Just being a dark elf in Warhammer

Chapter 512 363. One-day church trip

After loading the tobacco, the pipe was lit by Darkus again. He seemed to be paralyzed while standing, his whole body pressed on Genevieve's shoulders. The angle of North City is not good enough, except for the sound of cannons, there is no picture related to the ongoing war, but the Culper Manor is just right.

The flames were burning fiercely in Dongcheng District. Standing on the streets of Nancheng District, Darkus seemed to feel the echo of the flames lingering in the empty streets. More shining skulls drew arcs in the sky, and sparks flew. , trailing the tail of fire, lighting up the dark night. As horrific as what actually happened was, there was a unique beauty to the fires set against the black sky.

The flames danced wildly on the tower, and the burning skulls hit the stones like thrown fireballs. The flames adhered to the walls, emitting a blazing light, burning fiercely, and dyeing everything around them with scorching colors. The flames were quickly extinguished by firefighters dressed as provincial soldiers, but before they were extinguished, the burning skeleton shone like the sun. Darkus, who was puffing away smoke, stood there motionless. He was fascinated by the dazzling red light. He listened to the bells of Sigma Cathedral and waited for the cry that could not be heard here.

"It's... amazing that a thousand years of civilization can be destroyed in just a few days."

"Do you want to stay here and talk to Mrs. Calper?" After Darkus sighed in a decent manner, he looked behind him. The elves walked out of the Calper Manor. He nodded and He was going to the next place, but the moment he took a step forward, he suddenly thought about something and continued.

"good!"

Darkus arranged for the Enil guide and the Kane assassin to stay with Genevieve and then set off. The next place he wanted to go was not suitable for Genevieve, although Genevieve could also go. He didn't ask Ren about Helena. He didn't need to ask about this kind of thing. To leave enough space, he only needed accurate information. As for Drusala, he didn't even want to ask. When he was in the restaurant, he could guess what happened to Helena after he came out just by looking at Druzala's expression.

Crowds still gathered in the cathedral square, waiting patiently for a miracle. What was different from when Darkus came was that there were even more people in the square because the city gates and river channels in the south city area were blocked. He looked at a group of women. His memory was very good. He remembered that he had never seen them before. He felt that these women seemed to have just crawled out of the sewer. Their bodies were covered with dirt. After trying all methods, people only Able to put their hope in faith, this group of women crowded together with penitents, worshippers, fearful and desperate people, kneeling on the ground and praying devoutly.

When the main doors of the Cathedral of Sigmar opened, there was an almost hysterical reaction from the crowd, but they let out a huge sigh of disappointment when they saw that it was the priests of Sigmar who had emerged instead of the great High Priest himself. Pastor Sigma has a scholarly demeanor. There is no trace of panic on his face, only frankness, so frank that people almost instinctively trust him.

Priest Sigmar stood motionless on the stairs, as if he had to pay a heavy price for every step he took. After the noise of the crowd subsided like the tide, he stretched out his hands and pressed them, signaling for the crowd to be quiet, and there was a soft whisper from the crowd.

Darkus, who was watching from a short distance away, could see expressions of hope and desire on the faces of the crowd, as if Sigma had spoken. An atmosphere of expectation rippled in the crowd, and he stepped closer. Curious, he wanted to hear what Pastor Sigma had to say. This was part of the gunpowder, steel, and belief system, and was the focus of his investigation.

"Our merciful brother descended into the catacombs to pray for guidance. He gave up all food and water, believing that his faith in Sigmar would sustain him. Three days! Three days later, he will come with what we long to hear. When words appear, the benevolent Sigma will give us the wisdom we need, the key to survival, and more importantly, the hope to see the light. When we have all these, our soldiers can kill outside the city. The beast!" The Sigma priest coughed a few times and cleared his throat, then raised his hands and blessed.

Darkus, who was a little confused, turned his head and glared in feint anger when he heard the sneer, and then quickly turned his head back, because if he didn't do this, he might also laugh out loud. At that time, there will be a chain reaction, attracting the attention and siege of the crowd. After all, the crowd needs a channel to vent at this time. Although he is not afraid of the crowd, this result is not what he wants.

