The study was quiet for a moment as Gwen fell into deep thought behind the desk. The information that was suddenly presented to him had given him a certain amount of pressure, but on the other hand, it was not over yet.
It was completely out of his expectations.
From the day he knew that there was a group of Apocalypse cultists still active in the wastelands, he knew that he would have to face this problem one day. But compared to the sudden movement of the cultists, the information that Veronica revealed about the Deep Blue Well, the Ironmen, and the remaining base was even more unexpected.
All of this had strengthened his resolve to fight back against the wastelands. This was a goal that he had set in his heart not long after he woke up, and now there was another reason to work hard.
"Regardless of what the cultists are up to, their goal is definitely not for world peace, unity, and friendship." Gwen quietly broke the silence. "The more energy they steal from the Deep Blue Well, the more dangerous their plan is … We can't just sit back and watch."
"But they are deep in the wastelands," Veronica said quietly. "It is a vast land of corruption, and there are countless of mutants roaming around. Any perilous place outside the Great Wall is as peaceful as a garden compared to the Gondor wastelands. Those cultists are hiding in the tainted area, and that means they are almost absolutely safe."
Gwen did not say anything for a while and just leaned back as the wind beside his ears became louder.
Veronica was talking about the biggest problem at the moment — the vast wastelands. For the countries living in the cleansed zone, the wastelands were extremely dangerous. But for the cultists who had adapted to the wastelands environment through biochemical modification, the terrible magical pollution and wandering mutants were their natural barriers. Even if Gwen and Veronica knew where the cultists were hiding, they could do nothing about it. After all … seven hundred years had passed, and the countries around the Gondor wastelands were barely able to maintain their borders, and no one had really raised the flag to fight back against the wastelands.
However, just because it wasn't possible in the past didn't mean that it wasn't possible now, nor did it mean that it wouldn't be possible in the future.
Gwen curled his fingers and lightly tapped the armrest of his chair twice. His gaze landed on the wall not far away. On the wall that hung the map of the continent, there was now a new flag that symbolized the Community Alliance. That flag bathed in the afternoon sun, the silk fabric appeared to be glistening.
"I didn't mention this to you before because I didn't think the time was right?
Veronica's voice came from the side. "You have a bigger and more urgent crisis to face. Even if you spare a little bit of energy, there is a risk of the whole thing being overturned?
And even if I tell you about the Wasteland at that time?
You or your allies can't do anything about it?
But now … I think we have some spare time to consider the hidden dangers within Hongwei. "
Gwen couldn't help but look at her. She didn't sound like there was anything wrong with what she said.
But when he thought about it carefully, he realized that these judgments were only based on rigid data.
But they didn't take into account the variability of human beings. This way of judging things didn't seem to be in line with human thinking habits … Was this also the effect of too much time on her?
Veronica noticed his gaze. "Is there a problem?"
"No, no."
Gwen shook his head.
His eyes fell again on the Alliance flag not far away.
He said with a thoughtful expression.
"Until now?
We are still not ready to counterattack the Wasteland?
Whether from the perspective of technical reserves or manpower and material resources, this is not a problem that the Cecil Empire can solve alone at this time. But on the other hand … we have now established an alliance. Relying on it, we have the opportunity to mobilize unprecedented forces to do great things.
So … "
"So this is no longer an unreachable thing?"
Veronica said calmly.
"If all the countries on the continent can realize that the threat in the Wasteland is about to make a move?
Then even if we still can't reclaim the Wasteland, at least we can do something, even if it's to advance one kilometer to the Great Wall?
Even if it's to set up a few outposts at its border. "
Gwen pondered and said slowly, "I think your idea is too conservative. If a few of the more powerful countries are willing to work together to do this, then I'm afraid we can do more than this."
All kinds of thoughts surged in Gwen's mind. As he spoke, he sorted out the list of countries that might actively cooperate in this matter like a list in his mind. When the countries of the Alliance appeared in his mind one by one, he gradually realized how effective this force was. He also suddenly realized that the matter of "counterattacking the Wasteland" had unknowingly already had some kind of foundation.
Counterattacking the Wasteland was indeed difficult for Cecil to do by himself. But if Typhon and the Silver Empire were willing to actively contribute, and border countries like Ohglay and the Kingdom of High Mountain were also willing to actively cooperate, this matter … seemed to be not so far away.
But even so, it was not something that could be done overnight. Even if the conditions were now in place, a plan to counterattack the wasteland would need to be considered in the long run. After all, the mortal kingdoms had been away from that ancient, decaying land for too many years.
