And beneath the clock tower, light lingers in the darkness.
It's like a group of shining and dancing, or like fireworks flashing sparks.
However, the light was close to an explosion in principle. Because multiple channels were concentrated together and subtly different magic powers were injected into them, the channels repelled each other and emitted light.
This is one of the several meeting points in the middle layer of Albion's Great Magic Circuit.
This place is shaped like an ocean and is also the temporary venue for the current Crown Conference. Because of the accident a few years ago, the monarchs moved the meeting location elsewhere.
At this moment, another Crown Council meeting was about to come to an end, but the air there was still filled with tense silence.
"Well, El-Melloi, this matter can no longer be delayed. It has touched upon the very foundation of the Clock Tower. But he is your man after all, so I am calling this meeting to discuss this with you."
Faced with the enemy's questioning, the blonde girl did not answer immediately. She just narrowed her eyes, supported her chin with her hand and fell into deep thought.
In fact, if the three nobles really made the request just for their own selfish desires, she could have simply refused.
Although the dark side of the clock tower is a terrifying crucible of conspiracy, what is said now is a pure demand without even a hint of hatred and anger.
The answer is simple. As magic, it should be kept secret.
Since the establishment of the Clock Tower, one of the three principles it has upheld is "Mysteries should be kept secret." Therefore, regardless of whether a magician is affiliated with the association or not, if he or she leaks a secret to the general public, he or she will be punished by the association.
This is not only for the protection of magic, which should be extinct, but also for the protection of the interests of the magicians themselves.
After all, ten parts of power used to be used by one person are now divided into two parts for two people to use. The more people who can use it, the less power they will get. This is the reason why both the East and the West have been affected by the end of the Age of Gods.
The magicians of the Age of Gods in the West established a connection with the Root by making a contract with the gods who were close to the Root.
The magicians of the Age of Gods in the East created a super-large ceremonial garment that was integrated with the earth, and used it to formulate the laws of the continent's magic system. The ceremonial garment was called the Thought Disk.
Although the Eastern Thought Plate is based on the theory of "artificial roots", it does not mean that it is close to the roots. Instead, in order to make the precision of the Thought Plate reach the level of the roots, this behavior is like using insufficient parts to repair a broken plate long ago...
Just like the West, the East can only maintain its current accuracy as the times change.
Lord El-Melloi was weighing the pros and cons in silence, but this was clearly indisputable. After all, it was unreliable to challenge the rules of the entire clock tower just for a magician, not to mention—
The reason why I invited this person to join El-Melloi was because of Favia, whose blood was purer than mine. However, for some reason he disappeared inexplicably, which was such a pity. If I had known this earlier, I should have forced him to stay and give birth to an offspring with pure blood.
“…What a pity.”
The whispers of the monarch girl passed through the coral-shaped objects in the tomb.
Her gaze turned to the front of the spirit tomb, which was like a passage to a palace in the sea. It would change shape in front. As the most important secret treasure for the clock tower, the spirit tomb would sometimes be beautiful and sometimes terrifying to confuse invaders.
In fact, this is something that there is no need to hesitate at all. Even if that person is still alive, there is no reason to sacrifice the future of the entire family for him.
Although she was thinking this, she hesitated in surprise even to herself.
She only took a few seconds to think, and held her breath very subtly. The change was so small that it would basically not be noticed by people who were not familiar with her.
Slowly, Lord El-Melloi seemed to hear a low sound, which should be the silent sound of the balance creaking on the scene.
In terms of power, Paracelsus was insignificant in the Bell Tower.
He was originally abandoned by his family for saving ordinary people. Even if his family regarded him as the next leader, it was insignificant because he was still too young from the perspective of "magic".
What's more, in the complicated power struggle of the clock tower, the words of those who have no backing are not worth listening to.
Therefore, the monarch's words fell to the ground like fallen leaves.
"We agree to arrest Van Hohenheim Paracelsus, but first we need to interrogate him to find out the reasons why he published a batch of academic books headed by Archidoxen, whether he has any connection with secret societies outside the clock tower, and whether he has colluded with the royal family."
