Winter is approaching, and the temperature is getting lower day by day. The lush vegetation on both sides of the Gorgon River has become desolate. There are fewer and fewer pedestrians on the road on the bank. Only large-scale caravans occasionally appear by the river - basically Xanadu appears on the west coast.
The plains on the east coast are still barren, and on that burned-out land, the wounds of the war are far from healed.
A low whistle sounded across the river, and the bow covered with steel plates split the water waves and headed forward on the Gorgon River, leaving the sluggish old cargo ship far behind. The magical machinery that navigated the north and south The ship "Highlander" sailed on the water like a proud swan. The magic energy wings on the rear side of the ship were raised high in the cold wind, shedding dots of light.
A blond young man wearing a dark blue woolen coat stood beside the ship's side, looking at the still desolate and dilapidated east bank of the Gorgon River, his eyes deep and slightly melancholy, and a chill came from the north. The wind caught up with this cutting-edge mechanical ship, and the young man couldn't help but tighten his collar, turned around and returned to his cabin.
The warm breath rushes towards you.
The furnishings in the cabin are simple, but clean and comfortable, and there is a small desk placed by the window, with ink, paper, pens and other items placed on the desk.
The young man came to the table and sat quietly for a while. Then he took out a piece of letterhead from the side, picked up the pen, and wrote a paragraph on the paper with a calm and indifferent expression to send to a distant place. Text:
“My dear flower of the mountains——
“The further I leave my hometown, the stronger I miss you. This long journey is really the beginning of my life. Throughout my history, I never thought that I could leave my hometown and come to such a far away place...
"...Although I was occasionally lonely, this journey was still interesting. I saw many After broadening one's horizons about people and things, one realizes that many things in distant places cannot be learned from books. As my father said in his early years, a truly outstanding playwright should have an unforgettable journey. , can I free myself from those rotten piles of paper and truly grow up - but it is a bit helpless to say that my father actually does not support my trip...
"You know, he is a A cautious person, and as he gets older, he has become more cautious in recent years...
"You must not like to hear me say this, so I will tell you what I saw on the journey.
"Riding on the 'Magic Mechanical Ship' is really a very novel experience. It's hard to imagine how the wizards and craftsmen in the southern region created this kind of creation. It is a huge magical device. Many of us live day and night in the belly of this huge magical device, sailing along with it. If you have the chance, you should really try it... Although the ticket is expensive, I think it is worth it.
“…The east bank of the Gorgon River is the battlefield. When I saw it, my inspiration and thoughts kept coming to me. What a thrilling and great battle it would be. The war? The brave warriors are transformingFighting against the tide of monsters on the scorched plains, knights, soldiers, and mages, every day they stick to their positions may be more touching than any old-fashioned knight story...
"... In the lower cabin below me was a family from Saint-Sunil. They exchanged almost half of their belongings for a ticket to the south. In the words of the male host, they wanted to 'go south'. Try your luck'. Many people on this ship seem to be like this. The capital of the empire is set in the south, attracting many people to seek a way out to the south. These people will discuss the future when they come out for air. Regarding my livelihood in my hometown, most people live in the cheapest lower-class cabins, and some like me live in middle-class cabins, but we are all looking for new opportunities...
"Dear , you can't imagine what this is like, I know, I know it is not as romantic and exciting as the knight described, but I am in it, I feel an unprecedented emotion, so much people, holding hope and heading to a strange land - many people say that this war destroyed the ancient and solemn order of the kingdom and made everything chaotic, but I feel that a brand new thing is waiting for us ahead. .
“I don’t know if you can understand it, but it’s... as fresh as the river breeze I blew on the side of the boat today, cold but invigorating.
"Compared with the story of knights and princesses, are these things that happened on the ship more suitable to be placed on the 'stage' I conceived?
"I will always love you and miss you——Film."
With a smile on his face, the young man carefully wrote the last punctuation mark, and then Carefully fold the letter and put it away next to your body - when the ship docks next time, he can hand the letter to the crew member who is responsible for this and the crew member will take it to the shore. For the price of one silver coin, the letter can be delivered properly. Go to the north. Of course, if you are short of money, you can also choose a "cheap letter" of ten copper coins, but it is said that it may be lost, so he will not choose it.
There were footsteps outside the cabin, and then there was a knock on the door. Firm stood up and opened the door. A young man wearing a gold and blue silk coat, short silver hair, and a bright and sunny smile stood at the door. outside.
This is the companion he met on the journey, a northerner named Fendil, a cheerful and friendly friend with an outstanding education. Philm does not know where the other person is from. But on this ship heading to the south, the two traveled together and got along very happily.
"Hi, friend," the silver-haired young man said with a smile, "Lunch time is coming - do you want to go to the restaurant together?"
"Very happy," Firm He also laughed and walked out of the cabin while closing the door, "I'm hungry."
The two young people talked and laughed all the way. They walked through the open deck and the enclosed corridor, Passing by fellow travelers one after another taking this mechanical ship to the south.
Are you tall or tall?A man with a serious smile walked past them. He was a pharmacist from the north. He was holding a certificate from the craftsmen's association and an employment contract from a factory in the south. Although he had a serious face, he was a generous and good man. .
An old couple were walking down the corridor. They came from Brentard, west of Saint-Sunil, and were said to be watchmakers.
A few young men and women were coming up from the front stairs, wearing burlap clothes. They looked cautious when they walked up, but their eyes were bright when talking to each other. They came from Saint-Sunil. , living in the lower cabin below, carrying the travel expenses raised by their families and a little thought from the family, and carrying the "letter of recommendation for study" signed by the Grand Duchess Victoria, they also want to go south to find a new journey there. Life.
