For most people, this night was a rare moment for them to relax.
Although the demons' floating city was still moving towards Hermes day and night, at least the king of the Kingdom of Dawn could not see it. Being far away from the frontline gave them a short period of peace, especially when they would have to rush to the battlefield again the next day and go their separate ways. This peace was even more precious.
When Andrea walked into the courtyard of the family mansion, Horford Quinn was already waiting for her at the door.
"Welcome home, daughter."
"Hmm …" Andrea nodded slightly. This was the first time she had returned to the family mansion after a year. She did not barge in but was welcomed by the servants. To be honest, she would have preferred to spend this time by Tilly's side. However, when she received his invitation, she felt a little touched and finally agreed to it.
He could have told her this directly after the meeting.
Perhaps … he was also afraid that she would refuse.
But when they met face to face, she did not know what to say.
After all, this was different from the last time they met. At that time, she came with a mission, but now it was just a slightly unfamiliar reunion.
"What … do you want to talk to me about?" Andrea asked as they walked along the corridor.
"A lot, such as what you experienced at the frontline, your companions, and Mr. Roland Wimbledon …"
"That's just a fool, there's nothing to talk about —" Andrea replied casually, and then realized that it was inappropriate. "Uh, I mean …"
"I can see that he's a tolerant king." Horford smiled. "Don't worry, I know you're not used to it. If it's just the two of us talking, I'm afraid it'll be a very difficult night, so I've made some preparations."
"Preparations?"
"You'll understand when you get in." He stopped at the door of the main hall.
Andrea opened the door doubtfully. Before she could see the situation in the room, a figure rushed towards her.
"I missed you so much, Sister Quinn!"
So that's why …
She was a little amused as she opened her arms and allowed him to hug her.
It was Belinda Luoxi.
There were two other people at the long table — Otto Luoxi and Oro Tokat. The latter two also seemed rather excited, and Otto even seemed to be at a loss.
This scene instantly made Andrea feel as if she had returned to more than ten years ago, when she had yet to awaken as a witch.
Belinda's incessant chatter and Oro's enthusiasm quickly dispelled the initial awkwardness. Father, who almost never laughed and chatted with his juniors, also sat down with them.
He really put in a lot of effort just to chat with me … Andrea suddenly realized that the little bit of hatred in her heart was almost gone.
"By the way, we'll go to Neverwinter after the war. We'll see each other often then." Belinda winked at her.
Andrea raised her eyebrows in surprise. "You mean …"
"The three of us, of course!"
"Yes, yes!" Oro nodded vigorously.
"Wait a minute … Otto and Oro are the family heirs, right? Will the two old earls of your family agree to leave the territory for a long time? "Andrea looked at Otto suspiciously. Could it be that this guy was secretly instigating them? Wouldn't that be too irresponsible?
"No … it's not what you think," Otto hurriedly waved his hands and stammered. "Although I hope so, that, that's only part of the reason … Anyway, anyway …"
"Let me explain it to you." Belinda patted her brother's shoulder sympathetically and then said to Andrea, "You rarely stay in the Kingdom of Dawn, so you don't know the recent changes. Nowadays, among the nobles in the big cities, especially in the City of Glow, there's a saying that if a family knows nothing about natural science, then it's doomed to decline. "
"Natural science? Could it be … "
"That's right." Belinda nodded with a smile. "At first, it was indeed the 'Natural Science Theoretical Basis' published in Neverwinter, but now it's divided into many subjects. Some people call it the New Sage Theory, while others think that alchemy and astrology are only part of it. But no matter what, there's indeed such a trend among the nobles. As long as it's a natural science book from Neverwinter, merchants will buy it at a high price. "
"Father was also affected, so when we brought up this idea, he didn't object too much. After all, self-study is not as good as professional guidance." She continued, "Moreover, several families have already taken the lead, and father probably doesn't want the Luoxi family to fall behind. So this is not an irresponsible way to do it! In my father's words, he can still hold on for a few more years. "
"They're just stimulated by airplanes and steel ships." Oro shrugged nonchalantly. "Of course, I'm all for it if they can let me travel."
"That's what I wanted to say." Otto took a breath and said, "Also, we're planning to hold a reading club."
"What's that?" Andrea asked curiously.
"There's so much to learn about natural science, and it's not enough for just the three of us." Belinda spread out her hands and said, "So we want to select some merchants and civilians with good qualifications and give them a chance to learn about natural science. If they perform well, they'll be accepted into the family. This is killing two birds with one stone. What do you think? "
Andrea didn't know how to answer for a moment.
She suddenly realized that whether it was her father or the others, they were all changing.
Witches, who were regarded as taboo in the past, and the evil Kingdom of Graycastle, which protected witches and removed the feudal power of the nobles, would never be a model that the upper class of the Kingdom of Dawn would be willing to follow. Also, it was against tradition to accept ordinary people into the family. But now, these once clear boundaries had begun to blur.
She couldn't help but look at her father, Horford Quinn.
Without a doubt, he must have played a part in this.
He was indeed working hard to make up for his mistakes.
What had happened could never be erased, but the subsequent changes could at least prevent it from repeating.
Is this what you want to express, father?
…
In the next few days, Graycastle and the Kingdom of Dawn launched a joint operation.
The nobles set up nearly a hundred reception points on the main roads in the northwest to provide food and shelter for the panicking refugees. The medical team of the First Army, under the protection of the God's Punishment Witches, treated the sick and wounded. Gentle and pleasant songs often rang out in the places where the refugees were the most concentrated. Even the most agitated people would quickly calm down when they heard such a voice.
The Church of Hermes also launched a tour under the leadership of the new Pope Isabella to comfort the refugees who were forced to evacuate their homes. Even after all the turmoil, the church still had a certain influence among the people. For them, apart from the people of Graycastle, only the church that served God had the ability to fight against the demons.
With the efforts of many parties, the panic was finally brought under control before it caused irreversible damage. Although the refugees could not return to their original towns for a period of time, the places that had not been affected were finally stabilized.
The First Army's air raid rehearsal was also ready at this moment.
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