The magic vehicle with the imperial emblem on it crushed the unsoftened permafrost in the extreme north. The melody played by the wheels and the engine broke the calm in the wilderness. Vehicles full of personnel and supplies drove along the Imperial Avenue , on this road that has just completed overall renovation, it winds into a dark brown iron stream.
The outline of the mountains in the north became more and more clear on the horizon, and the clear and high blue sky was like a curtain behind the mountains, shining brightly under the brilliance of the huge sun.
Through the window of the car, Byron looked at the scenery that was completely different from the southern region, looking at the snow-covered mountains, while the Duchess Victoria sat opposite him, as quiet as an ice sculpture.
Byron was ordered to go to the north to build the coastline of the empire on the land located in the extreme north of the continent. At the same time, as a representative of the empire, he went to welcome the guests from the Holy Dragon Principality, while the Duchess of Victoria completed the report in the imperial capital. They were also going back to the north, and the two happened to be on the same road.
The more and more clear scenery of a foreign land came into view, and Byron, a rough character, couldn't help but sigh: "I never thought that I would visit the northernmost part of this country one day—and I would still visit the northernmost part of this country as a general." Identity... destiny is really unpredictable."
Victoria, who was sitting opposite, heard the words and looked over: "I heard that you used to be a mercenary who traveled all over the world, General Byron."
"Traveling north and south..." Byron smiled and shook his head, "At that time, dealing with thieves and wild beasts in the mountains and valleys around a town was considered experienced, and one who had been to two or three cities could be called Traveling all over the world, a group of mercenaries bragged in the tavern and uttered the most outrageous big words, which can't surpass today's Pepper-Cecil railway line, people at that time... Hey."
The nearly fifty-year-old mercenary knight, who has experienced from the bottom of society to the top of the empire, said with a hint of self-mockery, but couldn't help but bring a trace of memory on his face: "But having said that, the mercenary I have met a lot of interesting guys in the past ten years. I still remember that I led a small mercenary group at that time, and there was a swordsman in the group, named Eliza or Elena... with the same personality as a man , she is a northerner, she said that her home is in a place called Kazaborough... For us at that time, it was almost another world far away.”
"It's Cazabury," Victoria corrected, "near Winterhold. It's not close to the southern border. How did your friend get to the south?"
"It is said that when I was young, I was doing business with my parents. The family's caravan encountered robbers near Pompeii...or it may have encountered the lord's black gloves. The whole family did not survive. Only she and an old servant were left. Later, the old servant She also died, and she drifted to the south... Maybe that's the case, but no one knows the truth. Mercenaries like to make up some bizarre backgrounds and experiences for themselves. But in fact, they are probably just scoundrels who escaped from a nearby village, and the sword in their hands was bought from some down-and-out veteran."
Perhaps it was because she had never heard of such a story from the "bottom", or because she had some interest in the profession of "mercenary", which has gradually declined in the past two years, and the stories behind them, Victoria actually showed a little curiosity : "You became a knight later, what about your companions back then? Has that female swordsman returned to the north?"
Byron was silent for a moment, then shook his head: "No, and there is no chance to go back. For ordinary people twenty years ago, the northern border was too far away."
Victoria looked at Byron with those ice-like eyes for two seconds, and then calmly withdrew her gaze. She looked out of the car window again, looking in the direction of the north, as if casually saying: "After spring, the speed of the north-south railway artery It will be further accelerated, and when the magic train runs across this wilderness, no corner of the empire will be far away."
"That's really a good thing," Byron suddenly laughed, "I've been shaking on the magic car for so long, my bones are starting to ache—Of course, I don't have a problem with the quality of the Empire Avenue, it's just a long-distance journey Obviously, the train is more stable and comfortable.”
"The Gorgon River will not rise until the middle of the month of recovery, and the waterway can only reach San Sunil at most," Victoria said unhurriedly, "In fact, if the 'air route' conceived by His Majesty can be realized as soon as possible If enabled, it might be a better choice: the speed of flight must be faster than trains and ships."
"... I don't think I'm ready to embrace the sky yet," Byron thought for a while, and said a little embarrassedly, "I have experienced the flight of a griffin... Unfortunately, I haven't left any good experience, and those who use steel And flying machines made of crystal...would worry me more than griffins."
"But the sky will eventually become a part of the future battlefield, General Byron," Victoria said seriously, "Even in the old-fashioned battlefield, mages with the ability to fly have shown the effect of turning the tide of the battle more than once. If it weren't for the past With technology and cost constraints, which country doesn’t want to control the blue sky?”
"Of course, of course, I understand the truth," Byron said quickly, with a rather helpless expression - he suddenly felt that the Grand Duchess Victoria and Philip seemed a bit similar, both of them had serious personalities and suddenly became more serious when joking. However, he can rely on eloquence to deal with Philip, but he can’t say that he is a top aristocrat who has received formal logic education and eloquence training. At this time, he can only nod, “In fact, I have even considered whether future ships can carry small The dragoon aircraft is used to scout sea conditions and find safe routes from high altitudes, but I personally have a little bit of flying... "
"Carrying an aircraft on a ship?" Victoria didn't pay attention to Byron's words, her eyes lit up, and her expressionless face showed obvious curiosity, "Is this your idea of building an 'Imperial Navy'? Is it your idea of future nautical ships?"