Although the crowd in Cathedral Square was not familiar with each other and came from all districts and classes, it did not prevent them from hugging each other at this time. They cheered and jumped, as if they had been saved. Darkus grinned and let out a silent laugh. He had to admit that the priest who gave the speech was really good-looking. His appearance, body shape and temperament were both excellent. He looked like news. The spokesperson looked convincing and convincing.

Darkus seemed to see the essence of the facts, the essence of the priest and Sigmar's faith. The priest told the crowd about the intervention of Sigmar. It was a genius move, but it was essentially a scam. There was no god. ’s intervention is a huge scam and a big lie.

However, this kind of deception is exactly what the crowd needs, to make the crowd believe the impossible. The bigger the lie, the more the desperate masses will be deceived by the lie. This is a psychological effect, especially if there is a little divinity mixed in the lie. This is a new thinking angle for Darkus. After all, elves and skinks are the same as humans in nature. They are all intelligent creatures. What is the essential difference between worshiping the elven gods and Sotek and worshiping Sigma by humans, including those Yankees who believe in the gods of chaos, etc.

Darkus thought deeply about all this, and he realized that in the hearts of intelligent creatures, faith is not only a spiritual pillar, but also a kind of strength, a kind of psychological comfort and support, and even a necessity. In desperate moments, many intelligent beings yearn to find a being beyond reality, a god who can give them strength and guidance.

Even if you know there may be lies behind it, this false belief can still give people hope and strength. In this world mired in despair, people long for a glimmer of light, even if it is just an illusion spun by lies. Although there are many differences, the comfort and support that faith itself brings are similar.

On the road to pursuing hope, intelligent creatures are often willing to accept all possible help, even if it is just an illusory existence. This is why some people embrace the dark gods. From a certain perspective, God must exist and is irreplaceable. It doesn't matter what is offered in the shrine, but what matters is that the shrine must be there and there must be something in the shrine, whether it is a weasel or Ultraman, Whether it’s a cat or something else that cannot be described.

Darkus shook his head and stopped thinking. Maybe one day he would become a god. An ancient saint like Sotek believed in a god, so what kind of god would he be? Holding the corn? Maybe... maybe... He was suddenly stunned. Maybe it could really be done, holding corn in one hand and sugar water in the other? Corn represents harvest, while sugar water represents happiness. He feels that his ideas are full of creativity and humor. But it is also a very interesting idea, which fully reflects his understanding and care for the needs of lizards and elves.

As a god, Darkus may be regarded by lizards and elves as a symbol of harvest and joy. Corn symbolizes harvest and the abundance of material life, while sugar water represents sweetness and pleasant emotional experience. Such an image not only helps to meet the daily needs of lizards and elves, but also brings them spiritual comfort and pleasure, bringing both material and spiritual satisfaction.

This also echoes and is opposite to Nurgle and Slaanesh. Perhaps...at some future moment, Darkus feels that he will really become a different god and bring more joy to the world. and hope.

Darkus shook his head again, no longer thinking about these things. It is important to live well in the present and plan for the future. The present is the ground under his feet, and the future is the twin moons in the sky. This can be felt personally. Becoming a god or something is too far away, like the unreachable stars in the void. He led the elves away from the crowd and walked towards the side entrance of the cathedral. He didn't want to go through the main entrance, at least not now.

A young Sigma priest opened the side door, as if he was waiting for the elves, but it didn't seem to be the case, because Darkus could see the somewhat blank expression on the priest's face, but the priest did not block the door, but stepped aside. , indicating that the elves can enter.

"You...do you have anything I need to serve? Who do you need to meet? Do you need me to inform you? Or get something to drink?"

The young priest looked a little confused at the uninvited immortals. He didn't know why these immortals appeared here at this time, but he knew that these immortals were not enemies, and he was also in the cathedral a few months ago. During the trip, I saw the great priest taking a group of elves for a tour.

