The ocean is incredibly vast.
It is wider than the White Water River, wider than the Gorgon River, and wider than any river or lake on land.
Byron stood on the high platform on the front deck of the "Curiosity", letting the cold sea breeze blow against his face, and the unique salty smell of the sea blew into his nostrils. The infinite stretch of water in his field of vision was The front of the ship's bow was undulating and turbulent. The sound of waves, wind, ship's machinery, and the chirping of unknown seabirds all surrounded him in all directions.
He looked back and saw the sailors busy at various positions on the ship. There were technicians checking the connection between the mana wing panels and the upper deck mechanical devices. The man with deep and melancholy eyes The Naga "philosopher" was observing the distant celestial phenomena through some kind of magic device, and in the waves beside the ship, there were several beautiful and ghostly figures swimming in and out of the water.
He suddenly remembered his experience as a mercenary - something that was completely unrelated to the scene in front of him, but it brought up inexplicable nostalgia in the heart of this knight. He remembered Those days of adventure in jungles and secret realms, remembering those friends who followed him through many strange lands and were finally buried in strange lands...
The sea breeze blew, and he squinted his eyes and smiled. Then he said to the Siren Viola standing next to him: "I originally thought that I was a middle-aged man who pursues stability, but I didn't expect that I still have a bit of adventurous spirit in my heart."
"Human beings have always been Full of adventurous spirit - you are not as powerful as the sea monsters, but you are more courageous than us. This has surprised us for many years," the deep sea witch with long blue hair said seriously, "But it is probably because This kind of adventurous spirit allows you to develop so fast, and it is always full of variables."
Byron smiled, looked up at the sea in the distance, looked in the direction of the distant sea, and said casually: " We are just taking the first step today... circumnavigating the land along the safe sea area of the coast is far from challenging the ocean. At best, we are just testing the performance parameters of Curiosity. To truly challenge the open sea... at least we have to get close. That’s the dividing line.”
“I discussed the plan for deep sea exploration with the ‘Philosopher’,” Siren Viola, who served as the technical advisor, nodded, “Based on the experience of the Church of Storms. We believe that human beings' long-sea navigation should start from two directions - one is to remotely observe and avoid the "disordered turbulence" that has already formed, and the other is to deal with the situation when disordered turbulence suddenly forms out of thin air and envelopes the ship. Ensure the ship's survivability and navigation capabilities, and return to safe waters in time before it disintegrates..."
Byron nodded seriously: "It makes perfect sense - His Majesty sent a batch of messages to Beigang before. The information also mentions the importance of remotely detecting disordered turbulence, and how to survive if caught in the turbulence. The former is actually not bad. Now we have the help of Naga, who have the spells of the Church of Storms. model, the research department in the imperial capital has begun to try to put relatedThe spell was reversely parsed into usable equipment for the ship, but the latter is not easy..."
Speaking of this, Byron shook his head: "The Sons of the Storm rely on themselves as extraordinary beings to control the ocean. Fine perception, coupled with the blessing of 'power of faith' to ensure safety, especially the latter, allows them to even find those narrow safe paths when disorderly turbulence comes. The current magic technology cannot do this. Not at all, and we do not intend to establish belief in oceans and storms - although we all know that it now points to the spirit of your race, it is our basic national policy to try to avoid introducing theocratic power into the military and scientific research system. "
"I hope your magic technicians will find ways to use thicker armor, stronger shields, and higher speeds... These methods may help your human ships resist the ruthless monsters on the sea. "Sequential turbulence," Viola said unhurriedly, "Of course, we will also provide some 'Siren-style' technical ideas, but those ideas may not be applicable to you land creatures..."
Byron recalled the previous discussion with Kraken technical experts on "how to deal with emergency situations in the event of a shipwreck." He shook his head in confusion: "If the ship breaks up, do we just swim back... We really can't use this... …”
Viola shrugged expressionlessly—a move she had recently learned from humans—and then looked into the distance: “We are already approaching the port. "
...
With the second whistle of Curiosity, this huge and advanced steel ship began to slow down and adjust the direction of the bow, like a huge giant. The beast gradually approached the port pier of Baiyu Port.
