Arcanotech vehicles bearing the insignia of the Empire rolled over the frozen ground of the Extreme North that had yet to soften. The melody of the wheels and the engine broke the silence of the wilderness as vehicles loaded with personnel and resources drove along the Imperial Avenue, winding into a dark brown stream of iron on the recently renovated road.
The silhouettes of the mountains in the Northern Region became clearer and clearer on the horizon. The clear blue sky was like a curtain behind the mountains, shining brightly under the sunlight.
Byron looked through the window at the scenery that was completely different from the south. He looked at the snow-covered mountains. Duchess Victoria sat opposite him, as quiet as an ice sculpture.
Byron was ordered to go to the north to build the coastline of the Empire on the land in the far north of the continent. At the same time, he was to be the representative of the Empire to welcome the guests from the Duchy of Holy Dragon. Duchess Victoria had completed her report in the capital and was returning to the north. They were going the same way.
As the foreign scenery became clearer and clearer, Byron could not help but sigh. "I never thought that one day I would visit the northernmost part of the country — and as a general … Fate is really unpredictable."
Victoria, who was sitting opposite him, looked over. "I heard that you were a mercenary who traveled all over the world, General Byron."
"Traveled all over the world …" Byron smiled and shook his head. "At that time, dealing with thieves and wild beasts in the mountains and valleys around a town was considered a veteran. After going to two or three cities, one could say that he had traveled all over the world. A group of mercenaries bragged in a tavern could not surpass the railway line in Pebb- Cecil today. People at that time … sigh."
The mercenary Knight, who was nearly fifty years old and had experienced everything from the bottom of society to the top of the Empire, said with a hint of self-mockery. He could not help but reminisce. "But then again, I did meet a lot of interesting people during my ten years as a mercenary. I still remember that I led a very small mercenary group at that time. There was a swordswoman in the group, named Eliza or Illaina … She was like a man. She was a northerner. She said that her home was in a place called Cazaberg … For us at that time, it was almost another world. "
"It was Cazaberg," Victoria corrected. "It was near Winter Fort. It was not close to the south. How did your friend get there? "
"It was said that when she was young, she followed her parents to do business. Her family's caravan encountered bandits near Pompeii … Or maybe it was the Black Glove of the Lord. Her whole family died, leaving only her and an old servant. Later, the old servant also died. She then wandered to the south … That's probably what happened, but no one knows whether it's true or not. Mercenaries like to fabricate some bizarre background and experience for themselves. This is the capital to brag and show that they are 'unique.' But in fact, they are probably just rogues from a nearby village, and the sword in their hands was bought from a fallen veteran. "
Perhaps she had never heard of such stories from the 'bottom of society', or perhaps she was interested in the 'mercenary' profession that was gradually declining in the past two years and the story behind them. Victoria showed some curiosity. "Later you became a Knight. What about your companions? Did the swordswoman go back to the north? "
Byron was silent for a moment and shook his head. "No, and there was no chance to go back. For ordinary people twenty years ago, the north was too far away. "
Victoria looked at Byron with her crystal-like eyes for two seconds, then calmly looked away. She looked out of the window again, in the direction of the north, and said casually, "After spring, the north-south railway artery will be further accelerated. When the magic train runs in this wilderness, no corner of the empire will be far away."
"That's a good thing." Byron suddenly laughed. "After so long in the magic train, my bones are starting to hurt. Of course, I don't have a problem with the quality of the Empire Avenue. It's just that for a long journey, the train is obviously more stable and comfortable."
"The Gorgon River will not rise until the middle of the Month of Recovery, and the water route can only reach Saint Sunil at most," Victoria said slowly. "In fact, if the 'air route' conceived by His Majesty can be used earlier, it may be a better choice. The flying speed will definitely be faster than the train and ship."
"… I don't think I'm ready to embrace the sky," Byron thought for a moment and said a little awkwardly, "I've experienced the flight of the Gryphon … Unfortunately, I didn't leave behind any good experience, and those aircraft made of steel and crystal … I'm more worried than the Gryphon."
"But the sky will eventually become a part of the future battlefield, General Byron," Victoria said seriously. "Even on the old battlefield, mages with the ability to fly have turned the tide of the battle more than once. If it weren't for the limitations of technology and cost in the past, which country wouldn't want to control the blue sky?"
"Of course, of course, I understand," Byron said quickly with a helpless expression. He suddenly felt that the Grand Duchess of Victoria and Philip were a little similar. Both of them had serious personalities and the problem of suddenly being serious when joking. However, he could rely on his eloquence to deal with Philip, but he could not win against a top noble who had undergone formal logic education and eloquence training. At this time, he could only nod. "In fact, I've even considered whether the future ships can carry small dragoon flying machines on board to scout the sea from high altitude and find safe routes. But personally, flying is a little …"
"Carrying flying machines on board the ship?" Victoria did not care about what Byron said. Her eyes lit up, and her expressionless face showed obvious curiosity. "Is this your idea of building the 'Imperial Navy'? Is this your idea of the future seafaring ships? "
Byron froze for a moment and realized again that he must pay attention to his words when chatting with someone who could be serious at any time. He just randomly pulled a new technology into the conversation to avoid awkwardness. Why did the Grand Duchess in front of him take it seriously?
The future Marshal of the Imperial Navy subconsciously looked at the horizon outside the window.
