Chapter 1246 - 1245: Second Journey to the North

Chapter 1246: Chapter 1245: Second Journey to the North

Near the portal hall, a standalone laboratory was brightly lit, and Mary stood in front of an observation window facing the hall, her gaze passing through the thick, reinforced crystal glass with dual energy field screens, focusing on the portal situated at the center of the hall.

The vast magic power transmitted from three energy hubs surrounding Winterhold Castle was converged collectively, igniting noticeable blue flames at several energy crossing points inside the hall, which fluctuated within tubular containers made of crystals. This energy was continuously injected into the various components of the portal, while technicians in different uniforms from Typhon and the Cecil Clan bustled between the complex and large-scale facilities, constantly perfecting the door’s auxiliary structures and adjusting each parameter of these precise devices.

Master Kamel and Master Windsor Maple stood next to the portal, seemingly engaged in a discussion, as they shook hands appearing to converse cheerfully.

"How long do you plan to stand in front of the window?" The mentor’s voice suddenly came from behind, startling Mary awake, "Come quickly, rest time is over, you have lots of unfinished work."

Mary turned around hurriedly, started quickly towards her position while looking towards the old mage seated not far away by the calculation desk: "Sorry, I was a bit distracted just now."

The mentor’s voice followed with a hint of admonition: "Don’t get distracted while working on a project; it’s not a good habit — sometimes it could be fatal."

Nodding, Mary came to those embedded energy conduits and silver-white alloy tracks on the wall, starting to observe the blue and white light flow within the conduits and the glowing lines and changing magic symbols emerging on the alloy tracks. These conduits were "Analytic Dimensional Pipes" branching from the main energy pipeline, with the alloy tracks connecting to the underground expansive Magic Core — known as the power spine by the Cecil Clan — their displayed status aids in analyzing the real-time load of the entire portal.

Of course, there’s another set of monitoring devices in the hall to allow front-line operators to grasp the portal’s status, but the monitoring points in this laboratory serve mainly to collect data before the portal officially initiates, allowing high-ranking technical officers — including her own mentor — to always track the entire project.

Daniel, clad in a black robe, lifted his head, and the surrounding magic symbols gradually dimmed as he detached from the massive data calculation, looking at his most satisfactory apprentice: "How’s the third group of Energy Tower’s status? Is the power spine reading normal?"

"After adjustment, the third group of Energy Tower has successfully gone online, and the magic power supply is tending stable, the power spine readings are currently within normal range," Mary skillfully confirmed those dazzling raw readings, as one of the designers involved in this subsystem’s design, she could confirm whether these analytic nodes were normal without calculations, "The C7 and C16 detection points on the portal’s secondary constraint section seemed a bit low, likely due to the incomplete resonance of newly installed components, I’ll arrange for the mage engineers to check it later."

"Secondary constraint section, eh..." Daniel nodded slightly, "Only this last piece remains now. Once all constraint sections are completed, the portal can undergo its first ’ignition’, the project is advancing faster than I anticipated."

"After all, it gathered two empires’ top-notch technical talents and virtually unlimited material supply, while the alliance pumped in manpower and resources from dozens of countries, even from the far south end of the continent; the silver elves sent over a dozen high-ranked Star Artisans riding giant eagles," Mary smiled and said, "I heard Lady Windsor mention that the last time this continent’s nations collaborated so extensively was a few years ago during the restoration of the great walls..."

"The restoration of the great walls a few years ago? Heh, that can’t compare with today," Daniel scoffed, his tone somewhat disdainful, "Though it was a massive operation, there was deceit among participants, nations were wary of each other, and mistrust of the Silver Empire never ceased; the turmoil in Old Anzu erupted shortly afterward — back then, people hadn’t faced catastrophic divine disasters, unaware that the world could be perilous to such an extent."

"You’re right, there was no ’alliance’ like today back then," Mary nodded immediately, then suddenly seemed unsure what she thought of, hesitated, and then silenced, returning to her workstation. Her voice, however, was directly relayed into Daniel’s mind through their mental connection, "Do you think... with Cecil’s and Typhon’s relations drastically changing now, might there come a day when our value..."

