While Phil was in a trance, Victoria was also carefully sizing up this young man with blond hair who seemed to be about the same age as her nephew.
He was so young, but he had created such an incredible thing as the "magic movie".
It was not a technological innovation, but an innovation on the level of thinking. The Duchess could not help but sigh: in the face of these new things, it was indeed the young people who were truly creative. Compared to the previous generation, they could integrate into this new era faster.
Although she herself was not that old, she was still an elder. At the same time, she had honed herself in the upper noble circle for so many years. Sometimes she felt that her mentality was no longer young.
If this Firm's character was trustworthy … it was not a bad thing for Fendill to find such a friend. As for the difference in status … since the old ancestor said that he wanted to change the ancestral system, it was better to follow the general trend.
Victoria's complex thoughts flashed through her mind, but her expression did not change. In the eyes of outsiders, she was still the cold-faced Duchess. She just nodded to Phil and said, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Phil."
"I... I'm also very happy and honored." Phil hurriedly lowered his head and said, "I often hear Fendill mention you."
"Oh?" Victoria's tone had a hint of curiosity. "How did he mention me?"
"He said you..." Phil subconsciously wanted to say something, but before he could say a few words, he noticed that Fendill gave him a look that said, "You and I were friends, and there was no conflict between us. Today, we are even partners. It's just the auntie's power." Phil immediately changed his words and said, "He said you are full of dignity. Although you are strict, you are also respectable, and you are the Ice Duke respected by the mountains in the Northern Region."
"This is not something he would say, but I still appreciate your compliment." Victoria nodded and then turned to Gwen. "Your Majesty, I'm sorry for wasting your time."
"No, I'm happy to see my subjects happy and harmonious." Gwen euphemistically expressed his pleasure with a smile on his face. "Besides, since you're here today, we can talk about something."
As he spoke, he stood up and nodded at Firm and the rest who still had their heads lowered. "I'll leave this place to you youngsters. The next few screenings are equally important. I wish you all the best."
Several voices sounded at the same time, "Yes, Your Majesty!"
…
After leaving the theater that was temporarily renovated to show the magic movie, Gawain and Victoria boarded the magic car that was waiting at the back door of the theater. The rest of the people that Victoria brought were also arranged to board the other cars.
Outside the car window, the streets of the Imperial Capital continued to recede. Between the half-classical and half-modern buildings of different heights, citizens in warm winter clothes and children running and playing could be seen everywhere. Decorative flags and curtains fluttered in the wind.
"I heard that you took the train from Monolith City?" In the back seat of the magic car, Gwen glanced at the "Snow Duke" sitting opposite him and said casually.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Victoria nodded slightly. "It's a personal whim. I want to experience the feeling of riding a train and see with my own eyes how the train and the entire railway system behind it work."
"How was it?"
"I did see the operation of the train, but it doesn't seem to be that easy to understand the railway system," Victoria said frankly. "This is a complicated and huge system that requires many people to participate. It's not like spells that can be mastered by one's perception and talent."
Gwen looked at the Snow Duke talking about what she saw and felt with a poker face and could not help but show a satisfied and gratified smile on his face.
This former ruler of the Dukedom of the Northern Territory was concerned about the specific operation of the magic train and the railway system and even took the initiative to experience it herself. This was gratifying.
Because the northern region also had plans to build railways, the magic train was a new thing, and sooner or later, it would spread throughout the entire empire.
As a traditional old noble and orthodox mage, the fact that Victoria could put aside the constraints of her identity and old habits and actively and seriously want to come into contact with new things was commendable in itself.
While thinking about it, Gwen casually asked, "Tell me about the situation in Saint Sunil and the construction of the main hub of the magic net in the central and northern regions."
"The situation in Saint Sunil is completely under control, and the government office is managing the city's operations. The purification and reconstruction of the small plains in the southeast of Saint Sunil have also reached the expected goal. The nearby refugees have been accommodated in the city or evacuated to nearby towns. The food from the Western Region has also been delivered, and at least no one will starve to death this winter," Victoria said clearly. "The nobles left in the Captical have all been 'reorganized', and each family has sent a certain number of direct or collateral members to be included in the immigration list. Speaking of which, due to the closure of the Gorgon River, all kinds of immigrants to the south can now only go through the land route of the Holy Spirit Plains. The speed is slow, and the cost is high. I am preparing to apply for some of the construction teams to be stationed in the reconstruction area of the Holy Spirit Plains to assist in the reconstruction area while waiting for the warm spring to thaw … "
Gwen nodded. "Your considerations make sense. After that, prepare the relevant documents. I will take a look at them. If there are no problems, let's do it. "
"Thank you for your understanding," Victoria continued. "Also, you mentioned the main hub of the magic net in the central and northern regions … The progress in this area is still stagnant, mainly in the northern region. The mountainous region itself is difficult to construct, and the mountains are frozen in winter, so it is even more difficult for large equipment to enter the mountains. We can only complete the construction of the nodes within the city limits first. As for connecting the network … we will have to wait until summer or autumn at least."
Gwen had roughly understood the situation in this area from Heti, so he was not too surprised. However, after Victoria completed the basic report, she immediately mentioned a detail that had not been mentioned in the previous report. "Also … Your Majesty, some strange situations occurred during the construction of the magic net in Winter Fort Academy. Although the cause is still under investigation, I feel that I should inform you first."
"Strange situations?" Gwen frowned. "What happened?"