"Thank you for your kindness, but you don't have to worry about us, you can go about your own business." Darkus said casually, and glanced at the young priest after speaking.

The young priest stood there stunned, like a small boat lost in the vast sea. He felt extremely confused by Darkus' words. Although he has seen high priests, Prince Altdorf, Grand Duke Reikland, etc., he has never encountered such a confident and noble person. The temperament and majesty exuded by Darkus It made him feel insurmountable, as if he was facing a real superior.

In Dacus, the young priest saw an unshakable self-confidence and dominance. His eyes revealed a kind of calmness and detachment, and his words and deeds revealed a kind of nobility and elegance. He did not need Seeking recognition or help from others, he has stood at the top and has become the leader who leads others, as if orders are a matter of course. Faced with such an existence, the young pastor felt small and helpless and did not know how to respond.

The young priest bowed and hurried along the cold corridor, while Darkus led the elves and began to walk slowly along the corridor. Although there were many statues and decorations inside the Sigma Cathedral, there was a certain A strange style of simplicity and simplicity, nothing fancy or complicated, just simple walls and clear light, a place of worship without the decorations of the material world. It was this simplicity that made him feel comfortable and at ease. He felt like there was a bonus here, and he could feel an inner peace and strength.

The Cathedral Square area is the spiritual center of Altdorf and the entire empire. Many people believe that the Sigmar Cathedral standing here is the most awe-inspiring architectural wonder of the empire. In fact, it is. The Cathedral of Sigmar spiritually rules the empire. Although it is the era of the Three Emperors, this is the way it is among the people. Sigmar believers from various territories and city-states will risk the journey to come here for pilgrimage.

Known by many names: the Temple of Sigmar, the Great Temple, the Cathedral, the structure and all it contains is as important to the complex workings of the Empire as it is to the daily lives of the ordinary citizens of Altdorf. This structure is by far the largest temple dedicated to Sigmar in the Old World and the largest religious building in the Empire, large enough to accommodate thousands of worshipers at a time. The highest point of the building can be seen from almost anywhere in the city, even with The Imperial Palace is as spectacular and majestic as it gets.

Human canon scholars believe that before the birth of Sigmar, the location of this temple was a place of elven power, possibly a shrine or a focus of magic. Sects and secular authorities scoff at such claims and do their best to downplay such stories. And the people of Altdorf don't like not sharing the origins of their places of prayer, especially their most famous ones. Although anthropologists often make false claims, this time they were right. Thousands of years ago, this was the residential area of ​​Kor Varnas, and shrines and temples dedicated to the elven gods stood here.

Work on the entire structure began shortly after Sigmar left the world, and the dwarves led the work with their unique, austere architectural style. Like Altdorf's sewers, bridges, and walls, it was their diameter to Sigmar and their association with A symbol of the human alliance, they also demolished any remaining elven structures.

Work continued over a long period of time, and many outbuildings, narthexes, monasteries and extensions have been added since the completion of the Cathedral of Sigmar. A complex series of corridors, walkways and tunnels connect them all. Over the years the original dwarven stonework has also been embellished with more and more plain decoration and sculpture, and the structure is now a slightly chaotic amalgam of styles and influences. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, the cathedral remains an impressive structure that can even inspire awe and amazement in visitors from around the world.

The central hall is octagonal in shape, symbolizing the original alliance of the eight tribes of the Empire under Sigmar, and includes a tall bell tower that rings every hour. The bell is adjusted to a full octave, reflecting the symbolic meaning of eight, and the music and landscape are fully integrated. The magnificent dome of the clock tower is decorated with a huge golden hammer, a recurring motif representing Gail Maraz. It is said that if the bells stop ringing, the city will collapse, even during wars. Bells will also ring.

