Crown of Silence

Chapter 262 Bell of Original Sin

That night, eight o'clock.

The college, the auditorium, was packed.

Amidst the low noise, the audience was completely dark. In the college, both first-year freshmen and graduating students received the notice and gathered here.

Although the meeting has not started yet, everyone who comes here knows it well: after the association's review and judgment on the plagiarism case that has been causing a lot of noise these days, the college will finally give everyone an explanation.

But this statement made many people in the audience feel unhappy.

"It's just a briefing meeting, why do we need to come?"

At the location of the Apocalypse Academy, a teacher had a cold look on his face: "What that guy Ingmar did must involve us. We don't even dare to go out now. Aren't they satisfied?"

"Hey, you didn't say that when you were trying to build momentum for Ingmar."

The person who spoke was the teacher from the changing faction, and it was not a big deal to watch the excitement anyway. The teacher from the Apocalypse Academy changed his expression, glared at him, and stopped talking.

But every time he looked at Abraham's position, his eyes showed indescribable disgust: That guy is simply a trouble. He can cause such big troubles at every turn.

"You just want to see us lose face anyway, right?"

He muttered angrily, "At least, we've given him enough face this time. That guy better not know what's good and what's good."

"Ahem."

The colleague next to him coughed in a low voice to remind him. Only then did he realize that the entire venue was silent, and he quickly shut up.

Immediately afterwards, Sidney appeared on the stage with a complicated expression. The principal didn't show up, and it was obvious that Sidney had been thrown into the trap by the school committee. Anyway, this guy has always done the embarrassing things. Because of this, his expression is not very good-looking.

"I am here today to announce something."

He took out the manuscript of his speech, lowered his head numbly and began to read. The more he read, the lower his head lowered. Every word felt like a slap in the face, causing pain.

"... After the evaluation of the Holy City and the Musicians Association, it is true that 'Ingmar's results are plagiarized'... Because the impact caused is too bad, all teaching positions of Ingmar are now revoked and handed over to the Musicians Association after he recovers. Hold a public trial.

In this incident, the Department of Music and History suffered many injustices, but with the support of the college, they were able to be cleared..."

Hearing him say this, the audience suddenly booed, and the boos continued, interrupting his speech. He lowered his head and didn't care. He just continued to read the manuscript:

"...According to the wishes of Abraham and Master Abraham, the new Music History Department will be rebuilt on the original site, and teaching will be restarted after the Queen's investiture ceremony.

Next, I invite the representative of the Department of Music and History, Chief Ye, to speak to everyone. Everyone applauds and welcomes us. "

He put away the manuscript and looked backstage numbly.

In the audience, a weird applause broke out. At this time, the audience was clearly divided into two groups. One group of people looked excited and applauded, while the other group of people looked numb, like clay sculptures.

"Here comes the drama."

In the audience, some students sneered: "After I turn over, I don't know how to show off my power."

"Don't worry, this Chief Dongfang should be a smart man."

The third-grade chief was sitting in the front row, just looking at his nails: "If he still has some sense, he won't be too arrogant. After all, he has offended too many people, and the road ahead will not be easy. After all... life is still alive. It’s growing, isn’t it?”

"If you don't know what's good and what's good, then there's nothing you can do about it."

"How can he still turn the world upside down? Don't forget, this is the Royal Conservatory of Music. He is not an official musician. Does he really think that a rhythm level is so powerful?

If he really thinks he can afford it, I'll go to him for a musician duel by bullying the younger one. At that time, he wouldn’t have anything to say, would he? "

There was a sneer, and several students who were about to graduate sat in the back with their arms around each other, looking coldly at the stage.

A long wait, a long silence.

No one came out backstage. Everyone was stunned, looking at the stage in confusion, and talking about it.

On the stage, Sidney, who had a stiff smile on his face, could hardly stay any longer. He called someone over and urged him in a low voice. The man ran backstage and soon returned in a daze, handing a letter to Sidney.

Sidney was stunned for a moment. After opening the envelope and glancing at it twice, his expression turned ugly.

That guy actually refused to attend and just sent a letter?

Is he so arrogant just because he won a review?

