." The monk in red paused, "The brilliance of the sun is everywhere."

The last sentence was like a prayer from the gods, but Leo felt more like some kind of sarcastic irony.

Ahiburn did not hold the lamp. In the bright starlight of the sand sea at night, they wandered in the shadow of the quiet sanctuary, echoing their footsteps everywhere. Stealth seems to have become meaningless, and it can only be hidden from the stupid pig who died.

"I hate it here." Rosie whispered. However, the amplified voice repeated her words not far away. She almost went crazy because of it. I want to shout!"

Li Ou comforted her, "Thieves hate this place more than you."

"I really don't know who we are hiding from."

Ahiburn didn't say it clearly. But Li Ou guessed that it was nothing more than other monks. In doing so, he intended to take them to a forbidden place. It's almost there." The red-robed monk said.

They stopped under the wall near the oasis. There is no one around, quiet. However, the red-robed monks still waited quietly for a long time before they gestured to keep up. He took out the key and opened the door to the underground. Leo followed Rosie down the stairs with him. There was the sound of water blowing from the wind above, and the chirping of insects. It was the little bugs complaining that they were woken up. What we ask for is patience and waiting. The red-robed monk opened his mouth when he walked down half of the stairs, and he still said in a cautious low voice. Everyone here is a qualified hunter. It's too tricky to deal with hunters.

"Where are we?" The sound of the worm chorus is getting weaker and weaker, replaced by the sound of water waves becoming clearer and clearer.

"Just under the oasis, there is magic here. So it's very strong, dry, and the temperature is suitable.

"Isn't it because of magic?"

"Magic has long dissipated with the death of the gods, so there is only magic."

"Since you are not superstitious in magic, why do you still believe in gods?" Li Ou pointed to the point.

Ahiburn's tone has not changed. I am not an unbeliever, let alone a pseudo-believer. I believe in the gods devoutly.

Lies. Leo has never heard such a clumsy excuse. Since you don't believe it, what kind of faith do you have?" You know that the gods are dead, you accept this fact, and you understand that the object of your faith does not exist at all.

"So what?" Ashbourne whispered, "If your father is still alive, he may think the same as you. But who says that faith must be dedicated to real things?

This question fell on Leo. He was speechless, and Rosie opened her mouth and couldn't refute it. Who stipulates that the object of faith must be the gods? Why can't it be anything else?

"Liou, just like the truth of the world you and your father pursue, your faith is the truth of alchemy, and the magician believes in the omnipotent of magic." Ashburn sighed. And what I believe in is also unspeakable and untouchable illusory things. I'm not that kind of so-called true believer, eager to be rewarded by the gods. Faith is faith, not a commodity, let alone a tradable item.

Liou doesn't know why he told him this or what he can say. I have never seen this kind of faith. I have never heard of this. In the end, he could only tell the truth.

"Real?" Ashburn turned his head, leaned forward, and stared into Leo's eyes. If you understand, you will live up to your father's expectations. He has too many unfinished business.

"What is it?"

"I know some, but not all of them." Ahiburn showed a proud look. But first, I have to show you the evidence. Otherwise, you won't believe it, will you?

This is to repay others in their own way. Li Ou finally understood what it means to bind himself. He took a deep breath and tried his best to keep calm. I asked another question and planned to take a detour. Mr. Ashburn, why did you give up following my father and become a monk here?

"I have lived for forty summers. But I never chose to be a mercenary. My father is a mercenary, and so is my grandfather. And every one of my brothers. Since the day they thought I was big enough to hold the wooden sword, they trained me to fight. I know that I am one of them and have never humiliated them. I have had many women, but this makes me feel ashamed, because some of them are obtained by violence. I was full of hope to marry a girl, but the life of the mercenary did not belong to me. I was trapped in battle, blood and liquor for most of my previous life. I have been to the coastal islands and the northern snow country. In a word, I'm very sad.

"When did it change?" Rosie asked.

Meet your father is the first important decision I made. But there is no need to say much about this. We have enough time. I will tell you little by little. That's undoubtedly the happiest day in my life, brother, a friend who can be back to back."

Liou is a little discouraged. What about the second one?"

"When we - that is, with your father - came to this sandy sea, we were attacked. This is normal. It is next to Bombardier. It was prosperous in those years, but now it is ruined and demons are raging. You know, even desert warriors can't patrol the whole sand sea. We fought hard, one friend after another fell, and your father was also injured. But we still had the upper hand, but the sandstorm suddenly came. I was rolled up and thrown into the flowing sand. I should have been suffocated. I was dragged into the sand without the sun and became food for sand sting.

"But I wake up here, on the edge of the silent sanctuary. The monk told me that I was pushed up by the sand, and I was the first life returned by the sand. I can only assume that magic protected me, because all the amulets made by your father turned into fragments. However, the monks thought it was a miracle, so they took good care of me and regarded me as one of them.

Rosie curled her lips, "So you stayed?"

Ahiburn didn't care and then said, "I tried to find and beg the monks and warriors, but they tried their best to find anything in a hundred miles, as if what I had experienced in those years was just a real dream I had. In the face of the cruel reality, I have to give up. The careful care of the monks made me begin to accept their faith and seek the comfort of the nihilistic gods, and I can only pray for your father and our friends. So, this is my second life. I think it's most appropriate to say that. I shaved my hair and got a scar. And it was named Ahiburn. In the scriptures, this means 'pathetic lost person'. For the next ten years, I remained silent until I became a monk in red robes until I learned of your arrival.

He raised his head with tears rolling in his eyes. He cried. How could a strong soldier shed tears? Without looking at any evidence, Leo has chosen to believe him from the bottom of his heart.

When his mood gradually calmed down, Li Ou asked, "How did you know I would come here?" How do you know that my father has passed away?

"Because in my second year as a red-robed monk, I secretly learned the forbidden spells sealed in the Silent Sanctuary, and I found it here." At the end of the stairs, the "pathetic lost man" pushed open the locked wooden door. I'll stay here and send Brandick just to wait for your arrival, Leo...Serastin."