In the blink of an eye, winter is already halfway over. The stormy and eventful year 738 of Ansu (the first year of Cecil) came to an end in a freezing snowstorm in the depth of winter. It was already the beginning of the year.
In the past year, too many things have happened in this ancient and young country. The old royal power came to an end, and the once divided country was reunited. It was like a natural disaster and large-scale reconstruction. The reshuffle of the old aristocratic system, the arrival of a new era...
Somewhere in the dark, a god who seems to be in charge of destiny suddenly overturned his desk this year, turning the entire kingdom upside down. , when the dust settled, people realized belatedly: the world has changed.
In the south of Rock City, a brand new magic train is parked quietly beside the platform, waiting for the order to depart.
The cold wind was blowing wildly outside the platform, lifting loose snowflakes and lighter dead branches and leaves into the air, but a hazy, translucent shield enveloped the platform. The edge blocks the cold wind that blows into the station. On a rectangular platform with two rows of long seats, some passengers were sitting on chairs waiting for the train to arrive, while others were boarding the next train under the instructions of the conductor.
Most of these tourists wore closed jackets and straight trousers that have only become popular in the southern border in the past two years to facilitate movement, and thick soft hats or felt hats on their heads. A few of them wore old-style Most women wear long and short burqas, which take into account both practicality and beauty. They also wear cotton clothing with good warmth inside the long skirts. A few women wear burqas specially designed for women. Jacket and trousers for traveling by car.
For those who have just arrived here, this is an incredible sight - before Ansu 736, even in the south, few civilian women would wear "transgressing the rules" such as trousers. "" clothing to go out, because mainstream sects such as the Blood God, the God of War, and the God of Holy Light, as well as nobles from all over the world, often have strict regulations on this:
Only noble ladies and ladies with higher status have the right to wear jodhpurs. , fencing trousers and other clothing to participate in hunting and martial arts performances, or wear various formal dresses, court dresses and other clothing to attend banquets. The above-mentioned clothing is considered to be "in line with the content of aristocratic life and decent" clothing, while civilian women Under no circumstances are they allowed to wear "illegal" trousers, shorts, and "colorful dresses" other than black, white, brown, or gray (unless they have been registered as prostitutes), otherwise they will be punished. Or nobles were fined, and in severe cases, they could be punished or even enslaved in the name of "offending doctrine" or "transgressing the rules."
Until the Frost Moon of Ansu 736, the White Knight led the people to smash down the cathedral in Luan City, and the Supreme Government Office issued a decree dismantling the private arming and religious trial powers of all churches in the territory. The ban was gradually loosened, and now, after more than two years of changing customs, bolder and more educated civilian women finally began to wear trousers when going out.
Outside the southern border, general education has just begun., the change of customs in various places has just begun. Even if the Government Affairs Department encourages the people to accept the new social order, basically no one will challenge the old customs that have not completely receded.
In the second half of the train, in a special carriage, Victoria Wilder, who had long silver hair, wore a palace dress, and had a cool and noble temperament, withdrew her gaze from the window and looked at the person sitting in the car. The fat noble in the seat opposite nodded: "Earl of Bahrain, what do you think?"
The Northern Archon has recently completed his first-stage mission in Saint-Sunil, so Some work required her to go to the imperial capital to report on her duties. To this end, she also brought several officials from the Saint-Sunil Government Office and the Earl of Bahrain who assisted her in handling Saint-Sunil affairs.
The slightly fat Earl of Bahrain glanced at the platform outside with a slightly complicated expression: "...many things are really something I have never seen in my life. I once felt that although I was not a knowledgeable person, I was still pretty good. He is very knowledgeable, but I can't even think of a few suitable adjectives here."
As he spoke, the royal noble couldn't help but shook his head: "No matter what. , this place is indeed a place to 'challenge ideas' as rumored. I can't even tell which of the people outside are the poor, which are the citizens, and which are the nobles... Oh, the nobles can still tell, the one just now. A man who is accompanied by an attendant and walks with his head held high should be a minor nobleman, but it’s really hard to judge other things.”
Victoria didn’t comment on Earl Bahrain’s words, but looked out the window again, as if talking to herself. "It is richer and more energetic than anywhere in the north."
"Indeed, civilians wear more exquisite clothes, and those women wearing men's clothes...ah, I don't It’s not appropriate to comment on women in such a vulgar way, but this is the first time I’ve seen anything other than women’s breeches and women’s fencing trousers…” Earl Bahrain said, seeming to be suddenly at a loss for words, and could only shrug awkwardly, “ And look at those dresses, how colorful they are, each one seems to be brand new."
