374 Cereus (1/2)
Naberius had hidden meanings in his words, but Ye Qingxuan was unsure whether it was a genuine reminder or if he was trying to sow discord. Something strange flashed past his mind like inspiration but he could not catch or remember it.
While he was thinking, the Knights Templar surrounded them. The lead knight raised his hand and the other knights put their weapons away. The former walked forward and studied his trademark silver-white hair. ”Ye Qingxuan from the School of Anglo?”
Ye Qingxuan nodded. ”That's me.”
”Very good.” The knight nodded. He turned and reported to the lion head emblem on his shoulder, ”Found Ye Qingxuan and a Romulusian girl.”
An unclear voice came from the emblem, low and full of static. The knight nodded. ”Understood.”
To Ye Qingxuan, he said, ”It's too chaotic here. Please follow me. We've established a safe zone outside. Leave the rest to us.”
To be honest, Ye Qingxuan sorely needed that.
Having found survivors, the knights formed two teams. One continued with the mission. The other team of three took Ye Qingxuan and Elsa away.
No major dangers occurred during the journey. They quickly passed through the toppled city walls and left the center of the battle. Ye Qingxuan turned back. Seeing the battlefield shrouded by smoke and fire, it felt like worlds away.
They soon arrived at the refugee camp. There were injured musicians crying out everywhere. Choir musicians in white walked amongst them. Some doctors walked over to give Elsa a checkup. A knight who was waiting by the entrance walked to Ye Qingxuan.
His armor was made of green gold and was slimmer than others. He had sacrificed a lot of defense mechanisms to raise the agility. This was a messenger knight who sent the orders of the commander. He showed Ye Qingxuan his identification and moved to guide him.
”Please follow me. The commander wishes to see you.”
”See me?”
”You are the musician we've found deepest in the battlefield. Perhaps he wishes to learn more about the dark musicians' situation.” The knight did not say much and gestured to guide him again. ”Please follow me.”
Ye Qingxuan shrugged. He was prepared to go but he heard a shriek. He froze—it was Elsa.
Ignoring the knight, he walked in that direction. The two knights standing outside the infirmary tried to block the charging young man but they missed. The moment the mirror illusion dissipated, Ye Qingxuan kicked the door open. He saw the cold infirmary and Elsa who was strapped down to a surgery table. The three doctors under the cold light looked up at him, frowning.
”What are you doing?!” Ye Qingxuan pushed aside the assistant and glared at the doctors. ”She's a little girl!”
”She's Romulusian,” the messenger knight behind him said. ”She's the only normal Romulusian we've found in Auschwitz as of now. The others have all been cocooned and demonized. We must ensure that she isn't tainted…”
”So?” Ye Qingxuan looked at him darkly. ”So she has to be dissected? She can't even remember anything. Do you think you can find it yourself?”
”Listen, Ye Qingxuan. Don't get worked up.” The knight walked up. ”The Choir musicians only want to give her a checkup. There will be no harm done. If you're worried, you can wait here with me. After the checkup, she'll be taken to the resting area to be cared for—”
Before he finished, everything started shaking. The earth seemed to be an old carpet that was beaten by a stick to get the dust out. The walls groaned and cracks appeared. Under the pale light, everyone stumbled.
At the center of Auschwitz…a solid plume of black smoke rose to the sky.
The perishing praise had started their counterattack!
-
Ten minutes ago, dozens of steel whales hung in the air. They radiated and shone as they circled Auschwitz, forming a ring. At the center, a hole opened up in the aether world. Light that represented heaven solidified and shone down from the crack.
For centuries, countless kings, elites, and musicians grouped in the Sacred City. They created a path to the Originator using music theory from the seven schools, reaching into heaven.