She turned her head and was delighted to see His Highness wearing a cloak walking through the snow.
His Royal Highness sat beside her and gestured for the entire song to be held his chin with one hand and listened quietly, thinking about the world, and shed tears with sadness.
After the song ended, His Highness the Prince took out a bunch of bright red candies from his pocket and said, "I bought the candied haws on the road today. I remember you haven't eaten it, so I brought it here for you to try."
Columbia ate one, grinned at the sourness of the wild hawthorn, and spat it out with a "wow" sound.
His Royal Highness laughed loudly and said: "Idiot, how can you eat this way? You are swallowing the dates wholeheartedly. Eat slowly, first eat the outer layer of sugar coating, let the taste buds fully feel the sweetness, and then eat the sour pulp inside , chew them together at the end, and then you can eat the soul of the candied haws."
Following His Highness the Prince's method, Columbia immediately felt the joy of eating candied haws.
His Royal Highness picked up a piece of ice crystal and used his fingertips to sharpen it into a flat mirror surface. He suppressed his smile and said, "Does it look like a big cat with a colorful face?
In the ice mirror, the corners of Columbia's mouth were stained with red sugar juice, and she said angrily: "Humph, Your Highness is bullying others, I will complain to His Majesty when I come down from the mountain!"
His Highness the Prince smiled and said: "The Queen doesn't care about these things, you have to listen to me."
"Listen to what you say?"
His Royal Highness the Prince took out a handkerchief, gently and carefully wiped the corners of her mouth, and said softly:
"Before I came to the Solstice Kingdom and the Tevat Continent, you sang songs here alone for a long time. You said last time that you did this to fulfill the agreement with Her Majesty the Queen, and to realize the value of life and Meaning. But when I hear your singing for the first time, I know that you are waiting for someone, someone who can sit on the top of the mountain with you and watch the sunrise.
But Colombia, you know what?In this country, there is a self-righteous prince who actually wanted to go up to the mountain for a long time and sit with the singers to watch the sunrise, but in the end he was always entangled in all kinds of worldly things and couldn't get away for a often sit in the office and finish my official duties, only to find that it's already dawn outside, and I blame myself every you like to watch the sunrise with that bastard prince? "
[Girl] Columbia sobbed and shed hot tears, but they were not tears, but bright pearls one after another.
His Royal Highness looked at the eastern sky with far-away eyes, "The sun is coming out soon."
"Yes, the sunrise is beautiful."
She leaned gently on His Highness the Prince's shoulder.
Instead of looking at the magnificent sunrise, I was looking at his profile.
Even though there is so much light over there, you are the only one in the world who can melt the ice in my heart.
……
[Girl] Columbia was eating candied haws while immersed in beautiful memories. When she came back to her senses, she found that the little boy selling candied haws was looking angrily, "I don't care who you are. Eat You have to pay for everything!”
[Girl] Columbia asked: "Has anyone ever eaten without paying for it before?"
The little boy obviously didn't want to say more. He stretched out his little hand and waited for the money: "If you don't give me money today, I will call someone!"
Obviously, the strange sister in front of him made him more wary, and her gentle and kind appearance gave him more with the deadbeat Duke's daughter last time, at least the sister in front of her didn't have a vicious slave with a hound, so she could speak in a more fierce manner.
Under the astonished gaze of the little boy, Columbia paid a large amount of mola, which was enough to treat the entire street to people, each of whom would eat a bunch of candied haws and still have some left over.
"Starting from today, you will go to the Fireplace House every day to deliver candied haws on a stick. What you just paid was for one year. If you perform well, you will renew it in the coming year."
Thinking of some bad rumors, the little boy asked: "'Hearth House'? I don't dare to go. I heard that the children there are very cruel. Someone did an experiment and threw a piece of fat in front of the door. The stray dogs don’t dare to go up there to eat.”
"Come with me and I'll introduce you."
On the streets of Winter City, a young girl was followed by a little boy selling candied haws, which turned into a strange combination and attracted the attention of many adults who were familiar with the little boy even came forward and asked him if he needed help. The little boy had to explain for a long time every time. The distance of just a few hundred meters took more than half an hour.
