[Western Fantasy] The mystery of life and death

After the Romania Empire unified the mainland, it was the third generation of emperors in power.

The pious Duke Timothy has long been a legend praised by the world. He is the founding father of the Romanian Empire and supported the second generation of emperors to ascend the throne.Immediately, he announced that he would retire to a place of recuperation, claiming that he would never care about worldly affairs, focus on feeling God's kindness, and spend the rest of his life pursuing God's enlightenment.He opened hundreds of asylums in the mainland, and took in and rescued countless orphans, poor widows, and displaced people.Many archbishops even proposed to the Pope to give Duke Timothy the title of "Saint".

In recognition of his benevolent and generous reputation, the previous Pope specially bestowed the Cliff of Thorns behind the Temple Mount as his private fiefdom.Let him spend his days in the place closest to the blessing of the Holy Light.

In fact, although Duke Timothy has retired for many years, the political situation of the entire empire is still firmly controlled by his heirs and followers in important positions.

The real power center of this empire - in the study room in the gorgeous palace on the top of the Briar Cliff.

On the terrace outside the duke's confidential study, pomegranate leaf carvings symbolizing "eternal life" meander and cover exquisite marble columns.Duke Timothy stood with his hands behind his back, overlooking his fief, his kingdom.

Although he is already an octogenarian, Duke Timothy does not look old. He is still described as a middle-aged man in his fifties. The trimmed robe fits the body well, and the dark patterns on the pomegranate branches and leaves are faintly visible, giving the Duke a low-key and elegant demeanor.

The duke's face is still the same as it was decades ago, his gray hair is not messed up, his mustache is trimmed, and he looks gentle in his majesty.The years did not leave vertical and horizontal wrinkles on his well-maintained face, but only deepened the nasolabial folds at the corners of his mouth, and the faint crow's feet gave him a kind charm.The behind-the-scenes manipulator of the situation in the entire continent looks more like a dignified and kind priest.

What is the ultimate pursuit in the world?Xuanhe power?Countless wealth?Youthful beauty at your fingertips?The glory of the heyday?The reputation of benevolence and reputation spread all over the world?Or is it the sense of control that secretly manipulates the situation?Or the comfort of overturning the fate of everyone in the world in the palm of your hand?Duke Timothy, who had already stood at the pinnacle of the world, gradually had a higher pursuit in his heart.

Even though he is so close to God, Duke Timothy still has some small troubles recently.

He noticed that the new emperor quietly moved his people to positions of dignity but no real power, especially the important officials he placed in the military were also adjusted and released one after another.Perhaps the new emperor has realized Duke Timothy's control over the empire, and even the pope has been quite wary in his courtesy recently.Duke Timothy has recently noticed that the Knights of the Temple Mount have changed a lot of new faces, and also activated a new defensive barrier.

However, it doesn't matter, I will soon gain the power to control people's hearts.Duke Timothy stroked the jewel on his thumb.

At this time, Duke Timothy sensed that the manager had touched the restriction on the door of the study. He did not come in, but stood respectfully at the door.Timothy flicked the jewel on the finger to open the restriction.

The manager walked quickly to the terrace, stood three steps behind Timothy cautiously, and bowed in salute.

"My lord, everything is ready." I didn't expect such a person to be the "Evil Eye", and the manager was still a little unsure.He felt a slight fluctuation in the Duke's breath, but it disappeared quickly, as if the moment just now was just an illusion.He quickly raised his head and took a look at His Excellency the Duke.Seeing that Timothy had turned around, his long and narrow eyes were slightly narrowed, and his brown pupils were pure and restrained, and he was looking at him gloomyly.The manager immediately lowered his head, not daring to look directly.The duke's eyes are becoming more and more unfathomable, like staring into a bottomless abyss, which makes people tremble.

Timothy naturally knew what his steward was thinking.However, there is no need to explain to these ordinary people, he nodded slightly, and strode towards the secret passage, and the steward immediately followed closely behind.

Although his heart was agitated, Duke Timothy still acted solemnly, walking unhurriedly through the secret passage paved with gray ashlar.The secret passage leads to a hall full of magic runes in this palace, which was prepared for the "Evil Eye" many years ago.Now it's finally enabled.

Unexpectedly, such a generous gift was brought by fate, Timothy couldn't help but raise his lips slightly. He really did not expect that such a generous gift from heaven would be brought back by that weak illegitimate son.

