Bersetia stared at the green on the horizon for a long time before she finally realized that it was a continuous canopy, or to be more precise, a little branch at the edge of the canopy, pointing high into the sky. From the air, it looked like a border at the end of the horizon.
The Silver Queen's eyes widened in astonishment.
"That's the Solin Colossus, a branch that extends out from the southern trunk." Gwen noticed Bersetia's gaze and smiled as he pointed to the holographic projection. "Actually, we are still very far away. The external monitor will magnify the distant image, and the aircraft will further slow down as we get closer to the Solin area."
"It's that big?!" Bersetia could not help but exclaim. "Bertilla, she … how big of an area does she cover?"
"The entire Sorin Castle, plus the entire Sorin Domain, was not that big in the beginning, but in the half a year after it emerged from the surface, the Sorin giant tree went through a very rapid expansion phase. It was not until the huge force of nature reached a balance within it that the expansion gradually stopped. In fact, Bertilla said that she could still grow, but she was worried that this would have an unpredictable impact on the ecological cycle of other areas of the Sanctum Flatlands, so she stopped at this state. "
"… I have seen the description of the Solin Colossus in the report from the north, but now it seems that the description in the written report is too conservative compared to the actual thing." Bersetia sighed softly as she shook her head. "I really can't imagine … how powerful the forces of nature are to be able to create such a miracle."
"The believers of the Finality of All Things had once replicated a 'god'. While it was incomplete, it was indeed created with genuine divinity, and the Solin Colossus came out of the 'hatchery' where they created the god. So you can think of it as a 'divine miracle'," Gwen said. "While the Finality of All Things had failed, but on the other hand, they did prove one thing: the power of god can be controlled by mortals, as long as the right method is used."
"Born from the hatchery of god …" Bersetia said softly. As the supreme priestess of the God of Nature, while she had deviated from the ancient faith, her knowledge in theology was still genuine. Gwen's description quickly reminded her of some records in the ancient classics. "So this tree symbolizes the 'reincarnation' described in the sacred scripture? This is the manifestation of myth? "
Gwen thought for a moment. "Some of our scholars also think so, but this matter lacks practical and reliable theoretical support other than a religious explanation, so it can't be used as a conclusion."
"Then … what does' he 'think of this matter?" Bersetia could not help but ask. "I mean …"
She was referring to the God of Nature, Amoun, but here, she did not say the name out loud.
Gwen understood and showed a strange look. "He suggested that we believe in science, and not blindly use religious symbols and myths …"
Bersetia was speechless.
"Ahem?"
"Do you realize that the atmosphere is a little awkward?"
Gwen coughed dryly and then changed the topic.
"The Solin Colossus is the last trace left by the Finality of All Things on this land?
Now all their technological achievements have been taken over by Cecil, and are being transformed into medical and biochemical products that are beneficial to the people?
But the other group of cultists hiding in the wasteland is a hidden danger. "
"Indeed." Bersetia's expression quickly changed.
Her tone became serious.
"After hearing your report, I've ordered the mages of the Stellaris Temple to once again check the tower logs of the various nodes of the Great Wall, especially the monitoring records of the energy flow in the wastelands. Although they did not find any concrete evidence of the cultists' activities, I'm certain that they are not."
But we did find some … suspicious traces that have not been found before.
"Specifically?
We found that in a few log records, there was a small area of energy enrichment and unnatural transfer in the wasteland. In other log records, we found that some of the Sentry Towers had communication resets and discontinuities in the unit of seconds. You know, when we first learned of the cultists' activities in the wasteland?
We have checked these parameters, but at that time, we only thought that the cultists were trying to steal the channel in the sentry tower system.
But now it seems … these clues may mean that they have been collecting the wandering magic power in the wasteland for a long time.
And they have some kind of technology to transform the chaotic magic power.
"Unfortunately, all of this information is very indirect.
We still lack the means to directly monitor the interior of the wasteland. The main function of the sentry tower is to maintain the operation of the barrier?
At the same time, it can't move?