Hearth House, the largest children's welfare home in the Winter Kingdom, is essentially a semi-military intelligence school. The top ten most famous intelligence officers in the history of the Winter Kingdom all came from here.
However, such a brilliant achievement did not make the local people in Zhidong feel much awe. On the contrary, in recent years, some people have continued to protest against the cancellation of this college.
The reason for this situation is that after His Royal Highness the Prince's reform, the Hearth House must disclose the number of injured and dead children in the year-end report at the end of each year, and indicate the cause of death in detail. This is first of all to promote public awareness of the Hearth House. Secondly, it is to improve the management level of the training personnel of the orphanage, and thirdly, it is to let those parents who blindly send their children to the orphanage know the seriousness of the consequences.
Hearth House has a long history, and every graduate is a prized member of society, more sought after than graduates from several famous colleges in the empire. This has aroused strong interest from some noble families, who frequently ask [Servants] Arecino put pressure on him, hoping to get the child in through the back door.
For this reason, the anxious Arecino complained to His Highness the Prince many times, and once even wrote a resignation application. The Prince then came up with a way to publicize the casualty rate.
The effect is of course immediate.
Once the casualty rate was announced, the powerful families who wanted to "gold-plated" their children immediately gave up the idea.
And this is exactly what Arecino is happy to see. From now on, he no longer has to deal with those powerful people. As for the people who choose to keep a distance, that is their business. Anyway, the source of students in the orphanage mainly comes from abroad. orphans, not domestic.
Faced with the accusation of being "cold-blooded and ruthless" from the outside world, [Servant] Arecino responded with "How is steel made?" In fact, this sentence was told to her by His Highness the Prince. The original words were "How is steel made?" If they succeed, then you train them how you want them to. If you want them to save their lives, then train them cruelly."
The person standing on duty at the door today is an older student. He entered the orphanage when he was more than one year old. Now he is eighteen years old and is a cadre of the student union.
I have seen [Girl] Columbia and His Highness the Prince himself many times. He immediately stood upright and saluted respectfully: "Executor, you haven't come to lecture for a long time. Everyone wants to hear the story of you killing the Abyss Emperor. .”
The eleven executive officers of Fools are all considered mentors of Hearth House. However, in the past three years, other executive officers have often refused to give lectures for various reasons. Naturally, there is no need to delve too deeply into the His Highness the Prince went to the welfare home to give open classes every now and then, the children would compare their lectures with His Highness the Prince's lectures. The results are self-evident. Every time, the children felt that the lectures given by His Highness the Prince were not as exciting as those given by the Prince.
The executive officers complained privately about their "grievances". Even if Her Majesty the Queen comes in person, she may not have as profound knowledge as Her Majesty the children's vision and outlook have been infinitely improved by His Highness the Prince, so it's okay not to attend this class and just take some time off.
Among them, [Captain] Capitano and [Rooster] Puccinella are the most happy.
A brave warrior who could fight one against a hundred on the battlefield did not dare to say a word when he stood on a three-foot podium. Children often complained that Mr. Capitano was lazy in class.
The other one was eloquent, but his appearance with a long nose and pointed ears always aroused laughter. Although the children later learned to respect their teachers at the request of His Highness the Prince, the two of them were determined not to give lectures. go.
"When His Highness comes back, I will give you lessons with him, okay?"
"Okay, okay. Mr. Executive Officer, when will His Highness come back? Everyone misses him very much."
[Girl] Columbia replied: "When you need him most."
……
ps: Big chapter, two chapters merged into one chapter.
Chapter 178 The Secret of the Hearth House
The "veteran student" asked respectfully again: "Sir [Girl], I am about to graduate. I would like to be assigned to your command and obey your command."
[Girl] Colombia said kindly: "You have to ask Arecino, I don't care about student assignments."
The veteran student full of expectations replied: "Master [Servant] said that I am a cadre of the student union. When I officially join the Fools, I have the right to make my own choices."
