A Tale of Strategies For the Throne

Festival of the gods.

Aaron Landis's grand festival once every 14 years.

As an ancient civilization with a history of thousands of years, from ancient times to the present, the Aaron Landis people believe in many gods, and there are countless myths and legends circulating on the land.

Among them, "the gods of Aaron Landis" that Aaron Landis people often blurt out generally refers to the thirteen main gods of Aaron Landis.

……

In the chaotic world, there is no sky and earth, and there is no distinction between day and night.

Radiance is born in it.

O great sun god Shamash, who brought light into the world.

……

The ancient mythical ballads are so sung.

According to legend, the sun god Shamash was born first.

In the second year, Nanna, the god of the night, was also born as the moon god.

In the third year, Maghe, the god of the earth, was born.

The supreme god among the three gods divided the heaven, earth, sun and moon, and created Aaron Landis.

In the ten years after the birth of Aaron Landis, every year, a new god was born.

The thirteen gods are the gods of Aaron Landis.

Every year is the birth year of a god.

13 years is a reincarnation.

And No.14 is called the Year of the Gods.

It is not only the beginning of commemorating the upcoming birth of the great sun god Shamash, but also the end of commemorating the birth of the thirteen gods.

Aaron Landis holds an annual ceremony.

It was a ceremony to sacrifice to the gods of Aaron Landis, and it was also a ceremony to announce the majesty of the king to the people.

And in this year of the year of the gods, it will be called the festival of the gods.

This is the grandest and most solemn ceremony of Aaron Landis.

…………

It was midsummer, the brightest season for Aaron Landis.

On this day of the gods festival, the blazing sun shines on the earth.

In front of the majestic palace is the Gods Square, which is so wide that you can barely see the edge.

On the square, at the end of Tongtian Avenue, a high platform towers above the ground.

It is so tall and majestic, like towering over the clouds.

On both sides of the avenue, flags with red background and gold patterns fluttered high in the Square of the Gods.

The golden lions on the banner seemed to roar out of it at any moment, their huge eyes staring at the avenue.

Accompanied by a loud rumbling sound, a fiery red giant chariot bathed in golden sunlight came from the distance of the avenue.

On the chariot, the two strongest knights known as Aaron Landis are driving it.

On the left is a black knight in black armor.

On the right is the blond Rider of the Sun.

After the fiery red chariot, the royal knights in crimson armor followed closely behind. The cluster of fiery red hues, viewed from a distance, seemed like the flaming chariot had ignited the land it passed through.

As the flame-like chariot moved forward slowly, the soldiers standing on both sides of the avenue raised their silver guns high and gave a heavy blow to the ground.

They exuded a terrifying aura like they were on the battlefield. Almost at the same moment, they all bent down and knelt down on the ground.

The flag flies in the hot sun and dances in the wind.

The strangled steed neighed clearly, and under the gaze of everyone, the chariot of flames slowly stopped in front of the high platform.

A roar resounded over the square, and a huge figure jumped down from the tall chariot.

The golden lion stands proudly on the ground, its golden-brown mane undulating like waves in the wind.

Before the power of the king of beasts, even the well-trained steed was a little restless, but was immediately pressed down by two powerful knights on the left and right.

One hand patted on the head of the majestic big lion that was majesticly showing itself to everyone. The big lion turned its head and shook its huge head at Garlan who had already stepped off the chariot.

Garlan smiled, stroked Nega's mane with his hand, and then raised his head to look at the high platform in front of him that seemed to soar into the clouds.

His eyes froze for a moment.

In a blink of an eye, 14 years have passed.

14 years ago, it was also this day, the year of the gods, the festival of the gods.

At that time, when he was still very young, he was carried down from the tall chariot by that man.

14 years ago, on this day, he followed that tall figure, walked onto this high platform, and became that person's younger brother.

The man said that he would protect him, just like protecting Aaron Landis.

The man said that he would guard him and Aaron Landis until he returned to the hands of the gods.

...Brother Kamos...

