"what is this?"
Holding a document handed over by the other party, Tilan frowned and looked at Wright.
"Oh, my dear princess, you have had such a bizarre dream. You don't think you can stay out of it and go back to being an ordinary person, do you?"
Wright raised his eyebrows and took out a pen from his pocket and handed it to her.
"Some things were decided as early as when we entered Shadow City. You, me, and Moore, we are the first group of people chosen, and we have no right to refuse."
"Aren't you afraid?" Tilan stared into his eyes.
With such an important choice, she was really afraid that she would make the wrong bet.
What if?
What if Lemire was wrong?
What if that wasn't a goddess but some extraordinary being... What if this choice would bring disaster and destruction to Chesman?
There is too little time left for her.
It was just a strange dream, and she couldn't confirm its authenticity until now. She really couldn't make a decision immediately.
"Give me that thing."
Upon hearing this, Wright took the contract from her.
"Don't touch it!"
Tilan's face changed and he quickly grabbed a pen and signed his name below.
Then she watched helplessly as the name burned with a cluster of black flames. The flames burned hotter and hotter, and quickly burned the entire contract to ashes, leaving a shield-shaped emblem on the back of her left hand.
"..."
Tilan's face turned dark, suspecting that he had been fooled.
"Congratulations!"
Wright held out his hand to her, with the same crest on the back of his hand.
"You'll be glad you did."
"You made the right choice."
Chapter 16: Shuttle Traveler (Two in One)
At the end of February, the last trace of frost on the stone road retreated. The spring of 2 finally arrived.
If they are Sara people, they will have a feeling of "finally ending" at this time, because so many things happened in the past winter that it was simply dazzling.
First, a total of 23 envoys from different countries entered Wayne, which directly injected a shot of stimulant into the lifeless luxury clothing market. Then, an earthquake-like news came from the White Shadow Palace, that is, their wise queen has decided that Sarah will sign an alliance and mutual assistance agreement with ten countries including the Talinian Alliance, the Chesman Kingdom, the Kingdom of Qulun, and the Kingdom of Mobidis, to "form an integrated whole" in the fields of economy, culture, industry, defense, etc., to jointly fight against the threat of gray fog.
As soon as the news came out, all the newspapers sold like crazy at that time.
[The existence of the "Eclipse Abyss" is no longer a secret to some classes. We thought that this multinational negotiation would last longer, at least until the first spring breeze blows to the banks of the Comb River, so that our administration can truly complete the negotiation with each envoy group and then decide on the next move. But what I didn't expect was that they actually bypassed the "Eclipse Abyss" and were already thinking about the "Gray Fog" problem.] - "Wayne Morning News"
[Many people may think that this is just a negotiation, a cooperation meeting, a political show, or to put it more seriously, it is the power from Wayne spreading out. But I want to tell you, 'No! It's not that simple!', the intention behind it is amazing! We can't help but wonder why the White Shadow Palace has established strategic alliances with so many countries this winter. You must know that such relationships have disappeared in human history for hundreds of years! Combined with the news that we just announced that we would restore the military system, we can't help but ask who this strategy is for? What are we going to fight? ]——"Morning Radio"
[…The spearhead is directly pointed at the gray fog. Yes, I think this is the only explanation, that is, we may have found a way to fight it. Take the return of the Elsa continent that caused a stir not long ago as an example. At that time, I made a statement that if there is a first time, there will definitely be a second and third time. The liberation of the Elsa continent broke the myth that "the gray fog cannot be driven away". I think we should give our majesty more confidence. After all, since she took the throne, she has never let us down. ]——"East Coast Review"
Not only did various newspapers, magazines and radio stations go crazy because of this news, working overtime to produce content that was widely discussed, but even the general public was swept up in this trend. Restaurants, teahouses, train stations... almost everywhere were discussing the corresponding topic.
"The Morning Post! Have you read it?"
"Of course. It turns out that those Tarignans came to Wayne to ask for help... I think it must be because we helped them solve their problems that they were willing to submit to us."
"What makes you think that? None of the newspapers and radio commentaries mentioned that it was Sarah who helped them solve the Eclipse."
"But this is obvious. Otherwise, why would they be so humble? This alliance agreement sounds good. It's in the name of fighting against the gray fog, but what good things can they actually give us? On the contrary, we have obtained the coinage and military rights of these regions. Sarah can directly send troops to these countries to 'help' them fight against the gray fog. This is another form of annexation and occupation!"
"You didn't have such an opinion before... What did you see?"
"Mostly it's the content of Morning Radio. Their host Akasha has a very nice voice. I highly recommend you to listen to it."