"After the completion of the magic net in Winter Fort Academy, on the night that the magic obelisk in the center of the city was connected to the magic net, all the magic net terminals that were operating let out a strange howl that lasted for more than ten seconds. Furthermore, the terminals that were turned on at that time projected a large number of strange symbols and shaking shadows that could not be recognized. Be it the howl or the projected symbols and shadows, no one could recognize them."
This sounded like some kind of urban horror story, and Gwen frowned subconsciously. "It was not a malfunction of the equipment?"
Victoria shook her head. "No, the technicians have checked many times, including several experts sent from the capital to the Northern Region. I also specially returned to Winter Fort Academy from Sunil Saint Sunil in advance to confirm that the magic net was not attacked or contaminated by high-level magic."
All kinds of guesses and hypotheses appeared in Gwen's mind, but they all lacked strong theoretical support. He frowned and thought about what could have caused such a strange phenomenon while looking into Victoria's eyes. "Do you have any ideas?"
"I'm just guessing. Perhaps the Extreme Northern Mountains are close to the edge of the continent and were disturbed by the magic waves of the Endless Sea to a certain extent. The magic environment there is different from the inland areas, so there was unexpected interference in the magic net. It could also be the interference from Winter Fort Academy itself …"
At this point, Victoria added, "Winter Fort Academy itself is not just a castle but also a huge magic fortress. Or rather … it's the 'mage tower' of the family's ancestor, Snow Werde. The ancestor used magic power to reshape the mountain peak and turned part of the peak into the foundation of Winter Fort Academy. He also set up a very powerful magic well in the depths of the castle and collected all kinds of powerful and strange magic items. After that, the Werde family continued to build castles on this foundation and collected extraordinary items … Now, Winter Fort Academy has become the most powerful source of magic interference in the northern region. Although the castle itself has a certain level of shielding and protection, there is no guarantee that these interference will not affect the operation of the magic net in the city below the mountain."
Listening to Victoria's explanation, Gwen could not help but rub his forehead, and all kinds of memories surfaced. "Snow … Back then, we said that he was a relative of the hamster. He liked to collect everything, and Charlie said that he would die in his dangerous collection sooner or later."
Victoria's expression did not change, but she was a little nervous as she listened to Gwen reveal the secrets of the founding ancestor. She could not help but say in her heart —
If His Majesty Gwen did not open the coffin and rise, her ancestor, Zusno Werde, would be the one who lived the longest among the four founding dukes and the founding emperor …
But she could not say that out loud. It would be too disrespectful.
Gawain couldn't guess what was going on in Victoria's mind. While he was lamenting, he was also thinking —
The strange phenomenon that Victoria mentioned could not be brushed aside as a 'mysterious malfunction' or a 'horror story'!
The magic net was a new thing. Even if it had been running for years, its various characteristics had yet to be explored, and various improvements and optimizations had yet to be carried out. As the foundation of the arcanotech industry, any abnormality that it exposed had to be treated with caution, and even if that was not considered …
In this world where all kinds of supernatural powers, mysterious phenomena, and strange things existed, it was necessary to be vigilant in the face of anything that was strange and had a wide range of influence!
Was it as Victoria said, that some external interference was affecting the magic net of Winter Fort Academy? Or … was something trying to pollute the magic net?
Would this influence affect the magic net in other regions?
If that was the case, the consequences would be unimaginable!
Noticing that Gwen's expression had suddenly become unusually serious, Victoria could not help but ask after a few seconds of silence, "Your Majesty, what have you thought of?"
Gwen was startled out of his thoughts, and his mind could not help but recall some of the bold plans that Rebecca had proposed a long time ago …
"Perhaps … some of the key nodes of the magic net should have a physical self-destruct function …"
Victoria was startled by Gwen's last few words. "Huh?"
"Don't worry about it for now. It's a technical problem at the beginning of the design of the magic net." Gwen waved his hand and put aside the thought in his mind. He was going to discuss the details with the technicians. "Anyway, the 'strange phenomenon' that you mentioned is very important. You have to investigate it when you get back. Even if you can't find the cause, you have to keep an eye on the magic net's operation and confirm if there are any other anomalies.
Victoria lowered her head. "I understand."
Gwen exhaled and moved on to the next topic. "Apart from that, is there anything else in the north?"
"Yes." Victoria nodded and then mentioned one of the reasons why she had come to the imperial capital to report. "We have successfully opened the 'door' of the Duchy of Holy Dragon. The Dragonblood Archduke, Balogel Knarr, has agreed to establish diplomatic relations with the Empire and entrusted me to personally deliver the letter of credence to you and convey his wishes. Before spring, the Duchy of Holy Dragon will send an official diplomatic group to make preparations for the stationing of a long-term ambassador, the establishment of an embassy, the dispatch of students, and the opening of a business portal."
Gwen was stunned for a moment before he did not hide his surprise. "Ha! This is really good news! We have actually opened the most difficult door in the north! This way, the situation will be even more advantageous to us! "
"That's right. After opening this door, the Duchy of Holy Dragon will be more inclined towards the Cecil settlement area." Victoria, who was usually expressionless, could not help but smile. "After all, the Duchy of Holy Dragon is not only close to Cecil, it is also very close to Typhon. All these years, Typhon has also been trying to establish exchanges with the Duchy of Holy Dragon. This has always been worrying. Now … our worries can be lessened."
"We can't be blindly optimistic. We have only opened the door and not pulled the Duchy of Holy Dragon into the Cecil settlement area. They can still be allies with the people of Typhon." Gwen said with a smile. "Besides, I'm very curious. What exactly moved those stubborn 'dragon descendants' of the Duchy of Holy Dragon?"
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