Everything seems like it just happened yesterday.

But now, 14 years have passed.

One cycle has passed.

Garlan walked forward, and the long snow-white cloak was spread out behind him and fell on the stone steps he walked on.

The gold stripes on the edge of the cloak shone like stars in the sun.

A crown of lapis lazuli gold, stained a little with blood, rested on his golden hair.

The lion is by his side.

The thirteen high priests of the gods were lined up on both sides of the stone steps, with their right hands pressed to their hearts, and they bowed their heads deeply when King Garlan passed by.

Garlan raised his head, and he looked at the thirteen huge fan-shaped statues of the gods behind the high platform.

He looked at them, their heads slightly lowered, and their huge jeweled eyes seemed to be watching him too.

When Garlan was walking slowly on the stone steps of the high platform, on the podium on the side of the square, the resonant voice of the herald resounded between heaven and earth.

According to the practice in the festival of the gods, in the ceremony, every achievement made by the king of Aaron Landis who held the ceremony must be read out in public.

before the gods.

Before all the children of Aaron Landis.

The achievements announced must not be deceived, forged, or boasted.

Otherwise, false lies will anger the gods, especially the sun god Shamash.

If during the ceremony, the sky darkened and the sun was covered by dark clouds, it meant that the lie had offended Shamash.

Shamash's punishment will fall on the lying king.

Throughout the ages, there have been many Aaron Landis kings who have just been in power for a few years and have not had time to make achievements, or who are too fatuous and have no achievements. In other words, the square was silent.

This situation can be extremely embarrassing.

However, even if it is embarrassing, no king dares to cheat in the gods festival.

It stands to reason that King Garlan has been on the throne for five years, which is not a long time, but none of the people present were worried about such an embarrassing situation.

Everything the young king did during his reign made the entire Aaron Landis change and flourish.

It can be said that although King Garlan has only reigned for five short years, the combined achievements of several kings who have reigned for decades in the past may not compare to him.

However, the astonishing situation still happened.

In the past, the king could basically finish reading before he finished walking the stone steps.

However, this time, the herald hadn't finished announcing all the achievements of King Garlan until King Garlan had walked all the stone steps and people had already reached the throne on the high platform.

Therefore, King Garlan could only continue to stand, waiting for him to finish reading.

Under the scorching gaze of the crowd gathered on him, the orderly officer who was sweating on his forehead hurriedly sped up his speech, and smiled wryly in his heart.

This is unprecedented.

This strange situation has never happened in all ages.

Garlan stood quietly, stroking the big lion beside him.

The High Priest Shamash, who followed Garlan to the high platform, stood tall and tall, his usual majestic face seemed expressionless, but his eyes couldn't hide a hint of pride.

The high priests and ministers under the high platform smiled knowingly after looking at each other briefly.

After a long while, the sweating official had finished reading, he let out a sigh of relief, and then, sweating profusely, he himself couldn't help laughing.

As soon as he smiled, he suddenly felt a chill on his face, like raindrops.

The commander's heart skipped a beat.

Is it cloudy and it's raining?

how come--

He looked up with a drum in his heart, and then froze.

The sun is still shining brightly in the sky, and the bright sun shines on the earth, but under the scorching sun, there are thin raindrops falling from the sky.

Like a transparent bead curtain.

There was a slight noise suddenly from the quiet and solemn Plaza of the Gods, and the Herald, who was looking up at the sky, suddenly opened his eyes wide.

The fine raindrops reflect the sun, refracting a little bit of colorful luster.

On the high platform, the young king sat on a golden throne.

Behind him, over the giant stone statues of the gods surrounding the throne, a beautiful rainbow crossed the sky, looming, like a bridge connecting the heaven and the world.

A scene of astonishment.

Like a miracle.

……

Garland.

Son of the gods.

King of Aaron Landis.

Wise king.

You guard the land of Aaron Landis.

Your deeds are praised by all.

You are my eternal glory, Aaron Landis.

…………

........................

The day passed, and soon it was night.