Byron was stunned for a moment, and once again realized that he must pay attention to his words when chatting with someone who may be serious at any time—he just pulled a new technology into the topic with a flick of his head to avoid embarrassment. Is the Grand Duchess really serious
The future admiral's eyes fluttered subconsciously, and he glanced at the horizon outside the car window.
It is still a few hours' drive from Xiongguan in the north.
So... what next
…
The lingering wind carried the snow from the top of the mountain, howling and whirling between the gray-white high walls of Longlin Fort and the steep boulder cliffs among the rocks, as if covering everything with a hazy veil. Between the whistling of the snow, the shield used to protect the city also became blurred, becoming an inconspicuous background color between the curtains.
Sir Golosh Hickel raised his head and looked at the top of the mountain that had been hidden in the wind and snow, as if he could still feel the sight that pierced the curtain of wind and snow, which was cast from the palace at the highest point of Dragon's Reach , seems to be falling on itself.
The earth dragon beast under the body shook its neck a little irritably. This unique pack animal in the extreme north seemed to have sensed some of its master's thoughts, and began to rub its front hooves on the ground in a small way, and from time to time issued a sound from its throat. Indistinct grunts.
Although there is a root of "dragon" in the name, the "earth dragon beasts" of the Holy Dragon Principality actually have nothing to do with "dragons". In the land ruled by dragonborn, many animals and plants that have nothing to do with dragons will be crowned with the root of "dragon".
This is a kind of paranoia that outsiders cannot understand, but the dragon descendants have long been used to it.
After a long time, Sir Golosh turned his head, glanced at the team following him, and nodded to the woman with red hair and shawl who was also riding on the back of the earth dragon beside him: "Ms. Azalena, Let's go."
"We should have set off a long time ago, many days ago," the red-haired woman called Ms. Azalena frowned, and couldn't help complaining, "Those councilors whose heads are filled with ice and stones And the elders... Their nervousness about the 'outside world' is simply ridiculous. I don't know why even His Majesty Balogar was influenced by those guys, and suddenly ordered us to stand by on the day before the mission's departure, and waited for so long…”
Sir Gorosh glanced at the red-haired Azalena. He knew that the Dragon Seal Witch was always outspoken, and the sudden delay of the mission's operation was indeed not like the previous style of the Dragon Blood Duke, but he He still said in a gentle tone: "Your Majesty has his own considerations. It is not only us and the Grand Duke who maintain the operation of the Principality of Shenglong, but also those councilors and elders who have 'heads full of ice and stones' in your mouth. Opinions must be considered."
Azalina shrugged her shoulders indifferently after listening to Sir Gorosh's words: "In short, let those congressmen who are full of nervousness and worries continue to worry, and hope that the ice, snow and stones in the mountains can effectively protect them. Concerned about the people and fragile hearts, livers, spleens, stomachs and kidneys—we will have the opportunity to witness the outside world, and it will definitely be us, not them, who will be recorded in the annals of history in the future."
The corner of Sir Gorosh's mouth turned up slightly, and then the whole team began to embark on the road to the south under his leadership, gradually leaving the high mountain where Dragon's Reach was located.
Before passing the last checkpoint at the foot of the mountain, Sir Gorosh couldn't help but look back at the snow-shrouded mountaintop for the last time.
Although he comforted the dragon seal witch with words, the doubts in his heart were actually no less than that of the witch.
As early as many days ago, the Holy Dragon Principality made the decision to send a mission to Cecil. Even the personnel and supplies of the mission had been assembled, and he was ready to lead the team. Suddenly ordered to suspend, the whole team has been on standby for no reason until today.
For this reason, the Holy Dragon Principality even had to send a letter to the Cecil Empire to explain the situation, adding unnecessary links.
It was the Grand Duke Dragon Blood who ordered the dispatch of the mission, and it was the Grand Duke Dragon Blood who suddenly ordered the mission to stand by. For the second order, the reason given by the Grand Duke was that it was necessary to take action on this visit in consideration of the suggestions of the conservative members of the parliament. Do more evaluation and consideration.
But Sir Golosh knew Balogar, and the Grand Duke rarely changed the orders that had been issued for such reasons—this would undoubtedly damage the authority of the Dragon Blood Grand Duke, and it would also make many people doubtful.
Although this small influence is nothing to the Grand Duke, if there is not enough reason, he will not suddenly do such a meaningless thing.
So... What was it that made him suddenly change his order
Gorosh withdrew his gaze from Longlinbao, suppressed all doubts in his heart, and turned his gaze to the south again.
…
The blazing brazier dispelled the cold air of the extreme northern mountains. In the palace with rough shape and piled with huge stones, Grand Duke Baloger left the terrace overlooking the foot of the mountain and walked back to his magnificent but lonely palace alone. on the throne.
The entire Throne Hall was empty.
All the courtiers have dispersed, and all the attendants and guards were sent outside by him earlier—everyone knows that the Grand Duke Dragon Blood often likes to be alone in the hall, and he needs a quiet environment to think Things, everyone in the palace is familiar with this.
The silence lasted for a moment, before Balogar exhaled lightly, and tapped lightly on the armrest of his large throne with curled fingers.
With the crisp knocking sound, the restriction of the entire hall was quietly activated, and an invisible barrier enveloped the entire space.
Balogar's steady and solemn voice broke the silence:
"Code az-689, Outlanders calling Omega."
The pale golden communication interface quickly opened in front of the throne of the Dragon Blood Grand Duke, and the image of a ring with trembling edges appeared in front of Baloger.