Winter is approaching, and the temperature is getting lower day by day. The lush grass and trees on both sides of the Gorgon River have become bleak, and there are fewer pedestrians on the roads on the shore. Only larger caravans appear by chance on the riverside - basically on the west bank.

The plains on the east coast are still deserted, and the trauma of war is far from healed on that burnt land.

A low whistle sounded across the river, and the bow of the ship covered with steel plates split the water waves, and advanced on the Gorgon River, throwing the slow old cargo ship far behind. The magical mechanical ship "Highlander" that navigates the north and south is sailing on the water like a proud swan. The magic wing plate behind the side of the ship was raised high in the cold wind, sprinkling with glow.

A young blonde man in a dark blue tweed coat stood by the side of the ship, looking at the still deserted and dilapidated east bank of the Gorgon River, with deep and slightly melancholy eyes. A cold wind from the north caught up with the new mechanical ship, making the young man unable to help but tighten his collar and turn back to his cabin.

A warm breath rushes towards you.

The cabin is simple but neat and comfortable. There is a small desk next to the window, with ink, paper, pen and other objects placed on the desk.

The young man came to the table, sat quietly for a while, then pulled a piece of letter from the side, picked up a dip pen, and wrote a piece of text sent to the distance on the paper with a quiet and calm expression:

"My dear mountain flowers—

"The further I leave my hometown, the stronger my longing for you will be. This long journey is really the first experience of my life. I never thought I could leave my hometown and come to such a far place...

"...Although I occasionally feel lonely, this journey is still interesting. I have seen many people and things. After broadening my horizons, I realized the shallowness of my life in the past. Many things from afar cannot be learned from books. As my father said in his early years, a truly excellent playwright should have an unforgettable trip to get rid of those decaying piles of paper and truly grow up - but it is a bit helpless. My father actually does not support my trip...

"You know, he is a cautious person, and as he grows older, he has become more cautious in recent years...

"You probably don't like listening to me, so I'll tell you what I've seen on the journey.

"Ride on the 'magic mechanical ship' is really a very novel experience. It is hard to imagine how the mages and craftsmen in the South Realm created this creation. It is a huge magic device. Many of us live in the belly of this huge magic device day and night. As it sails all the way, you should really try it if you have the chance... Although the tickets are expensive, I think it is worth it.

"...The east bank of the Gorgon River is the battlefield. When I see it, my inspiration and thoughts continue to surge. What kind of thrilling and great war should it be? The brave warriors resisted the tide of monsters, knights, soldiers, mages on the plains that turned into scorched earth. Every day they held their positions, perhaps more exciting than any old-fashioned knight story...

"... In the lower cabin below me, a family from San Sunil, who exchanged almost half of their belongings for a ticket to the southern border. In the words of the male owner, they wanted to 'go to the south to try their luck'. On this ship, there seemed to be many people like this. The capital of the empire was set in the south, attracting many people to go to the south to seek survival. These people will discuss the future when they come out to breathe, and sometimes they also discuss their livelihoods in their hometown. Most people live in the cheapest lower cabin, and some live in the middle cabin like me, but we are all looking for new opportunities...

"Dear, you can't imagine what it is. I know, I know it is not as romantic and exciting as the Knights describe it, but I am in it, and I feel an unprecedented emotion, so many people, with hope, heading to a strange land--many people say that this war destroyed the ancient and solemn order of the kingdom and made everything mess up, but I feel something new is waiting for us in front of us.

"I don't know if you can understand it, it... is as fresh as the river wind blowing on the side of the boat today. Although it is cold, it is exciting.

“Are these things that happened on the boat more suitable for the ‘stage’ I imagined than the story of the knight and the princess?

"I love you forever and am missing you-Philm."

The young man had a smile on his face and carefully wrote the last punctuation point, then carefully folded the letter and put it away closely - the next time the ship landed, he could hand over the letter to the crew member who was responsible for the matter, and brought it to the shore by the crew. The price of a silver coin could be properly delivered to the north. Of course, if you are short of money, you can also choose "cheap letters" of ten copper plates, but it is said that they may lose it, so he would not choose it.

There was footsteps outside the cabin, and then another knock on the door sounded. Film got up and opened the door. A young man wearing a golden and blue silk jacket, short silver hair, and a cheerful and sunny smile stood outside the door.

This was the partner he met on the journey, a northerner named Fendir, a cheerful and friendly friend, and outstanding upbringing. Felm did not know where the other party came from, but on this boat heading to the southern border, the two walked together and got along very happily.

"Hi, friend," said the young silver-haired man with a smile, "Lunch time is coming--will you go to the restaurant together?"

"Very happy," Film laughed, and walked out of the cabin while bringing the door. "I'm hungry."

Two young men chatted and laughed all the way, they walked through the open air deck, through the closed corridor, and walked through the travel companions who took the mechanical ship to the south.

A tall and serious man walked past them, a pharmacist from the north, holding a certificate from the craftsmen's association and a contract of employment from a factory in the south. Although he was serious, he was a generous and kind man.

An old couple walked through the corridor, from Brentade, west of Saint Sunil, who was said to be watchmakers.