The vision that happened at the gods festival spread throughout the entire royal city almost instantly.

Everyone said it was a miracle.

It was a symbol of the gods applauding and protecting King Garlan.

Even in the middle of the night, they were too excited to sleep, talking about the beautiful and shocking scene with their relatives and friends at home.

Therefore, the royal city, which has long been silent, is still brightly lit at this moment.

The palace has become quiet, and the lights are going out one by one.

However, the owner of the palace did not stay in it.

Cloaked in darkness, Garlan, accompanied by a group of people, came to the opposite side of the palace.

Originating from the northern border, the Enki River runs through the entire Aaron Landis at the end, passes through the royal city, and falls into the sea at the end.

The royal palace is at one end of the Enki River.

At the other end, facing the royal palace far away, is the tomb of King Aaron Landis of all dynasties.

A river separates life and death.

The king's tomb was built as magnificently as a living palace, but without the gold and other colorful colors embellished on it, it was pure white from beginning to end.

It symbolizes the final destination of the soul after death, washed away from the lead dust and turned back to pure white.

In the dark night, Garlan stood quietly in front of the majestic white palace mausoleum.

Five years ago, he personally delivered the sarcophagus of King Kamos into it.

Since then, he has not been here once.

...And now, he was finally able to calmly face Brother Wang's tomb.

The female officer followed behind him, also staring at the white mausoleum in a trance.

After a while, she withdrew her gaze and looked at Garlan.

"Your Majesty, are you really going to stay here tonight?"

she asked softly,

"You are very tired and need a good rest..."

Garlan turned to look at her and smiled lightly.

He said, "Taputi, tonight, I want to have a good talk with Brother Wang."

"I want to tell him that I have worked hard...I have done a lot of things, and I am very serious about protecting Aaron Landis..."

After a pause, he raised his hand, put it to his lips, and snorted uncomfortably.

He whispered: "Also, about that matter, I, cough, no matter what, I have to tell Brother Wang before I announce it to the public, otherwise Brother Wang will be angry."

The female officer was stunned for a moment, but when she realized it, she couldn't help laughing.

"That's right, he's bound to be angry."

She laughed out loud.

"No, whether you say it or not, King Kamos will definitely be angry."

"Well... I know too..."

A coughing sound suddenly sounded beside him.

The High Priest Shamash, who was standing beside him, coughed hard twice, interrupting their conversation.

Garlan and Taputi glanced at Shemuer at the same time, and then turned their heads at the same time.

Although he was standing a little further away with a group of guards, the one-eyed knight with sharp eyes and ears turned his head to the side, and a smile could not help overflowing from the corner of his mouth.

Sensing this, the High Priest cast a displeased glance at Kyhoes.

He said seriously: "Be careful."

"Yes, Your Excellency the High Priest."

Keyhos held back a smile and replied, turning back and arranging the guards he had brought to important places one by one to prevent others from intruding.

Then, he watched Garlan, the female officer, and the high priest walk into the royal tomb.

Although it was a crescent moon, the stars were shining, covering the earth with light silver light, so the sky was not dark.

Kyhos had just stood there for a short time, when suddenly, a familiar tall figure appeared here in starlight.

He was slightly taken aback, and then showed a clear look.

"Your Majesty, they have already entered inside."

he said to the visitor.

According to the regulations, no one is allowed to enter the royal tomb without the king's permission.

The golden-red eyes are like red rubies burning in the flames in the dark night, and they glanced at Kyhos lightly.

"I'll wait for him outside."

Heymos replied.

Then, his eyes turned to the white royal tomb standing quietly in the night.

…………

A white palace.

On the white stone wall, the relief of Ornas, the god of the underworld, is vivid.

Her unfurled great white wings envelop the royal palace of the mausoleum.

This is the palace of the Underworld.

The sarcophagus of King Kamos has been sealed in a deep underground palace, and above the hall on the ground stands a huge stone tablet.

The crystal clear white jade stele, which is as tall as three people, glows with a quiet luster under the warm yellow light.