"Trade with the Typhon Empire brought cheap textiles, plus our own textile mills. and garment factories, 'clothes' are no longer a luxury for ordinary people," Victoria said lightly, "It's just that in the south, it's not just the 'price' of clothes that is broken, but also the 'price' wrapped around these daily necessities. Customs'..."
The Earl of Bahrain was quite emotional: "The 'customs and regulations' in the southern region seem to be extremely loose. I can't believe that so many churches and nobles have accepted the new decree formulated by the Government Affairs Office so quickly. They have accepted various changes in etiquette and regulations... At this point, they seem to be much smarter than the stubborn churches and nobles in the north."
"'Smart'" Victoria's pair seemed to contain ice and snow. His eyes quietly glanced at Earl Bahrain, "Earl Bahrain, the priests and nobles in the south suddenly became enlightened after the shelling of Gravel Ridge and the trial of Luan City. The logic here is the same as that of the Mountain Corps. After forming an army, the northern barbariansIt makes sense to suddenly change from being brave and good at fighting to being good at singing and dancing. "
In the expression of Earl Bahrain who suddenly didn't know how to react, the "Ice Duke" of the north seemed to raise the corners of his mouth slightly, and said to himself: "What you see here , maybe gave me a hint..."
The Earl of Bahrain suddenly felt a little chill, but it was very common to feel the chill next to Duchess Victoria, and he quickly adapted to it, and then He twisted his neck, looked around, and then looked at the entrance of the carriage not far away.
The attendants, guards, maids, and officials were all the passengers in this carriage. Behind, there are two special carriages with rest rooms, which have also been booked by the Grand Consul and his entourage - but Earl Bahrain knows that in addition, there are many other "ordinary" passengers on this train. Even the few carriages they occupy only belong to them during this journey. After the journey is over, these carriages will welcome new travelers.
Because all of this is true. It belongs to the "public".
This makes Mr. Earl who is used to riding in his own family's carriage and private griffon a little uncomfortable.
"Your Majesty, why are you doing this? What about taking the 'train'? " He couldn't help but ask, "A private magic car or a griffon is more in line with your identity..."
"Have you ever experienced a 'train'? "Victoria glanced at Earl Bahrain and asked calmly.
"I...No," Earl Bahrain shook his head, "You know, there is no such thing in the north. "
"Me neither, so I want to experience it," Victoria said calmly, "Every time I come here, there are many things worth...experience. "
As she spoke, she turned her head and looked at the scenery on the platform outside through the transparent crystal glass next to the train carriage.
A huge mechanical clock stood on the In the middle of the platform, the long iron-black hands on the mechanical clock were jumping one by one.
Seeing Victoria's actions, the Earl of Baring couldn't help but be curious: "What are you looking at? ”
On the platform, some passengers waiting for the next train and several staff members had arrived near the mechanical clock at some unknown time. These people invariably looked up at the beating hands and looked at the bottom of the dial. , the gears are rotating behind the transparent glass pane, with a look of anticipation and joy on his face.
“This is something that will be rolled out to the entire empire. ”
The second hand of the mechanical clock is moving toward the top one by one. On both sides of the platform, holographic projections representing the stop of boarding have risen, and a faint tremor is coming from the bottom of the train carriage.< /p>
“Something that is extended to the entire empire? Earl Bahrain was a little confused, "A clock?" There are also places in the north, east and west - although most of them are only in churches and noble houses at present..."
Before Mr. Count finished speaking, the long pointer was already in contact with the top of the dial.Overlapping, and almost at the same time, a melodious and loud flute sound suddenly came from the top of the carriage, resounding throughout the platform, and also startled the Earl of Bahrain in the carriage.
The repulsion mechanisms on both sides of the entire train turned synchronously, and the runes lit up one after another. With a loud roar, the huge steel machine began to accelerate slowly and began to drive towards the wilderness.
"It's punctuality, Earl of Baring," Victoria looked away from the window, "and the pursuit of 'punctuality'. This is part of the new order."
Fading away On the platform, the passengers and staff who were staring at the mechanical clock and waiting for the train to depart had already clapped happily, and some even cheered slightly.
This is a pastime when you are bored, and it is also a "southern characteristic" on train platforms in various places. It is a "waiting entertainment" that has only recently become popular among train passengers and station staff.
