The Gemenan River is one of the few rivers in the empire that does not dry up all year round. It is also the longest river across the territory of the empire. This river with its source in the Andacier Mountains does not converge towards the east like other water sources.
Instead, it went south along the ravine-ridden imperial wilderness, and finally flowed into the endless sea at the southernmost tip of the Free Continent. Although it passed through the vast Gobi desert with almost no grass growing, this river still nourished people including the imperial capital of Redkar.
Among the many imperial provinces and territories, the name "Gemmenan" was named after the forest of Gemenan that nourished the province of Santerius.
The same is true for the river that now appears in front of Duan Qing and others, because looking downstream along the bank of this river, what is visible is countless lush green colors that are different from the wilderness of the Gobi, as well as the teams marching.
A few people that I haven't seen in a long time.
"The convoy has stopped?"
"It seems like I want to take a rest here..."
"Okay, since they are not in a hurry, let's take a good rest."
"Ah, I'm exhausted. Even though it's only been half a day, we have gone through a huge test."
After replenishing the water source and cleaning the wounds, the team called the Imperial Royal Investigation Team also stopped at the bridge leading to the other side of the river. Under the command of many imperial nobles, they kept busy. They also started to take a simple rest.
Duan Qing's team then chose a location far away from the bridge and sat down. While constantly transporting water supplies back and forth between the river and the resting place, they discussed with each other in a low voice: "
But the people of the Empire don’t believe what we say… They even look down on our strength.”
"Compared to Ivost, who has not yet used his true skills, our strength is indeed still a little behind, but those imperial people definitely don't know about Ivost's appearance, nor do they know that his target is us. To be precise,
,it's me."
"By the way, when did you provoke such a powerful enemy?"
"How do I know? It was probably because he performed too well in the previous night of mutation, so he was targeted by the Restorationists. Although we are still not sure whether this Ivost can be regarded as a person of the Restorationists..."
Talking about these dispensable words casually, Duan Qing, who was accompanied by Gedman, then fought back and forth between the station and the Gemenan River twice. The figure in gray robe struggling to carry a bucket of water was panting in the end.
He stopped next to Xue Ling Huan Bing who was lying beside the carriage, and then wiped the sweat from his face: "Huh, I'm exhausted... You really can't bear to watch me, a weak magician, do this back and forth.
Is it a physical job?"
"Who knew you were the only good person left now?" A smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and the snow spirit Huanbing on his head, who alternated between hot and cold, replied weakly: "That Gedman is just to give you a good appearance.
, his current injury is not suitable for hard labor."
"Devils, they are all devils." Then Duan Qing gasped heavily and shouted: "Don't we still have a complete living person? Why hasn't he come back yet?"
"Are you talking about Asahi Dongsheng? He has indeed left for a long time." Goldman, who was gulping down water, then showed a critical expression: "We want to condemn his willful behavior of leaving the team alone! But... go find him now
I'm afraid I can't find him either."
Looking at the large number of convoys that were also resting not far away, Duan Qing helplessly covered his forehead, and then when Xue Ling Huan Bing lowered his head and snickered, he temporarily dropped the bucket in his hand on the ground: "Forget it.
Since you insist on letting me, Liao Hua, be the vanguard, then I have nothing to say..."
"It's almost noon, but this break shouldn't last too long." Xue Ling Huan Bing also put away her smile and replied in a low voice: "The journey ahead is still far, and they don't have much.
There is room for delay.”
"Unless they don't intend to solve the Prince Chris matter at all." When she said this, two gleams flashed in her weak eyes: "This mission is just for a walk."
"No matter how tough Drenir is, deliberately provoking a war after just experiencing such a disaster is not a wise choice, right?" Duan Qing shook his head and replied: "And there are restorers and freedom.
Zhiyi and others are watching eagerly."
"If the attack just now can serve as a reminder to Her Majesty Reina, then it can be regarded as a mistake."
Looking at the rose-colored carriage that was also resting in the center of the convoy and the countless figures of imperial guards surrounding it, Xueling Huanbing's voice once again regained its previous tiredness: "At least it can make those nobles and imperial soldiers
We need to do a little more to make us a little safer."
"The enemies they face now are not too many." Gedman on the side commented aloud: "When they reach the border area, the potential enemies they will face are probably not just the Restorationists.
.”
"Are you referring to the principality? Hmm... Even if His Highness the Prince's matter is really related to them, they shouldn't be reckless." Duan Qing breathed a sigh of relief, and then looked at the bridge in front of the road with a wry smile.
On the other side: "I heard that the principality has agreed to this negotiation and is waiting for our arrival at Fars Fortress, although...heh."
"It may be inappropriate to say it, but if we leave on our own now, the difficulties faced by this investigation team may be less."
After another period of hurriedly taking care of everything, Duan Qing, who was responsible for the rest of the team, finally found some free time. He sighed and sat down amidst the sight of a large number of soldiers passing by the garrison from time to time.
At the edge of another door at the back of the carriage: "The janitor responsible for taking care of daily life... If you hire me to do this job, you will make a lot of money."
"..."
"You seem to be in a bad mood."
Looking at Violet who was also sitting here and remaining silent, Duan Qing wiped the sweat from his head and then stretched himself vigorously: "It's because I'm about to pass through the Santorius Province.
Because of that?”
"...You can really guess it."
Finally speaking out her voice again, the purple-haired woman's lowered gaze did not change at all: "Although not long has passed, I always feel a long stagnation, like"
"Just like the time I spent in Tanzania."
The tips of her purple hair fluttered in the air for a while. Violet, who no longer maintained a dull image, slowly raised her head. The eyes that originally concealed the purple divine light also emerged from Duan Qing's body.