Two gentlemen in a restaurant were drinking tea while discussing newspapers, radio stations and what they saw. Even the tea drinkers and shop owners next to them were attracted, and in the end a group of people sat in a circle and expressed their own opinions.
The station was filled with the smell of gunpowder.
"No! Who told you that the Eclipse has been resolved? The Eclipse will never be resolved! It is a disaster and doomsday! It will devour the entire Icarolin!"
"Why would they bring such a horrific topic to the newspaper? I don't understand... Gray fog has always been a taboo topic, why would they discuss it like this? Aren't they afraid that people will have nightmares because of it?"
"Can Wayne put away his arrogance? I've had enough... Don't you know that even without the shining sun outside, no one will dream now?"
"Scared? Is that true?"
"There is no doubt that this is the credit of Her Majesty the Queen. As the people of Qulun, we rarely express such respect to the monarchs of other countries, but Queen Sarah deserves it! You have a good king, you should be proud!"
"So what is going on with the Eclipse? Have those big black holes really been filled? Did you surrender to us because we helped you?"
"What are you talking about? What do you mean by 'surrender'? This is cooperation! We are equals!"
"Oh, but East Coast Voice doesn't think so... their last guest Mr. Mapes-Dyrant said you're licking our asses."
"This bastard!? Maps Darent, right? I'll remember this! Next time I come to Wayne, I'm going to challenge him to a duel!"
"But most people think what he said makes sense!"
"That's enough! Where's the attendant? Attendant? Excuse me - we need an empty carriage!"
The noise and prosperity are like wheels running parallel on tracks; even when night falls, the sparks of friction cannot be extinguished.
On the contrary, it is because spring has come and the temperature has risen significantly. When people change their clothes, they seem to release something that is suppressed in their hearts, and their enthusiasm for the event has increased instead of decreased.
“Now I know what a real city is like.”
Standing on the busy street, Dillon Arles, wearing a tight black dress, a gray felt coat and black leather boots, looked around and said with emotion.
"Isn't that what Cheeseman people usually do?" Wright-Sally stood beside her, smoking a cigarette. The misty smoke drifted around him in the night breeze, making him feel more real than before, no longer like a slacking outsider who was playing around with the world.
"It's very depressing over there." Tilan shook his head. "In order to avoid nightmares, we always sleep during the day. Everyone on the street looks very tired, and people are wary of each other. This kind of depression has lasted for too long..."
"Really?" Wright raised his eyebrows. "Then Talignan is better than you. After all, we have many water cities. There is a saying that people who live on the water are always more poetic."
Tilan rolled his eyes at him.
There are still many parts of Chesman along the coast! How dare you, a broken water city, compare poetry with a port city?
"After all, it's just our lack of strength. There's nothing to complain about." Wright flicked his cigarette butts and smiled at her. "I know you're unwilling... who can be willing? Selling off a part of our sovereignty like this will make us a laughing stock for a long time. You, me, and that prince, maybe we will become sinners of our respective countries in history, and we will be labeled traitors when our true identities are revealed in the end."
"But who cares?" He spread his hands. "If just signing a signature can make all the people of Tarinian no longer have nightmares at night, can let them buy water and electricity at a cheap price, can let them be blessed by the sun, what is this price?"
"Civilization is destined to tame barbarism. Look at it from a bright side. The Sara people don't really want to invade you... This country was capable of ruling the four continents during the Guserlan era, but they didn't do that. You see - at least we don't need to worry about becoming foreigners when we go back!"
"Are you always so optimistic?" Tilan was really amused by him.
The key is that what is said does make sense.
Yes - barbarism and backwardness are destined to be replaced by civilization. When you see civilization, if you don't learn from it and embrace it, you are courting death and are destined to be eliminated by time.
Moreover, the Sara people did retain respect for Chessman. This was not invasion or annexation but cooperation. So what else could she ask for?
In a corner where Tilan couldn't see, Wright rolled his eyes.
He lied.
He didn't feel unwilling at all. After all, if countries like Tarignan, Chesman... had maintained their sovereignty from ancient times to the present, how could the proper inheritance last for a century, let alone two hundred years?
Although the history of Talignan can be traced back to the Gutheran period, that is just a legend. Talignan in the Gutheran period was not called this name at all. It was just that the ruler insisted on flattering himself and said that he inherited the name... But in reality? There is no relationship!
The alliance itself was torn apart by the gray fog, and it was only brought together to survive. The races have changed with each successive regime change. What dignity and inheritance do you still want to talk about? Do you have such things? Are you worthy of talking about them?
He felt that the Sara people were too shameless. After all, everyone believed in the Sun Goddess. It was nothing more than some people shouting "Sun King" and others shouting "Glorious Queen". All countries should be merged in the name of religion, and those who were not pleasing to the eye should be labeled as heretics.