Back then, the illegitimate child was an important secret move. Not only did he find the entrance to the secret realm of Aranti through his tracks, but he was also deeply buried in the high-level interior of Aranti.Timothy had great expectations for this illegitimate son. He had carefully taught him the low-level secret arts taught by Miluo, and even gave him the imprint of his own mana and the special magic weapon for manipulating the imprint. It can also control the "sacrifice" controlled by the mark.This precious seal and magic weapon was a gift from Miluo Jiaozun Fale many years ago.Timothy expected that the illegitimate son could use the soul sacrificial spell to capture the "Evil Eye", or an important figure in Alan Di.However, Timothy sensed that the imprint was annihilated a few months ago.

He knew that the illegitimate son not only failed the mission, but also lost this precious and irreplaceable imprint. Duke Timothy was completely disappointed with this dark chess.The illegitimate child has since become an abandoned child in his heart.Even though in recent months, the illegitimate son kept sending news about the high-level people in Alanti, but Duke Timothy still had no intention of recalling him. Even after killing Sunset Town, he still kept him there. It will be exposed, but the abandoned son has no value, so let the Aranteans deal with it for themselves.

The Duke couldn't help sighing that an abandoned son unexpectedly brought back the "devil's eyes" he had dreamed of.He stood still and looked up at the two towering dark doors in front of him.The steward immediately stepped forward to open the mechanism for the Duke, but Timothy waved his hand to signal the steward to back away. He gently stroked the intricate carved patterns of pomegranate branches and vines on his body, and opened the heavy door of fate with his own hands.This claustrophobic palace has never been used since it was built.Now, Duke Timothy finally stepped into it again.

The leather boots inlaid with pure gold paced slowly on the black mirror-like marble floor, and the rhythmic footsteps echoed in the deep palace.Like the heavy pendulum of the clock of fate ticking.

The vast palace is secluded and far-reaching, and the walls are covered with complicated magic runes, intertwined like countless sprites and shadows in the darkness.The ever-burning brazier is supported on the column carved with pomegranate leaves, and the faint blue flame exudes the soft and dreamy atmosphere of "the dream of the dead".

Duke Timothy slowly climbed up to the altar deep in the temple. A circular magic circle was drawn on the entire altar floor, with three seven-pointed star patterns superimposed, and twisted runes surrounded the edge of the magic circle.Three warlocks with terrifying faces and Palmer stood beside them, waiting for a long time.

On the stone platform in the center of the altar, a human figure is covered with a white curtain.Seeing Duke Timothy approaching, the warlocks and Palmer bowed together. The two warlocks stepped forward to lift the veil for the Duke, but the Duke raised his hand to signal them to back away.He wants to unveil this generous gift of fate with his own hands.

Slowly opening the curtain, the sleeping "devil's eyes" appeared in front of Duke Timothy. He couldn't help thinking, it's ironic that a person with the power of a demon should have such a sweet and pure face, just like a newcomer. The children of the world have not yet been defiled by this troubled world.It's just that this peaceful sleeping face seems to have endless sadness, as if he is immersed in a sad dream from which he cannot wake up.The long, feather-like eyelashes cast a melancholy shadow, like a butterfly's wings wet with tears, no longer able to bear heavy tears.

The blood stains all over the "Evil Eye" had already been cleaned, and the thin and slender body was like the pale moonlight, lying silently on the stone platform.Duke Timothy touched the cold skin lightly, and the slight chill soaking through his fingertips was also tinged with sadness.Duke Timothy thought, as expected of the "Devil's Eye", it can still emit such infectious power in a sealed state.Sure enough, as the illegitimate child said, he was hurt by his beloved.The curtain was slowly drawn down, and the dark red wound on the pale skin came into view. Duke Timothy's slender and strong fingers rested on the wound between the chest and abdomen. I really want to thank the beloved "Evil Eye" The man, he is really powerful, the Duke's imperial mage is already the top master of magic in the mainland today, and he needs to do his best to take out the dagger.Even after taking out the sealing magic weapon, most of the sealing power has not dissipated.This is the legendary "Great Seal Technique".

Duke Timothy nodded slightly and gave Palmer an appreciative glance.He sensed Palmer's palpable agitation.Smiling contemptuously in his heart, he naturally knew that the illegitimate child was worried that he would disapprove of the "Evil Eye" he brought back.The little guy didn't really feel at ease until he entered the preparation stage of the ceremony.How stupid, he just doesn't want to be near dirty blood because of his cleanliness.In fact, from the first time he opened the box, Timothy had already confirmed that this was the "Holy Envoy"—the last prince of the Shadowmoon Clan.

Although it had been many years, Duke Timothy still recognized it at a glance. The person in the box had an appearance that was [-]% similar to that of the Shadow Moon Queen Helena back then. Ariane's handsomeness.