The whole school arrived, but the guy named Ye started to act like a big star? The dissatisfied students in the audience became increasingly gloomy.

"Hello everyone, I am the chief of the first grade, that Easterner, Ye Qingxuan. Because there are some things that I cannot be present in person, so I wrote this letter to everyone."

On the stage, Sidney grabbed the letter and read dullly:

“Everyone has heard about the recent turmoil.

Thanks to those who support me. Thank you for speaking up for my teacher in this farce. I will remember every word and sentence and repay as much as possible.

However, I know that many of you don't like me. "

When Sidney read this, he frowned and his expression became stiffer:

"But to be honest, it doesn't matter to me. I don't ask you to extend your noble friendship to me, a weirdo who doesn't fit in, and I don't care much about you.

However, I hope that through this incident, some people will make less unnecessary provocations against us in the future. After all, there is no sense of accomplishment in solving something like this. "

"It's so arrogant!"

The gloomy-looking students were angered by Ye Qingxuan's attitude and shouted angrily. They exchanged glances with each other, unable to hold back their anger.

On the stage, Sidney's expression became more and more strange. He had reached the end of this brief note. He was stammering while reading, and it was difficult for him to read every word:

"...and I sincerely hope that nothing like this will happen again in the future. In order to make some people's memories better and serve as a lesson, I decided to find a conspicuous place to leave a small souvenir for them.

——Hope they will like it. "

After reading this, he froze and looked at the end: "Your most loyal friend, Ye Qingxuan."

There is no doubt that Ye Qingxuan's unceremonious tone angered most of the students who were suppressing their anger. There was a lot of noise and chaos in the entire auditorium.

Did that damn guy want to use this incident to teach the entire academy a lesson?

Who does he think he is? And that damn ‘little souvenir’? This obvious warning tone is almost laughable. Could it be that he could turn things upside down in the academy?

But soon, they heard startled exclamations from behind and a dull silence.

On the stage, Sidney seemed to have seen something extremely ghostly, and his stiff expression broke little by little, turning into complete shock.

So, they looked back in surprise.

I saw the dark night sky outside the auditorium door. There were red fires in the dark night sky.

Is there a fire somewhere?

Where's the fire?

——

Under the same night sky, a white-haired boy sat on a bench, bathing in the light of the fire. The firelight illuminated his white hair, which seemed to have turned red and was as passionate as fire.

In front of him, the main building of the Apocalypse Academy was bathed in the light of the flames, shining brightly. It is like what those people said, turning into a torch that breaks through the darkness and illuminates the bright and far-reaching future of mankind.

In Ingmar's office, the ancient books, precious collections, and luxurious furniture were all immersed in flames and turned into ashes and fire powder.

They were blown up in the hot wind and fluttered in the sky, dotted with stars, beautiful and stunning.

Soon, the teacher on duty today descended from the sky with the 'Wind Soul', noticed the burning main building, and quickly sounded the alarm. Then he looked at the idle young man not far away and frowned:

"what 's wrong?"

"It's simple, it's on fire."

Ye Qingxuan spread his hands and said to himself just like the school told him not long ago: "It's been dry lately and things have spontaneously ignited. It's normal."

He stared calmly into those doubtful eyes, his expression innocent and confused. Anyway, no matter what, in the end, it will be as the investigation results show.

The weather is dry and things are dry, and things spontaneously ignite.

It was just an accident, just like the last one. Since it is acceptable that there was an accident in the Department of Music and History, then it is also reasonable that there was an accident in the Institute of Enlightenment, right?

As if admiring some beautiful scenery, he sat quietly on the bench, stared at the fire rising into the sky, and sighed softly:

"——It's so beautiful."

In the night sky, the faint sound of bells came.

——

"Good tea. I never thought you could drink such good tea in the West."

In the watch shop, Mr. Hu put down his tea cup and sighed sadly: "I have been away from the East for many years, and I haven't had tea for a long time."

"Let's talk about things first and stop pretending."

Opposite him, Hermes was holding a box of biscuits and eating them loudly. He looked at Mr. Hu with a strange look:

"I really have some expectations. What does the empress who was ignored by the regent want to do by sending a messenger like you to Avalon.