Gwen told Veronica his thoughts without reservation. In the end, he said, "I will send a message to Typhon and the Silver Empire as soon as possible. But no matter what, entering the Gondor Wasteland is not a simple matter. It will take a long time to prepare."
"I know." Veronica nodded. "But please do it as soon as possible. I have lost the clues of those cultists again. They are preparing an unknown plan in everyone's blind spot. Only by finding them as soon as possible can I truly be at ease."
Gwen did not say anything. He just sat behind the desk with a gloomy face and slowly nodded.
…
When the wind blew across the plains in the last week of the Month of Resurgence, all the golden Daiwei flowers in Longbranch Manor would bloom. These beautiful flowers with pale golden petals were actually not eye-catching in the plains, but they had always been the favorite of the Wendell family because of their tenacious vitality. They were planted on both sides of every road in the manor, from the high ground where the red windmill was located to the edge of the grove, and from the direction of the farm all the way to the main house designed by Bard Wendell. When the warm wind blew, a fragrance mixed with the smell of earth would waft out from the flowers and permeate all the roads and paths.
A magic car with the insignia of the Wendell Family drove through the wide and flat National Avenue and entered the main gate of Longbranch Manor through the cobblestone path. The servants were already waiting at the entrance of the manor, waiting for the owner who had been away for a long time. The car stopped in the open field, and the door opened. The tall, gray-haired Andesha Wendell finally stood on the land she was most familiar with.
The young Wolf General had already taken off her military uniform and was wearing a spring dress that looked more like an ordinary woman. The white dress, which was made of high-end materials but had a simple style, fluttered slightly in the wind. It slightly reduced her cold and stiff military aura, but it still could not be completely finished.
However, it completely covered up her neat and sharp temperament.
Andesha Wendell nodded in response to the servants who came to greet her. Her eyes swept across the familiar places in her line of sight. She saw the main road that led to the main house. Not far away, there was a mage tower standing on a small hill. Further away, she could see a lush orchard, a nursery, and a stable. A small river meandered from the direction of the forest and flowed towards the National Avenue.
This was her own manor, a small part of the land under her name. It was quite a distance away from the Imperial Capital. Many years ago, the owner of this manor was her father. After her father 'disappeared', this manor was quickly passed to her by her grandfather. To Andesha, this manor was a place where almost all of her good and bad memories from her childhood to her teenage years were frozen. Compared to her family's mansion in the Imperial Capital, this slightly remote manor was more like her 'home' in her memories.
Andesha took a light breath and gradually calmed her emotions. Perhaps it was because she had experienced too many unforeseen events, but when she returned to this familiar land, she found that her emotions were so complicated that even she could not understand them.
At this moment, the butler of the manor came forward and bowed in front of the mistress. "My lady, Duke Ferdinand is here. He is waiting for you in the hall on the first floor of the main house."
'Grandfather is already waiting for me here?'
Andesha blinked. There was not much surprise on her face. She nodded and gestured for the butler to dismiss the servants who had gathered here. At the same time, she walked steadily towards the main house not far away.
In the main house, the white-haired Duke Ferdinand Wendell was standing quietly in front of the northern wall. He raised his head and looked at the large portrait hanging high on the wall. According to the 'regulations' of most noble mansions in Typhon, this should be the portrait of the owner of this place, the 'formal portrait' that Andesha painted when she was an adult. But in reality, the portrait hanging here was still the one from more than ten years ago: the full-length portrait of Bard Wendell.
On the large painting, the young Bart Wendell was standing in the weapons showroom with an awe-inspiring aura. He was fully clad in armor and a cloak, with a sharp sword in front of him. His eyes were as sharp as a wolf's. Even though the owner of the painting was no longer around, some sort of spirit of the former Wolf General still seemed to be deeply imprinted in the painting. Under the pen of a renowned master in the Imperial Capital, this spirit even seeped out, causing everyone who looked at it to feel that awe-inspiring aura. However, when the white-haired Ferdinand stood there, he only revealed a gentle and nostalgic expression when he looked at the painting, just like any old father.
At this moment, the sound of the door opening and footsteps could be heard. Ferdinand turned around and saw Andesha Wendell standing at the door.
Sunlight shone into the hall from behind Andesha with a misty texture. The girl who had taken off her military uniform had a golden glow on her shoulders.
After a few seconds of relative silence, Grand Duke Ferdinand finally broke the silence softly, "Andesha, you're back."