A few young men and women were walking up the stairs in front, wearing thick burlap clothes, and seemed cautious when they walked up, but when they talked to each other, they had their eyes lighted. They came from Saint Sunil and lived in the lower cabin below. With the travel expenses collected from their homes and the family's thoughts, they took the "study recommendation letter" issued by the Grand Duke of Victoria. They also went south to find a new life.

There are down-and-out craftsmen, scholars who pursue knowledge, business people who seek business opportunities, and even old royal capital masters who seek magic techniques.

Some people are rich and live in a luxurious top-class cabin, some are poor and lonely, and they are already stretched to collect a ticket for the lower-class cabin. Some are on the mission and go to the south with the orders of a merchant and wealthy or even a nobleman. Some are desperate and leave their hometown and board the ship as if they are fleeing famine.

And this mechanical ship carrying out the "Cecil Order" is like a miniature city floating on the Gorgon River, accommodates everyone in its huge belly made of steel and wood, sailing on this chilly river surface, taking everyone's dreams to the legendary land.

The buzzing sound of the mechanical cabin came from behind the partitions of the corridor. Magic-driven magic crystal lamps shone on the corridor leading to the restaurant. A young man named Fendir slowed down next to a rune device exposed due to maintenance, as if he was curiously observing the automatically running magic machine. Film's voice sounded aside: "Incredible things, right? I heard that they are everywhere in the south."

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

"Of course, my friend, but you should also talk about your affairs. Why did you go south? It's also to find opportunities?"

"Aha... I was reluctant when I set off. I was driven over by my aunt's letter..."

"Oh? That sounds like your aunt is a powerful person. You can drive out a stubborn guy with just one letter."

"...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 loudly, and his hearty laughter was like the rough mountains in the north, which made Philm on the side laugh.

A low whistle sounded across the river. On the cold Gorgon River, the "Highlander" spread its wings like a proud swan. The bow of the ship covered with steel plates split the water waves, and was full of passengers seeking opportunities and future sailing to the south.

...

The crystal glass blocked the cold wind outside the window, and the fireplace was sucking warm firelight aside. The image projected by the Magic Net terminal was floating in the air. Victoria Wilder stood in front of the terminal and bowed his head slightly to the figure on the image: "Your Majesty, the third batch of craftsmen and young students sent to the southern border have set off on the "Highlander Man" and are carrying certificates and are guided by someone. It is expected to arrive at Panshi Port on the winter day."

Gao Wen in the holographic projection nodded: "Very good-by-by-one, your nephew is on this ship, right?"

"...Yes, Fendir is on the boat," Victoria's expression seemed to change slightly, but in the end she was still a little cold and indifferent. "I ordered him to go to the south to study. After all, as the future heir to the Wilder family, he can't stop moving forward."

"Don't be too harsh on young people," Gao Wen laughed, "Apart from that, has the situation in San Sunil changed?"

"The situation here is good, the Department of Government Affairs is fully operational. The military intelligence officers left by Director Amber are in various places, 'dressing' a large number of unstable factors, greatly promoting the reconstruction of order. If everything goes well, I won't need to be in charge here in person next spring."

"Well, this is the best. You can also return to the north as soon as possible to deal with the matter there personally - the stability of the northern border of the empire is very important."

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

Gao Wen 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 your care," said Victoria, with her expression as cold and indifferent as ever, but her eyes were filled with sincere thanks. "Maggie is my most trusted friend, and I'm glad she can help you."

Gao Wen nodded, and then the atmosphere fell into a brief stiffness and embarrassment.

When anyone talks to Victoria alone, the atmosphere will inevitably fall into a similar situation.

This Ice Duke is really not a good person who is good at speaking. Even because of her indifference, she often makes the atmosphere cold in conversation. Once the main thing is over, only embarrassment remains between the talkers.

She was used to this, but Gao Wen, who was opposite the communication, seemed a little uncomfortable.

Perhaps in order to find some topics to end the conversation smoothly, Gao Wen was silent for a while and suddenly said, "You are too old..."

Victoria's calm and calm expression was a little stiff in an instant: "Ah?"

"Although there is Fendir, you don't have to worry about the heirs, but don't you consider starting a family?"

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

"You are only two years younger than Hedy. You two are so similar in some places. I advised Hedy a while ago that you should start a family or start a family. Don't think I'm too long-winded. I'm Snow's friend, and I should take care of his descendants..."

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

Magic Net Communication was hung up in a hurry by Victoria opposite him. Gao Wen sat behind the desk with a little stunned expression.

Amber, who was standing next to him, couldn't help rolling his eyes: "You are really old, why can you urge your marriage as you talk about the topic?"

"After talking about the family matters, what's wrong?" Gao Wen seemed quite innocent, "and I just said it casually."

Amber curled her lips, as if she wanted to mutter something, but before she spoke, the office door was suddenly pushed open.

Hetty appeared at the door with a bunch of documents in his arms and walked towards Gowen.

Seeing the pile of documents in the other party's hand, Gao Wen felt a slight pain in his forehead.

In the mentality of not giving him a headache by himself, he looked up at Hedy and said casually: "Hedy, you are not young either..."

Hetty was stunned. Before he could tell the truth about the documents, he felt a chill behind his head...
Chapter completed!