Trains are not always on time, and the word "delay" is a frequent occurrence in the railway system, but even so, His Majesty the Emperor ordered uniform times to be set at every station and on every train The mechanical clock is calibrated uniformly through the magic network communication throughout the southern border. At the same time, the vehicle dispatching process in various places is also optimized and adjusted again and again.
Since the factories in Cecil City began operating, the Supreme Government Affairs Office has been working hard to introduce the "concept of time" into people's lives. These mechanical clocks on the station are obviously the result of this effort. part.
Efforts will eventually bear fruit - at least, people are already pursuing punctuality, and trains that leave on time are something to be proud of in the eyes of southerners.
......
The Grand Consul Victoria Wild from the north will come to the south to report on her duties in the near future.
In a house in the southern neighborhood of Cecil City, the Mage District, Fundil Wilder, who has short silver hair and a tall figure, is standing in front of the window facing the street, holding this morning's book in his hand. I just bought the newspaper and my eyes fell on a headline on the front page of the newspaper.
The newspaper is heavy, the headline is heavy, and my heart is heavy.
There was a sudden knock on the door. Fundil raised his heavy head, adjusted his expression, and said politely: "Please come in."
The door opened, and Eli Vin Franklin appeared outside the door. The Western heir also held a newspaper in his hand and waved it as soon as he entered the room: "Fendil, it seems that Duchess Victoria will be coming to the South soon!"
Fendil weakly raised the newspaper in his hand: "I already know."
"Oh... yes, you also have the habit of reading newspapers," Elaven nodded suddenly, then curious Looking at Fendil's face, "What's wrong, my friend, you don't seem to be in a good mood?"
Fendil couldn't help but glare at the other person: "It's probably equivalent to your sudden sudden appearance." How I feel when I learn that your father is coming to see you tomorrow."
"Ah, then I should be very happy," Elaine said happily.He said calmly, "After all, I have just passed all the first-level exams of the four colleges. Mr. Santis said that among this group of students, I am the only one who passed the exams of the four colleges at once - it turns out that I stayed up late every day a few days ago. Reading books and asking questions from instructors are very effective..."
Fendil couldn't help but cover his forehead.
He actually forgot that Elaine's talent in "reading and learning" is so amazing.
As for himself, he is better at frost spells and other combat skills.
So he only passed the first-level test of the military branch, and... he was seriously partial to science.
The other knowledge of aristocrats, heraldry, etiquette and art that he knew was not useless in the academy, but... they were all considered electives.
Thinking of his always strict aunt, the optimistic and cheerful Findil couldn't help but feel that his heart was heavy again, as if it was filled with ice, snow and frozen soil from the north.
Had he known this, he should have learned about the detailed subjects taught in the "Imperial College" before setting off. Although this would not help him quickly improve his grades, At least it would make him more mentally prepared.
Elaven looked at the change in Fendil's expression, and it was not difficult to guess what the other person was thinking. He patted the other person's shoulder - this was a bit laborious, because he was much older than Fendil. More than a head shorter: "Relax, my friend, didn't you say that before? When we come to the south, the academy is just a part of 'study'. The 'Shadow Drama' we produced with Film has been completed. Isn’t this something to be proud of?”
“Drama of Shadows…”
Hearing this word, Fendil’s annoyance really faded away a lot.
Yes, after such a long period of hard work and many people putting in a lot of hard work and energy, the world's first "Magic Shadow Drama" was finally completed.
He couldn't help turning his head and looked out the window.
Large notices (His Majesty the Emperor called them "posters") promoting the Magic Shadow drama have been posted on the roadside, and the Magic Network radio program in the past two days has also been preparing for this brand-new thing. Introduction and promotion, now he could vaguely see the content of the poster on the wall across the street -
A mechanical ship full of passengers was sailing on the wide Gorgon River, and several people with The main characters with distinctive characteristics appear in the background of the picture. At the bottom of the whole picture, is the final title of the magic shadow drama - "Immigration"
Simple, straightforward and simple.
"Indeed... this incident has brought me a sense of 'pride' that I have never felt in my life for more than ten years," Fendil laughed and said with a sigh, "I have never felt this. I never thought that it would be so happy to put aside all identity concepts and traditional rules and work hard with many people from all walks of life to achieve something."
Elaine. He also smiled: "I am also very happy, I listened to your advice and participated in this meaningful thing..."
Fendil turned his head to look at his friend, with a smile, stretched out his hand and patted the other person's face. Shoulders.
“So, my friend, please lend me the answers to the second set of geometry papers. "
"...? ”