Looking down slightly at the little boy behind her who was dumbfounded after learning her identity as an executive officer, Columbia said: "Give him a bunch of candied haws."
The little boy suddenly exclaimed as if he was dreaming. He hurriedly picked off a bunch of candied haws, and accidentally dropped one. He was about to replace it when he heard her laugh and say: "Imperfect candied haws are just right, so I want this one." Come on. You two come here and have a try. From now on, he will come to deliver candied haws on a stick every day, so remember not to embarrass him."
The "veteran student" said in a slightly majestic tone: "You are really lucky. With [Girl]'s guarantee, you are the first vendor who can enter the Hearth House to sell things. After entering, be low-key and don't cause trouble. It ruined the reputation of [Girl]-sama.”
Holding the little boy's hand, Columbia smiled slightly and said, "Okay, don't scare him. I'll take him in."
"Sir [Girl], are you really not accepting any more people?" The unwilling "veteran student" still tried to ask.
Everyone knows that among the eleven executive officers of the Fools, only the gentleman in front of him has not accepted any students for three consecutive you can join her, it means you can enjoy abundant resources exclusively, which is unmatched by other executives who have hundreds of students under their command.
[Girl] Columbia paused, sighed softly, and walked forward without looking back.
The partner who was on duty with the "veteran student" looked directly at his companion with an angry look on his face, "You are going too far, why do you bring up the sad things about [Girl]? You know that her only subordinate Xueer three years ago After his death, he announced that he would no longer accept anyone."
The "veteran student" said with great regret: "Well, Senior Sister Xue'er is a very good person and a rare genius. After she died, many people still remember her. Tell me, [Girl], why did you do that in the first place? Want to kill her?"
"To make the [girl] who can't bear to watch the chef kill a chicken ruthlessly clean up the house, Xue'er probably did something terrible."
……
Hearth House is not just a small welfare home as outsiders imagine. In fact, it occupies half of Zhidong City. It is a giant in this largest city in Zhidong Kingdom with a population of hundreds of millions.
Among the various rumors from the outside world, the most recognized theory is that buildings of different styles were built in the large courtyard of the Hearth House to imitate the capitals of the other six countries, and the survivors of the other six countries were placed there, allowing They live according to the customs of their respective countries, so as to train the children sent to collect intelligence from the Hearth House to adapt to the living environment abroad from an early age and reduce the risk of exposure during undercover missions.
The vast majority of children are sent abroad as undercover agents and integrate into society as local street children, often facing questioning or spy screening.
The other party usually asks questions such as "How many rooms and halls does a standard building in our country have?", "What was your favorite dish in the past?", "Do you know where such-and-such a store is?" These are all common sense to locals. Sexual questions, but for spies from abroad, if they do not receive targeted training in advance, it is extremely easy for their secrets to be exposed in such questions. These are all lessons learned in exchange for blood.
The second theory is that the Fireplace House is named "Fireplace" because a special device from the Canria ruins is installed inside, which can collect and store the geothermal heat of the volcano for use by the entire most intuitive evidence for this statement is that the average temperature inside Winter City is much higher than outside the city, and the peak value can differ by several degrees.
There is also a novel theory that is quite scary. Dark creatures in the abyss are imprisoned in the Hearth House. The Fools use these dangerous creatures to train children's practical combat the causes of death of children announced by the welfare home in the past two years, many died of severe bite injuries. Such abnormal deaths are consistent with this statement.
The world keeps a distance from the Hearth House and is full of curiosity at the same time. However, the founder [servant] Arecino has never intended to satisfy the world's desire to explore. She likes all the speculations about the orphanage from the outside world.
Among the many speculations, she especially likes the third slightly darker theory, that is, the Hearth House imprisons abyssal creatures for training. But unfortunately, no matter how much she likes it, even she does not know the secret behind the Hearth House.
Because, a few years before she planned to build the Hearth House, the entire area had been planned and constructed by Her Majesty the Queen. She only accepted the order and designated this area to adopt and train orphans from the Seven Kingdoms.