If it was in the past, we would only have to worry about those mutants without intelligence. The sentry towers are more than enough to monitor them. But now, we have to deal with those cunning cultists, and those towers aren't enough. "
Gwen nodded slightly, and at the same time, his eyes swept across the cockpit. "In the past two years, we have also built a number of observation points and forward bases in the southern foot of the Gloom Mountains to enhance the monitoring of the Gondor wasteland. But the monitoring effect is very limited. Recently, we have been trying to find a breakthrough from the air, which may allow us to have a clearer grasp of the changes inside the Great Wall."
"The air?" Bersetia frowned slightly, and then she realized that the basis of this matter was the anti-gravity aircraft she was in. "You mean … using this magical device called the 'Dragon Calvary' to break into the Great Wall and conduct a direct investigation of the Gondor wasteland?"
"The 'Dragon Calvary' is just one model of the anti-gravity aircraft. There are many, many models. For example, the one we are in, its official model name should be 'Cloud Bottom'. This is a carrier aircraft dedicated to transporting personnel," Gwen explained first, and then nodded gently. "We are indeed trying to build a more efficient and safer aircraft to carry out a direct reconnaissance mission in the wasteland. After all, the premise of any successful military operation is to have a reliable means of reconnaissance. If we want to counterattack the wasteland, at least we have to know where we are going."
"I am afraid this is not easy." Bersetia frowned, apparently not very optimistic about this matter. "The aerial unit is indeed the best means of reconnaissance, but the fragility of the aircraft is its Achilles' heel. And inside the wasteland, the air environment has always been dangerous. The magic turbulence there is constant, and there is a large-scale energy release near the clouds at any time. The magic radiation from the Deep Blue Well has been reflected many times between the clouds and the ground, like a dense rain of blades, threatening everything in the air. To withstand such an environment, the efficiency of the conventional magic shield is very low, and although the heavy armor is reliable, there is no way to hang it on the aircraft that needs to fly flexibly. "
"Indeed, the air environment in the wasteland is very different from the outside world. Over there, strong enough protection is the prerequisite for survival," Gwen said, and suddenly asked, "Speaking of which, I am a little curious. With the protective power of the Stellaris Temple … can it fly safely over the Gondor wasteland?"
Bersetia was stunned for a moment, and said with uncertainty, "I have not thought about this problem … In theory, I think it is possible. The Stellaris Temple has a very high output and multi-layered magic shield, and it has a strong ancient alloy armor and an internal force field stabilizing device. If it is just flying over the Gondor wasteland, it should not be a problem. But this is just a theory. The Stellaris Temple is the national treasure of the Silver Empire. There is only one of it, and it cannot be rebuilt or repaired. I don't think anyone will use it to carry out reconnaissance missions in the wasteland … "
Speaking of this, she could not help but look at Gwen, and suddenly became a little wary. "Even if Uncle Gwen asked, it would not be possible."
"Ahem, of course I don't mean that. I am just making an analogy." Gwen quickly waved his hand, and then a thoughtful look appeared on his face. "But this means that the giant aerial fortress is useful in the unique environment of the wasteland …"
Bersetia did not seem to hear Gwen's words. Her attention seemed to have returned to the magic-based aircraft itself. The aircraft was steadily approaching the Thorin Tree, and the towering canopy in the distance had occupied a considerable area of the holographic projection. This flight had brought the Silver Queen a very novel experience, which was very different from the experience of flying and riding the giant eagle in the throne of the Stellaris Temple.
In the throne, she felt that she was connected to countless ancient machines. Her senses were stripped, coded, transferred, and transmitted back. It was as if she had become a part of the ancient aerial fortress. She could only watch the cold data quickly slide through her mind, and the machines whispered in a language that humans could not understand. She had almost no energy to feel the feeling of overlooking the land.