The lower half of the huge stele is engraved with the great achievements made by the Lion King in his life, and the engraved characters are infiltrated with blue paint.

A mysterious and ancient pattern is engraved on the upper half of the stele. On the ground, a king wearing a golden crown rides on a lion with two wings, and spreads his wings to fly to the rune representing the sun above.

The glyphs of the motif are gilded.

It symbolizes that the sun god Shamash sent his mount to take the owner of the tomb to the kingdom of the gods.

Garlan leaned over and placed a bunch of fresh white lotus flowers under the white jade stele.

According to legend, the white lotus flower worn by the goddess of the underworld was born from the tears of people who lost their loved ones and fell into the underworld.

There were still transparent drops of water rolling on the white petals, dripping down to the bottom of the stele.

"Sorry, Brother Wang, it's been so long since I came to see you."

The female officer and the high priest stood quietly on both sides, while Garlan sat down directly on the stone steps under the stone tablet after putting down the bouquet.

Indecency, lack of manners.

The high priest's brows and eyes moved slightly, but he glanced at Garlan, lowered his eyes, and remained silent.

"Today is the festival of the gods again, do you remember? 14 years ago, on this day, I followed you to the high platform."

Sitting under the stele with his left knee bent, just leaning against the stele, Garlan raised his head slightly, put one hand on his knee, and stared into the void, as if he was looking at the memories of the past.

He smiled lightly, his eyes soft, as if he was really talking to King Kamos.

"In the blink of an eye, five years have passed since I put on your crown."

"I think, in the past five years, I have done a good job."

Garlan said with a smile, tilted his head, and looked at Shemuer.

"Is that so, Shemul?"

The high priest glanced at him and hummed lightly.

"Look, Brother Wang, Xie Muer has admitted it, so I definitely didn't lie to you."

"I have done a lot of things... well, although I don't know if you will agree with some things, but I think that will be good for the future of Aaron Landis, so I don't think you should object, Brother Wang. "

Garlan spoke softly, describing the things he had done in these years, one by one, one by one, even if it was a small thing, and the changes in Aaron Landis in these years, bit by bit. , all said out.

He seemed to have a lot to say.

He looked like a child, telling his elder brother what he had done, proudly showing off his achievements, and looking forward to his elder brother's praise.

Garlan talked for a long, long time.

The high priest and the chief female officer stood quietly, only a clear voice echoed in the empty hall.

I don't know how long it took.

In the main hall where the warm yellow fire light swayed, it seemed as if the passage of time could not be seen.

It wasn't until a faint light lit up on the horizon and shone into the hall far away that Garlan finally finished speaking.

The night has passed.

Garlan stood up and put one hand on the stone tablet.

"One last thing..."

he said softly,

"Brother Wang, I have someone I like."

"When I was in Judas City, I lied to you when I said I liked Heymos."

"But now, I'm serious."

"I love Heymos and I want to be with him all the time."

Garlan lowered his head, and his long golden hair fell from his shoulders rustlingly.

His hand was pressed on the stone tablet, and his forehead was lightly pressed against the cold stone tablet.

"I know that you won't object, after all, when I lied to you, you said that no matter what it is, as long as it is my decision, even if the whole world objects, you will stand by my side. "

Thin lashes fell down her cheeks.

Garlan closed his eyes.

He said softly: "...Isn't it, Brother Wang?"

There was silence for a while.

The female officer walked up the stone steps, and she put her hand on Garlan's shoulder.

"That's what King Kamos said to be brave."

Tapti, who grew up with King Kamos and knows his character well, said.

"He said that, I guess, he must be thinking in his heart to find an opportunity to beat Lord Heymos hard."

Garlan was startled for a moment, then turned to look at Taputi, and then laughed.

"It does seem to be the case."

He said with a smile.

"If King Kamos is still around, with his character, he will probably find excuses to teach Lord Heymos every day from now on."

"Oh? It's not enough, is it?"

