The goods from the Cecil Empire were gradually flowing into many countries in the northern part of the continent. Even though it was winter now, the merchants were still fearless of the harsh winter and the dangers of the journey, driven by the high profits and the support of the imperial family. They brought those novel, interesting, or useful things to distant foreign countries.
In the lofty mountains of the far north, a grayish-white stone fortress was built on the top of a mountain. The cold wind whistled through the mountains, rolling up layers of snow and cold fog outside the fortress. Huge braziers burned fiercely everywhere in the fortress. The oil mixed with frostfire grass juice and glittering crystal dust gave the flames a blood-red luster. Even the howling cold wind could not extinguish them.
Invisible curtains shrouded this ancient "Dragon's Arrival Fortress", and together with the huge braziers, they resisted the howling cold wind outside. Inside the fortress, there were also huge braziers and fire pits burning fiercely in the spacious hall. A middle-aged man in a dark red cloak was sitting on a spacious chair, looking at the magic gears in front of him with great interest.
The light of the flames shone on the middle-aged man's face, casting a flickering luster on his determined face, short gray hair, high cheekbones, and nose bridge.
"Your Majesty, this is the magic terminal brought by the Cecil merchants. By inserting different boards, it can be used to release different simple spells. It is very convenient for self-defense and as a tool." A tall court official with a thick beard and a broad forehead stood beside the throne, introducing the items presented by the attendants. "In addition, this is the alchemy potion they sell. The effect is very ordinary, but the price is surprisingly cheap. In fact, according to our prices, the potion inside is even cheaper than the bottle itself …"
The middle-aged man with short gray hair, the current Dragonblood Archduke Balogel, who had ruled the Duchy of Holy Dragon for thousands of years, nodded. "I often hear news about this recently."
According to the tradition of the Duchy of Holy Dragon, although its head of state was a "duke," the subjects still had to use the title "Your Majesty" instead of "Your Highness" in the southern countries.
"Yes, Your Majesty." The court official bowed and said, "In the past six months, the number of merchants from the south has increased. The new 'Cecil Imperial Family' is very supportive of commercial activities, and the novelties brought by those merchants are very popular with the young people of the duchy — especially the self-operating machines and the crystal devices that can record images."
Balogel quietly looked at the magic terminal for a moment, and said slowly, "That's … interesting."
Standing on the other side of the throne, a court official with white hair and beard, wearing a white tweed robe could not help but say, "But recently the young people are too interested in the outside world. they are even talking about going to the south to 'see the world'. This does not seem to be a good phenomenon."
Balogel did not turn his head, and said casually, "Why is it not a good phenomenon?"
"Too much curiosity about the outside world will shake the will of the young generation. When the people of the duchy start to pursue the exotic things of the foreigners, it is easy to forget the admonition of the ancestors. The long exile has not ended, and rashly stepping out of the mountains is not a noble act …"
"The admonition of the ancestors only tells us not to go to the north — but not to the south," Balogel said lightly. "We were not interested in the kingdoms in the south in the past simply because they were old and weak, and not worth a look."
As he said, the Dragonblood Archduke shook his head with a playful smile on his face. "But now … there seems to be some wonderful changes in the south."
After a short pause, the ruler of the Duchy of Holy Dragon turned his eyes to the court official with white hair and beard. "As for the so-called 'noble act' … Sir Eugene, the so-called 'noble act' is determined by people."
Then he looked to the other side of the throne and nodded to the court official with a thick beard and a wide forehead. "Sir Golos, recently the Lord of Frost in the mountains in the south has sent two messengers to us to discuss the official opening of the trade route. Perhaps we should respond."
…
West of the Cecil Empire, Ten Forest City, Franklin Castle.
Gray Elf Wenna sat in the living room with a soft, thick carpet and decorative shields and rune curtains hanging on the wall. The light from the magic crystal lamp shone on the smooth round table, and the colorful glaze on the table gave off a psychedelic glow. She looked at Duke Bodwin Franklin in front of her with a faint smile on her face. "Our first cooperation in the new era has been very successful. The first batch of alchemy potions and samples of oriental cloth have been very popular in the plains and hills. The King of the Gray Elves has ordered me to present a gift to His Majesty Gwen Cecil to show our friendship."
The lady, who was as petite as a human child but was actually the leader of a large gray elf tribe, said as she gestured to the attendant beside her. The attendant immediately stepped forward and placed an exquisitely decorated small box of about one square foot on the table in front of Bodwin.
A faint light of runes flashed, and the magic gears of the small box were removed. After the lid was opened, a crystal ball about the size of a fist lay quietly on the velvet cushion.
"This is a crystal ball of high clarity from the Ancestral Peak. As you know, the crystals produced by the Ancestral Peak are of the best quality in the whole continent. This crystal ball was personally carved and polished by the dwarven craftsman, Mackintosh Graymountain, and blessed by the Fairy Queen. May the friendship between the two kingdoms be as pure and flawless as this crystal ball. "
"I will pass this precious gift to His Majesty," Duke Franklin nodded and ordered the attendant to keep the gift. "When the roads are cleared in spring, we will establish permanent embassies and send ambassadors to each other. I will definitely invite you to our imperial capital. You will definitely like the prosperous business atmosphere there."