On the top of a bell tower with a sculpture of a cross, [Servant] Arecino looked from a distance and saw the two people coming in. He immediately jumped down as light as a bird, with a strong posture, and many students came from the ground. Their applause.
As the dean of Hearth House, the most common work she does every day is to find ways to invite other executives with mentor titles to give lectures. However, it was only later that she discovered that the easiest person to invite was His Highness the Prince, so she saw [ Girl] Columbia was extremely kind. She even stopped training midway and ran over and said:
"Hey, you are such a rare visitor. Don't tell me it's because I carried you into the city last night and drank medicine for you in the evening. I came here to teach the children today out of gratitude."
[Girl] Columbia took off the cotton hat connected to the windbreaker, and her elegant six-winged hair ornaments fluttered with the wind and snow. She replied slyly: "The other guys don't come to class for various reasons, but I There is only one thing. Don’t keep pestering me to ask about the secret of Hearth House. His Majesty didn’t tell you just because the time was not yet ripe.”
[Servant] Arecino pricked up his ears, the blood-red cross mark in his eyes exuded a faint elemental shimmer, and a wave of enthusiasm appeared on his face, "Since you are not here to give lectures, then you are here to discuss with me? Then? , come on. Promise me, you will tell me the secret content if you lose."
Columbia shook his head and said solemnly: "Not today, I brought a little guy. From now on, he will send a bunch of candied haws. If one day, he suddenly stops coming, you remember the first Inform Her Majesty the Queen immediately, even if she is in retreat."
The wind and snow around him suddenly became violent. The little boy clung to the straw frame inserted into the snow before he could stand firm. He could not hear the obscure conversation between the two big men around him.
[Servant] Arecino looked up and down at the unattractive little boy in front of him and asked, "Why him?"
This question is easy to answer. [Girl] Columbia smiled and said: "Your Highness likes to eat candied haws."
[Servant] Arecino put his hands on his hips and said fiercely: "I don't care what you want to do, but this little boy is helpless. I don't think he has any ability to help you. Do I have to send someone every day?" Keep him safe."
[Girl] Columbia hinted: "Everyone in the city saw me taking her into the Fireplace House today. This in itself is the value of his existence. If someone else came, it would be difficult for the enemy to take the bait. He is the most suitable candidate.”
[Servant] Arlecino's windbreaker fluttered in the wind, and he gritted his teeth and said, "I knew there was a big secret here. Your Majesty asked me to locate the orphanage here, just to hide it from others!"
"please."
She lowered her head and walked silently towards the dilapidated church.
Finally, [Servant] Arecino asked anxiously: "What about His Highness? Do I need to inform him?"
However, she seemed to have deliberately avoided the question, and instead accelerated her pace. A gust of wind and snow foam blew past, and suddenly there was a vast expanse of white snow in front of her, and the church seemed to be shrouded in clouds and mist.
The field of vision became clear again. [Girl] Columbia had disappeared, and only the ethereal and sad songs seemed to be echoing in her ears.
Listening to the exclamation of "the beautiful sister is gone" from the mouth of the little boy next to him, [Servant] Arecino was still immersed in deep thoughts. However, a moral patrol team composed of older students happened to pass by nearby. Thinking that the little boy had sneaked in, he was caught by the dean. Immediately, several people stepped forward to snatch his candied haws, and threw them outside together with them. However, they heard the dean yell:
"Go to hell!"
The children who come here are all very aware of the bad temper of the dean of the Hearth House, Arecino. If one day in the dormitory of the Hearth House, she can't hear her loudly reprimanding those naughty guys in the middle of the night, every child in the dormitory will None of the children could sleep, for fear that it would be their turn next, and everyone immediately ran away in a hurry.
The little boy selling candied haws on a stick shrank his neck into his collar again.
[Servant] Arlecino, who was still angry, looked at the candied haws, picked off a bunch, put it in his mouth and chewed the snack that even His Highness liked, said "Hmm" and blinked his eyebrows, then He commented, "It tastes good, sour and sweet, appetizing and relieving greasiness." His depressed mood seemed to be cured, but his eyes were sharp as he said:
"My colleague has paid for a year in advance and must come on time every day to deliver the candied haws, otherwise I will lock you up!"