It was still a few hours' drive away from the impregnable pass of the Northern Region.
Then … what should he make up next?
…
The cold wind carried the snow from the top of the mountain and whistled between the high gray walls of Dragonarrival Castle and the steep boulder cliffs between the rocks, as if covering everything with a layer of hazy curtain. In the whistling wind and snow, the layer of shield used to protect the city also became blurred, becoming an inconspicuous background color between the curtains.
Sir Golos Hickel raised his head and looked at the top of the mountain that was already hidden in the wind and snow. It was as if he could still feel the sight through the curtain of wind and snow. The sight seemed to be cast from the palace at the highest point of Dragonarrival Castle and fell on him.
The Earthly Dragon Beast under him shook its neck in annoyance. This unique beast of burden in the extreme north seemed to have sensed some of its master's worries. It began to rub its front hooves on the ground slightly, and from time to time, it would make vague growling sounds from its throat.
Although there was the root word "dragon" in its name, the "Earthly Dragon Beast" in the Duchy of Holy Dragon had nothing to do with "dragon". It was just a gentle herbivore that had been domesticated by the dragonborn. It was just that in this land ruled by the dragonborn, many animals and plants that had nothing to do with dragons would be given the root word "dragon".
This was a kind of bigotry that outsiders could not understand, but the dragonborn had long been used to it.
After a long time, Sir Golos turned his head back and glanced at the team behind him. He nodded to the red-haired woman who was also riding on the back of the Earthly Dragon Beast. "Lady Ashalena, let's go."
"We should have left long ago. We should have left many days ago." The red-haired woman called Lady Ashalena frowned and could not help but complain. "Those councilors and elders whose heads are stuffed with ice and stones … Their nervousness about the 'outside world' is simply laughable. I really don't know why even His Majesty Balogel would be affected by those guys. He actually ordered us to be on standby the day before the diplomatic mission's departure and waited for such a long time …"
Sir Golos glanced at the red-haired Ashalena. He knew that this Dragonmark Witch had always been outspoken, and the sudden postponement of the diplomatic mission was indeed not the usual style of the Dragonblood Archduke. However, he still said in a gentle tone, "His Majesty has his own considerations. It is not only us and the Grand Duke who maintain the operation of the Duchy of Holy Dragon, but also those councilors and elders whose heads are 'stuffed with ice and stones' as you said. Their opinions must be considered."
Ashalena listened to Sir Golos' words and shrugged indifferently. "In short, let those nervous and worried councilors continue to worry. Let's hope that the ice and stones in the mountains can effectively protect their hearts, livers, spleens, and kidneys that are fragile because of their concern for the country and the people. We will have the opportunity to see the outside world, and in the future, only we will be recorded in the annals of history, not them."
The corners of Sir Golos' mouth curled up slightly. Then, under his leadership, the entire team began to embark on the road to the south, gradually leaving the mountain where the Dragonarrival Castle was located.
Before they passed the last checkpoint at the foot of the mountain, Sir Golos could not help but look back at the snow-covered mountain peak for the last time.
Although he had comforted the Dragonmark Witch with words, the doubts in his heart were no less than the witch's.
Many days ago, the Duchy of Holy Dragon had made the decision to send a diplomatic mission to the Cecil Empire. The personnel and resources of the diplomatic mission had already been gathered, and he was ready to lead the team. However, the entire mission was suddenly suspended, and the entire team was inexplicably on standby until today.
For this reason, the Duchy of Holy Dragon had to specially send a letter to the Cecil Empire to explain the situation, adding an unnecessary link.
It was the Dragonblood Archduke who had ordered the diplomatic mission to be dispatched, and it was also the Dragonblood Archduke who had suddenly ordered the diplomatic mission to be on standby. As for the second order, the reason given by the Archduke was that he had considered the suggestions of the conservative members of the council, and that he needed to conduct more evaluation and consideration of this mission.
However, Sir Golos understood Balogel well. That Archduke would rarely change an order that had already been issued for such a reason. This would undoubtedly damage the authority of the Dragonblood Archduke, and would also cause many people to be suspicious.
Although this small influence was nothing to the Grand Duke, he wouldn't suddenly do such a meaningless thing if he didn't have a sufficient reason to do so.
Then … What was the reason for him to suddenly change his order?
Golos withdrew his gaze from the Dragonarrival Castle and suppressed all the doubts in his heart. His gaze once again turned to the south.
… …
The blazing brazier dispelled the biting cold of the Extreme North Mountains. Within the rough, stone-built palace, the Dragonblood Archduke Balogel left the balcony overlooking the foot of the mountains and walked alone to his magnificent yet lonely throne.
The entire throne room was empty.
All the courtiers had already left, and all the attendants and guards had been sent outside earlier. Everyone knew that the Dragonblood Archduke often liked to be alone in the hall. He needed a quiet environment to think things over. Everyone in the palace was used to this.
The silence lasted for a moment before Balogel gently exhaled. He curled his fingers and lightly tapped the armrest of his wide throne.
Amidst the crisp tapping, the entire hall's restriction was quietly activated, and an invisible barrier enveloped the entire space.
Balogel's steady and solemn voice broke the silence.
"Code AZ-689. Those who have left their homes calling Omega."
A pale golden communication interface quickly opened in front of the Dragonblood Archduke's throne, and an image of a vibrating ring appeared in front of Balogel.
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