Standing on the pier, Paladin Huishanyan looked up at the giant beast getting closer and closer, an expression of surprise and envy gradually appeared on his face, and then he himself. The reddish nose became even more rosy, a smile spread across his face, and the decorative metal ornaments at the end of his beard cluttered with the smile. The temporary envoy from the dwarf kingdom in the western part of the continent happily said to his companions. : "Hi! I want one of this too—those ‘Cecilians’ are quite capable! "
"I want to know how this boat moves! Another dwarf shouted loudly, "If those Cecil people are willing to teach, I can give my nephew to their craftsmen as an apprentice for twenty years!" "
"That's enough, you have used various excuses to give your nephew to others as an apprentice at least a hundred times! If every time counts, he will have to be an apprentice for at least five hundred years - spare your nephew! "
"Quiet," Paladin Huishenyan immediately glared at the tribesmen following him, "We stand here on behalf of Forge City, don't embarrass yourself in front of humans. ”
The noisy dwarf representatives finally calmed down, and Wenna Bai Zhi standing next to them also quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Dwarves, this group of people live in the far west of the continent. The Optimists are a race very good at causing trouble, although most of themMany people like to sit next to their ancient melting pot, but there are still a large number of dwarves walking out of their kingdom and running around in the world. They deal with the guys the most, so Wenna also knows the temperament of the dwarves very well - their natural optimism and adventurous impulse make them dare to try anything. Even in such a serious and formal occasion, it is difficult to protect these "messengers" who come in. There won't be any trouble...
After all, the dwarves who call themselves "people of steel" have always disdained the red tape of the human world.
She withdrew her attention, looked at the magic ship that had docked beside the trestle and was lowering multiple stairs and gangplanks, and took a deep breath.
The dwarves felt envious and surprised when they saw this thing, but she only felt a little suffocated.
She seemed to suddenly understand the method by which Emperor Gawain Cecil and the magic army he commanded were able to quell a war and establish an empire in a short period of time. She understood all of this. The reliance of great achievements, or one of the reliances.
She was a little lucky. She was lucky that during the most difficult period when the civil war in the Cecil Empire was still ongoing, the various races in the Ogure tribe chose to provide help instead of taking advantage of the situation. She was lucky that the gray elves in the Mosswood Forest They have always dealt with people through business, so they have not had any conflicts with this neighboring human country, but while she is lucky, she can't help but feel uneasy.
But in the end, she restrained all the emotions that should not have arisen at this moment, and temporarily put all her thoughts behind her head. After adjusting the muscles on her face slightly, she revealed her expression in the current situation. The most suitable smile.
Byron stepped off the springboard and stepped on the solid wooden trestle. Except for his adjutant and a few soldiers, he did not bring anyone else with him - the technology of the Kraken and Naga tribe. The advisors remained on the ship or at sea; they were not required to participate in the contact.
The gray elf clan leader came over with a faint smile on her face. Although she was as short as a human child, her face was that of a standard adult, and she exuded the aura that a ruler of a clan should have. Calmness and magnanimity. She stretched out her hand to Byron and said in a slightly hoarse voice: "Welcome to White Feather Port, General Byron - I'm glad to see you have a smooth journey."
Byron also extended his hand - —Stretched out two fingers and "clasped" Wenna's hand: "Nice to meet you, Ms. Wenna Bai Zhi. Today is undoubtedly a day worth remembering."
Then He turned his head and looked at the other aliens who appeared with the representatives of the gray elves. There was a dwarf wearing black armor and a gray beard walking towards him, like a mobile man made of muscles and Like a barrel made of iron, the dwarf stretched out his hand towards him and said angrily: "Paladine Hugoshanite from the dwarf kingdom, greets you, human. I bring greetings from the Forge City. You forge the iron. His craftsmanship is really good."
Byron was stunned for a moment, but he quickly understood.What the other party meant: This was to praise the cutting-edge experimental ship "Curiosity".
He immediately laughed, and at the same time stretched out his hand to hold it: "Say hello to you - before we set off, we received news that the dwarf representatives would also appear together."
