Volume 3: Artifacts Chapter 30 Gathering at the Moonlight Court
Hearing that Theresa was also going to the Moonlight Court, Qingkong couldn't help but smile and said, "Not long ago, I received news that the Moonlight Court's temple has begun to operate, and Archangel Gold is personally presiding over the Moonlight Court Temple. You are in charge of the Saint Lun City Temple, why do you want to go to the Moonlight Court to pay homage to the World Tree at this time?"
Theresa picked up the tea and drank it. During this period, she had adapted to the secular life. Drinking afternoon tea in her spare time was a special enjoyment.
In response to Qingkong's doubts, Theresa answered very straightforwardly: "I have a hunch that you have the answers I want, and the various mysteries about you are also worthy of my deeper understanding of you."
Theresa turned her head and looked at Qingkong, with a look in her eyes that seemed like she wanted to see through him.
Qingkong also looked at Theresa with an unfathomable smile on his face: "The Moonlight Royal Court welcomes all friends with good intentions to visit. It's just that there are quite a lot of people going to pay homage to the World Tree this time, and I wonder what interesting things will happen."
Theresa asked, "Besides me, who else is going to the Moonlight Court?"
Qingkong didn't answer. She held up a cup of tea and invited Theresa: "You'll know when you get there. Have some tea!"
“I’m looking forward to this journey even more.”
A few days later, the new Prime Minister of the Empire, Marquis Meteor, announced that he would lead a business delegation to visit the western border of the empire. One of the purposes of this trip was to inspect the construction of the western border railway; another purpose was to strengthen the planning of the western border development and let the wind of civilization blow to every corner of the western border as soon as possible.
However, this seemingly ordinary inspection made some people feel like they were facing a powerful enemy.
The Crescent Oasis where the Second Prince was stationed was the only way for the Empire to enter the West. The Prime Minister of the Empire, Meteor, had just dealt with Sinclair and the Northern Army. Would he take care of the Second Prince when he went to the West this time?
The business delegation of the Prime Minister of the Empire is still being prepared, and waves of messengers have already set out from Saint Lun City with various news and are heading in all directions.
The entire court was keeping an eye on Luke's whereabouts, trying every means to find information about him.
Imperial Palace, Cabinet meeting.
This is the last meeting before Meteorite's tour of the Western Territory, so there are many more topics prepared than usual.
Ibr is now a cabinet minister and concurrently the empire's finance minister. He first reported to Queen Christina the empire's tax situation for the quarter, saying that the empire's finances are now very healthy and can fully support the plan proposed by the Marquis of Meteorite to reorganize the Royal First Magic Corps and build ships for the Royal Ocean Escort Fleet.
In addition, the Imperial Bank formulated a plan to protect the circulation of the Imperial Mark, selected pilot cities, and gradually eliminated large-scale transactions of gold and silver certificates within the empire.
Viscount Iscolan, as a cabinet minister, also served as the Minister of Security of the Empire. The agenda he proposed was to abolish the nobles' private soldiers, set up security offices in the nobles' territories, have professional sheriffs maintain the safety of the city, and replace the privileges of the nobles in their territories with the rule of law.
This topic involved too many issues. After a long discussion, Queen Christina decided that the Imperial Security Headquarters should first make a detailed implementation plan. The specific time and method of implementation would be discussed later.
Mrs. Michelle is the cabinet minister and the chief technical advisor to the empire. Ever since the angels forcibly descended and surrounded the palace, Queen Christina has required the major research institutions in the empire to integrate and concentrate on developing extraordinary soldiers to cope with possible high-level combat conflicts in the future.
The Imperial Chief Technical Advisor is a technical official specially appointed to integrate the various institutions of the Empire.
Mrs. Michelle reported to Queen Christina on the development progress of three extraordinary combat power projects within the Lailai Empire.
The three extraordinary combat power projects are: the Magic Titan being developed by the Alchemist Association of Raging Waves City; the Extraordinary Warrior developed by Qingkong and Oulu College for the Moonlight Court; and the Golden Shield Warrior developed by the Imperial Extraordinary Species Research Center.
Mrs. Michelle is mainly responsible for the research and development of the Golden Shield Warrior.
The technical foundation of the Golden Shield Warrior is the mature Crusader Warrior technology. Through extraordinary transformation, the Golden Shield Warrior has a stronger physique, and is given armor and weapons made using top alchemy, so that the Golden Shield Warrior will have powerful attack and defense capabilities.