"We will ’exist’ as always, persistently," Daniel’s voice resonated in Mary’s heart without confusion or delay, "Remember, no matter how intimate the relationship between Typhon and the Cecil clan becomes, as long as they are two countries, as long as there’s distinction between them, our ’eyes’ will always hold value."

"Yes, I understand."

Receiving the apprentice’s reply, Daniel merely nodded slightly, his gaze once again returning to the unfinished work.

Indeed, relations between Typhon and the Cecil clan are changing, the once vigilant and even hostile two nations are being driven together by mutual interests, bringing them closer each day, but Daniel knew clearly, regardless of how close their relationship becomes, two countries are ultimately two countries, and necessary intelligence work... will never end.

The watchful eyes on neighboring countries will not close, only slight modifications to specific work content may occur. The master very much appreciates Emperor Rosetta Augustus’s talent, but this doesn’t mean there’s true "tight intimacy" between the ruling powers of the two nations. After all, even between the most intimate Silver Empire and Highmountain Kingdom, countless spying and intelligence personnel are interspersed among them — for millennia, or even tens of thousands of years, mortal civilizations have functioned this way.

This is just as the master once stated — the essence of the alliance is a gathering of hedgehogs for warmth, and in a certain sense, isn’t this the essence of civilization?

Daniel shook his head, the surrounding runes gradually brightened again as he continued processing the monumental structural models and data simulations, while the artificial nerve cord behind him started undulating gently, he also casually glanced towards Mary’s direction, feeling a slight sigh — this apprentice is somewhat young, not sure when she can manage on her own, looks like this old bone must live a few more years...

...

In the Cecil City Royal District, an oversized landing platform dedicated to Imperial upper-echelon use (Amber named it "Maggie’s Landing"), where Gawain, Amber, Maji, and several Dragonkin Envoys were undertaking final preparations before departure, Aunt Heidi and Rebecca came to bid farewell.

Looking at the ancestor who was ready and appeared relaxed, Aunt Heidi couldn’t help but feel a bit worried. She approached the landing platform’s edge, concernedly reminding again: "Ancestor, you must be very cautious on this journey to Talronde. This time is different from last — the former Dragon God and Dragonkin were at least well-intentioned, but that tower... it’s not easy to deal with. Moreover, Talronde is inherently unsafe now."

This must be at least the nth time his many-generation granddaughter has chanted this tune, Gawain couldn’t help but find it amusing: "Rest assured, it’s not my first encounter with such matters — and you shouldn’t keep nagging, it looks as though you’re becoming the overly concerned elder?"

Aunt Heidi’s expression instantly appeared a bit awkward and embarrassed, subconsciously lowering her head: "I... I’ve worried a bit too much..."

Aunt Heidi hadn’t finished speaking when Rebecca blurted out, "Hey, it’s normal, right? When elderly folks in the family go out, any caring younger generation would naturally worry—Ancestor, please be careful on your journey! You’re over 700 years old..."

Gawain immediately glared at the loud-mouthed fool, wanting to reprimand her. But as he tried to formulate a sentence, he couldn’t find any logical error in her words... which only made him angrier.

Aunt Heidi also shot Rebecca a glare, but in such a setting, she didn’t say anything, instead silently noting the need for an educational talk later. She then refocused on Gawain: "Ancestor, your schedule this time is too rushed. The ships newly built in Northport all have their tasks, with only the Winter and two frigates available for action. General Byron left for Northport yesterday. He will lead the Winter directly to the west coast of Talronde, but given the limited speed of sea travel, the Winter is sure to arrive later than you—so unless it’s urgent, please try to wait a few days upon reaching Talronde, at least until the Winter meets up with you..."

"This mission is indeed rushed, but the situation waits for no one, nothing can be done about it," Gawain nodded, "Don’t worry, I’ll act according to the situation—after all, the Inversion Tide Tower is over there, it’s not going to grow legs and run off."