"Forge City is very interested in your 'restarting routes' plan," Paladin Hugoshanite said carelessly, "Frankly speaking, your large-scale mining machinery is a good thing, but it is a pity that it cannot be shipped to us. , we have to pass through the entire Ogure tribal country, and there is a ridge on the edge of our kingdom, but now that I see this ship, I feel that we don’t have to cut through that mountain - the Ansu people seven hundred years ago briefly The ground ships have done business with us, but unfortunately it stopped just as soon as it started. After I go back, I will make suggestions to the Forge City Council to repair the ports on the west coast..."
Byron spent a lot of money It took a lot of effort to finally pull my hand out of the opponent's palm, and at the same time I deeply felt what the so-called "dwarf-like straightforwardness" meant.
The things the other party mentioned were actually not part of his mission plan today - the most important task today is to conduct an initial flight test of Curiosity and collect sea state and coastal data in the offshore area. The meeting between White Feather Port and Gray Elf and Dwarf representatives was more of a ceremonial contact to announce the success of Curiosity's initial voyage and the official resumption of the route from North Port to White Feather Port. As for further business plans and Air route development... that needs to be discussed slowly by more professional people later.
He believed that Wenna Bai Zhi thought so too, but the dwarf envoy in front of him obviously did not think so. The other party's ideas had obviously expanded to how to specifically repair the ports on the west coast...
This made him feel like facing Gawain or Rebecca - one with incredible foresight, one who dared to say anything...
But soon, he showed a trace of Smile - it is not a bad thing to deal with such a straightforward representative. To be fair, he prefers this kind of person, which is better than those nobles and foreign ambassadors who have to make seven or eight twists and turns in every sentence and need to quote scriptures to sneeze. Much cuter...
The representatives of the three parties at the port chatted briefly, each with different thoughts. The entourage stood at their respective angles, and the atmosphere seemed harmonious and harmonious. The people of Baiyu Port The Gray Elf "camera crew" and Cecil's official recorders who disembarked with Curiosity simultaneously recorded this scene using the Magic Network terminal.
One picture is sent to Mossywood Forest, and one picture is sent to Beigang Hub.
......
"Curiosity successfully completed its maiden voyage and arrived at White Feather Port on the border of the Ogore Tribal Nation at 12:15 noon today. General Byron and the ship's entourage At the port, I met with the leader of the gray elves, Ms. Wenna Bai Zhi, and the dwarf representatives...
"The smooth maiden voyage of the Curiosity marks that the navigation route from North Port to the northwest coast of the Ogure tribe has been opened, and the empire's maritime ships Ship manufacturing technology has laid the foundation, and we will take a longer-term step towards the ocean.One step...
"...plans to extend the shipping route to connect to the Dwarf Kingdom and further extend to the southern part of the Augure Tribal Nation...
"In the foreseeable future, we It may be possible to establish further contact with the Silver Empire through sea routes..."
Victoria Wild waved her hand, turned off the screen playing on the Magic Network terminal, and stood up from the sofa.
"It's really an optimistic forward-looking idea... The distance between White Feather Port and the Silver Empire is still far away," the Northern Duke said to himself, "But there is nothing wrong with being optimistic. The progress of restarting the route is going smoothly. According to this trend, sooner or later we will be able to contact the elves by sea..."
The room was very quiet, and Victoria looked up.
A maid stood in the room Not far away, she lowered her head and waited meticulously for the duchess's instructions. As for what the duchess was talking to herself, the maid obviously neither understood nor knew how to reply. She might not even be there at all. Listen.
“Well... Maggie would at least participate in the conversation if she were here. "Victoria couldn't help but sigh, with a look of helplessness on her usually expressionless face.
At this moment, a rhythmic knock on the door suddenly came.
< p>Victoria sensed the breath outside the door and said casually: "Come in. "The door of the study room opened, and an elderly mage wearing a dark blue starry robe, who was dry and thin but still energetic, walked in and bowed to Victoria: " Good day, my lord. "
"Victor," Victoria nodded to her chief mage, "What's the matter? "
"The connection test of the hub core is completed," the old mage said, with a bright and proud smile on his face. "The data is perfect, you can accept it at any time. ”
(Friendly recommendation of a book, "The Rebirth of the Genius Midlaner Girl", should also be written by a book friend. emmmm... In short, it is a feast for the gods.)