Winter is approaching, the temperature is getting lower day by day, the lush vegetation on both sides of the Gorgon River has become bleak, the roads on the bank are less and less pedestrians, and only large-scale caravans occasionally appear on the riverside—basically, they appear on the banks of the river. west bank.
The plains on the eastern coast were still barren, and the wounds of war were far from healed in that burned land.
A low siren sounded across the river, the steel-plated bow split the water waves, and headed forward on the Gorgon River, leaving the slow old-fashioned cargo ship far behind. Sailing on the water like a proud swan, the magic wings behind the side of the ship were raised high in the cold wind, sprinkling bits of light.
A blond young man wearing a dark blue woolen coat stood by the side of the ship, looking at the still desolate and dilapidated east bank of the Gorgon River. His eyes were deep and slightly melancholy. A cold wind from the north caught up with the new ship The mechanical boat made the young man couldn't help tightening his collar, turned around and returned to his cabin.
A warm breath rushed towards him.
The furnishings in the cabin are simple, but clean and comfortable, and there is a small desk by the window, on which there are ink, paper, pens and other things.
The young man came to the table, sat quietly for a while, then took a piece of letter paper from the side, picked up a dip pen, and wrote a paragraph of text sent to the distance on the paper with a calm and indifferent expression:
"My dear mountain flower—
"The farther away from my hometown, the more I miss you. This long journey is really the first experience in my life. I never thought that I could leave my hometown and come to such a far place...
"...Although I am lonely sometimes, this journey is still interesting. I have seen many people and things. After broadening my horizons, I realized that my previous life was shallow. Many things in the distance cannot be learned from books. Yes, as my father said in the early years, a really good playwright should have an unforgettable journey, so that he can get rid of those rotten paper piles and really grow up—but it is a bit helpless to say that my father is actually not Support me on this trip...
"You know, he's a cautious guy, and he's been more cautious in recent years as he's gotten older...
"You don't think you like to hear me say this, so I will tell you what I saw and heard on the journey.
"Riding the 'magic mechanical ship' is really a novel experience. It's really hard to imagine how the mages and craftsmen in the southern region made this kind of creation. It is a huge magical device, and many of us live day and night In the belly of this huge magical device, sailing along with it, if you have the opportunity, you should really try it... Although the ticket is expensive, I think it is worth the money.
"... The east bank of the Gorgon River is the battlefield. When I saw it, my inspiration and thoughts kept coming to me. What kind of thrilling and great war should it be? The brave soldiers fought On the scorched plain against the tide of monsters, knights, soldiers, and mages, every day they stand firm may be more exciting than any old-fashioned knight story...
"... In the lower class cabin below me, there is a family from San-Sunil. They exchanged almost half of their belongings for a ticket to the south. In the words of the host, they wanted to' Go south to try your luck'. On this ship, it seems that many people are like this. The capital of the empire is set in the south, which attracts many people to seek a way of life in the south. These people will discuss the future when they come out to breathe, sometimes Also discussing my own livelihood in my hometown, most people live in the cheapest lower class, and some like me live in middle class, but we are all looking for new opportunities...
"Honey, you can't imagine what kind of scene it is, I know, I know it's not as romantic and exciting as the knight described, but I'm in it, I feel an unprecedented emotion, So many people headed to a strange land with hope—many people said that this war destroyed the ancient and solemn order of the kingdom and made everything messy, but I felt that a new thing was waiting ahead us.
"I don't know if you understand, it's... as fresh as the river wind I'm blowing over the gunwale today, cold but invigorating.
"Compared with the story of knights and princesses, are these things that happened on the ship more suitable for the 'stage' I conceived
"Love you forever, and miss you—Film."
With a slight smile on his face, the young man carefully wrote the last punctuation mark, then carefully folded the letter paper and put it away close to his body—the next time the ship berths, he can hand over the letter to the crew member who is responsible for it, and Brought to the shore by the crew, the letter can be sent to the north safely for the price of one silver coin. Of course, if you are short of money, you can also choose the "cheap letter" of ten copper coins, but it is said that he may lose it, so he will not choose it.
There were footsteps outside the cabin, and then there was a knock on the door. Film got up and opened the door. A young man in a gold and blue silk coat, short silver hair, and a bright and sunny smile stood outside the door.
This is the partner he met on the journey, a northerner named Fendil, a cheerful and friendly friend with an outstanding upbringing. Film did not know where the other party came from, but on this ship heading for the southern border On the boat, the two walked together and got along very happily.
"Hi, friend," said the silver-haired young man with a smile, "it's almost lunch time—do you want to go to the restaurant together?"
"Very happy," Film also laughed, closing the door behind him as he walked out of the cabin, "I'm very hungry."
The two young men chatted and laughed all the way, they walked through the open deck, through the closed corridor, and passed one after another traveling companions who took this mechanical ship to the south.
A tall, unsmiling man walked past them. It was a pharmacist from the North, holding a certificate from the Artisan Association and an employment contract from a factory in the South. Although he had a serious face, he was a generous man. nice guy.
Walking down the corridor was an old couple from Brentard, just west of Saint-Sunil, who were said to be clockmakers.