Aunt Heidi responded with a hum while her gaze inadvertently fell on Amber, who was daydreaming nearby, letting out a sigh: "Alas, you’re taking such an unreliable one with you... who knows what could go wrong..."

As they spoke, a heavy footfall suddenly came from the side, and a giant shadow cast by the sun loomed over everyone. Gawain looked up to see a gracefully huge blue dragon filling his view. The next second, the dragon lowered its head, and a gentle yet deep female voice came from above: "We are ready."

As Melita spoke, a small head suddenly peeked from the edge of her broad back—a curious blue dragon hatchling stared wide-eyed at Gawain and Amber standing on the landing platform and then happily cried out with excitement, "Gao Gao!"

Not far away, a second hatchling’s head appeared from White Dragon Noreta’s back, and a similar "Gao Gao" sound followed.

"Are you sure you want to bring these two little ones along?" Gawain pointed at the little creatures, excited for their first long journey, unsure, "They still need care..."

"Talronde is their hometown. They’ve spent a long time since hatching, and it’s about time they saw what their mothers’ ’home’ looks like, to say hello to the dragon egg caretakers," Melita said, raising her neck and gently nudging the hatchling’s head with her chin, calming the thrilled little one, "For you, traveling to current Talronde might be an adventure, but for them... it’s going home."

"Well, that’s true," Gawain nodded, "But they haven’t been out long after hatching; is it okay for them to travel such a long distance?"

"For dragon hatchlings, flying over such a narrow sea hardly counts as a ’long journey’," Melita laughed, her sharp fangs glittering in the sunlight, "Once we’re airborne, they’ll obediently lie on mine and Noreta’s backs—following the mother in flight is a fundamental skill for hatchlings."

The hatchling lying on Melita’s back seemed to understand the mother’s words, immediately raising its neck and letting out a loud "Gao," and its sharply defined face seemed to show a bit of pride.

Gawain could only express admiration: "Well, compared to the physical constitution... you dragonkin are indeed more impressive."

The necessary arrangements having been made, and always favoring simplicity in ceremonies, Gawain didn’t waste any more time. Moments later, several gigantic dragon shapes, including Maji’s, took off from the platform, carried by the invisible swell brought by magic power. This convoy, departing for Talronde, headed into the vast blue sky.

The rapid airflow at high altitudes rushed towards them, with most of the strong winds blocked by the invisible barrier surrounding the backs of the dragons, leaving only a pleasant breeze to brush their faces. Gawain and Amber sat together on Melita’s back. After some time in flight, he couldn’t help but look forward: "You did mention the hatchlings would lie obediently on the ’mother’s’ back for travel..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a series of joyful calls came from beside him: "Gao! Gao~! Gao-oh-oh~!!!"

Amber turned her head to look, immediately noticing that the hatchling had already climbed to the front side edge of Melita’s shoulder blade. The little guy’s head was almost pressing against the semi-transparent energy barrier, its four paws clinging firmly to the raised areas near Melita’s shoulder blade. It stretched its neck eagerly, excitedly shouting into the sky, its long tail twitching wildly in excitement—like a dog about to break loose.

Melita twisted her head with effort to look back, loudly responding to Gawain’s query: "Don’t worry! She’s just a bit excited! Every dragon on their first high-altitude high-speed flight is like this—they hold on tight, the hatchlings know what they’re doing~~!"

Before the Blue Dragon could finish her sentence, Gawain saw that little guy had stuck her head out past the protective barrier, the furious high-altitude wind buffeting the young dragon who had just hatched not much more than a month ago. Even with the dragon kin’s physique, she was forced to lift her head high by the wind. Gawain then saw her arduously open her mouth as if challenging the vast blue sky, a series of sounds coming out from the tender dragon mouth—

"Waa waa waa waa—wooor belloo—waa waa..."

Gawain: "..."

Amber: "..."

Gawain suddenly recalled his past life’s childhood foolishness in front of a fan, filled with myriad emotions.

This hatchling isn’t much different from a bratty child!