Riding the giant eagle was another experience. The giant eagle was connected to the mind of its master, and it was not as exhausting as riding in the Stellaris Temple. However, no matter how wide the back of the eagle was, it was not a comfortable seat. No matter how good the saddle was, riding the giant eagle was a laborious task. At the same time, the rider had to divert part of his mind to control the Breeze Shield to help him resist the airflow and temperature changes in the high altitude. The flying experience was getting worse.
The experience of riding the aircraft, which was called the 'Cloud Bottom', was the most satisfying since the first time she came into contact with the sky.
Is this thing for sale? It must be for sale. If it is proven to be of sufficient practical value in the southern part of the continent, maybe I can consider importing a batch. It is better than the limited usefulness of the giant eagle or the non-reproducible 'original elven technology'.
While thinking, she noticed the nervous look of her maid, Helene. She could not help but ask, "Helene, are you not feeling well?"
"No, I'm just a little … not used to it." Helene smiled awkwardly. While she tried to hide it, it seemed that her nervousness had caught the queen's attention. "After all, this is the first time I'm riding an anti-gravity aircraft called Cecil."
"You didn't have this reaction when you were working in the Stellaris Temple," Bersetia could not help but say. "Isn't that also an anti-gravity aircraft?"
"That's not the same," Helene immediately said. "The Stellaris Temple is a flying city. As long as you don't stand on the edge of its deck, the feeling of working and living in the inner area is no different from standing on flat ground. But here … it's buzzing everywhere."
As soon as her voice trailed off, there was a loud crash from below the aircraft. At the same time, there was a huge tremor. The high-ranking elf maid's expression changed drastically. She jumped up, but was immediately pulled back to her seat by the seat belt. "Ah! We've crashed?! "
Gwen's mouth twitched. He did not expect that Helene, who ran around with Bersetia 700 years ago to have a slight fear of heights. "… We've landed."
So how did this acrophobic fellow fly all the way from the Silver Empire to the Northern Continent with the entire elven delegation on the giant eagle? Did she knock herself out, tie herself to the back of the giant eagle, and then be carried by the other Giant Eagle Knight?
Helene was embarrassed. She turned to look at the Silver Queen, while Bersetia sighed helplessly. She looked at the holographic projection in front of the cockpit, only to find that the magic device had been shut down. The light barrier covering the cockpit was gradually dissipating, and bright sunlight shone in from the outside of the cockpit. The soft clicking sound of the mechanical lock opening could be heard from the edge of the cockpit.
Gwen unbuckled his seat belt and got up from the seat. "Let's go. Let's say hello to Bertilla."
Bersetia left the aircraft, but before she stepped on the ground, the first thing she did was to look up. But all she saw was a bright blue sky and sparse clouds. The tree canopy that she expected to cover the sky did not appear in front of her eyes.
"What are you looking for?"
Gwen's voice came from the side. Bersetia instinctively replied, "Where's the Great Tree of Solin?"
Gwen laughed. "Look down. You're on the tree canopy."
Bersetia was startled. She turned her attention to the ground below her. She saw a large landing platform with faint wood grain extending in her field of vision. Outside the platform was a wider green land. She had seen the green from the corner of her eye, but she did not realize that the extremely flat green was actually a pile of precisely grown, layered leaves. And further away, she saw the antenna devices, energy towers, research facilities, and many other things that she could not even guess the names of.
There was also a group of anti-air treant warriors armed with heavy magic cannons patrolling the edge of the green land.
The Silver Queen was startled for a moment before she gently took a breath. "… Shocking. This is no less a miracle than the Stellaris Temple."
"Thank you for the compliment." At this moment, a voice came from not far away, with a trace of hoarseness of the wooden structure rubbing against each other. "It took me a long time to grow this place."
Bersetia immediately looked in the direction of the voice. The next second, she saw a figure standing beside the aircraft. She had a feminine upper body, but a strange plant-like lower body. A large number of blooming vines extended behind her like a cloak, from her body to the layers of huge leaves in the distance. The vines wriggled gently under the sunlight, making a rustling sound.
Bersetia stopped. She looked at the vaguely familiar face and the strange, inhuman body.
All of this did not overlap with the Bertilla in her memory.
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