There are down-and-out craftsmen, scholars pursuing knowledge, businessmen seeking business opportunities, and even mages from the old royal capital who are admiringly exploring magic technology.
Some people are rich and live in luxurious upper-class cabins; some are poor and shabby, and they are already struggling to get a lower-class ticket; some people have a mission and take a certain wealthy businessman or even... A certain nobleman ordered him to go to the south. Some people who had no choice but to leave their hometowns boarded this ship as if they were fleeing for the desert.
And this mechanical ship that implements the "Cecil Order" is like a miniature city floating on the Gorgon River, accommodating everyone in its huge belly made of steel and wood. , sailing on this cold and windy river, carrying everyone's dream to the legendary land.
The hum of the mechanical cabin came from behind the partition in the corridor. The magic crystal lamp illuminated the corridor leading to the restaurant. A young man named Fundil was working on a machine for maintenance. He slowed down next to the rune device with an exposed structure, and seemed to be curiously observing the automatically operating magic machine. Firm's voice sounded from the side: "Incredible things, right? I heard that they are everywhere in the south. "
"I heard that too..." Fendil smiled, "Tell me about your idea again, I'm really interested..."
< p>"Of course, my friend, but it's time for you to talk about yourself. Why did you go south? Is it also to look for opportunities?""Aha... I'm going I didn't want to do it when I was there, I was forced to come here by a letter from my aunt..."
"Oh? It sounds like your aunt is a powerful person, and a letter can take away your stubbornness. "...Haha, indeed, maybe she is the most powerful person in the north, and each of us is quite afraid of her..."
The silver-haired young man. Laughing loudly, the hearty laughter was like the rugged mountains in the north, causing Firm beside him to also laugh.
A low whistle sounded across the river. On the cold and windy Gorgon River, the "Highlander" unfolded its wings like a proud swan, and the bow covered with steel plates split the water waves, fully loaded. For travelers seeking opportunities and the futuresouth.
......
The crystal glass blocked the cold wind outside the window, the fireplace was burning warm firelight, and the image projected by the Magic Network terminal was floating in the air, Victoria· Wilder stood in front of the terminal and bowed his head slightly to the figure on the image: "Your Majesty, the third batch of craftsmen and young students sent to the southern border have already set off on the 'Highlander'. They all carry supporting documents and are accompanied by someone to guide them. It is expected to arrive at the Rock Port on Winter Advent."
Gawain in the holographic projection nodded: "Very good - by the way, your nephew is also on this ship, right?"
"...Yes, Fundil is also on board," Victoria's expression seemed to change slightly, but in the end it was still a slightly cold indifference, "I ordered him to go to the south to study. After all, as the Wilder family The future heir, he can't stand still."
"Don't be too harsh on young people," Gawain laughed. "Besides, has the situation in Saint-Sunil changed? ?”
“Everything is going well here, the Government Affairs Office is fully functioning, and the Military Intelligence Bureau officers left by Director Amber are active everywhere, ‘dealing with’ a large number of unstable factors, and greatly promoting order. Reconstruction work. If everything goes well, there will be no need for me to be here next spring."
"Well, it's best that you can return to the north as soon as possible to deal with things there in person - the northern border of the empire. The stability is very important."
Victoria bowed her head deeply: "Yes, Your Majesty"
Gawain nodded in the holographic projection, and then said: "By the way, Ma. Ji is fine here, Rebecca and her have become very good friends, you don’t have to worry.”
“Thank you for taking care of her,” Victoria said, although her expression was as cold and indifferent as ever. There was sincere gratitude in his eyes, "Maggie is my most trusted friend, and I'm glad that she can also help you."
Gawain hummed, and then the atmosphere fell into a brief silence. Stiff and embarrassed.
When anyone talks to Victoria alone, the atmosphere will inevitably fall into a similar situation.
This Snow Duke is really not a good talker. Even because she always has a cold expression, she often makes the atmosphere cold during conversations. Embarrassed.
She was used to this, but Gawain on the other side of the communication seemed a little uncomfortable with it.
Perhaps in order to find some topics to end the conversation smoothly, Gawain remained silent for a while and then suddenly said: "You are too old to be young..."
Victoria's calm and indifferent expression She was a little stiff for a moment: "Huh?"
"Although there is Fendil, there is no need to worry about the heir, but don't you think about starting a family?"
Victoria: "Your Majesty... "Your Majesty?"
"You are only two years younger than Hetty. You two are so similar in some ways. I persuaded Hetty a while ago that you should start a family. You should start a family."If you think I'm verbose, I'm Snow's friend to some extent, and I should take care of his descendants..."
"Your Majesty, this matter...don't talk about it now," Victoria He showed a rare trace of panic, "I will consider my own affairs, I will consider it! "
The Magic Network communication was hung up in a hurry by Victoria opposite. Gawain sat behind the desk with a dazed expression.
Amber standing next to him couldn't help but Rolling his eyes: "You are really old, how come you can push for marriage just by talking about it? "
"Is there anything wrong with talking about family matters after talking about business? Gawain seemed quite innocent, "And I just said it casually." ”
Amber curled her lips and seemed to want to mutter something, but before she could speak, the door of the office was suddenly pushed open.
Hetty was holding a pile of documents. Appeared at the door and walked towards Gawain.
Seeing the pile of documents in the other party's hand, Gawain felt a dull pain in his forehead.
He couldn't let himself go. With a headache-like mentality, he raised his head and glanced at Hetty, and said casually: "Hetty, you are quite old..."
Hetty was stunned, before he could talk about the serious matter of the file. , I felt a chill in the back of my head...