"Yes, Grandfather." Andesha walked into the hall with an inexplicable sense of restraint and distance. "I'm back."
She looked at Duke Ferdinand. This old man who was incomparably powerful in her memories had aged a lot in just a few months. His hair was completely white. Even though the Wendell Family's gray hair was very close to white, Duke Ferdinand's hair was now all gone.
The gray texture had faded away, leaving only a pure white that was close to silver. His burly body was also slightly hunched. Even though he was still tall, he no longer needed her to look up at him.
Andesha's gaze went past her grandfather again, and saw the full-body portrait of her father on the wall behind him. That valiant soldier in military uniform touched her heart, and then some new memories surfaced in her mind. Another image seemed to appear in front of her eyes, and gradually overlapped with her father in the portrait.
He was slightly plump and wore a research institute's uniform. His beard and hair were not well groomed due to his obsession with research. He held a record board and could give her a hundred questions at any time. He was extremely good at snatching chicken drumsticks from his colleagues in the canteen, and when he came back, he would urge her to drink her medicine.
She folded it for a long time, but it was not done.
Andesha controlled the change in her expression at the last moment. In such a serious situation, and in front of her grandfather, she had to be careful.
Ferdinand, on the other hand, was done.
He did not know what Andesha had thought of at this moment, but he immediately noticed one of her eyes hidden under her bangs. That eye was blood-red, and was obviously different from a normal eyeball. "Andesha, your eye …"
"It was injured … in the bombing by Cecil's people." Andesha subconsciously touched the corner of her eye, and there was a hint of shame in her expression. "After their treatment, my eyesight recovered, but there were some changes to my eyeball. I took the initiative to leave this mark as a reminder to myself."
Ferdinand looked at Andesha, and sighed after a moment. "You … have suffered a lot."
This was probably the most gentle and caring words this' Iron Duke 'could say, right?
Andesha thought in her heart, and shook her head lightly. "The injuries on my body are not important. My performance in the battle of Winterwolf Fort … Did I disappoint you?"
Ferdinand did not say anything, and only looked at his granddaughter quietly. It was only when this gaze was about to turn into a physical pressure that he said, "Why should I be disappointed? Because you chose to surrender? Or because you did not manage to defend the fort? "
Andesha did not say a word.
"Andesha, you did not manage to defend Winterwolf Fort, and you are indeed the first Wolf General to surrender on the battlefield. But to the entire Typhon, you did not only defend Winterwolf Fort," Ferdinand said in a deep voice. "You made the right decision at the right time, and your mission was to protect the interests of the motherland. Did you do these two things?"
Andesha did not hesitate. "I did."
"That's good." Ferdinand finally smiled. "This is all I ask of you."
The old man opened his arms, and his arms were still as wide as Andesha remembered.
"Welcome home, Andesha."
… …
The cold sea breeze blew from the direction of the coastline, and there was a slightly salty smell in the wind. Melita Pânia landed on a large landing platform by the coast amidst the turbulence. When she saw that the camp not far away was still operating in an orderly manner, and her compatriots were still busy, she sighed softly.
She transformed into her human form and walked down the landing platform. Although it was called a landing platform, it was no different from the industrial products of the past that had sophisticated navigation systems, smart lights, and smart self-cleaning functions.
It was a completely different concept. It was just a wide and flat plateau outside the camp. The ground was drawn with magic conductive materials and deep incisions that could light up and assist in landing. A figure in a white dress was standing at the end of the slope not far away. When she saw Melita appear, the figure immediately went up to her.
"Welcome back!" Noretta happily welcomed her friend, and looked at Melita from head to toe. "Not bad. Looks like the long journey did not cause any problems with your injuries."
"It's just a round trip to the Loren Continent." Melita waved her hand nonchalantly. "It's not like I'm going to the Elemental World to fight someone."
As she spoke, she glanced in the direction of the camp and asked casually, "Is everything okay here?"
"As you can see, everything is developing in an orderly manner, and the camp is much bigger than when you left," Noretta said. "We now have more helpers. Agundor has successfully restarted two factories, and our logistics supply is becoming more stable. At least … the source and storage of basic materials are not as dangerous as before."
"That's good." Melita heaved a sigh of relief. "Is there any other good news?"
"As our 'ambassador', you should be the one to talk about the situation outside first," Noretta said with a smile. "But it doesn't matter. You can report it after you meet with President Andal. As for now, come home with me. I have prepared a surprise for you. "
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