Could it be that he came to contact the revolutionary army, cooperate inside and outside, and kill Bai Heng, that rebellious official and traitor? If so, you have come to the wrong place. The whole world knows that the revolutionary army is hidden in the dark world, and you can't find anything in Avalon. "

"Sir, you are joking. Your Majesty has never had anything to do with those rebels."

Mr. Hu waved his hand and said seriously: "I am here to find out some past things and then find someone."

"Ye Lanzhou? Tsk!"

Hermes sneered: "You didn't regret it when that guy Bai Heng was preparing to usurp the throne and kill everyone in the Ye family. There's no point in worrying now."

"I hope sir will tell you where your responsibilities lie."

Mr. Hu stood up and bowed his head to the bottom: "Ye Lanzhou, where are you now?"

Hermes rolled his eyes: "You ask me, who am I asking? That guy Ye Lanzhou has long legs, and he can go anywhere."

Mr. Hu sighed, took out an ancient silver coin from his sleeve, and pushed it towards Hermes: "For the sake of this thing, I hope you will be accommodating."

Hermes frowned, "You take out this thing. According to the rules, I should answer you a question. But are you sure you want to ask this?"

"Exactly." Mr. Hu nodded.

Hermes said expressionlessly: "He is dead."

"impossible."

Mr. Hu shook his head resolutely: "I was told: I want to see the person alive, and I want to see the body if he is dead."

"Tsk, you guys, why are you so stubborn?"

Hermes threw the biscuit box aside irritably, picked up a large jar from under the cabinet, and slapped it on the table: "Look! You said 'I want to see the body if he is dead', here it is!"

Mr. Hu was stunned for a moment and froze.

After a long time, he reached out and lifted the gray cloth covering the jar. Dust fell off the gray cloth.

Under the dust and gray cloth, soaked in the amber liquid was a head.

The pale and handsome head closed his eyes and slept in the amber liquid. The long black hair swayed with the liquid like seaweed.

No longer as heroic as before, but still as peaceful as moonlight, quiet and beautiful. It doesn't look like it has been dead for a long time, but has fallen into a deep sleep.

"——The head that Bach cut off with his own hands, if you want it, take it!"

Mr. Hu was stunned for a moment, shook his head, put down the hand that lifted the gray cloth, and the face was buried in the darkness again.

"Why is it so..."

He sat dejectedly on the chair, sighed for a long time, and stopped talking.

In the distance, there was a faint low bell sound, which echoed in the night sky and resounded in all directions.

The bell sound had a mysterious power, faintly with the singing and praise of countless people, and the ether was surging wherever it passed, as if dancing for it.

In the darkness under the gray cloth, the head seemed to have woken up briefly from a long sleep.

The corner of his mouth seemed to be raised with a faint smile.

Like an illusion.

Like moonlight.

——

Thousands of miles away, the holy city.

The lights were bright on the hundred-foot-high tower of this steel city.

At the critical moment of the replacement of the ice barrier of Western Asgard, the cardinals in red were arguing endlessly about this, and their faces were red.

"It has been six years since the divine disaster occurred. Maintaining this state of war is an absolute burden for Asgard and the cult. The annual consumption of sapphire alone is as high as millions!"

"It's only been six years! If there is any accident during this replacement, causing the disaster to enter the human heartland again, the damage caused will be difficult to recover in six years, even sixty or six hundred years!

The principalities that were flattened by the "Silver Tide" in the past have not yet recovered. Isn't this a lesson for us to be vigilant enough?"

"It's a high-sounding statement, but do you know how much it costs every day just to keep the fortress running?

What's more, Our exploration of the natural disaster has been stagnant for decades. Not only has the exploration of the dark world been ineffective, but Gaius and his revolutionary army are still at large!

But recently, the countries have become more and more slack, and internal friction is serious. They don't care about how terrible things are in the dark world outside the defense line...

Spiritual corruption and degeneration are more terrible than material emptiness. If this continues, I am afraid that even if there is a fortress, it will be just a show-off! "

"The Order never interferes in the internal affairs of other countries. Don't make excuses for such dark actions!"

"Idiot! Does pursuing this kind of procedural justice help the result..."

The argument has lasted for three days without any result.

