Chapter 724 Going to the South

Winter is approaching, the temperature is dropping day by day, the lush vegetation on both sides of the Gorgon River has shown a bleak, the roads on the bank are getting less and less pedestrians, and only large-scale caravans occasionally appear on the river bank-basically all appear. on the West Bank.

The plains on the east coast are still barren, and the wounds of war are far from healed in that burned-out land.

A low whistle resounded across the river, the steel-covered bow split the water waves, and headed forward on the Gorgon River, leaving the sluggish old-fashioned cargo ship far behind. A proud swan was sailing on the water, and the magic wing behind the ship's side was raised high in the cold wind, casting a little bit of light.

A blond young man in a dark blue woolen coat stood by the side of the ship, looking out at the still barren and dilapidated east bank of the Gorgon River, his eyes were deep and slightly melancholy, and a cold wind from the north caught up with this new ship. The mechanical boat made the young man couldn't help but tighten his collar, turned around and returned to his cabin.

A warm breath came upon him.

The furnishings in the cabin are simple, but clean and comfortable, and there is a small desk by the window on which ink, paper, and pens are placed.

The young man came to the table, sat quietly for a while, then took a letter from the side, picked up a dipping pen, and with a calm and indifferent expression, wrote a paragraph on the paper to send to the distance:

"My dear mountain flower—

"The farther I leave my hometown, the more I miss you. This long journey is really the first experience in my life. I never thought that I could leave my hometown and come to such a far place...

"...Although there are occasional loneliness, this journey is still interesting. I have seen many people and things. Only after I have broadened my horizons can I realize the shallowness of my previous life. Many things in the distance cannot be read from books. Learning, as my father said in his early years, a truly outstanding playwright should have an unforgettable journey in order to free himself from those rotten piles of paper and truly grow up - but it is a little helpless to say, my father is actually I don't support this trip...

"You know, he's a cautious guy, and he's gotten more cautious in recent years as he gets older...

"You don't like hearing me say this, so I'll tell you what I saw on the journey.

"It's really a novel experience to ride the 'Magic Mechanical Ship'. It's hard to imagine how the mages and craftsmen in the South made this kind of creation. It is a huge magical device, and many of us live day and night. In the belly of this huge magical device, sailing with it all the way, if you have the chance, you should try it... Although the ticket is expensive,

But I think it's worth the money.

"...The east bank of the Gorgon River is the battlefield. When I saw it, my inspiration and thoughts kept coming up. What kind of a thrilling and great war would that be? Brave warriors Fighting the tide of monsters, knights, soldiers, and mages on the scorched plains, every day they hold their ground is perhaps more moving than any old knight tale...

"...In the lower class cabin below me, is a family from Saint-Sunil. They exchanged almost half of their belongings for a ticket to the southern border. In the words of the host, they wanted to 'Go to the south and try your luck'. There seem to be many people on this ship. The capital of the empire is set in the south, which attracts many people to seek a way of life in the south. These people will discuss the future when they come out to breathe, some Sometimes we also discuss our livelihood in our hometown. Most people live in the cheapest lower class, and some live in the middle class like me, but we are all looking for new opportunities...

"Honey, you can't imagine what it's like, I know, I know it's not as romantic and exciting as the knights describe it, but I'm in it, and I feel an emotion I've never seen before, So many people, hoping to travel to an unfamiliar land - many people say that the war has disrupted the ancient and solemn order of the kingdom and made everything messed up, but I feel that something new is waiting ahead following us.

"I don't know if you understand, it's... as fresh as the river wind I blew on the side of my boat today, cold but refreshing.

"Isn't what happened on the ship more suitable for the 'stage' I imagined than the story of the knight and the princess?

"Love you forever and miss you—Film."

With a smile on the young man's face, he carefully wrote the last punctuation, and then carefully folded the letterhead and put it away close to his body-the next time the ship docked, he could hand the letter to the crew who was in charge of this matter, And by the crew to the shore, the price of a silver coin, the letter can be properly sent to the north. Of course, if you are short on money, you can also choose a "cheap letter" of ten copper coins, but it is said that it may be lost, and he will not choose it.

There were footsteps from outside the cabin, followed by a knock on the door. Philm got up to open the door. A young man wearing a gold and blue silk coat, short silver hair, and a bright and sunny smile stood outside the door.

This is the partner he met on the journey, a northerner named Fendil, a cheerful and friendly friend, and an excellent upbringing. Film did not know where the other party came from, but on this ship heading to the south On the boat, the two walked together and got along very happily.

"Hi, friend," the silver-haired young man said with a smile, "it's almost lunchtime—would you like to go to the restaurant together?"

"Quite happy," Philm also laughed, closing the door as he walked out of the cabin, "I'm starving."

The two young men chatted and laughed all the way. They walked through the open deck, through the closed corridor, and through one after another traveling companions who took this mechanical ship to the south.

A tall, unsmiling man walked past them. It was a pharmacist from the north, holding a certificate from the Craftsmen Association, and an employment contract from a factory in the south. Although his face was serious, he was generous. nice guy.

An old couple from Brentard, west of Saint-Sunil, were said to be clockmakers, walking down the hallway.

A few young men and women were coming up the front stairs, dressed in burlap, looking cautious as they came up, but light-eyed as they talked to each other, they had come from Saint-Sunil and lived in the lower class below. In the cabin, with the travel expenses collected by the family and a little thought from the family, and with the "recommendation letter for study" issued by Grand Duchess Victoria, they also want to go to the south to find a new life there.