Several young men and women were coming up the front stairs, dressed in sackcloth, cautious when they came up, but bright-eyed when they talked to each other, they were from Saint-Sunil and lived in the lower class. In the cabin, with the travel expenses collected by the family and the family's thoughts, and the "study recommendation letter" issued by the Grand Duchess Victoria, they also want to go to the south to find a new life there.
There are down-and-out craftsmen, scholars who pursue knowledge, businessmen who seek business opportunities, and even mages from the old royal capital who are attracted to seek magic technology.
Some people are rich and live in luxurious upper-class cabins, some are poor and shabby, and they already have enough money to scrape together a ticket for lower-class cabins, and some people are on a mission and head to the south with the orders of a wealthy merchant or even a nobleman , Some people had no way out, left their hometowns and boarded this ship as if they were fleeing famine.
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 the river, carrying everyone's dream, to the legendary land.
The hum of the mechanical cabin came from behind the partition in the corridor, and the magic spar lamp powered by magic illuminated the corridor leading to the restaurant. A young man named Fendil was working on a rune device whose structure was exposed due to maintenance Slowing down his pace, he seemed to be curiously observing the automatic magic machine. Film's voice sounded from the side: "Unbelievable 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..."
"Of course, my friend, but it's time for you to talk about yourself. Why did you go to the south? Also to find opportunities?"
"Aha... I was reluctant when I left. I was forced to come here by a letter from my aunt..."
"Oh? It sounds like your aunt is a powerful person. A letter can drive you out of this stubborn guy."
"... 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 laughed loudly, his hearty laughter was like the rough mountains in the north, which caused Film who was beside him to laugh too.
A low siren sounded across the river, and on the chilly Gorgon River, the "Highlander" unfolded its wings like a proud swan, and the bow covered with steel plates split the water waves, full of passengers seeking opportunities and future They sailed south.
…
The crystal glass blocked the cold wind outside the window, and the fireplace was bubbling with warm firelight. The image projected by the magic net terminal was floating in mid-air. Victoria Wilde stood in front of the terminal, slightly bowing his head to the figure on the image: "Your Majesty, the third batch of craftsmen and young students sent to the south has already set off on the 'Highlander'. They all carry supporting documents and are accompanied by guides. They are expected to arrive at Panshi Port on Winter's Day."
Gawain in the holographic projection nodded: "Very good—by the way, your nephew is also on this ship, right?"
"... Yes, Fendil is also on board," Victoria's expression seemed to change a little, but in the end it was still a little indifferent, "I ordered him to study in the south, after all, as the future heir of the Wilder family, he You can never stand still.”
"Don't be too harsh on young people," Gawain laughed. "Apart from that, has the situation in San Sunil changed?"
"The situation here is good. The Office of Government Affairs is fully functioning. The operatives of the Military Intelligence Bureau left by Director Amber are active everywhere, 'resolving' a large number of unstable factors, and greatly promoting the reconstruction of order. If everything goes well, next spring There is no need for me to sit here in person.”
"Well, this is the best way, and you can return to the north as soon as possible to handle the affairs there personally - the stability of the northern border of the empire is very important."
Victoria bowed her head deeply: "Yes, Your Majesty."
Gawain nodded in the holographic projection, and then said: "By the way, Maggie is fine here. Rebecca and her have become good friends, so you don't have to worry."
"Thank you for taking care of her," Victoria said. Although her expression was as indifferent as ever, there was sincere gratitude in her eyes. "Maggie is my most trusted friend. I am very glad that she can also help you."
Gao Wen hummed, and then the atmosphere fell into a brief moment of stiffness and embarrassment.
When anyone talks to Victoria alone, the atmosphere is always bound to fall into a similar situation.
This Ice Duke is really not a person who is good at words. Even because she always has an indifferent expression, she often makes the atmosphere cold during the conversation.
She was used to this, but Gao Wen on the opposite side of the communication seemed a little uncomfortable.
Perhaps in order to find some topics to end the conversation smoothly, Gao Wen was silent for a while and then suddenly said: "You are not too old..."
Victoria's calm and indifferent expression froze instantly: "Huh?"
"Although there is Fendil, you don't have to worry about heirs, but don't you consider starting a family yourself?"
Victoria: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty?"
"You are only two years younger than Hetty. You two are so similar in some places. I persuaded Hetty a while ago that we should get married. Don't think I'm long-winded. I belong to Snow to some extent. My friend, I should take care of his descendants..."
"Your Majesty, don't talk about this matter at this time," Victoria showed a rare panic, "I will think about my own affairs, I will think about it!"
The magic net communication was hung up hastily by Victoria, who was opposite, Gawain sat behind the desk with a dazed expression.
Amber, who was standing next to her, couldn't help but rolled her eyes: "You're really old, how can you get married just by talking about the topic?"
"Isn't it wrong to talk about family affairs after finishing the business?" Gao Wen looked quite innocent, "And I just said it casually."
Amber curled her lips, as if she wanted to mutter something, but before she could speak, the office door was suddenly pushed open.
Hetty appeared at the door holding a large pile of documents, and walked towards Gawain.
Seeing the pile of documents in the opponent's hand, Gao Wen felt a dull pain in his forehead.
With the mentality that he couldn't let himself have a headache alone, he looked up at Hetty, and said casually: "Hetty, you are too old..."
Hetty was taken aback for a moment, and before she had time to talk about the business of the document, she felt a chill in the back of her head...
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