In 2429 of the Imperial Calendar, due to issues such as Emperor Dieter IV's collusion with Marienburg, the House of Horsweig Schlinstein rose, William III became emperor, and then Dieter IV was forced to give up his rights. Unwilling to do so, a civil war broke out. The result was that Altdorf was destroyed and the Sigmar Cathedral was destroyed. After taking away Dieter IV, Emperor Wilhelm III commissioned Hotto Krieger, the most important architect in the empire at the time, to rebuild the cathedral. , thirty years later, the new cathedral was completed.

Dacus wandered around the Sigma Cathedral like a tourist, walking quietly through the corridors of the cathedral, feeling the calm atmosphere from the ancient stone walls. His eyes depicted the history and history of the empire on the walls. The legendary mural of Sigma moved up and down a narrow passage into the cathedral. A group of devout believers knelt on wooden benches and prayed. He looked around and found no secular value in this core location. He saw nothing.

Without stopping, Darkus continued to move forward, passing through winding corridors one after another and passing through ancient doors. Finally, he came to a dark room with a richly decorated altar in the center. Around the altar, the faint light of candles flickers, illuminating the sculpture of Sigmar set in a recess in the wall.

Darkus stopped and stared at the statue quietly. Although he was not interested in Sigma, he could feel the majesty and solemnity emanating from the statue. He slowly approached the altar and reached out to gently touch the exquisite carvings on it. These sacred objects were useless to him, but they were a treasure of art and a spiritual expression of human creation.

After leaving the altar, Darkus strode down the cold corridor, listening to the sounds around him, but could only hear the echo of their footsteps. He didn't ask Ren because he wasn't in a hurry, and humans weren't in a hurry either. Didn't they just say three days later? He deduced that the entrance to the tomb would be outside the cathedral, assuming that the catacombs were part of the tomb and perhaps could be accessed through the mausoleum. Another logical choice would be the kitchen, since the kitchen would undoubtedly have access to the cold room or the wine cellar, which in this old building could be anywhere.

Darkus, who suddenly smelled the scent of cardamom and cinnamon, stopped at a corner. After tasting it quietly, he smelled the scent of apple cider and roses. Then he followed the smell to the kitchen, where the knife was discarded among a juicy piece of ham, and vegetables were simmering and roasting in the pot. But more importantly, he found a staircase, a staircase that led deep into the cold stone heart of the cathedral.

As Darkus descended, the air became noticeably colder. The cold air stung his skin. He could feel that the texture and quality of the air had also changed. It was stale and stale. Air.

Darkus walked down a narrow passage until he encountered a fork in the road that provided two options, one leading to the depths of the cellars and dungeons, and the other returning to the Cathedral of Sigmar. The stairs going down were covered with dust. Although the dust above had been briefly swept, it was definitely a road less traveled. He walked down the stairs.

Under the dim yellow-brown light, Darkus saw rows of oil paintings of the same style. Each oil painting depicted an emperor or great priest who had been buried long ago and became history and dust. High-ranking believers are eligible to be buried in the cathedral's necropolis, but only the most outstanding followers of the Cult of Sigmar are buried in the crypts beneath the cathedral. Only a few Sigmarites are able to claim this honor, and larger figures, such as war heroes and great theologians, are buried in crypts along the hall's walls.

"This?" Drusala whispered in wonder.

The fellow elves also sighed. After passing through the hall, the scene in front of them suddenly became clear. Darkus entered a tomb that was completely different from the underground structure built by the dwarves. The ceiling is higher, the construction stone is smoother, and in the center of the tomb, there is a large blue crystal as part of the underlying rock formation.

Darkos didn't utter an exclamation, but he had a sense of familiarity. This space seemed to be an elven architectural structure, except for the city wall in the northern city and under the elder's residence. Perhaps under the Cathedral of Sigmar was Cole Varna. It is the most complete place with preserved ruins. He felt that this space seemed to be regarded as a holy treasury by humans. He saw an unknown shroud, an ordinary mace, a gryphon flag, etc. Although these things were not magic items, there were many The value, at least to the imperial guys, is like a holy relic, which can be reused at critical moments, such as Sigma or so-and-so is with us.