There are down-to-earth craftsmen, scholars who seek knowledge, businessmen who seek business opportunities, and even old Wangdu masters who are admiringly looking for magic technology.

Some people are rich and live in luxurious upper class cabins, some people are poor and shabby, and they are already stretched out of a ticket for lower class cabins. , Some people have nowhere to go, and they leave their hometowns and take this ship as if they are fleeing from the famine.

And this mechanical ship that implements the "Cecil Order" is like a miniature city floating on the Gorgon River, accommodating everyone in its huge belly made of steel and wood. Sailing on the river, with everyone's dreams, to the legendary land.

The hum of the mechanical cabin came from behind the partition in the hallway. Magic-powered magic spar lamps illuminated the hallway leading to the dining room. The side slowed down and seemed to be curiously observing the automatically-running magic machine. Philm's voice sounded from the side: "Unbelievable things, right? I heard that they are everywhere in the south."

"I heard that too..." Fendil smiled, "Tell me about your idea, I'm really interested..."

"Of course, my friend, but it's time for you to talk about yourself. Why did you go south? Also to find opportunities?"

"Aha... I was reluctant when I set off. I was forced to come here by a letter from my aunt..."

"Oh? That sounds like your aunt is a terrific person, and a letter can kick you out as a stubborn guy."

"...Haha, indeed, maybe she is the most powerful person in the north, and each of us is quite afraid of her..."

The silver-haired young man laughed, his hearty laughter was like the rough mountains in the north, which attracted Philm, who was beside him, to laugh too.

A low whistle resounded on the river, and on the cold and windy Gorgon River, the "Highlander" unfolded its wings like a proud swan, and the steel-covered bow split the water, full of passengers seeking opportunities and futures. They headed south.

...

The crystal glass blocked the cold wind from the window, the fireplace was flickering with warm firelight, and the image projected by the magic web terminal was floating in the air. Victoria Wilder stood in front of the terminal, bowing her head slightly to the figure on the image: "Your Majesty, the third batch of craftsmen and young students sent to the southern border has already departed on the 'Highlander', all with supporting documents and accompanied by someone to guide them. It is expected that they will arrive at the rock port on the day of winter."

Gawain in the holographic projection nodded: "Very good—by the way, your nephew is also on this ship, right?"

"...Yes, Fendil is also on the boat," Victoria's expression seemed to change slightly, but in the end it was a little indifferent, "I ordered him to go to the south to study, after all, as the future heir of the Wilder family, He can't stand still."

"Don't be too harsh on young people," Gawain laughed, "Apart from that, has the situation in Saint-Sunil changed?"

"Everything is going well here, the Government Affairs Office is fully functioning, and the officers of the Military Intelligence Bureau left by Director Amber are operating in various places, 'disposing' a large number of unstable factors, which greatly promotes the reconstruction of order. If everything goes well, next spring There is no need for me to sit here in person."

"Well, this is the best, you can also return to the north as soon as possible to handle things over there in person - the stability of the northern border of the empire is very important."

Victoria bowed her head deeply: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Gawain nodded in the holographic projection, and then said: "By the way, Maggie is all right here, Rebecca and her have become good friends, you don't have to worry."

"Thank you for taking care of her," Victoria said, her expression as indifferent as ever, but with sincere gratitude in her eyes, "Maggie is my most trusted friend, and I'm glad she can help you too."

Gao Wen hummed, and then the atmosphere fell into a brief moment of stiffness and embarrassment.

When anyone talks to Victoria alone, it is inevitable that the atmosphere will fall into a similar situation.

This Duke of Ice and Snow is really not a person who is good at words, and even because she always looks indifferent, she often makes the atmosphere cold during the conversation.

She was accustomed to this, but Gawain, who was on the opposite side of the communication, seemed a little uncomfortable.

Perhaps in order to find some topics to end the conversation smoothly, Gawain remained silent for a while and then suddenly said, "You're not too young anymore..."

Victoria's calm and indifferent expression instantly stiffened: "Huh?"

"Although there is Fendil, you don't have to worry about the heir, but don't you think about starting a family yourself?"

Victoria: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty?"

"You are only two years younger than Hetty. You two are too similar in some places. I also persuaded Hetty to start a family a while ago. Don't think I'm long-winded, I'm more or less Snow's. My friend, I should take care of his descendants..."

"Your Majesty, this matter... don't talk about it at this time," Victoria showed a rare trace of panic, "I will consider my own affairs, I will consider it!"

The magic web communication was hung up slightly hastily by Victoria who was opposite. Gawain sat behind the desk with a dazed expression.

Amber, who was standing beside him, couldn't help rolling his eyes: "You are really old, how can you be biased to urge marriage when you talk about it?"

"After talking about the business, let's talk about family affairs, what's wrong?" Gawain seemed rather innocent, "And I just said it casually."

Amber pouted and seemed to want to mutter something, but before she could speak, the office door was suddenly pushed open.

Hetty appeared at the door with a pile of documents and walked towards Gawain.

Seeing the pile of documents in the other's hand, Gawain felt a faint pain in his forehead.

In the mentality of not being able to give himself a headache, he looked up at Heidi and said casually, "Heidi, you are not too young..."

Hetty was stunned for a moment, and before he could talk about the serious business of the document, he felt a chill in the back of his head...

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