"When it comes to matters related to you, King Kamos has always been very narrow-minded. I think that maybe a beating every day will not relieve his anger, and he will probably beat people three times a day."

"Uh, this seems a bit..."

"Let me tell you, if that's the case, he'll be fine when he's young and strong, but what if he can't beat Lord Heymos when he's old and old?"

Garlan's golden eyes blinked.

"Then I let Heymos lose to him on purpose?"

"If King Kamos sees that Lord Heymos is pretending, he will probably be even more angry."

"Well, he's sure to lose his temper then."

1 minute of silence.

"Taputi."

"Ok?"

"Are we saying bad things about Brother Wang?"

"Should count."

"Then tell me, if Brother Wang heard all the bad things we said here, wouldn't he be very angry now?"

"……I think it is."

The young king and his magistrate exchanged glances.

Then, they laughed again at the same time.

Behind the two people who looked at each other and smiled, the high priest stood there expressionlessly.

The morning sun shines in, illuminating the white hall and the cluster of white lotus flowers under the stele.

…………

........................

When Tapti followed Garlan out of the gate of the royal tomb, the sky was already slightly bright on the distant horizon.

After walking out of the place covered by the eaves, a drop of cold water suddenly fell on her cheeks.

Then, a few more drops.

The sky did not know when it began to rain.

Not much, just a hazy drizzle.

Taputi wiped away the rainwater that dripped from the corner of his eyes, and when he looked up, he was taken aback.

She saw Heymos standing not far away.

Obviously he didn't come here just now, as long as he looked at the man's jet-black hair wetted by Yelu, he could guess that this man had probably been waiting here all night.

He stood quietly, the drops of water dripping from his hair wetted by Yelu fell on his shoulders.

His whole figure seemed to melt into the night.

No, or rather, between heaven and earth, he is like the incarnation of the night.

However, when this man who looked like the incarnation of the night looked up at Garlan, his eyes, his face, and his whole body seemed to light up in an instant.

Just like the moon that can only emit light when it is illuminated by the sun.

"Heymos."

She heard Garlan calling Heymos' name and trotting towards him.

All along, Taputi didn't like Heymos very much.

Actually, it wasn't because she didn't like Heymos being close to Garlan.

The real reason was that she didn't like Heymos' eyes.

The eyes of this person are always bottomless, like a dark abyss with no end in sight.

This man, his thirst is never-ending.

His insatiable desires and ambitions, like a flame burning everywhere, make him more dangerous than anyone else.

Tapti has always thought so.

But now, standing behind Garlan, she saw the look on Heymos' face.

Heymos stood there, holding out his left hand to Garlan who was walking towards him quickly.

She was behind, unable to see Garlan's expression.

But she saw Garlan raised his right hand and stretched it forward, as if to put it on the hand Heymos extended to her.

The hands of the two are about to intertwine.

She saw Heymos looking at Garlan more tenderly than anything else, and also, smiling at Garlan.

She had never seen such a bright and contented smile on this man's face.

With that smile, it was as if he already had everything, the whole world.

…………

Forget it.

The magistrate stood silently, watching the scene.

fair enough.

she thought, with a smile on her lips.

This... is also very good.

The hazy drizzle fell from her eyes like a broken bead curtain.

In the rain, Garlan's hand that was about to be placed on Heymos' hand suddenly stopped for a moment.

Taputi's pupils suddenly dilated.

Suddenly, without warning.

Before anyone else, she watched her prince fall forward.

The long golden hair flew past her eyes when she fell down.

Her mind went blank for a moment.

………………

Fine drops of rain fell from the bright sky.

The fountain sprinkles in the pool, and the stone statue of the star goddess Isdar stands quietly in the courtyard.

The drizzle wet the stone statue little by little, and the rain gathered at the corners of her eyes. After accumulating for a long time, a trail of water slowly slipped from the corners of her eyes.

It looks like a teardrop falling from the eyes of the Goddess of Destiny...

That is the beginning of destiny and the end of destiny.