Only today, at the end of the long table, the figure sitting on the steps seemed to be in deep thought, and did not listen to their opinions. He just looked up at the starry sky, and there was a faint bell echoing in the starry sky.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please make a quick decision..."

The bishops looked at the silent pope, their expressions confused and solemn. On the side of the throne, the attendant called softly: "Your Majesty, the bishops are waiting for your decision."

On the throne, the Red King raised his hand, holding back the noise of the quarrel, and just listened to the bell.

All was silent.

There was a bell from the sky.

——

In the long night, a bell rang.

The bronze bell was old and huge. As it vibrated, it shook off the dust, revealing a copper light that seemed to be burning. The copper light trembled like a flame, and the bell roared.

The roaring bell spread in the sky, towards the far distance, riding the strong wind, reaching thousands of miles away, and echoing in the dark world.

It shook away the ice and snow on the northern barrier, shook the beacon fire under the eastern Great Wall, raised dust on the scorching earth in the south, and merged into ripples from the northern sea.

The bell sounded far and wide, knocking in the ears of all humans.

"Mr. Gaius, this is the report just sent from Avalon."

In the dark room, the gray-haired old man in the wheelchair put on glasses and looked at the message on the paper by the light. After a long time, he smiled with relief.

"Congratulations, Abraham." He stared in the direction of Avalon and whispered softly: "Finally, I found the meaning of my life as I wished."

No one responded.

Only the faint bell echoed.

Whether it was by the campfire in the vast wilderness or in the city in the long snow, the low and distant bell was heard. The bell was lingering.

"The Sage's Bell?"

In the dark world, Bach, who was walking silently, looked back; above the nine heavens, the old man with a high crown walking on the star ring lowered his head and looked at the Holy City with his pupils.

In the Saint's Hall, the seventy-six immortal lights also trembled in the bell, and the holy spirits sleeping in them opened their pupils and looked at each other.

"Forty-two years..."

"The Sage's Bell has been rung."

"The Bell of Original Sin..."

"Humanity is getting closer and closer to the truth of the Dark Ages."

"The Great Source of Turbulence is coming."

"The day of the decisive battle is approaching again."

The Holy Spirits in the lights whispered, and finally closed their eyes and fell into a long sleep again.

Only the lights remained in the darkness.

The bells were still echoing.

-

In the sound of the bells, the drunken young man woke up from his dream and screamed in pain.

He grabbed the bottle next to him and drank the remaining liquid in it. The power of alcohol spread again. He climbed up on the table and gasped.

"Char, are you having a nightmare again?"

Abraham pushed open the door of his room, looking worried.

"No, teacher. I'm just drunk."

Charles forced a smile and got up from the ground: "Oh, I got drunk accidentally. I've been getting more and more outrageous recently. If Ye Zi and the others saw it, I'm afraid they would scold me for a long time, right?"

He opened the window, dispelling the smell of alcohol in the air, and the moonlight shone on his face.

Charles sat down in the corner, fumbled in his pocket, took out half a cigarette, lit it, took two deep puffs, and looked at the door with a forced smile.

But the door was closed, there was no teacher, and Abraham was no longer here.

So, he seemed to understand something and withdrew his sight sadly.

"Is it still a dream?"

The curling green smoke rose from his hand, dissipated in the moonlight in the dream, and disappeared without a trace.

Under the moonlight, the wall gradually broke down, and blood seeped out of the cracks in the ground, like a spring. In the blood, countless hands embraced him, like a mother, warm and soft.

There was a voice in his memory whispering in his ear:

"——Please tell him that I am very happy."

The ethereal voice lingered in his heart, empty and unknown where it went.

He smiled, closed his eyes, and nestled in the arms of the dream.

Mom, are you really happy? ——

Under the same sky, there was a white-haired boy who was silent before the fire, a young man sleeping in front of the window, and a young girl between layers of clocks...

At the same time, a figure in a gray robe stepped onto the land of Avalon.

A sparrow landed on his shoulder. He listened to the bell and looked up at the starry sky, but there were no stars in his pupils, only the darkness of the abyss.

"The world of humans..."

He murmured hoarsely: "The... stench of humans!"

The bells echoed in the sky.

For whom are the bells ringing?