"I look forward to it." Wenna smiled and nodded gently. Then she asked, "Also, our king wants to confirm one thing. When will the second batch of textiles and alchemy potions be supplied? In the plains, there is a huge shortage of these two goods. "
"We can supply alchemy potions in large quantities at any time. The alchemy factories have been built in the Western Region. As for the textiles from Typhon …" Baldwin Franklin scratched his chin a little awkwardly. "As you know, it will take a long time to transport them. The last batch of samples was transported from the East to the West through the Whitewater River and the land caravan. But now, most of the river transportation in the Whitewater River has been temporarily suspended due to the change of seasons. As for the railway needed for the magic train … it will not be completed this year.
"Of course, even so, we can still supply a small amount of textiles. This will at least solve part of the shortage."
"The supply of alchemy potions will solve half of the problem," Wenna said with a smile. "As for the textiles … we understand your difficulties. It is extremely difficult to transport large quantities of goods from the East to the West."
At this point, the leader of the gray elves suddenly paused and changed the topic naturally. "Also, since you mentioned the 'magic train' just now, I have heard this strange term a few times recently. Can you tell me more about it?"
The corner of Bai Dewen's mouth curled up slightly. He gently rubbed his fingers and leaned forward. "Oh? You are interested in it? "
"To be able to transport a large amount of goods across the empire at a very low cost, I don't think any sane businessman would not be interested in it," Wenna said in a soft and mature voice. "I'm not the only one who's interested in it. Even our King of the Gray Elves and several other kings are interested in it."
"Ah, then I will introduce it to you in detail." Bai Dewen's face was full of smiles. He waved to the shelf next to him, and the exquisite model of the magic train flew smoothly into his hand. "First, let's start with the concept of the 'magic-powered vehicle' …"
…
The misty moon was getting deeper, and the year was coming to an end. In this special year, the young and ancient country had experienced too many things and too many changes.
This year, many people and things were destined to be recorded in history, becoming a pivotal period in the vast human civilization. This year, many new things were destined to be born in this world, changing people's lives. Many old things were quietly eliminated and began to gradually disappear from their original stage.
After a day of training, Jinna walked slowly on the back ramp of the Windsummoner's camp. The wind from the forest blew past her. It was not strong, but it was surprisingly cold.
She recalled today's special flying experience in her mind. She felt that she was quite excited for a short time.
Today, she finally got out of the stage of ground simulation and familiarizing herself with the mechanical operation. For the first time, with the help of the auxiliary trainer, she flew into the blue sky in the magical machine called 'Dragon Calvary'. Although it was only a short hour of aerial training, the experience was very different from riding a griffin. It left a deep impression on her.
It was steadier, faster, and more agile. The lifeless steel and crystal made the flying machine as delicate as a bird. Jinna and another trainee sat in the cockpit of the Dragon Calvary, which could seat three people. Under the guidance of the trainer, they swept across the sky above the northern foot of the Gloom Mountain Range. The vibration caused by the airflow was transmitted to her hand through the joystick. It reminded her of the reins of a griffin, but it felt very different.
Two loud screeches came from nearby, interrupting the thoughts of the new commander of the Dragon Calvary. She looked up and found that she had come to the southern end of the Windsummoner's camp. She had come to a special place.
Several large wooden nests were placed under a row of wooden sheds. There were railings around the nests that were thicker than an adult's thigh. The unique smell of large birds wafted into her nostrils. She saw huge wings and sharp beaks flashing through the railings.
She had unknowingly walked to the vicinity of the griffin's nest.
The Windsummoner's camp was a training facility for Dragon Calvary pilots. It was more or less one of the most advanced facilities in the Empire. The old-style griffin's nest was somewhat out of place here. But from a practical point of view, it was actually normal. After all, the new magic aircrafts had just been invented. Apart from a few trainees from the research and development unit, even the first batch of pilots had just begun their training. Before this, there was not a single flying aircraft in the training facility. Under such circumstances, the fast transportation mission between the camp and the Imperial Capital was naturally done by old-style flying units.
Therefore, the Windsummoner's camp, which was a training facility for advanced aircrafts, had always maintained an old-style griffin squad.
However, it wouldn't be long before these Gryphons would be dismissed …
Jinna suddenly felt a little emotional. She could not help but come to a familiar nest.
Almost instantly, a huge figure stood up in the nest. Then, a head with a sharp beak and white feathers appeared in front of her.
"Hey, old friend."
The female Knight reached out and gently brushed the feathers around her old friend's neck.
The griffin let out a loud cry.
Jinna could not help but laugh. "You're still so energetic."
"Actually, it's cursing." A voice suddenly came from the side. "And it's quite unpleasant."
Jinna turned her head in surprise and saw the blonde elven instructor coming from not far away.
Beside the elven instructor was a silent lady with long black hair.
The black-haired lady was the assistant trainer who led Jinna to complete the training today. She was one of the technical experts sent by the Institute of Magic Engineering.
Jinna immediately stood up straight and gave a standard and neat military salute. "Instructor Sonia, Madam Maggie."
Sonia responded to Jinna's salute first and then waved her hand. "You can relax now. Today's training is over."
Jinna exhaled, and the griffin next to her let out a loud cry again.
Sonia glared at the huge bird that made the noise. "Vulgar language!"
The griffin raised its head, and there was a hint of pride on its face that was covered with feathers.
Jinna was speechless.
(Oh my god!!!!
Speaking of which, I'm running out of manuscripts … but I should be able to fight for it tomorrow …)
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