Like visiting a museum, Darkus stopped and looked at each item for a while, but he did not touch it with his hands. After all, it was a shroud or a relic. He was not interested. Just like visiting a mummy in a museum, just take a look at it, but you can't go up and take a few bites to taste the saltiness.

After leaving the Holy Treasury, countless underground passages appeared in front of Darkus. It seemed that these passages connected the entire Sigma Cathedral and other strategic parts. The underground passage network allowed the clergy to avoid mixing with the ordinary people. Believers familiar with this place can go anywhere as they move around the complex.

Darkus had some regrets. He should not have let his brother rest again, but came together. He clearly remembered that this was what his brother longed for most when he was a child. Explore complex secret passages and ruins, and fight enemies that appear out of nowhere, such as a spider bigger than a cow. But this is not the case in the Night Governor's Mansion. The wooden planks above are upright, and so are the lairs below that house wild beasts and behemoths. It seems that there is some kind of obsessive-compulsive disorder and has not been ravaged by time. As for the Tower of Destruction, that was not a place he and his brother could go.

"Sir, I can feel that there are some passages here that lead to places far away."

"You mean...outside the city?"

"It should be, sir."

"Where is the sanctuary?" Darkus nodded. He was not interested in leaving the city. He came to see William III, the great priest of Sigma, and he was not going out of the city. He had many ways to get out of the city. Likewise, he had no interest in circling in the passage, so he asked directly.

"Sir, over there." After sensing it for a moment, Ren pointed to a passage.

After a while, Darkus saw a flickering candlelight. A slender figure with hair tied into a topknot and shaved hair on both sides of his hair was standing at the door. His long figure was projected to the door with the candlelight. inside the channel. The Sigma believers dragged the priest's robes and looked unhappy. The wooden bowls of the dinner plates fell to the ground with a dull sound. They also looked surprised to see the elves suddenly appearing here.

"I come with sincerity. I have something to discuss with William III. This is very important to you. Do you want to open it? Or should I go directly?" Darkus took a step forward and reached out his hand to stop the opening. Pastor Sigma wanted to say something but couldn't. He said in a deep voice, his voice echoing in the passage.

Priest Sigmar's hands were trembling, and his eyes were wandering. He was obviously startled by the sudden appearance of the elves. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but no sound came out, as if he was frightened.

Against the backdrop of candlelight, Darkus' figure was tall and straight, with a calm and majestic temperament. His eyes exuded an aura of inviolability, making people dare not look down upon him in the slightest. His gesture was understated, but the implicit threat made Priest Sigmar take a step back involuntarily.

"I will... I will inform King William III, please wait a moment." Pastor Sigma finally gritted his teeth and whispered. After that, he turned around and left quickly.

However, Darkus had no intention of staying where he was. When he turned around, he first looked at Ren and the others, and then affectionately extended an invitation gesture to Drusala. He thought about it on the way here. There were too many times when he was imprudent and frivolous, even in front of Malekith and the Slann Demon Priests. Maybe he should show off and be more pretentious, just like the city. That pair of true love is like blood.

A gentle smile appeared on Drusala's face, without any trace of the indifference or ferociousness she had shown at Calper Manor just now, and she accepted her lover's invitation gracefully. She walked up to Darkus, gently put down the Enil-style brown-green dress, then stretched out her arm and put it on Darkus's arm. Her manners are gentle and decent, her steps are light and graceful, like a dancer dancing gracefully on the stage. Her eyes reveal a kind of gentleness and peace of mind. It seems that only by being around Dacus can she find her inner home.

The two left the passage hand in hand, as if the passage melted under their feet, leaving only the tacit understanding and warmth between them. Ren, who was waiting on the spot, turned to look at his brother. Feeling his gaze, Franais turned his head and glanced at him calmly, then shook his head, holding the halberd and shield, and followed Dakwu in front. Si and Drusala.

"Hello, hello, fairies." William III, wearing a simple white jumper, appeared in front of Darkus. As he spoke, a smile appeared on his unnaturally rosy face.