After all, he has been unhappy with the Queen of Gods’ party for a very long time. What a crooked way... The Sun King is so respected and great, how could she give birth to a child?
Those secondary goddesses, including the Four Seasons Dragon, must have been born from the union with others!
Thinking of the Dragon of Four Seasons, he couldn't help but think of the mission assigned by the organization this time, and he suddenly felt disgusted.
Ah... he joined here to live out his days in a different place, so why are you sending him out to work?
Moreover, he was not in the same group with Moore, but Cheeseman's little princess was assigned to be his partner. He could not see the meaning of such a combination.
Legend has it that the rules for grouping the engineering committee are decided by drawing lots for the sake of fairness. Wright didn't believe this legend before, but now he thinks it is true.
"The organization said you've been to that place before."
Exhaling, Tilan took out a small note from his pocket.
"Shall we set off?"
She looked at Wright again, only to find that he had crossed the road at some point and pushed open the door of a pharmacy.
Is this Mermaid Avenue?
She lowered her head to look at the address in her hand again, and made sure it was correct. She quickly crossed the street and followed him in. When she looked up, she saw a woman in a long skirt smoking a pipe looking at her.
The woman had black curly hair and very pale skin, the kind of paleness that was sickly. The long skirt was a bit revealing for this season, and her shoulders and arms were exposed. She was very tall, a full head taller than him.
Without Lemire by my side, I had to face many things alone. Tilan swallowed nervously and asked, "Hello... Hello, I'm here to look for my companion. He should have come in just now..."
As she spoke, she kept looking around the store.
It's really strange... There are no corners or obstacles here to hide people. How come Wright-Sally is gone?
Unless he went to the inner room... Could it be that this store is also owned by the organization?
As soon as her thought changed, she suddenly felt that the shop owner was looking at her in a strange way.
It was no longer the look she gave as a customer or a fat sheep, but a look that tested and challenged her… Did she think I was too young and unqualified?
"The skin is a little darker." The woman in the long skirt took a puff of cigarette and leaned over to Tilan to puff. "The maintenance is not very good...but the health level is very good. It's okay. I should be able to bear it for the first time."
What is she saying?
What first time?
What to endure?
Tilan's eyes widened, and he could hardly believe what he heard.
"Um... excuse me, I think I may have come to the wrong place..."
"No you didn't."
The woman in the long skirt's face changed. She reached out and grabbed the princess who was trying to escape. She grabbed the back of her clothes and took her to the inner room, where Moore-Sali was already waiting.
It was pitch black here, and he couldn't see what was in the room. Tilan couldn't help swallowing again, and looked at Wright pitifully.
"Don't be nervous, it's just a trip between shadows." Wright was buttoning his coat. Seeing her like this, he comforted her: "The place we are going to this time is the other side of the sea - Elsa Continent. You should have heard of that place, right?"
I... I've heard of it, but why do we have to come here first to go to Elsa Continent?
Tilan didn't understand at all.
If you take a boat, you go to the pier. If you take an airship, you look for the airport or the observation tower. How did this end up in a pharmacy in the downtown area? What is the connection between the two?
"Oh~ That's because as an emergency contact point, I'm the only one assigned a 'shuttle gate' within dozens of streets around here."
The woman explained with a smile.
"It's a transmission channel that can suck you into the shadow and then throw you to the other side of the shadow. Remember not to bring small items like coins and pens. Throw them away quickly, otherwise I can't guarantee that they will be somewhere inside your body when you come out."
How could this happen?
Tilan was stunned. She looked at Wright and found that he was indeed taking out his personal belongings.
A small notebook, a pen, a wallet, a bunch of keys, a Hegland 13 pistol, and two boxes of pistol bullets of different models.
Wait, that black box, could it contain the 'Shadow Bomb'?
Tilan had heard of the reputation of this bullet. Legend has it that as long as the 'Shadow Bomb' hits the enemy's shadow, its destructive power will be multiplied and directly act on the enemy. It is a more powerful spirit bullet than the 'Ice Bomb', and only senior members can obtain it.
Didn't this damn Light Sally just join the organization not long ago like me? I have only got three "Ice Bombs" so far, and I bought them privately with gold coins. How come he got this thing directly?
With a mixture of confusion, shock and anger, Tilan finally confirmed his previous suspicion - the Sally brothers might have known the top leaders of the Engineering Association for a long time!
Before he fell asleep, I heard him chatting with the principal, and he mentioned something he had done with someone in Talignan.
After all this time, it turns out he is a relative!
Compared to him, I, a princess, am nothing!
"It's too late." The woman with the cigarette said fiercely, "You haven't taken anything yet. It seems that you really want to come out from that end in a different way..."