Timothy would never admit his mistake. When he was a Viscount, he worked closely with the Shadowmoon Clan as a representative of the empire.Timothy formed a close friendship with the Shadowmoon Royal Family, and was even invited to visit the Shadowmoon Clan's hidden habitat for a period of time, and also participated in the succession ceremony of the Shadowmoon King Arian.

With the great assistance of Ariane and Helena, Timothy made a great achievement in conquering the Quartet and became the founding hero of the Romanian Empire to unify the mainland.

But after the catastrophe of the empire—Kedila, the Miluo Sect was destroyed, the mysterious kingdom of Aranti with powerful secret arts became a new hidden danger in the heart of the emperor.They have powerful magical talents, and their overall strength is even enough to rival the entire empire.Especially the Yalante people of the Shadowmoon tribe, who also possessed similar mysteries to the Miluo Sect.In the era of conquest, nature is a powerful help.But the entire continent has been unified, and the ethnic group with the power to control people's hearts exists alone in the world, and they are not even willing to convert to the faith of the Holy Church.Shadowmoon King Ariane also kept urging the empire to fulfill its promise, asking His Majesty the Emperor to assign a large gem deposit containing magical and spiritual energy to the fiefdom of the Shadowmoon clan.

The closest ally and the most powerful support in the era of imperial conquest, not only became an outcast in the era of peace, but even became a thorn in the Romanian Empire.

So His Majesty the Emperor secretly ordered Viscount Timothy to try to eliminate this ethnic group that could not be controlled by the empire.

To this day, everyone in the world thinks that the Shadowmoon Clan was destroyed by the revenge of Fale, the remnant of Miluo Sect.Little did he know how Feller, who was already a homeless dog, could gather a group of top magicians and warriors in just a few years.Thinking back to the prosperous period when the two priests coexisted, the Miluo religion was not enough to compete with the Shadowmoon Aranti people.

Behind Farrah is the former close friend of the Shadowmoon royal family - Viscount Timothy, and the will of the entire empire.

Successfully clearing the empire of the confidant's troubles allowed Timothy to be granted the title of duke and a large piece of rewarded land, including the former habitat of the Shadowmoon tribe and the Kedile Mountains.

The recuperation place bestowed by the holy church also came from the emperor's instruction, intending to praise Timothy's ingenious plan and make the empire avoid the revenge of the Aranti people in the secret land.Everything was completely settled after Feller's execution.Now the empire has been passed down to the third generation of emperors, and it is still safe and sound.

Today's Duke Timothy, after years of silent management, has the strength to be fearless of the Aranti people back then.And Alandi's power is being eaten away by invisible hands.

The merits and achievements in the world require countless sacrifices and countless blood and lives.Timothy has long understood this.Stepping on the steps paved with the flesh and blood of the Shadowmoon Clan, Timothy stepped up to this magnificent platform of unworldly achievements step by step, reaching the pinnacle of worldly achievements.

But now, when Timothy is diligently pursuing a higher pursuit of life, fate has sent the last prince of the Shadowmoon clan to him.Perhaps, it is the blessing of the God of Destiny, maybe, Timothy thought, he will become the God of Destiny who controls all living beings in this world.

Timothy looked down at the sleeping "Devil's Eye" on the stone platform. He gently stroked the peaceful and sad sleeping face of "Devil's Eye", as if admiring a precious work of art. The thin body is as delicate and fragile as thin porcelain, but it contains the power to conquer all beings.The hand manipulating the situation brushed over the slender shoulders and neck, skimmed over the pale skin like the remaining snow, and gently covered the eye-catching dark red wound on the chest and abdomen of the "Evil Eye".Timothy's palm exuded a light full of sacred aura, and the white light became more and more intense, reflecting the mighty Duke Timothy, making him look like a merciful holy father.After a long time, when he raised his hand, there was no trace of this wound.

This will be the most perfect work in my life, Duke Timothy felt sneering in his heart, how could he leave other people's marks.

The author has something to say:

What is Duke Timothy's higher pursuit?

The decorations on various parts of the palace and the decorations on clothes are hints

Little science:

According to legend, in ancient Europe, pomegranate was once selected as one of the sacred plants.No matter the pillars of the temple, the costumes of the priests, the head carvings of the king's wat, the badges of the royal family, and the steles, etc., its flowers, leaves or fruits will be used as the shape.Legend has it that Solomon's crown was taken from the remaining seed-shaped sepals on the fruit, and it has been passed down to this day, and the crown style of various countries in the world remains unchanged.

The ancient Romans believed that the pomegranate was the "tree of life" in the Garden of Eden, symbolizing "immortality".But in another myth, the pomegranate represents the "power" of Hades, and no matter who eats it, it is difficult to escape his sphere of influence.

Velvet pomegranate mosaic——

Pomegranate flower and leaf needlework gown dress——