"It's enough to hand this matter over to the people in the Spiritual Summoning Department for interrogation after he dies."
"Maybe he has already made some preparations to prevent the afterlife."
“…That’s true.”
"Since there is no doubt about it, then it is decided."
Thus, Van Hohenheim Paracelsus ignored repeated warnings, claimed that he was working for all the people and for human society, and, in the name of developing medicine, he slipped all kinds of secrets into his works, causing them to be leaked.
The Clock Tower issued an order—
Paracelsus was investigated and severely interrogated.
"I've been waiting for you for a long time."
These were the first words Paracelsus uttered when the magicians, dressed in their special magician battle costumes, came to visit him late at night.
This was a bit unexpected for the magicians. Although they entered through the main gate in an orderly manner, they were also prepared. After all, even a third-rate magician would never leave his territory exposed to anyone who could easily break through.
There was no panic, no anxiety, and no trace of fear in Paracelsus' response.
For the magician who went to capture the suspect, he had encountered many people who pretended to be calm in order to wait for an opportunity to attack him, but this was the first time he met someone who spoke truly calmly.
"I will never fight. If I resist, you will suffer. And that goes against my will."
"Do you intend to be arrested like this?"
This is his answer to the captured magician's question.
"Yes. That's it."
"Why? Choosing to give up resistance like this will do you no good."
Hearing this, Paracelsus sighed helplessly and looked away.
Seeing this, the magicians, thinking that he was going to fight to the death, became alert.
But in the end Paracelsus simply put the book on the table.
"You are also lovely children in my eyes. I cannot hurt you."
The magicians who came to arrest him couldn't help but look at each other, and they all had their own thoughts in their hearts.
There is no hypocrisy in his words; they are sincere and cannot be wrong.
However, it is difficult to understand - no, perhaps it is understandable, but it is inappropriate to interpret the magician in this way, and the possibility is too small.
How could a magician be so naive, especially one who has been through so much and tasted the malice from conservatives and the powerful?
Rather than saying that he naively believed in the goodness and beauty of human beings, it would be better to say that he suffered from an incurable disease that made it difficult for him not to show the utmost kindness to others.
But honestly, these speculations were of little use to the magicians who were ordered by the Clock Tower to capture Paracelsus.
Although he is a genius among magicians, he has been branded as "evil" by the Clock Tower itself, so he is destined to be captured.
But they also knew that although they were captured, they would actually die soon, and Paracelsus must have known this as well.
"When you go back home, please take good care of your children. It doesn't matter whose children they are. They are the light I pursue."
After saying this, Paracelsus calmly accepted his capture and prepared for his impending death.
Afterwards, the magicians who participated in the arrest were a little annoyed.
Although there are more pure magicians than the average person, there are very few like Paracelsus.
Perhaps what bothers them is not the purity of Paracelsus, but the fact that they are not such people.
After all, we can disdain greed, but we must respect the morality that comes from the heart.
226: You want me to join the church? (4k)
"Because he was caught for leaking secrets into his works, he was caught... huh?"
After hearing the news from Leonardo da Vinci, Favia did not show any excitement or anger as Leonardo da Vinci had expected. The silver-haired young man just nodded, stood up and silently looked at the crowd outside the window.
The crowds of people walking through the streets of the Eternal City of Rome are all people living in the present.
The flag that had stood for a long time was above the church, fluttering in the wind under the clear spring sky of Japan, making the high, vast, and unchanging blue seem full of vitality.
Favia had already anticipated that Paracelsus would be captured by the Clock Tower and would soon die. After all, he had reminded him early on, but it seemed to have no effect.
And from the perspective of the magic world, Paracelsus did commit an irreparable "sin", so it seems natural that he should be punished in this way.
"Yes, that's right. He actually did this openly in London. It's really shameless. He could have gone to France or Germany, but he had to do it in the base of the Clock Tower. Sigh..."
Favia could see Leonardo's sadness about his inability to do anything about Paracelsus's matter. After all, Leonardo was very old and there was really nothing he could do.
He also understood the reason why Leonardo da Vinci had been reluctant to speak up before, because he was afraid that something bad might happen if he tried to save Paracelsus because of this matter. That was his worry.