He took it back and landed at the end of the horizon where the river led: "Looking back now, I have probably stayed in that city for thirty years, and the Violet Tower has also been occupied by me during this long period of time.
Established by one hand, the existence of the Violet Lord was finally recognized by the Council of Mages..."
"In the past thirty years, I have been immersed in the study of magic." She sighed slowly when she said this: "Time will always pass faster under such circumstances, so that I
The last impression I had before leaving that red city was as if it happened just yesterday..."
"Your alchemy achievements were also discovered during this period." Duan Qing on the side comforted in a low voice: "It was just used by your apprentice in the end, and even harmed yourself. Those achievements will not
Disappeared into thin air.”
"There is a famous saying among alchemists that you can only bear the consequences of your own brewing." Violet shook her head and chuckled twice: "I don't regret much that I have ended up like this.
The feeling...well."
"Rather than regretting it, it would be more appropriate to use the word 'wonderful' to describe it." She looked back at Duan Qing's face, and at the same time gestured towards the lush green at the end of the river: "Once upon a time
The city that I had sheltered for thirty years finally clamored to kill me, but the person who once overthrew me and almost killed me... ended up being my savior."
The heat of the sun scorching the ground finally set off a gust of refreshing wind on the river bank, slightly blowing the tips of Violet's purple hair under the hood, and Duan Qing looked at this smile.
There was also a moment of confusion, and then he hurriedly averted his gaze: "Ahem, that, that... there is nothing we can do about it. After all, we have also made some of the same mistakes, and we have been looking for opportunities to make up for it...
…”
"What you have done for me during this period has exceeded ordinary people's imagination, and is naturally much more than what the citizens of Tanzania City have done for me." Violet shook her head again and interrupted Duan Qing.
He said: "Including Maggie, who was once protected by me...you will always unintentionally pay an unimaginable weight for us poor people."
"It doesn't have that much weight. I just keep acting according to my own heart." Duan Qing pushed his hands pointlessly: "As for Maggie...she seems to have not communicated with us much during this time. It seems that
Is it because I was ‘taken care of’ by you before that I have been avoiding you?”
"Maybe."
Tilting her head, Violet then turned her gaze to the depths of the motorcade: "Even I don't know how to face someone who almost sold me, and I don't know how to face it.
As far as I know, the past of this Queen of the Night does not seem to be one that can be easily described..."
"Those stories that happened in Felong County?" Duan Qing, who was leaning on the side of the carriage, sighed deeply: "Speaking of which, she did mention it to me once. Unfortunately, I am no longer the same person as before.
Those things may have disappeared into the memory of the past.”
"...But you will always have an inexplicable connection with these poor us." Violet replied with a low smile: "Including me, I always feel that our spirits can be easily synchronized together.
, has there been any deeper communication between our souls?"
"Well...ah hahaha." Knowing that the other party was referring to the two experiences of possession, Duan Qing finally dismissed the topic with a dry smile: "Although it must be an illusion, this illustrates the truth.
There is a deep bond between us...ah, by the way."
"Because of our close relationship, I have a question that I have always wanted to ask. I wonder if I can ask it." He put on a serious face and stared closely at Weir, who was slightly at a loss.
Lit's face: "You"
"How old are you this year?"
Bang.
A heavy shock sounded in the air behind the carriage, and what followed was a long silence that was difficult to describe in words. The figure in the gray robe belonging to Duan Qing staggered out of the corner of the carriage after a long while,
Accompanying this was the tragic situation where his whole body seemed to be baptized by huge energy: "Really, everyone knows this, so there is nothing to be ashamed of."
"I should have said before that Norman's unfinished business will be completed by me, right?" A mature woman's voice that only Duan Qing could hear then sounded in his ears: "Be prepared, my
The training is very rigorous.”
"...Sigh." Duan Qing, who knocked his head hard, his face and body covered with fine scars, then smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Can you wait a little longer, otherwise our team
It will really become a team full of wounded."
"Sir." The voice belonging to the codeword Ninglan then appeared in his ears, and with it, the pretty figure of the blue and white maid suddenly appeared next to him: "Ninglan has brought the person back.
"
"Yo."
As the figure of Ningyu Ninglan moved away, the burly body belonging to Cangyun Barrier then blocked the bright view in front of Duan Qing. The man who looked fully armed then put down the heavy shield in his hand and looked around at the car.
The people on the left and right of the carriage said: "I heard that you were attacked and suffered heavy casualties. I didn't expect it to be true."
"After such an attack, you Lanshan didn't go out to show off?" Duan Qing lowered his arm and looked at the other party with squinting eyes: "It doesn't fit the character of you stupid, big, dark men."
"Our acting style is not determined by our image. You'd better remember this." He tapped Duan Qing's chest with his finger. Cangyun Barrier, who looked unkind, then lowered his head and looked down at Duan Qing's face.
: "Okay, now... why did you ask your maid to call me here, you bastard?"
"Can you change the title to something less harsh?" Duan Qing, whose eyelids and eyebrows were tangled together and shook his hand, then took the lead and walked aside: "Let's change the place by the way... um."
He led the double-shield warrior to the side, and then walked to the far river bank under the guard of Enyu Ninglan who still refused to give up: "It's fine here."
"Let me state in advance that there are still many accounts to be settled between us." He grinned a few times, and Cangyun Barrier then raised his shield as if to express his stance: "Although we have had a cooperative relationship in the past,
But that’s only temporary.”
"It may be temporary, but I hope the alliance between us still exists."
Pointing to his chest, Duan Qing looked back expressionlessly at the half-face of the double-shield warrior looking down at him from behind the shield: "I know you hear this sentence often, but I still want to say it again.
"
"If you are willing to continue to stand on the same front with us, what conditions do you need?"
This chapter has been completed!