In order to enable the Golden Shield Warrior to fly, the Imperial Heavy Industry Bureau is developing a single-soldier steam flying wing.
In addition to these, there are many fantastic studies under development.
Agatha brought information from the battlefield in the north.
Art County Lenovo Negotiations.
According to the intelligence from the Winter Capital, the anti-war voices within the Art County Union are getting louder and louder. Especially after entering the summer, the impact of the war on the production of the Art County Union has been infinitely magnified. As the attacking party, the Art County Union cannot obtain enough supplies from the occupied areas, and the logistical pressure is much higher than that of the Empire. After losing Songta Port, it completely relies on land supplies, which increases costs.
The industrial structure of the Art County Federation is far less perfect than that of the Golden Shield Empire. Some people made a fortune in the war, but some people not only did not get any war dividends, but faced the risk of bankruptcy.
To talk or not to talk?
Queen Christina asked the new Prime Minister.
Luke, who had already decided on a strategy for the Art County Alliance, replied: "Of course we have to talk, and we have to show the outside world the Empire's efforts for peace. But I don't think the Art County Alliance is very sincere in this negotiation. It is impossible for it to give up the occupied areas easily, and it will not pay war reparations and admit defeat.
The reason why Ate County United started the negotiations this time should be more for their own benefit. In the end, they will definitely blame us for disturbing the peace. "
Agatha agreed with Luke's analysis and added, "According to the intelligence currently obtained by the Secret Service, the Art County Alliance is mobilizing their overseas colonies, and it is expected that the first batch of vassal troops will enter the northern battlefield after the end of autumn.
In addition, the At County Foreign Affairs Council has sent several groups of diplomats to visit so-called free countries in an attempt to isolate the Empire internationally. Some of these countries promised to provide economic assistance, and some even sent mercenaries directly.
In the winter war, the strength of the Empire's northern enemies will increase significantly."
Queen Christina asked: "Does the cabinet have any measures to deal with it?"
Luke replied: "At this stage, the war between the Empire and the Art County Alliance is still only a local war, far from the extent of a war that will destroy the whole country. Most of these actions taken by the Art County Alliance were expected, which is why I did not recommend being too aggressive in the spring war at the beginning.
Since it is a local war, the empire cannot let the war affect its own development. I think the main focus of dealing with the winter war from this year to next year is to strengthen the snow army. Build more fortresses, store more winter supplies, and build a snow city defense network.
At the same time, the Fury City Armored Assault Division stationed in Songta Harbor would attack the flank of the Art County coalition forces to the west when it had the chance, thus alleviating the pressure on the Snow Legion's front.
If there is an opportunity, the Raging Waves City Fleet can seek out the Art County United Navy for a decisive battle at sea. Regardless of the outcome, the Royal Ocean Escort Fleet will have completed its world cruise by then, and the Raging Waves City Fleet can be used to replace it for repairs. "
After listening to Luke's countermeasures, Queen Christina nodded and said, "The cabinet's response is very safe. The empire should not be too nervous about the big move of the At County Alliance. If he wants to talk, we will talk to him; if he wants to fight, we will fight him. Take every step carefully and don't be easily influenced by the outside world.
Leave the peace talks to Agatha.
Meteorite will be going to the Western Territory for an inspection soon, and Viscount Iscolan will be the deputy negotiator."
Agatha and Viscount Iscolan took the order together: "Yes, Your Majesty!"
Queen Christina asked Luke again, "Do you need any cooperation from the Imperial Court during your inspection of the Western Territory this time?"
Luke replied, "No need. This time we are inspecting the Western Territory mainly because there is a crisis that will affect the World Tree. Miss Qingkong and I are going to eliminate the danger."
"I understand." Since this matter concerns the Moonlight Royal Court, Queen Christina could not ask any more questions, so she said, "I will issue an imperial order to the nobles in the West in the name of the Queen Regent, requiring them to accept your transfer unconditionally."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After the Royal Cabinet meeting ended, Luke immediately set off for the West.
In the western Gobi Desert, the wind was blowing and the sand dunes were piled up one after another. The sky was cloudless and the sun was shining brightly, scorching a camel caravan walking in the desert.
There were seven camels and thirteen pack animals in the caravan. Large cargo boxes were tied to the backs of the pack animals, and guards who protected the caravan rode on the backs of the camels.