"It's not easy to leave. After all, Paracelsus had already predicted this would happen. But it would be unlike him to back down."
Paracelsus is a hypocritical magician who should be respected by the world, but his actions are questioned by both the secular world and the Magic Association.
"By the way, Da Vinci, how did you know about this?"
Favia continued.
He was also puzzled. After all, the Clock Tower would not announce such news casually. At most, it would send people to solve the problem secretly.
"It was Machili who told me." Da Vinci rubbed his temple and sighed softly, "He probably hoped that I could find a way to help Paracelsus."
"It looks like this is a unanimous decision by all the major departments of the association."
Favia remembered that Paracelsus had joined the El-Melloi faction together with Machiri, but now Paracelsus was still captured. It can only be said that in El-Melloi's view, the benefits of protecting Paracelsus were not enough, so he decisively gave up.
Favia couldn't help but sigh in his heart. After all, he had thought that as long as Paracelsus joined El-Melloi, he might not be executed. But now it seems that it is useless...
"Come to think of it, why is the ship I built placed in Spain? Shouldn't it be in London?"
"That's because Bawan Xi was wondering if you were trapped in some underwater maze, so after it was built, he asked me to find someone to put it in Spain so that it would be convenient for going out to sea."
"I am indeed going to go out to sea...but where is Xiao Xi?"
"Right now....I should still be in London."
When Leonardo looked at Favia, Favia was also looking at the Almighty Man.
"That's great. I'll go take her away."
"...Is this really a good idea? Even if you really go, you may not be able to save Paracelsus. You are still young and have a bright future ahead of you."
"This question is meaningless."
Favia laughed it off, as if to say that the matter was not worth mentioning.
Although a batch of academic books headed by "Archidoxen" were published, the Clock Tower, which noticed the mystery leak, has taken them back and destroyed them all. Moreover, even if Paracelsus dies, the mystery will not return to its original state, and it is slowly fading away.
"He entrusted this to me a few years ago, and I agreed."
Therefore, now that it has been said and promised, the answer is obvious -
"I really should go back to the Clock Tower."
"........"
After a moment of opening his eyes, Da Vinci showed an expression as if all his emotions had calmed down.
"You're making a big fuss, Da Vinci. It's not like we'll never see each other again, right?"
"What you said is true. I am almost 70 years old. I might even ascend to heaven one day."
"Don't say that, Leonardo, you still have to be well..." Favia was silent for a moment, then changed the subject, "By the way, haven't you finished your Mona Lisa yet?"
"It's an old problem. Maybe I won't have this chance anymore." Da Vinci looked at his right hand with a little sadness. "How about I leave all my paintings to you after I die?"
Based on historical documents, Leonardo da Vinci began painting "Mona Lisa" in 1513. According to Vasari's record: "Although the painting took 4 years to complete, Leonardo da Vinci did not finish it." Given that Leonardo da Vinci's right hand was paralyzed around 1517, this may also indicate that this is why Leonardo da Vinci never completed "Mona Lisa".
"What use are your paintings to me as a magician? I find it troublesome to sell them."
"Magicians also need money. Although extremely precious materials cannot be purchased with money, ordinary materials and props do require money."
"Then you should leave it to Shalai."
Salai refers to the assistant who followed Leonardo da Vinci throughout his life and was also his student.
"That guy is no good. He doesn't learn well. He fishes for three days and rests for two days..."
"Alright, alright. I have followed you for so long after all. When you are old, just drive me out to live outside. Just consider it as a reward for your student."
"I also hope you can be my student..."
Seeing Leonardo's unhappy expression, Favia smiled and continued to talk about the topic of "Mona Lisa".
"Anyway, I really like the Mona Lisa. Please let me see the next painting."
Favia declared to a stone-faced Leonardo.
"It's impossible. If you had told me decades earlier, it would have been possible."
"I remember Xiaoxi said she helped you draw a draft." Favia raised his hands and pointed at the notebook Da Vinci placed on the table. "It's not bad to start like this. Just use your sincere thoughts and outline what you think without hesitation. This initial wish is really good... That's what you said."
