Toby took the potion, thanked him and drank it all. A warm current quickly flowed from his throat to his limbs, and the fatigue subsided a little, and his physical strength was restored a little. He exhaled gently and felt a lot more relaxed. The streets were filled with dust and blood, mixed with the smell of burning from afar, which was disgusting. Among the broken walls, a few rays of sunlight struggled to penetrate the diffuse dust and shone on the devastated streets, looking particularly weak.
Lily helped Toby sit down slowly, looking at him worriedly. She gently pushed aside the broken hair soaked in sweat on Toby's forehead, her eyes full of heartache and concern. "How do you feel? Are you feeling better?" She asked softly, with a tremor in her voice. Lily's face was a little pale, and her clothes were stained with dust and blood, but she still held Toby's hand tightly, as if this could give him strength.
Toby held Lily's hand and gave her a warm smile, "Don't worry, I'm fine." He paused and turned his eyes to the busy paladins, "Thanks to them for arriving in time."
Mark looked around and confirmed that there were no remnants of the monsters. He sat on the ground. His left arm was still aching, but he tried not to show it, not wanting to worry Toby and Lily. In the ruins, broken beams and rubble were scattered all over the ground, like small graves, silently telling the cruelty of the disaster. Several crows circled over the ruins, making shrill cries, adding a touch of weird atmosphere to the dead scene.
The captain of the paladins walked to Toby and joked, "Toby, I haven't seen you for a few years. Your skills have deteriorated. This is not good enough?"
Toby struggled to stand up and hit the captain of the paladins in the chest with his fist.
"Edmund, if it weren't for Mark and I to help, you would have died long ago."
Toby was obviously familiar with the captain of the paladins Edmund.
Edmund looked at Mark and said to Toby
"Is this your apprentice? His performance just now was outstanding. What is the ice energy? I have never seen it before." He said in a deep voice. Although there was a hint of admiration in his tone, he was still a little wary of Mark.
"No, Edmund, his name is Mark. This time I came to the Holy City on the order of Elder Batu to bring him to meet the High Priest Selina." Toby did not say that Mark had the energy of the Holy Stone.
"By the way, how can there be so many dark beasts? We also encountered one on the way here. Don't these creatures only exist in legends?" Toby changed the subject.
The captain of the Paladin shook his head gently.
"I don't know either. I just happened to go with you to meet the High Priest Selina and report this incident."
The broken city gate swayed in the wind, making a creaking sound, as if silently telling the cruelty of the disaster. Most of the houses on both sides of the street have collapsed, rubble piled up like a mountain, and the air was filled with the smell of dust and blood. Several crows circled over the ruins, making shrill cries, adding a strange atmosphere to the dead silence.
On the road, Toby slowed down his pace without leaving a trace and walked side by side with Mark. He lowered his voice and said seriously: "Mark, you must not tell anyone except the high priest about your use of the holy stone energy, understand?" He frowned and scanned the surroundings sharply to make sure that no one else was approaching.
Mark nodded solemnly and responded in a low voice: "I understand. The matter of the holy stone energy is of great importance. I will not easily tell anyone." He subconsciously clenched his right hand, and his knuckles turned slightly white, showing his inner tension. The trees on the side of the road swayed gently in the breeze, making a rustling sound, and the sunlight sprinkled on the ground through the gaps in the leaves, forming mottled light and shadows.
The scene inside the city is completely different from that outside the city. The streets are clean and tidy, the buildings are tall and majestic, and the order is in good order. The pedestrians were dressed in bright clothes and had smiles on their faces, as if they were not affected by the attacks of monsters outside the city. The towering walls isolated the holy city from the outside world, forming a solid barrier to protect the peace and tranquility in the city. Captain Edmund led Toby and Mark through the bustling streets and walked towards the palace of the high priest. The scene along the way dazzled Mark. He looked around curiously, his eyes full of amazement. Toby seemed much calmer, his steps were steady, his eyes were calm, and he seemed to be accustomed to all this. Arriving at the gate of the palace, two paladins in golden armor guarded on both sides of the gate. They held spears and watched the pedestrians vigilantly. The gate of the palace was made of finely carved white jade, with intricate patterns carved on it, which looked solemn and solemn. The sunlight shone on the jade, reflecting a dazzling light that made people dare not look directly at it. When the guards saw Edmund, they immediately recognized him and saluted respectfully, saying, "Lord Edmund!" Their voices were loud and powerful, and their tone was full of respect. One of the guards quickly opened the heavy palace gate and welcomed them in.
"Lord Edmund, you are back." Another guard also saluted respectfully.
Edmund nodded slightly in response. He turned to Toby and said, "Let's go."
The four of them walked through the tall palace gate and entered the palace. The interior of the palace was gorgeously decorated, with exquisite murals hanging on the walls, soft carpets on the floor, and a faint fragrance in the air. Exquisite sculptures and vases were placed on both sides of the long corridor. The sunlight sprinkled on the ground through the stained glass windows, forming colorful light and shadows, which was magnificent.
Captain Edmund led Toby and Mark through the long corridor to the high priest's reception room. The reception room was spacious and bright, with elegant decorations. There was a huge round table in the center, surrounded by several comfortable chairs. A huge map of the Holy City was hung on the wall, with the names and locations of various areas of the Holy City marked on it. The sun shone through the huge French windows, illuminating the entire reception room, making it particularly warm and bright.
High Priest Selina had been waiting for a long time. She was wearing a white robe, sitting at the round table, holding an ancient book in her hand and reading. Her silver hair was combed meticulously, her face was kind and majestic, and she exuded a strong aura in her every move. Hearing the footsteps, she slowly raised her head, her eyes fell on Toby, and a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.
"Toby, you are here." High Priest Selina put down the ancient book in her hand and said gently.
"High Priest." Toby saluted respectfully. Mark, Lily and Edmund also saluted.
High Priest Selina motioned the four to sit down and asked with concern, "I heard that you were attacked by dark beasts on the road. How was it?"
Toby described in detail how they were attacked by the beasts, from the initial encounter with the dark beasts in the forest to the later fierce battle with the beasts in the town. He described the whole process vividly, with a steady and calm tone. He paused from time to time, as if recalling the scene at that time, with a trace of fear in his eyes.
Captain Edmund supplemented the situation they encountered in the outer city of the Holy City, and emphasized the number and strength of the dark beasts, with a serious and solemn tone. "High Priest, the dark beasts have never appeared before, why do so many of them suddenly appear? He frowned, with a hint of worry in his tone.
After listening to this, High Priest Selina frowned and fell into deep thought. Her fingers tapped the table lightly, making a rhythmic sound, and her eyes were full of worry and confusion. The living room was silent, with only the sound of High Priest Selina's fingers tapping the table and the sound of birds singing outside the window. The sun shone in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting mottled light and shadows on the ground, and the air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood.
After a long time, High Priest Selina slowly spoke: "Edmund, you go on patrol first. Toby and I will learn more about it.