The little boy nodded repeatedly, left the candied haws behind, and ran away in a hurry.
……
[Girl] Columbia appeared again in a world filled with wind, snow and frost.
A layer of frost quickly formed on the body, which even the divine power could not melt. The temperature here was colder than the coldest weather in the Solstice Kingdom.
She stood on the edge of a bottomless cliff, alone.
The snow tornado that shot straight into the sky in the distance seemed to stir up the clouds in the sky. While there was lightning and thunder, there was a vague pair of cold eyes looking down at all living beings, but they were shattered by the snow tornado rising into the sky. The cycle repeats. , extremely weird.
[Girl] Columbia stared at the bottomless pool at her feet with a solemn and solemn expression.
This is the top secret of the Winter Kingdom. Quietly lurking at the bottom of the deep pool is an ice elemental dragon king from the ancient times!
In the early years of ancient times, the First Throne led his four shadows, namely the "Sands of Time" and "The Cup of the Sky", the "Flower of Life" and the "Feather of Death", and had a battle with the seven elemental dragon kings. Watt's battle for world sovereignty.
The result of that battle was undoubtedly the victory of the First Throne. Otherwise, there would be no humans on the Teyvat continent today, but a large number of elemental elves, or elemental creatures like the Ruoduo Dragon King.
The First Throne ascended to the top of the world, and instead of killing all the seven elemental dragon kings, he allowed them to leave on their Ice Dragon King, one of the seven elemental dragon kings, fell from the sky to the Winter Kingdom and fell into a long the influence of the power of the ice element it released, the Winter Country, which had four distinct seasons, gradually turned into a Snow Country with biting winds all year round.
Once the Ancient Element Dragon King fully awakens, Sky Island will lock its position and deliver the devastating blow of the Cold Sky Nail. To this end, [Girl] Columbia, in cooperation with the Ice Queen, will come here every year to deal with the Ice Dragon King. The seal was strengthened, and in order to confuse the public, the Queen ordered the construction of the Welfare Institute Hearth House in the Solstice Kingdom on this alien space constructed by the divine power exuded by the Elemental Dragon King himself.
However, three years ago, the maintainer of heavenly law chased the prince to the Solstice Kingdom, and captured the aura of the Dragon King at such a close distance, so Sky Island activated a spy hidden in the Hearth House named Snow. Son.
At that time, the natural curse in His Highness the Prince's body was spreading rapidly. Her Majesty the Queen judged that only the dragon soul of the ancient ice elemental dragon king could resist the outbreak of the curse, and at the same time quickly improve the realm of His Highness the Prince to protect himself.
[Girl] Columbia, who was eager to save people, brought His Royal Highness the Prince, who was called the "Adventor" by the Queen at the time, and her subordinate Xueer, who had just graduated from Hearth House, to this snow-capped world and began to extract ice. The dragon soul of the Dragon King of Elements, but Xueer suddenly attacked and assassinated His Highness the Prince, but she killed him on the spot.
Xue'er's sneak attack unexpectedly caused a faint awakening of the Ice Element Dragon King's consciousness.
At that time, the Ancient Ice Element Dragon King asked: "Where is my friend Fire Dragon God, a descendant of the Fairy Clan?"
Columbia answered truthfully: "Her dragon tendons were taken away by the gods of Sky Island and used to make a divine harp, which is played in every ritual and music ceremony. Her skin was used by the maintainer of heaven to make it. I made a carpet and was trampled by the gods all day long.”
The Ancient Ice Element Dragon King roared: "Damn it! They all deserve to die!"
Columbia continued: "Fortunately, she left a dragon egg and I took it to the Winter Kingdom. Just a few days ago, this descendant came to Winter, and the little life in the dragon egg took the initiative to recognize its owner. , the descendant gave her a name: Xiaoqing."
The Ancient Ice Elemental Divine Dragon King said in a sad but gentle voice: "What a stupid name."
……