The guards were all wearing leather armor, with scimitars hanging from their waists and several emergency potions in their leather bags. On the trade route in the Western Desert, their equipment was considered very high-end and sufficient to deal with most dangers.
The leader of the guards walking in front of the camel caravan was an old man with gray hair and beard. He had a big frame but was still strong. His eyes were sharp and his temperament was like a lion in the wilderness. He was obviously a tough guy with a story.
Every time they walked a certain distance, the leader would ride a camel to the top of the sand dune and observe the surrounding situation with a newly bought telescope. Although most of the sand bandits had switched to business and lived a stable life with the support of the City of Raging Waves, the busy trade route had spawned a group of guys who wanted to get rich by robbing.
There are always sand bandits, but there are fewer of them than before.
The leader observed carefully through the telescope, not missing any details. Using his previous experience as a sand bandit, he analyzed where he would set an ambush.
Under the sand dunes, the camel caravan was moving forward in a line.
"Hello, can you give me some water?"
A voice suddenly sounded behind him. The leader turned around instantly, knife in hand, and asked the person behind him: "Who are you?"
The man was wearing a gray linen smock with a hood covering his face. Under the smock, his back was bulging, as if he was carrying something.
"I am just an ordinary traveler, heading to the Moonlight Court."
The leader did not let down his guard. He held the knife in one hand and put the telescope on his belt with the other hand, then took off the water bottle from his waist.
"The water is in the caravan. I have some wine here. Would you like some?"
"Wine would be even better." The man took off his hood, revealing a young man with purple hair.
"All for you, I wish you a safe journey!"
The leader threw the kettle to the young man and prepared to lead the camel away. Just now he was sure that there was no one around, but this person appeared behind him silently. He was definitely someone he could not afford to provoke.
"Please stay. I have a few questions for you to answer." The young man unscrewed the lid of the kettle, raised his head and took a deep sip of the beer, and said, "Not bad beer."
The leader paused: "I can't take too long."
"Just a few simple questions." The young man smiled, but his smile made people shudder: "In which direction is the Moonlight Royal Court?"
"You're going to the Moonlight Court?"
"Yes. But I have a bad sense of direction, especially since all the dunes here are exactly the same."
The leader pointed in a direction and said, "The Moonlight Palace is in that direction. As long as you don't go astray, you will see an oasis in about seven days. That is the Aldmeri Prairie. Once you reach the Aldmeri Prairie, you won't get lost on the way to the Moonlight Palace. The barbarians there are very hospitable."
"That direction." The young man looked in the direction the leader pointed, but still could not see the end of the sand dunes. Thinking about his experiences in the past few days, he felt that he might not be able to find the Moonlight Court just by looking in one direction. So he said to the leader: "Take us to the Moonlight Court."
The leader quickly refused: "I'm sorry, the place we are going is almost in the opposite direction of the Moonlight Royal Court. You just need to keep going in this direction and you will definitely reach the First People's Grassland.
Wait, you said... 'we'."
The chief looked around and saw only the young man in front of him.
The young man smiled and said, "I didn't ask for your opinion. We need a guide to take us to the Moonlight Court, and we also need a new identity."
At this time, the leader felt a dark shadow blocking the sunlight, he looked up, and then saw a group of angels slowly falling from the sky. They were wearing black armor, and the wings fluttering behind them were also black.
The leader was so frightened that he sat down on the sand.
Fallen angel!
It is a fallen angel that appeared during the ancient war period!
But after the ancient war, there was no trace of the fallen angels, and legend has it that they have become extinct.
This time, they came out in a group.
"You, you, you are fallen angels?" The leader was so scared that he was incoherent.
"Garland..." A fallen angel in the sky said to the young man, "Is this the idea you came up with? Let a human take us to the Moonlight King's Court."
Garland spread his hands helplessly and said, "We have been in the depths of hell for too long and are not used to the direction of the surface. We have been searching in this desert for a month and have not found the Moonlight King's Court. Do you have a better way than finding a human as a guide?
We can also disguise ourselves as human merchants and quietly approach the World Tree."
Another fallen angel said, "But we can't fly with the entire camel caravan. As you just heard, it will take seven days to walk."
Garland smiled and said, "It's only seven days... If we go to the Moonlight King's Court by ourselves, are you sure you can find it within a month?"
This time no fallen angel raised any objections.
As a fallen angel who once dominated the ancient wars, he has now been lost in the desert for a month.
How embarrassing!
