When the last statistical form was handed to Barov, the director heaved a sigh of relief and waved his hand at his subordinates. "You may leave."
"Yes."
The latter bowed respectfully and closed the office door when he left.
Only the old director was left in the room.
He opened the drawer and took out more than ten forms. He spread them on the table and stacked the latest one on top of them.
In this way, all the supplies His Majesty needed for the war were ready.
Barov gently stroked the papers as if he was caressing the tender and smooth skin of a young girl. The rows of numbers on them looked like complicated passwords to ordinary people, but to him, they were a beautiful movement.
In just a week and a half, Neverwinter had completed a large-scale logistical mobilization. Whether it was food or Golden Dragon, it was more than any previous expedition. Through the plans and statistical forms, he could see ships of wheat sailing along the inland river toward the Northern Region. He could also hear the pleasant sound of the sprinkled Golden Dragon colliding with each other.
He was intoxicated by this feeling and could not extricate himself.
If he had to give a name to this movement, "power" would undoubtedly be the most suitable.
And now, this power was lying in his hands, allowing him to play with it.
After three years of accumulation, the strength accumulated by Neverwinter had reached an incredible level — not only in terms of the army, but also in other aspects. When he was the assistant of the finance minister in the old king's city, he had a certain understanding of the financial situation of various places in Graycastle. Because of this, he understood how amazing Roland Wimbledon's achievements were.
The resources that flowed into Neverwinter now were probably on par with those of the other cities in Graycastle combined.
It was a pity that no one could share this joy with him.
Barov took off his monocle and glanced at the empty table opposite him.
The Pearl of the Northern Region was probably the only person in the entire City Hall who could understand these numbers and experience joy from them. Sometimes, he often felt that she was the same kind of person as he was.
But this regret disappeared in the blink of an eye. Compared to monopolizing power, there was nothing he could not give up.
He stood up and walked to the window. He took out a strange coin from his pocket and spread it flat on his palm. Under the light of the late spring sun, the "mountain" engraved on the surface of the coin sparkled.
This was the emblem of the Witch Cooperation Association that he had found in the western forest three years ago.
He had secretly kept it, originally thinking that when the church attacked the Western Region, it would be used as evidence that the Lord had colluded with witches in exchange for his own safety. But now, this emblem had become his lucky charm.
His Majesty, who protects the witches, is evil? Of course not. The evil ones were those who were defeated by His Majesty. They had no power, but they held high positions. This was the greatest crime. Even the devils of the Wildlands were not as hateful as them.
Fortunately, this situation would not last for long.
Although His Majesty's final decision to attack the Kingdom of Dawn would delay the arrival of the moment he had been looking forward to, he had already waited for more than 20 years. What was the harm in waiting for another year?
Graycastle should be managed by someone more competent.
When His Majesty unified the kingdom and ascended to the throne, he would also climb to the peak of power.
Barov stroked his beard and could not help but laugh.
*****
"That's all for today's test. Have you packed your luggage?" Agatha asked while sorting out the experimental materials. "Tomorrow is the day of departure. Don't forget anything."
"I don't have extra clothes, nor do I need to carry anything." Isabella shook her head and replied calmly. Life in Neverwinter was simpler than she had imagined. Except for repeatedly using the God's Stone to let the Ice Witch observe and record, she could spend the rest of her time as long as she did not leave the Foreign Affairs Building. There was neither harassment nor humiliation. The relationship between witches and Pure Witches was completely different. Sometimes she even felt that Agatha's attitude towards her was almost the same as that towards other witches.
"By the way," she added, "about last time... thank you for telling me."
"You mean the news from the church?" Agatha shrugged. "If it were me, I would also want to go back and have a look, whether it's to say goodbye or to end things. But let's not talk about that for now. You can't go on the road like this... it's my fault. I didn't notice that you've been wearing the same clothes. " She put down the notebook and walked to Isabella with a frown. She touched her sleeves and said, "It's all white here, and you're wearing winter clothes. When the weather gets hot, do you plan to suffocate inside?"
"That's nothing." Isabella wanted to say that she had undergone harsher training, but after thinking about it, she swallowed the second half of her words.
"This expedition is not a matter of one or two months. Let's not talk about whether you can wash your clothes every day on the road. Even your companions can't stand it." Agatha said decisively. "Since we still have time, I'll take you to the Convenience Market and pick some clothes that fit you."
She was slightly stunned by the words "companions". After a moment of silence, she said, "But... I don't have money."
She was a person who atoned for her sins, so she naturally did not get a monthly salary like the members of the Witch Union.
"As long as I have money," Agatha said indifferently. "Just take it as a loan."
"But I have to wait for five years..."
"Compared to the hundreds of years that Taquila has to wait, five years is a very short time, isn't it?" The Ice Witch interrupted. "I'm afraid that the Battle of Divine Will will not end so easily. You can't always be like this, unless you want it to be so." She reached out her hand. "So what are you hesitating about?"
Isabella did not answer. She suddenly felt that the sunset shining through the window was a little dazzling.
In the golden afterglow, Agatha's figure gradually disappeared, leaving only the hand that was reaching out.
She lowered her head and held the other's palm.
At that moment, the sunlight seemed to connect with her.
*****
"Is it really okay for me to go with you?" Anna asked while lying in Roland's arms, blinking her blue eyes.
He had been busy with the God's Punishment Witches for a while and had not enjoyed such a private moment for a long time. Because of this, even after a long time had passed, the two were still whispering to each other, as if they wanted to make up for what they had not said before.
"We've been preparing for so long. It doesn't matter if we take a break." Roland stroked her smooth back and said, "Besides, this expedition isn't just for fighting. Publicity is also very important. For example, we need to be familiar with everyone. It won't be good if we don't have an outstanding woman by our side when we attend banquets."
Anna responded softly and lowered her head in embarrassment. Under the bright moonlight, Roland saw a faint blush on her cheeks.
With her intelligence, she obviously understood the meaning of these words.
Appearing as the King's female companion on a formal occasion was in itself a statement.
"I once said that one day, all the subjects of Graycastle will know your name, even if you're a witch," he said seriously.
Anna did not ask questions such as "Will it be bad to do so?" or "What if everyone objects". Instead, after a moment of silence, she replied in the same serious tone, "Even if I'm a witch, I still want to be with you, no matter what happens in the future."
Roland raised the corner of his mouth. This answer was indeed her usual style.
"Well, then it's a deal."
...
The next day, the docks of Neverwinter were crowded with people. The cement boats carrying the First Army and war supplies formed a column and slowly left the Redwater River.
At the forefront of the fleet was the "Roland". At the top of this flagship, the flag of the Royal Family of Graycastle with a high tower and a long spear fluttered in the wind, attracting everyone's attention. Everyone in Neverwinter knew that when their lord returned again, he would become the only king of this land.
No one knew who shouted "Long live the King" first, and then the whole docks rang with the same cry.
It sounded like thunder rolling across the sky, or like a horn of departure —
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